Chapter Four:
"He's not here!" Usagi wailed softly as she looked around the children they rounded up. Not one of them was Shingo and she felt the tremors acting up again. The tremors that marked her fear and panic.
She closed her eyes and leaned against one of the large crates trying to gather strength. Trying to think of another possibility. Ignoring everything else around her.
She was startled out of her tormented thoughts when a familiar, cold voice spoke to her. "Who are you?"
Startled, she opened her eyes... and came face to face with the tip of a very sharp katana. "You..."
Four faces met her gaze, all four of them familiar. All four of them assassins. She'd witnessed how they killed those men earlier and she now began to tremble with fear.
Aya narrowed his eyes at her.
"You." he whispered as recognition struck him.
Omi stared at her in shock. "It's you again! That girl in the house! You were beside me before I ran out!"
Yohji threw a concerned look at Aya and then to her. "It's that girl from the flower shop this afternoon!"
"Tsukino-san!" Ken exclaimed and immediately knelt by her side. His shock immediately turned to concern for her. He still felt responsible for her brother's disappearance. "You— How did you...?— But— You—"
Usagi slowly stood up from the ground but still needed the support of the crate behind her as she ignored everyone to fully look Aya in the eye. "Are you going to kill me?"
Aya looked into her fascinating blue eyes. He'd never seen eyes like that before. They were haunting. Mysterious. Alluring... Almost other worldly. He knew she wasn't always like this. He saw how she acted the first time they met at the shop that afternoon. Damn but she made him feel her pain, and that was another thing he can't afford.
Aya twisted the sharp edge of his sword so that it touched Usagi's chin. The blond girl resisted a very strong desire to wince. The red head saw the fear behind the brave façade and felt a reluctant admiration, but he knew what he had to do. He was an executioner. He can't let her live. He was startled when the thought that his sister would be unpleased if he killed this girl suddenly flashed across his mind. Why did that thought enter his brain? It was as though Aya-chan was there beside him. Whispering in his ear...
'Don't kill her, Oniichan...'
He tried to fight it because he knew the price for such a show of compassion but he just had this strange, strong urge to follow it. He lowered the weapon, conscious but ignoring, the sighs of relief from his teammates.
"Iie." He said as he sheathed his sword and turned away.
Usagi stared at his back, not denying the relief from her voice. "Arigato demo... doushite?"
Aya looked at her from his shoulder and gave an almost invisible shrug. "Breathe one word of this to anyone and I swear I'll hunt you down and finish you off."
Usagi leaned further back and closed her eyes. "Don't worry. I have no intention to."
Silence followed as they all stood wondering why she wasn't frightened of them or calling them murderers or some such. After all, judging by the time of her appearance, she had to have witnessed how they killed those kidnappers. The silence continued until Ken finally stopped staring long enough to ask her, "What are you doing here anyway?"
Usagi hugged herself and a miserable look took over her face. "I was looking for Shingo."
Ken was struck into silence once again as twin feelings of guilt and fear ran into his veins. Though he knew he had no direct fault over Shingo's kidnapping, he still thought he should have done something to prevent it. Especially now as he gazed at the pain on this girl's beautiful face. The misery he saw there made him want to move mountains on her behalf!
"I'm sorry you didn't find him here, demo this isn't the only place where you can find a kidnapped kid, you know? Besides, you don't know what it took us to find this group." Yohji said, a little tug in his chest as he saw the expression on the girl's face. If he could only find a more appropriate word to get that look off her face he'd have said it but words failed him for the first time in his life. On the other hand, why would he want to anyway? He just met her this afternoon!
"How did you beat that monster? And do you know where it came from?" Omi asked her, unable to hold his tongue any longer. He'd never seen a light show like that before in his life! It went beyond his logical thinking. And he was desperately curious about this girl. Who was she? No one noticed Aya listening quietly too. He, too, was curious with what he'd witnessed.
