New Moon Rising
Everybody needs inspiration
Everybody needs a song
Beautiful melody, when the night's so long
Cause there is no guarantee
That this life is easy
When my world is falling apart
When there's no light to break up the dark
That's when I look at you
When the waves are flooding the shore and I
Can't find my way home anymore
That's when I look at you
When I look at you
I see forgiveness, I see the truth
You love me for who I am
Like the stars hold the moon
Right there where they belong and I know
I'm not alone
You appear just like a dream to me
Just like a kaleidoscope colors that cover me
All I need every breath that I breathe
Don't you know you're beautiful
When the waves are flooding the shore and I
Can't find my way home anymore
That's when I look at you
I look at you
You appear just like a dream to me
- Miley Cyrus When I Look At You
Author's Warning: Story contains strong language and violence
Chapter 1:
Just because We're Cousins Doesn't Mean We're Related
Somewhere in the United States of America....
Late night...
Amaya Kino opened the throttle on her bike. She was almost to her destination. Glancing in her side mirror she saw the three cars still trailing. Their swirling blue and red lights painted the illuminated night. She couldn't hear the scream of sirens over her bike engine. The robbery had had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now... Amaya shook her head and focused on the road.
Streetlights whipped around her in bands of brilliant light. The wind whipped against her leather jacket. The thick denim of her black jeans protected her legs from the g-force. Amaya leaned down closer to the bike. It would ease some of the pressure from the window. In the near distance she could see the airport.
She turned the bike onto the private access road. In the distance she could see the security booth. The two guards were staring at her with open mouths. The older one was on his radio; she kept coming toward the gate. Neither of them moved. She didn't slow down. At the last second, the young one dove into the booth and hit the button. The gate split open. The bike and rider zipped through and shot toward the waiting private jet.
Not bothering to come to a full stop; Amaya threw herself off the bike and rolled to her feet. The bike tipped and skid; sparks flew out around it. The machine spun out away from her. She broke into a run across the tarmac. If she could just reach the damned plane!
In the distance she heard the security guards shout at her to stop. She yanked off her helmet, tossing it to the side, and kept running. Glancing behind her, she saw the guards running after her. They wouldn't catch her. Still, she pushed herself to run faster.
She jumped for the stairs; landed and ran up them.
"Close it!" She commanded.
The shocked attendants scrambled to obey her. The plane door sealed shut a moment later.
Amaya threw herself into the pilot's seat. She threw on the seat belt and started the plane. Amaya opened the communication link to the tower. She started the plane. After a few more tweaks and adjustments, the plane began to roll toward the take-off strip.
She spoke in a rush, "Kino Airfield this is Gulf-Hotel-Bravo-9-8-7, requesting clearance for immediate take-off."
A man's voice answered her. "That is a negative, Gulf-Hotel-Bravo. You are not cleared for takeoff."
Amaya cursed; she glanced out the side window. Three dark color jeeps were heading toward her. "Curtis, for fuck's sake!"
Amaya guided the plane into position and started down the runway.
"Clear me, or I am taking off without it." She didn't bother to smother her anger.
"Ms. Kino, you are not cleared for takeoff." Curtis sounded shaky
"No shit," She shook her head, "Sorry, Curtis. I'm taking off."
The plane engines screamed as the plane sped down the path. Landing lights flashed in the darkness around her. She grit her teeth as the pressure built and the plane reached speed. Amaya did her job as pilot and the plane lifted off. There was a strange weight-less feeling as the plane took to the air. She glanced out the side-window. The three cops cars had stopped on the tarmac. tTere was a crowd of men below her. Amaya gave them the finger; knowing full well they wouldn't see it.
Curtis came back on the radio. "Ms. Kino."
She sighed, "What now?"
There was a moment of silence. "I will see to it your flight plan is misplaced. That should give you enough time to reach your destination."
Amaya smiled to herself, "Thank you, Curtis."
"Good luck and stay safe, Ms. Kino." There was a hiss of noise as the communication link was shut down.
"If only I could." She muttered. Amaya took off the headset and checked her instruments.
It would be a good 16 hours before she made it to her destination. Amaya set the auto-pilot and stood up from the chair. Opening the door to the plane she stepped out of the cockpit. The two attendants moved to get up from their seats. She waved them off.
"This is one way trip you two. When we land, book return flights for your selves. Leave the same day we land."
The two attendants nodded.
