A/N - ... - grins - Yo! Here y'are... an update - finally! Um... thanks as usual go to impersonal for her mad good beta-ing skills. If you want updates on why I didn't update sooner then check my profile - aside from that remember patience is a virtue. Anyway, on with the show and enjoy this new chapter :D
CHAPTER 16 – OH GIRL, TELL ME WHAT TO DO
The silence filled her ears. For a moment, she felt overwhelmed. It felt so strange for her to not be in the chaotic environment she had grown fond of.
She decided to break the silence by picking up her cell phone and unlocking her keypad. Her thumb stroked the smooth buttons gently as she bit her lip. She fought with herself over whether or not she should dial the number that was now on display – even though she had known the entire line of digits by heart for quite some time now. She slowly let her eyes linger over all the numbers on the keypad and her finger hovered over the green call button for what seemed like an eternity.
"Rei-chan?"
The raven-haired woman instantly hid her cell-phone in her sleeve at the sound of her grandfather's voice.
"Hai, sofu?" Rei allowed a small, warm smile to grace her features as she saw the familiar old face of the only man she ever loved in her life.
The sound of shuffling entered the room that Rei was occupying; it was used as a 'staff room' of sorts just next to the meditation room – allowing for everyone and anyone to come and relax away from their shrine duties.
Grandpa Hino sat on the floor beside Rei and smiled gently. "Why are you up so early, Rei-chan? It's not like you."
His voice was as soft and gentle as ever. Sometimes Rei question the possibility of her father being the product of such a gentle and loving man.
"I just can't sleep, grandpa. What about you? Up awful early too aren't you? You should rest more, we have to go to the hospital this morning and you're overexerting yourself surely."
The elderly head priest just grinned benevolently before tilting his head to look at his young granddaughter. "Don't worry about me so much, Rei... let's talk about you. What's got you so bothered it's depriving you of sleep, hmm?"
Amethyst eyes closed briefly; flashes of blonde hair appeared in front of her eyelids. Rei opened her eyes and smiled the best she could. "It's nothing , grandpa... just someone I... fell out with."
"And you're waiting for her to call?"
Rei was about to nod when her eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "Whu-what? What makes you think it's a woman?!"
The old man cocked an eyebrow and let out a hearty laugh. "Oh Rei! Haha! The only man aside from me that you can even stand to be around is Yuuichiro and that poor boy is too frightened to upset you! So... it must be a woman. Close friend?"
Rei inwardly smirked at her grandfather –she forgot how perceptive he could be. "No... we weren't friends at all."
The old man said nothing but he did nod twice slowly before closing his eyes and taking in a deep breath. Rei waited in the silence; she didn't feel awkward in it like most would. No, the silence comforted her.
"Well... I'm going to check the grounds Rei... I hope you and your friend make up soon. I don't like seeing you so sad... I prefer when you smile, child. Have a good morning."
Rei allowed herself to smile gently and her grandfather playfully ruffled her hair as he stood and left the room. Rei stared down at her hands, and she withdrew her cellphone, her eyes boring into the device.
After a few moments she let out a heavy sigh before she allowed her fingers to press the green call button.
"Okay, girls, let's get started, we've got a long day ahead of us."
Yaten's voice resonated through the recording booth like honey. Minako gave a smile accompanied by her now trademark V-sign for peace. Michiru just gave a small nod of her head in the direction of the three men in front of her. Seiya leaned forward in his booth and spoke gently into his microphone.
"Michiru, do you need a moment?"
Michiru said nothing as she shook her head slowly from side-to-side.
Seiya sighed before nodding and pressing the playback button for the music to play.
He barely heard anything else above the music and the two women singing – not even the cell-phone ringing beside Minako's handbag that she had left on the coffee table in the middle of the sound booth.
It was only three minutes later when Seiya turned off the audio button that the shrill ringing noise could be heard. Seiya and Taiki both darted their eyes between Minako's cellphone to Yaten who in return rolled his eyes.
"Since when did I become everybody's bitch?!"
"Since you do no work and take all the credit." Taiki deadpanned much to the younger man's chagrin.
Seiya pressed the audio button again and Minako and Michiru began singing once more. "Yeah, Yaten, you're like the Affleck to our Damon. Now, go get that phone, her goddamned ringtone is so annoying!"
Yaten swiftly stood up and made his way over to Minako's cellphone on the coffee table, effectively preventing Britney's 'Womanizer' filling up the room for a second longer than necessary.
"Moshi moshi, Minako's phone."
Yaten may as well have added a sigh out loud to show all his faux interest and inherent boredom in having to answer the cell-phone.
"Huh?" Yaten furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. "No, she's kinda busy... who shall I say is calling? Rei? Rei who?... Hello?"
Yaten pulled the phone away from his face and looked down at it, only to scoff and put the phone back down on the table a second later.
"Ra-hude. They hung on me!"
Yaten sauntered over to the controls to join his two colleagues thinking no more of Minako's one named mysterious caller.
"Haru, you wanna talk?" Makoto stood beside her best friend's bed, dressed in the same clothes from the day before while holding a cup of steaming tea in her hands.
An incomprehensible grunt came from under the mass of blankets on the bed before her and Makoto sighed and sat down on the edge of the bed. She held the cup of tea gently in her hands, gazing down into the dark tea for a moment.
"I think we should talk... I let you mope around all night and to be honest, I'm kinda worried about you."
The bundle of blankets shifted before mumbling out a small 'go away'.
Makoto rolled her eyes before mumbling gently, "God, I hope you're dressed under all this."
Makoto placed the tea on Haruka's bedside table and wished for the best when she pulled the tonne of blankets away from her friend and threw them clear onto the floor.
Thankfully for Makoto, Haruka was dressed in her boxers and her old off white university t-shirt. She looked exhausted and she whimpered as Makoto deprived her of her precious covers. Slowly, the blonde sat up in her bed, bringing her head to the top of the bed's headboard and she brought her knees to her chest. Her hands were laid on each side of her body.
Haruka let out a loud sigh, followed by nothing.
Makoto rolled her eyes before grabbing the tea from the table and thrusting it firmly into her friend's face. "Drink it or I'll sucker punch you."
Haruka let out a small groan of protest before Makoto raised her hand and clenched it. Swiftly, the blonde grabbed the cup in two hands and took a generous gulp of the dark liquid. She smiled goofily at her friend.
"See? I drank it, now lower your hands!"
The brunette shook her head and quirked one eyebrow playfully, "Not until you talk to me, Haru."
"I don't wanna talk, Makoto. Can't you just drop it?"
Makoto shook her head and gave a small smile. "Nope... then I wouldn't be your best friend. C'mon, talk to me."
Haruka finished off her tea in a few more gulps before she laid the cup back onto her bedside table. Makoto slowly lowered her hand and waited out the silence with her friend – it was only a matter of time before the blonde let her emotions and thoughts pour out. After years of friendship like theirs, they knew how to read each other like an open book.
"I felt like such an idiot." The blonde barely spoke above a whisper but her voice was intense, and laced with a hint of hurt.
Makoto said nothing, silently encouraging her friend to continue speaking.
"I walked in there and spoke to them all and no-one said a thing. I had to find out from Elza of all people, goddammit!" Haruka ran her hands through her hair and leaned forward a little, letting her shoulders sag while trying to alleviate some of the tension from between her shoulder blades.
"I mean... I'm so pissed off at Lara it's not even funny... but in a way I'm not too bothered. I mean, it's not like we were serious... or slept together or anything..."
"But you wanted to," Makoto spoke tightly – finishing Haruka's sentence for her.
The blonde nodded before sighing.
"That's not all surely, Haru."
The blonde raised an eyebrow at her friend and the brunette placed her hands on the bed, palms down and leaned back onto the bed.
"I mean... the way you reacted... you weren't just pissed off. I've seen that look before – remember in the tenth grade when Tohiki Rin told everyone you came quicker than a cold in Siberia? Yep," Makoto pointed to Haruka's completely pissed off and hurt facial expression, "that's the look."
"What's your point, Makoto?"
The brunette turned to face her friend, green eyes clashing in a battle for dominance with one another. "My point is this Haruka; that day Rin hurt you and as collateral, your pride got shot to shit too. And yesterday you gave that exact same look to Michiru. And that is what I mean when I say surely the reason you acted the way you did yesterday was not solely because Lara is a call girl."