But Usagi shook her head and started to walk away. "It's better you did not know."
Aya's cold voice abruptly halted her in her tracks. "He could be dead by now for all you know."
Usagi whirled on him, anger blazing in her eyes and the four quietly fought sighs of relief. Privately, they preferred her angry than miserable.
"Don't you ever imply that again! I'll never lose hope that he's still alive! I won't! It's not possible!" she snapped. She had to believe that. Because if she didn't she'll go insane!
Aya couldn't help himself. He told himself it was her naiveté that made her hope like this. It was her sheltered life that made her dream of the impossible, but her determination and faith touched him. Threatened to break the cynical barriers that walled up his heart to keep out the pain, guilt and regrets. "What makes you think that?"
Usagi clenched her fists. "Because they want something from my father! Something a man named Takatori Reiji wants very badly and I think he's onto us! If the exchange is to be made then they'll need to show them my brother so my father will consent to the swap!"
Aya felt his entire frame vibrate at the sound of the name and, before he knew it, he was pouncing on her and holding her upper arms in a death grip, almost lifting her off her feet. "Who?! Who did you say was onto you?!"
"Aya-kun what are you doing, you're hurting her?!" Omi cried as he saw Usagi's pained expression. His protective nature going into overload as pictures of this girl risking her life for him replayed in his mind.
"Aya!" Ken called, ready to leap in and help the girl from his teammate. He's not going to just sit there and let Aya terrorize the girl! His feelings for her overrode his sense, without him being aware of it, even more than was usually convenient.
"Yamete, Aya! That's enough!" Yohji growled as he flicked at his watch. Damn! Her pain went through him like nails scratching on a blackboard! He always had a thing for females but what he was feeling right now went beyond that measure! He didn't like it but neither could he help it. All he knew was that he had to make Aya stop hurting her!
"Itai!" Usagi winced and whimpered from pain as she tried to pull her arms back but failing. Aya had a frighteningly cold look in his eye that scared her even more than the first glares she'd received from him. "Yamerou, o- negai!"
"Who!?!" Aya shouted at her face and he gripped her arms tighter.
She finally managed to gasp out the name. "T- Takatori... Reiji!"
The red head started to pull her with him, deliberately ignoring her whimpers with a determination perfected by a hard resolve. "Show me these pictures!"
Usagi was dragged to a convertible with the other three looking on. "Let go!"
"Tell me where they are!" he growled.
It was Usagi's turn to stare at him then. She almost forgot the pain on her arms as she stared at the red head in sudden realization. "You know him..."
"World... Shaking!!!"
A fast and powerful projectile exploded near them and the shocked assassins stared at the damage in surprise while Usagi's attention turned to the two figures coming towards them amidst the darkness of the night.
"Let her go." Ordered an authoritative voice. All of them now saw the two women shadowed by the faint light of the moon.
"Uranus... Neptune..." Usagi whispered sadly, already guessing why they were there.
"Ne...?" Aya asked, confused as his gaze ran between her and the two new arrivals.
"I said let her go. Or else I'll let you have it." Said the voice of the woman wearing a deep blue fuku.
Omi and Ken blushed heavily at all the skin exposed to their eyes while Yohji smirked as he stared at the beautiful legs displayed before him. "Oh yeah, let me have it, babe, just as long as you come with it."
Usagi saw Haruka's face harden and knew she had to stop the senshi of the winds before she blew the blond assassin up.
"Yamerou, Uranus." She ordered softly. "They are innocents."
The four men almost choked on their tongues! Innocents?! Innocent as seasoned jackals more like it! They knew what they are and all four of them knew where they'd all end up after this lifetime was over. None of them had any illusions about being epitomes of goodness.
Haruka and Michiru stared in surprise at her order but conceded. Michiru then faced Aya again. "Let her go. There will be no second warning."
After what he witnessed, Aya had no other option, though he itched to get all the details out of the soft skinned blond. He fought down the remorse at the thought of the imprints he might have left on her skin.
