THE PERSON I LOOK UP TO
Chapter 6: "How Many Sides To A Truth"
A Neo-Sailor Moon fanfic
By Bill K.
The sound of civilization caught their ears. Sailor Moon reflexively put her hand to her mother's shoulder, holding her back while she as the queen's guardian took the lead. Serenity suppressed the pang of fear she felt over her baby being at risk and allowed Sailor Moon to do her job as her senshi escort. The pair eased through the thicket of trees. Up ahead was a clearing and the noises were coming from that clearing. Silently the pair eased up to the edge of the clearing and peered out.
It was as unlike Shinrin's territory as could possibly be. Trees had been cleared away and built into shelters. On the near side of the clearing were tanning and metallurgy posts, two things that were almost unheard of in the place they'd come from. On the far side of the clearing were plots that were clearly being farmed. Though the hour was early, people were up and milling about, working various community-related jobs dressed not in skins but in woven fabric. It seemed not at all like a den of reactionary resistance. It seemed like a village out of tenth century Japan or Europe.
It wasn't what either woman expected at all.
"They're so different," Sailor Moon gasped softly. "What could have happened?"
"Perhaps it's the difference in philosophy," Serenity suggested.
"So how do we find out if they attacked Shoko?"
"How about asking them."
The words momentarily stunned Sailor Moon. Who would have the utter blind trust to walk up to a perfect stranger and expect a truthful answer to such a question? Who could be so confident in the innate goodness of others that she would expect a possible murderer to confess out of simple honesty?
Her mother, of course.
"Mom!" hissed Sailor Moon.
She lunged for the Queen as Serenity strode out from concealment, but missed grabbing onto the folds of the woman's skirt. By then several of the villagers noticed her. Anxious and suspicious murmurs began to rise up and the village folk clustered together for mutual protection. Queen Serenity continued on, oblivious to the wary manner of the people she was approaching. Like always, she assumed the best about everyone. Muttering to herself, Sailor Moon shed her own concealment and scurried to flank her mother. After all, it was her job to protect the Queen, no matter how many stupid, reckless chances she took.
"Why don't you just paint a great big target on your chest?" the pink-tressed senshi muttered.
"Usa, you have to give people the opportunity to prove themselves trustworthy," Serenity told her. "Otherwise, you end up a very lonely, paranoid person."
"Who are you?" one of the wary villagers demanded. Up close, Sailor Moon could see that they all possessed shaggy white or blonde hair and the same type of eyes and features as Shinrin's clan. "Why are you here?"
"I am Serenity of Earth," Serenity said in her most placid, gentlest voice. "This is my daughter, Sailor Moon."
"A sailor senshi!" was the alarmed gasp from someone in the crowd. Frightened murmurs rippled through the group.
"Please, I mean no harm," Serenity appealed to them. "A friend of mine was found dead by the great river. I was wondering if anyone here knew what happened to him?"
"You think one of us killed him?" the lead villager demanded.
"I don't even know if he was killed intentionally or by accident, so I would have no reason to assume he was murdered by one of your village," Serenity replied. "I am only seeking to learn."
"This 'friend' of yours," the lead villager asked. "Was he of this clan?"
"No, he was of the clan across the river," Serenity replied.
Again the crowd became quite agitated. Sailor Moon couldn't make out much of what was being whispered back and forth, but she did make out a few words, particularly "Hayashi". The hostility of the crowd was rising. The senshi materialized the Crescent Moon Wand and held it behind her, just to be safe.
"He is of Sailor Hayashi's clan?" the lead villager asked.
"Yes," Serenity answered.
"And you name him 'friend'?"
"I consider everyone my friend," Serenity told him, then smiled. "It's just that some don't realize it yet."
"And do you consider Sailor Hayashi your friend as well?"
"I do."
The man scowled. "Then you will find no friends among the Torgus. Now go."
"That's so cold. Won't you please reconsider?"
"Go!" he snarled and moved menacingly forward.
Sailor Moon instantly stepped between them, the Crescent Moon Wand up and ready to use. However, Serenity's hand closed on her shoulder and held her back.
"That will be all, Sailor Moon," she said, dejected. "Very well, I'll go peacefully. I'm sorry if I've given offense in any way. I pray one day that you'll realize that I'm not a threat to you. I truly do want and hope to be your friend."
Then, unconcerned about an attack on her, Serenity turned and headed away from the village. Sailor Moon backed up a few paces, keeping her eye on the villagers in case one decided to attack. When she was satisfied none were going to do so, she turned and joined her mother.
"Well they obviously don't like Shinrin," Sailor Moon observed.
"These poor people - - don't they realize how fruitless it is to fight over philosophy?" Serenity wondered.
"So," Sailor Moon posed, "do you think one of them killed Shoko?"
"The villager said none of them did it. I want to believe him."
"Based on facts," her daughter asked, "or on your notion that everyone can be trusted?"