Amaya made her way back to the small kitchen in the tail of the plane. She grabbed a snack and headed back to the cockpit. Locking the door behind her she sat down. Once again she wondered why it was called a cockpit. The answer was obvious, and it should have made her laugh. But it didn't. It made her sad instead. She focused on the clouds that drifted over the plane. The wing lights flickered on and off against the misty cover. Sixteen hours from now she could relax. Until then....Amaya shook her head. She had to focus on getting there first.
Dawn split the horizon of the sky. Amaya watched as the first red blood of the sun spill across the line of the world. She checked her course and knew it was nearly time to land. She settled more securely into her seat. Punching the communication button; she heard a beep further back in the plane.
"We are landing in an hour. Make final landing preparations." Amaya pressed the button again; another beep. The communication line shut off.
Two hours later....
The skyline of Tokyo appeared larger as Amaya guided the plane out of the clouds. In a few minutes she would be on the ground.
"Narita airport this is Gulf-Hotel- Bravo-9-8-7 on final approach to runway 6. Confirm coordinates for landing." Amaya guided the plane lower out of the sky; toward the airport.
A male voice came across the headphones. "Gulf-Hotel- Bravo-9-8-7, you are confirmed to land on runway 6. Your transport is waiting."
Amaya landed the plane in a smooth manner. The engines roared as she opened the flaps and geared down. The plane slowed and gently came to a stop a few minutes later.
The attendants had the door open by the time Amaya stepped out from the cockpit. Silently, Amaya hurried down the steps and into the waiting sports car. There was no luggage to load. She started the car and drove out of the landing area via a private road.
Amaya was on one of the many four-lane mega-highways into Tokyo when her cell phone rang. She reached over with one hand, to the glove-box. The phone chirped at her. She pressed a button and put the phone to her ear.
"Amaya here," She muttered, focused on the increasing congestion of traffic around her.
This time it was a female voice. "Kino-San, welcome back to Tokyo. We have your apartment ready, as requested."
Amaya was forced to slow down as the traffic thickened around her. "Good, thank you Saukra. Take the rest of the day off."
"One more item, Kino-San. Mr. Patrick called; he says that your special order arrived. It's waiting at the apartment."
Amaya smiled. "Good. Thank you."
To the far right the lane opened. Amaya hit the gas and turned the wheel. The car drifted across three lanes of traffic, into the open lane. All around her car horns sounded. She kept her foot on the gas and raced forward.
Using one hand she dialled another number. The line rang as she drove with the wind in her hair.
"Tskino residence," The female voice sounded older then she remembered.
"Auntie Ikuko," Amaya smiled at the delighted greeting she received. "I just landed. I was hoping to stop by and see everyone."
"Well, I am home. But everyone else is out of the house. Usagi is at school, you know she's at university now. Shingo and Kenji are at work."
Amaya couldn't explain the suddenly desperate need in her to see family. "Would you mind if I came to see you?" Amaya asked.
"No, of course you. When can I expect you?" Aunt Ikuko sounded thrilled; despite the short notice.
Amaya saw her exit coming up. "I'll be at your house in an hour."
"Looking forward to it." Her aunt said.
Amaya ended the call and tossed the phone to the seat. She hadn't seen her Aunt or cousins in a long time. She hadn't planned on ever seeing them again. But....Amaya stopped the thoughts. She focused on driving to her aunt's house.
**
Amaya was seated on the couch in the living room of her aunt's house. It was the same house her aunt had always lived in. The same house Amaya had come to when she had play dates with her younger cousin Usagi. The same house she had visited when her mother was still alive. But since her mother's death, she hadn't come back here. It had been a long time since she'd come to Japan. A very long time.
Aunt Ikuko said as she came back into the living room. She carried a tray with tea and all the fixings.
"It's so good to see you again." The woman gracefully knelt on the floor. Setting the tray on a low sitting table, "What brings you back here?"
Amaya considered the possible answers. "I needed a change of scenery."
The two women settled into light conversation. Amaya noticed the pictures of her cousin. There were a large number of them featuring a handsome man. Amaya commented on them.
Aunt Ikuko smiled as she nodded, "Chiba Mamoru. He'll be graduating with his masters in computer science in a few weeks. They are getting married this summer."
Amaya nodded. She remembered getting the wedding invitation. She had yet to send her response to it. "I never thought Usagi would ever have a boyfriend, let alone get married."
"I know. But she's happy; he's good for her." Aunt Ikuko was quiet for a moment. "Amaya, are you alright?"
Looking at her aunt, Amaya, nodded. "Jet-lagged is all."
The look on her aunt's face said she didn't believe that. But to her credit, Aunt Ikuko let it go. She sipped at her tea for a long time. "Do you have a place to stay?"
