DISCLAIMER: The characters you don't have any idea who, belongs to me. The rest of the sailor moon cast belongs to Naoko Takeuchi-sensei respectively.
A/N: Living alone is tough…I haven't had anything edible to eat for the last 3 days and I got a massive writer's block…and it's hard to get good internet connections T.T. But I managed to write this without being frustrated with myself, so please, enjoy reading it as I have been enjoying myself in writing this chapter. XD
Once in a Blue Moon
"but-," Mamoru frowned as he found a flaw "the key…?"
Rei rummaged the inside pocket of her coat, before taking out a tuning peg with the sharp pointy end.
"It was hidden in the Stradivarius that belongs to someone named 'Kaioh Michiru' " The Wakashira stated confidently to the shocked faces of Chiba Mamoru and Aino Minako.
Mamoru was the first to break; he brought his finger to his lips and began to think out loud "Kaioh…Michiru. She was that famous violinist, right?"
Minako nodded "yes, and she was in tour right at this moment. I wonder what's she have to do with everything, ne, Rei-chan?" the blonde turned to her raven haired partner to see that the other girl had a blank look on her face.
"What?" the Wakashira demanded as she felt Minako's wide blue eyes at her.
Minako studied the Wakashira longer as Mamoru took the tuning peg- evidence- from Rei and give it to a passing investigator.
The blonde was curious of what the blank look in Rei's eyes meant.
"Kaioh Michiru." The sergeant repeated.
Rei frowned at the tone of voice her partner use "so? What?"
"ne, Rei-chan…" it was a dangerous territory to tread on, as Minako had only knew – or have a civil relationship at least- with the raven haired Wakashira for a short time, but she couldn't help herself "er…you know…Kaioh Michiru, right? I mean, she is the Japan's shining star at the moment…"
Even Mamoru had looked at his 2 companions with interest. He could see the Wakashira shifted slightly as she pondered her answer.
"No."
Mamoru and Minako burst out in laughter, and by this moment an evil scowl had made its way completely upon Rei's visage as the raven haired woman crossed her arms crossly.
"What's so funny?" she hissed at her now chuckling-teary eyes companions. Mamoru was wheezing politely while Minako, god bless her, had to grip the car's cap to held her in place as she let out giggles every now and then. The blonde's knees was ready to give way, the pain from the blast is now taking a toll on her.
"Nothing-" Minako wiped tears away from her eyes "it's just- funny, to see someone not knowing about Kaioh Michiru. I mean, she was everywhere in television!"
"Well, Hino Rei isn't the type to watch TV right?" the Chief received a heated glare from a pissed off Wakashira.
Mamoru eventually calm himself a bit to be able to speak "well, once again, good job you two. I'll take care from here and you guys-" he looked at Rei and Minako sternly "rest, for the time being. You two are injured and I don't want anything happens to you, since this is only the beginning. Now, treat that wounds, go home- and wait for my calls. Got that?"
"Yes, Sir." The blonde sergeant saluted, while her partner merely scoffed.
Rei's not one of the police, so she doesn't feel compelled in saluting or agreeing on what Mamoru says.
"Aren't you going to the hospital, Rei-chan?" the blonde sergeant turned her attention towards her partner as the Chief left them to inspect the left over of the blasts.
"No." was the short answer she got in return as the Wakashira started walking away from the police-filled space, fishing out her cell along the way and began to dial a number. Minako jogged a little to step in beside Rei.
'geez…she's so antisocial…' the blonde muttered inwardly, but no matter how much she complained about it, she found this antisocial side of Rei to be really cool adding more plus points to her mysterious demeanor. It only attracts the blonde more towards her.
"…yes. Hurry." Rei's words snapped Minako back to reality as they reached the side walk. Minako could see the yellow police line wrapped itself around the whole Kaioh Property, and with the place being insanely huge, that's saying something.
"Are you going home?" the blonde asks as she watches her partner pocketed her cell back in her pocket.
A snort was all she got.
"Where's your house?"
"None of your business." This comment did not affect Minako one bit as she continues to attack the Wakashira.
"Can I come over?"
Silence "no."
"Why?" an innocent question made its way out of Minako's lips.
"Because."
"…that's not an answer."
Rei rolled her eyes as a black Honda pulled up in front of them "duh." The driver, a shaggy haired man smiled at Minako as he opened the door for the Wakashira.
Minako gave him a swift smile as she racked her brains "em…can I have your phone number then, incase anything comes up?" she quickly blurts out, not wanting to leave their conversation hanging awkwardly.
Rei settled herself comfortably on the back seat, wincing as she shifted to a position that doesn't give her pain, before replying "…go ask your Chief." And with that the man closed the door of the car and with another smile at Minako, he got into the driver's seat and drive away, leaving a certain blonde sergeant grinning like an idiot.
Well, she didn't exactly get Rei's number…but the fact that the Wakashira allowed the blonde to have her number was happiness all the same.
The black Honda pulled up inside a dimly lit garage. The driver then went out and opened the door to the black seat as Hino Rei made her entrance to the building. People, mostly men, were busy doing their business inside the 7 storied building. But all movement inside ceased immediately at the presence of the regal Wakashira.
