"She has your eyes."
By the kami… it's as if I am speaking. That voice. She sounds like me. Or rather, I sound just like her.
I'm still adjusting to being inside of his body. Inside of his mind. I feel his elation and excitement. This didn't happen last time I was in the Animus. I couldn't feel his emotions before. I'm more in sync with him now, and I'm…. conflicted.
"And your hair." His voice is breaking. I feel moisture around his eyes.
His line of sight comes into focus. Cradled in his arms is a baby. Alert and solemn, staring up at the father who is about to ruin it all…
Look at her. Please. Look at her just once. I want to see her.
He doesn't, of course. He is too entranced by the bundle swaddled against his chest. I am fresh and pink and unnervingly quiet.
And in his eyes, I am perfect.
"Our daughter is destined for great things," my mother says in the background.
His blood turns cold. His arms are shaking. His entire demeanor has flipped as if her words were a curse.
Then I see it. A memory within a memory.
Kaiou Michiru's stunning, yet frightening, visage. Her outstretched hands, offering him a red templar cross.
"Your daughter is destined for great things, Hino Takashi…"
—
The Animus hissed as Setsuna released the air pressure. Rei hardly noticed as the scientist helped her into a seated position and began checking her vitals. She was still inside her father's body, reliving the moments shortly after her birth.
"You're pale," Setsuna commented as she moved to check Rei's temperature.
"I'm always pale," Rei flatly replied.
The blood had drained from her face. Chill crept through her bones. Her father's disposition in response to that vague prediction made her think it was some form of sacrilege.
It also made Rei second guess her father's intentions on that fateful day twenty years ago. Had he made a move to strike her down because of the prophecy Kaiou shared? Or did he intentionally spare her life?
There were too many unknown variables. The unpredictability of when the Animus would bring Rei to the memories she needed to learn the truth meant it could take years to get to the bottom of her father's betrayal.
If she ever did.
Before Rei could think further on the matter, the rattling of her cell phone on Setsuna's desk interrupted her thoughts. Setsuna pulled away, but Rei made no motion to answer it.
"You can't ignore her forever," Setsuna warily advised.
"She knows Sailor V is still alive. She's only calling to goad me." Rei leapt from the Animus and landed on solid ground. The cellphone was still ringing. After a quick check to confirm that it was Tenoh calling, Rei dug her phone in her back pocket.
"Or to offer assistance," Sestuna countered.
Rei scoffed. Setsuna couldn't possibly believe her own words, but with the way she spoke it was hard to tell. Her deep voice was almost always unexpressive.
Even if Haruka was calling to help, which Rei severely doubted, they both knew the young assassin would refuse it. This was her mission, and her mission alone.
"I'm going to say goodbye to Phobos and Deimos before I go," Rei mumbled as she stormed out of Setsuna's office.
"Be safe." Rei heard Setsuna call after her while she left.
She knew being short with Meiou was uncalled for. Between the lingering anger with herself at failing to secure the Piece of Eden, and sorting through what she had just seen in the Animus, niceties were the last thing on Rei's mind.
Rei traversed the stone path toward the Koi pond. The sun was high in the sky, pouring heat over Rei's shoulders. She wore an unassuming white shirt and jeans, shying away from wearing her hood. A quick scan of the area with her heightened senses did not reveal anything out of the ordinary. Fish swam in the pond, trees swayed in the breeze, assassins were silently guarding the property from the treetops, and her crows were fast approaching.
Familiar talons settled on both of her shoulders. Rei reached into her pockets and scattered bread crumbs along the rocky circumference of the water.
While her companions pecked away at the ground, Rei spoke, "I expect you two to be on your best behavior while I'm gone. And don't tell Tenoh anything."
Phobos turned an onyx eyeball toward her and cocked her head to the side.
"I know, I know. No one else understands you anyway." Rei sat on the wooden bench overlooking the pond. "Good. I can't have you giving away all my secrets."
