The Taskforce arrived the same day back on earth as the couple and AICA.
Rei and SunTzu already had the data delivered to Intelligence and settled back in when the Far Side and it's escort arrived in the Sol System.
It was noon when the Taskforce began it's approach on Crystal Tokyo and the couple just left the Dining Hall after the lunch.
They followed the descent of the Far Side from the Royal Gardens.
They're ways parted after a cigarette, Rei had meetings with and work to do for the the diplomatic service of the Kingdom and SunTzu decided to train and do sport.
The exercise would do wonders after the long travels in the cockpit.
And some range time afterwards, gotta hone your skills if you want to stay the Warrior you are.
On the way to the Air Center's Gym he was thinking about that since ever they arrived back at earth Rei seemed to be a bit thoughtful. Was it because the data they collected finally gave insight into a bigger scheme, that might be worse than they thought? Or was it because she promised him to meet someone when they would come back?
Yeah, that would be it. She probably was a bit worried with that.
SunTzu was pretty sure that Rei would introduce him to her grandfather and from what she told he was rather conservative when it came to relationships.
Well, let's see how things would turn out.
After all, I'm a quite nice guy ain't I, SunTzu thought.
It was late afternoon and he just came back from the range when Rei sent him a message, stating that she would head to the Shrine now and stay there the night.
She'd contact him later, as she was a bit busy right now.
Yup, it definitely was about meeting Grandpa.
Before going home he decided to see if Ami was still at the Base and of course he found her working at her desktop.
"I went over straight from the Far Side and have been checking this data since then."
She said looking up from her table, two monitors, a laptop and a holo projector running simultaneously around her.
"Finally we have something to work with. I just had a quick glance but I wanted to verify it before I leave for Bon-Festival. You did great to convince Nel to give us this data. Oh please, have a report about this filed till I come back on Tuesday."
SunTzu was a bit surprised, such important data and she would take a few days off. This didn't fit her.
"You'll have your report. What's Bon-Festival by the way?"
Ami looked at him as SunTzu would have looked at her as she would have asked him what Easter was.
"It's our holidays to honor the spirits of our ancestors. Important family holidays and travel season, I usually meet my mom on the first and my dad on the second day. And the third day I'm there for Makoto. I didn't know that you don't know about this holiday, I mean it's important for Rei too."
Ami looked at her feet for a moment and sighed.
"Anyways, it's a big deal in Japanese Culture, so most of the Japanese Personnel here will be off duty which won't affect Operational Readiness of course. Just don't be surprised if it's a bit more empty around here the next few days."
Well, and another thing learned about Japanese Culture. SunTzu hoped that Rei would elaborate the whole thing more to him in the next few days. If she would find time, she guessed the Shrine would be pretty busy in the next few days.
Ami would stay longer tonight so he took a taxi and went home.
When he entered his apartment he realized how little time he spent there lately.
But home is where the heart is, right? And he had been much with Rei lately. And his friends. That was what counted.
SunTzu wondered when his girlfriend would contact him again but since she said she was busy he didn't write her first.
Somewhen after nightfall, he was almost falling asleep on his couch already, Rei finally called.
He jolted upwards and grabbed his phone.
"Hey."
He suppressed a yawn.
"Good evening beautiful. How are you?"
"Tired. Obon will make things crazy here. I don't know if you know what that is. It's kind of a big deal here, honoring the ancestors.
"Yeah Ami told me about it a bit. I was hoping my wonderful girlfriend, slash teacher for Japanese culture could tell me more."
"Well your best girlfriend in the world, slash honorable Master of Japanese Culture would love to." She giggled and after a moment she stopped and followed on with a more serious voice.
"Listen, about tomorrow. There was this person I want to introduce you to. I'll send you an Adress, can we meet up there? Say seven AM, before everything is crowded with people?"
"Uhm, sure. Shall I bring something as introduction gift for this person?"
Rei let out a small wheeze.
"No. No it's okay. But I appreciate the thought, it's nice from you."
"Just wanna make a good first impression."
A pause followed.
"I gotta go now. I love you and I'm looking forward to you."
"Love you too, good night Babe."
"Good Night."
They hung up and SunTzu wondered if it just was tiredness and exhaustion that bothered Rei, she seemed to have been rather tense.
In the Hikawa shrine's quarters Rei in her Miko clothes sat on her desk and thought about tomorrow, while she sent the adress where they would meet to SunTzu.
She sighed as she was pretty nervous about it. Maybe it would be strange for SunTzu, maybe he wouldn't understand.
She looked at her watch, the watch he had given to her. She should go to sleep but knowing that she wouldn't sleep anyway, she decided to go over to the arrow range. Maybe shooting Bow and Arrow would calm her down a bit.
Obon had always been weighing down on her and this year was no exception.
The next morning SunTzu got up very early and had quite some trouble to find something to wear. An Uniform seemed to informal and stiff and a dark suit would be too warm. It was middle of July and the sun was already up shining and warming up the outside.
Somewhere in his closet he found a light colored linen suit. He couldn't remember to have bought that one by himself but a certain Artificial Intelligence, which more or less unfortunately had access to his bank account sometimes bought clothes for him. Keeping him stylish was one of AICA's declared goals.
Well rather a summer suit than that Blue Ray of a Mongolian Throat Singing Concert she once ordered.
Crazy broad.
He combined the two piece suit with a white colarred shirt and fitting shoes.
Soon after and even before breakfast he left the house and took the Bus near to where they wanted to meet.
He saw that a lot of people were wearing Yukatas and Kimonos, probably because of the holidays and that less people apparently going to work were on the streets.
As European and in his light suit he stood out pretty much In that bus.
Not that it was something new for him in Tokyo. And people were usually friendly to him and when they saw that he could speak Japanese and was German most of them were nice and welcoming.
SunTzu got out at the bus stop and walked over the small distance to the street where he was supposed to be.
He looked at his chrono and it was almost seven am. Perfect on schedule, just as he liked.
