Part Two:
14 August 2005
Like with all dreamers, Usagi, at first, was not conscious of the fact that she was dreaming, although the variations of places and names were such that she could not be awake.
She drifted between worlds, seeing yesterday's events as though through the eyes of a third party.
The Chouchin all lay in ruins. Torn to pieces and thrown carelessly all over the floor. Nothing else was touched… it was just the Chouchin.
"Shingo!" Usagi cried, rounding angrily on her younger brother. He took a step back at the edged fury in her voice and protested his innocence.
"Usagi. Can you explain this?" Ikuko asked softly.
"No" Usagi lowered her gaze. When Mamoru had left she had gone straight to bed, the Chouchin had all been neatly arranged in the windowsill. "I don't understand…"
You could never understand… not even in those final moments. You allowed nothing but pity, but in reality you felt nothing but relief. At the end you were unrivalled for him. There was no one left to challenge you… no one that could come close to what he felt for you. Your love leads everyone who is touched by it to ruin. Torn and broken… even the innocent have suffered for your selfishness.
"His name's Shimura Hikaru" she answered at last, "He's working at the studio during o-bon. He helps out the technicians. We met when he gave me a coffee."
"Kawaii!" Usagi declared, glad to have something else to focus on, "Did you get his phone number?"
Minako nodded, and couldn't help but smile.
"And you really like him?"
Again she confirmed this with another nod. This greatly pleased Usagi, especially when she considered how aloof Minako used to be and now, after a year, this was finally a way to get to know her idol better and she said as much to the star.
"What do you mean?"
"Usagi. What are you planning?" Rei demanded.
"Well" Usagi continued, "Mamoru and I are going to the cinema tomorrow morning. You can call Shimura-san and we can have a double date."
Always making such assumptions… assumptions of things that do not concern you. You are unable to understand the true meaning of loyalty. You never learned when to leave well alone. That there were some things that were older than your love for Mamoru. Yet you could never see it like that. It was nothing but something that could threaten to steal him away.
Hiding behind the past life you are too terrified to admit the truth to them all. The truth about what you are and what you did. The very truth of the Ginzuishou's power. The fact that you…
Usagi sat bolt upright in bed, her hands clutching tightly at the pink duvet beneath her palms. Her breathing was laboured and came out in heavy gasps, her vision half blurred from sleep; she could make out only faint objects where the furniture in her room were.
I…? What did I do?Usagi shivered to herself and subconsciously wrapped her arms around herself. That dream… the hatred behind those words… none, not even Queen Beryl, had ever spoken to her in such a manner. Yet, what terrified her most was the calmness in the voice. The reason behind the fury. This had been no ranting of a madman but careful and well thought out torments that dug deep into her soul and overturned every little fear that was niggling in the back of her mind and magnifying them so.
This is madness… it was just a bad dream and nothing more…Having thought that, Usagi frowned slightly as she rubbed at her eyes. When she removed her hands she could still see this veil coating her room. It was almost like smoke, but she couldn't smell burning and, in any case, the air around her was cold.
Jumping down off of her bed, Usagi let out a surprised squeak as her bare feet touched her carpet. That, too, was icy cold, but when she turned back to the bed she found that she could no longer see her hand in front of her face, let alone that safety that she craved right now.
Her breathing deepening again, Usagi trembled; now feeling very vulnerable standing in the middle of her bedroom alone with… she shuddered. What exactly was she with?
She couldn't be alone, that much she knew for certain.
Hiding behind the past life you are too terrified to admit the truth to them all. The truth about what you are and what you did. The very truth of the Ginzuishou's power. The fact that you…
She could sense its silent taunts… blaming her… Usagi stumbled, a scream in her throat, but as she opened her mouth to let out a cry to Ikuko she gagged as the icy air flooded in through her mouth and down her throat, bringing tears to her eyes as she inhaled deeply and the cold gripped her lungs.
Dropping onto her knees, she uttered a fearful whimper as she caught, out of the corner of her eye, a shadow on the wall in front of her.
The atmosphere… it was so thick and heavy that it was paralysing her together with her fear. Usagi watched, through wide eyes, as the shadow moved again, this time moving towards her. Scrambling back until her back hit her bed, Usagi closed her eyes as it reached her. She felt a hand reach out, hovering just above her cheek as it uttered one word alone:
Coward…Opening her eyes once more, Usagi could no longer see the shadow in front of her, but she knew it was there, the hand was still poised in front of her face and she uttered another low sob as a tear slipped free and rolled down her cheek.
As this accentuation of her fear took hold the hand moved. Usagi cried out as it struck her, hard, across the face, knocking her head back into the base of the bed. Pain spread out from her lower lip and she tasted warm blood in her mouth.
Usagi?You never learned when to leave well alone. That there were some things that were older than your love for Mamoru. Yet you could never see it like that. It was nothing but something that could threaten to steal him away.
But… Mamoru and I… our love is no longer doomed in this world…"What have I done?" Usagi whispered as she felt the presence begin to dissipate. "What have I done?"
Silence was her only reply.
"Mamoru and I are going to the cinema tomorrow morning. You can call Shimura-san and we can have a double date."
Minako sat on her bed, chewing nervously on her lip as she stared down at the piece of paper containing Hikaru's phone number. She had been looking at it for an hour, and had already punched the number into her mobile, but had lacked the confidence to hit the call button.
