Disclaimer: I disclaim flowers… and most things pink.
Chapter 5: The Brain, The Warrior, The Rebel
"Like I said," Steven began, "We'll have to talk."
I sat nervously on Morgan's leather couch; trying not to fiddle with my thumbs. I stared at the tea she set on the coffee table while she finished some odds and ends in her kitchen. I didn't feel secure here even though the apartment was solely Morgan's. A blackboard was pulled out and set in front of the TV and the seats had been huddled closer to it. It was still covered in notes for tournament game plans but I knew it would soon be used for schemes of another kind. I had spent the night trying to find different ways to turn them down gently. I had a team already. A team that was--not to brag--far superior in strength. I was reluctant to involve even them so why on Earth should I allow these three to sacrifice their lives? Their dreams? The majority of my anxiety was caused by the oncoming session of questioning. I knew which questions would be asked and which of them I would need to lie about. I didn't feel like the eccentric, happy, out-going Minako that I usually tried to be but like the stoic and calm leader of the inner senshi. It was too late to go back on my promise to be there and doing so might have been a bad idea considering what they knew. The two others who knew my secret shuffled in and took their seats. Morgan joined us shortly.
"Relax, Mina. Things are going to be okay." Morgan gave me an affectionate pat on the back to which I could only smile uncomfortably and make an odd little agreeable noise. I felt anything but relaxed. She than nodded her head at Steven who stood and cleared the board.
"There are things we want to ask. I hope you understand that we're all ready to take this very seriously." He said with his back turned. "We were talking and it seems we want to know about these three things the most." He moved to the side of the board allowed me to see what he had written. In neat, white chalk--underlined for the sake of organization--he had written three categories: The Bad Guys, The Plan, Sailor Senshi. I swallowed and took a deep and calming breath. I looked down at the tea once again. "In all honesty, I can't begin to tell you anything about the Sailor Senshi, let alone let you write it down. No offence, I just can't comfortably talk about them right here." I tried being straightforward with them.
"Where would you feel more comfortable than?" Steven than asked. I faintly remember myself thinking I would feel much more comfortable at Rei's shrine; wrapped in one of her soft and warm robes. Where she would be there to assist me in being stern about this. Where Rei's fiery and furious exterior could quiet any question. "I don't know if I could be comfortable about this." Honesty because lying was getting tiring. They all seemed to accept that answer and moved away from that topic. Morgan seemed to try and restrain her curiosity and I appreciated that more than she could ever know. I think I dreamt of a day when I could tell them all of my secrets. But that day was not it.
"Alright. Battle plan." Steven sat next to Vanessa and took a sip of his tea to still his well-hidden apprehension. "We'll need to know what you know and--"
"Which is relatively nothing." I interrupted. Steven gave a defeated 'oh' and let me continue. "This process is like baby steps. Always a puzzle. Always frustrating and time-consuming and...and risky." Each of them took my words seriously and I wasn't finished. "You all realize that I have a team of hard-working and extremely dedicated soldiers and..."
"And they abandoned you?" Vanessa asked suddenly.
"What? No! They would never do that."
"Than why aren't they here?" She countered.
"It's really just complicated."
"We're not complete idiots, Aino. We want to help you. We all choose to but you have to let us." Morgan put a hand on my shoulder.
"Your very lives are my responsibility."
"And yours is ours." Steven said.
I felt attacked from all sides. A daunting chalkboard to my front, a viciously curious pro volleyball player to my left, and two very contrasting people to my right. I suddenly thought this could all be a dream but when Morgan gave a squeeze to my shoulder I had to hold back the urge to scream. As a senshi, I healed fast, but there is no way in hell that I healed that fast. It was a bruise but it had still hurt. So it wasn't a dream at all. I leant back in the couch and cleared my throat.
"I am a part of a team that is strong, smart, loyal and unrivalled in terms of courage. They would never abandon me when I needed them."
"You haven't told them then?" Steven was rather deductive. "Why?"
"I'm their leader. I'm...responsible for their lives too. Do you understand? We've fought so hard and saved the world so many times. Now there is peace...we had peace. I can't let them lose all the things they have gained from that instance of harmony." I finished quietly... if I went on I would surely cry.
"And what about your peace?" Asked Vanessa.
"I'm their leader. My dreams are filled with them... my happiness is protecting their lives." The tension in the room drained as everyone let go of the breath they were holding. That was the only answer I had for them on that topic.
