Author: sailorknight

Prologue

The Brooch

By Jason C. Ulloa

“We knew the world would not be the same. A few people laughed, a few people cried, most people were silent. I remembered the line from the Hindu scripture, the Bhagavad-Gita. Vishnu is trying to persuade the Prince that he should do his duty and to impress him takes on his multi-armed form and says, “Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” I suppose we all thought that one way or another.”

--"J. Robert Oppenheimer, July 16, 1945

-----Prologue: Divergence-----

The following is an excerpt from the journal of Gotou Ken'ichi, a resident of the city of Matsue, Japan:

August 3, 1945:

I finally heard the news from my cousin, Kotoshige. The air raids have been getting worse as the months go by. The family "overachiever" is getting despondent, contrary to his namesake. Too many of his fellow soldiers have been injured or killed in these raids, and the city's defense is getting weaker each time. Don't give up, Kotoshige! I believe in you!

The news on the radio is getting bleaker by the day. Like many others in my neighborhood, I am confident that our fellow countrymen can turn back the tide of this war in our favor again. Still, lately, I've been getting a terrible feeling deep in my gut. Like something big... something absolutely horrific is going to happen.

But this is war. Something absolutely horrific always happens. Still, it feels like something even worse, and it's got me scared--"not just for my family but for Japan itself. Mitsu says I'm worrying over nothing, but it sounds like she's trying to convince herself and not me. She believes that my sense of foreboding is really my sixth sense trying to warn me.

I still think she's just imagining things. I don't have a sixth sense. It's just intuition. Even if I've never been wrong about anything I've predicted, anyone could do the same if they just listen to their intuition.

Anyway, Mitsuki wants us to go visit her family in Hiroshima tomorrow. She says her mother's been feeling out of sorts lately and wants to reassure herself. I don't blame her, but I don't like going down there. Her father hates me; I'm sure of it. I keep getting this feeling of doom whenever I dwell upon it, but I can't deny my "precious light" anything. If this will make Mitsu feel better, then I'll do it. But I still think her father hates me. REALLY hates me, as in he wants me dead. I wouldn't be surprised if I ended up dead that very day.

Okay, I'm exaggerating, but it feels that way. If I was anything like my namesake, this "wise one" wouldn't take one step into that city. It's too bad that I only have Monday off. The boss won't let me have more than that, even if it is for family.

Well, until next time.

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Unfortunately, this is the last entry of this journal. Gotou Ken'ichi and his wife, Mitsuki, died when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.

The following is an excerpt from the journal of Hayabusa Tenko, a resident of the city of Nagasaki, Japan:

August 7, 1945:

I'm so afraid.

I saw the flash of light coming from the northeast toward Hiroshima, but I didn't know what it was until I heard the news from my next-door neighbor, Chihiro. I never dreamed that those Americans had such a horrible weapon! So much of that city was destroyed in an instant.

So many... dead. All dead in one moment.

After the events from yesterday, I can't help but feel afraid. If the Americans can lay waste to a city like Hiroshima, what could a weapon like that do to my home? I can only pray that the Americans don't turn their horrible bomb on us. We are just an industrial city. Fishing and steelworks. We're not a military city like Hiroshima.

Chihiro has been trying to console me. She says that there are cities that are much better targets out there for the Americans to use their weapon on, but I still feel terrified. Oh, how I wish that my Renzou was here and not at work. I always feel so safe in his arms. The Americans could hurl their terrible weapon at us, and I would still feel secure. Oh, please hurry and come home.

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This journal also abruptly ended on August 9, 1945, when the second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki. Both Hayabusa Tenko and her husband, Renzou, a steelworker, died in the blast.

The following are excerpts from the journal of Commander Managi Tateaki of the Japanese Navy:

September 2, 1945:

It is done. Japan has formally signed its unconditional surrender today.

It is a bleak day for our country, but this is what had to be done. This atomic bomb that the Americans possess is a great weapon that could potentially decimate Japan. I can only imagine what has happened to my Uncle Doukei's family in Nagasaki. My parent's home in Hiroshima has probably been totaled. I'm glad they had been visiting my grandparents in Asahikawa when it fell. Still, I worry about where they will live now. Father says he'll have to look for a new place to live. Mother says she wants to move somewhere close to Tokyo so she can visit Chitose and the children whenever I'm underway. Maybe she'd like to live in Yokohama, Urawa, or Chiba. Those cities are relatively close. Then again, perhaps she'd prefer the hot springs at Kofu. I think I'll mention them to her next time I write to her.

