chapter five: waking up & smelling coffee
Kino Makoto opened her eyes and found that she couldn't move her left leg. She frowned, willing it to slide over to the side as she sat up. Her right leg was working fine; she couldn't understand why the other one wouldn't just move. A growl escaped her throat as she slammed her fist into the bed, annoyed.
"Ne, it's not good to strain yourself when you're so injured."
It was then she noticed a boy around her age standing on the other side of the room, buttoning up his shirt. He was smiling, pointing at the bandage on his cheek.
"I found out the hard way."
With that, he turned back around, packing something into a bag. He was humming under his breath, most likely oblivious that she could hear him. The sound flowed to her ears, pleasant, soothing. Then he dropped an object that clanged loudly as it made contact with the floor and she winced. Cursing, he swooped down to retrieve it, giving the startled girl a rather a nice view.
She blushed, ducking her head back down.
"Who are you and why are you in my room, although I'm not complaining, I'm just wondering!"
The young man blinked, whirling around back to face her. "Ano, you're in a hospital."
Makoto froze for a moment before realizing that she was, indeed, in a hospital. She glanced down at her left leg; it was bandaged heavily, though not in a cast. With a little more effort than she was used to, she forced her leg to move. It ebbed to the side, and Makoto threw aside the white blankets.
"I wasn't kidding when I said that!" The young man rushed over to her, worried. "Listen, the doctor lady will go crazy if she finds out, you don't want to—"
Makoto ignored him, her cheeks still pink as she tried to stand. Her feet touched the cold, tiled floor and she steadied herself. He looked like he wanted to help, but stayed where he was.
"Thanks for the advice," she murmured, glancing away, "but I'm fine. I—"
The door swung open, and all Makoto saw was a puff of blue before she was lying back down in bed.
"What the—who—what—"
The boy was backing away now, giving her an apprehensive I-told-you-so look. She glared half-heartedly at him, trying to swat away the doctor all the while. "I'm fine, I'm fine, I just need to go home and rest, I—"
"Mako-chan," the doctor said evenly, grabbing her hand, "don't be ridiculous."
That voice was extremely familiar. Makoto glanced away from the other occupant of the room, gaping at the 'doctor lady'. She lifted her index finger, as if an idea had just struck her. Deep blue eyes smiled as the 'doctor lady' took a step back, her long skirt swirling around her legs.
"Ami!"
"Lie back down, Mako-chan, you're still injured."
Behind them, the young man was gaping, indignant that Makoto hadn't gone through the yelling and needles that he had.
"Ami, what are you doing here?"
"I volunteer here sometimes." Mizuno Ami had the grace to blush as she tucked her hands in the white coat she wore. "I-it's been awhile, and I know that it would have been better if we met under different circumstances…"
"Ami-chan," the brunette grinned, emerald eyes sparkling, "it's great to see you again."
Ami smiled genuinely, nodding. "Mm!" And then she whipped her head 180 degrees, the kind look wiped off and replaced with a stern glare. "Hidaka! You are not ready to check out yet; please return to your bed!"
Hidaka nervously rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. "Aw, come on! I feel just fine. And I have a job to get back to, my co-workers are expecting me. And—"
"Your co-workers have already been informed of when you'll be released," Ami countered, her hands on her hips. Makoto blinked, watching her usually shy friend reprimand the patient.
"—and I have kids to teach, I teach them soccer, you know? I can't let them down—"
"Hidaka."
Hidaka heaved a sigh of defeat, looking Ami in the eyes. "Please, Mizuno? I really don't wanna let these kids down."
There was a complete silence as Makoto whipped her head from Ami to Hidaka, watching as if it were a television show. Hidaka was smiling slightly, his hands on Ami's shoulders as he pleaded silently. Makoto leaned forward in her bed, trying to catching sight of Ami's face—and she almost choked with disbelief.
Mizuno Ami was beet red, flustered, glancing everywhere except at Hidaka. She abruptly pushed his hands away, coughing and turning around, oblivious to Makoto's restrained laughter. "Hi-hidaka, you know I can't, it's against the rules and I'm not allowed to discharge patients—oh, but the children—I understand they're very important to you, but—oh, alright go ahead just make sure you're bandaged up properly and—"
She cut herself off, covering her mouth with her hand, mortified. Makoto sputtered, her good mood disintegrating. "A-ami! What about me? Why can't I go?"