Amaya nodded, "My apartment in the city is ready."
"Good." Her aunt studied her intensely, "Your hair is shorter than ever."
"It's easier to manage." Amaya resisted the urge to touch her short blonde hair. Instead she lifted the tea cup to her lips. "Do you suppose Usagi would mind if I surprised her with a visit?"
Her aunt smiled, "She would love it. She misses you, Amaya."
Amaya doubted that. She and her cousin couldn't be more different. But it was still nice to hear. A tension lifted from her shoulders. The conversion drifted from topic to topic for a while. Finally it was polite to leave and Amaya did that. Her aunt waved at her as Amaya left the house.
**
The university campus was lovely. Trees were numerous and so were benches and fountains. It was a serene calm place. Great, huge buildings that all served some purpose dotted the campus, connected by a network of paths and shady areas. This place was also crowded with people of varying ages; from late teens to late forties. How on earth was she going to find her cousin?
In the distance there was a high-pitched shriek of pure terror. Those around Amaya, paused, before they started to scream and run. She had to push against the crowd to keep on her feet. The surged around her; forcing her back a few steps; she came to stop under a large tree.
"Fuck this," She looked up to the tree above her.
Taking a step back she crouched and jumped straight up. Her hands wrapped around the thick trunk. She pulled herself up to the branch. It took some effort but she managed to gain her feet and stand up. From this vantage point she could see the source of terror. An ugly creature she had no name for was hurling energy bolts at a group of costumed women. In the back of her mind her thoughts said this was familiar. She ignored them.
The image struck her as amusing. Who ran around looking incredibly dorky? Who would really wear something like that in public? Absently, her cousin came to mind and she smiled. Yeah, a dorky costume was more Usagi's speed.
Speaking of which...
Amaya scanned the crowd. There were too many people running to see her cousin. She had to get closer to the fight. Focusing on the collection of trees around her; Amaya plotted a course through them.
She crouched for a moment on the branch; Balancing herself. Amaya leapt straight out, arms outstretched. Her hands wrapped around the branch; she swung herself around and up. Taking a moment she gauged the distance and jumped again. Her feet landed on the tree trunk and she pushed with her legs; propelling herself toward the next tree. She swung around it and released, kicking her legs out, it pushed across the gap. The sidewalk and crowds moved under her. Amaya landed in the tree she had aimed for. The crowds were well beyond this point. The area was clear of people; except for the costumed girls.
The monster screamed again. It was far louder. She was closer. Amaya dropped to the ground and ran toward it. She had a second to question herself; before she had to plan. Her brain had taken over though. Her hands snatched a dropped Frisbee and aimed. She released it. The red plastic disc spun toward the monster' smacking him in the side of the head. She grabbed a dropped textbook and spun it toward him. It hit him and he staggered.
Amaya stopped and wasn't sure why. Her skin was tingling and it didn't make sense. She was breathing fast and the world was crystal sharp. For a second she thought she saw Usagi in the distance.
An explosion rocked the ground near her. She jumped. Focusing back on the monster.
The monster had turned as it threw an energy blast at her. She stared at it for a long second. This was too much like her dreams.
Her body reacted without her telling it to; moving her back. An energy blast came toward her. She jumped up, flipping backward. Her hands hit the ground and she pushed herself up. Flipping over to land on her feet. She landed on a bench seat and straightened up. The monster was coming at her. It moved slowly. The thing had weak knees. If only she had something to throw at the knees; she could get it down.
In the background she heard a woman yell, "Now Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Moon? Amaya mental laughed at the dorky sounding name.
Outwardly she focused on the monster. Another energy blast came at her. She vaulted sideways, cart-wheeling through the air. The bench shattered in a spray of wood. Amaya landed on her feet and snatched a shard of wood off the ground. Her skin was itching and she looked up. Coloured energy was coming toward her. She hit the ground; throwing the wood shard at the creatures knees. Her aim had been true and the wood shard bit deep into the things knees. It screamed and went down.
Amaya forced herself to roll and the blast caught her in the shoulder. Skin burned and she felt pain. She lay on her side; gasping through the sudden shock of pain. There was a shout and pink light engulfed the injured monster. She shut her eyes against the intense light.
"Amaya!?" The shocked voice was unmistakable. She'd know it anywhere.
Opening her eyes she sat up. Her head swam and she felt sick to her stomach. Her left arm was burning and she knew she was hurt. Still, she focused on the voice. Her vision clarified. The first thing she recognized was the long swinging ponytails of her cousins blonde hair.
Usagi ran over to her cousin; falling to her knees. "Amaya, what are you doing here?"
