Chapter 21

Through out the following week everyone seemed to get into their own groove. Zoisite and Ami text back and forth daily, discussing topics of interest, books they were reading, and sometimes Zoisite's journal entries. They hadn't seen each other, but at least it was a start, in both their eyes.

Nephrite would meet Makoto at the boxing gym everyday. They would spar for a few hours, helping each other strengthen their weaknesses, and better guard themselves. Afterwards they would go to the smoothie stand, and spend an hour or two just talking about life, hopes, dreams, and anything really.

Jadeite had found himself on the roof of Hikawa Shrine two more times that week. Once he sat on the roof, alone for several hours, just thinking. Once Rei joined him. They didn't really talk. She was just there.

Minako avoided everyone, and only left her apartment when she needed to. On Friday she met with her lawyer, to go over the paperwork she had received, and to start discussing the next step. Her lawyer felt that her parents didn't have a leg to stand on. He wanted to review the paperwork from previous to be sure. He also felt they may finally be able to counter sue. He would let her know at their next appointment, the following week.

She was thankful she saw none of the guys, especially Kunzite. She couldn't deal with him at the moment. She had also avoided the girls because she didn't want to hear about any of the guys. She knew that wouldn't last.

It was Saturday, and she was headed to Hikawa Shrine for a senshi meeting. Today Rei would tell the others about Minako's decision to temporarily step down as leader. They would also be told about her parents. She knew there would be questions, but she was as ready as she could be for them.

She slid into her spot at the table, with the other girls, and took a deep breath. She hoped they understood why she was doing this. Especially Artemis, as she hadn't told him about her stepping down. Rei cleared her throat, and started the meeting.

"Ok girls. I'm just going to jump right in to it. A decision was made earlier this week that you all need to be made aware of." Rei started, then looked at Minako who nodded.

"What's going on Rei?" Mako asked.

"Minako has decided to step down as leader, temporarily. In the meantime, I have stepped into her place. Nothing will change in how things are done, and our training. It was just felt, that for now, it would be best, for her, to let someone else take over." Rei informed them.

"Rei, how could you do that to her?" Luna asked, angrily.

"I didn't. She asked me to. Minako has a lot more going on her life right now than any of us knew about. It is causing her a great deal of distress. SHE felt it was in the best interest of herself, and us as a team, for her to step down, ONLY FOR NOW. While she deals with the issue. She felt that she was not in the right place to lead if a new enemy showed up, and that she could be a danger to us all if she tried. She asked me to explain everything to you all." Rei answered.

"Mina, what is going on?" Luna asked.

"Luna, Mina asked me to explain the whole of her situation right now because she is in such emotional upheaval that she felt it was better I explained. Mina, I did call Mamoru earlier this week, to get the rest of the details. I also talked to Usa. Ok?" Rei said. Minako just nodded.

"Is it Kunzite?" Mako asked.

"No. This has nothing to do with him. Let me start at the beginning. When Minako signed on as the actress and model Sailor V, at just shy of 13, her parents became her managers. Unbeknownst to Minako, they made sure the contract had them receiving 70% of her earnings. Standard for managers is 20%. They were living off her work, and robbing her blind. The 30% she earned went to her, but her parents had access to that as well since she was a minor. Minako was so young, she didn't know any different, and no one said anything. When the Star Lights were here Taiki offered to review her contract as he felt she was not being paid what she should be. He was the one to discover, and point out that they were taking advantage of her, and essentially stealing her earnings. She tried to talk to her parents about renegotiating her contract so that the majority of her earnings went to her, they refused. They claimed it was their just deserves for simply being her parents.

"When Mamoru returned, after Galaxia, she went to him for his suggestions on what to do. He took her to his lawyer. The three of them reviewed her contracts with the model agency, and production company. By her third meeting with the lawyer, it was decided she would fire her parents, renegotiate her contracts directly with both companies cutting her parents off from her earnings, and file for emancipation. She moved out the day she filed, with the help of Mamoru, and his accountant. When her parents were served they called Usa looking for Mina, and flipped out on Usa when she said Mina wasn't with her.

"For two years Mina's parents have left her alone, but I'm guessing the money they stole from her over the years, has finally run out. The day the guys showed up, she was served with legal papers. They are suing Mina for wrongful termination of their contract, and I'm guessing loss of money earned. Needless to say Mina's emotions are running very high right now."

