Sailor Moon - The Order of Black

Chapter Eleven: A Long Time Coming

Originally published 14/06/2015

"What do you propose?"

Titus returned Rinjirou's stare with one of his own as he considered his options. I've made it through his initial defences, but it only gets harder from here. He'd spent a few hours that morning going over what he knew about the former Paladin, and had arrived at an important conclusion; Rinjirou was a pragmatist with idealistic leanings. He was aware of the reality of his situation, but he also refused to give up entirely on those he had served. And I can use that to my advantage, Titus decided. I already have to a degree, just getting to this point.

The cat sat slowly, effecting an air of nonchalance. "You clearly don't know as much about this Order of yours as you thought."

Rinjirou replied with a derisive snort. "Do all you moon types have such a gift for understatement?"

"Why do they want you dead?" he asked curiously. Upon receiving nothing but a silent glare in reply, Titus decided to risk revealing a little of his own knowledge; it was worth it. "It's the priest, isn't it? You were sent here to retrieve something, and kill him…but you didn't. Why not?" He allowed a hint of mockery into his tone. "Cold feet?"

"Hardly," the Paladin muttered. "I've killed before, cat. In battle. Criminals and pirates who tried to steal from us, or proved some other threat. But this was different. It was principle. Hino-sama is no threat to them…or myself. Killing him would have been murder." His head dipped forward slowly as he sighed. "And I'm no assassin."

So, he's not just some mindless killer, the cat thought. That's promising. "A single act of disobedience warrants your death?"

Rinjirou's bitterness was plain to hear. "Apparently so."

Titus began sifting through the new information he'd uncovered. He feels betrayed by the Order of Black, but shares a lingering kinship with those he left behind. That indicates a strong desire to belong. He's also uncomfortable with the idea of murder, a compunction these Hunters don't seem to share...and that is my way in.

Rinjirou folded his arms across his chest, giving off a distinct sense of impatience. "You approached me, cat. Speak your piece or leave me be."

"Very well." He collected his thoughts, arranged them in a logical order, and began. "My Princess is understandably concerned. Not only did you arrive in Japan and appear to threaten an innocent man, but that same man and his granddaughter were subsequently attacked by a second member of your Order."

This time, he got a gentle nod. "I'm truly sorry she, er...they were caught up in this."

"I'm sure she'd be relieved to hear that." Titus held for a moment, expecting a quick retort about his lack of concern for her feelings…but none came. "Her concern, however, goes beyond that. We need to know more about the Order of Black and what plans they may have for Tokyo in the future." He made a mental note of Rinjirou's response to Rei. It might prove useful later.

"I'll save you the trouble," Rinjirou muttered. "Their only plans likely involve finishing me off."

"While encouraging, I'm afraid your information isn't exactly reliable given your position. I need intelligence straight from the source."

"You want to infiltrate the Order of Black?" he scoffed. "Impossible."

"For me alone, perhaps," the cat agreed. "But with your help..."

"Why would I want to help you? I may no longer serve the Order itself, but I still believe in their cause."

"Yes, yes," Titus said, almost rolling his eyes. "Preventing my Princess from founding a new Moon Kingdom here on Earth. I remember."

"Don't deny she's planning it-"

"She's not planning anything," Titus retorted. "I don't know how your Order got its information but the future isn't set in stone; that comes from the literal Guardian of Time herself." It's not exactly the most impartial argument, given Setsuna's a Sailor Senshi as well...but he doesn't need to know that. He leapt back to his feet and began pacing along the small wall he stood on. "You've never met my Princess, but you've surely seen the Sailor Senshi at work. They've sacrificed their own lives to defend Earth countless times, yet you're still suspicious of their motives?"

"Of course they defend it!" Rinjirou snapped. "Your Princess hardly wants to rule over a dead world, does she? All their dedication proves to me is their self-interest."

Titus could feel the irritation growing beneath his calm facade. "They fight against injustice and evil, just as you claim your Black Paladins do." He a deep breath and prepared himself for the final push. If I've got you figured out like I think I do, Rinjirou, then this will do the trick. "I don't claim to know what the future might hold but I do know that she has the best interests of this world at heart, no matter the reason, and the Order of Black's recent actions seem to be at odds with everything we both value. You're not just helping me figure out what they're planning, but you're helping yourself in your quest to expose their true nature." And now, a brief pause for effect… "Help us stop these Hunters...before they murder anyone else."

