THE PRICE OF FREEDOM,
Part Two: "The Strange Connection"
By Bill K.
Usa buzzed through the parlor toward the door, anxious to meet Hotaru and the others for breakfast. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed her mother sitting at the table, an odd occurrence this early in the morning. Cringing inwardly for a moment, Usa prepared herself for another in her daily dose of guilt. When it didn't come, the pink-haired princess allowed herself to breathe. Maybe her mother was done with trying to run her life.
Yeah, right.
"I'm headed over to the dining hall," Usa announced, turning to her mother as the door hissed open ahead of her. This allowed her to focus on her mother for the first time. "Mom? Are you OK?"
Queen Serenity was sitting in a chair, a cup of tea held to her lips with both hands. Her golden blonde hair flowed loosely over her shoulders and down her back to the floor rather than being done up in her trademark odangos. She still wore her nightgown, a sheer thing that would have made Usa cringe under normal circumstances. Dark circles were under her eyes. She turned to her daughter and managed a weak smile.
"I'm all right, dear," Serenity replied. At least her voice was strong.
"Are you sure? You don't look so hot."
"I just had some trouble sleeping," the queen replied. When it was clear this didn't satisfy her daughter, Serenity explained further. "One of the - - prices - - of having the power and awareness I have is sometimes it's difficult to shut it off. When something happens somewhere that emits - - well, Ami or Rei could explain it better, but it's like I can sense when something very terrible is happening somewhere."
"Somewhere in Crystal Tokyo?" Usa asked.
"Somewhere in the universe," the queen replied.
"Really? Yuck!"
"Your father is off troubling Ami over this. I told him it would pass, but bless his heart, he doesn't like to see me suffer even a little bit."
"It's looks more than a little bit," Usa whispered. "Do you want me to stay?"
Serenity got up and with a fatigued gait walked over and kissed her daughter on the forehead.
"That's sweet of you, honey, but it's not necessary," Serenity smiled. "It'll pass and I'll be fine. Go be with your friends."
"You're sure?" Usa asked. Serenity nodded and Usa exited.
In the dining hall, she spotted three of the four Asteroid Senshi having breakfast. As she took her usual seat, she noticed Cere-Cere and Jun-Jun watching Palla-Palla cautiously. A quip formed in her mind, but it died a quick death when she got a look at the lines under Palla-Palla's eyes.
"Palla-Palla?" Usa asked.
"Good morning, Princess," Palla-Palla said between bites of her favorite sugary cereal. There was little of the vigor she usually possessed.
"What's wrong?" Usa asked the others.
"She didn't sleep too well," Jun-Jun informed her. "Woke us up about four this morning crying."
"Palla-Palla's sorry," she mumbled.
"You too?" Usa remarked, garnering curious looks from the others. "Mom was up most of the night, too. Did you have a nightmare or something?"
Palla-Palla shook her head slowly. "All of a sudden Palla-Palla just felt so sad and hopeless. She still kind of feels that way, but she's getting better. She really doesn't understand it, though." The girl chewed another spoonful of cereal. "And there was a word she kept hearing: Ravenheim."
"Ravenheim?" Usa repeated.
"We don't know what it means, either," Cere-Cere said. "Jun-Jun even consulted the palace database and didn't come up with anything."
Just then Ves-Ves approached the table and sat down as far away from Usa as she could. Usa glanced at her and she seemed as glum as ever.
"Glad you could make it," needled Cere-Cere.
"Sorry," Ves-Ves whispered.
"Would you stop apologizing for everything you do! It's getting old!" Cere-Cere snapped.
"Sorry," Ves-Ves whispered.
"Ves," Jun-Jun inquired. "You look kind of zonked."
"Palla-Palla's sorry if she woke you," Palla-Palla said contritely.
"Y-You didn't," Ves-Ves said and Usa noticed there were circles under her eyes, too. "I was - - already up."
"What is this, an epidemic?" Usa gasped. "Am I the only one who can sleep around here?"
"Did you have a bad dream?" Jun-Jun asked.
"Must have," Ves-Ves shrugged. "Can't remember anything about it, though. But I seemed pretty startled when I woke up."
"I wonder if Hotaru had her dream again," Usa wondered.
They didn't have long to wonder. When Hotaru came up with her meal, the strain on her face was evident.
"You had that dream again, didn't you?" Usa asked her and Hotaru didn't have the strength to lie.
"It's like someone's reaching out to me," Hotaru said. "They're in such misery that I want to help them - - but every time I do, it's like they're just bait for a trap that snaps shut on me."
