Act 47

Dr. Masato Shimakura looked at the radiographs before him and sighed, rubbing his head.

He knew very well that he was maybe one of the best, if not the best, neurosurgeons in Japan. He had completed his studies in Europe and had worked at several hospitals in England, Germany and Switzerland. He had also spent a long time in the USA, where he had finally perfected his work before he came back to Japan five years ago. During all that time he had always been able to find a solution, no matter how complicated or hopeless the situation seemed. Some had been more successful, others less successful, but at least there had always been a reason for hope.

Masato stopped to rub his head and looked at the pictures again. The pictures that told him that this time there didn't exist not even a glimpse of hope anymore. The pictures that told him that this time, it was over.

He took the file and sighed again, overcome with grief when he looked at the result of the blood test that was so clear. A result that normally was reason for celebration, but this time…

He picked up those horrible radiographs, putting them into the open file before closing it. Then he took a deep breath before he stepped through the door to the adjoining examination room.

Aino Minako, the young pop star, was sitting before his desk and when she saw him come in she smiled in a friendly way and nodded.

All Masato was able to do was to smile and nod back, his heart beating in his throat when he thought about what he would have to say. He stepped behind his desk and sat down, placing the yellow file before him. Like an advertisement the name was there in all capitals. AINO MINAKO.

"How are you, Miss Aino?" he first asked, the same way he did with all his patients.

"I'm fine, thank you," she answered.

He nodded, playing around with the file by shoving it from one side to the other.

It's useless, he thought, the more I stall, the worse it will be for her. He sighed. "Miss Aino…"

"Don't say anything, Doctor," Aino Minako cut him off, still smiling. "It's too late, isn't it?"

He looked at her for a moment, surprised at the calm way she spoke the words that had been so difficult for him to say.

"I'm so sorry, Miss Aino," he finally said. "I've seriously looked into every treatment and procedure I or my colleagues know. But…"

"It's okay, Doctor. You've done what you can. I just thought… I would give it a try."

Masato placed his palms on Aino Minako's file and looked at the young woman before him. "May I ask… why you've suddenly decided to… do it? All this time you've never seemed to really… care one way or the other."

She put her hands on her knees and smiled again. "I've been… distracted by other things. Things I thought that they were more important than my own life."

"More important?"

She nodded. "But… my friends and… another person who's been very close to me, showed me different."

"I see," Masato answered.

Aino Minako nodded once more, then she stood up. "Thank you, Doctor, for all that you've done."

He also stood up. "I wish… you had made this decision six months ago."

She smiled at him. "Me too."

She reached for her bag, ready to leave.

"Miss Aino," Masato said quickly. She stopped in her tracks and looked at him quizzically.

"Miss Aino… there's something else you should know…"

*** The day before***

Usagi waved after Minako.

"Did you hear that, Luna?!" she said excitedly. "Maybe I'll be able to listen to Minako-chan's new album this week, before it's out!"

"Yes, that's… great," Luna answered with a strange tone in her voice.

"Luna, are you all right?"

"Sure, sure," the plushie said quickly. "Let's go."

Usagi nodded and turned around to head back.

"Usagi-chan, be care…!" But Luna's advice came too late. Usagi collided painfully with the other person and fell to the ground.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch," she whined.

"Can't you watch where you're going, girl?" the other person said grumpily.

A hand appeared in Usagi's line of vision and without thinking about it, she reached out for it to stand up again. Only now did she look at the young man she had just bumped into.

"Nephie-kun!" she called out, when she recognized the Crown's employee.

The young man's eyes widened. "What did you just call me?"

"Come on," Usagi said, smiling. "Nefelin sounds somehow… weird. But Nephie-kun is nice, don't you think?"

He shrugged. "If you say so."

"Tell me, Nephie-kun, do you like cake?"

"Cake?"

"Yes, strawberry-cake, to be more precise. I've just gotten some great news, you know, and I'm really in the mood to celebrate. But as my friends are all… busy I wanted to ask you, if… maybe… you would like to eat some cake with me. There's a really good bakery just around the corner."