When Aya released her, Usagi turned towards the two. "Are you here to take me back?"
Haruka nodded, softness suddenly replacing the hardness on her face. "Hai. You have to come quick, Koneko-chan. All of the senshi are looking for you. Luna gave orders for you to be returned immediately."
"Mamoru has called a dozen times already and he's getting angrier every minute." Michiru added.
"Did you tell him what happened and what I wanted to do?" Usagi asked, her voice just above a whisper.
Michiru nodded, her face a study in compassion. "Hai." There was a slight hesitancy before she spoke again. "He said to leave it to the police."
Usagi clenched her fists. It was just as she had expected. They understood nothing. Especially Mamoru! How could he understand?! He was an only child!
"Iie. I'm not stopping my search."
"Koneko—"
"I am not giving him up!" she yelled, near tears. "This is my brother we're talking about! Not just some misplaced thing! I will not leave Shingo to chance! Not even if you strip me of my brooch!"
"Nothing comes without a price, Koneko-chan. I've told you that a million times already. Are you really willing to sacrifice a perfect world for a chance to save one life?" Haruka asked her, not liking the pain and the emotional struggle Usagi was contending quietly with but knowing what she had to do.
Her response pierced Aya and the guys to the core though they hid it well. They knew better than her or anyone that there are things even her faith can't change but still she was right. No matter how they sliced it. "One life is as important as a million. How can it be a perfect world otherwise?"
Michiru shook her head but her eyes softened towards the blond haired girl. "You've always been too soft, Usagi-chan. Very well. We'll try to look for him too if it will make you happy."
Usagi's eyes brightened. "Hai! That would be a great help!"
She was interrupted by a strong hand grabbing at her arm again. She didn't need to look back to see who it was.
"You are not leaving until you tell me what I want to know!" Aya growled in her ear.
Haruka was about to attack but was restrained when she saw Usagi pull loose from him. Rubbing her arm, she looked at him warily. "Do you know where to find him? And if I handed you those pictures, what will you do with them?"
He shook his head and shuttered his face against his surprise at her straightforward questions. "That's none of your business."
"We're talking about my brother here. Anything involving that man concerns me and if you won't help me then it would be better if I just left!" she bit back before turning away.
She was off a few steps when Aya's voice, quieter now, halted her again. "He's one of this country's most powerful politicians, you know. You'll never win against him. He won't hesitate to kill you once he knows you're getting involved in all of this."
Usagi didn't turn back but the determination in her voice rang into the night. "Then I'll just try not to let him know."
The four men all stood there watching as she disappeared among the giant crates surrounding them and off into the night together with the other two women. The mystery of that girl was getting deeper and deeper by the minute and Aya, against his better judgment, was sinking deeper with it.
"Who the hell is she?" Asked an awed Yohji. Omi and Ken could only nod and stare.
Aya decided it was time he got hold of Usagi Tsukino's personal life. To hell with it all! If it was for the downfall of Takatori Reiji then he'll do anything, anything to take him down! Even if it means slicing it out of a particular blond, odango haired girl!
Haruka spared her hime a look through her rearview mirror before finally asking the question. "Who were those men, Odango-chan, and what were you doing with them?"
Usagi tried to avoid her senshi's eyes. "They're just friends, Ruka-chan."
Michiru frowned. Her aqua colored hair flying around her as Haruka's car sped through the freeway. "They don't look particularly friendly to me, Usagi-chan. It's not safe to be with them, especially that red head. He was carrying a katana when we arrived."
Usagi shook her head, images of the red head's eyes returning to her mind. She couldn't put her finger on it but she felt an inner sadness in him that made her want to weep despite the pain he's given her and the potential danger he represented. It made her want to defend him. "That's not important now. We have to let Luna and the others know that I've encountered a youma tonight."
Michiru gasped turning to look at her hime. "One of Galaxia's youmas? What about the Star Seed?"
