London, England-1991
Mina sat in the empty dojo. No one seemed to have bought the place. In fact now it just stood empty, another old abandoned hulk in London. She didn't do anything, just sat and stared. She could still hear his voice echoing in her mind, an old ghost. The cat rubbed up against her. Mina absently petted the animal, too lost in her thoughts.
"Why did you leave me, Kaji? Wasn't I good enough?" The words came out in a whisper. Mina looked down at her waist. No change yet. But there would be soon. "You left a piece behind. I suppose I should call it something to remember you by." Mina continued her monologue, speaking to nothing. The cat watched her with narrowed eyes.
"I saw you in the paper the other day. You were made vice-president of your father's company. I didn't know you came from Japan." Her voice was bitter now, a trace of emptiness lacing every word. "You wouldn't tell me anything about you. I suppose this child is the only thing you could manage to give, your heart was locked up tight enough." Mina stood up, her legs tingling from being in one position too long.
"I suppose that woman who told me you left was your new lover. She was so beautiful. I've never seen hair like that, or eyes like that. I just stopped by to say I'm having your child. I suppose this is as close as I'll ever get to actually telling you. Like you'd wonder about the little girl you rolled around with anyway. I thought I loved you, but I don't think I know what love is. Life goes on." Mina's eyes were dry. She blinked in surprise, expecting her usual tears.
"I guess I don't have any more tears left for you. I'm going home to tell my family now. I don't know how they'll react." She shrugged her shoulders lightly. "I guess it doesn't matter. Goodbye Kaji. Forever." She slowly walked out of the empty, cold space. The heavy oak doors swung shut behind her.
Outside it was cold. Winter had hit London a bit more heavily than normal. Mina huddled into her coat. The cat leaped to a perch on her shoulder.
"You know kitty, I thought that would hurt more." The cat brushed a pink tongue against Mina's cheek. "Yeah, I know, I know." Mina turned down another alleyway. It would be a long walk home. But she needed the exercise, the chance to clear her mind.
"Going somewhere little girl?" The voice echoed from the alleyway behind her. Mina spun around quickly, her dead senses leaping to life.
"Shit." There were three men behind her. Mina quickly calculated the time to the end of the alley.
"Such language from a pretty thing like you." Mina turned towards the other end. Four more, all looking pissed off. Mina had the urge to scream, but kept her wits.
"I'm just headed home." Her voice was light. She removed the cat from her shoulder, and the scarf, hat, and gloves she was wearing. It was just too cold to take off the coat. "Hey look, she's getting all ready for us. Keep taking it off sweetheart." Mina shivered a bit in the cold. Then she struck. The first guy went down under a single flying kick. Mina didn't like to use them, for fear she'd get flipped on her butt, but surprise was on her side. The cat launched himself at the second man, hissing and biting. Mina turned and punched the third square in the face. She followed with a knee to the gut, and slammed his head into the brick wall, hard. He crumpled to the ground. The white cat went flying across the alley and smacked into the brick wall, but landed on his feet. The animal shook its head as if a bit dazed.
"Leave him alone, you bastards." Mina picked up a loose brick and smacked the man who'd thrown the cat square in the back of the head. "Three down." She raced like crazy to her discarded items and took off through the alleys, the other four still in hot pursuit. The cat managed to keep up. Finally she managed to reach the dojo again. She ran inside and slammed the oak bar across the door.
"Well, after that not so impressive display of terran fighting, I suppose we should begin your training. I think that fall managed to jar my speech ability and a great deal of my memory back. Boy do we have a lot of work to do." The voice was slightly sarcastic, and very arrogant. Mina turned around frantically looking for the source.
"Who was that!" She was scanning for another person in the room. The cat walked in front of her and sat down. He waited until she looked directly at him.
"It was I." Mina's jaw dropped to the floor.
"Oh lord, I knew there was something fishy about you." The cat laid his ears back.
"Very humorous." Mina simply stared at the cat. "My name is…well…I have several, but you can call me Artemis." Mina continued just staring. "You have a great destiny child, one you need to fulfill. I am here to lead you to that destiny." Mina didn't even blink. "I would have started earlier but my memory seemed to have been blocked by some method. Fortunately that wonderful smack against the wall back there gave me more than a headache. For heaven's sake, stop staring at me." The cat walked in a circle, and then did a neat back flip, returning with a compact in his mouth. Mina screamed. The cat's ears twitched, and he dropped the compact at her feet. "That wasn't what I had in mind. I like my hearing the way it is. Well, are you going to pick it up? I won't bite you, don't worry." Mina reached down and gingerly picked up the compact. Then she started giggling.
"Oh lord. Your name is Artemis, and this compact looks exactly like the one from the TV show. I think I've been filming too much. Next thing you'll be telling me I'm really Sailor V and I should hold this above my head and say Crescent Moon Power."
The transformation took Mina totally off guard. One minute she was making fun of the animal at her feet, the next minute she was wearing a version of her costume from the TV show. The cat laughed. Mina's face turned bright red.
"This isn't funny. Let's see if this works. Crescent Beam." The beam of light flared brightly and destroyed several posts before fading. "This is really scaring me. I must be sleeping, that's it. This is all a really weird dream. Kaji is still here, and I'm not Sailor V except on TV, and…" Mina's words trailed off into nothingness. She sat down on the padded floor and let tears take over. A warm head rubbed itself up against her.
"It's all right, I'm here for you. We can accomplish anything together. But you need training to use those new magic skills you just acquired. We'll start tomorrow. I think tonight, you just need sleep." Mina nodded and wiped her tears away. She stared at the small compact in her hand. Sailor V, champion of justice. It had a nice ring to it. She could do this. She could do anything she put her mind to, anything.
Mina and Artemis stood in the park across the street from her apartment building. It was late, but no one was around, which was useful when talking to a cat.
"You will have several methods of attack, Sailor V. One is your body itself, but I don't think you're ready to work on that yet. Besides, we don't want to hurt your baby." Mina nodded. The animal continued his speech. "You'll also learn to use three weapons, a sword, a boomerang and a whip. In addition, you'll also have magical attacks. I think we'll start with the basic magic attack and work our way up from there." Mina nodded again, barely paying attention to anything the cat said. "Mina, are you listening to me? Transform."
