by Betrayed Seraphim
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Yadda Yadda Yadda. Don't sue. All you'll get is me and you don't want that.
Also all the names and places mentioned here DO exist except
Tsukiakari corp which I made up. Btw Tsukiakari means moonlight :)
Distribution: If u want it (why in the world would you want it?) just
send me the link where it will be up.
Series: BSSM
Pairing: Rei/Usagi, Makoto/Ami, Setsuna/Minako
Blue Flames
by Betrayed Seraphim
Chapter 1 When the flames subdue
At the Tsukiakari Corporation Headquarters in Tokyo
Rei stood up and leaned on her palms that rested on the glass table top. Her demeaner that of a panther. Silent. Steady. Deadly. She had grown to become a woman of the world. Some called her ruthless, some heartless, but the ones who truly knew her called her passionate. She had a tumultuous youth. Having a secret identity can do that to you. But now, as the years of peace had progressed after Galaxia's defeat, she had grown from a rash, brazen girl to a sharp confident woman. The world held her friends and herself in awe. The neo-queen had not ascended yet but the time was near. She could feel it. All of them had reached the goals set out in their lives. Ami was a surgeon at the hospital whose compassion was equal to her surgery success rate, Minako was the famous idol, Makoto was a cook with a world reknowned dojo. Usagi, not neo-queen yet, but was an extremely popular manga artist under an alias. While Rei herself had gone on to become one of the most prominent corporate sharks. And here she was, in the conference room, talking to a set of people who would soon be at the bottom of the ladder of success if they made one wrong move. She was here to get their ass out of trouble. 'The shark is protecting the plankton' she thought. While Rei was lost in thought the other occupants of the room were sufficiently intimidated by the mere presence of this woman who gave the impression of a wild animal kept at bay by an unseen leash. However, one of them, newly promoted and unaware of Hino Rei's reputation, was brave enough to approah the deadly creature.
"Hino-san, if I may, what makes you so sure that closing down the branches at Yokohama will increase the sales output. It is a large city. A lot of people will mean a lot of customers. Won't that increase sales?"
"Erizawa-kun, more people does not mean more customers. Closing down the branches at Yokohama will give more cash flow for the company to open more branches in Tokyo. You might not remember the little lawsuit the company faced in Yokohama but the people do. Regardless of the fact that we won, the general public is wary of us. We will close down all stores in Yokohama, open more in Tokyo, dissapear for a little while, then return with a new name and face for Yokohama. You'll be surprised how much people will forget if you dazzle them enough. The opening of the Tokyo stores should be a major news item. A year later when Yokohama has new branches like the ones in Tokyo, they will already have a reputaion and chain of customers. Its a simple enough concept. Its amazing you made it so high up the ladder Erizawa-kun if you can't even grasp a concept they taught you in the first year at business school."
Rei stood and leaned her hands against the glass table top. "Now gentleman, if my proposal has been undersood, I suggest you get to work. Its going to be a"
Rei's iminent threat was cut off by muffled sounds of commotion from beyond the massive doors of the conference room. The doors were almost immediately yanked open to reveal a blonde haired blue eyed bundle of joy that bounded towards Rei with no intention of stopping.
"Rei-chan" said the so-sweet-it-could-make-you-diabetic voice of Tsukino Usagi, best friend and future queen.
Usagi continued to speak, seeming unfazed by the incredulous looks she was recieving from the board memebers, "Rei-chan, Rei-chan, Rei-chan, you will absolutely not believe what happened! Chibi-usa is back! Can you believe it! I thought I wouldn't see her until she was, you know, until I was married to Mamo-chan. What do you make of it? Ah. I'm so happy. I mean she is still uncannily like me when I was that age but then again she is my blood." Finally noticing the not-so-happy glances of the board, Usagi turned back to Rei, hoping she hadn't over stepped any invisible lines. But all Rei did was bestow the princess with an idulgent smile.
"Thats great Usagi. I know how much you missed your cousin while she was away." Looking to the other in the room Rei said, "If thats all, on your way out ask my secretary to schedule an appointment for a follow up meeting. We'll see what progress we've made." With that Rei turned back to the odango-haired girl and grinned. The men, seeing that the panther's leash had arrived, silently slipped out of the room.
"Rei-chan, did I disturb you or something? I can come back later if you want. Ah but not tday, I can come back tomorrow. I have an appointment with Satan today." said Usagi, fervently hoping that Rei wasn't busy, she had missed her best friend. Rei had been away on a trip for 2 weeks. Although they spoke at least two hours on the phone everyday, seeing her best friend's eyes dancing with humour could not be compensated by a telephone conveersation.
"No. Thats all right. How could I ever be too busy to see the future queen? I wouldn't have the audacity" joked Rei. "However, I know that you're already late for your appointment with your editor. Come one, I'll drive you there. Fill me in on the way over." Rei's eyes took on a softer expression. She smiled a little and looked into blue eyes that reflected her image. She brought here hand up to Usagi's shoulder and let it rest there. "I missed you" Rei whispered simply.
Usagi's eyes lit up like a blue flame. She hugged Rei and whispered back, "I missed you too" 'More than you know' she thought.