Rinjirou remained silent for a long time. Titus studied his face carefully for any hint of his decision, watching as the muscles in his jaw worked silently. Finally... "You say your Princess has no desire to crown herself Queen of Earth. Do I have your word on that? On your honour?"

"Yes," he lied, without hesitation. "You have my word." Ah, honour. Thank you, Rinjirou, for being so predictable.

The Paladin stared into his eyes in silence for several more seconds...and finally nodded. "Then I can help you, with a few caveats."

Just as I expected, Titus thought smugly. "Go on."

"First things first, I'll be clear. It's my intention to help my fellow Paladins learn the truth, as I have. I don't care about your Princess...or the Sailor Senshi."

"Of course," Titus said, with an enthusiastic nod as he played up his role of willing ally. And I don't really care about you or your friends...though I suspect you already know that on some level.

"Second, I won't give up any information that might harm those I'm trying to help."

"I'd be disappointed if you thought otherwise," Titus agreed. Next will be some form of threat to assert his supposed dominance.

"Finally, you need to keep me in the loop." Rinjirou's voice dropped into a gravelly growl. "If I even begin to suspect you're holding out on me? We're done."

So you freely admit you'll hold back any information that might hurt your fellow Paladins, Titus thought, but you expect me to share everything I learn in return? It wasn't what he considered a fair deal, but they had to begin somewhere. He sat again, ready for another lie. "Agreed." He didn't even feel guilty about it, not like he had with Corey. I know who my friends are, and I will do anything to protect them. Even if it means crossing certain lines they won't.

Megumi stared at the man before her in disbelief, her lips quivering in shock. "F-Father?"

"Yes, Megumi. It's me."

The revelation that he was not only alive but the leader of this 'Watchful Eye' had thrown her into complete disarray. She felt light-headed, like she might pass out. The only thing that kept her on her feet was sheer determination. Black Paladins don't faint. "But you died! The Order told us-"

"They told you what they had to," he replied. "Acceptance into the Watchful Eye requires many sacrifices, your old life among them. Deciding to accept my predecessor's offer was one of the most difficult choices I've ever had to make; family, or duty." He stepped forward, his arms open wide in a silent invitation. "I chose duty. I know you, Megumi, and I know you understand. I regret the pain I caused you and your mother...but it was necessary."

Megumi took an unwitting step forward and found herself in his tentative embrace. It was odd; she'd dreamed of this moment, of seeing her father alive again, but now that he was really here she felt strangely disconnected. There's so much I need to know. So many questions.

He preempted her thought. "I know you have many questions, but you must understand I can't answer most of them until you're a sworn sister of the Eye."

Only one question seemed truly important at that point. "Why me?"

"Why not? You're a dedicated Paladin of the Black, and more than capable. I see the same dedication in your eyes that my predecessor once saw in mine. Join us, Megumi, in the Watchful Eye. You are one of only a handful with the strength to do so."

"But killing other Paladins…" Megumi was horrified to realise she could rationalise it, given what her father had already told her...but that didn't mean she liked the idea.

"It's not murder. When there is little hope left for sanity's return, we free them from the grip of madness and despair. Yes, there are some who turn against us willingly, who betray the Black, and we hunt them down like the dogs they are…but the Watchful Eye always carries out its duty with the utmost respect for our brother and sister knights."

"There's just so much to take in," she whispered. "I...I need time to think."

"Of course." He raised a finger in warning. "Tell no-one of this meeting, and tell no-one of my survival." For just a moment, his face became even more unreadable than the mask he'd worn earlier. "I trust I don't need to tell you what will happen if you do?"

She shuddered involuntarily; this wasn't her father as she remembered him. "You'd order my death?"

He slipped his mask back onto his face, and she was once again face-to-mask with High Seeker Thorn. "That's how I know you'll accept my offer, Megumi; there is nothing you wouldn't do for the Order of Black. Just like me."

Usagi glanced around the nearly empty café as she picked up her cup and took a sip of her tea. Her lips curled back in a grimace almost immediately. "Ugh. Cold." It was just another annoyance on a day filled with them.

"I'm not surprised with the amount of talking you've been doing," Makoto muttered, as she typed away on her phone. "We've been here for ages."

"I heard that." The blonde glanced across the table at Minako; she seemed preoccupied. "What's the matter, Minako? Worried about your audition?"