She smiled fondly at the recollection of yesterday. She had very much enjoyed Hikaru's company and Minako desperately wanted to see him again but she just wasn't sure that a double date with Usagi and Mamoru was really the best way to go about it. So, silently, she weighed up the pros and cons for the tenth time.
Pro: Because there were four of them there would be none of the pressure that a proper first date entailed.
Con: Hikaru might read into this that Minako was not that keen on him after all.
Pro: If, for some reason, Minako decided that she wasn't as keen on him as she first thought then the potential for embarrassment would be minimised greatly.
Con: If she found that she did like him as much today as she had yesterday then Usagi and Mamoru's presence could hinder any further developments between them.
Minako shook her head, unable to make a decision.
After everything that has happened surely I should grasp this opportunity before it passes me by? I've never had someone before. Even during the mission, a part of me would always look to Usagi and Mamoru and feel some sort of jealousy for what they had. Perhaps I knew, deep down, that I also craved that kind of love. But I never had anyone, not in this life or the last. The only one who came close and they…
Minako bit her lip, determined not to go down that path. The past would now remain in the past, as she should have accepted that it would from the beginning.
With this resolve came the ounce of courage that she needed and, without waiting for time to think of further excuses, Minako hit the dial button.
For an agonising second, as she cradled the phone between her ear and shoulder as she glanced anxiously at her watch, she feared that his phone would go on to voicemail but her fears were unjustified andnot ten rings later he answered.
"Hello, Hikaru-san? It's me, Minako."
"Minako-san, how are you?" his voice didn't give much away, but Minako clung to that little tone in his voice that, she hoped, was that he was pleased to hear from her.
"I'm fine, thank you" she stumbled slightly, for once the self-assured young idol found herself at a loss for words, "I enjoyed yesterday" she admitted softly.
"I did, too" he answered this, "We must do it again sometime."
This comment spurred Minako on, "Well… as a matter of fact, I was wondering how you were fixed this morning? I thought we could meet in that little coffee shop we went to yesterday and then go on to the cinema." The other end of the phone was silent for a few seconds, causing Minako to hurriedly add, "If you already have plans and I know you have to work, that's okay."
"No. I don't have any plans," Hikaru answered.
Minako pouted slightly, why was he making her practically beg him?
"So, will you meet me?" she said, trying to keep the eagerness from her voice.
He laughed and Minako's heart fluttered at the gentle sound of his amusement, "Of course I can. What time would you like to meet?"
Again, Minako consulted her watch, "In about half an hour?"
Hikaru agreed that this was fine by him and Minako added that she looked forward to seeing him then, and was thrilled when Hikaru said likewise to her and hung up.
Without pausing, Minako then hurriedly dialled Usagi's number.
"Hello?" her friend replied without her usually bouncy voice, but Minako was too excited to pick up on this.
"Usagi-chan? Is the double date still on?"
To this her friend did let out an elated squeal, although lacking its normal high and excited tenure, and agreed that it was.
It was only after Minako said goodbye to her and that she would see her in a bit, that Minako realised how unlike-Usagi her friend had sounded. Frowning, she berated herself for she was usually the most perceptive of the former Senshi.
Still, Minako was seeing Usagi in a little under half an hour. She could quiz her about it all then.
When Minako entered the coffee shop half an hour later, she quickly spotted Usagi and Mamoru sitting at a four table at the back of the crowded room. For this she was glad as she had deliberately selected her rather plain outfit consisting of a black denim skirt, white T-shirt and her black and silver jacket, together with a baseball cap and her hair brushed down to obscure her face, in order that as few a people recognised her as possible.
"Minako-chan!" Minako mentally winced as Usagi started to shout her name, but a quiet word in her ear from Mamoru and her cries abated.
Minako waved slightly as she made her way, thankfully unnoticed, to the back of the shop and took a seat opposite her friend, pausing to greet Mamoru as she did so.
As she met her friend's gaze, Minako's concerns of earlier heightened. Usagi was pale, paler than normal and her lower lip was slightly swollen, although disguised as best she could with a bit of lipstick.
Minako didn't think for a moment that Mamoru had hurt her, but she gave Usagi a look that definitely said that she had noted this and intended to ask her about it later on. Usagi smiled slightly at this and failed to comment, but it was obvious that Mamoru had noticed this, too, and had probably already questioned her about it.
In fact… Minako frowned slightly. He appeared on edge, too. The tone of his voice was strained and his eyes were slightly blood-shot, as though he hadn't slept.
For a moment, owing to this, the conversation was very formal and strained until Usagi leaned forward, nearly knocking off the vase of flowers in the centre of the table, as she whispered, "Minako-chan, is that him?"
Minako turned around in her chair and blushed slightly when she saw Hikaru making his way towards them. Turning back to Usagi, she nodded and slightly and a cry of 'kawaii' was let loose from the pigtailed girl. Mamoru shook his head in amusement and said nothing more on the subject.
Minako stood up to greet him and then introduced her friends.
"Hikaru, this is Tsukino Usagi and Chiba Mamoru. Usagi, Mamoru, this is Shimura Hikaru."
Hikaru appeared slightly taken aback by their presence and Minako realised, with some embarrassment, that she hadn't actually told him that it was to be a double date and for this she apologised now.
