Chapter Two
Face Your Fears Mako
It was early the next morning when Ikuko and Kenji came downstairs to wake everyone up. "Girls. Girls, it's time to get up, we have to be at the airport in about an hour." Ikuko quietly said as she gently nudged Usagi.
"Mmmm." Usagi mumbled as she slowly rolled over and opened one eye.
"Hey sleepy head. It's time to get up, you have a plane to catch in less than four hours." Kenji quietly said as he kneeled down by Usagi.
"Okay." Usagi quietly replied as she slowly sat up. "Naru, we've gotta get up." Usagi quietly said as she gently shook Naru.
"Too early." Naru mumbled as she pulled the blankets over her head.
"It's not that early it's only..." Usagi paused as she glanced over at the clock. "Four thirty in the morning?!" Usagi shouted in disbelief as she stared at the clock.
"Sorry sweety, but it's an early flight, the plane takes off at seven." Ikuko informed as she slowly pulled the blanket off Usagi and Naru.
"That's not for two and a half hours, why do we have to get there so early?" Usagi whined as she flopped face down on her pillow.
"Because security can take a bit to get through, especially for first timers like us." Ikuko answered as she slowly sat Usagi up.
"Plus we wanted to give Ms. Kino some extra time to catch her breath at the airport, we know how much she hates planes and we didn't wanna make it more difficult for her by rushing her through everything." Kenji added with a small frown.
"I understand. Let me wake everyone up and then we'll get dressed and grab a bite to eat real quick." Usagi replied as she lightly nudged Naru a few more times. "Come on Naru, we've gotta get moving sleepy head." Usagi quietly said as she slowly pulled the covers off of Naru.
"This is cruel and unusual punishment Usagi, we didn't get home from the dance till almost ten. I only slept like five hours because I can't just hit the pillow and fall asleep." Naru quietly whined as she slowly sat up.
"That's okay, you can sleep on the plane. Remember that it's an almost ten hour flight." Usagi informed as she held her hand out to Naru.
"That'll work I suppose." Naru replied with a grin as she took Usagi's hand and pulled herself to her feet.
"Get up slugs, we've got a plane to catch." Usagi said with a smile as she lightly nudged Rei and Minako with her foot.
"We're getting there, just give us a sec okay." Rei grumbled as she slowly sat up and stretched.
"I hate the early hours, they're evil." Minako groaned as she sat up and looked at Rei.
"Woo. That hairdo is evil, you look like a mad scientist." Rei said with a chuckle as she stared at Minako's messy and knotted hair.
"Oh I'm mad alright, mad that you woke me up before the sun got up." Minako grumbled as she slowly stood up.
"I don't know why you're so upset. Venus is always up before the sun, that's why it looks so bright in the night sky." Rei replied with a chuckle as she patted Minako's back a couple of times.
"Ha ha." Minako quietly said as she started walking towards the stairs. "I'm going to get dressed and comb the mop on my head." Minako informed as she dragged herself up the steps.
"I'll be there shortly." Rei informed as she crawled over by Ami and Mako. "Good morning." Rei whispered as she gently poked Ami and Mako.
"We're up, now we just have to get out of bed." Mako mumbled as she slowly sat up.
"Damn, your hair's almost as bad as Mina's." Rei said with a grin as she stared at Mako's hair.
"Thanks, that makes me feel so good." Mako grumbled as she slowly got to her feet.
"Good morning everyone." Ami said with a small yawn and stretch.
"Lucky, you wake up camera ready." Mako grumbled as she stared at Ami.
"Short hair makes that easier." Ami replied with a smile as she held her hand out to Mako, who took it and pulled her to her feet.
"But yet you're still cuter than any of us long haired girls." Mako replied with a grin as she tousled Ami's hair.
"Excuse me, but I'll have you know that my Mina is the most beautiful of the bunch of us." Rei said with a grin as she looked towards the steps.
"Except this morning, that hair was everywhere when she got up." Usagi said with a chuckle as her and Naru walked towards the steps.
"That's because she wanted to spread her beauty as far and wide as possible." Rei chuckled as she walked over by Sarah and Kaede. "Come on you two, we've got a plane to catch." Rei quietly said as she lightly tapped Kaede with her foot.
"It's time already?! Oh I can't wait ta get home and see ma and pa again, but I really can't wait ta see my Buttercup!" Sarah yelled as she jumped to her feet and ran towards the stairs.
"Hey wait up!" Kaede yelled as she ran after Sarah.
"Let's not dally people, we've got a lot to do and little time to do it. I'll wake Shingo and Chibiusa up while you all get dressed." Usagi informed as she took Naru's hand and ran up the steps with her.
"I'll get a quick breakfast going while you all get ready." Ikuko informed as she walked into the kitchen.
"I can help." Kenji said with a smile as he followed Ikuko into the kitchen.
"Time to get up Chibiusa, today's the day we go on vacation." Usagi whispered as she walked into Chibiusa's room.
"But it's so early Usagi, five more minutes." Chibiusa mumbled as she rolled over.
"I guess it's genetic." Luna said with a smile as she hopped up on Chibiusa's bed.
"Mama?" Diana quietly asked as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Good morning Diana, it's time to get up." Luna quietly said as she licked the top of Diana's head.
"Is father coming?" Diana quietly asked as she slowly stretched.
"Yes he is." Luna answered as she gently pawed at Artemis's leg.
"What's up Luna?" Artemis quietly asked as he looked up at Luna.
"It's time to get up, we have a plane to catch." Luna answered as she pawed at him a few more times.
"I hope they don't put us in the cargo hold like most pets, it's so cruel." Artemis quietly said as he stretched a little bit.
"I won't let them Artemis, you'll be safe with us on the passenger level." Usagi said with a smile as she patted Artemis's head.
"Thank you princess." Artemis thanked as he slowly got up.
