Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Pretty Soldiers ❯ Act 04 - omoide : Illusion ( Chapter 4 )

       The clouds beckoned.
       Unlike many nights, the poignant ache in his soul that spoke of a need to hurry, to rush to a hazy scene of possible violence, was nonexistent. It left him free to float on the breeze, carried like a black wraith across the skyline as if it were nothing at all.
       But not tonight. Instead of taking in the pleasure of faux flight he settled onto the roof of a particularly tall high rise, fingers holding his hat steady as the wind threatened to lash it away. Down below, the city sparkled with lights, moving cars, neon. It pretended that he didn't exist, that his dreams were nothing but faded imagination; it did so well, he mused. The city could always continue without a boy several years lost within his shadow, lacking his past.
       With his head tilted up, he closed his eyes to the sky. Just behind his eyelids could he see that hazy outline again, always so vague and general, but always the same; a female. Slender, supple, clad in billowy garments, long streamers of hair lashing as he reached out for her. "Please….the Ginzuishou…"
       "Always just those words," he whispered. "And is that all there is to the mystery?" While one hand held his hat steady, the other crept down to close around a medallion at his throat. "This elegant form, just like a sleepwalker going to a ball…."
       Whatever the case, the night was silent. Nearly three o'clock in the morning, and nothing had yet to occur; even villains, however deformed, needed their sleep, he supposed. If it hadn't happened by now, it wouldn't happen at all tonight.
       With one last firm tug at his hat brim, long legs were catapulting him over and past the edge of the roof. There was no shout of pleasure or fear; he simply dropped, catching the tails of his cloak to form a mock parachute. It was electrifying in its own way, heady to those who never tried it.
       And it was certainly enough to send another bolt upright in bed, crystal blue eyes wide to the darkness. "Protector…"

       "Ne, Chouko-kun, is it finished yet?" The scrape of metal over clay was quiet in the few seconds after the question had been voiced. It then ceased as the teenage boy turned a brilliant smile around to the open doorway.
       A plain smock smeared in paint and dried clay covered the standard male school uniform from becoming dirty; but it hung loose on a frame that was almost dwarfish. Hair the colour of wheat was neatly trimmed, and would have just cleared the top of the table had he not used a stool to stand on. Eyes of an icy green masked the warmth of their owner. "Ara ara, Tsukino-san, you're in such a hurry to see it!"
       Having been acknowledged, the odango-haired blonde bounded across the room to lean on the table. Her nose seemed to twitch as impishly as her namesake as she examined the sculpture in front of her, half-carved from a solid hunk of gray clay. "What will it be, Chouko-kun?"
       "Usagi-chan, interruptions always create flaws! Why don't you let him create in peace?" Moriya chided gently from the doorway, where she slumped against the frame. She yelped as Usagi tossed a piece of wet clay at her, sticking out her tongue.
       The clay flew back past the boy's face, nearly touching his nose, but he didn't react.
       Chouko Iretsu had been blind since birth.
       A few more pieces flew back and forth before both girls settled down, Moriya sliding the door shut. "Ne, Chouko-kun, so what are you making this time?" she queried, ignoring Usagi's yip of "You stole my question!" as she too leaned on the table.
       Small, child-sized fingers felt over the lump of clay, searching, before the cutting knife was again drawn across. "A lovely lady. A princess of renown," he replied cheerfully as he sheared a big chunk away. The torso had already been roughly hewed out, along with the face and what looked to be a ponytail of hair.
       Both girls leaned in a bit closer, examining the figure. "More of your dreams, Chouko-kun?" Usagi asked seriously as she cupped her chin in her hands.
       "Hai….all of my art comes from my dreams, because they're my eyes."
       Whatever Moriya asked next was lost on the odango-haired blonde as she frowned softly, puzzled. Both hands went to her chest, to the jeweled brooch that now clasped her bow, and felt its steady warmth. "This warm feeling….is it trying to tell me something? Perhaps, maybe, this lady….our princess Luna mentioned?"
       "Ano…soldiers protect important people, Luna. So who are we to protect?"
        "The mission is everything, Usagi-chan. Everything I know is that we need to find that important person…a princess, our princess. Sometimes I think the answers are being put out for us to find along the way…"
       The warmth surged as if to say Yes, before it slowly receded again. But it was as if a black calmness had come down over her eyes, sweeping over her, making her happy and whole. Everything had gone quiet in her ears, until, at the very edges of her perception, she heard Moriya call "….moshi moshi? Usagi-chan! Ne, tskumidango!" Usagi blinked. A slow heat began to creep into her cheeks, but it had nothing to do with calm, and all to do with embarrassment. Moriya was staring at her, perplexed, while Iretsu was staring sightlessly past her right shoulder. The blush broke out full force as she laughed haltingly. "G-gomen ne! I was thinking…."
       "Were they pleasant thoughts, Tsukino-san?" Iretsu asked idly, fingers groping for a different tool. If he knew Moriya lightly shoved it into reach, he said nothing about it. Anyone who babied him usually received a tongue lashing in return, unless they did it discreetly. He hated being treated differently because of his blindness and short stature.
       The odango-haired blonde shrugged without thinking, before she blushed brightly again. She began waving madly in apology - then realized he couldn't see that either, and just gave it up. "Mochiron! I always have pleasant thoughts, even when they're bad," she chirped happily, ignoring her friend's slow headshake.
       Moriya flipped her wrist up as Usagi began to babble on about her recent pleasant dream of endless ice cream cones, and peered at the time. "Ne, Usagi-chan, weren't you going to meet Ami at the Crown at 5?"
       "….and they were strawberry and chocolate and vani-nani!? I'm late?!" Usagi did a mad hopping dance for the door, pigtails smacking Iretsu right off the stool. The last view of him she had before closing the door was of a small heap of flailing limbs, caught within the legs of the stool. Moriya immediately attempted to extract him, apologizing profusely to the smaller student for her friend's impetuousness.
