Disclaimer: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon & Sailor V are property of Naoko Takeuchi

Meaningless Love

Chapter 21 – Feel So Close

"Hello, Miss Aino." The last thing Minako expected to see when she returned to the office were police. Were they here for Kunzite?! Alarms began to ring in her head. Not thinking clearly, she rushed to the closes officer, and pulled them close.

"Where's Kunzite?" She asked.

"Uh," the older man cocked a brow. "Mr. Shitennou?"

"They're not here for him," Reika said. Devastation was clear in her voice. It trembled slightly, her eyes were locked on Minako.

"Then…what's wrong?"

Just then, a tall, thin, blonde haired woman approached Minako. "Hello," she said, "my name is Haruka Tenoh. I work with Setsuna Meioh."

Minako's eyes widened in surprise. "Oh…"

"I am here in regards to your camera," Haruka said.

Minako's sense of fear diminished at the mention of her missing camera. "You found my camera?" She asked excitedly.

"Uh," Haruka looked over to her co-workers in confusion. "Yeah, we found it."

"That's great!" Minako took Haruka's hands into hers. "It's been missing for quite some time now, I even informed my job, and they ended up having to order a brand new camera for me, but now that you've found it…"

"Minako," Reika stepped forward, "they don't plan to give it back to you."

"What?" Minako asked. Puzzled, she released Haruka's hands. "I don't understand. Why not?"

"It has been detained and labeled as evidence," Reika said.

"Evidence?" Minako looked on in complete confusion. Turning to Gurio and Naru, she looked to them for answers, but they simply shrugged their shoulders. Clearly just as confused as her. "I don't understand."

"I'm sorry, Miss Aino." Haruka pulled out her handcuffs, "but we're going to have to bring you back to the police station."

"What?" Minako stepped back. "Why?"

"We have some questions for you."

"I don't understand…" Before Minako could even blink, she found herself in handcuffs, and being led down the hall. The ride down the elevator felt like a lifetime. The air seemed to thin every floor they passed.

"I've spoken with Setsuna," Haruka whispered to Minako, "she will be meeting us at the station."

Was that supposed to make her feel better? Give her some sense of ease, because it only made her that much more anxious.

"Setsuna," Kunzite said. Surprised to see the green haired woman sitting in his office, Kunzite tried to think of different scenarios that would have brought her here. What had he done in the last few weeks that may have caused the police to come see him?

Maybe it was the Black Moon Gala?

"What brings you here?" He finally asked. Approaching his desk, he decided it would be best to take a seat.

"Um," Setsuna looked down at her fingers. How was she supposed to bring this up? How was one supposed to say something so casual, when it was clearly a big deal? "Your girlfriend…"

Relaxing back into his chair, Kunzite began to lean forward. "What's wrong with Minako?" He asked.

"We found her camera," she explained, "and I know she's been missing it for quite some time, but…"

"But what?" He asked.

"Her finger prints are all over it, so everything points to her."

"Setsuna," Kunzite began to rub his temples, "I'm not understanding you."

"We found her camera," she repeated, "but you see…there were some photos…" Reaching for her briefcase, she pulled out a manila folder. Intrigued, Kunzite pushed up from his seat, and moved towards the front of his desk. "I'm not supposed to do this," she said uneasy, "but…here."

Taking the folder from her, Kunzite flipped it open. His eyes widened in shock. It was…his baby brother. "How did–"

"There is no way in the world it could be Minako," Setsuna shook her head, "I know she's innocent." Kunzite's eyes shot up to the younger woman.

"What are you saying?"

"Kunzite," she stood now, "unless I can find evidence that says otherwise…"

Flipping through the different photos, Kunzite felt his stomach begin to tighten. The photos seemed to get more and more grotesque he looked further into them. Unable to stomach them any further, he handed Setsuna her folder.

"Her finger prints are all over the camera, Kunzite." Setsuna said.