"You're welcome." Usagi replied just as someone knocked on the door downstairs.
"Could you get the door please Usagi!" Ikuko yelled from the kitchen.
"Okay!" Usagi yelled back as she quickly left the room and ran down the steps to the front door. "Good morning Mizuno-San." Usagi greeted as she opened the front door.
"Hello." Saeko mumbled as she looked at Usagi. Usagi took one look at Saeko and knew that she'd just gotten off of work, she could barely keep her eyes open and she looked like she was ready to drop right there on the doorstep. "Sorry about the appearance, I just got off a twelve hour shift and I'm beat." Saeko mumbled as she slowly walked into the house.
"I understand Mizuno-San. Feel free to lay down on the couch while the rest of us get ready." Usagi politely offered as she gestured to the couch.
"Thank you Ms. Tsukino." Saeko replied as she dragged herself over to the couch and flopped down on it.
"Do you want anything to eat Mizuno-San?" Usagi asked as she started leaving the room.
"No thank you Ms. Tsukino, though I appreciate the offer." Saeko mumbled as she quickly fell asleep. Usagi nodded in response then left the room.
"Who was at the door Usagi?" Ikuko asked as Usagi walked into the kitchen.
"Mizuno-San." Usagi answered as she grabbed some plates and laid them on the table.
"How is she?" Ikuko asked as she plopped a pancake on each plate.
"Beat, she just got off of work." Usagi answered as she set some cups on the table.
"Just now? Did she work the night shift or something?" Ikuko asked as she handed a plate of pancakes to Usagi, who set them in the middle of the table.
"Yeah, and a twelve hour shift at that." Usagi answered as she poured some milk into glasses.
"Oof. That's rough, the life of a medical professional is not for the faint of heart. I don't think I could do what she does all the time." Ikuko said with a straight face as she washed out her cooking supplies and put them away.
"Tell me about it, I remember all the doctors and nurses that would come and check on us at all hours night and day. People in the medical field are some kind of super humans, a cut above us even." Usagi chuckled as she sat down at the table.
"That they are Usagi." Ami said with a smile as her and Mako walked into the kitchen.
"Well speaking of super doctors, here's the next generation of them." Usagi said with a smile as Ami and Mako sat down next to her.
"Not for a long time Usagi." Ami replied as she stretched a little bit.
"Are the others almost ready?" Ikuko asked as she sat down next to Usagi.
"We sure are." Naru answered as her and everyone else walked into the kitchen.
"Good, because we need to shovel and run. Please tell me everyone's bags are packed." Ikuko said as she took a bite of her breakfast.
"Packed and waiting at the bottom of the steps, Mako and I took the liberty of brining everyone's stuff down while they got dressed real quick." Ami answered with a smile.
"Thank you for doing that you two, it made our mornings much easier." Rei said with a smile as everyone sat down and started eating.
"Are you all excited?" Ikuko asked as she took another bite of her breakfast.
"YES! I can't wait ta go home again, not that I didn't like being here er nothing, it's just gonna be so good ta see my folks again. Not ta mention my little Buttercup, I can't wait ta see my girl again, I bet she misses her mama." Sarah said with a smile as she shoveled in her pancakes.
"You sure do love that horse of yours Sarah." Luna said with a chuckle as she nibbled on some kibble.
"Of course I do, she's like my baby. I raised her since the day she was born. This is the longest I've gone without seeing her." Sarah replied as she finished her breakfast. "Is there anythang I can do ta help get thangs ready Tsukino-San?" Sarah asked as she stood from the table.
"I suppose you could put the bags by the front door so we don't forget any, but you don't have to or anything Sarah." Ikuko answered with a smile.
"I'm on it ma'am." Sarah replied as she dashed out of the kitchen.
"She's really excited to go home." Ikuko said with a smile as she looked over at Kaede.
"I'm not surprised, she hasn't been home in a couple of months. I'm sure she misses her family a lot." Kaede replied as she finished her breakfast.
"Do you think she'll let us ride any of her horses?" Chibiusa asked with a smile as she looked up at Kaede.
"I don't see why not, she seemed really excited to take us for a ride when we talked about it last." Kaede answered as she put her plate in the sink.
"I've always wanted to ride a horse." Chibiusa said with a smile.
"It is fun, especially knowing that we'll just be riding in a peaceful country side instead of titan country. No risk of being eaten." Ami quietly said as she finished her breakfast.
"Tell me about it, no titans stomping around or people screaming as they're eaten. Just a peaceful ride in the plains." Usagi quietly said as she set her chopsticks down. "Thank you for breakfast mom, sorry I couldn't finish." Usagi quietly apologized with a sigh.
"You always do this when you talk about that place Usagi, are the memories still so bad that you loose your appetite talking about them?" Ikuko quietly asked as she stared at Usagi.
"Yeah, I think it'll be like that for a while. Though I am better than I use to be." Usagi answered with a smile as she stood up.
"Okay. If you wanna talk then we'll talk alone while everyone else packs the car." Ikuko informed with a smile as she watched Usagi cut her pancake up and divvy it out to everyone else.
"Thanks mom, but I think I'm okay." Usagi answered as she put her empty plate in the sink and left the kitchen.
"Do you mind if I ask, do any of you get like that when you think or talk about that place? Do you all get so upset thinking about what happened that you loose your appetites?" Ikuko quietly asked as she looked around the table at everyone.