"What?" The cat gave her a distinctly annoyed look. Mina yawned. "It's late cat, I've worked all day. I had school too, and I failed another test." The cat groaned.
"You have to study for tests. Besides, defenders of the earth don't get nights off, get used to it." Mina shot the creature a dirty look, but transformed on cue. "Now we're going to work on your most basic magic attack. Point your finger and yell Crescent Beam." Mina gave the animal another nasty look.
"Why in the world am I doing this in the first place. Before I follow your every command, I'd like a few answers." She crossed her arms, tapping her foot impatiently. Artemis glared at the girl.
"You are a soldier, whose codename is Sailor V. For now your mission is to train yourself until you're at the height of your powers. I'll tell you more when you've accomplished that." Mina sighed.
"All right, cat. But why do I have to yell what I'm going to do before I do it. Doesn't that kind of tell whatever I'm attacking what's coming?" The cat looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I suppose the words are there to help you focus your power. Why don't you try it with the words? Maybe some day you'll be skilled enough to try it without." Mina gritted her teeth and faced away from the pompous animal. He was so condescending, acting as though Mina couldn't accomplish anything.
"I'll show that cat." Mina closed her eyes tightly. Then she pointed her finger. Nothing happened.
"Just say the words, Mina."
"Shut up, cat." Mina concentrated harder, and chanted the words in her mind. Crescent Beam. Light shot from her outstretched hand, sending the poor bush she was aiming at to a blazing end.
"Very good, very good. I suspect you recited the words in your head, but I never realized it works just as well as shouting them out loud. Excellent. I'll remember that." Mina glared at the cat again. "Now, try to focus the beam more, and aim for just a leaf off the tree." The Sailor Senshi let out a long sigh. It was going to be a long night.
Artemis sat on Mina's lap, his fur almost standing on end. Mina's family had not reacted well to the news of her pregnancy. Her father and mother had taken turns sniping at her for three hours now. She'd been called everything from bitch to whore to bride of Satan. Artemis was so angry his claws were digging into Mina's leg. Mina's father had stormed into the kitchen fifteen minutes ago, dragging Mina's protesting mother along. The low hum of their voices was barely discernable from the couch. Mina kept her head bent, one hand absently stroking the animal. Mina's finally father walked out of the kitchen with an extremely condescending look on his face. He stood in front of Mina, like a judge about to pass sentence.
"Mina, I've come to a decision. We can't have a whore like you living inside this house." Her mother valiantly tried to speak.
"But without her I'll have to go back to work and you…."
"Shut up, I've made my decision. Get out, and take that filthy cat with you." Mina stood up and headed for her room. She didn't look her father in the eye, didn't glance at her mother. She kept her gaze on the cat in her arms.
"And you're not allowed to take anything but the clothes on your back!"
Mina ignored her father's shouts. Her eyes were dry, and her stomach felt hollow. She packed her suitcase with a few keepsakes and warm clothes, and then bundled up in her warmest coat. Then she slowly walked to the door, dropping her house key on the table. She didn't look behind, or even say goodbye. They had never loved her anyway. She was simply a burden, and something to exploit. Mina felt a cold ball of anger building in her stomach. She felt her heart turning into a block of stone. There was no such thing as love. Then she simply left.
Mina shivered underneath her coat. She stood on the London streets, a suitcase in hand. She hadn't expected her parents' reactions to be so extreme; after all, they had lived completely off her money for the past year and a half. "So what do I do now, Artemis?" The animal looked her in the eye.
"There's something I need to do, but I haven't tried it in a while. And whatever you do Mina, don't faint because I won't be able to catch you." The cat took a deep breath. A crescent moon appeared on his forehead. It began to glow brightly, and then a golden light engulfed him. The light lengthened, and then a man stood where the cat had been. Mina passed out. Luckily the man caught her before she hit the sidewalk. Mina's eyes fluttered open.
"Kaji?" The hope and love in her eyes would have made anyone's heart break. The man swallowed hard. Her reaction to him confirmed his suspicions. He knew who Kaji was now. And he'd kill the bastard if given a chance.
"No, it's me, Mina. My name in this human form is Kenryoku Gekko. But you're so used to the name you should probably call me Art." Mina felt tears well up in her eyes again. She slowly stood and examined the man in front of her. He and Kaji were the same height, and both had the long hair, but Art was slimmer, not as muscled. His eyes were green-gray, instead of the steel gray Mina longed for, and his hair was more silver than white. Mina brushed a hand across his face.
"I see." Mina's face fell a bit. She slowly stood up and brushed imaginary dust off her coat. She glanced back up at the handsome man now shivering in the cold. Her eyes narrowed for a moment and then her face brightened. "I thought you said you wouldn't be able to catch me." Art's face broke into a wide grin. Mina always managed to bounce back in any situation.
"I lied." Mina laughed. She had never imagined the cat as a human, and his resemblance to Kaji was more than a little unnerving.
"It's going to take me a while to get used to this, Artemis…I mean Art." Mina looked at Art's face. He looked the same age as Kaji too, about twenty-one or twenty-two. Her mind quickly processed the possibilities. "Hey, you can be my guardian now, can't you!" The man nodded.
"Yes, you can keep working until you lose your figure, and we'll have you back in shape soon after the baby is born. I'll be your guardian and we can get the money back from those awful parents of yours." Mina's face darkened a bit at the mention of her parents. She pushed them from her mind.
"But where are we going to sleep tonight?" Art smiled, and pulled a stack of pound notes from his jacket pocket.
"Wherever we want, sweetheart."
"Where the hell did you get that?" Artemis' smile widened.
"No one ever notices a cat. I've been swiping it from your parents." Mina's eyes grew wide.
"Why do I think you're always prepared for every contingency?"
"You have no idea, Mina. You have no idea."
