SINS OF YOUTH
Chapter 5: "Loss Of Self"
A neo-Sailor Moon fanfic
By Bill K.
Timidly Hotaru peeked into the infirmary room. She saw Usa laying on the bed, but it was a moment before Usa saw her. When she did, though, the Princess's face lit up.
"You up to a visitor?" Hotaru inquired.
"You bet! Come on in!" Usa exclaimed. Hotaru hurried in and sat down next to the bed. "I hope you haven't been waiting long. Aunt Ami just now managed to chase Mom and Pop out of here."
"It's not important," Hotaru shrugged. "How are you feeling?"
"Like I could leave right now. But Aunt Ami wants to be thorough."
"Your vital signs look good. So - - what happened?"
Usa looked away with embarrassment. "Oh, you know. 'Push the limits until something breaks.' Aunt Minako calls it 'chasing butterflies'." She glanced back at Hotaru. "Basically me not knowing when to quit. I'll be fine. Sorry if I scared you."
"It sort of comes with being your friend," Hotaru chuckled softly. "I'm used to it."
"So what's all this about Cere?" Usa shifted abruptly.
Hotaru looked down, chagrined. "I-I couldn't help what I saw."
"Hotaru?" Hotaru looked up and saw the mystified concern in her friend's face. "What is it?"
"I feel bad about it," Hotaru admitted, because Usa was the person she could trust above all others. "Cere's in confinement - - and I helped put her there."
"You did what you had to," Usa told her. "If you were there and saw what happened, telling someone isn't wrong."
"But Cere's in trouble now!" Hotaru contended. "If she's innocent, I did wrong by her."
"There's no question about her being innocent," Usa said. "I can't imagine her going back to that life. It's got to be a trick of some kind. But covering for her isn't going to help her. All it's going to do is get you in trouble and help whoever is pulling this trick."
"You think someone set her up?"
"Has to be," Usa nodded. "Or she's being controlled. We both know how that goes. And being in confinement may be the safest place for her if that's what it is. So stop beating yourself up over this. You have to concentrate on proving her innocence. We all do." Usa beat her head into the pillow out of frustration. "If I wasn't stuck here, I'd already be out doing something." The teen expelled a breath. "How are the other Asteroids taking it?"
"I don't know," Hotaru confessed. "I've - - kind of been afraid to talk to them. They might hold this against me."
"They wouldn't," Usa told her. "Well, Ves might. But Jun's too smart. And Palla-Palla is too kind. You know, we need to have a meeting about this - - put our heads together and figure out just what happened."
Without waiting for Hotaru's approval, Usa pulled her computer station over to her bed and began typing. Moment's later, she was looking at Jun-Jun via ethernet link.
"Yes, Princess?" Jun asked. She seemed slightly disappointed.
"Hey, Jun," Usa said. "I heard about Cere. Can you three come up to my infirmary room. We need to talk this over. I think Cere is being set up."
A grateful smile blossomed on Jun's mouth. "Sure. We'll be up as soon as I can collect Ves and Palla-Palla. Um, is Hotaru going to be there?"
Hotaru's eyes sought the floor.
"Yeah," Usa replied. "Is that going to be a problem?"
"Not for me," Jun responded quickly. "I can't really predict Ves. Maybe I better ask her when I find her."
"Where is she?"
"Ves?" Jun rolled her eyes. "Who knows. Probably out doing something incredibly stupid and impulsive. If we're not there in fifteen minutes, I'll call you. Um, and thanks, Princess. It's gratifying to know you're still on our side."
Cere sat on the bed in one of the palace detention rooms. The bed was soft, the furnishings warm and comfortable. Those were by insistence of Queen Serenity, and only after Endymion insisted they have detention rooms in the first place. If it wasn't for the fact that she couldn't leave of her own free will, the room would be just like being in her own bedroom.
With her knees pulled up to her chest and her chin resting on them, Cere contemplated her lot and wondered where everything had gone wrong. She had been adamant that she was innocent of the crimes she was accused of. But given time to think and reflect, now she wondered. Was it possible?
