Ranma 1/2 Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Secret Is Out ❯ And Now To Minako ( Chapter 6 )

Chapter Six: And Now Minako

Aino Akina scowled at the contraption beside her bed. Its continuance ringing playing havoc with her audio receptors. The charity gala her husband and she had sponsored went late, but well worth it for the contributions to the new pediatric ward for the hospital.

Signing, she reached over her snoring husband and lifted the receiver to her ear.

"Aino residents." She answered, her voice muffled from sleep.

"Hello. Is this Aino-San? Minako's mother." Came the too cheerful voice.

Glancing at the clock, Akina realized that her daughter should have already left for school and that this call was pointless.

"Minako's left for school. GOODBYE."

With that she slammed down the phone. USUALLY she wasn't so rude on the phone. Have to keep up appearances after all. But it had been a long night, and she drank one to many. She wasn't as young as she once was, and it'd been years since she had a hangover.

Flopping back into the bed, she attempted to return to sleep, when that blasted thing tormented her again.

RING. RING. RING. RING.

Furious, she snatched the phone of the hook, this time actually succeeding in waking her husband, and hollered.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

Ikuko seethed, and took a moment to control her temper. She realized that what she had to tell them was important and had to be told diplomatically, but this woman was getting on her nerves.

"Aino-San," She started in a tight voice. "I realize it is early, however there is a very serious matter I need to discuss with you regarding your daughter."

With this said, Ikuko felt she would have her full attention. Which she had, but not in the matter she expected.

"OH GOD. What did she do now? Fail another course? Broke something? Look just tell me what it is, and what I owe you and I'll send a check?"

This woman's audacity and disregard for her daughter's well fare shocked her. True, Miaka (Ami's Mom.) had been in a bit of a rush, but she at least cared about what she had to say about Ami. This woman sounded like she thought of Minako as a chore.

Reigning in her temper yet again, Ikuko replied in a VERY controlled voice.

"Aino-San, My name is Tsukino Ikuko. Your daughter and my daughter are close friends and you need to know something EXTREMELY urgent about her."

`This woman's not going to go away. Blast it. What did you do now Minako?'

Upset at his sleep time being disturbed, Aino Akira placed his hand over the receiver.

"Who is it? And what do they want?"

"I don't know. Some mother of one of Minako's friends. She says she has something urgent to say."

He growled himself. He too had the first hangover in years, and wasn't happy with the news.

Grabbing the phone from her hand, he punched the speaker button and heard a woman voice talking.

"…Families. So as you can see, this is a serious matter we must discuss."

The two glance at each other and actually chuckle at this. She hadn't realized no one was listening to her.

At this time, Artemis, having heard the racket coming from the Aino's bedroom, came in to investigate the commotion. He had just returned from his daily hunt for food (AKA begging at the local doughnut shop.), and was going to take a leisurely nap, since Minako should have long since left for school. At least she better have.

Ikuko however blew her top.

"HOW DARE YOU? I tell you that your daughter has been risking her life almost every night and you have the gall to LAUGH?"

This caught all three's attention. They may have had a hard time dealing with parenthood, but they did care about her.

Akira's voice boomed over the receiver.

"WHAT? What do you mean risking her life?"

Despite herself, Ikuko flinched at the shout.

"I told you. She's Sailor Venus and has been protecting the Earth with my daughter, who is Sailor Moon."

After the initial shock, Akina burst out with laughter, while Akira scowled.

"I don't know who you are lady, but if you think this little scheme of yours will get you some of the Aino Corporation's money, you are sadly mistaken. My daughter is not Sailor Venus and you had better not go spreading your lies around."

The laughter and insults came across the line clear as day to the smoldering matriarch of the Tsukino clan, and she was about to lay into them yet again, when she registered the shocked meow from the other side.

`Artemis. Perfect.'

"Artemis, listen to me. You either tell them everything, or I'm bringing Usagi over right now and have her transform in front of them. Then you're up the creek."