"No, but it's not too surprising to be honest. Usagi has a different personality than the rest of us, she's far more caring and compassionate. She's also just good with people, unlike her most of us were kind of loners before we met Usagi. Sure we had one or two people that we occasionally spoke to, but for the most part we faced more rejection than acceptance from the majority of our piers. Usagi on the other hand was easy to get along with and there were very few who disliked or bullied her, that's probably why we're so much colder to what happened. Before Usagi came along people didn't accept us and they were quite cruel sometimes, so we put up walls to protect ourselves from that cruelty. We were cold and standoffish before Usagi broke down our walls, but after what happened in that world we fell back on those feelings to make it easier for us to accept everything that happened; but Usagi didn't have those feelings to fall back on. Being hated and having to fight just to be treated with some basic decency is something Usagi's never known, and I'm thankful for that, but it does leave her more sensitive to what happened." Rei quietly explained with a small frown as she poked at her pancake.
"But what about Kaede, she seemed very popular even before her identity as a guardian was revealed? So why are you so cold about what happened if you don't mind me asking?" Ikuko quietly asked as she looked at Kaede.
"With all due respect Tsukino-San, do you really have to ask that? Do you know what those damn Marlyians did?! What they stole from my life?! I don't have an ounce of regret for what I did to those barbarians, my only regret is that I couldn't protect her in the end." Kaede quietly said as she set her chopsticks down. "Please excuse me Tsukino-San." Kaede quietly cried as she quickly left the table.
"Well I really did it, sorry for opening old wounds girls." Ikuko quietly apologized with a small sigh.
"It's okay Tsukino-San, we know that we need to talk, we're just not fully there yet. We're trying, but it's hard to just let all of that go." Ami quietly said as she finished her breakfast.
"I understand. Well let's try and forget it for a bit and finish packing the car up so we can get to the airport." Ikuko said with a small smile as she cleared the table. Everyone nodded in agreement and slowly stood from the table.
"Let's see if Sarah got all the bags out yet." Minako said with a smile as she lead everyone over to the front door.
"Come on slow pokes, the car's all packed and ready!" Sarah yelled as she ran up to everyone. "Where're Kaede and Usagi?" Sarah asked as she stared at the group.
"Upstairs I think, things got a little rough after you left the table." Ami quietly informed with a small frown.
"I see. Well they'd best hurry up er I'ma leave 'em here." Sarah said with a smile as she walked into the house, then quickly climbed the stairs. "Hey ya two, ya alright?" Sarah asked with a small frown as she walked into Usagi's room.
"Yeah, we just needed a moment. Thank you though for checking on us." Usagi quietly replied as she slowly walked over by Sarah.
"Ya coming darling?" Sarah quietly asked as she stared at Kaede, who was sitting on Usagi's bed.
"Yeah." Kaede answered with a sniffle as she walked over by Sarah. "Can I have a hug Sarah?" Kaede quietly cried as she stared at Sarah.
"Ya can have all the hugs ya need darling." Sarah quietly answered as she gently hugged Kaede.
"Thank you. I love you so much Sarah, please don't ever leave me." Kaede quietly cried as she hugged Sarah tighter.
"I won't Kaede, I promise." Sarah whispered as she squeezed Kaede harder. "Come on, we's got a plane ta catch." Sarah said with a smile as she patted Kaede on the shoulder and walked her out of the room.
"Are you all ready?" Ikuko asked with a smile as everyone approached the car.
"Yeah, thanks for waiting." Usagi thanked as she got in the car, followed by everyone else.
"Of course sweetie, now let's get to the airport before we're late." Ikuko said with a smile as she closed the car door and got in the drivers seat.
"Wait!" Ami suddenly yelled as she whipped her door open.
"What is it Ms. Mizuno?!" Kenji asked in a worried tone as he stared at Ami.
"We forgot mom!" Ami yelled as she ran back into the house. A few seconds later Ami came out of the house with her still sleeping mother over her shoulders. "There we go, now we're ready." Ami said with a smile as she buckled her mom in. Everyone stared at her with surprised looks for a moment. "What?" Ami asked with a confused look.
"Nothing, we just didn't know you were that strong Ms. Mizuno." Ikuko replied with a smile.
"Gotta be to use the ODM Tsukino-San." Ami answered with a giggle as she patted her gear.
"I hope we don't get arrested when we walk into the airport." Ikuko mumbled as she started driving.
"AAAH! I can't wait ta get home! I'ma introduce y'all ta my ma and pa, and then I'ma take all of yas ta see the town and get some of the best barbecue Texas has ta offer! Then we're gonna ride horses, watch movies, stay up all night talking, aaaah! It's gonna be great y'all!" Sarah yelled in an even more excited tone than usual.
"I'm glad to see that you're excited Sarah." Kaede replied with a chuckle as she watched Sarah bounce in her seat.
"I'm ecstatic darling! I'm so happy that I think I might burst!" Sarah yelled back as she stared out the window. "I am gonna miss yer beautiful country though Kaede, I had a lotta fun over here darling. It helped me move past one of the hardest times of my life." Sarah quietly said with a small smile.
"I hope our vacation does the same for us." Kaede quietly replied as she looked out a different window. The rest of the car ride was fairly quiet after that, and before anyone knew it they were pulling up to the airport.
"Alright everyone, let's grab the bags and get to the shuttle." Kenji said as he parked the car and turned it off.
"Are we here already?" Saeko asked with a yawn as she slowly woke up and stretched.
"Yeah mom, so let's get going." Ami answered with a smile as she got out of the car.
"I'm coming." Saeko replied as she slowly got out of the car, followed by Usagi and Naru.
"Wait for us." Rei said with a smile as her and Minako got out of the car.
"Come on Chibiusa." Kaede said as she scooted out of the car, then helped Chibiusa and Sarah out of it. "You coming sis?" Kaede asked as she looked back at Mako.
"Come on Mako, it'll be fun." Shingo said with a smile as he climbed over Mako and got out of the car.
"Are you coming Ms. Kino?" Ikuko asked as she stared at Mako.
"Mhm." Mako quietly answered as she slowly got out of the car.
"Are you okay Mako?" Artemis asked with a small frown as he jumped out of the car, followed by Luna and Diana.
