Silence Amongst The Rose So Cold

by Ryan Moon

AU, Usagi is a mental patient at Juuban Psychiatric Hospital under the care of Ami Mizuno. Mamoru is a young doctor placed on the case. Mamoru attempts save the disturbed girl from herself but forces both internal and external won't make it easy. Usagi's abusive boyfriend Seiya will do all in his power to silence the girl before the truth comes out.

11. Break the Cycle

A/N: Final chapter. I know an entire decade has passed at this point since I started this story. The writing quality has hopefully gone up in the interim so that is at least something. There are a ton of plot holes mostly because I needed certain things to work with where the story was going but I think I did a decent job closing up some...the major glaring one being the fact they moved a mental patient to a private residence. Of course some stand there in time making no sense like how Mamoru didn't recognize Kunzite or Nephrite while they were undercover. So I know I was going to probably do a little more with some sub stories but I've decided to just wrap it up here. Some of my ideas may see the light of day If I rewrite this story which it does need or a sequel once some of my other projects are completed. Anyway hope you enjoy the final chapter!

Chapter 11: Break the Cycle

FBI HQ

"What's up?" Tenou asked as she watched her girlfriend play around on the web. For Haruka it was all rather boring and she couldn't even pretend she understood a quarter of what Michiru did. So she absently played on her smartphone ignoring the report she had to write up about the stolen SUV...but seriously it wasn't her fault she had taken her motorcycle out that night.

Once again one of those addicting pay to play games had gotten a hold of her attention and her credit card. It was a serious problem for the young agent that had a habit of getting sucked into anything that gave her an adrenaline rush be it big or small.

"The cell phone relay switch I dropped at the Kou residence has an outgoing call." Michiru responded without bothering to look up. It wasn't hard to tell what Haruka was currently concentrating on. Sometimes she swore that Haruka only spoke because she hated silence more. Her eyes intent on redirecting the call to her headset.

"Ooooh...gossip." Tenou muttered with a roll of her eyes. That had been the last few calls anyway. With a final glance at her screen to confirm the purchase of yet another instore item bonus, Tenou pushed herself away as Michiru went into full concentration mode. When the hacker girl got like this it would be over an hour before she came back to the real world.

With a dismissive wave of her hand Tenou left the operations center unwilling to subject herself to Michiru's mutterings and cursing as she adjusted the frequency. It was a short walk down the hall to the lounge where the group had crashed after last night's exciting adventure.

She immediately regretted her decision as she walked into a lounge to see Minako and Kunzite going at it with Nephrite stepping in on the blonde's behalf. The sexual tension was awkward even for her. A glance back down the hall confirmed that Michiru was still listening to her headset...well looked like she'd have to deal with them. With a small sigh of resignation she stepped into the room.

"I'm telling you that I still don't think any of this is on the up and up. Why would you use my cousin as bait?" Minako responded to Kunzite's attempt to placate the angry blonde.

"Classified." Kunzite responded in a bored tone. His steel eyes seemed pierce Minako's crystal blues for a moment before the blonde hardens her own eyes into diamonds at the dismissive answer.

"She's family so anything having to do with Usagi is not classified to me you big brute!" Minako punched his chest in frustration although it just left her with a throbbing hand. "Oooooh I am telling Makoto about your behavior."

Kunzite blanched slightly at the mention of his younger sister. That girl was not one to be trifled with and certainly not one to anger. It simply wasn't fair to bring his sister into the equation. Luckily the more annoying of the two blondes before him had absolutely nothing on him. A small smirk crossed his face. "I have been nothing if not a gentleman in your presence. Since I am doing my job, my sister, will not side with you."

"I don't think you understand how much Mako loves Usagi." Nephrite commented from the doorway to the showers. After the little escapade from earlier he had been called in from his current assignment and he had a feeling it was going to be a long night ahead so he had grabbed a quick shower to wake himself up.

Minako swung her attention toward the new agent that had walked in halfway through the conversation. The man looked just like the super friendly maintenance man at the hospital. She remembered because he had given her the funds to get her cousin a much needed baked good from the cafeteria. In fact it was the same guy that was always chatting up Makoto. The light bulb went off...a potential ally.

"Hey aren't you that maintenance worker from the hospital?" Minako bluntly half stated half asked as she started to work on getting him into the conversation and on her side.

Nephrite flashed a smile at the young blonde much to the ire of Kunzite who half glared from behind Minako's turned head at his partner. While he could tell that Kunzite had his warning face on he couldn't help but respond to the blonde. He had gotten a little information on why they were here but he was interested in hearing from the girl herself. "My day job really...you know kind of like how Batman is Bruce Wayne during the day...I mean granted I'm not a billionaire or anything but I do bring justice to those at night...kind of like…"

"Please don't…" Mamoru half begged with a tinge of resignation. He was still not 100% from the wound he had received from that Tiger guy...whatever it still freakin hurt despite the superb job that Kunzite had done patching him up. He almost wished he could take some kind of pain medication but until the debrief he'd have to suck it up. So he was stuck half sitting half laying on the sofa next to Usagi listening to Kunzite and Minako continue to argue.

Kunzite just pinched the bridge of his nose and grumbled to himself. Would this obsession of Nephrite's ever end?

"Yes that is right! Batman!" Nephrite practically crowed in enthusiasm completely ignoring the looks he was getting from both Mamoru and Kunzite.