The German just had bent around the last corner when he saw her and his heart leaped because her appearance.
Rei was wearing a purple summer Yukata with white lotos flowers and their green printed on it and a light red obi belt with pinkish flowers showing on it.
She wore her red star ear rings, a bun with beautiful red flower holding it together and had also a braid with a red bow about three quarters down the hair holding it together.
In her arm was the matching tote bag to the Yukata and she was holding a traditional parasol, matching with the Yukata also. In the other hand she had a bouquet of chrysanthemums.
SunTzu stopped in his step.
Strike number three! Damn, there is no creature in the universe more beautiful than her. SunTzu, you have to be the the best version of yourself today, and be nice to Grandpa.
She turned around and saw SunTzu standing there, staring at her and when she realized that he was close to drooling because her beauty she put on a sheepish smile. Getting up so early was worth it so. And apparently she somehow managed to hide her tiredness also. It was late yesterday when she got to bed after shooting bow and arrow to calm down. At least it had helped, she saw her arrows still were on point.
After a moment he came to hisself again and walked further towards her.
"You like my outfit?"
Rei asked her boyfriend and turned around a complete circle.
He needed a moment to find the right words but all that came out when he tried to open his mouth was stuttering.
She laughed heartily and let her hand gently glide over his face.
"Am I so beautiful that you have no words left?"
He put his hand on hers that was caressing his face and then nodded.
She gently smiled and leaned in.
Both shared a loving kiss and she pulled her hand back, pulling his with her.
She sighed and looked to the ground.
"I'm a bit nervous. But no matter what happens now, please never forget that I love you." She said with a quiet voice.
He pulled her into an embrace.
"I know, and I love you too, more than you can ever imagine."
Head on his shoulder she nodded before she pulled back and turned around.
"Let's go then."
His hand still in hers she turned around and she let him through a nearby door. Before entering she closed her parasol and he took it to carry it for her.
To his surprise it was a cemetery they were walking through.
Well, maybe she and her grandfather had visited the family grave and he was waiting there.
Weird place for introducing your boyfriend but on the other side it was a very neutral ground.
She lead him to a place where they washed their hands, with a wooden trowel before she went over to the graves themselves.
Her head was gazing at a certain specific grave and leading him with her hand she headed towards the grave, a stone Ashland with an rectangle on top.
She bent around the corner to it and now they were standing in front of it.
Rei sighed again and looked to the inscription of the grave.
And then SunTzu understood, he didn't even have to read the inscription to know who was resting here. It wouldn't be Grandfather Hino he would be introduced to today.
"Hi Mom, that's my Boyfriend."
She forced herself to smile and grasped SunTzu's hand harder.
"SunTzu, this is my Mom. Risa Hino."
SunTzu nodded gently.
Rei was visibly moved when she looked up to him.
"Can you pray with me please?"
He nodded slightly and squeezed her hand gently before he let go and both of them folded their hands.
It didn't took long and the first streaks of tears poured down her cheeks.
She finished her prayer and looked up to him again.
"Every year I come here and ask myself if my mom would be proud of me. And i always think I'm not doing enough."
She was openly crying now.
"That's why I always come so early. So that nobody can see this piece of misery I become when I'm at my mom's grave. And now I'm even crying in front of you, like a little vulnerable girl."
SunTzu put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her closer.
He looked up to the grave and cleared his throat.
"Hello Misses Hino. I'm SunTzu, although I'm pretty sure that's not my real name. It's a long story but I wanted to introduce myself. I'm the guy that's lucky enough to date your daughter. And you have a wonderful daughter. She's the most beautiful girl in the universe, she's intelligent, she's a fierce warrior and has such high moral standards. Between us, she's on a whole other level than me so I'm extra lucky she even considers to be with me. You should see her on the political stage on Coruscant, she's so great at whatever she does. And I'm sure that one day she will change this universe to the better. There's nobody else like her in this universe. I'm sorry that I never have the chance to meet you but I know that you look at your daughter from heaven above and are as proud of her as I am."
Rei's tears now had stopped as she looked up to SunTzu, who stood there with a small smile and looked in her face after his introduction to her mother.
She took SunTzu's hand again.
"I love you." She whispered and turned around again.
They stood there for another few moments, before Rei cleaned her face, put holy water and the flowers on her mom's grave and lighted a few incense sticks. She felt and looked better. Actually it's been quite some time since she didn't basically fled away from the graveyard.
They said another prayer, said their goodbyes and left.
Just as they left the graveyard and were on the street again a familiar man in a dark suit, escorted by a large bodyguard also in a suit, appeared.
"Oh great, just what I needed. And one still can tell that I just cried."
"Don't worry Rei, I got you."
SunTzu said and pulled out his pair of Aviators handing it over to her. As his namesake never went tired to promot, always be prepared.
"My savior. Give me a minute."
With energic steps the Sailor Guardian walked over to her father.
"Good Morning father. Nice to see you. Although I think mother would have cherished it more of you would have visited her before she died."
SunTzu walked a bit astray and stopped next to Mister Hino's Bodyguard, as Rei and her father were talking.
"You're that pilot, right?"
"Well, there's quite a few pilots in Crystal Tokyo. "
"I mean that show off that always makes so much noise while flying over the city."
"I might be."
"Seen something of the war yet or is your pitiful Taskforce just burning tax money?"
"Bits and pieces. I heard some of the gals and girls on Taskforce Sol were racking up medals already. Anyways, are bodyguards here even armed or just there to look intimidating?"
"If you want I can break your nose with the butt of my pistol right now. It's German, just like you."
"Try me. It's been two days since I killed someone or rather something in close combat. I'm beginning to miss it."
The two men looked at each other, smug grins on their faces.
Rei finished the talk with her father and walked over shaking her hand.
"C'mon TopGun. We're leaving."
The Bodyguard and the Pilot nodded to each other and SunTzu followed Rei back to the bus station.
—-
Rei told him, that she would preferred to spent time with him right now, or rather even needed it but at the shrine things would be crazy today and she was needed there. And she had a meeting with the Diplomatic Service at the palace in the early evening too.
