Sailor Moon - The Order of Black

Chapter Eighteen: Hunting the Hunters Part One

Originally published 20/07/2015

Rei trudged up Sendai Hill, Ami right behind her. She was thoroughly drained, and – if she was really honest – a little embarrassed. "What a day."

Apart from getting caught up in the intrigue of Corey and Makoto 'sneaking around', she'd also played a part in flipping Minako's crazy switch. And boy, did she go crazy, she recalled. I've never seen her take a door off its hinges before. At least, not without putting on an orange miniskirt first!

Ami sounded just as tired. "You can say that again. We really made a mess of things, didn't we?"

That was an understatement. While she maintained that Minako had drawn her own conclusions, she was willing to admit that talking about Makoto's chest probably hadn't helped much. "To be fair, I've never heard anyone make cooking sound as dirty as those two."

"It did come across a little raunchy," her friend agreed. "At least Makoto isn't holding a grudge."

"Mm. We all know what Minako's like, I guess."

Ami allowed herself a brief giggle. "We do, but her occasional outbursts are all part of her charm."

"Yeah, she's a nutcase, alright," Rei said, managing a faint smile, "But she's our nutcase." They made it to the top of the steps and entered the courtyard. Strangely, it was deserted. "Where's Grandpa? Or Rinjirou, for that matter? It's his turn to sweep it, and he never misses a chance to rub my face in it!"

"Uh, sure," Ami said, giving her a strange look. "Maybe they're inside?"

"Maybe." The miko poked her head into the main hall but found nobody there either. Where would they go? As she stepped back out into the dwindling sunlight, however, her eyes caught sight of an odd stain on the stone at her feet. Is that...blood? "Ami, you said he wasn't seriously hurt!"

"I said he was bloodied." A rare hint of annoyance underscored Ami's reply. "Besides, an hour ago you telling me how much you don't care about him."

"Because I don't!" Rei said, quick to backpedal. "I don't care! I'm just...I'm pissed off because he...uh...he got blood all over my nice, clean courtyard!"

A familiar, curt voice spoke up behind her. "Well, it's nice to know how you really feel."

Oh, damn it all. She turned slowly to find Rinjirou glaring at her in his usual irritable manner. He had a small gas can in one hand and a duffel in the other. "Oh, hey. What, uh...what's all that?"

"Does it matter?"

"Yes, it matters!" Gods, he was frustrating. "Do you always have to be so surly?"

As if in answer, he turned to Ami and flashed her a smile. "Hello again. Are you feeling better?"

"Oh, yes, I'm much better now." She glanced nervously at Rei but returned his smile nonetheless. "It was certainly odd, but we're used to that sort of thing in Tokyo. Monsters, aliens, shadow creatures. Stick around long enough and you see it all."

"Mm. Japan does have that reputation, Tokyo in particular."

"Are you serious?!" Rei had slugged him in the arm before she even realised it. "Why are you being such a jerk today?!"

Rinjirou ignored the question. "Careful, Rei." At least, she thought so at first. "I wouldn't want to get any more blood on your precious courtyard." He nodded briefly to Ami. "We'll have to try and finish our match another time. Good evening."

He headed for his room, and Rei was left fuming. "See, I told you. He's an unapologetic jerk!"

"I don't know about that," Ami said, as she watched him go. "I think you just hurt his feelings."

"What? What did I do?"

Ami stared at her in disbelief. "Really? You don't know?"

"The whole blood thing?" Rei protested. "I was just kidding. That's our thing, we rile each other up all the time!"

"Well, it doesn't look like he got the joke this time."

"I guess not." Rei was conflicted. She still didn't understand Rinjirou sometimes. He could be a nice, even thoughtful person on occasion but he insisted on hiding it behind a gruff, snarky exterior. But if I'm honest, I probably was a little hard on him just now…and I can be exactly the same way. She sighed long and hard and glanced back at the shrine. "Well…I suppose I should probably go find something to clean this up with. Bloodstains aren't so good for the visitors. Want to stick around?"