Another laughable idea. Hino Rei had no secrets. She was an open book to her fellow assassins. After all, she was born at this very shrine. She performed her Shrine Maiden duties diligently. Otherwise, her life was an ongoing cycle of training and sleeping and dreaming of revenge against her father since her mind could understand such a notion.
In fact, Kino Makoto, one of the only local assassins that was her age, often joked that Rei and Setsuna would never eat if it weren't for her cooking and bringing them food almost daily.
Deimos fluttered up to her knees and stared her down.
"Don't look at me like that." Rei meant for her words to sound playful, but they were defensive. "I don't have any secrets."
Deimos and Phobos knew, somehow. Their preternatural senses told them, in her restless sleep and her inability to concentrate while meditating, what was happening. They knew, despite her silent denial in the deepest part of her subconscious, that Rei had a problem.
It was just a small issue, really. Nothing that deserved attention, she told herself. It was only happening because of the Piece of Eden Aino was wearing. It had nothing to do with her alluring voice, dazzling smile, or clear blue eyes.
Whenever Rei tried to focus, vanilla and floral accents overwhelmed her senses.
Aino Minako's scent wouldn't leave her alone.
And it was sort of, maybe, becoming a bit of a problem.
—
Summertime in Paris was a magical experience for tourists visiting the famous monuments. Not only were they visiting world-renowned architecture and sites, but if their timing was right, they also caught a glimpse of Sailor V. With her glittering red mask covering her face and Artemis on her shoulder, she made a fuss wherever she went.
Not intentionally, of course. Her stardom made it impossible for Aino Minako to travel anywhere covertly. The throngs of tourists and adoring fans became so thick at times, that Rei almost lost sight of her quarry while stalking her throughout Paris. When Rei's eyes lost her, she closed them and concentrated, relying on Minako's unique scent to guide her.
Over the course of two days, Sailor V visited the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Notre Dame, Ponts des Arts, and performed at the Moulin Rouge. Rei spent the long days hiding in plain sight, scouting from nearby rooftops, or lurking in the shadows. She kept shades over her eyes and a hood over her head, all the while watching Minako's every move.
This was Rei's first visit to Paris. And while she was physically present at all of the tourist attractions with the idol and her entourage of security and fans, she experienced none of the city's magic. The assassin could recite every detail of the buildings to exhaustive detail; from their square footage to height to materials to staffing to operating hours to anticipated wait times.
The city of love's majesty, however, was completely lost on her. Rei didn't allow herself to relax and enjoy the sights. She wasn't on vacation.
She got the impression the templar wasn't on vacation either, though it wasn't from lack of trying. From the second Minako stepped out of the Ritz Hotel in the morning, to her return well after midnight, she barely had a second alone. Crowds followed her wherever she went. Not a minute passed between brave fans approaching for autographs.
Rei was annoyed and exhausted just watching. Minako, however, never turned anyone away. She graciously smiled and chatted with every fan. Sailor V signed CDs and posters and body parts without showing one sign of annoyance.
Either she had the best poker face in the world, or she truly loved her fans that much.
Lack of privacy wasn't normally an issue. Assassins took advantage of chaos to slip in unseen and strike. The abundance of fans and smartphones and paparazzi gave Rei pause.
There were opportunities, but Rei hesitated, thinking it would be best not to take the chance of someone photographing or recording the popstar's death and risking giving herself away.
Instead, Rei observed Minako's routine and checked for suspicious activity. In the two days she trailed Sailor V around Paris, there was no sight of her interacting with other templars. Rei caught part of a cell phone conversation while Aino dined at an outdoor cafe, but she heard nothing of interest.
At the end of the second day, the assassin decided on what she must do.
Rei would strike at the only time Minako was alone.
The assassin dangled from the ledge of Sailor V's hotel window by the tips of her fingers. The treads of her shoes pressed against the outside wall. The city lights illuminated her path as she slinked along the building undetected.
Rei swapped her white hood for a black one, with matching slacks and sneakers. Her entirely black attire and hair allowed her to melt into the shadows.