Haruka winced at the reminder about Lara. She groaned painfully before slumping back into her bed, her back colliding gently with the headboard. The blonde pouted for a moment before turning to Makoto.
"Okay... I was embarrassed. Okay? You happy now?"
Makoto smiled softly before speaking gently to her friend. "Why were you so embarrassed Haru?"
The blonde shook her head, unwilling to speak.
Makoto turned to her friend and pressed the issue once more.
"Why, Haruka?"
Haruka met Makoto's eyes; water gathering inside her eyes slowly but surely.
Makoto held her reaction in check – any shock met with the possibility of Haruka crying would not have gone down well.
"Because of Michiru."
For a few moments, no-one said a word. Makoto tried to keep her breathing as even as possible, knowing that the slightest interruption in this tense conversation could bring a screeching halt to Haruka's soul-baring session. Makoto watched in silence as Haruka slowly moved herself from the bed to the side and swung her legs over the edge, bowing her head and taking in slow controlled breaths. Neither registered the fact it had begun to rain outside, the gentle pitter-patter against the windows serving only as an almost hypnotic song playing in the background, mesmerizing them both to the spot. The temperature dropped but neither gave any sign even if they had noticed.
Makoto kept her eyes focused on her friend as the blonde took in a sharp breath and looked up, avoiding Makoto's eyes, opting to stare at the wall opposite her.
"Michiru is...Michiru - she loves me." Haruka strained to say the sentence, clearly struggling to say the words without throwing in a hint of disbelief into her tone.
"I know she does, Haru." Makoto looked at the same wall Haruka did and neither spoke for several moments; both contemplating their next set of words carefully.
"I told her I couldn't feel the same way back. I told her she was basically perfect... but that I could only ever think of her as the Michiru I knew from After Dark."
"Only as an escort?" Makoto supplied, needing to clarify and keep her mind on track to help her friend in any way she may need.
"Yeah. And then it turns out the girl I was seeing was an escort. And she knew. She...fucking knew and said nothing."
Makoto furrowed her eyebrows and snuck a peek at her friend from the corner of her eye. "She wasn't the only one who knew, Haru."
Haruka whipped her head to look at Makoto, the brunette pointedly ignored Haruka, "I mean, Seiya knew and said nothing and you were with him for the longest time at the bar, right Haru? You told me last night that you spoke to him and he said nothing. Minako knew and nothing was said. And the only person you let anything out against last night was Michiru."
Haruka sighed loudly and ran her hands through her hair. "I know. I know! But I don't know... why."
Makoto cocked her head to one side and watched her friend; intently and patiently. The brunette herself had a feeling why Haruka reacted the way she did. If she was right it was just a matter of time. Well, not only time but it was also a matter of Haruka admitting it; not only to herself, but out loud. Once it was out loud, it gave her feelings and emotions some more tangibility – to make it real, to make it something not to fear, but something to embrace and accept it.
Haruka ran her hand through her hair and made a small strained sound. "Ugh, I need a coffee. You want one?"
Makoto shook her head, and remained in place as she watched her friend rise from the bed and head to the doorway.
Haruka shrugged noncommittally as she left the room.
Makoto shook her brown hair out of her face before standing and walking slowly to the door, at the same time she sighed exasperatedly and wished very much for Haruka to not be so stubborn and pig-headed. Like life wasn't difficult enough for her to begin with. With everyone else's drama and her own, to have to tell Haruka about her unrealised love and make her realise it...
"Kami-sama, why have you cursed me with such a baka for a best friend?!"
Chibiusa stretched languidly on her bed, letting the mid-morning rays of light caress her face gently. For December, it was unusually bearable in terms of weather during the day. A small smile graced full pink lips and Chibiusa moaned softly as she stretched her muscles out. After all the pastries she ate the night before, her body felt heavy and she felt lethargic.
She stopped dead in her tracks as she felt an arm around her waist.
Looking down, Chibiusa had to bite down on her lower lip to prevent her from shouting out loud. When she turned around to see the face behind her, Chibiusa let out a small sigh of relief and smiled gently to herself.
"You snore so loudly, did you know that?" The sleepy voice beside Chibiusa gave her a small start but after a moment the pinkette recovered and went into Auto-Chibi mode.
"Huh?"
A small chuckling came from Hotaru as the girl stirred and opened her eyes finally. She froze for a moment as she registered her arm that was around Chibiusa's midsection. Panicking, she pulled her arm to herself and moved away from Chibiusa in the bed, covering it up as a stretching movement.
If Chibiusa noticed, she didn't let it show. Instead, she opted to half sit up in her bed, smoothing down her somewhat wayward 'bed hair' before she giggled softly to herself as she looked around her room.
"Oh my... I can't believe the attack of the munchies I had when I got in here! Look at the mess we made!" Hotaru raised both eyebrows and looked over the floor, seeing several packets of corn chips on the floor as well as a store bought package for donuts.
"We? If memory serves right... this was all your doing."
Hotaru tried to stifle a smirk as she saw Chibiusa pout. "Nuh-uh, you totally had a strawberry jam donut!"
Hotaru held up her index finger and nodded. "Yep... a. As in singular. As in one."
Chibiusa opened and closed her mouth, ready to retort – it was at that moment Hotaru couldn't hold it in, she laughed out loud before shaking her head.
"Sorry, I couldn't resist. But seriously, you did have a serious hunger for junk food last night. Is everything okay?" Hotaru's concerned tone warmed Chibiusa's body for a moment before she absently began nodding.
She stopped a second later as she remembered the real reason for her binge eating session the night before.
Diana.
Hotaru noticed her behaviour and sat up fully in the bed, concerned over her friend's serious disposition. "Chibiusa, are you okay?"
Forcing a smile onto her features and swiftly getting out of her bed, Chibiusa nervously put her hand on the nape of her neck and rubbed the skin there while forcing out a laugh. "Hahaha, yes! Yes, I'm fine! I just need to... er, get ready for the day!"
Chibiusa made her way over to her walk-in closet, carefully avoiding falling over (thanks to the debris caused from her food the night before). Ignoring the shuffling on the bed indicating that Hotaru was either sitting up on sitting on the bed, Chibiusa kept her focus on the clothes in front of her. She pulled out a pair pink jean from a hanger and placed it on the hook on the door of her closet.
"Are you sure, you're okay? You seem a little jumpy."
Chibiusa waved her hand in the air, politely dismissing Hotaru's words. "Ha! No, I'm fine! I just remembered I... er, have plans today and I need to get ready is all."
Chibiusa turned around and flashed a bright smile at Hotaru, her eyes squinting somewhat before she turned her attention back to her clothes.
"You have plans today? I... I didn't know that."
Chibiusa ignored the urge to comfort her friend with words and instead she picked out a light cerise blouse from the closet and closed the door, turning around but carefully avoiding eye contact with Hotaru.
"I didn't tell you? Oh it must have slipped my mind... sorry. I'm er..." Chibiusa thought harder than she ever had in her life to find a plausible excuse before settling on the most reasonable, "I'm spending the day with Helios. We're going to catch a film."
Silence filled the room aside from a small 'oh' that escaped Hotaru's lips.
Chibiusa watched from the corner of her eye as Hotaru stood up from the bed and looked for her clothes from the night before – Usagi had loaned her a shirt and some shorts for bed.
"You... you can come if you want to Hotaru."
Hotaru shook her head at Chibiusa's suggestion almost instantaneously. Hotaru picked her dress up from the floor and looked over to Chibiusa who seemed to be almost nervous to move from the spot she was standing.
"It's okay, I've got homework and other things to do. You... erm, you have fun."
Hotaru headed to the door only to be stopped as Chibiusa called out to her.
"Wait! Where are you going?"
Hotaru gave a small smile before gesturing to her clothes. "I can't go home in this dress, I'd look crazy. I'm going to see if Haru-chan could pick me up or something."
Chibiusa's eyebrows furrowed together before she licked her lips nervously. "You really could join us, you know, Hotaru. Helios wouldn't mind and neither would I."
Shaking her head, Hotaru hugged her dress closer to her body. "No, Chibiusa-chan it's okay. I mean, you and your... your boyfriend should enjoy the free days together that you can."
Chibiusa stepped forward and stopped herself just short from touching Hotaru's arm.
"But... I don't like to think of you spending the day alone, Hotaru. I mean... Haruka is fun and all but she is an adult."