Artemis paled at this. True he knew from Luna that the Tsukino's knew about Usagi, but their family and this one was as different as could be.

Akina's laughter faded, and she decided to put an end to the farce.

"Look, Tsukino-San. I suggest you go get some help. There are good psychiatrists around that can help you with your disillusions…"

Ikuko interjected before she could finish, upsetting the pair.

"Artemis, if you don't say something before they hang up, I'm out this door."

Akira, having had enough, bellowed, "Good bye Tsukino-San. And keep your daughter away from mine."

Artemis, fearing for his life, knowing beyond doubt that she'd carry out her threat, hollered, "STOP."

The male voice didn't come from the phone, but the door. They were sure of it.

Slowly their heads turned to the white cat that trembled at the door, eye wide.

Sighing, Artemis glared into their astonished eyes and said.

"It's true. Minako's Sailor Venus and back in England went by the code name, Sailor V. And I am Artemis, her guardian and advisor."

The two barely remained conscious, thoughts and emotions swirling like tornado in their mind.

Slowly Ikuko's voice made its way into their thoughts.

"Aino-San? I know this is a lot to take in, but we need to talk. I'm contacting all the families and we're meeting today at one at my place."

Gaining control of himself, Aino-San acknowledged this and agreed that they and Minako would come. Then with a short goodbye, he hung up on the woman.

Getting out of bed, he then stalked to the feline, noticing that he went from trembling to glaring at him.

"Who…what are you and what have you done to my daughter?"

The coldness and to all's shock protectiveness in his voice sent a slight shiver done Artemis's spine. But he held firm. He knew what Minako went through with these sorry excuses of parents.

With a cold and controlled voice of his own, he replied.

"I simply awoke her to her destiny, awakening powers that lay dormant inside her."

"My little girl is not some super-hero."

His hair raised on his back, a hiss coming out involuntarily.

"YOUR LITTLE GIRL? How DARE you? Since when has she been YOUR little girl? I've been in this household for over a year remember? Since when have you cared about her? When you forget her birthdays? When you left her to her own devises? When you ignored her? When you talk together saying she was a mistake? "

The last said with such contempt Akira flinched.

`She'd heard that?'

"At least I've been there for her."

Akira, emotion surging, latched on to the easiest. Anger.

"And doing what? Endangering MY daughter? Risking her life?"

The hiss became a growl as the two faced off.

"You think I want that? You think I wouldn't change that if I could? I've had to see her risk her life. Get hurt in battle. Try to piece together as much of a normal life as she and the others can outside the battles. If I could I'd take her place in a second. Give her and the rest of the Senshi a peaceful childhood. But I can't. Only those five can control and use the celestial powers they wield. You've seen the fights. Blazes you've even been saved by her and the others, more then once. You've even seen the times the police and military have tried to fight them, they laughed at the bullets and missiles, and torn though fighter planes and tanks like a hot knife through butter. No one else can save this world. It's their duty, honor and curse."

Tears spilled from his eyes at this, and despite himself, Akira came to a grudging respect for this cat. He knew inside that he meant what he said. He'd die for Minako.

Unsure how to respond the two turned in alarm at the sobs coming from the bed where Akina lay.

Her head in her hands, shoulders shaking with sobs, she wept uncontrollably.

Akira, forgetting Artemis immediately, rushed to her side, enveloping her into a comforting hug.

But it did little to ease her pain. Suddenly, at the realization that Minako might have died, with out them even knowing, all the barriers, all the hidden feelings and self contempt spilled out, as she realized what she could have lost. What she had thrown away so long ago.

The two listened in stunned silence as she hysterically poured out her feelings.

"Oh god. We are the worst parents in the world. First we conceive her at eighteen, and hold her responsible for our lost of freedom, shoving her off on nannies and when older to her own devices. Refuse to let her call us parents. Couldn't have that. Make us feel old, and tied down." This said with such sarcasm it nearly dripped from her tongue.

Two stared. One stunned that she finally realized their crimes. The other horrified at them.