"Well if you're looking to bring someone to justice…" Minako trailed off before whirling around briefly to give Kunzite a sinister grin that sent a chill down the large man's spin. All it took was the memory of her first cat and she queued up the water works. With tears in her eyes she turned back to Nephrite a sniffle at the right time before she let them start to flow. "Kunzite said that all Usagi was to you people was bait and he won't even tell me why...I'm not even sure what to do anymore because how can I protect Usagi without knowing who's after her…"

"Of course Makoto would surely agree that I as her cousin am only trying to look out for her…" Minako trailed off and batted her eyelashes to gather the tears that had been falling. The end result made her eyes almost seem to sparkle and also worked to magnify the tears still running down the side of her face.

Kunzite simply raised an eyebrow...really as if anyone would buy such obvious and blatant overacting. He glanced over at Nephrite to see the man fuming...never mind then.

"Are you serious Kunzite? Clearly the girl is distraught and worried about her cousin." Nephrite growled out in annoyance over Kunzite's strict by the book actions. While it didn't help that Minako had appealed to his manly side of protecting women he had become fast friends with everyone at the hospital including the regular visitors.

"That doesn't change the mission parameters." Kunzite responded in a dull tone uninterested in continuing this vein of conversation he decided it was over. "She does not have the clearance and I am unwilling to fill out the needless paperwork. Suffice to say that her cousin does not need to know."

"Stop talking about me like I'm not even here!" The feisty blonde finally butted into the conversation a glare leveled at Kunzite...or in Minako's case aimed skyward toward the hulking lug.

"Fine keep being a dick. I'll tell her." Nephrite responded tired of listening to the two bicker already and he had just stepped into the room.

"I forbid it." Kunzite responded without even hesitating.

"Oooooh the great Kunzite mission commander and lord of the files forbids it...well fine either you tell her right now or I tell Makoto you were being mean to poor Usagi." Nephrite responded with a suggestive waggle of his eyebrows.

"And me! Don't forget me!" Minako attempted to keep herself as part of the conversation.

Kunzite appeared to turn white as a sheet for a moment before he attempted to gather his wits. While he had only watched his little sister interact with Usagi and Minako once when they had visited he remembered all the stories Makoto would regale him with. The girl truly cared for her "Usagi-Chan" and if she were to find out that he had put the poor girl in any kind of danger...well he shuddered to think of the consequences.

Haruka decided it was time to stop this little fight before it really got out of hand. Right before Kunzite finally caved she spoke up her voice carrying across the room "As much as i'd love to have story time we have more important things to worry about than Blondie's hurt feelings over being left out of a government investigation."

Minako huffed at the interruption and wondered if she would ever learn what they were up to. It wasn't like she couldn't put two and two together. Maybe she'd try that angle. "Well it isn't as if I don't know what is going on! Obviously this has something to do with Seiya. I could help you know it isn't like I'd do anything to hurt my cousin."

"You know she has a point. She already witnessed the assault." Mamoru finally chimed in a little reluctant to get involved in this entire mess.

Haruka crossed her arms over her chest as her eyes slowly swept across Mamoru, Nephrite, and Minako. "And telling her anything more would just paint a giant target on her back. If anyone finds out that she knows even a hint about the people we're after they'll do anything to silence her." Haruka paused for a moment to make sure she had everyone's attention. "Or do I have to remind you all of what happened to the last person that accidently let slip that they knew about the group's operations in public."

Just as the argument heated up again they were interrupted by Michiru.

The Dead Moon had cut him off and now he was moving. She had heard only bits and pieces along with a little girl in the back ground but she could put two and two together. Now that the Dead Moon had dropped support he had to get out of the country with what must have been his most recent victim. Unfortunately the secure line the Dead Moon had set up blocked all but a few snippets.

She was about to start mobilizing the team for an intercept when the program alerted her to an outgoing 911 call not a minute later. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach she moved her attention to the police scanner she had set up. She would have missed the information relayed over the call by the time she patched herself in.

Michiru's fingers flew across the keyboard as she started gathering information from the county dispatch board and started to link into the police secure radio. Immediately she was barraged with voices but one thing was clear. Police had just been dispatched to the Kou Mansion for a shooting.

"Oh no…" She whispered to herself as she received more and more information. The medical personnel had just arrived and it wasn't looking good. Taiki Kou had been shot multiple times and was being airlifted to the hospital in an unresponsive condition and Seiya Kou had been seen leaving the mansion right before Taiki was discovered.

So Seiya was moving even faster than she thought. Her fingers flew over the keyboard as she shifted through the multiple browsers she had open until she had the flight lists open on every major airport in the surrounding area. Her eyes quickly ran down the lists. She was looking for any last minute boarding's that had just been booked. It was unfortunate that it wouldn't be so easy.

There had been three last minute bookings at two different airports. All of the destinations listed were plausible and she couldn't assume anything on the names provided. Seiya would have enough pull to be able to book under another name and she didn't have time to figure out which one it was. Narita International had two different bookings with parties' which fit if he was bringing his next victim along. The other airport was the Haneda airport a smaller airport but by no means out of the realm of possibility if Seiya was just looking to get out of the country. He could certainly kill the girl dump her body and be off before anyone discovered it.

