Green Eyed Monster
Chapter 10: "Appointment With Destiny"
A Sailor Moon fanfic
By Bill K.
Usagi cleared the dishes away and put them in the sink to soak. Washing dishes wasn't her favorite past time, but Mamoru was usually too busy or too tired to do them. The young woman gazed down at them with distaste.
"Maybe I'll get killed today and I won't have to do them," she thought.
Such jokes distracted her from the very real possibility that she might actually perish today. A chill passed through her. Usagi looked down at her hands and saw them shaking. She clutched them tightly.
"Mamo-chan, you're going to be late for work," she said, forcing herself away from dwelling on her own mortality.
"No I'm not," he said matter-of-factly.
"Did you switch shifts?"
"I called in." Mamoru got up, walked over and took Usagi's clenched hands in his. "After all, I can't very well protect you if I'm at the hospital, can I?"
Usagi stared up at him, as if the words hadn't registered.
Then she lunged up at him and caught him around the neck in a grateful hug.
"I leaving now, Mother," Ami announced as she headed for the door.
They had discussed the problem last night. Her mother had taken everything in, consoled her, said all the right things. She'd expressed her concern over Ami's and the group's welfare, but conceded that their way was the only logical way.
And yet there had been an emotional gulf. Her mother held onto her intellectual judgment the entire time - - almost desperately, in Ami's opinion. She was rational, almost detached, the way a doctor sometimes had to be in order to handle a particularly sympathetic case with dispassionate judgment. Even now Ami hesitated at the door, waiting for - - what? How had such a gulf sprung up between them in the eight years she'd been away in college in England? Or had it always been there and she was just now mature enough to realize it.
"Good luck, Ami," her mother called out from the bathroom. Ami still hesitated at the door. Her mother's voice sounded strange. The young woman walked up to the bathroom. Her hand hovered near the door, about to knock as her mother had drilled into her head so many times as a child. Then she thought better of it and just opened the door. Her mother whirled to face the door, caught sitting on the sink crying. A look of shame crossed the woman's face, a look Ami could never recall seeing her mother have.
"Forgive me," Kaname choked out. "I should have better control."
"Mother," Ami sighed patiently. "It's all right to have emotions. I have them all the time."
"Sometimes I wonder," Kaname replied, biting her lip. "Too many times they just seem to get in the way. I should be clear-headed and ready in case you need me." The woman turned her head and put her hand to her mouth to try to conceal what shamed her. "But all I can think of is - - is that you may walk out that door and never come back! And even if you do . . ." She sniffled inelegantly, a contrast to her natural elegance. "I've already lost so much of you. I've missed so much of your life working and being dedicated. Even if you come back, you'll be gone again."
"Mother, you've only lost what you were destined to lose anyway. I'm not the child in need of protection and guidance any longer. I've grown up. Logically you can only accept that and seek pleasure in other areas. I'm still alive. I'm still your daughter and I still love you. Pining for what you used to have or what you missed out on is counterproductive. Instead of yearning for the safety of the past, why not make new pleasant memories today? Usagi taught me that and it's one of the most valuable lessons I've ever learned."
"But all of that will be moot if," her mother whispered, "if this is the day you don't come back."
"I'll always be with you and Dad," Ami said. "I know you aren't very spiritual, but I will be there whether you believe I am or not. And I'll always be in your memories. It's up to you whether you let them cause you pain in regret or pleasure in fondness." Ami smiled at her mother. "But I'm very confident I'll come back. Then you can come visit me at my new apartment - - when I find it. And perhaps you'll meet the building manager and fall madly in love with him so you won't have to spend the rest of your life alone and lonely."
"It sounds like you got that from your friend Usagi, too," her mother snorted through her drying tears. Ami twittered.
The two women walked to the front door. Ami paused when she felt her mother's hand on her arm. Her mother leaned in and hugged her daughter and Ami was privately grateful.
"Win or lose, your actions and those of your friends are testament to your nobility," her mother told her. "Despite my - - irrational display of emotion, I am proud and grateful to you."
"Thank you," Ami whispered, hugging back.
Rei knelt before the altar, praying to the gods all around her that she would be strong enough this time to succeed. So much was at stake - - too much. She couldn't fail again.
But would she?
The candles in the room flickered ever so slightly. Rei felt a hand on her left shoulder. She didn't bother to look because she knew nothing was there. The hand was a familiar one, a comforting one, one that she knew belonged to a spirit that walked with her always. It was a hand from her childhood, gone and missed these many years.
"Thank you, 'Kaa-San'," Rei whispered.
Another hand appeared on her right shoulder. Again Rei knew there was nothing there - - nothing corporeal. It was a thick hand, strong and calloused from both bo sticks and garden tools. It was a gentle hand, gentle with wisdom and with compassion. It was a hand that raised her, a hand that guided her, a hand that pushed her when her spirit flagged and that caught her when she stumbled. It belonged to a spirit that walked with her, too. It was a hand from her adolescence, gone and missed as well though for far less time.