"Hotaru, you need to talk to Rei-san or Ami-san," Usa told her. "This is beginning to take a toll on you. I'm worried."
"I'll go see Hino-san after classes," Hotaru said, then glanced at Usa and saw her intent look. "Promise."
"Want me to walk you there?"
"I know the way," Hotaru smiled.
Conversation drifted onto more mundane subjects as the six girls finished eating. One by one they headed off to class until only two were left. Cere-Cere waited patiently as Palla-Palla took longer than usual to finish. Finally she was done and Cere-Cere picked up their plates.
"Ravenheim," Palla-Palla whispered.
"Yeah, you said that was the word you heard in your sleep."
"No," Palla-Palla said and grew more animated. "Palla-Palla wasn't concentrating. It was a thought she heard from Miss Hotaru Ma'am just now."
"You're sure?" Cere-Cere asked. Palla-Palla nodded solemnly. "How would she know that word?"
* * * *
It had taken longer than she'd expected to get rid of Endymion. Ami was always reluctant to provide medical treatment or drugs to someone she hadn't examined. If she hadn't gone through this before with Serenity, she wouldn't have done it now. The fact that she was familiar with Serenity's ability to sense sorrow from any corner of the universe allowed her to give Endymion an analgesic for her and shoo him out of her office.
Makoto had the students today, so she knew Minako was free. Ami hurried down the hall, trying to catch the woman before she was off on another quest to satisfy her need for new and interesting life experiences. She arrived at the door and allowed the door control to scan her. Several minutes later Minako opened the door.
"Did I wake you?" Ami innocently asked the drowsy woman dressed in a scandalously small nightie. "Oh that's right, I forgot. You don't get up until ten unless it's a school day."
"I'd be more inclined to believe that if I didn't know you don't forget anything," grumbled Minako, combing the hair out of her face with her hand.
"Oh, you're right. I don't," Ami replied with a cheshire grin. Minako cocked an eyebrow, but ushered her in.
"What's up that couldn't wait until morning?" Minako asked, flopping onto a chair, the hem of her nightie hiked dangerously high on her thigh.
"It is morning," Ami replied uncomfortably, averting her gaze. "If you'd like to put on a robe, I can wait."
"I don't mind," Minako smirked, exacting her revenge.
"Very well. First off, I just want you to know that I don't make it a habit of showing vids of my sessions with patients to people who aren't doctors. It's a serious violation of ethics." This got Minako's attention and she sobered. "But I think you should hear this."
Ami plugged a thin crystal that was four inches long and a half-inch in diameter into a crystal reader on a nearby table. The pointed end of the crystal linked with the circuitry. After Ami selected the proper file, the reader engaged and a picture of Ves-Ves sitting in a bio-monitor chair came up.
["Just thinking about how bad I've screwed my life up," Ves-Ves mumbled.
"It's understandable to feel guilt over what happened," Ami told her. "But you're working to correct it. That's all anyone can ask. You shouldn't obsess on your past guilt, though. Accept that you did wrong, be grateful that no one was hurt and strive to do better. Don't you think that's a more constructive attitude?"
"I wish it was that easy. I feel so bad about what I did! It's not easy to put that behind you. And even if I could, there's plenty of other people around here ready to remind me."
"Well you have to look at it from Usa's perspective," Ami told her. "Having a brush with imminent death can be traumatic, particularly if it's at the hands of someone you trust."
"Hell, the Princess is the least of my worries!" Ves-Ves snapped. Instantly she caught herself and shrank back. "Sorry for swearing. But she's already forgiven me!"
"Then who is giving you problems?"
"Well," Ves-Ves began, reluctant to continue, "the staff, for one. They act like I'm a wild animal or something. I feel them staring at me when I walk down the hall or eat in the dining hall. And they're so stiff and formal around me, like they're scared I'll go off if they speak to me wrong." She sniffed. "And Sensei Hino-sama acts like I'm Neherenia, Beryl and Galaxia rolled into one. But at least she's up front about not liking me. It's . . ."
"Go on."
"I know I let Sensei Aino-sama down. I wish I could take it all back! I wish I could make it disappear! I want her to know how sorry I am! But she's so distant now. I know I disappointed her." Ves-Ves squeezed the armrests until the veins popped out in her hands. "I want to make it like it was, but I don't know how!"]
Ami had watched Minako's face the entire time. She'd seen it change from interested to a mask of indifference and then to one of guilt. When the scene of Ves-Ves wiping tears from her eyes played, Ami stopped the playback.
"Poor kid," Minako whispered hoarsely.