Michiru pushed herself away from the desk and ran down the hall to their lounge area where she figured everyone would be hopefully resting after the long day as it was about to get longer. As she came to the door she could hear yelling coming through the door...she probably shouldn't have been surprised. Without pausing a moment longer she threw the door open to see Haruka and Kunzite arguing with Minako. Unsurprisingly it seemed the girl wasn't backing down and she had somehow gotten Nephrite and Mamoru in her corner.

With a quick whistle she broke up the argument as every head swiveled towards the source of the interruption. Once she was certain she had all eyes on her she laid out the facts without sugar coating the situation. "Taiki Kou was just found shot multiple times at his mansion. He is being airlifted to the hospital as we speak. The last person to see him was Seiya Kou who was witnessed taking off in a blue charger with racing stripes right after the shooting."

Michiru didn't even give them a chance to disseminate the information before going into command mode. "I've got three last minute bookings at two different airports within driving distance. We're deploying now before he exits the country and disappears. Mamoru and Kunzite I want you to make your way to Haneda Airport. Haruka and Nephrite you are going to Narita International. I'll provide more information on the way."

"Why do I have to go with Tenou?" Nephrite gripped over the choice but it didn't seem either Kunzite or Mamoru were willing to trade partners based on their amused smirks. Even in the darkest moments they could at least find something entertaining...in this case it just happened to be Nephrite's pain.

"Grab your gear. I don't want anyone shooting you by accident because you aren't wearing proper identification. Badges on and IDs out. Just remember the Dead Moon may try to interfere and they have no problem dressing up as police. If you're stopped let me know and i'll confirm if the police are real or not." Michiru broke through the light laughter of the group at Nephrite's fate.

"Alright let's go Nephrite." Tenou ordered with a giant grin. She was going to have fun. "Airport is two hours out. My personal record is one hour ten minutes. I'm betting we'll beat it by twenty at least."

"Please no…" Nephrite bemoaned his fate as he grabbed his gear. This was going to be a long night. Searching up and down the airport for Seiya was just going to make it longer.

Tenou grabbed her gear before taking the keys for the sports car that she had picked Nephrite up in a while back which caused Nephrite to blanch upon catching a glimpse of the keys she had in her hand. The possibility that he'd die just went up tenfold as he was fairly certain Haruka hadn't bothered to install lights on that thing..

Mamoru was about to head out the door with Kunzite when he felt someone tugging on his sleeve. He looked over his shoulder to see Usagi standing there resolute a frown across her face. "Usa…"

"We're going too." Minako stated for her cousin. Although she certainly looked less sure than Usagi did she wasn't going to let her cousin go out there alone to pursue the psycho that had put her in this state.

"There is no way we're allowing two civilians to tag along." Kunzite stated with finality. He crossed his arms and glared down at the two specifically Minako. To his great annoyance neither of the two seemed to be budging from their current position.

"I'm sorry Usagi...but Kunzite is right." Mamoru attempted a placating smile. "It will be best for everyone if you stay here. It's been a long day...why not rest and we'll handle this."

Minako traded an uneasy glance with Usagi. While Mamoru had been on their side about keeping them in the loop as to what was occurring with the Dead Moon Circus and Seiya he was presenting a united front with Kunzite. She was about to give up when Usagi screwed her eyes up as if finally making a decision.

"He has my daughter!" She nearly screamed out in a voice that sounded ragged from disuse. A new fire seemed to enter her eyes. "I'll follow with or without your approval."

The rest of the room almost came to a dead stop. While Tenou nor Kunzite didn't seem to give it much more than a passing acknowledgement, Nephrite, Minako, and Mamoru on the other hand were stunned into silence.

"Usagi?" Minako ventured for once her normal sunny disposition showing a more hopeful side. The young blonde watched for any indication that her cousin was really talking as herself again. That she wasn't just hiding behind a facade.

Usagi didn't seem to be inclined to say anymore on the subject. The girl just stared straight at Kunzite daring him to tell her no.

After a moment of glaring down at the girl he just turned his head to the side and looked away from her in disregard. "We've wasted enough time. You may come but you will stay in the car...do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal!" Minako cut in before he could have any time to decide that they couldn't come along.

Mamoru just threw his hands up in the air in defeat. If Kunzite was going to break like that what chance did he have. "Come on then."

With that issue settled the four made their way down the hall after Nephrite and Tenou. They arrived in the bay right as the door opened to allow Tenou to peel out in the red Nissan GTR. The growl of the engine reverberated off the walls and ceiling causing Usagi and Minako to cover their ears.

"How can you stand that noise?" Minako whined after the noise had died down leaving the bay in relative silence.

"We normally avoid the bay area if we know Tenou is anywhere nearby." Mamoru responded matter of factly.

Kunzite had grabbed the keys off of the rack before pointing to an unmarked Subaru Legacy. "You two girls will get into the back and sit there silently...when we get to the airport you will sit there silently. You will not move you will not leave the car. You will not cause a distraction nor will you use any kind of cell phone or any other recording device that could mess up this entire operation." He rattled off the "requests" in a brisk tone as he marched over to the car and opened the front door to slide in.

To Kunzite's satisfaction the two seemed to be more than willing to agree to his terms if it meant going with them.

After everyone was piled in and secure Kunzite gunned the engine. While nowhere near as fast as Tenou he would get them to the airport with time to spare. Unlike Tenou he immediately turned on his lights the moment he hit the surface streets.