"She's been missing that thing for at least three weeks," he said, "even if she took some of those photos…" The thought of Minako taking the photos of his brother made his blood rise, but he knew deep down, there was no way it could be her. She was too innocent. She wasn't even aware of his brother's relationship with her best friend. "Those last few photos, those murders occurred after her camera went missing."

"I know," Setsuna nodded her head in understanding. "I've worked with Minako for quite some time now, Kunzite. I am very well aware that her camera has been missing, which is what makes this case that much more difficult."

"So…what now?" He asked.

"Unless I can find evidence that shows she's not the culprit, I have to go by D.N.A, Kunzite."

"That's bullshit!" He yelled. "You know she didn't do it, Setsuna."

"I know," she bit her bottom lip. "But I've become rather close to her, and if I tried to testify against the evidence…" Setsuna sighed. "I can't do that, Kunzite. My hands are tied."

For the second time in his life, Kunzite felt so helpless. First he couldn't help his brother, now he couldn't help the woman he loved. Raking his fingers through his silver hair, he let out a long groan. There was nothing he do, unless he wanted to go toe and toe with the judicial system.

Looking down at her phone, Setsuna smiled. "I have to head down to the police station," looking up at him, she half smiled. "I would love for you to join me."

"What?" Kunzite shook his head. "No way, not after news like this."

"I'm sure Minako would appreciate seeing a familiar face." Kunzite looked to her. "I had one of my people bring her down to the station."

"Haruka?"

Setsuna nodded her head. "I already spoke with her, and she is way more understanding than the other police, so I know she's taking care of Minako right now."

"Okay," Kunzite nodded his head. Picking up his cell phone, he called Thetis and informed her to cancel all his remaining meetings. "Come on," he opened his office door, "we mustn't keep them waiting."

Setsuna smiled again. "So eager to see your girlfriend?"

"I just want to make sure she's okay."

"I don't think I've ever seen you so worked up over a woman before," Setsuna gave a knowing a look, "she'll be happy to see you."

As they entered the station, Haruka released Minako from the handcuffs. Rubbing her wrists, she followed Haruka down the long narrow hall, and into the detaining room.

It looked just like the movies. The same stark white brick walls, a metal table with a few seats, and of the course, the oh-so obvious one-way mirror.

Taking a seat at the table, Haruka offered Minako a cold glass of water. "Are you hungry?" Haruka asked.

"No," Minako shook her head. The last thing she could right now was eat. Her stomach was churning as they spoke. Whatever she had eaten prior to all of this was clawing its way back up her throat.

"Here," Haruka placed a small saucer with biscuit cookies. "You look pretty pale."

"Are you always this nice to your suspects?" Minako asked.

Taking a seat across from Minako, she said, "Nope." Haruka shook her head. "But you're a friend to Setsuna, which makes you a friend of mine."

"I see…" She should have taken that as something positive, but it didn't seem to ease her pounding chest. She wondered if she got a free call, didn't they give that to their suspects? Or was that something they did once you were convicted?

"Since we're waiting," Haruka placed a manila folder in front of Minako, "why not look through some photos and see if they look familiar to you."

"Okay…" Minako nodded her head.

Flipping open the folder, Minako felt her stomach begin to twist, again. It was Hawks Eye…

"Familiar?" Haruka asked.

Minako nodded her head. "I remember…taking this photo."

Haruka's eyes widened in surprise. Minako cursed herself. Wasn't she supposed to not say anything…right? She had a right to an attorney or something like that? Feeling her eyes begin to burn, she could feel the tears forming beneath her eyes.

"Don't worry," Haruka tried to comfort her, "anything you say won't be used against you." Minako's eyes shot up from the photo to Haruka. Could she really trust him? "What about this?"

Minako placed her hand to her mouth, trying to muffle her gasp. It was Hawk's Eye… The same slashes she had seen on his body, except they were fresh. Blood still dripped from them. He was…alive in this photo.