"Don't you think you'd be a better help to her by working with her instead of freezing her out?" Ami asked. Minako bowed her head.
"It's just," Minako began. "I believed in her. And then she pulled something like this. How am I supposed to trust her again?"
"It's a leap of faith, I admit," Ami replied. "But does a good teacher give up on a student after one mistake?"
"You make it sound like she got a wrong answer on an exam," Minako grumbled. "She could have killed Usa. That's not just 'a mistake'."
"And afterwards she recognized her problem and sought help for it. Hardly the act of someone irresponsible or with criminal tendencies."
"It's not something you just forgive that easily."
"Is it your place to punish her beyond what the King and Queen mandated?" Ami asked. "Or are you punishing her because she proved you wrong and that's wounded your pride?"
Minako glared at Ami.
"Ves-Ves is at a very vulnerable point in her life. She's in an emotional crisis and needs all the support she can get. And she needs you most of all, Minako. You're the person she looks up to the most. She's too proud and stubborn to come out and say it because she sees that as a sign of weakness and her whole life has taught her that it's dangerous to be weak. But she does desperately need you, Minako."
"You don't understand," Minako told her. "I've seen her type before. They tell you they're going straight, that they want to make good, that they'll do their best. Then they revert to type the first weak moment they have. And you're the one left behind to pick up the pieces."
"Minako, she's not Ace."
"How do you know?" Minako demanded. Ami didn't respond, but it was clear she hadn't backed away from her position. Minako sighed in frustration. "OK, I'll try. Maybe I have been a little too hard on the kid. After all, I did my share of stupid things at fifteen." She looked back up at Ami with a hardened gaze. "But I'm still keeping my hand on my wallet around her."
"I understand she has to rebuild your trust in her," Ami smiled. "She understands it, too. She's only asking for a chance, Minako."
"I'll try," Minako sighed.
* * * *
Rei wandered the floor of the shrine in her priestess robes, checking to see if there were any worshippers that needed help. It had been a light day. Cere-Cere had been in earlier, but she'd been more interested in getting a fashion critique than in worshipping. Turning a corner, she found Hotaru praying. She silently observed as the girl finished her prayer, then rang the bell above her. When she turned, Rei walked up.
"Hi, Hotaru," Rei smiled. Then she grew serious. "You don't look so good. Are you feeling all right?"
"I haven't been sleeping," Hotaru admitted. "I keep having this disturbing dream. Usa suggested I talk to you about it, Hino-sensei."
"All right. Come in and sit down. I'll make us some tea."
Hotaru sipped the tea and tried not to be nervous around Rei. The priest was staring at her intently. She knew the woman was reading her, taking in surface impressions and the shape and color of her aura. But Rei's stare always made her nervous, like the woman was looking directly into her soul.
"How much of this dream do you remember?" Rei asked.
"I remember it's dark," Hotaru recounted. "There's a lot of people crowded together. They're all miserable. Conditions are bad and they're all so hopeless. And one of them is reaching out to me. There's something familiar about the person, but I can't figure out what."
Hackles began to rise on the back of Rei's neck. Hotaru was describing exactly what Rei had dreamed the previous night.
"Then somehow I'm suddenly Sailor Saturn," Hotaru continued. "I reach out to one of them, trying to ask them what's going on. But the moment I touch them, it's like this trap springs and catches me."
As she listened, Rei became more and more unsettled by what she was hearing. Hotaru continued and Rei studied her the entire time.
"And there's this word," Hotaru added. "I don't remember if I saw it or heard it or what, but it sticks in my mind. Ravenheim."
That was new. But it seemed to tickle something in Rei's mind.
"How long have you had this dream?" Rei asked.
"Four nights in a row. Each time it's a little longer and a little more clear - - and a lot scarier. Is it a premonition?"
"Yes," Rei said. "Someone close to you is in dire straits. You're picking up on their anguish through your heightened sight and your close ties to them. However, they're also warning you of the danger should you try to help them. That's the trap sensation you get at the end of the dream. That word you remembered - - Ravenheim - - it's important, too. I just don't know how. But I'll investigate." She grasped Hotaru's hands. "Don't be afraid to go to sleep tonight. It's just a dream and it won't hurt you. If you get any new details, please tell me."
"I will," Hotaru nodded. She looked very relieved. "Thank you so much, Hino-sensei."
"It's all right," Rei said, thinking back to her own dream. "I got a lot of benefit out of it, too."
