Unanswered Questions
"SHE'S WHAT?" the girls shrieked in unison.
"Wow, that's so cool!" Minako's eyes got large and starry, and she clasped her hands together under her chin.
"A real heiress," Usagi's eyes and pose mirrored that of Minako.
"I wonder what she's doing in Japan?" Ami wondered. She started rummaging around the room, looking for something. She went over to a stack of newspapers and started thumbing through them.
"I was wondering the same thing," Mamoru said. He explained to the girls what had happened the day before, how he felt the jolt travel up his arm. At this, Rei's eyes narrowed, remembering her own experience, but said nothing.
Makoto shook her head, her brown ponytail swaying behind her. "I shook hands with her, and I didn't feel anything. If anyone would feel anything, it would be either Rei-chan or me. Me, since I tend to collect static electricity, and Rei-chan cuz she's psychic."
Minako piped in, "I didn't feel anything either, and I shook hands with her, too." Everyone laughed, and Minako said, "What?"
Rei giggled, "You're about as psychic as a potato, give it up."
Usagi crossed her arms across her chest. "Neither did I, and we shook hands, too. Besides, I like her. She seems nice. I know you're always worrying about me, Mamo-chan, but I think she's a good person." She laid a hand over her heart. "I feel good around her, she's really nice. You should meet her, maybe you'll feel better then."
Mamoru looked deep into Usagi's bright blue eyes, noting their determined look. He sighed, knowing he was going to lose this particular battle. "I guess. I still don't understand why she's in Japan, though."
Makoto shrugged. "Maybe America holds too many memories for her. She lost her parents in a plane crash two years ago, and it still seems to bother her." Mako-chan's own eyes clouded over in sympathy and remembered grief. The green-eyed girl still missed her own family. Minako laid a hand on her best friend's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Green eyes locked with blue ones and both girls smiled.
"Its more than that," Ami said. She held a newspaper in her hand, dated a few days earlier. On the front cover was a picture of a pretty young girl with long, auburn hair, amethyst colored eyes, who was dressed in a black and lavender business suit. The caption read "American Heiress Arrives in Japan" while the by-line read "Heir to Starnigh Industries to be present for the opening of the new office in Tokyo."
Rei-chan let out a low whistle. "So, her company is expanding to Japan? So that's why she's here."
Ami nodded. "From what I read, she's very involved with the company. On her 18th birthday, she has the option of actually assuming control of it. It's sad, though. From what I'm reading here, her whole family was killed in that plane crash, including her sister and brother. Apparently, the family was going on a ski trip when it happened. Menagi-san was actually on the plane, and somehow survived. The article doesn't say how. She was critically injured, though, and was in a coma for 6 months. She's been on her own ever since." Ami looked up, her blue eyes sad.
Usagi clung to Mamoru. "Wow, that's so terrible! Poor Menagi-sama!" Her own blue eyes filled with sympathetic tears.
Makoto looked at the ground, "I know exactly how she feels."
Minako gave her best friend a hug. "That's a terrible way to come into a fortune. I bet she'd trade it all to have her family back."
Ami nodded. "Regardless, she's worth a fortune. I'm surprised she doesn't have bodyguards, it's dangerous for her to be traveling alone."
Makoto sighed. "With all that's happened, she may want to be alone. Maybe she doesn't care anymore, either. It's got to be hard on her."
"She could probably use some new friends, I bet. I don't know about you, but I'd like to be her friend." Usagi smiled. "Wait! We can be her bodyguards!"
Minako clapped her hands together. "Hey, that's a great idea! We'll have to get her to go to Crossroads to go to school, though, so we can keep an eye on her."
Ami sighed and shook her head. "You still want her to do your homework for you, ne?"
The vivacious blonde sighed and looked at the floor. "It was a thought."
Menagi passed through the park on her way back to her apartment. She loved the colors of the trees, and the quiet breeze that came off the man-made lake. In places like this, she almost felt normal again. She sighed, sat on a park bench near the water, and tried to relax. Sixteen years old and she already felt like she was sixty. It wasn't bad enough that she'd lost her family, and got stuck with a business she was no where near ready to run. She also had some mysterious past life that she could only remember bits and pieces of. It wasn't fair. She rubbed the center of her forehead, as if trying to massage memories out of her troubled mind. However, the past was a persistent thing, and her mind began reviewing what had led her to here.
