Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Ascension Trilogy, Book 1: The Coming Ice Age ❯ The First Blossom Of Feelings ( Chapter 5 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

THE COMING ICE AGE,
Chapter 5: "The First Blossom of Feelings"

By Bill K.

Ami studied the readout of the Electronic Health Monitor stuck to
the chest of her patient. The Electronic Health Monitor, or EHM,
tracked blood pressure, heart rate, pulse rate, respiration and
oxygenation and displayed these readings, and it was small enough to fit
in the palm of a person's hand. It was very expensive, but Ami was so
enamored with it that she didn't practice medicine anymore without it.

Janus, her patient, looked at the box with obvious mistrust. He
only allowed it because Setsuna was in the room. He didn't like it, but
for her he allowed it.

"Well, your vitals are very low for a normal human," Ami judged,
"but of course you aren't a normal human. You seem to be in no
distress. Your leg wound has healed. The dislocation of your hip is
healing nicely. So is your shoulder."

"You are a good healer," Janus nodded. "You are wise in many
things. No doubt you have aided me greatly. I thank you."

"I'm glad to help," Ami smiled and patted his arm. She rose and
was escorted out by Setsuna.

"He is healing?" Setsuna asked.

"Remarkably well," Ami told her. "If he continues to progress the
way he did over the past month, I'll have to revise my estimate on when
he'll be well enough to return home."

"Oh," Setsuna said, slightly disappointed. She brightened. "That
is good news."

Ami wanted to say something else. Instead, she said, "I'll check
back in a few days." She examined the vial of pain medicine on the
table. "This is still full. Isn't he taking them?"

Setsuna displayed a wry smile. "He refuses. He says it is the
duty of a warrior to endure pain in order to achieve a goal."

"How absolutely Cro-Magnon," laughed Ami.

"Is it not?" agreed Setsuna. "And yet - - on him, it is strangely
endearing."

After Ami left, Setsuna fixed a tray of food for Janus and carried
it in to him. He seemed to light up upon her appearance. She placed
the tray on his lap and sat down next to the bed.

"You have strange food in this world," he told her as he ate. "It
is good - - but strange."

"No doubt I would feel the same were I on Knorr," Setsuna replied.

"Yes," nodded Janus. "I fear you would not like Knorr now.
Still, given enough time, you could - - adjust to it."

"Do you miss it?"

"Yes," he said, then glanced at her. "Though not as much as I
thought I would." Setsuna dropped her eyes. "You have been very good
to me. You are very kind and understanding - - very loyal. These are
good qualities."

"I thank you for the compliment," Setsuna replied.

"And you are quite beautiful. You are not like the women of
Knorr. I find that exotic." He noted her reaction. "This makes you
uncomfortable?"

"I," Setsuna began haltingly, "there are others more beautiful
than I."

"Perhaps," he smiled. "There are other warriors with more battles
fought and more kills made than I. It does not mean I am not a warrior,
too." He gazed at her intently. "Setsuna, is there someone you care
for?"

"My Princess," she replied. "Ami and Rei and . . ."

"No," Janus grinned. "Not your comrades. Forgive me. I am a
warrior and words are not my mettle. I meant - - a mate."

Inwardly Setsuna felt her heart leap.

"I have no one who is or wishes to be my mate," she said softly.

"No one? Ever?"

"Ever."

"A fine and beautiful woman such as yourself? How can this be?
Are the men of this world blind?"

"It is how life has played out," Setsuna said with a
self-conscious smile.

Janus looked down, gathering his warrior's courage.

"Perhaps then you would consider me?" he asked. "I find myself
saddened when you are not by my side. I find myself thinking about you
rather than my world and the defense of my people. I wonder about you
- - your past, your future, what makes you cry and what makes you
smile."

He noticed Setsuna shift uncomfortably.

"True, we are not of the same earth. Perhaps that may cause us
some trouble in the future. I would gladly brave it - - for you. And
one day perhaps you would find me as worthy."