* * * *
Dressed in her finest outfit, Hotaru sighed with contentment after waving good-bye to Yutaka. What a night. If only there'd been a good night kiss, it would have been perfect. If she only had more courage and confidence, she would have kissed him, for she suddenly longed to know what his lips felt like. But she didn't want to seem forward. Turning the corner, headed for her quarters, she ran into Usa. Usa was clearly waiting for her.
"Whoa! Dressed to kill!" teased Usa.
"What do you want?" Hotaru huffed in playful indignation.
"Juicy details, what else?" Usa grinned. "From the look on your face, Yutaka obviously enchanted you."
"He's very nice," Hotaru sighed.
"Did you hold hands?"
Hotaru nodded with a self-conscious grin.
"Did he kiss you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because he's too kind and respectful to force himself on me," Hotaru said proudly.
"Then you should have kissed him," smirked Usa.
"I didn't want to scare him away," Hotaru frowned.
"Any guy who'd be scared away by a pretty girl kissing him deserves to be scared away," Usa proclaimed.
"U-saaaaaaa!" fussed Hotaru.
"So, come on, dish! Unless you want to do it in your room."
"I'll tell you tomorrow," Hotaru said. "It's late and I've got to get to sleep. We've got school tomorrow, remember?"
"How do you expect me to wait that long?" howled Usa.
"I had a nice time. Yutaka's very sweet and if he asks me out again I'll say yes - - on my own this time."
"See, I told you," Usa smiled, wagging a finger at her. "Repeat after me: 'Princess knows best'."
"Princess knows best," Hotaru repeated, rolling her eyes. "Good night, Usa."
"Don't have too many naughty dreams about him," Usa teased. Hotaru flushed furiously.
* * * *
Rei's eyes snapped open. She'd had the dream again and once again it was just as Hotaru had described it. Beings in utter misery reaching out to her, and yet it wasn't her they were reaching out to. And the buzzing in the back of her brain was enough of a warning to get her into action. Her eyes still adjusting to the dark, Rei got out of bed and put on her priest's robes.
She ventured out into the halls of the palace and up the steps, headed for Hotaru's quarters. Along the way, Serenity met her, clad in a robe and her hair still down.
"Did you feel it?" Serenity asked.
"An impression of misery and despair strong enough to wake you up?" Rei asked. Serenity nodded. "I got more than that. I got an entire dream - - and it's just like the one Hotaru's had for several nights in a row."
"Oh my!" gasped Serenity. She followed Rei down the hall. Without glancing back, they both felt Endymion hot on their heels. He must have sensed Serenity's distress.
Their mission was interrupted, though, when Cere-Cere stopped them in the hall.
"Please, can you help us?" Cere-Cere pleaded. "It's Palla-Palla!"
Instantly Serenity entered the quarters and headed for Palla-Palla's room. There they found Jun-Jun desperately trying to console Palla-Palla, while the blue-haired girl wailed like a soul in torment. With Endymion watching, Serenity sank to her knees next to Palla-Palla and enveloped the girl in her arms.
"Please don't cry so, Palla-Palla," the queen said gently, comforting the girl both physically and psychically. "Everything's all right. What happened?"
Palla-Palla was hiccuping with sobs and couldn't speak initially. Jun-Jun and Cere-Cere watched from the side with mounting terror in their hearts. A moment later Ves-Ves wandered in and Endymion noticed a haunted look on her face.
"Dream," Palla-Palla gulped out finally. "Scary!"
"It's all right now," Serenity cooed. "You just had a bad dream. You're safe now."
Palla-Palla shook her head. "Miss Hotaru-ma'am," she squeaked. "Her dream." Serenity and Endymion exchanged surprised looks.
"She must have read Hotaru's dream in her sleep," Endymion concluded.
"Maybe it wasn't just her," Serenity offered. "Rei woke up with the same dream Hotaru's been having, and the impressions of it woke me up."
"And Palla-Palla must have thought-cast it to me, too," Ves-Ves mumbled. "What a horrible place to dream about. And I kept hearing this name."
"Ravenheim," Palla-Palla nodded tearfully.
Rei appeared in the room. Hotaru was with her and the girl was white as a sheet. Serenity could instantly sense her distress, while Palla-Palla began to cry harder.
"I had the dream again," Hotaru whispered.
"I think it was so intense this time that Hotaru unconsciously transmitted it to the more perceptive people in the palace," Rei concluded.
"What is this dream?" Serenity asked anxiously. "Is it a premonition or a message of some kind? And if it is, where is it coming from?"
"I know," Hotaru said, her eyes staring in shock and her mood deeply anxious. "I know where the dream is coming from. It's Michiru-mama. She's in trouble."
Continued in chapter 3.
