Author's Note:

Yes, another fanfiction. As before, the disclaimers go as follows:

My email address is Guardian4@atlantic.net. If you want to email me about my story, please put fanfiction in the subject line. Sailor Moon was made by Naoko Tacheuchi, I don't own it.

Also, Rei and Mamoru never went out, k? And Kunzite and Zoisite are not lovers. I also used the relationship between the Shitennou from the manga, not the anime, which means they don't hate each other. I also use only the manga attacks for the Senshi. (Since in the Manga, Mars doesn't have Fire Soul and only talismans in the first season, I'm going to borrow a second season one, even though she doesn't have her Star Power transformation.)

Hidden Truths

Chapter 15

"Now we make allowances for your religion, Mr. Hino, but it has gone too far. We are very concerned about Ms. Hino."

Rei wanted to die; the nun who had disliked her riding home with Jason was at it again, only this time she had called a parent-teacher conference with her grandfather. How embarrassing!

"I have met Mr. Kaimen and I trust him. I would not allow my granddaughter to ride with him if I did not."

"We are concerned that perhaps he would like something physical from Ms. Hino," the nun argued.

Rei's temper flared, but her grandfather put a restraining hand on her arm. He calmly turned back to the nun-teacher. "I think you should meet someone, especially Mr. Kaimen, before you make such an assumption. I also think we have covered all the issues here today. If you'll excuse us, we have the temple to care for."

Her grandfather beside her, they walked back to the temple with her book bag heavy in her hand. She had told Jason not to come to pick her up that day when the nun told her that she had wanted to speak to her grandfather.

"Rei-chan, I trust Jason, I do, and I know there are some things that a grandfather shouldn't know so I won't ask, but tell me if he is bothering you."

"Ojii-chan, do you remember who Jason is? Sometimes when he picks me up, we get a call and it's faster to get to the meeting or emergency that way, with me already on his bike."

"You know that's not what I'm talking about, but fine. I'm not going to stop him from picking you up since it seems to benefit both you and him on more than one level."

"Thank you, Ojii-chan," she whispered as they walked up the stairs. "You don't have to worry."

He gave her a sad, lopsided grin. "I'm your grandfather; it's my job to worry."

Jason was waiting for Rei's school to let out the next day, on his motorcycle as usual, when a nun stormed up to him. He had no idea what to make of it as she ordered him to follow her. Amused, he shut off his bike and did as she said.

"Sit down, Mr. Kaimen."

When she said his name, he immediately got suspicious. His movements slower, more cautious in case of something like a trap from, as unlikely as it was, Beryl, he sat down.

"We have talked with Ms. Hino several times, and even with her grandfather, and both are convinced you are to be trusted. However, we at this school are worried about her continual involvement with you. Are you interested in something physical from Ms. Hino?"

It took Jason a moment to understand what she was talking and asking about. Then he couldn't believe that she would dare presume, without even knowing him, that he would take advantage of Rei. Sure, that night had happened, but it had not been planned and when they had woken up, Rei had assured him that she had not felt taken advantage of. She had even told him she loved him.

Why hadn't Rei told him about this thing at school though? "I don't think it's any of your business, but if you will stop asking Rei and her grandfather, then I'll answer: absolutely not. We have a special relationship, not one that involves physical intimacy."

"What kind of 'special relationship' do you have then?" she demanded, her eyes lowering in suspicion.

He hesitated in saying they were in love; he'd seen some of the reactions of the people living here. They did not, at the very least, approve of such a relationship. He couldn't say that they were protectors of the Earth for obvious reasons. But…

The bell rang loud in the classroom. "We work together, a bit, on projects that our interests coincide with. And our 'special relationship' that you put such suspicion and disdain on is one of deep and abiding friendship and respect." Among other feelings, he thought silently.

"How old are you, Mr. Kaimen?"

Taken aback, he answered, "20."

"Do you know how old Ms. Hino is?"

"I never really thought about it, but she's 16."

"And you 'work together' as you put it? You are four years older than her, a working man in the world, and she a school girl who takes care of a temple who does not have a job. What 'work' could you do together?"

He, of course, had been referring to working together against the evil forces attempting to destroy the Earth, but she didn't and wasn't to know that. But he had to answer something. If he didn't answer this question, it would look like he was lying. And despite the fact that he knew Rei's grandfather would let her ride home with him, the school still had some power and could put a restraining order from him coming near the building and Rei. He may have been in the Dark Kingdom for a while, but that didn't mean he was ignorant of this world. And the more he was Jason and not Jadeite, the more he seemed to know about this world that he had not learned before…

"Well, though I don't actively do martial arts work anymore, we do spar a bit in that area. And I like to listen to her sing, and I do write poems, some. She likes to make them into songs and such. We both take an active interest in" Saving the world, he playfully thought, "certain areas of religion. I'm really rather knowledgeable about the kinds of gods that are worshiped in the major religions, such as Christianity, around the world."

"Somehow you don't strike me as the type of person to be interested in religion," she commented dryly. "Or is it a sudden interest, inspired by certain things about Ms. Hino?"

Jason couldn't stand it anymore. He stood up abruptly and she looked at him in surprise. Placing his hands on the desk, he bent down so he could look her in the eye. "Don't insult me again, whoever you are. I have answered your questions in full, civilly, and without complaint or verbal injury to you. But my patience does not last forever, and you have already insulted me by thinking that I would lay a finger like that on Rei without her consent. She herself is very strong-willed and will go places in life and is and would be very careful in that insinuated area you constantly bring up. Do not speak with me again unless it is to apologize."

He stormed from the building and out into a near empty courtyard. Rei was standing by his bike, looking for him. Just the glance of her was enough to calm him and make him smile.

