Thanks for all the reviews! I'm trying to stick to the Japanese names and
stuff... Chapter 2! You get to see more into Minako's soul, and Raye's in
this a lot too! And the Gundam Boys have finally made up a plan! I think
that this is a little shorter than the last chapter, but only by about half
a page. I hope you like it, and review please!
And now to answer some of the reviews...
I'm only going to answer the longer ones and the ones with questions and stuff.
Venus of Love: I've read Aino Yuy aka Usagi-Hater's fic (which is great, by the way), and I know it sounds *very* similar in the beginning. Don't worry. I don't plan on having my fic end up anything like it, but you've probably already figured that out. Yes, there will be some romance besides U/M, but I haven't decided which couples yet. Thanks for taking the time to review.
Julian Katra: There's more information about how Usagi got into her coma in this chapter. And oh yeah... the first chapter was really short because it was only a prologue. I deliberately didn't tell you why she was in the coma so I could keep my readers interested. Thanks for your review.
Datajana: Thanks for the wonderful review! Don't worry, I'm trying to keep this fic (somewhat) happy, and that's why I chose to have the Gundam Boys track them down. Things are never boring for long when Duo is around.
Black Aura-Sama: Thanks for both of the reviews, and the advice on accepting anonymous reviews. I've only been on ff.net for a month or so, and I had no idea I could do that! Yeah, I know. I'm stupid. And this is going to be primarily a serious fic, although I'll lighten up the mood occasionally when I'm getting to depressed from it to be serious.
And oh, yeah. Don't own GW or SM. Won't ever own them. Not selling this either. Enjoy the fic.
**
Chapter 2
**
An hour later, Minako moved out of the chair. Mamoru had sunk back into his trancelike state, and didn't even respond as the senshi stood. Putting the pink roses on the table beside Usagi's bed, she silently slipped out of the room. Glancing back into the room, Minako saw Mamoru brush Usagi's hair out of her face. Face serious, Minako quietly shut the door.
Walking down the hall, Minako felt relieved to see that the receptions lady wasn't there. She didn't think she could pretend right now... the sadness was too great to push away. Signing out, she left the building, heart heavy.
Mamoru didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve this. The other senshi didn't deserve this. Usagi didn't certainly didn't deserve this.
It had been ten months ago when a drunk driver hit Usagi and her family. Both the drunk and Usagi's family were rushed to the hospital. Minako vaguely remembered that the drunk had died in the ambulance. Bunny's parents and brother made it to the hospital, and by that time all of the senshi knew what happened and were there waiting. She remembered Mamoru's eye's... so empty and cold, as if his soul was dead.
All four of them were rushed into the emergency room. Usagi was stabilized after only a couple of hours, but the rest of her family remained in intensive care. Minako remembered the tension, the anxiety that was thick in the air. She didn't remember any words exchanged... only praying and crying. Finally, after 28 hours, the nurse urged them out, and told them to wait somewhere together where we could be easily reached. Naturally, they all found themselves at Raye's temple. Waiting for news, none of them ate, slept, or spoke, just cried as they slowly wasted away. She remembered them huddled around a table, staring at the phone for another three hours, praying for a miracle. It never came.
Minako remembered the phone ringing, its sharp trill filling the silence. Saw Raye's pale, shaking hand pick the screaming phone off the receiver. Heard her calmly set the phone down. She didn't need to say a word. It was all in her eyes.
She remembered as the four of them pulled into a tight hug, sobbing their heats out. Nothing would ever be the same again.
**
Heero let his fingers pound away at his laptop as he carefully searched through the file. This was one of the most bizarre cases he had ever been issued... it just didn't add up.
They had all used to be the 'Sailor Senshi', a group of five soldiers that fought for justice. None of their identities were known, and there has been no DNA left behind in a robbed bank. They seemed to all possess magical powers, but none of them were known except the one that he had witnessed on tape. They were all dressed in different colors, but the costume designs were the same. They looked young, still in their teens probably.
And if they weren't weird enough, the string of robberies made up for it. The first bank robbery was about half a year ago. They made another robbery every two months, but they never stole much, only a couple thousand each time. There were never any casualties, and usually no one got more than a couple bruises. They were extremely organized and fast... a robbery usually took less than two minutes.
And there were only four of them robbing banks. Where was the fifth? Could she possibly be the one behind it, or could she possibly be the only chance to track these robbers?
None of it made sense... what could possibly be their motive? Money? But they could have easily taken more at a bank. Not only a couple thousand at a time, like they were. For thrills? But then why was no one ever hurt? And there were no leads.
Rubbing his temples, Heero braced himself for another sleepless night. This was going to take some figuring out.
Resolving himself to his task, he began typing again as Duo simultaneously burst into his room. Ignoring the braided-baka as usual, he continued typing. That idiot would *not* distract him now that he was finally determined to do some serious research.