And then, movement out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. Cere turned and saw a dark dot on the wall. Then it moved.
"EEYYYEWWWWWW!" Cere screeched, scrambling off the bed in blind panic as a cockroach crawled along the wall toward her. The teen clutched a pillow to her chest in defense.
"Would you be quiet!" hissed the cockroach.
"V-Vesta?" Cere gasped in astonishment and revulsion.
"A little louder," snarled the roach. "I don't think the guards heard you!"
"What are you doing here?" Cere gasped, kneeling by the bed to get a closer view - - but not too close. "And why are you in that DISGUSTING form?"
"You know a better way to get in here? Roaches can fit through a crack a half a millimeter thick. Study your entomology." Cere rolled her eyes. "The CDP is dragging their feet about establishing an ethernet link to your cell, so I decided to see how you were holding up."
"Thank you," Cere whispered. "There are moments when I want to die. And then sometimes it really gets grim."
"Hey, say the word and I'll bust you out of here," the roach told her.
"And do what?" Cere countered. "Be a fugitive the rest of my life? That's as bad as prison."
"That's just what someone who's never been in prison would say," muttered the roach.
"No, Vesta, I've got to trust in the king and queen to clear me. They're my best shot. I know they'll play straight with me." Cere leaned forlornly against the bed. "Vesta," she began, "do you think I did it?"
"If you say you didn't, I'll believe you," the roach replied. "And even if you did, you probably had a good reason. I've been there. I've broken more than a few rules and I know that sometimes you have to do things the rules don't always let you do. Sometimes you have to do it just to survive - - and sometimes you have to do it so you're not a punk."
There was an awkward pause.
"So did you do it?" the roach asked.
"I'm beginning to wonder," Cere replied. The teen looked haunted. "I don't remember doing it - - but the vids say I did. And Hotaru saw me. And it sounds just like something I would have done - - you know, then. Was it the alcohol, Vesta?"
"Or maybe something in the alcohol," the roach suggested. "It's an old trick."
"Or maybe I'm just losing my mind," Cere choked out. Emotions were getting the better of her. "What if it is true?"
Vesta didn't have an answer for that. Then, suddenly, the door to the room hissed open. King Endymion entered, with a CDP officer behind him. He folded his arms across his chest.
"Sailor Vesta," Endymion said, calm and evenly, but with a tone that demanded obedience, "transform back into your human form."
The roach began to skitter for the floor.
"Right now!" Endymion added.
"Do it, Vesta," Cere admonished. Reluctantly the roach stopped. Then it elongated, rolling onto the bed as it became Sailor Vesta. A couple of scoots brought her to her feet.
"Since I imagine this violation of CDP security procedure was motivated by loyalty to Cere-Cere," Endymion told Vesta, "there won't be any repercussions for this. But if it happens again . . ."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Vesta cut him off with her usual sullen repentance. Endymion nodded to the door and Vesta left. He turned to Cere.
"Please don't lose hope, Cere-Cere," he said to her. "We're still investigating things."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Cere tried to say without her voice cracking. She failed.
"You absolute moron!"
"Leave me alone," grumbled Ves. Jun-Jun's disapproving eye refused to waver, though, making Hotaru and Usa feel just a bit uncomfortable.
"Ves, everybody in this palace - - Hell, everybody in Crystal Tokyo is ready to believe we're all about to go rogue again and you do something like this?" Jun persisted. "Were you going to break her out?"
"Get off my back!" Ves snapped. "At least I'm doing something! You know Cere is half convinced she did do it, that she's losing her mind or something? And I could have found out more if the King hadn't caught me."
"Hey, what's done is done," Usa offered, trying to steer the gathering back to the topic. Hotaru and Palla-Palla were both clearly disturbed by the argument, which was another reason Usa interceded. "Let's concentrate on finding out what's happening."
"Isn't the King and the CDP already investigating?" Hotaru ventured timidly.
