War Touches All

by Ben Harrison

"You stone hearted bitch!!!"

"That's more your line you slut!!"

Younger Venus and Jupiter were at it again. The tension at being cut off from Earth after it was invaded had increased their normal tendency to fight. Actually it was helping them deal with the stress as the others had come to expect these fights as "normal"

Sakuya was facing the door when she saw Fi walk by holding a message board. She was all prepared to tell Fi why she was right in this particular argument when something struck her. The Younger Neptune just kept walking on down the hall.

"Hold up Short-stuff something is very wrong."

"Like what Sparky? That I'm right this time?"

"No, like Fi just walked by one of our fights without trying to stop us."

Vicky whirled around, but Fi was already out of sight.

"Your not just saying that?"

"There are only three times we stop a fight. One of us makes a point the other can't counter (the rarest, I grant you), the Sensei's tell us to stop, or Fi plays peacemaker. I could see the Sensei letting us keep fighting, but Fi? Something is not right."

Vicky looked right at Sakuya. "Right. I'll see if the Sensei, Apollo or Selene know what's going on. You see if Fi will tell you anything." Vicky then murmured to herself "I hope it is only something minor like a professor wanting clarification about one of her papers." but something inside her told her it was worse.

Sakuya knocked on Fi's door. Unlike the first day they met Fi's voice was muffled. Sakuya chose to interpret the sound as "Come in."

"Fi? What is it? Are you...." Sakuya stopped when she saw Fi's face. Fi's eyes were red and swollen from crying . Vicky would have not believed Sakuya's next action. She rushed over and hugged Fi.

"What is it? Come on, tell me." Fi tried to speak several times but finally shook her head. She got up, crossed over to her desk and picked up a message pad. Returning to the bed she croaked out, "Read it."

The pad showed Fi's brother Morgan. He looked almost as bad when he recorded this as Fi did now.

"Fiona" the recording paused as the man obviously was trying to find the words.

*Fiona? Everyone at her home calls her Fi. Even the most stuffy of the family servants or biggest bootlicker in the village.*

Morgan had obviously gotten himself together again. "Fiona" he repeated. "Ah would give almost anything not to have to send this to you. Ah can only hope that this finds ye well and that ye be in a safe place. When ye hear this news Ah ask ye, don't come home unless there be no other refuge. There is war here again in Scotland and Ah'm one of the leaders. And...We have already taken casualties."

* Wait a second. In Fi's family the second eldest takes a role as lieutenant or assistant, if he is calling himself leader then..*

"Da is dead Fiona. By worse treachery than anything the Clans ever did to themselves. Mary has also fallen, covering her people after a raid on the Nemisites. The others be safe, although Mother is ill and not only from losing Father. One of the files included will tell ye what happened."

* Fi's father is dead? And Mary? * Sakuya thought about both of them. If she had trouble dealing with news of their deaths, what was it doing to Fi?

"Fi, I'm sorry. It's never easy. I still miss my father after all this time. But you got to...."

Without saying a word Fi punched in the commands for the message pad to play one of the files. Then she looked at Sakuya again. She looked like she was going to try and say something. Finally she gave up and burst out crying. Sakuya hugged her friend. While she did so she reach over and hit the pause button. "Come on Fi, let it out. Hold on to this stone, this rock until your ready to talk."

"Sensei, do you know what is going on with Fi?" Vicky asked as she came through the door. Then she pulled up short.

Michiru was sitting in a very dejected manner, Haruka trying to comfort her.

"Yes Vicky we do," responded Haruka. "I don't believe it's hitting me so hard, I never met them," murmured Michiru.

Haruka patted Michiru hand. "I'll tell Vicky about it, you go on to your room or to see Fi, which ever you feel is best."

"Sakuya is with her, Michiru-sensi."

"Then I'll be in my room, ask Fi to come see me when she feels up to it." With that Michiru left.

Haruka crossed over to the room communication console. "Earlier today we got news from our message drop on Earth. Mostly it was general information about the occupation and what little we know about what's going on in Crystal Tokyo. Fi's brother Morgan managed to smuggle a message to Fi and a copy to us as well. Fi's copy probably contained some personal stuff as well. This is what we saw."

With that Haruka activated a display feature.

A voice over started. "Ah am sending this to you in the hope that you can spread the word about our occupiers. This shows their true colors and how little they care about us."