In eight days, it's going to be Umi's fourteenth birthday. During that time, the American occupation of Tokyo should be starting. I wish things didn't have to be this way. I'm glad the war is finally over, but I wonder if things could've turned out differently. Did we have to get the Americans involved? If we had left them alone, would the outcome have changed?

I can't write anymore. I'm going to bed. Perhaps things will look better tomorrow.

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September 3, 1945:

I've recently received strange reports concerning the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. More and more people are disappearing from those two cities. Granted, people, or rather, bodies, are still being found. However, it's the people who have already been accounted for and are still alive who are disappearing.

Tomorrow, I'm transferring off of the Musashi to shore duty. I'll be stationed in Tokyo, which is good since we already live there. Chitose, Umi, and Satoshi will be thrilled to hear that I won't have to go out to sea anymore. Especially Umi. She's been worried about losing her "Papa" to the war and crying a lot. But now she won't have to worry about that. Satoshi's been holding up honorably, which shows that he has indeed inherited my noble samurai blood. He hasn't shed one tear or even complained. He makes his father so proud.

I've been noticing indications in Chitose's letters that she wants another child. I thought she was content with just two children after Satoshi was born nine years ago, but it sounds like she's changed her mind. At least, that's what it sounds like. I'll likely find out once I see them tomorrow.

Until then.

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September 6, 1945:

The first wave of American troops arrived today, much sooner than expected. However, this pales in comparison to what I've read in the news this morning.

Everyone in Hiroshima and Nagasaki has disappeared. The only people who remain are the dead bodies that have yet to be discovered and given proper burials.

This is very ominous. The police departments of neighboring cities are utterly baffled. Homes, cars, bicycles, pets, everything has been abandoned. I'm just glad that Mother and Father are no longer living there. Apparently, Mother has taken my suggestion to move to Kofu to heart and is convincing Father to go.

My fellow officers and a few of my subordinates have taken to joking about Chitose's enthusiasm in attempting to become with child. Today is the second day I've come into the office, almost exhausted, greeted by my associates' knowing smirks. It doesn't matter, though. Chitose's determined to succeed, so I don't have much say in that, do I?

It's going to be another long night...

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September 9, 1945:

It's spread over here to Tokyo now. People are disappearing without a word or a trace. And it's not just restricted to the Japanese people. Some of the American soldiers are vanishing, too. That has them in quite an uproar. The only thing that keeps them from taking it out on us is that more Japanese disappear than Americans. So, now the American soldiers are helping us figure out what happened to the missing people. They are confident that their soldiers are being taken captive since they would not just arbitrarily leave without authorization. A handful, maybe, but half a division at once? Not likely.

So, I've been ordered to head an investigation into the matter. Unfortunately, that means I might have to miss Umi's birthday tomorrow. Damn the luck. I hope Umi and Chitose understand why I might not be able to attend such an important event.

I need to cut this short. I'm beginning the investigation early tomorrow so I can get enough done to justify my getting off early enough to see Umi on her birthday. I'd better get some sleep.

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This is the last journal entry. Commander Managi, his wife, Chitose, and son, Satoshi, disappeared that night. Only their daughter, Umi, managed to escape the same fate.

The following is the statement of Managi Umi, made on September 10, 1945, at 1:42am to Officer Watarigawa Arasuke of the Tokyo Police Department:

"This weird man broke into our house and attacked Papa while we were sleeping! I don't know how he got in since none of the windows or doors were broken or unlocked, but somehow, he got in and attacked Papa with this weird crystal thing!

"I remember hearing Mama scream, so I jumped out of bed and ran to see if Mama or Papa were all right. Sato-chan was right behind me when we opened the door to Mama and Papa's room. Eh? Oh, Sato-chan is my little brother.

"Anyway, this weird, scary man was holding this black crystal thing at Papa, and smoke started to come from Papa's body, even though he wasn't on fire! The smoke all went into the crystal that the scary man was holding, and Papa fell over as he went back to sleep, only Mama couldn't wake him up by shaking him!

"Mama started to cry, and the man turned that crystal thing at her. Sato-chan then ran at the man and kicked him underneath his knees, making the man stumble. Mama told Sato-chan and me to run away, but Sato-chan wasn't going to run away. He was going to fight the man that hurt Papa. I tried to get him and run away like Mama wanted, but the man had already grabbed him and thrown him into the wall! Mama yelled at me to run, and this time I ran. I ran as hard as I could until I reached here.