Part Two: "The Strange Connection"
By Bill K.
Usa buzzed through the parlor toward the door, anxious to meet Hotaru and the others for breakfast. Out of the corner of her eye she noticed her mother sitting at the table, an odd occurrence this early in the morning. Cringing inwardly for a moment, Usa prepared herself for another in her daily dose of guilt. When it didn't come, the pink-haired princess allowed herself to breathe. Maybe her mother was done with trying to run her life.
Yeah, right.
"I'm headed over to the dining hall," Usa announced, turning to her mother as the door hissed open ahead of her. This allowed her to focus on her mother for the first time. "Mom? Are you OK?"
Queen Serenity was sitting in a chair, a cup of tea held to her lips with both hands. Her golden blonde hair flowed loosely over her shoulders and down her back to the floor rather than being done up in her trademark odangos. She still wore her nightgown, a sheer thing that would have made Usa cringe under normal circumstances. Dark circles were under her eyes. She turned to her daughter and managed a weak smile.
"I'm all right, dear," Serenity replied. At least her voice was strong.
"Are you sure? You don't look so hot."
"I just had some trouble sleeping," the queen replied. When it was clear this didn't satisfy her daughter, Serenity explained further. "One of the - - prices - - of having the power and awareness I have is sometimes it's difficult to shut it off. When something happens somewhere that emits - - well, Ami or Rei could explain it better, but it's like I can sense when something very terrible is happening somewhere."
"Somewhere in Crystal Tokyo?" Usa asked.
"Somewhere in the universe," the queen replied.
"Really? Yuck!"
"Your father is off troubling Ami over this. I told him it would pass, but bless his heart, he doesn't like to see me suffer even a little bit."
"It's looks more than a little bit," Usa whispered. "Do you want me to stay?"
Serenity got up and with a fatigued gait walked over and kissed her daughter on the forehead.
"That's sweet of you, honey, but it's not necessary," Serenity smiled. "It'll pass and I'll be fine. Go be with your friends."
"You're sure?" Usa asked. Serenity nodded and Usa exited.
In the dining hall, she spotted three of the four Asteroid Senshi having breakfast. As she took her usual seat, she noticed Cere-Cere and Jun-Jun watching Palla-Palla cautiously. A quip formed in her mind, but it died a quick death when she got a look at the lines under Palla-Palla's eyes.
"Palla-Palla?" Usa asked.
"Good morning, Princess," Palla-Palla said between bites of her favorite sugary cereal. There was little of the vigor she usually possessed.
"What's wrong?" Usa asked the others.
"She didn't sleep too well," Jun-Jun informed her. "Woke us up about four this morning crying."
"Palla-Palla's sorry," she mumbled.
"You too?" Usa remarked, garnering curious looks from the others. "Mom was up most of the night, too. Did you have a nightmare or something?"
Palla-Palla shook her head slowly. "All of a sudden Palla-Palla just felt so sad and hopeless. She still kind of feels that way, but she's getting better. She really doesn't understand it, though." The girl chewed another spoonful of cereal. "And there was a word she kept hearing: Ravenheim."
"Ravenheim?" Usa repeated.
"We don't know what it means, either," Cere-Cere said. "Jun-Jun even consulted the palace database and didn't come up with anything."
Just then Ves-Ves approached the table and sat down as far away from Usa as she could. Usa glanced at her and she seemed as glum as ever.
"Glad you could make it," needled Cere-Cere.
"Sorry," Ves-Ves whispered.
"Would you stop apologizing for everything you do! It's getting old!" Cere-Cere snapped.
"Sorry," Ves-Ves whispered.
"Ves," Jun-Jun inquired. "You look kind of zonked."
"Palla-Palla's sorry if she woke you," Palla-Palla said contritely.
"Y-You didn't," Ves-Ves said and Usa noticed there were circles under her eyes, too. "I was - - already up."
"What is this, an epidemic?" Usa gasped. "Am I the only one who can sleep around here?"
"Did you have a bad dream?" Jun-Jun asked.
"Must have," Ves-Ves shrugged. "Can't remember anything about it, though. But I seemed pretty startled when I woke up."
"I wonder if Hotaru had her dream again," Usa wondered.
They didn't have long to wonder. When Hotaru came up with her meal, the strain on her face was evident.
"You had that dream again, didn't you?" Usa asked her and Hotaru didn't have the strength to lie.
"It's like someone's reaching out to me," Hotaru said. "They're in such misery that I want to help them - - but every time I do, it's like they're just bait for a trap that snaps shut on me."