Hidaka merely grinned, shaking Ami's hand profusely. "Thanks, I appreciate it! Oh, and I hope you can check out soon, too, miss. Both of you stop by the shop if you can and we'll give you some flowers if you need any—thanks again!" He slung his bag over his shoulder effortlessly before merrily making his way through the door.
"A-mi!" Makoto stood up from her bed again, the movement in her left leg easier with practice. "You know as well as I do that I don't need to stay here!"
Ami cleared her throat, busying herself with fluffing Makoto's pillows. "Now, Mako-chan, I understand you want to leave, but you need to rest. Hidaka has been here for nearly two nights now, and he—"
"Hidaka Ken!" Makoto pointed her finger at Ami suddenly, gaping. "Hidaka Ken, wasn't it?"
"A-ano," Ami turned to her friend, eyes widening. "Yes, how did you –?"
"Ami, Haruka and I are like his biggest fans! Oh my god Hidaka Ken was just here, Hidaka Ken was in my hospital room –" She cut herself off suddenly, lunging forward and grabbing Ami by the shoulders. Ami swallowed nervously; the glint in her eye eerily resembled Minako on an idol hunt. "Where did he go?"
"His—his job, he works at a flower shop, Koneko—"
And Kino Makoto was out the door, her leg still bandaged and feet still bare.
Ami blinked a few times before recovering and running after her. "Mako-chan! You're not properly rested!"
The other workers at the hospital were sorry they didn't have a camera on hand as she passed by. A shot of the refined volunteer Mizuno running wildly after a patient would have been good blackmail to have handy in case another late shift was assigned.
xxx
"Aya-kun, how is she?" Worried blue eyes glanced backwards at the somber red-head, who frowned. Omi removed his fingers from the man's throat; the pulse had died almost as soon as he had fallen. "Aya-kun?"
"She's alive." A pause. "Omi."
The blonde crossed his arms, taking a deep breath. "I know that's what we should do – but she saved the other girl's life—and, well, I think we should tell Manx. Let Persia make the decision."
Aya locked gazes with the younger boy. "That man was supposed to be our mission for tomorrow night."
"I know." Here it was Omi's turn to frown as he brought a hand to his lips, thinking. "Do you think maybe Minako-san told her?"
"Aino—"
Omi cut him off and answered his own question with a shake of the head. "No, it's not possible; Minako-san seems to know more about Kritiker than she lets on, she wouldn't jeopardize the mission."
Aya moved quietly, checking on the other girl. She was breathing heavily, one hand holding a knee protectively. She seemed to sense Aya's presence with her eyes closed; almost jerkily she leaned back on an elbow.
"Who—are you?" Her breath hitched for a second. "How do you know Minako?"
At this Omi paused, glancing over at her. He seemed to recall something; a look of comprehension dawned on his face. "Aya-kun, we need to get her to a hospital—preferably the one Ken-kun is staying at." He looked over at Rei, opening his mouth to say more, but the door to the warehouse creaked open.
Immediately the two ducked into the shadows, leaving the wounded where they were. An older man stumbled in, frantic.
"Rei! Rei, are you in here? That man said—oh my God, Rei!"
He rushed forward upon spotting her still form, shakily supporting her body as he checked her pulse. After making sure she was indeed still alive, he let out a relieved sigh and made the sign of the cross in the air.
"You're alright, you're alright… Rei, can you hear me? Can you open your eyes?"
She didn't.
His eyes watered the slightest as he hoisted her up, carrying her out. He hadn't taken a second glance at the other woman, who was trying to stand up. As soon as the doors closed, Omi ran forward, helping her.
"We'll get you to a hospital—don't try and strain yourself. It's okay, we work for Persia."
"How—how do you know—?"
"Manx gave me some files about a week ago. Don't try to talk, can you walk?"
Aya came to her other side, taking her arm and wrapping it around his shoulders. Wordlessly he moved forward; Omi followed just a step after, mirroring his actions. They once again opened the doors of warehouse; the sun blinded them momentarily as they stepped out.