"I don't feel so good." Mako quietly answered as she swayed back and forth a bit.
"Jeez sis, you look you're about to pass out." Kaede said with a worried expression as she stared at Mako.
"Are you that nervous about flying, Mako?" Saeko asked with a small frown as she gently took Mako's hand in her own.
"I'm not nervous mama Mizuno, I'm terrified. I'm so scared that I think I'm gonna puke." Mako quietly replied as she started dry heaving.
"Deep breath Mako, just breathe. You can do this sweetie. You fly on that gear all the time Mako, so just think of the plane as a big OD whatever that stuff's called. You'll be fine sweetheart ." Saeko encouraged as she hugged Mako.
"Okay." Mako replied in a shaky tone as she clung to Saeko. "Let's get the bags and get this nightmare over with." Mako quietly said as she went to open the trunk.
"We'll grab the bags, you just take care of you Mako." Usagi instructed as she opened the trunk and pulled two bags out of it.
"Thank you Usagi." Mako quietly thanked as she slowly walked towards the shuttle pick up.
"I didn't realize just how scared Mako was." Ami quietly said as she watched Mako sit down on a bench.
"You can't blame her though. Make sure you stay close to her Ami, she's gonna need you." Usagi instructed as she handed the two bags to Rei and Minako, then grabbed two more.
"I told her I wouldn't leave her side the whole flight, and I don't intend to break that promise." Ami replied with a smile as she grabbed hers and Mako's bags, then walked over to her. "You feeling better Mako?" Ami asked with a smile as she sat down next to Mako.
"Not really." Mako quietly answered with a frown.
"It'll be okay Mako, I'm right here." Ami said with a smile as she put her hand on top of Makos.
"Thank you Ami, I love you." Mako quietly said as she leaned her head on Ami's shoulder.
"I love you to Mako." Ami quietly replied as she lightly kissed Mako's cheek.
"Come on girls, let's get inside." Kenji said with a smile as he lead everyone over by Ami and Mako.
"Okay." Ami replied as she slowly helped Mako to her feet.
"I wonder how long it would take to walk to Texas instead." Mako mumbled as she walked alongside Ami towards the shuttle.
"Too long sis, way too long." Kaede replied with a chuckle as everyone approached the shuttle.
"Hop on everyone." A man said as looked down at everyone from the small bus. Everyone nodded in reply and slowly got on the shuttle. "So where are you all headed to on such a beautiful summer day?" The driver asked as everyone sat down.
"We're going to Texas!" Chibiusa yelled with excitement.
"Texas! That sounds like a lot of fun, you visiting family or something?" The man asked as he started driving towards the main airport.
"Not yet, just my girlfriend's family. Though I'd be happy to make them my family to." Kaede chuckled as she lightly nudged Sarah.
"Awe, y're too sweet darling. So sweet I could eat ya up." Sarah replied with a chuckle as she nudged Kaede back.
"That's pretty good Japanese you speak young lady, I don't have a lot of foreigners on here that speak it so fluently." The driver informed with a smile.
"She's one of a kind." Kaede replied with a chuckle.
"Aren't we all though?" The driver asked with a smirk as he pulled up to the airport. "You all have a fun and safe trip now." The driver said with a smile as he opened the doors to let everyone off.
"Thank you sir!" Everyone replied with bows. "Come on girls, we can't be late." Saeko informed as she lead everyone off the bus.
"Bye, thank you for the ride sir." Chibusa thanked as she hopped off the last step.
"Anytime young lady." The driver replied as he started pulling away. Everyone walked into the airport and almost all of their jaws dropped.
"Wow, this is a lot different than I remember it." Minako said to herself as she looked around the airport.
"It's huge, it's like a little town in here there are so many people." Usagi quietly said as she looked around. There were people hustling and bustling all over the place, though everyone suddenly stopped when they caught sight of Usagi and the others.
"What's going on?" Shingo quietly asked as he looked up at Kenji.
"I have no idea." Kenji quietly replied as he stared at the crowd of people.
"Police! Hands up! Hands up now!" An officer shouted as he drew a gun and aimed it at everyone.
"Whoa! What the heck's going on?!" Saeko yelled as she threw her hands up.
"All fire arms are prohibited inside airports unless specially packaged, you six are under arrest!" The officer yelled as he continued aiming his gun at Usagi and the others.
"I knew this was gonna happen." Ikuko quietly said as she looked over at Usagi.
"Hold it!" Another officer yelled as he ran over to the first officer. "This just came in from the GOG HQ, special documentation signed by the Mayor herself. So long as the blanks are stored separately from the mags and guns and I quote, all Sailor Soldiers are to be permitted possession of their ODM rigs so long as they agree to the following guidelines. One, the magazines are to be completely emptied and stowed in individual bags in the cargo hold. Two, all pressurized gas is to be released from the tanks, then the tanks are to be stored in the cargo bay. Three, the safeties remain on at all times upon entering the airport, flying, and up until leaving the airport. Unquote." The officer explained as he handed a sheet of paper to his teammate.
"Alright, if that's what she said then I won't argue. Follow me girls." The officer instructed as he walked everyone over to a special room. "This woman is gonna make sure you complete the guidelines for flight today." The officer informed as he pointed to a TSA worker.
"Thank you sir, and sorry about the commotion we caused." Usagi apologized with a bow.
"It's okay, have a good trip girls." The officer replied as he stepped out of the room and closed the door.
"Alright ladies, mags out and emptied please." The woman instructed as she carefully watched everyone.
"Yes ma'am." Usagi replied as she and everyone else did as they were instructed. The woman took each magazine and put it in it's own bag, then she took each bullet and put it in it's own separate bag. "Follow me please." The woman instructed as she lead everyone out of the room. "Walk through the screening zone please." The woman instructed as she stood next to a large X-ray machine.
"Yes ma'am." Usagi replied as she stepped into the machine.