"Missed birthdays. Just give her the card and let her get something she wants. Give her the card to use to try and ease our guilt."

Lifting her head, she started screaming at her husband.

"She could have died, and we would never have known. No chance. No chance to make up for it. We lost so much of her life already. Her first day of school. First Friends. Steps. Words. What else? First Crush? First Love? First Kiss? What else have we lost? SHE COULD HAVE DIED, AND WE WOULD HAVE LOST EVERYTHING."

Artemis just stared. `Maybe…this is a good thing.'

Akira though, couldn't get a scene from his head. An open casket, with his wife and himself crying helplessly as their child was lowered into the ground.

`What kind of parents are we? We missed…threw away so much. Her birthday. Oh lord, when is her birthday? Summer, but when? WHEN?'

The two cried helplessly at their selfishness and their daughter's pain. Neither knew what to do.

Artemis stepped in at this.

"Yes. You have made many mistakes in raising Minako. But a wise girl I meant recently, and I shock myself at calling her this, has always believed in second chances. Believed that we can change. You know now what you've done, not its time to redeem yourselves."

The two stare at the cat, still unsure about him.

Akina looked beseechingly at him.

"Is there no way some one else besides Minako that can fight them?"

The look Artemis gave them answered the question before he could with his simple no.

Akira sighed. He noticed the dejected look on the cats face, and despite himself amused by the emotions he now recognizes in a CAT.

"You really do care about her don't you?"

Smiling slightly he chuckled. "She like the little sister I never had. I'd say daughter, but we're to close of friends for that."

A frown made its way to his face.

"Your male. And YOU SLEEP WITH HER."

The anger did not go unnoticed.

"HEY. I'm Mauian. I'm not even of the same species as Minako."

Then, to his horror he added.

"Besides I'm in love with Luna."

Akina giggled. `Kitty Love.'

"That's Usagi's Cat right? Is she like you?"

"Yes, but PLEASE don't tell her what I said. She'd kill me. And I'd never hear the end of it from the girls."

A loud bang from upstairs broke them out of their conversation. The screams had awoken Minako and she was dashing madly about the room to get ready for school.

Artemis chuckled. "I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Last nights battle was a tough one."

A gasp escaped Akina. While she was at the party, her baby was fighting for the lives of everyone on Earth. They hadn't even looked in on her when they got home.

"Well, that saves us getting her out of school. Come' on dear. Get on your robe, and we'll meet out little warrior down stairs."

The two make their way to the hall landing. They waited anxiously for her to come down the stairs.

And down she came, like a bat out of Hades, slamming into them both, causing a pile of arms and legs,

Minako, not use to her parents being home, blushed and apologized.

"Sorry, sorry. God, I'm getting like Usagi. I really didn't mean to hit into you Akira. Akina."

The apology amused the two, till they heard the use their given names. Sadness enveloped them as they realized how apart from her they really were.

"But I got to skip. I'm SOOOO late."

About to hightail it out, she was disconcerted by the firm grasp her father had on her arm.

"No Minako. No school today. We need to talk."

`Not good. What'd I do now?'

Seeing the fear in her eyes, Akina went over and hugged her.

Minako was now officially freaking. `WHAT'S GOING ON?'

Leading her to the couch, Akina held one of her hands in her own, while her father took the other.

`OH MY GOD. I'M DYING. That's why their being so nice to me.'

She closed her eyes, tears rolling down them.

Akira stared in horror. What was wrong with her?

"Minako. What's Wrong?"

At the top of her lungs she wailed. "I'M GOING TO DIE, AREN'T I? THAT'S WHY YOU'RE BEING SO NICE. WAHHHHHH. I DON'T WANT TO DIE?"

Her mother, shocked at her conclusion, attempted to calm her.

"No, Minako, no. You're not dying."

A worst scenario (In her view) came to mind.

"You're getting rid of me. Sending me to Military school. They'll cut off all my gorgeous hair, and make me wear ugly cloths and boots."