"I can't." Ami glanced at her watch with a smile. "Ryo will be home soon, and since he doesn't know I'm staying in Tokyo for a while, I'm going to surprise him."

"Okay." Rei sighed again as she reflected on their afternoon. That'll mean it's just me and Rinjirou, and I've managed to make him mad again. "Thanks for today. You probably did me a favour, dragging me out of Mako's apartment like that. Corey was…unhappy."

"I was more concerned about Mako," Ami countered, with a smile. "Take care, Rei."

She headed off, leaving Rei alone to stare at the guest room door. What the hell is my problem?

Tokyo was really far too bright for Rinjirou's liking, especially at night. Not that Osaka was any better, but it had been his home for eight years; he had to give it a slight edge. He was standing atop Tokyo Tower, a place of significance for the Sailor Senshi, as a crescent moon burned behind him. It was a crude signal at best, but he had no other way of attracting Titus' attention. The cat was obnoxious, but he also had resources that Rinjirou needed.

He'll see it. Hopefully before the police…or Hunters. If he thought about it, though, that wasn't really so bad. At least if the Hunters are here, they won't be able to hurt Rei. Or her grandfather. That was rather annoying; he kept going to Rei first. What's wrong with me?!

He wore his armour, complete with mask. Shadow Walker should protect his identity if the police did show up but he wasn't taking any chances. Plus, Justice will likely ferry the smug bastard up here. He isn't the only one with an impressive set of armour. His ego deflated a little as he fingered the blood-stained hole over his stomach. Who am I really trying to convince?

Roughly twenty minutes passed before a familiar flare of light announced Justice's arrival. Titus rode atop his shoulders as he had on their trip to Brussels.

Rinjirou swung out from behind the girder he was using as cover. "I knew you'd spot my signal."

"Crude," the cat replied, as he dropped from the Guardian Knight's pauldron, "But effective. Though, after our last meeting, I didn't expect to hear from you for some time."

"Well, things have changed. The Hunters came for me again, and threatened another innocent life-"

He was sure Titus shrugged. "Forgive my bluntness, but I fail to see how that's my concern."

"What?" Rinjirou's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "The Sailor Senshi claim to protect this world-"

"Yes, they do…but my task is to protect them." The cat almost sounded bored. "You were quite clear that this was an alliance of convenience, Rinjirou, and your hang-ups make it considerably less so for me."

There it was. That smug, condescending tone he'd heard before. It was to be expected, though, and he knew how to overcome it. "I may have been…overly ambitious in dismissing your assistance."

"You might even say you were…wrong?"

It actually caused Rinjirou physical pain, but he had little choice. He needed Titus' help to find the safe house. "Yes. I was wrong."

"Well, then…" The cat sank back on his haunches and smiled. "What is it I can do for you?"

The arrogant little bastard was easier to manipulate than he thought. "If I'm going to stop those two Hunters, I need to know where they are."

"Ah, the Order's new safe house." Titus' piercing blue eyes studied his own carefully. "You want me to find it…and send in the Senshi?"

"No. I want you to find it, give me the location, and stay out of my way." He had no interest in owing the Senshi any more than he already did. They had saved his life once already, however inadvertently, back at the shrine during his first encounter with the Hunters.

"I see. And what do I get out of this little arrangement?"

"You suggested the Sailor Senshi and I are allies, whether I want to admit it or not. Perhaps-"

"A suggestion you dismissed, as I recall," Titus said, with a chuckle. "Try again."

The cat wasn't making things easy, but it couldn't be helped. He needed the safe house's location. It would take too long to find it on his own. "Increased cooperation on my part, then. You help me find that safe house, and I'll give you the information you want. No holding back."

"Hmm…" Titus shared a quick glance with Justice. "An intriguing offer. And I have it on your honour, as before, that you won't renege on our deal after taking care of those Hunters?"

Rinjirou nodded curtly. "I give you my word." He watched the cat cautiously, struggling to get a read on his thoughts. It wasn't easy; in addition to being excellent at masking his emotions, Titus was a cat.

