Author's note: I just want to add real quickly that the events in this story are no reflection of any country or way of life. It's all just some good fun and hopefully interesting reading. Enjoy.
Everything in it's right place
"We're going to have to see some identification" forced the husky man in uniform. The other three were already tearing open backpacks and luggage, they dumped everything out onto the dirty floor.
"Why do you need to see anything?" Rei attacked trying to pull her bag away from one of the unfamiliarly dressed men. One of the brutes took out a gun and held it at the miko's unmoving head.
Pushing Makoto's menacing body away, Ami quickly stepped forward "We're sorry, we've been away for a month and this is all very new to us. We live here in Tokyo and we study in high school" she calmly said introducing her passport, she motioned the rest to do the same.
A very frightened Usagi almost dropped her document as she handed it in. Minako, very hostile and angry, pulled out hers as well as Rei's. Makoto was the only one who stupidly refused to move a muscle, she stared down the man looking at her. Before anything could be prevented, the man hit the brunette across the ribs sending her straight to the ground. He made a move to hit her again with the nightstick but luckily Ami jumped in between and showed the missing passport hoping for mercy.
One of the men who appeared to be in charge took the document and nodded - "These will do for now" - he seemed slightly embarrassed by that had happened - "Be sure to acquire as soon as possible the new government regulated Ids. As of Monday it will be illegal to not present one" he instructed in an almost friendly voice.
Ami hoisted a wheezing Makoto up and accepted the five passports the man gave back to her. The girls, except for the brunette who could barely stand straight, grabbed their discarded things and quickly stuffed them into the bags. They left the station very quickly only to find a city which seemed normal except for the occasional mouth mask and abnormal amount of policemen.
"This is strange" stated Usagi as they walked towards the shrine.
"I'm glad you noticed" Rei replied sarcastically as she helped Ami with Makoto who still felt the blow to her ribs very painful.
"Ami-chan, what's going on?" Minako asked sounding very alarmed.
"I'm not sure, we should probably wait to get to the shrine before we talk about this" the genius answered cautiously, many officers were looking at them suspiciously due to Makoto's unfortunate state.
They huddled closely together until they reached the safety of Rei's home. Yuichiro welcomed them looking very anxious, he immediately informed that grandpa had been taken to the hospital.
"What! Did he get sick?" Rei demanded after hearing the news.
"No" - the male miko hesitated - "they came around to give out Id cards and when they saw how old he was they took him away" he informed.
"What? Who? Who took him away? Where was he taken!" Rei shouted.
"Some government officials. I demanded to know where he was to be taken but they wouldn't tell me. I'm sorry! They had guns! They almost shot the sensei when he fought not to leave!"
"It's okay, thank you Yuichiro" assured Minako, she smiled at the shaken man before leading a furious black haired girl into another room.
Ami moved Makoto into the seating area and laid her down on the sofa. "Did they say anything else?" she asked directing herself to the young man who nervously played with his fingers.
"That's the thing, they declared him a property of the state because of the recent national emergency. All they said after that was that he'd been returned when the epidemic was over"
"What epidemic?"
"Haven't you heard anything? There's a virus going around. It started killing small children and old people. Everything was fine until some teenagers died a week ago. It's already killed 112 in less than a month. Listen, I'm very sorry but I must leave as soon as possible" Yuichiro said slightly turning towards the door.
"Why must you leave?"
"It's mandatory, I was originally born in Osaka. My citizenship has to be processed there. I do apologize but Tokyo has become unbearable. I wish you luck, goodbye" the male miko said bowing and waving hopefully. He grabbed a duffel bag resting against the wall and left.
"I should probably call my parents" Usagi whispered, she floated into the next room looking astounded. Meanwhile Ami sat thoughtfully.
"You should call your mother" Makoto instructed as she painfully turned and shifted towards the pensive girl.
"Yes, I suppose I should" - the genius said shell-shocked - "Are you alright?" Ami asked gently feeling the brunette's side.
"Yes yes, go call her"
Ami nodded and ran into the next room almost knocking Usagi down. The blonde was indignant as she walked towards Makoto and sat down beside her.
"Is everything alright with your family?"