"I hate this Art." Mina sat in front of the television in their three-bedroom flat, her feet propped up on a stool, a bowl of ice cream on her lap. "I hate being fat, I hate being pregnant, and anyone who gives me that line about pregnant women glowing have never seen me." Art smiled a bit and finished washing the dish. Mina wasn't much of a cook or housekeeper, but she made the money, so Art had agreed to play cook, janitor, and dishwasher. He shook his head over Mina's pronouncements, and silently agreed with her. Some women enjoyed being pregnant. Their skin glowed, and they looked healthy and happy. Mina wasn't that lucky. Her hair had gone limp, her ankles had swelled, and her stomach was huge. Art was just praying she didn't have twins in there. He didn't trust the pronouncements of an earth doctor.
"Just a couple more weeks, honey. You'll be fine." Art put the last dish in the cupboard and headed over to the couch. He had never imagined himself as playing a doting papa, or even washing dishes. But he would do anything for Mina. Mina finished her ice cream and snuggled up beside him. Art felt his heart catch in his throat.
"I don't want to wait that long, Art. I want this baby out now. I hope I like being a mom more than I like being pregnant." Artemis chuckled. Mina really hated being pregnant. He lost count of the number of times she lamented the problem. They had filmed enough Sailor V episodes in advance that when she finally started showing at six months, she just took time off. Her wonderful first two trimesters had been followed by a horrid third trimester. She had weird cravings, morning sickness, and was as big as a barn.
"I'm sure the baby will come soon, and then you'll be able to see your feet again." Mina moved away and smacked his arm.
"Jerk" Art sighed. He preferred it when Mina treated him like an older brother. Then he could push aside his feelings for her. He knew that no matter what, Minako would never belong to him, and there was no point in torturing himself over it.
"Art?" Mina's voice sounded a little funny. "Art, I think something's wrong."
"What's wrong Mina?" He stood up quickly worry etched over his face.
"I've been having these stomach cramps all day. And now they're really starting to hurt." Artemis felt like smacking himself in the head.
"How far apart are they?" Mina looked at him like he had a third head.
"I'm supposed to time stomach cramps?" Artemis did smack himself in the head.
"Get your stuff, we're going to the hospital. Those are contractions, Mina." Mina smiled.
"Wahoo! No more fat belly. And I'll be able to bend over again!" Art had never seen a pregnant woman in labor move so fast.
Art held the baby gently, marveling at the little boy in his arms. The child had a faint dusting of white hair, and beautiful blue eyes. Mina had come through the delivery like a pro. Of course she had been very loud. Art had been tempted to shove the pillow in her mouth at one point. Now Mina was sleeping, and Art had a new mother to finish training and a very special baby to protect.
"I know who you are, little one. I know who your mama is too, and I'd like to strangle your daddy for what he's putting your mama through. There isn't a night that goes by I don't wish I had found her first." Art sat down rocking the newborn gently. "She still talks about him you know. Kept calling me by his name while you were being born. And by his old name too. She's remembering, slowly. Not consciously. It comes in bits and pieces. It's almost time, time for her to do more than train. Time for her to face her destiny. Time for her to face the woman who stole your daddy away." Art took a deep breath. "I'm remembering too, slowly. More than just my mission. The past is painful territory, but I think the way to conquer today is to face it." The baby closed his eyes slowly. Art smiled at the sleeping child. "Soon."
Tokyo Japan- 1992
Kaji swore and threw the picture against the wall. He turned over the desk and filing cabinets as well. Then he sunk down to the floor, the magazine article still clutched in his hand.
"Special Delivery. Minako Aino, star of the popular Sailor V children's series, has just given birth to a healthy baby boy." Kaji felt tears swimming in front of his eyes. He looked up at the picture. His smiling golden girl holding a tiny babe, and a handsome silver haired man at her side. Kaji felt a nasty sort of retribution. Mina's new lover looked like a toned down version of his white haired good looks. Kaji swore under his breath. Somehow he thought his golden girl would always be waiting for him, always there for him. He had never imagined her with someone else, much less sleeping with someone else. The anger inside continued to burn. He reached into the splintered desk and took out the small box that had resided in the top drawer since he'd arrived. He opened the box slowly. The ring was still there, the topaz and kunzite entwined into a single heart. Kaji slammed the box shut. He would have her some day, if he had to kill a million men to get to her.
London, England-1992
"You are from hell, I just know it." Art merely raised an eyebrow, reminding Mina rather painfully of someone else with that same habit. She stood up slowly.
"Again." Mina came at Art, wanting to pound his smug face into the ground. Another year, they'd been working at this another year. Only Art made Kaji look easy. Art fought dirty, and he used magic and his wicked claws. Mina dodged another blow, sliced the two monsters Art had summoned from somewhere, and turned in time to stop Art's sword.
"Better, last time you missed the block." Mina sighed.
"When are we going to stop all this training and do something?" Art frowned at her.
"When you reach your potential, we will stop. Just like we'll stop the extra tutors and extra school time when you graduate from college with a degree in theater. Just like we'll stop filming Sailor V when the story is told." He lunged at her again, taking Mina by surprise. The two went around the floor again, swords clashing. Mina felt two more monsters at her back.
"Dammit, where do you get these things?" A flip backwards and a quick slice dispatched the two. "They're hideously ugly and stupid as they come."
"You really don't want to know, Mina. You really don't want to know." Art came at her again. Mina dodged easily this time, and only cat reflexes let Art block her counterattack.
"Why won't you tell me why we're doing this, why I'm Sailor V, what the point is?" Art grinned. She was getting better.
"You'll find out some day." Mina sighed loudly. Art watched her carefully. He needed a way to get her to release what was inside. She could reach her warrior's spirit in the terran style of fighting, but so far that had eluded her in the lunar method. She giggled at Art's names for the fighting styles. He knew that someday she'd realize they weren't just names he'd come up with.
"No more today, Mina."
Mina sipped her coke and stared at the wall. She hated these parties. Art was at home with the baby. So she was on her own. She glanced around the room. Here the rich, powerful, and famous gathered to get drunk and find someone other than their spouses to sleep with. Mina was here because the new Sailor V movie had hit big. Who would have thought that a silly little girl in a short skirt could get so popular? She fiddled with the gold band on her arm. She was seventeen now. Seventeen with a little boy who was all dimples and smile. Mina let a smile of her own flash across her face.
