Shattered Ice: Super Sailor Mercury
Chapter 58
Naru Osaka blinked as she read through the pile of briefing papers that Gurio Umino had put together for her.
"I think that covers everything," Umino noted.
"I think you went a little far in digging into Ami's life," Naru noted to her boyfriend, shaking her head.
"Can't be too thorough," Umino said.
"There's being thorough and going 'creepy stalker' dear," Naru said to him dryly, "and this is near stalker."
Umino just shrugged.
The file on Ami included photos, and Naru paused a moment looking at Ami. She hadn't changed much, yet somehow had also changed a great deal. The scar across her face was obvious, but less visible was the thousand yard stare...
"When was this taken?" Naru asked.
"A few months ago, not long after...," Umino trailed off.
"Hmm," Naru nodded.
Before they could continue their conversation, one of their classmates interrupted. "Do you two want to go over and see the Three Lights? A bunch of us are going," Yumiko smiled cheerfully, her long black hair shining.
"I thought they weren't your sort of thing?" Umino noted bluntly.
Yumiko blushed.
"Hey," Kuri, Yumiko's short haired friend, scowled at him.
"Sorry about him, he's tactless," Naru apologized. "I think we'll pass," she added.
"Okay," Yumiko said gently, "remember you're always welcome."
Everyone in class knew how close Naru and Usagi had been, and also were aware how her sudden death had hurt. On one hand Naru appreciated their kindness, on the other she did wish that everyone didn't know...
"We should get going," Umino noted, "we should get to the cafe early."
Naru got up, picking up her school bag. "Yes," she nodded, "let's go."
VERY quietly Umino murmured, "I still have a hard time accepting Usagi was Sailor Moon... and she's Sailor Mercury."
"Hmm," Naru nodded.
Frankly, Naru felt a little dumb not having put the clues together back then. She tended to blame it on disguise magic around the Sailors. But having Usagi and the others die, then having most of the Sailor Soldiers disappear? That broke through the magic...
"Are you going to tell her we know?" Umino added.
"I haven't decided yet," Naru admitted.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The Crown Arcade wasn't far from where they were meeting, which was a odd feeling for Ami Mizuno. She, Usagi, Rei, Makoto and Mina had spent a LOT of time around there, talking as Usagi and Mina played, mostly.
"You all right?" Setsuna asked quietly.
"Mostly," Ami mused, "I just... miss them. Still."
Setsuna kind of hugged her as they walked. After a moment she asked, "Have you decided what to tell her?"
"I don't think I'll bring up the Sailor Moon stuff," Ami admitted, "not unless it looks like she already knows."
"If you tell her, it makes it more likely she could deduce who Uranus, Neptune and Saturn are," Setsuna nodded slightly.
"Hopefully it won't come up," Ami added with a sigh.
They had planned to get to the cafe early, but apparently Naru and Umino had gotten there earlier. They were at a back table, which would offer some privacy.
"Over here," Naru waved. "I hope you don't mind Umino being along."
"It's fine," Ami nodded as they sat, "This is my friend, Setsuna. She's the school nurse, and helped counsel me after... well, everything."
"Hello," Setsuna nodded.
A cute waitress got their orders, then in a few minutes returned with cups of coffee and pastries for them all.
Naru nodded slightly. "Why did you just... vanish after the funeral?" she demanded.
Ami sighed. "Well, face wound," she gestured to the now faded slash across her face. She sighed as she admitted, "But yes... I couldn't stay surrounded by the reminders. So, I took the cowards way out and ran."
"I didn't... expect you to admit that," Naru said after a moment.
"I try to be reasonably self-aware," Ami shrugged slightly.
"What... happened, exactly?" Umino had to ask. "I mean the police report wasn't helpful."
"How did you see the police report?" Setsuna raised an eyebrow.
"Er..," he hesitated.
Ami remembered, "He's actually a decent computer hacker, actually." She addressed Umino, "I don't want to talk about it."
Naru gave Ami a sympathetic look, "It had to have been a horrible experience."
Ami sipped her coffee awkwardly.
"I understood the school did an event honoring Usagi and Makoto?" Setsunsa asked them after a moment.
"Hmm," Naru agreed, "It was a bit... well, everyone said nice things."
"I think everyone loved Usagi, but didn't really know her," Ami offered thoughtfully.
"Yeah," Umino agreed sadly.
There was a beat of silence then Naru directly asked, "Did the attack happen because you all were Sailor Senshi?" She looked over at Setsuna, "Sailor Pluto, I assume."
Setsuna looked over at Ami, who shrugged a little. She saw no point in denying it. "How long have you known?" she asked.
"I suspected before," Naru admitted, "I knew once the attack happened and Sailor Moon no longer appeared."
Ami nodded. "He was a alien, very powerful,"... Ami went on to tell about Fiore, his thinking (mistakenly) the Sailors were enemies and his attacking them with stunning force. Then Sailor Mercury killing him.
"Wow," Umino managed weakly.
"So... they died because of a mistake?" Naru blinked.
Ami nodded, "I was very angry at the universe in general after all that."
"Oh yes," Naru agreed.
They talked for while longer, then Naru got up. "I'd like to stay in touch," she said to them, "if that's all right?"
"I'd like that," Ami got out her phone, and they exchanged numbers.
"If there's anything we can do to help," Umino added a bit shyly.
"If so, we'll call," Ami nodded.
"It's been nice to meet you," Setsuna said mildly as they left.
Ami puffed out a breath as they walked out together. "That went better than I thought," she quietly admitted.
"You expected her to blame you?" Setsuna asked quietly.
"Something like that," Ami agreed.
Setsuna hugged her awkwardly.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
"What's wrong?" Kakyuu asked, watching Nicole fretfully pace in her office.
"Ami is going to see one of her old classmates, I'm concerned it won't go well," Nicole Mizuno quietly admitted.
"Um hmm," Kakyuu nodded.
"I want to phone and check up on her, but I'm afraid she'll feel it's intruding," Nicole added.
"I'm confused," Kakyuu noted.
"For awhile we were on fairly poor terms," Nicole admitted, "I did not take finding out she was Sailor Mercury well. Or her injury."
Kakyuu got up and took her hands, "I've seen Ami with you, you two are fine. Really."
Nicole puffed out a breath, "I'm worrying over nothing, aren't I?"
"No, you're just a Mother who loves her daughter," Kakyuu said.
"Chibi," Chibi Chibi noted.
"Gah!" Nicole jumped as the little girl had been down at the Hospital Daycare. "How does she DO that?!"
To be continued...
Notes: Yumiko and Kuri are background characters from Sailor Moon Crystal. Figured we should have some named characters. Ami blames herself somewhat, still, and has some guilt over it. I don't think canonly Naru knew Usagi was Sailor Moon, though it was sorta implied.
