Chapter 2 - Ripples
She awoke to the familiar ringtone of the communicator, the small wristwatch that she had worn ever since she first discovered her Senshi identity. The urgent alarm call meant something bad had happened. As she struggled to open her eyes, painfully glued together after a long night of staying up late, the blurry and twisting vision slowly came together, the very first image that she laid eyes upon, two faces, happy, smiling. Shaking herself off the momentary paralysis, she pushed herself up from the desk and quickly answered the call from her watch.
"Hello?" she spoke softly, clearing her throat of the hoarse throb. "Slow down, Usagi. What happened?" As she listened tentatively to the frantic voice on the other line, her eyes drifted unconsciously between the frames on her desk, each photo a different scene but always with the same two people. "Have you informed the others? Which hospital are you staying at?" Her eyes widened slightly at the answer. "All right, stay calm. I'll be there soon."
Closing the communicator, she glanced back to the watch face. 7.25 AM. She had fallen asleep at her desk again last night. This was the third time in two days, which was unusual. Normally her mental stamina could withstand much more strenuous work than just some minor research. Her computer screen was still on from last night's section. On the left side were trivial results on the Dead Moon Circus, and on the right, as per default, her school projects. Neither had been successfully done.
She shut down the computer and rushed out of the room. In her haste, she had forgotten to close the door behind her.
Moments after she was gone, a powerful gust slammed the door back to its place, but with such a force that it shook the painting hung close by. Merely seconds later, the frame crashed to the floor, its glass cover cracked, and the little fish on the painting looked as if it was cut apart.
The kitchen was the same as she left it 6 hours ago. Cold and quiet. The fruits on the counter were untouched. There was no sign of anyone having been here, save the small note on the refrigerator.
'Emergency at the hospital. I won't be home until evening.'
Turning away from the hastily written note, Ami grabbed her coat and walked to the front door.
"Now here's somebody I haven't seen in a while. Visiting your mother today, Ami?"
Ami made a polite bow to her mother's colleague. It was true that she never did see her mother at work often, but then again, they did not see each other at home that often either. "Yes, is she in?"
"I think she's taking a rest in her room."
Bidding goodbye to the doctor, she headed down the unusually empty hallway. For a Sunday morning, there weren't that many patient lines. There was also nobody waiting outside her mother's office.
"Mom, are you in here? It's me." She knocked gently on the door.
There was no response. Perhaps her mother was asleep. But before she could turn the knob, the door had swung opened and a man walked out.
"Excuse me," he said as they bumped into each other.
He was a tall and good-looking man, dressed in a fine linen suit.
"Thank you again, doctor Mizuno. I'll be back on next Wednesday." The man turned around to her mother one last time before rushing past Ami down the hallway.
Ami could not resist staring after him. His walking posture and cracking pace really did not speak of a physically ill man, and her mother did not specialize in psychiatry as she recalled.
"Ami, what are you doing here?" Her mother's voice called Ami attention back to the room.
She looked just as professional and graceful as she always did at her workplace, or anywhere else in fact, but Ami could sense the tinge of fluster passing from her features.
"One of my friends just got in the hospital. I was wondering if you could check on him. His name is Mamoru Chiba and he's in room 207."
Her mothers' eyes flickered swiftly at her words. Glancing up and down between her desk and back to Ami's expectant face, she smiled. Ami was not sure if she understood that smile, but somehow it had made her mother seem less approachable than usual.
"Sure. But first I need to see to his paperwork. I'll bring the test results to his room later."
"Thank you."
For a moment her mind was blank as to what to say to her own mother. She only stood there, inexplicable frozen on the spot, until her mother noticed the odd look on her face.
"Is there anything else?"
"No, there isn't… No." Ami shook her head, unable to take her eyes off her mother's face.
"I'll see you later then."
Ami turned around to the door, but just before closing it, she briefly glanced back to room. Her mother was smiling to herself yet again.
Even before reaching the door, Ami could hear the two distinct voices coming from inside room 207. One was particularly louder and more high-pitched than the other. Upon opening the door, what really hit her, however, were not the two imposing leaders currently engaging in a heated battle of words and stares but the person who looked to be an odd combination of Usagi and Chibiusa, as if they were merged as one.
"Chibiusa!?" Ami shrieked in bafflement. "Or are you Usagi? Why are you dressing up as Chibiusa?"
"That's Ami for you," sobbed a little girl who looked more like a mini version of Usagi with her blonde hair intact. "I'm Usagi, and that's Chibiusa. Our bodies somehow switched when we detransformed."
"What? You're Usagi?" Ami stared in wide-eyed bafflement. "How did this happen?" she asked, glancing swiftly around the room. All the Senshi were here, but there were only two of the Shitennou, Kadir and Zane. The latter was smiling at her in the brief moment that their eyes met before she turned back to the sobbing girl.