"That's fine" he said, holding the almost puzzled gaze that Mamoru now directed at him until Mamoru was forced to look away. "What would you like?" he indicated the menu in front of them.
"A cappuccino, thank you" Minako answered, a little put off by his solemn attitude. He hadn't been like this yesterday.
Maybe he was looking forward to spending time with me alone?She dismissed this thought. He hadn't sounded too keen on the phone! If he wanted to see her alone that badly then he should have said something!
"Usagi-san?" he prompted the other girl.
"Do they have chocolate milkshake?" she asked hopefully, unaware of how childish her request sounded.
Hikaru wasn't sure and offered to go and check for her.
"No" Mamoru said, also standing up, "I'll go."
Hikaru shrugged and sat back down and Mamoru also offered to go and get the rest of their drinks, too.
"I'm sorry" Usagi said softly once he had gone, "Mamoru's been in a funny mood all morning."
Again, Minako wasn't sure if she should call Usagi on her behaviour, but now felt that it might be unfair of her to do so in front of Hikaru so softly told Usagi not to worry about it.
Encouraged by this, Usagi proceeded to ask Hikaru about himself. Hikaru didn't seem to mind this inquisition and answered all her questions with a degree of patience that even Minako herself didn't think that she would be able to match had it been her.
"So you work at Studio Penta then?" Mamoru said as he returned with the drinks. They did, indeed, do milkshakes so Usagi was happy at least.
"Hai" Hikaru answered, not even minding repeating this information, "I started working there yesterday, just for the duration of o-bon."
"And they let you have the morning off?" Mamoru asked.
"They didn't let me" Hikaru shrugged, "But how could I disappoint Minako?"
Usagi nodded eagerly, "Especially after all that Minako was saying about you yesterday at the shrine."
Minako felt the colour rushing to her cheeks as Usagi, after stating this, turned to ask Mamoru something instead.
"You were talking about me?" he asked quietly, somewhat amused by her embarrassment.
"I mentioned you in passing" she allowed, averting her gaze to take a sip of her coffee, whilst Hikaru regarded her with interest before speaking to Usagi and Mamoru again.
Minako observed the conversation quietly, amazed at how self-assured he was around people that he had only just met. At first, Minako had feared that he might feel a little annoyed at Usagi and Mamoru's presence but, if this was the case, he hid it well and made a real effort to speak with them. Usagi seemed to appreciate this, especially as Mamoru seemed so distant today, regarding Hikaru with almost hostility, which Minako did not understand.
Finishing her coffee, she decided not to think anymore of it and suggested that they get going. The others were in agreement to this and Mamoru settled the bill as they left.
The cinema was only a few blocks away and they, unanimously, decided to walk it, Usagi going ahead to speak to Mamoru, thus leaving Minako to converse with Hikaru alone. Although 'converse' might well have been the wrong choice of word as Minako suddenly found herself completely tongue-tied. She glanced up at him, stunned at the unexpected emotions consumed her. She loved him. Impossible as it sounded, Minako had no other words to describe how she felt. The painful ache in her chest, the way her heart skipped a beat whenever he looked at her, the longing for him to touch her, kiss her, and how even the thought of his presence made her smile.
I don't even know him. We only met yesterday. How can this be possible? We haven't even had a proper conversation! Then this is my chance… my chance to really get to know him. If he is the one…
Minako felt a pang of a different kind deep in her heart as she processed this new thought and quickly crushed it firmly to the back of her mind. She would not think of it… despite what today was… what it had represented. She had laid her inner demons to rest. She no longer felt the guilt, the pain… it was all in the past and would stay there. She had moved on.
"Minako?" Hikaru enquired softly, "Are you alright?"
"I--I'm fine, thank you." She stammered, meeting his gaze.
As their eyes met, Minako trembled slightly under the intenseness of his stare, silently willing him to hold her, to kiss her… But Hikaru did neither of these things, simply nodding to her response and turned to catch up with Usagi and Mamoru. Disappointed, Minako hurried after his faster gait.
Catching up with him, she said: "Have you always lived in Tokyo?"
Hikaru appeared a little taken aback by the sudden questions, but did not deny her an answer, "No. What about you?"
"I was born here" she replied, "Tokyo has always been my home. Do you have any family?"
Hikaru shook his head, "They died a long time ago."
"I'm sorry"
"Why?"
His question startled her slightly as did the sharp undertone that she thought she detected and he hurriedly amended this upon realising this tone:
"It's still raw. I'd prefer not to speak of it."
Minako nodded, understanding his pain. Not in the same sense but she could relate to the fact that there were, indeed, things that people did not wish to share with others. "Do you live in Tokyo now?" she asked next, still eager to learn more about him. Hikaru nodded, seemingly relaxed again,
"I have an apartment in Minato, which I rent."
"I live in various studio apartments" Minako replied to this, "I rarely stay in one for longer than six months due to my career. Have you lived in your apartment long?"
"A few days" he answered, "There is a lot that I want to do."
Minako smiled, "Will you do the place up yourself?"
"Most probably. If I have the time."
"Maybe I could come round and help you?" Minako suggested, feeling somewhat bolder now.
Hikaru smiled, "I would like that" he said softly, "I would like that a lot."
As they arrived at the cinema, Usagi happily announced that she had sent Mamoru off to buy the tickets and suggested that Hikaru might want to go and give him a hand. He was in agreement to this and this gave Minako the time she needed to talk to Usagi alone.