"Iie." Usagi shook her head. "It didn't have a Star Seed stolen from it. It just transformed into a youma as though by his own will. It felt... different somehow. More... mortal than magical."
Haruka's gaze sharpened as she contemplated the news. "We'd better do some investigating then."
Michiru nodded in agreement even as she silently fretted over Usagi's actions. She'd never seen the younger girl this determined before and she can't do anything about it. She and Haruka were supposed to be guarding her so she, in turn, can guard the whole world against a greater evil. But in doing so they would be smothering her, and in doing so, they might also lose her. What are they supposed to do if the timelines change? Will Setsuna and destiny allow Usagi to choose a future that will change all of theirs...?
"I'm so sorry it has to come to this Kenji. I never expected Reiji to take action this way."
Kenji Tsukino looked up from his seat at his long time friend and searched for a smile. "I don't know how they discovered it was me."
"Have the kidnappers called yet?" the person behind the wide table asked.
"No." Kenji answered. "They haven't contacted me since last time and I'm getting worried. What will I do now? And my daughter! I don't know how this will affect her! She's already been constantly disappearing and now..."
The man came around the desk and placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "Again I am so very, very sorry. This isn't Reiji's way. If he already knew who you were then he would have sent men to massacre your whole family by now, not just kidnap your son. The strangest part is how he knew it was you in the first place. I thought you went to that place fully disguised."
"So I did!" Kenji replied, his head between his palms.
"I told you not to go there, Kenji." The man helplessly scolded him.
Kenji's head came up and stared at his friend, a passionate fire fanning his eyes. "What I saw in that place was wrong! You know it was, Shuichi! I was just planning to expose that snake Reiji for who he really is!"
The bright flame that covered Shuichi Takatori's glasses lent him a shuttered air that even Kenji couldn't read which was a bit disturbing for the latter. He'd known this man since they were in high school together. Laughed with him, played with him, practically grew up with him despite the fact that he was only an ordinary citizen and this man the son of a wealthy family! But he's changed. Some fifteen or so years ago, he saw him grim and determined and purely filled with a restless rage hidden beneath a calm exterior. He looked almost... heartbroken. But he never said why, so Kenji never asked.
"That may be, Kenji-san demo you don't have the man power to do this. You can't take him with legal action, some criminals can only be given justice when they're dead. You of all people should know this." Shuichi replied after a few minutes of silence.
Kenji's shoulder's slumped even more and nodded. Impulsive he may be but he can never win against Shuichi's logic. "Hai. O-of course you're right."
Shuichi smiled faintly and tapped his shoulder. "Do you want me to send some of my men to watch over your daughter? There are some advantages of being the chief of police, you know."
Kenji tremulously nodded. "Alright. But she scares easily so I better talk to her first."
Shuichi smiled and nodded. "Of course, Kenji."
Kenji stood up and bowed respectfully towards his friend. "Doomo ni arigato gozaimasu again, Shuichi-san. I'll call you later, alright? I have to go home and pick up some of my wife's clothes. I remembered that I left Chibi Chibi in the house too."
"Doomo itashimashite, Kenji-san. And send my greetings to my goddaughter Usagi. It's been a while since I've seen her." Shuichi then turned serious again. "You better give me those photographs or copies, at least. If they know about you then they'll probably try to take it from your house too."
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that?!" Kenji gasped and started hurrying even more leaving a thoughtful look on Shuichi's face as he pondered on this strange development.
"Should I alert Weiss?" asked a beautiful red head at his elbow.
Shuichi stared out of his window and fought back a sigh. "No. It isn't time."
Manx bit her lip to keep from persuading her boss to take action. She knew that the only thing separating Reiji Takatori from a bloody death was either Shuichi's familial loyalty or the fact that he wanted Reiji's life for himself. Either way, it was a very dangerous proposition. One she can't do anything but try to prevent.
