Unexpected Guest
"You can never understand what it's like to be one of us." The raven haired woman spat at the reporter that was sticking a microphone in her face.
"Well, why don't you let me interview you guys then? Get first hand knowledge of what it's like." The reporter asked with a determination to win.
"An interview wouldn't work. You'd have to be one of us to fully understand anything." Mars replied annoyed.
"How do you know that? Human's aren't as stupid as you'd like to think." The reporter continued. "I just want to investigate things a bit."
The avatar of Mars just stood there. She wasn't used to people standing up to her, and she was even less used to being at a loss of what to say next. As she was trying to explain to the reporter that all her comrades and her wanted was to be left alone, a hand grabbed hers, and linked the two together. Rei looked up and saw her long time lover and leader.
"Venus-san" Rei spoke, "I was trying to explain to this reporter that she just can't get an interview with the four of us." Minako smiled first at Rei, and then at the persistent reporter.
"And why not, Mars?" Venus replied. She now directed her attention to the red haired reporter. "I'll consult the rest of the Senshi, and get back with you shortly."
"At least you'll hear me out." The reporter was very happy to get a bit of headway, and bowed herself out of the palace courtyard.
"Minako…" Rei started but was cut off by her superior.
"Mars, I believe I am still the leader, we will discuss this tonight at our meeting." With that Minako squeezed Rei's hand and walked away.
Later that night the Senshi gathered for their weekly meeting, such as they had when they were young. The centuries since then had been long, filled with many battles, and hard decisions. Besides all that the legendary Senshi looked to be in their mid-twenties. The one main difference between these meetings and the ones so long ago, was the tiny fact that they actually got things accomplished in these meetings.
"Jupiter how is the farm production this year going?" Venus asked.
"Everything is going well. We've had just enough rain, and the crops seem to like the new food we're using this year." She concluded.
"That's very good to hear." Venus replied with a smile. "Mercury; status report on your cure for the new disease that has been plaguing the citizens."
Mercury smiled and replied, "I'm coming along. So far three quarters of the people I've tested have been cured. I just have to keep perfecting it. I'd say that the full cure should be complete by next month, the one after that at the most."
"Mars," Venus now turned her attention toward her counterpart. "Have you had any visions that need to be addressed?"
"No Venus, I haven't. The most interesting thing that has happened was...I saw Small Lady." Mars said with a grin. "I'm not sure when she's coming, but sometime this century." The grin turned into a wide smile. She looked around and the rest were smiling as well.
"Should we tell Queen Serenity?" Mercury asked excited.
"No," Mars replied. "She'll find out when the time is right, but we should start preparing for her arrival."
"But not at this time." Venus chimed in as the other three started to gossip about what they were going to do for Small Lady's arrival. "We'll discuss this at the next meeting. Right now we have to talk about a reporter Mars and I met this morning."
Jupiter and Mercury both quieted down, but Mars was not in the mood to talk about that stupid reporter that wanted to delve into their private lives. Behind closed doors Jupiter, Mercury, Mars, and Venus were still Makoto, Ami, Rei, and Minako. Personally Rei wanted to keep it that way.
As Venus explained about the reporter, Mars zoned since the decision to be interviewed or not rest solely on a majority vote, she didn't have to pay attention until the end of Venus's speech.
"So as I was saying a reporter could change our image from 'Scary guardian people' to 'normal humans.'" That was the conclusion of her speech.
"But Venus," Mercury spoke up "we aren't normal humans, our body's age much slower than theirs, and we can withstand greater injury, not to mention we are the only living souls that remember the world before Crystal Tokyo."
"Yes, I guess you're right Mercury, but we need to show the general public we care. We built them a new world, but they barely know anything about us. I think it's unfair to them. They think we're just powerful leaders. They don't know that we were once regular people just like they are."
"I agree with Venus." Jupiter chimed in. "The people don't understand us, and so when they see us they get frightened. I know some people are frightened of me."
"No one that knows you would be scared." Mercury said while taking Jupiter's hand in hers and resting them in her lap. "They'd just ask you too cook them something."
"Is that a hint?" Mako-chan asked.
"Only if you want it to be; you haven't cooked anything in such a long time I'm beginning to forget how good it all tastes." Ami said with a puppy dog face.
Makoto's eye's lit up. "I'll make you some cookies tomorrow. Ok?" And she squeezed Ami's hand.