       Had the odango-haired blonde not been in such a hurry, she would have apologized herself.
       Several times.
       But she didn't have the time for it, as evidenced by the chime of the large clock out in the courtyard. The halls were empty as she skidded to a stop in front of her cubby, quickly peeling off her school slip-ons for her usual black Mary Janes. A quick tug at each secured the straps, and she ran out of the doors, swinging her case.
       Thankfully, the Crown Game Parlor wasn't very far from her school, but she would still have to break land speed records to make it in time, or even fashionably late. And knowing her luck, the streets she needed to cross would be chock full of traffic as people went home for the night. "My luck is the worst!" she whined as she dodged a pair of kindergarten children.
       And indeed, the crosswalk was full of people waiting to get to the other side. She slammed on the proverbial brakes at the sight of so many bodies, soles skidding on the concrete. But her save didn't matter; a tall schoolboy chose that moment to step back, and right into her. Though she stopped, it took for her momentum to carry them both to the ground before they completely halted.
       Papers flew everywhere as both their cases flew open, showering the crowd with exam preparations and failed tests.
       "Ita-ai!"
       "Tasukete….are you magnetized to me, pigtails?" Limbs entangled, Usagi lifted her head to find herself staring into dark, somber blue eyes. They in turn stared into slowly maddening crystal blue. "I think you're doing this on purpose, odango atama," Mamoru added, a bit snidely.
       He simply waited as she seemed to gather air into her lungs, and took the time to extract her arms from his. The bellowed shrieking caught him just before he managed to roll away. "YOU JERK!"
       Calmly did he pick up some of their scattered papers as she began to denounce him from shoes to shirt, up until and including his glasses. Where most people would have run out of breath and simply died, she kept on going, adding to the list in quite the interesting manner; had he been listening, he might've appreciated it. But he kept on picking up paper, making small tsk noises at her test results, until one paper caught his attention. "…and your glasses are too wide for your face! Are you listening to me?!"
       Slowly did he turn his head to stare at her. The paper crumpled in his palm as he held her tests out, smirking. "No, I wasn't. And your scores are terrible."
       "Give me that! It isn't right for you to peek!" she snapped, snatching the papers away. They were stuffed haphazard into her case, edges still sticking out when she snapped it shut. "Next time, you'll respect a young girl's privacy!"
       He rolled his eyes complacently. "Yare yare…."
       She all but growled at him before she sprinted out across the street, just catching the tail end of the WALK sign. A car nearly clipped her skirt - again - before she vaulted up onto the other sidewalk, disappearing into the crowd.
       That closed fist was uncurled, and he tugged the paper somewhat smooth with his hands. The hasty sketch on the back was rough and uneven, lacking in proportion, scrawled over in the bottom corner with a name and classroom. But he knew who it was, and he stared in the direction Usagi had vanished off to as he folded the paper up, this time carefully.

      Even at this time of day, the game center was rather devoid of players. A rarity indeed for the free time after school, but Furuhata Motoki wouldn't question it, not really; it allowed him to clean the place up more thoroughly. Still…
      He paused in sweeping to regard the trio of girls clustered near the Sailor V game, smiling lightly. The place seemed to empty every time that particular girl, with her tied-up pigtails, and her black cat, were here. Maybe it was his imagination, or maybe, he mused with a chuckle as he continued sweeping, that little kitty was behind all of it.
      Too bad he never considered asking the cat in question. She may've even responded to him with a definite yes, though talking and taking responsibility for such unusual occurrences was a big No-No.
      Though now, large blue eyes simply regarded the three girls in front of her as she lightly bathed a paw. "I already said I was sorry, Rei-san! Mou!"
      "Off having fun and being childish while we're stuck as soldiers, no doubt!" The dark-haired girl stared at a coloring Usagi steadily, purple eyes narrowed. She then sharply swiveled her attention to the black feline on the console, ignoring Usagi's breath of relief. "Our mission, Luna, as sailor soldiers. What is it? I have strong suspicions about this inability to tell us everything, Luna."
      Ami, silent up until now, spoke up. "We do need more data, Luna. Everything's incomplete until then."
      Tail slowly starting to cut through the air, Luna stretched herself out with a soft pop of bones. She then re-settled herself, carefully avoiding the joystick and assorted buttons, and curled her tail around her legs. "What I know isn't entirely clear. Even the enemies, their true identity, is hidden from me; I know that we need to find our princess and her mystical holy stone, and protect them from those who would taint."
      "Awakened to fight the evil…." Ami murmured quietly.
      The black feline shook her head briskly. "Iie, Ami-chan. As sailor soldiers, you defend our princess. Fighting the evil is secondary to the mission, which is to find our hidden princess and break the seal!" She slapped her paw against the console to emphasize her point, before meowing complacently as Motoki veered past them.
      Four pairs of eyes followed him - three discreet, one blatant - before Luna continued. "Your awakening won't be complete until we find all of our allies, and our princess is revealed."
      "But, Luna…."
      "Konnichiwaaaaaaa! How is everyone today!"
      Dead silence. The long-haired blonde, either unaware or totally expectant, skipped inside with an air of glee. And if anyone noticed the uncanny resemblance she had to the drawing of Sailor V on the door window behind her, no one said a word.
      Luna goggled, completely dumbstruck. In all honesty, her ability to gently 'nudge' people away from a particular area wasn't perfect, and it was easier to just throw out the suggestion for people to avoid the place for an hour or two and hope it worked. But this was unforeseen; the long-haired blonde had managed to waltz right on in without the black feline even noticing, and even her somewhat-faulty magic should have at least told her someone was coming.
      Usagi beamed a thousand-watt smile at the newcomer, oblivious to Luna's confusion. "Konnichiwa, Minako-chan! You know Ami-chan and Rei-san, right?"
