Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and the Sailor Scouts and everything affiliated with them are the property of Naoko Takeuchi, Toei Animation, Dic, and many other big name people and companies with lots of money and lots of lawyers. I do not own them so don't sue me; I'm only borrowing them for a little while. Any other characters are mine. If anyone wishes to use them, please notify me first.
Just a bit of clarification:
the * * signify a person's thoughts
the ***** before a section signify either a memory or a shift into the mindscape (don't worry, this will make sense eventually, I hope).
Please email me with your comments and/or criticisms at jnkryo@yahoo.com. Heck, flame me if you want to. I'd like any feedback I can get. Enjoy the story!
Brother's Keeper
Part 3
by: Johnny Ng
"Oh wow, that was great!" Mina said, sighing contentedly. She and Trent were sitting at one of the best tables in the restaurant and the remains of a seven-course meal were laid out on the table in front of them.
"Yeah," Trent agreed, "Jean-Luc really outdid himself with this."
"You've got to tell me how you became friends with the head chef here."
"Well, it's a long story, but the short version of it is that both he and my dad served in the navy together, on the same ship in fact. Well, the ship was patrolling the Atlantic Ocean when suddenly there was an explosion in the ships engineering section. Jean-Luc was caught in the blast and was flung overboard. My dad saw that and jumped in after him and saved him. And so, Jean-Luc swears undying loyalty or somesuch nonsense to my dad and my whole family gets to eat here whenever we want."
Mina listened wide-eyed to this story, and when it was finished, all she could say was, "Wow. That's really cool. "
A slightly accented voice spoke up behind Trent. "Trent, you're not boring your date with old stories, are you? "
Trent smiled and got up. "Jean-Luc, good to see you," he said, shaking the chef's hand. He gestured to the empty dishes on the table. "Wonderful meal, as usual."
Jean-Luc chuckled. "Nothing is too good for the son of the man who saved my life...and his lovely lady-friend." He inclined his head towards Mina who giggled. "In fact, this dinner is on the house."
Trent stepped back, shocked. "Oh, no Jean-Luc, we can't accept that."
"Please, I insist. Just remember to bring the rest of your family next time."
"Well, alright, but just this once."
The chef smiled. "Good. Now, if you'll excuse me, I must get back to my kitchen."
When he left, Mina turned to Trent. "Wasn't that sweet of him?"
"Yes, it was. Well, if you're finished, how about we go for a walk in the park?"
"That would be great."
They both got up and, after Trent left a sizable tip on the table, headed for the exit.
Daniel's limo pulled up to the entrance of the Starlight Club. He stepped out and admired the restaurant. *Hmm. Nice, if a bit gaudy. I hope the food is as good as they claim.* He entered and showed the maitre 'd his reservations. Recognizing the name, Daniel was immediately escorted to a table.
Trent was about to open the door when Mina tugged on his arm.
"Hey, isn't that the billionaire, Daniel Takazawa?" she asked gesturing back into the restaurant.
"Who?"
"You know, Daniel Takazawa, head of Takazawa Industries. You've never heard of him?"
Trent shook his head. "I don't really keep up with the who's who in Japan."
"Well, I think that is him. He once gave a speech at my school."
Trent looked back and saw a tall, well-built man. However, his back was turned to him. He frowned. Something about Mr. Takazawa seemed familiar to him, as if a long forgotten memory was being awakened. Suddenly the billionaire stiffened and turned around as if looking for someone. His gaze
swept around the room for a few seconds before coming to rest on Trent's face. Trent suddenly felt as though his brain was exploding. He staggered and stumbled into Mina who gasped and tried to support him.
"Trent! What happened? Are you ok?" she asked worriedly.
Trent nodded and smiled weakly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little dizzy. I'm ok now. How about that walk, hmm?"
"Well, ok, if you feel you're up to it."
"Great, let's go."
He held open the door for Mina and followed her out, but not before risking a glance backward at Daniel Takazawa. Fortunately, the billionaire was seated at a table and wasn't facing him. *What just happened? Why do I feel as though I know you?*
Daniel was feeling uneasy as well. He barely tasted the food that he ordered as he was deep in thought. *Trent? Was that you? A boy?* He frowned. *But why not a boy? Fate works in mysterious ways. And who was that girl with you?* His frown deepened. There was something strange about the girl, too.
He finished his meal quickly, paid his bill, and left the restaurant, still deep in thought.
The sky was clear, the Moon was bright, and the stars were shining. All in all, it was a beautiful night. And Trent was enjoying it with Mina, simply sitting together in the park. Or at least he was trying to. His encounter with Daniel Takazawa disturbed him, but Mina didn't notice.