Finally… "We have a deal. I'll contact you once I have the location. Just be ready to answer my questions once you've settled things there."

"Don't worry about that, cat. I always honour my word." Rinjirou turned and leapt off the top of the tower and onto the zip line waiting below.

Titus watched him go, finally allowing a smile to bloom. "Oh, Rinjirou, you're making this so easy."

Justice joined him on the edge of the roof. "You really are a manipulative bastard, you know that?"

"Why, thank you, Corey. It's nowhere near as easy as it looks, I assure you."

Two days passed without word from Titus. There were no further attacks, either…but that was little comfort. Rinjirou was on edge, forever looking out for threats, and the stress was taking its toll. The Hunters could appear at any time; he actually found their absence unsettling. Why would they back off so suddenly? Were they concerned by the continued appearance of the Sailor Senshi? Perhaps it was at Elder Haim's command; the old man seemed reluctant to engage them directly.

He slowly levered the large stone tile up and out of the way, careful not to damage it. Things were strained enough between him and Rei without adding property damage to her list of grievances. The strange flower reached up towards him, still fighting for life despite its sickly appearance. It was the last thing he had to do before leaving. A promise was a promise, even to himself; he would keep it alive.

Rei, he thought, as he dug around the flower's roots. What happened the other day? We've bickered almost constantly since I arrived in Tokyo, but never like this. This feels like a real fight. The trowel in his hand was steady as any blade as he carefully got underneath the roots and lifted; the flower was free. Perhaps we weren't friends, but I didn't think she resented me. Obviously, I was wrong. Her cold dismissal the other night had hurt him more than he first realised, and only reinforced a truth he should have known all along; he didn't belong here. Not at the shrine, and not in Tokyo.

He carefully placed the flower into a waiting pot, grateful for the few memories he had of watching his mother in their garden back home. It was small, but it was hers…and she always seemed so at peace with amongst her plants.

Yes…you're so close…

Rinjirou looked up, instinctively reaching into his robe for a dagger, but he saw nobody. Rei would be in class, and Hino-sama was off somewhere. The shrine was a quiet place to begin with, but it was as silent as a tomb in that moment.

"Hello?"

There was no answer, nor sound of any kind. Even the distant rumble of the city seemed to fade into nothing as he scanned the courtyard for intruders. Who had just spoken to him if there was nobody here?

Keep digging…find me…

His hand rose, almost of its own volition, and took hold of the trowel again. Slowly but surely, bit by bit, he dug into the hole left by the flower. The voice was cold and powerful, but without substance; Rinjirou wasn't even sure he was actually hearing it. Something was drawing him to the dirt, though, and an oddity beneath it.

I see you…

A hint of cloth, obscured beneath the dirt. His fingers scratched at it, clearing away the rest of the soil until a small fabric parcel was in view.

Take me…use me…wield my power…

Rinjirou could hear his own heartbeat now, the only other sound besides the voice. He opened the cloth carefully to expose a small, unremarkable piece of stone, like ebony or onyx; a Chaos Sliver. The very one he was sent to Tokyo to retrieve, hidden right under his nose all along.

I am old…older than everything…as old as time itself…and powerful beyond your wildest dreams…

It was a faint whisper in the back of his mind. The promise of power, riches, women; anything he could possibly want…right in the palm of his hand. He just had to take it. He just had to want it…

"What are you doing?"

This voice was different. It was higher, louder…more feminine. Real. Rei. He wrapped the sliver back up in its cloth prison and stuffed it into his robe. "Nothing important. Just a spot of gardening."

"For that thing?" she asked, with a suspicious frown. "It's a weed."

"A weed I decided represents me," Rinjirou countered, "So I'm trying to keep it alive all the same."

Rei blinked back at him in silence, finally offering a nonplussed shrug. "Whatever. Just make sure you put that tile back when you're done with your little…breakdown."