"Rei," he whispered in her ear, able, for once, to sneak up behind her.

She jumped, but turned and smiled. "Where were you?"

"One of your very forceful nuns called me into the school building." He looked at her seriously. "Why didn't you tell me they were bothering you because I take you home every day?"

She lifted her chin proudly. "Because it's my problem."

"Is the nun I talked to the same one who kept asking you questions?"

"Probably not. The nun I keep talking to isn't forceful, rather quiet and gentle. The one you talked to is the head nun; no one cares to be on the bottom end of her tongue."

His hand twitched to touch her and she noticed. She lowered her head a bit so she could look at him straight and whispered, "You can touch me, you know. I'm not going to bite you."

Jason looked back at the building and to her again. "I can't. Not with them watching. The people here don't approve of us together, you know that."

"I don't care what they think," she said forcefully.

"I don't either, but they can make things difficult for us as it is."

Rei sighed. "You're right about that part; I'm not naïve enough to think that they won't. We're not like Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san."

"What's different with them?"

"The school doesn't know their dating and neither does her father, but her mother knows. Everybody thinks they're so cute together that they don't want to interfere with their relationship. Besides, Mamoru-san is 18, not 20."

Jason grabbed his helmet and started up his bike. She tied her hair up with the red ribbon he had given her the second time he had come to pick her up two months ago and readied herself behind him. She laid her head on his shoulder as he started down the street.

He touched her hand lightly as they waited for the light to change and she entwined her fingers through his. He sighed and longed to kiss her. His hand tightened around hers and the returning pressure from hers said she did as well.

"We're going to see Mamoru's new apartment," he told her quietly and she nodded. They drove down the street silently.

Minako was looking around the apartment when Rei and Jason arrived. She vaguely heard an apology for being late before Rei joined her in one of the master bedrooms.

"How many bedrooms does this thing have?" she whispered.

"Five," answered Minako promptly. She turned to her friend. "Rei-chan? Can I ask you something?"

Her black-haired friend nodded and turned to her.

"Are you involved with Jason?"

She knew Rei knew exactly what kind of 'involved' she meant. And it showed by her balled fists.

"Why does everyone have to ask that? Can't I have a private life?" she demanded lowly.

Minako's eyes widened. "What do you mean, Rei-chan? I only ask because I'm the Senshi of Love and I feel something coming from Jason and you."

Her shoulders slumped, as if the fight went out of her. "Yes. I want to be with him forever and not hide our relationship, but we're having problems with everyone around us besides you all."

'You all' of course meant the Senshi. She smiled gently at her friend. "You think you've got problems? At least your grandfather will let you near him. My parents won't let Keagan even come near the house because they're afraid I'll date him. I'm 16 and he's 22, two years older than Jason. Keagan picks me up about half a block from my house, far enough away that my parents can't see. My school doesn't care, but the girls sure do. You should see the looks I get."

As she had planned, Rei smiled and laughed. "You're right, you've got it worse than me. Are all the Senshi having relationships with the Shitennou?"

"Not all. Ami-chan and Zale-chan are going out, though they won't admit it, though we all know it and so do they. Mako-chan and Nate-chan aren't going out."

"Why? She wouldn't have a problem at all. No parents to worry about her, no school to get involved since Usagi-chan's doesn't care…Maybe she doesn't like him like that?"

"Oh no, she likes him like that, badly," Minako confirmed, "but I don't know why she won't go out with him. And she won't talk to me at all about it. The only thing she'll tell me is that she likes him so bad that sometimes she can't sleep at nights, now that the Shitennou no longer live with her."

"Has he asked her out?"

"No. I have no idea if he likes her or not. That's why I have commissioned Keagan today to find out if he does."

Rei's eyebrows rose. "Keagan? Find out about a love topic? You're joking."

"He said he'd try. But I was hoping you could get Jason to unobtrusively snoop around as well. I've already told Ami-chan to ask Zale, but I may have to do that myself. You know Ami-chan…"

Rei rolled her eyes. "I know Ami-chan."

"Minako-chan?"

"I'm in the master bedroom," she answered to the unknown voice.

Suddenly the light from the doorway was cut off and the girls turned to find it filled with a large frame. They were a bit alarmed until it walked forward and was shown to be Keagan and Nate.

"I think you should be getting home now, otherwise you'll be late."

She nodded reluctantly and left.

"Did you find anything out?" she asked in the car.

"For pities sake, Minako, give me some time," he answered with a smile. "I haven't been alone with him for a moment yet. Besides, if I don't find something out, I'm sure Jason, Zale, or Mamoru will."

"Zale or Mamoru?"

"Yeah, didn't you know? Ami told Usagi the problem with your request and Usagi said she would handle it. She cornered Zale alone, for once not in the company of Ami, and told him bluntly what to do. He agreed. She also told Mamoru, who wouldn't be able to say no to her even if she asked him to destroy the Earth."

Minako laughed as they parked near the sidewalk far enough away from her house not to be seen but close enough that she could be home in less than two minutes.

Hesitantly, she leaned over and pressed her lips to his. It was their first kiss and Keagan responded to it as though he had wanted to kiss her his whole life. She left the car walking on air.

End Chapter 15

Ages:

I changed the ages around a bit, so I thought I'd write it down here:

Tsukino Usagi: 15

Hino Rei: 16

Kino Makoto: 16

Aino Minako: 16

Mizuno Ami: 16

Chiba Mamoru: 18

Nathaniel Hawkin (Nephrite): 21

Keagan MacNeal (Kunzite): 22 (for those of you who read 'Angelic Embrace', yes the last name is the same. I love the name Keagan so I had to use it again. Besides, Kunzite looks like a Keagan to me.)

Jason Kaimen (Jadeite): 20

Zale Taencer (Zoisite): 21