SunTzu smiled understandingly and told her it's okay. He had stuff to do at the base too, like doing the report for Ami.
"Just let me know when you can and want to see me."
She took a different bus than he did and before they parted she said goodbye with an affectionate kiss.
SunTzu went home, changed into an uniform and went for the Base.
Soon as he was there he started the report for Ami and when he finished it he went over to the Military HQ and put it into Ami's mail.
Afterwards he went for a long run, showered, took on combat clothes, checked in with AICA and Karlena and then headed for lunch.
The base and palace were way less manned than usual and even Motoki was off duty.
Well, if something would come up at least SunTzu and AICA were on standby.
But the pilot had to admit it was rather boring today since all of the Senshi were gone too.
After lunch he wandered around the base and finally found him in front of the Repulsor Tank's Depot.
He greeted the Tankers there and talked a while with the Commander of the Platoon, Captain Schmitt, who was also a German.
Since the Platoon was about to go on a small ride out into the training area they asked him if he wanted to come along and so he spent his afternoon inside a 2-M Repulsortank. It was tight, it was uncomfortable but it sure as hell was fun. And those things had plenty of firepower.
He came back to the palace with a smile on his lips, soon before the sunset.
He settled on his favorite place in the garden and lighted a cigarette.
"Got one for me too?"
His favorite voice in the universe asked him.
Smiling, he held up the package not even looking back at her.
Rei came over, took the box and sat down next to him.
For once she let him give her fire, now dressed in buisness clothing.
She took a deep draw and leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I hate politicians. I'm so stressed out right now, you cannot even imagine."
"Long day?"
"You can't even imagine. And the masses of people in the shrine were nothing about that meeting now."
"Sorry to hear that."
"I could break something right now. Whenever I think those politicians get better and more intelligent they proof me wrong. I am so angry right now!"
SunTzu finished his cigarette, smiled with closed eyes and stood up.
"Let's go, I thought of a way to let you blow off some steam." He said and extended his hand to her.
"Sorry, you know how much I love our sex but I'm not in a mood right now." Rei replied, in a friendly but firm way.
"Who is talking about sex. I'll have something way better to let of steam. If you would follow me."
She thought about it and was reluctant at first, then she sighed, extinguished her cigarette in the ash tray and took his head.
"I really hope for you I'll like this."
He lead her into the training room inside the barracks. It was empty.
"Really, sport? Sorry, not interested."
"Sport? No. I'm giving you the one time chance to beat up your boyfriend."
He walked over to where the training gear was and put up two strike pads and came back to her.
"Please. I don't think i'll enjoy this. I guess I'm going back to my room."
"Aw, c'mon Rei. Just a bit."
He shoved the pads in her face.
"Stop it! I don't want!"
He didn't stop and continued.
"I said stop! Ah, whatever!"
A hard right hit from Rei one of the pads and he nodded approvingly but didn't stop.
"Okay, now you getting it."
She began to punch the pads with her fists, as he still harassed her with them.
After a few punch combinations she finally had enough and kicked the pad.
She took a deep breather and he threw the pads away.
"Enough with the foreplay."
"Think you can handle this, If I start now I might go all out in my anger?"
"I'm asking for it. Or are you worried that I might finally beat you?"
"Oh-ho Mister. Had nuts in your breakfast this morning?"
"So much talk. Is Sailor Mars afraid to come out to play?"
Rei grinned an challenging smile.
"Mars Crystal Power, Make Up!"
As soon as she was transformed she took a combat stance opposite to him.
He smiled.
"Finally."
He bowed down and she answered the greeting with the same gesture.
A second later both were jumping towards each other and traded punches and kicks, although both of them blocked any strike and blow from the other.
And soon Sailor Mars really seemed to enjoy herself as she ferociously attacked him and dodged and blocked his attacks.
Soon both of them were sweating and breathing heavy.
"I never thought this would be so much fun. And just for the record, if you're holding back in any way, I'm sleeping in the temple the whole next week."
She didn't need to tell him this twice and within a second he was at her again, this time trying to slash at her legs, but she managed to jump up in time and countered with a side kick to his face he could block with his elbow, pushing her away from him. She landed a few meters afar from him in a superhero stance, looking up and She grinned at him.
"Looks like you really want to best me in combat this time. Seems like we're really stepping things up, now that you met my mom."
"It would be a shame to not give you my all in combat my beloved Goddess of War."
He grinned back at her.
Both rushed at each other again and couldn't still find a opening to hit the other.
None of them was holding back and SunTzu even had tapped into the force but they both were evenly matched.
He ran up to her and tried to grab and for a millisecond he was too late and she could grab his hand and threw him over her shoulder.
He landed hard on the mat and within a second she was sitting over him, ready to punch him in his face.
"A millisecond to slow Darling." She blew a strand of hair out of her face.
"Wow, that actually was fun. I feel much better now."
Both were breathing heavily and sweating.
"Congratulations for beating me. But one day my goddess. One day I'll get you."
"Yeah, yeah." She got up and extended her hand to him and as he took it she helped him up.
"I hope you still got some energy left, because NOW I'm in the mood to be tried to be beaten somewhere else, if you know what I mean." She said, with a predatory grin, the exercise with each other awakened her passion.
"And this pretty damn quick."
She took his hand and lead him out of the room.
They were basically running towards the Crystal Tower and crossed the yard in record time and when the two lovers finally had reached Rei's room they turned on each other before the door even had closed.
An hour later she asked him, if she could have his communicator because she needed AICA to do her a favor.
He was lying naked on top of the bed, relaxing when she came out of the bathroom, where she secretly asked AICA to reserve seats for her in a special restaurant. And to make sure she would get them she told the Artificial Intelligence to let the restaurant know, how they were.
"Hey Pilot, you better get up. To honor your skills and eagerness trying to beat me, I'm inviting you for dinner."
"I clearly won this round, with at a least 3-to-1 Ratio."
