Author: Abigail

Email:

Begun: 9-24-03 Ended:08-29-04

Anime:Sailor Moon

Genre: Drama/Romance/Mystery/Shoujo-ai/Yuri

Rating:PG-13 – R

Pairing: Rei/Yaten

Title:Silver Sunset

-chapter 3-

Yaten found herself wishing she had snagged a few more items off Sari's breakfast tray before leaving her bedroom. She hated being hungry. It was too late for that, however, as she marched through the tedious halls of the Security annex. Everywhere in the palace Yaten caught pieces of gossip as she passed. Everybody was talking about last night's incident – heads wagged at the shame of it, and rumors flew and changed faster than wildfire. Speculation was rampant. Yaten had no doubts that by the end of the day everybody from the High Councilor to the kitchen maid would have been implicated in the murder at some point by some idle gossiping staffperson.

After directing several inquiries toward guards and staff members, Yaten learned exactly where she would find the general, and wasted no time getting there. He was seated at some lower-ranking officer's desk, papers, files, and laptop spread over its surface in something that almost, but not quite, resembled order. The actual owner of the desk stood nearby in conversation with the older general. A mug of jasei tea, a potent liquid not unlike Earthian coffee, was cradled between the man's hands. Yaten suspected it was not his first since last night's murder, nor would it be his last before this day was over.

"Healer-sama." The subordinate officer was first to notice her presence. General Kuro made no sound, but concentrated on a note he was writing as if he had heard nothing. Yaten bestowed the other man with a simple nod, but she wasn't interested in him, and just as quickly turned her focus back to the general.

He was physically a powerful man, even at his age being in perfect shape. Steel gray hair topped his head in a decidedly military cut. His features were rugged, if they couldn't be counted handsome, age having crept wrinkles around his eyes, mouth, and forehead. A jagged scar across the cheek added a certain fierceness to the man's countenance. In the early days of the Sailor Wars he had been one of the Kinmoku system's finest soldiers, and no one doubted Kuro's military prowess. But now with the onset of peace and the rebuilding of the planet underway, the general served under the title of Security Minister. An empty bureaucrat position for an old war hero, some would say, the city's politics having assured that Kuro did not gain a seat on the powerful Council, whether he wished for it or not. But bureaucrat or no, High General Kurokainushi still held power – it was in his nature, after all – and what he may have lacked by law he made up for in influence and charisma.

"How goes the murder investigation, General?" she asked pointedly, approaching the desk. Kuro still did not look up, although a slight incline of his head indicated that he had indeed heard her, and was aware that she would not be ignored.

"I appreciate the offer, Healer, but there's no need for Sailor Senshi on the investigation team," he spoke brusquely. He replaced his pen and notepad on the desk, finally looking up at her as he leaned back in the chair.

The distaste with which the words "Sailor Senshi" rolled off his tongue reminded Yaten yet again of why she disliked this man. "That wasn't the reason I came," she stated.

"Ah, you're not volunteering? I'm disappointed." Fake disheartenment spread over Kuro's face.

"I'm sure our two superior intelligences would clash," Yaten responded dryly before quickly returning to her point. "I came here concerning Sailor Mars."

"Our foreign mystery girl? I understand you two are acquainted."

"Yes. She's one of the senshi who helped defeat Chaos on Earth."

"Right. That's something she had mentioned."

So had Kuro already interrogated Rei as well? Yaten felt herself tense at the thought of it. She was already regretting sleeping in late today. At least Rei had had the sense to let them know she was an ally. "Where is she?"

"I can't tell you that." Yaten couldn't help but imagine the smirk that might be on the general's face if not for his stoic composure, and the feeling that he enjoyed withholding the information from her.

"You have no right to be holding her," the Kinmoku senshi felt her irritation spark, and made it clear through her posture, taking another step toward the desk. "Mars is a guest of our planet and I won't allow her to be treated this way. There's absolutely no ground to charge her for anything concerning this murder. You've questioned her, and that's enough. I wanted her to be released immediately."

"You forget who's in charge of this investigation," Kuro responded. "You have no authority to demand the girl's release. And, contrary to your belief, the Chiyusei government has valid reason to suspect Sailor Mars in this crime."

"Based on what evidence?"

"That evidence would be confidential until the investigation is over."

Yaten dug her fingernails into her palms and crossed her arms, otherwise her hands might have been tempted to reach out and strangle the man in front of her. She reminded herself to keep her temper in check for Rei's sake. At least for now. "Doesn't Tange usually handle criminal investigations?"

"Certainly. But with such a high-profile case, I've decided to handle this one personally."

"Must be hell on your busy schedule," Yaten replied with all the sarcasm she could muster.

