TOTAL STORY REWRITE! ALL CHAPTERS HAVE BEEN EDITED
Chapter Nine
Ever After
Day 6 (Tuesday)
Rei walked swiftly through the hallways of the government building, Jadeite following one step behind, his eyes constantly scanning the area for danger to his past and future wife. In his present however, he was determined to be her guardian as much as he was for the Prince and Princess, which annoyed Rei to no end. She herself was a guardian, and as such, she knew she didn't need protection.
In her mind, she was strong and capable. She was ashamed to know he didn't feel the same about her. She loved him with all her heart and soul, both his past self, and the little she knew of his current self, and she trusted him to protect and defend his own life, though if it came to it she knew she would defend him with her own. The difference was, he didn't seem to see her as capable. It hurt her, a near physical pain, and she was tempted to turn and tell him so.
::I do trust you:: Jadeite's voice spoke into her mind, shocking her. How had she forgotten this? She came to an elevator and pressed the arrow pointing up. The button lit from underneath, and she could hear the whirling as it rose from the sub-basement, where there was a parking garage.
::Then why don't you think I can defend myself?:: She knew her tone was sharp. A young man stepped up beside them to wait, and Rei gave him a tight smile.
::I do. I just feel like something is coming, and I am concerned. You planned to do this without me, to go off on your own. Right now it's dangerous to be alone.:: She heard his mental sigh, and had to admit on that part of it he was right.
::I wasn't planning on revealing myself.:: She exclaimed wearily.
::I know. But that doesn't mean Beryl doesn't already know who you are. We don't know her plans anymore. We haven't felt she trusted us in a while, and we were often thrown against you as though we were expendable, and perhaps because it would throw you off balance to face us if you knew who we were.:: His voice in her head was gently chiding, and she was frustrated that he didn't know she'd already thought this through. The elevator doors opened and the two of them stepped in, followed by the young man.
::Well this will help with that, in it's own way.:: She admitted.
::I know.::
There was no more discussion as they waited with several others in the small elevator. She wasn't sure what else to say, and instead focused on the task at hand. Her father. As a politician he was often smooth-talking, and could manipulate with the best of them. While she knew he loved her in his own way, he was often unable to be near her for long periods. She reminded him too much of her mother, whom he'd lost, and the memories were often overwhelming, and even debilitating for him.
The doors opened again and the two of them stepped forward, relieved to be out of the crowded space. She walked up to the desk, thrilled at the feeling of Jadeite's hand at the small of her back. In spite of her last memory from her former life, the moment of her death at his hands, she couldn't forget all the wonderful times they had once shared, couldn't stop loving him, couldn't hold back the joy at being with him again.
They reached his office suite and opened the door to the secretary's office. Three doors, in the other three walls, opened off the main room. Her father's office door was open, and because the secretary was not in yet, she walked to the doorway and knocked. He motioned her inside before finishing his phone call. She watched as he swallowed several times, and wished, not for the first time, that her mother was alive, for his sake as much as her own.
When he had hung up the phone and turned his amethyst eyes on her own, she gave a small smile. "Hi daddy."
"Hey Rei. What brings you this morning? You didn't say anything on the phone."
"First, let me introduce you to Jadeite." She motioned to the young man behind her. Her father started, as though he hadn't even noticed the man, and it was possible he hadn't. His eyes were full of pain at the sight of her, and she knew that his mind would be full of images of her mother. Finally her father stepped around his desk and held out a hand to the general.
"Pleased to meet you," he said, before noticing the blonde still had his hand on the small of his daughter's back. He frowned for a moment, unsure how to react. He felt protective of Rei, but their relationship had been strained since her mother's death. He knew of course that it was his own fault, but was unsure how to repair the damage. He'd basically thrown the girl at her grandfather and run away. He wasn't proud of it. He'd done his best to provide her with everything she needed financially, but emotionally he wasn't sure he would ever be whole enough to really be her father.
"Hino-san," Jadeite gave a small bow. He wasn't disdainful, but rather cautious. He was quite aware that if he lost his Rei he would suffer greatly, and might be worse than the man in front of himself. "I'm pleased to meet you." He kept his voice slightly formal and laced it with respect, hoping it would help win his case if the man argued.
"Daddy, I came to talk to you about a few things. Is it okay if we close the door for a few minutes?" At her father's nod Jadeite turned and gently slid the door closed and locked it. Rei wasn't really sure how to start. She still wasn't sure it was best to share her secret, but she did need him to listen, and she would do it as a last resort, she knew.
"What's this about Rei."
"Several things. First, I was wondering if I could ask you for a small favor."
"I suppose that depends on the favor," her father's voice was curious rather than irritated, so she continued.
"I'd like to leave the private school. I have several reasons for it. First and foremost is that I'm unhappy there. I am not Catholic, and because I'm not I get treated rather horribly by some of the nuns and by other students. Second, because I have no friends there, but I have several very close friends at another school, which is also actually closer to the Shrine. And third, because I don't believe it's worth the money you spend as they don't provide enough of a challenge for me. I'd rather go to the public school where I have to compete for high school positions through test scores."