"Doesn't mean we can't," Usa countered. "And there might be something that we can find that they can't."
"Thank you, Princess," Palla-Palla said earnestly. "Palla-Palla knows Cere-Cere didn't do bad. And she's very happy you're trying to help Cere-Cere, too. Palla-Palla is going to tell her that now." Palla-Palla went vacant for a few moments and the others realized she was communicating telepathically with Cere-Cere.
"I think we should check out that club Cere was in," Ves suggested. "The one she was in before she - - before the one that got trashed. It wouldn't surprise me one bit if somebody slipped Cere something while she was there. Maybe that guy who was hitting on her."
"Maybe we can get a name or description of him and check into him, too," Hotaru added. Ves nodded.
"Those are good ideas," Jun began warily, "but I'm wondering how much anybody is going to talk to us." Everyone looked at Jun inquiringly. "A lot of people are going to be wary of us. Guilt by association, you know? A lot of people who think Cere's gone rogue may think we're rogue, too."
"Not if I'm with you," Usa maintained, ever the optimist.
"But can we afford to wait until you're discharged?" Jun asked.
"In that case," Usa said resolutely, "I'll just discharge myself."
Jun and Hotaru gasped. Usa scowled in response.
"Hotaru, do my vitals look OK?" Usa asked.
"Yes," Hotaru replied guardedly. "But Usa, I'm not a doctor!"
"Right now you're the closest thing we've got," Usa said and leaped out of bed. Everyone sprang up to join her. "Let's go before one of the nurses notices I'm gone."
"But Usa," Hotaru fretted, "your parents aren't going to like this!"
The Princess shrugged with a mischievous glint. "So what else is new?"
Junichi Kobayashi owned Tanaka's Palace. It had been a profitable night spot since he had purchased it from the Tanaka family and altered the target clientele to a younger crowd. It had been a wise investment, both financially and from a personal standpoint. The forty-five year old former restaurant manager always had a sense of accomplishment connected with Tanaka's Palace. He had made the venture work through dedication, perseverance and canny inspiration. And the young people who came in, whether to attract a mate or just have a good time, kept him feeling young way past the point where he would have started feeling alienated from the next generation.
As he prepared for the day's business, Kobayashi reflected on the previous late night visit of CDP officers to his club. He had heard about what had happened at Sashimi's Inn. When he found out that the person accused of destroying the place had been in his club first, that was bad. When he found out one of his bartenders had served alcohol to a minor, that was worse. When he found out that the minor in question was the one held for the Sashimi's Inn destruction AND was one of Princess Usagi's senshi - - well Kobayashi decided it warranted an early start to his day today. The citation he could handle. That was a business expense. The fallout from what happened afterward might be worse.
"Excuse me," a girl's voice wafted over the expanse of the club. It was high-pitched, but with a soft, seductive quality to it. Kobayashi turned to it and could scarcely believe his eyes. Princess Usagi stood in the doorway. He knew it was her, for the pink hair and rabbit-ear gathers were as widely known in Japan as one's own name. "May I ask you a few questions?"
Kobayashi nodded, beaming at the Princess. She was even more beautiful in person, radiating an aura of charm and warmth that didn't seem entirely human. Stepping through the door behind her was a smaller teen, a frail girl with shoulder length black hair. The senshi of the Princess were nearly as well known as the Princess or the Royal Family. Kobayashi continued to smile.
Then Kobayashi tensed. Following the Princess in were three other teens also known for their association with Princess Usagi. They were the Asteroid Senshi, Queen Serenity's reclamation projects, the former enemies of the original senshi who had sought the overthrow of the world back in the twentieth century.
The ones associated with the senshi who destroyed Sashimi's Inn.
The sudden chill in the air was apparent to everyone except Palla-Palla. She smiled innocently at Kobayashi. He didn't return the gesture. Ves-Ves stood her ground, glaring a challenge, while Jun-Jun looked away uncomfortably. Usa stepped forward.