"He's not here!" Usagi wailed softly as she looked around the children they rounded up. Not one of them was Shingo and she felt the tremors acting up again. The tremors that marked her fear and panic.
She closed her eyes and leaned against one of the large crates trying to gather strength. Trying to think of another possibility. Ignoring everything else around her.
She was startled out of her tormented thoughts when a familiar, cold voice spoke to her. "Who are you?"
Startled, she opened her eyes... and came face to face with the tip of a very sharp katana. "You..."
Four faces met her gaze, all four of them familiar. All four of them assassins. She'd witnessed how they killed those men earlier and she now began to tremble with fear.
Aya narrowed his eyes at her.
"You." he whispered as recognition struck him.
Omi stared at her in shock. "It's you again! That girl in the house! You were beside me before I ran out!"
Yohji threw a concerned look at Aya and then to her. "It's that girl from the flower shop this afternoon!"
"Tsukino-san!" Ken exclaimed and immediately knelt by her side. His shock immediately turned to concern for her. He still felt responsible for her brother's disappearance. "You— How did you...?— But— You—"
Usagi slowly stood up from the ground but still needed the support of the crate behind her as she ignored everyone to fully look Aya in the eye. "Are you going to kill me?"
Aya looked into her fascinating blue eyes. He'd never seen eyes like that before. They were haunting. Mysterious. Alluring... Almost other worldly. He knew she wasn't always like this. He saw how she acted the first time they met at the shop that afternoon. Damn but she made him feel her pain, and that was another thing he can't afford.
Aya twisted the sharp edge of his sword so that it touched Usagi's chin. The blond girl resisted a very strong desire to wince. The red head saw the fear behind the brave façade and felt a reluctant admiration, but he knew what he had to do. He was an executioner. He can't let her live. He was startled when the thought that his sister would be unpleased if he killed this girl suddenly flashed across his mind. Why did that thought enter his brain? It was as though Aya-chan was there beside him. Whispering in his ear...
'Don't kill her, Oniichan...'
He tried to fight it because he knew the price for such a show of compassion but he just had this strange, strong urge to follow it. He lowered the weapon, conscious but ignoring, the sighs of relief from his teammates.
"Iie." He said as he sheathed his sword and turned away.
Usagi stared at his back, not denying the relief from her voice. "Arigato demo... doushite?"
Aya looked at her from his shoulder and gave an almost invisible shrug. "Breathe one word of this to anyone and I swear I'll hunt you down and finish you off."
Usagi leaned further back and closed her eyes. "Don't worry. I have no intention to."
Silence followed as they all stood wondering why she wasn't frightened of them or calling them murderers or some such. After all, judging by the time of her appearance, she had to have witnessed how they killed those kidnappers. The silence continued until Ken finally stopped staring long enough to ask her, "What are you doing here anyway?"
Usagi hugged herself and a miserable look took over her face. "I was looking for Shingo."
Ken was struck into silence once again as twin feelings of guilt and fear ran into his veins. Though he knew he had no direct fault over Shingo's kidnapping, he still thought he should have done something to prevent it. Especially now as he gazed at the pain on this girl's beautiful face. The misery he saw there made him want to move mountains on her behalf!
"I'm sorry you didn't find him here, demo this isn't the only place where you can find a kidnapped kid, you know? Besides, you don't know what it took us to find this group." Yohji said, a little tug in his chest as he saw the expression on the girl's face. If he could only find a more appropriate word to get that look off her face he'd have said it but words failed him for the first time in his life. On the other hand, why would he want to anyway? He just met her this afternoon!
"How did you beat that monster? And do you know where it came from?" Omi asked her, unable to hold his tongue any longer. He'd never seen a light show like that before in his life! It went beyond his logical thinking. And he was desperately curious about this girl. Who was she? No one noticed Aya listening quietly too. He, too, was curious with what he'd witnessed.
But Usagi shook her head and started to walk away. "It's better you did not know."