However, when questioning the pigtailed girl about her bruised lip, Usagi was very cagey and simply insisted that she tripped over. Minako didn't believe this for a second, but did believe her when Usagi said that Mamoru had nothing to do with this. Mamoru would never harm her, despite him being in a strange mood all morning.
Then, in true Usagi fashion, she changed to the topic that she deemed the most important:
"How are you and Hikaru-san getting along?"
Minako smiled and couldn't help but blush at this.
Usagi beamed happily, "I knew it!"
"He has an apartment here in the city" Minako said softly, keeping one eye on the two men who were still standing in line for the tickets, "In Minato. He wrote down the address for me."
Usagi looked over her shoulder at the piece of paper and exclaimed in surprise, "Mamoru has an apartment in the block across the road. Isn't that a coincidence?"
"It is" Minako replied, suddenly again feeling a little overwhelmed by a conflicting array of emotions as she glanced at Usagi again. As usual her friend was so carefree, even if she had underlying problems that were troubling her heart. She had not spared a thought for what day it was today. Minako had. At the back of her mind she still thought of…
"Look" Usagi exclaimed loudly, nodding towards the two men. Minako sighed; shaking away her saddened thoughts and turned to follow her friend's gaze. Whereas before they had been very formal around each other, Mamoru hardly speaking to Hikaru, now they appeared to be getting along better. Hikaru said something inaudible to the girls and Mamoru shook his head, smiling as he replied.
"I'm so glad" Usagi added, more to herself than to Minako, "I hate seeing Mamoru so down."
Minako nodded as the guys came back over, also happy that Hikaru was managing to finally make some sort of conversation with Mamoru without being made to feel uncomfortable.
"So" Usagi prompted them, "What film are we going to see?"
"Reality of Shadows" Mamoru answered and when Usagi looked at him blankly, Hikaru added:
"It's a horror film."
"Doesn't sound that scary" Usagi commented to this.
"I disagree" Hikaru answered her, "Consider the title for a moment."
Reality of Shadows… The burden of something in a life before… always following you… forever a shadow…
Minako shivered slightly and this action did not go unnoticed.
"Are you cold?" Hikaru asked softly, the concern in his eyes making Minako's heart beat so much faster.
He likes me… he really likes me…"No" Minako shook her head, but Hikaru, by this time, had already taken off the black jacket he was wearing and put it around her shoulders. Minako accepted this, blushing a little as she did so. Hikaru didn't appear to think anything of this gesture, only smiling slightly before changing the topic of conversation as they waited for the film to start.
There were a few mutterings of complaint from some members of the audience as the intermission message flickered onto the cinema screen, but none from Minako. She snuggled closer to Hikaru, savouring the closeness of him for a few more minutes. As the film had begun to start, Usagi suddenly announced that she and Mamoru wouldn't be sitting with them and had promptly ushered Mamoru away to the furthest corner of the room before Minako could voice any protests. In any case, she had none and was genuinely surprised that Usagi had noted her want to be alone with Hikaru for a little while. Usagi had never been the most perceptive of people.
The film itself was pretty awful so far. A standard horror movie and a low effects budget coupled with poor acting almost made Minako want to suggest that they leave now, but she did want to spend some more time with Hikaru and thus she was very reluctant to end their date now.
"Are you scared yet?" Hikaru said, breaking the silence. Minako tilted her head up slightly so that she could meet his amused gaze.
"No. You?"
"As far as horror films go this one is terrible."
"Usagi was scared" Minako answered. Hikaru chuckled softly at this. They had both heard Usagi's surprised and frightened shrieks every time a cast member met an unfortunate end at the hands of the killer.
"We could leave?" Hikaru offered, "If you like."
Minako shook her head, "That's the trouble with films. Once you start watching one, no matter how awful it is, you have to watch it until the end to find out what happened."
Hikaru was in agreement to this and, to Minako's disappointment, said that he was going to use the bathroom before the intermission ended.
After watching him leave, Minako then turned back to watching the adverts on the screen for a few minutes. Despite it being a break, not many people had left their seats and most were waiting impatiently for the film to continue.
Minako shifted her position slightly, before checking her watch again. Five minutes had now elapsed. Also getting up from her seat, Minako decided to go and get a drink from one of the vendors outside.
Murmuring some 'excuse me's' as she brushed passed several people, Minako made her way to the door and pushed it open.
The first thing that hit her was the temperate of the foyer. It was freezing cold and even penetrated the warmth of Hikaru's jacket. Shivering, she then noted the silence and emptiness around her. Usually there was staff about and people coming in and out from different screens, but not here. There was no one except…
"Usagi!" Minako cried out as she recognised the still form of her friend lying in the centre of the foyer.
"Usagi!" Minako called again, running to her side and rolling the pigtailed girl onto her back. "Usagi?"
Then Minako paused, her heart beating wildly in her chest as her gaze took in the dark purple bruising that encircled Usagi's throat.
As the intermission came on, Usagi's stomach rumbled loudly reminding her that because of this morning's events she had been unable to eat the pancakes that Ikuko had made her.
You never learned when to leave well alone. That there were some things that were older than your love for Mamoru. Yet you could never see it like that. It was nothing but something that could threaten to steal him away.
She shuddered at this recollection and forced it from her mind as she stared up at Mamoru. Things were different now, or so she had hoped.