"I manage," the older man returned without batting an eye. "Kaynin, would you give us a moment alone?" Kuro spoke at the subordinate officer, all but forgotten in the corner where he sipped his mug of tea. The man nodded and left them, though reluctantly – he'd been quietly enjoying watching the sharp-tongued exchange between the two.

When he had gone, the general leaned forward directly. "Listen… Raison was an important man in the government. His death is already causing waves in the southern province. I am under pressure from all sides of the government in the capital and in Inekoku to resolve this incident and I don't need little girls interfering with the investigation. If this murder becomes a national incident, the fallout would be more than just one man's life. There are already conspiracy theories popping up everywhere and riots threatening to break out in the south, so it is imperative that justice be served quickly and thoroughly. Do you understand?"

"I understand," she replied evenly, tasting the disdain in her mouth like a rotten fruit. "This is political. You don't want a murderer. You want a scapegoat. And Rei is your perfect target."

"I'd watch who you accuse." The man's dark eyes flickered warningly. "Especially when you have no idea what you're talking about. Let the grown-ups handle this, Unsuku-chan."

She simmered at his patronizing use of her birth name, and the fact that she was being disregarded. "And let you charge an innocent girl with murder?" She all but spat the words.

"Are you so sure she's innocent?" the grey-haired military man challenged her with his eyes. "You yourself have said you were not present at the time of the murder. You have not seen this old ally for nearly a year, and suddenly she appears out of nowhere with no reasonable explanation. Can you look me in the eye and vow you know with no shadow of doubt she is innocent?"

She met his gaze unwaveringly, and hated every second of her own silence. His point, unfortunately, was a good one. She had no way of knowing whether Rei was telling the truth or not. However, nothing made sense at this point, and she was much more willing to put her trust in Rei than in Kuro. Her intuition – and her common sense – told her something was not right. She returned the general's challenge with her own silent one. She would not give up yet, and she would not let him win.

"A report will be sent to the Council no later than today," the general stated as his uninvited visitor turned to stalk from the room. The information gave her pause, enough to stop and turn again wide-eyed. The investigation was proceeding that fast? At this rate, Rei could be tried and executed by tomorrow! Urged on by a new resolve and a determination that flashed in her eyes, Yaten exited, leaving Kuro with the last image of her trailing silver tail disappearing through the doorway.

As guardian soldier of the planet, Healer was forbidden by law against holding any official political power or position in the government. Supposedly this was to keep her a fair and just defender of the people, unbiased and unentangled by the webs of kingdom politics. Chiyusei had learned its lesson from the Sailor Wars and was determined not to repeat them. However, as a result of her special position, no one in the government, not even Yaten herself, knew just how much authority she actually held. She'd found this could work to both her advantage and disadvantage. Today, however, confusion worked in her favor as she convinced the guard to let her into Rei's cell against Kuro's direct orders. Of course, the fact that half the palace staff and guards were intimidated by her was always an advantage.

She nearly turned around thinking she had come into the wrong cell, expecting to find Rei in the short red and white sailor fuku she had worn the night before. Yaten was momentarily taken aback to find a Japanese shrine maiden in full red hakama trousers and white coat occupying a meditative position in the center of the floor. Facing the side wall, she appeared to be in deep concentration, not noticing her visitor's entrance. Yaten had seen such miko before on Earth, of course, but she couldn't recall ever seeing Rei in particular in the traditional attire. She seemed almost like a delicately carved Japanese doll, her face pale in the washed-out glare of the cell's single light, a precious object lost and out of place in this completely foreign world.

Had Hino Rei been a shrine maiden? Hadn't she attended a Catholic school, though? Yaten recalled the raven-haired girl's revelation that their, Three Lights', director was in fact 'Sister Angela'. Since she did attend a school separate from the other soldiers, and thus, separate from the Three Lights, they had had less contact with her, as opposed to the other girls, other than in times of battle. In fact, standing in that cell, Yaten realized she knew very little about the person in front of her. Mars had been a loyal soldier, fiercely protective of her princess… but who was Rei?

The clang of the lock as the guard shut them in startled the miko to face her visitor. Yaten watched a wave of apprehension, then recognition and guarded relief flash over her face. Gathering her skirts, she stood. "What is going on?"

She felt a pang of offense at the accusation of Rei's words. "There was a murder last night."

"I've gathered that much. Why am I being held and questioned? I knew nothing about this until this morning."

"There's been a… misunderstanding. The investigators seem to think you were somehow involved when you appeared in the garden last night. I've been trying to straighten things out." Yaten inwardly mocked her own pathetic explanation. The truth was, she still didn't have a plan, and Tange's words of warning continued to follow her. Charged with murder.

