Chapter 4: A Glimpse of the Shadow's Heart

Two days after the battle with Goneril came with no signs of the Disciples and no other berserkers had been seen in the city. The silence didn't convince Cass and Victor the Disciples had given up; they were, merely, biding their time as they planned the next strike. Whatever that was. But, for Cass and especially Victor, it was good to know that this battle wasn't one they would be facing alone. Still, the lack of activity did motivate Victor to go see if he could find any clues.

Victor was across the street from the junkyard where Goneril was defeated, having a look around, but nothing was out of the ordinary. He groaned, lowering his headphones to hang around his neck, "Man! Some kind of clue would be nice."

"Victor?" Rei asked.

Victor turned and saw her, then smiled, "Oh, hey, Rei! What are you doing here?"

"Same as you. I wanted to have a look around again."

"By yourself?"

"Well, yeah! I am a Sailor Guardian, after all. I could say the same to you."

Victor chuckled a bit. "Fair enough."

Rei looked at the junkyard, "Anything?"

Victor studied the junkyard as well, "Nothing. It's like Goneril was never here. Something's wrong."

"Yeah. I can feel it. There's another malevolent force at play."

"That sadly makes sense," Victor exhaled. "You're pretty attuned."

"Mmhmm," Rei nodded. "Between being a priestess and a Guardian… I can sense so much."

"Is that why you noticed me at first?"

"Yeah. How did you sense me?"

"One of the traits of Shadow Angels is the ability to sense powers, too," Victor explained. "We're trained to increase our sensitivity to it. Also comes with something like a… warning of when danger approaches. Though that doesn't always work. I felt a strong pull when I walked by the restaurant and felt someone was looking at me. I mean, I'm used to people looking at me, but this was different. I looked up and saw you. I didn't know you were a Sailor Guardian, but I could tell you were special. After the night with the berserker with you and others fighting it, I put two and two together and ended up at your Shrine."

"I see."

Victor looked around, "Well, this is goin' nowhere." He turned back to Rei, "Hungry?"

Rei looked at Victor, "Uhhh, sure. But I'm… a little low on money."

"No worries. I got it. Cass gives me an allowance. I saw this noodle place around the corner. Ever been there?"

Rei shook her head.

"Wanna try it?"

"Uhhh… y-yeah. If you're sure. A-about paying for me, that is."

"Only if you are."

Rei smiled a bit. Then nodded.

They went to a nearby ramen shop, spending the next hour and a half talking and eating.

"So, there is something I've been wanting to know," Rei admitted.

"No, I don't really have wings," Victor joked.

"Not that!" Rei paused. "Well… actually, yeah, that, too."

Victor laughed.

"No, just… what are you always listening to on your headphones?"

"Usually, any song I like when I'm just relaxing," Victor answered. "Old school songs are my favorite. American songs, to be clear. Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, Ray Charles, absolutely anything from Motown. But I love a bit of everything, really. R-and-B, jazz, blues, B.B. King, Louis Armstrong. I love rock music, too. Hence the shirts."

"Kinda guessed that one," Rei giggled.

Victor chuckled, "Yeah, that was obvious."

"You're really into music, huh?"

"Blame Cass for that. After he rescued me, he started playing music to help me focus and relax. It just became a thing for me. I actually play piano a little."

Rei blinked. "Really?"

"Yeah," Victor answered. "But… when I say 'little', I mean very little. I'm not good at all." He laughed. "Cass is better. He can play pretty much any musical instrument."

"He seems really cool."

"He is. Don't tell him I said that."

Rei laughed. "Mum's the word."

Victor studied her, "But you're probably asking about the music 'cause you see me walking with my headphones always on, no matter what, right?"

"More or less."

"A little trick that, again, I learned from Cass. When I'm working on a case and I need to go around town, pretending I'm not paying attention to anyone? All classical music."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah. I love Beethoven and Mozart. It's subtle enough where I can still enjoy it and hear what's going on around me. Here." Victor handed her his headphones. "Give a listen."

Rei put the headphones on. She listened for a while to the current song: Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata.

"It's beautiful," Rei admitted.

"Couldn't agree more," Victor smiled.

"Can you… play this? O-on piano?"

"Yeah, a little bit."

"Oh." Rei looked at Victor, staring into his eyes. "Cool." She kept gazing as she lowered the headphones, "You…"

"Something wrong?" Victor asked.

"No, just… your eyes. I… didn't notice you have a… purple ring around your eyes."