"It's still a draw then, don't forget our sparing match. But like a wise queen once said "When he fuck me good, I take his ass to red lobster." Although you'll get something even better than lobster."
Wait, did Rei just quote Beyoncé?
Rei, dressed back in her black pencil skirt, white blouse and blazer and SunTzu, dressed in a black two part suit and white
Shirt, took a taxi to Ginza and got out at a small but exquisite looking restaurant.
SunTzu read the name and it's specialty and his eyes widened slightly.
Blowfish or Fugu as it was called in Japan.
He was not so sure how he felt about that.
Nonetheless he opened the door for Rei and they entered.
A waiter asked for their reservation and Rei told him who they were and that they just had reserved.
They were lead to a table a bit aside and handed the menus.
"Rei, I don't know if I like to eat here."
"Oh don't worry. Fugu is awesome. Tastes great and also gives a very distinct sensation in your mouth and on your tongue. Don't worry you will like it."
"I'm not sure if I want to eat something that can kill me."
Rei began to laugh.
"TopGun, the first time we really talked to each other you just jumped out of a starfighter onto a Youma. I don't think it's food that you should care about"
"Hey, that had a noble background. And when I go to combat the chance that I die is there yes, but at least while trying to accomplish something. And not because I just ate a puffy fish."
Rei laughed again.
"It's so cute when your country bumpkin side comes out and you protest against new stuff."
She took his hand over the table and squeezed it before she gave him a beaming smile.
"Don't worry, we're in the best Fugu Restaurant in the city, I guess nothing ever happened here. And we're sharing, so if something should happen we both are done for."
She laughed again, it was too amusing how uncomfortable he was with a bit of fish.
"Okay, but just for the record, I just agree to your suicide pact because I love you."
"Awww."
She leaned over and kissed him.
They had a wonderful evening and although Rei had to animate SunTzu, who needed a cup of sake to drown his fear first, in the beginning to taste the blowfish they both enjoyed dinner.
While dinning Rei told SunTzu about the story and meaning of Obon, and this took his mind off the potential meal a bit.
In the end SunTzu had to admit that Fugu was tasty.
And it left a certain sensation in the mouth, a bit numb but also prickly.
It also made one a bit euphoric.
They took an Uber back to Crystal Tokyo and while getting in the couple joked about how it would be interesting to make out with the sensation In their mouths the Fugu-Sashimi and Fugu hot pot left.
After getting driven from Ginza to the palace they definitely knew more. Actually they could have written an scientific essay about it.
It was weird but something different also.
All for science.
Later that night, back in Rei's room, the Diplomat was cuddling up on her boyfriend's naked chest in bed.
She listened to the beat of his heart. How much she loved that, it always calmed her down so much.
"Thank you for introducing me to your mother Rei. I know how much that means."
"Thank you for building me up there with your kind words this morning."
"Every word of it was my honest opinion on you. I love you."
"I love you too."
They shared a tender kiss before she laid back on his chest again.
"I'm sorry I'll be so busy in the next few days. But apart from the shrine I have to take care of Makoto with the other Inner Senshi a bit. Obon always opens up wounds. And she got it worse than me. I lost my mother, she lost both her parents when she was a child."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know about that."
"Plane Crash. She has her reasons to be afraid of flying. Every year we try to stay around her on Obon to comfort her. And she's not the only full orphan. Hotaru is one as well as you know. It's the same for Hotaru, Obon just opens up these wounds. The Outer Senshi try to comfort her these days then."
"I'm sorry for all your losses." SunTzu swallowed hard.
"It's not fair that the ones that protect the planet and solar system have to suffer so much."
Rei shrugged and closed her eyes.
"Luna once put it like that, Magic comes with a price. And everyone of us Senshis had or still has to pay her dues. You cannot imagine the horrors Usagi had to go through for example. But you get kinda used to it, you try accept it because your goals and duties are more important."
SunTzu put his hands around Rei and caressed her.
"I wish I could take some of these burdens from you and the others."
"You do. Your love gives me strength and hope."
She kissed him again, and he reciprocated the kiss. A kiss that let each other know how much they meant for the other, a kiss that touched them down in the depths of their souls.
She laid her head back on his chest but looked up to his face.
"Talking about Obon, I was thinking about something. I guess Hotaru would appreciate it immensely if you'd be here for her the next days. She got quite attached to you, you know."
"You think so? I'm not sure that a Teenager like her needs me aside from being her flight trainer."
"She does. Haruka is doing her best at it and Hotaru might be sixteen now but she's still looking for a father figure. And I think you're filling this role for her lately. Haven't you noticed how she's more open to socializing lately."
He thought about it for a moment, Rei might had a point and after that moment on that beach where he lost control over himself he and Hotaru shared a moment of mutual understanding.
"I guess you're right. I just don't have any idea what to do."
"I'm sure you'll find something. You usually have the right touch with her."
The next morning Rei had to get up early again, a holo conference with Coruscant was up before she had to leave for the shrine.
He got up with her and went to sport and in between the conference and her departure they had breakfast together.
"I'm gonna stay at Mako's Place tonight, but I'll call you up. Take care of Hotaru a bit."
She said as she left and kissed him goodbye.
Taking care of Hotaru. But with what?
He know she loved flying and the color black. And took pride in her being as superior warrior. But what did teenage girls do these days for fun?
Maybe Setsuna would know more, he thought as he pulled out his phone.
Hotaru's adoptive mother told him that she was up in her room since yesterday and not even Michiru and Hotaru could make her come out for long. Right now Chibiusa was with her but Hotaru just stayed shut in in her room. This year was one of the more worse ones and even the steadfast Setsuna seemed to loose hope to cheer Hotaru up. The teenager even skipped meals the last days.
SunTzu decided to begin with the most basic need than and asked Setsuna what Hotaru's favorite food was.
She told him and he got something to work with.
SunTzu told Setsuna he would be there soon. He just had to make another phone call.
"SunTzu?"
