Does this city have enough air for both of us to breathe?
If it was up to you, one of us would leave
I'm telling you there's no way
It would be me
So talk yourself 'til you're blue in the face
'cause someone always wants to listen to hate
It's just too bad you're so easy to ignore
-Pretty Girls Make Graves
In a small corner of a dark room at a Shinto shrine in Tokyo, Japan, a small white cat trembled. He was about to lose one of his nine lives, he was sure. Should he make a break for it? He grimaced. Would he even be able to evade his would-be captor?
-click-
Any further internal debate ended as a sudden brightness shone down on his little furry face, nearly blinding him with its intensity.
"Is…. is that light really necessary, Rei?" the cat asked, squinting to get some relief.
"I'll be doing the questioning here, Artemis," came the brusque reply.
"Yes, ma'am."
The white cat's head drooped in submission. He thought something was amiss when Minako had returned to the hotel after the bachelorette party instead of staying at the Hikawa Jinja. He knew from experience not to press his charge when she was in one of her 'moods.' He didn't have to, though, as his suspicions were confirmed at Usagi and Mamoru's wedding ceremony and reception. Both Minako and Rei, despite their happiness for their friends, barely looked at each other and traded all but a few words.
The former guardian of fire, standing with arms crossed behind the strong glow of her desk lamp, almost took pity on the helpless critter. Almost. She wanted answers and she damn well knew she wouldn't get them from the cat's obstinate owner. Rei's jaw clenched as she thought about said owner, who had been plastered all over the front pages of recent tabloids being kissed by...by...
"Michiru Kaioh. Who is she?"
Artemis was glad cats didn't have human-type sweat glands, as he would already have resembled a soaked sponge. Still, his paws were saturated, and he kept them firmly underneath him and away from Rei's scrutiny.
"Um... sh-she's... the violinist working with M-m-mina on her new album," Artemis replied, inwardly cursing himself for stuttering.
"I know that!" Rei snapped. "How does she know Sailor V?"
Artemis cringed. Oh no, Mina, what happened? "From... the news?"
"Ch..."
Rei moved closer to Artemis, her intimidating figure towering over the small feline. Minako taught him well, she thought darkly.
"Did Minako ever meet Kaioh as Sailor V? And think before you answer, Artemis. I can sense lies."
Artemis would have gulped, but his mouth was parched. There was no mistaking the underlying threat in the miko's voice. He had already told Luna everything. And while they both had agreed to disclose the information to the rest of the girls, he most definitely did NOT want to be the one to break the news to the former Sailor Mars. But it looked like he had no choice...
Forgive me, Mina...
"..for I have sinned... It's been several years since my last confession."
"What brings you here today, my child?" The priest's deep voice was calm, soothing.
"I feel like... like I'm a bad person." Her voice sounded muffled in the dimly lit confessional booth.
"What makes you say that?"
"One of my best friends just got married... and another engaged... and I'm happy for them. I am..."
"But?"
"At the same time, I feel... angry... resentful."
"You envy their happiness?"
"Yes," she whispered, full of shame.
"Why?"
"Because I..." she shook her head, unable to continue.
"Because you'll be alone."
She lowered her head.
"You feel like no matter what you do, your friends will always abandon you."
"..."
"That is your destiny... Mercury."
"W-what?" Her head quickly shot up.
"Your friends abandon you. They always have, and they always will-likes waves upon a beach, coming and going, but never staying."
A piercing cold gripped her heart. "Who... who are you?"
The dark screen separating her from the priest quickly slid to the side, and she found herself frozen in place by a handsome face framed by short blonde hair and accentuated with a pair of emerald green eyes. The priest was a woman, she realized with astonishment.
"That is your destiny, but it doesn't have to be."
She shook her head. She didn't understand what was happening.
"You've always sacrificed your happiness. And yet no one notices. They selfishly go about their own lives, without giving one thought of you."
"No...that's... that's not right..." She shut her eyes tightly.
"It's doesn't have to be that way, Mercury."
"That's not it..."
"You can change your destiny. You can save Ami."
"..."
"Save Ami!"
"No..."