Victor grinned a bit. "No one ever notices that. No one's been close enough."

"Is that a… Shadow Angel side effect?"

"Yeah. My power… it's always active. Comes with being a weapon."

"You don't really think you are, do you?" Rei asked. "I mean… you don't really believe you're… just a weapon, right?"

"It comes and goes," Victor shrugged.

"I don't see a weapon. I haven't seen one at all since we met. Not once."

"You haven't seen me mad."

"And you've seen me mad. Between Usagi and Yuichiro, I'm always ready to hit one of them. You saw me hit Yuichiro. Do you think I'm a weapon?"

Victor gazed into her eyes. "No. Not at all."

"Umm!" Rei cleared her throat, "Mm! Thanks. I just… you're not a weapon. Okay? I promise."

"I appreciate it, Rei," he replied.

She handed the headphones back, "I… really like your music."

"Thanks. You can listen to it anytime."

"I'd like that."

They sat in silence for a few seconds. Victor felt a calm he wasn't used to, and Rei was finding herself becoming entranced his gaze.

"I…" Rei said, "need to, umm… go… somewhere… I think…" She stopped. Her eyes widened in a shot, "Home! I need to get home. Check on my grandpa and everything."

"Got you," Victor replied. "Mind if I walk you home?"

"Not at all."

Rei and Victor walked back to the Hikawa Shrine, talking all along the way. Rei couldn't help but notice how comfortable she felt around Victor. She'd seen him fight and, despite the power and intensity of the warrior he was, he was just a nice, cool guy. Victor thoroughly enjoyed this time he was spending around Rei. He found all of the Guardians beautiful, but Rei was definitely special in her own way. While Victor could say the same about all of the Guardians, Rei stood out in a very good way.

They arrived at the Shrine to see Yuichiro just heading down the steps. The second Yuichiro saw Victor, he scowled. "Hello," Yuichiro greeted with a growl.

Victor smiled, "Hello again!"

"Where are you going?" Rei asked Yuichiro.

"Your grandpa is sending me on some errands," Yuichiro answered.

Rei checked her watch. "This late in the afternoon? Why?"

"I dunno. I have to go to the store, a music shop, a junk shop…"

Rei grumbled. "Just go…"

Yuichiro nodded. He slowly turned to Victor. "And how long are you staying?"

"YUICHIRO!"

Yuichiro jumped back and ran away.

Rei groaned, rubbing her right temple.

Victor chuckled. "You know? It's never been so evident for me that someone doesn't like me. Well… short of being a Havoc Disciple."

"He's just being an idiot!" Rei replied.

"Well! Let him know not to worry. I'll be out of his way soon enough, and I won't be a threat to you and him in any way."

Rei glowered at Victor.

Victor chuckled, putting his hands up in defense, "Kidding, kidding!"

They arrived outside of the main shrine building. Rei turned to Victor, "Thanks for walking me back."

"It was my pleasure," Victor nodded.

"Vic?"

"Yeah?"

"I know I said it yesterday but… I'm really sorry about what happened to your home."

Victor looked down a bit. "I don't tell Cass because I hate the idea of him worrying about me…" he met Rei's gaze, "but it does still bug me. For all intents and purposes, I did actually have friends there."

"I can't imagine what you must go through," Rei said, solemnly.

"I have good days and bad days. Same as everyone. I just gotta take it all in stride. Besides… I have another calling now. People need me."

Rei studied him. "What do you need?"

Victor blinked. "Me?" He shifted on his feet then paused. "Huh. Wow. I guess… huh! I never thought about it before."

"Well… think about it. You've got Cass but… you've got more friends now. We all just want to see you okay."

Victor stared at her then smiled. "Thanks, Rei."

Rei smiled in return.

Usagi, Minako, and Luna walked up to the steps, approaching Rei and Victor. "Hey, you guys!" Usagi waved.

Rei and Victor looked at them. "Hey, Usagi!" Victor greeted. "Minako, Luna."

"Victor!" Usagi grinned. "Good to see you!"

"Hey, Vic!" Minako gave a small wave.

"Hello, Victor," Luna nodded.

"What are all of you doing here?" Rei asked.

"Came looking for you," Minako answered.

"About official Guardian business, right?" Victor asked.

"You're such an optimist, Victor," Luna groaned. "I think they just came to bum manga off Rei. Seriously, the day they discuss official Guardian business without me making them… is a day I'm sure is never coming."