She shook her head slowly. "No, it's not that. I'm just…I'm concerned about you, Usagi. Are you sure this is what you want to do? It seems like something I would have done. A couple of years ago."

Makoto glanced over at her and sighed. "She has a point, Usagi. You're better than this. You don't need to resort to this kind of trickery to convince Mamoru to marry you."

Minako nodded emphatically. "What if you just wind up pushing him away?"

Usagi could help but laugh. It was such a ridiculous notion. "Mamo-chan's not gonna leave me-"

"You said earlier that he takes you and your love for granted," Makoto said, with a frown, "But aren't you doing exactly the same thing right now?"

"Since when are you two on Mamoru's side?" Usagi shot back, irritated. "What else am I supposed to do? I've already tried talking to him!"

The brunette met her gaze without fear. "I just don't want to see you hurt."

"Neither of us do." Minako leaned forward, a clear look of concern on her face. "Usagi, you say that Mamoru thinks you're immature, but this plan…" She trailed off abruptly and locked her eyes on the table. "Never mind."

"What were you going to say?" When Minako remained silent, she managed a faint smile. "Come on, you obviously had something on your mind. You can't just stop after saying half of it."

"It's nothing," her friend said, with a shake of her head. "Really."

"Would you just spit it out already?" Usagi grumbled. "It's not like you to be so hesitant."

Minako sighed quietly and looked up, right into Usagi's eyes. "You say Mamoru thinks you're immature, but is it any wonder he feels like that when this is the sort of plan you came up with to get him to propose?"

Usagi stiffened immediately. Did she just say what I think she did?

Minako seemed apologetic, at least. "I mean, it is the sort of thing you or I might have done…when we were fifteen."

"After everything I went through six months ago, did you really just call me immature?" It was a rare occurrence, Usagi losing her temper, but everything she was stressing over – Mamoru, the Order of Black and university – came together in one single, epic eruption of anger. "How dare you!"

Her friend actually went pale. "What? No, Usagi, I'm just trying to say I can see how Mamoru might-"

"That's pretty rich coming from you, Minako! How many crazy plans have you come up with over the years?" Deep down inside, she knew she was being far too mean but, in her state, she just couldn't bring herself to care. All the anger she'd been holding in towards Mamoru had been unleashed…and Minako was its target. I can't believe she just called me immature!

Makoto seemed taken aback by her outburst as well. "Usagi, come on, that's not fair-"

She ignored the brunette, completely focused on Minako. "I mean, I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Your relationship advice always was terrible!"

Minako's own eyes flashed defiantly. "Okay, maybe I haven't always gotten it right, but-"

"Oh! The Goddess of Love finally admits what everyone already knew - she's wrong most of the time!" It was like watching someone else's actions from behind their eyes; Usagi was raging completely out of control...but in that moment she felt strangely free.

"I just thought since we seem to share the same problem-"

Usagi snorted derisively. "This should be good."

Minako's fist hit the table. "Don't you see it? You're trying to force things, just like I am with Corey!"

That little comparison was enough to drive Usagi over the edge completely. "Of course I am! Unlike you, Minako, I've been with my boyfriend for almost six years! Aren't I entitled to try forcing things? Aren't I supposed to want things to move forward after such a long time?!"

"You just couldn't resist, could you?" Minako's bitter smile wasn't the response she expected. "You always have to remind the rest of us how long you've been with Mamoru, how perfect your love is. How superior it is to my pathetic little six-months with Corey!"

Makoto squeezed her shoulder. "Minako, this isn't helpful-"

She shook her loose. "It makes you happy, deep down inside, doesn't it? You loved having the dream romance, the only romance. But now Ami and I have boyfriends too, and we're not all focused on you and your problems anymore!"

"That's not true," Usagi argued. "I don't…" As her anger faded, largely unleashed on Minako during her earlier outburst, she found an unpleasant new emotion beginning to take hold; guilt. I've never flouted my relationship with Mamoru, have I? I know I talk about us a lot, but that's just because I love him so much. I'm not trying to make anyone feel bad…am I?

Minako seemed to snap. "Stop being such a coward and say what you really feel for once! You think your love is better than mine, don't you? That it's more deserving of attention. Admit it!"