"—amn, she's been knocked out since last night."
"You'll wake them."
"Yeah, wouldn't want to ruin such a cute scene."
"Go to the kitchen and stop Farfarello before he tries to cook again."
"Wha—again? Damn!"
The sound of a door opening greeted her ears, and Rei continued to lie there, eyes closed and breathing slow. Her body ached; she could feel what she hoped were bandages on her face and neck. She tried moving her shoulder and found that she couldn't feel it; that brought a frown to her lips.
"Anesthetics." Crawford's voice. "For the surgery."
Her eyes shot open and she leaned up somewhat, her left hand clenching around something warm. Rei glanced quickly at Crawford, startled, before looking to the side.
Nagi, his head resting on her bed, was slumped in a chair, eyes closed and hand clutching hers. She felt a sigh escape her lips as her other hand slowly moved (despite her shoulder being numb) to brush his hair from his eyes.
"How long was I—"
"Since nine o'clock last night."
"What time is it now?"
"Almost ten thirty."
"...ugh."
An almost comfortable silence fell between the two as Rei continued to focus her gaze at Nagi. Crawford sat in his chair, patient, watching her. Beyond the door, the faint sounds of pots and pans clanged, as well as Schuldig's brutal threats and Farfarello's languid disregard for them. She let her hand fall back to her side, feeling the pain slowly drift back into her shoulder.
"I had surgery?"
More like Farfarello dug in your shoulder for the bullet.
Rei tried not to grimace. Out.
So, Schuldig said—telepathated? —what makes you so special? The kid wouldn't let any of us touch you after he healed you up and shit.
He can heal?
The kid can melt your skin together, yeah. I—Shit! Farf! And his presence left her mind.
"I'm sure Schuldig has explained the details."
"More or less. Tell me why Kino Makoto was working for my father."
Crawford seemed to have been expecting that question. He posture straightened just the slightest and he folder his hands over his knee. "She was a spy, sent by Kritiker to infiltrate the information bureau."
"Kritiker?"
"The people who are trying to hunt down your family."
Her eyes sharpened and she looked at him, frowning. "Do you expect me to believe that?"
Crawford merely smiled. "If you believe in the truth."
"Did you kill ojiisan?"
"No, I did not." She opened her mouth again and he interrupted. "Neither did Schuldig, Nagi or Farfarello."
Rei relaxed somewhat at that information as her eyes fell back on Nagi. Her gaze softened and she smiled.
"I don't trust you—any of you—yet."
"I would not expect you to."
Their eyes met again. Downstairs, Schuldig threw a chair at Farfarello.
xxx
Hidaka Ken had been dispatched from Kritiker's hospital, and, after a deliberate walk around the block to clear his thoughts, he was met with an unusual sight waiting for him at Koneko no Sumu Ie.
A girl was standing on a ladder, staring at the spot their sign had previously been. She seemed to be oblivious to his presence as she stood there. Ken noted curiously at the cans attached to the bag slung around her shoulders. Spray paint?
"We're not open yet," he said, and she fell off the ladder.
Ken mentally thanked the old coach for training him so hard when he was younger. Practice used to go on until at least three members of the team vomited from excess exercise and lack of food, and Ken had been one of those three at least half the time. But by the time the season had started, his reflexes were quick and he had the speed of—well, a tiger.
He caught the girl before she hit the ground, and looked down at large violet eyes.
"Hello," she said, and Ken blinked.
"Ano, hi."
He set her on her feet, and she promptly dipped into a bow. "Tomoe Hotaru."
"A-ah… Hidaka Ken," Ken stammered as he clumsily tried to imitate her bow. Hastily he straightened up, aware of the raised eyebrows thrown in their direction.
"You know my cousin," Hotaru said straight-forwardly, and Ken blinked again. She smiled and pointed at the spot she had been staring at. "I was spray painting that."
"Spray painting?"
"Mm!" She unclipped a canister from her bag and thrust it at him.
Ken paused, turning the can in his hand. Now, he knew he wasn't a genius like Omi, nor did he have Aya's uncanny yet perceptive eyes, but he knew how to read. And the label clearly had directions on how to properly spray paint—the first rule was about safety. Always wear a mask.