The screen shifted and showed a banquet hall. Many of the 'guests' were obviously nervous about being there and were in traditional Scottish garb. A Nemisite, wearing the StarMaster House tattoo on his forehead entered and addressed the group.

"I am Jayd, the one in charge of Scotland's occupation. We are gathered here to discuss the nature of that occupation. With that in mind, I have set up this dinner so that I can know your better and you me. Now I know you all might harbor, doubts about me so please feel free to chose my food and drink. I will be consuming food from the very same sources as you."

This statement did not appear to calm the guests, but they took their places. The film was obviously edited to eliminate a lot of boring footage of people eating and drinking. Soon an aide came in and spoke to Jayd.

"It appears that a matter requiring my attention has come up, please continue, I will be rejoining you shortly." With that Jayd left.

The guests were left to themselves and started talking amongst themselves. Again the footage was edited.

Then the voice of Jayd came over hidden speakers.

"Thank you for your patience. By now one half of a binary compound has thoroughly entered your systems. I have already taken the antidote and am perfectly safe. The other half of the compound is now in the air around you. I estimate that you have twenty minutes before death. To avoid such a fate you merely have to publicly swear loyalty to me and order your people to cease resisting. You now have about nineteen minutes to decide, the antidote can be administered up until the actual moment of death. I await you in the hall beyond. I also give you the privacy to talk amongst yourselves." At this the sound track stopped, but the images showed the assembled chieftains talking rapidly among themselves.

The voice over from Morgan began again. "At no time did any of the Clanlords plan to surrender, they only discussed if they should allow the poison to work, or to go out fighting. They chose the latter."

Haruka paused the playback. "You've seen Fi in full regalia, you most likely noticed the claymore first. But the outfit also includes a very nasty fighting knife. The Nemisites most likely thought they were only simple ceremonial daggers and therefore no threat. They were wrong. I've seen both Fi's and the one Sakuya brought back from their trip. Even against modern forces it would do the job close in."

Haruka resumed the playback. The lords were obviously saying good bye to their spouses. Then they charged out the door. The images stopped and Morgan appeared on the screen again.

"They came a'boiling out of the hall like hornets and took the guards by surprise. Most of the Clanlords died in the fight and none of the survivors where unwounded. They managed to get the antidote in time for their spouses. My father was not one of the survivors. He and the Lady Laird of the Kilgours brought down Jayd, paying for their victory with their lives. My mother was one of the last ones to take the antidote, giving up her place to allow younger spouses to be saved first. Due to the delay her health was affected. As much as she wants to fight along side us, she is now too frail to actively help our cause. She and the other survivors have given us the spirit to carry on. Please try to get this to as many others as possible so they too can draw strength from the clan lords actions." The recording ended then.

Sakuya and Fi had just finished viewing the same events on her copy.

"Fi, I know it hurts, but your mother, brother, brother-in-law and your younger sister plus your nieces and nephews are still alive. And your father went out fighting. From what I knew about him, he would have preferred that to simply dieing in bed."

Fi took a few ragged breaths. "Ah just would have preferred to avoided it all together. Ah knew once Neo-Queen Serenity used the Silver Crystal on me that Ah would out live my parents, my siblings and their children, but Ah thought it would be years before Ah would have to deal with it. To have it happen now, so suddenly it's just to much." Fi sobbed a little more then shook.

"Oh no! Ah've been thinking about myself so much Ah forgot about the others. The same batch could have held messages about Victoria's and Hitomi's kin as well, how are they doing?"

"Nice of you to ask," responded Vicky from the open doorway, "But our families are fine. Until when and if something like this happens to us, let's concentrate on you. You've helped us out so often, let's give some back to you for a change." Then looking at Sakuya the Younger Venus added, "For free."

"For the time being let us call a truce Victoria-san. Our fellow Senshi needs our help a lot more than we need to chop each other up." Sakuya fell into her professional mode. "Are you OK to leave alone?" she asked Fi. "I want to tell Jeanne, Myuki and Hitomi what's going on."

"Sensei Michiru said she would be in her room. Perhaps Fi should go see her."

"Yes, right now Ah don't want to be alone. Thanks Sakuya, Victoria."

The Younger Senshi gathered in the lecture hall. Apollo had also joined them. When they were all present Vicky stood and addressed them.