"What does he look like? I couldn't really tell. It was very dark. The man was tall, and he had long hair. I think he was wearing some sort of strange gray uniform, but I could tell that it wasn't Japanese or even American. Wait! I think it was brown! Yeah, the man had brown hair! That's all I can remember...."

After contacting her next of kin, Managi Umi was sent to live with her grandparents in Asahikawa, in the Hokkaido Prefecture.

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The following is an excerpt from the journal of Yamakoe Gyouko, a resident of the city of Tokyo, Japan:

September 10, 1945:

There is a saying that misfortune always comes in threes.

First, there were last month's bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Second, Japan was soundly defeated in World War II by the United States. Now, their soldiers occupy our capital city.

The third and final misfortune topped them both.

I was one of the fortunate few who survived what some call the "Imperial Palace Attack." It happened so suddenly that I can only remember bits and pieces of what really happened, but here is what I remember:

I was coming home from visiting a friend that morning, passing by the Imperial Palace as always. I think it was around 9:30am or so. A colossal explosion threw a shower of brick, wood, and other building materials into the air. However, what scared me the most was the fact that there was no sound of a bomb. Instead, it was something of an otherworldly howl. It was also accompanied by darkness so vast that the sunlight seemed to dim in its presence. A second explosion took down a portion of the wall ahead of me, killing everyone in the blast path. If I hadn't stopped as I did, I would've been killed, too.

I quickly ran and hid behind the wall of a nearby building. As the dust settled, I could see four men in strange gray uniforms I'd never seen before. They weren't American, and they absolutely weren't Japanese. Whoever these foreigners were, they had just destroyed the Imperial Palace. I assumed that the emperor was dead. I still haven't heard any word.

What happened next scared me almost to the point of fainting dead away, but I clung to consciousness, knowing that if I did faint, I would end up dead. Behind the four men, strange and terrifying creatures began to pour out from a steadily increasing black portal behind them. Some looked vaguely human, and some were anything but human. But all of them were undoubtedly demons of one sort or another.

Demons. I thought they were merely stories, like the rabbit on the Moon that pounds mochi, but they were very much not. The man that I saw beaten into unconsciousness is all the proof that I needed of their existence.

I ran. I ran as hard as I could, away from the shrieks and screaming and pain and death. If I stopped, I know I would be joining them.

By all the kami, my heart is still racing, even now. Please, somebody, save me...

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The following is an excerpt from a message sent on September 10, 1945, at 11:45am from Tokyo to Washington, D.C., and all U.S. Pacific commands via radio message:

RVUXAZYY RVUXAZWY RVUXVWYX RYVXUVXZ

0045Z 11SEP1945/TS TS TS TS

FROM/COMJAPOCFOR

TO/WASHINGTON, D.C., SECDEF

INFO/ALLPACCOM

T O P S E C R E T

SUBJ/ATTACK ON TOKYO FROM UNIDENTIFIED FORCES

RMKS/1. AT 2237Z 10SEP45, A SURPRISE ATTACK ENSUED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY OF TOKYO. THE ATTACK ORIGINATED AT THE IMPERIAL PALACE AND CONTINUED SOUTHWEST, TAKING OUT THE NATIONAL DIET BUILDING AS WELL. THE ATTACK CONTINUED SOUTH, TOWARD THE UNITED STATES OCCUPATIONAL COMMAND POST, WHERE THE ATTACK WAS MET AND HALTED. THE ATTACK CEASED AT 0013Z 11SEP45 WHEN THE UNIDENTIFIED FORCES SUDDENLY RETREATED.

2. FORCES CONSISTED OF FOUR MEN IN UNIFORMS OF AN UNIDENTIFIED AFFILIATION AND HUNDREDS OF WHAT THE LOCAL JAPANESE HAVE IDENTIFIED AS "YOUMA." IT IS BELIEVED THAT THESE ARE MERELY MEN IN COSTUME TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF LOCAL SUPERSTITION. THE "YOUMA" WERE ARMED WITH VARIOUS WEAPONS OF VARIOUS USES, RANGING FROM BLADES AND BLUNT WEAPONS TO INCENDIARY AND EXPLOSIVE WEAPONS.

3. CASUALTIES FROM ATTACK: MILITARY: 415 DEAD, 1829 WOUNDED. CIVILIAN: 972 DEAD, 2036 WOUNDED. PROPERTY DAMAGE: APPROX. $525,000. JAPANESE PROPERTY DAMAGE: APPROX. $1,125,000.