"Line your feet up with the picture on the ground and put your arms up please." A man instructed as he looked at a monitor. Usagi nodded and did as she was told.
"Good, next." The man instructed as Usagi stepped out of the machine. After a couple of minutes everyone but Ami had gone through the machine. "You're up miss." The man instructed as he looked at Ami.
"Okay." Ami replied as she stepped into the machine and waited to be scanned. The machine scanned her and made a weird beeping sound when it did. "What's wrong?" Ami asked as she continued to stand in the machine with her arms up.
"Step out of the machine please." The man instructed as he grabbed a metal detecting wand. Ami did as she was told then waited for further instruction. The man waved the wand over her chest and and it beeped repeatedly. "Step out of line please." The man instructed as him and the other woman stared at Ami.
"Okay." Ami replied in a confused tone as she stepped out of line.
"What's going on?" Saeko asked as she stared at the TSA workers.
"She has concealed metal on her person, I'm afraid she's gonna have to come with us." The man answered as he pulled out a pair of handcuffs.
"Wait what?! I'm not concealing anything sir, I had surgery and they put metal plates and screws in my chest. I thought things like that didn't show up on these scanners." Ami replied as the man cuffed her.
"They don't which is why I'm detaining you." The man replied as he started walking Ami away.
"Where are Tenjin and Emiko?!" Saeko yelled as she looked around for Tenjin or Emiko.
"Hopefully close by." Usagi quietly replied as she watched security take Ami into a room.
"What the hell are you doing?!" A woman asked as the security guard walked Ami into the room.
"Detaining a suspicious person." The guard answered as he sat Ami in a chair.
"You detained a Sailor Guardian?! Are you insane?!" The woman shouted as she stared at Ami, then at the guard.
"Sailor Guardian?" The man asked as he looked at Ami.
"Yes! A GOG officer sent over these files a week ago! Didn't you look at them?!" The woman shouted as she handed the man a packet. The man took it and quickly skimmed through it.
"Oh shit, I am so fired." The man quietly said as he closed the packet. "Ms. Mercury I'd like to offer you my sincerest apologies for all this, please forgive me ma'am." The man apologized as he took Ami's cuffs off and bowed to her.
"It's okay, you were just doing your job. Though I have to ask, why were my plates or screws the only ones to show up in the scan? Almost all of us have some kind of plate and or metallic something in our bodies from some kind of medical procedure?" Ami asked as she rubbed her wrists a little bit.
"To be honest it's pretty random. Sometimes our detectors catch the implants other times they don't, it's probably dependent on where the metal is in your body." The man replied with a shrug.
"I have some in my chest and my leg, so that's probably why it beeped me." Ami informed with a smile.
"Could be, but either way I'm sorry for the inconvenience and I hope you have a good trip Ms. Mercury." The man replied with a smile and a small bow.
"Thank you sir, you have a good day as well." Ami politely said as she bowed back to the man, then left the room.
"Ami! Oh thank goodness you're okay sweetie!" Saeko yelled as she ran over to her daughter and hugged her.
"I'm fine mom, they were very nice and the security guard's very sorry that he detained me. He was just doing his job though, you can never be too careful at an airport." Ami replied with a smile as she hugged her mom back.
"I suppose so, but I'm still not happy about it. That's the second time I've seen you lead away in handcuffs." Saeko replied with a small sigh.
"I'm sure it won't be the last time mom, especially since we're so public now." Ami replied with a small chuckle as she started leading everyone towards their gate.
"Don't even joke about that Ami, I'm gonna have a heart attack if I see you in handcuffs again." Saeko replied with a small sigh as she walked alongside Ami.
"What gate are we boarding again?" Minako asked as she looked at her ticket.
"Gate 3E I believe is where we're going." Ikuko answered as she also looked at her ticket.
"Is it much further?" Chibiusa asked with a smile as she looked up a Kenji.
"I don't know, I don't normally fly so I don't know how airports are laid out." Kenji replied with a shrug.
"It's not much further, maybe another ten meters or so." Saeko answered as she looked back at Chibiusa.
"You've been here before Mizuno-San?" Shingo asked with a smile as he looked at Saeko.
"Many times, a few times a year I travel out of the country for medical conventions in the UK or US." Saeko answered as she lead everyone to their gate. "See, here we are, gate 3E. I think we're boarding class C so it'll be a bit before we can board." Saeko informed as she sat down in a chair, followed by everyone else.
"May I lay on your lap please?" Diana asked as she looked up at Mako. Mako just leaned over and held her head in her hands.
"Mako." Ami quietly said as she lightly nudged Mako.
"Huh?" Mako quietly asked as she slowly looked up at Ami.
"Diana would like to sit in your lap." Ami informed as she looked at Mako.
"Oh. Yeah, that's fine." Mako quietly replied as she leaned back a pit so Diana could hop onto her lap.
"Thank you Mako." Diana thanked as she jumped up on Mako's lap.
"Mhm." Mako quietly replied with a small nod.
"Do you need anything Mako?" Minako asked as she looked over at Mako.
"A bucket." Mako quietly answered as she pet Diana a bit.
"I'm serious Mako, is there anything you need or want right now?" Minako asked again as she stared at Mako.
"A bucket!" Mako yelled back as she dumped Diana into Ami's lap, then ran towards the restroom.
"Mako!" Ami yelled as she ran after Mako.
"I knew she was bad, but I didn't realize she was this afraid to fly." Usagi quietly said as she stared towards the restrooms.
"Maybe we should've sailor teleported to Texas instead." Rei quietly said as she also stared at the restrooms.
"No. This is good for Mako, she needs to try and overcome her phobia of planes. I think deep down she wants to which is why she agreed to do this." Saeko quietly said with a small frown.
"Why is yer sis so scared ta fly?" Sarah quietly asked as she looked over at Kaede.
