Only note for this chapter: Ra'a is pronounced Ray-ah.
Sailor Chibi Kamen's Theatre presents:
Destiny Takes A Hand
chapter 5
Ruins
********************************************************************
Rei stuffed her hands deep into the pocket on the front
of her now-red sweatshirt. Her white running pants made a
swishing sound as she stalked the sidewalk away from the jinja.
The cold wind nearly froze her tears before they fell from her
eyes.
As her face was downturned, she almost didn't see him.
She noticed his shoes first, the same ratty sneakers she
always wore when he jogged.
Kami, iie. Not him. Not now.
Her eyes travelled slowly up his grey sweatpant-clad
legs, up his torso with the sweatshirt proclaiming 'Property
of Azabu High,' finally coming to rest on his face.
Kuso!
"Ohayo, Mamorusan." Her voice was hollow.
"Ohayo, Reichan." Mamoru flashed his lopsided smile.
Don't call me that! You haven't the right! Crystal
splinters pierced her heart.
"I was just on my way to the Jinja," he continued. "Usako
and I had plans for breakfast. She's not awake yet, is she?"
"Hai, she is." Her voice cracked.
"This early?" Mamoru clutched his chest, pretending to
have heart failure. "Will wonders never -- " he broke off
when he glimpsed her face. "Doushita no?"
"Nothing." She crossed her arms and turned her face away.
"Reichan, I can tell when you're lying. Dozo, tell me
what's wrong." Mamoru tipped her chin up with his index
finger. The strong emotions conflicting in her near-onyx eyes
confused him.
She looked into his eyes and nearly drowned in the blue
warmth. "You."
"Nani?"
"You are what's wrong with me. *You* are the reason I
hate myself enough to fuck every guy I date. *You* are why I
envy my best friend. *You* are one of the causes of my current
pain, and you are the last person I need to talk to right
now." Rei spoke slowly, struggling to hold back her tears.
She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of watching her
break down.
"Reichan .... " He stroked her tear-stained cheek.
She pulled back angrily. "Don't call me that!" she
exclaimed, voicing her earlier thought. "You are not my
friend."
"Reich ... san, I have *always* been your friend. That's
all we've ever been."
"Kamisama . . . you don't even remember, do you?" Her
voice trembled as realization dawned. "I really meant nothing
to you. I mean nothing. I am nothing."
"Rei, you are my friend. You are Sailormars. You are a
beautiful, intelligent, talented songwriter with a voice
like an angel. You are hardly nothing." Mamoru made the mistake
of petting her raven locks.
Rei's eyes flashed scarlet fire. "To you I was just
another conquest! Just another lay, another roll in the hay,"
she babbled musically. The strain of controlling her anger
began to show on her face. "You were my *first,* damn you!
You took my purity, my innocence, and you don't even remember?
Maybe *this* will help!" Rei telepathically forced her way into
Mamoru's psyche. In her anger she ripped through the carefully
erected barriers rather than slowly peeling them away. Painful
memories flooded his mind . . .
the car crashing through the guard rail . . .
his mother shielding him with her body . . .
the sickening crunch as her neck snapped . . .
his father impaled on the stickshift . . .
their unseeing, open eyes . . .
Mamoru remembered everything, and screamed from the very
depths of his soul.
Somewhere, in the midst of chaos, memories of their
night together returned.
Through the commotion, a golden voice made itself heard.
"Mamochan . . . focus on my voice. Don't lose yourself in the
past."
"Usako?" He concentrated, and suddenly she was before
him. She glowed with a silver light -- the light of the ginzuishou.
He took her outstretched hand and the light flowed through him,
purging his mind.
" How could you?" a voice hissed from the shadows. "How
*dare* you deny me this! He *must* remember!" I need him to
remember!
"Out." So they came to be on the sidewalk, the three who
loved each other to such extremes. Usagi knelt on the ground,
cradling her love's head in her lap. Less than a yard in front
of her stood her beloved friend, floating slightly on the hot
wind she created. The air around Rei blurred with the intense
heat.
"You bitch!" Rei spat venomously. "You won't *let* him
remember!"
" Reisan, onegai, yamete. You don't know what you're doing.
You could have killed him."
"Rei *san*? Are we no longer friends?" Scarlet flame lit
her eyes.
"Wakataimasen. I don't know who you are right now. Rei,
look at him. Look what your anger has done." Usagi turned
Mamoru's face up so that Rei could see him. His unseeing eyes
looked almost black, for his pupils were fixed and dilated.
A thin stream of saliva ran from the side of his mouth and
dripped to the ground.