"You have such a smart mouth," scowled Serenity. "I'd really like to know just where you got it!"
"From watching you and Aunt Rei argue," smirked Sailor Moon. "Seriously, do you believe him?"
"Well, I can't sense dishonesty like your Aunt Rei can," Serenity sighed. "But, yes, I believe him."
"Then how did Shoko die?"
Serenity sighed. "How am I supposed to know? I'm not all-knowing, in spite of my reputation. Let's go talk to Shinrin. Maybe she and Danro have found out something"
Hotaru sat at her personal computer station in her quarters, her legs curled beneath her at angles that couldn't possibly be comfortable and were. Mizuno-sensei had recommended an instructional program on biochemistry basics and, though it was a leap ahead of her current curriculum, Hotaru sought it out as eagerly as she would the new music crystal of her current favorite band, "Eve Of Destruction". Deciphering what the tutorials were trying to teach her was difficult for the girl, but not nearly as difficult as astrophysics, multi-tronic computer programming and dimensional phase geometry. After all, basic biochemistry hadn't changed that much in a thousand years.
And if her head began to hurt too much, she could always plug in "Eve Of Destruction's" latest song collection. She made a mental note to give Yutaka a great big kiss next time they were together for turning her on to them.
"Cere-Cere desires entry," announced the room's environmental control computer.
"Sure," smirked Hotaru, pausing the tutorial.
The door hissed open and Cere-Cere entered with eager anticipation - - and yet trying to look as calm as possible. She was clad in form-hugging pink slacks with white high-heeled ankle boots with magnetic clasps, and a sleeveless pink top that hugged her bosom and bared her midriff. Faux jewelry clattered on her wrists.
"You're doing better," Hotaru said, walking over to her friend and fellow senshi. "It's been a whole week since you were last here." Hotaru wore, as a favor to Usa, a white blouse and a simple navy skirt.
Cere-Cere just flashed Hotaru a guilty grin and colored slightly. Ever since Michiru's rescue from Ravenheim - - and ever since Cere-Cere found out that she was indeed THE Michiru Kaioh the famous artist, the girl had found every excuse possible to "drop by", hoping to spot a new piece from this god of the art world. One day she happened by and found Michiru actually in the midst of painting and stayed entranced by the developing work until Michiru shooed her away.
"Mama's not here," Hotaru told Cere-Cere. "She's in the pool."
"Oh," Cere-Cere replied, deflated. "How's her therapy coming?"
"She's walking a lot better," Hotaru said. "Now the problem is prying her out of the pool. Mizuno-sensei keeps telling her not to overdo it, but of course Mama knows better than anyone else and she doesn't listen."
"Yeah, grownups are like that," Cere-Cere sighed. "So, has she painted anything new?"
"What is it with you and art?"
"I don't know. I like it. A well done painting is just so beautiful. Even cyber-art can be powerful, although it'll never be better than paint on canvas." She glanced at Hotaru sheepishly. "Hey, if you think I'm over here a lot, you should see how much I bug the Queen!"
The two dissolved into giggles.
"If she doesn't have anything new, can I look at her old stuff again?" Cere-Cere asked. Hotaru led her into the room where Michiru kept some of her more personal paintings. In the room, a dozen pictures from over the centuries hung, while images of thousands more were stored on memory crystals and even a few aging paper books. Cere-Cere pushed up as close as she could to the nearest painting. It was a picture of churning sea waves buffeting a coastline. The painting, titled "The Surf In Silence", was the oldest work in the room and dated back to the late twentieth century. Cere-Cere studied the work like it was her first time seeing it.
"Every time I look at this painting, it says something different to me," Cere-Cere said. "Your step-mom is a great artist." She studied the painting some more. "You know, seeing this again only makes me wonder even more why Usa gave up drawing. Doesn't she realize she can actually create stuff like this?"
"I don't think she thinks about it that way," Hotaru shrugged. "She told me she just decided one day that it wasn't something she wanted to do anymore."
"Why?"
"Because the Queen is an artist." Cere-Cere gave Hotaru a puzzled look. "I asked her about it. She said she wanted to establish her own identity."
"She is so hung up on that," Cere-Cere scowled.
"Well you can't blame her sometimes. She thinks she's got a lot to live up to, and in a way she does. Imagine if your mom was Queen Serenity."
"I'd love for my mom to be Queen Serenity," Cere-Cere told her. "Yeah, I get that she wants to be known as Usa Chiba and not the Queen's daughter. But to be able to draw - - to create beauty and to affect people for generations to come?" Cere-Cere expelled a breath. "I can't draw a straight line without a computer to help me. I'd be so happy if I could draw. And she can draw, and she just throws it away. It just seems like such a waste."
"Well that's Usa," Hotaru sighed. "Sometimes she wants to be like the Queen so bad that she can taste it and other times she'll tell me that she feels like she's drowning in her mother's shadow. That's one of the reasons she took up singing."
