A/N: I do not own Sailor Moon
The engine roared as she smiled into the breeze, pushing the throttle just a little more to increase the cold caress of the air on her skin. She was in no hurry to arrive at the destination, practically dreading it. Mamoru calling and asking her to come to the family estate would amount to nothing but trouble in her book. Yet, it was something she could not refuse at the same time, not after every advantage that the Chiba family gave, a chance for her to make herself what she was today. The long-time family friend took her in after she lost everything when she was nothing but a small orphan with nothing to offer in return. She received the same education and training as Mamoru, competing with him until fate offered her a slightly different path. Her intelligence and strength added to her strategic ability. Soon, she led a team of fighters sent on silent errands to the family's partners, ready to protect the family members. As a result, she was feared and respected inside and outside the family. More importantly, she had the freedom she so often sought in her youth. Her habit of not asking questions on the particulars took her far in gaining the release from Chiba-sama. Yet she did not appear to hold anyone's interest above others. She treated other families fairly even as she watched Mamoru become chained with responsibilities to put the family first as the future head.
She shook her sandy blonde locks as she pulled her helmet off, releasing the short, wild strands and removing the thoughts about what he possibly wanted from her. She glanced up at the imposing white marble entry as she tucked her helmet on the handlebar, confident that whatever it was would not take long. She entered the main corridor, the staff giving her hidden glances at her appearance. She was clad in her black racing suit, hugging her curves as a contradiction to the usual suit jacket for visits to the manor. It was clear which servants had noticed the departure from her androgynous look. She shrugged the thought. It wasn't her fault he called when she was out for a joyride. She rolled her eyes at the last few blatant stares as she made her way to the study just off the main hall.
"Haruka, that was fast," Mamoru greeted her, subtly smiling as she raised a blonde eyebrow in a silent indication of his stupid comment. "Well, since you're in a chatty mood, I'll get right to it," gesturing to a chair opposite of his desk.
"You knew this would happen if you called, but still, you did. So I'm anxious to know what is so important?" She mocked, folding her arms over her chest as she leaned on the arm of the chair.
He took a deep breath, almost as if he was building up the courage to say what he needed. "I have a… personal.. request." Her blue eyes narrowed slightly at the nature of his statement. He knew she didn't do personal, not even for him. "Please, just hear me out before you say anything. You're the only one I would trust with this," he murmured as his royal blue eyes met hers in a pleading look that only she could understand. She released a heavy breath before she finally sat in the chair. He smiled at that before he handed her a picture.
"Usagi?" She croaked as she glanced at the photo of his betrothed in her hand. The complicated history between the three of them played in her mind as the fear grew to hear her task.
"Hai. Ruka, you know it has to be important if it comes to this." She suppressed a groan at his slip into her childhood nickname. This can't be good if he's pulling out all stops before he even asks, she grumbled to herself. "There was an accident at her last show. Someone put an explosive under her dressing table. It went off when she should have done her costume change…."
"I am certain that there are literally 10, even 15 secret police assigned to this at this point. So what is the catch?" She motioned with her hand for him to get to the point.
"There was secret police assigned to her before, more than the usual since there was a rumor she was receiving threats." A single eyebrow went up at the notion as Mamoru continued. "But you know how Usagi is, especially when her manager Minako is involved. She kept giving them the slip. All those years of hanging out with us, and that is what she picked up!" Shaking his head as he released a nervous chuckle at the memory.
"Her father just keeps throwing more people at her, and you know that won't help. That is why I need you. She won't be able to give you the slip." Mamoru moved around the desk, crouching down in front of the blonde. "Ruka, I need to keep her safe. She doesn't think she's in danger, so I can't personally help. You know she'll reject any control from her father. She won't push you away, and I know you will protect her."
Her feet rushed quickly down the steps as she climbed on her bike, kicking it alive in one go—thoughts swelling in her head that the wind couldn't wipe away. At their first meeting, the young Usagi had mistaken the tomboyish blonde as a boy, something that Haruka had toyed with the younger girl more than once. Something unspoken that lingered between them, as if the slightest breeze would blow away the masks they held. But Usagi was always meant to be with Mamoru, and Haruka would never betray him or the small blonde.
While she was reminiscing, her bike managed to carry her to her intended destination. She maneuvered around to the staff entrance at the side of the building with the large State Police sign out front, heading towards the locker room. After issues with her previous visits, the chief had given her a locker to keep some appropriate street clothes and encouraged her to change when she felt like dropping in. Dressed in the simple mustard-colored slacks and matching jacket, she quickly made her way through the halls until she found the room she wanted.