Sickened at what she had done, Rei backed away. Floating
on a cushion of air she was unable to feel the height difference
between curb and street. She saw Usagi's eyes go wide in terror
as she mouthed her name and stretched out her arm. Through
the blood rushing in her ears, she did not hear the horn blare,
or the tires screech. She did not feel the car hit the super-
heated air around her, nor did she feel the flames as the
car exploded.
Gasping for breath, Rei became aware of the imminent
danger to her hime and many innocents. She attempted to reign
in the out-of-control conflagration. It was too much and she
was overcome. Her silken tresses caught first, burning like a
fuse. Then her clothes caught. She screamed as her nylon pants
melted onto her legs.
Usagi remained motionless, frozen in shock.
"SHABON SPRAY!" The flames were snuffed by Mercury's
quick attack. She ran to the still form, activating her visor
as she went, smooth as her namesake. Jupiter and Venus,
following close on her heels, ran to their princess and her
consort.
"How is he?" Venus inquired. "Will he be okay?"
"Hai," Usagi replied. "How --"
"We all felt that. It was almost like she drew her
strength from us," Jupiter stated.
"Anything's possible," Usagi shrugged. "Mercury, how is
she?"
"Oh, just fine, aside from nearly every bone being crushed
and third-degree burns covering her body." Mercury was torn up
with guilt over her earlier conversation with Rei. Her words
came out harsher than she meant them to, and Usagi burst into
a high-pitched wail.
As Jupiter comforted Usagi, Venus walked up behind Mercury.
She laid her hand on the ice senshi's shoulder. "Amichan,
it's not your fault. Nothing you said to her --"
"I practically called her a slut, Minachan." Her blue
eyes filled with tears.
"Ya, well, I did. We were all pretty hard on her. It
still doesn't excuse what she did.
"Seriously, how is she?"
"See for yourself."
Sailorvenus finally dared to glance over her teammate's
shoulder. The battle-hardened warrior was unprepared for the
sight that lay before her.
In a shallow crater were the fragmented remains of a
car, smoke rising from the still hot carcass. In the center
of the rubble was a dark mass which mewled softly in agony.
The blackened, oozing lump of charcoal bore little resemblance
to anything human. Bits of white bone, tipped red with blood,
jutted through various punctures on her body. Her limbs lay
at impossible angles. Vitreous humor ran tearlike from her
eye, mingling with the blood from her shattered, flattened
nose. A faint rattle came from her throat as she struggled to
breathe through seared, blood-filled lungs. With a clatter her
henshin pen fell from her hand.
"Oh, Reichan . . . ." Mina whispered, her light eyes
watering.
A siren was heard, heralding an ambulance's arrival. A
small crowd was gathering, so Ami pocketed Rei's transformation
wand. "I'll hold this for you, ne?" she whispered. She turned
to Mina. "Venus, a little crowd control. . . ?"
Quickly Venus composed herself and began directing the
onlookers. "Ok, people! Let's clear the way so the paramedics
can get through, ne? Arigato gozaimashita, minna!"
In the meantime, Sailorjupiter carried a barely conscious
Mamoru to the roof of a nearby building. "You'll be safe here,
for now. I'll be right back. I just have to check on the others."
"Makochan, what happened?" Mamoru forced out through dry,
cracked lips.
Makoto just shook her head sadly before leaping to the
sidewalk below. She went up to Usagi, who still knelt on the
concrete. "Miss, you're her friend, ne? You'll have to go with
them to fill out the report," she said, pretending not to know
her.
"Nani? Makochan, doush. . . oh. Hai, Jupitersan. Arigato."
She rose and walked towards the ambulance.
By now the paramedics were carefully securing Rei's
broken body to a board so they could move her. One of them
tried to insert an I.V. into her arm, causing her to shriek
in excruciating pain. Her eyes flew open, revealing that her
left eye had imploded from the force of the explosion. Her
right eye darted blindly, scarred beyond use.
"Iie! 'Neechan. . . !" Usagi had crept up behind the EMT's
as they ministered to the horribly injured girl. This was her
first glimpse of her soul-sister's injuries. As much as she
wanted to run, she knew Rei needed her. Tenderly, gingerly,
she took the miko's hand in her own. The stiff, blistered
fingers tried vainly to return the gesture.
A female EMT, in her mid thirties with brown hair and
eyes, laid her hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Is this your sister,
dear?"
"Sort of. . . my best friend, actually. But I saw
everything and I know all her information."
"Then you'll have to come with us. Demo, for now, you must
step back so we can load the ambulance."
Usagi complied, staring in amazement as she did so. Almost
imperceptibly, Rei stuck out the tip of her tongue and held
it there until she was sure it had caught her imouto's eye.
Usagi laughed as tears of relief spilled from her eyes. She
knew, deep in her heart, that Rei would be ok.
************
Dr. Mizuno pulled off her final set of gloves and dropped
them in the trash receptacle. "Well, that's the last one for
me tonight. See you tomorrow, minna."