***Dark brown eyes scanned the horizon. It was a lovely winter's day, the sun glinting off the mountaintops. Snow, pure and white covered everything as far as the eye could see. It looked like the whole world was covered in white lace. As they cruised over head, the Starnigh family chatted happily about the upcoming trip. Her mom and dad sat arm in arm, chatting softly to one another. Her brother wanted to try out his new boogie board on the slopes, while her sister was wondering how she'd look in her new ski suit. As for Menagi, she was busily scratching away in her sketchbook. She was looking forward to all the artwork she'd get done in the solace of the woods. The young girl loved to draw, loved to hike, but mostly loved being alone.
Menagi's chocolate colored eyes scanned the vista below her. From up here, everything looked so peaceful, so perfect. The snowy mountains, the evergreen trees, the puffy white clouds, the smoke from the engine. She sat bolt upright.
"Mom! Dad! I think there's something wrong with the engines, they're smoking!"
The next few minutes were the most terrifying in Menagi's short life. Her mind still blocked out most of it, but she remembered the heated argument between her father and the pilot of their private jet. She remembered her mother trying to calm the children down. Before the pilot could do more than radio in, there was an explosion as the engines ignited. In a flash, it was over. She saw the flames racing down the wings, up the cabin. She saw fire consume her family in slow motion; she saw it rolling towards her to consume her....***
"I can't believe we're doing this," Rei muttered to herself.
"Shh!" Usagi admonished. "She'll hear you!"
Makoto scratched her head. "She's just sitting there. Shouldn't we go and say hello?"
Minako shook her head, her blonde hair swaying slightly. "No. To be good bodyguards, we can't be seen. We have to be hidden from danger!"
"I think you mean we need to stay out of sight, be inconspicuous. Which, by the way, we're not." Rei grumbled.
"We really should be studying for our entrance exam, guys." Ami protested.
"Just why am I here again?" Mamoru asked.
Usagi clung to his arm, and looked up in to his deep blue eyes. "Because, if there's any danger, you can handle it! Besides, you'd worry about me if you didn't come along."
Mamoru sighed and the other girls rolled their eyes.
"Hey, wait, she's moving!" Mako-chan pointed. All six sets of eyes turned to see the young American girl stand, wipe her eyes with the back of her hand and start off out of the park.
Usagi tugged Mamoru's arm. "Come on!"
Minako held out an arm to stop them. "Wait! We need to follow, but at a desperate distance."
"The word is 'discreet', Minako-chan," Ami sighed.
"Come on, or we'll lose her," Mako-chan said, and took off after the auburn haired girl.
Menagi wandered back towards her apartment, taking her time. She needed to familiarize herself with the lay of the land, she told herself. Strategically, she needed to know where things were in this town to better complete her mission. In truth, she just wasn't ready to go back yet. Being with those girls today awoke something in her. Menagi had always been solitary by nature, she always thought she was happiest by herself. After meeting Rhea, she realized she did enjoy the company of others, even if it was a talking cat. However, today was different. Those girls were nice. She enjoyed talking with them, joking with them. She envied their camaraderie. She never really had friends like that, not since she was a child. As she got older, she became more solitary, pathologically shy. Everyone just assumed she was strange. Then, after she inherited all the money from the business, people wanted to be her friend to get at her money. These girls seemed different. First, she doubted they knew about her inheritance. Second, even if they did, Menagi didn't think they'd be after her money. Of course, she'd have to keep her guard up, Rhea would say. You never know.
She sighed as she looked at the different shops. She felt an itch on the back of her neck. That meant someone was watching her. She looked around, and thought she saw Minako-san duck behind a paper stand. That's silly, they're all studying at Rei's. She went back to window shopping, her violet eyes absently scanning the goods for sale. She wandered the street, memorizing as she went. It still amazed her that she could read all this stuff. Ever since she woke up from her coma, she could speak, read and write Japanese as if she was raised here. Rhea said it was part of her past life, and that once she regained more of her memories, she'd realize that she could probably speak several languages fluently. As it was, she had no problem navigating the streets of Tokyo. Her eyebrows rose as she thought she saw a familiar brown ponytail duck into a shop across the street. I'm being paranoid. Rhea's a bad influence.