"You all know that something has happened. It involves Fi."

"What has happened to Fi-sempai?" asked Hitomi.

"The Nemisites have killed two of her relatives, and have made her mother very ill." broke in Sakuya.

"Jupiter has used her normal level of tact, but she is correct. Her father was killed resisting an effort to force the Scottish clans to swear loyalty to the occupation forces, and her sister died covering a raid against the occupation forces."

"What do you want us to do?" asked Myuki.

"Support her, as she has supported and helped us," responded Sakuya. "If she really wants to be alone, let her. But at the slightest hint that she wants to talk, or even just wants another person around try to be there. I saw how close her family is, this has got to being tearing her up."

"It's not doing Michiru any good either," added Apollo. Selene knew right away something had happened. She's with Michiru right now and she'll find Fi as soon as she can. This isn't the first time either of us had to help a Senshi deal with a death in the family, but it is one thing that never get's easier." The mooncat looked at Jeanne. "Remember how I helped you with your ex?" Jeanne nodded. "This hurts worse."

Jeanne nodded again. "I'm going to let her know I'm there for her.

Even if it is very distant we are still relatives."

Fi was enwrapped in a hug the moment she entered Michiru's quarters. Selene jumped up onto their shoulders and rubbed against her as well.

"Get her set down Michiru, it will be easier for all of us." said the moon cat.

"Ah'm sorry Selene it's just so..."

"Sudden, yes it always is, even if the relative was suffering from a long illness. You're holding up well, all things considered."

Fi looked like she was going to say more when Selene interrupted. "When I was put in that sleep module I was older than Neo-Queen Serenity is now. Do you think House Neptune hasn't had tragedies before? I've seen many things Fi. You should have seen how Michiru's Silver Millennium predecessor, no I'm sorry the one before her, handled the death of her parents. She was totally useless to herself and others for two weeks.

You are still functioning. You hurt, which shows you're alive.

You will get through this. And with that in mind I have a suggestion."

Selene hopped into Fi's lap. "I've done some reading about the various Earth cultures. I was pleased to see that the Jewish people have a custom that Neptune had as well. The Jews call it "Sitting Siva" remembering and talking about the departed. The people of Neptune called it 'Singing of the Departed'. Would you do that with me and Michiru? At least for a little while?"

"Yes Fi, you once told me that you would like to have me met your immediate family. Now there are two I can't meet. Please, tell me about them."

Fi took a deep breath. "Father was always very active..."

Jeanne wandered around the base. "I never really had anyone close to me die... Aunty Ruka and Michi, Sakuya, RH, the rest of the youngers and the cats... They've always been around, I, I don't know what I can say to comfort her. Wouldn't know the first place to begin... Damnit! I feel so helpness watching her cry!"

The Younger Uranus thought for a moment. "I know, I'll ask Senshi Murchu. Fi's her direct descendant after all, she can give me good advice."

Jeanne was slightly started to hear Fi's laugh when she knocked on the door. "Sensei, are you and Fi all right?"

"As well as can be right now Jeanne. What can we do for you?" said Murchu.

"I wanted your advice. Fi, I want to help you, but the way I grew up before the Sensei found me, and the way I am, it's just difficult."

Selene sat up. "We are Singing of the Departed, Jeanne for Fi's Father and Sister. It is a remembrance, like the Jewish peoples Sitting Siva. Fi was just telling a story about her Father and what happened in one of the Highland games. It was very funny. That is one of the purposes of the ritual, to remember the departed and the joy they brought and experienced in life."

Fi held out her hand. "Jeanne please join us. It would help to know you are here."

Jeanne sat. And listened. And helped.

Fi was feeling a bet better after talking with Selene, Michiru, and Jeanne. She was still hurting, and knew she would still be hurting for some time to come. But she also knew that she was already starting to heal, at least a little.

As she walked toward her quarters she heard a quiet voice.

"Fi-Sempai?"

"Yes Hitomi?"

"Are you going to be all right?"

"Ah'm doing better than Ah was when Ah got the news. Ah'll be better in a while. Thank you for asking."

"I just wish I could do something to help you. I feel so useless."

"Hitomi-chan don't ever feel that way. What I am going through is just hard. I miss them so much."

"When the time comes, do you think I will be able to do as well as you?"