"Oh my god! Mina, why didn't you tell us?" Ami asked.

"I was embarrassed. I'm supposed to be leader, and I wasn't smart enough to see I was being taken advantage of. I didn't want you questioning my ability to lead." Minako answered quietly.

"You were a child. You didn't know any better, and no body told you different. The execs at both agencies should have said something. They know the standard, but they did and said nothing. Besides, those are your parents. You're supposed to be able to trust them not to take advantage of you. None of this is your fault, and we would not have questioned you. We would have helped, and supported you." Ami stated.

"Yeah. You didn't have to go through that alone. Yes Mamoru helped you, as best he could, but we're your friends, your sisters, we would have been there for you. You could have moved in with me. I have that second bedroom. You wouldn't have been alone, and we could have split the cost instead of you trying to completely support yourself. Don't think I don't notice when money is tight for you." Makoto said.

"You could have moved in here, at the shrine with me and grandfather. That would have saved you a lot, and you wouldn't have been alone." Rei chipped in.

"Artemis, did you know about this?" Luna asked the male cat.

"I did." Artemis answered.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Luna questioned.

"I couldn't. I promised Mina I wouldn't." Artemis answered as he rubbed against Minako's chin.

"Yeah, but…"

"No Luna. This was not my story to tell. It was Mina's if, and when she was ready."

"So what are you going to do now, Mina?" Ami asked.

"I met with my lawyer yesterday. He is reviewing all of the paperwork from this, and the last time to make sure they don't have a case. He has already contacted the model agency, and production company to remind them that they legally cannot speak to my parents about my contracts. The lawyer has been my acting manager since this started, taking only 5%. Once he ensures my parents cannot do anything, he will send them a cease and desist letter. If they continue to push this, he will counter sue for lost and stolen wages for the 3 years they were my managers. He didn't before because I didn't want him to. I just wanted the whole thing over." Minako answered.

She felt like her heart was being ripped out all over again. She hated that they could still have this effect on her. She hated that they were trying to take advantage of her again. She had thought this was over 2 years ago, when she became emancipated. She felt like such a fool.

"Mina, you know none of this is your fault, right?" Ami asked gently.

"Ami, I was a fool. I trusted them to do right by me, and instead they took advantage of me." Minako answered, with tears in her eyes.

"You were just a child though." Ami said.

"It doesn't matter though. I was a fool. I trusted them, and they betrayed me. My own parents. Who does that to their own kid?" Minako asked angrily.

"Selfish, self centered people. Who care only for themselves. Having a child doesn't change that in their personality. I know this from experience." Rei said quietly.

"What do you mean, Rei?" Mako asked.

"My father is the same way. You all know he's a politician. He always has been. I told you all he brought me here after my mama died because he was so busy, and felt it better for me to be with grandfather because he could devote more time to me. Well that was a lie. My father never wanted me. I was only born because my mama threatened to leave him if he didn't give her a child, thus I was born. After she died, he dumped me here. I didn't hear from him or see him again until I was 14. I guess someone found out he had a kid, and he needed to look like a good family man. I received a phone call one day, from his secretary, demanding I attend some event for him. I went, was paraded around, given a list of answers I could give to questions asked. As soon as the event ended, I was sent back here. My father didn't interact with me. This went on for 2 years, until one day I went to him to try to get him to open up to me. To try to build a relationship with him, thinking we could be a family. That's when he told me he had never wanted me. He only got mama pregnant so she wouldn't leave as divorce would not look good for a politician. For 2 years he used me to make himself look good. That was the last event I went to for him. I have refused every demand since. He used me and took advantage of my thoughts that we could have a relationship, be a family." Rei explained.

"That's terrible Rei." Makoto said.

"I guess that explains the nights you would disappear without rhyme or reason." Ami said.

"Yeah. It's in the past now though. My point is, Mina, we understand, and you are not alone. We're here for you. Ok?" Rei stated.

Minako just nodded as she cried. It didn't take long to feel the warmth of 3 sets of arms wrapped tight around her.

"Ok. On to the rest of this meeting." Rei said.

For the next hour the girls discussed training schedules, and things they wanted to try. They also gossiped, and caught up. When the meeting was over, she was glad the guys weren't discussed. She didn't think she could handle it.