"I don't understand," Rei's words harbored frustration and anger as she glanced at the solid steel walls around her. "I come to your planet as a old ally, I thought I should expect a welcome, and not a prison sentence."

"Hey, it's not like you were even invited." At Rei's shocked and angry glare Yaten continued with apology. "I said I'd do everything I can to get this cleared up, and I will. We're allies – I won't leave you in here." She held out a small box wrapped in orange cloth as if it were a peace offering. Rei simply stared at the object warily. "Have you eaten lunch?" Yaten offered.

"I – I haven't." The dark-haired miko now willingly took the box and sat on the bed, the sole piece of furniture in the small square room. Yaten noticed the restrained eagerness with which she now tugged at the box's wrappings. Obviously no one on Kuro's investigative team had thought enough to offer the girl any kind of meal, and it was already afternoon. She was thankful now she had stopped to ask Sari to prepare the lunch. A chilly silence filled the chamber as Rei opened the box lunch and partook of its contents, giving Yaten opportunity to reflect longer on the girl who sat before her, whom Fate had, so it seemed, dropped in her lap, whether either of them liked it or not.

The proud spirit she had seen in the warrior Mars on Earth was there, but here in this seven-foot square cell she was like a caged animal, wary and untrusting, a defiant spirit angry with betrayal, yet not understanding. And beneath that lay a fear that she didn't dare show, yet which Yaten could feel. Her emotions were a deep, dark swirl of red and maroon, colored with anxiety and frustration.

Rei glanced up, realizing she had let herself fall under scrutiny. She set aside the lunch for the moment and faced the person who, at this point was her best chance at getting out of here any time soon. "When am I going to be released?" Her question demanded an answer.

"I don't know." Yaten found herself crossing her arms uncomfortably. It would probably take an uphill battle with Chiyusei's hopeless bureaucracy, but one she still felt she might win, even though she felt there was much more lying under the surface of this situation. However, if Kuro didn't free the girl before this day was over, there was going to be hell to pay. "I need to talk to more of the officials today… before your case goes before the Council tomorrow. Kuro seems determined to convict you of this murder and I don't know why. You were there at the scene but that's hardly evidence. Of course it doesn't help that you're a stranger."

"I'm a Sailor Senshi and an ally." Rei's frustration was beginning to crack through her mask of defiance. "I don't see how I could be suspicious – that should at least count for something!"

"That's exactly the problem." The silver-haired woman paused for an inward sigh, only to meet violet eyes demanding an explanation. She licked her lips and continued. "You know of the Sailor Wars, don't you?" Red nodded her affirmative. "Not many years ago this planet was devastated and nearly destroyed by Sailor Senshi – foreign Sailor Senshi who appeared suddenly and began killing citizens."

"They think I'm a Galactica soldier?! Chaos is destroyed!"

"I didn't say that! I'm just saying that some people here aren't as willing to trust Sailor Senshi as they used to be. Sometimes not even the soldiers of their own planet."

Rei contemplated the words silently, considering how fortunate she might be to have the freedom of anonymity as a Senshi on Earth. "So will I be condemned to prison for the crime of being a Sailor Soldier, or do I at least get a trial?"

Yaten refrained from biting back with similar sarcasm. After all, the girl did have good reason to be angry and defensive. "There'll be a hearing before the Council. You'll get to speak in your own defense, and the evidence against you will be presented, and the Council will decide the course of action to be taken."

"I thought you said there was no evidence against me."

"There isn't, at least that I can see. Kuro and his investigators haven't exactly been forthcoming, though, so I have no idea what they've got up their sleeves."

"If you don't have the power to do anything, why can't Princess Kakyuu free me? Surely she has to believe the Earth Senshi would never want to cause any harm in her kingdom."

"I'm sure she would be more than willing to do so, but the Princess has no jurisdiction here. The Kinmoku system is a federation, but each of the moons are allowed to rule themselves autonomously apart from the main kingdom. She would not be allowed to interfere in Chiyusei's justice system." Rei was grasping for solutions, determined to exhaust every possibility to avoid resigning herself to fate. But as each one was shot down, she was beginning to realize the complexity of the situation ran deeper than she'd first imagined. She let her head fall against the heels of her hands, no longer caring if she showed a moment of weakness, frustrated with this conversation that only seemed to discourage her chances of ever going free.

A knock came at the door. The guard showed his face through the small window, no doubt anxious that Yaten seemed to be taking her time, and not wanting to take any chances that his superiors might discover he'd disobeyed orders to let her inside. As there wasn't much more left to say, so Yaten didn't feel the need to argue with him.

"Don't worry," she left a final reassurance with Rei. "I'll find some way to get you out of this."

Finding out exactly how she was going do that was the next problem. So much for a vacation.