"No, I…" Is she right, Usagi wondered, uncertain of the answer. Just now, in my anger, I went right at her and compared my six years to her six months...and it's not the first time, if I'm honest. I didn't even think about it! Did I want to hurt her?

"Admit it, Usagi." Minako glared at her, angrier than she could ever remember seeing her; since that two-timing thing, anyway. "At least have the courage to own up to what you really think!"

"Okay." She slumped in her seat slowly as more shame washed over her. "Maybe that's true...sometimes...but-"

Minako slid out of her seat in a hurry. "Corey and I may not be perfect, but at least we're mature enough to talk through our problems…once we know what they are." She blew her bangs out of her eyes with an angry huff. "Maybe I could have made my point a little clearer, but I really was just trying to help you. You? You only wanted to hurt me!" She paused a moment. "I take it all back, Usagi. You are immature!"

The guilt only continued to grow. "Minako…"

"If the shoe fits, Usagi!" Minako stormed off in a hurry…only to stomp back up to the table a moment later, refusing to make eye contact. "I forgot my handbag…"

Makoto buried her head in her hands and groaned.

"And I'm pretty sure I got that particular proverb right!" She slid her bag over her shoulder and shot Usagi another glare. "Right! Storm off, take two!"

Usagi sank even further in her seat as she watched Minako leave, the click of her heels against the floor slowly fading in her ears. She's right. I took her initial point as an attack and blew my top, when she was just trying to help. I'm so on edge lately, with Mamo-chan and… She sighed heavily. And I took it all out on Minako. She looked up, right into Makoto's disapproving stare, and sighed a second time. "I know, I know…I already feel terrible about it."

"You should. That was some serious grade-A bitch you just unleashed."

"I was a bitch…" she agreed ruefully. "Maybe I should go after her and apologise?"

"Just give her some time to cool off." The brunette finally managed a faint smile; Usagi got the idea it was meant to be comforting. "You know Minako can't hold a grudge for long. Not against any of us anyway."

"I know she lost her temper too, but…" Usagi let her head dip slowly until her forehead hit the table. "I haven't gotten mad like that in years, Mako."

"That's what happens when you repress everything. You finally reach your breaking point and snap."

"I just…when I heard Minako say I was immature I just lost it." She began banging her head into the top of the table over and over. "I've worked so hard to make sure the old cry-baby Usagi is gone, and…"

"And with everything else going on you lost control. I know." Makoto slid her hand between her head and the table to cushion the impact. "Minako's mad right now, but even she probably understands you didn't really mean what you said."

"That's just it," Usagi admitted sadly. "I think maybe I did mean it. Some of it, anyway. I do have this unrealistic view of me and Mamo-chan. Maybe I have been buying into the whole 'fairy tale' aspect so much that I'm not seeing the truth."

"What do you mean?"

"Minako was right, Mako. I have been immature. Coming up with stupid plans to trick Mamoru into asking me to marry him? Naming this whole stupid thing Operation Proposal?" It was all coming together now; Usagi knew exactly what she had to do. "It was all a smokescreen because I didn't want to accept what I already know. Planning a fake break-up, refusing to speak to Mamoru? That was never going to work. That's not what adults do. They talk about things, whether they want to or not…and I've been hiding from that because I didn't want to have to make a choice."

"What choice?" Makoto asked cautiously.

"I'm right on one thing. Mamoru still treats me like the fourteen-year-old girl I used to be. He makes decisions for us without thinking about what I might want…and that's not how this works. I refuse to allow it anymore." She exhaled slowly; it ended in a shuddering, near-sob. "I'm going to give him one last chance to be honest with me…and if he can't? I'm going to tell him we need a break."

Makoto's eyes widened in an instant. "What?!"

"My meltdown proves it, Mako, I'm too upset. The love I hold for him is slowly being twisted into this scary kind of obsession…and I don't like it." Her conversation with Corey replayed in her head, quick as a flash, and she began to see Minako's point. We're not so different in our approaches after all. "I know how I feel; it's up to him to tell me how he feels."

"But what about Chibiusa? What about Crystal Tokyo?!"

Usagi smiled faintly. "Chibiusa will be fine. I love him, Mako, and I know we'll be together in the end, but I can't keep going without a sign that our relationship is moving forward." She buried her head in her hands and sighed. "It's the adult thing to do. No schemes, no ploys. Just the truth...and some time apart to work out how we feel if we need it."