      The blue-haired genius nodded politely, eyes lowered slightly. The dark-haired girl tilted her own head in what was a polite, but aloof, bow, arms folding in obvious want to privacy. Minako's brows quirked up almost comically, and she flashed a wary smile to Usagi. "Ne, ne, did I interrupt something, ah….?" After a moment's pause, she finally settled on "Late-For-School-Girl?"
      "Oh no, I never introduced myself, did I?" Usagi giggled nervously, bowing madly in apology. "Gomen nasai! I'm Tsukino Usagi, third year student at Juuban junior high." She held a hand up in further submission, waving it madly. "I didn't mean to be so rude, Minako-chaan!"
      "Don't worry about it," Minako laughed, incredibly good-natured in the face of the odango-haired blonde's rampant apologies. She beamed radiantly at the quiet Ami and Rei, arms folding behind her back. "Ne, Hino-san, you're very contemplative. Did I interrupt a secret group meeting?" she queried innocently, twilight blue eyes all but sparkling with humour and something far more intelligent.
      The blue-haired genius made a sound halfway between a squeak and a gasp, mouth twitching as she nearly bit her tongue. Rei, however, merely tilted her head to regard the long-haired blonde casually, as one might an interesting species of bug. It was a dominant sort of regard, one born of high-breeding that invariably made everyone else feel inferior.
      Unfortunately, Minako didn't seem to be offset in the least, and merely smiled deeper, more amused. "Ne?"
      "I was discussing my studies with Mizuno-san; Tsukino-san merely tagged along to play her video games, as I suspect she holds them in higher regard than her schoolwork." Grey-clad arms folded across her chest, as those purple eyes seemed to dare Minako to call her a liar.
      Luna was nearly ripping the console beneath her paws apart with claws that continued to flex in and out of their sheathes. Being a mentor and guardian didn't give her any greater patience, especially when something this unusual and dangerous occurred, but what could she do? Brown eyes darted from the equally squirming Usagi, to the still-silent Ami, then to the stare-off.
      "How dull! Poor Usagi-chan, having to listen to them drone on about homework…." The long-haired blonde exhaled dramatically, before flinging herself forward to grab Usagi's hand. "You need some games and fun!" And with that, she hauled the hapless odango-haired blonde away, in the general direction of some impressive game only she knew about.
      Blinking followed them both, before Ami breathed rather sharply. "How did she guess, Luna?" she whispered softly.
      "She didn't 'guess,' Ami-san," Rei snapped imperiously. "She was simply acting the child, and better to get rid of both of them for now so we can talk business."
      The black feline twitched her whiskers at Rei's tone, tail curling tightly around her paws. "Rei-san, our mission is as I've told you; even I'm hobbled by this lack of memory, of knowledge. It's up to all of you to remember, and to protect our princess and her holy stone!" Again did her paw slap against the console, even as she stared at them. Despite the obvious disadvantage of her height, both seemed to back down, though Rei did so hesitantly.
      "And who is going to lead us in this mission, Luna? I think I can handle it." That imperious look returned, even fiercer than before. "I can sense the evil; I know it's there! This mission sounds too important to entrust to a childish girl who doesn't take anything seriously!" All three shifted their gazes to stare across the room, where two blonde heads peeped up over the game systems. Neither seemed to realize they were being stared at, and it was Ami who looked back first.
      "Would Usagi-chan be our leader, because she was the first to awaken, Luna? Is that how it is?"
      "It would be suicide!" Rei interrupted, looking from Ami to Luna. "She, who can't even properly fight those evil creatures you faced down? Let the spiritual guide the physical Luna, Mizuno-san. It's only reasonable."
      Luna's tail uncurled, beginning to thrash in the air. She had a feeling this would happen; the dark-haired girl seemed too aloof, too high-class to accept anyone leading her. Although, to tell the truth, she'd been hoping that Rei would be reasonable about it. After all, Usagi had awoken first, and was by default the one with more experience.
      That was the theory, at least. Luna stilled her tail. "And you think you have the spiritual knowledge to guide us, Rei-san? Would it be enough to make you worthy as a leader above Usagi-chan and Ami-chan?"
      "I am a miko at the Hikawa shine, Luna. Despite my father wanting me to…despite being forced to go to a Catholic school, I was raised by the belief in the kami who allow me to see what others can't." There was a flash of anger, of resentment, before the dark-haired girl's cool veneer returned. Again did she turn that haughty look onto both of them, arms folding. "Can you afford to say no, Luna?"
      The black feline opened her mouth, only to abruptly snap it shut with a click of fang teeth. "It isn't my decision, Rei-san. And I can feel, somehow….I can feel that it's still incomplete. Until I know it's right, all three of you will be equals." The blue-haired genius nodded softly in agreement, followed - after a moment's pause - by Rei. "It's our mission, Rei-san; not a burden, not a contest. And when everyone has gathered - I know not all of you stand before me - everything will make sense."
      "Oh, that reminds me!" A blonde pigtail smacked both Ami and Rei in the face as Usagi vaulted back into their midst, Minako trailing behind. "Ara, did I do something wrong?" she inquired innocently as both girls yelped. When neither responded - though Rei glared around the red welt - she continued on. "I'm inviting you to a gallery Sunday afternoon! There'll be refreshments and cake and crackers!"
      Minako seemed to be the only one unsurprised; everyone one else simply blinked before Ami managed a hesitant "Gallery?"

      There was no morning paper delivery to the north Arctic. And that was just fine to the denizens living scant miles below the surface of the snow and ice; they didn't want to be disturbed anyway, thank you very much.
      But when you're working for an evil, possibly crazy queen and trying to gather information about the surface world that rejects your kind, you have to improvise. Nephrite truly wished his crystal balls had 'Zoom' somewhere in their list of abilities, but something was better than nothing, and spying on a Tokyo businessman reading a newspaper was as good as it got.