"I think that day is here," Setsuna said, gently gliding her hand
over his forearm. She looked up into the eyes of the man she knew as
Janus. "I must confess something to you, Janus. I am perhaps gifted,
perhaps cursed, with abilities to see into the past and the future. I
had one such vision earlier." Her lips moved into a smile. "In that
vision, I saw you and I, locked in a passionate embrace. I must admit
it is the first vision I have ever had that I have longed to see come
true." She stared into his eyes and saw no fear, no rejection. "In the
face of such evidence, I am compelled to say yes."

Janus broke into a happy smile and it seemed to lift Setsuna to
even greater heights. The man seemed to grow even more handsome and
perfect with the beaming, joyous smile. Flexing his rippling arms and
shoulders, Janus pushed himself with some difficulty to a sitting
position on the edge of the bed. To ease his way, Setsuna got up and
sat down next to him. His wing opened slightly and seemed to canopy
over her protectively. Encouraged by her proximity, Janus slowly leaned
into her until their lips were millimeters apart.

"I would kiss you now," he said, hushed and respectful.

"I would not resist," she replied, hushed and anticipating.

And for the first time in her life, Setsuna Meiou felt the touch
of another person's lips on hers. She felt the arms of another snake
around her waist and hold her safe and secure. She felt her arms glide
around another's neck to hold that person to her. In her breast, a need
was fulfilled and in its place a new need was born.

And for the future mistress of time, time seemed to stand still.
* * * *
It was later - - several dozen long, lingering kisses later, along
with a few robust hugs and some whispered personal feelings and secrets
- - that Setsuna heard the bell chime on her front door.

"Unfathomable," she sighed aloud. "No one has visited me here in
over a year. And now . . .!"

"Perhaps you should see who it is," Janus grinned, lightly
tickling Setsuna's ear with his finger because at the moment it pleased
him. "It could be one of your comrades with important news."

"But that would mean leaving you," Setsuna replied with an
intoxicated grin. "I do not wish to do that."

"I will be here when you return," he reassured her. "An entire
Mog battalion could not move me from this spot."

"You exaggerate," Setsuna smiled, "I think. Perhaps you will not
be moved. But will you still l. . . care for me when I return?"

"That will not change either," he said, staring into her eyes. "I
am very loyal."

The bell rang again. Scowling, Setsuna got up to answer it,
straightening her rumpled blouse and skirt as she walked. She found
Usagi and Minako at the door.

"Hi!" Usagi grinned as Minako, in her black wig and dark glasses,
peered over Setsuna's shoulder. "I just wanted to let Minako meet
Janus. Is that OK? Oh, and this is Minako."

Setsuna smiled. "I was aware of that. It would take more than a
wig and glasses to fool me."

"How much more?" Minako asked, concerned.

Ignoring the question, Setsuna ushered them in. Minako doffed her
disguise and they appeared at the door to Janus's room.

"Brilliant One," he smiled. He still sat on the edge of the bed,
his wings extended out modestly.

"Hi, Janus," Usagi smiled. "I wanted you to meet a friend of
mine. Janus, this is Minako."

Minako was staring in amazement. Usagi nudged her.

"Wow!" she gasped. "You're really cute! Um, I mean - - pleased
to meet you!"

"As am I," Janus smiled. "Are you sisters? You look much alike."

"We get that all the time," grinned Usagi.

"Actually we were separated at birth," chuckled Minako. "I got
all the beauty and talent and she got the Silver Crystal." Usagi glared
at her.

"How do you progress with your problem?" Janus asked.

"Not well," Usagi replied. "We don't even know what we're looking
for, really."

"You will succeed. Remain determined." Painfully Janus turned
and poured water into two glasses, then gave one to Usagi. "A custom of
my land. 'We drink the elixir of clarity and purpose, so none may
defeat us'."

He drank from the glass, so Usagi followed suit.

"Thank you. You are nice. And it's good to see you getting
better," Usagi said. "Would you excuse me now? I have to talk with
Setsuna."

"I'll keep Hunk-us entertained," smiled Minako. "It must be cool
to have those wings. Do they work?"

When they were alone, Usagi turned to Setsuna with a sly look on
her face.

"So, has there been any progress?" she leered.

"You see his improvement for yourself," Setsuna replied.

"Not that! I mean - - you two."