"She lost her mom and dad in a plane crash when she was about Chibiusa's age, she's been afraid of airplanes ever since." Kaede quietly answered with a frown.
"What? I had no idea, oh poor Mako. I'm so sorry that I made her do this darling, I never woulda suggested it had I known what happened ta her." Sarah quietly said as she put a hand over Kaedes.
"It's okay Sarah, we never told you because it was never relevant. Just trust in sis's strength, if anyone could move past such a horrible trauma and confront their worst fears head on it's her." Kaede quietly said as she stared at the restroom door.
"I can't do this Ami! I can't do this!" Mako yelled as she threw up a fourth time.
"Yes you can Mako, you can and you will. I mean look what you did in Mikasa's world, you constantly flew through the air with your ODM rig. If you could fly while dodging titans and bullets then I know you can do this to Mako. All you have to do is sit in a chair and relax for ten hours or so, nothing to it." Ami encouraged as she gently rubbed Mako's back.
"I would rather fly around on gear with people shooting at me than sit in that metal coffin and hope the people driving it know what they're doing!" Mako shouted back as she stared at Ami with tears in her eyes.
"It's not the flying that scares you, is it Mako?" Ami quietly asked with a small frown, Mako just looked away. "You're afraid of not having any control over what might happen. With the ODM gear you were in total control as to where you flew, how fast and high you went, and when and where you would land. On a plane it's the pilots who do everything, if something happens there's nothing you can do to change anything. That's what you're afraid of, isn't it Mako? Being powerless." Ami quietly asked as she stared at Mako.
"I don't know what went wrong with my parents flight, but for years I wondered if they'd had a different pilot then maybe they'd still be here. What if they're gone because the person flying was incompetent, ever since then I've been afraid to let anyone do anything for me. Because what if they did something wrong, what if they screwed up and I paid the price for it?! That's why I fought all the time Ami, that's why I didn't get along with people before Usagi! I couldn't trust them, I didn't want to trust them! I didn't wanna put my faith into other peoples hands, even if it was something as small as companionship. It took so long for me to move past those feelings, and when I finally did I'm rewarded by meeting a guy who broke my heart! Why was the world so cruel to me Ami?! Why did it take my family from me?! They're dead all because some incompetent fool was allowed to fly a plane!" Mako screamed at the top of her lugs.
"Oh Mako." Ami quietly said as she hugged Mako as tight as she could.
"Why did they have to die Ami, why was the pilot so stupid?" Mako quietly cried as she clung to Ami.
"He wasn't Mako, I know you don't wanna hear this, but it wasn't the pilot's fault. It wasn't anybody's fault. I read about the incident in an old newspaper that my mom had. The crash was caused by faulty wiring in the vent system. The pilot did everything correctly, but when he hit the switch to open the vents and allow airflow it didn't work. The vents jammed shut and air wasn't flowing through the plane. I know it doesn't fix anything Mako, but your parents didn't suffer at all in the crash, they never would've felt a thing. Everyone on board passed out from the lack of oxygen, there was nothing anyone could've done. I'm so sorry Mako." Ami quietly said as she sat Mako down and rocked her.
"They...they didn't feel it?" Mako quietly asked with a sniffle as she looked into Ami's eyes.
"No. They wouldn't've felt a thing Mako. They didn't suffer, they weren't in pain. They were asleep when the plane went down, probably dreaming about their beautiful little girl." Ami quietly replied as she held Mako close.
"I miss them Ami. I miss them so much. Do you think they'd be proud of the life I'm living?" Mako quietly asked as she looked up at Ami with tears in her eyes.
"There is no word to describe how proud of you they are Mako, you've done so many amazing things in your life despite all of your hardships. They are so proud of you Mako, and so are we." Ami quietly answered as she gently ran her fingers through Mako's hair.
"I love you Ami." Mako quietly cried as she clung to Ami.
"I love you to Mako." Ami quietly said as she continued to rock Mako. "Are you ready to go out by everyone else?" Ami asked with a small smile as she looked into Mako's eyes.
"I don't know, I wish I could just sleep through the whole flight." Mako quietly answered with a sniffle.
"I can make that happen Mako. You want me to sing you a lullaby?" Ami asked with a sweet smile.
"I've always wanted to hear you sing Ami." Mako replied with a sniffle as she cuddled up to Ami.
"Okay." Ami replied as she lightly rocked Mako. "Hush little Mako don't say a word, Ami's gonna buy you a mocking bird, and if that mockingbird don't sing Ami's gonna buy you a diamond ring." Ami quietly sang as she watched Mako's eyes start to close. "And if that diamond ring don't shine, Ami's gonna buy you the whole big mine, and when that big old mine goes dry, Ami's gonna make you a cherry pie." Ami quietly sang as she watched Mako's eyes close completely. "Hush little lighting bug, your little blueberry's got you." Ami quietly said as she pulled out her communicator, then pressed the Europan symbol.
"Everything okay Ami?" Kaede asked as her face flashed on Ami's screen.
"Yeah, but I need a favor please." Ami answered with a small smile.
"Name it." Kaede replied as she stared at Ami's image.
"I need you to come into the restroom please, I got Mako to calm down a bit, but I think it would be best to sedate her for the flight." Ami quietly informed with a small frown.
"Okay, I'll come give her a shot." Kaede replied as she stood up.
"Where ya going darling?" Sarah asked with a smile as she watched Kaede start walking towards the restroom.
"To check on sis." Kaede answered as she walked towards the restroom.
"Okay, holler if ya need anythang." Sarah said as she watched Kaede walk into the restroom.
"Hi Kaede." Ami whispered as she ran her fingers through Mako's hair.
"Hey, what happened?" Kaede asked in a worried tone as she stared at Mako.
"Nothing, I just rocked her to sleep, so try and stay quiet." Ami whispered back with a smile.