"Hotaru, you need to talk to Rei-san or Ami-san," Usa told her. "This is beginning to take a toll on you. I'm worried."
"I'll go see Hino-san after classes," Hotaru said, then glanced at Usa and saw her intent look. "Promise."
"Want me to walk you there?"
"I know the way," Hotaru smiled.
Conversation drifted onto more mundane subjects as the six girls finished eating. One by one they headed off to class until only two were left. Cere-Cere waited patiently as Palla-Palla took longer than usual to finish. Finally she was done and Cere-Cere picked up their plates.
"Ravenheim," Palla-Palla whispered.
"Yeah, you said that was the word you heard in your sleep."
"No," Palla-Palla said and grew more animated. "Palla-Palla wasn't concentrating. It was a thought she heard from Miss Hotaru Ma'am just now."
"You're sure?" Cere-Cere asked. Palla-Palla nodded solemnly. "How would she know that word?"
* * * *
It had taken longer than she'd expected to get rid of Endymion. Ami was always reluctant to provide medical treatment or drugs to someone she hadn't examined. If she hadn't gone through this before with Serenity, she wouldn't have done it now. The fact that she was familiar with Serenity's ability to sense sorrow from any corner of the universe allowed her to give Endymion an analgesic for her and shoo him out of her office.
Makoto had the students today, so she knew Minako was free. Ami hurried down the hall, trying to catch the woman before she was off on another quest to satisfy her need for new and interesting life experiences. She arrived at the door and allowed the door control to scan her. Several minutes later Minako opened the door.
"Did I wake you?" Ami innocently asked the drowsy woman dressed in a scandalously small nightie. "Oh that's right, I forgot. You don't get up until ten unless it's a school day."
"I'd be more inclined to believe that if I didn't know you don't forget anything," grumbled Minako, combing the hair out of her face with her hand.
"Oh, you're right. I don't," Ami replied with a cheshire grin. Minako cocked an eyebrow, but ushered her in.
"What's up that couldn't wait until morning?" Minako asked, flopping onto a chair, the hem of her nightie hiked dangerously high on her thigh.
"It is morning," Ami replied uncomfortably, averting her gaze. "If you'd like to put on a robe, I can wait."
"I don't mind," Minako smirked, exacting her revenge.
"Very well. First off, I just want you to know that I don't make it a habit of showing vids of my sessions with patients to people who aren't doctors. It's a serious violation of ethics." This got Minako's attention and she sobered. "But I think you should hear this."
Ami plugged a thin crystal that was four inches long and a half-inch in diameter into a crystal reader on a nearby table. The pointed end of the crystal linked with the circuitry. After Ami selected the proper file, the reader engaged and a picture of Ves-Ves sitting in a bio-monitor chair came up.
["Just thinking about how bad I've screwed my life up," Ves-Ves mumbled.
"It's understandable to feel guilt over what happened," Ami told her. "But you're working to correct it. That's all anyone can ask. You shouldn't obsess on your past guilt, though. Accept that you did wrong, be grateful that no one was hurt and strive to do better. Don't you think that's a more constructive attitude?"
"I wish it was that easy. I feel so bad about what I did! It's not easy to put that behind you. And even if I could, there's plenty of other people around here ready to remind me."
"Well you have to look at it from Usa's perspective," Ami told her. "Having a brush with imminent death can be traumatic, particularly if it's at the hands of someone you trust."
"Hell, the Princess is the least of my worries!" Ves-Ves snapped. Instantly she caught herself and shrank back. "Sorry for swearing. But she's already forgiven me!"
"Then who is giving you problems?"
"Well," Ves-Ves began, reluctant to continue, "the staff, for one. They act like I'm a wild animal or something. I feel them staring at me when I walk down the hall or eat in the dining hall. And they're so stiff and formal around me, like they're scared I'll go off if they speak to me wrong." She sniffed. "And Sensei Hino-sama acts like I'm Neherenia, Beryl and Galaxia rolled into one. But at least she's up front about not liking me. It's . . ."
"Go on."
"I know I let Sensei Aino-sama down. I wish I could take it all back! I wish I could make it disappear! I want her to know how sorry I am! But she's so distant now. I know I disappointed her." Ves-Ves squeezed the armrests until the veins popped out in her hands. "I want to make it like it was, but I don't know how!"]
Ami had watched Minako's face the entire time. She'd seen it change from interested to a mask of indifference and then to one of guilt. When the scene of Ves-Ves wiping tears from her eyes played, Ami stopped the playback.
"Poor kid," Minako whispered hoarsely.
