Green Eyed Monster
Chapter 5: "The Baby Killer"
A Sailor Moon fanfic
By Bill K.
Akiko lay in her crib. Her stomach was full, her diaper was dry and all was right with the world. As the little infant slept peacefully, she was oblivious to the shadow looming over her. The being making the shadow looked down on the helpless infant. Something stirred inside, a need inspired by the child's presence, a need that longed to be satisfied. It was a need that throbbed within the being, overwhelming and driving. It obliterated all other thoughts and desires.
That need, as Sanjuro looked down into the crib, obscuring the nightlight in the room with his massive frame, was to see his daughter grow and prosper, to be happy in her life and successful in her pursuits. He felt the need to protect her when she was threatened, guide her when she was lost, love her when she was lonely, cheer her when she was upset. He felt the need to be her father, with everything that it meant and every burden and hardship that it entailed. A scant year ago, Sanjuro Ikegami didn't think he could love any woman more than either Makoto or his mother. Looking down at Akiko, laying on her back and suckling in her dreams, her little mouth moving unconsciously, he knew once again that he was wrong.
"I hope I remember this day when you're sixteen and dating some musician with no job," Sanjuro mumbled to himself. He grinned at his joke.
A noise shook him from his reverie. The clatter was the front door opening hurriedly, violently. The pounding of feet on steps drew him away from the crib and to the door of the bedroom. He barely reached the door only to have Makoto burst past him, frantic with fear and worry.
"Babe?" he gasped, remembering at the last moment to lower his voice lest Akiko awaken.
Makoto ignored him, racing up to the crib. She stared down into the crib and her desperation melted into soft, shuddering sobs of relief. By then Sanjuro was by her side, holding her to him and trying to bring her comfort.
"Babe, what is it?" he asked.
Makoto looked at him. Her expression was a swirling kaleidoscope of terror and relief, guilt, joy and anguish. For a moment she lost her voice and could only manage a trembling lower lip. Then the woman collapsed against her husband's broad chest. Weeping, she told him everything Ami had told her.
Mamoru opened the door to their small, cramped, confining - - "intimate," he heard Usagi's voice say in his mind and smiled despite his fatigue - - apartment. He shut the door behind him and sagged against it.
"How many more days until I complete residency," Mamoru sighed to himself. "If it wasn't for all the good I do, I'd quit this and sell odangos on the street."
"Is that you, Mamo-chan?" Usagi called out from the other room. Mamoru smiled.
"She knows her name," he quipped, then forced himself up from against the door. He wasn't five feet from it before Usagi came bounding in and tackled him. She flung her arms around him, causing him to stagger back two steps, and kissed him.
"I missed you!" she smiled sweetly when their lips parted.
"You always miss me," he smiled back. Then he sniffed the air. "You didn't make dinner?"
Usagi gasped in alarm. "Oh, Mamo-chan, I'm so sorry!" she wailed. "I forgot to make anything! I've been so caught up in the meeting and the research after that I completely forgot!"
"Don't worry about it," he said and pecked her on the mouth. "I think there's something in the refrigerator that I can make a sandwich out of - - unless you've been snacking again."
"I DON'T SNACK!" Usagi fumed, her mouth screwed into a pout.
"Sure you don't," he replied, patting her on the bottom - - a bottom that was a little bigger than when they married eight years ago.
"You see if you get any tonight," Usagi huffed, though they both knew she didn't mean it.
"What's this meeting that's got your attention so strongly?" Mamoru asked. He headed for the kitchen as Luna padded out into the living room.
"Ami called a meeting of the senshi," Usagi informed him. Mamoru's head popped out of the refrigerator, instantly concerned. "Oh, Mamo-chan, it's horrible! Somebody's going around killing babies!"
"Ami's sure about this?"
"Her and her mother both! I can't believe someone would be so monstrous!"
"Well if both Doctors Mizuno are convinced of this, there must be credible evidence to it. Do they have a suspect?"
"We don't even know how it's happening," Usagi replied glumly. "Luna and I were trying to think of something just now."
"And not achieving much, I'm afraid," Luna added. "There's definitely no historical precedent for it in Silver Millennium. I also know of nothing from any other planet that operates in such a manner. Of course my knowledge in this regard is hardly encompassing, so that can't be ruled out as a possibility."
"How many victims so far?" Mamoru asked.
"Eight so far," Luna told him.
"Eight?"
"And that's just in Juuban. Though I strongly doubt it's more wide-spread than this district. Otherwise it would have been noticed sooner."
"We're going down to the hospital tomorrow to check things out," Usagi told him, sliding into his arms in search of comfort. "I hope we find whoever's doing this. Babies shouldn't die. Nobody should die, but especially babies."
Mamoru held his wife close. Truer words were never spoken.
Waiting in the lobby of the district hospital, Usagi tried to stifle a yawn. It had been a late night, just as Rei had predicted, working on the page for Baishaku-San. She wasn't entirely satisfied with it, either, but there was no time to redo it. There was too much to do, not the least of which was this morning's fact finding search. Her only alternative was to try to correct it in the inking phase and hope Baishaku-San found it acceptable.