"Hey, Hee-chan! What are ya doing?" His obnoxious voice rang out.
"Don't call me that." Heero growled a reply.
Leaning over Heero's shoulder, Duo stared at the screen. Hoping that the Deathscythe pilot would just go away if he didn't answer, Heero kept typing.
Duo sighed as he realized that Heero was very pointedly ignoring him. When would he ever learn? The God of Death simply does not get bored that easily. Deciding to annoy his strict roommate some more, Duo began talking.
"You know that there is almost no chance at finding these girls, right? Lady Une was right... they're untraceable. At least one of the girls must be a genius. The targets are completely random every time, except for one thing. And haven't you realized how they never steal enough money to buy a car with every time? Huh, Heero?"
"Hn."
"I mean, the only way to track them down is to find a pattern in the banks they've robbed, isn't that right? One every two months and all."
"Hn."
"And after you do that, you find out that all the banks robbed once are never hit again, right?"
"Hn."
"And knowing that and the fact that they're all in Tokyo, there are only a few banks left, right? In fact... there are only seven small banks left, and they only hit small banks, but I'm sure you know that already, right Heero?"
"Hn."
"And having this information, we could just each have a station at the banks and hope that we're lucky to be in the one they hit, right? And seeing how we have more than a 60% chance of being at the right place at the right time, for once, we will actually have this case solved in less than two weeks?" Duo finished, a triumphant smile on his face.
"Hn."
"Uh, Heero?"
"Hn?"
"Did you just hear a word that I said?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"Next time get one of the others to tell me."
**
Getting off the bus, Minako began to climb the long staircase up to the familiar and comfortable temple. As she got to the top, she saw Raye in her Priestess garb, dusting the floor. Smiling and waving as she got near, Minako walked up to her friend.
"How was today?" Minako asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.
"Both Ami and Makoto are at work, and I got off a little early to take care of my chores at the temple. I've been neglecting them far too much already... the worshippers are coming less and less now." Raye said, a tinge of sadness in her voice. But despite that, she still held a bright, authentic smile. "How's Usagi?"
"She's still the same." Minako answered.
"Well... no news is good news in a way, I suppose. At least nothing else has happened yet." Raye replied, still optimistic about the future. Minako found that she couldn't share that optimism.
"I suppose..." Minako became even more serious, "Isn't there a meeting tonight?"
"Yes..." hurt was apparent in Raye's voice; "The bill just came today in the mail. I had hoped that we could skip these two months but... it's getting higher and higher, and despite how hard all of us work, we can't keep up by ourselves at this rate."
"I know." Then, Minako became gentle to the other girl, realizing how her soul was crying out. "Don't blame yourself, Raye. It's not your fault that Usagi is in a coma, and it's certainly not your fault that we're doing this. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. It was my idea, after all. If you need to blame someone, blame me."
Voice trembling, Raye answered, "No. It's not your fault either. We had no choice. You had no choice. You had to make this decision... as the leader you had to do something for Bunny."
"And as your leader, I realize how this is tearing you all apart. Don't let it, Raye. There is no one to blame but me."
"You did it for the best."
"Maybe, but you still resent me for it."
"No... never. I love you just as I do Usagi, and I know that all of your decisions are to benefit the future. This is the only way, and if my soul has to be torn into a thousand pieces for a happy future, then so be it. I had a choice of being Sailor Mars, and I took it fully knowing the possible consequences. I'm ready to face this, Minako. I trust in you."
Shaking her head sadly, Minako felt torn at the girl's words. "No. Please don't trust me completely, don't trust me as you do now. I don't know what would happen if..." Minako's voice wavered, "... if I broke that trust. If I led us all down a path of everlasting darkness, forever falling and never caught and saved. I think I've led us all to our doom."
"You would never do it on purpose... and for that I thank you for your strength. We all do. It's hardest on you, you know. Being leader must be hard."
"I'm just glad it's me and not one of you. 'Cause I couldn't bear it knowing that you had to make these decisions. Me, I'll live. I have so far, and I refuse to let this overpower me. I'm not Sailor Venus for nothing."
"I'm glad too."
Both of them turned around as they heard approaching footsteps. Both of them forced a smile at Makoto and Ami as they neared. Exchanging hellos, they went inside. Time for the meeting. Time for another agonizing decision as the leader. Time for them to slip further into the darkness.
Time to save Usagi.
**
You get to hear the girls' plan next chapter, and the accident will finally become fully explained! More angst, of course. This is not a happy fic, and to tell the truth it's getting *me* depressed. But it's just too good of a plot line to put down! It's like digging my own grave... ::sigh:: Anyways... I really hope you liked it. And this really isn't that big of a cliffhanger, so I don't think you'll have (many) murderous thoughts towards poor me. Oh yeah... please review! Tell me what you think of this depressing, depressing fic!