The pig tailed blonde nodded "Yes, everyone is fine. Although classes are going to be canceled until the epidemic clears up" - she seemed to smile lightly for a moment- "Mom says Luna has been gone since yesterday"
Makoto's face turned grim, she got up with difficulty and hugged the blonde "Don't worry, Luna will show up. She's probably at Mina-chan's house or maybe looking out for any danger" - the brunette pulled Usagi slightly away and smiled weakly - "Why don't you go home, see your family and rest for a little bit. We'll call you when Rei-chan is calmer".
"Alright, thanks Mako-chan" - the blonde hugged the taller girl and proceeded to grab her things - "tell the others we'll talk later, bye" she said sounding depressed, she waved and slowly left the temple.
Shortly after, Ami came out looking a little calmer than before. She informed Makoto that her mother was fine and practically trapped at the hospital because of the epidemic.
"How's Rei?" the brunette asked after they both sat down.
"I'm not sure. I knocked on the door and Mina just told me it wasn't a good time. I'm not sure what to do next. Where's Usagi?"
"She went home. Luna has been missing since yesterday" Makoto informed.
Ami sighed and held her chin in thought "That's not good, she would have been the only one to explain what's really going on" - she grabbed a remote and turned the TV on - "I doubt this will be informative but it doesn't hurt to try" she said turning her attention to the sounds and images in front of her.
The two girls sat watching and learned nothing different than what they already knew; the epidemic, classes canceled, Korea, even the new ID's were advertised like a soda commercial. In the minds of the media and blind sided citizens everything was perfectly normal.
"This is useless" - Ami groaned turning the TV off - "My mother will know what's really going on, I'll talk to her as soon as she's available".
"Hopefully you'll be able to see her tonight" Makoto said kindly.
The blue haired girl rubbed her eyes "Not likely. She's stuck working nights until who knows when" - she chuckled tiredly - "nothing new, don't worry".
"But I do. Why don`t you spend the night? I'll make dinner and we'll watch the stupidest movie we can find. How about it?" the brunette asked eagerly.
Ami turned to look at her suspiciously "Are you sure that's a good idea?" she asked grinning.
Makoto waved her hands innocently "Just dinner and a movie. I promise! I'll even sleep on couch" she replied jokingly.
"Well now, let's not get hasty" the genius said sounding much happier.
Minako suddenly entered holding Rei's hand. The miko looked devastated though she tried to hide it. They sat down and stared silently at whatever they could.
"What do you want to do Rei-chan?" Makoto asked worriedly.
"I want to go to every hospital in Tokyo and look for grandpa" Rei answered flatly.
Makoto and Ami nodded approvingly but stopped when Minako shook her head at them "No, not now. We'll wait until tomorrow, it's late and we all need rest" the blonde demanded.
"I don't care! Let's go!" Rei cried as she stood determined.
The blonde pulled her gently down - "We talked about this" - she said hugging the black haired girl who sat down defeated "I'll spend the night and first thing in the morning we'll all go look for grandpa".
"That sounds like a good idea" Ami added gently.
The four girls reluctantly began to discuss the current events revolving around them, they especially tried to avoid the delicate topic of the epidemic and focussed mainly on the aggressive policemen roaming the streets of Tokyo. Luna's disappearance was even stranger when Minako confirmed that Artemis was also nowhere to be found.
"My parents want us to leave the country" the blonde informed grimly which made Rei turn her head to hide falling tears.
"What? Why?" Makoto asked aggressively.
Minako shrugged holding back her own tears "I don't know...they're going crazy! Don't worry, I'm not going anywhere" she claimed mainly to the miko who she hugged tightly.
"Ami-chan?"
"Yes Rei-chan?"
"How bad is the epidemic?" Rei asked wiping her face.
The genius was stumped. She turned to look at Minako who looked back unhelpfully. Deciding the truth was best, Ami smiled sadly "My mother says it's pretty bad. But only for people who are already sick!" - she said quickly - "I'm sure they took grandpa as a precaution, for his own good" she added lamely.
"Whatever. I'm going to bed" - Rei said getting up - "You two can spend the night if you'd like" she groaned.
"That's alright, we'll go to my place" - Makoto said kindly - " you two try to get some sleep" she said to Minako since the miko had already left the room.
The blonde smiled at the other two girls and also got up "Don't worry, I'll take care of her" she assured confidently.
The brunette and Ami grabbed their things and gave Minako a warm hug. "Call us tomorrow as soon as you two get up, we'll come over so we can all go look for grandpa" the blue haired girl instructed as they walked out of the temple.