At the Mansion (aka Uranus-tachi residence)
Chibi-usa lay against the purple pillows on Hotaru's bed and looked at her friend sitting at foot of the bed, deep in thought. "What do you make of the situation Taru?" said the pink-haired girl.
"I don't know chibi-usa. You're telling me that Pluto, the future pluto, sent you here to deliver a message to setsuna-mama. But if I've been paying attention in physics lectures at university, present pluto, I mean Setsuna-mama, can eaily recieve the message Pluto wants to give her through her own consciousness rather than physically sending you here" finished Hotaru, with a confused look on her normally placid face. "Can you tell me more particulars Chibiusa-chan?"
"Hotaru, If I could stay awake during my physics lecture, I might be able to help you. But all I am aware of is the fact that the message cannot be sent by Pluto herself because it is being monitored somehow. I don't understand myself why anyone would want to monitor a recipe" said the monarch-in-training. She had been considerably surprised when Puu had requested her to go to the past and remain there till she was called back and deliver a recipe, of all things, to Setsuna-san.
"I don't understand it myself but Pluto knows what she's doing. I suspect another mission is at hand but she's trying to avoid a fight as much as possible. She would never break the rules of time otherwise. This must be very important. In the meantime we have to do as she says. I assume Usagi-san knows you're staying at our place and not with her."
"I didn't really have a chance to speak. She almost choked me to death. Her hugs are surprisigly strong despite how fragile she seems. Finally when she had almost calmed herself, I, being the idiot I am, didn't tell her about the living arrangements Pluto had recommended. Instead I told her that she should tell the others. Of course she had to leave that instant to tell Rei-san instead of being on time for her appointment with the editor." sighed Chibiusa. She was used to her future mother's antics. This side of her didn't change. Even in the future. Of course she was a little more restrained in court but when it came to her senshi, she still behaved like they were school girls. However, she was always restrained when the King was around. 'Almost subdued' thought Chibiusa.
"Well that is one of her endearing qualities. Lets forget the mission for tonight though. Lets pretend I'm a normal college girl taking her best friend out to dinner. I haven't seen you in a while Chibiusa. Tokyo was lonely without you" said Hotaru with a serious face and a twinkle in her eyes. "Although it was more peaceful" said Hotaru cheekily.
"Hotaru!" warned the pink-haired girl while looking beyond her friend's shoulder and toward the door. Hotaru turned towards the door. Nothing there. She turned her face back to look at Chibiusa questioningly and was promptly smacked in the face with a pillow. "Thats what you get for calling me a nuisance" said Chibiusa smugly. Hotaru, not being one to admit defeat that easily, lifted another pillow.
If one was passing by, only giggles and squeals could be heard from the room.
West Shinjuku Roadside
Rei sat in the driver seat trying to fight unconsciousness. Her vision blurred rapidly. She could hear someone calling to her. Telling her to stay awake but she couldn't. If only the voice would let her sleep. Just for a little while.
"Rei-chan! Wake up. What's wrong? Why did we pull over? Are you feeling alright? Perhaps we should go to the hospital. Rei-chan can you hear me?" said Usagi in a desperate voice. 'What's happening to her' thought Usagi. Before she had a chance to react, Rei's body started to spasm violently. Rei's forehead smacked into the steering wheel repeatedly. Usagi went into action. She flattened Rei's seat backwards then grabbed her purse from the back-seat. As she was dialing for an ambulance, Rei stopped moving.
"Oh my God! Rei." said Usagi in a panicked tone, assuming the worst.
"Usa?" croaked Rei and slowly opened her eyes. Her vision was filled with a teary blonde who proceeded to crush her bones in a bear hug.
"Rei-chan Yokatta!" said Usagi in relief. "I thought you..I thought you...Don't ever do that to me again" she said in a bristling tone. "What happened?"
"I don't know. One minute I was telling you that your manga characters need more fight scenes and the next minute I felt something strange, like the feeling when I do a fire reading, only stronger, much stronger. I pulled over. The instant I cut the engine I felt as though someone was choking me. Then I felt as though a wave of sorts passed through me and then all I remember was pain." said Rei shakily. Without noticing she had started to shiver. It was strangely cold inside the car even though the day was hot. Rei reached forward and enveloped Usagi in a hug. More for comfort than warmth.
"I'm a little cold Usagi. Could we stay here for a while? I'm sorry you have to miss your appointment."she breathed in Usagi's hair.
"It's OK Rei-chan. We'll stay here. But at least let me call Mamo-chan. My driving could get us both killed and you're in no condition to drive." Usagi silenced Rei's protests with a stern glance and dialed.
Palace - Crystal Tokyo - Pluto's chambers
The time guardian sat at the window sill. She sat in the darkened room watching the earth looming in the sky. The gentle breeze flowing through soothed Pluto and almost lulled her into sleep. Suddenly the wind changed direction. Pluto's pupils dilated. The moment passed and all was quiet on the palace grounds once again.
She whispered. Her voice too soft to be heard by anyone but the trees and plants. They echoed her voice amongst themselves, "Its here"
So what do u think? Don't hesitate to criticise. If you don't tell me what I'm doing wrong I won't be able to fix it.