Reflection – Chapter 03
By Aurora Eos Rose
Yaten Kou
Somewhere over Nevada-1986
"Are we there yet, mom?" The boy snuggled up next to his mother, pea green eyes peering out the window. A soft laugh echoed from the woman beside him.
"No, we're not there. It takes a long time to get from New York to Los Angeles. Just look out the window."
"But there's nothing to see, mom. Just …sand." He leaned over so he could see farther out the window at the ground. It looked like a great big sandbox. The sun shone off the plane's wing, almost blinding the boy. "Besides, it's way too bright. How much longer until we get there?" His mother shrugged.
"I really don't know, honey. Why don't you get out your book and look at the pictures again."
"But that's boring mom. This whole flight is boring."
"A boring flight is not necessarily a bad thing, sweetheart. Just sit back and relax. We'll be there soon. And we'll start a completely new life. You'll get to sing all the time, and be with your friends, and we won't have to worry about money again. So just be patient." She brushed a strand of silver-gray hair from his forehead. The boy grumbled and picked up his discarded book. The rhythmic humming of the plane was a bit annoying, and he'd accidentally left the headphones for his walkman in the cab. He started humming lightly under his breath.
Slowly a tune began to form, following the rise and fall of the engine noise. A knocking sound made an elegant counterpoint, and he found himself slipping into sleep, pulled by a lullaby of his own making.
The clanging woke him. The boy opened his eyes and stared out the window at the smoking, sputtering jet engine. The humming whine that had almost overpowered the entire flight changed pitch, dropping an octave, and finally cutting out altogether. Flames began to spit from the rear of the engine as the whining sound ground to a halt. He felt the plane begin to pitch. And then he finally screamed.
There was falling, a feeling of being weightless. Then the sound of the other engine faded away. Then the cabin was filled with noise. He couldn't hear his voice, couldn't think. He just stared out the window as the plane rolled almost sideways and then headed for the ground at a terrific speed. The last thing he saw was the faint full moon hanging in the sky.
Yaten opened his eyes slowly. His head felt muzzy. He sat up slowly and looked around. He was lying alone in the middle of sand. There was nothing in sight. And it was cold. The sun was just beyond the horizon and the sky was painted with brilliant reds and oranges. Yaten could see the moon, now bright and high in the sky. He shivered in the cool wind, and glanced down. He was dressed in some strange black, tight leather outfit. He rubbed a hand over its body in surprise. Then Yaten attempted to keep from passing out. She had no idea how she'd acquired a female body or why she was alone in the middle of the desert at night. But she didn't panic. She was too tired, too confused to panic. She brushed her silver bangs out of her eyes and took stock.
Her outfit barely covered her body and was vaguely uncomfortable. The wings sprouting from her back were a mystery as well. The desert was quiet, she didn't know where the plane's remains were, or if anyone had lived. Her mind and body started to shut down with shock. She didn't feel the wind grow colder. All she knew was silence, and loneliness. She felt a sense of remembrance, as if she'd seen and felt a scene like this one, long ago. Huddling down into a ball of flesh, she shivered in the breeze. As she stared at a brilliant red-gold star that seemed to wink at her in the sky, the moon bathed her body in light.
London, England-1997
Sailor Star Healer was angry. And she wasn't very nice when she was angry. She dug the heel of one pointed black boot into the thug's neck. She could see the idiot was practically drooling over her leather hot pants, thigh high boots, and halter top. The uniform had not been her choice; it merely came with the job. And the heels on the boots were great for interrogations.
"You're going to tell me exactly where you hid that money or I'm going to skewer you." The man wriggled and tried to remove the offending footwear. Healer merely smiled and pushed harder. "Keep that up and you won't have a throat left." The heel twisted a bit more. A rhythmic tapping of high heels on cement announced Sailor Star Maker's arrival.
"Healer, we need the witness alive. I see I'll have to take over the questioning, again. Don't you ever let your brain control your temper? Why don't you go help Fighter clean up the rest of the building?" Healer turned quickly, flipping her silver-gray ponytail over one shoulder.
"Star Maker, you are no fun at all."
"Now, Healer. There were at least twelve in the gang, you've killed two, Fighter has dispatched one and captured two, and I've captured one. Do the math and trot off like a good girl." Healer scowled. She stepped on the man's stomach, twisting the heel once more for good measure.
"I'll be back shortly, this shouldn't take too long." Healer stalked through the old factory, mentally grimacing at the amount of filth on the floors. This had been a rather fun encounter. It was nice to know who the enemy was, and it was very nice to deal with incompetent stooges. They made great targets. Of course, if Sailor Star Maker weren't so intent on justice and good, the nightly raids on crime houses would be a lot more fun.
"Fighter? Star Fighter? Where the hell are you?" There was a loud crash, and a body flew through the skylight. It thudded against the concrete at Healer's feet. She smiled a bit at the crispy features; only one person could roast a person's face that much. A dark head popped over the now jagged edge of the skylight.
"Looking for me? Come on, you're missing all the fun." Healer grinned at Fighter's invitation and leapt upward, easily clearing the three or four stories to the roof. She landed on the metal in the middle of a raging battle. Two thugs rushed her immediately. She simply stepped aside, smiling snidely as they almost fell into the gaping hole that Sailor Star Fighter had created. Healer kicked one of the men squarely in the back, almost giggling as he fell down the hole. There was a horrible crack as he hit bottom.
"All right Fighter, that's three for me, four for you, and one for Maker. Why doesn't she ever pull her own weight?" Fighter cupped her hands gently.
"Star Serious Laser." A burst of light flew from her fingertips and roasted two of the remaining thugs. "I believe that's six for me. We're just missing…" The rest of the sentence was abruptly cut off as Healer tackled Fighter. They both heard the bullet fly over their head. "Well damn, that bastard tried to shoot me. Don't they know guns aren't as effective as…?"
"Star Sensitive Inferno." The attack shot toward the position where the gunfire had originated, and the entire roof burst into flames. Fighter shook her head.
"You won't even let me finish the sentence! Overkill, always with you its overkill. Let's find Star Maker before this place goes up in flames. What a way to spend our third night in London." Healer merely shrugged.
"I don't know, it was kind of fun. But we do have that party to go to tonight; it started like forty minutes ago." Fighter swore and jumped down the broken skylight. Healer stared up at the sky, watching the silver white moon in the sky. Then she followed.
"Tell me again what we're doing here?" Yaten resisted the urge to rip his bow tie off and ran one hand down the length of his tuxedo jacket. The blue color hadn't been his choice. "And why the hell am I wearing a blue tuxedo? I mean, it's just a regular tuxedo, but why blue. Hasn't Taiki ever heard of black? Or charcoal? Has Taiki lost all his taste?" Yaten swallowed a large gulp of his brandy, grimacing as the liquid hit the back of his throat. A low chuckle drew his attention.