"Please don't be afraid," Usa told him. "They won't hurt you."
"As you say, Princess," the owner nodded. But he was still wary of the Asteroids.
"We need to know about last night, when Cere-Cere was here. Do you know who I'm talking about?"
"Yes. The CDP were in here last night. I know all about it."
"Can we talk to the bartender or waitress who served Cere?" Usa inquired.
"Maru was fired," Kobayashi scowled. "I fired him right after the CDP cited me for serving a minor. The CDP is looking for him now."
"I see," Usa whispered. The others looked anxious and disappointed.
"Do you have surveillance in this club?" Jun asked suddenly.
"Yes," Kobayashi nodded. "The CDP has already looked at it."
"May we look at it? We're sorry for inconveniencing you, but it could be important."
The club owner thought a moment, then waved them into a back room. The room was a storeroom for beverages and dry food, all kept in stasis boxes to keep them fresh. In one corner of the room was a computer terminal. Kobayashi sat down at the terminal and inserted a crystal into the drive. He put in time parameters and surveillance footage of the club came up. The five teens watched over his shoulder.
"There's Cere-Cere!" exclaimed Palla-Palla.
Cere-Cere was at the bar, flirting with a handsome young man. He was in his early twenties with thick black hair, a sleek figure and a youthful face. Both of them had drinks and after some prodding from the male, Cere downed it in one gulp. Ves snorted a laugh when she saw Cere's eyes bug out as the alcohol burned a path down the teen's throat.
As events progressed, Cere's demeanor changed. The girl seemed to grow depressed and morose. Despite the efforts of the young man courting her, Cere grew more and more distant. Finally she said something inaudible to the man and then walked away. Views from other angles showed Cere at a back table, apparently sleeping for a few moments, then leaving the club alone.
"Just like she said," Ves said as they all left the stock room for the club itself. "She downed the drink, cuts the guy off and leaves."
"Yeah," Usa nodded. "Did you notice the way her mood changed?"
"That was just like she said, too," Hotaru replied. "She tried flirting with that man, but then she started thinking of Gallen."
Usa nodded. "Did any of you see this guy slip her anything?"
"No," Ves shook her head. "But I'd still like to talk to this guy. You know who he is, Mister?"
Suddenly everyone noticed Palla-Palla had stopped in the center of the room. She seemed to be staring off into space. Concerned, Ves approached her.
"What's up, Stupid?" Ves asked.
"Palla-Palla thought she heard something," Palla-Palla replied.
"Heard with your ears or with your head?"
"She's not sure," Palla-Palla mumbled. Then she livened up. "She can't hear it now."
"OK," Ves said, then turned to Kobayashi. "So do you know this guy?"
"I've seen him in the club a few times," Kobayashi shrugged. "He's usually trying to pick up some girl. I don't know his name. Maru might."
"Yeah?" Jun said suddenly, with uncharacteristic belligerence. "Well I think you're lying."
"Jun?" Usa said, amazed as was everyone by Jun's sudden change of demeanor. Jun's reply was to produce her henshin stick.
"Juno Star Power Make Up!" she shouted and within moments had transformed into Sailor Juno.
"Hey, what's this all about!" Kobayashi gasped. "I'm telling you what I told the CDP!"
"I don't believe you," Juno told him. There was a cold smile on her face and a sadistic glint in her eye. "Aqua Initiation!"
All the water in the room flew toward Kobayashi and collected in a circle around his head. Panicked, the club owner began clawing at the water, hoping without success to pull it away so he could breathe.
"Still sticking to that story, Chief?" Juno leaned in. It was an unsettling flashback to the old Jun-Jun. Everyone looked on aghast.
"Transform!" Usa shouted, shoving her hand up in the air. "Moon Crystal Power Make Up!"
The others responded as ordered. In moments, Sailor Saturn, Sailor Pallas and Sailor Vesta stood ready to act.
"What?" Usa gasped, staring in shock down at her own gloveless hands. "I-I can't transform!"
Continued in Chapter 6