"My Princess," Setsuna said uncomfortably, "I do not know what you
mean."

"THERE HAS! DID YOU TELL HIM? WHAT DID HE SAY?"

"My Princess," Setsuna continued.

"Don't tell stories! It's written all over your face!"

"Oh very well," she smiled helplessly. "I suppose there is no
reason to conceal it. I have developed intense feelings for Janus. I
admitted as much to him." She looked at her friend incredulously. "He
says he feels the same. Help me, My Princess. I do not know if this is
love or not. I feel so strongly about him. I miss him when we are
apart, sometimes even when I am in the next room. My fondest wishes
now center on pleasing him, seeing him content. You are much more the
expert in these matters than I. Tell me, Princess. Is this love I
feel?"

"If it's not, it's awful close," smiled Usagi. "I suppose the
only way to answer that question totally is over time."

"How ironic," Setsuna mused.

"Have you kissed him yet?" Usagi inquired. "Oh my, I can't
believe I asked that! That is so rude! Please, Setsuna, forget I said
that!"

"I am not insulted," Setsuna said gently. "In point of fact, we
were doing just that when you arrived."

"Was it nice?"

"It was," Setsuna grinned, "as heady an intoxicant as I have ever
sampled in my life. I wonder now how I got through my days prior
without it."

"You see," Usagi smirked knowingly. "Princess knows what she's
talking about."

"I have never questioned your wisdom, My Princess," Setsuna said
gently.

Usagi clasped Setsuna's hands. "I'm so happy for you, Setsuna.
I've worried about you for so very long. Now I know you're finally in
good hands. Janus seems to be a wonderful guy. I hope it all works out
for you."

"I thank you, Princess," Setsuna smiled, misting up.

"We'll go now, so you can 'get back to things'." She went into
the other room and grabbed Minako. "Come on, Minako, we have to go."

"Aw, come on, Usagi!" Minako whined. "Can't I stay for another
century or two?"

"Now!"

"Oh, all right. It was real nice meeting you, Janus. I'll send
you a CD. Then I'll come back and show you how to play it!" Another
jerk. "Usagi! I have to get my wig on straight!"

"She is a strange one," Janus grinned at Setsuna after the door
closed. "I see the warrior within, though. You are a formidable band."
He extended his hand out to her. "And I have stayed true to my pledge,
my Setsuna. My feelings for you have not changed."

Gratefully, she took his hand and allowed him to pull her next to
him.
* * * *
There was a spring to Setsuna's step as she glided through the
house doing her daily chores. Everything seemed lighter, fresher and
easier to move. The glass in the windows seemed to sparkle just a
little brighter and the dying rays of dusk seemed to feel that much more
invigorating. Soon she would return to Janus's side. It had been so
long since she'd seen him last. Never before had twenty-five minutes
seemed to be an eternity.

The doorbell rang. Setsuna noticed for the first time how
melodious the chime was. How could she have lived for as long as she
had and not noticed such a thing? She went to the door, unable to
expunge the smile from her face.

"Well, it's been a while, hasn't it?" Michiru smirked. She and
Haruka stood on the step, arm in arm.

"Come in, please!" Setsuna gasped happily. She ushered her two
long lost companions into the house and hugged them both. "It has been
too long since we have been together. Other than seeing you on
television when you played with the philharmonic, I have not seen either
of you for over a year."

"It has been too long," Michiru said with a genuine smile. Her
smile, though, quickly faded to pained distress. "I only wish this
reunion were due to happier circumstances."

"You have sensed the warning cry of danger?" Setsuna asked,
instantly serious.

"We both have," Haruka said. She unzipped her wind-breaker.
"Something's coming. Something bad. Neither of us know just what yet,
but we know it's coming. That's why I retired so suddenly from the
Formula One circuit. I have to be available when it arrives."

"Have you sensed anything, Setsuna?" Michiru asked, her eyes deep
and probing as always.

"I have," Setsuna replied reluctantly. "My visions of possible
futures have been increasing. One in particular was - - quite
disturbing."

"What was it?" Haruka asked.

Setsuna hesitated. "Please forgive me. I should not speak of
such things."

