A/N: alright, this story is an experimentation; please read and review with constructive criticism.... no flames though please. I hope you like it.. oh just to get the disclaimer out the way, I don't own sailor moon, never have, never will etc etc....
Cheers.
Chapter One.
The alarm rings again, you've learned very skilfully to drown out the majority of the sound – but still haven't entirely masked the noise so grudgingly you open your eyes. In front of your face is a golden tangle mess of hair – you groan, facing the realisation that you are physically unable to get out of bed without 'bed hair'.
Your sheets feel so good against your skin, making you contemplate the thought of turning over and staying in bed all day. As if to answer your thoughts, your cell phone rings, and abruptly you reach for it. You see by the caller id, it's Rei – most likely to berate you about being late to training practice.
Even
though as far as Pluto indicated, the age of Crystal Tokyo was to be
peaceful for many years – Rei is adamant on keeping to routine
training practices, much to your chagrin. You place the phone to
your ear, after taking a sigh in preparation for her ramble,
"Minako
where are you, you were supposed to be here fifteen minutes ago!
We're training new palace guards; you're the leader of the sailor
scouts for crying out loud. Is it me or are all blondes baka's!"
the words come quick, before you have a chance to answer. You
realise that you had forgotten about training the new recruits, and
grudgingly accept Rei's comments,
"Sorry Rei, I'll be there
in five" you snap, snapping the phone shut while getting out of
bed. Much to your relief, you realise that you don't have to spend
all your time getting dressed, considering your sailor pen dresses
you perfectly in your uniform each day.
From the bedside table you take the wand in hand and yell that transformation phrase that transforms you from Aino Minako to Senshi Venus. Although you know you are the same person, being in your senshi uniform makes you feel like a different person. You are stronger, you have the power to protect, you leave your hurts as Aino Minako behind; yes this is truly the superior form of yourself.
Confident you strut through the halls of the crystal palace, on your way to the gardens where Rei is waiting for you. The moment you pass through the archway to the garden, you feel someone grab you on the wrist, with a calm, stoic expression you look at the person responsible; Rei.
"What
Rei?" you're used to her temper now, and much to her annoyance it
doesn't seem to faze you at all,
"you're undermining our
senshi authority, by being late Minako, you know better than this"
she has a point, you do know better than to be late at training
practices, after all you are the leader and you take pride in showing
the fact.
"I
apologise, now if you don't mind, I would like to continue" you
remain cool and collected as you walk forward to see men huddled
together; you find their form unacceptable.
"Excuse me
gentlemen" you call out, all eyes turn to you in anticipation –
you're glad to see recognition in their eyes.
"Please, don't
let me stop you, if you have other places to be" the sarcasm drips
off your voice, but as a guardian it is your job that everyone and
everything is organised.
Considering
they have backgrounds in Military, they immediately line up in two
straight lines; Rei now stands by your side, happy that you're
finally taking up the leadership role in hand.
"I was out on
business that is why I was late" you can feel Rei give you a mental
slap, but she knows better than to undermine you.
"Now that I
am back, I want to make one thing clear" you begin pacing in front
of them, your voice focused and stern.
"You are the best in
your respective fields, but to be a guard of the imperial palace
means achieving better than the best. You will achieve perfection in
every way or you will go home. Do you understand" You feel your
voice resembles a drill sergeant, even tougher in some aspects; but
this is duty.
"Yes maam" they chime in together,
"Alright,
I shall leave Mars in charge. You will comply with all orders or you
will leave, am I understood" you snap again, watching Rei in the
corner of your eye. She seems happy by the opportunity to display
her leadership skills but seems sceptical of your decision. Over
the mental link you've developed, you answer her expression,
"I
need to get to Ami, she's asked me to look over the draft for the
new hospital, sorry Rei" and then you turn around and head back
into the crystal palace.
This
is all routine for you now, but you constantly appreciate the
distraction it gives you during the day. Before long, you reach the
room Ami requested you in, and knock on the door. Ami looks up from
her desk; you see the relief in her eyes, so you walk up beside you.
"Glad you're here Mina Chan, I've actually got a problem"
she seems concerned, so patiently you hear her concerns.
From her explanation, you find that in her hospital designs, she has gone two hundred and fifty thousand dollars over budget. She's explaining that she believes that cutting any piece of equipment would be detrimental to the hospitals ability to properly function; and she doesn't know what to do. Calmly you explain that you too believe that cutting anything from the hospital would be detrimental, so you'll take the draft to Usagi this afternoon in the meeting this afternoon.
Entirely
relieved, she hands you the plans,
"thank you so much Mina
Chan" considering she works mostly as a surgeon, and you deal with
the budgets for each sector; you understand the sincerity of her
appreciation.