"Ami?" The voice was higher, now, more feminine.
"No...no..."
"Ami? Wake up, sweetie."
The young doctor's eyes shot open, her heart pounding in overdrive. She was surprised, and then quickly relieved, to find her mother, Saeko, standing over her, a look of concern on her gentle face.
"Mama? I'm sorry. I must have dozed off."
Ami took note of her surroundings and realized she fell asleep while waiting in her mother's office at Meiwa University Hospital. She wasn't in a confessional. There was no frightening female priest with probing green eyes.
"They're working you hard in America. I'd expect no less." Saeko smiled at her daughter. "I'm very proud of you, Ami, but you really should try to rest as much as possible."
The elder Dr. Mizuno moved to her desk and picked up a file.
"I have one more patient to see before we can leave. We'll head over to the carnival you love so much. Do you mind waiting a few more minutes?"
The genius shook her head. "Of course not, mama."
Her mother gave her one last smile before leaving the office, leaving Ami alone once again. Although she had felt warmed by her mother's love and thoughtfulness, tendrils of unease began to slowly wrap around her heart.
Your friends will abandon you. That is your destiny, Mercury.
Ami shuddered at the memory of the priest's words. It was just a nightmare, she told herself. She took a deep breath to calm her nerves, but a crease from a slight frown still appeared on her forehead. That's all it was, Ami. A nightmare.
"I can either be your best friend or your worst nightmare, Pluto. It's up to you, but I'd rather not be enemies."
The guardian of time raised an eyebrow at her 'host,' but gave no response. She was no longer in her cold, stone cell. Instead, she stood in a private study chamber of what she had earlier guessed was Castle Miranda of Uranus. Her suspicion was confirmed upon seeing the blue and gold crest of the guardian of wind hanging above a large fireplace, which gave off much needed warmth.
"You don't believe me," he continued. "Yet, you of all people should know that things aren't simply black and white."
"If you mean for me to believe that attempts to obtain the ginzuishou or destroy the white moon were meant for the good of mankind, then you are more delusional than I thought, Dimande," Pluto replied, not bothering to keep the contempt from her voice.
The young, white-haired man with a black crescent moon on his forehead chuckled. "I know that you are able to see all that occurs in this reality and others," he said in a silky, almost lyrical, voice. "Such is the gift bestowed to the one called Sailor Pluto. Or is it a curse?"
He moved to a nearby table and poured red wine into two crystal goblets. He held one out toward Pluto.
"I've had the great fortune to view those alternate worlds myself, and I understand why you would question my sincerity. But I'm not like my counterparts from the other timelines. There is no Wiseman, nor do I wish to destroy the space-time continuum. All I want is freedom, justice - quite simple things, surely."
Pluto scoffed in disbelief, refusing to take the glass of wine in Dimande's outstretched hand. "Justice? Where exactly is the justice in rebelling against Neo-Queen Serenity, in going against the one person who can bring about peace and prosperity?"
Dimande set the glass intended for the guardian down, and took a sip from his.
"The justice is in being able to live your life the way you want to live it and to love whomever you want to love," Dimande said, a small knowing smile on his handsome face. "You speak of peace and prosperity, Pluto, but at what cost? Your freedom? The freedom of your friends? Life is precious precisely because it is fleeting. You cannot savor a life that is extended unnaturally, or worse, predetermined by 'destiny.'"
He made his way toward the fireplace.
"The universe is ruled by order and chaos," he murmured as he stared into the flames. "One cannot exist without the other. Such is the beauty of existence. Surely you have seen glimpses of a future ruled by order alone. It is sterile...lifeless. That is what will come to pass if Silver Millennium is revived."
"You don't know what you're talking about," Pluto tried to keep as much conviction in her voice as possible, choosing to ignore for now the sinking feeling that was forming in her stomach.
The black moon prince turned back toward the guardian, pleased to find that even if Pluto was outwardly rejecting his words, she at least had listened to them.
"Uranus understands," he ventured.
"Uranus is a coward," Pluto spat out.
"Is she?" Dimande asked. "Wouldn't a true coward be someone who just follows her duty blindly?"