      He just really, really wished for 'Zoom' right now.
      Scattered around him were other such crystals, all performing the same function: spying on the Tokyo citizens, most specifically the ones with newspapers on a sole topic. Some of them were nothing larger than a paragraph, mentioning an art gallery and a time; others were lengthy descriptions of the statues, and their supposed meanings.
      Gloved fingers curled, gesturing but slightly to call a different crystal to his hand. The newspaper within held the only picture of a dwarfish boy, blond hair and green-ice eyes turned to muddled greytone. "Chouko Iretsu….you dream of our past. Do you truly, perhaps, know where the Ginzuishou lies?" Another hand lifted, calling a different crystal. Inside, the artist's newest creation curved along the round swell of the ball. In its hands was a lump that would be, in real life, vibrant with sparkle.
      "The Ginzuishou….tell me, Nephrite, my North American general, can you obtain it for our queen's glory?" So subtle was the sound of her gown on the stone floor, like a snake gliding. Even as he stiffened ever-so-slightly to attention, she remained as a predator and circled him slowly, staff in hand. "With it, we will have so much power, so much energy. Even Jadeite can awaken to our victory!"
      Blue eyes spasmed with the memory of a clear-lidded coffin, so recently brought into the royal chamber. There hadn't been much left of the first general's body after Sailor Mars had burned him to death; all that lay within had been a blackened, warped corpse. Even his uniform had been destroyed, parts of it melted onto his flesh. "Jadeite…"
      With an expansive gesture, he dismissed the crystals into oblivion, dropping to a knee in subservience to his queen. It was done so grandly that she allowed herself a smile, toothy and dangerous as it was. A taloned hand reached out almost languid, palm down; without looking did Nephrite take it, touching a kiss to the back. It was quick, light, before he released his gentle hold. "You please me, Nephrite. Don't fail as your predecessor did so badly."
      If he looked up slightly, he could see the hem of her dress pouring onto the floor. When he did so, she began to walk away with that serpent's glide, and blue eyes followed the purple fabric until she was out of eye range. But he didn't dare move until well and long after he knew she had truly left the room.
      "Finding such a sacred relic shouldn't be hard; after all, where could it possibly hide?" It was a rhetorical self-question, one he couldn't answer, as he stood straight. As a possessor of people, he could have searched through all of Tokyo, using citizens as his tools. But such a task was monumental and ridiculous, and hardly easy with three sailor soldiers now out for their blood. "Possibly anywhere, fool," he added in a mutter.
      "More the fool you, Nephrite, for thinking so casually about such power."
      It wasn't truly surprising to find the generals at odds with one another; such power plays were common in the hierarchy. But this time, Nephrite barely spared a glance as Zoisite stepped fully into the room, shaking back a loosely tied ponytail over his shoulders. "You'll make the same mistake as Jadeite, and then, Beryl-sama will entrust your mission to me."
      "Be quiet, Zoisite." Fingers curled again, bringing a crystal back into existence above his hand. "Do you know what the holy stone can do?" Again, a rhetorical question, but this time, it was stabbed with a sharp brutality into the ego surrounding the long-haired blond general.
      The workings of a subtle power play.
      Zoisite tilted his head, acknowledging, if subtle, the lack of real knowledge on the topic. "A holy stone, sacred to our enemies…..what could it do but give us their power?" Gloved fingers began to play with the strands of gold that tickled his sharp, impish face, twisting them about thumb and forefinger. A mimic of cat's cradle began to form.
      The North American general caressed the crystal free-floating gently above his palm, a subtly haunted look creasing his face. "Beryl-sama….she told me that it can awaken Jadeite once more, give our great queen untold of power. The stolen power of our enemies' kingdom, what else could be so intense?" Again did his mind call up the image of his burned comrade; not even in death did he look at ease. It was a cold realization to know that Beryl still held the blond general's soul, and could torture it at will for displeasing her.
      "Then I won't allow myself to fail."
      Both generals stared one another down, Zoisite's reply still echoing through the chamber. "You may fail, Nephrite, with your weak ways and casual thoughts. But our queen won't tolerate such failure lightly, and once you fall, I will be in her graces with victory!" Before Nephrite could even call up a retort, the long-haired blond general was gesturing, ripping apart space to teleport himself elsewhere. "The Ginzuishou will be in my hands long after you've failed!"
      Silence, again. Nephrite flung the crystal to the floor, and the sound of its breaking masked the snarl that finally cracked his lips. Kami-sama, but he did hate that man.

       "Minako-chAAaaaAAAn!"
       Sometimes, the negatives outweighed the positives of having such a high-ranking public official as an ally.
       If anyone had cared to look up at the Metropolitan Police Station merely five minutes previous, they would have spotted a flash of short skirt and supple thigh sneaking through the topmost floor window. Even though the long-haired blonde had an open invitation to walk through the front door, she preferred not to; the precarious climb was far less dangerous than the inevitable groping and pinching she was subject to from the officers, fans or no. Few of them were content with a simple autograph or candid photo.
       Unfortunately, clambering through the window meant having to put up with the Superintendent-General's squeal each and every time she arrived. Apparently, Natsuna thought the whole thing was a terrific display of her idol's abilities, and gushed thoroughly once she was inside. "Oh, Minako-chan, I can always count on you for an outstanding performance!" the brunette finally sighed.
       The sailor-suited heroine simply bowed, before winking rakishly. "Of course, onee-san!" She closed the window shade behind her, ignoring with poster of herself on its back with long-suffering talent. Whoever had permanently frozen her into that cheery smile and salute had cost her a lifetime of repeating it. "Now, why did you want to speak to me?"
       Natsuna swiveled in her chair behind her desk, resting her chin in her palm. When in police mode, the usually flighty woman looked serious and businesslike; no horseplay allowed. It was a trait the long-haired blonde did indeed admire in her. "Have you seen the rash of thievery that's been taking place, Minako-chan?"