"Are you telling me that you're asking a stranger to eat some cake with you just because you're in the mood to celebrate?"

"Yes," Usagi answered enthusiastically. "Oh, come on, please. You're not really a stranger. You're a friend of Motoki. That's good enough reference for me."

Usagi's heart beat while she watched Nefelin thinking about her offer. She felt how Luna was tapping her arm, just as if she was asking what had gotten into her. In fact Usagi couldn't explain it, even to herself. But for some reason she had the impression that she knew this young man. Not because he was Crown's new employee, no, it felt as if she had known him longer… much longer. And somehow she felt as if she had to do something to apologize for…

"Take it as an apology for just bumping into you," she said, cutting off her own confusing thoughts.

"Do they also have… hot chocolate there?" he asked.

Usagi couldn't but laugh out loud at his question. "Of course they do! So, you're coming?"

"All right," he finally said.

They walked the short way to the bakery in silence. Only after Usagi had ordered for both of them she said: "You know, Nephi-kun, I have a friend who loves hot chocolate too. I'm sure you two would get along very well together."

"Really?"

"Yes! I'll introduce her to you one day. She's such a nice girl. Her name is Ami. Do you play chess? She's a gifted chess player. She has countless trophies, all first place. And she's so smart and friendly and sweet. I think she'd be the perfect girl for you."

"Are you trying to… fix me up?" he asked with a strange tone in his voice.

"Maybe," Usagi replied. "You're always looking at everyone so grumpily. Somebody like Ami would be able to make you feel happier. I'm really sure about that!"

"What makes you think that I'm unhappy?"

Usagi was just about to answer, when the waitress brought two strawberry cakes, one cup of tea, and another of hot chocolate.

Usagi shoved one plate with cake and the hot chocolate over to Nefelin. Then she picked out the strawberry from her own piece, grabbed for the cake and bit one piece off, chewing with closed eyes.

Suddenly she found that it was somehow too… quiet, and when she opened her eyes again she saw that Nefelin was watching her.

"What?" she asked, a little embarrassed.

"You're eating this as if it was a… ritual."

"Well… doesn't a good piece of cake deserve it?" she asked. "First the cake, then the fruit and as the perfect finale the tea… or hot chocolate. Have you never tried it like this?"

"No."

"No? You really should, Nephi-kun."

"I don't think I…"

"Oh, come on, please. Give it a try."

Usagi watched how Nefelin hesitated. As if he was arguing with himself. But then, slowly, he picked up the red strawberry and took the cake in the other hand. Usagi smiled. "Now take a bite and don't forget to close your eyes."

He hesitated again, but then he actually closed his eyes and took a bite. Then he looked at Usagi again and suddenly smiled lightly. "That… really tastes good."

Usagi smiled back. "I know."

Finally they both reached for their cups and drank.

"You know, Nephi-kun," Usagi now began, "I just can't shake off the feeling that we've met… before."

"Of course we did," he answered. "At Crown, when…"

"That's not what I meant," Usagi said seriously. "I mean I feel as if I've known you… even longer."

She saw how he looked at her in surprise and suddenly he nodded. "Me… too."

"Isn't that strange?"

"Yes, it really is." Nefelin glimpsed at the big bakery clock. "I'm sorry pr… Usagi," he said. "But I have to go. I have to be at Crown in fifteen minutes."

"Oh sure, I'm sorry that I stopped you," Usagi apologized. "Waitress, the bill please!"

"I have… some money."

"Don't be silly. I asked you to come with me, so, put that money back, Nephi-kun."

He smiled again lightly and for some strange reason this made Usagi happy.

Why do I feel so sorry, so… guilty, when I look at him? she asked herself.

"Well then, bye Nephi-kun. Thank you for spending some time with me."

"Thanks to you… Usagi," he simply said and left.

