Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Ascension Trilogy, Book 1: The Coming Ice Age ❯ "The Ties Of Friendship" ( Chapter 2 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

THE COMING ICE AGE,
Chapter 2: "The Ties of Friendship"

By Bill K.

A small, fuel-efficient car pulled into a driveway and into the
small garage. Shrouded by the evening, two figures emerged from the
garage, walked to the front door of the small, unobtrusive home and
paused long enough to open it.

"It was a nice night, wasn't it?" Ami asked.

"I thought so," Hayami nodded. The plain, squat man turned to his
wife, the light catching his glasses so that momentarily he had no eyes.
"The Green Room earns its reputation."

"Yes," smiled Ami. Then she playfully eyed her husband. "You
seemed particularly impressed with Rei."

"Well," Hayami began, flushing uncomfortably, "she's very
impressive - - singing, I mean!" Ami twittered with amusement. "Are
all of your friends so remarkable? You know a famous TV singing idol, a
successful manga artist and now a singing priest."

"Don't forget the greatest chef in Japan," Ami laughed. She
noticed the answering machine blinking and moved to press the button.

"Ami?" the machine repeated and Ami instantly recognized Setsuna's
voice. "Could you come to my home as soon as possible? I have someone
in need of an expert's opinion and - - circumstances prevent me from
going elsewhere. I apologize for imposing upon our friendship." There
was a pause. "Um, this is Setsuna. Perhaps I should have said so
earlier. Um, good-bye."

Ami frowned. Clearly Setsuna was distracted by something. That
prospect alone piqued her curiosity - - and there was someone in need.
She turned to her husband.

"I'm sorry," she apologized. "I really should see to this.
Setsuna's a friend and . . ."

"And you're a dedicated doctor," Hayami smiled. "I understand.
Be careful please."

"I will," she said, kissing him. It was a kiss that was still
slightly shy even after eight months of marriage. "But I think Sailor
Mercury can handle any trouble that might arise." Hayami looked down,
chastened. She patted his cheek maternally. "I do appreciate that you
worry."

Five minutes later her car pulled into Setsuna's street. Looking
over the tranquil setting, Ami walked, doctor's bag in hand, from her
parked car to Setsuna's door and rang the bell. The relief in Setsuna's
face upon seeing Ami surprised the young doctor.

"I apologize for calling you," Setsuna said, "but it was
necessary. Your patient is in here."

Ami followed Setsuna into the bedroom. Now Ami had, over the
years, seen many strange things. But the last thing she was expecting
to see was a very handsome, nearly naked man with five foot white wings
lying in Setsuna's bed. Setsuna noticed her amazement.

"I will explain when you are finished," she said. That prodded
Ami to work.

"Are you in pain?" Ami asked the man, sitting next to the bed.
She moved to take his pulse, but the man pulled away.

"You may trust her," Setsuna said gently, almost maternally. "She
is a friend."

The winged man warily surrendered his wrist to her. Ami checked
the man's pulse.

"Do you have a name?" she asked disarmingly.

"I have been referred to," he replied suspiciously, "as Janus."

"Well, Janus, are you in pain? I'm here to help if you'll let
me."

He stared cautiously at her, then placed his hand on his right
shoulder.

"Can you move it?" Ami asked.

"It hurts, but I can move it," Janus said.

"Is it a sharp pain?" He nodded. "I'm going to touch it. It may
hurt; if it does, please tell me."

Ami gently felt along the shoulder and the shoulder blade. She
wanted to touch the wings growing out of his back near the shoulder
blades, but resisted the urge.

"It hurts there," grunted Janus. Ami nodded.

"What is it?" Setsuna asked.

"Probably a sprain," Ami said. "I don't feel any breaks. I'd
like to confirm that with an x-ray," and she glanced at Janus, "but I
suppose that's out of the question."

"It hurts here as well," Janus said, his trust growing. He put
his hand on his right hip. Ami swallowed.

"Um, I'm," she grimaced, "is it all right if I examine the area?
I'll have to take the, um, cloth down."

Unconcerned about exposing himself, Janus nodded; in fact, Ami and
Setsuna seemed more concerned with seeing more of him than he was. Ami
eased the loincloth down. There was an ugly bruise on his hip and her
professional judgment took over. Ami probed gently, amid pained hisses
from Janus, and found more.

"The thigh is dislocated from the hip socket," Ami pronounced.
She put her hands solidly on the hip and the man's thigh, noticing for
just a moment how smooth and muscular it was. "This is going to hurt.
Be ready."