"We were fighting a tiger escaping from the circus. And when we detransformed, this happened."
"The circus? You mean the Dead Moon Circus? What were you guys doing there so early in the morning?" asked Ami. So many more questions were rushing through her mind. How did a tiger get loose? Why was Chibiusa still here? What were Minako and Kadir fighting about? And, Ami had just only now noticed, why was Rei looking so flustered?
"Yes, it was them. But I don't know if it was they who set the tiger free," said Usagi, clinging close to Mamoru.
"Mamoru-san, are you all right?" Ami had almost forgotten the real reason they were all here. "My mom works in this hospital so I asked her to check on you. She'll be here soon."
"Thank you, Ami. It was nothing serious." Mamoru smiled gently, patting the sulking Usagi on her back.
At his words, Rei turned to Ami. "Can you ask your mom to check on Ueno-san too? He's in the next room." Realizing almost everyone's eyes were on her, she subtly cleared her throat and averted her gaze to the cup of tea on her hand.
As a coincidental gesture of kindness, the Shitennou leader cut in. "That won't be necessary, Mizuno-san. I think it's best that Mamoru-san be examined first and thoroughly." Kadir briefly glanced over to Rei as he continued. "As for Jirou, he shall suffer the consequences of his own misjudged action, without any more favor."
"Oh please. He did nothing wrong." Minako suddenly raised her voice. "Any sensible person would have done the same."
"Will you guys please keep it down? This is a hospital," Zane hushed.
As much as Zane wanted to voice his support for Minako and the poor man lying next door, Kadir's murderous glare had made sure that would not happen. Jirou, or whatever possessed him to, had decided to call the Senshi for help instead of his own Shitennou brothers, who only got to hear everything after they'd got to the hospital. What was more, their Prince was hurt in his presence. Needless to say, Kadir was furious. Although, from what Zane was told, Mamoru had collapsed on his own. But that was of none concern to Kadir. He had deemed the foolish man guilty of all charges the moment he picked up the phone.
"Zane's right. Kadir, I already told you I'm fine. The one who really needs medical attention is Jirou," Mamoru said, looking hopefully at his top Shitennou. He knew Kadir would respect his wish.
He was right. Kadir did not say anything, though he soon took his leave, citing work business.
He had really looked like he could use the rest more than Mamoru did. It was Sunday after all. Although Minako was always fussy whenever he was around, Ami could see that little spark extinguished from her eyes the moment he left the room.
"So what exactly happened with the whole tiger incidence?" asked Ami.
"Mamo-chan and I went looking for Chibiusa because we sensed that she was in danger. When we found her, she was with Rei and Jirou fighting that tiger and those… things. We defeated them but then Mamo-chan suddenly collapsed and I didn't know what to do. And then we detransformed and got stuck like this."
Seeing as Usagi could burst into another episode at any moment, Ami quickly spoke. "Calm down, Usagi. We'll figure this out soon. Now tell me, what did you mean by those things?"
"I don't know what they were. They looked like a bunch of urchins, only more spiky. They got Jirou bad. Really bad." Usagi shuddered slightly at the memory of his face when they brought him to the hospital.
"There's no denying it now. A new enemy is at large," Minako commented gravely.
Ami's mother could not have arrived at a better time, the mood inside was getting too dour. "Ami, I finished all the paperwork for your friend, Mamoru Chiba."
Her elegance instantly captured the girls' attention, and Zane's. She was indeed a beautiful woman, if not more than her own daughter.
"Everyone, this is my mother," Ami gestured.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet you, doctor Mizuno." Zane stepped forward and slightly bowed down, automatically putting on his charming front. "I'm Zane…" He paused. Behind him, Minako and Makoto were trying hard to hold back their laughter. Ignoring them, he continued. "Ami's friend." To his disappointment, she only gave him a brief smile in return.
"Everyone, why don't we step outside for a minute? I'm sure Mamoru would like some private time for his test results." Minako opened the door and beckoned to her Senshi. "Girls, please."
"It was nice meeting you girls. And you too, Zane," said Ami's mother.
Once out in the hallway, Minako immediately dragged the three Senshi to the corner.
"Girls, we have another problem. I can't transform, or use any of my powers," Minako muttered.
"What?" Ami and Makoto exclaimed at the same time.
"I can't either. This morning when I tried to call up my power, I couldn't." Rei looked to her feet. "Luckily, Ueno-san helped me stop those urchins before Usagi arrived."
"Speaking of which, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with Mr. stonewall just now. Why didn't you call us?" Minako grumbled.
Rei sighed in frustration. "It was a bit chaotic at the time… Look, let's focus here. Ami, Makoto, have you guys been able to transform in the past two days?"