As Rinjirou watched her continue on towards her room, he realised what had changed. The touch of warmth beneath her barbs was gone. Now, she was just distant, and he wasn't sure why. It was for the best, though. Bad things tended to happen to the people closest to him, and he didn't want that. Whether he understood it fully or not, he cared about Rei on some level, and he didn't want to see her hurt. It was time to move on. Once I know where the safe house is, I'll go. His hand reached into his robe and closed around the parcel inside. There's nothing for me here. There never was.

Usagi stared across the table at Mamoru, a forgotten cup of tea before her. After two days of silence he'd finally sent a simple text asking her to meet him at their favourite teahouse. She was happy to see him, but with an underlying sense of trepidation. It had only been two days, after all; could he really have changed his entire way of thinking in such a short time?

"Thanks for meeting me," he said softly. "I've missed you."

That only reminded her of her own loneliness. "I've missed you too, Mamo…Mamoru." She grabbed her cup and took a sip, if only to give her hands something to do. "Why did you want to see me?" It must be to tell me the truth. Please, just tell me the truth so we can be together again. I hate this!

Mamoru was his usual reserved self, though she was sure she saw a hint of nervousness behind his calm façade. "I've done a lot of thinking over the past couple of days. I wanted to tell you...you were right, Usagi."

The blonde remained quiet, but hope began to spring up in her chest. Here it comes...

"I kept telling myself that I had to protect you, but that was a lie. You're not fourteen anymore, and I can't keep treating you like you are."

Something seemed off. "Just like that?"

He leaned forward and smiled faintly. "Well, the truth is I spoke to Corey...and he told me to pull my head out of my ass and start treating you like an adult."

That does sound like Corey, Usagi admittedly silently. He's not exactly the most tactful guy.

"So, that's what I'm going to do." Mamoru reached out and took her hand, as he had so many times before. "Usako…I'm not ready to marry you."

She jerked her hand back. "What?!"

"I can't. Not yet." Her response seemed to dishearten him a little. "I'm afraid, just like you…and I'm not ready."

His reluctance began to make sense. "You are?"

Mamoru nodded. "I have been for a long time. Ever since we found out about Crystal Tokyo. But it's different now. Things are changing. I'm changing."

"Mamo-chan?"

"I've been having dreams; memories of my life as Endymion. It's becoming clear that I failed, Usagi. I failed Earth, and its people…when Beryl and Metalia came." His eyes locked on the table in front of him as he shook his head. "How am I supposed to rule this world knowing I've failed it once before?"

It was her turn to reach out for his hand. "With me, Mamoru. Together."

"That's not enough, Usagi. There's…" He withdrew his own hand slowly as the other came up to rub his face. "I need time. I need to regain the rest of my memories, and figure out where I went wrong. It's the only way to prevent it from happening again." His tongue darted across his lips. "That's what I wanted to tell you. That, and…you were right to put us on break. I needed that push. I still need it."

"You…you want us to be apart?"

"No," Mamoru said immediately. "God, no, but if I'm going to figure out who I am moving forward, I need to learn who I was…and I need to do that alone."

"Are you punishing me?" she asked, as tears began welling up in her eyes. "Is this payback for what I said the other night?"

"No, Usagi. This is about me. This is...it's what I need right now." He brushed a tear from her cheek, cupping it gently. "Maybe it's selfish, but I don't want to hurt you any more than I already have."

"This is hurting me," she said softly.

"Me too," he admitted, "But this is not a breakup. I will marry you, Usako. We will be together. That is a promise. I just…need more time." He rose and ducked around the table, dipping his head to place a gentle kiss on her cheek. "I love you."

"I love you too..." she whispered, as he walked out the door. "And right now it's killing me." Despite having finally heard the truth at last, Usagi's heart ached. Her little plan to motivate him had backfired badly. Mamo-chan…

Rinjirou stood in the darkened courtyard, the only other sound the crickets in the nearby grass. He studied Titus warily, looking for any hint of deception. "And you're sure the safe house is there?"

"I'm rarely wrong," the cat replied dryly. "In fact, in more than one thousand years I can recall one error in judgement and that was-"

"Yes, yes. Fine." The former Black Paladin had no time for arrogant boasts. I have work to do, and there's no time like the present. He turned and stepped into his room, his eyes on his bag. "Your part in this is done. Now it's my turn."