Her father sat down and studied her thoughtfully. His head bobbed a bit as he seemed to be focusing on each of her concerns. There were a few moments of silence, his chin rested in one hand, his fingers rubbing thoughtfully through his neatly trimmed goatee. His hair was as black as her own, though there were streaks of silver in his goatee now. Finally seeming to come to a decision, he met her eyes again.
"Do you have the transfer paperwork?" Rei nodded and handed him the manila folder she'd brought with her. "And the rest of the reason you're here," he asked as he signed the documents, which had already been completed.
"There are two other reasons. One of them is about safety. Yours in particular." She looked to Jadeite, unsure how to word what she wanted to say. She'd been a bit thrown by her father's easy acceptance of her request.
"Hino-san," Jadeite gave another small bow. "There are," he paused to give the man a thoughtful look, "certain dangers in Tokyo at the moment. Some of those dangers may soon be focused on you."
"I want you to leave the city for a time," Rei admitted. "Go to America or England for a time perhaps," she gulped as her father's gaze landed on hers, the full impact of his brilliant mind focused on her as though on an interesting puzzle.
"Are you asking to go with me?" He cocked his head to one side and studied her as he waited for the response. When Rei merely shook her head he held his silence. She squirmed under that penetrating stare, something she had never felt comfortable with. Finally there was a sigh.
"Daddy, there are things you wouldn't... understand." She met his stare, but her eyes were much less focused than before, as though she were witnessing something inside her head she wasn't willing to share.
"Hino-san," Jadeite interjected, and the impact of those eyes turned to him. Jadeite however was used to the Negaverse, and met him look for look. Mentally the politician couldn't help but raise his respect for the younger man. "Are you aware of attacks by creatures in the city?" He gave a short nod and the blonde continued.
"And are you aware of those who fight against those attacks?" Another nod. Jadeite rested his hand on Rei's shoulder and gave him a significant look. His eyes flew from the man to his daughter who gave a small nod, as though she was unwilling to confirm the information. "Meet Mars." Jadeite continued.
"Daddy," Rei's voice broke. "It's dangerous for you if someone discovers my identity." He kept his silence, a useful took as a politician. "Please daddy. I don't want you to be hurt. Grandfather is protected to an extent, but for you..." her voice trailed off.
Jadeite took over. "Normal security measures will not help against Youma or whatever new leaders the Negaverse will raise."
"And you expect me to run? To leave the city while you stay and fight?" He voiced his growing frustration. "I am charged with doing the best for this city. And how do I know what you say is true?"
Jadeite moved around the desk, walking behind him to pull the shades down over the two windows behind him. His daughter held up a red stick and muttered "Mars Power Make Up," and flames surrounded her, lifting and twirling her as her transformation occurred. A moment later his baby girl stood in front of him, wearing a white and red fuka with purple accents. His brain couldn't even begin to catalogue all the details before the young man was behind her, his outfit having changed to a silvery gray outfit, a cape with a red lining swaying behind him as though in a breeze.
"Mars and I are sworn to protect this planet, and to guard our Prince and Princess. Your job can be done from anywhere. Rei is simply concerned for your safety." The Senshi who was his daughter nodded emphatically. He was glad he was sitting. "I also have another request," Jadeite added, and Mars looked at him questioningly.
Naru looked back and forth before dashing across the street to the Crown Game Center. There wasn't as much traffic this afternoon, for which she was grateful. She was feeling stressed after the day she'd had. It had been odd. There had been a substitute teacher that day, and the man had seemed to take an instant dislike to her and several others, including Usagi, Ami and Makoto. That was very strange.
Usagi even had Haruna-sensei laughing most of the time, even as she scolded the girl. Ami was the quietest, best behaved student in class, and had never even been disciplined as far as she could tell. Makoto had most of the teachers afraid of her, though now that Naru knew the girl she was very aware that the stories about her were drastically overstated. Of course Makoto could be deadly dangerous. Of that she was certain. But only if there was a threat to someone she loved.
Naru contemplated the teacher's attitude. He'd been downright hostile to the four of them, though they'd hardly spoken to them. And in the afternoon, when Minako had returned to class the man had glared at her as well. She was concerned he would be the same when Rei appeared the next day and wanted to talk to the other girls about the problem.
She heard the swish as the doors opened and ran for the girl's normal table in the back. Usagi slid to the side to let her in, and Rei smiled at her from across the table. It was a tight squeeze with six of them on the two bench seats, but they managed. Motoki approached her with her customary strawberry shake.
"I already ordered for you," Usagi admitted, taking a sip of her own chocolate shake. As soon as Motoki disappeared Naru leaned into the other girls. "Does this teacher have anything to do with your secret?" She asked, her voice serious, her tone concerned.
Five pairs of eyes looked straight at her face, all of them displaying shock. She shrugged uncomfortably. "I figured it out a while ago," she admitted. "Too many coincidences, plus a certain blonde superhero always showed up when I was in danger, and knew my name the first time she saved me."