"Isn't this romantic?" she cooed quietly at him.
Trent decided to abandon thinking about Daniel for the time being and concentrate on the girl next to him. "Yes it is." He took a deep breath and put his arm around Mina's shoulders causing her to lean against him. "It's strange to think that we only met a few days ago. I may sound like a cliché, but I feel as though I've known you all my life."
"Yeah, me too," Mina said, snuggling up closer to him.
The conversation died comfortably then as both of them just sat contentedly together enjoying each other's presence. It was a while later that Trent happened to look at his watch. He smiled sadly and gently nudged Mina.
"Hey Mina...I think it's time I bring you back home."
Mina didn't answer. She just shifted slightly against his body and mumbled something. Trent looked down and saw that Mina had her eyes closed, obviously asleep. He chuckled. "C'mon Mina, if I don't get you home, your parents are going to kill me," he said softly, remembering the conversation
they had about her parents during dinner.
Mina just snored in his face.
"Alright, have it your way." Trent tenderly cradled Mina's slumbering form and lifted her up. He carried her out of the park slowly, careful not to wake her, and hailed a cab, giving it directions to Mina's
house. He gently set her down in the back seat and got in after her.
Once they arrived at Mina's house, he carried Mina out of the cab, up to her front door, and rang the bell. A few tense moments passed and Trent briefly wondered if showing up on Mina's doorstep with her asleep in his arms could be viewed by her parents as a bad thing. Before he could think of an answer, however, the door opened and a man stood in front of him. A large man. Mina's father.
The man looked at Trent then at the sleeping form of his daughter, then back to Trent again, and frowned.
Trent gulped and took a slight step backwards. "Uh...sir, I can explain-"
He locked his gaze of Trent. "So, you were the one who took her out tonight? Trent wasn't it?"
"Y...Yes, sir."
Mina's father's frown turned into a grin. "Pleased to meet you. I guess she fell asleep on you, huh?"
"Yes sir, she did," Trent said sighing with relief, but then he blurted out, "But nothing happened!"
The large man chuckled. "Ok, I believe you. Mina could have handled anyone who tried anything with her. Why don't you come in." He moved aside and Trent squeezed by with Mina. "Here, let me take my daughter and put her to bed, you go have a seat in the living room."
Mina's father lifted her out of Trent's arms and took her upstairs. A little while later he and a woman came into the living room.
Mina's father gestured at the woman. "Trent, this is Mina's mother. She would like to have some words with you, and so would I."
Trent gulped again, but stayed his ground.
"So, what happened on the date, young man?" the woman asked.
"Well, Ms. Aino, it went like this...," and Trent proceeded to relate the events of the entire night, however, he left out the part about meeting Daniel Takazawa. "...and Mr. Aino carried Mina to her room and told me to take a seat in the living room."
She nodded and turned to her husband. "You just put Mina into bed?" He nodded. "In her dress?" Realization dawned on his face as he nodded again, though a bit more slowly. She sighed. "I'll go wake her up. She can't sleep in that dress. It'll get all wrinkled, and according to the girls, it's Raye's." She headed up the stairs muttering, "Men."
Mr. Aino waited until his wife made it up the stairs, then rolled his eyes. "Women." He chuckled then he eyed Trent again. "It sounded like the date went rather well. Just what are your intentions towards my daughter?"
Trent was sure that if he had been sipping a drink, he would have sprayed the contents all over the Ainos' carpet. As it was, he found it a little hard to breathe.
"Well?" Mr. Aino pressed.
Trent finally forced some air into his lungs. "I have nothing but the best intentions and the utmost respect for you and your daughter. I would do nothing to harm her." He paused and continued quietly. "In fact, sir, if I may say so without seeming too forward, I love Mina."
Silence reigned for a few moments in the Aino living room after that remark. Finally the man nodded, apparently satisfied. He leaned back into his chair, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Ok, what else can I ask you?"
Trent was suddenly hit with a sinking feeling. *This is going to be a long night.*
Mina's mom opened the door to her daughter's room and stepped inside. *There she is, my little princess.* She went to Mina's side and gently shook her awake.
"Honey, wake up..."
Mina blinked. "Wha...mom...? Where am I?" she asked blearily.
"You're in your room dear, Trent brought you home. Now why don't you change out of that dress and into your pajamas?"
"Trent...brought me home?"
"Yes, he seems like a nice young man. Your father's having a little chat with him in the living room now."