"Oh...? No 'Minako the Star'?" Morgan looked angry. "You'd change everything for them?"
I laughed softly and nodded. "You don't know them. If you did... you wouldn't be able to keep yourself from wanting to see their smiles. I think it's the effect of living and dying with them over and over."
I was glad she softened at my response. I hoped she realized that my actions were my decisions. People can have many wonderful dreams... that just happened to be my strongest one. Steven called for a fifteen minute break; announcing to the group that he needed a cigarette. Morgan chewed on her bottom lip--a sign that she was thinking. Soon she smiled at me and joined Steven on the balcony. I rubbed my eyes and took a sip of my cold tea. If Vanessa hadn't made a small noise, I would have forgotten she was in the room completely. I had some questions of my own that I decided to ask. When I looked over at the smaller girl, she was rubbing her knuckles innocently and staring at the wooden floor. I cleared my throat and she looked up abruptly. Watching Vanessa made me feel a lot more like my mischievous self but I really didn't want to frighten her so I considered, for a moment, how I would ask her.
"I was wondering... You see, yesterday you seemed to freeze up--"
"I'm sorry!" She cut in abruptly and bowed her head. "Really I am! I can explain..." I knew I was giving her a weird look but it was the only reaction I could muster in response to her odd outbreak.
"It's really no problem, Vanessa... I was just wondering why you do that? I mean..you're a boxer right?"
She nodded and sighed. "A good one too... so I hear. I get in the ring and I fight well, but when something goes wrong, I just can't seem to shake it off. Any little thing."
"Something goes wrong? Like when you bob when should have weaved?" I made a few mock punching gestures and she only sighed again. It was a little depressing.
"Or when I get hit." She stretched and looked thoughtful for a moment. "I can't recover from that. It really shocks me."
I frowned and realized the severity of that issue. "Don't get down about it, alright? We'll work on it." Vanessa flashed me a rare but unforgettable smile. I winked and tossed her a peace sign. Soon, our conversation was ended by the sound of a glass door sliding open and the smell of cigarettes. Morgan made her way back towards us, but she didn't sit. Steven leaned against her. She clapped her hands together and gave me a thumbs up. "It's no use fighting it, sailor V! We're going to back you up." Steven nodded as though confirming it. "Now...he may not look the part but Steven is pretty much England's finest when it comes to brains." Steven nodded again but realized what Morgan had said and they began to bicker.
"Anyway..the plan." Steven gave Morgan a pouty glare then looked back at me. "As I said before: we need to know what you know about the enemy. Even if it's a relatively small amount. Just try and retrace your steps from the first attack and on..."
I was hesitant at first but I soon began to relay to them everything that had happened. The first attack in the park. The second in the garage. The woman's innocent soul... that thought though, brought with it a pang of guilt and I needed a moment before I went on. I finished with the incident at the old gym and how the monster had given me the name of the enemy.
"A name and a hunch that they're after you. Innocent souls. He said he wanted your soul." Morgan was, figuratively, putting the pieces on the table. "Why..?"
"Power." Steven interjected.
"More than likely." I stated. "Most enemies want something. They realize there is power on this planet and they decide they need that power before they can destroy it."
"This planet so constantly?" Vanessa asked meekly.
"Yes. This planet is very bright in the universe. It's healthy and thriving with life energy. It also possesses the brightest star of all; we all live to protect her."
"Who?" They all leaned in closer and I hesitated.
"I can't give out that information at this time. Just know that she is here and she shines very strongly." They seemed satisfied with that little bit of information and backed away.
"We need a plan for the next attack. Obviously we need more information. There has just got to be something we all missed." Steven began to seem stressed out. It was obvious that the puzzle he was trying to piece together wasn't turning into the picture we al thought it should be. I put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a comforting look.
"They want you...?" Morgan looked distant for a moment than gave me a roguish look. "Than we'll attach our bait, we'll throw them a line and than sink our hooks." She threw a small punch and winked at Vanessa who laughed awkwardly. I wasn't very pleased with the idea of being bait--because I knew that's what they were thinking. There wasn't any other choice. Sooner or later they may find out who I am and that could compromise everyone I know. If that happened then suddenly, everything around me could become bait. Traps. I gave them the go ahead on the plan.
"Tonight you'll rest." Steven began, "Tomorrow we'll--"
"Tomorrow I need to attend a concert with my father." I said.
