Shattered Ice: Super Sailor Mercury
Chapter 38
Nicole Mizuno smiled at her daughter Ami, sitting across from her at the younger woman's kitchen table. "The Three Light's concert?" she asked, taking the ticket.
"Haruka and Michiru are playing in the performance tomorrow," Setsuna explained, the tall woman actually looking a bit shy, "they got us free tickets."
"Would you mind if I brought someone?" Nicole asked, smiling slightly.
"No, I don't mind," Ami said, the blue haired young woman looking at her mother thoughtfully. "Have you met someone?" she asked curiously.
Nicole felt herself blushing a bit. "She's a friend of mine," Nicole answered firmly, "with a young niece. I thought they might enjoy the show."
"Here," Ami got two more tickets out and passed them over. "Maybe you could introduce us?" Ami asked, smiling.
Nicole sighed as she put the tickets away, "Is this payback for how I teased you over Setsuna?"
"A bit," Setsuna smiled impishly.
"Not really," Ami gave her lover a scolding look as she continued, "I'm just glad you've met someone, that's all."
"I have not met someone," Nicole said to them firmly, "at least not the way you mean." Even as she said it Nicole wondered if she was lying, considering how she felt when she was around the mysterious young woman.
"Fair enough," Setsuna conceded, smiling warmly. Changing the subject she continued, "Thank you for examining Iron Mouse, by the way."
"Hmm," Nicole nodded, frowning slightly.
A few days ago Ami had brought the strange grey haired girl into her office, where Nicole had given her a top to bottom examination. While she was healthy if a bit malnourished, Nicole had also found indications the girl wasn't really human. She had thought she had adapted to Ami's strange lifestyle, but the proof of inhuman life had shaken her a bit.
"My only serious concern at this point," Nicole admitted, "is how well she's metabolizing our foods. Keep a eye on her and let me know if she has any difficulty."
"You think there might be a problem?" Ami asked, frowning.
"To be honest I don't know," Nicole admitted. "Her body is very similar to ours, but there are a few notable differences. If her stomach doesn't work like ours does..."
"I see," Setsuna frowned thoughtfully.
Ami gave her lover a thoughtful look, "You know something, don't you?"
"Possibly," Setsuna admitted. Looking at Nicole she said, "As Sailor Senshi, our bodies have a remarkable degree of adaptability. Our systems can handle a much wider range of conditions than a normal humans. If that applies to Iron Mouse..."
"Then her body is already adapting to our environment," Nicole mused. Wryly she added, "Part of me wants to hustle one or more of you off to my lab for testing, but my more reasonable side doesn't think that'd be a good idea."
"Very bad idea," Ami grimaced.
Honestly, Nicole was also a bit disturbed by Setsuna referring to the Senshi as separate from humanity. 'Are they really that different?' she mused, 'And if so, what does that mean?'
"Hi Nicole," Usagi smiled, the little pink haired girl giving a shy smile as she walked by the table to the fridge.
"Hello," Nicole smiled, glad to see how happy the girl seemed. She strongly suspected the girl carried nearly as many psychological scars as Ami did, but both girls seemed to be recovering with the help of their friends.
"Don't forget your homework," Ami said as Usagi left carrying a glass of juice, "you're going to have a busy weekend, so you need to start on it today."
"Okay," Usagi smiled before hurrying off.
"You sounded very motherly there," Nicole complimented her with a slightly teasing smile.
Ami blushed while Setsuna chuckled softly. "I'm trying," Ami admitted, "though I really wonder sometimes if I'm doing a good job."
"That's true of all parents," Nicole told her.
"Very true," Setsuna agreed.
Nicole looked at her curiously and asked, "Did you, Haruka and Michiru have any problems taking care of Hotaru?"
"It was... interesting," Setsuna admitted, smiling.
They spent about a half hour trading child rearing stories, Ami blushing pink as her mother shared some rather embarrassing childhood escapades. Nicole had to fight back a grin, surprised at how fun it was teasing her daughter like this.
"You're having far too much fun with this,' Ami sighed at one point.
