Alright Chapter 6 people! Thank you so much for the reviews and I'm glad you liked the interaction between Raye and Jadiete. Don't worry there will more of them to come. But for now I thought that I'd give you a taste of Lita and Mina with two other gentleman we all know. I do hope you enjoy this chapter and please do continue to send your reviews. Oh and if anything seems confusing or doesn't match up to what you've read let me know and I'll break things down for you or I may have to do a rewrite cuz you noticed something I did not! Bless it be!
I do not own Sailor Moon but I do thank God own this story!
From Betrayal to Redemption Ch. 6
"Talk about a power surge. I've never felt anything like that before," Mina said. "I almost feel empty without it."
"Luna said that her powers had increased beyond our own," Lita replied. "Maybe that's where we're supposed to be at too."
They were sitting in Garden of Thunder, one of Lita's cafes trying to avoid people since their symbols had appeared.
"Well on a less depressing note, I don't understand why you would close up shop today just to look for a new cook."
"Well Jorge is going to Paris to cook for the French and that leaves Lightning Rose short one cook."
"But why not have them at the LR? You know that this café brings in a lot of profit.
"You know I will never get used to you talking all business like."
"That's why I need an affairs/profits executive. Someone who can handle the paperwork and business behind the scenes."
"So you can go tan in the sun?"
"Exactly." Taking a sip of her drink she looked up and saw two men standing at the door. "Well I do believe that prospects have arrived. And I think I may have a date tonight too."
"Glad to see some things don't change," Lita said and went to unlock the door to the gentlemen. "Hello I'm Lita Kino. Are you both here for the interview?"
"No, only myself. My friend here is just wasting his time joining me."
"I do not waste time Nate."
"Nate? Nate Pathfinder? Lita you didn't tell me he was going to be your new cook," Mina interjected.
"Prospect Mina. And I did not know this man was applying."
"I apologize Ms. Kino, I just recently arrived in town and heard you were looking for a cook."
"So you're not scheduled for an appointment?" Lita asked as she looked through her papers.
"No, but I have my resume here and my references."
"Can you answer me this Mr. Pathfinder? You were Fashion Park's top male model for three years not to mention an astronomical phenomenon. Why'd you quit?"
"Mina," Lita hissed. "This is business not gossip fest 2006."
"I don't mind. The modeling was just money used to get me through college and my astronomical design. I was paying for my culinary and astronomy degree."
"Astrology?" Mina asked.
"Well I suppose I could go ahead and interview you," Lita interjected as she looked from Matthew to Nate. As if something had exploded in her head, her eyes largened. " If you gentleman will excuse us, I have to converse with my friend here. Take a seat. There's coffee and danishes on the counter." She pulled Mina into the back office with Mina shouting, "Lita! What the hell is your problem? Do you know who that is-"
"Do you? Look at them Mina. Don't you see a little resemblance somewhere in the taller one?"
"Not really. The one with the brown hair is drop dead cute. But what do you expect from a famous model."
"Mina-"
I didn't even know he was interested in astrology, but what a hunk, huh?
Few people even knew of him over-"
"Mina."
"Here since hr never traveled pass the U.S. borders and quit so soon. But did you see the one with that platinum hair? What I wouldn't give to get him in the sheets."
"Mina! Stop drooling over that guy. Look at his face. Don't you sense anything?"
"Sense what?"
"He looks just like Malachite."
"What? Lita get real. You're just freaked out over what Luna said. He is not Malachite; Malachite looked meaner. Plus, we would have sensed it."
"Yeah sure. Who the hell are you kidding!"
"But we killed Malachite. We saw him die remember? Right after Zoicite did."
"Maybe he was reconstituted or something?"
"But for what though? And who is that other guy?"
"Nephrite. Zoicite had him killed."
"But they had to have known we'd know who they were."
"Maybe not. They do look slightly different from before," Lita said and began to pace. "I have an idea."
"I'm afraid to ask."
"Come off of it. Listen you talk to Mr. Mal look-alike and I'll handle the Neph-replica."
"You're not going to hire him are you?"