"Than Sunday. A holy day to take on hell. Should be lucky, no?" I caught Morgan's gaze and held it; searching for any signs of doubt concerning any of this. There was not even a shred of fear.
"Sunday. 9:00pm. We need to stay secluded. If they can track me down then we need to be far away from people." I thought for a moment. "Someone will have to stay in the city just in case an attack breaks out and I'm not around."
We assigned our roles and I enjoyed my solemn walk home.
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As soon as I entered my house, I trudged into the kitchen and began to rummage for a snack. My father sat at the table and was catching up on the news he missed by reading the paper. I leaned against the counter, took a bite from my apple and watched him as he flipped through the pages. I had spent a great part of my life wondering how I could at all be like my parents. Watching him contently browse through the funny section of the paper, I realized we both had a kind of dorky sense of humour. He must have been lonely; all that time thinking his only child chose her mother over him.
"Minako… you're staring. What have I told you about staring?"
I stared blankly… then squinted because I couldn't remember for the life of me what he had told me about staring.
"You don't remember? …I was kind of hoping you'd tell me because I forgot too." He closed the paper and I joined him at the table. "Is there something on your mind?" He adjusted his glasses and gave me a warming smile.
"Mm… not really." He put a hand on top of mine.
"Oh, you missed a call while you were out."
"Who was it?"
"Between the, 'Herro…Minako-chan, purease?' and the 'Ah, sorry, my Engrish not so good.' I really couldn't tell. I caught the name, 'Rei'"
"…Why didn't you talk to her in Japanese?"
"It was more fun this way." He shrugged. "She has a real temper problem, you know that?"
I waved him off and left to return the phone call. I couldn't fathom why Rei would wake up so early to call me. It had me worried that there might have been an attack at home. I dialled the familiar number and waited for an answer. I got Yuurichiro; he said a polite greeting and that he would fetch Rei for me. A few moments later and she answered the phone, sounding rather annoyed.
"Where have you been?" She asked impatiently. I ignored the question and asked my own.
"What's wrong? Why are you up so early?"
"You didn't call, I got worried." Rei said.
"Well, I'm not your personal alarm clock. Anyway, you need to rest more than my pestering calls allow." Rei seemed silent for a moment. She was probably having a battle with her emotions about whether to reprimand me for worrying too much or for thinking she considered me an alarm clock. "How is the fire…?" I changed the subject.
"…Burny."
"Funny but lame. Go to sleep."
"I'm too awake."
"Don't make me sing at you."
"You have a nice voice. Singing voice."
I caught her slip, smiled to myself and told her to get some rest. We ended the conversation once again and I slipped into a thoughts of the past.
I had been sweeping the steps while Rei took an extra hour of sleep that morning. Three weeks had passed and I had just about completely moved into the Hikawa Shrine. I had seen to it personally that she was not malnourished or sleep deprived. I laid the broom to rest when I finished and walked back to the house to awaken sleeping beauty. I stopped by the kitchen where Yuurichiro cooked breakfast and stole a glass of water. Than down the hall, I let myself into Rei's room and kneeled at the side of her futon. Her sheets were at her feet and she seemed to be having another nightmare. She had never told me what her nightmare was about, but she assured me it wasn't a vision of a demolished future and I was satisfied. I placed a hand on her shoulder and shook her gently, whispering her name so I wouldn't startle her. She sighed in her sleep and then her tired, amethyst eyes blinked open. I smiled down at her and offered the glass of water, which she eagerly accepted. I brushed a few bangs, damp with sweat, away from her face and told her the time. She nodded and dutifully rose from the futon. I stood to leave and looked back at her naked body as she began to change out of her night clothes and into her robes. Her raven black hair like a cloak to her stunning figure.
I felt ashamed of myself for falling in love with her body first. It wasn't as though it was an easy concept. Love comes in many forms, yes… but in a lot of cases, for me anyway, it was usually unruly hair, not so soft skin, a completely different fashion sense. Men. I hadn't been boy-crazy for months but it still came as a shock to me that I was attacked to Rei. I had eventually decided I would sit with her and discuss this humorous notion one night over dinner. When that night came, I realized there was no way that I could look her in the eye and tell her everything I felt in that one moment that I saw her whole. She would never hurt me; Rei was always loyal. It was that she was already hurt and that telling her this would not be humorous. It would be very serious. I thought perhaps my own feelings would somehow die down; but they persisted. They persisted through everything. Through the day I had decided to leave the shrine and through the distance I decided to put between us. I missed waking up with the ability to walk into her room and lay beside her to calm her horrible dreams. She would wake up sometimes and tell me she needed to get back to work but then fall asleep as soon as I shushed her. My own dreams were of her happiness.