Seiya was sweating bullets. The police had just put out a bulletin looking for him in connection to his brother's murder. Never had he been so thankful that he put a police scanner into his car. The entire drive he had attempted to stay off the highway. It made the drive longer but he was hoping to avoid the police. A foreign sports car in Japan would be a dead giveaway but it had been the only car with a scanner in it.

He had just turned onto one of the larger boulevards he knew he needed to cross when a pair of flashing lights popped up behind him. The siren momentarily went on to catch his attention. Seiya gripped the steering wheel so hard that his knuckles turned white.

"Police car, Police car, Police car." Rini started to repeat in a sing song voice. Her eyes alight in excitement. She never got to see one up close nor with the lights on and here she got to see it and hear the siren. A small giggle of excitement popped out.

With a growl Seiya turned around in his seat and grabbed Rini by the scruff of her shirt with one hand while he started to pull over with the other. He pulled her forward as much as the seatbelt would allow him before he pushed her back into her seat with as much force as he could muster from the awkward angle. "Shut the fuck up you little cunt. I will be more than happy to abandon you right here and now if you don't be a good little girl and stay quiet."

Seiya turned around just as the police officer got out of his car. He didn't need this right now. In the rear view mirror he could see Rini quietly sobbing to herself trying to keep her sobs to a minimum. It wasn't working but it was better than that infuriating repetition from a moment ago. He lowered the window just as the officer got to the front door. Hopefully his fame could get him out of this.

"Seiya Kou?" The officer asked as he stepped up to the car. It wasn't hard to spot and he had almost been in shock when the Dodge Challenger turned onto the boulevard.

"Yes." Seiya asked in a blasé tone. "How may I help you this wonderful evening officer?"

"You can start by stepping out of the car." The officer responded in a tone that indicated how thoroughly unamused he was with Seiya's innocent act.

With a nod Seiya dropped his left hand down as if he was about to comply and open the door. The Police Officer didn't have enough time to respond as Seiya brought a gun up from the door's storage bin. Without even flinching extended his arm right into the surprised officer's chest and fired off several rounds point blank. The loud reports of the gun caused Rini to start screaming.

The officer's face held a look of surprise and disbelief as he dropped to the ground from the bullet wounds. A pool of blood started to spread out from around the officer. Screams could be heard on the street as Seiya gunned the engine and sped away from the scene. Now he had to get to the airport post haste before the police put two and two together. He could only hope the officer hadn't called in the stop.

Behind him he could hear Rini crying. A tick entered his face just above his left eye. Would anything shut that damn child up? He once more cursed the Dead Moon Circus for abandoning him to handle all of this on his own. If he had it his way he would have discreetly moved her out of the country. Now he had to deal with her incessant whining.

"Just shut the fuck up you little brat! I swear to god if I have to pull this car over you're going to get such a beating you'll be lucky to ever walk again!" The threat was very real. He had no issue harming her. All she represented to him was the downfall of his relationship with Usagi. Prior to that stupid girl being born everything was fine. In fact the entire reason he didn't force Usagi to abort the child was because he thought the child would distract Usagi. Unfortunately just like her daughter the drugs stopped working and Usagi started to question things.

They were still twenty minutes out from the airport. If he was lucky he'd have another ten to fifteen minutes before the police got the information from the bystanders about the make and model of the car. That was if the officer hadn't called in the stop. If it had been called in he'd have five minutes at most. Seiya continued to run scenarios through his head and most of them weren't good. Shit...he shouldn't have killed that cop. If they shut down his passport before he gets out of the country he'd be more or less screwed.

Cursing under his breath he shifted gears as he merged onto the highway. Nothing for it now. He'd have to make a run for it and hope that luck was still in his favor. The powder blue Dodge Challenger wove through traffic as Seiya got closer and closer to his ultimate goal. He glanced in the rear view mirror ever so often. While nothing had come in over the scanner yet it still didn't make him feel any better about the situation.

Kunzite wove through traffic with an impassive face...impassive because the girls in the back were screaming and Mamoru appeared completely pale. He felt his teeth chatter as he passed an entire lane of traffic on the breakdown lane. The rumble stripes bouncing the vehicle up and down ever so slightly. "Hold on…" He muttered.

"Hold on...we're already holding on!" Mamoru practically cried as he felt his stomach gurgle at the sudden g-force exerted upon his body as Kunzite wove across four lanes of traffic. He glanced back in the rearview mirror surprised that they hadn't hit anyone yet...suddenly he wished he had gone with Tenou. The girl's true to their word had remained fairly quiet in the back of the car.

The police scanner suddenly jumped to life. "Officer down. Witnesses report driver of a blue foreign car possibly American made shot the Officer point blank. Med-Vac is already on its way. All officers be on the lookout for a foreign car blue with a white racing stripe. Driver is armed and dangerous."

Mamoru glanced down at the GPS and quickly pushed it out until he could find the streets where the shooting took place. It was dangerously close to the airport and they were still almost a half an hour out from where the shooting took place.

"You believe in coincidences? That shooting occurred fairly close to the airport. Last reports had the car heading that direction." Mamoru read off the information as it scrolled across his screen. Michiru was forwarding everything to them.