"Where's your mask?"
"Mask?" The girl's eyes narrowed as she turned to face him.
"Um," Ken said, "yes?"
"In here." Hotaru reached in her messenger bag, withdrawing a proper mask—one that looked clearly unused.
"Um." Ken hesitated. "You know you're supposed to wear it… right?"
"No," she answered, smiling and putting the mask back in her bag.
"Oh. Okay." Ken stared at her; she stared right back, her eyes still wide. "Um. Did Aya or Youji hire you?"
"No," she replied matter-of-factly, cocking her head to the side.
"Oh."
She beamed at him before turning back to the ladder and fixing her foot upon it.
"Why are you spray painting the shop then?"
"Birman asked me to." Hotaru missed a rung and fell forward, bumping her chin on a step. "Ow."
"Birman?" Ken reeled back, wondering why on earth Birman would hire a teenage girl to redecorate their shop sign.
"She said she was your boss." The girl decided to sit on the step as she rubbed her chin with a pout. "Have you eaten breakfast?"
Ken stood and stared at her some more. She blinked at him again. Eventually he sighed. "No, I haven't eaten breakfast yet."
If the girl was hired by Birman, then Birman was going to be angry if she ended up dying of starvation. And although it was highly unlikely that this girl was going to die hungry, Ken fished out his keys and unlocked the garage door into the shop.
"You hungry? Omi probably cooked something up…"
He pushed the door open and took her arm, leading her inside. Ken didn't really trust her to walk on her own; she was practically high from spray paint fumes.
"Wow." Hotaru raised a finger and pointed at the counter.
"What's wow?" Ken curiously glanced over at the counter—nothing special. A cash register, some flowers. Youji's half-assed job of wiping it down with the rag. He sighed once again, leaning over to wipe off some of the dust with his sleeve.
"Never been in a flower shop before." Hotaru shrugged, helping herself to a seat by the table. The second she sat down, the back door burst open and Minako was there, glowing as the sunlight shone behind her.
"Ken you're back! I'm so glad! Hey, if Youji comes looking, tell him I was never here. Well it was nice seeing you, I've gotta get to class, bye!"
And she barreled out the front door. Ken stared at the spot she was just standing at, rubbing the back of his neck, confused. He glanced over at Hotaru after a moment and blinked again; she had slumped over on the table and fallen asleep. Scratching his cheek, the ex-soccer player straightened up and took an apron from the rack. Might as well start his shift.
"Ken-kun!" Omi called out as he also came from the back room. "You're back! How are—was your trip?"
"My trip? What are you—ohhh, my trip. Yeah, it was a good one."
"I'm glad." The younger boy smiled brightly and rested the several bouquets he had. "Listen, something happened yesterday—Aya-kun isn't here, so I need you to take his shift."
"What?" Ken looked up from the bouquets, scowling. "Why can't Youji do it?"
"I—We'll tell you later, just—if Manx comes, don't mention it—anything." Omi hastily retied his apron, apologetic. "I'll stay until lunch."
"What's at lunch?" Ken asked, all his anger forgotten as he snagged a rice ball from the plate on the table.
Omi sighed. "I have a test. I figure that they'll let me take it if I show up, even if I'm not there for the morni—Hotaru-san?" He blinked rapidly, as if he couldn't believe his eyes. "Ken, what's she doing here?"
Hotaru stirred the slightest in her sleep; she wiped at her mouth, but other than that made no movement. Ken turned his back on her, trying to suppress his guilt for eating when she could have been hungry. It was her loss; she was the one that fell asleep, after all.
"I found her in front. Birman hired her to paint or something."
"What? But—she's got school!"
"Is she in your class?" Ken glanced back at Omi, curious. "She looks younger."
"She's a year behind," Omi sighed again. "Ken I can't believe you let her stay, she should be in class right now!"
"Hey, she's not wearing a uniform so I didn't know!" He took another big bite, walking over to the door and flipping the sign to 'open.' "Are you gonna let her just sleep there?"