"Mina? Err, I thought I called the Admiral, guess I clicked the wrong number."
"No no, you dialed Catmiral Whitefur's number but he's enjoying his day off as cat, sleeping an estimated twenty hours. I'll get him on the line."
Minako shook up the sleeping white cat on her bed, next to his also sleeping wife and child, also in their cat forms, and held the phone up to him.
"It's SunTzu."
Artemis yawned.
"Lieutenant, how bold to call me on my Off Duty. I hope for you it's important or otherwise your on duty to sweep the Far Side's hangar for the next month."
"For me it is. And I guess you'll understand Sir."
SunTzu told Artemis his plan how to cheer up Hotaru and the Admiral immediately approved the proposal.
"Permission granted, let it be in my care if there should any problems arise. I deeply appreciate that you're trying to cheer up Sailor Saturn. Have a good trip Lieutenant."
They said their goodbyes and SunTzu made his way over to AICA.
Soon after a black A-Wing with grey stripes across its center frame soared through Tokyo's skies and headed for Juban.
Hotaru lay on her bed and had her head buried into her pillow. Chibiusa was her dearest friend and her most close person but not even the pink haired teenager sitting on her bed next to her could cheer her up right now.
The Princess next to her gave up to talk with her best friend since Hotaru clearly wasn't in a mood to talk at all. Knowing her so well and for so long Chibiusa knew not to take it personal. Hotaru always was hurting on Obon, thinking about her father that in the end succumbed to the damage the black magic of the Death Busters did to his body and even more thinking about her mother that died in a fire, probably caused by an outrage of Mistress 9's or worse Sailor Saturn's Powers when she still was a child.
Suddenly the two could hear the rumble of something breaking the barrier of sound coming closer. And the distinct sound of an incoming starfighter.
Hotaru's head shot up.
"That's AICA!"
SunTzu touched AICA down at the Meiou's drive and got out.
As he was about to ring the bell, Setsuna opened the front door and let him in.
She looked sad but smiled when he came up.
"I have to warn you. Don't be disappointed when she refuses to do anything. These days are hard for her."
SunTzu nodded with a stern look.
In that moment Hotaru came rushing down the stairs from the top floor. Chibiusa was behind her.
She stopped as she saw SunTzu standing in the door with her mother.
"SunTzu? What are you doing here?"
The Pilot gave half of a wave with his hand.
"Recruit Meiou, I was wondering if you would join your trainer for lunch, even if your off duty."
The girl showed the smallest hint of a smile and nodded.
"Yeah, sure."
"Very well. Get ready then,Recruit. We're eating outwards."
Hotaru nodded and rushed back up the stairs, almost running over Chibiusa.
With a relieved look on his face SunTzu looked to Setsuna, who in return was looking at him with a surprised face.
A few minutes later Hotaru came down the stairs again.
"I'm sorry Chibiusa, I'll call you up later."
"It's cool, I'll be over at Mako's place then."
"I'll drive you Chibiusa." Setsuna chimed in.
"Let's go?" Hotaru said and ran past SunTzu out the door.
SunTzu smiled and followed her with her gaze before he turned to Setsuna again.
"She'll be back by dinner."
"No problem. Thank you for trying to cheer her up." Setsuna leaned in and told him with a honest and friendly smile.
A minute later AICA was lifting off again, now with Hotaru on board also and left a waving Setsuna and Chibiusa behind her.
"You're hungry?"
"Actually. Yes. Yes i really am." Hotaru said and remembered that it had been some time till she ate something. "I wouldn't mind lunch soon."
"Oh, we're not going for lunch. We're going for dinner."
That said SunTzu put all the energy in the engines and AICA rocketed into the skies.
Hotaru expected to have lunch somewhere in Tokyo, maybe even something fancy or eccentric.
She didn't expect to have lunch or rather dinner as it was night on the Westcoast of the USA halfway around the planet.
SunTzu took her out to a Michelin stared Soba Restaurant somewhere near San Francisco.
SunTzu's airy discussion with the Air Traffic Controller responsible for the area around San Francisco was the coolest act she had seen in a long time.
After the guy threatened him with a Jet Fighter escort out of the area SunTzu switched AICA into Stealth Mode and asked the operator if the Airforce could find him now. What followed next was the point that they were here in a very important mission of intergalactical scale and that the palace would take every complaints that would arise.
SunTzu even had the decency to let the operator know that the head diplomat of the palace was his girlfriend and that Diplomat Hino would like to hear any complaint against Lieutenant SunTzu with pleasure.
At that point the operator gave up and told them to look out for air traffic.
SunTzu politely thanked the man and switched the stealth mode off.
"Your mom told me you like Soba."
It was her favorite food and although they weren't in Japan this one was one of the best she ever had.
SunTzu only got a table so fast as he stated who he was and how they would come.
Not believing him, the staff told him that he would get a table if he really would show up with a starfighter at their parking lot.
Thanks AICA.
After lunch they took a small detour to San Francisco Fisherman's wharf to take some pictures with the seals there.
And when one of the lazily in the sun laying seals let out a loud fart even the still quiet and thoughtful Hotaru broke into a fit of laughter.
When they went back to AICA SunTzu opened one of her storage compartments and took out a flight suit.
"Your turn to fly Kiddo."
Hotaru smiled and took the suit, slipping in.
He got into the back seat as she checked the systems.
"Where are we heading to?"
"Well, to be honest, I don't have any idea what teenagers are liking these times but I heard everyone likes Coruscant."
She turned her head around in a swift move.
"We're going to Coruscant?"
"Actually you will be flying us there and I'm just gonna enjoy the trip back here."
"Alright, let's go then."
Gently AICA lifted off, in the distance the Golden Gate Bridge was visible, inviting every aerial vehicle to a fly under.
Both thought the same and while AICA hovered Hotaru turned around to her superior again.
He shrugged.
"I meant, what kind of pilots we would be if we wouldn't take the chance."
A smiling Hotaru gave thrust and a few moments later AICA flew through under the roadway of the Golden Gate, almost reaching the speed of sound.