"Sayonara, Mizunosama," the desk nurse said from her post.
"O daijini."
The ambulance entrance flew open. A gurney was quickly
wheeled in, surrounded by four EMT's and one blonde teen with
familiar pigtails. Usagichan?! What's she doing here?
"Tsukino Usagi!" she called out.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Mizunosan." Usagi stopped as Ami's
mother hurried toward her.
"What happened?"
"There was an accident. A car hit Reichan, and she was
caught in the explosion," Usagi stated. She was far too calm.
Explosion? From hitting someone? From hitting. . . The
doctor's mind worked quickly. "Reisan? That was . . . My God!
I'll take care of her, Usagichan. Has her Ojiisan been told?"
"Iie, he and Kumadasan are away. Another spiritual
journey, you know?"
"Then contact her father. She's still a minor so we need
his consent for anything beyond basic life saving procedures.
"Don't worry, Usagichan. I'll make sure she's all right."
"Hai, wakataimasu, Mizunosan. I'll try to get her otosan."
Usagi walked to the payphone and dialed Rei's private number.
"Moshi moshi?" a male voice answered.
"Maskun? It's Usagi. Get to the hospital right away.
Rei's been in an accident and she's badly hurt."
"Nani? I'll be right there. I have a number here for
Ojiisama. Do you want me to call him?"
"Iie, it's better if I do it. See if you can find a number
for her father, ne?"
"Have you tried to reach him through his office? For an
emergency, I'm sure they can reach him at home."
"Ara, you're right!" Usagi snapped her fingers. "I've got
lots of forms to fill out. Ja." She hung up the phone and then
dialed information. "Hai, I need the number for Representative
Hino's office? Arigato." The connection was made automatically.
"Representative Hino's office. There is no one here at
this time." a recording spoke. "Please leave your message at
the tone."
Shimatta!"Ohayo, watashi no namae ha Tsukino Usagi.
I have to get a hold of Hinosama. There is an emergency regarding
his daughter. I can be reached at-"
'CLICK'
"Matte! I'm here!" A woman picked up the receiver. "Azuka
Mei, head of campaign affairs. You said you had an emergency.
Who are you?"
"I'm a friend of Hinosama's daughter, Rei. She's been in
an accident. He needs to get to the hospital right away."
"If this is a prank, it is not funny."
"It's no joke, I assure you. Representative Hino met me
the other day, so be sure to tell him my name. He'll remember
me. I have to go now. I'm out of--" the phone went dead in
Usagi's hand. I hope that was enough. Still dazed, she walked
to the nearest chair and collapsed.
Ami, Mako, and Mina rushed through the emergency room
entrance, looks ranging from mild panic (Ami), to near hysteria
(Mina) on their faces. They sat down around Usagi.
"Any word?" Mako inquired.
Usagi shook her head. "Ami, your mom's with her."
Ami looked at the clock. "Her shift was over forty
minutes ago."
"That probably explains why her coat was on," Usagi
mused. "She saw us come in, and when I told her what happened
she told me not to worry because she would take care of her."
Ami nodded. "That sounds like Okaasan, ever the workaholic.
Demo, she's the best in the hospital. Reichan's in good hands."
**********
Masazumi arrived, marking an hour. Still there was no
word on Rei's condition.
"Minna, you may not believe this, but as I was leaving
the phone rang. It was someone named Yuuichiro. He told me to
give you a message: Ojiisama had a vision and is on his way
here. Under *no* circumstance is her father to be contacted."
Usagi groaned. "Kuso! I called his office right after I
got off the phone with you. Then again, the woman I spoke to
thought I was joking at first. Maybe they won't give him the
message."
They sat in nearly complete silence for the next hour.
Then there was a commotion at the desk.
"I *demand* to know, *where* is my *daughter*?!"
"Is that him, Usachan?" Minako turned to her.
"Hai. I don't think he's in a good mood, either."
Rep. Hino had, by this time, spotted the small gathering.
He recognized the blonde girl with 'that strange hair style'
from the other day and knew she was the one who had called. He
made his way to the group.
"Ohayo, minna. Tsukinosan, arigato. I can't believe none
of the staff here tried to call me!" He was livid with rage.
"Perhaps that's because we were all so busy trying to
save your daughter's life?" Dr. Mizuno said softly, announcing
her presence. "You should sit, Hinosama. What I have to say
isn't pleasant. I'm at a loss how to explain....To be honest,
it's a miracle Rei survived at all. She has third degree burns
over 98% of her body. Her lungs are scarred from the heat and
smoke inhalation. There may be some brain damage from oxygen
depravation. Every bone in her body was shattered. She has
three skull fractures through which her brain was trying to
leak. Her back is broken. Finally, she has slipped into a
coma.