       "H-ai, onee-san, but the police force needs something to do! After all, the dangerous elements are more my speed." V's levity was faintly strained as she blinked at the brunette, hands clasping behind her back. Through another window she spotted Artemis, who was pressing his paws against the glass in frustration.
       (Pets weren't allowed in the station. It drove the white feline crazy.)
       And he was indeed going crazy at that very moment. He didn't dare tap his claws against the glass, for fear of alerting Natsuna, though his impatience with human rules was sorely beginning to test his patience. The window sill was freezing, and, just like every night, the wind threatened to yank him off and spin him into the nauseating darkness with little chance of landing on his feet. He wore the badly-fitting headset he needed to hear their conversation through V's tiny microphone, tail firmly wrapping it around his skull.
       The tapping of a ballpoint pen brought the long-haired blonde's attention back to the policewoman, who was frowning. "True, but these robberies are different, Minako-chan. Gems stolen, then returned the next night to their rightful owners in most cases. It's as if this person is looking for something."
       "A-ano…." This was news. V began to nibble at a thumbnail, not bothering to remove her glove first, brow furrowing. "They….returned….the gems?"
       "With few exceptions. And almost every gem stolen in the first place was a diamond, not exclusive to size or shape." With another spin, Natsuna had her chair tilted around to rummage in a nearby file cabinet, obviously looking for some of the police reports.
       V had grown cold. She looked around quickly to Artemis, a look of panic obvious on her face, before she turned back around. Diamonds…clear, sparkling stones that looked pure and symbolic… But wasn't it too soon? She nearly bit right through the fabric of her glove by the time Natsuna swiveled about again.
       "There were a few not returned, but one or two have been found. Sold, and by someone well practiced in covering their steps. Perhaps more than one person is stealing them, or it's merely coincidence….?" The brunette trailed off with a sigh, holding a folder up, thick with paper. "I made copies of the reports, Minako-chan. I hope maybe you can help us; you can go where my officers can't."
       The long-haired blonde took the file gingerly, though she beamed brightly. "Daijoubu, onee-san! Sailor V is on the case!" She spent a few minutes fumbling with it, trying to tuck it decently into her skirt waistband, before flipping a jaunty salute.
       Wind whipped through the corner office as she shoved the window open, squirming out with the hip wriggle of a seasoned pro. Natsuna applauded accordingly, cooing happily before the gale outside drowned her out; and thankfully too, V felt, as she scooped up her frozen feline companion. "Artemis, did you hear that?" she shouted.
       Claws dug firmly into Sailor V's side, the white cat nodded. The wind grew steadily worse as she scaled the building, pointing upwards and calling out a "Love Me Chain!" to anchor them. "I heard, Mina. But if someone's looking for the holy stone, why return the stolen gems?"
       Eyes of midnight blinked away tears from the stinging gale, though they were furrowed sharp in concentration. Artemis' continued questions went unanswered as they went higher, though after a while, she would have been unable to hear him had he screamed in her ear. Each pull upward was mechanical, smooth; chain wrapped around one wrist, the sailor-suited girl climbed as steadily as an elevator.
       It had been a year since China. Give or take. Since then, the long-haired blonde and white feline had known the truth about their pasts, and agonizing over what to do. The girl behind the mask had run into her former allies several times now, unable to hug them as friends and fellow soldiers; it hurt. All she could do was smile her vapid, bubbly smile, and wait with growing impatience until she could reveal herself.
       "MiNAko!"
       "Nani?" A snap of hair across her cheek had her blinking. "Neh, we're on the roof already…I mean, uh," she hastily amended, catching sight of Artemis' stare, "finally made it!"
       The white cat leapt down, shaking himself briskly. "Mina, your daydreaming is really beginning to worry me…what if we had fallen?"
       "Oh, Artemis, you worry too much! Sailor V isn't that careless! I would have caught us in plenty of time!" The long-haired blonde winked, turning around to survey the skyline. For an ugly building, the Metropolitan Police Station gave a fair view of the city. After a moment, Artemis joined her on the edge.
       A long silence fell, punctuated only by the whistling of the wind around the building's sharp corners. Both had long reached that comfortable level in their partnership where nothing really had to be said; small talk was an irritant, not always a comfort. Still, V finally cleared her throat as the city lights twinkled miles and blocks off. "Usagi-chan invited me to a gallery tomorrow."
       "That's great, Mina! You need to be more friendly…." Artemis trailed his happiness off as he spied his partner's expression. "Minako…you can't keep trying to be friends with them without holding the truth from them, just for this little while-"
       "But it's so HARD, Artemis!" White paws immediately backpedaled as the long-haired blonde pounded her fists on the concrete edge, hard enough to bruise. "I just want friends, I want them to know me and for me to know them! Sometimes, I wish we didn't have such lives to live!"
       Tears began to dot the chunky stone. Artemis stared at V with a look of similar pain, before he ventured a paw forward. "But as Sailor V-"
       "Sailor V is NO ONE, Artemis! Don't you get it!?" She was screaming into the wind now, ripping at her mask. "Sailor V is Sailor Venus, but I can't be Venus until our princess truly needs me! I'm useless, Artemis, useless to my destiny!" The mask was stomped on by a strapped heel, ground furiously into the roof with her toe. "I'm chasing thieves and petty criminals! Not protecting my princess, not fighting with my friends, but scaring two-bit crooks into going straight!"
       Now the feline drew his ears back, looking as small as possible. "Minako…"
       And the long-haired blonde drew in a breath, quite ready to scream more of her rage into the night.
       Then, a dark shape flew past two rooftops away, followed by another.
       Wearing a cape…?
       Artemis was nearly bowled over as Minako snatched up her mask, furiously tugging it straight and wiping it clean, before settling it back over her eyes. "Artemis, did you see that?"