"No, a coward is someone who knowingly and selfishly rejects a sacred duty because of her own interests."
"So quick to judge you are, Pluto," Dimande shook his head. "Not everyone wants to live in a world of conformity and complacency, under the thumb of a few who think they know what's best for the rest of us. Some of us are willing to die, for the sake of others, to make sure that such a world never becomes reality. Uranus is one of them, as am I.
"I won't let you hurt Serenity," the guardian said firmly.
"I never said I wanted to hurt her. But I will stop the Creatio Nova... at all costs."
Dimande stretched out his right arm and closed his eyes, concentrating. After a quick flash, Pluto's time staff materialized in his hand. He stepped toward the guardian, who had already crouched into a defensive posture. No attack came. He simply presented her with the weapon.
"You're free to leave, Pluto."
"What?" The guardian was suspicious.
"Unlike those of the white moon, I believe in free will. You may stay or leave as you choose."
Several long moments passed as Pluto sized up Dimande in distrust. When she reached forward and grasped her weapon, the garnet orb attached to the top began to glow.
"You've made your decision then," Dimande said with a slight nod of his head. "Until we meet again."
Pluto's eyes narrowed. "You will not succeed, Dimande."
"We shall see."
Within the blink of an eye, Pluto disappeared, transporting herself to some unknown location. No sooner did she exit, than another woman teleported next to Dimande and bowed.
"Should I follow her, master?"
"That won't be necessary."
"Was it wise to allow her to leave, master? What if she warns the guardians?"
"Do you doubt me, Kore?"
"Of-of course not, master!"
"Then do not trouble yourself with such questions. Aside from that unfortunate attempt to capture Neptune, things are going according to plan. Where is your brother?"
"On Earth, master, surveilling the one called Venus."
Dimande nodded in approval.
"Good. We must continue to sow these seeds of discord, Kore. It is the only way."
...I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew
But through it all, when there was doubt
I ate it up and spit it out
I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my waaaaaay...
The sun was already setting as Minako climbed the steps of the Hikawa Jinja, listening to the smooth crooning of Old Blue Eyes on her iPod. There was just something about Frank Sinatra that could always put her at ease, and she definitely needed to remain calm by the time she reached her destination.
And this particular song, she hoped, would give her the strength to get through what she was sure to be an antagonistic confrontation with the shrine's tempermental priestess.
The past several days had been...taxing...to say the least. The kiss had been all over the papers and entertainment news circuits, prompting neverending requests for interviews and comments. She didn't understand why. Friends, acquaintances even, gave each other kisses on the cheek. It was innocuous. And yet, tabloid reporters and paparazzi had begun hounding her with even more fervor than normal. Will Minako Aino be the next celebrity to come out? Will Michiru Kaioh? Without having any facts to back up their speculations, the media had already seen fit to dub them the next hot "It" couple.
She had been tempted, on some nights, to Teletia-S into Sailor V and beat the crap out of, er, scare off the ones who camped near her hotel. Of course, pictures of Sailor V in the paper would be the last thing she needed. She was decidedly more comfortable in the frying pan, and not in the fire, thank you very much.
Minako had initially been worried about her talent agency's reaction. To her relief, Sugao, bless his heart, could barely contain his glee about the buzz generated by the whole fiasco. He ecstatically ranted and raved on and on and on about boosting sales of the future collaboration record. Thankfully, she hadn't had any further encounters with Michiru yet thanks to Sugao keeping her busy with photo shoots and laying down vocals on potential tracks. She knew she couldn't avoid the violinist for much longer, but she had no idea what to even say to the woman.
With her boss's heightened demands, the incessant needling from the press, the new threat, and Michiru Kaioh, Minako was sure she would lose her mind. To make matters worse, she couldn't even vent to her best friend. Minako groaned in frustration. It was just like Rei to instantly revert to passive-aggressiveness.
The more things change...
As loathe as she was to admit it, Rei's silent treatment was killing her. She supposed she could have broken the ice herself, but pride prevented her from doing so. It was especially hard not to give-in at the wedding, with Rei looking absolutely gorgeous in her espresso-colored dress.