NNNN

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The Imperial Palace Attack seemed to have been held off by the United States military forces. However, in reality, the 'attack' was nothing but a simple resource-gathering raid. The resources being gathered were humanity's life energy. In addition to gathering resources, the strike was a test of the humans' ability to fight back against their forces.

Judging from the number of human forces lost compared to the number of Youma lost, the humans couldn't fight back that well. Most of their attacks consisted of rapidly throwing small metal capsules from miniature portable cannons at them. Not very useful if Youma are highly impervious to blunt attacks. The piercing capsules were another matter, which they learned soon enough. However, the human forces had been dealt a hard blow before they could figure that out. It was merely a matter of learning which humans carried the piercing projectile weapons and dealing with them first.

Jadeite grinned. This was looking to be a most promising war.

_________________________________________________________________

December 7, 1945. A date that seemed determined to live in infamy.

It was soon to be learned that the horror of the Imperial Palace Attack was just a precursor to the actual invasion. Once again, the events from September 10 played themselves out. The framework of the new Imperial Palace was once again blown into shrapnel. Hordes of Youma began to pour out of a black portal that appeared just a few feet in the air. But this wasn't the army of hundreds that came before.

This time, there were thousands of Youma. Tens of thousands. Hundreds of thousands.

Once again, the combined might of the Japanese and American armies stood against the Youma horde but were eventually overrun.

The city of Tokyo was conquered within two hours.

Once the military was dealt with, it was time to gather the remaining humans. After all, thanks to the humans captured from Hiroshima and Nagasaki, they could power a portal large enough to allow them to invade.

Or rather, it was thanks to the negative energy produced from the destructive radioactive blast from those two explosions that allowed Jadeite to cross over into Japan and abduct the first slaves of the new Dark Kingdom.

For the next six months, the invasion army spread to the north and west as it began its conquest of Japan. Cities, wards, prefectures--"the entire country--"fell before its rapidly advancing army. By June 13, 1946, all of Japan belonged to the Dark Kingdom.

_________________________________________________________________

The following is an excerpt from the journal of Managi Umi, now a resident of the occupied city of Asahikawa:

July 2, 1946:

Grandmother is crying again. I don't blame her. Out of my entire family, all I have left are my grandparents. Mama, Papa, Sato-chan... They're probably dead now.

It's strange. A few months ago, I couldn't stop crying whenever I thought about my family, but now, it's just a dull pain. It still hurts, but I hardly notice it anymore.

I want to return to Tokyo to find out anything about this Dark Kingdom or whatever they're calling themselves. Not only that, but my grandmother is also trying to arrange a marriage for me. I thought things like that were over and done with, like the feudal era. But apparently, Grandmother doesn't want to take any chances with our family line ending with me.

I don't want an arranged marriage. It's not that I don't like the guy, but I don't know him. I want to fall in love and get married on my own. I don't need Grandmother making me get married to some guy I barely know!

A couple of my friends plan on running away and joining the resistance movement that is building up in Tokyo. They tell me that the forces of the Dark Kingdom can't enter holy places like Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples, and Christian churches. Because of that, the resistance forces are taking refuge in such sites, regardless of religion or nationality.

Surprisingly enough, the leader of the resistance forces is an American of Japanese descent named Kino Tenmei. He calls the resistance group "Shishu," meaning 'defending to the last' or 'defending desperately,' after the fact that even though they are severely outnumbered, he will defend the lives of his fellow humans to the end.

Oh, how I wish I could meet him. Maybe I'll be able to if I decide to run away with my friends. But I can't abandon my grandparents...

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After the conquest of Japan, other countries began to mobilize what was left of their armies, just in case the Dark Kingdom wished to try and expand their borders. However, with the massive collection of life energy amassed from the Japanese and Americans they had captured, it was simple enough to create more Youma from their masses of human slaves by imbuing them with their own life energy, corrupted by the evil powers of the Dark Kingdom.

With their numbers quickly reaching the millions, the Dark Kingdom began to spread in all directions, conquering all cities, towns, states, provinces, countries, islands, and continents that lay in their path.

By September 1946, the rapidly expanding Dark Kingdom had captured the eastern part of the Asian continent, the Indonesian islands, Australia, and the Pacific Islands, including Hawaii and the Aleutian Islands.

The following are more excerpts from the journal of Managi Umi, now a resident of the Meiji Jinja in Tokyo:

October 9, 1946:

I can't believe I finally made it here! I haven't found any of my friends yet, but I'm sure they're somewhere around here.