"What about me Mako-chan? Don't I get any cookies?" Minako pouted also, although she knew it wouldn't have the same effect that Ami's did.
"Well, since I'm making some anyway. I guess so. I'll probably have to make some for Serenity as well. If she finds out I've baked something and not given her any she'll be very upset with me." With that answer Mina smiled, just as excited as Ami about the prospect of once again eating the delicious food the Senshi of Jupiter prepared.
"Time for the vote," She added trying to get them back on topic. "All in favor of letting this reporter interview us raise your hand." Three hands went into the air, while the fourth just stayed in the lap of its owner.
The meeting was adjourned shortly after that, and the four broke off in twos, and the twos headed off to their separate wings of the castle.
"Are you nervous?" Ami asked as she crawled close to Makoto. "About the interview, I mean."
Before answering Mako-chan put her arm around Ami and pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her head. "How can you be nervous when you know that what you're doing is the right thing? Of course I hope that the people like me, but even if they end up not, I'll still be there to protect them. Just like I have been since we were 15. Won't you? Won't you still do everything you can for them, even if they don't understand, even if they can never truly accept us?" Ami nodded and closed her eyes, cuddling next to her wife for the protection that the Senshi of Jupiter was so good at giving.
On the other side of the castle a heated discussion was insuing between the Captain of the Senshi and her fearless second in command. "Minako why do you insist on letting that person talk to us?" Rei asked as they walked back to their room.
"Why are you so insisted that she doesn't?" Mina shot back at her.
"For the pure and simple fact that no one will understand us…" Rei growled.
"You mean they won't understand this." Mina grabbed Rei by the collar and pulled her into a fierce kiss. "Or will they not understand this." She shot her 'love-me chain' at Rei effectively tying her arms together. "Which won't they understand sweetheart?"
Rei's eyes were burning red with a mix of anger and passion. "Both" She replied while struggling to dissipate the chain that held her arms.
"Well, our powers are used solely for their protection, and have been for many millennia. I'm sure that even if they don't understand, they will sooner or later. As for the people we love. Is it so hard to understand?" Mina slowly started walking up to Rei. "Serenity has Endymion, and who do we have except each other." She loosened the chain and took Rei's face in her hands. "In a life of solitude, you just gravitate toward your comrades." Mina again kissed Rei, but this one was soft and lovingly. "I love you, please do this for me." She said in a whisper.
Rei pulled Mina to her, thinking about the request. "Ok." She sighed out. "Now let's get some sleep. K?"
The next day the reporter arrived at the majestic castle very early to chat with the Senshi about her plans for their interview.
"I was thinking that I could follow each of you around for a week or so each. What do you think of that?" She said with a smile as she looked at all four of their faces.
"A week!" Mars choked out.
"Well, I want to insure that I get a good feel for your personalities, and everything else that goes into doing what you all do. Like you told me yesterday, I'd have to be one of you in order to fully understand you. This is the closest I could think of." The reporter rambled off.
The four friends looked between themselves and then Venus turned to the reporter, "Um…what's your name again?"
"Alice"
"Right, Alice, do you mind if we talk about this for a few minutes alone?" Venus said with her sweetest voice.
"Oh, no problem Venus-sama, I'll just wait over there." She bowed and went to sit on a bench by a fountain.
Minako turned and smiled at her friends, but mostly Rei. She needed to soften Mars up to the idea, and unfortunately she didn't have much time to cool the fire in Rei's heart.
"Don't think that that little smile of yours is going to get me to be quite about this." Rei commented as Mina slide her hand around the other girl's waist.
"I don't know what you're talking about hon." She replied, widening that smile just a fraction of an inch, sending waves of love energy toward Rei. Ami and Makoto exchanged knowing looks to stay out of this one.
"Alright everyone," Mina started as she pulled Rei closer. "Are there any volunteers to go first?" She slid her hand from its resting place, down to Rei's thigh.
Thousands of years and Mina's touch still stopped all logical thought in Rei's mind. "Uh…I will." She said in a dreamy state, which got shocked looks from both Ami and Makoto, but a smug grin from Minako.
"Thanks for volunteering sweetie." Mina squeaked while hugging her. "I'll go tell Alice that you'll be expecting her as soon as possible." And she ran off before Rei could realize that she'd just be fooled by the Goddess of Love.
"Uh Rei," Makoto started. "You do realize that you just agreed to be the first person this reporter follows around right?" The Senshi of Jupiter looked her friend expectantly.