Aya's cold voice abruptly halted her in her tracks. "He could be dead by now for all you know."
Usagi whirled on him, anger blazing in her eyes and the four quietly fought sighs of relief. Privately, they preferred her angry than miserable.
"Don't you ever imply that again! I'll never lose hope that he's still alive! I won't! It's not possible!" she snapped. She had to believe that. Because if she didn't she'll go insane!
Aya couldn't help himself. He told himself it was her naiveté that made her hope like this. It was her sheltered life that made her dream of the impossible, but her determination and faith touched him. Threatened to break the cynical barriers that walled up his heart to keep out the pain, guilt and regrets. "What makes you think that?"
Usagi clenched her fists. "Because they want something from my father! Something a man named Takatori Reiji wants very badly and I think he's onto us! If the exchange is to be made then they'll need to show them my brother so my father will consent to the swap!"
Aya felt his entire frame vibrate at the sound of the name and, before he knew it, he was pouncing on her and holding her upper arms in a death grip, almost lifting her off her feet. "Who?! Who did you say was onto you?!"
"Aya-kun what are you doing, you're hurting her?!" Omi cried as he saw Usagi's pained expression. His protective nature going into overload as pictures of this girl risking her life for him replayed in his mind.
"Aya!" Ken called, ready to leap in and help the girl from his teammate. He's not going to just sit there and let Aya terrorize the girl! His feelings for her overrode his sense, without him being aware of it, even more than was usually convenient.
"Yamete, Aya! That's enough!" Yohji growled as he flicked at his watch. Damn! Her pain went through him like nails scratching on a blackboard! He always had a thing for females but what he was feeling right now went beyond that measure! He didn't like it but neither could he help it. All he knew was that he had to make Aya stop hurting her!
"Itai!" Usagi winced and whimpered from pain as she tried to pull her arms back but failing. Aya had a frighteningly cold look in his eye that scared her even more than the first glares she'd received from him. "Yamerou, o- negai!"
"Who!?!" Aya shouted at her face and he gripped her arms tighter.
She finally managed to gasp out the name. "T- Takatori... Reiji!"
The red head started to pull her with him, deliberately ignoring her whimpers with a determination perfected by a hard resolve. "Show me these pictures!"
Usagi was dragged to a convertible with the other three looking on. "Let go!"
"Tell me where they are!" he growled.
It was Usagi's turn to stare at him then. She almost forgot the pain on her arms as she stared at the red head in sudden realization. "You know him..."
"World... Shaking!!!"
A fast and powerful projectile exploded near them and the shocked assassins stared at the damage in surprise while Usagi's attention turned to the two figures coming towards them amidst the darkness of the night.
"Let her go." Ordered an authoritative voice. All of them now saw the two women shadowed by the faint light of the moon.
"Uranus... Neptune..." Usagi whispered sadly, already guessing why they were there.
"Ne...?" Aya asked, confused as his gaze ran between her and the two new arrivals.
"I said let her go. Or else I'll let you have it." Said the voice of the woman wearing a deep blue fuku.
Omi and Ken blushed heavily at all the skin exposed to their eyes while Yohji smirked as he stared at the beautiful legs displayed before him. "Oh yeah, let me have it, babe, just as long as you come with it."
Usagi saw Haruka's face harden and knew she had to stop the senshi of the winds before she blew the blond assassin up.
"Yamerou, Uranus." She ordered softly. "They are innocents."
The four men almost choked on their tongues! Innocents?! Innocent as seasoned jackals more like it! They knew what they are and all four of them knew where they'd all end up after this lifetime was over. None of them had any illusions about being epitomes of goodness.
Haruka and Michiru stared in surprise at her order but conceded. Michiru then faced Aya again. "Let her go. There will be no second warning."
After what he witnessed, Aya had no other option, though he itched to get all the details out of the soft skinned blond. He fought down the remorse at the thought of the imprints he might have left on her skin.