Haruka watched Minako as she tried to hold back her tears. Her reaction seemed genuine, but could Haruka really trust that? Turning to the next photo, Minako now placed both hands to her mouth. Trying to hold back her urge to throw up, she tried to digest everything.

She had seen these people, but they were dead by the time she had seen them. In these photos, they were alive, being tortured, and slowly dying.

"Please…" Minako's voice trembled, "…no more."

Nodding her head, Haruka closed the file. Hearing the door open, Haruka pushed up from her seat. "Great. You're here…and…you."

Seeing Setsuna surprisingly calmed her slightly. But then, she saw him. Minako pushed up from her seat as her eyes locked with Kunzite's.

"Kunzite!" She yelled out. The tears that had fought to come out made their escape. Cascading down her flushed cheeks, she rushed to him. Wrapping her arms around him, she buried her face into his chest. "Oh god, Kunzite!" She cried, "I saw the photos, I saw them!"

"It's okay, Minako." Pulling her close, he embraced her tightly.

"They think…" She couldn't even say it. "They think I…"

"No," Setsuna shook her head, "I honestly believe it couldn't have been you, Minako."

"And after seeing your reaction," Haruka explained, "I know in fact there was no way it could have been you."

"Then why am I here?" She cried.

"Your finger prints are all over the camera, Minako." Setsuna said.

"But those photos of Hawk's Eye…"

"Whoever took these images," Setsuna said, "they must have imported them into your camera."

"So…you're saying that there is someone out here trying frame me?" Minako asked.

"That's what it looks like," Haruka frowned, "now I know you don't want to look at them, Miss Aino, but I need you to look through them."

"Why?" Minako asked.

"In case you have information," Haruka explained.

"Well, I don't!" Minako huffed.

"You don't know that, Minako." Kunzite took her hand into his, "don't worry. I'm right here." Taking a seat at the table, she squeezed Kunzite's hand.

Flipping open the folder yet again, Minako's grip tightened even more. As Haruka flipped through the photos, tears continued to roll down her cheeks. They looked so miserable, they were clearly in so much pain.

She couldn't even imagine what was going through their minds. As the got closer to the end, Minako gasped in shock as images of Jadeite appeared. "Oh…Kunzite," she mumbled.

Jadeite hands were tied above his head. Blood appeared to have been rolling down his forehead. His eyes appeared to be glossed over, almost like he was unconscious. Flipping to the last photo, Minako almost fell from her seat.

Feeling faint, she leaned against Kunzite for support.

"I think that's enough," Kunzite said.

"No!" Minako pulled the photo closer to her. Her tears clung to her lashes. "No," she placed her hands over her mouth. Trying to muffle her own cries, her vision became blurred.

She couldn't believe what she was seeing. After six months, she was finally seeing Rei… Her clothes had been ripped from her body, torn apart, her skin had red markings all over. Just like Jadeite, her eyes appeared glossed over. Her lips and fingers were bruised. She was lying on top of something, it looked like a blue tarp.

"Oh my god," Minako began to cry uncontrollably.

"That's enough," Kunzite shoved the photo away. "She's not looking at any more of these photos."

"Okay," Setsuna and Haruka nodded their heads. Closing the file, Setsuna looked over to Haruka and frowned.

"I'm sorry, Minako," Setsuna placed her hand over the younger woman's. "Clearly you knew that young woman."

"She's my best friend," Minako said in between sniffles. "She's been missing for the last six months, and I kept telling myself that she's still alive, but…"

"You don't know that," Haruka stopped Minako. "Jadeite is alive," She looked over to Kunzite before turning her attention back to Minako. Trying to reassure the younger woman, she said, "Rei could still be out there."

Minako nodded her head. "I hope I'm not too late," she began to cry again. "Please, Rei…" She placed her hands over her face and began to weep. "Please wait for me, I will find you."

apigrabbit: Oh my goodness! It feels like we're getting so close, yet we're still so far away ; n ; Well, not that far, but you know what I mean. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter :) Please leave some feed back, it is greatly appreciated.