Her boyfriend had also been a little quite this morning, although he had questioned Usagi's lip and she had given him the same story that she had Minako.
As this accentuation of her fear took hold the hand moved. Usagi cried out as it struck her, hard, across the face, knocking her head back into the base of the bed. Pain spread out from her lower lip and she tasted warm blood in her mouth.
How could she tell him that an unseen hand had struck her? Usagi almost didn't believe it herself. It was impossible wasn't it?
But the Chouchin… the glass… the photograph…If she did, indeed, have a poltergeist living in her house then it most certainly meant her harm and Usagi could not fathom why. She had never hurt anyone… never intentionally.
Standing up, Usagi suddenly told Mamoru that she was going to get something to eat. All problems could be resolved with a big bucket of chocolate chip ice cream after all, Usagi told herself. After the film had ended she could go and see Rei-chan again. Rei would know what to do and Usagi could trust her to keep this to herself. She wouldn't want Mamoru to think that she was being childish.
Exiting the room and into the foyer, Usagi was startled at the fact that it was completely deserted. There was not even anyone manning the snack bar!
Pouting, Usagi moved further into the foyer, jumping slightly as the door behind her swung shut with a finality that caused her heart to start beating that little bit faster.
"Hello?" she called as she made her way to the snack bar, "Are you open?"
Silence was her reply.
Usagi sighed as her stomach furthered its protests and she subconsciously wrapped her arms around her at the chill in the air. Breathing out heavily, she realised that she could now see her expelled air. Frowning, Usagi wondered if, by some chance, the heating had been shut down, but it was only mid-August. It shouldn't be that cold yet!
Checking her watch, Usagi saw that the intermission was still due to last a few minutes yet. What was the point of even having an intermission when people couldn't even buy snacks? Pouting, Usagi searched the silent foyer for someone, anyone, whom she could voice her complaint too, but it was completely deserted.
Princess…Usagi whirled around, clutching her purse tighter in her hand as she thought she heard a voice. Again she glanced around the foyer but she was alone.
Princess…"Hello? Is there anyone there?"
She gained no reply and Usagi decided that she might as well give up. If she complained to Mamoru then he might take her out for something to eat afterwards. Smiling at the thought of them going out for a romantic meal, Usagi turned on her heal to head back to the screen room. As she did so, she heard footsteps, the sound of shoes clinking loudly on the floor.
Freezing, with one hand poised on the door handle, Usagi looked over her shoulder but as before, she was completely alone.
My imagination must be playing tricks on me… Straining her ears, Usagi could hear nothing and turned her attention back to the door. The handle had started to feel warm under her palm and, as she held it, it began to heat up rapidly causing her to pull back away from it as the warmth became scorching hot.Usagi shrieked, tears blurring her vision as she shakily uncurled her palm, her skin blistered and bleeding where she had made this contact.
Princess…Then it started, even as Usagi backed away from the door as though it would somehow manage to further harm her.
At first the whisperings were subdued, as they were inaudible, nothing but a minor pain in the back of her mind but, as she stoically tried to ignore them and find another way back to Mamoru, they grew louder.
Princess… Princess… Princess…As this almost taunt invaded her mind, Usagi found herself powerless to move, to even cry out for Mamoru. She closed her eyes, a tear trickling free and running down her cheek as the voice grew louder, still beckoning to her, calling her…
Princess… Princess… Princess…"What?" Usagi whispered, taking a deep breath, her hands clenched tightly into fists at her sides as she spoke, "What do you want?"
You knew what I wanted… but still you denied it… you took everything and gave nothing… all that was sacrificed for you…
"I don't understand" Usagi protested, her knees feeling weak as, like before, the air became thick and heavy and then she knew, with a sinking heart, that she was not alone in this room.
Edging away from the door, Usagi could see the exit… it was painfully close and yet it could have easily been a million miles away at the same time.
She could barely breath and those breathes that she did manage came out in strangled gasps as the presence before her drew closer once again.
She wanted to run, but her legs just wouldn't cooperate with what her mind was silently ordering them to do.
Usagi stumbled, uttering a whimper of panic when the presence came to a standstill before her.
"W-who are you?"
The one you failed to mourn…
"Please" Usagi whispered, as she felt a hand close around her throat. Reaching out, she grasped the hand around her neck as she felt their grip tighten. "Please…"
Her pleas fell on deaf ears and Usagi gave into the darkness that was starting to cloud the corners of her vision. Yet, as her head slumped forward onto her chest, her eyes closed, she fell to the floor her attacker's hold released.
The heaviness around her dissipated as Usagi lost consciousness.
"Usagi?" Minako whispered, as she gently traced the bruising with a fingertip. What happened? Who did this?
For a moment, all Minako could do was kneel over her friend, gently supporting Usagi's head in her lap. There was no one else around. The foyer was completely deserted.
"How can this be?" Minako wondered, "Who did this to you?"
Why would anyone hurt you? How could anyone hurt you? There's no one here…"Usagi!" Minako glanced up when she heard Mamoru's voice. Evidently he had come to see where his girlfriend had got to and now also knelt down beside her. Minako allowed Mamoru to take Usagi from her, even as she started to stir.
Groggily, Usagi opened her eyes, her right hand reaching up to touch her throat as tears spilled forth. Wordlessly Mamoru held her, rocking her gently back and forth.