I lay in bed and pulled my covers up to my neck. Sleeping in my clothes was becoming a bad habit but it was late and I needed to rest for tomorrow and Michiru-chan's concert.
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We were backstage before the concert began; afterwards would be far too hectic. Michiru was not unlike an older sister to me, I felt honoured that she wanted to meet with me and my father. I was also glad to introduce my father to one of my wonderful friends; I felt he knew so little about me. There had been much correspondence over the years, however, it had always felt so impersonal compared to a conversation that is face to face. So we both waited outside the dressing room door while Michiru dressed.
"Surprise." A not-so-unfamiliar and unbelievably self-satisfied voice filled the hallway and I turned to find Haruka walking down the corridor in one of her formal tuxedos. I couldn't resist throwing myself at her. After a long hug, I pulled back and smiled up at her. "What are you doing here? I thought you were back home…doing whatever it is that you do!" I gave her a playful slap on the arm and she laughed.
"You know I'm entirely useless without Michiru."
I felt my father nudge me and clear his throat. I looked up at him and noticed him look from Haruka to me. It clicked and suddenly I felt very rude.
"Papa, this is Tenoh Haruka."
"Haruka-chan, this is Papa..."
Haruka looked confused for a second while she translated what I said, she turned to my father and tried her best in English. "It is very nice… to meet you, Mr. Aino." Haruka shook my father's hand and smiled at the both of us. My father decided not to torment Haruka and spoke in Japanese.
"Everyone is missing you at home, Mina-chan. I think Usagi will cry if she goes another week without her twin."
"Good. I just can't begin to understand how the world can possibly exist without me--" I stopped when I heard the door to Michiru's dressing room open. She stepped out in her perfectly white dress and greeted everyone. Haruka was instantly at her side, and gave her a quick kiss before anyone started talking. We were invited into her dressing room, which was neat and tidy. She offered us drinks and the polite introductions took place. My father and the couple had started a few jokes at my expense, but I enjoyed every minute of it as long as they enjoyed each others company. A little while later, my father excused himself and allowed us to have a few moments alone.
"We really have missed you, Minako-chan." Haruka gave me a playful wink. Michiru smiled at me and I knew she felt the same way.
"I know, I'm homesick too. When will you two be leaving?"
"Tomorrow as far as I know." Michiru replied. Haruka gave me a peculiar look and a slight shake of her head. Carefully, she mouthed what I thought was 'Paris' before she abruptly straightened when Michiru looked at her. "You're acting funny."
"Must be something in the water." Haruka joked and planted a kiss on the smaller woman's forehead.
"How have you been since I saw you last?"
"Terrific, I'm at the spa at least fifty times a day. I shop until I've bought entire malls. I've been flirting endlessly with the boy at the arcade. It's been a memorable experience." I exaggerated just about everything I could and enjoyed the musical laughter of the others.
"Don't listen to her, Haruka. She is most definitely missing a certain someone." They poked fun at me while I enjoyed the scenery. Haruka was connected to Michiru as though the slightest distance could feel like a million miles. Her side was pressed against Michiru's and her arm was around her shoulders. This was the epitome of love. The kind of love that had your better half finishing your sentences for you. The whole ying and yang deal. Being around them made me feel powerful.
"I'm sorry to cut this meeting so short, Minako-chan, but I'll have to get on stage in a few moments."
"Of course, of course. I'll see you back at home, alright? I'm glad I could talk to you both again." I smiled politely and turned to leave.
"Minako…?" Haruka started… "We'll always be there for you." Michiru finished.
I beamed whole-heartedly and gave the both of them a hug before joining my father at his seat.
End Note: You know what's sad? I hadn't really intended on writing this all in one night. But when I started with the one little idea I had…it kind of kept going. And then it kept going even more because I was so close to finishing that there really wasn't any point to stopping. Now I have to edit it, which--by the time you read this--has already been done. Time is a funny thing and I (warning: Somewhat of a inside-joke ahead) just thought of something so Prince of Persia to do to Setsuna…and no. I won't be calling her Dahaka. It won't be long now folks.