"If Rei lives, she will be blind and paraplegic. It is
however, unlikely that she will live through the night. We
have done all that we can, as doctors. All you can do now is
pray.
"Hinosama, I must ask you a difficult question...alone."
She gestured towards the door. He slowly got up on unsteady
legs and went to the office. Through the window they could
see his shoulders slump.
Ami paled noticeably.
"Amichan, what else is there to say? She didn't leave
much out, if anything," Mako said, puzzled.
Amy took a deep breath to steady herself, as she would
do in the future before bearing bad tidings. She looked at
her friends, seeing her own anguish mirrored in their faces.
Their eyes pled with her, 'Tell us she's wrong. Tell us
she's going to be fine, it's all a joke. Tell us *anything*
other than the truth.' A tear rolled down her cheek. "Minna,
Rei is on life support. Her father has the right to terminate
it." Mina and Mako began to softly cry. Mas and Ami moved
to comfort them. None of them noticed Usagi get up and go
through the door marked "Medical Personnel Only.'
**********
The subconscious is a dark place where the lost go to
further become lost. Images flicker and fade, facets of the
person revealing themselves briefly to one another.
There is a flare in the darkness as a being of fire
appears. It is immediately surrounded by other figures. One
is a child no more than five years of age with braided
pigtails and flames for eyes. Another, a veiled figure,
dressed in the white robes of mourning; the last to appear
is a toned warrior about 19 years old, wearing the Mars fuku.
The child speaks first. "You really fucked up this time,
firechild."
The flames snuff out, revealing 17 year old Rei, wearing
a red leather minidress. Her lips and nails are the same
scarlet shade. "Don't start, Chibi. You're hardly one to talk.
Did Ojiichan ever find out how the old sanctuary caught fire?"
Chibi bit her bottom lip and clutched her hands behind her back.
The Warrior speaks, yet her lips do not move. "You
betrayed your friend's trust. Worse, you betrayed the princess
and reneged your oath to protect her and her prince."
"An oath *you* took, not I, Ra'a. A duty *I* never asked
for."
"A duty you never denied, either."
"What about the oaths you *did* take? What about your
duty to the kami, to the jinja?" The Maiden speaks. "You are
betraying yourself and all you believe in."
"I have been betrayed time and time again by family and
friends. It's time to give some back!"
Chibi: "How were you betrayed? By Okaasan's death?"
Warrior: "By Hime's love? By the other senshi's friendship?"
Maiden: "By Ojiichan's selfishness? By Yuuichiro's sacrifices?"
Firechild:"By being born! I never asked for, never wanted
this life! I never wanted to be a miko, yet I am. I never
wanted to be a senshi, yet I am. I never wanted any of this!"
Maiden :"Yet these responsibilities *are* yours. You
cannot simply shirk them!"
Warrior:"You would not let Sailormoon give up. Are you
such a hypocrite that you now will?"
Chibi:"You are the senshi's passion. They will forgive you!"
Firechild: "If you are so anxious, you go. I've suffered
enough."
The Maiden and the Child fade into the warrior. She faces
the Firechild. "You are right. You have suffered enough. Let
me take the pain." She holds out her hand, palm up. The
firechild places her hand in the warrior's. A red-orange glow,
like flames, suffuses over them both.
The glow fades to reveal Mars' fuku, but not as we know
it. The red collar is shorter, with no bow. Instead the front
plunges in a deep V that ends just below her breastbone. The
backbow is purple and smaller. She retains her trademark high
heels, gloves, and tiara.
Ra'a, last of the royal family of Mars, opens her
determined onyx eyes. I have not forgotten myself, or my duty.
Ren...I will come back to you....
********************************************************************
Don't try to call
There are some bridges that burn
Beyond recognition beyond repair
Don't say you've changed
There are some forces that turn
Beyond recollection beyond my stare
When I feel the cold in the dark
I know you're there
Long ago
I was a woman in pain
A woman in need
I ran to you
Long ago
I did not understand
You were making me bleed
I ran to you
When I feel the cold in the dark
I know what you do
CHORUS:
I will crawl through my past
Over stones blood and glass
In the ruins
Reaching under the fence
As I try to make sense
In the ruins
I know your heart has held its own fear
It's perfectly clear
What they did to you
In my heart
It's screaming I hear
I won't let them come near
Since my love knew you
When I feel the cold in the dark
I remember you
Night after night
I am carving it out
I will carry out down to the waterside
Night after night
I am hearing the sound
Of wings that come beating
I will not hide
When I feel the cold in the dark
I will know why
But if I am to heal
I must first learn to feel
In the ruins
I will crawl
M. Etheridge
**********
A red curtain covered with lavender roses comes down, closing the theatre.
Ja mata, minna. O daijini.