Tokyo has changed so much since I was here over a year ago. None of my family are here--"Mama, Papa, Sato-chan, Grandmother, Grandfather... I'm the only one left. I miss them all so much.

From the moment I stepped onto the Meiji Jinja grounds, I felt safe for the first time in a long time. I can't explain it, but it feels like there's this invisible line just outside the shrine that I'm sure Youma cannot cross. I'll have to ask one of the priests about that. There's certainly a lot of them around nowadays. Lots of people are training to become priests and such. I figure that's because they're the ones who maintain that invisible line.

It's all so amazing. Things like this never happened two years ago.

Then again, the Dark Kingdom didn't exist two years ago.

...I feel so depressed now.

Hey! Maybe Kino Tenmei is here! He's the leader of Shishu, right? And the Meiji Jinja is supposed to be its headquarters, right?

...I wonder if he's handsome?

_________________________________________________________________

October 11, 1946:

I can't believe it! He's only eighteen! The leader of all Shishu forces is only eighteen years old!!!

And he's cute, too.

Still, it was quite a shock meeting him for the first time. Actually, it was more like he ran over me. And I've got the bumps on my forehead and the back of my head to prove it. It wasn't really his fault. He was responding to a Youma alert when he ran into me and knocked me face-first into the wall. If that wasn't enough, I also fell backward onto the floor because I was too dazed from the first hit to stay upright.

Or, so I was told. I was kind of blacked out at the time.

Anyway, Kino-sama was kind enough to visit me in the infirmary and apologize for injuring me. Seeing my reaction when I learned he was so young amused him. He told me that he only became Shishu's leader because he was the first to discover the secret to defeating the Youma. This discovery led to humanity's first victory over the Youma.

Apparently, the Youma are impervious to blunt attacks, so most bullets wouldn't do much damage to them. You can only really damage them by using armor-piercing bullets. Kino-sama thought that if Youma were vulnerable to piercing attacks, a sword could work. So, he got himself a katana and tried out his theory. It worked magnificently. So now, all members of Shishu were armed with swords as well as guns with armor-piercing bullets.

I was awestruck, but he said it was nothing. Other members of Shishu could do the same or even better than he could. The only reason that he remained in command was that people said he was a natural leader. They respected his decisions because they were made with the heart and the mind. Or, so they said. He didn't really believe all that. He just wanted to protect his fellow humans and eventually free them from slavery to the evil Dark Kingdom.

He said everything with such honesty and conviction that I couldn't help but believe him. He seems so humble and modest for such an important man. I was disappointed when he said he had to go, but he was too busy to visit for long. Then, he surprised me by promising to see me again tomorrow.

Ah! I'm STILL blushing! He's probably just concerned about my injuries. Yeah, that's it.

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By June 1947, Asia and the western half of Northern and Southern America had fallen into Dark Kingdom hands. More humans were being conscripted into what was being labeled as the 'battery pods' according to the few slaves that Shishu was able to rescue. Thus, the Dark Kingdom war machine rolled forward, steamrolling over whatever resistance the humans could throw against it. Some countries took the Shishu's members' advice and began using swords and their armor-piercing weaponry, slowing down the Dark Kingdom's advance. Still, in the end, sheer numbers prevailed over the valiant efforts of the human race.

The following is another excerpt from the journal of Managi Umi, a Shishu volunteer working at the Meiji Jinja:

February 29, 1948:

Ten-chan is such an idiot! He completely forgot it was his birthday today. He's five years old today! Or twenty for non-leap-year babies like myself.

Anyway, like I said, he's such a big idiot! How could he forget his own twentieth birthday and go out on patrol? I know he's concerned for the welfare of the people of Meiji Jinja, but can't he ever let someone else handle the job and stay home occasionally? It's a big shrine, and I get lonely sometimes, even if the shrine's slightly crowded at the moment.

I just made a new friend today! Her name's Tamagawa Hikari. She's only three years older than I am--"two years after I turn seventeen--"and she's already married! Her husband's name is Samatsu, and he's twenty years old, just like Tenmei. Oh, and he's in Shishu as well. A newly accepted 6th class Blade. Hikari thinks he's good enough with a sword to rise in the ranks quickly and make 1st class Blade by his 25th birthday and Master Blade by his 30th. Well, if he's as good as my Ten-chan, he might make it. But I doubt it. No one's as good with a sword as my Ten-chan.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Hikari already has a baby girl. Her name's Ikuko and she's only five months old. She's so beautiful! I just know she will be such a lovely woman when she grows up!