"If Taiki hears you insulting his latest scheme we'll be singing scales for a week. Besides, this is a nice party. All the free liquor we can hold without passing out, music, if you can call that screeching music, and lots of gorgeous woman just waiting to molest us." Seiya tilted his own drink backwards and flashed a brilliant smile at the crowd.
"This from a man in a red tuxedo who's slept with half of London in less than two days." Yaten mumbled the words under his breath and grabbed another drink from the tray sitting unattended on the table. Seiya growled.
"I heard that, you little bastard. And I will beat the shit out of you for it later. Personally, I'm finding great enjoyment in the fact that general Taiki stuck himself in yellow. He looks like a frigging daffodil." A young woman wearing a scrap of green satin moved towards the group, her eyes screaming her excitement. Seiya smiled broadly, winking at Yaten when the girl sighed and breathlessly giggled.
"Oh look, another slut for you to screw. How many does that make this week? I think I lost count after the twins. They were twins, weren't they?" Yaten grimaced at Seiya's proud smile.
"Yes they were, Norwegian no less. And they had great tongues. You wouldn't believe what those two could do with their tongues." Seiya stepped forward to the new arrival, smoothly taking her outstretched hand and lifting the palm to his lips. He pressed a kiss against her wrist at the point where it met her hand, smirking at the girl's gasp of surprise. Yaten rolled his eyes.
"I suspect that her very rich and powerful daddy wouldn't be too happy if you broke his angel's heart, Seiya." Taiki had silently moved beside Yaten. The taller man in yellow frowned at Seiya's continued flirting. Then he sighed and deftly moved between the two figures. "Go home, little girl. I don't think you're his type." Taiki turned the now pouting girl around pushed her away. She returned to the group of elderly businessman that she'd elbowed her way through earlier. Seiya pouted, and Yaten felt a surge of satisfaction.
"Taiki, don't you hate being a babysitter?" Taiki yanked on his bow tie and gracefully sat on the couch.
"It isn't that much work. Seiya can usually filter his own bedmates, but I've been watching that one all evening. She's been eyeing Seiya as though he were a steak since we walked in the door. Why aren't you two out gossiping with the crowd?" Taiki lifted a glass from the tray and took a slow sip. "I would think that you'd be picking up every female in sight, Seiya. And Yaten, you rarely miss an opportunity to bitch. What was it that you said before coming here? Ah yes, that you looked like some kind of paid escort in your god damn tuxedo and that Seiya should charge by the orgasm." Yaten choked on his drink.
"Actually, Taiki. I believe his exact words were that if I charged by the orgasm we could stop singing for our supper and spend our time on more important things. I won't repeat his exact words describing his evening wear. I might remove your ears." Seiya flashed a brilliant smile across the room. Taiki sighed loudly. Yaten just sulked. He didn't want to be at this party. He didn't want to witness Seiya's womanizing or deal with rabid fans clawing at him. He wanted to stay in the hotel and work on the song that had been fermenting in his brain for the past week. Parties were not conducive to his creative nature.
"Oh look, here's our good producer. Why don't you two bugger off so we can talk business here by this nice couch?" Taiki waved the two off with a condescending tone. "Remember to behave yourselves." Yaten sent an obscene gesture in Taiki's direction, and Seiya mouthed a few words, but the two moved away from Taiki's newly claimed corner.
"Why the bloody hell does he do that to us?" Seiya shrugged and headed for the nearest waiter.
"Because he can? Because he has more brains than the two of us, combined? Because he's drinking ginger ale, and you've had three brandies and I've had more glasses of champagne than I can count? Because without him we wouldn't have our careers?"
"Or these idiotic suits. 'The fans will identify each of us with a color, it will make us distinctive and easy to recognize.' I think it's just Taiki's way of torturing us. He wants us to look like freaking fags. Just because he happens to prefer men to women ninety percent of the time…" Seiya merely shrugged.
"I never have anyone accuse me of that vice."
"Of course not, any man that can sleep with the entire cast of a Las Vegas show could possibly be gay. How did you accomplish that, anyway?"
"Let's just say they managed to make each other happy when I gave out."
"That was entirely more than I needed to know." Seiya just laughed nastily. "By the way, have you decided on tonight's target?" Seiya sloshed his drink around in his glass.
"I've been looking. Most of the women I already know, and yes I mean in the carnal sense. All the ones I'd like to screw are daughters of the rich and powerful who'd kill me if I didn't marry what I sampled. And any women left in the room really don't want me. Or I don't want to hurt them. I know you think little of me, Yaten, but I only go after the ones who ask for it, or at least ask for it after I charm them." Yaten snorted. "I'm serious, Yaten. If a woman says yes without a ring it's her damn problem, not mine. All they have to do is say no. I've never met one that's managed. And I always make sure they're relatively sober. However, have you seen the blonde over in the corner?" There was a moment of silence as Yaten scanned the room. The music from the small band echoed slightly in the rafters of the cathedral ceiling. The evening stars twinkled, visible through the glass paneled roof. The noises of the crowd almost drown out the screeching music. Yaten peered through the haze of bodies, looking for someone new and out of place. Then he saw her.
She was leaning against the wall next to the exit to the patio facing the pool. A breeze swept through the door, sending her long blonde hair fluttering in the wind. Moonlight spilled through the ceiling above her, casting her in a white-silver aura. For a moment his heart stopped.
Her face was turned up to the sky, staring at the moon with a wistful look on her face. Her brilliant red dress clung to her like a second skin. A pair of earrings winked from behind a thin layer of hair that constantly shifted in the breeze. She had a half empty glass of coke clutched in one hand, and looked like a virgin in a brothel. Yaten found his heart beating faster.
"The picture of ripe innocence, eh? I'm rather looking forward to this one." Seiya started forward, his eyes narrowed in determination. Yaten had a sudden and disturbing vision of the gorgeous girl wrapped in Seiya's arms, screaming his name while she dripped with sweat and arched her back.
"Seiya, I think you've had enough women for a while. This one's mine." Yaten stepped forward, pressing his empty glass into Seiya's hands. Seiya stopped dead in his tracks. His blue eyes grew hard.
"What the hell are you talking about? I thought you were the fucking complaining monk!" Yaten ran a hand through his hair, brushed invisible dirt off his tuxedo, and straightened his bow tie.
"Contrary to popular belief, I do desire companionship at times. I just prefer females, and only one at a time, for extended periods of time." Yaten's gaze fell on the girl by the door again. He felt a strange pull, as though he had seen someone like this, a long time ago.
"Well this is a really rotten time to suddenly desire a good screw. Especially since I saw her first." Seiya moved closer; Yaten had to turn his neck upward to meet the taller man's gaze. "What makes you think I'll just walk away from this one?"