She wasn't even sure how much Rei had seen or heard the night of the party. But given the fact that the miko had stonewalled her completely since then, she didn't have to be a genius of Ami's caliber to figure out that Rei had seen and heard everything. But which part exactly upset her? The Sailor V revelation? The...kiss? Minako's heart clenched at the idea it could be the latter. Well, whatever. Rei had no right to be angry with her. She did nothing wrong.
The singer finally made it to the front entrance of the shrine. She lifted her hand to knock. As her knuckles were about to hit the wood, the door swung open and Minako found herself face to face with a startled miko.
"Rei..."
The look of surprise on the priestess's face quickly melted into one of indifference. She took a step back, which Minako took as an invitation to enter. Before she could place one foot inside the shrine, however, a small ball of white fluff blocked her path.
"Artemis?" The little cat looked guilty.
He looked up at her with ears down. "Sorry, Mina," he mumbled sheepishly with a slight shrug of his furry shoulders. "Er...good luck." He continued down the stone path that lead to the staircase to the exit.
The idol quickly looked back at the miko, realization dawning. The priestess said nothing, but simply turned and walked away from the door, the sound of her footsteps diminishing as she proceeded down the hallway.
Rei took a long breath in through her nose, and exhaled it out her mouth as she entered her bedroom. She had a lot to process after her 'conversation' with Artemis, and she definitely did not expect to bump into Minako so soon.
She walked to the middle of her room, pinching the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. It was just like Minako to instantly revert to blind martyrdom.
...the more they stay the same.
So many emotions warred within her - fury at the singer's foolishness, hurt from her deception, concern for her safety, pride at the fact that even if Minako was one of the most popular Japanese idols, she still felt the need to help people at the risk of her own well-being. Which one would win out when Minako came bursting into the room, Rei didn't know. But she was about to find out in...
3...2...1...
"Just who do you think you are?" Minako stood at the entrance of her room, her voice low, but Rei could sense it was taking all of the idol's will power to maintain control.
The priestess turned around. "I'm Rei Hino, priestess of the Hikawa Jinja. And you are? Minako Aino or Sailor V?"
It had been awhile since Rei felt the sweet burn of Minako's dark gaze. Just like old times. She resisted the urge to smile.
"If you have a problem with me, then deal with me," Minako said. "You had no right to corner Artemis."
"Spare me your indignation, Minako." Rei rolled her eyes and walked toward the singer, standing nearly toe to toe with her. She could smell the idol's perfume at this proximity. Casablanca lilies... My favorite. Did she wear that on purpose? Argh! Focus, Hino! You're supposed to be disapproving. "If you didn't want him involved, you would have never dragged him on your... your... dabbles in insanity."
Trying to ignore Minako's scent, Rei pushed onward before the other woman could respond, her voice stern. "What was it you said to me last week?" The miko feigned deep concentration, grasping her chin with her right hand and tapping it with her index finger. "Let's see... 'Rei, what on earth were you thinking... going off on your own...without being able to transform.' Any of this ring a bell?"
Minako looked away. "I'm not apologizing if that's what you're looking for."
Rei smirked at what amounted to acquiescence from the idol.
"I don't want an apology," she said, mentally noting that she wouldn't have received one even if she did. "I would, however, like an explanation. Were you even going to tell any of us?" Or at least me, Rei silently added.
"After the wedding."
"Really." The priestess was far from convinced. "Or are you just saying that because you got caught?"
Minako's eyes returned to the miko's once again, defiant.
"Tell me, Rei, why didn't you notify the others when you first felt Mio Kuroki's presence? You didn't want to disrupt Usagi's or the others' happiness either."
Rei hated it when Minako was right, but she pressed ahead anyway, "It's been days since the wedding, Minako, and you haven't said one word."
"I know." The idol exhaled loudly. "I just... I didn't know what to say or how to say it. I didn't want this to happen!" Minako stretched her hands out. "You may find this hard to believe, but it is not my goal in life to always butt heads with you."
At this, Rei chuckled. She couldn't help herself. Her amusement grew further upon seeing the confusion on Minako's face. Rei sat on her bed, eyes still on the idol.
"So what now?" Her voice softened.