Anyway, Hikari's on the nursing staff, just like me. She's pretty good with herbs and medical stuff since her mother was a nurse before the Dark Kingdom took her as a slave. Maybe I could get her to teach me some of what she knows.

I heard from Ten-chan's second-in-command, Okizaki Toshimaru, that the Dark Kingdom has engulfed Europe, Africa, South America, Canada, and Mexico. Only the Eastern United States remains free, and the Americans are fighting back with everything they have and then some. They were desperate enough to try using that atomic bomb of theirs one last time, but it had no effect on the Youma horde. The Americans are even borrowing some of our military tactics and using suicide attacks on the Youma. So far, it's been effective, but only for so long. The Dark Kingdom has all the advantages of numbers, while the human race is slowly becoming enslaved and extinct.

No, not extinct. Not as long as Ten-chan has his dream of freeing the human race from the Dark Kingdom. I believe in his vision. Maybe that's why I love the man as much as I do. I want to help him achieve his dream in any way I can, even if it's to work as a nurse.

Now, if only he'd concentrate less on his dream and a little more on me...

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September 10, 1949:

Oh, I'm so happy! I just can't stop staring at the ring on my finger!

Yes, Ten-chan finally proposed to me on my eighteenth birthday. Now THAT'S a birthday present! I'm going to be Kino Umi! It's like a dream come true! Mama, Papa, Sato-chan, you would approve of Tenmei. I know you would. He's just like you were, Papa. So brave and dignified and handsome. Everyone looks up to him, even though he's only twenty-one.

Hikari's so happy for me, and so is little two-year-old Ikuko. Samatsu is giving Tenmei some 'advice' of some sort. Judging by how his cheeks flushed slightly whenever he looked back at me, I can guess what kind of advice it was. Sama-kun can be such a hentai sometimes. It makes me wonder how Hikari puts up with it. I would've smacked him in the head by now if it were me.

Anyway, I've already decided that I want children. Ten-chan is constantly risking his life against the Dark Kingdom. I want to have his children so that, just in case he loses his life, I can raise my son or daughter to continue their father's legacy and fulfill his dream in his place.

I can't wait until the wedding day. It'll have to be a big wedding since everyone's felt terrible since the fall of the United States. The Dark Kingdom took over the world on August 31, 1949, and the world became a darker place. We need things like this to remind ourselves that even though things may look bleak, there's still hope. Every time Hikari and Samatsu look at Ikuko, they see that hope, and every time I look at Tenmei, I see that hope, and I think he sees that hope in me.

As long as there is breath in the lungs of Kino Tenmei and Managi Umi--"soon to be Kino Umi--"our hopes and dreams will never be extinguished!

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By the end of November 1950, several new Shishu commands began to spring up worldwide. More and more people began to dedicate their lives to religion to drive back the Dark Kingdom. However, not all Shishu commands could stand up for prolonged periods against the continual onslaught of the Dark Kingdom.

In January 1951, Shishu's scattered forces soon learned the names and faces of the Four Generals of the Dark Kingdom, as their Queen, a woman named Beryl, divided the world between them. The Northeastern Hemisphere was given to Jadeite, the Southeastern Hemisphere to Zoisite, the Southwestern Hemisphere to Kunzite, and the Northwestern Hemisphere to Nephrite.

Not entirely satisfied with her conquest of Earth, Queen Beryl left the planet by the end of 1951 to conquer more of the universe and took most of her Youma with her. However, what she did leave was still enough to keep the humans at bay as the Four Generals continued to actively hunt and wipe out pockets of Shishu resistance.

The battle between the Generals and Shishu became a stalemate around mid-1955 and remained that way for years.

The following is another excerpt from the journal of Kino Umi, a Shishu nurse working at the Meiji Jinja:

April 28, 1969:

I'm so proud of my Ken-chan! He finally proposed to his girlfriend, Yasura Misaki, on her eighteenth birthday, just like his father. Ah, Kino Ken and Kino Misaki. I like the sound of that.

I just wish I could've given my Ten-chan more children than only Ken, but since I almost died during childbirth, I've never been able to carry another child to term. Not for want of trying, though. I'm so envious of Hikari. She has Ikuko, Nodoka and Tenma. Three, and I only have one. Not fair!

That reminds me. I've noticed that that young priest-in-training has been staring at Ikuko a lot. What was his name again? Ken-something. Ah! Kenji. Tsukino Kenji. No talent with the sword, so he became a Shinto priest instead. Hmm... I should have Toshimaru say something to Kenji. You'd never know the man loved to play matchmaker with his gruff demeanor. Go figure.