"What exactly do you intend to do?"

"End this." Rinjirou unzipped his duffel and pulled out his mask; his weapons lay beneath. "Tonight, the Hunters become the hunted."

"You're so sure?" Titus asked, from the doorway. "Those two have bested you twice already."

"Once," he retorted. "Our second encounter was a draw. In fact, they retreated-"

"Semantics. Sailor Mercury was there to assist you." The cat hesitated a moment. "I could always ask my friends-"

"No," Rinjirou said firmly. "I don't want their help. This is my task, and I have to finish it alone."

"Very well." Titus turned away, but waited a moment before leaving. "Just don't get yourself killed."

"Your concern for my wellbeing is touching," Rinjirou muttered.

"Hardly. I just want you to live long enough to fulfil your end of our arrangement. Best of luck." Titus bounded off into the night, his black fur blending effortlessly into the darkness. Within seconds, he'd vanished, as invisible as anyone with Shadow Walker.

Rinjirou doffed his robe in favour of black fatigues, then pulled his armour on over the top. First, the chestpiece; its small, rounded pauldrons settled over his shoulders as he tightened the straps across his ribs to secure it in place. Next came the forearm guards, reinforced titanium plates that provided an additional option for deflecting opponents' weapons. Finally, he laced his boots and pulled his gauntlets over his hands. Despite his waning support for the Order of Black, he felt far more at ease in his armour than he ever had in shrine robes.

He stepped out into the cool night air and raised his mask, slipping it over the bottom half of his face and pulling it tight. His daggers were sharp, and his sidearm fully loaded; it was time. As he turned to the steps, though, he spotted Rei moving through the courtyard, obviously on her way to see him. For once, she'd forgone her traditional miko robes for casual clothes; a pair of jeans with a loose red blouse. It was a rare sight for him, and he was forced to admit that she looked…good.

Her eyes widened as she took in his different appearance, but any surprise was masked quickly by one of her trademark scowls. "Where are you going dressed like that?"

"There's something I have to do," he said, keeping his tone curt. It was easy, given her recent coolness towards him.

Rei stared back at him quietly. "You're going after those Hunters, aren't you?"

"What do you care?"

She actually seemed hurt. Her eyes lost a little of their fire, displaying a rare vulnerability he hadn't seen from her before. "Look, I...about the other day-"

Unfortunately, he had two days' worth of venting to do...and stopping wasn't so easy. "Don't worry about it, Rei. You actually did me a favour, and reminded me why I never wanted to come back to Japan in the first place. I don't fit in here...and I need to stop pretending that I do." The bitterness dripped off his words, practically tangible. "After tonight, you won't have to put up with me anymore."

Rei lashed out, snagging his arm as he tried to pass her. "I'm worried about you, okay?!" Her sudden confession echoed through the courtyard around them. "I'm sorry I said what I said the other night. I do care, and I don't want you to get yourself hurt...or killed!" Her resolve returned in an instant, her eyes flashing dangerously. "So don't be an idiot! They nearly killed you once already. You can't handle them on your own!"

"Rei…" It was strange but, in that moment, as her violet eyes bored into his own...he felt safe and warm. Like he belonged. But I don't, he thought sadly, as he reluctantly pulled away from her grip. "I'm sorry, but I've got to do this. I have to stop them before they hurt you again." He cursed his slip immediately, but it was out there now. "Before they hurt anyone else."

She glanced down, her cheeks strangely flushed. "Rinjirou, I-"

"Don't follow me." With a heavy heart, he willed Shadow Walker into effect, shrouding himself in its familiar cloak as he dashed into the trees and down the hill towards the city.

"Wait!" Her panicked cry echoed after him, but he forced himself to ignore it. He had to do this. For her. For Hino-sama. For every other innocent life the Hunters threatened. I won't let them murder anyone else, he thought determinedly. Even if it means I have to die in their place.

"I'm sorry, Rei. Goodbye."

AN: No cliffhanger - please continue on to Part Two if you're so inclined.