"Hey Meioh," her husky voice turned soft as she entered the office. Setsuna Meioh sat behind the desk, glancing up at the tall blonde before her, her long dark green hair falling over her shoulder save for the portion she had tied up in a bun.
"Of all the good suits you have, this is the one you chose to keep here for emergencies?" She smirked, her garnet eyes sweeping over the blonde's tall frame once more for emphasis.
"What wrong with this to think this is an emergency visit?" She quirked back, folding her arms in a fake offended manner.
"Seriously?" The olive skinned woman teased as she gestured for Haruka to close the door behind her. "I happen to have a pretty good idea why you are here," she smiled as she lifted a file and dropped it on the desk. Haruka glanced at the yellow folder before moving her gaze back to the other woman. "Plus, Michiru called and gave me a heads up." She smiled as the blonde rolled her eyes. The welcoming garnet eyes turned serious as she nodded at the folder. "That is all the people who have been assigned to the little blonde princess before. Now her father has demanded that I deal with it."
"Great," the sandy blonde haired woman slapped her hands together. "If you're on it, then there is no need…."
"There is one more thing I think you should know," Setsuna called as Haruka reached for the door. She shifted her gaze to the chief, not bothering to turn more than her face towards her. "Her manager hired a bodyguard as well. Seiya Kou."
She clenched her jaw at the name, desperately trying to hold back the choice words she held for that particular person. "Thanks, Meioh. You're right. That does change things."
~-~-~
"Ah, Mina, I knew you couldn't resist my charm forever," the raven haired man cooed as the bubbly blonde appeared in the door.
"Save it, Kou," Minako snapped, barely keeping her lips from curling in amusement. She sashayed across the room, navy blue eyes following her as she approached. His attention quickly drifted to a folder she extended out between them.
"What's this?" He sneered as he snatched the folder, quickly scanning the contents.
"Names and dates," Minako huffed as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. Seiya simply rolled his eyes.
"But why?" His voice warbled, the aggravation clear in his tone.
"The pink paper clip is all of the upcoming planned appearances for Usagi. Fashion shows, galas, and other parties." She motioned to the folder as Seiya flipped to the other, more extensive set of papers. "All of the people in attendance when the anonymous threat mailed, and in attendance the day of the fire in the dressing room. We need you as Usagi's bodyguard."
Seiya blinked a few times as the words lingered in the air. "Odongo?" His mind suddenly snapped awake as he remembered the bun-haired blonde. The smile was smacked it off his face at the idea of a threat against her. "What about the State Police? And of course Mamoru-"
"What good are they? The police haven't been able to make heads or tails out of it, and they have been trying since we got the first threatening letter. Always in the way when there is an appearance." She flung her hair off her shoulder to underscore her annoyance with dealing with them. "Mamoru, well, I wouldn't be surprised if he already added his security."
"He wouldn't protect his fiancé himself?" Seiya crossed his arms, a fume building at the man seemed to not take his role as her protector seriously.
"There is a complication of avoiding Usagi getting photographed in public with him, and he wouldn't dare cross the Prime Minister's request. I assume he'll lay it on thick if it can't be him, and it won't be subtle." He smiled as the blonde manager scrunched her nose, apparently disliking the thought. "You know how much Usagi wants to be the approachable pop princess, and none of these is her style." Minako's smile returned as she softly adjusted the lapels on Seiya's jacket, even though the man was always impeccably dressed. He still wore his raven hair back in the long ponytail tied at the neck since his youth. Her fingertips lingered for a moment as she looked up at his curious stare. "A former teenage icon yourself, you just have a certain flair that she wouldn't mind having around," smiling as his eyes glistened with remembrance. "You were always my favorite detective when you were on the force, and now that you have your own agency, well, this assignment was made for you!"
"Minako, do you understand the difference between a detective and a bodyguard?" Seiya mumbled as he shook his head, sure that small detail would not deter the manager.
"Well, if you can't handle it…" she started as she reached for the file. Seiya quickly cut her off, yanking the papers closer to his chest.
"I didn't say that," he grunted in defense.
"Great, here are your tickets for the events." Minako handed one more envelope over to the raven haired detective before turning on her heels and heading towards the door. "Don't be late."
"Shouldn't a bodyguard be with her all the time?" He called to the retreating figure, his voice taking a sultry tone.
"Follow your heart, but don't be stupid about the facts," the blonde called without stopping.
"I don't think that is how that saying goes," he mumbled before turning back to the folder still in his hand. He smiled at the idea of seeing Usagi again and having a good reason for being close to her.
One that even Mamoru couldn't disagree with.