She looked at her reflection in the glass of a jewelry shop. She studied her face, her hair, and her eyes. Her face was a bit more chiseled since the accident, but that was probably because she was starting to grow up. Her hair was another matter. She'd always worn it shoulder length, however when she woke up from the coma, it was down to her ankles. She'd cut it, and it would grow back. More stuff from some mysterious past.
The things that truly bothered her most were her eyes. She spent the first fourteen years of her life with chocolate brown eyes. Now, when she looked in the mirror, purple colored orbs stared back at her, or, usually. Over the past 2 years, she'd found that her eye color reflected her mood. If she were happy, they'd intensify in color. If she were sad, they'd change to blue. If she were angry, they'd darken to a black color. One time, when she was truly angry, Rhea said they were glowing red, but Menagi didn't believe her. That would be too weird. Menagi blushed as she remembered the one time she was told her eyes had turned a fucha color. It meant she was aroused.
As she was looking at herself in the glass, she thought she saw a blonde odango by the food cart across the way. Apparently, that's a popular hairstyle here, Menagi thought to herself as she turned to continue down the road. A few stores ahead, she spotted something that caught her interest. It was an art supply store. She walked to the store, and peered inside longingly. Menagi hadn't drawn or painted since the accident. With a sudden pang, she realized how much she missed it. I don't see why I can't do a little drawing while I'm here. Its not like it will get in the way of my mission or anything. With that thought, she wandered inside. A moment later, 6 more people wandered in after her.
Menagi walked up and down the isles, wondering just what she could buy. Not that it mattered. Technically, she could buy the whole store, but she'd always been careful with her money. Her parents had set her an allowance, so she'd learn how to budget, and even now she kept to it. Mostly. She found a nice sketchpad, selected some nice pencils, a few paint brushed, several canvas, a full assortment of acrylic paints, and a tripod then made her way to the counter. Her neck hairs rose again, and she spun around. This time she caught a glimpse of blue hair behind one of the racks. Ok. That's it. The amethyst at Menagi's throat began to glow slightly with a pale violet light.
"Did she see you?" Minako asked.
Ami shook her head. "I don't think so. It's so crowded back here"
"Usagi! Get off my foot!"
"That's not me, Rei-chan. Ouch! My ribs!"
"Gomen nasai! I can't breathe," Mako-chan complained.
Mamoru was pinned to the back wall, 5 girls smooshed against him. "Will somebody tell me why I'm here again?"
Usagi shushed him. "Ami, where is she now?"
Ami shook her head as she peered around the rack. "I don't know, she just vanished."
"I'm right behind you."
All six of them nearly jumped out their skin as they whirled to find Menagi Starnigh standing at the other end of the rack regarding them with amethyst eyes. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
A half-hour later found the group sitting at a large booth at Crown sipping on sodas and munching on cake.
"So, you see, we were worried about you, being all alone," Rei concluded.
"It's dangerous," Ami added.
"Yes, very," Minako said, "for a pretty young girl like yourself to be out all alone. Who knows what happen! You could be abducted! You could be molested! You could be-"
"Enough, Minako-chan," Mako-chan interrupted. "The point is, we like you, and we were worried."
Menagi sighed and settled back into the booth. "That's really sweet of you all, but really, its OK. I can take care of myself. Besides, think of the danger you would be putting yourselves into if that were the case. That wasn't very smart." The young foreigner looked over at the handsome young man sitting next to Usagi. "I suppose they brought you along as back up?"
Mamoru's blue eyes fixed themselves on the ceiling. "Something like that, I guess."
Menagi shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. "That wasn't very smart. But I thank you anyway." The waitress showed up with the bill, and Menagi gladly paid for it. Mamoru sighed in relief; for once he didn't have to foot the bill.
"Oh, I forgot! My grandfather said it would be fine if you helped out at the temple!" Rei clapped her hands together in excitement.
"Great! That means we'll be seeing you a lot then, right Menagi-san?" Minako smiled sweetly at the violet-eyed girl.
Usagi nodded. "I just know we'll all be great friends!"
Menagi nodded. "I hope so. I could use all the friends I can get."
"SHE'S WHAT?" the girls shrieked in unison.