"Welcome back, Wakashira!!" they all bowed as the long raven haired woman made her way silently through the hallway with the shaggy haired man trailing behind her. People bowed to her as she made her way to the top story, and at one point, the shaggy haired man let out a small chuckle that took his leader's attention.
"Kumada?" the stoic woman looked up at her right hand man as she walked inside the elevator with him following her.
Yuuichiro shook his head "ah, gomen, Rei-san. It's just-," he let out another chuckle "that blonde cop just now. She seems to be quite taken with you."
Rei averted her eyes completely and stared hard at the elevator door, as though trying to set in on fire.
"She seems oblivious with your cold shoulder, Rei-san," Yuuichiro said with a small smile "she seems quite determined to be your, er…friend" the man said. Yuuichiro had known Rei long enough to understand the cold nature of his leader. Rei had always pushed people away, not letting anyone inside her heart. She had a slight problem with trust and even though they've been working together for a long time now, Yuuichiro was sure he hasn't gained Rei's complete trust. In their group, there's only 1 person Rei had a close bond with.
He also expected the Wakashira to not reply his statement, however.
The elevator reached the 7th floor with a 'ding' that startled Yuuichiro. He followed Rei as they walked through the red carpeted hallway. Traditional Japanese paintings were hung on the wall leading to the big double door at the end of the hallway, the only room in the whole floor. The fresh smell of bamboos strengthened the feel of a traditional Japanese house. Scrolls with calligraphy were seen almost every where, and the largest two scrolls were hung on the crimson red double doors that were guard by 2 bulky men.
The guards bowed at the sight of Rei and wordlessly opened the door for her.
The red carpet that had filled the outside corridors stopped at the tip of the double door. The huge room's floor, however, was entirely made from tatami. The feel of traditional Japanese housing was even stronger here, with the Bonsai trees seen at the corners of the room, the traditional scrolls with the calligraphy.
A figure was seen sitting in one of the plush pillows, hunching over what seems like the calligraphy table.
Rei made her way straight at the figure before stopping a short way and sitting down on her knees as Yuuichiro followed suit.
"I'm back, Ogashira." Rei said respectfully as the man in front of her stopped his activity. He put down his brush gently before turning around in his seat towards the raven haired woman.
"Welcome back Rei," the man smiled as Rei's amethyst orbs met his eyes "how did the mission goes?"
'Takasuji Kanbei' Yuuichiro thought as he silently watched the 2 people in front of him exchange words 'the leader of Black Ravens and Rei-san's most trusted person. Heck, he could even be her father!'
"It's-"Rei winced as her ribs gave a painful twinge as she shifted her legs "it's-fine, Ogashira."
The elder man let out a sigh as he dramatically shook his head desperately "Rei, Rei, Rei. How many times should I tell you? Call me Kanbei! Ogashira made me feel old…" the man let out a pout as Yuuichiro sweat dropped.
They sure have different personalities all right; I just couldn't believe Rei-san got a long well with him.
A small smile came upon Rei's face that Yuuichiro knew not everyone had the privilege to see.
"Hai, Kanbei-san." The Wakashira nodded, but Kanbei won't have it.
"No, Kanbei-chan." His words almost made Yuuichiro fell off his seat, if he wasn't kneeling at the moment. Rei, however, only blinked speechlessly at the man.
Kanbei chuckled, he loved seeing his protégé looking like a deer caught in a head light. Rei was so collected that it's rare to see the change of emotions in her face. Kanbei had made it his business, no; lifetime mission, to make the woman smile.
"Ne, Rei, if your mission went fine, why did you keep wincing?" the slightly balding man's words shocked even the Wakashira herself "you had a hard fall didn't you?"
Rei looked up immediately as she saw Yuuichiro turned his head to look incredulously at her.
"B-but, wait, how-?" the raven haired woman thought that the 'I'm-fine' act she'd put on was perfect, even Yuuichiro bought it!"
"Rei-san, are you alright?" the shaggy haired man had half a mind to drag the woman beside him to the hospital any minute.
Kanbei gave another chuckle as he laid his hands on Rei's shoulders, looking straight into her eyes.
"Rei, I have known you long enough to be able to read you like an open book," he said gently "I know you don't want to worry the others, but that has limit. You can't just ignore things like this, you'll be the one who's suffering in the end, and we'll feel even more terrible of not knowing. This is not about being vulnerable, Rei," Kanbei added with a sly smirk "this is being honest."
Rei only heaved a sigh at the man's words. If there's anyone that's able to get her to do stuff, it's probably Kanbei.
"Hai, I'll- go to the hospital" the last words were said begrudgingly as the Wakashira's palm balled into fists. She hated the hospital, purely from the bottom of her heart.
Kanbei noticed her sudden change of mood and laughed "no need, Izumi-chan!" the teenager came to his side immediately at his summon.
"Hai!" she said energetically, appearing seemingly out of nowhere "what is it, Ogashira?"