Victor laughed. "I'm sure Cass feels the same about me sometimes. Speaking of which…" He looked at Rei, "I better get going before he starts worrying about me. Or just gets mad that I was gone so long." He looked at Usagi, Minako, and Luna, "We'll call if we learn anything new. Catch all of you later?"

"Sure!" Usagi smiled.

"Sounds like a plan," Minako winked.

"Bye, Victor," Rei rubbed her arm. "It was… nice… hanging out with you."

Victor smiled. "Same for me. Thanks. See you later," he nodded at everyone and headed off.

Once they were sure he was gone, Usagi and Minako looked at each other, then they and Luna slowly turned to Rei, noticing she kept her gaze on Victor until he was out of sight.

Rei looked at Usagi, Minako, and Luna and jerked her head back. "What?"

"Rei…?" Luna asked. "How long were you two hanging out?"

Rei shifted on her feet. "Just… a little while."

"Oh, it was longer than that," Usagi sneered.

"Huh?"

Minako grinned as wide as possible, "We came by hours ago looking for you!"

"I went to go see if I could pick up any trail of the Disciples!" Rei argued.

"And after that went nowhere, how long did you and Vic hang out?"

Rei turned bright red, immediately.

"Ooooooo!" Usagi cooed. "You like the Shadow Angel!"

"S-Shut up, Usagi!"

"It's a bit obvious," Luna pointed out.

"It is not!" Rei countered.

"Rei, really?"

"I mean, he seems to be showing you the most attention," Minako shrugged. "I mean… I hate you for that but he does."

Rei dropped her head and huffed.

"Just admit you like him!" Usagi demanded.

"Oh, please!" Rei lifted her head up, glaring at Usagi. "That's ridiculous! I just met him!"

"So? Minako falls in love every five seconds."

"Hey!" Minako jerked her head back.

"Was that supposed to be a good point?"

Usagi thought for a moment. "Yeah, that's fair."

"I'm standing right here!" Minako shouted.

"Oh, relax! I'm joking!"

"Doesn't matter anyway," Rei replied. "I don't like Victor! Not like that!"

Usagi sneered. "Oh, yeah? Well, that's probably good then. 'Cause that would make Yuichiro so jealous!"

Rei growled, throwing her head back.

Usagi's eyes brightened. "Has Yuichiro met Victor?!"

Rei paused. "Twice."

"And?" Minako asked.

Rei paused longer. She looked at Usagi, Minako, and Luna. "He hates him."

Usagi and Minako burst out laughing.

"Can't imagine why," Luna muttered.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Rei asked.

"Rei. Victor's a handsome young man!"

"LUNA!"

"Extremely," Minako agreed.

"Yup," Usagi added.

"USAGI!" Rei screamed.

"Hold up, you can't agree," Minako said to Usagi. "You've got Mamoru!"

Usagi shrugged a bit, "What? I'm not trying to date Victor. I'm just agreeing. Cute is cute."

Minako gestured in agreement.

"Rei, listen, a guy that good looking within twenty feet of you, of course, would make Yuichiro jealous," Luna explained. "It's made worse since, like I said, you obviously like him on some level."

"What 'obviously' are you talking about?" Rei asked.

"Honestly answer: why were you two hanging out so long?"

"We were trying to look for any trace of the Disciples."

"You already said that," Luna reminded. "I meant after."

Rei paused. "Well… after… we… didn't find anything so we… went to… get… lunch… dinner-I'm not helping this, am I?"

"Nope!" Usagi and Minako answered.

Rei slapped hands on her face.

"Well, you could just have them settle it with a fight to the death," Minako joked. She threw a finger in the air, "50 bucks on Victor!"

"MINA!" Rei yelled while Usagi and Luna laughed.

Cass was writing at desk when he heard a knock on his door. He looked to see Ami standing there, sheepishly. "Ami," Cass smiled. "What can I do for you?"

"I, um…" Ami revealed the book she was holding behind her back, "I finished your medical book."

"Already?!" Cass laughed. "I'm going to have to name you 'Belle' as fast you read."

"Like in Beauty and the Beast?"

"The very same."

Ami smiled. "There are worse comparisons."

"Indeed." Cass sniffed the air. "Ah! I believe Mako is done. Let's see how she's doing."

They walked into the kitchen and found Mako tasting her cooking.

"YES!" Mako made a triumphant fist.

"How is the borscht, Mako?" Cass asked.

"I'm happy with it! But you both need to try it."