It was shortly after two in the morning. Rei was hoping her target would be asleep, but she had no such luck.
Minutes passed. Light poured from the window, partially concealed by the white lace drapes. Rei knew her quarry was still awake. Not only because of the lights, but also the sounds coming from inside.
Years of training honed Rei's senses and taught her to piece together what they couldn't detect. The popstar was moving about in her room, most likely practicing a dance routine, while belting the lyrics to one of her songs. It was repetitive tripe about unrequited love. The assassin found the lyrics mundane, but she couldn't deny the singer had an angelic voice.
Besides, there were worse ways for Rei to bide her time until Aino went to sleep.
If she ever slept. Rei did not look at her watch, but she knew yet another hour passed as she maintained her vigil.
Minako eventually stopped singing. Rei heard her and Artemis' footsteps across the room. As she concentrated, Rei was certain she could hear brushstrokes. She envisioned the blonde brushing her voluminous hair while the white cat sat on a nearby perch and watched.
"Are you going to hang from my windowsill all night?"
Rei blinked. How long had Aino known of her presence? Had she let Rei wait for over an hour without saying anything? The assassin's blood boiled as she realized the templar was playing with her.
Deciding it would be pointless to lie or run, Rei crept up to the window as Mina was opening it from inside. The singer offered her hand, which Rei refused with a snarl, before she gracefully leapt into the room.
Sailor V's deluxe suite in the Ritz Hotel was extravagant beyond anything Rei had ever set foot in. She took a quick survey of the massive canopy bed and vanity before seeking out the two doorways. One door was open, revealing a jacuzzi and bathroom sink. The closed door led to the remainder of the hotel room.
Rei already knew the exact layout of the hotel suite. She'd done her research, after all.
The unnecessary observations were futile attempts to keep her eyes away from the popstar, who was standing beside her with her hands on her hips.
"Well?" Minako broke the silence.
"Well what?" Rei snapped back. She jerked her head at Minako, who was wearing a short, transparent nightgown showing off her long legs and curvy figure. Nestled above the swell of her breasts was the Sailor V mask, dangling from a chain.
There was no trace of a templar cross necklace in her bedroom or on her person. Rei assumed she didn't wear it in public so she couldn't be identified, but she didn't appear to wear one in private, either.
"Why have you been following me around Paris for two days?" Minako asked, not seeming to care that her evening wear left little to the imagination while in the presence of a near-stranger. "You had plenty of chances to kill me or steal this."
Rei bristled and turned her head when Aino grabbed the magical mask. She couldn't stare at it for too long. It's unnatural powers were already having an effect on her. Rei's usually rigid thoughts were already beginning to wander.
"I don't have to tell you anything," Rei answered while staring at the opposite wall.
"You're right, you don't…" she hummed playfully. "It's not like anyone who's ever come to my room at this hour wanted to talk."
Hot blush crept up Rei's neck. "You're the one who invited me in."
"Seemed better than waiting for you to kill me." Minako cleared her throat. "What are you looking at?"
Rei almost rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe she even had to explain it. Even worse, she found herself explaining her actions anyway. "You have a Piece of Eden. I'm not—"
"Oh relax!" Rei heard a thump as the templar threw the mask onto the dresser. The disrespectful idol tossed a Piece of Eden like it was nothing! "It can't hurt you, ya know."
Rei harrumphed, but found her eyes gravitating toward Sailor V once more. Her impossibly vibrant smile lit the room without the assistance of her mask. Long golden hair covered her breasts. Rei didn't see her weapon anywhere; there was only the cat, weaving himself between Minako's ankles.
"I don't know. Can it?" Rei crossed her arms over her chest.
Minako rolled her eyes before bending down to pick up her pet. Artemis' purr filled the silence. Rei was serious and stiff; she couldn't afford to let her guard down. Minako's amused, relaxed demeanor was clearly an attempt to lull Rei into a false sense of security.
"Want a drink? There's a fully stocked bar in the other room," Mina offered without answering Rei's question.
"No."
"Something to eat?"
"No."