"Because she's far too innocent for your tastes, she'd take too much time to train. She's young, very young, and after almost being arrested for the last one you should be a bit more careful. And then there's that sick voyeur in you who is desperate to see if I can actually pick up a date, because you're quite convinced that I'm some sort of eunuch. Besides, I'd kill you if you tried to touch her. I want her; she's mine, no touchy." Yaten brushed by the now opened mouthed, silent Seiya, chuckling slightly at the fish like movements of Seiya's mouth.
Mina sipped her coke and stared at the shifting waters of the pool. She hated these parties. Her parents were somewhere in the crowd, desperately trying to embarrass themselves. She was hiding from her mother. Mina leaned against the door frame a bit more, trying to keep from blocking the traffic on and off the patio. She glanced around the room at the people. Here the rich, powerful, and famous gathered to get drunk and find someone other than their spouses to sleep with. Mina was here because her television producer was desperately trying to pitch a Sailor V movie. Mina sighed loudly. Who would have thought that a silly little girl in a short skirt could get so popular? Of course, her idiot agent was drunk and not doing his job, as usual. But her producer was here talking. She fiddled with the gold band on her arm. If only her parents could refrain from doing something stupid, she just might have a chance at the big time. Except her agent was missing again. He had run off to chase after some supermodel. Leaving her parents to their own devices. She sighed loudly. Maybe it was just a dream. The thought of her name in lights made a smile flash across her face. That would show that jackass what she was really worth.
"I'm surprised you can see anything to be happy about here." The voice was melodic, a rich tenor that made her toes curl. The words were just a whisper in her ear. Mina turned sideways sharply, almost upsetting her drink in the process. A young man had moved beside her. He was just a little taller than she was, and slender. He had long gray-silver hair in a ponytail, and pea green eyes. Mina felt a streak of pain in her chest. He looked like a younger version of Kaji. Well, not quite, his hair was a little darker, and his eyes were very different. She mentally smacked herself for even comparing the two. His face was turned up in a smirk and his arms were crossed insolently over his chest. He returned her perusal with one of his own, his eyes lingering on Mina's low dress bodice. Mina felt her cheeks turn red. She wasn't a piece of meat. The young man laughed.
"I don't see what's so funny." She knew the words had come out haughty, but couldn't help herself. Mina felt her hands straying to the band on her arm again. Yaten's gaze followed. Mina blushed. The golden bracelet had been far too large so she'd pushed it up her arm until it had stayed put. The man's hand strayed to the gaudy bracelet. Mina slapped his hand away instinctively. The man laughed again.
"A bit touchy are we? I just wanted to admire that lovely bracelet." He sounded both amused and offended. Mina's face turned a brighter shade of red.
"I…I'm sorry. But it's just an ugly bracelet. My mother made me wear it." Her voice was soft. A harsher breeze blew a hank of hair in front of her face. The man reached for the offending strands. Mina jerked away again.
"Shhh, it's all right." His hand gently brushed the strands back over one shoulder. Mina felt her heart pounding in her chest. His eyes were a lovely shade, unlike anything she'd ever seen before, at least on a human. She resisted the urge to run out the door. The man ran his hand down her cheek. His touch was gently, as though he were stroking something far more fragile than skin.
"I'm not used to being touched by people I hardly know." Mina knew her voice sounded a bit breathy. But she couldn't stop the hammering in her heart from the soft gesture. It had been almost three months since she'd spent time with a man…had one touch her face, stroke a hand down her cheek, over her stomach…Mina felt her face turning flaming red. The man chuckled. The soft sound sent a shiver down Mina's spine.
"It's just so rare to see someone blush in this business. A real blush, not the fake version. In fact, you seem very different from most of the people here." Mina glanced down at her rather ugly, out of date, extremely revealing dress and felt the blush spreading over her exposed chest.
"Well, I know I'm dressed for the occasion." She glared pointedly at the immense amount of flesh exposed in the room. The man smiled, this time a real smile that lit up his face and made his eyes shine. Mina took a sharp breath.
"You could make a paper sack look lovely. What is someone like you doing here? Most women would have invited me into the nearest closet by now. But instead you're offended when I touch you and apologize for your dress." Mina turned redder; she could feel the tips of her ears burning. She took a tentative step away from the handsome stranger. The young man turned his gaze back to the crowd. Mina was a bit disheartened by the cold, cynical gaze he leveled at the partygoers. She was also very nervous. Socializing with males felt awkward now. Kaji seemed to have stolen more than just her virginity, but also her confidence and spark. The man snorted. He waved a hand over the mass of people in the room.
"They make me rather sick, all the colorful butterflies desperate for their moment in the spotlight. They only come to these parties to get drunk and find new bedmates." The young man brought a glass in his left hand to his lips. A star shaped ring flashed on his finger. Mina tilted her head to the side. He seemed very familiar, but she couldn't remember having met the man before. It was like a tickling sensation in her head. She knew this man, she had to have seen him before, but her brained refused to divulge the information. She stared at his beautiful eyes. He was very lovely, in an almost pretty kind of way. His eyes strayed back to her face.
"What's wrong, princess? You've been staring at me quite a while. Still haven't seen enough? Maybe you're just too shy to invite me to a romp in bed. I think you're a pretty little thing." He leaned forward and brushed his thumb over her lower lip. "I'm sure we'd have a great time." He leaned closer with every word, his eyelids lowered and his gaze turned sultry. Mina felt for a moment as though she were drowning, then panic set in. She jerked away from his touch.
"Do I know you?" Her tone was as haughty and condescending as she could manage, but her hands were shaking. She took two steps backward, drawing herself up to her full height. Her blue eyes flashed. "I don't think I do, because I'm certain I would remember someone as nasty and vulgar as you." His smirk softened into a smile.
"So the kitten has fangs after all." He bowed low, took Mina's hand, and kissed it gently. Then he released it and stood up slowly. "I apologize; I'm just not sure how to act around a genuine lady after spending so much time in the presence of courtesans and whores. My name is Yaten Kou. I'm a member of the Three Lights." Mina's eyes lit up a bit. Suddenly everything fell into place. She did know Yaten Kou, well, she'd never met him, but she'd bought the latest album.
"Really? The Three Lights are here? Is Seiya here?" Yaten's face fell back into a scowl.
"Why do the women always ask for him? Look for the biggest gathering of females in the room." His voice was harsh and angry. "I suppose you'll be chasing after him too. Why does every female in the world want Seiya? And if they can't get him they want the distinction of sleeping with at least one of the Lights?" His tone was very bitter, enough to poison even the happiest thought. Mina grimaced at the tone. Then she leaned against the wall.
