There was such a thing as private investigators in Germany. They had internet sites, too.

Mamoru easily found one who spoke English, accepted credit cards, didn't mind faxing his results to Japan and took less than two days to find Karl Kuhn and cover his biography.

Including the times Karl Kuhn had spent in psychiatry for thinking he was a magical warrior, or in a plaster cast for crashing his car while his mind was thousands of miles and thousands of years away.

"He's a political activist, and a gardener," Mamoru told Minako. It was amazing how mentioning the Shitennou had cleared a space in her busy schedule for meeting him in the cafeteria of her studio. Mamoru wasn't happy about it. Lots of people. Fortunately, they were used to see famous idol Aino Minako around and left them alone. Still, Minako looked tense and would have to guard her expressions.

"He has a nursery. He lives there with four other people who he met two years ago when he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia because he thought he was someone else. Someone magical. He thought he was Kunzite."

"Kunzite!"

"Yes. And the others seem to have had 'the same problem', as the report puts it. They all seem to have had hallucinations about being in the Dark Kingdom two years ago."

"While we've been fighting the Dark Kingdom..."

"Exactly. And I think I said something careless that could get him in trouble."

"Hm, so... I guess you want me to have a look at him when I go to Europe next month?"

"Erm, no, I'll do that myself. But I wanted to ask you if you could take Usagi with you."

"Eh?"

"Well... we're engaged... but she's 17... Her parents wouldn't allow her to travel to foreign countries with me... and she'd miss school... but you have private teachers... and body guards... so..."

"You're not seriously going to introduce her to a guy you think is Kunzite? He could be dangerous."

"We need to do this together. I've already told her about it, and she agrees. It was her idea actually. And I don't think Mr. Kuhn is dangerous. The information that I have about him all says he's a responsible person."

Minako had to digest this. She was playing with her tea spoon.

Mamoru was waiting. He knew he could have brought Usagi and let her floor Minako with big smiles and a ton of emotions. He could still do that. But for now, he wanted her to think about it cool and rationally. At least one person involved had to, and he knew it certainly wasn't him.

Although, judging from the clouded look in Minako's eyes, he wasn't too certain about her either.

"And the others?"

"Well, I have photos. One of them is a musician. But... they're guarding their privacy. Mr. Kuhn is in the local news a lot because he's into politics, so he's easy to gain information on. But the others... I don't want to scare them off by nosing around in their lives. I don't want to be an intruder. What if they don't want to see me?"

"Why wouldn't they want to see you? Of course they want to!"

"Hm, I don't know. The thing is... I've been talking to Mr. Kuhn on the phone."

"Really? That's great! Did he know who you are?"

"Yes. He did."

Minako watched Mamoru's expression.

"How did it go?" she asked softly.

Mamoru put on a little smile and sighed.

"Not so bad, I guess. He wasn't yelling at me or so."

'Do you need our help, Mr Chiba?'

"But... he wasn't thrilled to hear from me either. He made it clear that I can only see him, not the others. I am to leave them alone."

'We aren't just some misunderstood reincarnations, Mr. Chiba. We're genuinely crazy. We're vulnerable. We only have a thin shield between our reality and you. We can't afford it to scatter.'

"He doesn't trust your intentions, right? Of course not. Kunzite isn't the trusting type. Especially when you 'said something that could get him in trouble'. What kind of trouble?"

Mamoru sighed.

"It seems like the whole former Dark Kingdom shares a house there. They found each other, and stuck together. But one of them is a girl of 17 years. She was placed there by court oder, obviously her parents handle the news that she was serving a demon so well. But now that girl's parents have heard of Kunzite and Mercury. Now it's all about how dangerous he is for a young girl. They're going to sue him.

Their lawyer called me and was really unpleasant and I let him provoke me. He made me admit that I knew Kunzite."

"So? How could that get him in trouble?"

"I don't know. But that lawyer was so damn smug about it. I could have proved that Mr. Kuhn is a liar. That's why I want to see Mr. Kuhn and offer him help. I don't want that the only time they ever heard of me is when it's directed against them."

Minako fell silent and Mamoru waited patiently.

Although their days as Sailor senshi were over, Minako still was very protective of Usagi. She was also a good judge of character. In show biz an instinct for intrigues and people's intentions was vital. He couldn't take Usagi there without Minako's approval, but most of all, he hoped for her help.

"I want to see all the reports from your private investigator," she said. "I want to meet this guy first."

Mamoru shook his head. "No. I'm trying to build some trust here. He only agreed to meet me, so only I will go see him. I'll ask him to meet Usagi, too. But that's asking a lot already. I don't want him to feel cornered.

I'll give you copies of all reports I have on him. Please read them and tell me what you make of them. Your opinion will matter a lot to me."

"You're going to be very, very, very careful about this, Mamoru, right?"

"Of course!"