After passing the bridge Hotaru pulled the joystick back and shot for the stars.
Two and a half hours later AICA fell out of hyperspace and while they were heading to the planet and Hotaru filtered into the incoming space traffic a radio call came in.
"Ace Squadron to the A-Wing that just came in, state your Callsign."
Hotaru turned around and looked at SunTzu. He nodded, meaning that AICA was hers.
"Ace, this is… Firefly. How copy."
"Copy, loud and Clear Firefly. Interrogative, you are that special AI-supported A-Wing that's making headlines lately, right?"
"Affirmative." Hotaru answered.
"That's me Ace Leader." AICA also answered.
"Woah, it can speak." A small break. "Interrogative Firefly. Would you be interested in an approach to the planet as part of our squadron? It would be a honor."
"Affirmative Ace, veering out and coming over."
AICA left the traffic lane and Hotaru flew her over to the other twelve A-Wings on their way to the planet. She was allowed to fly the second place in formation, right next to the Squadron leader, quite the honor.
A few minutes later, a squadron of A-Wings was allowed to use the military entry lanes.
That saved AICA and the two Earthlings lots of time.
SunTzu gave Hotaru an Adress where to land as the other A-Wings shook their wings as greeting and veered away to their base.
"Congratulations Recruit Tenou, you just flew flawlessly in formation with one of the most prestigious A-Wing Squadrons in the Galaxy."
Hotaru smiled proudly, she knew she had heard the name Ace Squadron before.
They touched down at a landing spot near a nice looking plaza and walked over to the beautifully decorated area.
SunTzu enjoyed a caf, Bothan Style, meaning it was served with a thick sweet liquid a bit like condensed milk and cold over ice and Hotaru had a sweet blumfruit sorbet. She enjoyed her sweet treat but unfortunately went back to being quiet and thoughtful again.
Well, at least she had a bit of fun today, SunTzu thought.
It was a pretty long way to come just for a hot drink and some ice cream but for the pilot or rather a pilot trainee the journey was the reward.
They left Coruscant again afterwards and headed home again.
Hotaru fell out of hyperspace and into the Sol System near her sacred Planet Saturn.
At the height of the planet she stopped AICA and glanced at her kingdom.
They hovered there in silence for a few minutes and Hotaru just stared onto the planet.
Neither one of them said a word.
Suddenly Hotaru slowly shook her head and put her hands back on the joystick and throttle.
She activated the engines again and they passed Saturn.
"My Mother's, my real Mother's name, was Keiko. She died when I was six years old. A lighting striked our house and set it ablaze.
My mother died trying to save me. I was hurt bad also but miraculously made it. My father was corrupted by dark magic when I got a bit older then. It made him go insane as he tried to bring back my mother. I once even was part cyborg because his experiments, cybernetical limbs and all. I still remember the chronic pain it brought me. Anyways, he survived and was rescued from the dark but the dark magic had poisoned his body and he died soon after I got reincarnated as infant again. Ever since then Haruka, Michiru and foremost Setsuna have taken care of me."
SunTzu could see that a single tear fall down her face.
"Obon is hell for me as the thoughts about the dead and my deceased family rip up these emotional scars again."
She turned around to face him.
"Thank you SunTzu for taking me away from all this today and cheering me up. You have a good soul."
"I talked about this with Rei yesterday night. Hotaru I am so sorry for all the loss and pain you Girls all had to endure. And I'll do all I can to make things better for all of you. I promise." She closed her eyes and gave him a small smile.
"Let's go home. Mum is probably getting worried already."
That said she accelerated AICA to the maximum and shot towards earth.
They dropped out of space over the pacific.
"I think AICA and me both agree, that before we land, we should get some maneuvering in."
"Absolutely my dear SunTzu. I'm refusing to land if Hotaru doesn't fly a few high g-force maneuvers.
This was something Hotaru didn't need to hear twice.
They shot towards Tokyo, passing down under every bridge and making aerobatics wherever they could and landed back at the Meiou household.
SunTzu got out the backseat, jumped to the ground and the helped Hotaru out of the cockpit.
Setsuna came over.
"You guys are back. I was beginning to worry."
"SunTzu took me to the US Westcoast for lunch. And we were on Coruscant. Here, I brought you these."
Hotaru nestled out a pack of fresh Blumfruits she bought before they left Coruscant.
"You have to try these Mum."
"Looks like you enjoyed the trip then."
"Huh, yeah of course. I'll be back inside and check what Chibiusa is doing."
She walked past Setsuna and when she was at the door she stopped and turned around.
"Thanks again SunTzu. I'll see you tomorrow then i guess."
Tomorrow? What was tomorrow?
Setsuna smiled and looked at SunTzu.
"We Outer Senshi head to the grave of Hotaru's parents every noon at the third day of Obon. I guess she wants you to tag along. If you want this is of course."
"Sure. I'll be here on time."
"Want to have dinner with us?"
"Sorry, i don't want to cause any inconveniences. And also I have a bunch of blood crazed Commandos waiting for me to break me down in hand to hand combat exercises tonight."
"Oh, I see. Another time then."
SunTzu nodded friendly and got into the cockpit again, back to the pilot seat.
Setsuna followed him.
"Be careful."
"Don't worry, I try to once not land in a Bacta tank."
He winked and the canopy closed.
AICA lifted off and shot away, heading off to Crystal Tokyo.
Setsuna's gaze followed her for a moment before she took on a smug grin, shook her head and went back inside.
Later that evening SunTzu was at his home again. Lying on the couch, hating himself for the idea to actually ask Nava and Rudy to train hand to hand combat with him. He wanted to get better, to not stand back behind the persons he swore to protect but the two Commando Soldiers had some mean tricks up their sleeves and made him pay with pain.
He didn't even know how he got the black SUV he got from the Palace Car Pool to his place.
Rei called in as his eyes just had fell shut.
He jumped up and took his phone.