"Well I must not be every woman in the world. Why should I bother chasing after a man? I want one who won't mind coming to me." She took another sip of her drink and tried to act sophisticated, although she knew she was failing miserably. And the warm, flat coke left a foul taste in her mouth. Most everyone else was drinking alcohol. Yaten's face was a cold mask. Mina sighed and gave up. She really wasn't that great of an actress. She only excelled at Sailor V because the character was a perfect match for her personality. She coughed loudly. And she told the truth. "It would be nice to meet Seiya and Taiki, to shake all your hands and maybe get an autograph. But just because I want to meet someone famous doesn't mean I want to hop in bed with them." Yaten was quiet for a moment, a bit surprised by the sudden aura of complete truth radiating from the innocent beside him, but his nature just couldn't believe a woman like that really existed.
"Oh really, little girl. And I don't suppose you'd say yes if I asked you to come home with me, right now?" Mina resisted the urge to growl.
"That's right. In fact, I'd tell you to go to hell. Although I will admit, like any fan, I'd do anything short of washing your underwear or sleeping with you to get an autograph." Her exuberant grin astounded Yaten. For once, he found a woman he wanted in his bed…in his life. Yaten's voice softened, and his eyes turned sultry again. Mina could feel a surge of desire pool in her belly. Yaten moved against her body, his voice low and sexy.
"Then consider this an offer, sweetheart. Why don't we head down to my car and I'll take you out to dinner. Then we can head to my place and I'll give you an autograph anywhere you like. And then I'll introduce you to the pleasures of the bedroom." He longed to add that he'd keep her forever, but that was something he knew he could never do. He whispered the words against her ear, and pressed a soft kiss against her bare collarbone. Mina shuddered for a moment. Then her eyes turned cloudy. She pulled away from Yaten's touch and blinked rapidly to keep the tears from falling. She stared down into her almost empty glass.
"I've already been introduced, thank you." Her voice was whisper soft. She didn't see Yaten's eyes turn tender at the words. There was a long moment of silence.
"I think…I think I would never let you go if you'd been mine." Yaten said the words almost reverently. Mina was silent. Her memories were crashing over her brain like waves battering a rock. She felt the layers of protection being stripped away. A high pitched giggle pulled her from self pity. She closed her eyes tightly, afraid of what she'd find. Then she looked up over the crowd and groaned. Her mother was tipsy drunk and hanging all over some annoyed man. A tall, dark haired man with a long ponytail, wearing a red tuxedo. And he looked very familiar. Mina shuddered.
"I see. Your family isn't trained very well." Mina shot a wry smile his way.
"That's an understatement." Yaten raised one eyebrow. Memories shot through Mina, painful memories, but she shoved them away. "Why is it every male I meet can do that but I can't? Excuse, but I really have to save that man from my disgusting mother." Yaten's face broke into a smile again.
"Don't worry about it. Seiya can handle anything with two X chromosomes. I'd rather spend the time with you.
"That's Seiya Kou? Oh god, I'm going to die. My mother is groping one of the Three Lights in front of thousands of people." Mina's voice ended on a high pitched squeak. Yaten burst into laughter, drawing stares from the crowd.
"Actually, it's more like hundreds. He deserves every bit of it, too. Come on sweetheart." Yaten grasped Mina's hand and dragged her outside toward a dark corner of the patio, under a tulip tree in bloom. The fragrance drifted over the lawn.
"I really have to get my parents out of here before they ruin the producer's deal." Mina stuck one bright red nail in her mouth and nibbled on the tip.
"Forget about them for a moment. You haven't even told me your name." Mina smiled and held up her signature V sign.
"Minako Aino, otherwise known as Sailor V." She looked down at her tight red dress. "You probably didn't recognize me without the sailor suit." Yaten's face clouded for a moment, and then he snapped his fingers.
"That's right; you're in that television show. Who would have thought that a silly girl in a short skirt would be so popular?" Mina tilted her head, a little distressed at the way his thoughts echoed her own. She finished off her drink and set the empty glass on a nearby table.
"I suspect the short skirt had an awful lot to do with it." Yaten laughed a bit.
"Seiya is known to yell panty shot whenever you flash the viewer on your series." Mina felt a giggle escape her lips.
"Ah, the eccentricities of the male mind. Give them a short skirt and they're set for life." Yaten grabbed a champagne flute off a passing waiter and pressed it into Mina's hand.
"I think I'd need more than a short skirt." Mina looked up into his eyes and felt a surge of desire. The feeling frightened her. She hadn't even looked at another man since Kaji. But this Yaten, he seemed, different somehow. Mina took a sip of the champagne. She was only seventeen, but shrugged inside. A little bit more wouldn't kill her.
"I suspect that nations could rise and fall over a pretty girl in a short skirt. What are you doing here all alone?" Mina moved slowly towards an empty chair. She sat down gracefully, noting the way Yaten's eyes widened as she crossed her legs and the thigh high slit of her dress fell open.
"I'm hiding from the crowd. Actually, Taiki's probably hiding as well, talking finance to the boring producer group. Seiya's the lady's man. I've never seen him without a woman." Yaten sat down beside Mina.
"So you don't like being fawned over by hundreds of adoring women?" Mina swirled the liquid around in her glass absently. Yaten groaned and leaned back against the chair.
"It's hell. They don't really know us. They see a pretty face and think that's all that matters. They can't possibly get to know us as people. We're prizes, and they're all competing for first place. Sometimes I feel like a lion in the savannah, trying to outrun a hunter." Mina blinked several times.
"An entertainer with the soul of a romantic, how rare." Her voice spat out the word romantic, making Yaten's head pop up in surprise.
"I take it you don't believe in romance?" Mina closed her eyes for a second, and then downed her champagne in one long gulp. She practically slammed the glass on the table.
"Love and romance are just excuses for men to release their physical needs." Her voice was shaking slightly now, Yaten couldn't tell if it was from pain or anger. He reached one hand towards her face. Mina jerked away sharply, but Yaten was more persistent. He turned her face, staring into her eyes.
"Who hurt you, sweetheart?" His voice was whisper soft, a balm on the wounds that had been unwittingly ripped open. Mina closed her eyes, unable to meet his gentle gaze.
"It's all right. I'm better now." Yaten's brittle laugh shattered in the air.
"That's a bunch of bullshit, little girl. You're still torn up inside." Yaten leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "I'll let it go for tonight, but somehow I'll fix that heart of yours." Mina's eyes opened again. She felt more than a little lightheaded.
"You do realize that sounds a little creepy." Yaten laughed lightly.
"I'm not a stalker or anything. In fact, I've had two stalkers arrested in the last year. I just feel this pull towards you, and it hurts me to see you in pain. And I'm a man; I like to try to fix things." Mina tilted her head a bit.