"Hitomi-chan you will do fine. As to how well Ah'm doing, Ah'll tell you a little secret, Ah'm hanging on by my fingernails. Ah think you will handle it better. Ah just wish ye would believe it." Fi flashed on a sudden memory. Fighting back a sob he thought: * Oh Mary, I wish you could have met Hitomi, you would have done as much good for her as you did me. * The Scott couldn't keep the tears from forming.

"Did I do something wrong Fi-Sempai?"

"No Hitomi-chan, I was just remembering something that Mary did for me. And wishing you could have met her."

"Ye see one thing that Ah put into the back of my head until just now was how great of a help she was when Ah needed it. Come into my room, Ah want to sit down when Ah tell it."

Once they had gotten settled, Fi began.

"Ye see, for a long time Ah felt inferior to my sister. Ah mean she was the heir, she had such poise and confidence, and Ah thought she was better looking than Ah was. Of course this was before puberty hit but still." Hitomi blushed a bit at that remark.

"The thing is, Ah found out she was a bit envious of me. Ah was totally free to follow my own path, Ah didn't have to learn all the things to be a Laird. While Ah had to maintain some dignity, the pressure was not as much. That's when Ah started to learn and to be myself."

"Hitomi-chan, Ah don't know why you feel you have to be so self-effacing, but just be yourself. You are good, you are going to be even better and when you have Mars you are going to do a bang-on job. That's one of Mary's biggest gifts to me, and the way Ah'm going to honor that gift is to try and do the same for you."

"But..."

"You are the Younger Senshi Mars. You are just as good as the rest of us. Do not worry about being just like any of us, or even your Elder. Be yourself, that is what Mary taught me, and Ah'll help you learn that yourself."

There was a brief knock on the door a few hours later.

"Come in."

"Hello Fi."

"Hello Myuki, taking your turn?" then before the Younger Mercury could say anything she added, "I'm not complaining. Sakuya, Murchu-sensei, Jeanne, Hitomi and Selene have all come and helped. With we few here Ah'm surprised you haven't shown up earlier."

"I wanted to give you some time alone. Want to talk about it?"

"I did some earlier. Right now I'm all talked out. But thank you for asking."

"I didn't just mean right now Fi. Everyone but Vicky and Hitomi has now lost at least one parent. It is hard at anytime. But you and I have something in common now."

The Scott looked at the Freezoner, she wracked her brain for the similarities. While they both had many intellectual pursuits, most of their interests did not converge. And Fi shared the Elder Neptune's gift for using Senshi Mana in other forms, she did not consider herself one of the most magically gifted of the Younger Senshi, while Myuki would have been a full mage even if she hadn't been a Senshi.

"We have both lost loved ones to an oppressive government. That is one of the worst things I can think of to happen to someone. So when you are ready look me up. Even if it just to find an empty corner and blow things up."

Eventually Fi managed to go to sleep. Her rest was not perfect, but still it was sleep.

She was very surprised when she woke up on her own, without her alarm going off. After taking a shower she headed to the dinning hall.

Vicky was waiting, with a southern style breakfast, complete with grits. Fi had to grin. Victoria was the only one of the Golden Millennium crew who could eat Haggis besides herself, and she was the only one besides Victoria who liked grits, even if Victoria did think she put too much butter on them.

"Everyone else beat me to the punch. So I decided to give you something that only I could. All the words have been said, and will be said again, but I meant it yesterday, I and everyone else is here for you, just like you have been here for us."

"Thank Ye Victoria."

{A few days later, outside the Base, facing Earth}

Fi was standing tall in her full regalia, wearing a tailored airbelt so it wouldn't detract from the effect. She had specifically invited Michiru and Selene, but let the others know they would be welcomed. She felt pleased to note that the others had gathered behind her. She had extended the field of her airbelt to its maximum so it would touch the others fields and therefor allow sound to travel. The others had done so as well.

"Ah no can think of grand words to honor my kin. For once they fail me. But Ah can play something, that both Da and Mary would approve. It was a favorite hymn of them both." With that she hefted her bagpipes and started to play.

After the first verse Fi heard Vicky join in, followed by the others. The non-English speakers stumbled over many of the words, but she played slow enough for them to keep up. As they sang, she felt their love and support build again.

"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound...."