"Don't you think you'd be a better help to her by working with her instead of freezing her out?" Ami asked. Minako bowed her head.
"It's just," Minako began. "I believed in her. And then she pulled something like this. How am I supposed to trust her again?"
"It's a leap of faith, I admit," Ami replied. "But does a good teacher give up on a student after one mistake?"
"You make it sound like she got a wrong answer on an exam," Minako grumbled. "She could have killed Usa. That's not just 'a mistake'."
"And afterwards she recognized her problem and sought help for it. Hardly the act of someone irresponsible or with criminal tendencies."
"It's not something you just forgive that easily."
"Is it your place to punish her beyond what the King and Queen mandated?" Ami asked. "Or are you punishing her because she proved you wrong and that's wounded your pride?"
Minako glared at Ami.
"Ves-Ves is at a very vulnerable point in her life. She's in an emotional crisis and needs all the support she can get. And she needs you most of all, Minako. You're the person she looks up to the most. She's too proud and stubborn to come out and say it because she sees that as a sign of weakness and her whole life has taught her that it's dangerous to be weak. But she does desperately need you, Minako."
"You don't understand," Minako told her. "I've seen her type before. They tell you they're going straight, that they want to make good, that they'll do their best. Then they revert to type the first weak moment they have. And you're the one left behind to pick up the pieces."
"Minako, she's not Ace."
"How do you know?" Minako demanded. Ami didn't respond, but it was clear she hadn't backed away from her position. Minako sighed in frustration. "OK, I'll try. Maybe I have been a little too hard on the kid. After all, I did my share of stupid things at fifteen." She looked back up at Ami with a hardened gaze. "But I'm still keeping my hand on my wallet around her."
"I understand she has to rebuild your trust in her," Ami smiled. "She understands it, too. She's only asking for a chance, Minako."
"I'll try," Minako sighed.
* * * *
Rei wandered the floor of the shrine in her priestess robes, checking to see if there were any worshippers that needed help. It had been a light day. Cere-Cere had been in earlier, but she'd been more interested in getting a fashion critique than in worshipping. Turning a corner, she found Hotaru praying. She silently observed as the girl finished her prayer, then rang the bell above her. When she turned, Rei walked up.
"Hi, Hotaru," Rei smiled. Then she grew serious. "You don't look so good. Are you feeling all right?"
"I haven't been sleeping," Hotaru admitted. "I keep having this disturbing dream. Usa suggested I talk to you about it, Hino-sensei."
"All right. Come in and sit down. I'll make us some tea."
Hotaru sipped the tea and tried not to be nervous around Rei. The priest was staring at her intently. She knew the woman was reading her, taking in surface impressions and the shape and color of her aura. But Rei's stare always made her nervous, like the woman was looking directly into her soul.
"How much of this dream do you remember?" Rei asked.
"I remember it's dark," Hotaru recounted. "There's a lot of people crowded together. They're all miserable. Conditions are bad and they're all so hopeless. And one of them is reaching out to me. There's something familiar about the person, but I can't figure out what."
Hackles began to rise on the back of Rei's neck. Hotaru was describing exactly what Rei had dreamed the previous night.
"Then somehow I'm suddenly Sailor Saturn," Hotaru continued. "I reach out to one of them, trying to ask them what's going on. But the moment I touch them, it's like this trap springs and catches me."
As she listened, Rei became more and more unsettled by what she was hearing. Hotaru continued and Rei studied her the entire time.
"And there's this word," Hotaru added. "I don't remember if I saw it or heard it or what, but it sticks in my mind. Ravenheim."
That was new. But it seemed to tickle something in Rei's mind.
"How long have you had this dream?" Rei asked.
"Four nights in a row. Each time it's a little longer and a little more clear - - and a lot scarier. Is it a premonition?"
"Yes," Rei said. "Someone close to you is in dire straits. You're picking up on their anguish through your heightened sight and your close ties to them. However, they're also warning you of the danger should you try to help them. That's the trap sensation you get at the end of the dream. That word you remembered - - Ravenheim - - it's important, too. I just don't know how. But I'll investigate." She grasped Hotaru's hands. "Don't be afraid to go to sleep tonight. It's just a dream and it won't hurt you. If you get any new details, please tell me."
"I will," Hotaru nodded. She looked very relieved. "Thank you so much, Hino-sensei."
"It's all right," Rei said, thinking back to her own dream. "I got a lot of benefit out of it, too."