"Look on the bright side," Nicole patted her daughter's hand, "one day you'll get to embarrass little Usagi like this, too."
"Heh," Ami smiled slightly at that.
Checking the time and noticing it was getting on into the evening, Nicole got up. "I have to go," she said, leaning over to kiss Ami's cheek, "see you at the concert tomorrow?"
"We'll be there," Ami agreed.
"Have a good night," Setsuna said. She hesitated a moment and said, "I'd suggest getting home fairly quickly, tonight."
"Huh?" Nicole blinked.
Ami gave Setsuna a frown, then looked at her mother. "She's meddling again," she told her wryly, "but it should be fine."
As Nicole headed home she shook her head wryly. She really couldn't imagine coping with someone who had knowledge of the future, like Setsuna did. And who apparently could only manipulate that knowledge through subtle means like sending someone home early.
Nearing her town house Nicole slowed as she realized someone was waiting on the steps leading up to her home. The reddish brown haired woman looked up as Ami neared, the casually dressed lady smiling warmly as she got up.
"Kakyuu?" Nicole blinked, looking at her in confusion.
"Nicole," Kakyuu smiled, brushing at her skirt, "I'm sorry to intrude like this."
"No, it's all right," she said, then Nicole smiled down at the sleepy red haired girl beside her, "Hello, Chibi."
"Chibi" the girl said brightly.
"Come on inside," Nicole invited them, unlocking the door and waving both of them inside.
"Sorry for the intrusion," Kakyuu said sheepishly, putting Chibi-chibi on the couch, where the child almost instantly fell asleep.
"It's fine," Nicole said, sitting her down at the coffee table. Nervously she asked, "It isn't your wounds reopening...?"
"No, no," Kakyuu said quickly, "It's not that." She looked down sheepishly as she said, "It's a little hard to explain."
"Let me get you something," Nicole offered as she opened up the fridge and poured them each a glass of juice. Carrying the cups over she sat across from her as she gently asked, "What's wrong?"
Kakyuu looked deeply embarrassed, "I seem to be temporarily homeless. Could I ask you to keep Chibi chibi here overnight, while I deal with the situation?"
Nicole studied her a moment as she tried to put her thoughts in order. She had assumed that Kakyuu had shelter, which was clearly not the case. Just because she was clean and wore clean clothes didn't mean she was living rough, it just meant she was taking reasonable care of herself.
"Certainly," Nicole said, "but where will you be staying?"
Kakyuu waved that off, "I will find something."
Nicole hesitated, studying the attractive young woman who, honestly, fascinated her in a way Nicole couldn't explain. "Would I insult you in making a suggestion?" she asked, smiling.
Kakyuu smiled warmly, "I do not think you could insult me, Nicole."
Nicole smiled back as she said, "I may have mentioned my daughter in the past?" When Kakyuu nodded she continued, "She moved out not too long ago, and I haven't used her room for anything. You could borrow it for awhile..."
"Oh, no," Kakyuu said quickly, "I couldn't!"
"I'm certain you can take care of yourself," Nicole said quickly, "but what about Chibi chibi?"
Kakyuu opened her mouth to protest, then closed it with a snap. "That's fighting dirty," she said after a moment, frowning.
"I'm a mother," Nicole shrugged, "we tend to do that."
Kakyuu nodded, a slight smile teasing her lips as she said, "I suppose I cannot talk you out of this foolishness?"
"My mind is made up," Nicole said firmly, though she couldn't help smiling back.
She nodded then Kakyuu said, "Then I suppose I must accept." She took a deep breath, "My debt to you grows deeper and deeper. I fear I will never repay it."
"You don't need to," Nicole said honestly as she drank her juice, "I'm doing all this because I want to, Kakyuu."
"I know," Kakyuu smiled at her fondly, "which makes me think even better of you."
Nicole blushed, looking away. "We'd better get you ready for bed," she said briskly, "do you want Chibi chibi with you?"
"Of course," Kakyuu agreed, studying Nicole thoughtfully.
To be continued...