He turned back to the other pieces of paper scattered on his desk, a short huff sampling his lips. All these cases may need to take a pause. He was an up-and-coming detective in the police before some questionable allegations in a case he was leading. It had taken years to rebuild his reputation to open his agency. Finally, the case was closed, with no one answering for the crimes he attributed to a single perpetrator. Any witnesses couldn't recall any details. It had to be the work of an assassin, and although not traced to any crime family, he was confident they were associated with the Chiba family. He couldn't help but think that Mamoru had a hand in the allegations, as well as his job, dismissed. The heir to the Chiba family business never liked him around the Odongo headed blonde girl, and this was just the backhanded way to get rid of him.
He was opening his private agency, one of his brothers, Yaten, following closely behind, while the third brother Taiki stayed on at the police agency. Something about his research would still help more people if he stayed at the agency. Seiya kept his protest to himself and tried to keep Yaten from complaining was a feat within itself. Taiki still would help Seiya's cases from time to time, so he could never be that upset with his brother.
Opening the folder, he noticed that the next event was the following night. Making a mental note on the perfect suit in his closet, he picked up the phone.
"Yo, Yaten. I'm sending over two lists. Can you compare them and run a background on those that trip?" He moved the phone away from his ear to try to silence the youngest brother's complaints that flowed out of the receiver. When the younger brother took a breath, Seiya paltered. "If you can finish it tonight, I can throw in tickets to a party tomorrow," he sing-song. He took the silence as an affirmation as the line went dead. Chuckling at the antics of the petite brother, he scanned the papers to send. His mind drifted to what other arrangements he would need to make for tomorrow. Minako was right. Mamoru was likely to send his people, but who?
"Tadaima!" He called as he entered the exuberant entry hall, pausing to listen for the sounds of life inside the residence. Soon enough, the tiny little thuds of footsteps grew closer and closer until he saw three little heads peeking around the corner.
"Seiya-Ojisan!" They cried in unison and ran to form a circle around his legs. "Did you get any bad guys today?" One called out as he threw his hands in the air. "What about ev-dance?" A second asked as he shyly looked around his brother.
"I helped the good people of this city, and that is what's important," Seiya smiled as the children cheered.
"Why do you always have to rile them up, Seiya-kun?" A soft but stern voice echoed from the hall. The children grew silent as they turned to face the lady of the house, their eyes along with Seiya's downturned as she entered. "Would you please go and help set the table for dinner?" She smiled at the tallest boy before she turned to look at Seiya. "It appears that we will need an extra seat."
"Kakyuu-Obasan, I do not wish to impose-" he started before she held her hand to stop him.
"It is no trouble at all. You know you are always welcome," her smile sending shivers through Seiya more than it comforted him. "Besides, your visit is well-timed as I have some business for you as well." Turning to make her way towards the main living area, he bounced his head, considering what his aunt would ask as he followed. "It seems the Prime Minister is on the search for a new family bodyguard."
Seiya wore his best poker face in hopes his aunt would not see distress at the words. "Who brought you news of this?"
"Seiya-kun, you know how fast news travels in well-connected families," flashing a disarming smile. "It seems like an opportunity to get back in the good graces of a powerful family, especially after that whole fiasco with the finance of the daughter." Seiya dug his nails into the hand that folded on his lap to hold back the urge to say anything. He held his words, but one black eyebrow managed to raise seemingly on its own. "Oh, Seiya-kun, I understand the ill-fated decision of a young man. I let you follow your whimsical ideas with the garage band, and I would never hold the young infatuation against you. Now that you are much more sensible, it is the perfect time to try again."
"Try again?" Seiya questioned.
"Acceleration to the top of the Police Command. It would be senseless to lose it all in the pursuit of an unambitious girl who is already given her heart to another, wouldn't you agree?"
"But I have already left the Police force," he winced as soon as the words left him. Both at pointing out the obvious to his aunt and at the memory of when he announced his departure. "I can't simply go back."
"Not to the State Police, no. You would rise the ranks quicker in the Kokutai than in the state. I am not sure we could have planned this better."
"Hai, I would love a chance to work for the Prime Minister again. Do you have a connection with an interview for the job?" He couldn't help to take her bait. She had never taken a strong interest in his or any of his bothers careers before this. However, there was something unspoken that she wanted, and he was going to have to find a way into the mansion anyway if he was to protect Odongo truly.
"But of course. Please get the children ready for dinner, and I will make a call. I will be along momentarily." He stood and bowed to her in appreciation before heading in the direction he heard the tiny voices. "Arai," she called over her shoulder as a tightly dressed man appeared with a subtle bow of his head.
"Hai Oji-Sama?"
"Please send a note to our benefactor. I have addressed his concern."