       "What, past your temper tantrum? At least you're not the lost cause I thought you were!" he retorted, relieved once she smiled.
       "Nothing gets past Sailor V. And I bet I know who that was - Love Me Chain!" From an extended finger shot those glittering gold links, out into the skyline to wrap around gods knew what spire or flag pole. She tugged at it a few times to assure its solid state before leaping out, waiting in anticipation as she dropped down.
       The white speck that was Artemis disappeared as the chain tightened, swinging her out. Another hoarse shout sent more chain links to fly, continuing her swing. She rode the winds at breakneck speeds, furiously keeping in pace with the two figures darting across the rooftops like lightweight leaves themselves. One lost what appeared to be a hat off their head during one leap.
       Lost hat or not, the chase continued towards the middle of the city, nearing a monument every citizen knew well. "The Tower, how typical!" V muttered, reaching out to grab one of the metal supports as her chain ran out. She swung around, planting her feet as firmly as she could, mentally chastising whatever god had thought to fit her with high heels for the hundredth time.
       "V! Did you follow them?"
       "Hai, hai, Artemis." Grip tight, the sailor-suited soldier looked down at the observation deck, the higher of the two. Neither seemed to notice she was there, though that may have been simply because they were too busy arguing.
       The same thief V had rescued stood near the door, a wrapped bundle in her arms. "Ara, Tuxedo-kun, getting tired of chasing me?"
       Clad in a wind-torn tuxedo, top hat lost to the winds, the other merely clenched a fist. "Searching for the Ginzuishou like I am is bad enough, but stealing from people…! I say again, return what you've taken, or I will!"
       Laughter spiraled up to the long-haired blonde, rather sweet. "I have bills to pay, Tuxedo-kun! Surely you understand I can't just give these back!" The twinkle of diamonds peeked out from the velvety bundle, before the thief parted the cloth herself. Inside lay five small stones, of varying worth.
       "Artemis…! It is her taking them, but….Tuxedo Kamen-sama!"
       A small diamond was selected, and held up to the light. Tuxedo Kamen inhaled sharply as the thief turned it in her fingers. "Nice quality, though it won't get much on the market….maybe this will be the one you can return tonight, neh?"
       "Or maybe you can return them all!"
       Both black-clad figures leapt aside as the chain smashed into the pavement, missing its target. The thief crouched atop the outer edge, snarling. "Sailor V, I didn't ask you to interrupt!" She flung the useless pouch at the long-haired blonde as she leapt down between the two, the velvet now empty of its gems. They lay scattered on the roof, twinkling like stars.
       "Sailor V…?" Finger raised, V paused as Tuxedo Kamen spoke. Bewildered, he stared at the soldier, even as she flinched. "You look familiar….someone from my dreams?"
       "No one from your dream, Tuxedo Kamen-sama." She smiled comfortingly, before centering her finger on the thief again. "Take the stones to their rightful owners, while I deal with this thief." Gold sparked at her fingertip, coalescing.
       "Ara…" The thief flung her arm about, aiming well; V staggered back as a tiny diamond sliced across her cheek, cutting her as surely as any glass. Even as Tuxedo Kamen moved forward to catch her, the thief leapt off the side.
       Six diamonds, all told. They winked at the long-haired blonde as she began to giggle. "So she stole them…and you…you returned some of them….Kami-sama…" At his blank look, she merely laughed harder.

       There was a media buzz at the Ritzy Ditzy Art Gallery come Sunday. The owner, a stout American with graying hair and a middling grasp of Japanese, stood at the doors to graciously answer the interviewers. Next to him stood the center of the attention, though his eyes were unfocused and unseeing.
       A walking stick kept the crowd from trampling the blind artist, but barely.
       The news was absolutely frantic over Iretsu, gushing over his creations - made by eyes that couldn't even see! - and his claims of inspiration. Even now, a microphone was being shoved into his mouth as he repeated his fantastic dreams, several in the crowd cooing appreciatively. "And this fantastic kingdom of yours, Chouko-san…do you truly believe in it?"
       "Hai." His response was automatic, and slightly tired. "People laugh at me for believing in it. But my silver princess, her kingdom, is real."
       Behind him, the large bay windows showed the entire gallery, and its current arrangement of sculptures. With a slow gesture around, Iretsu pointed his walking stick in the vague direction of the highlighted piece, a small crystal glittering beneath the lights. Everyone immediately surged in close, noses and lips pressing against the glass.
       Iretsu's princess was beautiful, no, elegant. Crouched in a flow of white skirts, she held a clear crystal between her hands, rainbows reflecting on every wall. Her head was tilted upwards towards the heavens, heavily lashed eyes closed against the harsh skylight. Hair coiled down from two ponytails on her head that lovely colour of white only the young can possess. "My princess," Iretsu whispered, breaking the silence.
       "And now that we have your attention, the doors will be opened!" the gallery owner boomed, slightly slurring his words.
       Everyone stepped back automatically as two workers inside unlatched the double glass doors, pushing them open simultaneously. Both held them open as they bowed.
       Just as people began to file in, a bus rumbled to a stop at the sign twenty feet from the gallery. The door snapped open, and Usagi sprang out, bouncing from foot to foot. "Hurry hurry! The gallery just opened! Lucky!"
       "This is so cool!" Minako bounded out next, nearly taking the odango-haired blonde down with her. "Chouko Iretsu is a student at your school?"
       The blue-haired genius descended in embarrassed quiet, Luna draped over her shoulder. "Hai, Aino-san. He was just in an American magazine for his sculptures…he's very talented."
       "Araa, to be famous…and what did I tell you, Ami-chan!" The long-haired blonde waggled a finger at Ami as Rei stepped out. "My name is Minako, not Aino-san! That sounds frumpy!"
       Moriya was the last out, and she leapt to the sidewalk hurriedly as the driver snapped his doors shut. "Minako-chan, you know Ami-chan is still hesitant about such matters," she chided the long-haired blonde.