Setsuna put her hands on his shoulders to steady him. Ami shoved
the thigh with all her strength, eliciting a howl from her patient.

"That will be sore for a while, but it will improve. Now lay
back. You need to rest." Ami was about to get up, but spotted puncture
marks on the side of the calf. "How did you get these wounds?"

"I was attacked," Janus admitted reluctantly.

Ami examined the wounds more closely. Frowning, she fished into
her bag and brought out a scalpel. Janus tensed upon seeing the blade.

"There's something in the wound," Ami advised him. "I'm going to
remove it. I'm sorry, but I don't have any anesthetic. This will hurt
some, but it's necessary."

Carefully Ami made a small incision to open the wound, then used
the blade to dig out two small objects. Cupping them in one hand, she
put down the scalpel and fished some antiseptic from her bag. After
spreading it over the wound, she placed a gauze pad on it and, with
Setsuna's help, taped it to the calf.

"What are they?" Setsuna asked.

"I've never seen them this big, but these are - - teeth! Fangs
- - from a giant snake!" She turned to Janus. "Where did this creature
attack you?"

"At the portal," Janus said cryptically. "I broke the Szistash's
neck before it could constrict me." Ami and Setsuna only stared at him.

"Does this - - Szistash - - possess venom?" Janus shook his head
tiredly. "Well you've certainly had a rough night. Setsuna, I'll bring
some prescription medicines for him in the morning. Until then, do you
have any analgesic tablets on hand?" Setsuna nodded and headed for her
bathroom. Ami patted Janus's shoulder. "You rest now. The worst of it
is over."

"Thank you," Janus said. His look was earnest, as if he was
unfamiliar with kindness. Setsuna returned with some ibuprofen and Ami
gave him two pills. As Janus settled back, the two women adjourned to
the other room.

"Setsuna, where did he come from?" Ami gasped.

"He crashed into my garden earlier this evening," Setsuna replied.
"He is - - quite reluctant to divulge details, but I have managed to
surmise that he is not of this world."

"I gathered that. And those wings?" Ami asked. "They don't look
like grafts. Is he a genetic mutation?"

"Is he even human?" Setsuna added. She looked at Ami, expecting
an opinion.

"He seems human - - except for the wings, of course. I'd have to
do a more detailed physical to know for certain. Do you think he could
be of supernatural origin? Or perhaps extra-terrestrial?"

"I can say with certainty he is not from space. I do not have
enough information to speculate on other origins. Perhaps if he comes
to trust someone, we can learn more. Perhaps," and Setsuna hesitated,
"I should ask the Princess to speak with him. She is much more skilled
at gaining people's trust than I."

"You've done a good job so far," Ami smiled. "You must not have
noticed the way he looks at you."

Setsuna glanced at Ami with genuine surprise, then, to Ami's
amazement, looked away with coloring cheeks.

"I will," Setsuna mumbled, flustered, "consult the Princess."

"Perhaps we should bring in Rei, too," suggested Ami. Setsuna
nodded and they returned to the bedroom.

"Janus?" Ami said, bending gently to the man in bed. "I'll be
back tomorrow to give you something more for your injuries. Setsuna
will stay with you." She smiled encouragingly. "Please relax and get
some sleep. I don't know what you've gone through, but you're safe
now."

Janus looked at her, trying to read her face. Finally he relaxed
and said, "Thank you."
* * * *
It was midday as Rei walked through the grounds of Hikawa Shrine.
She nodded cheerfully to the few worshippers there and noted with a
critical eye the things that needed to be cleaned or fixed up. Coming
up next to her as she walked was the shrine's fellow priest, Akira
Fukuoka.

"It's a lovely day so far," Akira said, nodding respectfully to
her.

"The kami of the skies have been very kind to us," Rei said back.

Akira was slightly taller than she was, with a kind face and a
gentle, understanding manner. He was thirty years old and had been at
Hikawa for six years. After some initial skepticism, Akira had grown to
respect Hikawa shrine and the eclectic mix of businessmen, families and
teenage schoolchildren who made up the majority of Hikawa's "flock". A
year in, he confessed to Rei that the thought of being anywhere else
seemed pointless. He was amazed he'd found a perfect fit so soon into
his career, but he wasn't going to question it.