"Watch some television? It's all in french, but-"
"No."
Minako scratched between Artemis' ears before setting him down on the vanity. She tilted her head. The quizzical gesture she repeatedly cast at Rei further instigated the assassin's temper.
"I see. You want to play, don't you?"
Rei crossed her left forearm over her chest. She released the hidden blade. The metal sang as it became unsheathed. Her violet eyes glared at her target over the sharp edge of her weapon. "Yes."
Minako giggled and shook her head. "I'm not fighting you now."
"What if I don't give you a choice?"
Minako narrowed her eyes. She sauntered toward the assassin with complete confidence, showing no concern that Rei would grasp the opportunity to strike her down. Rei didn't attack, but she didn't lower her weapon, either. Even when Aino's enticing aroma surrounded her and made her dizzy, Rei didn't drop her weapon.
"Your pride won't let you," Sailor V stated with a smile that was neither ironic nor condescending. "If you can't strike from the shadows, you defeat in combat. And as you can see, I'm unarmed and barely dressed."
Rei blinked. Concentrating around this woman was proving to be difficult. That damned Piece of Eden continued to affect her from across the room. "What makes you so sure?"
Faster than her feline companion, Minako snatched Rei's wrist. She extended Rei's arm toward herself, pressing the sharp side of the blade against her neck. Minako's voice remained as carefree as ever. "Do it, then."
Rei swallowed hard. Minako was calling her bluff, and they both knew it. Rei couldn't kill her. Not like this. She couldn't allow her first mission to end with her target surrendering.
Minako's breath was on her face, carrying that maddening scent. Rei hated it. She hated everything about this woman; from her enticing aroma to her uncanny ability to anticipate her actions.
It took every ounce of effort for Rei to hold back a scream of frustration as she pushed the singer away. "Grab your weapon!"
"Hmm…" Minako pretended to consider it. "I don't think so. You wouldn't want to alert my guards on the other side of the door, would you?"
Rei began mentally calculating her odds against Sailor V and her guards, wondering if she could dispatch them in time to escape. Before she could come to a decision, Minako interrupted. "I'm going to bed. Long day tomorrow. I'm flying to London… Though I'm sure you already knew that."
The templar stared into Rei's eyes with a queer look before turning toward the vanity. She draped the Piece of Eden around her neck again.
"Come, Artemis." Aino gestured to her cat, who jumped down and rubbed himself against her calves. She strolled towards the bed, but paused halfway across the room. Her heavy mane of hair fell over her shoulder as she turned to look at Rei. "Are you coming or not?"
Rei balked. Her violet eyes became saucers as she stared in abject disbelief at this strange woman. Minako went from inviting Rei to kill her to inviting her to bed? This woman had the most bizarre sense of humor.
Or perhaps she wasn't joking. Rei didn't know her well enough to say, but if the sweet and inviting tone of her voice was any indication, the invitation was genuine.
Then again, Aino Minako was a celebrity. She was probably used to having whoever she wanted, whenever she wanted. This was nothing more than a game to her.
For a short second, Rei imagined it. Enveloping herself in her saccharine scent. Allowing herself the comforts of physical intimacy. The warmth of Aino's naked body pressed against hers.
She blinked, and the mortifying fantasy was over.
Rei wasn't sure who she hated more.
"Suit yourself." The idol shrugged. "Could you wear something more appropriate next time?"
Minako's playful smile made Rei nauseous. The assassin remained frozen in place as she watched Aino saunter to her hotel bed and pull the sheets back. Artemis leapt from his owner's arms onto the bed and began kneading the bedding.
She had to speak. To get the last word. But as Rei considered a proper rebuttal, she found her tongue utterly incapable of working. She focused on the Piece of Eden dangling from Minako's neck as she prepared her bed.
Smooth bare legs stretched to climb up onto the bed. Rei noticed how every muscle, from her quads to her calves, flexed in sync.
She couldn't leave fast enough.
Vowing to get the upper hand next time, Rei escaped out the window without looking back.