Ami and Cass each grabbed a spoon and each took a spoonful of Mako's borscht. After tasting, Ami and Cass smiled and gave Mako a thumbs-up.

"YES!" Mako exclaimed.

"A student in cooking and a student in studies," Cass mused. "If you two would like, I'll happily leave Victor here."

"Oh, you'd miss him!" Mako giggled.

"Perhaps. But don't tell him that." They all laughed.

Victor entered the kitchen to see the three of them, laughing in the kitchen. "Well, look at this!" Victor grinned. "It's like the forming of Mötley Crüe. Or a sub-group in a wrestling faction."

"Really, Victor?" Cass countered.

"Eh! I thought it was funny." Victor nodded at the others, "Ami, Mako. Good to see you."

"You, too, Victor," Ami smiled.

"Yo, Vic!" Mako poured a bowl of borscht and scooped out a spoonful. "You're my final tester! Give this a taste!"

Victor walked over and took the bite offered. He smiled, "Hey now! Okay! With that Thomas Hearns punch!"

"You know who Thomas Hearns is?!"

Victor gasped. "You do, too?!"

Victor and Mako both grinned.

"Oh, no…" Ami slapped her hand on her face.

"What's the matter, Ami?" Cass asked.

"Watch."

"Combat sports bro?!" Mako raised her hand toward Victor.

"Combat sports bro!" Victor high-fived Mako.

Cass laughed and Ami just giggled.

Ami checked her watch, "Hey, Mako, we better get goin'!"

"Oh, yeah," Mako agreed.

"Catch up with you both later?"

"Absolutely," Cass nodded.

"Cool you two stopped by," Victor said.

"Hey!" Mako smiled and winked. "It's what friends do!"

"You're both welcome anytime," Cass smiled.

"Thank you both," Ami bowed.

"See you guys later!" Mako gave the peace sign.

After they left, Cass turned to Victor, "And where have you been all day?"

"Searching for any trace of the Disciples," Victor answered, curiously. "Like I told you I was going to."

"No. Nice try, though. I mean, where you have been that brought you in here with such a happy, pleasant attitude?"

"What's that supposed to mean?! I'm happy and pleasant all the time, dammit!"

Cass glared at him.

Victor returned the glare but soon relented. "Well… my search came up empty."

"And you're still in a good mood," Cass noted. "Where were you?"

"Okay, first, even if I found nothing, what did you think I'd do when I got here? Snap on Ami and Mako?"

"No, you're kinder than that. But I detect none of your usual downtroddedness."

Victor stared at him. "I am 200% sure that is not a word."

"Where were you?" Cass insisted.

Victor looked off and shifted on his feet. "Hanging out with Rei."

Cass paused, then leaned his head slightly. He raised his eyebrow as his lips curved to a slight smile. "You spent time with Rei?"

"Yeah." Victor stopped, becoming lost in thought. "It was… nice."

"I can tell."

Victor groaned. "Stop!"

"No," Cass's smile grew. "I've never seen you… this relaxed. You usually try to stay in a positive mindset but… this is… different. A good different."

Victor rolled his eyes.

"Here, I would think Mako would be more your type," Cass suggested.

"She's more like the kind of girl I'd hang out with," Victor replied. "Still cute, don't get me wrong. Under different circumstances, I would totally be up for asking her out. But… something about Rei's… special."

"Indeed."

Victor sighed. "I'm… just… I know trying to have a girlfriend is a bad idea."

"Why?" Cass asked.

"Because I'm still me. Ya know, Shadow Angel. Plus… whether we finish this here or not, we'll probably end up leaving."

Cass considered that. "You make a fair point. But, little brother… don't put your life on hold because of what could happen."

Victor regarded Cass.

"Start looking at life for what you would like to happen."

Victor huffed. "Rei said something along those lines to me earlier."

"Hm." Cass smiled. "She is quite wise."

"Among other things."

"Listen to me, Victor… Rei's right. Look at the others: Mako loves to cook. Ami told me she dreams of becoming a doctor. The Guardians have their own dreams. They are soldiers. Heroes. They are fighting against evil… and they still dream of their own futures."

"I'm not like them, Cass," Victor declared. "We both know that."

"No," Cass countered. "I'm not like them. You're still a kid, Victor. You're human. Just like they are. More importantly, most importantly… you're alive. You have every right to dream. To want, wish, hope… and believe in a brighter future for yourself."

A/N: Well, well, well! Rei and Victor, huh? We'll see! Hope you guys are enjoying this so far!