Except when he turned around, Omi was no longer standing in the shop and Hotaru was missing. The back door swung on its hinges and Ken shrugged. It wasn't like customers were rampant on a school morning. He made his way back to the table, sitting across from Hotaru had been and smiling at that spot.
"Well it's lucky that I found her and not Youji," he said to himself, and then he had a good quiet laugh. "Ha ha ha oh I wonder where Omi went to."
"I saw him run into his room with a girl," Youji drawled as he slinked into the shop. The door clanged behind him and he ran a hand through his hair before tying is back. "I hassled him a bit about it, and he got a little ticked. Our little Omittchi's finally becoming a man, eh?" A pause. "D'you eat all the breakfast?"
"It—I—wow," Ken said, his eyes wide. "You—you're actually awake at this hour, I can't—oi!"
Youji reached over and grabbed a random rice ball. He pulled the nearest chair back noisily, fell into it and thumped his elbows against the table top.
"Youji," Ken said flatly. The older man waved his hand in response. "That one was for Aya."
"Eh?" Youji lifted his face, biting into the ball with a less-than-interested look. "You can tell?"
"They have our faces on them," Ken said, and Youji sat up straight, turning the rice ball in his hands. Two purple circles glowered at him and he let out a whoop, peeling off the red jelly on the top.
"Omi's outdone himself this time!" Chuckling, he took another bite out of the Aya rice ball. "Man, Ayan sure tastes good."
Ken let his head fall into his hands, exasperated. "Youji, you—"
Ding.
"HIDAKA KEN?!"
"Mako-chan, you're not—oh!"
"Why did you drag me back here I need to get away before I—aaarrrgh!"
Ken and Youji both turned to the shop entrance. The brunette that had been in Ken's hospital room was wide-eyed and pointed straight at him, jabbing her finger in the air repeatedly. Her other hand had a death grip on Minako, who, at the sight of Youji, screamed and tried in vain to shake her off. Dr. Mizuno Ami was standing there, too, standing off to the side and trying to hide her face behind her hands.
"Hidaka, I'm so sorry about this, Mako-chan—Kino Makoto, she realized who you were—" Ami stumbled over her words, flustered.
"There's no need to apologize," Youji remarked smoothly, waking up instantly and sliding over to the group. Minako struggled harder against Makoto's holding, breathing heavily and sweating bullets as he neared. "Not with a pretty face like that."
"I—oh!" Ami was blushing, but Makoto shoved him aside.
"HIDAKA KEN," she repeated, and she all but dragged Minako over to where Ken was sitting. "YOU ARE AMAZING."
Ken stared at her.
"The way you see the ball before it approaches the net—the way you intimidate your foes with your fierce looks—the way the socks don't look so weird on you—can I have an autograph?!"
And Makoto conveniently held out a pad of paper and a pen, her eyes shining as she looked at him. Ken's smile twitched and he nodded jerkily and took the pen. "I—thank you?"
"Normally I'm not a fan of soccer; I usually watch judo tournaments and sometimes Taekwondo, but my old friend—her name's Haruka, by the way, she thinks you're great too! —she brought me to one of your games awhile back because she thought I needed to see an adrenaline sport and I was just so amazed!"
"Mako-chan," Minako said, her eyes wide in astonishment, "you dragged your good friend and roommate all the way here, risking making her lose credits for class and also die by a vengeful co-worker, just so you could get an autograph?" Her eyes watered. "I—I've taught you so well!"
And she pulled both Makoto and Ken into an embrace, declaring her pride at loud volume.
Behind them, Youji's eyebrows lowered. He'd just been ignored and shoved away! If it were Aya or something, it would've fine; the guy needed some ladies to admire him. But Ken? Ken?
"Excuse me?" Ami asked softly, looking at a group of puffy flowers and getting his attention.
"Call me Youji," he replied swiftly, catching her eye. He winked; she turned away quickly, clearing her throat.
"E-etto, this—these are camellias, yes?"
"Yes, they are," Youji said, and he reached over and plucked a white one from the bunch. He presented it to her with a casual smile. "Generally good luck gifts to men. But white camellia means you're adorable."
He face reddened even more as she took the flower from him with shaky hands. "I'd like to buy an arrangement, if that's possible."