"I'm surprised you can see anything to be happy about here." Mina turned around sharply, almost upsetting her drink in the process. A young man stood behind her. He was just a little taller than her, and built slender. He had long white hair in a ponytail, and pea green eyes. His face was turned up in a smirk. He waved a hand over the mass of people in the room.
"They only come to these parties to get drunk and find new bedmates." The young man brought a glass in his left hand to his lips. Mina stared at his blue suit. He seemed very familiar.
"Do I know you?" Her tone was as haughty and condescending as the man's had been earlier. His smirk softened into a smile.
"Yaten Kou. Member of the Three Lights." Mina's eyes lit up a bit.
"Are the other two here?" Yaten's face fell back into a scowl.
"Look for the biggest massing of females in the room. I suppose you'll be chasing after them too." His tone was very bitter, enough to poison even the happiest thought. Mina grimaced at the tone.
"Why should I bother chasing after them? I want a man who won't mind coming to me." She took another sip of her coke. Yaten raised one eyebrow. Memories shot through Mina, painful memories, but she shoved them away. "Why is it every male I meet can do that but I can't?" Yaten's face broke into a smile again.
"You are a breath of fresh air. What's your name?" Mina smiled and held up her signature V sign.
"Minako Aino, otherwise known as Sailor V." She looked down at her tight red dress. "You probably didn't recognize me without the sailor suit." Yaten snapped his fingers.
"That's right, you were the star of that sleeper movie. Who would have thought that a silly girl in a short skirt would be so popular?" Mina tilted her head, a little distressed at the way his thoughts echoed her own. She finished off her drink and set the empty glass on a nearby waiter's tray.
"I suspect the short skirt had an awful lot to do with it." Yaten laughed a bit.
"Seiya is know to yell panty shot whenever you flash the viewer on your series." Mina felt a giggle escape her lips.
"Ah, the eccentricities of the male mind. Give them a short skirt and their set for life." Yaten grabbed a champagne flute off a passing waiter and pressed it into Mina's hand.
"I think I'd need more than a short skirt." Mina looked up into his eyes and felt a surge of desire. The feeling frightened her. She hadn't even looked at another man since Kaji. But this Yaten, he seemed, different somehow. Mina took a sip of the champagne. She normally didn't drink much, but shrugged inside. A little bit wouldn't kill her.
"I suspect that nations could rise and fall over a pretty girl in a short skirt. Why aren't you being mobbed like your fellow singers?" Mina moved slowly towards an empty couch. She sat down gracefully, noting the way Yaten's eyes widened as she crossed her legs and the thigh high slit of her dress fell open.
"I'm hiding from the crowd. Actually, Taiki's probably hiding as well, talking finance to the boring producer group. Seiya's the lady's man. I've never seen him without a woman." Yaten sat down beside Mina on the love seat. The cushions were a bit soft and the two slid towards each other. Neither made an effort to move away.
"So you don't like being fawned over by hundreds of adoring women?" Mina swirled the liquid around in her glass absently. Yaten groaned and leaned back against the couch.
"It's hell. They don't really know us. They see a pretty face and think that's all that matters. They can't possibly get to know us as people. We're prizes they're all competing for. Sometimes I feel like a lion in the savannah, trying to outrun a hunter." Mina blinked several times.
"An entertainer with the soul of a romantic, how rare." Her voice spat out the word romantic, making Yaten's head pop up in surprise.
"I take it you don't believe in romance?" Mina closed her eyes for a second, and then downed her champagne in one long gulp. She practically slammed the glass on the table.
"Love and romance are just excuses for men to release their physical needs." Her voice was shaking slightly now, Yaten couldn't tell if it was from pain or anger. He reached one hand towards her face. Mina jerked away sharply, but Yaten was more persistent. He turned her face, staring into her eyes.
"Who hurt you, sweetheart?" His voice was whisper soft, a balm on the wounds that had been unwittingly ripped open. Mina closed her eyes, unable to meet his gentle gaze.
"It was a long time ago. I'm better now." Yaten's brittle laugh shattered in the air.
"That's a bunch of bullshit, little girl. You're still torn up inside." Yaten leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her forehead. "I'll let it go for tonight, but somehow I'll fix that heart of yours." Mina's eyes opened again.
"Why?" Her face was full of innocence, and Yaten resisted the urge to kiss her lips.
"I don't know. Maybe it's because I've found someone who hurts more than I do. Smile pretty. Laugh. Tonight is for fun. I'll introduce you to a few people. Besides, with you around the women will leave me alone for an hour or so." Yaten stood and pulled Mina behind him, and the two moved through the crowds towards a laughing knot in the center of the room.
"Artemis." The voice floated through the apartment, full of laughter. Art yanked on a robe and stumbled from his room. Mina was in the door, hanging on a handsome, white haired young man. "Are you sure you won't spend the night with me sweetheart?" Mina pressed her lips against the man's. Art felt a bright streak of anger. The man pulled away.
"Mina, sweetheart. You're drunk. Seiya shouldn't have challenged you to that contest." The man noticed Art standing in the living room. "You must be the Artemis she's talked about all night. I'm Yaten Kou, and Miss Aino is very drunk."
"I see that. May I ask why?" Mina frowned.
"Lighten up, Arty. I never get to have any fun." Her words were slurred together.
"My friend challenged her to a drinking competition. I believe Ms. Aino won. Seiya never could hold his liquor." Mina smiled and pressed her lips against Yaten's again.
"You're so sweet, and your friends are so nice. I don't have any friends other than Arty here. Now I do though, I guess. Look Arty, I made friends." Yaten laughed as Mina tried to take a step forward. He scooped the staggering woman into his arms.
"I think we better get her to bed, Artemis." The man nodded slowly.
"This way." Yaten carried Mina into her bedroom with ease, his slight stature at odds with his strength. He laid her gently on the bed, and with Art's help, the two managed to get her undressed and under the covers. The two men left the room with red faces and stiff gaits.
"Thank you for bringing her home, Yaten Kou." Art felt something strange from the young man. Yaten held out a hand.