"No
problem Ames" you smile back, knowing that you are truly special to
know such a person like Ami.
"So is that all?" you query,
she nods her head as she passes the draft portfolio to you – you
take it in hand while you take a look at the clock, hanging on the
far wall.
12.32pm. Excellent, you're making great time; you decide that you'll proceed to Makoto, who's asked if you could bring forth some further plans to your meeting with Mamoru and Usagi at two o'clock.
It
takes you ten minutes to walk over to where Makoto is busy handling
business within the education sector. Confident you stride up to
her, and immediately catch her gaze;
"Mina, you're early"
she seems relieved,
"Yeah, making good time" you comment, still feeling extremely pleased with yourself. She too has asked, about your opinion regarding upgrading equipment within the Tokyo district to begin with. Relieved that she seems to be under budget, you compliment her plans but in return you receive a very concerned expression.
After tactfully enquiring about the expression she informs you that the teachers in this school are threatening to have a teachers strike on Monday if she doesn't meet their requests.
Patiently you listen as she tells you that they are demanding a renovated teacher's lounge that is estimated to cost around one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. You laugh, she seems confused but you explain to her that it is no problem and you will take the request to Usagi. She's not as relieved as Ami was, but excepts your decision never less. You take up her portfolio, including the draft proposal for the teacher's lounge and calmly take your leave.
As
the clock turns to read two o'clock, you walk into the conference
room to see Usagi and Mamoru waiting.
"Your highnesses" you
greet them, making sure to remain proper in formal affairs.
"Minako"
Mamoru greets, gesturing you to take a seat on the conference table –
obligingly you do. Happy, that there is only yourself, Mamoru and
Usagi at the table, you feel somewhat easier approaching your
requests.
"Alright, now getting down to business, I have two
proposals to bring forth, Ami's hospital upgrade and Makoto's
school upgrade" you hand the folio's over to Mamoru who takes
them in hand.
"Mako has a school upgrade in consideration?"
Usagi questions, cocking her head innocently to the side which makes
you smile.
"Um no, she's asked if I bring this to your
attention due to extenuating circumstances" you reply formally,
"what circumstances?" Mamoru asks, you turn to him and
answer,
"teachers threatening to strike if they don't get an
upgrade to their teachers lounge" you explain quickly,
"that
will become our first priority then" Usagi confirms, you feel the
need to add in the additional portfolio,
"however Ami's
hospital draft has come over budget by two hundred and fifty thousand
dollars, I was hoping that you would still approve the construction"
you know it's a difficult position, but you need to push these
drafts through.
"Minako,
we'd love to but-"Mamoru has his eye brows furrowed,
"but
we've only left one hundred and fifty thousand dollars for any
possible leave way consideration" he finishes, indicating that
there is only enough funding for Makoto's teachers lounge upgrade.
"There's
no other way?" you query,
"we've gone over the financial
budgets, and there doesn't seem to be, what are we going to do?"
Usagi responds, helpless in a sense. Suddenly an idea floats around
in your head. Business's have always been asking for your
endorsement, and have always been willing to pay for the privilege;
you beam a wide smile at Usagi and Mamoru who seem taken aback by
your cheerfulness.
"If I find the necessary funds will you
approve the projects?" you query, already knowing the answer,
"of
course Minako, but where are you going to find such funds?" Usagi
queries,
"Don't
you worry, I'll ask if we can meet again on Wednesday?" you ask,
eagerly they reply,
"of course" extremely pleased that you
have come up with an idea.
"Alright,
then, I guess the meeting is adjourned if you have no further
queries?" you finish up, grateful that all duties for the day are
complete,
"just one more question" Usagi speaks, you may have
spoken to soon.
"Who are you bringing on date night?" She
whispers, eager to take part in your love life; you laugh in
response. You had forgotten that Friday nights were always date
nights, where all the senshi got together and went on one big group
date – to a club or somewhere similar.
"Usagi I have duties
to attend to" it's a lie, but if she knew that you didn't want
to go because you have no date – she'd play matchmaker again.
"You're
always on duty" she pouts, folding her arms in retaliation,
"you
work harder than I do, and I'm queen!" she adds to her protest,
but it doesn't sway you.
"I have my duties to attend to and speaking of such I need to assist Rei with the new recruits. Tomorrow morning is senshi training Usagi, don't forget" you quickly add in, hoping to distract her from 'date night'.
"I'll
be there" Usagi adds, still dreading your absence tonight – you
smile, happy that Usagi has never changed over the time you've
known her.
You stand up and walk out of the conference room,
eager to follow through with your plans in getting money for Ami's
hospital designs.