"I came to see you." Amaya rubbed her face.
A group of girls and one guy had followed her cousin. They were strangers to Amaya. She pushed to her feet and wavered. The man reached out and steadied her. She recognized him from the photos. This was her cousin's boyfriend. She took her arm back from his hand and rubbed her left shoulder.
"Oh god, you're hurt!" Usagi wailed. "Let Ami take a look, she's a doctor."
Amaya backed up a step, "I am fine." She was fine, right? "What was that thing?"
There was a moment of quiet She frowned at her cousin. Usagi had grown into a lovely woman. She really had. Her blue eyes were still the same bright, sapphire blue they had been all her life. Her long blonde hair was still golden like the sun. The years had matured her into a stunning woman. It made Amaya sad. If only the years had been so good to her.
"Umm, it's a long story." Usagi said quickly. "But we should get you to a doctor. You're hurt."
Amaya shook her head, "I've had worse road-rash."
Usagi made a face at her, "That's sound contagious."
Laughter caught Amaya off-guard. She couldn't help it. Trust her cousin to make her laugh when she was hurt. For all her cousin had grown up, she was stil the same. "No, no, it's not."
"Road-rash is what happens when rider crash, my kitten." A sultry voice said lightly. Laughter edged that voice.
Amaya glanced up at the speaker and blinked in surprise. She recognized the face from the covers of racing magazines. What was a superstar like Tenoh Haruka doing hanging around her cousin?
Uagi's face turned red as she blushed, "I knew that!" She huffed.
"No you didn't." A girl with long black hair cut in.
Usagi snapped at her; the two of them started arguing.
Amaya walked to a near by bench and sat down. Her body wasn't hurt as much anymore. If only the world would stop spinning around inside her skull. She breathed slowly in and out. Looking around the campus she saw the burnt damage of the monster. She hadn't imagined it.
Someone moved near her and she looked up. The girl had a pleasent face; nice eyes. Her short hair had a dark blue tint to it. There was something incredibly friendly in those intelligent eyes.
"May I look at your shoulder?" The woman asked.
Amaya shrugged; the movement hurt.
The woman sat down next to her. Amaya turned, giving her injured shoulder to the woman's intelligent gaze. "Your jacket took most of the damage. You have a bruise forming but that can be treated with ice."
"Thanks," Amaya rubbed her shoulder, facing forward again. "So you're Ami?"
The woman nodded, "Mizu, Ami."
AMaya nodded, "Usagi's mentioned you in letters." She focused on the group. Her cousin was still arguing with same girl."The one arguing with her is Rei?"
Ami nodded.
"The woman with long blonde hair and the white cat," Amaya struggled to recall her name, "Minako?"
Ami nodded again.
Mamoru came over to them. "We haven't officially met," He held out a hand, "Chiba Mamoru, you're aunt has mentioned you a few times."
Amaya shook the offered handed, "Nice to finally meet you."
Haruka made her way over. A woman followed her. They moved like a couple and Amaya recognized the second woman as Kaiou Michiru. Back home in the States, Amaya had several of her paintings. She stood up as they approached. It only seemed right to greet them standing up.
Haruka looked to Ami, "So?"
"She's fine." Ami glanced over at the bickering. She shook her head. "Will they ever grow up?"
Mamoru shook his head, "I doubt it. But we should step in."
The two of them crossed back to the arguing women.
Amaya was suddenly nervous as she stood before the two famous women. She'd always wanted to meet them. But never in her wildest dreams had she thought it would happen.
Haruka looked at her. Amaya fought not to look away. The woman had intense gaze. "Your jacket did it's job."
It took a moment for Amaya to follow the comment. "Oh," She tugged at the riding jacket. A smile tickled her lips. "Yeah, I guess it did."
"You were very brave," Michiru said lightly. Her tone was cultured and spoke to a wealthy upbringing. She smiled politely at Amaya. "So how do you know Usagi?"
Amaya rubbed the back of her neck. "Well, uh, we're cousins."
The two women looked shocked. They glanced at one another for a second. Haruka chuckled as she shook her head. "Cousins?"
Amaya nodded. She felt that intense gaze again and dared to meet it. Haruka had incredibly dark green eyes. Amaya looked away. She focused on Usagi. It seemed as though Mamoru and Ami had been able to diffuse the argument. The girls were all talking at once and Usagi was smiling now. Mamoru laughed as he nodded in agreement to whatever was being said.
"I can see a resemblance." Michiru said lightly, "At least in appearance."