"I haven't tried. I'll see to it once I get outside. But if both of you can't use your powers, I doubt we can either." Ami rubbed at her temple. The lack of sleep was starting to take its toll on her mind.
"You okay, Ami?" asked Makoto, putting a hand on Ami's tense shoulder.
"Yeah, I'm fine. Probably just need some sleep." She turned to Makoto and tapped on her hand. "Let's discuss this later. I think I'm gonna pay Jirou a visit. Anyone coming?"
"We already did. I think I'm gonna head home now. My Sunday beauty sleep is all ruined," whined Minako. "Let me know if any of you girls can transform. Okay, see you around."
"See you, Ami, Rei." Makoto waved goodbye to them and dashed after the blonde Senshi. "Mina, wait up! Wanna go grab something to eat?"
That left only the Fire and Water Senshi stood staring at each other.
Ami said nothing, still trying to figure out her friend's unusual behavior. Her eyes flickered towards Rei, as if expecting a confession from her friend. For a moment there, Rei really looked like she was about to say some of great importance but had decided to dropped it at the last second, turning away to the exit.
"I guess I'll see you later too, Ami."
When Ami opened the door to Jirou's room, Zane was already there with him. The younger Shitennou must have been halfway through his teasing when she interrupted, she reckoned. It would have been unlike Zane to pass on such an opportunity. Jirou really did look miserable.
"Oh my, how are you feeling, Jirou?" She looked worriedly at the stiches on his arms and mostly his face.
"A little better now. Thank you, Ami-chan." He managed a playful wink at her, if just to piss Zane off. "How's Mamoru-san? Please tell me he's okay."
"He seems fine. They're probably giving him his test results right now."
"And the others?" Jirou continued, looking rather nervously.
"Except for their switched bodies, the two Usagi are perfectly fine as well," Ami answered.
Jirou was silent after her answer. The half-expectant look on his face said he was hoping she would continue. But she did not. She had never been aware of his history or his current feelings towards her friend.
"How's Rei?" Zane asked, deciding to rid his poor friend of his misery.
"Oh, she's all right. She just left the hospital a minute ago."
Jirou's smile faltered at her answer but once again Ami was oblivious to it.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your rest now. Get well soon, Jirou."
"Thanks again, Ami-chan."
The two brothers sat in total silence after she was gone, an increasingly uncomfortable silence, and Zane was starting to fidget around incessantly.
"Just go after her already," Jirou grumbled, turning on his side and pulled the sheet over his head.
Ami was just walking past the hospital's entrance when Zane caught up with her.
"Ami, wait up!" Zane shouted from behind, running towards her.
"Zane, what's wrong?" She stopped to wait for him, somehow feeling a tinge of pleasant surprise.
He came to a stop beside her. "Ah, I was just wondering if, um, do you need a lift home?" he asked nervously.
"You have a car?" She had known that he came from a wealthy family in Europe, but from what he had always told her, when he moved to Japan, he'd decided to fend for himself. She wondered how a junior student in high school could afford such a thing with his part-time salary.
"Actually, no…" His eyebrow arched up mysteriously, as if waiting for her guess. His hand reached out.
It didn't take Ami long to realize what he meant, at which point she stared at him nervously. "You mean to teleport me home?" If her memory was correct, the last time she saw him teleport, he had landed himself on the school's rooftop and sent the teachers into panic since they thought a student was committing suicide. "Are you sure it's a good idea, Zane?"
"Trust me. I've been practicing. A lot," he answered confidently.
"Thank you, Zane. But actually, I'm thinking about heading over to the circus to check it out. It'll just be a short walk from here."
"Oh, I'm coming along then, it could be dangerous," he replied excitedly. "And I'm not taking no for an answer."
"All right." She smiled and walked after him.
As they reached the gate, a sight had caught Ami's attention and abruptly she turned her head back, her stare fixed on the man sitting on the bench in the courtyard. It was the man from earlier whom she had met in her mother's office. He was just sitting there, gazing aimlessly around the hospital garden. It seemed he might be waiting for someone.
"Ami?" Zane turned around when he felt her movement stop behind him.
"Sorry, let's go." Ami shook her head and led on.
"You know that man?" Zane asked as they were walking.
She shook her head again. "I thought he looked like someone I knew."
The weather was too gloomy for their walk, and much to Zane's dismay. It was only 9 AM yet the sky still looked so dark.
"It looks like it might rain at any moment now," he said with a frustrated sigh, looking up at the dark clouds.
"It's okay. I brought an umbrella," Ami replied, raising her bag up at him.
He smiled to himself. Of course she did.
"So, Ami. Have you given any thought about your university major?" He turned around to look at her.
"Actually, yes. I've always wanted to become a doctor, and not just to follow in my mother's footstep, you know?" She kept her eyes straight ahead, not fully confident in meeting his gaze.