       With a warble of "Gomeeen," Minako took off after Usagi, who was running to the back of the crowd. Moriya shrugged as Rei exhaled sharply, giving the two left standing with her a frustrated look.
       "I think both of them were made for one another. How childish can they be!" the dark-haired shrine girl snapped, folding her arms. "They're embarrassing to be around."
       Luna ground her teeth audibly in Ami's ear, resisting the urge to snap right back at Rei. The blue-haired genius flushed, lightly petting the feline. "They have their ways, Rei-san…please, just enjoy this afternoon."
       "Yeah, Hino-san, don't be such a stick in the mud," Moriya added, sounding just as displeased. "Usagi-chan and Minako have good hearts. Just because they don't live up to your prim standards doesn't mean you have a right to judge them!"
       Rei's mouth dropped open faintly as the red-head turned away, following the two exuberant blondes into the gallery. Ami shuffled past quickly, Rei's mouth snapping closed with a stare of pure shock as she was left alone. Though, after another long minute, she was walking stiffly towards the doors, head held high.
       Inside, the large crowd had managed to cluster itself into mini groups around each statue; a set of odango and a red bow were visible in the group that surrounded Iretsu. The dark-haired shrine girl moved off to the first statue, peering into the glass case as Ami was doing. "'Prayer Vigil'," someone next to her read off the plaque. "I don't get it."
       The statue held arms wide as she stood before a tall tower of glass, seemingly molded into the floor by the flowing length of her tight-fitting dress. It was sculpted to be the inside of a room; at a far corner was a door, from which a face peered, seemingly not allowed inside. "It's a sacred prayer chamber," Rei murmured. Ami nodded, tucking blue bangs behind her ear.
       "Hai, the Queen never allowed anyone inside-"
       Soft crystalline light bathed the hallway in a gentle glow. At only ten, the young soldier wasn't even allowed to fight in battle, and her uniform seemed a joke. Still, she looked solemn and grown up as she stared through the doorway, watching as the Queen prayed to their goddess of purity and light….
       "-Ami! Ami, what's wrong with you?" The blue-haired genius started, shuddering back against another patron as she shook her head. At her side, Rei had her shoulder, had been shaking it in an attempt to wake Ami out of her daze. Luna, on her other shoulder, unable to speak in the crowd, had lightly dug her claws into her skin. "Ami, what happened?"
        "I…saw the chamber…." she stuttered, touching a hand to her forehead. "A hallucination that overtook my mind."
       Whatever Rei would have asked was drowned out as a gaggle of reporters surged past them, heading for the doors. Their story apparently done with, they saw no need to stay. At least, that was the single driving force on each of their minds, though their superiors had told them all to stay until the end of the show.
       However, Nephrite saw no reason to get newspapers involved. A little nudge here, there, saved him a lot of trouble in the long run. The room was crowded enough with civilians he'd have to casually kill if it came down to it.
       Unlike Jadeite, the North American general was himself, as himself, casual in the back room reserved for the artist to take a breath. Almost arrogant as he settled himself into a folding chair, immaculate boots folding atop the table, he began to juggle a crystal globe between his hands. The image within warped and stretched, making a cruel parody of the blind boy as he made his way down the hallway towards the room.
       Iretsu was tired, nearly stumbling as he walked. The reporters had been like ticks, unable to be shaken off, until they finally decided to leave. Though his show was a success, he found little pride in it when people still seemed to be laughing at his inspirations. All he wanted to do right now was get a drink of cool water and huddle on a chair for the rest of the night - or until the owner found him, whichever came first.
       "Poor Chouko Iretsu. Your soul is tired…let me ease your turmoil." Green eyes that had never seen the light of day sparked for one instant as a vaporous cloud settled around him, and he saw everything perfectly for a second. Then his personality abruptly shut off as Nephrite's shadow filled him up, forcing his vocal cords to laugh. "Now, the Ginzuishou…"

       Usagi was mystified.
       Blond pigtails trailed in the spill of cheap wine someone had left behind as her impish nose pressed into the glass case that held Iretsu's newest creation. Crystalline blue eyes reflected a face in miniature that resembled her own, heart-shaped and sweet. For the hundredth time did she trace her forehead, outlining the crescent sigil that the figurine woman bore upon her own skin. "Uso-o," she whispered.
       The entire time she had been here, it had been like a dream. Minako had wandered off ages ago, presumably to chase after a boy she had spotted. And then, she had seen this last statue, the finish product of the hunk of clay her classmate had been toying with only days previous. She never realized that while she pored over every detail, a familiar dark-haired man in the corner was watching her in turn.
       "Neh, Usagi-chan, it looks like you're not the only one with a tsukimidango hairstyle!" Moriya laughed, affectionately ruffling Usagi's hair as she came up behind her. "I wonder how Chouko-kun came up with the same look?"
       "His dreams, Moriya-chan….remember?" Usagi stuck her fingertip into her mouth, nibbling in apprehension. Both stared at the figurine in silence, Moriya's expression twitching as the crystal seemed to twinkle brighter between the figurine's hands.
       Then, glass shattered as someone screamed "Chouko-san!?" Heads turned as the artist emerged from the hallway, holding his walking stick like a bat. A female patron was sprawled nearby, a shattered glass on the floor next to her, fallen where he'd hit it from her hands. Everyone surged back and away from the swinging cane.
       Usagi held onto her friend's sleeve even as she stared at the dark cloud that surrounded her blind classmate. "Moriya-chan, look at his head…!"
       "I see it, Usagi-chan. We better get out of here before we're trampled by the crowd." Indeed, the mass of bodies was becoming thick and hurried as people began to scream, running from the seemingly possessed artist. He swung his cane at the nearest glass case, shattered a huge hole in its side, laughing the entire time.