"Contact Michiru and let her know that we have a high probability of Seiya heading towards Haneda." Kunzite commanded as he flicked on the lights and hit the siren. A loud piercing wail belted out of the Legacy as the red and white lights flashed in a quick strobe pattern.

"Right." Mamoru agreed as he quickly went about sending a text over to Michiru. While it took a little longer than just calling it wouldn't break her concentration nor did he want to risk distracting Kunzite any more than he had to.

It didn't take long for Michiru to respond. Apparently she had also been tracking the vehicle since the reported incident and must have come to the same conclusion that they had. The GPS unit in their car blinked off for a moment before coming back online. The homebrewed program that Michiru had created was helpful in that she could set the GPS to track a moving target and create an intercept time.

"Shit...he's only about ten minutes out from the airport." Mamoru commented as he studied the route the car that Michiru had tagged was taking. "We'll never make it in time if that is really him."

"Then we'll just have to go faster. Prepare yourself." Kunzite warned although he really didn't give any directions on how one should do that as the others already were buckled in and gripping any part of the car within reach. The small plastic cap on the top of the shifter knob was flipped up revealing the trademark red button. A small amused smirk appeared on Kunzite's face. It was rare he got to use such equipment.

With a depression of the button the Subaru Legacy was hit with a boost of nitrous into the engine. The car suddenly lurched forward as it raced down the highway enroute to the airport in hopes of catching Seiya prior to his take off.

Seiya growled as he listened to the police scanner. The amount of lead time he had was shorter than he thought. Not good for him at all. He continued to curse his fate but there was little he could do other than press onward. Thankfully he could see the exit for the airport up ahead.

Luck was once more with him as it seemed the police were combing the area around where the shooting happened. The officer had called in the stop but must not have provided enough detail. Police still hadn't put two and two together that he had shot his brother and then shot an officer escaping towards an airport. Hopefully they were either on their way to the Kou cabin or Narita International airport if they thought he was trying to skip out.

As he approached the airport's main entrance he eased up on the gas. Now he had to find a suitable place to dump the car. Not so conspicuous that it would be noticed immediately but nowhere where it would be an odd place to find it. The engine rumbled as he almost came to a complete stop. There was an unattended service lot that appeared to be for employees. It was further away from the entrance than he'd prefer but he didn't want to risk trying to find something closer and being spotted.

With his decision made, Seiya quickly hurried the vehicle off the main road and into the service lot before any security patrol or police car came by. While the lot was small he pulled the car around to the second row out of the view of the main drag. There he found a spot sandwiched between two larger vans. Perfect.

He opened the door carefully and looked around to make sure no one was around before opening the door completely. With a chuckle he tossed the keys onto the front seat. Hopefully someone would steal the car and dispose of any evidence on his part. After a moment of hesitation he decided to keep the gun...just in case. He'd drop it if need be but it would be better to keep it.

Seiya had made it two steps away from the car when he realized Rini wasn't with him. An annoyed sigh left his lips. Did the little brat have nothing better than to cause him trouble. With a spin of his heels he marched back to the car. Despite the fact he wanted to beat the shit out of the little snot he needed her to cooperate.

He opened the door to find Rini still sitting in the back huddled in a corner white as a sheet. With great effort he managed to school his face into the kind and caring Seiya Kou the world knew and switched over to a overly sugary voice. "Hey there sweetie we're here. It's time for you to get on the plane."

Rini just sat there trembling in the back seat still white as a sheet. Her voice came out as barely as whisper. "You hurt the police man."

"No no...sweetie we were just playing a game. It's all a game now you want to get your present for being a good girl right?" Seiya coaxed her trying to squash down his immediate response of wanting to just drag the girl out.

"Are you sure this is a game?" It hadn't looked like a game to Rini but she didn't know how adults played in the outside world. This was the first time she had gone further than her father's room at the mansion.

"Of course I am...I'd never lie to you and you know what as a reward for being such a big girl, I'm going to let you sit in the window seat...we're going to have a plane all to ourselves." A satisfied smirk crossed his lips as he watched the little girl fall once more for his lies. People were easily manipulated and young girls even more so. Tell them you love them or want to give them a gift and they were putty in his hands.

Rini hesitantly climbed out of the backseat and made sure to close the door behind her. From experience she knew that one did not leave doors ajar if you wanted to avoid punishment. She glanced up to see her father with a scary sneer across his face. A momentary fear welled up before she pushed it off to the side. Her father was finally being nice to her. It was not wise to question him. She let herself be led by her good hand. Her right shoulder still hurt from earlier but she was a good girl she wouldn't cry and she wouldn't complain. Not now with the looming prospect of a present from her father.

Seiya flipped his phone open as he walked into the airport lobby. Once more he was thankful for his status. With it he could easily rent a personal jet rather than trying to slip through customs and having too many questions asked by purchasing plane tickets. Hopefully if the police had gotten smart enough to search for flights out of the country they wouldn't think to look at personal jets.

With a quick dial Priority One Jets he was already talking with customer service. "This is Seiya Kou, I'm at the Haneda airport and I require a private jet immediately. I need to get out of the country. Last minute get away with my daughter." Seiya quickly smoothed over any questions or protests from the service rep by interjecting his daughter into the conversation. For some reason mentioning children caused most people to stop questioning anything.

Not a minute later he had a confirmed booking for a flight out of Japan and over to China where he would take a larger private jet down to Thailand before making the last leg of his journey to a smaller country, Bhutan, that had very lax extradition laws. From there he would decide where to go but he was not above running further if needed.