Love,
Inverse-chan
And now to answer some of the reviews...
I'm only going to answer the longer ones and the ones with questions and stuff.
Venus of Love: I've read Aino Yuy aka Usagi-Hater's fic (which is great, by the way), and I know it sounds *very* similar in the beginning. Don't worry. I don't plan on having my fic end up anything like it, but you've probably already figured that out. Yes, there will be some romance besides U/M, but I haven't decided which couples yet. Thanks for taking the time to review.
Julian Katra: There's more information about how Usagi got into her coma in this chapter. And oh yeah... the first chapter was really short because it was only a prologue. I deliberately didn't tell you why she was in the coma so I could keep my readers interested. Thanks for your review.
Datajana: Thanks for the wonderful review! Don't worry, I'm trying to keep this fic (somewhat) happy, and that's why I chose to have the Gundam Boys track them down. Things are never boring for long when Duo is around.
Black Aura-Sama: Thanks for both of the reviews, and the advice on accepting anonymous reviews. I've only been on ff.net for a month or so, and I had no idea I could do that! Yeah, I know. I'm stupid. And this is going to be primarily a serious fic, although I'll lighten up the mood occasionally when I'm getting to depressed from it to be serious.
And oh, yeah. Don't own GW or SM. Won't ever own them. Not selling this either. Enjoy the fic.
**
Chapter 2
**
An hour later, Minako moved out of the chair. Mamoru had sunk back into his trancelike state, and didn't even respond as the senshi stood. Putting the pink roses on the table beside Usagi's bed, she silently slipped out of the room. Glancing back into the room, Minako saw Mamoru brush Usagi's hair out of her face. Face serious, Minako quietly shut the door.
Walking down the hall, Minako felt relieved to see that the receptions lady wasn't there. She didn't think she could pretend right now... the sadness was too great to push away. Signing out, she left the building, heart heavy.
Mamoru didn't deserve this. She didn't deserve this. The other senshi didn't deserve this. Usagi didn't certainly didn't deserve this.
It had been ten months ago when a drunk driver hit Usagi and her family. Both the drunk and Usagi's family were rushed to the hospital. Minako vaguely remembered that the drunk had died in the ambulance. Bunny's parents and brother made it to the hospital, and by that time all of the senshi knew what happened and were there waiting. She remembered Mamoru's eye's... so empty and cold, as if his soul was dead.
All four of them were rushed into the emergency room. Usagi was stabilized after only a couple of hours, but the rest of her family remained in intensive care. Minako remembered the tension, the anxiety that was thick in the air. She didn't remember any words exchanged... only praying and crying. Finally, after 28 hours, the nurse urged them out, and told them to wait somewhere together where we could be easily reached. Naturally, they all found themselves at Raye's temple. Waiting for news, none of them ate, slept, or spoke, just cried as they slowly wasted away. She remembered them huddled around a table, staring at the phone for another three hours, praying for a miracle. It never came.
Minako remembered the phone ringing, its sharp trill filling the silence. Saw Raye's pale, shaking hand pick the screaming phone off the receiver. Heard her calmly set the phone down. She didn't need to say a word. It was all in her eyes.
She remembered as the four of them pulled into a tight hug, sobbing their heats out. Nothing would ever be the same again.
**
Heero let his fingers pound away at his laptop as he carefully searched through the file. This was one of the most bizarre cases he had ever been issued... it just didn't add up.
They had all used to be the 'Sailor Senshi', a group of five soldiers that fought for justice. None of their identities were known, and there has been no DNA left behind in a robbed bank. They seemed to all possess magical powers, but none of them were known except the one that he had witnessed on tape. They were all dressed in different colors, but the costume designs were the same. They looked young, still in their teens probably.
And if they weren't weird enough, the string of robberies made up for it. The first bank robbery was about half a year ago. They made another robbery every two months, but they never stole much, only a couple thousand each time. There were never any casualties, and usually no one got more than a couple bruises. They were extremely organized and fast... a robbery usually took less than two minutes.
And there were only four of them robbing banks. Where was the fifth? Could she possibly be the one behind it, or could she possibly be the only chance to track these robbers?
None of it made sense... what could possibly be their motive? Money? But they could have easily taken more at a bank. Not only a couple thousand at a time, like they were. For thrills? But then why was no one ever hurt? And there were no leads.
Rubbing his temples, Heero braced himself for another sleepless night. This was going to take some figuring out.
Resolving himself to his task, he began typing again as Duo simultaneously burst into his room. Ignoring the braided-baka as usual, he continued typing. That idiot would *not* distract him now that he was finally determined to do some serious research.
"Hey, Hee-chan! What are ya doing?" His obnoxious voice rang out.
"Don't call me that." Heero growled a reply.