"Barely." Hotaru's playful comment caused a snicker from the pinkette and Hotaru restrained from smiling herself just from seeing the delightful sight of Chibiusa showing that wonderful smile of hers.
Hotaru pressed the dress to her once more and as she did so a piece of paper fluttered out from it and flew to the floor. Curious, Chibiusa bent down and picked it up. She straightened up and handed it over to Hotaru offering a small explanation to the piece of paper she was handing over.
"It just fell out of your dress."
Hotaru took the paper, her expression confused and opened it. A split second later, a small blush came over Hotaru's cheeks, Chibiusa instantly noticed and frowned, trying to peek over and see the note – stealth clearly not being an issue.
"What is it, Hotaru?"
Looking up and seeing Chibiusa's curious expression, the younger girl cleared her throat before smiling weakly. "It's er... Diana's phone number and email address. I totally forgot about it..." Hotaru trailed off, her eyes darting from the note in her hand to Chibiusa's face.
Chibiusa felt she should have earned an Oscar for her performance so far. She forced out another bright smile and nodded gently as if she didn't care but inside she was seething at the audacity of Diana! To give her number out so soon! So forward! So...
So why did she care?
Shaking her head, Chibiusa forced yet another smile out and gestured to the paper.
"She gave you her number eh? Lucky you. She's a really... really pretty girl."
Chibiusa was shocked that she hadn't gagged while speaking so far.
Hotaru frowned.
Twelve hours ago, Chibiusa was doing everything in her power to keep Hotaru and Diana from speaking to each other and now Chibiusa was praising her? Talk about mixed signals! Chibiusa fought with her internal self – she had no reason to dislike Diana. Not really anyway.
She was a nice girl.
And intelligent... and funny and interesting. And pretty. Annoyingly pretty. But what did she care?
If Hotaru got on with her and wanted to be Diana's friend... or more, than that was Hotaru's prerogative. And Diana seemed genuinely interested. Surely Hotaru deserved someone like that?
'But my behaviour last night...' Chibiusa bit her lip as she thought on her actions last night.
She acted like some jealous girlfr – Whoa... that idea did not even need further contemplation. No, she was acting like some jealous you-know-what, but she was jealous... even in her current state of denial even she couldn't refute that. But why was she acting that way?
Because Diana was smothering Hotaru? Because she was taking Hotaru's attention from her?
Absolutely... but it was more than that, surely. Because Hotaru was special to Chibiusa, she was her first female friend in Tokyo, and their cousins were both close friends, almost like they were destined to meet.
'So, Diana being all over Hotaru must have just been me being jealous one of my new and true friends being taken away from me... YES! That has to be it!'
Clearly happy with her twisted logic, Chibiusa grinned widely and began twirling a piece of her between her fingers like a little girl.
"Hey! I got an idea!"
Chibiusa didn't notice the wary look Hotaru gave at the word 'idea' and continued talking, "Why don't you call up Diana and ask if she wants to come to the movies with us? I mean, she's new to town too... and she seemed to like you"
Chibiusa fought the bile that tried to rise from her throat as she remembered Diana's more than friendly glances at Hotaru when her friend was unsuspecting, "And she'll be going to our school. It'll be a nice chance to meet other people too."
Hotaru looked at Chibiusa for a second before contemplating her idea seriously.
It didn't sound too bad. If Chibiusa would be spending the day with Helios, would it kill Hotaru to meet up with someone who seemed to like her? Well, she would have had to have been blind and real stupid not to have realised that Diana really liked her. But it might be nice to hang out with someone who was just like her. And she would still get to be around Chibiusa – even if she would be with her boyfriend. Hotaru couldn't see any downside to it, all she had to do was go home and get changed; she had no homework to do and all her chores could wait until later, plus she doubted Haruka would want her around today after what happened at the party the night before.
Slowly Hotaru nodded her head and opened the door to Chibiusa's bedroom, ready to head out to the apartment.
"Okay, I'll go give her a call then go get changed in the bathroom."
Hotaru opened the door fully only to be stopped by Chibiusa's nervous laughter.
"You don't need to leave to get changed – we're both girls so it's not like you haven't got anything I've got," Chibiusa and Hotaru's hearts were both beating so fast that neither noticed the blonde who was happily bouncing towards the door with two glasses of orange juice in her hands, "and it's not like I haven't seen you half naked already."
Chibiusa's attempt at easing the tension with that joke about the previous incident in the locker rooms was brought to a screeching halt by the appearance of Usagi in the doorway – her mouth ajar and shock written all over her face. Looking behind her Hotaru saw Usagi and her skin instantly reddened, both girls looked at each other before looking back to Usagi.
"Locker rooms!" They both shouted instantly only to realise that the words could only possibly incriminate them further.
Hotaru began to get flustered and headed out of the room. "I'll call Diana... you call Helios!"
Chibiusa stared at her cousin, her face coloured with embarrassment. She cleared her throat before smiling nervously.
"We're going on a double date."
Usagi raised an eyebrow and her eyes got even wider.
"Not like that! Jeez, we're just friends. I'm going with Helios and she's taking Diana!"
Usagi's features instantly softened and she laughed nervously. "Haha, and to think for a moment there I thought something else! Phew!... That'd could have been awkward, huh?"
Chibiusa stared incredulously at her cousin. "Yeah... it could have, couldn't it?"
Usagi ignored her cousin's sarcastic tone and held out an orange juice to her. "Do you think Hotaru wants a juice?"
Chibiusa shrugged and spoke quietly. "I doubt she can even think straight considering the completely embarrassing moment you just created."
Usagi giggled then cleared her throat upon Chibiusa's questioning gaze. "You said think straight... hehe... Hotaru? Straight? Oh come on, lighten up! Anyway... I didn't create the awkward moment... you admitting that you've seen her naked did that!"
Usagi began walking to the door only to be followed by a flustered and stuttering Chibiusa.
"I – You! I said HALF-NAKED! I only saw Hotaru half-naked!" Chibiusa's face drained of colour as she saw Hotaru standing in the hallway, her cell-phone to her ear and looking completely stunned.
She mumbled some words into her phone before hanging up. She padded over to the bathroom and opened the door but paused before entering to turn to Chibiusa, a light shade of crimson shading her cheeks but her voice laced with a tense tone of anguish.
"We're all good for tonight... but do you think for the rest of the day, or preferably forever, you could stop mentioning you saw me once in nothing but a towel? Thanks."
Chibiusa hung her head in embarrassment as Hotaru stepped into the bathroom.
"I've heard many good things about you Mizuno-san. Not to mention your mother is somewhat of a legacy in these parts. Your professors' all praise you highly and think you're ready for this placement. I hope you realise I expect nothing but the best; for you to give your best, for you to be at your best and for you to be the best."
Ami nodded at her new mentor who was standing in front of her.
She absorbed every word, hoping one day to be where that woman was – Residency Director. A position, accomplished after years of hard work and reverence from co-workers, to be in charge of moulding the greatest doctors in their great city. Dr Narita was a woman in her late thirties and was renown over the city for her dedication to the research of cancer cells and ways to eliminate then. Although there was no clear way to curing cancer, it was doctors like her from around the globe that fought to bring them closer to the answer every single day. Narita, although a formidable force in her field, was also known for her fairness. She was known for spotting talent, helping them to flourish and coaching some of the finest minds in Japan. She was the perfect figure one would want to study under and learn everything from.
"I understand Narita-sensei."
Ami bowed down then straightened her back. She noticed Narita's eyes were intensely directed at her.
Narita nodded. "Good, I believe you, Mizuno-san. Like I said, you came with high praise. I used to be colleagues with your Processes professor. Now, when he tells me you're one of the best students he's ever had then I know I have to steal you up."
Narita watched intently as Ami blushed, not quite knowing how to take the compliment. After a second or two a small 'arigatou' was squeaked out and another deep bow was given. Narita allowed a small smile to grace her features – she decided that Mizuno Ami was different to the other glory mongrels that came to her almost daily, begging for an advance placement. No, this Mizuno was here to make a difference. She only hoped that this girl's shy disposition to her superiors would not affect her ability in the field.
"Okay, well you're going to be placed on the renal wards first. Mainly recovering patients, some are being treated, some are terminal... I just want to see how you handle yourself there. Get a feel of your bedside manner ad just see how you adapt to hospital life in general."
Ami nodded, taking in every word Dr Narita said.