Sailor Chibi Kamen's Theatre presents:
Destiny Takes A Hand
chapter 5
Ruins
********************************************************************
Rei stuffed her hands deep into the pocket on the front
of her now-red sweatshirt. Her white running pants made a
swishing sound as she stalked the sidewalk away from the jinja.
The cold wind nearly froze her tears before they fell from her
eyes.
As her face was downturned, she almost didn't see him.
She noticed his shoes first, the same ratty sneakers she
always wore when he jogged.
Kami, iie. Not him. Not now.
Her eyes travelled slowly up his grey sweatpant-clad
legs, up his torso with the sweatshirt proclaiming 'Property
of Azabu High,' finally coming to rest on his face.
Kuso!
"Ohayo, Mamorusan." Her voice was hollow.
"Ohayo, Reichan." Mamoru flashed his lopsided smile.
Don't call me that! You haven't the right! Crystal
splinters pierced her heart.
"I was just on my way to the Jinja," he continued. "Usako
and I had plans for breakfast. She's not awake yet, is she?"
"Hai, she is." Her voice cracked.
"This early?" Mamoru clutched his chest, pretending to
have heart failure. "Will wonders never -- " he broke off
when he glimpsed her face. "Doushita no?"
"Nothing." She crossed her arms and turned her face away.
"Reichan, I can tell when you're lying. Dozo, tell me
what's wrong." Mamoru tipped her chin up with his index
finger. The strong emotions conflicting in her near-onyx eyes
confused him.
She looked into his eyes and nearly drowned in the blue
warmth. "You."
"Nani?"
"You are what's wrong with me. *You* are the reason I
hate myself enough to fuck every guy I date. *You* are why I
envy my best friend. *You* are one of the causes of my current
pain, and you are the last person I need to talk to right
now." Rei spoke slowly, struggling to hold back her tears.
She wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of watching her
break down.
"Reichan .... " He stroked her tear-stained cheek.
She pulled back angrily. "Don't call me that!" she
exclaimed, voicing her earlier thought. "You are not my
friend."
"Reich ... san, I have *always* been your friend. That's
all we've ever been."
"Kamisama . . . you don't even remember, do you?" Her
voice trembled as realization dawned. "I really meant nothing
to you. I mean nothing. I am nothing."
"Rei, you are my friend. You are Sailormars. You are a
beautiful, intelligent, talented songwriter with a voice
like an angel. You are hardly nothing." Mamoru made the mistake
of petting her raven locks.
Rei's eyes flashed scarlet fire. "To you I was just
another conquest! Just another lay, another roll in the hay,"
she babbled musically. The strain of controlling her anger
began to show on her face. "You were my *first,* damn you!
You took my purity, my innocence, and you don't even remember?
Maybe *this* will help!" Rei telepathically forced her way into
Mamoru's psyche. In her anger she ripped through the carefully
erected barriers rather than slowly peeling them away. Painful
memories flooded his mind . . .
the car crashing through the guard rail . . .
his mother shielding him with her body . . .
the sickening crunch as her neck snapped . . .
his father impaled on the stickshift . . .
their unseeing, open eyes . . .
Mamoru remembered everything, and screamed from the very
depths of his soul.
Somewhere, in the midst of chaos, memories of their
night together returned.
Through the commotion, a golden voice made itself heard.
"Mamochan . . . focus on my voice. Don't lose yourself in the
past."
"Usako?" He concentrated, and suddenly she was before
him. She glowed with a silver light -- the light of the ginzuishou.
He took her outstretched hand and the light flowed through him,
purging his mind.
" How could you?" a voice hissed from the shadows. "How
*dare* you deny me this! He *must* remember!" I need him to
remember!
"Out." So they came to be on the sidewalk, the three who
loved each other to such extremes. Usagi knelt on the ground,
cradling her love's head in her lap. Less than a yard in front
of her stood her beloved friend, floating slightly on the hot
wind she created. The air around Rei blurred with the intense
heat.
"You bitch!" Rei spat venomously. "You won't *let* him
remember!"
" Reisan, onegai, yamete. You don't know what you're doing.
You could have killed him."
"Rei *san*? Are we no longer friends?" Scarlet flame lit
her eyes.
"Wakataimasen. I don't know who you are right now. Rei,
look at him. Look what your anger has done." Usagi turned
Mamoru's face up so that Rei could see him. His unseeing eyes
looked almost black, for his pupils were fixed and dilated.
A thin stream of saliva ran from the side of his mouth and
dripped to the ground.
Sickened at what she had done, Rei backed away. Floating
on a cushion of air she was unable to feel the height difference
between curb and street. She saw Usagi's eyes go wide in terror
as she mouthed her name and stretched out her arm. Through
the blood rushing in her ears, she did not hear the horn blare,
or the tires screech. She did not feel the car hit the super-
heated air around her, nor did she feel the flames as the
car exploded.