Leaning over Heero's shoulder, Duo stared at the screen. Hoping that the Deathscythe pilot would just go away if he didn't answer, Heero kept typing.
Duo sighed as he realized that Heero was very pointedly ignoring him. When would he ever learn? The God of Death simply does not get bored that easily. Deciding to annoy his strict roommate some more, Duo began talking.
"You know that there is almost no chance at finding these girls, right? Lady Une was right... they're untraceable. At least one of the girls must be a genius. The targets are completely random every time, except for one thing. And haven't you realized how they never steal enough money to buy a car with every time? Huh, Heero?"
"Hn."
"I mean, the only way to track them down is to find a pattern in the banks they've robbed, isn't that right? One every two months and all."
"Hn."
"And after you do that, you find out that all the banks robbed once are never hit again, right?"
"Hn."
"And knowing that and the fact that they're all in Tokyo, there are only a few banks left, right? In fact... there are only seven small banks left, and they only hit small banks, but I'm sure you know that already, right Heero?"
"Hn."
"And having this information, we could just each have a station at the banks and hope that we're lucky to be in the one they hit, right? And seeing how we have more than a 60% chance of being at the right place at the right time, for once, we will actually have this case solved in less than two weeks?" Duo finished, a triumphant smile on his face.
"Hn."
"Uh, Heero?"
"Hn?"
"Did you just hear a word that I said?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"Next time get one of the others to tell me."
**
Getting off the bus, Minako began to climb the long staircase up to the familiar and comfortable temple. As she got to the top, she saw Raye in her Priestess garb, dusting the floor. Smiling and waving as she got near, Minako walked up to her friend.
"How was today?" Minako asked, genuine curiosity in her voice.
"Both Ami and Makoto are at work, and I got off a little early to take care of my chores at the temple. I've been neglecting them far too much already... the worshippers are coming less and less now." Raye said, a tinge of sadness in her voice. But despite that, she still held a bright, authentic smile. "How's Usagi?"
"She's still the same." Minako answered.
"Well... no news is good news in a way, I suppose. At least nothing else has happened yet." Raye replied, still optimistic about the future. Minako found that she couldn't share that optimism.
"I suppose..." Minako became even more serious, "Isn't there a meeting tonight?"
"Yes..." hurt was apparent in Raye's voice; "The bill just came today in the mail. I had hoped that we could skip these two months but... it's getting higher and higher, and despite how hard all of us work, we can't keep up by ourselves at this rate."
"I know." Then, Minako became gentle to the other girl, realizing how her soul was crying out. "Don't blame yourself, Raye. It's not your fault that Usagi is in a coma, and it's certainly not your fault that we're doing this. If it's anyone's fault, it's mine. It was my idea, after all. If you need to blame someone, blame me."
Voice trembling, Raye answered, "No. It's not your fault either. We had no choice. You had no choice. You had to make this decision... as the leader you had to do something for Bunny."
"And as your leader, I realize how this is tearing you all apart. Don't let it, Raye. There is no one to blame but me."
"You did it for the best."
"Maybe, but you still resent me for it."
"No... never. I love you just as I do Usagi, and I know that all of your decisions are to benefit the future. This is the only way, and if my soul has to be torn into a thousand pieces for a happy future, then so be it. I had a choice of being Sailor Mars, and I took it fully knowing the possible consequences. I'm ready to face this, Minako. I trust in you."
Shaking her head sadly, Minako felt torn at the girl's words. "No. Please don't trust me completely, don't trust me as you do now. I don't know what would happen if..." Minako's voice wavered, "... if I broke that trust. If I led us all down a path of everlasting darkness, forever falling and never caught and saved. I think I've led us all to our doom."
"You would never do it on purpose... and for that I thank you for your strength. We all do. It's hardest on you, you know. Being leader must be hard."
"I'm just glad it's me and not one of you. 'Cause I couldn't bear it knowing that you had to make these decisions. Me, I'll live. I have so far, and I refuse to let this overpower me. I'm not Sailor Venus for nothing."
"I'm glad too."
Both of them turned around as they heard approaching footsteps. Both of them forced a smile at Makoto and Ami as they neared. Exchanging hellos, they went inside. Time for the meeting. Time for another agonizing decision as the leader. Time for them to slip further into the darkness.
Time to save Usagi.
**
You get to hear the girls' plan next chapter, and the accident will finally become fully explained! More angst, of course. This is not a happy fic, and to tell the truth it's getting *me* depressed. But it's just too good of a plot line to put down! It's like digging my own grave... ::sigh:: Anyways... I really hope you liked it. And this really isn't that big of a cliffhanger, so I don't think you'll have (many) murderous thoughts towards poor me. Oh yeah... please review! Tell me what you think of this depressing, depressing fic!
Love,
Inverse-chan