"Topper! I heard you took another girl out for lunch."
"Good evening. Actually I flew her around half the world and then we even went to Coruscant."
"Damn. This awfully lot sounds like I got replaced by a younger woman." Rei laughed. "At least I still was the first black haired."
"I guess I have a type." SunTzu laughed too now.
"Honestly now. We all deeply value what you did to Hotaru today. According to Chibiusa she seemed to had a great day. She's like a changed person."
"I didn't do much."
"No SunTzu, you did the most, no false modesty. Thank you for doing all this."
She paused for a moment.
"You know you and your big ass heart. If Rei Hino wouldn't be the eager career woman she is, my uterus would probably spontaneously be ovulating right now, and I'd be crazed to have kids with you ASAP, since you seem to be such a good father figure."
They both laughed again.
"I'm not sure if I am physically able to make kids anymore right now. I went for hand to hand combat with Rudy and Nava this evening and they showed me firsthand how to hurt people without leaving marks. I'm not so sure, I can still walk tomorrow."
Rei laughed again.
"Your loss yesterday hit you hard, did it?"
"Let's just say, I have a new goal in life now."
"Keep trying then TopGun."
"Trust me, I will. By the way how is Mako?"
"She's okay I guess. Could be worse, she made cookies with Chibiusa earlier and that really made her feel better. They were wonderful. Too bad we already ate all of them. Most of them were eaten by female members of the Royal Family though."
"Great, now I have pain and no cookies. Well at least I had Bothan Caf this afternoon."
"How dare you, without me?"
"Well my young companion had blumfruit sorbet, I guess this makes you even more mad."
"I really have been replaced!" She said with a fake outraged voice. "I leave you alone for one day alone and then this happens. Well at least I got my career going for me."
"And your looks. Your intelligence, your passion, your eagerness. I could go on but I know you're just fishing for compliments right now."
He could hear Rei giggle.
"Still sounds great to hear. Listen I get back to the girls now. I'll call you tomorrow, okay?"
"Sure. I'll be with the Outer Senshi at the Tomoe Family grave tomorrow noon so call me before or after."
"Hotaru invited you?"
"Setsuna translated a certain teenager's words so that I could understand them and apparently yes."
"She really values then so. Going to her parent's grave is one of the most intimate things for her. Like I said, she's really attached to you."
"She's a good girl. And I wish she had it easier in her life. Like I wish all of you had."
"God. I love you so damn much. You and your big heart. I'll hang up now or you'll make me come over to you."
"Alright then, gave my kindest regards to the girls, especially Makoto. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Good Night my prince."
"Good Night Princess, I love you."
11:30 pm he was leaning at the SUV, parked over the street of the Meiou household, smoking a cigarette and mentally preparing for what would probably come, knowing that it would hurt him even physically to see his protégé cry at her parent's grave.
He wore his black Starfighter Corps Uniform with all ribbons, markings and medals, and sunglasses. We had that two days before. After all he was there as superior officer of Hotaru.
Haruka's Bentley was already parked in the drive.
Soon the front door opened and the three adult Outer Senshi and Chibiusa, all in beautiful yukatas and styled hair came out.
He flipped his cigarette away and got up, standing straight in front of the car now.
Haruka was the first one to notice him and she informed the other Senshi of his presence.
They all greeted him with nods and he greeted back the same way. The spirit was rather heavy as they walked over to Haruka's car.
Hotaru was the last one to come out of the house. She was wearing her Starfighter Corps Uniform, unknowing that her superior also wore his uniform.
Michiru told Hotaru to look over the street and the hint of a twitch appeared around the corner of her mouth. She quickly exchanged some words with Setsuna and the others and then Hotaru, followed by Chibiusa came over the street towards SunTzu while the other three women got into the Bentley.
"Hey." SunTzu greeted Hotaru without any readable emotion.
"Hey." Was her answer, while she was stony faced. "Mind If we go with you."
"Nope."
He opened the back door and held it open for the two teenage girls to enter.
A few moments later he followed Haruka to the cemetery.
Nobody in the car said a word but he could see that Hotaru was grasping Chibiusa's hand.
They arrived at the parking lot of the cemetery and SunTzu got out and opened the door for the two girls.
On another parking space the three Outer Senshi got out of the car and walked over to the two Teenagers and SunTzu.
They greeted SunTzu and Setsuna laid a hand on her adoptive daughter's shoulder.
SunTzu looked at Hotaru.
"Want me to stay here and wait?"
She shook her head and stepped up closer to him, linking her arm in.
"Okay. After you Firefly."
Hotaru nodded and grabbed Chibiusa's hand and the small group got going.
A few minutes later they arrived at the Tomoe Family grave and stood there for a moment in prayer.
Michiru and Setsuna brought some flowers and put them on the gravestone while Hotaru stood there and silently talked with her dead parents, clutching Chibiusa's hand.
A single tear ran down her cheek and SunTzu had to turn his gaze away because the sight was too much for him.
Setsuna behind Hotaru put her hands on her shoulders as more tears came.
Haruka and Michiru were behind them, Michiru had her head on Haruka's shoulder and pulled SunTzu over, linking her hand with his upper arm.
They stood there like that for a few minutes more and then prayed a second time. Setsuna and Michiru lighted some incense sticks and after sprinkling holy water on the grave they bowed down in front of the grave and left.
Haruka pulled SunTzu a bit afar and thanked him that he took care of Hotaru yesterday. Even today the black haired girl had been a little bit better than usual.
"We usually have tea at the Meiou's place afterwards."
"No problem, I'll bring the girls there."
"I don't think so Mate. Guess you're part of the family now, this means you're coming along."
"Really, I don't want to cause any inconveniences."
"You don't, everybody would be happy to have you around."
Michiru fell back to them, she was listening to their conversation.
"Gone are the days where you just could came over for a beer to our quarters mon frère. Now your attendance at the family ceremonies is expected too."
SunTzu sighed over dramatically, actually he felt honored and praised to be invited.