"Possibly."
"Are you crazy! What if it really is him?"
"Then it's perfect. That way I can keep an eye on him when he works. Mina you're a genius!"
"On no, this is all you missy. You don't see me over here hiring Malachite Returns for my company."
Lita looked at her with a look of calculation and Mina could see the wheels in her head were turning. "Lita, I'm not doing it."
"You said you needed help."
"I don't even know if he has the degrees."
"That's why you talk to him. Look this is what I want to do…"
MEANWHILE
"She's more delectable than she was then," Nate whispered.
"Is that possible my friend?" Matt asked.
"Get off it Mr. I'm-head-general-so-I-must-not-show-emotion. Your eyes lit up when you saw Mina again."
"She's changed though."
"They all have. We've changed too. This isn't the Silver Millennium anymore and they don't have to bow down to any man."
"They didn't then either."
"In a way I suppose. But as princesses they had decorum to follow in front of others. Now it matters less."
"I understand Nate. My question is how do we get them to remain in contact with us? Have the stars told you this?"
"This is simple Matthew. We work for them."
"You cooking for Lita is all fine and good. But Mina owns a chain of beauty salons and a fashion line."
"Didn't I read a letter on your desk mentioning a conglomerate wanting to take over your business?"
"And I clearly threw it in the trash."
"Maybe you should rethink that proposition," Nate replied with a wink.
"I thought that Zach was Head of Intelligence."
"All of our specialties interact with one another friend. We are as one and yet separate as the branches on a tree. Connected together by that one strong trunk that grows firmly from the solid ground."
"Nice metaphor, but how exactly do you propose I start a conversation with the daughter of Aphrodite?"
"Use your charm. Years ago her brother Eros helped you get away from her. Well actually he more helped himself but made it seem like he was helping you both."
"Thank you for reminding me."
"Speaking of Eros, have we found him?"
"He never made it back remember. He died along with the others before the queen could have him reborn."
"You will have much on your shoulders when all come to face."
"As will you. Lita and Athena were close in that time. Her death hit hard then, imagine how it will be now."
"Imagine how what will be now?" Lita asked when she returned.
"Working in the kitchens here in Japan versus the ones in America," Matt replied.
"I'm sure that Mr. Pathfinder will manage," Mina said. "I on the other hand have to conduct business of my own. If you all will excuse me, Lita call me."
"Remember what I said Mina!" Lita called out.
"Goodbye Leets," Mina said with a smirk and a 'No way' look.
"I'll walk you out," Matt said.
"If you insist. There's no trouble out there I can assure you."
"Trouble resides everywhere milady. You just have to be ready for when it strikes."
Mina stopped in mid movement to look back at the man before her. Her eyes squinted as if she was trying to remember something.
"Did you forget something?"
"No I just…I could have sworn I've heard that before."
"Perhaps someone else you know said it."
"No. No I could have sworn that I've heard you say that before. But…but that's ridiculous."
"Of course it is."
"I must be tired because it seemed almost as if it was a past memory or something." 'At least that's what my heart is telling me,' she thought.
"Maybe we knew each other in another lifetime."
"Perhaps we did. Perhaps we did," she replied and just continued to stare at him. It seemed as if something was glowing behind his eyes and yet it disappeared too quickly for her to be sure. 'I really need to take a break,' she thought until she heard a voice in her head laughing. 'Just because you're head general Mina doesn't mean you have to always be so serious. You're my cousin and as the crowned Princess of this universe I order you to have fun!' laughed Serenity.
"Serena?" Mina asked out loud.
"Mina you okay?" Lita questioned. "Did you just say Serena?"
"I…I'm just tired I guess."
"Yeah I guess."
"I'll call you when I get to the shop," she said and went to the door to only come face to face with Matthew.
"Seems as if I just can't stay out of your way."
"Or I can't stay out of yours," he whispered and looked back into her eyes.
It felt as if she was drowning when she starred into Matt's eyes, but she'd drown forever if she could look into those endless orbs. A familiar warming sensation rushed over her body and it began to comfort her. She felt almost complete until she clutched at her chest and choked out, "My heart."