The older woman smiled comfortingly before placing a hand on Ami's shoulder. "I never had a chance to work with your mother but I've heard all the stories about her amazing work. Remember, you don't need to fill her shoes, but to carry out what she believes in. I have no doubt that any parent would be proud of the things you're accomplishing, Mizuno-san."
Ami said nothing but took in the doctor's words. Ami wasn't shocked at Narita's observations. She was a doctor after-all, and she must have dealt with God-knows-how-many doctors' that were following in their parents footsteps. Ami was just surely another one of them. But, a doctor as prolific as Ami's mother surely warranted understanding that she felt she had to live up to her mother's name or to supersede her – even Ami was conscious of that. On some level everyone else must have had an inkling of the expectations on Ami.
Ami nodded slowly and gave a small smile.
Narita held onto the stethoscope around her neck with both hands, pulling down on it gently. "Well, follow me Mizuno-san, I'll introduce you to the staff of the Renal Ward."
The Renal Ward was located on the fourth floor of the hospital. Like every other floor of the building, the off-beige walls contained air smelt heavy of disinfectant and sterilized plastic. None of this fazed Ami as she was led to the staff station, located in the middle of the floor taking up most of the lounge, where some patients or their families waited before being seen to by a doctor or nurse.
"Mizuno-san, on this floor there are almost twenty staff but you'll probably only meet the evening shift staff due to your studies. That means you'll be in contact with Staff Nurse Sato, Nurses Sasuki and Kudo as well as Doctors Arai, Takahashi and Yamazaki. They're pretty much set in stone for the four till midnight shift." As Narita spoke, the six staff stood from the seats they were previously sitting on and filling out their paperwork. Narita watched as each staff member bowed respectfully to Ami and received the same respect back from the timid girl.
"Well, Mizuno-san, I'll leave you in their capable hands. If you need me, page me, but try not to need me." With a curt nod, Narita left Ami and headed back to the elevator to resume her work elsewhere in the hospital.
A short sigh of relief came from one of the nurses nearby who seemed to be more than happy to see Narita gone. Ami quirked an eyebrow in her direction but found that all eyes were on her a second later.
Instinctually Ami shifted from foot to foot, looking down at the floor.
"Mizuno-san, was it?"
Ami looked up to see a kind looking middle aged doctor with dark hair looking at her. Ami looked down to her ID and saw the name 'Takahashi'. Ami took in a deep breath and prepared herself. This was one place she couldn't allow her shyness to hold her back. To work in a hospital and be with doctors was her dream.
"Hai, Takahashi-sensei."
The doctor smiled gently and looked down at her watch. "Ah Mizuno-san, it seems you have perfect timing then. I'll be doing my rounds in a couple of minutes. You can join me for that then. I'm going to grab a coffee first, back in a moment."
Takahashi sent a warm smile to Ami before disappearing down the hallway to the refreshments room.
"What a surprise Narita brings her in time for Takahashi's rounds." The nurse from before spoke under her breath as her colleagues resumed their work.
Ami looked curiously at her, only to hear another nurse talk back to her.
"Well, it's no surprise seeing as how they're sleeping together and everyone knows it."
The first nurse snorted in distaste.
Ami looked onto the other staff; the other nurse was on the phone and the other two doctors were heavy in discussion looking over a file.
"It's disgusting enough they do it but to have no shame in it? And Takahashi was a married woman. God knows what Narita brainwashed her with..." The nurse trailed off as she noticed Ami was still standing there, clearly having heard their conversation.
Ami noted the tag on the nurse say Sasuki and the other who spoke second read Kudo.
Kudo looked up at Sasuki's silence and saw Ami stare at them. "Is there a problem Mizuno-san?"
Ami looked between the two women and noticed their stares. They were judging her, sizing her up. It was clear to the three of them that she had heard them and now they were waiting to see her reaction to it. Ami knew they expected her to tell Takahashi or Narita, but if she did that and was placed here, God knows how difficult life could be made – everyone had heard the horror stories of nurses deliberately messing up doctors' work and getting away with it. And for someone as lowly as Ami in the hospital who needed to get good feedback from everyone she worked with, she couldn't allow anyone to sabotage her dreams. Not when she had worked so hard, even if it meant being a hypocrite.
What would Makoto think of her actions? 'You cannot tell Makoto, how sad would your shame make her feel Ami? Your shame to act as yourself, that is?' How could she face Makoto if she did not speak up now? Would she be showing some sort of embarrassment over not only Makoto but to who she was?
"I said is there a problem, Mizuno-san?"
If she had to put up with their remarks and comments at the hospital she would, she had done it at school for long enough.
And as for how could she look at Makoto after this? With nothing but guilt weighing her down.
"No... not at all."
Kudo smirked gleefully before flashing a smile. "Good, stick with us and we'll show you how this hospital really works."
Kudo's eyes narrowed as footsteps approached from the hallway.
Turning her head Ami noted Takahashi was returning, two coffees in hand. As she approached Ami, she handed a coffee over to Ami and offered a friendly smile.
"Here... I remember the days of internship... coffee was a true friend in those times."
Takahashi looked at her watch and took a gulp of coffee before Dr Arai called her over to ask her something. Ami stared at the coffee in her hands, overwhelmed at the generosity showed to her in such a simple gesture. Takahashi-sensei seemed genuinely nice and she had already betrayed her by keeping her protest over the nurses' comments to herself.
"If I were you, I'd throw that away. God knows what she put in it and you'll probably catch it." Sasuki spoke lowly, arching an eyebrow as she eyed the coffee.
Ami looked down at the black liquid before opening her mouth and closing it and looking up at the nurses' again. They looked at her expectantly before Kudo frowned and opened her mouth to speak. Avoiding conflict, Ami placed her coffee down on the desk and cleared her throat just as Takahashi arrived again.
The doctor saw the coffee and raised her eyebrow, "Too hot?"
"Stifling."
Ami gave a small nervous smile before Takahashi smiled and gesture for Ami to follow her for the rounds. Picking up the folders indicated by Nurse Yamazaki as she finished her call, Ami followed the female doctor. As Ami walked away from the nurses' she could feel the tension escape her body. Takahashi spared a glance in her direction and saw the relief in Ami's eyes. The doctor stopped in front of the door, coffee in hand and looked Ami directly in her open and frightened eyes.
"Whatever they've said to scare you, Mizuno-san, ignore it. Ignore them and remain professional. Keep it professional here, I cannot stress that enough. I learnt my lesson by letting my private life be known here. Don't let them get anything on you, it can be vicious. A lot of staff here are bitter and jealous of one another. So, keep yourself safe. Either keep to yourself or play along. The choice is yours."
Ami nodded taking in the doctor's good words. She smiled and looked at Takahashi take a drink from her coffee. "I'm sorry."
Takahashi looked perplexed before looking at Ami's gaze on her styrofoam cup. Takahashi smiled gently before speaking, "don't sweat it. Next time though, you're buying."
Ami smiled, feeling more at ease with Takahashi with every second that passed. The doctor finished her coffee in several large gulps before throwing the cup into a nearby trashcan.
"Ready?"
Ami nodded and pulled up the first folder.
Takahashi rested her hand on the door handle before turning to Ami. "Show me some skills Mizuno. Patient?"
Ami opened up the folder in front of her and scanned the file immediately, ignoring all other details except the scientific details her mind craved for.
"Patient is a 72-year-old male, recently admitted for treatment for E Coli, which has led to planned in-depth tests on the kidneys due to a proposed TTP procedure set to take place next week. History of high blood pressure and some swelling in the joints."
Takahashi looked empathetic at Ami as she droned off the information almost robotically. Takahashi lowered her voice and regarded Ami carefully. "Mizuno-san, do not forget these are people. People who are in pain and people who are scared. They are relying not only on our knowledge but our understanding to comfort them. Try not to think of them only as diagnosis and symptoms... but as people."
Upon seeing Ami's sheepish expression, Takahashi gave another warm smile, "Start with the name, Mizuno-san."
Ami looked at the box asking for the family name and felt a pang of recognition. Takahashi, wasting no more time, opened the door to the room and entered. Ami followed slowly behind.
"Ah Hino-san, I am so sorry to have kept you waiting sir, how are you today? Are you ready for the day ahead?"
Ami ignored the doctor's voice and instead found her eyes locking with a pair of amethyst eyes she had recognised from months of working in the same building and learning tricks from the older woman.