"Why?" Her face was full of innocence, and Yaten resisted the urge to kiss her lips.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because I've found someone who hurts more than I do. Maybe because I don't want to be the cold, hard man I've become. Smile pretty. Laugh. Tonight is for fun. I'll introduce you to a few people. Besides, with you around the women will leave me alone for an hour or so." Yaten stood and pulled Mina behind him, and the two moved through the crowds towards a laughing knot in the center of the room.
Yaten stared at the woman beside him. Actually, she was still more girl than woman, but it was obvious what she could become, the woman she would be in time. He sipped at his glass, ignoring the gentle warning his mind was broadcasting. He was used to actresses, women who could pretend to be anything at all. He was certain every woman was an actress at her core. But the moment he had seen Mina standing alone against the wall he had been drawn to her.
She was refreshingly honest, and she'd shown him a glimpse of pain so deep it surpassed his own. She moved among the high players in the worlds of film and media with grace, as though she'd always belonged with them. Yaten felt a strange surge of pride in her poise and intelligence. Even the most jaded could be taken with her gentle smile and bubbling laughter. Yaten watched her flirt with Seiya. He felt a brief pang of jealousy but, the questioning gaze Seiya sent before taking Mina off to meet someone else made Yaten's heart settle. Seiya only wanted to chase the obtainable.
"So how old is this one?" Taiki's smooth voice broke through Yaten's thoughts. He felt a strange clinging sensation on his arm. He looked down to find a woman smiling up at him, her rather exorbitant number of curves pressed against his body. Yaten thought she looked rather like a leech that had managed to wiggle her way into a place with warm bodies to feast on. Then he shook her off without even an acknowledgement of her presence.
"Let's get out of this crowd first." Taiki nodded and turned around. The press of bodies tended to limit movement, but Taiki wound his way through expertly. The two sat on a couch against the far wall, where the light hardly reached. The music was also quieter here, less screeching soprano. There was a long moment of silence.
"I'm not really sure, Taiki. I didn't ask. She's very young, I'm sure of that." A flash of blonde hair whirled past them on Seiya's arm. Mina stopped at a large group of businessmen, and Seiya made introductions. Yaten drank her beauty like water in the desert. Taiki looked Mina over with an assessing eye.
"I would place her between sixteen and twenty. Judging by the way she moves and the jokes she finds amusing, I'd estimate she's just shy of eighteen." Yaten shrugged slowly.
"And your point?" Taiki lifted his glasses from his face and placed them in his pocket. His violet eyes were troubled.
"Don't get yourself into something you can't control, Yaten. She's very young, and you're very famous, whether you want to be or not." Taiki paused for a long moment, and smiled a bit. "Besides. I really don't want to give you more fodder for your complaints." Yaten scowled.
"Why don't you mind your own business, Taiki? Go baby-sit Seiya. And I don't whine that much." Taiki laughed. A very discordant tone from the pianist and singer had Yaten flinching. "Although I could say more than a few words about that music." Yaten stood and flipped his ponytail over his shoulder in one smooth motion. He stared at the crowd, his eyes fixed on the girl in red.
Mina was breathless. Seiya was a wonderful partner in the game of socializing. He whispered rumors in her ear while introducing her to the biggest names and money that London had to offer. He was very polite and extremely charming. Mina found herself laughing at his outrageous sense of humor. She had missed her mother being taken to a cab, and her father passing out in the back gardens. But Seiya had informed her of the events in a laughing tone, along with commentary on how the two deserved to fall in the pool dead drunk.
The room was absolutely packed, and Mina should have felt intimidated and alone, but instead she felt free for the first time in her life. These people treated her as equals, not as servants. They respected her for her acting career. They jostled with each other for introductions and chatted about roles in upcoming movies and television shows. And Seiya was always there keeping an eye on her.
Mina could feel the other pairs of eyes watching her as well. She could feel Taiki's eyes. They were slightly cold and assessing, but Mina understood that Taiki had the weight of responsibility for the Three Lights, not only as a singing group, but also as friends and brothers. She tried to smile whenever she caught him glancing her way. The last pair of eyes didn't make her feel protected or under scrutiny. They made her stomach flutter and her heart skip. She flitted around the room like a butterfly, wondering why the handsome Yaten had handed her over to Seiya.
He stood in the corner of the room now, eyes following her, while chatting with a sour-face Taiki. Seiya noticed where her attention had swayed.
"Taiki is extremely, condescending and cold. I guess you could say the brains. I'm all show, wine, women, and a great voice to boot. I'm THE body." Mina giggled at Seiya's little comment. "Yaten…he's our soul. The true musician. Our composer. Taiki does the business and writes lyrics, I arrange and help with polishing the songs. But the soul of the music usually flows from Yaten." Mina stared, her heart fluttering underneath the force of Yaten's eyes.
"Why are you such an ass to most women?" Seiya sputtered on his drink.
"What do you mean?" Mina twirled a strand of hair around her finger and chewed her bottom lip.
"Well, you just treated that really pretty lady like she was nothing more than nice boobs to stare at. You totally ignored everything she said and then slapped her on the ass when she walked away. But all night long, you haven't so much as put a hand on me. You've been nice, and a lot of fun to be around. Why do I get special treatment?" Seiya smiled a bit.
"I treat them the same way they treat me. They want me for a piece of meat, so that's all I want from them. Someone to sleep with, someone to throw away in the morning. Maybe if someone didn't look at me with those hungry eyes I'd act differently." Mina stared at Seiya's face for a long time.
"So why am I different?" Seiya looked pointedly over at Yaten, who was talking to Taiki in a far corner. Mina followed his gaze.
"Let's just say you've already been claimed." Mina huffed loudly.
"If you're talking about your friend, he was a bit too…I don't know. He almost scared me." Seiya laughed loudly.
"That's why he's hiding in a corner while I'm escorting you around. He doesn't want to frighten you to death or push you away." Seiya maneuvered them around into the corner by the piano. The pianist hit a wrong note, causing Seiya to wince. Mina giggled.
"Don't like the music?" Seiya just frowned. "Why don't you go play instead?"
"I don't do parties, especially parties where I'm the guest."
"Well then, I suppose I could play." Seiya started laughing. Mina planted both hands on her hips. "What's the matter, don't think I could do it?"
"I have no doubt that you THINK you could play. However, my ears and the ears of the audience may be shattered by your screeching and banging." Mina's eyes narrowed.
"How much are you willing to bet that I'm quite capable?" Seiya chuckled and flopped onto a chair near the piano.
"How much money do you have to lose?" Mina grinned.
"Not money. I'll bet you that I can play and sing well. If I lose, you can take me home tonight and do whatever you like." Seiya's mouth dropped open. "If I win, however, you have to treat all women nicely for one month, and you're not allowed to sleep with anyone either." Seiya settled back in his chair, silently contemplating what he'd do with the offer. Yaten might kill him, but he couldn't say no to a sure win. He couldn't say no to the gorgeous blonde in his bed.
"All right. I'll take that bet."