When Aya released her, Usagi turned towards the two. "Are you here to take me back?"
Haruka nodded, softness suddenly replacing the hardness on her face. "Hai. You have to come quick, Koneko-chan. All of the senshi are looking for you. Luna gave orders for you to be returned immediately."
"Mamoru has called a dozen times already and he's getting angrier every minute." Michiru added.
"Did you tell him what happened and what I wanted to do?" Usagi asked, her voice just above a whisper.
Michiru nodded, her face a study in compassion. "Hai." There was a slight hesitancy before she spoke again. "He said to leave it to the police."
Usagi clenched her fists. It was just as she had expected. They understood nothing. Especially Mamoru! How could he understand?! He was an only child!
"Iie. I'm not stopping my search."
"Koneko—"
"I am not giving him up!" she yelled, near tears. "This is my brother we're talking about! Not just some misplaced thing! I will not leave Shingo to chance! Not even if you strip me of my brooch!"
"Nothing comes without a price, Koneko-chan. I've told you that a million times already. Are you really willing to sacrifice a perfect world for a chance to save one life?" Haruka asked her, not liking the pain and the emotional struggle Usagi was contending quietly with but knowing what she had to do.
Her response pierced Aya and the guys to the core though they hid it well. They knew better than her or anyone that there are things even her faith can't change but still she was right. No matter how they sliced it. "One life is as important as a million. How can it be a perfect world otherwise?"
Michiru shook her head but her eyes softened towards the blond haired girl. "You've always been too soft, Usagi-chan. Very well. We'll try to look for him too if it will make you happy."
Usagi's eyes brightened. "Hai! That would be a great help!"
She was interrupted by a strong hand grabbing at her arm again. She didn't need to look back to see who it was.
"You are not leaving until you tell me what I want to know!" Aya growled in her ear.
Haruka was about to attack but was restrained when she saw Usagi pull loose from him. Rubbing her arm, she looked at him warily. "Do you know where to find him? And if I handed you those pictures, what will you do with them?"
He shook his head and shuttered his face against his surprise at her straightforward questions. "That's none of your business."
"We're talking about my brother here. Anything involving that man concerns me and if you won't help me then it would be better if I just left!" she bit back before turning away.
She was off a few steps when Aya's voice, quieter now, halted her again. "He's one of this country's most powerful politicians, you know. You'll never win against him. He won't hesitate to kill you once he knows you're getting involved in all of this."
Usagi didn't turn back but the determination in her voice rang into the night. "Then I'll just try not to let him know."
The four men all stood there watching as she disappeared among the giant crates surrounding them and off into the night together with the other two women. The mystery of that girl was getting deeper and deeper by the minute and Aya, against his better judgment, was sinking deeper with it.
"Who the hell is she?" Asked an awed Yohji. Omi and Ken could only nod and stare.
Aya decided it was time he got hold of Usagi Tsukino's personal life. To hell with it all! If it was for the downfall of Takatori Reiji then he'll do anything, anything to take him down! Even if it means slicing it out of a particular blond, odango haired girl!
Haruka spared her hime a look through her rearview mirror before finally asking the question. "Who were those men, Odango-chan, and what were you doing with them?"
Usagi tried to avoid her senshi's eyes. "They're just friends, Ruka-chan."
Michiru frowned. Her aqua colored hair flying around her as Haruka's car sped through the freeway. "They don't look particularly friendly to me, Usagi-chan. It's not safe to be with them, especially that red head. He was carrying a katana when we arrived."
Usagi shook her head, images of the red head's eyes returning to her mind. She couldn't put her finger on it but she felt an inner sadness in him that made her want to weep despite the pain he's given her and the potential danger he represented. It made her want to defend him. "That's not important now. We have to let Luna and the others know that I've encountered a youma tonight."
Michiru gasped turning to look at her hime. "One of Galaxia's youmas? What about the Star Seed?"