"Okay. So what can I do?" Kaede asked as she kneeled down by Ami.
"Summon your bag and give her a shot, I wanna sedate her for the flight. I didn't realize just how bad her fear of planes was. I think it would be best for everyone if she stayed asleep until the plane touched down in Texas." Ami answered as she held Mako close.
"Are you sure?" Kaede asked with a look of uncertainty.
"I'm sure, please do it Kaede. I've never seen her so scared or hurt before." Ami quietly pleaded with a few tears.
"Alright, if that's what you think is best." Kaede replied as she prepared to transform. "Europa moon power, make up." Kaede quietly called out as she began her transformation. "Are you sure you wanna do this Ami?" Europa asked as she summoned her bag.
"I'm sure." Ami answered as she held Mako close. Europa nodded in response then pulled a small syringe from her bag.
"Here goes, just one little poke." Europa quietly said as she stuck the needle into Mako's arm, then pushed the plunger down. "That'll kick in soon Ami, I used a delayed acting sedative so she'll at least be coherent enough to board the plane." Europa informed as she put her needle back in her bag, then sent her bag away.
"How long exactly before it kicks in?" Ami asked with a straight face.
"Thirty minutes or so." Europa answered as she let down her transformation.
"Plenty of time to board and get situated." Ami replied as she gently patted Mako's arm.
"What?" Mako quietly asked as she slowly opened her eyes.
"Are you ready to get moving Mako, we'll be boarding soon?" Ami asked with a small smile as she looked down at Mako.
"I guess." Mako quietly answered with small frown. "What's sis doing in here?" Mako asked as she held her hand out to Kaede.
"I just came to check on the two of you." Kaede lied as she took Mako's hand and helped her to her feet.
"Thanks sis." Mako quietly thanked as she turned around and held a hand out to Ami. "Woah." Mako suddenly said as she put a hand on her head. "The room's a little spiny right now." Mako said as she stumbled into Ami's arms.
"You just stood up a little quick I think, but you can lean on me if you need to." Ami informed with a smile as she draped Mako's arm over her shoulders.
"Thanks Ami." Mako replied as she leaned on Ami and started walking out of the restroom.
"There you all are, what took you so long? Are you okay Mako?" Saeko asked in a worried tone as she stared at Mako.
"I'm...I'm oklay." Mako slurred as she swayed a bit.
"What did you give her?" Saeko asked as she looked back and forth from Ami to Kaede.
"Just a mild sedative, it's not suppose to kick in for another twenty-five minutes though." Kaede answered as she stared at Saeko.
"Y-y-you drugged me?" Mako quietly asked as she stared at Kaede and Ami.
"I'm sorry Mako, I thought it would make you a little more comfortable on the plane. I should've asked what you wanted, but you were so scared and I..." Ami started apologizing until Mako cut her off.
"Oh thank you Ami, you really do understand what I need. I love you Ami, and that's not the drug talking." Mako quietly said as she tried to hug Ami, practically falling on her as she did.
"Oh! I love you to Mako." Ami chuckled as she caught Mako and held her up.
"All group E passengers please line up at the gate!" A woman announced to the crowd of people waiting to board the plane.
"That's us, come on loopy." Kaede said with a chuckle as her and Ami helped Mako to the plane.
"I love you guys sooooo much, y-y-you're the bestest peoples around." Mako said with a chuckle as Ami and Kaede practically dragged her towards the plane.
"You're the best to Mako." Ami replied with a smile as her and Kaede helped Mako onto the plane.
"There you go sis, now you can rest." Kaede said with a smile as she sat Mako in a seat.
"Thanks." Mako mumbled as she fell asleep.
"Good job Kaede, thanks for doing that." Ami thanked as she sat down next to Mako and buckled her in.
"Any time Ami, and thanks for taking care of sis for me, I know how happy and safe you make her feel." Kaede replied as she waited for everyone else.
"Here girls, we brought your bags." Saeko informed as she handed Ami her bags, while Minako and Rei put Mako and Kaede's bags in the overhead storage bin.
"Thank you everyone." Ami thanked as she took her bags and put them in the overhead bin.
"I'm so excited ta be going home!" Sarah yelled as she put her bag in the bin, then sat down.
"We're excited to be visiting Sarah, I can't wait to see your home." Usagi replied as she put her bag in the bin, then helped Chibiusa and Shingo store theirs.
"It's gonna be so good to go somewhere that's not infested with monsters." Minako said with a smile as she stored hers and Rei's bags.
"Oh we have some monsters by us unfortunately, just not the kind y'all are use ta fighting." Sarah said with a small frown.
"What do you mean Sarah?" Kaede asked with a confused look as she stored her bag and sat down next to Sarah.
"I'll just say this, stay away from the McClain farm, they ain't the kinda people ya wanna know." Sarah quietly said with a small frown.
"What do you mean Sarah?" Rei asked with a confused look as she sat down with Minako.
"They're the kinda stereotypical people most folks think of when they think of Texas. Crazed rednecks who don't like nobody who ain't American born, straight, or white. They're bad people, just stay away from 'em." Sarah warned as she stared at the seat in front of her.
"How bad is bad?" Saeko asked as she sat down next to Ikuko.
"They're suspected of over a dozen hate crimes in my town, and they also started a group called the American Nationalist Army or ANA for short. They're little group is suspected in several hate related crimes, including multiple homicides, unfortunately all the evidence is circumstantial and the police can't do nothing but monitor 'em. Be careful of 'em, and don't go anywhere in town alone. Being foreigners y'all are prime targets fer them bastards. I despise people like them, they don't reflect the America I was born and raised into. Our country was supposed ta be a melting pot of cultures, a place where all people were welcomed and appreciated. Groups like the ANA make my stomach turn, they're less American than any other folks I've ever met. Y'all just stay clear of 'em, and if they approach ya don't hesitate to attack 'em, because they won't hesitate ta kill ya if the chance presents itself." Sarah quietly explained with a sad expression.