"Doctor is a noble job…" For a while, he too gazed into the far distance. "I've been thinking about it. I want to apply for Mamoru's Medical School as well." He turned back to her, his face determined and his tone serious.
"I'm sure you won't have much trouble with that, given your skills and qualifications."
"You're embarrassing me." He laughed heartily at her comment. "But I guess it's true. I do work so hard." One of his eye peered over to check on her reaction. Blinks. "I'm just kidding."
Ami couldn't help but chuckle, but not because of his joke. She was amazed just how at ease she felt spending time around him. Her earlier headache was already gone. A smile flickered across her face, but just as quickly, it had faded.
"Zane, would you mind if I ask you something personal?" she asked with a soft voice.
"Not at all." Zane couldn't be happier to oblige. It was not every day Ami would be so open towards him. And to think she was curious about his personal life.
"How did your parents react when you said you were moving to Japan?"
Her question left him quite surprised, and disappointed somehow. He certainly was not expecting this family topic, of all the things she could ask.
"At first they protested strongly, of course. My mother even cried." He ruffled his hair as he tried to recall his memory. "But eventually they came around. And that was after a lot, a lot of convincing arguments on my part." He chuckled bitterly.
Ami hesitated, wondering if she should continue asking. It was only after they had passed another block of buildings that she spoke. "Do you ever feel like you've abandoned them?"
"Huh? Excuse me?" His head shot around to look at her, visibly taken aback by her question. He was not quite sure if he had heard it right.
"I'm sorry. Please forget that. I shouldn't have asked," Ami quickly refuted, embarrassed at her own bluntness.
"No, it's all right," he assured her. Carefully contemplating her question, he spoke. "I guess it did feel like that from time to time. And believe me, the one who left feel just as bad as the ones left behind. Sometimes, even worse." His gaze dropped to the ground.
Ami wondered if his words were really true.
Neither of them said anything after that, until they finally reached the circus.
"We're here." He glanced around, inspecting the strangely suspicious location. "It seems they're not open to the public yet. But they sure set up tents quickly. They just arrived yesterday!"
All of the tents were sealed off with a 'No Entrance' sign. What was strange was there was not a single employee or member around.
"Looks like we'll have to come back another time." Zane couldn't hide his disappointment. He didn't expect their time together would end so soon.
But just then it seemed his prayer had been answered. It started to rain.
Without hesitation, he grabbed her hand and made for the small shop opposite from the circus entrance. Ami thought of interrupting him to remind him that she had brought an umbrella, but decided against it. His laughter rung softly in her mind as they raced against the rain. His brilliant face lit up despite the pouring shower. She quickened her steps to keep up with his pace, and to keep their hands locked together.
"Made it!"
As they entered the shop, Zane hurriedly took out his handkerchief. But just when he turned to give it to her, his face froze, and very soon they got all red. Placing the handkerchief into her hand, he immediately averted his eyes elsewhere. His hand reached up to his hair out of reflex. Ami, on the other hand, was already too taken with the shop to notice her shirt, dampened by the rain, had clung tightly onto her skin.
"Thank you." She wiped the water from her body as she glanced around.
It was a fish store.
Ami could feel the water energy the moment she stepped in here. She felt the water move inside each tank, like it was calling out to her. She walked up closer to one of them and looked deep inside. The blue water, the colorful fish. They all looked so pretty. It was just like being underwater, she thought.
"You seem happy there."
Ami turned around at the unfamiliar female voice. She seemed to be the shopkeeper.
"I can feel when people are in touch with water," the girl said.
"You work here?" Zane came up behind them.
She smiled. "Why don't you buy a fish for your girlfriend?"
Ami's cheeks reddened. Before she could think of the proper way to correct her false assumption, Zane had answered.
"Sure. Any fish you recommend?" He briefly scanned through the tanks on display.
"Zane…" Ami looked up at him, unsure what to say.
"It's all right, Ami. Think of this as a thank-you gift for spending the morning with me." He put his finger on her lips before she could protest. "Just say thank you."
Ami breathed a sigh of defeat. "Thank you." A small smile formed on her lips as she looked to the tank the girl was pointing at.
"How about this little guy?" the girl asked.
It was indeed a cute fish, and more importantly, it looked a lot like the one her father had once painted for her, slightly blue with red fins. She was sure her mother would also love it.
"I'd take him, please."
"Him? How do you know it's a boy?" Zane narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the little fish. "Are you sure this is the one you want?" In truth, he wouldn't pick that fish. There was something off about it, especially its eyes. But he wanted to make her happy. "All right, we'll take that one."
As they turned towards the counter, behind, inside the beautiful tank, the fish stopped swimming. Its eyes gleamed with a flash of flaming red.
End of Chapter 2