For Rei, he'd been a godsend. Akira was popular with the young
girls and those who still couldn't warm up to a woman priest. He split
duties with Rei and deferred to her on matters of running the shrine.
Plus he was cute as a anything and a dream to be around.

Pity he was married. Still, one couldn't have everything.

"I understand you had a late night last night," Akira smiled,
teasing her ever so slightly.

"Yes, I got a very nice ovation at the club," Rei admitted, ever
so slightly self-conscious. "And Usagi and Ami were there, which was
nice, too. Usagi had some very good news for me."

"Usagi-san's mission in life seems to be delivering good news to
people," Akira noted. "It's a pity she didn't take up the priesthood
herself."

"She would never have managed to pass divinity school," Rei
smirked. "She's more one to lead by example."

"Auntie Rei! Auntie Rei!" came the high-pitched squeal of a
ten-year-old.

Rei and Akira looked and saw a familiar ten-year-old girl run up
to them. She was a husky girl for her age, with long silky black hair
and an impish face. Her beefy legs carried her up to them and Rei knelt
to catch her.

"Akiko-chan!" Rei cooed as the girl hugged her. "How've you been,
honey?"

"Fine," smiled the darling little girl. "I got an 'A' in
history."

"Very good," Rei smiled. "Aren't you the smart little girl."

"And are you minding your manners?" Akira asked.

"Yes, Fukuoka-sensei," Akiko nodded.

"Are you still beating up your brother when he annoys you?" Akira
asked playfully.

Akiko looked down with chagrin.

"Just like her mother," Rei beamed. "You only do it when he
deserves it, right?"

"Most of the time," Akiko shrugged.

"Hi, Auntie Rei!" called a voice slightly lower. A round young
boy of seven ran up and Rei extended an arm. He slid in to hug her and
Akiko gave ground.

"Hey, slugger," Rei beamed. "How you been?"

"OK," the boy, named Ichiro, shrugged.

"And how are you doing in school?"

"I'm getting 'B's mostly. Second year elementary is tough!"

"I remember," Rei said conspiratorially.

"Can I play in the garden today?" Ichiro asked.

"Mind your manners in front of Sensei, dope!" scowled Akiko and
conked her brother on top of his head with her fist.

"Akiko," Akira said with a light warning tone.

"Sorry, Fukuoka-sensei," Akiko looked down with chagrin again.
Ichiro shot his tongue at her.

"I have to be getting back to my duties," Akira said. "I'll look
in later on the garden." As he walked off, Akiko watched him.

"Why does he have to be married, Auntie Rei?" Akiko sighed.

"Sometimes that's the way life works, Akiko-chan," Rei smiled.

"Oh my, it looks like my two favorite children in the whole world
are here!" They all turned and saw Usagi standing up a ways on the
path. Instantly the children tore from Rei and ran up to her.

"Auntie Usagi! Auntie Usagi!" squealed Akiko.

"What have you got for us, Auntie Usagi?" Ichiro asked eagerly.
Both children were bouncing up and down before her.

"Well, I'm sure I've got something in here," Usagi smiled coyly,
fishing into her purse. In seconds she produced two fat lollipops and
handed one to each child. The wrappers hadn't hit the ground yet before
the candy was in their mouths.

"Usagi, are you spoiling my children again?" Makoto sighed
helplessly as she walked up.

"Guilty as charged," Usagi smirked, looking up to the heavens. "I
guess you'll have to throw the book at me."

"Like it'd help," muttered Makoto.

"Look at it this way," Rei chimed in. "It's two fewer pieces of
candy SHE'S getting fat off of." Usagi shot her tongue at Rei and the
kids laughed.

"What do you two say?" Makoto said to her children, eyebrow
arched.

"Thank you, Auntie Usagi!" they said in unison. Usagi bent down
and kissed each child on the forehead.

"And thank you for taking them, Rei," Makoto said earnestly to
Rei. "I hate to dump them on you on short notice, but there's a
delivery at the restaurant today and I just have to be there."

"And I've told you that Akiko and Ichiro are both welcome here
anytime," Rei lectured.

"I know, but I still feel like I'm taking advantage of you. If
school were still in, it wouldn't be a problem. This would come right
during summer break."

"What are you getting?" Usagi asked eagerly. "Is it delicious?"

"It's a new convection oven," Makoto told her with a cynical look.
"I've never tried one, so I don't know how they taste." Usagi wrinkled
her nose at Makoto. "Now we can cook twice as many dishes and we don't
have to keep so many customers waiting."

"So the restaurant's picking up?" Rei asked.