* * * *
Dressed in her finest outfit, Hotaru sighed with contentment after waving good-bye to Yutaka. What a night. If only there'd been a good night kiss, it would have been perfect. If she only had more courage and confidence, she would have kissed him, for she suddenly longed to know what his lips felt like. But she didn't want to seem forward. Turning the corner, headed for her quarters, she ran into Usa. Usa was clearly waiting for her.
"Whoa! Dressed to kill!" teased Usa.
"What do you want?" Hotaru huffed in playful indignation.
"Juicy details, what else?" Usa grinned. "From the look on your face, Yutaka obviously enchanted you."
"He's very nice," Hotaru sighed.
"Did you hold hands?"
Hotaru nodded with a self-conscious grin.
"Did he kiss you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because he's too kind and respectful to force himself on me," Hotaru said proudly.
"Then you should have kissed him," smirked Usa.
"I didn't want to scare him away," Hotaru frowned.
"Any guy who'd be scared away by a pretty girl kissing him deserves to be scared away," Usa proclaimed.
"U-saaaaaaa!" fussed Hotaru.
"So, come on, dish! Unless you want to do it in your room."
"I'll tell you tomorrow," Hotaru said. "It's late and I've got to get to sleep. We've got school tomorrow, remember?"
"How do you expect me to wait that long?" howled Usa.
"I had a nice time. Yutaka's very sweet and if he asks me out again I'll say yes - - on my own this time."
"See, I told you," Usa smiled, wagging a finger at her. "Repeat after me: 'Princess knows best'."
"Princess knows best," Hotaru repeated, rolling her eyes. "Good night, Usa."
"Don't have too many naughty dreams about him," Usa teased. Hotaru flushed furiously.
* * * *
Rei's eyes snapped open. She'd had the dream again and once again it was just as Hotaru had described it. Beings in utter misery reaching out to her, and yet it wasn't her they were reaching out to. And the buzzing in the back of her brain was enough of a warning to get her into action. Her eyes still adjusting to the dark, Rei got out of bed and put on her priest's robes.
She ventured out into the halls of the palace and up the steps, headed for Hotaru's quarters. Along the way, Serenity met her, clad in a robe and her hair still down.
"Did you feel it?" Serenity asked.
"An impression of misery and despair strong enough to wake you up?" Rei asked. Serenity nodded. "I got more than that. I got an entire dream - - and it's just like the one Hotaru's had for several nights in a row."
"Oh my!" gasped Serenity. She followed Rei down the hall. Without glancing back, they both felt Endymion hot on their heels. He must have sensed Serenity's distress.
Their mission was interrupted, though, when Cere-Cere stopped them in the hall.
"Please, can you help us?" Cere-Cere pleaded. "It's Palla-Palla!"
Instantly Serenity entered the quarters and headed for Palla-Palla's room. There they found Jun-Jun desperately trying to console Palla-Palla, while the blue-haired girl wailed like a soul in torment. With Endymion watching, Serenity sank to her knees next to Palla-Palla and enveloped the girl in her arms.
"Please don't cry so, Palla-Palla," the queen said gently, comforting the girl both physically and psychically. "Everything's all right. What happened?"
Palla-Palla was hiccuping with sobs and couldn't speak initially. Jun-Jun and Cere-Cere watched from the side with mounting terror in their hearts. A moment later Ves-Ves wandered in and Endymion noticed a haunted look on her face.
"Dream," Palla-Palla gulped out finally. "Scary!"
"It's all right now," Serenity cooed. "You just had a bad dream. You're safe now."
Palla-Palla shook her head. "Miss Hotaru-ma'am," she squeaked. "Her dream." Serenity and Endymion exchanged surprised looks.
"She must have read Hotaru's dream in her sleep," Endymion concluded.
"Maybe it wasn't just her," Serenity offered. "Rei woke up with the same dream Hotaru's been having, and the impressions of it woke me up."
"And Palla-Palla must have thought-cast it to me, too," Ves-Ves mumbled. "What a horrible place to dream about. And I kept hearing this name."
"Ravenheim," Palla-Palla nodded tearfully.
Rei appeared in the room. Hotaru was with her and the girl was white as a sheet. Serenity could instantly sense her distress, while Palla-Palla began to cry harder.
"I had the dream again," Hotaru whispered.
"I think it was so intense this time that Hotaru unconsciously transmitted it to the more perceptive people in the palace," Rei concluded.
"What is this dream?" Serenity asked anxiously. "Is it a premonition or a message of some kind? And if it is, where is it coming from?"
"I know," Hotaru said, her eyes staring in shock and her mood deeply anxious. "I know where the dream is coming from. It's Michiru-mama. She's in trouble."
Continued in chapter 3.