"Ah, sensei it should be no problem! I'm fine with a bit of a wait. It's my impatient granddaughter you should fear! The temper of a rattlesnake!" The old man laughed heartily but did not notice his granddaughter had not heard his comment.
Ami took in a deep breath before giving out a small smile and nodding to Rei who was sitting in a seat beside the bed her grandfather was currently occupying.
Rei nodded back before giving out a small, warm smile. "Ami-san, good to see you."
Takahashi looked between the two young women before returning her attention to the man before her – anything not related to this gentleman in front of her was none of her business. But it was her concern. She planned to talk to Ami as soon as they left the room about the dark-haired woman, how she knew her and if it would interfere with her ability to work on their ward.
If it did... then that was totally unacceptable and needed to be fixed instantly.
"Oh My God, I think my throat is about to go into relapse."
Michiru walked into the room that their belongings and producers were and reached for the nearest bottle of water. Smirking, Minako grabbed a bottle of water and spoke just as Michiru took a swig of her drink.
"Well, I'm pretty sure I've heard you say that before."
Minako gave a salacious smile to Michiru who struggled to swallow her water.
"Oh come on, after that conference with Shanghai-Tokyo business coalition, you can't be surprised that you were then only known as Michiru 'On Her Knees to Please Even The Chinese' Kaioh."
Minako stifled a laugh as she took in Michiru's completely flabbergasted expression.
"I... I don't know even know what to say to that! You are so lewd, Minako!" Michiru swatted Minako who swiftly evaded the hit.
Seiya couldn't help but laugh, not only at Minako's remarks but the playful friendship the two women share. Taiki seemed just as shocked at Minako's comments as Michiru was... and as for Yaten?
He was filing his nails.
Yaten let out a loud sigh. "Am I supposed to be shocked that she's given more blowjobs then I've had hot dinners? And a word to the wise girls... keep the ex-solicitation days to a shush kind of level. If word gets out about that then you can kiss your record deal bye-bye. Then you'll know what it feels like to be truly fucked over."
Yaten didn't stop filing his nails for a second as he spoke.
Noticing the silence after a while, he looked up to meet a confused Minako.
"Y'know, somedays I'm not sure if you hate us or love us... judging by the way you speak Yaten-san," Minako stated matter-of-factly.
Yaten smirked as he laid his file down on the desk beside him. "When you sing I could fall in love with you, have your children and sell organs on the black market to keep you in a life of luxury... but as soon as you speak?... Well, things change."
Minako adopted a look of faux hurt while Michiru mumbled into her water bottle. "I empathise, Yaten-san."
Yaten sent a grin to the two while Seiya and Taiki ignored Yaten's brash behaviour and instead the two adopted a more professional approach.
"Minako, that was a great take by the way, I think we'll have you as lead vocals on that one, and Michiru, on It's Good To Be In Love – well, that's yours if ever I heard it."
Seiya grinned at the two women, more than glad of the progress they had made today. In the six hours of recording, the pitches had managed to be set for at least two of the songs, which would make life easier when they record each layer of the track.
"Yes, and good news, we managed to send over the songs you two wrote over to our legal team to get them copy-written. We hope you don't mind but we took the liberty of arranging them as your corporate lawyers. On retainer and paid for and approved of by the label boss." Taiki never took his eyes off the paper in front of him once as he spoke.
Minako and Michiru didn't protest to anything he said and all the men in the room took that as consent to their actions.
"Well, you two can take an hour break. We were going to order in some pizza, you two in?"
Minako nodded her head enthusiastically and Michiru just smirked at her antics. "If you could order me a salad I'd appreciate that, Seiya-kun."
Seiya nodded as Michiru and Minako both took respective seats on the two different sofas where their belongings were strewn. Michiru picked up her cell-phone and sighed upon seeing that she had missed no calls or messages. Michiru was interrupted from her self-pitying by none other than Minako.
"NO! No! No, no, no, no, no!"
Minako leapt from her seat into standing position, cell phone in hand and looked up opposite her, seeing three confused faces. "I have three missed calls from her! Three! Why did no-one pick up my cell? You said you would! You all said you would!" Minako began to get hysterical as she spoke.
Seiya, Taiki and Yaten all shared confused glances before Yaten shrugged and spoke nonchalantly.
"We didn't hear it at first but I picked it up the last time it called."
"And she hung up?"
Minako's voice was tight and Yaten nodded.
"Yeah. After I asked who she was."
Upon seeing Minako's fierce expression Yaten took a breath and mumbled out quickly, "Rei, she said her name was Rei."
Minako picked the phone up and looked at the time of the missed calls. All were within five minutes of each other... over three hours ago.
"Dammit!"
Minako picked up her phone and dialled the number she knew by heart anyway. Seconds passed by in silence and Michiru took in Minako's body language, noting her nervousness and her tautness.
"Shit! Voicemail! Fuck!... Rei! Rei, it's me, please call me back. Please!"
Minako hung up her cell phone and threw it down onto the sofa. "Shit!"
Everyone in the room was shocked at Minako's colourful language but no-one dared interrupt her or chide her.
"Fucking hell! Trust the one time she calls me I fucking miss it!"
Minako turned to Yaten and her blue eyes were wilder than anything Yaten had ever seen. "You!"
Minako began taking long strides up to him, with every step Yaten visibly flinched and straightened up in his seat, sending a frightened glance to everyone else in the room. "Are you so fucking self-absorbed that you think nothing matters but you? Your life and anything even remotely related to you? It didn't occur to you to tell me that I had a call earlier? Is nothing important to you but YOU?!"
Minako raised both her hands and Yaten flinched.
Minako stepped back and ran her hands through her hair.
Michiru stood stock still. She had no idea what to do.
Seiya stood up and approached Minako slowly.
"Minako... let's step outside."
Seiya closed the door behind him, more worried than he had ever been about the blonde. She did not even put up a fight as he led her out the room and out of earshot of everyone else. Seiya crossed his arms and gave a small smile to Minako, offering her the time she needed to talk.
"I... I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me, Seiya-kun." Minako took deep breaths that forced her body to shudder and her head to bow slightly.
Seiya made a deep 'hmm' sound in his throat before unfolding his arms and leaning back against the wall. "It's okay Minako-chan... but you know, you really let off at Yaten in there... you wanna talk about it?"
Minako let out a small sharp bark of sarcastic laughter at Seiya's question as she quickly wiped at her eyes, hoping that Seiya couldn't see the wetness in her eyes.
"Where do you want me to start with what's wrong with me? You want the Hallmark angsty post-adolescent version or the truth that might not be so great to swallow?"
Minako's eyes flashed with defiance and Seiya gave a small smile before leading Minako over to a pair of chairs in a small waiting room nearby.
"Tell me whatever you want, Minako, just let me know why you exploded in there."
Looking over Seiya, Minako debated her decision. She owed Seiya, Taiki and Yaten so much... the least she could do was explaining her actions... or at least hope to explain them to the best of her ability. She could only hope afterwards that Seiya would not embarrass her when ejecting her from the label.
"That crazy bitch! Did you see that?" Yaten was shaking slightly as he spoke to Taiki.
"Yes, Yaten, we all saw it." Taiki spoke in a tired voice and looked over to Michiru who was staring out at the door.
Seconds later, she turned her head and locked eyes with Taiki.
"She went fucking crazy! I want her out of here! FUCKING NUTJOB!" Yaten shouted at the door.
Michiru frowned and approached him quickly, swiftly throwing the remains of her water bottle's liquid across the face – finishing the job that Minako started. Taiki smirked at Michiru's antics and made no move to chastise her. Yaten stood there wide-eyed before looking over to Taiki.
"Do something, Tai! Fuck me, are you all fucking going crazy?" Yaten fumed while looking at Michiru, his hand flying to his face to take wipe some of the water out of his eyes.
"She was right, you are self-centred! Jesus Christ, Yaten, has it not occurred to you that more people than you exist in the world?"
Yaten snorted at Michiru before sending a glare to Taiki. "Y'know, if these two didn't have such a hard-on for you I'd have your ass thrown out of here."
Michiru levelled her gaze at Yaten. "You don't scare me. You need us... Now, we can be adults about this or immature little kids. The choice is yours."
Yaten threw a confused glance at Michiru before clenching his jaw. "Adults huh? Do adults throw water over men for no reason?"
Michiru ignored the urge to roll her eyes at Yaten before she looked at Taiki, almost searching for permission to continue her tirade. Taiki gave permission in the form of a curt nod.