       Hands grabbed onto Usagi's shoulders, yanking her away from the red-head and into the crowd. "Usagi!" Moriya was shoved towards the door along with the crowd, twin odango rapidly disappearing. Then, as a hand grabbed her own and yanked her clear of the doorway, both glass doors slammed shut hard enough to warp the frame. "UsaGI-chan!"
       "Moriya-chan!" Minako shook her by the arm, still holding her hand in a death grip. "Moriya-chan, where's Rei, Ami, Usagi-chan?"
       The glass had gone opaque, black. Both girls stared in horror, the only ones left as the crowd rapidly fled to their cars and bus stops. "Still inside….Usagi-chan, Ami, Rei! Kami-sama, they're still in there!"
       A quiet click broke the following silence as the deadbolt turned in the door.
       It echoed throughout the gallery as Ami, Rei, Usagi, and Luna huddled in the bathroom, listening for Chouko. "I sense intense evil here," Rei announced solemnly, purple eyes intent on the gallery.
       Luna crouched in the doorway, whiskers trembling as she sniffed the air. "The boy is possessed, Rei-san. No doubt by the enemy! You must transform and fight the evil."
       The odango-haired blonde sniffed softly, touching her brooch. "But what if we hurt Chouko-kun?" Under her hand, the brooch began to softly glow, a halo bathing the four in gentle wattage.
       "You can drive the evil from his body, and then, the enemy will appear. I'm sure of it!"
       A pair of pens were lifted towards the ceiling, one red, one blue. Usagi unclipped her brooch from her bow, raising it above her head. "Moon Prism Power, Make Up!"
       "Mercury Power, Make Up!"
       "Mars Power, Make Up!"
       Luna folded her ears back, a paw covering her eyes as brilliant streamers of blue, red, pink dazzled her vision in the small room. No doubt whoever was walking past the window at the moment was receiving quite a show. When it finished, her paw lowered to allow her to behold three similarly suited sailor soldiers.
       The transformation went unnoticed in the gallery, as another glass case fell victim to Chouko's rage. This time, however, it was the case that held his newest creation, and he reached in greedily, unmindful of the broken glass, to rip the crystal out of her hands. "The mystical stone! I have it, Beryl-sama!"
       "Begone, evil creature!" Iretsu turned to see Sailor Mars at the entrance to the hallway, an arm thrust out at him. "I banish you away from this innocent victim!"
       Around his head, the shadow swirled, beginning to laugh. "What was that? The touch of a gentle summer's breeze, perhaps? Nephrite, the North American general, is not so easily vanquished!"
       To the side, Mercury cupped her hands together, presumably to call forth her fog. They needed a diversion while they came up with a plan, and bubbles began to form in her palm. However, before she could call her attack, the blackness became absolute, oppressive. "Masaka…it's so dark, I can't see!" The bubbles were forgotten as she reached up to turn on her visor, eyes squinting. Through them, she could dimly see the shape of a cane coming right at her.
       Mercury's cry of pain was the only sensory output in the room. "Sailor Mercury!" Moon cried out in turn, huddling in her corner. It was so dark….she wanted to cry again. Her hands felt across the wall, trying to find anything to hold onto to anchor herself. She clutched at what felt like a velvet curtain, choking back a sob.
       "Don't give up so easily, Sailor Moon." Arms hugged the odango-haired blonde close as she whimpered, swallowing disbelief. "You can banish the darkness with your own light!"
       "Tuxedo Kamen-sama? How did you find us?"
        Mars shouted out her attack across the room. Not even her flames could shed light, though it gave Iretsu her location; a minute later, she cried out as she was hit. More glass broke as the artist began to swing randomly, searching for the last soldier.
       Tuxedo Kamen held Sailor Moon tighter, touching her face in the darkness. "Call down the moon to expose the evil. It's your only chance against him," he whispered.
       She felt safe, warm. She didn't even want to let go of him to do as he requested. But then, a whistle of air near her arm had her screaming, reaching frantically for her tiara. "Iie, Chouko-kun! Don't hurt anyone!" Fingers groped at the crystal in her tiara, centering her power. "Moonlight, shine your security onto me! Moon!" Another whistle of air had her stumbling on her words, freezing her still as Tuxedo grunted with the impact. "Moon Twilight FLASH!"
       Bright light filled the room as the moon shone down through a skylight. Every corner was flooded with radiance as Iretsu screamed, tiny body arching as the shadow vanished. From his hands dropped the crystal, to shatter into useless pieces on the floor.
       The doors were flung open, finally, as Moriya slammed the garbage can into them one last time. Minako ran in ahead of her, calling out their friends' names. She flat-out tripped over Iretsu, skidding across the floor with a yelp.
       "Usagi-chan, Rei, Ami-Minako-chan, are you ok?!" Moriya threw the bent garbage can aside, running over to the long-haired blonde. "Chouko-kun!" Both were sprawled out, looking quite dazed, though Iretsu was completely unconscious.
       From the bathroom, Usagi peered out. "Neh, Moriya-chan, is it over?"

       "Arigatou, Tsukino-san," Iretsu moaned as Usagi pressed another cold towel to his forehead. He slumped in one of the chairs they had taken from the sitting room and arranged in the gallery. The police were still on their way, and the artist was nursing an intense headache that he didn't need worsened by questioning.
       Ami and Minako had gingerly swept up the broken crystal pieces before Iretsu had told them to never mind it. "It was just a crystal I bought at a gem shop, entirely worthless." At their rather vocal surprise, he just laughed. "My princess needed a stone of power, but I'm only a junior high student!"
       "So it wasn't the Ginzuishou. It's still out there…along with our lost princess," Luna sighed quietly, draped over Usagi's shoulder.
       All of them huddled on their chairs, silent amidst the wreckage of art, waiting for the wail of sirens to break the night stillness. Only Minako and Moriya didn't exchange the look that all three soldiers had for one another across the room.