Well, I'll give Kenji three months. Then I'll sic Toshimaru on him.

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February 28, 1977:

At last! After years of waiting, Ken and Misaki finally gave me a grandson! Kino Ryoku was born just one day before his grandfather's birthday. I'm so happy! Ryoku has his grandfather's gray eyes, too! I'm glad, even though I wanted him to have Ken's and my green eyes. He's so handsome, like his father and grandfather.

Ikuko and her husband, Kenji, are also expecting their first child, due sometime in June. I'm happy for them, too, but this time, I'm the one who gets to gloat. See, Hikari? I got grandchildren before you! Haha!

Ten-chan's becoming worried lately. He thinks that Jadeite's planning something big. I know that Jadeite's been turning his gaze toward the Meiji Jinja. Many people here have been setting out for other Shishu installations in case Jadeite tries to go all out against the Meiji Jinja. Ken and Misaki are planning on moving out but for a different reason. Ken wants to become the commanding officer of his own Shishu post, just like his father. Ten-chan has already approved the new installation and assigned Hino-sama, a Shinto priest, to Ken's command. Ken's taking over the old Hikawa Jinja, which had fallen to Jadeite years ago. Ken believes he can revive it with Hino-sama's help. I know he'll do well. He's his father's son, after all.

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The following is an excerpt from the journal of Kino Misaki, a Shishu nurse working at the Hikawa Jinja:

December 5, 1978:

Today, my Ryo-chan gets a sister. She's so beautiful! She has Ken-chan's eyes. He's named her Makoto, which is a perfect name for her. She looks a lot like Ryo-chan did when he was born.

When Ryo-chan saw her for the first time, he held out his hand, took hers, and kissed her on the cheek. I thought I would melt! That was so adorable! I can tell Ryo-chan loves his new sister already.

I'm so tired. I've been getting tired a lot lately. I hope that's because of giving birth to Mako-chan. I'd hate to think that there was something wrong with me. I'll have Ken-chan call Mama and tell her she has another grandchild. We know she loves to brag about her grandchildren to her friend, Hikari.

I can imagine it now. She'll say that she's winning 2-1 and stick out her tongue at her. Mama can be so childish at times. But that's why I love her, even if she's really Ken-chan's mother and not mine.

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February 28, 1983:

Today's my son Ryoku's sixth birthday. It's apparent that he wants to follow in his father's and grandfather's footsteps and become a member of Shishu. Ken gave Ryo-chan a bokuto for his last birthday, and I'm amazed at the skill he wields it with. He's almost as graceful with the sword as his father, and that's saying a lot. I'd say that his current skill is the same as Ken's when he was a 5th-class Blade or even his grandfather Tenmei when he first picked up his sword.

Makoto seems to like watching her brother practice his swordplay a lot. She's always there, observing. I wonder if she's considering becoming a nurse like her Grandmama or me. She and Ryo-chan seem quite inseparable at times. They're always together. I'm so lucky to have two children who get along so well.

I've heard from the Meiji Jinja that Jadeite has led yet another attack on the shrine. Papa managed to repel the attack with the help of all the priests of the shrine before. However, many of them have been seriously injured in the attempt. An eighth of all the priests have died. Papa got hurt, but Mama said he would be fine in a few days.

A couple of new faces have come to the Hikawa Jinja. Mizuno Atsuko is our most recent doctor. Her husband was killed by Youma while they were traveling here. He sacrificed himself to save her and their five-year-old daughter, Ami. The girl still seems to be in shock. She hasn't said anything for days. Not since her father, Ryouji, died. Despite being mute, she's made quick friends with Hino-sama's granddaughter, Rei, and my two children. The four of them often play together in the shrine foregrounds and around the koi pond.

When I see those four play together, it's hard to remember that it's a war zone outside these shrine grounds. It's so desolate out there. Buildings have rusted and rotted, plants have withered and decayed, streets have warped and become pitted, and darkness covers every corner. There isn't a window out there that hasn't been smashed. Dirt and debris cover everything. It's so horrible.

I really must stop dwelling on these things. With everything that's happened over the years, I know it's hard not to fall into a depression, but I can't let myself get depressed every time I look outside. A lot of suicides have stemmed from thoughts like that. Rei-chan lost her mother to suicide after her father was killed by the last Youma raid.

Oh, there I go again. Maybe I should spend some more time with the children. They always cheer me up.