"Look, we have been busting our ass to get an album in some shape before April for you guys. Promo included and you know better than anyone that takes more than six or seven months. You're pushing us to a limit and we're not complaining. All we ask are some basic respects; taking some messages, passing on missed calls, giving us regular breaks. And so far, you are the only man incapable of giving us that. Instead, you're treating like some street scum when we are far from it."
Yaten regarded Michiru steadily, before running his hand through his hair, slicking back his wet and now matted hair. "Far from street scum? Ha! If I remember correctly, this time last month you were both selling yourselves for cash. Now, nothing has changed, only this time you don't need to take a morning after pill."
Michiru looked Yaten deep in his eyes. "Maybe so, Yaten, maybe so. But I think you're just being bitter over something. What is it? What have we done to make you hate us so much?"
Yaten gave a small smug smile. "Nothing... I'm just naturally a horrible person."
Michiru snorted in disbelief. "Yeah? Well, keep that to yourself Yaten. Minako and I do not deserve that."
Yaten looked down at Michiru and sent a sincere look to Michiru through his eyes however his mouth was still holding that arrogant grin. "Give me one good reason to and I will."
Michiru shrugged and sent the same haughty smirk back to the silver-haired man. "Because you need us Yaten... you know that you need credibility after the generic crap you've been throwing out. Out of the three of you, you have more to prove than Taiki and Seiya and this could one of your last chances after the disappointing bimbos you've given the music industry so far. You have talent and potential but you're too scared to take a risk, so you settle for bitching and complaining about the crap you do produce. We're genuine and you know it and as for you? Throw us out? You're full of nothing but empty threats."
Yaten raised both eyebrows in shock involuntarily before sparing a quick glance to Taiki who was trying his very best to hold in his laughter.
Yaten let out a small chuckle before raising his hands in defeat and mock bowing to Michiru. "Ah, Kaioh-san. I have met my match so it seems. Nice... nice."
Yaten turned to Taiki, "I like her. She's got spunk."
Taiki looked at Michiru and opened his mouth, ready to respond with a genius one-liner only to be stopped by Michiru's hand swiftly rising and her curt voice filling the air.
"Don't you dare Taiki-san, I expect better from you."
Taiki chuckled softly. "Can't blame me for wanting to not appear like a non-player character, can you?"
She shook her head but sent a warning to him using her eyes. A few moments later, Michiru turned around and collected some napkins from their table and returned them to Yaten. She held them out to him.
"Just at least till the end of the album... Truce?"
Yaten looked at Taiki once more before reaching out for the napkins and giving Michiru a boyish lopsided grin.
"Truce."
"Okay, so there... that's why I've been acting like a mega-bitch." Minako looked away from Seiya as she finished her 'CliffNote' but brutally honest version of recent events causing her to act unlike herself.
Seiya sat back in his chair and took in the information just handed to him. Talk about drama! He thought things like this only happened on The L Word or something. Then again, he never knew all the dramas of his friends that were inclined the same way Minako was – he wasn't stereotyping but he'd be damned if he didn't think lesbian drama was a hell lot of over the top twists and turns in what should be simple everyday life!
"...So... do you want to give her another call? I can go if you want. Or stay here for moral support and stuff."
Minako looked at Seiya, completely shocked at his words. "Y-You're not throwing me out?"
Now it was Seiya's turn to look at Minako in utter astonishment. "Throw you out? Are you mad? Throw you out for what?"
Minako's eyes wandered over to the room containing Taiki, Michiru and Yaten. Seiya snickered gently, "Throw you out for putting Yaten in his place? I should be handing you a medal of honour!"
Seiya's comment managed to get a small smile out of Minako. Minako fiddled with her hands as Seiya reached into his blazer pocket and removed his cell-phone and handed it over to Minako.
"Here... call her."
Minako raised an eyebrow but aside from that didn't move a muscle.
Seiya held his hands up playfully; "Hey, I swear I'll delete her number after, no worries about me stealing your girl."
"Pfft, she's not my girl."
Seiya noted the sadness in Minako's voice and reached his phone out to her once more. "Not unless you call her she won't be."
Minako gave another small grin before taking the phone. She paused and looked up at him.
He stood up. "I'll be by the door. Take your time."
As soon as Seiya moved out of earshot, Minako furiously tapped in the eleven digits she knew so well and patiently listened as the call connected and the familiar sound of ringing filled up her ears. Minako held her breath, scared that a single movement from her could alter the activity on the phone. She prayed for the first time in years; she prayed to whoever was out there that Rei would pick up.
Her prayers went unanswered even though the phone did not.
"You have reached the voicemail of Hino Rei. Leave a message."
Minako had became so acquainted with this message ever so often over the past few days in her desperate attempt to get Rei to talk to her that she could recognize it within the first word. Taking in a deep breath, Minako tried to control her breathing and to keep her tears at bay. She had not cried at all since trying to call Rei... but now? After missing the only evidence of Rei wanting to talk to her?
Minako felt like curling up and crying until her body ran dry.
"Rei... I am so so sorry for missing your call. I... I just want you to know that I..." Minako sighed deeply unable to say what she truly wanted to.
If she said the words she ached to tell Rei through something as menial as a voicemail she would never forgive herself. Resigning herself to the next best thing Minako gave a clear message instead, "I want you to call me. So we can arrange to meet up. I need to see you."
Minako flipped the cell-phone closed and buried her face into her hands. Not forgetting about Seiya's presence, she stood up and forced a smile out as she handed him his phone, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Here you go, Seiya-kun... thank you."
Seiya took the phone but kept his eyes on Minako. "I'm sorry Minako."
The blonde shrugged and made a move to enter the room they exited not ten minutes prior but was stopped by Seiya blocking her entrance using his body. Minako stepped back, eyebrow quirked. Seiya placed a hand on Minako's shoulder.
"Y'know... I think today might be a good time to cut a song, Minako. How about track thirteen?"
Minako looked confused for a moment.
"There are only twelve tracks planned for the song, Seiya-kun."
Seiya grinned and nodded.
"Hai... there are... well, were. Though I did find this delightful little song written in a notebook I just happened to find open. I believe it was called 'Must Be Dreaming'."
Minako's mouth opened wider than any other time she could remember and she swatted Seiya on the arm.
"You snooped through my things?!"
Seiya laughed before slinging an arm over Minako's shoulder.
"Haha, yeah I did... I mean I call it 'Must Be Dreaming' because those were the only other words written in the space left for a sing title aside from Rei's song... and I don't mean to sound mean, but naming it after her is just straight up cheesy."
Seiya hugged Minako gently and reached for the door handle. He paused before opening it and sent a glance at Minako. "Ready to sing for your girl?"
Minako straightened her posture and her smile was gone but her face was resolute. Seiya opened the door revealing a smug Michiru, an indifferent Taiki and an inexplicably soaked Yaten. Minako looked from the three to Seiya and gave a small but sure nod of her head.
"Yes. I'm ready."
"Okay now, Grandpa, remember what the doctor said? You need rest. So do not argue with the doctors. Please, you just rest and I'll take care of the duties of the temple."
Rei's grandfather began to rise and protest with Rei but the dark-haired priestess gently pushed him back down onto the bed.
"Grandpa! Please! Just sit down! For one day."
Rei gave her grandfather her 'no messing around' look and the old man acquiesced.
"Ah! Okay, Rei-chan, you win. This old man will lie down like a dying dog."
He winked over at Rei and sighed heavily as he allowed his body to relax into his bed. "Oh, Rei that reminds me did you make up with your friend?"
The old man had closed his eyes and Rei was grateful for that so as he would not see her pained look. She cleared her throat and shook her head forgetting for a moment that the old man could not see her face. "No, grandpa. We didn't get a chance to talk."
Rei gave a tight lipped small smile to the old man who opened his eyes in time.
His eyes softened in understanding and he placed his hand over Rei's. "Rei... sometimes people are worth chasing. Even the ones we love who hurt us. It hurts because they have a part of us we can never take back. We give them something and we're connected for good to them."
Rei's lips parted in shock at her grandfather's insight without Rei telling him anything.
The old man smiled gently. "You aren't a priest for as long as I am, without hearing about people's tales of pained love and seeing the signs. You're not a grandfather for as long as I am, without how your granddaughter is... especially when she's so painfully in love."
Rei said nothing but slumped backwards from her kneeled position beside her grandfather.