"Wow, that's so cool!" Minako's eyes got large and starry, and she clasped her hands together under her chin.
"A real heiress," Usagi's eyes and pose mirrored that of Minako.
"I wonder what she's doing in Japan?" Ami wondered. She started rummaging around the room, looking for something. She went over to a stack of newspapers and started thumbing through them.
"I was wondering the same thing," Mamoru said. He explained to the girls what had happened the day before, how he felt the jolt travel up his arm. At this, Rei's eyes narrowed, remembering her own experience, but said nothing.
Makoto shook her head, her brown ponytail swaying behind her. "I shook hands with her, and I didn't feel anything. If anyone would feel anything, it would be either Rei-chan or me. Me, since I tend to collect static electricity, and Rei-chan cuz she's psychic."
Minako piped in, "I didn't feel anything either, and I shook hands with her, too." Everyone laughed, and Minako said, "What?"
Rei giggled, "You're about as psychic as a potato, give it up."
Usagi crossed her arms across her chest. "Neither did I, and we shook hands, too. Besides, I like her. She seems nice. I know you're always worrying about me, Mamo-chan, but I think she's a good person." She laid a hand over her heart. "I feel good around her, she's really nice. You should meet her, maybe you'll feel better then."
Mamoru looked deep into Usagi's bright blue eyes, noting their determined look. He sighed, knowing he was going to lose this particular battle. "I guess. I still don't understand why she's in Japan, though."
Makoto shrugged. "Maybe America holds too many memories for her. She lost her parents in a plane crash two years ago, and it still seems to bother her." Mako-chan's own eyes clouded over in sympathy and remembered grief. The green-eyed girl still missed her own family. Minako laid a hand on her best friend's shoulder and gave it a squeeze. Green eyes locked with blue ones and both girls smiled.
"Its more than that," Ami said. She held a newspaper in her hand, dated a few days earlier. On the front cover was a picture of a pretty young girl with long, auburn hair, amethyst colored eyes, who was dressed in a black and lavender business suit. The caption read "American Heiress Arrives in Japan" while the by-line read "Heir to Starnigh Industries to be present for the opening of the new office in Tokyo."
Rei-chan let out a low whistle. "So, her company is expanding to Japan? So that's why she's here."
Ami nodded. "From what I read, she's very involved with the company. On her 18th birthday, she has the option of actually assuming control of it. It's sad, though. From what I'm reading here, her whole family was killed in that plane crash, including her sister and brother. Apparently, the family was going on a ski trip when it happened. Menagi-san was actually on the plane, and somehow survived. The article doesn't say how. She was critically injured, though, and was in a coma for 6 months. She's been on her own ever since." Ami looked up, her blue eyes sad.
Usagi clung to Mamoru. "Wow, that's so terrible! Poor Menagi-sama!" Her own blue eyes filled with sympathetic tears.
Makoto looked at the ground, "I know exactly how she feels."
Minako gave her best friend a hug. "That's a terrible way to come into a fortune. I bet she'd trade it all to have her family back."
Ami nodded. "Regardless, she's worth a fortune. I'm surprised she doesn't have bodyguards, it's dangerous for her to be traveling alone."
Makoto sighed. "With all that's happened, she may want to be alone. Maybe she doesn't care anymore, either. It's got to be hard on her."
"She could probably use some new friends, I bet. I don't know about you, but I'd like to be her friend." Usagi smiled. "Wait! We can be her bodyguards!"
Minako clapped her hands together. "Hey, that's a great idea! We'll have to get her to go to Crossroads to go to school, though, so we can keep an eye on her."
Ami sighed and shook her head. "You still want her to do your homework for you, ne?"
The vivacious blonde sighed and looked at the floor. "It was a thought."
Menagi passed through the park on her way back to her apartment. She loved the colors of the trees, and the quiet breeze that came off the man-made lake. In places like this, she almost felt normal again. She sighed, sat on a park bench near the water, and tried to relax. Sixteen years old and she already felt like she was sixty. It wasn't bad enough that she'd lost her family, and got stuck with a business she was no where near ready to run. She also had some mysterious past life that she could only remember bits and pieces of. It wasn't fair. She rubbed the center of her forehead, as if trying to massage memories out of her troubled mind. However, the past was a persistent thing, and her mind began reviewing what had led her to here.