Yaten watched Mina walk onto the stage. He glared at Seiya, who was sitting in a chair grinning like a Cheshire cat. Taiki stopped mid-sentence.
"What the hell does she think she's doing?" Yaten glared at the still smirking Seiya.
"I don't know, but I think dickhead had a hand in it." Yaten took a step forward, his expression deadly. "I'll be right back after I put a stop to it." Mina whispered something in the pianist's ear. The music stopped suddenly and the young man vacated his seat. Mina sat down with a flourish. Taiki grabbed a fistful of Yaten's tuxedo and yanked him backwards.
"Just a moment, Yaten. Let's see what she'll do." Yaten turned around to unleash a tirade, but the music stopped him. The notes floated over the room, gentle and well played. No wrong notes, no problems with rhythm or speed. Then her voice joined the melody, a lilting soprano that echoed even over the noise of the crowd. Yaten just turned around and stared. She was bent over the keys, her body moving with the song.
"My god." Taiki pulled out a piece of paper and started scribbling. Yaten didn't even notice. He was drawn, like a moth to a flame, towards the music. He pushed his way through the crowd, for the first time noticing how people's voices had quieted. Suddenly he found himself in a headlock.
"You knew, didn't you? You knew she was fabulous. You just wanted to torture me for a month." Yaten gasped and managed to peel Seiya's hands away.
"I had no idea Seiya. And what do you mean, torture you." Seiya mumbled something under his breath. Yaten chuckled. "Let me guess, you did something stupid." Seiya didn't answer. Yaten shook his head and moved up behind Mina. Then he slid beside her and began to play along. His voice joined hers, the tenor and soprano blending perfectly. Seiya slumped back into his seat. A body sat down beside him.
"Where did you and Yaten find this girl?" Seiya ran his hands through his hair.
"It's a party, Taiki, where do you think we found her? Against the wall sipping something. I don't know what drew me." Taiki grunted and muttered something about red dresses and blondes, but Seiya ignored him.
"I admit, she will sound fantastic on our new album, but why are you so morose? Usually you love to be around people who actually have talent?" Seiya sighed loudly.
"I made a bet with her that she couldn't play. Now not only can't I sleep with anyone for a month, I also have to be NICE to women." Taiki started laughing. Seiya punched him in the shoulder. "Shut up." They looked for a moment at the two at the piano.
"How come you're not the one after her?" Seiya shrugged.
"Yaten decided he wanted her."
"He just decided you wanted her? I thought Yaten didn't like women. Hell, I thought Yaten didn't like anybody."
"So did I." They both sat in silence.
"So what changed his mind?"
"I'm not exactly sure, Taiki. There's something about her. Something fresh and innocent. She doesn't hide who she is, and yet there's a part of her that's felt such pain. She needs love." Seiya heard a scribbling noise. "Taiki, if you're writing this down I'm going to kill you."
"I'm sorry, Seiya. But your words will make an excellent song. Just ignore me." The scribbling continued for a moment, then stopped. Seiya sighed.
"Don't you ever think of anything but money?
"I must admit, Seiya that was very poetic. Sometimes I forget there's more to you than just a dick." Seiya stood slowly, his face turning red. Taiki laughed.
Yaten looked at the door to the flat in distaste. He was used to penthouses and mansions, not apartments. Even if it was nice, in a safe area of the city, it was still a regular apartment.
"No, my parents are home. Even if they're sleeping, they might wake up and I'd get into so much trouble." Yaten sighed.
"Can I see you again?" Mina stared into the young man's eyes and felt her heart thudding against her chest. She felt a flutter. She laid a single hand against her stomach, eyes wide with surprise. It was probably nothing but gas, and yet she wasn't ever sure. Then she looked back into his eyes and burst into tears.
"No, I'm sorry…I…I just can't." She burst into tears and ran inside, slamming the door behind her. Yaten stared at the door for a moment.
"You won't get away so easily little one. Something, or probably someone, must have hurt you bad. And I intend to make sure you don't turn out like me. I will be back. Until then, princess." He walked down the stairs backward, his eyes on Mina's door. "Sleep tight." The door at the bottom of the stairs closed softly. Mina listened for the click of knob, sighed and leaned against the inside door where she'd been listening.
"Goodbye, my knight in shining armor.
Mina sat in the empty dojo. No one seemed to have bought the place. In fact, now it just stood empty, another old abandoned hulk in London. She didn't do anything, just sat and stared. She could still hear his voice echoing in her mind, an old ghost. The cat rubbed up against her. Mina absently petted the animal, lost in her thoughts.
"Why did you leave me, Kaji? Wasn't I good enough?" The words came out in a whisper. Mina looked down at her waist. No change yet. But there would be soon. She was three months along now. She'd been very careful during filming, but her luck would eventually run out.
"You left a piece behind. I suppose I should call it something to remember you by." Mina continued her monologue, speaking to nothing. "I saw you in the paper the other day. You were made vice-president of your father's company. I didn't know you came from Japan." Her voice was bitter now, a trace of emptiness lacing every word. "You wouldn't tell me anything about you. I suppose this child is the only thing you could manage to give; your heart was locked up tight enough." Mina stood up, her legs tingling from being in one position too long.
"I just stopped by to say I'm having your child. I suppose this is as close as I'll ever get to actually telling you. As if you'd wonder about the little girl you rolled around with anyway. I thought I loved you, but I don't think I know what love is. Life goes on." Mina's eyes were dry. She blinked in surprise, expecting her usual tears.
"I met someone last week. He's been calling me every day, offering to take me out. In some ways he's so much like you. He can be gentle and sweet, or vicious. He always gets what he wants and never quits. And I guess he wants me. He offered me a recording contract, and assistance in pitching a Sailor V movie. Just imagine, I could be both a movie and pop star. It would be everything I've ever dreamed. Since I was four years old I've wanted to be a star. To have people recognize me, chase me around shopping malls, beg for autographs. I think I'm going to take him up on his offer. How can I not? I need some money now. My parents don't know about the baby, I don't want to tell them. They hate me anyway. I have to survive. And how can I turn down not only survival, but fame…and maybe…and maybe love. I really didn't expect ever to feel for a man ever again. But this one seems somehow… special." Mina closed her eyes, remembering Yaten's gentle smile.
"I guess I don't have any more tears left for you." She shrugged her shoulders lightly. "I guess it doesn't matter. Goodbye Kaji. Forever." She slowly walked out of the empty, cold space. The heavy oak doors swung shut behind her.
Outside it was cold. Winter had hit London a bit more heavily than normal. Mina huddled into her coat. The cat leaped to a perch on her shoulder.
"You know kitty, I thought that would hurt more." The cat brushed a pink tongue against Mina's cheek. "Yeah, I know, I know." Mina turned down another alleyway. It would be a long walk home. But she needed the exercise, the chance to clear her mind.