With an indulgent smile he led Rini over to the ice cream shoppe inside the airport. He would indulge her. Indulging the little brat meant she'd be quiet and stop asking questions. In the long run the peace and silence would be worth every second.

"Anything?" Haruka asked through her cell phone. She had been combing the airport since they had arrived and still no sign of Seiya. While he could have easily slipped by she had put the airport on lockdown. With the airport's security staff helping them and the local police she highly doubted that he had gotten by. If she was anyone else she may have worried about him beating her here but there was no way. Not after beating her own personal record.

"Nothing on Seiya...although...have you noticed anything strange about some of the people in the crowds?" Haruka listened to Nephrite's voice come back as it crackled across the cell phone. Reception wasn't the best here but at least the calls weren't being dropped. She had in fact noticed something off about certain people in the building. They appeared to be loitering outside the security check points and some of them had been there when they arrived. No one stayed in the same spot for too long but she noticed they moved to different sections of the airport.

"What are you thinking? Clean Team?" Haruka dropped her voice at the second question.

"What else could they be? They're here to tie up loose ends...we better warn the others." Nephrite responded just as quietly from his end.

"On it. If you spot Seiya call me immediately." Haruka ordered before she cut the line. Not for the first time she wished that they had a larger team. With a discreet look to see if she had caught any of the Clean Team's attention she covertly sent a message to Michiru in their code. If the Dead Moon Circus was looking to terminate their relationship with Seiya in a more permanent manner she wouldn't put it past them to monitor communications in and around the airport.

Kunzite pulled the Subaru Legacy up to the curb with the lights still going. While it appeared he was completely fine from flying down the freeway at well over the posted speed limit the rest of the car's occupants of the car wore varying shades of white on their faces. The entire car jerked slightly as Kunzite put on the emergency brake before the car was at a complete stop.

Without missing a beat he turned half way around and pinned the two girls with a commanding stare. "Stay in the car...do not leave the car." After he received a promise from Minako and a nod from Usagi he considered the matter settled.

Mamoru calmed his nerves a little before looking back at the two who appeared to have been cowed by Kunzite but he just had a nagging feeling. In the end he pushed it away as he didn't have time to ruminate on it. "We'll be back as soon as possible."

Seiya strode down the hallway with no small amount of confidence in his step. Rini fell in line next to him her eyes darting around everywhere as she soaked in all of the new sights and sounds. The private jets were in a different part of the airport so as they got closer to their destination the foot traffic fell away.

When one had connections and money there was very little that he couldn't get away with. Mentally he went over his check list. First he'd get to his destination in China...then over to Thailand. He'd sell Rini off there. With the booming sex trade industry and her unique japanese heritage and natural strawberry blonde hair that looked almost pink she'd fetch a fair price. Finally he'd be in Bhutan and he'd let this whole business blow over.

Just as they were reaching the terminal he felt a tug from his daughter's hand. By reflex his grip tightened a little and he glared down at the little brat. Usually a look was all it took but the girl wasn't even paying attention to him. He started to follow her line of sight until he realized why she was tugging.

"Mommy!" Rini yelled the moment she spotted the woman that had only been part of her life for a few years before she disappeared. While she hadn't seen her in a long time and the image had become hazy she instinctively knew it was her. The harsh lights of the airport almost created a halo like effect around her head. She looked in a word...perfect. She kept tugging against her father.

With a sharp yank Seiya brought Rini back to his side. Rini's yelp brought Usagi's attention his way. A small grin crossed his face the moment he saw his beautiful wife...well he supposed it would be ex-wife momentarily. An idea started to form this could actually be very beneficial to him. It would wipe away what little leads they had on his former crimes. What he had done tonight was nothing compared to his past.

"Yes...Mommy...so good to see you...and alone to boot? Where are your minders my dear you know you're not well." Seiya called out in a mocking tone. His confidence was up since it appeared that the few people that had been in this section of the airport had moved on. The only people remaining for the most part were the staff for the private charter jets. They were paid good money to look the other way when incidents like this came up so he wasn't concerned.

Her little Rini was alive. She had dared to hope but there she stood looking relatively healthy and in one piece. Nothing like she had thought thanks to Seiya's manipulations. All she wanted to do was run to her daughter but that man...that snake of a man held her daughter in his clutches.

Usagi pinned Seiya with a withering glare. The young blonde curled her hands into fists. It had been years since she had last seen her daughter. In fact she thought Seiya had killed her. It had all come together when she found out he was fleeing the country. He wouldn't flee unless he was trying to hide something. It had been how he always operated.

"Ooooh you have such a nasty face...it's almost like you don't love me anymore. Why don't you come with me? I'm taking Rini on a vacation...in fact I think you can join her." Seiya suggested with a waggle of his eyebrows. If he could get rid of them both it'd be perfect. Sure he'd probably have to do it in China but it could be arranged.

"Let her go." Usagi finally spoke. Her voice was clear and her tone one of finality. There would be no bargaining. She knew exactly what he was planning and just the thought filled her with disgust. How he could do that to his own flesh and blood amazed her. It was inhuman.