"Well, she's a pretty good singer, too," Cere-Cere murmured. "But it still seems like a waste."
The door to the room hissed open and Haruka popped her head in.
"Oh, it's you," Haruka said upon seeing Cere-Cere. The woman seemed almost relieved. "Back for another visit, huh? Michiru's going to have to dig her brushes out just to keep you happy."
"I wouldn't mind," Cere-Cere beamed.
"Wait, were you checking up on me?" Hotaru demanded indignantly.
"Damn right I was," Haruka told her flat out. "And just you remember that the next time you're out with 'that boy'."
Hotaru rolled her eyes dramatically.
It was approaching midday and the stomachs of both travelers were beginning to protest. As Serenity levitated them both over the river, her stomach became vocal. Sailor Moon shot her an amused glanced while Serenity flushed slightly.
"Guess it is getting near lunchtime," Sailor Moon commented.
"And I ate my stash of Simpa berries for breakfast," Serenity moaned. Sailor Moon suddenly felt the mental support under her feet begin to wobble.
"Mind on your work, Mom!" the senshi gasped.
"I'm sorry!" the queen replied. "I just started thinking about the wonderful curry rice Mako-chan makes and I lost my concentration."
Sailor Moon found herself licking her lips reflexively. Makoto's curry rice was to die for.
"What do you suppose is for lunch back at the clan's settlement?" the princess wondered. "Probably berries again. I'm beginning to think that's all they eat."
"Well, they are good. And Shinrin tells me they're very nutritious, too. If you're tired of berries, though, I'll ask Danro if there are any fish in these waters."
To the surprise of both Queen Serenity and Sailor Moon, they were met at the edge of the forest by Queen Shinrin and Danro Ganjou.
"Looks like we were missed," Sailor Moon murmured.
"Serenity, how glad I am to see you safe, and your daughter as well," Shinrin smiled. Her eyes glowed with warmth. "When we returned from tending to Shoko and found you both gone, I grew quite concerned."
"I'm sorry for worrying you, Shinrin," Serenity replied gently. "We just had concerns that we wanted to find answers to."
"About Shoko's death, I assume. I appreciate your great concern for one of my clan. It reflects upon the generous heart you possess. But you are not from this world, Serenity, and you don't know the dangers that exist at night. There are still predators in the forests at night."
"I'll take your advice to heart, Shinrin," Serenity smiled.
"What troubled you so that you needed answers so immediately?" Danro asked.
"I wished to know if Shoko was killed by someone," Serenity replied honestly, "and if so, by whom. I remembered Shinrin speaking about the Torgus, so I sought them out to ask them."
"You should be cautious concerning the Torgus," Danro replied, his demeanor hardening. "They have shunned the way of the forest. They are capable of great deceit and violence." The deep scowl on his face hinted at much bitterness bubbling within the handsome Danro. "It would not surprise me in the least if they came upon poor Shoko and killed him simply for being one of Shinrin's clan. They are not to be trusted, Serenity."
"They say they didn't kill him," Serenity replied softly.
Danro was about to reply, but a calming hand on his forearm stopped him. He glanced at Shinrin and her soothing touch and manner muted his anger. She turned back to Serenity and Sailor Moon.
"And, unenlightened though they are, in this instance I believe them to be right," Shinrin told them. Danro looked at her curiously. "It is my belief, from examining Shoko's shell, that the youth died by unfortunate accident."
"He drowned by accident?" Sailor Moon inquired. "Couldn't he swim?"
"He could," Shinrin said. "From their earliest possible age our children are taught the skills needed to survive within the forest, for many are the hazards which lay in the comforting breast of the mother forest. Swimming is one such skill. Shoko was an excellent swimmer."
"Then how did he drown?" Sailor Moon persisted.
"The great river is very deep and strong currents run below its surface. Even the strongest have been known to be sucked under should they tempt fate. And perhaps poor Shoko struck his head and was stunned, preventing him from saving himself. It is most regrettable, but such things do occur."
Sailor Moon looked down, digesting this.
"Even with power such as ours, terrible things like that happen," Serenity said, touching Shinrin in a conciliatory manner. "I wish it weren't true."
"Which is why I must press you to teach me more," Shinrin replied, "so that I may hope to prevent such things in the future."
Just then Serenity's stomach growled - - loudly.
"But I'm certain that it can wait until you've eaten," Shinrin giggled, her hand going to her mouth. "Please follow me, my friend. No doubt you're quite famished."
"No doubt," Serenity smiled sheepishly.
She and the two natives headed for the clan's clearing. At once, Shinrin stopped and looked back at Sailor Moon, who was still contemplating things.
"Do you not wish to eat, young Sailor Moon?" Shinrin asked.
"Hmm?" the pink-tressed senshi replied. "Oh - - yeah. Coming."
And Sailor Moon followed them to the clearing. But her mind was elsewhere, for something about this just wasn't right. If only she could figure out what.
Continued in Chapter 7