"What…" Was her answer. "I did not! We haven't discussed this yet." Rei had snapped out of her dream state, and you could see the fury in her amethyst eyes. "Where the hell is Minako! I'm gonna rip her apart!" As Rei started to run after the blonde, a pair of strong arms blocked her path.
"Let me go Mako-chan! This is between Mina and me." In order to get her message across Rei sent a brief flame at Makoto, slightly burning the outside of her shirt.
"No it's not!" Makoto interrupted "We won't let you embarrass the rest of the team because of your stupid temper." This fueled Rei's anger, and she struggled against the iron grip that Jupiter had on her. Through her struggling her arms that Jupiter held tight increased in temperature, causing Jupiter's hands to burn.
"Ami would you mind helping…please." Jupiter asked as she struggled not to let Mars go.
Ami quickly concentrated and a steady stream of ice flowed from her hands rapping itself around Rei's body, trapping her where she stood.
"Thanks for the help." Mako said as she let go of Rei. "Can you do anything for these?" She held up her red hands.
Mercury gave her lover a worried look, and quickly wrapped her hands in ice. "I know its cold, but you need to keep that one until it melts completely. Don't go breaking it, understand."
"Guys let me out!" Rei struggled against the tight ice prison she was locked into. "Ami I can't believe you would do this to me." As her anger grew so did the temper of her body. As her inner flames tried desperately to get out, Rei hoped it would melt the ice that held her tightly.
"Don't even think about it Mars." Mercury said off handily. "I've had centuries to perfect my ice; it won't melt under your heat." She smiled as Rei frowned.
"I wouldn't test it today Ames. You better keep the stream going." Makoto suggested while she watched the ice slowly melt.
"Ok don't worry I told her to meet you in the fire room Rei." Minako said as she walked back toward her team. She looked around them, and noticed Rei trapped in the mountain of ice that Ami was keeping a check on every few seconds.
Mina chuckled "What's going on here?" she questioned, although she already knew the answer. Ami and Makoto grinned, and just shrugged. "I guess Alice will be beating you to the fire room then."
Rei shot a glance at Minako and sneered. "When I get out of here…" she started.
"You'll do what sweetie?" Minako interrupted in a carefree tone.
Seeing Minako's easy going attitude angered the Martian, and once again her inner fire swelled. The thick layer of ice around her started to melt quicker. In response Ami laid on three more layers. Rei melted those. The cycle kept going until Minako nodded at a very tired Ami, who then stopped and slumped against Mako-chan.
"I told you I'd get out of there." Rei said in between heavy intakes of breath.
"Yes, but it wasn't easy now was it? You'll have an extra hour in powers training today Mars." Venus replied. "Maybe next time it won't be so exhausting for you. My second in command must be stronger than that." After the verbal assault Rei just hung her head. "Mercury, nice job by the way, I can tell you've been practicing extra hard in order to achieve such a goal." Venus smiled at the achievement.
"Thank you Venus-san." Mercury replied with a shaky bow.
"Mars, you will report to the fire room immediately. Work on your meditation, and then to martial arts training." Mars just bowed and turned around preparing to leave. "And Mars," Venus stopped her. "I don't want to hear anything about that reporter having burn marks." Rei scowled, but bowed again and left.
The walk to her fire room was short, which gave Rei very little time to prepare for her companion for the next week. Before she knew it she was standing in front of the little red building with the sign of Mars on it, telling all who passed not to enter. The one's usually allowed inside were the Senshi, but today would be an exception.
As Mars approached she saw the reporter waiting for her. Although instead of standing by the building, it looked as if she was investigating the side of it. She was staring at the symbols carved into the building very intently. Rei coughed, and Alice jumped and turned around.
"Mars-sama, thank you very much for allowing me time to get to know you." Alice responded. Mars now sighed.
"Yeah, ok." She opened the door to her fire room and waved the reporter though. "This is my fire room. I meditate in here, in hopes of receiving a sign of the future. In order for me to allow you to be in here, you must not interrupt me. I need complete silence. Do you understand?"
"Yes." And Alice walked through the door just ahead of Mars.
Mars took one quick look around, and then swept through the door herself, closing it tight behind.
Disclaimer: I don't own the character's of Sailor Moon. I don't do this for money. I do this because it's fun.
I hope you all liked it. R&R please