Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or anything affiliated with it. I'm just a little college student who is playing with her creativity to make something fun to read and in no way make wealth of any kind.
Blackness surrounded Minako. She couldn't see or hear, but above all, feel pain. The reprieve was a relief and she would have been happy to stay like this forever. Then she noticed something. The scent of soup drifting to her. That small scent was enough for her stomach to demand sustance. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see that she was in her bedroom, an IV taped to her arm and hot chicken soup on her bedside table.
Artemis jumped from his position on a nearby chair to her bed. "Minako! Yogatta." He carefully stepped into her lap minding the tube attached to her arm. "We were so worried. I'm going to lose all 9 of my lives because of you!" He nuzzled her hands as he spoke.
What had happened before was slowly coming back. As her brain slowly processed what he said, she did a double take. "Wait, we? How did I get here when the last thing I remember was the alley?"
"When you fell, I couldn't get you to wake up, and I can't carry you, so I got help."
"Help?" Minako started to question, but her answer walked through the door.
"Good. You're awake." Rei greeted Minako with her usual brusque manner. Only her eyes betrayed her relief. "I was worried you wouldn't wake up in time for your flight."
Minako gaped at her. "My…? But I…" She sputtered, but Rei silenced her by sticking a spoon into her mouth. She choked briefly, then swallowed. "What was that for? Are you trying to kill me?"
"No." Rei had a sly grin. "Just making sure you eat something."
Rei turned to Artemis. "Would you watch her? I've got a few loose ends to tie up for Aino-san's next week. I'll be back, and make sure she eats it all!" With that Rei left.
Minako looked from the door, to the soup, to Artemis, and then back to the door, too confused for words.
"Minako, the soup is getting cold." Artemis said, rubbing his head against her hand in a comforting way.
She slowly maneuvered the full spoon into her mouth. It was the cheap soup from a can, but to Minako who hadn't eaten all day, it was wonderful. Very quickly the bowl was empty and Minako was tempted to lick it dry, she was still so hungry. At that moment Rei came back bearing another steaming bowl. She handed it to Minako who greedily dug in, too intent on getting nutrients into her body to notice the whispered conversation between Artemis and Rei.
When she looked up from the second empty bowl, Rei and Artemis were watching her.
"Nani?" Minako asked, feeling like she had missed something.
Artemis and Rei exchanged glances. Minako disliked the way they were acting, almost like she was a naughty child they were getting ready to discipline. Artemis was her advisor, but he couldn't do much to her, but Rei on the other hand… Who knew what she was planning.
Rei reached into her pocket and pulled out something as she walked to Minako's bed. "It's been decided that you need a break." She stated, handing Minako the thing in her hand. Looking it over Minako saw it was a plane ticket.
"Nani?" Minako looked at the sheet of paper in disbelief. "I can't take a vacation! I'm a pop star. I've got commitments, not to mention fighting the Dark Kingdom. And why in the world would I want to take a break in... Cincinnati Ohio?" She said, reading the destination. "Usually you go to a beach for a break, not the middle of a U.S. city!" She folded her arms, then added under her breath, "Or if it has to be a city, let it be New York. Then I could see Broadway."
Rei gave a mischievous smile. "Oh, don't worry." She replied in a maddening superior tone. "This isn't that kind of vacation. You'll be training." Pulling out a leaflet this time she dropped it into Minako's lap.
Minako picked it up and examined the brochure. On the front were the words CAMP HOPE in big letters and underneath a picture of about forty kids ranging from 8 to 16 and ten counselors. Inside the leaflet were more pictures of campers doing different activities accompanied by descriptions of the camp amenities.
Minako looked at Rei, then Artemis in disbelief. "You're kidding, right? Summer camp? I've got more important things to do than go to summer camp."
"I've already talked to your manager." Rei interrupted. "He agrees you need a break. I'll be taking care of your idol commitments, and I think we can hold the generals off for a week without you."
"No." Minako said flatly. "I refuse to do this."
Rei sighed. "I knew you were going to disagree." She moved closer to the bed, lowering her voice. "If you don't go, I'll tell the others about your illness, the whole world if that will get it through your head."
"You wouldn't!"
Rei merely looked at Minako, letting her words sink in. Minako turned her head away to stare at the wall, feeling anger fill her body.
Sitting down on the bed Rei touched her hand. Minako started to pull away but Rei held on. "Listen Minako. You must listen. You're killing yourself. You're not eating or getting enough sleep, you're out fighting youma. Even Usagi is starting to suspect. Going away will help you get better. They'll take care of you, feed you, and let you sleep. There won't be youma, but it's not like you won't be working. It's training as well. And you know as well as I that it isn't helpful if you start fainting during a battle." Minako didn't respond, too hurt for through she wouldn't admit it; Rei's words had hit their mark. "Please Minako." Rei's voice caught slightly, the only betrayal of her feelings. "If not for yourself, then do it for the team."
Minako turned back to Rei. There was no point in arguing with her. So with a long suffering sigh, Minako said the dreaded word. "Fine." Rei's face lit up in victory, but Minako got in the last words. "But for the team. And I swear, if anything happens while I'm gone, so help me…"
"Everything will be fine." Rei reassured the idol, giving her hand a squeeze. "We handled things just fine before Venus came along, we can do it again. But…" She leaned in and whispered so softly Minako could barely catch the words, "Don't stay too long." Minako was surprised at the tenderness, but before she could say anything Rei was gone with Artemis close behind.
AN: Sooooo, what do you think? Did you like it? Hate it? I have a question for you that you can leave in the review box. Minako's going to the US, and I am trying to decide if she should go the way she is, or use the cell phone to change her appearence, and if she does change her appearence, would she be a normal Asian, or would she go trying to look like a European? What are your thoughts? Leave a review and tell me!!!