"We should get someone," Minako said, more to herself than the others.
"No" Usagi whispered tearfully.
"Why?" Mamoru asked, breaking his silence, "Someone attacked you. You need to report this."
"Not someone… something."
"Something?" Minako asked, feeling an eerie chill at Usagi's words, "What do you mean?"
Usagi hesitated, unwilling to reply until Mamoru prompted her with, "How did you get that bruise on your lip?"
"I…"
"Usagi."
"You'll think I'm being childish."
"No" Minako shook her head, "We won't."
Slightly encouraged by this, Usagi began to speak.
"They know about the Ginzuishou, too" Usagi finished, dry tears still marring her cheeks and she uttered another low sob after speaking causing Mamoru to draw her into another tight embrace. The intermission was over and, curiously, the foyer had remained deserted allowing them to talk undisturbed.
Now, silently, each of them mulled over Usagi's words, struggling to come up with some kind of logical explanation.
How can there be one? They know about the Ginzuishou and the past life. No one else knows of this except for us, the former Senshi, and Mamoru. Everyone else connected to the past life is dead.
Then do I believe it? Do I believe that Usagi is being stalked by spirit who has knowledge of what went on in our former lives? Do I believe that this spirit could be somehow connected to the past life?
"Minako-chan? Mamoru?" Usagi whispered, looking hopefully to her friend and boyfriend, searching their faces for the explanation that she desperately sought.
"I don't know" Mamoru answered her, "I have felt it, too. Since o-bon began."
"You were attacked, too?" Minako asked.
"No" Mamoru frowned, "Last night in my apartment… I wasn't attacked. In fact I'm not even sure that whatever it was wanted to do me harm. I could sense this presence. They were watching me… I could feel them. It's not just Usagi."
Minako nodded. This was something beyond them. They had to turn to the only one of them who could possibly know what was going on and how to put a stop to it before Usagi was hurt any more than she already had been.
"We need to see Rei" Minako said as she stood up. Mamoru was in agreement to this and helped Usagi to her feet, wrapping an arm around her shoulders for comfort as he did so.
Usagi smiled slightly at this and nodded to show her consent to Minako's suggestion. Then, as she looked around the foyer, her smile turned into a puzzled frown:
"Minako-chan, did Hikaru-san leave?"
Hikaru…In her worry, Minako realised that she had completely forgotten about him. The bathrooms were only across the foyer so he might have seen Usagi before she was attacked. Minako asked her about this, but Usagi shook her head. She hadn't seen anyone.
"He must have come out before you" Mamoru said to this when both girls looked at him for an explanation.
Minako nodded, "If he had come back this way he would have seen Usagi-chan and helped her."
The concerned expressions on Mamoru and Usagi's faces did nothing to calm the racing of her heart and Minako ran the short distance across the foyer to the men's bathroom, and without thinking, she pushed the door open and ran inside.
"Hikaru!"
Hikaru was lying on his stomach near the small window at the back of the bathroom, his back facing her. Minako ran to him, kneeling down beside him, she gently rolled him onto his back. Hikaru was unconscious; a thin trickle of blood ran from a wound on the left side of his face to collect on the tiles beneath him.
"Hikaru!" Minako cried out again in an attempt to wake him. This attempt was successful as he let out a small moan of pain before opening his eyes, his left hand reaching up to touch his wound.
Minako intercepted his hand, concerned that he would hurt himself further and quietly told him to lie still. Ignoring this command, Hikaru, very shakily, pushed himself up into a sitting position half leaning on Minako and half against the wall, his eyes still partly closed from the pain.
Despite the questions burning in her mind, Minako forced herself to give him a few minutes to gather himself, silently taking a clean tissue from her handbag and pressing it against his wound to staunch the blood flow. The wound itself did not appear to be very deep and after a few minutes the bleeding subsided. Only then did Minako quietly requested to know what had happened.
"I'm not really sure" Hikaru replied, frowning slightly, "I heard Usagi-san cry out and I went to investigate but…" he paused, "You'll think it foolish."
"No" Minako shook her head, "Please tell me."
"It was as though there was something in here with me. The air became almost too thick to breathe. Then just as I thought I was going to pass out… She told me that I was not to interfere."
"She? Who?"
"I don't know. She told me not to interfere and the next thing I know you're here."
"Did you see anything?"
"Nothing" Hikaru shook his head, "Minako, what is happening?"
"I don't know" Minako whispered, casting a glance at Mamoru and Usagi who had been standing in the doorway the entire time, "I don't know."
Usagi knelt opposite Rei, the fire flickering between them, but even this source of warmth could not assuage the tiny shivers that racked her body. Beside her sat Mamoru, Minako next to him and Ami and Makoto on Usagi's other side. All wore concerned expressions upon their faces, Minako's, perhaps, more troubled than most as Usagi silently recalled the events after they left the cinema.
Minako had wanted Hikaru-san to come to Rei's shrine with them, as he had been attacked, too, but he had not been that keen, explaining that he only believed in what he could see and just wanted to go home and forget all about it. That would be nice, Usagi had commented, to be able to forget, but she couldn't. Not when the bruising round her neck throbbed still reminding her of her attacker and that someone, or something, was very angry with her. Minako had been disappointed in Hikaru, but Mamoru had pointed out that, unlike them, he was a normal person. These things were only easier for Minako, Mamoru and Usagi to accept because of their past lives. To Hikaru this was unknown territory and, therefore, must be very frightening. Thus, Minako had let the matter drop and decided to go to see Hikaru at his apartment once Rei had managed to dispel the spirit that was after Usagi.