"Thank you, old friend. I didn't think I'd see you again. Last time you were coerced into human form you swore you'd never try it again." Artemis felt his eyes widen as Yaten took his hand. A crescent moon appeared on Artemis's forehead, glowing gently. A star shone on Yaten's forehead. Then the two symbols vanished.
"Until next time, Artemis." Art sat down heavily on the couch, the memory meld he'd just been given a bit overwhelming.
Tokyo Japan- 1994
Kaji felt his face stiffen at the article on his desk. Mina with another man. He still felt a surge of satisfaction that Mina's new lover had long silver-white hair. Kaji suppressed a smile. This one wouldn't last long. He'd see to it that the little song boy got offered a better job elsewhere. His face fell into a scowl again. Just a few more years and Mina would be free of her contract. Kaji felt the old hunger rise inside again. He smashed it into the floor. Now he had only one purpose in life. Mina was just an amusing side bit of revenge.
Tokyo, Japan- 1997
Kaji Hikaru added up the figures one last time, and got the same answer. There was money missing, a good deal of it. He furrowed his brow in concentration. Then he noticed the name by the side. Adonis Enterprises. Kaji quickly pulled up records on the computer. He turned the computer off with a nasty smile. It was a fake company, headed by an employee at Terran Eclipse. Kaji didn't take betrayal well. He cracked his knuckles. He'd been missing out on some practice. He'd take care of this new assignment personally.
London, England-1997
Ace Saijou looked at the picture one last time. He stared up at the apartment window, his eyes making out the image of a small boy and a woman dancing in front of the TV. He let a smile curve his sensual lips. It was his Venus, it had to be. Ace balled the letter in his hands one last time. If Terran Eclipse ordered a job, he had to do it, but for now he was on a year long unpaid vacation. He'd find other ways to survive. And his idiot boss Kaji didn't even know what a prize he'd let slip away. Ace pulled the picture from his pocket. He'd swiped it from the desk the day they beat him. While he'd still been broken and bleeding on the floor of Mr. Kaji Hikaru's office. He'd foregone prosecution for a bit more, old-fashioned punishment. Ace looked at his left hand. He only had four fingers now. He still felt twinges of pain, in a pinky that no longer existed. He lifted his hand to the scar on his cheek. Kaji had carved that with the same blade. Ace felt the old anger and jealousy roll through his gut. But the fever had helped him enormously. He remembered the past. Ace looked down at the picture. Minako Aino, dressed as Sailor V, complete with the little hand gesture.
Ace dropped the politely worded letter from the CEO on the ground. He knew Kaji didn't like him very much, but Ace didn't care. The picture was carefully stuffed in his pocket, beside the paper clipped stack of newspaper articles. Sailor V was alive and well, working in London. Ace smiled. Sailor V. V-babe. He hadn't called her that in over one thousand years. He whistled softly to himself and headed for his new home, a hotel room overlooking the Thames. Minako Aino would remember him, and then they would be together as they were meant to be. He had a year before they'd come after him and the money.
Mina pulled the last knot tight. She heard a siren in the distance. "Well then, I'll leave you two for the police." She dropped a note by the two, flashed her trademark smile and V, and then headed off into the night. The air was cold tonight, with a hint of frost. She shivered in her tiny uniform as she jumped from rooftop to rooftop. She was tired, tired of London, of filming in the day and being Sailor V at night. She was tired of never seeing her little one, of being alone. Well, almost alone. At least the Sailor V series was almost finished. Almost six years, she'd put into the show. And Akira was five. Mina stopped for a moment, smiling a bit. She had named him light. She hadn't known why she did, but something had whispered the name to her in the recesses of sleep. She swung onto her balcony and crept in the quiet apartment. The TV was still on. Akira and Art were curled up in front of the television screen, fast asleep. Mina smiled. Art hadn't come on any missions with her in a long time; he simply trained her and let her go. Mina still cringed every time she thought of her first attempt at teleporting. She had managed to move herself, but her clothes were another matter. Art's wide-eyed assessment of her hadn't helped matters. Mina could see that he had feelings for her. But she didn't see him that way. To her, he was mentor, and friend. An older brother who helped out in so many ways.
She made some microwave ramen and ate it as fast as ever. Art still despaired of teaching her manners. Mina carried Akira to his bedroom, careful not to wake him. Then she pushed Art's legs onto the bed and covered him up. She went to her own room, setting her compact on the sill in the moonlight. Life was going wonderfully, but something was missing. Mina could feel it. There was something more to her purpose here, something more than just catching crooks for the London Police, something more than filming Sailor V. Mina had often tried to discover more about the author of the manga, but nothing had come from her inquiries. But she wondered where the story was coming from. It might have been her own life, had the animal found her at 13, before the TV show offer or her run in with Kaji.
Kaji. His name still hurt. She missed the Three Lights too. She didn't have anyone to invite over for popcorn and movies, or anyone to do a running commentary on any show on TV. And the dreams, Mina hated the dreams. A woman with long silver hair calling out to her, a man with long white hair in the opposite direction, and being forced to choose one over the other. Mina shook her head and tried to drop the unpleasant thoughts.
"Mina, Mina, come here for a minute." Mina stopped her warm up exercises and jogged over to the producer. "Minako Aino, I'd like you to meet Ace Saijou, your co-star for these last few episodes." Mina smiled brightly at the handsome young man, and held out her hand.
"Hello, nice to meet you, Mr. Saijou." The young man took her offered hand and lifted it to his lips.
"The pleasure is mine, Ms. Aino. Please, call me Ace." Mina tried to stop the gentle fluttering of her heart. It had been a while since she had felt an attraction to a young man. She hadn't had these kinds of feelings since Yaten had boarded the plane for Japan and she'd teased him about being so grumpy. He'd kissed her then, long and hard, with a promise that she'd see him again soon.
"Only if you'll call me Mina." A slow grin spread over Ace's face, giving him a rakish air.
"I'd be honored, Mina-hime." He said the words in Japanese. Mina's smile dropped a bit. He was a little too charming for his own good. And he spoke her native language without any trace of an accent.
"Very good, I knew you two would click. Good luck!" The producer left the two staring at each other.
"You speak Japanese." Mina's voice accused.