"Iie." Usagi shook her head. "It didn't have a Star Seed stolen from it. It just transformed into a youma as though by his own will. It felt... different somehow. More... mortal than magical."
Haruka's gaze sharpened as she contemplated the news. "We'd better do some investigating then."
Michiru nodded in agreement even as she silently fretted over Usagi's actions. She'd never seen the younger girl this determined before and she can't do anything about it. She and Haruka were supposed to be guarding her so she, in turn, can guard the whole world against a greater evil. But in doing so they would be smothering her, and in doing so, they might also lose her. What are they supposed to do if the timelines change? Will Setsuna and destiny allow Usagi to choose a future that will change all of theirs...?
"I'm so sorry it has to come to this Kenji. I never expected Reiji to take action this way."
Kenji Tsukino looked up from his seat at his long time friend and searched for a smile. "I don't know how they discovered it was me."
"Have the kidnappers called yet?" the person behind the wide table asked.
"No." Kenji answered. "They haven't contacted me since last time and I'm getting worried. What will I do now? And my daughter! I don't know how this will affect her! She's already been constantly disappearing and now..."
The man came around the desk and placed a comforting hand on his friend's shoulder. "Again I am so very, very sorry. This isn't Reiji's way. If he already knew who you were then he would have sent men to massacre your whole family by now, not just kidnap your son. The strangest part is how he knew it was you in the first place. I thought you went to that place fully disguised."
"So I did!" Kenji replied, his head between his palms.
"I told you not to go there, Kenji." The man helplessly scolded him.
Kenji's head came up and stared at his friend, a passionate fire fanning his eyes. "What I saw in that place was wrong! You know it was, Shuichi! I was just planning to expose that snake Reiji for who he really is!"
The bright flame that covered Shuichi Takatori's glasses lent him a shuttered air that even Kenji couldn't read which was a bit disturbing for the latter. He'd known this man since they were in high school together. Laughed with him, played with him, practically grew up with him despite the fact that he was only an ordinary citizen and this man the son of a wealthy family! But he's changed. Some fifteen or so years ago, he saw him grim and determined and purely filled with a restless rage hidden beneath a calm exterior. He looked almost... heartbroken. But he never said why, so Kenji never asked.
"That may be, Kenji-san demo you don't have the man power to do this. You can't take him with legal action, some criminals can only be given justice when they're dead. You of all people should know this." Shuichi replied after a few minutes of silence.
Kenji's shoulder's slumped even more and nodded. Impulsive he may be but he can never win against Shuichi's logic. "Hai. O-of course you're right."
Shuichi smiled faintly and tapped his shoulder. "Do you want me to send some of my men to watch over your daughter? There are some advantages of being the chief of police, you know."
Kenji tremulously nodded. "Alright. But she scares easily so I better talk to her first."
Shuichi smiled and nodded. "Of course, Kenji."
Kenji stood up and bowed respectfully towards his friend. "Doomo ni arigato gozaimasu again, Shuichi-san. I'll call you later, alright? I have to go home and pick up some of my wife's clothes. I remembered that I left Chibi Chibi in the house too."
"Doomo itashimashite, Kenji-san. And send my greetings to my goddaughter Usagi. It's been a while since I've seen her." Shuichi then turned serious again. "You better give me those photographs or copies, at least. If they know about you then they'll probably try to take it from your house too."
"Of course! Why didn't I think of that?!" Kenji gasped and started hurrying even more leaving a thoughtful look on Shuichi's face as he pondered on this strange development.
"Should I alert Weiss?" asked a beautiful red head at his elbow.
Shuichi stared out of his window and fought back a sigh. "No. It isn't time."
Manx bit her lip to keep from persuading her boss to take action. She knew that the only thing separating Reiji Takatori from a bloody death was either Shuichi's familial loyalty or the fact that he wanted Reiji's life for himself. Either way, it was a very dangerous proposition. One she can't do anything but try to prevent.