Gasping for breath, Rei became aware of the imminent
danger to her hime and many innocents. She attempted to reign
in the out-of-control conflagration. It was too much and she
was overcome. Her silken tresses caught first, burning like a
fuse. Then her clothes caught. She screamed as her nylon pants
melted onto her legs.
Usagi remained motionless, frozen in shock.
"SHABON SPRAY!" The flames were snuffed by Mercury's
quick attack. She ran to the still form, activating her visor
as she went, smooth as her namesake. Jupiter and Venus,
following close on her heels, ran to their princess and her
consort.
"How is he?" Venus inquired. "Will he be okay?"
"Hai," Usagi replied. "How --"
"We all felt that. It was almost like she drew her
strength from us," Jupiter stated.
"Anything's possible," Usagi shrugged. "Mercury, how is
she?"
"Oh, just fine, aside from nearly every bone being crushed
and third-degree burns covering her body." Mercury was torn up
with guilt over her earlier conversation with Rei. Her words
came out harsher than she meant them to, and Usagi burst into
a high-pitched wail.
As Jupiter comforted Usagi, Venus walked up behind Mercury.
She laid her hand on the ice senshi's shoulder. "Amichan,
it's not your fault. Nothing you said to her --"
"I practically called her a slut, Minachan." Her blue
eyes filled with tears.
"Ya, well, I did. We were all pretty hard on her. It
still doesn't excuse what she did.
"Seriously, how is she?"
"See for yourself."
Sailorvenus finally dared to glance over her teammate's
shoulder. The battle-hardened warrior was unprepared for the
sight that lay before her.
In a shallow crater were the fragmented remains of a
car, smoke rising from the still hot carcass. In the center
of the rubble was a dark mass which mewled softly in agony.
The blackened, oozing lump of charcoal bore little resemblance
to anything human. Bits of white bone, tipped red with blood,
jutted through various punctures on her body. Her limbs lay
at impossible angles. Vitreous humor ran tearlike from her
eye, mingling with the blood from her shattered, flattened
nose. A faint rattle came from her throat as she struggled to
breathe through seared, blood-filled lungs. With a clatter her
henshin pen fell from her hand.
"Oh, Reichan . . . ." Mina whispered, her light eyes
watering.
A siren was heard, heralding an ambulance's arrival. A
small crowd was gathering, so Ami pocketed Rei's transformation
wand. "I'll hold this for you, ne?" she whispered. She turned
to Mina. "Venus, a little crowd control. . . ?"
Quickly Venus composed herself and began directing the
onlookers. "Ok, people! Let's clear the way so the paramedics
can get through, ne? Arigato gozaimashita, minna!"
In the meantime, Sailorjupiter carried a barely conscious
Mamoru to the roof of a nearby building. "You'll be safe here,
for now. I'll be right back. I just have to check on the others."
"Makochan, what happened?" Mamoru forced out through dry,
cracked lips.
Makoto just shook her head sadly before leaping to the
sidewalk below. She went up to Usagi, who still knelt on the
concrete. "Miss, you're her friend, ne? You'll have to go with
them to fill out the report," she said, pretending not to know
her.
"Nani? Makochan, doush. . . oh. Hai, Jupitersan. Arigato."
She rose and walked towards the ambulance.
By now the paramedics were carefully securing Rei's
broken body to a board so they could move her. One of them
tried to insert an I.V. into her arm, causing her to shriek
in excruciating pain. Her eyes flew open, revealing that her
left eye had imploded from the force of the explosion. Her
right eye darted blindly, scarred beyond use.
"Iie! 'Neechan. . . !" Usagi had crept up behind the EMT's
as they ministered to the horribly injured girl. This was her
first glimpse of her soul-sister's injuries. As much as she
wanted to run, she knew Rei needed her. Tenderly, gingerly,
she took the miko's hand in her own. The stiff, blistered
fingers tried vainly to return the gesture.
A female EMT, in her mid thirties with brown hair and
eyes, laid her hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Is this your sister,
dear?"
"Sort of. . . my best friend, actually. But I saw
everything and I know all her information."
"Then you'll have to come with us. Demo, for now, you must
step back so we can load the ambulance."
Usagi complied, staring in amazement as she did so. Almost
imperceptibly, Rei stuck out the tip of her tongue and held
it there until she was sure it had caught her imouto's eye.
Usagi laughed as tears of relief spilled from her eyes. She
knew, deep in her heart, that Rei would be ok.
************
Dr. Mizuno pulled off her final set of gloves and dropped
them in the trash receptacle. "Well, that's the last one for
me tonight. See you tomorrow, minna."