Artemis, on the ground attempting to control his laughter, suddenly received a picture of Minako in a crew cut and Military BDU's. He's dying here folks.

"NO. Minako. Nothing bad is happening. Just the opposite actually."

Minako, confused, pulled away and stood before them. Her parents had always been a bit strange, but this was plain weird.

"I don't get it. What's going on?"

Akina gave her young one a watery smile. This was going to be harder then they thought.

"Minako, sweetheart," Minako turned to see whom she was addressing, only to find no one behind her. "I know we haven't been the best of parents. Probably among the worst really. But we want to upturn a new tree."

Akira groaned. "That's turn over a new leaf sweetie. You never get your sayings right. Minako definitely gets that from you."

That said with a smirk that two females in the room wanted to wipe off his face, Akina retorted.

"Oh and her theatrics weren't from you? This from the man who, to get me to go out with him, knelt in front of the whole school and sang a made up song about how I was your Aphrodite and you wanted to worship me?''

The smirk turned into a grin as he replied. "Well it worked didn't it?"

The giggle from the blond teen broke the spell that they were weaving together, reminding them of the one who really needed them the most.

Minako was still confused by what was happening, but she always adored the love her parents shared. She just wished they would share it with her.

`Yeah, right Minako. And pigs will drive semi's'

Smiling at his daughter, Akira spoke yet again.

"Minako, I know we have been terrible parents, and have no right to ask, or even beg forgiveness. But, after we realized what we nearly lost, you, we realized that we have thrown away the most precious gift either of us has ever received. You."

Years of pain, loneliness and anger suddenly sprang forth inside of Minako.

"Most precious of gifts huh? I thought I was the mistake. You know AKIRA. The one you wanted to play down. Sweep under the piano. When have you ever cared about me?"

Tears stream down her eyes, a defiant look thrown their way, as if defying them to dispute it.

But to her shock, tears now stream down BOTH her parents eyes, and a haunted look entered into them, much like the one inside her. The one she tried to fight by being the clown. The bubbly blond. To be the center of attention no matter what. At least then she wasn't alone.

Until she met Usagi anyway. Until she found a place where she didn't have to be anyone save herself. They cared for her, not because of what she was, but who she was.

Both collapsed onto the couch, their faces buried into their hands as Akina struggled with a response.

"We know Minako. We have done nothing to earn your love or trust. But, despite what you may believe, we do love you, and want you to be happy. We just were not ready to be parents, and put the blame on you. Our greatest creation, we made feel was our worst mistake."

Unable to go on, she continued to sob.

Minako stared. `This can't be real. It's a trick. A game. A…A…'

But the two both looked up then, their eyes a confusing mixture of dead, guilt ridden, desperately wanting, and to her eternal shock, filled with the one thing she so desperately needed from them. Love.

A sob escaped her own lips as she dives into the two, knocking all back into the couch.

"MOMMY. DADDY."

The two stared down at the sobbing girl in their arms, their own tears continuing, but hopeful tears escape as well.

`Daddy." Whispered Akira.

Minako, horrified at calling him this, broke away.

"I'm sorry Akira. I know you don…"

A gentle hand covered her mouth as her father shook his head.

"No that's not it. It's that I never realized what a beautiful name that was."

"Or Mommy." The reverent whisper came from her mother, and Minako again threw herself into their arm, again crying.

"There, there my little warrior. Its time for some changes. And for us to be a real family."

The shock was almost more then Minako could bear. `Is this really happening?'

Sitting up a bit, she looked at them confused, even more so by something he had said.

"Little Warrior?"

Chuckles came from both parents.

"Well isn't that what you are? Sailor Venus."

"Oh now I get it. This is a dream. Night, Night."

With that the mighty Senshi collapsed, her mother barely catching her in time to save her from a nasty lump on her noggin.

The laughter now emitting from the ground drew their attention to the cat.

Snorting and gasping, he said between breaths.

"Well, welcome to parenthood. Congratulations, it's a girl."

The two sweat drop.