"I vow I will be worthy of your faith in me, Grandpa," Rei whispered.
With that she ascended to her feet with a single fluid motion. Determined, she turned and left the room to seek her fate. There was no omamori with her this time.
She had her fellow senshi with her this time. She wouldn't need it.
"How could you let me oversleep!" Minako shrieked as she raced into the bathroom.
"Because you looked so peaceful," Toshihiro replied, covering the cell phone with his hand. "I'm sorry, sir. We'll be there at one. I think you're going to like her." He closed the phone and slipped it into the pocket of his baggy jeans. "And you've had such a stressful week that I figured the extra rest wouldn't do you any harm."
"Oh, Toshi-chan, you're sweet," Minako said, popping her head out of the bathroom door. She had her hair lathered in shampoo. The towel that was draped around her came loose and slid off. "But why did you have to be sweet TODAY!" The door slammed shut.
"What's the problem?" the heavy-set young man asked, adjusting his glasses and brushing his black hair away from his forehead as he went to the door. "We don't have to be at the studio until one."
Minako popped her head out the door again. She was still naked, but her hair was rinsed of the lather. She brandished a blow dryer in her right hand like it was a pistol. The woman stared at her significant other like he was talking to her in a foreign language.
"You did remember we had an appointment with the casting director of the new pilot I'm directing, didn't you?" Toshihiro asked.
"THAT WAS TODAY?" Minako screeched. The door slammed shut again. "Oh, the gods are OUT TO GET ME!"
"What's the matter? Can't you make it?" Toshihiro opened the bathroom door, as Artemis looked on curiously, and found Minako still brushing her hair. She'd managed to wiggle into some panties.
"No!" Minako wailed, tying her long blonde hair back with her signature red ribbon, all at twice the speed normally allotted for such things. "I've got someplace I have to be today!"
"Did you get an offer?" her boyfriend asked. "What kind of offer? You know, I'd really like you to be in this pilot, but if this is a better career move, just let me know and I'll get someone else."
"DON'T YOU DARE GET ANYONE ELSE!" Minako gasped, all the while touching up her makeup in the mirror.
"Well, if it's not an offer," Toshihiro began, confused, "then what could be so important that you have to miss a meeting with an important casting director?"
Minako stopped struggling with her bra and stared at him.
"You're not," Toshihiro swallowed, "seeing someone else - - are you?"
Her face crumpled in anguish, Minako lunged and kissed Toshihiro passionately.
"No, Toshi-chan, I swear it! I love you! I do!" Minako cried. "I just - - Usagi and the gang needs me today."
"This is important for you, Minako. I think they'll understand."
MInako stared at him, visibly torn. Then the antique clock on the wall (that Toshihiro gave her for her birthday) chimed the hour.
"Damn it!" she bellowed, then tore down the hall to her bedroom. "You explain it to him, Artemis! I don't have time!"
The door slammed shut. Toshihiro stared at it uncomprehendingly. Then he turned to the little white cat. He noticed the cat's eyes were bugged out.
"Artemis explain?" Toshihiro murmured. "Honey, it's not like the cat can talk."
Then he turned back to Artemis and saw the feline seemed very nervous.
"C-Can you?"
Makoto squeezed her daughter tightly to her breast. She felt the massive hands of her massive husband gently close around her shoulders.
"I don't want to leave her," Makoto whispered.
"Given the choice, I wouldn't want you to," Sanjuro whispered, rubbing up and down on her upper arms. "I want Akiko to get the full benefit of her mother. But you have a duty - - a higher calling. You said that yourself when you first told me who you were."
"But I'm afraid, San-San," Makoto replied, her voice quavering. "I'm afraid of leaving her without a mother. I went through that. Nobody should go through that. And I'm afraid this thing will somehow get away from us and come after Akiko and I won't be here to protect her."
"Police and soldiers go through the same thing. They go through with it because they have to," Sanjuro told her. "Hell, we take a risk every time we walk out into the street. You can't live your life by 'what if'. You have to just do the right thing and accept whatever comes." He gently guided her around so she faced him. "This thing needs to be stopped. You've got the power to stop it. That's the only thing you can control. Do what's right."
"You know, San-San," Makoto began, "sometimes when you speak I hear my father's voice."
"Gee, and I didn't even know I did impressions," Sanjuro quipped. Despite herself, Makoto released a snort of laughter.
"You are so terrible," she giggled, then bent forward and kissed him. "Maybe that's why I love you so much."
Makoto handed the sleeping Akiko over to her husband, then bent down and kissed the baby on her forehead.
"Wait for me please, Akiko-chan," Makoto whispered. "I'll move heaven and earth to come back to you."
Usagi and Mamoru ascended the steps to Hikawa Shrine. They were at the appointed place at the appointed time. Ami and Makoto were just ahead, talking to each other. Makoto spotted their approach and waved. Ami turned, spotted Mamoru with her friend, and smiled.
