THE WILD BOAR
Chapter 4: "Betrayed"
A Sailor Moon fanfic

By Bill K.


She didn't know what she was doing here.

Rei Hino stood just outside of the door to the expensive home her father had built for himself. While it wasn't as ornate as some mansions in Tokyo, it was expensive enough - - certainly more expensive than anything she had ever lived in. Apparently being a retired politician and former Prime Minister of Japan had its rewards.

It made her grind her teeth. Such displays of wealth and status were unworthy. Showing off one's advantages did nothing to advance the spirit, only the ego. One more reason not to like him. But her father had reached out to her and she had gone only at the insistent urging of her Great-grandmother. "Maybe he has turned over a new leaf", she said. If he had, it hadn't affected his vanity.

Rei sighed. Just get it over with. She wiped the perspiration on her palms on the flashy red dress she wore, the one that flattered her figure and contrasted elegantly with her long black hair and her long, shapely legs, and rang the bell.

"Rei," Shinjiro Hino smiled as he opened the door. "I'm really glad you came."

"What? No butler?" Rei asked with a cocked eyebrow.

Hino sighed. "Can we not fight until after I've said what I want to tell you?"

Rei frowned. "Fine," she huffed and walked in.

They sat in the living room. Hino served bottled tea, a fact Rei noted with silent disapproval. She looked around the room. It wasn't lavishly furnished, but what was there was expensive. Perhaps he wasn't showing off his wealth. Perhaps he was just used to having lavish tastes and accepting expensive gifts from people trying to influence his votes. He wasn't traditional - - she knew that. And it wasn't her place to disapprove of his lifestyle. That was what Grandpa always told her.

"I know we haven't gotten along, Rei," Hino began, sitting across from her on a plush armchair. "I know I'm to blame for a lot of that. Being single-minded and goal-oriented is a proven method to success in business or politics, but it comes at a cost. And that cost was the neglect of my family."

"If you're asking forgiveness," Rei began.

"Just hear me out," he bristled. "There were other compromises I had to make along the way to reach my goal of being leader of the country." He took a sip from the bottled tea. "I wasn't after power. Power was a means to an end, and that end was becoming Prime Minister. Because once I was Prime Minister, I thought I could - - guide this country to a better place."

"And all it took was the sacrifice of Kaasan and me on your alter to achieve it," Rei said bitterly. "Was it worth it?"

"I did not sacrifice your . . ."

"KAASAN DIED OF A BROKEN HEART!"

"Your mother died of leukemia, in spite of what you've deluded yourself into believing," Hino said thinly. "And her death affected me as much as it affected you. I was just mature enough to grieve in private rather than to lash out." He put his fingers to the bridge of his nose and rubbed. "As to whether it was worth it, I had a surprising revelation: It wasn't."

Rei reacted with silent surprise.

"The Prime Minister doesn't affect as much change as one would think," Hino admitted. "If anything, his main job is to keep the country from breaking up into squabbling factions. Now Sailor Moon - - she affects change. Remarkably, too, I must say. Far better than I ever could."

His daughter just stared at him, silent and wide-eyed, as if she'd glimpsed something she never thought she'd see.

"So I've come to the realization that I've spent the last thirty-some years chasing a false dream," Hino confessed. "That politics is a seductive lie. That the real thing to cherish is friends and family." He frowned at his sudden inability to be charming and eloquent. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that I missed most of your life while I chased my dream. That was wrong of me. And while I'll never get those years back, perhaps we can set aside our - - differences and try to become a family again?" He looked at her inquiringly. "For however long I have left on this Earth?"

He saw Rei just stare at him, stunned into silence. He looked down.

"Well, I guess it's a start. At least you're not screaming at me," Hino sighed. "I know this is a lot to take in. Maybe I'm asking too much of you. But could you at least consider it?"

Mechanically Rei got up and walked to the door. Hino got up hopefully and followed her.

"I understand you've been having some problems recently," he ventured. "Maybe I can help?"

Rei turned and looked at him for a moment and her expression wasn't what Hino expected. Then she turned away and walked out the door. Hino went to open it, to try again to reach out to his daughter, but stopped.

"Burned bridges," he sighed.


In the lavish home of Yakuza Boss Takeshi Ootsuka, the master of the house paced back and forth like a caged tiger. From the sofa, his mistress, a desirable young thing of twenty, watched him nervously. While he wasn't much in the looks department, Takeshi was fun, he was exciting, and he had a lot of money she could spend. But he didn't take frustration very well and when he was frustrated, he had a tendency to become violent.

"There's got to be a way," fumed the crime boss. "I want that territory! All of the money in that prefect there to be had, just going to waste!"

"Maybe we should just go in and take it, Oyabun," one of the set of new bodyguards said, as Ootsuka had dismissed the old set.