Amaya focused back on the couple. A resemblance? That was a new one on her. She was several inches taller than her cousin. She had more curves then her cousin would ever have. Perhaps it was the hair? They both had blonde hair. Though Amaya never let hers get longer then her shoulders. Right now it was short; above her ears.
Haruka nodded, "Something in the eyes."
"I doubt that." Amaya muttered.
The only similarity her eyes shared with her cousin was the color. Amaya's eyes were blue. But she didn't have the same warmth or love in her eyes like her cousin did. She knew that; even without having to be told.
"No, maybe you're right." Haurka muttered lightly, "There's an edge to your expression that Usagi doesn't have."
She frowned at the blonde superstar. "What of it?" Amaya challenged angrily, "We can't all be..." She paused, "Goody-two-shoes."
Amaya shook her head and stepped away from the couple. Anger simmered in her blood as she walked over to her cousin. She couldn't help it that her life had gone badly. She'd learned to fight early in her life and it showed. Her experiences showed in her eyes. She felt angry over that. Angry that she couldn't be more like her cousin. She had always admired Usagi's loving heart. Her cousins ease at making friends and just being a good person. Things like that just weren't as easy for Amaya.
She had wanted to say good-bye to her cousin; but she was too angry now. Amaya stepped wide of the group and headed back down the path.
"Amaya, wait!" Usagi shouted .
Amaya turned and paused as her cousin ran toward her. She watched the sparkling joy in her cousins eyes. How could she be so good? What did she have that made her so wonderful? Amaya sighed, why couldn't she be more like her cousin?
Usagi reached her, "We are going for ice cream; you're welcome to join us."
Amaya smiled. She did love ice cream. But she shook her head. "I should head to my apartment. I haven't slept in awhile. But thank you."
Her cousin's expression grew serious. "Did Haruka and Michiru say something mean?" Usagi shook her head. "They can seem cold at first, but they are really nice. It just takes time for them to warm up to people."
Just like me, Amaya thought sadly. "Really, I am tired. But I'll call you tomorrow. Perhaps we can do something then?"
Usagi's face brightened, "There is a food expo happening downtown tomorrow. We were all going. Why don't you come along?"
Amaya smiled, "Okay."
"We can all the sweets together." Usagi said happily, "I bet I can eat more cake then you can."
Laughter bubbled out of her again, Amaya nodded, "I'll call you tomorrow and we can arrange things."
Usagi hugged Amaya in a sudden, tight grab. Amaya tensed at the pain from her shoulder. It took a moment to relax in her cousin's arms. Usagi stepped back. Amaya nodded and her cousin smiled at her.
"See you tomorrow." Usagi turned and ran back to her group.
Amaya sighed heavily. She caught the steady gaze of Haruka Tenoh and frowned. She turned her back on those dark green eyes. Amaya walked away from the group and did her best to ignore the pain in her shoulder.
**
The apartment was quiet; the still kind of silence. Amaya sat on her bed. She stared at the package still in its shipping box. She hadn't opened it yet. The contents were no mystery to her. She had stolen them after all. That was why she'd had to leave the States so quickly. Her partners had sold her out to the FBI. There was no going home for her.
Deep shadows kept her company. She rubbed her bruised shoulder absently. Her thoughts were turning over and over in her head. She sighed, dropping her hand from her shoulder.
Reaching over to her discarded jacket; she opened the inside pocket and took out her journal. She stared at the hard cover book and opened it. There was no need to read the words on the pages. They spoke of her nightmares; her terrified thoughts. For months now she'd been plagued by horrible dreams. As of now, there was no sense to them. No clue as to what they meant or why she was having them.
The pages were cool under her fingertips. She leafed through them. Not really looking for anything. Her hand stopped and she blinked. She stared at the drawing filled page. Her skill was no where near that of Michiru's but it didn't matter. These were her nightmares; they weren't going to be on public display.
Amaya stared at the large golden heart; decorated with colored stones around the edge. An orb sat at the top; with a half-moon above that. A small wing sat on either side of the heart. Amaya had drawn lines of light around the object. In her dreams it glowed with a brilliance she couldn't describe. And it was always in her dreams. The object appeared after she saw Usagi die. This thing fell from mid air; to land in front of Amaya as she screamed. She had seen Usagi die over and over; countless times since the dreams started. And always, this object glowed as if it wanted her to reach out and grab it. She never did. She was far to afraid to do that.
Slamming the book shut she threw it against the nearest wall. It hit with a thud and fell to the ground. Amaya rubbed her face. She was nothing like her cousin. So why did she feel compelled to be here?
No answers came to her. Just like always.
\**