"Word's getting around," Makoto shrugged.

"Don't be so modest!" gasped Usagi. "I was there last week and
the place was packed!"

"There was probably something going on in the area," Makoto said
modestly.

"They probably smelled you cooking!" Usagi replied. Makoto looked
at her, then glanced to Rei and helplessly shrugged.

"There's some things you just can't fight her on," Rei smiled.
"So what are you doing here, Usagi, other than corrupting her children?"

"You need to be off Friday," Usagi told her. "The Vocal Director
and the Animation Director want to meet with you." Rei looked instantly
nervous. "They just want to listen to your voice. They'll give you a
sample reading and tape it. Don't worry, Rei, you've got the part!
Just do your best!"

"Part? What are you talking about?" Makoto asked.

"Usagi got me the voice part for the 'Fire Princess Rika' anime,"
Rei said, still not quite believing it herself.

"That's great!" gasped Makoto. "Wait a minute! They're making an
anime of 'Fire Princess Rika'? Usagi, that's wonderful!"

"THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE A 'FIRE PRINCESS RIKA' ANIME!" goggled
Akiko. "GEAR!"

"Eh. Girly stuff," sneered Ichiro.

Makoto and Usagi exchanged amused glances. "He'll notice the
short skirts when he's thirteen," chuckled Makoto. Just then Usagi's
cell-phone rang.

"Oh, maybe that's the anime company - - or my agent - - or my
publisher - - or the studio . . ."

"Just answer it!" fumed Rei.

"Hello?" Usagi said. She listened for a moment. "Setsuna? It's
been a while! How have you been?" Setsuna replied. "To your place?
Sure, I guess I could. Immediately?" Usagi's expression became
concerned. "It does? Oh, dear. Yeah, she's right here." Setsuna said
something else. "I'll ask her. I'll be there in a little bit.
Good-bye, Setsuna."

"What's wrong?" Rei asked, having already divined trouble from
Usagi's psychic vibrations.

"Setsuna wants us to come over to her place," Usagi reported.
"She wants us to meet this guy there and talk to him. She said it might
turn out to be something the senshi need to be concerned about."

"Should I go along, too?" Makoto asked, her concerns up and
active.

"Well, she didn't ask for you," Usagi replied as delicately as
possible. "Why don't you go ahead and take your delivery. I'll fill
you in later, along with Ami and Minako."

"I'll get changed," Rei said and hurried off.

"I wonder what's up," Makoto mused. Usagi sensed her worry and
put her hand on the woman's forearm.

"Don't worry," Usagi said with that disarming smile that was her
greatest weapon. "We'll handle it just like always. I know you're
worried about Sanjuro and the kids, but we've handled it before and
we'll handle it again."

Makoto nodded unconvincingly.
* * * *
"Oh," Minako groaned as she exited the bedroom in her hotel suite
clad only in a robe and a towel around her hair. "What a grueling tour.
I hope I've got enough left. Thank goodness we're headed back to Tokyo
after tonight." She glanced over at Artemis. He was curled up on the
sofa watching the news on television. "Were you even listening,
furball?"

"I try not to," Artemis replied. "It only makes my head hurt."

The wet towel landed on top of the white cat. Peeved, he dug his
way out and returned to watching.

"Honestly, you're worse than Toshihiro sometimes," Minako muttered
as she bounced down onto the sofa next to him. "Is insensitivity some
sort of genetic trait in you men?" Artemis continued to concentrate on
the newscast. "So what's so mesmerizing?"

"The temperature's are suddenly ten degrees cooler over the entire
island of Japan," Artemis told her while remaining absorbed in the
story.

"Well that's a good thing. It was starting out to be a hot
summer. Tonight's an outdoor concert and I won't mind a cool night one
bit."

"It's not necessarily a good thing," Artemis replied. "There's no
meteorological reason for it."

"So what's meteors got to do with it?" Minako asked.

Artemis sighed. "Weather."

"Whether what?"

Artemis grimaced. "Are you doing this on purpose?"

"Of course," Minako smirked impishly. "How else am I going to get
a rise out of you?" She stroked his fur and all was forgiven.

"If something's affecting the climate in direct opposition to
meteorological conditions, that could be the warning sign of a new
enemy."

"Great," sighed Minako. "And I was going to take a couple of
months off. Why are enemies always so inconvenient?" Artemis shook his
head and padded over to his notebook computer to instant message Luna.

Continued in part 3