"Mina!"
"No, I'm fine Lita. I…Ithink."
"Sit down here for minute," Lita said and led her to the chair.
"That's not necessary Lita. I promise I'm fine and like I said I need to go," Mina said and exited the door.
"Hold on Mina!" Matt yelled from the door "I'll see you later Nathan," and rushed after her.
"I told you that I was fine in there."
"I'm not your friend Lita, Mina. I saw what happened back there and you didn't look so good."
Turning to face him she asked, "Why so concerned sir? You most certainly do not know me and yet you're running after me like a bodyguard."
Walking up close to her he said, "Maybe because I know something good when I see it."
FLASHBACK
"I know something good when I see it," a man's voice replied.
"And what exactly do you see?" a woman replied.
"A woman too stubborn to take advice from someone more trained."
"More trained? Stubborn? I do believe I am the head general of Serenity's guard not to mention the Moon Army."
"As am I when it comes to my planet."
"No, actually your Prince runs the army. On and off the battlefield. You're only second in command but I do give you credit since you are head to guarding your prince."
She watched his jaw tightening and through the silence could hear him grinding his teeth.
"I did my research," she said and walked away.
"I'd watch what I said Sailor Venus. Not all men have fear in their hearts when it comes to you Sailors."
"Meaning you and your generals? Please.My team could wipe the floor with you men."
Noting the tone in her voice he moved in closer to her and asked, "Is that a challenge?"
She closed the distance between them as if to kiss him on the lips. She breathed in his scent and whispers, "Damn right. Six AM tomorrow General Malachite," and left.
END OF FLASHBACK
When Mina came out of the flashback she looked at Matt with a confused look.
"Mina did you hear me?"
"I'm sorry. Meaning what exactly?" 'Woah total déjà vu.'
"You left this back in shop. Your business looks very profitable Ms. Aino. You have a keen eye for snatching up and merging with companies to expand on your own. However your spreadsheet on the base plan is unclear. Your configurations of the past marketing value isn't right either, I would suggest you get one of your people in marketing/finance to take a look at that. I think you should know too that the tanning company you plan to meet with this week isn't so easily swayed to join forces with beauty chains."
"My company is more that just a beauty chain sir," she said and snatched her papers from him. "I know that you know who I am but what I can't figure out is who you are and what you want here."
"Isn't it obvious Mina?" he said and walked passed her.
"If that was the case I wouldn't be asking would I?" she said and followed after him. "Answer my question!"
"Most ladies would say please after such a statement."
"I'm not most ladies."
Walking closer to her he whispered softly, "I can see that."
"I feel like I know you. I have to know you."
"Why do you have to? Why can't I just be another man passing in and out of your life? I very well could be though."
"I don't feel that way about you. It's odd Mr…I'm sorry I never got your name."
"Matthew.
"Mr. Matthew."
"No, just Matthew. Matt actually. And you do know me Mina."
"I don't understand."
"You will," he said opening his car door.
"Wait a minute. You sound like you know what you were talking about with my marketing strategies. Would you mind helping me plan them out more clearly for my meeting with this other company?"
"Sure, for a fee. Give me a call," he said and handed her his card.
"Hearth. Your last name is Hearth?"
"The one and only."
"You know who I am don't you?"
"I wouldn't be here if I didn't."
'He does look like Malachite. But…how can he be Hearth too? What could he gain from that?' she thought. 'I have to figure out what he's up to.'
"Well since we've officially met let's just get this meeting over with."
"Now?"
"I see no better time. If you could follow me in your car."
"It's-" he began but the cell ringing interrupted his statement. When he answered a voice said, "Your presence is required at the house, sir."
"Mina I have to go. How's tomorrow at nine?"
"What's the rush to leave?"
"Family emergency. Is nine okay?"
"Nine is just fine Matthew."
"I'll see you then," he said and pulled off.
"Damn right you will Matt. What is it about you that strikes a cord? I don't care what I have to do, but I will figure out what you're up to," she said as she got in her car and pulled off.