Usagi blanched. "Don't worry, no one suspects I know anything. I'm good at playing dumb." She couldn't help but giggle. She used the trick often enough. "Besides, I have a few secrets of my own." She gestured the girls closer. "Empath," she admitted.
Usagi was nodding now, seeming to realize the truth in her words. Naru had never been angry with her friend for pulling away, knowing exactly how difficult and painful it had been for the tiny blonde. "I'm sorry," Usagi whispered.
"I always understood," Naru reassured her. "I can feel your pain over it." She looked carefully around her. "Motoki knows about you all as well, and I have a feeling Umino does, though he never says a thing and keeps his emotions in check. But Motoki is almost an open book. Whenever you all run out together his level of fear increases until you or Mamoru comes back. And he's like me... sort of."
"Wow," Minako breathed, looking at the blonde arcade manager. His green eyes were raised and looking over at their table. As soon as he saw them peering that way he turned his back. "I mean, we told him about us, but none of us suspected anything more about him."
Naru shrugged. She had a different worry at the moment. "So, about the substitute. I think there's a problem. I'm pretty sure he can sense something about people. He took an instant dislike to me, and at first I couldn't sense anything else, but when you guys started showing up it wasn't just dislike, it was also fear." She raised her eyebrows significantly.
"I'll scan him if he's there tomorrow. I didn't recognize him. Did anyone?" Ami pulled out a tiny blue super computer. Naru looked carefully around to make sure no one noticed her with an item that was so obviously Mercury's.
A chorus of 'no's' followed, and Naru nodded. She'd thought as much. "I didn't sense any power from him," Naru said quietly. "Not like me and Motoki and Umino. Or Shingo." She waited for the inevitable explosion.
"Shingo!?" Usagi's voice was nearly hysterical with fear. "No!" Her friend panicked and Naru put a hand over hers on the table, sending calming vibes out. "How did I forget Shingo? Or... Haruki..." she trailed off, and Naru remembered Usagi's laughing, happy cousin.
"It's okay. They don't know yet Usagi. Shingo has no idea he's different. Like you. And Haruki... he's too far for me to sense really, but I imagine you would find out pretty quickly."
"How long have you known?" Rei looked interested. Naru knew the older priestess had some similar abilities.
"I started getting hints of what other people were thinking around the time You came into the picture Rei. I didn't understand it at first. I think I might have been affected by all the Negaverse attacks. It might be what happened to Motoki too, as I didn't sense a change in him until after the Bridal Shop ghost incident." She nodded to Makoto. "Umino... I don't know. He hasn't been attacked as much."
"What if it's the other way around?" Ami suggested. "What if there are more attacks because there's something extra?"
"I'd like to know more about Motoki. Does he know?" Minako asked.
"To be honest, he's a bit like me, except he can send out feelings to large groups. He doesn't really understand it. He has only been consciously using it for a few weeks. Around the time Minako showed up. He basically does it when tempers get too hot, and he's not sure how he does it." She sighed.
"So about the teacher. You think he can sense power?" Makoto was clenching her fists on the table. Naru looked over and saw Matoki looking over at them again. She gave him a small smile to reassure him and felt him calm a bit.
"Calm down Makoto," she urged. "No danger yet. He's probably like those of us who have experienced several Negaverse attacks." She gave a self-depreciating smile. "Maybe being attacked brings out latent abilities."
"This is a lot to learn at once," Usagi admitted.
"I know," Naru said, "but none of you were very focused and I didn't know if you really noticed what was going on. You were all a bit distracted." She grinned and gave a giggle.
"Okay, so what do we do now?" Minako looked to Usagi.
"First, Mamoru needs to talk to Motoki. I'll keep an eye on Shingo and call my cousin Haruki. Naru, if the teacher is still there tomorrow can you read him again?" Naru nodded. "Ami will scan him then too. Makoto, I want you to work on a schedule for training in hand to hand. Minako, please get together with Kunzite and let the Shitennou know what's going on. We need a meeting, and I think Naru and Motoki should both be there if possible."
"Not Shingo?"
"No, not yet." Usagi swallowed hard. "He's too young." The other girls nodded their heads, silently agreeing.
"Umino has to go to a funeral tomorrow, so he can't make it, but I'll talk to him." Naru explained.
"I didn't know," Usagi said, frowning. "Could you let him know my thoughts are with the family?"
Naru nodded. "Changing subjects here now," she said, hoping to calm everyone. She took a large swallow from her shake and then met Rei's eyes. "You seem extremely pleased with yourself. Care to share?"
"My father and I had a meeting this morning. He agreed to me changing schools. He isn't leaving for America or anything, but he is going to be doing a tour of small towns for a few months, so he will be out of danger. Plus, he agreed to Jadeite's request." She grinned.
"What request?" the rest of them chorused, feeling the excitement rolling off her in waves.
"To marry me." Rei grinned. All six girls were suddenly squealing. They found themselves out of the booth hugging and jumping up and down for several long minutes until they were all panting and out of breath.
