With her mother recently deceased, Rei's father and grandfather have a rather heated conversation about her future. Written for the 30th Anniversary of (the manga version of) Rei's Grandpa

Rated: T - Family/Spiritual - Words: 819 - Takashi H./Mr. Hino, Phobos, Deimos, Rei's Grandfather

A storm raged in the sky above the Hikawa Shrine. But its fury could not compare to that of the elderly gentleman inside the shrine.

"Takashi, you are unbelievable!" yelled the old man, his bushy grey moustache bristling with anger.

"Father, this is the right course of action." The voice over the phone line was overly formal. And cold.

"Don't call me that!" spat the old man, "You lost that right after the way you treated my Risa." For a moment, a beautiful little girl with long raven black hair flashed in the old man's mind. "But even I couldn't imagine you palming your own daughter off to some boarding school."

"It is the best school in the country. She will receive an education unequal to anything they can provide there in Tokyo."

The old man's grip tightened around the receiver. "Her mother has just died! She needs you! She doesn't need to be shipped off like a piece of luggage."

"There is nothing I can do for her that the school won't be able to provide. I am busy trying to make the country better for everyone. Risa could never understand that. Now I see neither can you."

"The country!?'" The old man's voice rang out loud enough to rattle the door. "Who're you fooling Takashi? You just don't want Rei holding you back in your next campaign. What happened? Did someone on the school board make a 'donation'? It would look great if Takashi Hino's daughter attended their school?"

"Enough!" bellowed Takashi. The old man was taken aback, more by Takashi's loss of composure than the anger itself. "Rei is going to go to that school and that's final!"

The word hung in the air for what felt like forever. That was, until a mad idea possessed the old man.

"Wait!" Did he really have the resolve to do this all over again? He was not after all as young as he used to be.

His hand shook slightly as he glanced up at the rain soaked window. It was then that he spotted two black shapes sweep into the yard at the front of the house.

The pair of crows locked eyes with him and cawed in unison. As he gazed upon them he found himself lost in their shining ebony bodies. The feathers seemed to morph into long silky hair of a similar hue trailing down the back of a beautiful little girl. The same girl he'd seen in his mind's eye moments earlier.

No. Not the same little girl.

For reasons he couldn't quite explain, he felt something burn within him. It was not painful, nor was it an angry or wild heat. Merely a steady, warm fire of resolve.

"Let Rei stay here. With me." All anger had dissipated from him. His voice was calm, soft and as steady as the flame burning within him. "There are plenty of prestigious schools in this district. I'm sure they'll look good in any 'media coverage' you want. Just…" His newbound serenity faltered for a moment, "...just don't send her away. Please Takashi. You don't want to be there for Rei. But please, if you ever loved my daughter or my grandchild, let me be there for her."

For almost a full minutes there was utter silence.

"...Very well. Rei will stay with you. You will be responsible for her. Goodbye." Without another word, Takashi hung up.

The old man let out a deep sigh and returned the phone to its cradle. Gazing back at the window, he realised the storm had abated. Indeed there were a few modest rays of hot sunshine cutting through the dark clouds.

When the crows cawed once again, he straightened up and headed out the room. He had a long job ahead of him but he knew it'd be alright. After all, he'd done it once before. And he'd do it again too… for her…

A/N: This fic was in part originally going to be combined with my Phobos and Deimos anniversary fic but then I realised they debuted BEFORE Grandpa so I had to change my plans.

But this fic I think works even better for his character, and I enjoy playing with Rei's shitty Dad too, lol.

Also, just to let you know I am involved in a discord called 'Moonlight Legends' which is dedicated to sharing all sorts of Sailor Moon fanworks, including other fanfics. If you would like to join so you can share your own work, get help with your current projects or just connect to other fan creators shoot me a PM and I'll send you an invite. All are welcome!