"Brought reinforcements, huh?" chuckled Makoto.
"He kind of insisted," Usagi smirked gratefully.
"Yeah, husbands can be like that. I think San-San would be here if he wasn't home looking after Akiko." Usagi put her hand on Makoto's shoulder.
"We're going to get this thing," she said resolutely. "I'm not going to let it harm one more baby, and certainly not Akiko."
"Or you," Makoto nodded.
"Or me," Usagi agreed reluctantly. "We have to save me, too - - if only because I think I still owe you seventy-five yen."
"Doctor," Ami nodded respectfully toward Mamoru.
"Doctor," Mamoru nodded back. Ami's breast swelled with pride.
"I'm coming!" they heard Rei call out from the shrine. "Thank you all for being so prompt. I," and Rei's temper flared when she emerged from the building. "Where's Minako?"
"She still has time, Rei," Ami cautioned. "You did say nine and it's only eight fifty-six."
"Whatever," the priest scowled. She walked up to Usagi. "The connection I used to hunt down the demon has faded. If you clear your mind and open it up to the demon's presence, you should be able to get a mental picture of where it is. If I hold your hand, I can probably read that location from you."
"OK, Rei," Usagi said, extending her hand. But just as suddenly, she pulled it back. "Just no funny stuff!"
"Just give me your hand, Ditz," Rei grumbled, trying to keep from smiling, for she knew Usagi was teasing her. "Now clear your mind. That should be easy for you."
Usagi whipped her tongue at Rei, then complied. As Rei's hand tightened around Usagi's, the priest began to feel the mental sensations that Usagi felt. She focused on trying to determine where the demon was hibernating. She was getting directional impressions.
And then she noticed Usagi's hand trembling in hers. Her concentration broken, Rei glanced up at Usagi. Usagi's eyes were closed and she was concentrating on the impressions she was receiving, but the connection with the demon was having an effect on her.
"I know it's unpleasant," Rei said. It took a moment for Usagi to realize Rei had spoken. She opened her eyes and glanced over. Seeing Rei's concern, the woman dropped her gaze sheepishly
"It's not something I enjoy," Usagi whispered. "But I can hold on long enough."
Redoubling their efforts, Usagi and Rei let the impressions of the demon flow into them. Mentally following the flow of demonic energy, Rei traced along its trail. Ami, Makoto and Mamoru watched with growing anticipation. Finally her eyes opened again.
"I've got it," Rei announced. "Let's go."
"But Minako's not here yet," Ami countered.
"Then I say we leave her," Rei scowled.
"Rei, I realize that you can't help carrying grudges," Ami replied, "but we're stronger with her."
"So how long do we wait? Until another child dies?"
"Rei," Usagi ventured, touching the priest's arm with her hand. "I think we can wait a little longer."
Rei stared at Usagi. She didn't want to give in - - she never wanted to give in on a point, ever - - but she did. And three minutes later they were rewarded with the clop of shoes on the shrine steps.
"I'm here!" Minako gasped, taking a moment to put her hands on her knees and suck wind. "Sorry I'm late."
"Get distracted by a new dress display?" Rei inquired acidly.
Minako ignored her and approached the group.
"Figure out where this demon is yet?" Minako asked Usagi.
Usagi nodded. Minako's hand went up about shoulder high. Her henshin stick appeared in her hand. Usagi glanced at her friend's eyes. Daffy Minako was gone, replaced by Warrior Minako.
"Then let's do this," Minako stated flatly.
It was a sentiment everyone could get behind, even Rei. Those who needed to transformed.
Twenty minutes later they were in the botanical garden and arboretum on the west end of the district. Memories of the last time they were here and of the initial confrontation with Fiore flooded their minds and were immediately shunted aside. The visiting public quickly stopped and hushed, at once excited by seeing the famous Sailor Senshi and wary of what their presence meant. The senshi ignored the unease of the crowd. They were used to it.
"Another area with a high concentration of plant life," Mercury noted. "Does this demon favor pastoral venues?"
"It's probably seeking familiar surroundings," Rei replied. She was the only one not transformed, because her priest role was a far more powerful weapon to her than her senshi role. "And concrete and steel cities didn't exist five hundred years ago."
"Then why doesn't it just leave?" Jupiter asked.
"This particular demon is connected somehow to this general area," Rei explained as they ascended the steps toward the Botanical Garden main building. "It's power is strongest in this area, so it stays. Some demons are like that."
Rei led them to the right of the building, down a stone path toward a grove of cherry trees. The others followed, casting wary glances around them in anticipation of an attack.
"Hold it," Rei said, stopping suddenly. "It's close. Can you feel it, Sailor Moon?"
Without warning, Tuxedo Mask whirled around, brandishing his walking stick. The others turned at the sudden motion. To their horror, they found Sailor Moon on her knees, grimacing and clutching at her throat.
Continued in Chapter 11