Usagi looked behind him, unable to shake off that feeling of familiarity.

"Please, I want to forget."

Usagi winced. There was something, something she had done… to him. But the more she tried to remember it now, the more that short flash of memory slipped away like dust.

"Nephi-kun, she whispered, "What did I do to you?"

xxxx

Rei looked at Minako's orange chair.

"But… What…?"

No, Rei thought again. No, everything will be fine. It has to be. Now that Minako finally has decided to live…

Then, suddenly, she grabbed for her mobile and looked at it for a very long time.

"Rei? Are you going to call somebody?" Makoto's voice resounded.

Rei winced and put the mobile back into her pocket, without answering. Then she stood up quickly and collected the empty glasses to clean them.

She couldn't count how many times she had taken out her mobile today, selecting Takai's number. But that was all. Until now she hadn't had the courage to press the "dial" button. After all she had said to him… Maybe he didn't want to talk to her anymore.

"I've fallen in love with you. There's nothing I wish more than to be with you, and this… won't change."

Tomorrow, Rei thought, I'll call him tomorrow. For sure.

xxxx

Minako slowly walked down the path of the river that ran to the amusement park. And though she knew that actually she should be completely drained and desperate, for some strange reason she wasn't. On the contrary. She was more calm than she had ever been before.

Because I've found it, she suddenly thought, I've found my… balance.

Her eye caught a cake stand. She smiled and didn't hesitate to buy a piece of strawberry cake. She picked off the red fruit and took one bite of the delicious cake with closed eyes.

"We're eating cake the same way!"

Minako opened her eyes and had to smile again. That day with the princess - Usagi - had maybe been one of the most fun days she had had since long ago. Actually, since she had become Sailor V.

She remembered how Usagi's careless behavior had surprised, even irritated her, at the beginning. But then, on that day, when she had got to know her better…

Minako took the last piece of her cake and finally ate the strawberry, slowly, also with closed eyes. Then she continued her walk. She knew exactly where she wanted to go.

The Ferris Wheel. That was the perfect place.

Her mobile rang, but Minako let it ring in her pocket and after it had stopped, she slowly took it out to turn it off. She didn't even look to see who had called her. Maybe it was Artemis who wanted to know how the preliminary examination went. And though Minako knew that it wasn't okay to ignore him, all she wanted right now was to be left alone with her thoughts. She felt that soon…

She had finally reached the Ferris Wheel. Minako entered one of the cabins and the wheel started to lift her up into the air slowly, swaying softly.

"I wish… you had made this decision six months ago."

"Me too," Minako whispered again, but, nevertheless, despite everything, despite the fact that it was too late, she regretted nothing. Not her time as Sailor V, nor as the fake princess, or as Sailor Venus.

No, she really didn't regret anything. Not even her stubborn devotion to the mission. For all this had been a part of her, and reason to find her true self.

Her cabin was about to reach the top.

There was only one thing, one reason why she regretted… why she really wished that she had decided sooner to live. One reason that made her wish to be able to turn back time.

"There's something else you should know…"

Minako placed her palms softly on her stomach.

If she had decided earlier to live, the life inside her would have had a chance to see the world's light. The life that had barely started to exist.

Zoisite's and her life. It would have to disappear with her too now.

Minako's cabin had reached the top now and she felt that it was time. She felt how her body started to tingle as she began to disappear.

Artemis, she thought, Everyone, please, forgive me.

And then Minako dissolved while the Ferris Wheel kept on turning just like Fortune's wheel.

xxxx

Nephrite stared at Motoki, who was grinning at Jupiter like a little boy.

Now, who has a thing for somebody? he thought, a little amused.

"Could it be that you have a thing for Ami-chan?"

Of course he had "a thing" for her, even more than that. But he wasn't that stupid to tell it all to Motoki. And anyway…

"Please, don't do this. Don't ask me to decide between you and… the others."

"You already did."

"I'm not willing to watch you get yourself killed."