"You masquerade as Sailor V every night." Ace shot back. Mina's eyes grew wide and she took a step back.
"Who are you?" Ace moved closer, while Mina kept moving backwards. Then he had her trapped against a trailer.
"Your secret's safe with me, Princess." Ace kissed her gently on the cheek. "I'm your past, and your future. We belong together." Then Ace pulled back. "I'll see you later, Princess." Then he moved off through the bustle of the soundstage. Mina took a deep breath. She should tell Art about the man, but she wasn't sure what to say.
"Venus, please help me. Venus!" A woman in a white dress reaching out for her. Smoke, buildings collapsing. A bloody sword clutched tightly in her hand.
Minako sat up in bed, covered in sweat. The Nightmares were back. This Ace was bringing them to her mind, and the scenes they were filming didn't help. Mina could still see the look in his eyes. They had been filming an intimate scene yesterday. His eyes had been so serious.
"I love you, do you love me?"
"I-I do."
"A lie, you always choose duty over love."
It was more than words, it was as though he meant what he said, as though the story were real. Mina climbed out of bed and grabbed a ribbon from her nightstand. Navy blue. She hadn't worn a red ribbon in her hair since…She pushed the thoughts from her mind. It was early, and she hadn't gone to bed until almost two. Between her nighttime jaunts and her daytime job, she had never gotten much sleep. And now the nightmares blocked what little chance she had for rest. But the filming would be done soon, and she wouldn't have to see Ace anymore.
"Mama?" The little voice came from the door. Mina smiled at her little angel. He looked like his father, except for the eyes.
"Come here, pumpkin. Why are you up?" Akira looked at her carefully.
"The dark was in your dreams again." Akira hugged her tightly. "I couldn't keep them away, cause they came from inside you." Mina closed her eyes for a moment. Even her son seemed to be burdened by this curse she carried. He constantly talked of guarding dreams, as though he too was forced to battle every night.
"It's all right. You need to go to sleep." Mina carried the boy back to bed. "I'll see you tomorrow."
"Good night Mama. I hope you find her soon." Akira rolled over and went back to sleep. Mina walked slowly to her own bedroom.
"Find who, Akira? Do you know who I'm looking for?"
Mina pulled off her costume. Another long day of filming. Art wasn't too happy about Ace knowing her secret. The two men had gotten into a shouting match earlier in the day. Mina wiped sweat of her forehead. Those two did not get along well. And Ace kept cornering her, stealing kisses. Mina felt hunted. He asked her to dinner every evening, and every time she refused. There was something about him. Something familiar. And she didn't trust him at all. He knew too much, and wouldn't tell how he knew. Mina untied the hated red ribbon in her hair, tossing it on the table. Too many memories. She closed her eyes for a moment, unwilling to face the real reason why she wouldn't go out to dinner with Ace. It was more than just his mysterious information, or even his overbearing charm.
Mina reached for her robe and a pot of cold cream. She saw someone else every time Ace stole a kiss. White hair instead of shimmering gold, gray eyes instead of brilliant cyan. Mina closed her eyes and forced the tears back. One more day and this nightmare would be over. Just one more day.
Two big scenes, that's all she had to film today. Mina yanked on her costume with great force. She was almost finished with this show. And then what? Ace's words still haunted Mina. "Find who? Who am I looking for?" Mina cleared her throat and waited for her cue. She was running through a crumbling set. She pushed Ace from under a falling beam. He smiled up at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face.
"I always wanted you to protect me, but you chose duty over love."
"I'll always protect you…." Mina felt something bubbling to the surface. She had made that vow before, but to whom? The scene wrapped and Mina headed for some donuts. These strange feelings she got around Ace, where were they coming from? She'd only known him for a month. One month of constant shooting to finish the last episodes. Mina shook her head and downed some orange juice. Something just seemed odd.
The last scene was filmed on a soundstage. Mina looked at the 'roof' she and Ace would be fighting on. Ace was in his typical white outfit, Mina in her Sailor V costume. She rubbed at the moon sticker on her forehead. She would rather have simply transformed, but such was her life. Finally the cameras and crew were ready.
Ace and Mina circled each other for a moment. Then Ace started the choreographed fight scene. The two went through the motions, never actually touching each other, yet it looked as if they were fighting with all their might. Mina moved to her mark and held out her finger, shouting her attack phrase. Nothing happened, of course. The special effects people would put that in later. Ace didn't fall of the edge of the roof though. He twisted and did a back flip. One push and Mina was the one tumbling over the edge.
"What the hell…" Mina turned and grasped for something. She managed to catch the edge of the roof. Ace leaned over, his eyes strangely bright.
"Now it's your turn, Mina. We've played this game once before. You won last time, now it's my turn."
"What the bloody hell are you doing Ace. Help me up right now." Mina's eyes were flashing fire. She swung her second arm up, using it to grasp the edge, but a well-placed stomp from one of Ace's wingtips had her swearing and dangling by one arm.
"Not yet princess. I'm in control this time."
"Ace, help me." He leaned over the edge of the building, his cyan blue eyes boring into her sky blue ones.
"Do you remember yet, Venus?" Ace continued to stare. Mina could feel her fingers slipping.
"Dammit Ace, this isn't funny. Help me up." Her voice held a note of pleading.
"Do you remember a scene like this Angel? Where I begged you to help me?" Mina's hand slipped a bit farther, and tears started to trickle down her cheeks.
"I don't know what you're talking about. Please, Ace, please help me up." She slipped a bit more. Ace reached down and flicked a finger over her forehead.
"Wake up, little girl. Remember." Then he mercilessly stomped on her fingers. Mina screamed and lost her grip. Then she was falling. Two stories to a wooden floor. She hit with the side of her body, and her head smacked the ground with an ominous crack. Ace raced down the ladder, a hollow feeling in the pit of his stomach. What if he'd killed her?
"Minako!" Ace leaned over the unconscious girl. Her face was very pale. Ace checked for a pulse, and sighed in relief. She moaned and jerked her head back and forth several times. Ace let a small smile spread. Maybe this accident was just what was needed. Mina's forehead began to glow brightly. Ace picked the girl up and carried her through the mass of people. Mina's now very visible Venus Symbol was hidden against his chest. Art stepped in front of him.