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May 7, 1989:

Papa has asked Ken and me to bring Ryo-chan to the Meiji Jinja tomorrow. I wonder if this means what I think it means. Maybe Papa wants to officially make Ryo-chan a member of Shishu? If so, Ryo-chan'll be the youngest member of Shishu in history!

Usually, Shishu doesn't let anyone join until their fifteenth birthday. However, special occasions have been made for boys gifted with the sword to join at fourteen. If Papa lets Ryo-chan join tomorrow, he will join Shishu at twelve.

Mako-chan wants to go as well, of course. She's decided to become the first female Blade and fight alongside her brother. At first, I was appalled at the thought of my little Mako-chan risking her life fighting Youma, but now, I know she's resolute. She's been practicing relentlessly, even after taking her sword away and threatening to punish her if she continues to practice swordplay. I directly forbid her to practice, but she continued to do so. She even got her brother to train her when I forbade Ryo-chan's trainer from teaching her. So, I gave in and let her continue to practice. I don't know if Papa would ever allow a female to become a Shishu Blade, but if any girl could become one, it would be my Mako-chan.

Those two have been growing closer to Rei-chan and Ami-chan lately. I think it's mainly because the two girls might be developing crushes on Ryo-chan. I'm almost certain with Rei-chan, but it's harder to tell with Ami-chan since she's still mute. Perhaps I should start encouraging those two, in case my suspicions are correct. One of them might make an excellent potential wife for Ryo-chan. As a concerned mother, I must ensure my son's happiness after all.

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Sadly, this is the final journal entry. Kino Misaki was killed during the Fall of the Meiji Jinja, which occurred on May 8, 1989, due to a grand-scale attack led by Jadeite. The entire Kino family line was wiped out, except for Kino Ryoku and his sister, Makoto. However, a surprise ambush caught the two siblings off-guard during their flight from the Meiji Jinja. Ryoku suffered severe injuries, while Makoto was struck by several poison-laced claws. Despite his severe injuries, he managed to drag his unconscious sister within the boundaries of the Hikawa Jinja and collapsed alongside her.

Mizuno Atsuko quickly attended to the two surviving Kino siblings. Ryoku's condition stabilized, and he recovered within two weeks. However, the poison within Makoto's body had already run its course by the time Atsuko had administered the antidote. The toxins were neutralized; however, her body would remain in a coma that would last anywhere between 2-5 years.

Due to Colonel Kino Ken's death, command of the Shishu forces at Hiwaka Jinja was turned over to his second-in-command, Major Watanabe Masao. Unfortunately, he wasn't quite ready to assume leadership. Hikawa Jinja suffered heavy losses due to Youma raids and slave rescue missions gone bad. Even with the additions of Shishu members who survived the Fall of the Meiji Jinja, they continued to experience defeat after defeat.

With the loss of Shishu headquarters, several additional Shishu commands fell under Jadeite's relentless attacks. Eventually, only the Shishu command at Hikawa Jinja remained operational. However, leadership changed from person to person as Youma raids and strikes continued to take out the Hikawa Jinja leaders. Eventually, the last officer to remain alive, Lieutenant Ueda Yasunori, was killed on March 23, 1991, during a slave rescue that managed to rescue four entire families: the Akamatsu family, the Tamiya family, the Iketani family, and the Aino family.

As there were no more officers, and the last High Blade, Elite Blade, and Master Blade had all died in that last mission with Lieutenant Ueda, command of the Hikawa Jinja fell into the hands of 1st class Blade Chiba Mamoru, who was the most experienced swordsman assigned to the post. After 1st class Blade Chiba assumed command, the remaining Shishu forces could hold off against the Youma attacks due to brilliant strategies devised between himself and his best Blade, 4th class Blade Kino Ryoku. Between the two of them, their tactics managed to keep the Youma horde at bay. They continued to do so to this day.

Author's Note: A little darker than my usual stuff, yes, but this was an idea that once it popped into my head, I had to give it form. You may wonder why I followed Makoto and Ryoku's family line rather than Usagi's, who's supposed to be the main character. It's because the Kino family was closer to the main events that shaped this alternate reality than the Tsukino family was. Also, the "message" in the September 10, 1945 excerpt is wholly fabricated, but for those who are curious, the shortname acronym for COMJAPOCFOR is supposed to stand for Commander, Japanese Occupational Forces, which was a fictional--"at least, to my knowledge--"military command. It ain't real.

Disclaimer: All original materials belong to their respective owners. Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and a bunch of big companies. No copyright infringement is intended.

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