"Sayonara, Mizunosama," the desk nurse said from her post.
"O daijini."
The ambulance entrance flew open. A gurney was quickly
wheeled in, surrounded by four EMT's and one blonde teen with
familiar pigtails. Usagichan?! What's she doing here?
"Tsukino Usagi!" she called out.
"Ohayo gozaimasu, Mizunosan." Usagi stopped as Ami's
mother hurried toward her.
"What happened?"
"There was an accident. A car hit Reichan, and she was
caught in the explosion," Usagi stated. She was far too calm.
Explosion? From hitting someone? From hitting. . . The
doctor's mind worked quickly. "Reisan? That was . . . My God!
I'll take care of her, Usagichan. Has her Ojiisan been told?"
"Iie, he and Kumadasan are away. Another spiritual
journey, you know?"
"Then contact her father. She's still a minor so we need
his consent for anything beyond basic life saving procedures.
"Don't worry, Usagichan. I'll make sure she's all right."
"Hai, wakataimasu, Mizunosan. I'll try to get her otosan."
Usagi walked to the payphone and dialed Rei's private number.
"Moshi moshi?" a male voice answered.
"Maskun? It's Usagi. Get to the hospital right away.
Rei's been in an accident and she's badly hurt."
"Nani? I'll be right there. I have a number here for
Ojiisama. Do you want me to call him?"
"Iie, it's better if I do it. See if you can find a number
for her father, ne?"
"Have you tried to reach him through his office? For an
emergency, I'm sure they can reach him at home."
"Ara, you're right!" Usagi snapped her fingers. "I've got
lots of forms to fill out. Ja." She hung up the phone and then
dialed information. "Hai, I need the number for Representative
Hino's office? Arigato." The connection was made automatically.
"Representative Hino's office. There is no one here at
this time." a recording spoke. "Please leave your message at
the tone."
Shimatta!"Ohayo, watashi no namae ha Tsukino Usagi.
I have to get a hold of Hinosama. There is an emergency regarding
his daughter. I can be reached at-"
'CLICK'
"Matte! I'm here!" A woman picked up the receiver. "Azuka
Mei, head of campaign affairs. You said you had an emergency.
Who are you?"
"I'm a friend of Hinosama's daughter, Rei. She's been in
an accident. He needs to get to the hospital right away."
"If this is a prank, it is not funny."
"It's no joke, I assure you. Representative Hino met me
the other day, so be sure to tell him my name. He'll remember
me. I have to go now. I'm out of--" the phone went dead in
Usagi's hand. I hope that was enough. Still dazed, she walked
to the nearest chair and collapsed.
Ami, Mako, and Mina rushed through the emergency room
entrance, looks ranging from mild panic (Ami), to near hysteria
(Mina) on their faces. They sat down around Usagi.
"Any word?" Mako inquired.
Usagi shook her head. "Ami, your mom's with her."
Ami looked at the clock. "Her shift was over forty
minutes ago."
"That probably explains why her coat was on," Usagi
mused. "She saw us come in, and when I told her what happened
she told me not to worry because she would take care of her."
Ami nodded. "That sounds like Okaasan, ever the workaholic.
Demo, she's the best in the hospital. Reichan's in good hands."
**********
Masazumi arrived, marking an hour. Still there was no
word on Rei's condition.
"Minna, you may not believe this, but as I was leaving
the phone rang. It was someone named Yuuichiro. He told me to
give you a message: Ojiisama had a vision and is on his way
here. Under *no* circumstance is her father to be contacted."
Usagi groaned. "Kuso! I called his office right after I
got off the phone with you. Then again, the woman I spoke to
thought I was joking at first. Maybe they won't give him the
message."
They sat in nearly complete silence for the next hour.
Then there was a commotion at the desk.
"I *demand* to know, *where* is my *daughter*?!"
"Is that him, Usachan?" Minako turned to her.
"Hai. I don't think he's in a good mood, either."
Rep. Hino had, by this time, spotted the small gathering.
He recognized the blonde girl with 'that strange hair style'
from the other day and knew she was the one who had called. He
made his way to the group.
"Ohayo, minna. Tsukinosan, arigato. I can't believe none
of the staff here tried to call me!" He was livid with rage.
"Perhaps that's because we were all so busy trying to
save your daughter's life?" Dr. Mizuno said softly, announcing
her presence. "You should sit, Hinosama. What I have to say
isn't pleasant. I'm at a loss how to explain....To be honest,
it's a miracle Rei survived at all. She has third degree burns
over 98% of her body. Her lungs are scarred from the heat and
smoke inhalation. There may be some brain damage from oxygen
depravation. Every bone in her body was shattered. She has
three skull fractures through which her brain was trying to
leak. Her back is broken. Finally, she has slipped into a
coma.