"Tell the others, I suppose." Minako shrugged. "We'll just have to fill-in Usagi and Mamoru when they get back from their honeymoon. No sense in worrying them on their trip."
Rei nodded, hesitating before asking her next question. "And Michiru Kaioh?"
She frowned at the faint blush that spread across Minako's cheeks. "I'll take care of her."
The priestess's eye twitched. And what does exactly does that mean?
"She's... powerful, and she knows who you are." The miko was pleased that her voice remained level despite her rising blood temperature. "She could be dangerous."
"She's not dangerous," Minako blurted out. In response to Rei's raised eyebrow, she added, "I can't explain it to you or Artemis, but I trust her."
The miko gritted her teeth but said nothing.
"The night after we first met, I went to her studio," Minako continued, as she sat next to Rei on the bed. "I saw a painting of Silver Millennium there."
"Are you sure?"
"There's no mistaking it."
"Could she... be one of us?" That might explain her strange aura, Rei thought. She had sensed something somewhat similar when she had first met Usagi.
"Artemis did say he thought her power seemed familiar, but I don't know. In any case, I'll keep an eye on her as Minako Aino during the day and Sailor V at night."
"Mm..." Rei began to nod her head in agreement until she fully processed what Minako had just said. "Whoa, wait, what?"
"Is there a problem?"
"Um... yes there's a problem. Are you out of your mind?" Rei shot to her feet.
"Excuse me?" Minako frowned.
"What if the enemy appears?" She asked in exasperation. "You can't transform! How could you possibly fight youma in this state!"
"I did just fine last week."
"That's not what I heard."
The idol stood to stare Rei down, fists clenched. "Well at least I didn't wind up in the hospital."
So predictable. Rei just knew Minako would use that against her at some point. "Maybe not this time, but we're not going to have the Spirit of the Senshi's healing powers forever, Minako."
"Powers or not, I am still the leader. I've made my decision and you will respect it."
Rei couldn't believe what she was hearing. Of all the stubborn, pigheaded things... was she seriously pulling rank on her? "Leader. Leader of what? We're. Not. Guardians anymore!"
The idol's nostrils flared in irritation. "It doesn't matter!" She began to make her way past the miko to leave. "I will watch over Michiru Kaioh. And you can't stop me, Rei."
Rei was instantly in motion to stop the singer. She refused to let her run away. She grabbed Minako's wrist, using the element of surprise to pull the other woman back toward her. Rei placed her free hand on the idol's waist to bring their bodies close together without touching.
"Is that, right?"
The shock on Minako's face was absolutely priceless. Rei would have savored it more had she not been equally surprised by her own bold physical contact. She would not back down. She didn't care how pissed Minako was, she wasn't about to let go.
"If I can't stop you... then take me with you."
Their faces were mere inches apart. Was Minako staring at her lips?
"You...you must be joking," the idol finally said, her ire quickly fading.
Rei tilted her head to one side. "I'll tell you what. Why don't we have a duel... tomorrow night. If you win, you can go gallivanting off as you please."
"And if you win..."
"Then I guess Sailor M will be joining you, unless..."
"Unless?"
"You're afraid you'd be outshined by yours truly," Rei smirked.
Minako's lips curved upward in amusement, signaling to Rei that she recalled their previous conversation at Usagi's bachelorette party. "I would put your ass to shame."
"Then prove it, Champion of Justice."
Minako nodded once, a confident twinkle in her eyes. "You're on."
A/N: I actually had much more planned for this chapter - like catching up with Michiru, Hotaru, Makoto, and Haruka/Uranus. But it'll just have to wait until next time... or else this would have been massively longer than it already is! Oh, and I forgot to mention that the "Who I Love Confession Corner" from the last chapter was inspired by the segment of the same name in the PGSM DJ Moon 2 Sound Drama. FYI, Rei's answer on the CD is "you guys" aka Usagi, Ami, and Makoto... not Mamoru. Highly amusing... and the loving bickering between Rei and Minako is icing on the cake. But I'm rambling. Thanks again to all who've read and reviewed the story! It means a lot and definitely motivates me to keep writing!