Usagi was not very hopeful that Rei would be able to do this. She doubted that something with that much anger would not be dispelled by a simple chant or ofuda scroll.
"Spirits are a reflection of who a person was in life. Death will not change them. If they died with pain or hatred in their hearts then these are the emotions that they will feel when called back by their families."
Usagi shuddered. Who could have called back such a spirit? Why would someone want to do this? Why would someone want to cause her pain?
Sensing her distress, Mamoru gently took her hand in his own, thus reminding Usagi that she was not alone and not the only one who had been visiting by this being.
Finally Rei spoke. The miko had taken ten minutes to align her mind with the flames and the aura around them.
"When you were attacked, did the spirit show any emotion other than anger?" she asked, keeping her eyes closed the whole time she spoke.
Usagi shook her head, "No. Yes… I'm not sure…"
"What other emotions do you think you sensed?"
"Pain. Regret."
"Regret? Regret for harming you?"
"No. Something else. I don't know what."
Rei nodded and was quiet again for a few moments as Mamoru said:
"Hikaru-san said that he heard a woman's voice. A woman warned him not to interfere. Can we take this information as accurate?"
"From what you have told me, this spirit is a very angry being, yet they are not consumed by their rage. If they were then they would be unable to feel such emotions as rage and pain."
"Why are they so angry at Usagi-chan?" Ami asked, fearful for her friend.
"This is all connected to the past life. This spirit has a great knowledge of who Usagi was in the past and also knows who Mamoru was, as well as knowing of the Ginzuishou. Their regret is also their pain, but they also feel cheated. They feel as though Usagi cheated them. As though she took something from them, and did not repay the favour. They hate Usagi enough to kill her."
Usagi trembled, "Are… are they here now?" she asked, her voice nothing but a strained whisper.
"No" Rei shook her head, "The shrine is sacred. Nothing can harm you here."
"This spirit" Makoto said, "How can we protect Usagi? Can we fight it?"
"My spells will protect her within this shrine. The spirit can only stay in this world for the duration of o-bon. After then Usagi will be safe."
She told me that I was not to interfere"I'm sorry" Rei said, "I cannot tell you more without sensing this spirit for myself. If I had been with you this afternoon…" she let this sentence hang, but they all knew what she was trying to say.
If Rei-chan had been with us then it probably wouldn't have happened at all…
"Mamoru-san" Rei said next as she stood up, "You should probably stay here, too. Minako, would you like to call your friend, just to be safe?"
"Hikaru-san doesn't believe in spirits" Minako answered softly, "We think he only got mixed up in this because he was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was going to see him when we'd finished here."
Rei nodded, "Ami-chan, Makoto, can you please go and get the spare blankets from my room? Usagi and Mamoru will stay here until o-bon has ended."
The two girls went to do as Rei had requested. As they did so, Mamoru stood up also and announced that he was going back to his apartment to get a few things.
"I need to get some of my stuff, too" Usagi said quietly. Both Rei and Mamoru were not that keen on this idea.
"Mamoru will be with me," she pouted. Now that Rei had granted her some protection from the spirit and her initial fear had worn off, Usagi was starting to feel like a prisoner. This was supposed to be her first o-bon together with Mamoru and still, even now, Beryl was intent on wrecking it.
Beryl… Usagi had no doubt in her mind whom the spirit was. It made perfect sense in her mind. Beryl was the only person in the past life to harbour a grudge against Usagi, a grudge that was carried over into present day. Beryl had taken Mamoru for her before. She had been as obsessed with who he had been in the past life as the Princess was. By saying 'she' Hikaru-san had more or less confirmed this suspicions without even intending to. Only Beryl would be so cold hearted, even after death. Would she never rest until she had destroyed her? Usagi bit her lip, thus drawing attention to herself once more.
"Okay, you can come" Mamoru relented; mistaking her saddened expression being for the fact that he didn't want her to leave the shrine at all.
Usagi smiled, turning to say goodbye to Rei and Minako she saw the two of them huddled together, Rei speaking quietly. Minako shook her head in response to Rei, then, upon seeing Usagi watching them, she announced that she had to go and abruptly left the shrine.
"What was that all about?" Usagi asked, "Were you being mean to her?"
"No" Rei shook her head, "I'm just disappointed. Minako shouldn't have allowed this to happen to you."
"She didn't know" Mamoru answered, "And it is my job to take care of Usagi, not Minako's."
"I can take care of myself," Usagi pouted.
Rei nodded and busied herself by turning back to the fire once more, but Usagi's heart remained unsettled. What had Rei really been talking to Minako about?
Minako left the Hikawa Shrine a little sooner than she would have perhaps liked. Rei's words to her before she left had unsettled her somewhat, despite her trying to hide it.
Don't be a fool… Rei is always trying to displace the blame… she's just frustrated by the fact that she cannot do any more to help Usagi…
Still her words haunted her and Minako couldn't help but repeat them in her mind once more.
This has everything to do with the past life, but the spirit is not angry at something that happened then, are they? They are angry at something Usagi did in the present.
Whilst Minako respected Rei's wisdom on such matters, the miko couldn't be more wrong this time. This had everything to do with the past life. The present may be more relevant but it was the Princess that the spirit was angry with, not Usagi.