"Fine, but don't expect any droll stories from my youth. Or anything more than me being that weird drunk uncle."
Michiru put her hand over her mouth as she had to laugh and Haruka shook her head with a smile.
SunTzu spent the afternoon in the Meiou household where Haruka, Hotaru and he spent a long time discussing some pros and contras of certain flight maneuvers while the other three playfully mocked them as flight nerds.
Hotaru soon seemed a bit better and when SunTzu left in the late afternoon she hugged him goodbye as did the others.
Even Setsuna gave him a hug and this time she hadn't even hurt him.
"I thank you so much for taking care of Hotaru these days." She whispered to him as they said their goodbyes.
As soon as he was in the car he called Rei. She was at the temple again but things calmed down already. She wouldn't make it over to him unfortunately tough.
"Mind to visit me for a quick kiss tho? You earned a reward, the girls already told how good you took care of Hotaru the last days. Also there is also someone else I'd like you to meet."
"I can come over right away if you want."
"Sure, let me just close here real quick. I'll be waiting at the entrance."
Fifteen minutes later he arrived at the stairs leading up to the temple and parked near them.
Rei already waited for him at the large Main Tori Gate of the Hikawa Shrine, wearing her Miko-Outfit.
She smiled brightly when he saw him coming up the stairs and he started to beam too.
They greeted each other with a passionate kiss.
"I missed you." Rei told him, after the kiss, putting her head on his chest as he embraced her.
"I missed you too. How are you? How was your day?"
"I'm tired but it was a successful day for the shrine and we took good care of Mako-Chan. For her it was a tad bit easier to deal with this year too. Chibiusa really outdid herself yesterday in making Makoto feel better."
"Glad to hear. Still breaks my heart that life treats always treats the good people bad."
She pulled him tighter after he said that, closing her eyes.
The sun was about to go down and left a golden glance on the scene.
"There's someone I like you to meet. But it's not Grandpa. Old Man is grumpy and nagging over the tourists that every year become more. He doesn't nag about the money tho. He's having a drink and some biscuits now and I hope this lighten his mood."
She smiled as she thought about his tantrum earlier on.
SunTzu looked at her, wondering who it could be here that he didn't know already.
"Actually you already know these two but not the way that you think."
She whistled and almost immediately her two Crows, Phobos and Deimos, came soaring in.
The shrine's priestess extended her arms and the two black birds landed on it.
SunTzu didn't get it, he knew those birds and although it was impressive how much they were acquainted and with Rei and that someone actually had personal Guardian Crows but after all they were just birds.
Rei looked to the two crows on her arm and petted each one of them before.
"Okay Girls, I think the man deserves the truth. You can reveal yourself to him."
It seemed that the birds looked at each other for a moment before they both extended their wings lifted up from the arm they were sitting on.
And then something unbelievable for SunTzu happened.
When they reached a certain distance the two birds morphed into woman.
SunTzu's jaw hit the floor and he jumped back a step.
Before his very eyes the two black crows transformed into the two Mikos that worked on the shrine.
They were dressed in bodysuits with a black Star on the chest and white bows on the back, with Deimo's bodysuit being purple and Phobo's being red.
Still dumbfounded SunTzu looked back and forth between an obvious amused Rei and the two young woman who were friendly smiling towards him.
"Oh TopGun, you should see your face right now. Come on, after Artemis, Diana and Luna this shouldn't surprise you so much. And now be polite and say Hi to my Guardians Phobos and Deimos."
SunTzu looked at her, mouth still open while he slowly found his composure again.
"What the... I mean… can every animal around me secretly transform into a human?"
Rei had to laugh and the two birds turned human giggled too because his dumbfounded reaction.
"Oh Baby, you're so cute when something goes over your head. It's the same as with three Mau. They are from the planet Coronis and able to shift into a humanoid form."
SunTzu looked at his girlfriend, was there something in this universe that wasn't possible?
After another moment he stepped up to the both girls and bowed down slightly as greeting.
The two raven haired shapeshifters reciprocated the greeting with a friendly smile.
"Nice to meet you, again." SunTzu said.
"These two have been my confidants and guardians since ever my childhood. I trust them with my life." Rei told him and walked between the two young women, putting a arm on each one's shoulder.
"Their shapeshifting helps immense when it comes to discretely observe someone or protecting me."
"I can imagine. I'm sorry girls for my first reaction, I'm still not used to shapeshifters. No offense."
"None taken. We're glad to have been properly introduced to you now." Both Phobos and Deimos said simultaneously.
"Princess Mars, if you'd approve we'd resile now and go back to guard duty." The two Coronosians said.
"Please. Thank you girls."
The two young women bowed down and transformed back to their crow form and flew back to the temple buildings.
"They're loyal and earnest. And they've always been there for me."
Rei told her boyfriend.
"And they're excellent warriors, you should see them in action."
"Fitting guards for the Goddess of War?"
"Oh, believe me, they are. Anyways, I have to check on Grandpa, I hope his mood is better now. I'm sorry I didn't introduce you yet."
"It's all good. I got to meet your mom, I know how much this means. I'll go home so."
"I'll see you tomorrow, as soon as I can, okay?"
"Sure. Take care of grandpa."
They embraced for a tight hug and a kiss and he left for home.
Somewhen in the middle of the night, SunTzu was sleeping in his bed, the door to his apartment opened and a figure sneaked inside.
SunTzu woke up as something or rather someone slid under his blanket.
He could feel a naked female upper body laying down on his chest, the warmth going out from the body, the softness of the skin. He was surprised at first but as soon as he could smell her perfume, a hint of Sakura, he knew and he embraced Rei.
"What a pleasant surprise."
"I didn't want to wake you up, but I missed you and Grandpa finally went to bed as well, so I figured I could also still come here and at least sleep next to you."
SunTzu smiled, still laying down and Rei gave him a gentle kiss before she settled down on his upper body and closed her eyes too.
She had worse Obon Holidays.
Thanks Mom for watching out for me from above was her last thought before she fell asleep.