The old man patted her hand gently and turned over in his bed. "I'll rest now, Rei-chan, you go do the chores then call your lady friend and sort out what you need to. Night, Rei-chan!"
As if automatically, Rei nodded and stood to her feet, slowing backing out of the room until she slid his door closed and walked halfway up the hallway before she stopped in her tracks and scrunched her face up in confusion.
'How the hell does he do that?!'
Rei thought for a moment on how strange it was her grandfather could act so dopey most of the time, then bust out a moment of pure knowledge like that without so much as batting an eyelid or changing his tone of voice. Rei gave a small laugh before she made her way over to the temple steps and absentmindedly grabbing the broom required to clear the outside steps. Rei swiftly made her way down the steep steps to the bottom and began sweeping swiftly from one step to the next.
About fifteen steps into her chore, she heard a more than familiar clearing of the throat; Rei spun around on the spot and her eyes widened.
"Miss M?!"
Setsuna stood at the bottom of the steps, her posture perfect and her face in its usual stoic position.
"Hi, Rei. How are you?"
Rei dropped her broom and walked down ten steps, bringing her above eye level to Miss M who was stepped up three steps to make the height difference non-existent. Rei gingerly began to crouch before using a step as a substitute chair and gesturing for Setsuna to do the same.
Setsuna sat down and stared Rei squarely in the eye.
Feeling uneasy, Rei looked away before staring back at Setsuna. "Why are you here, Miss M?"
"Onegai... call me Setsuna now. How are things, Rei?"
Rei noted how Setsuna dodged her question by answering another but she decided to answer the question. "Things are better than they were. We went to the hospital today for tests."
Rei suppressed a small smile, "Ami was there."
Setsuna elegantly raised one fine eyebrow. "At the hospital? Is she okay?"
Rei nodded and gave a small soft laugh. "Hai, she's fine. She's working there or something. Smart girl. It was kind of funny though, you would have enjoyed the awkward moment for sure."
"So, Hino-San, that concludes our preliminary check, so if you could just go to the bathroom and fill this jar up with a sample of your urine we'd really appreciate that..." Takahashi handed a large jar over to Rei's grandfather before clearing her throat and adding, "Please... try your best to not get anything on the outside of the jar."
The old man gave a laugh to the doctor and nodded.
"Don't worry! I'll keep the jar as clean as you gave it to me."
Rei's grandfather shuffled off to the adjoining bathroom to do his duty.
Takahashi slowly turned and took in the striking dark-haired woman who was still seated beside the bed. After a few seconds, Takahashi turned to Ami and saw her looking nervous.
"Is everything okay, Mizuno-san?"
Ami looked up and nodded furiously. "H-hai, I'm just writing up the notes, sensei."
Takahashi shook her head and sighed gently.
"No, I meant is everything fine here. I couldn't help but notice that you two seem... acquainted."
Takahashi measured her words and waited for a reaction from either woman. It was the dark-haired woman in the chair who spoke first, rising from her seat as she did so.
"Hai. Mizuno-san is an old colleague of mine."
Takahashi gave a look between the two and Rei took a moment before emphasising a point, "That's all."
The older doctor in the room looked to Ami and saw she was fighting down a furious blush. Takahashi smirked, seemingly happy with Rei's answer but Rei in a moment of completely irresistible baiting couldn't help but ask a question.
"Mizuno-san, how is Kino-san? I hope she is well."
Takahashi turned to Ami to see the colour from her face had drained and she seemed desperate to search for an exit. Takahashi gave a small smirk before clearing her throat, not sure of how to break the atmosphere in the room. Luckily she was saved by Rei's grandfather who exited the bathroom at that exact moment, holding up a scarily full jar of off-yellow clear liquid.
"Ah! There you go! It's a good thing I had all that water this morning eh, Rei-chan?" The old man smiled oblivious to his surroundings.
"Okay, even I'm not that mean, Rei." The dark-haired woman laughed out loud before stopping and inclining her head.
"I know... I was in a bitchy mood and I couldn't actually be mean to Ami... so I went for the next best route..." Rei trailed off as she looked up into the late afternoon sky.
The clouds were scattered, revealing the orangey blue sky the clouds hide.
"I empathise. Some days, it is hard to resist embarrassing the poor girl. One of these days I swear to God she's going to die from shock or embarrassment."
A comfortable silence passed between the Setsuna and her ex-employee. Rei thought how strange it was they always bonded over their hobies of picking on people and being as aloof as possible.
"I heard you're closing down After Dark."
Setsuna shook her head. "Nope. I closed it. After you quit, Ami pretty much got another job somewhere else. Michiru and Minako got their dream jobs. I'm paying off Haruka next week."
Rei brought her knees to her chest and wrapped her arms around her legs. She rested her head on her knees and spoke quietly.
"Sorry."
Setsuna looked up to the dark-haired woman and smiled softly.
"Don't be. You did nothing wrong. It's time has come to an end. Heh, it's not like we didn't all do well out of it, eh?"
Setsuna closed her eyes and enjoyed the late afternoon remnants of the sun as it began to set; it was a soft, warm, embracing heat on her skin that caused Setsuna to remember more golden days of her youth in a split second before she opened her eyes.
"So... why are you really here?"
Setsuna expelled a short breath before looking out onto the street opposite the temple. "I... I just wanted to come and make sure everything was fine. And to let you know that if you ever need anything... well, you have my number."
Rei nodded; she knew that to give Setsuna any form of verbal thanks or gratitude was beneath them both not to mention highly unnecessary. Neither were women that require words to stoop to the level to thank someone so deeply that they considered a friend – afterall, friends would do something like that for another friend without question and without expecting anything in return... right?
"And to let you know that Minako is miserable."
Rei turned her face away as Setsuna stood up and began brushing down her skirt, ridding it of any dirt or general icky-ness she didn't want on her clothes.
Setsuna watched Rei turn away and say nothing. "Just give her a call. Please, Rei? Or pick up when she calls. She's hounding me on my number and it's really beginning to piss me off."
Rei stayed still and Setsuna cleared her throat once more and readied herself to speak once more only to stop and stand back. "Take care and keep yourself out of trouble, Rei."
Rei spoke quietly, still keeping her eyes off of Setsuna.
"Take care, Miss M."
"Who's my four o'clock Kunzite?" Beryl removed one folder from in front of her and placed it into her 'outbox' that was perched on the edge of her desk.
Kunzite flicked some of his long hair behind him as he picked up a stylus and tapped at his PDA a few times. He let out a sigh a few seconds later. "Ugh... a representative from the Asahi Shimbun is here to talk about the Eruma Norika article that claims she's having Kitano Takeshi's lovechild..."
Kunzite trailed off clearly unimpressed with the task at hand.
Beryl sat back in her chair and stretched languidly. "Is it the real reporter or have they just sent some lackey?"
Kunzite shrugged. "It just says a Kobayashi Maya is here for Asahi. Is that her?"
Beryl shook her head, highly annoyed that she would have to waste her time talking to some two-bit replacement instead of the idiot she planned to rip a new one into.
"Let the dumbass in."
Beryl sat upright, her cool, calm facade was on and she was ready to do what she did best – manipulate someone for her benefit. Kunzite walked over to the door and opened it, gesturing for someone on the other side to enter. Beryl was slightly taken back by the cockiness with which the other woman entered the room. But she didn't let her surprise show – not for a second.
"Take a seat, Kobayashi-san."
Kunzite indicated to the chair opposite Beryl and the auburn haired woman sat down, taking out some papers and a Dictaphone from her briefcase that she placed on her lap as she sat down. Beryl quirked an eyebrow as she took note of the recording equipment. But, she said nothing, as usual.
"Kobayashi-san, you know why you're here. An article was printed two days ago in the Entertainment section of your newspaper indicating that one of our clients was in an elicit love affair with another popular figure of the country. What does the paper have to say to defend itself?"
Maya smirked, turning on her Dictaphone and began to respond. "The writer of that article has assured me her sources are 100% reliable. As someone who deals with privileged information for a PR and talent agency I'm sure you won't be shocked when I tell you that I, as a journalist, cannot reveal my sources. However, I can reiterate their reliability."
Beryl looked down at the Olympus digital recorder and leaned back into her seat, her hands together, making an almost steeple like shape. Beryl looked over to Kunzite and nodded slowly; he stepped over and stood beside Beryl, creating an impression of solidarity and intimidation which did not faze Maya in the least.