The two girls walked silently towards Makoto's apartment building. As they cleared street after street it became painfully obvious how much their city had changed in only a month. Walls around them were graffitied sloppily with slogans like; Anarchy for Japan!, Death to the president!, Civil war makes civil rights!, and other law defiant words in black and red. Although it was only nine o'clock at night the streets were completely empty, even the dogs that usually barked were quiet. The only sound that could be heard was the occasional echo of shouting far away.
"This is a little scary" - Ami whispered frightened - she suddenly jumped when something or someone ran through the alley next to her "let's hurry" she said urgently as she held Makoto's arm tightly.
"Don't worry, you're with me" the brunette said calmly as she pulled the smaller girl closer.
A few blocks further something incredible happened; they watched as five people ran into an alley running from three large men. The persecution was followed by violent screaming and aggressive sounds of beating. Before Makoto launched herself to fight Ami grabbed her with full force "Don't! Those are policemen" she warned holding the stronger girl.
"But..."
"Shh, there's nothing we can do" the genius said nervously.
"Hey! What are you doing?" a voice behind them yelled.
The two girls quickly turned and watched an enormous man throw himself at them. Before they could register what was going on the policeman whacked Ami across the head sending her straight to the ground. Upon instinct Makoto grabbed the man and threw him against the wall.
"You dirty piece of filth! I'll kill you!" the brunette cried as she held the flailing policeman with all her might.
"Let me go! I'm an article 29 government official! I'll have you in prison for this! Help! help!" the man wailed turning his head for help.
Ami quickly got up, forehead bleeding and her eye slightly bruised, she grabbed Makoto's shoulder and slightly pulled "Mako-chan, let him go!" she pleaded.
The taller girl hesitated but did what she was told. As soon as the man was released he pushed Makoto and made a move to hit her.
"Stop! That's an order!" demanded an even larger man a few blocks further. He hurried over with poise and stood with authority in front of the scene.
"She...disrespected me!" the inferior official proclaimed sounding a little embarrassed.
The superior man looked around the empty street and found a couple with a dog looking utterly frightened, they both held out new IDs which shook in their hands. He smiled calmly at the two bystanders and motioned them to be on their way. The man and woman with the dog crossed the street slowly, both pairs of eyes never leaving the scene as they walked with small steps.
After deciding to ignore the innocent citizens, the proud man turned to the two girls facing problems "Show me your ID" he demanded strictly.
"We only have our passports, we just got in from the north. We were told it wouldn't be a problem until Monday" Ami answered ignoring the blood running down her eye and Makoto forcefully trying to get around her arm.
The man looked further to see the couple still staring, he smiled - "Alright, just be sure to get your new IDs - he patted the furious brunette condescendingly - "Go on, get home, remember curfew is at ten!" he said sounding like a school teacher.
Makoto made a move to hit him against the face but stopped when she felt Ami's soft hand against her face "Please don't" the genius begged as she turned the brunette's face towards hers.
"Hurry along now!" the man said sounding very friendly but demanding.
Ami smiled with difficulty and dragged the taller girl forward. As they walked past the next few blocks it was nerve wrecking to watch young students, bloodied and moaning in pain, being hauled into cop cars. They urged the two girls hurrying away to help them, instead Ami with her head down and Makoto angry with tears ignored the helpless youths. The brunette held her jacket against the smaller girl's bleeding head, now and then twisting back towards the crime scene. With hurried and long strides they reached their destination and climbed the steps to Makoto's apartment.
"I'm so sorry! I should have been calmer!" the brunette apologized filled with tension as she led Ami into the bathroom to clean her bloodied head.
"I wish you would have let me at least broken his nose" Makoto said carefully wiping the smaller girl's wound.
"Ha! You'd be spending the night in prison or worse!"
"Yeah but at least I would've defended your honor and he'd think twice before hitting anyone again" the brunette replied gently holding Ami's face as she applied antiseptic.
The genius flinched from the stinging sensation "I can't believe they hurt so many people, those kids didn't even look 18! This is worse than I thought" she said slightly holding a finger to her injury.
Makoto gently slapped the finger away "Hold still, I'm almost done" - she ordered as she stuck a gauze on the clean wound - "I only care that they hurt you, we should report them"
"It probably won't do any good, we'd be in worse trouble than them"
"Than what should we do? The police can't just beat up anyone they'd like and for any reason" - the brunette rubbed some cream under Ami's eye - "Looks like you're going to have a black eye for awhile, damn animal!" she cried angrily.