The more he remembered that… moment, the more he couldn't shake off the feeling of having made a big even thinking that he could lose her…

So wasn't it better if he put some distance between them?

"But consider one thing. If you decide… to leave now, I will too."

Again he looked at the two bank notes Motoki had given to him.

His powers… were back - or at least part of them. Enough to get himself back to the Dark Kingdom. And Nephrite was completely willing to do it. Even if it meant to die once he got there. That would be better than to live this weak, useless and senseless life here. But… Ami.

He wanted to at least leave something here for her. Despite… everything. He wanted her to know that she really meant something to him and she always would.

Ami, he thought again in grief.

Soon he would go back and this would be the best… for everyone.

xxxx

"Artemis?" Rei asked in surprise when she saw the white plushie sitting at the bottom of the stairs and ran quickly to him.

"What's wrong? Did Venus return?"

"Mars," Artemis said as tears started to run down his cheek. "Minako… is gone."

Everything in Rei went numb and she let her bag drop in shock.

"What… are you saying?" she whispered.

"Her life Energy has disappeared," Artemis sobbed now. "She's… gone."

"No," Rei said. "This can't be, this… No!"

"Rei… she's gone!"

"No!" she shouted and turned around and ran away.

"Minako… is gone."

No, no, no, Rei thought, Minako, no!

And without even really thinking about it, she went the way to the one and only person she needed now. The one and only of whom she knew, that would be able to help her through this grief. The one and only one she longed for.

When Rei finally had reached Takai's dorm, she was sweating and completely out of breath. She had to lean against a tree until she was able to breathe normally again. Only then did she straighten up, ready to take the final steps to the house.

The door was open, and a girl stepped outside and behind her, as always dressed in a stripped sweater and with his turtle backpack, Takai followed.

Rei stood still.

The young girl smiled at him while she reached for his arm in a very familiar way. He smiled back and gave her a soft kiss on her hair, before they stepped down the few stairs down to the street.

Rei felt as if a big hammer had just slammed all air, all life, out of her.

"My feelings for you are completely genuine. I've never played with you. I've fallen in love with you. There's nothing I wish more than to be with you, and this… won't change."

Liar, Rei thought bitterly, You're no better than he is. You're all the same.

He mobile rang and she took it out slowly. "Yes," she answered tonelessly.

"Rei-chan, the girls need you!" Luna's voice resounded, clearly upset.

"I'll be right there," Rei said and then hung up. Only then she was able to turn her eyes away from the young couple, whose image was like a knife in her heart. Finally she turned around quickly and ran away.

Shame on me, she thought, shame on me for falling in love with you, Takai. Shame on me for ever having believed that you were any different, and shame on me for falling for the same trick… again.

xxxx

Minako opened her eyes. She was surrounded by a white and warm light. She looked around, but there was nothing more…

"Venus," a soft voice said now as a very familiar shape came out of that white light.

Minako sobbed and ran into Zoisite's open arms. "Forgive me," she sobbed into his chest. "Oh, Zoisite, please forgive me. I've failed."

"No, my love," he answered as he caressed her back. "You haven't failed."

She looked up to him. "But…"

He took her face into his hands and kissed her lips softly.

"You decided to live," he finally said. "And that's what counts in the end. You were ready to fight… for no one else but yourself. How can that be a failure?"

"Zoisite…" was all Minako was able to say. "But… if you are still here… in this between-world… doesn't that mean that you are… trapped here now?"

He smiled and tightened his embrace. "It's all worth it just to see you one more time."

He bowed down to finally kiss her.

"But as for you," he said then. "You still are able… to go on. And you should do it, before it's too late."

Minako shook her head. "I won't go anywhere."

"Venus…"

"I've decided too, Zoisite, I want to be with you. Even if it means staying here… forever."

Zoisite softly caressed her cheeks. "Is it that what you really want, my love?"

"More than anything else."

He smiled again. "Whatever you say."

And then he bowed down again to kiss her long and deeply.