Beryl looked down at a file in front of her. "We're offering you the chance to make a retraction before we take any further action against your paper... more specifically your reporter."
Maya took a moment to process this information and took in the woman before her – searching for some sign of a bluff.
She found no such thing.
Maya cleared her throat and brought her hands closer to her body, nodding slowly. "I've been informed by my superiors, that in the event you would present us with such an ultimatum to tell you we will not retract."
Beryl opened her mouth to protest but was cut off by Maya speaking once more, "however, we can come to some sort of arrangement I'm sure."
Beryl quirked an eyebrow and looked up at Kunzite. He shrugged and proffered his head towards Maya. Beryl sighed, seemingly bored with everything but raised her hand and rolled it elegantly.
"Go on then. What did you have in mind?"
Maya grinned gleefully and pulled out a manila folder from her briefcase.
"Yesterday I was at the press conference over Mimet's new album. But she was not the focal point. All the hubbub was about another up-and-coming act. We heard that the Kous' are keeping mum about them; the songs, the type of music, their background and everything. But we did hear they are going to be the biggest thing to happen to music this decade."
Maya looked over at Beryl and Kunzite who both appeared to be disinterested in the words she had said. Maya sighed and spoke with conviction. "We want the exclusive on them."
Kunzite looked down at Beryl in confusion before speaking for the older woman; taking his cue from Beryl's narrowed eyes that were solely concentrated on Maya.
"We have several up and coming artistes, but the Shimbun will have to wait for the musicians we represent just like every other paper."
Beryl held up a file and gave it to Kunzite, indicating him to read the first few lines, and he did so obediently.
"Kaioh Michiru and Aino... Minako..." Kunzite trailed off as he read the familiar name, instantly turning over a page in the folder to see the picture that accompanied the names and a small smirk formed over his face.
Beryl looked up at her 'minion' and frowned as she saw he had stopped speaking. She snatched the folder from his hands and sent him a look containing her impatience and aggression. Beryl turned to Maya and spoke with a notable sense of authority and arrogance in her tone.
"Kaioh Michiru and Aino Minako are scheduled for a press conference in two weeks time. You, like the rest of the press, can wait until then to speak to them."
Beryl stood and indicated that Maya should leave.
Maya clenched her jaw and stood, quickly stuffing the files and folders from her bag and putting them in her briefcase. As she was doing so, the door opened and in walked a man Maya recognised almost instantly.
Chiba Mamoru.
He looked dishevelled and his eyes seemed hollow and his skin unhealthily pale. Mamoru seemingly ignored everyone in the room and paced over to Beryl's desk, placing down a light brown folder on her desk. Beryl spoke out, her eyes never leaving Maya's face.
"What is this, Mamoru?"
Maya noted how Mamoru flinched at the recognition in his voice from the woman opposite her but she said nothing.
Mamoru cleared his throat, "It's a request from Watanabe-sama for us to represent Kaioh-san and Aino-san."
Mamoru closed his mouth and for the first time recognised the auburn haired woman in the room.
"Kobayashi-san. How are you?"
Mamoru's question that did not really desire an answer come along with a small bow to the reporter before he turned his gaze away from Maya and turned to Beryl. "It needs your signature, I wrote up the preliminary basics. If you sign it, I can just take it and finalize it."
Beryl sighed, taking a pen from her desk and swiftly opened the folder, searched through the files, skimming the pages as she went along before finally clicking the end of her pen and signing her name. She closed the folder and handed it back to Mamoru. It took it and silently bowed, addressing everyone in the room before leaving the room saying nothing more.
Maya chuckled to herself as she finished putting her papers in her briefcase.
Beryl turned to the woman she knew as Kobayashi-san and cleared her throat. "You know Chiba-san?"
Maya gave out a small bitter laugh. "I was acquainted with him once a very long time ago."
Maya, upon noting Beryl's posture turn to a more aggressive stance quickly added, "He was friends with my ex-partner."
Beryl relaxed instantly, but took in Maya's use of the word partner. As a highly respected and reputed lawyer it didn't take her more than five seconds to realise that Maya meant partner in the implicit form of a female. Beryl gave a short laugh, quickly drawing down a mental shortlist of possible candidates in her mind.
"Tenoh-san?"
Beryl almost thought her first guess was correct but upon seeing Maya give a disgusted snort at the name, the older woman quickly went to her second option.
"Kino-san?"
Maya stopped fiddling with her bag and looked at the lawyer before her.
"I take it you are acquainted with Chiba-san and his friends then?"
Beryl gave a nonchalant shrug. "We were involved."
Maya nodded and held her briefcase by its handle.
"But not anymore. I saw him with his wife a while ago."
Beryl's jaw clenched at the mention of Mamoru's wife and Maya smirked triumphantly.
"Well, thank you for your time, but I really must go." Maya gave a short bow before making her way out of the office.
As soon as the office door closed Kunzite spoke up.
"Thought I recognised her."
Beryl gave the tall man a confused glare causing him to explain himself, "At the restaurant opening of Kino Makoto's... she was there. I saw her speak to Kino-san and Mamoru-san."
Beryl tried to think back to the event but could not recall the reporter, instead Beryl slumped into her chair, Kunzite followed suit and sat in the chair opposite Beryl.
"Ah, yes the restaurant opening... the one you and Jadeite spent giving your sole attention to those two prostitutes?"
Kunzite gave out a loud laugh and opened the folder they were previously looking at. "Those prostitutes as you call them have seemingly gone up in the world... you remember the blonde one, yes?"
Beryl gave no look of affirmation but Kunzite continued anyway, "Her name was Aino Minako."
Beryl's face contorted to realisation. "No wonder Kou-san is keeping them quiet. She was on the game?"
Kunzite nodded, nearly dropping off into a golden memory he treasure of his night at the hotel with the delectable blonde.
Beryl laughed incredulously. "Talk about difficult. If this ever gets out... Well, we'll do our job and leave the PR to Artemis-kun."
Before Kunzite could respond there was a knock at the door. The two lawyers shared a confused look before Kunzite shrugged. Beryl shrugged and barked out a loud clear command for whoever it was to enter.
Seconds later, a familiar auburn haired woman entered the room, a sheepish look on her face.
"Sorry, I forgot something."
Kunzite rolled his eyes, clearly unimpressed with the reporter's apparent lack of organisational skills.
Maya ignored their patronising looks and approached Beryl's desk, swiftly reaching to the edge and picking up her digital recorder, holding it firmly in her hands. Beryl looked down at her in an agitated manner before giving a pointed look to Maya.
"Sorry for interrupting."
Maya quickly retreated to the door, closing it firmly behind her.
Kunzite turned to Beryl. "What the hell did she forget?"
Beryl shrugged turning her attention back to her files.
"Her cell-phone I think. Now, Kunzite... I need your help with something. I heard Mamoru isn't staying at home."
Kunzite smiled and nodded, asking for Beryl to continue. "I want to find out where he is staying. If he's not with that blonde-baka wife of his then that must mean it's over. And I can get what I want. He just doesn't realise it. He had me before, he'll want me again."
Kunzite nodded and looked at his watch.
"Once we're finished up here I'll get straight onto it, Kuuin-san."
Maya entered the cab, struggling to keep her briefcase, cell-phone and her dictaphone in both hands without dropping any of the items. As she gave directions to the cab driver to go to the newspaper headquarters, Maya put her briefcase beside her and pocketed her cell-phone. As she looked down at her dictaphone she saw that the little red light indicating it was still recording was on.
Curious, Maya took out a small pair of headphones designed especially for the dictaphone and connected them.
She went to the last recording and listened to it; she heard the conversation between herself and the other woman and for a second thought that only mundane conversation would occur after the man on the recorder indicated he remembered her.
She was about to press stop when the lawyer's voice said something that almost knocked her for six.
Maya turned off her dictaphone and placed it safely in her briefcase – a giant smile overtaking her features. She had her story and she had the name of the other artist to boot too. But the most important thing was she had her story.
Aino Minako was a prostitute turned idol.
It had career defining written all over it. And to top it all off – no-one could deny its truth. Maya's features contorted as a fox-like grin took over her face and she spoke quietly to herself, almost conspiratorially.
"I'm gonna be famous."
A/N 2 - So there you have it, an update - they will be more regular from now on as I changed departments at work... again. Anyway! If you made it this far, R&R... who knows? It may inspire me to update quicker... -VR