"It's fine, don't worry about it. Do you think we should call Minako and tell her what happened?" the smaller girl asked before following Makoto into the living room.
The brunette proceeded to make tea "No, let's let Rei calm down and get a decent nights sleep. We'll tell them all when we go looking for grandpa" she suggested.
When the tea was ready they drank in silence and hurriedly since they both just wanted to go to sleep. Makoto put away the dishes and walked behind the genius towards her room.
Ami suddenly stopped and turned around "I thought you were sleeping on the couch" she said seriously.
The brunette's eyes grew as round as plates ""Oh, right. I'll just get my things" she said sounding very surprised and disappointed.
Ami giggled "I'm kidding" - she pulled the taller girl against her - "I'm glad I'm with you" she said before giving Makoto a very tender kiss.
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The next morning both girls were awoken with a startle as both their communicators rang at the same time. Ignoring who's was who's they were quick to put on some clothes and act as casually as possible.
"Oh, hey Ami-chan, I thought I was calling Mako-chan, did I wake you?" Usagi said as Ami answered the communicator.
"No, we just got up. How are you?" the blue haired girl asked as she helped the taller girl get her shirt over her head - "Did Luna show up?" - she giggled watching Makoto fumble nervously with the ringing communicator in her own hand.
"Yeah, that's why I'm calling. Her and Artemis have been searching for an appropriate place for us to train, can you believe it? Those two will never give us a break. How's Rei?" Usagi asked worriedly.
"She was doing a little better when we left" - Ami watched Makoto leave the room while talking on the other communicator - "I think Mako is talking with Mina right now. I'm sure the plan is to go look for grandpa today" she informed.
"Alright. Do you two mind if I come over? Maybe Makoto will make some breakfast?"
Ami chuckled "I'm sure she will. We'll wait for you here, bye" she said before turning the device in her hand off. She heard Makoto's voice in the other room for only a few more minutes before the taller girl came back.
"How's Rei?"
The brunette sighed as she sat next to Ami on the bed "Anxious and going crazy. Mina says they stayed up all night, we should be over there in about an hour" she informed lying on her back.
"Don't get too comfortable, Usagi's coming over and she expects breakfast " the genius said as she playfully caressed the taller girl's exposed stomach.
"Fine but only if I get a kiss" Makoto demanded pulling the smaller girl on top of her.
Ami grinned mischievously "I'm paying for two so don't you dare ask Usagi for a kiss as well" she said before placing her lips gently on the brunette's.
After a few minutes of fooling around, the two girls left to get ready. Ami took a shower while Makoto stayed cooking enough breakfast to fill Usagi's endless pit. The pig tailed blonde arrived just in time for the brunette to excuse herself to take a shower, she politely asked them to begin eating without her.
"Ami-chan! What happened to your eye! Are you alright?" Usagi cried as she examined the recent wound.
"Oh!" - Ami touched her forehead and grinned - "I completely forgot. Why don't I explain when Mako comes back" she said beckoning the blonde to sit down.
When Makoto returned she and the genius informed Usagi of everything that had happened to them the night before and surprisingly she wasn't surprised.
"I mean it's terrible what they did to you but I think you two were lucky. My mother says they've been throwing tons of kids in jail for nothing, although she also says no one is really respecting the curfew. Underground terrorists they're calling them, I think. Luna says the policemen are everywhere at night trying to scoop up anyone who looks suspicious, you two could have gone to jail!" Usagi said enthusiastically.
"I don't care about any stupid terrorists or curfew! Look at Ami-chan!" Makoto said holding the smaller girl's face a little too tenderly.
"Don't get mad at me! I didn't hit her!"
"Mako-chan it's fine. Usagi-chan is right, it could have been a lot worse. Right now we have to get going to the temple and help Rei-chan, she needs us" Ami said placing her hand on Makoto's before getting up.
"Sorry Bunny" the brunette apologized very embarrassed.
Usagi waved it off and laughed "Don't worry, you made breakfast! Thanks Mako-chan!".
The three girls left the apartment quickly as they were already running late. As they walked, Ami and Makoto noticed everything was different in the day than at night. People were happy, youths ran around making a scandal as policemen happily watched them. Some uniformed people stood on the corners giving out flyers and complementary mouth masks, smiling pathetically as they did so. The only evidence of the night were city workers cleaning graffiti off the walls and despite it being a tedious job they looked happy as can be.