"Jeez Sarah, why didn't you tell us about those goons earlier?" Kaede asked as she stared at Sarah.
"They didn't cross my mind until we got on the plane, I left those issues back in Texas when I came over here. Now that I'm going home my issues are gonna be waiting fer me there, but now I've got friends ta help hold 'em at bay." Sarah explained with a smile as she looked at Kaede. Kaede smiled back and held her hand out to Sarah, who gladly took it and lightly squeezed it.
"Attention folks, this is your captain speaking. Please direct your attention to the flight attendants as we go through emergency procedures. First off, there are six exits to this plane. Two in front of the first row on either side, two in front of row fifteen on either side, and finally there are two more in front of row twenty-six on either side. In the unlikely event of a water landing under each of your seats is an inflatable life vest, place the vest over your head as demonstrated by the flight attendants, then pull the red cord to auto inflate the vest. Should the vest not inflate properly there is a valve that you can blow into in order to manually inflate the vest. Should we loose cabin pressure air masks will automatically deploy from the ceiling. Place the mask over your nose and mouth and breathe normally, don't be alarmed if the bag doesn't inflate because oxygen is still flowing despite the bag not inflating. If you have a child with you be sure to secure your own mask first then assist the child. If you open the pamphlet in front of your seat you'll notice crash procedures. Should the event arise in which we need to make a crash landing follow the diagram in the pamphlet. Lean forward, tilt your head down, and brace your arms against the seat in front of you. Thank you for your attention while we go through emergency procedures, now sit back, relax and enjoy the flight." The pilot explained as he turned off the intercom.
"Good thing Mako wasn't awake for that little speech." Ami quietly said as she looked at her mom.
"No kidding. I think you made the right call giving her that shot Ami." Saeko quietly replied with a smile.
"One more thing folks, I'd like to give a warm welcome to the six young women with the funny gear in boarding group C. Welcome aboard Sailor Guardians, it's nice to have you all on board." The pilot announced in a friendly tone.
"Oh my god. There are Sailor Guardians on the plane?" Some of the passengers started to whisper amongst themselves.
"Wow, I really wanna meet them." Other people whispered with glee.
"Well so much for a relaxing flight." Usagi mumbled to herself with a huff.
"That's what you get for being so awesome Usagi." Naru chuckled as she nudged Usagi.
"Relax girls, most people don't know what you all look like. They'll be looking for girls in Senshi uniforms, but you're all in street clothes." Saeko whispered with a smile.
"Good point, thanks Mizuno-San. I just hope they don't notice our gear." Usagi whispered back with a smile.
"If they didn't notice when you got on then they definitely aren't gonna notice now." Saeko replied with a smile. Saeko was correct, as after a few minutes the excitement over the guardians died down when no one could find them.
"All passengers please fasten your seatbelts and flight attendants please prepare for cross check." The pilot announced. Seatbelts started clicking as flight attendants went up and down the isles making sure all the overhead bins were securely closed. "Thank you for flying air Japan today, our nonstop flight from Tokyo to Texas will be approximately fourteen hours. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the view folks." The pilot announced. A couple minutes later the plane started moving.
"Oh my god, we're moving! Look Usagi!" Chibiusa yelled as she stared out the window.
"I know, I'm so excited Chibiusa! What about you Shingo?" Usagi asked as she looked at Shingo.
"This is so cool sis! Thanks for letting us come along." Shingo thanked as he stared out the window.
"It wouldn't be a vacation without the family." Usagi replied as she patted Shingo's shoulder. Everyone stared out the window in awe as the plane's wheels left the ground and they officially became airborne.
"Oh my god Mina this is awesome! We're flying! We're flying!" Rei yelled as she planted her face against the window and watched the city get further and further away.
"That's right, Ami and I are the only ones out of our group who've flown in a plane before. Unless you count the starlights plane which I really don't since that whole experience was kind of ruined by that monster and having to unveil our identities to each other." Minako replied with a smile as she watched Rei.
"It's so beautiful up here, I didn't see any of this on the Starlight's plane." Rei quietly said as she continued to stare out the window.
"Not as beautiful as you though." Minako quietly said as she gave Rei a kiss on her cheek.
"Refreshments for you ladies?" A flight attendant asked as he rolled a cart over by Rei and Minako.
"Please." Minako answered with a smile.
"What would you like to drink?" The attendant asked as he pulled out a pad and pencil.
"I'll have an apple juice and some pretzels please." Minako answered with a smile as she poked Rei.
"Me to please." Rei answered as she continued to stare out the window.
"Coming right up." The man replied as he wrote their order down, then moved onto everyone else.
"How's Mako doing?" Saeko asked as she looked over at Ami.
"She's still out like a light." Ami answered with a smile.
"Can I get any of you anything?" A flight attendant asked as she wheeled a cart over by Saeko.
"Could my friend get a blanket and a pillow please?" Ami asked with a smile.
"Certainly ma'am, can I get the rest of you any refreshments?" The attendant asked with a smile.
"I'll have a grape juice please." Saeko answered as she put her menu away.
"Lemonade please." Ami said as she also put her menu away.
"Apple juice please." Sarah answered as she handed her menu to Kaede.
"I'll take a water please." Kaede said as she put the menu away.
"Coming up." The flight attendant replied as she walked away. After about twenty minutes everyone had ordered drinks and were settling in for their long flight.
"I can't wait ta get home darling." Sarah quietly said with a small yawn.
"I can't wait to see your home Sarah, I bet it's as beautiful as you are." Kaede quietly said as she cuddled up to Sarah.
"It's even more darling. Even more." Sarah whispered as her and Kaede fell asleep together, followed by everyone else.