"That's what Queen Serenity wants me to do," he smiled, shaking a finger at the man. "She wants me to live up to my nickname and go crashing into Chiyoda and take Morobishi's operations by force! Then she can sweep down and throw me into Fuchu Prison! No, we need a plan. A way to keep Queen Serenity off of our backs! Once we have a plan, I'll show her why they call me 'The Wild Boar'. I won't stop until Chiyoda is mine - - maybe all of Tokyo, if it's a good plan! But we need a plan first."

"Takeshi," the woman, Sumire Yoshida, spoke up. "I know this woman."

Ootsuka turned to her, slightly annoyed that she was attempting to inject herself into his business.

"She's this old woman," Sumire continued. "Most people think she's just a crazy old woman, but she's not. I think she's a majo."

"A witch?" Ootsuka replied incredulously.

"I've seen her do things!" Sumire maintained. "Things that no person can do! Certainly not an old woman!"

"Like what?"

"Well," Sumire began uneasily, "I was with this guy once. And we bumped into her on the street. She demanded he apologize and he laughed at her - - threatened her. So she stared at him. And," and Sumire swallowed, "and Renji just falls to his knees and presses his forehead to the sidewalk. She just chuckled and walked away. I asked Renji about it when he got up. He said he couldn't help himself. It was like his body didn't belong to him anymore."

"Sure this Renji wasn't just pulling your chain?" one of the bodyguards asked.

"Renji wouldn't humiliate himself like that in front of witnesses," Sumire replied. "Not unless his life depended on it - - or he couldn't help himself."

"It can't be," Ootsuka shook his head.

"Isn't that what Queen Serenity did to your other bodyguards?" Sumire asked. "If she can do it, maybe other people can, too."

"Fight fire with fire, huh?" Ootsuka murmured, considering the idea.

"I don't know, Oyabun," one of the bodyguards spoke up. "Even if the story is true, is this majo powerful enough to counteract Queen Serenity? And her Senshi?"

"We won't know until I talk to this woman," Ootsuka replied. It was obvious to everyone in the room that he'd decided and once Ootsuka decided on something, there was no dissuading him. "You know where to find this witch?"

"I've seen her on the Ginza a few times," Sumire replied anxiously. "When I see her, I usually go the other way."

"Then go down there tonight," Ootsuka said. "Take a couple of the boys. Cruise around until you can point her out."

"And if we don't find her tonight?" a bodyguard asked.

"Then keep it up every night until you do find her!" Ootsuka rumbled. "Because I'm going to talk to this old woman and I'm going to find out if she can really give me an edge against Queen Serenity! And if she can, I'm going to run with it as long as I can!"


King Endymion sat at his desk in his office. Across from him was Dietman Takahashi. The pair, opposing forces politically, maintained a civil manner with each other, even if they had little respect for the other.

"I came as soon as I could, King Endymion," Takahashi said with mannered tones. "Your invitation was, quite frankly, unexpected. How may I be of service to Japan?"

"Your opposition to several key pieces of legislation that are currently before the Diet is a hindrance that I'd prefer not to have," Endymion told him. "What can we do to change that situation?"

"You're asking?" Takahashi remarked. "You are King. If you wished, you could just unilaterally implement the measures you're talking about, in spite of the efforts of myself and my allies."

"I'd rather work with you," Endymion answered. "Use of monarchical power is something that should be kept in reserve as a last resort. The more it's used, the easier it becomes to use it. And that can become a dangerous thing."

"Well, it's certainly encouraging to hear you say that," Takahashi commented. "That precise thing has been a great concern of mine in regards to this - - new direction."

"And while your concerns in this specific case are unwarranted," Endymion parried back, "it's a good thing to have in a general sense. Power always needs to have some sort of check."

"It does," nodded Takahashi. "Now the question becomes how you plan to work with me?"

"You're a veteran politician, Dietman," Endymion began, "and you know the value of compromise. You have reasons for opposing the Industrial Reform Bill, I assume, that entail something other than just general opposition to anything we propose."

"Thank you for that," Takahashi smiled.

"As I said, I think we could ram the bill through without your support," Endymion continued, "but it would be better for all involved if your side were on board with it as well. The question is now: what are your concerns about this legislation and can enough of them be addressed to garner your support?"

"You want to make a deal?" Takahashi asked, willing himself not to sound smug. "You're learning, King Endymion. I suppose a piece of pie is better than none at all." He took a moment to think. "I'll have to check back with my caucus first. Find out what they can live without and what they can't. How about I meet back with you for lunch tomorrow? Would that be acceptable?"

"It would," nodded Endymion. "We can even dine here. The palace has an excellent kitchen staff."

"So I've heard," Takahashi replied. He got up. "This is an encouraging turn of events, King Endymion. I hope it can lead to a spirit of general cooperation between the branches. That's always a good thing for the people we govern. Until then."