"I'm afraid I can't let her go...see just like you she is a witness. Witness of my side work selling girls that modern society makes their little rules about." Seiya mocked with a small smile spreading across his face. "But fuck the rules I'm above them and as long as I get rid of you two I can make everything else go away. There isn't a court in this country I can't buy as long as all the evidence remains circumstantial."

"Why are you doing this...I've never understood what could make you such a heartless monster!" Usagi demanded as she subconsciously started to stalk towards Seiya. She'd have to keep him distracted. If should could get in range she could get Rini away. The poor girl was already conditioned by Seiya just like she had been. She could tell the way Rini shrunk away from his voice and tone he was using. Once she had her hands on him she planned on ripping him apart for what he had done to their daughter.

"For the money and the power you didn't think I got to where I was just being the lead singer of a third rate band did you? Where did you think all of our financing came from?" Seiya shook his head in amusement at her rather limited view of how the world worked. "I needed a way to fuel my eclectic tastes. I happened to be in the right place at the right time with a groupie. The Dead Moon Circus paid me well for the girl. That was when I remembered my dear old mother. She was nothing more than a whore and the girl I was with was the same way. They would never do anything with their lives so why would they care what happened to them?"

"So that's all you see women as...sub humans who are only to be used as goods to further your own twisted desires?" Usagi felt sick. How could she have been tricked...he seemed so sweet when he had met her. Everything was perfect...and she realized that had been the problem. Everything had been perfect and that was an unobtainable dream. A dream she had fallen for when she was younger believing that being in love meant she'd never fight with her true love and they would have a fairy tale ending.

Seiya could see the rage in her eyes. It was the same rage he had seen in some of the girls as they realized what he had just done. For some reason he loathed that look. That look that told him they thought he was scum. As if they were judging him. What right did they have? He never noticed her getting closer and closer as his rage clouded his judgement.

"What the hell else do you think you're good for? You were all too excited to have the perfect little fucking family. I thought why the hell not? It'd be great for publicity. That is all you ever were for me...a PR stunt. At least you would have been until you fucked it all up by going through my personal belongings. We could have been a happy family if you kept your god damn nose out of my personal business."

"And live a lie? No...I could never turn my back on all of those women you tricked and sold away before they knew what was happening. After I kill you I'll do whatever I can do undo the damage you've done to this world." Usagi lunged at that very moment. Right as she saw him close his eyes and begin to laugh.

Using her elbow she brought it up in a strike across his face before she grabbed him around the middle. The sudden attack caught him unawares and she felt him lose his grip of Rini as his arm came around in an attempt to roll her off. It didn't help she had latched onto him on the way down and the moment she felt his back land on the ground she started punching him.

"Run Rini!" Usagi commanded as she felt Seiya come out of his surprised state and started to attack her. She winced as she felt the blows to her side and chest but she straddled his waist and kept up her vicious assault on her once tormentor. It would end tonight. Tears started to fill her eyes. She had failed her daughter but she would make it right. By god if it was the last thing she'd do she would free Rini of ever having to fear this monster again.

Seiya winced through the blows as he saw his daughter start to back away toward the way they had come. He growled before letting out with a vicious backhand across Usagi's face that made sure that the girl saw stars. "Get the fuck off of me you crazy bitch!"

Usagi felt the blood pool at the edge of her mouth but it didn't stop her. "I'll never let you touch her again! I'll hold you here until my heart stops." With her head still spinning she brought her hands down around his neck and attempted to choke him out. A small smirk crossed her face. "I sent Minako to go fetch my minders Seiya. They'll be here any moment to arrest you. Don't worry though, I'll make sure you never make it to prison."

Seiya felt his stomach drop. The fucking bitch was really trying to kill him and even worse the god damn federal investigators were here as well? He didn't have time for this shit. Without even a moment of hesitation he withdrew the gun in his pocket. If he had more time he would have killed her with his own hands but he was running out of time if help was on the way. He took in the look of fear in Usagi's eyes. So the dumb bitch realized she had just signed her own death warrant. He pressed the gun into her chest and pulled down on the trigger.

The first shot caused her to jerk...the second shot had enough force with the help of the first to get her off of him and the third shot to the heart managed to spin her off of him. Blood flew everywhere from the close impact shots. Honestly Seiya couldn't tell if it was from the blows to Usagi's head from earlier or the gunshot wounds. Somewhere to the side he heard the little brat screaming her lungs out. And a voice in the distance screamed Usagi's name.

Seiya didn't have time to admire his handiwork. With a final push he let her body fall lifelessly to the side. Damn bitch had ruined everything. It would be time to finish this before he escaped. The gun still warm from the most recent discharge was brought to bear on his daughter. She was close enough he couldn't miss and the damn brat was near catatonic.

With a click of the trigger he cursed...the hammer went down with a click. Out of bullets. A quick look down the corridor made his decision. The main threat had been dealt with anyway. They wouldn't get much out of Rini. He carelessly tossed the gun away before turning tail towards the entrance to the jet. If he had stayed there much longer the pair of law enforcement agents running at him may have chanced firing on him.

While he was running down the jet corridor he could feel the moveable bridge shake as another person's body impacted against the flexible bridge. He pushed himself to run faster as he felt the entire jet way sway underneath. Up ahead the plane sat with the door open and a flight attendant standing there with a smile. With how much he paid he better damn see a smile.