***Dark brown eyes scanned the horizon. It was a lovely winter's day, the sun glinting off the mountaintops. Snow, pure and white covered everything as far as the eye could see. It looked like the whole world was covered in white lace. As they cruised over head, the Starnigh family chatted happily about the upcoming trip. Her mom and dad sat arm in arm, chatting softly to one another. Her brother wanted to try out his new boogie board on the slopes, while her sister was wondering how she'd look in her new ski suit. As for Menagi, she was busily scratching away in her sketchbook. She was looking forward to all the artwork she'd get done in the solace of the woods. The young girl loved to draw, loved to hike, but mostly loved being alone.
Menagi's chocolate colored eyes scanned the vista below her. From up here, everything looked so peaceful, so perfect. The snowy mountains, the evergreen trees, the puffy white clouds, the smoke from the engine. She sat bolt upright.
"Mom! Dad! I think there's something wrong with the engines, they're smoking!"
The next few minutes were the most terrifying in Menagi's short life. Her mind still blocked out most of it, but she remembered the heated argument between her father and the pilot of their private jet. She remembered her mother trying to calm the children down. Before the pilot could do more than radio in, there was an explosion as the engines ignited. In a flash, it was over. She saw the flames racing down the wings, up the cabin. She saw fire consume her family in slow motion; she saw it rolling towards her to consume her....***
"I can't believe we're doing this," Rei muttered to herself.
"Shh!" Usagi admonished. "She'll hear you!"
Makoto scratched her head. "She's just sitting there. Shouldn't we go and say hello?"
Minako shook her head, her blonde hair swaying slightly. "No. To be good bodyguards, we can't be seen. We have to be hidden from danger!"
"I think you mean we need to stay out of sight, be inconspicuous. Which, by the way, we're not." Rei grumbled.
"We really should be studying for our entrance exam, guys." Ami protested.
"Just why am I here again?" Mamoru asked.
Usagi clung to his arm, and looked up in to his deep blue eyes. "Because, if there's any danger, you can handle it! Besides, you'd worry about me if you didn't come along."
Mamoru sighed and the other girls rolled their eyes.
"Hey, wait, she's moving!" Mako-chan pointed. All six sets of eyes turned to see the young American girl stand, wipe her eyes with the back of her hand and start off out of the park.
Usagi tugged Mamoru's arm. "Come on!"
Minako held out an arm to stop them. "Wait! We need to follow, but at a desperate distance."
"The word is 'discreet', Minako-chan," Ami sighed.
"Come on, or we'll lose her," Mako-chan said, and took off after the auburn haired girl.
Menagi wandered back towards her apartment, taking her time. She needed to familiarize herself with the lay of the land, she told herself. Strategically, she needed to know where things were in this town to better complete her mission. In truth, she just wasn't ready to go back yet. Being with those girls today awoke something in her. Menagi had always been solitary by nature, she always thought she was happiest by herself. After meeting Rhea, she realized she did enjoy the company of others, even if it was a talking cat. However, today was different. Those girls were nice. She enjoyed talking with them, joking with them. She envied their camaraderie. She never really had friends like that, not since she was a child. As she got older, she became more solitary, pathologically shy. Everyone just assumed she was strange. Then, after she inherited all the money from the business, people wanted to be her friend to get at her money. These girls seemed different. First, she doubted they knew about her inheritance. Second, even if they did, Menagi didn't think they'd be after her money. Of course, she'd have to keep her guard up, Rhea would say. You never know.
She sighed as she looked at the different shops. She felt an itch on the back of her neck. That meant someone was watching her. She looked around, and thought she saw Minako-san duck behind a paper stand. That's silly, they're all studying at Rei's. She went back to window shopping, her violet eyes absently scanning the goods for sale. She wandered the street, memorizing as she went. It still amazed her that she could read all this stuff. Ever since she woke up from her coma, she could speak, read and write Japanese as if she was raised here. Rhea said it was part of her past life, and that once she regained more of her memories, she'd realize that she could probably speak several languages fluently. As it was, she had no problem navigating the streets of Tokyo. Her eyebrows rose as she thought she saw a familiar brown ponytail duck into a shop across the street. I'm being paranoid. Rhea's a bad influence.