"Give her to me, Ace." There was a thread of steel in the man's voice. Ace hesitated for a moment. "Now." The word came out like a growl. Ace knew he couldn't cause a scene. He carefully handed Mina over to the taller man. They managed to keep anyone from seeing her forehead.
"I'll be back, Artemis. And she'll remember." Art's eyes flicked shut, and then opened. Ace took a step back. They were cat's eyes now, yellow and spitting fire.
"She may remember, but you may be displeased with the results." Art turned his back on the smirking man and headed for the car.
The Silver Millennium
"I, Chosen warrior and guardian of Venus, avatar to the powers of the goddess Aphrodite, Heir to the throne of Venus, pledge my allegiance, my powers, my kingdom, and life to the Princess Serenity and to the preservation of the Moon Kingdom." Venus rose from her position at Queen Selene's feet. Selene smiled down at the girl. The baby in the woman's arms giggled loudly.
"Your pledge is accepted, Senshi of Venus." Selene placed the tiny child she was holding in a ruffled bassinette beside the throne. She stepped forward slowly. "You have been chosen by your planet, and by birth, and now by choice. There is one more mantle of responsibility to be laid upon your young shoulders." The queen beckoned with one finger and Venus followed slowly. They entered the door behind the throne, at the base of the crystal spire. A single sword rested in a block of crystal.
"Not even I can remove that sword, Senshi of Venus. Only the one who is pure of heart, strong of soul, and relentless in their duty may wield the Holy Sword of the Moon. Pull it from its base, Venus." The little girl turned wide eyes up at the queen.
"But it's so big!" Selene smiled.
"You can do it, Venus." The little girl lifted her chin and walked forward. She placed both hands on the sword and pulled, her face a study in determination. The sword slid from its base. Venus felt a flash of power flow through her. "Protect her well, little Venus." Venus stared at the huge sword in her hands. It was as tall as she was. Venus squared her chin. She may have been only four, but she understood what duty meant. Duty meant coming to the moon instead of staying on beautiful Venus. It meant seldom seeing her father or mother, or her brothers. It meant forever tying her soul to another. Venus dragged the sword into the throne room, oblivious to the whispers and stares. She looked over the edge of the cradle into her cousin's eyes. Serenity smiled.
"I will protect the princess with my life, my love, my soul."
Voices, floating up from the darkness.
"Don't wake her, she's facing her demons."
"How do you know that, Akira?" And the darkness falling again.
"Serenity, you're supposed to duck, not stand there like an idiot."
"You scared me, Venus. That sword is huge!" Venus sighed loudly. The little princess hated her weapons training.
"You have to get used to it. What would happen if I would get hurt in battle? What if we all got hurt? Then you'd need to protect yourself, silly girl." Serenity's eyes filled with tears and she flung herself at the older girl.
"I don't want to think of fighting Venus. We'll always be at peace; nothing will ever happen. I don't want you to ever have to use that sword Venus." Venus sighed and pulled the crying girl closer.
"I don't want to either, Serenity. But sometimes things are beyond our control. Do you remember what your mother told you? Darkness and light are always next to each other. Show fear or let them see tears and the darkness will attack and consume the light. We have to be strong. Can you be strong for me Serenity?" The little princess nodded her head.
"I can, Venus. I will be strong. Because I know, you'll always be there." Venus looked at the determination in the girl's eyes.
"Yes Serenity, I'll always be there."
"You can do it Serenity, feel it within you. You have the protection of the moon, you can do it." The little white haired girl had her eyes shut tightly. Venus stood beside the girl, one hand lightly holding the moon sword.
"I can't Venus, I can't seem to transform." Tears started to flow from the girl's eyes."
"It's all right, Serenity, don't cry. You're only ten. It will come. Try thinking of a phrase to help you. Maybe shouting it out would help. I know there's a Sailor Senshi locked inside of you. Come on." The girl closed her eyes tightly.
"Moon Prism Power!" Venus resisted the urge to clap her hands over her ears. She'd forgotten how loud Serenity could be. The grimace turned into a broad grin. Little Serenity was transforming. The girl opened her eyes, the light of her power still shining in her blue eyes. "I did it Venus!" Venus swept the younger girl into a bear hug.
"Let's go show everybody. Your mom will be so proud." Serenity turned her face up towards Venus.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Venus. Thank you so much." She hugged Venus tightly and took off at a run for the throne room. Venus followed at a much more sedate pace, the glow of accomplishment much slower in fading.
"Venus, I just met the most gorgeous guy." Serenity flounced into the training grounds and flopped onto the padded floor.
"You're late, Serenity." Venus's voice was icy. Serenity didn't even notice.
"He's so handsome, and strong, and absolutely wonderful. He has these blue eyes that look like sapphires and his hair is this gorgeous black and he's so nice." Venus rolled her eyes.
"Transform, Serenity. We're already behind schedule." Serenity rolled onto her stomach.
"Don't you even want to know where he's from?" Venus sighed loudly.
"I have better things to do than worry about boys, princess. If he has black hair he's probably from Pluto, Mars, Mercury, or Saturn." Venus reached for her whip. "Come on, we need to get started." Serenity's eyes filled with tears.
"Fine, I won't tell you that I met him on earth after I snuck down there and I won't tell you I'm going to meet him again tonight and I won't ask you to come along." Serenity stood up and ran out of the room, her loud sobs trailing behind her. Venus stood for a moment in shock. Then she raced after her princess.
"Serenity."
Venus felt the teleport almost immediately. She looked up from her work and sighed loudly. She quickly put away the sword she was sharpening and headed towards the teleportation room.
"I told her not to go down there again. She can't keep sneaking off, no matter how gorgeous that prince of hers is. I'm going to drag her back up here and lock her in her room." Venus stepped onto the teleport pad. "Earth, Golden Palace."
The trip to earth was instantaneous, rather like blinking, but it still made one want to check all their body parts. It was dark in the gardens of the Earth's Golden Palace. Venus headed out into the night, feeling for Serenity's aura.