Even half-awake, Mina smiled. "Yeah, he's wonderf..." Her eyes immediately widened as she assimilated what her mother just said. "He's talking with dad?!" At her mother's nod, Mina bolted out of bed and ran downstairs. Smiling wearily, her mom followed.
*Gotta save Trent! My dad's gonna rip him apart!* She reached the stairs and was about to dash down them when she heard Trent's voice. *At least he's still alive.* Then she registered what he was saying.
"...the utmost respect for you and your daughter. I would do nothing to harm her. In fact, sir, if I may say so without seeming too forward, I love Mina."
*He loves me? He LOVES me!* Mina gripped the banister tightly as tears of joy worked their way down her cheeks. She felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked up and saw her mother who smiled at her. Mina wanted to treasure this moment forever. Then she heard her father talking.
"Ok, what else can I ask you?"
"Eeep!" Mina ran quickly down the stairs.
"What else can I...I know!" Mina's dad began to open his mouth again when a voice interrupted him.
"Daddy! What do you think you are doing?" Mina had rushed into the living room and stood before her father glaring at him, arms akimbo. She looked like a vengeful demon with her wild hair and slightly rumpled dress, but to Trent she was his angelic savior.
Mina's mom also joined her daughter in confronting her father. "Yes, dear, what were you thinking of doing?" she asked her husband.
Under the stern gazes of the two women, the lone male member of the Aino clan sensed his defeat. "Oh...hi dears...I was just...uh...talking with Trent here. He's a very nice boy." He saw the two women in his family smile at him and he realized that he had better quit while he was ahead. He shut up.
"Yes, he is a nice young man," Ms. Aino agreed, smiling. She turned to Trent. "I'm sorry, Trent, but it's almost time for Mina's curfew and..."
"Mom!"
Trent got up and put a reassuring hand on Mina's shoulder. "I understand Ms. Aino. I had a lovely time with your daughter."
"Thank you, Trent. You're welcome any time at our house. Mina, would you please escort our guest to the door?"
Mina nodded enthusiastically and grabbed Trent's arm and practically dragged him to the door.
"Whoa, Mina, I didn't know you were so eager to get rid of me," Trent joked.
Mina didn't say anything. Once in the doorway, away from the prying eyes of her parents, she embraced Trent and kissed him fiercely.
Trent was startled but responded in kind, wrapping his arms tightly around Mina's body.
When the kiss ended, Trent was seeing stars. "Wow. What was that for?" he asked dazedly, his arms still holding onto her.
Mina laid her head on his chest. "I love you too."
Trent smiled. "So, you heard, huh?"
She nodded. "I heard you talking to my dad."
"Well, I meant it."
Mina murmured something.
"What?"
"Would you say it to me? Just once?"
Trent cupped Mina's chin in his hand and tilted her head up. "No, I'll say it more than once. I'll say it every time I see you and every time I don't. I'll say it when I'm wide-awake or in my deepest dream. I'll shout it from the mountain tops and let it echo in the valleys." He looked deep into her crystal blue eyes. "I love you, Mina Aino whose name means love. I love you with every breath, every fiber of my being. I love you. I love you. A hundred times, I love you."
Fresh tears trekked their way down her cheeks as Mina listened to Trent's soliloquy professing his love for her. Seeing this, he wiped away those tears and gently kissed her forehead. Hearing Mina's parents calling for her, he turned and opened the door.
"Until next time we meet, my love," Trent said softly, walking out into the night. He stopped, turned, and smiled. "Are you busy this weekend?"
Mina snapped out of her trance. "No. Call me?"
"You bet." Then Trent was swallowed up by the night.
Daniel sat cross-legged in front of a roaring fire in his mansion. He was dressed in traditional Shinto robes and in a deep meditative trance. He wasn't a follower of the Shinto religion, but the robes seemed appropriate. Then he started chanting, and in response the fire began to grow and sway. When the chant ended, the fire had transformed into a conflagration.
"Show me the boy."
The fire obeyed and a face appeared in its fiery depths, the face of Trent Powers.
"Is he my brother?"
The fire was silent.
"Is he my brother?"
The fire began to pulsate, as if struggling with the question.
Daniel was starting to lose patience. "IS HE MY BROTHER!?"
The fire expanded, threatening to engulf Daniel. Then, as suddenly as it had grown, it shrunk and extinguished itself.
Daniel frowned. *Strange, that has never happened before. It was almost as if the fire destroyed itself rather than answer my question. No matter, I know the face of the boy. It is only a matter of time.*