"Late night, Usagi?" Minako said, grinning slyly as she approached. "You and Mamoru keeping the neighbors up again?"
"Mina-chan!" Usagi blushed. "I was up late working on a page last night."
"Well that's no fun," Minako scowled. "Between the two of you, you both work so hard. I don't see how you're going to have time to even have ten kids, let alone raise them."
"I know," Usagi sighed. Then she realized what Minako said. Shooting her an evil glare as she blushed again, Usagi ignored the smirk on her friend's mouth.
"Any sign of Ami yet? I'd like to get this started."
"She's up with her mom now, getting us clearance to get into the maternity ward," Usagi replied. "So, did you and Artemis come up with anything last night?"
"It's nobody from space," Minako replied. "And given the facts, I can't see how it could be anyone human - - unless they're poisoning the kids. And what kind of a sick mind does that?"
"What kind of a sick mind kills babies in the first place," Usagi said, her eyes watering. "If they only realized how precious babies are."
Minako looked at Usagi's reaction curiously. Of course Usagi had reverence for all life, but she seemed inordinately distressed about this. Then it hit her.
"Oh yeah," Minako whispered, recalling the miscarriage Usagi had suffered just two years ago. Usagi glanced at her and the two friends silently realized they were on the same wavelength. Usagi looked away, embarrassed.
Just then Rei walked up. Usagi almost seemed grateful for the arrival.
Minako found herself less grateful.
"We'll find out who's doing this, Usagi," Rei gently admonished her. If was as if she'd sensed her friend's distress over the situation. She probably had. "Doesn't look like you slept much. Were you worrying," then Rei grew a triumphant smile, "or were you up late drawing?"
"Shut up," huffed Usagi and Rei's smirk grew wider. "Did you get anything from your fire reading?"
"Just a heat rash on my arms and chest," scowled Rei.
"That's going to photograph nicely," jabbed Minako mirthlessly. Rei gave her an acid glance.
"So what did you come up with," Rei countered, "or were you too busy talking to George Lucas about being in his latest movie?"
"Now, Rei," Usagi began.
"Yeah, I was," Minako fired back. "He wants me to play this priest who stabs her friend in the back!"
"Mina-chan," Usagi grimaced.
"You're going to have to grow up to play a role THAT challenging," Rei volleyed.
"Can we please stop the bickering?" they heard Ami say. The three turned and found Ami and her mother waiting for them. Ami's stern look seemed eerily like that of Dr. Mizuno next to her. "We certainly have much more important matters to concern ourselves with."
"Precisely right," Rei nodded. "Do we have access yet?"
"Yes. You're all here on my authority as a practicing resident of this hospital," Dr. Mizuno told them. "Please conduct this investigation as quietly and unobtrusively as possible. We don't want word of this leaking out and I don't want patients unduly upset by any sudden violence if that's possible."
"We'll try as hard as we can, Dr. Mizuno," Usagi nodded. She still couldn't help feeling intimidated by the formidable Dr. Mizuno. They headed for the maternity ward.
"And let me also say right up front that I've contacted the police with my suspicions, as well as hospital management," Dr. Mizuno continued. "You three are only here as a favor to my daughter."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, " grumbled Minako.
"It's nothing personal," Dr. Mizuno replied. "I happen to think that this is a matter more in the jurisdiction of the police and hospital management. If we were being threatened by space ships or aliens stealing Star Seeds, you four would certainly be the ones I'd call."
"I managed to prevail upon her that it isn't out of the realm of possibility that something extra-terrestrial or supernatural might be responsible for this," Ami added.
"Well, scratch the extra-terrestrial," Minako told her. "Artemis is sure this isn't some sort of alien menace. And if it was, Haruka and Michiru would be here telling us to butt out and leave it to them."
"Graphic," Ami glanced at her friend with one eyebrow raised, "but logical."
"Is Makoto coming?" Dr. Mizuno asked.
"Um," Usagi grimaced, "Mako-chan is home making sure her baby is safe."
"Hmm," Dr. Mizuno murmured. "Doesn't she realize that we have a responsibility to society at large as much as to our own family?" Then the doctor realized the callousness of the statement. "Of course, I can't really blame her, I suppose. Family concerns can seem to outweigh moral obligation at times." She glanced at Ami and found Ami looking at her curiously.
The elevator arrived at the Maternity Ward floor and the passengers disembarked. Dr. Mizuno walked right up to the nurse's station, followed by Ami. The other three hung back just a little.
"These are the," Dr. Mizuno began, "consultants I told you about. They'll be looking around and asking questions of the staff. Please give them your full cooperation."
"Yes, Dr. Mizuno," the head duty nurse nodded. She noticed Ami and her face lit up. "Well, hi Ami! I heard you were back! Oh my, but you've grown!"
"Thank you, Nurse Takahachi," Ami nodded politely.
"I guess I'll have to call you 'Dr. Mizuno' now, too," she grinned. "Where are you interning?"
"Right here at the hospital. General Wards to start with. If I pass the interview."
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Nurse Takahachi told her. "Are you going to specialize in pediatrics?"