Usagi is safe now… Rei will look after her…
Repeating this to herself a few times, Minako consulted the piece of paper with Hikaru's address on. He was in apartment block four.
Her concern for him caused her to take the stairs rather than waiting around for the elevator, knowing how long they could take in old buildings such as the one she was in. Minako deeply regretted allowing him to go home on his own, especially without having someone look at his head wound, but Hikaru had been insistent and Minako had felt very torn between him and her friendship with Usagi. This friendship had, in the end, won out and after several assurances from Hikaru, and then later from Mamoru, Minako accepted this and let him leave.
Now, as she reached the forth floor and found his apartment, she felt her heart beating wildly in her chest once more.
Steeling herself, Minako knocked on the door and waited. After a few minutes and gaining no reply, she knocked again, this time louder. Still nothing.
"Hikaru?" she called, worry eating away inside of her as, very hesitantly, she gently pushed the door.
Minako was very surprised when it opened with a soft click. He hadn't even put the chain across, she thought to herself.
Pushing the door fully open, Minako stepped inside the apartment.
"Have you lived in your apartment long?"
"A few days. There is a lot that I want to do."
"Will you do the place up yourself?"
"Most probably. If I have the time."
"Maybe I could come round and help you?"
"I would like that" he said softly, "I would like that a lot."
Her conversation with him of earlier today came to the forefront of Minako's mind now. 'A lot to do' was an understatement. The front room was almost completely devoid of any furniture, but, unlike a house or apartment that someone had just moved into, it had a sort of hollow feel to it. The only pieces of furniture were a coffee table and light crème coloured leather sofa in the centre of the room. Net curtains fell across the window and on the ceiling naked bulbs hung suspended without any lampshades on them. The floor was carpeted and everything was neat and in order, the room was clean and nothing appeared out of place, but this neatness did not feel right to Minako at all.
"Hikaru?" she called softly, moments before locating him. He was curled up on the aforementioned sofa fast asleep.
Making her way to his side, Minako cast off her doubts about his apartment and knelt down beside him, gently pushing back his fringe to get a closer look at the wound. He had obviously cleaned it, but the wound still looked terribly raw and painful, this latter fact being accentuated as Hikaru winced slightly at her touch.
Minako pulled back, suddenly feeling very self-conscious as Hikaru's eyes slowly opened. It took him several seconds to register the fact that Minako was kneeling over him and, upon realising this, he hurriedly sat up asking her how she had gotten inside.
"You left the door unlocked" Minako answered feeling a little awkward now, "I knocked but you didn't reply. I was worried about you."
Hikaru smiled, "I understand. I'm sorry that I worried you."
Minako sighed in relief. She had felt sure that he would be angered at the fact that she had just let herself in. In truth she didn't even know what possessed her to do that. It wasn't like her at all.
"How are you feeling?" she asked next, "Does your head still hurt?"
"A little" Hikaru allowed, gesturing for her to sit down beside him. Minako readily accepted this, casting away her former doubts about his apartment. Now that Hikaru was awake, her feelings towards it seemed to have dissipated and she was left feeling a little foolish.
"Did your friend perform her exorcism on Usagi-san?" he asked, half joking.
Minako frowned; she didn't think what happened was funny at all and said as much.
"I'm sorry" Hikaru shook his head, "I find anything like that hard to deal with. I believe only in things that I can see and touch."
"Then what about this?" Minako whispered, gently placing a hand on his head, being careful not to touch his wound, but being near enough so that he knew what she meant.
Hikaru did not reply and instead enquired again to know how the meeting with Rei went.
"As well as we hoped" Minako answered, reluctant to say anything that could lead to awkward questions that she would be unable to answer. "Rei has told Usagi that she should stay with her for the duration of o-bon as her shrine can protect her against this spirit. Mamoru-san is also staying. Rei offered you the same protection, but I had a feeling that you would decline."
Hikaru nodded, "So Mamoru is staying there, too?"
"Just for o-bon" Minako confirmed, "Rei seems to think that the spirit will leave Usagi alone after then."
Hikaru did not reply to this and after a few minutes, Minako decided to change the topic of conversation.
"What are you going to do after o-bon?"
Hikaru started slightly at this, "I don't know. I'm hoping that the studio will have some more work for me. If not then I might look for work out of the city."
"You don't have to do that" Minako found herself saying, "I can have a word with the studio for you."
Hikaru laughed, "If you don't want me to leave then you can just ask me to stay."
Normally, his nerve would annoy Minako but, after all that had happened today, and the intensity of her own feelings for him, she was loath to argue. Instead she found herself replying:
"Would you?"
Hikaru nodded, "If you asked me to."
Minako looked up, meeting his intense gaze as she found herself wrapping her arms around him as he leaned forward to press a kiss to her lips. Closing her eyes, Minako allowed herself to become lost in this embrace, her arms curling tightly around his back as though she was afraid to let him go.
It was strange, although she had only known Hikaru for a short time, she felt as though she had also known him a lifetime…
She unrolled the futon and laid down beside her lover, pausing only to toy with a piece of stray hair that had fallen down over his eyes. The Prince frowned a little in annoyance at this and caused the Princess to giggle slightly.
She thought she was safe there… she thought that she had escaped retribution… she was wrong...