"So you're not going to pretend to break up with him anymore?" Makoto asked, incredulous. "You're going to actually break up with him instead?!"

"Not exactly. I'm just making the silent treatment official...and staying away for a while. It's not like I'm going to date other guys!" And he won't date other women, she thought silently. At least I hope he won't!

"I don't know, Usagi." Makoto stared into her eyes warily. "Are you sure this is what you want to do?"

"I don't want to do it at all," she admitted, "but I can't keep going the way I am. I need him to give us some serious-" A loud beep interrupted her; her communicator. She sighed as she flipped it open, thoroughly drained. "What?"

Michiru's startled face stared back at her. "Usagi? Is this a bad time?"

The blonde quickly flashed a smile and brightened her tone. "Michiru! Not at all. What's up? How's the tour-"

"I'm afraid this isn't a social call." The aqua-haired woman's eyes narrowed as she leaned in closer to the screen. "There's something strange going on in Brussels. We came across a trio of Constructs last night, and a group of unknown soldiers calling themselves Paladins…"

Rinjirou stared back at Titus – it was the name he'd given, anyway – as he rambled on about...something. He certainly talks a lot…for a cat. That was an unexpectedly funny thought, and a small smile spread across his face. Japan is a much stranger place than I remember.

"So, your Order has no current plans to move on Tokyo. That you know of."

"That I know of," he agreed. "I was just a scout, not really privy to strategy per se, but I do know I was encouraged to avoid contact with the Senshi whenever possible."

"Interesting," Titus murmured. "They fear the rise of Princess Serenity, but they aren't willing to risk open conflict."

"Yet," Rinjirou reminded him icily. "And they don't fear her, they oppose her. There's a difference." I'm beginning to get the feeling he's needling me intentionally, but for what purpose?

"Semantics, I think," the cat retorted. He suddenly winked in an odd pattern, and a visor appeared over his eyes. It seemed to be made of purple light, like the claws he'd seen in their last encounter. "Yes, Your Highness?"

Your Highness? Rinjirou's eyes narrowed cautiously. He's speaking to her right now. What's so important, I wonder?

"I see…" Titus was unfortunately quite good at keeping his voice calm and level - effectively unreadable. "Yes, that is unsettling, I agree." He glanced over at Rinjirou as he spoke. "I'm actually with our…contact right now. I'll see if Justice is available for a quick hop to Brussels and investigate personally." He repeated his wink pattern and the visor flashed out of existence once more.

The Paladin was forced to admit it was rather impressive technology. Is that how he managed to see through Shadow Walker? He decided to probe for a little information of his own, not really expecting an answer. "Brussels?"

"Brussels," Titus repeated. "It seems the Order of Black have been rather busy." His eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Tell me, Rinjirou...what do you know about Constructs?"

AN: A shorter chapter, for once. I could have crammed in a little more but the cast and content made sense as is. Some more minor movement on the main plot, and some big developments for Usagi/Minako and Usagi/Mamoru. For those long-term readers of LGK, you'll remember Mamoru's been reluctant to discuss marriage with Usagi for a long time, and she's finally reached her breaking point. Minako bore the brunt of that breakdown - though she got her claws out a little too! - and now our two favourite blondes are on the outs with one another.

That fight's actually been brewing for some time; I went back and re-read some of their earlier interactions throughout LGK and there's definitely been issues there for a while - on both sides. Usagi was even nastier in my rough draft but I had to tone her down - it just didn't seem like her. Hopefully it's clear that these ARE the same girls we came to love on the show, but they're not carefree teenagers anymore and friends DO fight, sometimes bitterly. It's how they handle themselves in the aftermath that proves how close they truly are...and we'll see how that pans out for those two in a coming chapter.

Of course, Titus' more duplicitous nature made a return as well - this is Titus as I originally envisioned him, before I 'redeemed' him in Act II based on a LOT of hate for him at the time. Hopefully it was clear in his thought patterns that he's only willing to be a bastard at Rin's expense because he's fighting for his friends - Rin is NOT among them.

Anyhoo, Usagi and Mamoru's talk will likely come next chapter - that will lead into his own angst-filled arc, lol - plus more Titus and Rinjirou (and the latter's first meeting with Justice). I might even be able to fit in some more time with Michiru, Haruka and Hotaru - let me know if you'd like an expanded role for them in your review. Thanks for reading as always, everyone!

Lisseas