"Um," Ami stammered, glancing uncomfortably at her mother, "I haven't decided yet."
Takahachi nodded, then turned to the others. Her amiable nature faded.
"Um, Dr. Mizuno?" Takahachi said. "These are your consultants?"
Usagi's gaze sought the ceiling, while Rei and Minako returned the nurse's gaze defiantly.
"Despite their appearance," Dr. Mizuno replied, "they're all highly competent at their jobs."
"Um, yes doctor," Takahachi said and passed them all through. She and the other two duty nurses watched them as they walked down the hall.
"Hey, wait a minute," exclaimed one of the other nurses. "Wasn't the blonde with the red ribbon on 'Angel High'?"
"I'll leave you to your work," Dr. Mizuno told them, then turned to Usagi and Minako. "Don't touch ANYTHING. And please respect the privacy rights of our patients whenever possible."
"We won't," gasped Usagi. "I mean we will! I mean . . .!"
"You can depend on us, Dr. Mizuno," Rei interjected. Mizuno eyed them, then went back to the nurse's station.
"So what do we do first?" Usagi asked.
"Where was the baby killed?" Minako asked Ami.
"The Nursery," Ami replied.
The four women headed for the Nursery. However, Usagi pulled up within twenty feet of the door. Rei could feel the distress vibes coming from her and turned to her.
"Usagi?" Rei inquired as Minako and Ami looked on curiously.
"I-I don't know," Usagi stammered. She was clearly troubled by something. "I just feel suddenly - - uneasy."
"Is it because of the Nursery?" Ami asked. "Perhaps the trauma of losing Kousagi is resurfacing?"
"I don't think so," Usagi replied nervously. "It's just - - this place."
"What are you feeling?" coached Rei.
Usagi concentrated for a moment. "Like something's here - - a threat. But - - but I can't put it into words."
"I'm not feeling anything," Rei replied to Ami's unspoken question. "Usually I'm the one who gets premonitions before anyone. I don't know what she's feeling."
"Can you go on?" Minako asked Usagi. "If you want to stay out here, it's OK. We'll go in. Don't feel you have to push yourself."
"No," Usagi declared, shaking herself. "I can do it. Let's go."
"You're sure?" Minako asked. Usagi nodded.
Once inside the Nursery, Ami went directly to the duty nurse, with Minako tagging along. Usagi stood nervously by the door, Rei by her side.
"Pardon me," Ami ventured politely. "Did Dr. Mizuno tell you about us?" The nurse nodded. "May we ask you a few questions about the night the male infant died?"
"I've already talked to the police," the nurse replied. Clearly the subject pained her.
"We're not with the police," Minako said. "Can you tell us about that night?"
"Why?" the nurse scowled. "Because the preliminary post-mortem showed no signs of trauma or chemical toxicity? That means it must be my fault?"
"We're just trying to find out the truth," Minako told her. "And the truth will exonerate you, wouldn't it?"
The nurse looked down.
"Did anyone come in when you were on duty that you didn't log?" Ami asked.
By the door, Rei was noticing Usagi's increased agitation.
"This has really got you spooked, hasn't it?" Rei asked.
"I'm sorry," Usagi offered. "There's just something - - not right about this place. I wish I could tell you what it was."
"Maybe you can," Rei declared. "Give me your hand."
Usagi gave her the fisheye. "You aren't getting weird on me, are you?"
"Just give me your hand, Ditz!" Rei huffed.
Usagi complied. Immediately, Rei was seized by a portion of what Usagi felt.
"You're right," Rei mumbled, turning and scanning the room with her gaze. "Something has been here. Something evil. But why couldn't I feel it before?"
"Rei?" Usagi asked, her friend's fervency alarming her.
Suddenly Rei broke away and hurried over to the others.
"Excuse me," Rei said desperately, breaking into the conversation Ami and Minako were having with the duty nurse. "Do you have a match? Or a cigarette lighter?"
"Ma'am, you're not allowed to smoke in the wards," the nurse replied.
"I'm not going to!" Rei fumed, then leashed her vaunted temper. "Please, do you have a lighter or a match or something that can produce a flame?"
Warily the duty nurse reached into the pocket of her scrubs and produced a cheap butane lighter. Rei seized it with the speed of a striking cobra, then turned to face the room. As Usagi, Ami, Minako and the duty nurse looked on in astonishment, Rei lit the lighter, then cupped the flame close to her .
"Please, little kami of fire," Rei whispered softly to the flame atop the lighter, "tell me his name. I beseech you as your eternal priestess."
"Meshiwokuu eiji," the little flame whispered back in a voice only Rei could hear. Then it snuffed out.
"Oh no," Rei whispered, the color draining from her face.
"Rei?" Usagi inquired. She was scared, scared for Rei and scared of what Rei had seen or heard. Ami and Minako leaned in for support, too.
"It's loose," Rei stammered with mounting alarm.
"What's loose?" Ami prodded.
"The demon," Rei replied. "Meshiwokuu Eiji! The Devourer of Babies! It's been here! It killed that poor child!"
Rei swallowed.
"And it's going to kill again."
Continued in Chapter 6