He bowed and exited the office. Endymion sat back in his chair. Dealing with Takahashi was necessary. Serenity had pushed for it, and it just made sense besides. But whenever he did so, Endymion always got the same impression: it was as if he was handling a particularly deadly snake.


When Artemis wandered into the quarters he shared with Minako Aino, he found her on the phone. This wasn't unusual. Minako often had the largest phone bill in the palace in any given month. After listening for a few moments, he concluded that she was talking with her agent. This also wasn't unusual, as she was often on the phone with him discussing either the prospects of a future part or album, the contractual terms of an offer or the publicity of a completed project. But as he listened further, the cat found that this wasn't the usual call.

"Oh, that's great!" Minako gasped. "Nice and roomy. It's going to need to be. Now, do you know any bands who are good and could use the work?" She paused and listened. "After School Tea Time? I'll take your word that they're good, but they don't sound like a band for a wedding reception." She listened to his response. "OK, you keep your ear to the ground. You know what I like." With that, she disconnected.

"What are you doing?" Artemis asked, deep down dreading the answer.

"NOW YOU MADE ME FORGET THE NUMBER!" she roared. Swiping at her phone, she found the web page and repeated the phone number to herself, then punched it in. "If you must know, I'm in the middle of making the wedding reception of all wedding receptions happen, as only I can." The phone rang. "Hi! I need decorations for a wedding reception. Can I schedule an appointment and see what you've got?" She listened to the response. "Oh, upscale! I want this to blow the couple away!" The response on the phone pleased Minako. "Then I'll be around tomorrow about ten in the morning. Name is Aino." She clicked the phone closed with a satisfied smile on her face.

"Is this for Hikaru?" Artemis asked.

"You know somebody else getting married that I owe big time?" Minako asked incredulously. "I am going to blow Hikaru's mind!" Then she deflated. "And even then it's not going to make up for what I did."

"Was she really hurt about it?"

"No," Minako squeaked. "She said she understood - - particularly after everybody found out I was Sailor Venus. That's the kind of person Hikaru is. She's trying to raise three kids by herself - - teenagers, no less - - while I'm worrying about whether I'm getting lines around my eyes and giving empty-headed interviews on talk shows plugging my latest project."

"You're being a little hard on yourself," Artemis offered. "After all, saving the world a dozen times over should earn you a little slack. And it works both ways; she could have contacted you, too."

"She thought I was too busy being a star," Minako sighed. "And she was right. Except for Sailor business, the only thing I thought of after high school was being a star. And then when I did make it, the only thing I thought of besides Sailor business was being a star."

"And Toshihiro," Artemis reminded her.

"OK, and Toshi," conceded Minako. "I could have been a little less selfish."

"So you're going to buy your way out of guilt prison now?"

Minako's shoulders slumped.

"So what do I do, Cat?" she asked.

"Be her friend," Artemis suggested. "I didn't know Hikaru as well as you did, but the girl I knew wouldn't want anything more than that."

"Oh, I don't intend to let us drift apart again," Minako declared. "Make that mistake once, shame on me. Make it twice, shame on you."

"Uh..." Artemis responded.

"But I've got to do this," she continued. "I've got to say how sorry I am in the biggest, grandest, splashiest way I can. Because, you know, if there's no show to it, what's the point?"

"I guess you have to stay true to yourself," the white cat sighed. "I just hope it won't embarrass Hikaru."

"She'll get over it. She likes razzle-dazzle. Why else did she hang out with me?" Minako leered at Artemis. "Besides, the bigger the party, the more chances of hot single guys."

"Should have known," Artemis shook his head wearily.


The figure whizzed past the guards in such a hurry that it took the front guard station a few moments to recognize Rei Hino. For a moment, the guards thought to challenge Rei before she got to the palace proper, but they thought better of it. After all, if one of the Queen's fabled Senshi was in a hurry, there must be something important she had to meet with the Queen about. It might even involve another threat to the nation.

Besides, nobody wanted to take on the legendary Rei Hino temper unnecessarily.

When she reached the palace level where King Endymion had his office, Rei stopped. She could feel the aura lingering in the hall. For a moment, the Priest stood, almost in a daze. It was so unbelievable.

"Rei?" Luna inquired. She was headed for the King's office as well and saw the Priest hesitating in the hall. "Are you well?"

The cat's words seemed to jolt Rei out of her daze. She focused on the black cat, and then quickly entered Endymion's office. Luna noticed she had burst in without knocking, a severe breach of etiquette that Rei Hino would never normally commit. That spurred the cat to quickly follow.

"Rei?" Endymion looked up from the papers he was reading as he sat at his desk. "Is something wrong?"

"He knows!" Rei blurted out. Her demeanor was a swirling whirlpool of anxiety, anger, shock and betrayal. "My father! He knows who arranged to have Serenity assassinated!"

"Good Lord!" gasped Luna.

"Who was it?" Endymion asked, his expression grave.

"It was Dietman Takahashi!"

Continued in Chapter 5