The two were in the gazebo again, climbing roses entwined over the structure. Venus marched up behind the two, unable to stop the pang in her heart at seeing them together, entwined like the roses around them. But Queen Selene had given orders. Serenity was not to see the Earth Prince.
"Serenity, we need to get home this instant. You're in so much trouble." Venus grabbed onto one of the girl's long white pigtails. A deep voice echoed out of the darkness.
"Must be hard to have such a bundle of curiosity for a princess." Venus turned to see the stranger. He was leaning against a bench, arms crossed over his chest.
"Kunzite!" The prince sounded shocked. Venus felt her head pounding loudly. He was gorgeous. Long white hair, steel gray eyes, and an arrogant smirk on his face. But his eyes were scanning over her short skirt and long legs. Venus felt her face grow warm.
"We need to leave. Excuse us Prince Endymion." Venus bowed to the blushing young man. Then she turned on her heel and started off through the gardens pulling a protesting Serenity behind.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to me?" The voice came from in front of them now. Venus was used to having people around who could just teleport when they wished. She brushed past the figure. Serenity called out a farewell.
"Goodbye Endymion, I love you. Goodbye Prince Kunzite." A strong hand yanked at Venus's arm, stopping her in her tracks.
"You still haven't answered my question." The stranger bent down close to Venus. She felt herself drowning in his eyes. "I know you want to say something." Venus felt annoyance push away the feelings.
"I'll bid you farewell when arrogant jackasses learn to be polite." She yanked her arm free and jerked Serenity into an embrace. "The Moon." And the two were gone in a burst of white and gold.
Light began to take hold.
"It's been two days, Akira. Shouldn't we get her to a hospital?"
"There's one more monster she must face."
"She won't get hurt by falling in love, will she?" Venus felt the words echo in her head, a fortune of what was now coming to pass. Venus swung her sword downward yet again, slicing through yet another of Metallia's monsters. Venus had failed to hold the gates, but what good could one senshi and an army of untrained warriors do against an enemy that simply regenerated itself. Venus looked down at her ripped and tattered fuku. It was barely covering her body, and she was caked in blood. She was slowly making her way towards the palace, trying to stay ahead of the majority of the youma. But Venus knew this war was already lost.
She moved like an automaton, kill, slash, thrust, and throw the boomerang. The moon no longer shone with its white glow. Smoke floated over the battlefield, tickling Venus's nostril with its acrid stench. The sickly sweet smell of burning flesh mingled with sulphur, burning a path into her lungs. She stepped gingerly over the dead bodies, hoping that none would rise up. She had to reach the palace in time.
Then she reached the gates. The palace was slowly collapsing around her. Venus felt sharp pains rip through her heart, and knew her allies were losing ground. She was getting closer; she had to be getting closer.
"Serenity? Serenity." Venus screamed over the noise of battle. She felt her body complain a bit. Her magic powers had long since been depleted. This war had simply gone on for too long. They were outnumbered and outclassed. Venus had only one mission now.
"Serenity." Venus stepped into the throne room. The witch was there, her red hair billowing like flames. Venus stood frozen in shock. Endymion was lying on the ground in a pool of blood, Serenity weeping over his body. Venus could see the others lying dead in the room, and Selene was still inside the prayer spire.
"Holy sword of the moon, come to my hand." Venus felt the weapon appear. She wasted no time, plunging it into the witches black heart. Beryl melted away to a pile of dust. Venus stood for a moment, out of breath, unable to watch her dearest friend mourn the loss of her love.
"It's over, Angel." Venus whirled around at the sound, her body still between the weeping Serenity and the new threat. But she knew that voice.
"Kunzite." He stepped from the shadows. His face narrowed at the bloody prince on the steps of the throne.
"I didn't think you capable of it, Angel." Venus gritted her teeth.
"You always did think the worst of me. Your queen was the one who ended the prince's life. And I've sent her to receive her reward." Kunzite smiled a bit.
"There's nothing left, is there. The others are all dead, and your Serenity cannot live without her prince. Lay down your sword and meet death." Venus stepped closer to the arrogant figure.
"She isn't dead yet. As long as Serenity and Selene live, there is still hope." Venus moved with the words, the thrust blocked only by Kunzite's amazing reflexes. Their faces were inches apart now. They fought. There was nothing but the sound of sword against sword. The two circled and came together. Venus drew first blood, taking a chunk of thigh from Kunzite's leg.
"You little bitch. You want to hack me apart piece by piece." Kunzite grabbed her hair and drew the girl up against him. He dropped his mouth to hers in a brutal kiss. "I would have given you the world. But I don't take betrayal well." Venus ducked under his arm, getting a wound across her left upper arm in the process.
"Betrayal? Who are you to talk of betrayal? You've betrayed your prince, your people, everything you ever had. What have I betrayed?" Swords clashed again, around and around in an endless and deadly dance. They were both getting sloppier. A slice to Kunzite's sword arm, a cut across Venus's exposed stomach.
"You betrayed who you are Venus. You are love, and yet you sacrificed that for duty." Kunzite took a step closer, the ice in his eyes melting into tears. Venus took her chance and rammed the moon sword through Kunzite's heart.
"You always were a sucker for a pretty face." Venus leaned over and placed a kiss on Kunzite's lips, her face not surprised when a sword entered her own chest.
"And you never could stand tears." The two held each other as they entered the darkness of death.
Minako sat up screaming his name. Akira was beside her in bed. He wrapped his arms around her. Mina simply cried, the enormity of who she was, what her purpose was, kicking her in the gut like a contrary mule. Mina dried her tears slowly.
"Where's Artemis?" Her voice shook a bit.
"I'm right here. They finished the last scene without you. They used body doubles." Mina nodded slowly. Artemis moved forward and laid a paper on her lap. Mina stared at it for several long moments.
"Ace left this." It wasn't a question. Artemis nodded slowly. Mina turned her tearstained face up towards her mentor. "Then we're going. I have to find her Artemis. I have to protect her." Mina pulled her son into her arms and stared at the paper.
"Terran Eclipse Enterprises, Tokyo, Japan."
AN: Yes, I'm awful.