"It's like we're in another dimension, even the train station in the day was hectic. How can everyone be so...happy?" Makoto wondered out loudly.
"Either by fear or ignorance or both" - Ami said inspecting the health flyer she had just received - I can't understand the approach on the epidemic, they're taking people who aren't sick against their will but at the same time acting like it were the average flu. I have to speak to my mother" she said pocketing the piece of paper.
"Ugh I know, my mom wanted me to wear these stupid masks. Although If grandpa hadn't been taken I'd almost be happy, school is suspended indefinitely" Usagi said hopefully.
"But if it's so bad why is everything still open? The streets are filled with people! It makes no sense to close schools and have everyone live like nothing is going on" Ami protested angrily.
"Aw, you're just sore they'll be no more study sessions" Makoto teased as she placed a hand on the smaller girl's shoulder.
Ami frowned but accepted the mocking with grace. It wasn't important since they had arrived at the temple and all three eager to see how their miko friend was. As was expected Rei was furious when they entered the house 15 minutes later than they should have, her anger was short lived when she saw Ami's damaged face.
"What happened? Are you okay?" the miko asked urgently and looking suspiciously at Makoto who shook her head innocently.
Minako giggled "What were you two doing last night?" she tempted jokingly.
Ami's face turned red as she shook her hands in denial "Mako-chan had nothing to do with it, we'll tell you on the way"
"I don't get it. Why would Mako -chan have anything to do with it?" Usagi wondered directing herself to Minako as they walked.
The walk and jog, in Rei's case, were filled by conversations about what had happened in the 24 hours they had returned home, with the exception of Ami and Makoto's newly discovered feelings. The first few hospitals they hit were unhelpful since no one carried any ID or virus. Still, they were of some help when they informed they five girls that no one with grandpa's name had been checked in. Even the larger hospitals were harder to access since you couldn't even enter them if you weren't in any "physical distress". Even the at the hospital where Ami's mother worked they were indifferent, 'Dr. Mizuno can't be reached, even if it is her daughter'. The day rolled on with no good news. As the sun began to set they reached the last hospital they could, the man guarding the entrance, seeing tired and desperate faces on the five girls, was friendlier than the rest.
"Was your grandfather sick?" he asked kindly.
"No! He wasn't! They took him away because of his age! Please, please could you check if he's here?" Rei begged.
The man bit his lip and nodded "Wait here for moment" he instructed before entering the building.
They waited for half an hour, very anxious as night fell upon them. Rei was inconsolable at the very thought that something had happened to grandpa, luckily Minako was there to hold her. The five girls looked up from where they were sitting when the doors of the hospital hastily opened. The man came back looking very nervous, he glanced around before cautiously directing himself at the five girls.
"He's been taken up north to a clinical facility for the elderly, as a precaution. Now go before curfew begins"
"Where up north? What's the placed called? Tell me!" the miko demanded.
"I don't know! Go now and stop asking questions!" the man whispered urgently.
"No! you tell me where he is! If he's hurt I swear I'll..."
"Trust me, he's safer than we are" - the man interrupted - "go!" he commanded before stepping back and standing straight like nothing was happening.
"But..." Rei insisted before realizing the man was now in a state of total indifference.
Minako pulled the miko by the shoulders "Come on Rei, let`s go, it's getting dark" she said gently leading the girl away.
Before they all left Ami mouthed a 'thank you' and slightly nodded at the man who smiled weakly back at her. The walk back was terrible since Rei was lost in angry tears, only Minako able to console her as the other three girls walked uncomfortably behind them. As they approached the temple it was decided they would all spend the night for Rei's sake and their own. With heart wrenching sobs the miko began laughing with complete bewilderment.
"What's going on?...Where are we?...This can't be real!"
Usagi sat next to Rei and held her "We're here now, together. I don't know what's going on but I promise" - she held the crying girl's hand - "I'll find grandpa even if it kills me" she said with unbelievable force.
"We all will" Makoto added as the other two girls nodded.
Rei smiled between tears "Thanks guys. I know he'll be found and probably because of you, we'll be ok" she sobbed.
The heart filled moment was interrupted when the doors to the temple were in-expectantly flung open. Standing with bags and overcoats were Haruka and Michiru.
"What are you two doing here?" Usagi asked completely shocked by the sudden and fantastic appearance.
Haruka looked around the room before answering "We've come to say goodbye. We'll be leaving tonight, I suggest you all do the same".