"Please escort Rei to her room and give her the treatments that she needed," Kanbei smiled at Rei, his expressions read 'I-wont-have-no-for-an-answer' "after that let her rest, and then we'll have a big dinner tonight!"
"Haaaaai!" the teenage girl was more than happy to oblige as she gently helped Rei to her feet and left the room with a slight bow to the Ogashira. Yuuichiro blinked after them.
"Yuuichiro-kun," Kanbei said suddenly, the light tone of voice he used with Rei was replaced by businesslike voice.
"Hai?"
"Keep an eye on Rei throughout her missions for me will you?" the balding man stood up from his seat and went to the windows, peeking through the blind as he gazed at the busy street below.
The shaggy haired man blinked, for all he knows, Rei was more than capable in taking care of herself "Hai. B-but, why all of a sudden?"
The elder man let out a sigh as he let the blinds fell back to its place "because I think, someone out there wants Rei dead."
"Ogashira!" Yuuichiro exclaimed as he stood up in shock, he had expected this to happen, but he never expected it coming out from the Ogashira's mouth.
"The Police Chief called and told me about the bombing in Shunshuke's mansion," Kanbei said again with his back facing the now furious Yuuichiro "this culprit had killed Genzou, bombed Shunshuke's house and tried to get Rei arrested and killed. I have a hunch that this isn't just random attacks. He'd mark his targets; it's just the matter of time now." Yuuichiro can't see Kanbei's face, but he knew the elder man was in rage.
The shaggy haired man's hand balled into fist "Ogashira, you're life is also at stake here…"
Kanbei smirked "I have lived a good life, and I don't really care if I died now. Just protect Rei, she's the one Black Ravens needed the most." The man's eyes strayed to the corner of the room.
'You'd thought so too if you were me, ne, Ryuuji-kun?'
The loud sound of shower running filled the room as an aqua haired figure seated on the bed smiled at her cell phone.
She let out a contented sigh and gave a small shook of her head.
"Ah? Kaioh Michiru sighing? Well, that's rare to see." A deep husky voice sounded from behind the wavy haired girl as the latter turned around to face her companion.
"Well, you should consider yourself lucky then, to see me sighing, oh great Tenoh Haruka-sama" a sly smirk played over her beautiful visage as the tall blonde in front of her ran her hand through her hair.
"I know I'm lucky. So," Haruka's teal eyes went to the cell phone which was clutched tightly in her companion's hands "who was that?"
"It's great uncle Shunshuke," Michiru said as she stood up after returning the phone back to on top of the vanity in their hotel bedroom "he said his vacation this time will be longer, so don't expect him to come home quickly."
Haruka blinked as she sat herself down on the couch facing the TV "you're uncle sure likes to travel. He rarely came home to your mansion didn't he?"
Her wavy haired companion nodded as she began brushing her hair "yes. He always likes taking his time. I wonder if he's here also?"
The blonde scoffed from the couch as she flicked through the channel "him? In France? Naaah…he'll probably choose London instead."
Michiru considered her lover's words silently as she brushed her hair, her mind whirling "it's odd for him to go to vacation this time of year though. I wonder why…."
"Maybe it's because of this," the blonde said again, but her tone had hardened suddenly "Michiru, I think you better see this" she said as she raised the volume of the TV. Her companion sat beside her and turned to the news. Not long, Haruka could felt Michiru stiffened visibly beside her.
"The Kaioh mansion…it's…bombed?"
Just like Kanbei had promised earlier, a big dinner was held in the Black Raven's main building. The dining room was filled with festivities as different kinds of food literally filled all of the spaces in the long table.
Rei enjoyed her meal silently as she sat on Kanbei's right side. There's only 3 other people sharing the dinner other than her and Kanbei. Yuuichiro, Izumi and Masayuki were present, enjoying their meal as they chat animatedly. It was one of those times where everything felt alright and it's alright to let her guard down, but no. Problems don't seem like to leave Rei alone.
A sudden chill went down Rei's spine and she froze in her act, her fork stopped halfway from reaching her mouth. Her sudden lack of movement caught Kanbei's sharp eyes.
"Rei?" he asks the woman whom he'd thought as his own daughter "is something wrong?"
The Wakashira was saved from answering the man's question as her phone rang right at that minute. Excusing herself, she flipped it open and spoke curtly to the receiver.
"Hino."
"Rei-chan! Where are you?" Minako's voice came out a shrill as Rei gave a wince.
"Wha-what do you need?"
"Rei-chan, you better come to the junction in front of the Government's building now! Hurry!"
The Wakashira frowned, oblivious to the fact that her companions could hear Minako's voice clearly from all the shouting.
"What? Why?"
"It's your dad! Hino-sensei's car was hit by a truck! We think the same person who's been targeting Kaioh-sensei is after him now!"
This information shocked Rei's entire system as she caught Kanbei's eyes which darkened at the news.
Looks like the past had caught up with her now. What to do? What does Rei's dad have to do with all these attacks?
A/N: uuh…I'm not satisfied with this one, but it pictured Rei's life inside the Black Ravens. So, what do you think? Don't forget to leave a review now! XD