"Going somewhere little girl?" The voice echoed from the alleyway behind her. Mina spun around quickly, her dead senses leaping to life.
"Shit." There were three men behind her. Mina quickly calculated the time to the end of the alley.
"Such language from a pretty thing like you." Mina turned towards the other end. Four more, all looking pissed off. Mina had the urge to scream, but kept her wits.
"I'm just headed home." Her voice was light. She removed the cat from her shoulder, and the scarf, hat, and gloves she was wearing. It was just too cold to take off the coat. "Hey look, she's getting all ready for us. Keep taking it off sweetheart." Mina shivered a bit in the cold. Then she struck. The first guy went down under a single flying kick. Mina didn't like to use them, for fear, she'd be flipped on her butt, but surprise was on her side. The cat launched himself at the second man, hissing and biting. Mina turned and punched the third square in the face. She followed with a knee to the gut, and slammed his head into the brick wall, hard. He crumpled to the ground. She didn't feel anything, even though she knew she might have killed the man. She was cold, calculating. The white cat went flying across the alley and smacked into the brick wall, but landed on his feet. The animal shook its head as if a bit dazed.
"Leave him alone, you bastards." Mina picked up a loose brick and smacked the man who'd thrown the cat square in the back of the head. "Three down." She raced like crazy to her discarded items and took off through the alleys, the other four still in hot pursuit. The cat managed to keep up. Finally, she managed to reach the dojo again. She ran inside and slammed the oak bar across the door. There were threats hurled at the door, but the boarded up windows blocked any entrance. Finally the shouts faded away. Mina slumped to the floor, exhaling loudly.
"I just can't seem to get away from this place…" She resisted the urge to look out the door.
"Well, after that not so impressive display of Terran fighting, I suppose we should begin your training. I think that fall managed to jar my speech ability and a great deal of my memory back. Boy do we have a lot of work to do." The voice was slightly sarcastic, and very arrogant. Mina turned around frantically looking for the source.
"Who was that?" She was scanning for another person in the room. The cat walked in front of her and sat down. He waited until she looked directly at him.
"It was I." Mina's jaw dropped to the floor.
"Oh lord, I knew there was something fishy about you." The cat laid his ears back.
"Very humorous." Mina simply stared at the cat. "My name is…well…I have several, but you can call me …Arinori." Mina continued just staring. "You have a great destiny child, one you need to fulfill. I am here to lead you to that destiny." Mina didn't even blink. "I would have started earlier but my memory seemed to have been blocked by some method. Fortunately, that wonderful smack against the wall back there gave me more than a headache. For heaven's sake, stop staring at me." The cat walked in a circle, and then did a neat back flip, returning with a compact in his mouth. Mina screamed. The cat's ears twitched and he dropped the compact at her feet. "That wasn't what I had in mind. I like my hearing the way it is. Well, are you going to pick it up? I won't bite you, don't worry." Mina reached down and gingerly picked up the compact. Then she started giggling.
"Oh lord. Your name is Arinori, and this compact looks exactly like the one from the TV show. I think I've been filming too much. Next thing you'll be telling me I'm really Sailor V and I should hold this above my head and say Crescent Moon Power."
The transformation took Mina totally off guard. One minute she was making fun of the animal at her feet, the next minute she was wearing a version of her costume from the television show. The cat laughed. Mina's face turned bright red.
"This isn't funny. Let's see if this works. Crescent Beam." The beam of light flared brightly and destroyed several posts before blasting through the far war. Mina stared at her finger for a long time. "This is really scaring me. I must be sleeping, that's it. This is all a weird dream. Kaji is still here, and I'm not Sailor V except on television, and…" Mina's words trailed off into nothingness. She sat down on the padded floor and let tears take over. A warm head rubbed itself up against her.
"It's all right, I'm here for you. We can accomplish anything together. But you need training to use those new magic skills you just acquired. I think tonight, you just need sleep. And I agree with you, Hollywood is a good decision. You need a fresh start, a new life. And no parents hovering." Mina nodded and wiped her tears away. She stared at the small compact in her hand. Sailor V, champion of justice. It had a nice ring to it. She could do this. She could do anything she put her mind to, anything. Then a single thought rumbled through her mind. What in the world would she tell Yaten? Could she tell Yaten?
Mina arranged the candles one more time. She'd been seeing Yaten for two weeks now. He was everything a woman could want in a man, thoughtful, considerate, rich, famous…the list stretched on for days. Mina ran a hand over her hair, and the silk negligee she wore. He wasn't Kaji though. Mina pushed the thoughts away again. Kaji was gone, and no one could or would ever be him. She shouldn't even bother thinking about him. Yaten was much better for her.
Besides, he still touched her heart. When he smiled that devilish smile, or his peridot colored eyes twinkled, she felt that tug in her soul. Mina checked on the take out one more time, to make sure it was warm. She was intelligent enough not to even consider cooking. There was a knock on the door.
Yaten opened the door hesitantly. Mina's parents were on a trip, so she had the house to herself. He swallowed hard. The room was bathed in candlelight. The smell of something distinctly Asian floated from the kitchen, and Mina was wearing a pink scrap of fabric that could loosely be called a nightgown. Yaten knew he was staring. He couldn't help himself. Her hair was loose, not tied back with the ribbon she seemed to perpetually wear. Yaten walked inside slowly, and took a long time closing the door. He took several deep breaths, hoping to clear his head.
Mina was nervous. Yaten hadn't said a word since he'd come inside. In fact, right now he was staring at the door. She nibbled on her lower lip. Yaten turned around slowly, stepping into the light. Then she could see his eyes. They were dark with desire. Mina took a couple steps backwards.
"I have dinner in the kitchen. Do you want to eat in the dining room or…?" Yaten took another step forward, stripping off his jacket. He pulled her into his arms.
"I think I'll eat in the bedroom." He pressed his lips against hers. Mina felt her hear thumping wildly. "I can't wait, sweetheart. I hope you'll forgive me if the food gets cold." Yaten pulled her toward the bedroom.
"That's all right, it's just takeout." Yaten threw Mina on the bed, and she let herself fall into the moment.
Afterward Yaten held her tightly in his arms, unwilling to let her even go get some food. His long fingers stroked against her skin. Mina smiled at his protectiveness.
"We have to leave for Hollywood in two days, Mina. I don't want to rush you, but have you made a decision." Mina rolled over so they were inches apart. She felt her mind pulling every which way. The United States was so big, so far away. It was everything she wanted, and everything that made her afraid. Kaji's face rose in her mind. Mina bit her lip. She had to leave, had to leave those memories behind. She kissed Yaten gently. This man was her future.
"Yes, I'll come with you." Yaten whooped in relief and rolled over on top of her, and they began again.