"Oh?" Youji frowned playfully. "There's already a man in your life?"
"No, not at all, he's just a friend!" The smile that graced her face was kind, and Ami looked back up at him. "He's a good person, and he's coming back here with his fiancé for a wedding. I want to wish him luck."
"Well, that's a relief," Youji sighed, nodding. "I was scared for a moment that you were taken."
There was a loud crash before Ami could reply, and the two whipped around to see Makoto still as stone and Ken looking aghast. A vase of roses—expensive roses, the kind Omi always had a hernia over—had been knocked down to the floor. The two wearily looked at Minako, still in Makoto's grip. The blonde, squirming under Youji's eye, immediately pointed at finger at Ken.
"Ken, you idiot," Youji called, shaking his head. He reached for the broom and made towards the mess. Minako watched him, her lips twisted in anguish. She wrung her hands together and, when Youji proceeded to ignore her discomfort, she addressed him.
"You-ji," she sang in a lightly nervous voice, "did you—ah, happen to… oh I don't know visit your room yet?"
"No," he replied casually, though he added with a sly wink, "although if you want, we can both go back an—"
"Oh no that's quite alright ha ha ha! Say Mako-chan what's that on your arm?"
"Huh?" The brunette finally released Minako, glancing down at the scar on her bare arm. "This? It's nothing, just a scratch."
"It looks really bad," Minako grabbed the arm and pulled it close. "Did you get this checked out? What if it's infected?"
She missed the discreet look shared between Makoto and Ami, but Youji and Ken didn't.
"Nah, it's fine, Minako, just an accident."
"What happened?" Makoto frowned at the look on Minako's face; it was eerily reminiscent of their older senshi days. "Mako-chan."
"Do you… know what's going on with Rei right now?" Makoto ignored the startled look on Ami's face. "And—er, what happened last night?"
"Last night?" Her voice was almost sharp. "What happened last night?"
Makoto remained thin-lipped and Minako let her go. She placed her hands in the pockets of her skirt and looked over at Ken and Youji.
"What happened last night?"
Ken blinked and Youji frowned, looking at her over his sunglasses. "We have no idea what—"
"Where's Omi?" She cut him off, glancing around. "He and Aya were gone last night, and I want to know whe—"
The door chimed open. For a moment Manx looked a little startled at the sight of Makoto and Ami; after a quick second she recovered and smiled.
"I hadn't expected to be doing this so soon."
"What are you talking about, Man—miss?" Ken, still holding his own autograph, scratched his cheek with the pen.
"It's alright," Ami said softly, and all eyes turned on her. She was smiling, albeit somewhat sadly. "We know. I suppose we should formally introduce ourselves."
Minako's eyes widened and she leaned back, clutching the edge of the table and shrinking towards Youji and Ken. The former looked over at her, frowning, curious.
"I am Mizuno Ami. And this is Kino Makoto."
"In other words," Manx said, stepping forward and flipping the sign to 'closed,' "they're also agents of Kritiker."
"What?" Minako said, and the other two senshi couldn't meet her eyes.
notes quicker than usual update. :x ahahaha omg my own story is exciting me to type type type. but yes! onslaught of senshi! hmm. yeah.
i think i should've made the setting/situation more clear in the beginning haha. so here goes! ami has not seen any of the other senshi for about year now. mako and minako live in the same apartment building, therefore see each other every day. rei has not seen them in around two months, but they keep in contact over phone. usagi writes letters to them every week from america. cos she's in america. with mamoru. they're all around 18-19; being in the spring, rei's 19 while the other four would be 18 still. and mamoru's 22, going by the manga age difference.
outers have not seen nor contacted any of the inners since the end of stars. whiiiich would be three years.
i'm going to say this now about romance/pairings: don't trust youji. AHAHAHAHA come on. we all know how big of a manslut he is. oh just kidding; he's teh love. but yeah.
i guess it'd also be fair to say don't trust minako either.
or hotaru. puahaha.
and nagi & rei have a brother-sister kind of relationship. or kindred spirit, if you want. ahahaha aw.
anywho, thank you my reviewers. i hope this chapter doesn't disappoint; it's almost like a filler, if anything. ;(
thank you for reading!