Seiya barreled through the tiny door to the private jet already shouting orders at the cabin crew. "Go! Go! Go! Seal up the door and get us in the air!" It was with great relief when the door to the plane closed. He wiped away some blood pooling into his eye as he let himself lean back against the closed door. Finally he was free. He took a glance out the window to see who had been chasing him.

Down the corridor he could see a large man with long silver hair running towards the door. It was too late though for them to stop him. The plane had already started to pull away from the door and was taxiing toward the runway.

"Mr. Kou please have a seat and we will be with you in a moment." The flight attendant assisted him in finding the said seat. If the blood and smell of gunpowder bothered her at all she didn't show it. Then again this was why he hadn't taken a commercial flight.

Kunzite came to a stop at the end of the jet way. With a roar of frustration he banged his fist against the side of the jet way causing the entire structure to shake. So close they had been so damn close. Now their prime witness was dead and they had a comatose child. "Fucking waste." He muttered.

He watched the small jet taxi down the runway. The sleek silver jet had a Dead Moon on the tail of the plane illuminated in the dark by the lights of the runway. Kunzite couldn't do anymore at this point. He pulled out his cell phone to report into Michiru.

"Are you alright?" Michiru demanded the moment that the phone line connected.

Kunzite pulled the phone away for a moment and glanced back down the jet way. He couldn't see around the jet way's curve but he could hear a little girl wailing inconsolably while screaming at her mother to wake up.

"Seiya shot Usagi multiple times. I'll need a medical team down by the Delta wing immediately and reroute Tenou's team down here we have some cleanup to do." Kunzite rattled off the commands succinctly.

"Haruka and Nephrite are enroute. The airport's fire department has already made it to Usagi and is working on transporting her to St Luke's International Hospital. Local Police are enroute to secure the crime scene." Michiru responded after going dead over the phone for a minute while she completed her tasks.

"Good then someone must have called when they heard the gunfire." Kunzite silently thanked the gods for small miracles. It had looked pretty bad when he had run by. There had been blood everywhere and he had gone ahead while Mamoru had stopped to try and help Usagi.

Not for the first time tonight did he regret taking the two girls. He closed his eyes briefly letting out an annoyed sigh. How troublesome. Michiru's voice broke his moment of reflection with a demand regarding Seiya's whereabouts.

"He got away...looks like the Dead Moon didn't cut him off completely. The jet he took off in had their insignia on the tail fin." Kunzite stated without bothering with a preamble. As he spoke said jet was just taking off to who knows where. Even if they found some kind of destination he could easily change that midflight.

With a growl he once more let his aggression out on the side of the jet way. The impact caused the entire structure to waver once more and this time left a sizeable dent. Kunzite schooled his features before turning to head back in. There was nothing more to do here now than to try to minimize the damage.

Upon arriving he was just in time to see Usagi lifted onto a stretcher. She just sank back into the stretcher like a rag doll. The emergency response team didn't wait a moment more than was necessary before loading her onto one of the oversized gators equipped to move severely injured people through the airport quickly.

Mamoru was already taking a seat in the front with a pink haired girl in his arms and seemed to be trying to sooth the young girl the best he could. It didn't appear to be working but he doubted he could do much better. His luck didn't last as Minako appeared out of the crowd that had formed and after spotting her cousin being taken away surrounded by emergency personnel made a beeline for him.

"What happened to Usagi? Where are they taking her?" Minako borderline demanded as she grabbed the large man and practically shook him.

"She's being transferred to St. Luke's as we speak." Kunzite informed her as he attempted to dislodge her from his person.

"What happened to my cousin!" Minako demanded as she fought him tooth and nail. She was in no mood to listen to him give her information without actually telling her what had happened. The fact that she was on her way to a hospital never meant anything good.

Kunzite stared down at her for a moment before finally deciding to inform her of the situation. "Your cousin was shot by Seiya Kou and left for dead. She managed to save her daughter before she was…" He left it at that. He didn't want to say mortally wounded but the scene around them said otherwise.

Minako nodded she understood what had happened. When she had been running towards the direction Usagi had gone she had heard the people screaming about someone with a gun but she had hoped against hope that Usagi had somehow managed to make it out unharmed.

Now that her adrenaline had worn off the gravity of the situation hit her like a ton of bricks. She clutched onto Kunzite's shirt harder and started crying. "I just got her back! I can't lose her!"

Kunzite felt uncomfortable and at first wasn't sure what to do. After a moment of indecision he grabbed Minako by the shoulders and gently peeled her off of him before offering her a kind smile...or at least the best he could manage. "I'll take you to the hospital. Come on then." Kunzite led her out the way she had come in pushing past the crowd.

Mamoru sat there holding Rini in the front of the ambulance staring vacantly out the front window as he murmured encouragement to the nearly catatonic girl. Right now all he could think of was the girl in the back fighting for her life. The paramedics on staff had been talkative and encouraging...never a good sign in his experience. In front of them a police car was clearing the way. He could see the white and red lights spinning and he hear the telltale wail. The large vehicle wove in and out of traffic. It wasn't good that was for certain. He closed his eyes and silently prayed that Usagi would make it through.

A/N: And FIN...oh wait you wanted to see if Usagi made it right? And of course if Minako and Kunzite end up together? Surely you're interested to see what happens to Seiya? I mean I wouldn't just let him off scot-free? Well I guess I kinda lied at the start. There will be a final chapter to wrap everything up.