"I can't believe you locked me in the closet." Mina yawned loudly.
"Hey, at least I let you out, Ari." The cat growled.
"Why do you insist on calling me that?" Mina smiled.
"It sounds less girly than Arinori." The cat shook his head. Then he padded over to the bed.
"I also can't believe you jumped into bed with him. After only two weeks. Especially after Kaji…" Mina turned to face him and her eyes were hard.
"Do not ever mention his name to me. He's dead, in the past." Arinori wrinkled his forehead.
"I think you're doing this because Yaten reminds you of Kaji." There was a long moment of silence. Blue eyes clashed with cat eyes. "Arinori noticed the tears gathering. "Perhaps I should phrase that…Kaji the way you wanted him to be?" Mina blinked rapidly.
"So?"
"And you're lonely, and you want someone to take care of you." Mina turned around and headed back toward the bedroom.
"There are lots of reasons, Arinori. But it was my decision to make. Besides, would never hurt me. He asked me to move to the United States with him, offered Taiki as my agent. He would never betray me. He loves me. I know what I'm doing." Mina closed the bedroom door behind her. Arinori stared after her with a strange sense of déjà vu.
"I hope so. I have a strange feeling that the last time you said those words, something terrible happened."
Yaten opened the door quietly, a big stupid grin on his face. He walked inside, adjusted his barely buttoned shirt and snapped his trousers.
"You're back late." Yaten started at the voice.
"Anything important news to tell us?"
"She's finally said yes. She'll come to Hollywood and take the deal, Taiki, if that's what you're asking. Don't you have anything better to do than baby-sit?" Taiki frowned.
"Actually, you and I both have better things to do. You've missed three missions this week alone. Seiya and I are tired of picking up the slack." Yaten snorted. Taiki frowned and adjusted his glasses. Seiya moved into the room, a bottle of beer in one hand and a porn movie in the other.
"I see you got what you were after. Or at least what I would have been after. How many dates is that now?" Seiya spit the words. Yaten shrugged. Taiki sat down in the dark room. "I believe you've been seeing her for almost two weeks now. Is that a world record for getting her in the sack?" Yaten smiled and moved toward the bathroom.
"Keeping track? Are you jealous or something?" Taiki snorted loudly.
"Of course he is, remember he still has two weeks on his bet. Of course, I'll have to thank your little friend. He's written a dozen songs in that time. But you do realize you can't keep seeing her forever."
"Why the hell not!" Yaten's face was turning a mottled shade of red.
"What are you going to tell her about your extra curricular activities?" There was a moment of silence.
"Thanks for bringing that up Taiki, thanks a lot." The door slammed shut. Taiki glanced at the ring glittering on his finger. Seiya started to stand, but a heavy hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"He needs time, Seiya, just let him go."
Mina and Arinori stood in the park across the street from her flat. It was late, but no one was around, which was useful when talking to a cat. They only had one more day in London, but Arinori claimed she had to be prepared for the journey.
"You will have several methods of attack, Sailor V. One is your body itself, but I don't think you're ready to work on that yet. Besides, we don't want to hurt your baby." Mina nodded. The animal continued his speech. "You'll also learn to use three weapons, a sword, a boomerang and a whip. In addition, you'll also have magical attacks. I think we'll start with the basic magic attack and work our way up from there." Mina nodded again, barely paying attention to anything the cat said. "Mina, are you listening to me? Transform."
"What?" The cat gave her a distinctly annoyed look. Mina yawned. "It is late cat, I've worked all day. I have all kinds of packing to do too. And I failed my final exams." The cat groaned.
"You have to study for tests. Besides, defenders of the earth don't get nights off, get used to it." Mina shot the creature a dirty look, but transformed on cue. "Now we're going to work on your most basic magic attack. Point your finger and yell Crescent Beam." Mina gave the animal another nasty look.
"Why in the world am I doing this in the first place. Before I follow your every command, I'd like a few answers." She crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. Ari glared at the girl.
"You are a soldier, whose codename is Sailor V. For now, your mission is to train yourself until you're at the height of your powers. I'll tell you more when you've accomplished that." Mina sighed.
"All right, cat. But why do I have to yell what I'm going to do before I do it. Doesn't that kind of tell whatever I'm attacking what's coming?" The cat looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I suppose the words are there to help you focus your power. Why don't you try it with the words? Maybe some day you'll be skilled enough to try it without." Mina gritted her teeth and faced away from the pompous animal. He was so condescending, acting as though Mina couldn't accomplish anything.
"I'll show that cat." Mina closed her eyes tightly. Then she pointed her finger. Nothing happened.
"Just say the words, Mina."
"Shut up, cat." Mina concentrated harder, and chanted the words in her mind. Crescent Beam. Light shot from her outstretched hand, sending the poor bush she was aiming at to a blazing end.
"Very good, very good. I suspect you recited the words in your head, but I never realized it works just as well as shouting them aloud. Excellent. I'll remember that." Mina glared at the cat again. "Now, try to focus the beam more, and aim for just a leaf off the tree." The Sailor Senshi let out a long sigh. It was going to be a long night.
Yaten stared at Mina's features. She was snuggled up against him. He'd raised the armrest and she'd practically crawled onto his lap. The flight was long, and boring as hell, but she seemed to be sleeping right through it. He stared out the window, remembering a flight long ago, when he and his two childhood friends were flying out west to find their dream. Only the dream wasn't what they expected.
Seiya had found Yaten first. The two had huddled together in the sand, wrapped in each other's wings for warmth. Taiki had come with the dawn, eyes far away and determined. She'd spoken of the past, of things that Yaten had no memory of. Seiya seemed to leap with determination. This was his chance to save the world. But Yaten only wanted an explanation. A reason for the strange outfits and the different sex. No one had an explanation, an excuse. Only a story about a lost princess, and a three star system the humans called Centauri, with a single planet called Kinmoku by a long dead race.
Yaten brushed a strand of hair from Mina's cheek. For once he didn't want to take a part in Seiya's heroics, or Taiki's machinations. He just wanted peace. A life with the woman beside him. Children, a dog, a house, two cars and a suburban dream. No midnight races with criminals through strange cities. No changing sex every night and dealing with the headaches and confusion it created, both in his personal identity and his relationships with his friends. He wanted freedom. He glanced over at Taiki's piercing gaze and sighed. He wasn't free. Not until he found the person who haunted his dreams. And unfortunately it wasn't the woman sleeping beside him.
The plane shivered a bit in turbulence. Yaten gripped the seat a bit tighter. He glared at Seiya's loud snoring. At least they were on a new jet. He noticed that Taiki's fingers were white on his laptop. Yaten chuckled a bit, his perverse sense of humor finding great pleasure that Taiki wasn't invincible.
And the plane crossed the earth, destined for the cesspit of the United States called Hollywood.