She looked at her reflection in the glass of a jewelry shop. She studied her face, her hair, and her eyes. Her face was a bit more chiseled since the accident, but that was probably because she was starting to grow up. Her hair was another matter. She'd always worn it shoulder length, however when she woke up from the coma, it was down to her ankles. She'd cut it, and it would grow back. More stuff from some mysterious past.
The things that truly bothered her most were her eyes. She spent the first fourteen years of her life with chocolate brown eyes. Now, when she looked in the mirror, purple colored orbs stared back at her, or, usually. Over the past 2 years, she'd found that her eye color reflected her mood. If she were happy, they'd intensify in color. If she were sad, they'd change to blue. If she were angry, they'd darken to a black color. One time, when she was truly angry, Rhea said they were glowing red, but Menagi didn't believe her. That would be too weird. Menagi blushed as she remembered the one time she was told her eyes had turned a fucha color. It meant she was aroused.
As she was looking at herself in the glass, she thought she saw a blonde odango by the food cart across the way. Apparently, that's a popular hairstyle here, Menagi thought to herself as she turned to continue down the road. A few stores ahead, she spotted something that caught her interest. It was an art supply store. She walked to the store, and peered inside longingly. Menagi hadn't drawn or painted since the accident. With a sudden pang, she realized how much she missed it. I don't see why I can't do a little drawing while I'm here. Its not like it will get in the way of my mission or anything. With that thought, she wandered inside. A moment later, 6 more people wandered in after her.
Menagi walked up and down the isles, wondering just what she could buy. Not that it mattered. Technically, she could buy the whole store, but she'd always been careful with her money. Her parents had set her an allowance, so she'd learn how to budget, and even now she kept to it. Mostly. She found a nice sketchpad, selected some nice pencils, a few paint brushed, several canvas, a full assortment of acrylic paints, and a tripod then made her way to the counter. Her neck hairs rose again, and she spun around. This time she caught a glimpse of blue hair behind one of the racks. Ok. That's it. The amethyst at Menagi's throat began to glow slightly with a pale violet light.
"Did she see you?" Minako asked.
Ami shook her head. "I don't think so. It's so crowded back here"
"Usagi! Get off my foot!"
"That's not me, Rei-chan. Ouch! My ribs!"
"Gomen nasai! I can't breathe," Mako-chan complained.
Mamoru was pinned to the back wall, 5 girls smooshed against him. "Will somebody tell me why I'm here again?"
Usagi shushed him. "Ami, where is she now?"
Ami shook her head as she peered around the rack. "I don't know, she just vanished."
"I'm right behind you."
All six of them nearly jumped out their skin as they whirled to find Menagi Starnigh standing at the other end of the rack regarding them with amethyst eyes. "Just what do you think you're doing?"
A half-hour later found the group sitting at a large booth at Crown sipping on sodas and munching on cake.
"So, you see, we were worried about you, being all alone," Rei concluded.
"It's dangerous," Ami added.
"Yes, very," Minako said, "for a pretty young girl like yourself to be out all alone. Who knows what happen! You could be abducted! You could be molested! You could be-"
"Enough, Minako-chan," Mako-chan interrupted. "The point is, we like you, and we were worried."
Menagi sighed and settled back into the booth. "That's really sweet of you all, but really, its OK. I can take care of myself. Besides, think of the danger you would be putting yourselves into if that were the case. That wasn't very smart." The young foreigner looked over at the handsome young man sitting next to Usagi. "I suppose they brought you along as back up?"
Mamoru's blue eyes fixed themselves on the ceiling. "Something like that, I guess."
Menagi shook her head, a small smile forming on her lips. "That wasn't very smart. But I thank you anyway." The waitress showed up with the bill, and Menagi gladly paid for it. Mamoru sighed in relief; for once he didn't have to foot the bill.
"Oh, I forgot! My grandfather said it would be fine if you helped out at the temple!" Rei clapped her hands together in excitement.
"Great! That means we'll be seeing you a lot then, right Menagi-san?" Minako smiled sweetly at the violet-eyed girl.
Usagi nodded. "I just know we'll all be great friends!"
Menagi nodded. "I hope so. I could use all the friends I can get."