"Hey, Setsuna, this is us!" Haruka said sharply. "How many
battles have we fought together? We've got your back. You can trust
us! You know that!"

"Haruka," Setsuna said with difficulty, "the future is an
ever-shifting tablet. It is governed by every action we take or do not
take. To know one's future is a dangerous thing. That knowledge alone
could shift the future, perhaps to something even bleaker."

"Well you know," argued Haruka. "How do you know that knowledge
hasn't changed things?"

"I have been given this sight for a reason," Setsuna replied
calmly, "a reason I have yet to discern. Perhaps in wielding it, I will
err. Perhaps it is my destiny to err. I do not have the knowledge to
judge such things. I can only do what I think is right."

"Of course," Michiru interjected. "Forgive us if we were rude.
We only want to do what's right as well and assembling every scrap of
knowledge we can only helps us do this."

Setsuna nodded and the matter was closed. She escorted them into
the kitchen for tea.

"Please understand," Setsuna told them, "that despite our
disagreement, I am committed to you both. I will say this much. You
are both correct to fear. Should the calamity I have foreseen come to
pass, I will of course fight by your side."

"That's good to hear," Michiru smiled. "We're that much stronger
with you."

"If an enemy does come, maybe we can throw this tea at them,"
Haruka jabbed. Setsuna, as she always did, let it pass.

"We haven't intruded on anything, have we?" Michiru asked.

When Setsuna looked at her, she saw Michiru had noticed the tray
and plates from the dinner she'd served Janus. Her cheeks colored and
she dropped her eyes.

"We are intruding!" Michiru gasped, her lips turned up. "Oh, now
I am so embarrassed!"

Her eyes narrowed. She leaned in closer.

"And curious."

"I," Setsuna said, struggling to suppress a grin, "have a guest."

"Is she pretty?" leered Haruka.

"He," Setsuna emphasized, "is - - quite desirable."

"Haruka," Michiru asked in mock surprise, "are we in the right
house?"

"Your feeble attempt at satire is as unsuccessful as ever,"
Setsuna replied, her mouth screwed into a cynical grin.

"Well, are you going to introduce us, or do we have to read about
it in the gossip columns?" Haruka prodded.

"Yes," Setsuna said, suddenly energetic. "Yes, of course!" She
stopped suddenly. "There are, though, things I must tell you in
advance. His name is Janus and he is not of this Earth."

"What?" goggled Michiru.

"He is of a mystical dimension. He fled to Earth to escape an
enemy. Because of this, he is initially mistrustful of strangers. I
must plead with you both not to be insulted or belligerent toward him
due to his initial manner."

"Yes, of course," Michiru nodded.

"I'll be the soul of charm," grinned Haruka.

"Careful, dear," Michiru smirked. "You might strain something."

Cautiously she led them to the doorway of the room Janus rested
in. Janus reclined on the bed, restless and bored. One of Setsuna's
books sat on the bed by his side. When he sensed their presence, he
turned and tensed.

"Please relax, Janus," Setsuna said. "They mean you no harm."

"They are more of your fellow warriors?" Janus asked. Setsuna
nodded. "They have the look of warriors - - particularly the tall one.
Woe to the fool that challenges her."

"I get by," Haruka said indifferently.

"Setsuna says you're from a mystical dimension?" Michiru
commented.

"Yes. I fell wounded at her feet. She cares for me while I
heal," Janus replied, meeting her gaze unflinchingly. "I am greatly in
her debt. If you name her friend, you are indeed fortunate."

"We do," Michiru said, "and we are." She glanced at her watch.
"We really have to go, Setsuna. We just wanted to touch base with you.
If we learn anything else, we'll contact you."

"I pray that you will learn nothing and that our skills will not
be needed," Setsuna told her.

"As do we all," Michiru replied.

The women hugged and Setsuna escorted them out the door. As the
couple eased down the walk to the street, Haruka glanced at her
life-mate.

"What do you think?" she asked, trusting implicitly Michiru's
ability to judge someone by first impression.

Michiru's eyes narrowed. "I don't like him," she said through
thin lips.

Continued in Chapter 6