"If Rei lives, she will be blind and paraplegic. It is
however, unlikely that she will live through the night. We
have done all that we can, as doctors. All you can do now is
pray.
"Hinosama, I must ask you a difficult question...alone."
She gestured towards the door. He slowly got up on unsteady
legs and went to the office. Through the window they could
see his shoulders slump.
Ami paled noticeably.
"Amichan, what else is there to say? She didn't leave
much out, if anything," Mako said, puzzled.
Amy took a deep breath to steady herself, as she would
do in the future before bearing bad tidings. She looked at
her friends, seeing her own anguish mirrored in their faces.
Their eyes pled with her, 'Tell us she's wrong. Tell us
she's going to be fine, it's all a joke. Tell us *anything*
other than the truth.' A tear rolled down her cheek. "Minna,
Rei is on life support. Her father has the right to terminate
it." Mina and Mako began to softly cry. Mas and Ami moved
to comfort them. None of them noticed Usagi get up and go
through the door marked "Medical Personnel Only.'
**********
The subconscious is a dark place where the lost go to
further become lost. Images flicker and fade, facets of the
person revealing themselves briefly to one another.
There is a flare in the darkness as a being of fire
appears. It is immediately surrounded by other figures. One
is a child no more than five years of age with braided
pigtails and flames for eyes. Another, a veiled figure,
dressed in the white robes of mourning; the last to appear
is a toned warrior about 19 years old, wearing the Mars fuku.
The child speaks first. "You really fucked up this time,
firechild."
The flames snuff out, revealing 17 year old Rei, wearing
a red leather minidress. Her lips and nails are the same
scarlet shade. "Don't start, Chibi. You're hardly one to talk.
Did Ojiichan ever find out how the old sanctuary caught fire?"
Chibi bit her bottom lip and clutched her hands behind her back.
The Warrior speaks, yet her lips do not move. "You
betrayed your friend's trust. Worse, you betrayed the princess
and reneged your oath to protect her and her prince."
"An oath *you* took, not I, Ra'a. A duty *I* never asked
for."
"A duty you never denied, either."
"What about the oaths you *did* take? What about your
duty to the kami, to the jinja?" The Maiden speaks. "You are
betraying yourself and all you believe in."
"I have been betrayed time and time again by family and
friends. It's time to give some back!"
Chibi: "How were you betrayed? By Okaasan's death?"
Warrior: "By Hime's love? By the other senshi's friendship?"
Maiden: "By Ojiichan's selfishness? By Yuuichiro's sacrifices?"
Firechild:"By being born! I never asked for, never wanted
this life! I never wanted to be a miko, yet I am. I never
wanted to be a senshi, yet I am. I never wanted any of this!"
Maiden :"Yet these responsibilities *are* yours. You
cannot simply shirk them!"
Warrior:"You would not let Sailormoon give up. Are you
such a hypocrite that you now will?"
Chibi:"You are the senshi's passion. They will forgive you!"
Firechild: "If you are so anxious, you go. I've suffered
enough."
The Maiden and the Child fade into the warrior. She faces
the Firechild. "You are right. You have suffered enough. Let
me take the pain." She holds out her hand, palm up. The
firechild places her hand in the warrior's. A red-orange glow,
like flames, suffuses over them both.
The glow fades to reveal Mars' fuku, but not as we know
it. The red collar is shorter, with no bow. Instead the front
plunges in a deep V that ends just below her breastbone. The
backbow is purple and smaller. She retains her trademark high
heels, gloves, and tiara.
Ra'a, last of the royal family of Mars, opens her
determined onyx eyes. I have not forgotten myself, or my duty.
Ren...I will come back to you....
********************************************************************
Don't try to call
There are some bridges that burn
Beyond recognition beyond repair
Don't say you've changed
There are some forces that turn
Beyond recollection beyond my stare
When I feel the cold in the dark
I know you're there
Long ago
I was a woman in pain
A woman in need
I ran to you
Long ago
I did not understand
You were making me bleed
I ran to you
When I feel the cold in the dark
I know what you do
CHORUS:
I will crawl through my past
Over stones blood and glass
In the ruins
Reaching under the fence
As I try to make sense
In the ruins
I know your heart has held its own fear
It's perfectly clear
What they did to you
In my heart
It's screaming I hear
I won't let them come near
Since my love knew you
When I feel the cold in the dark
I remember you
Night after night
I am carving it out
I will carry out down to the waterside
Night after night
I am hearing the sound
Of wings that come beating
I will not hide
When I feel the cold in the dark
I will know why
But if I am to heal
I must first learn to feel
In the ruins
I will crawl
M. Etheridge
**********
A red curtain covered with lavender roses comes down, closing the theatre.
Ja mata, minna. O daijini.