Absence - By Kirika
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Chapter 7 - Casualty/Allies
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Minako Aino yawned and stretched her arms. She knuckled her back, trying to work out the kinks. These hospital seats didn't do much for comfort. Minako sighed and looked at the clock on the wall... 2.08am. And on a school night too.
I hope my parents don't check up on me... it seems that every night these days is a late one... they'd probably think I was out partying or something
Minako slouched back in her chair. She wished she was partying and not waiting to hear if one of her friends was going to see tomorrow. Minako watched Haruka pace past her for what had to be the fiftieth time that night. She couldn't imagine what was going through her mind, knowing that the one you love was only just hanging on to life. It was the waiting, that's what really got to you. Your mind would come up with dozens of scenarios, each one worse than the last... but sometimes, even they didn't compare to the truth. Minako remembered what it had been like waiting for Rei to be dug out of the collapsed clothes store. After hearing what Rei had did from a distraught Usagi, Minako still held on to the hope that she was alright. They had been through so much together, faced so many dangers... it never occurred to her that one of the Sailors could die, and for good. When Rei couldn't be found, Minako still believed that Rei was alive and well, that she had somehow escaped the
building on her own. But as time went by...
Minako looked over to where Usagi and Mamoru were sitting. They both looked so worn out. Usagi wasn't the same after Rei's death... it seemed like her carefree spirit had died with the fire senshi. She was just so... serious. Minako couldn't even remember the last time she had seen her smile. She supposed that Usagi blamed herself for the loss of Rei and that was the reason for her new behaviour. Usagi had become protective of her fellow senshi... overprotective. She didn't even call for help when she encountered a youma anymore, preferring to face it, or them, alone... there had been too many times that Mamoru had to save her from a fight against impossible odds. Usagi just wouldn't let the Sailor Senshi, or anyone, protect her anymore. Nothing seemed to get through to her, not even Mamoru, despite his efforts.
The youma... they had made the night theirs. There was hardly ever a night where there wasn't youma activity to deal with, Minako had lost count of the number of skirmishes she had been in. No matter how many youma the Sailor Senshi destroyed, they just kept coming. It wasn't fair, where were they coming from? The youma didn't always come alone, either. They came in groups, sometimes just a pair, sometimes up to five. Those fights were always the most brutal... Minako always had some injury on her body; bruises, half-healed cuts... she got the impression that her parents thought she was getting bullied at school. Minako smiled bitterly. She wished that were only it.
Minako looked over to Ami and Makoto. Ami was asleep, her head resting on the taller girl's lap. Makoto idly stroked her fingers through Ami's short blue hair. At least those two were still keeping it together, which was a good thing considering the state Usagi and Mamoru were in... and after what happened to Michiru, Minako didn't know what Haruka was going to be like. Minako put her elbows on her knees and rested her head in her hands.
God, how have things gotten so bad? Ever since Rei... things have slowly fallen apart. If we lose Michiru... no way we can take another loss like that. Morale is already shot; another senshi... dying... it would just be too much
Minako took deep shuddering breaths and tried to keep the tears back. She knew if she started crying she wouldn't be able to stop.
"Ms. Ten'ou?"
Minako wiped her eyes and looked up to see that Dr. Mizuno had come out of the operating theatre. Haruka stopped her pacing and looked at the doctor, half in hope, half in fear.
"We've managed to stabilize her," said Dr. Mizuno, causing Haruka to let go of the breath she was holding. "There was extensive internal bleeding... but we were successful in stopping it."
"Is she going to be okay?" asked Haruka worriedly.
"In time I believe she will make a full recovery,"
Haruka lowered her head and closed her eyes. "Good... that's... good," she said quietly, "can I see her now?"
"She's in recovery at the moment, but you can wait in her room,"
Haruka nodded and then turned back to her friends.
"It's alright Haruka, you should see her alone," said Makoto.
Haruka nodded again and gave a strained smile. "You guys should go home and get some sleep... you look like you need it,"
Minako watched Haruka and Ami's mother walk away down the hall.
Michiru is gonna be alright... oh thank god Minako rubbed her eyes.
"We'll make them pay for what they've done," growled Makoto, "we'll find the source of these things, and cut if off... and whoever's controlling the youma will find out what happens when you hurt one of our friends!"
Minako smiled a little. Makoto was always trying to keep their spirits up. The problem was, they couldn't find a source. Each youma they managed to question seemed utterly and completely devoted to their so-called `mistress', and wouldn't give up any information.
Ami stirred on Makoto's lap. She blinked in confusion for second then realised where she was. "Oh! Is Michiru alright?" Ami asked.
Makoto smiled down at her. "She's going to be fine,"
Ami sighed in relief. "I knew my mother wouldn't let her down,"
Minako let out a sigh of her own. Things were bad. With Sailor Neptune out of commission, they were down to five Sailor Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen. She really didn't want to have to call Hotaru or Chibi-Usa into battle. While they could fight, seeing them get injured... no. Six would be enough. It had to be.
******
Sailor Mars moved quickly through the shadows of night. She was aware that someone was following her; they were no expert in stealth.
Probably just one of the gang members... maybe they want me to join Mars smirked.
Sailor Mars darted into a dark alley and waited.
******
Sanjuro stopped and leaned against a wall, trying to catch his breath.
Man, does she move fast
He held onto the camera around his neck tightly. The photos he had taken had to be worth a fortune.
Sanjuro grinned. These pictures will make the front page for sure!
But now he wanted to know what was behind the mask, so Sanjuro had decided to follow her. Plus, if he got attacked by some homicidal maniac or an ugly mutant killing machine, she would be nearby to save his ass.
Maybe she has some cool secret hideout or something... with lots of gadgets... I gotta get pictures of that! Ryoji is gonna be spitting nails! Sanjuro gave a low chuckle.
He continued to move as quietly as he could. Sanjuro pressed himself against the wall by the entrance of the alley he had seen the woman enter. He leaned out and took a look inside -and was grabbed by two strong hands, which pulled him into the darkness.
"Yaaah!" cried out Sanjuro, who was sure he was about to get sliced and diced by one of those creatures he saw earlier.
Sanjuro was pushed down into a pile of soggy newspapers. He looked up at the shadowy figure standing over him.
Uh oh... caught...
"Who the hell are you and why are you following me?!" the masked woman said.
"I -uh... what I mean is -um..." Sanjuro couldn't pry his eyes away from her outfit.
It's even better close up... He felt a nosebleed coming on.
The woman looked down at herself and realised what he was staring at. She scowled and quickly pulled her coat tighter. Sanjuro heard her mutter something about "men" and "perverts".
"I am about five seconds away from frying you," the black-clad figure said angrily.
Sanjuro shook his head to clear the ecchi thoughts. "I -I'm Sanjuro Watanabe, Yokohama Daily," he blurted.
She raised an elegant eyebrow. "A reporter...?" She seemed to contemplate this for a second. "You're the one who wrote that story about me!"
"What? No! That was in the Telegraph, I'm from the Daily," Sanjuro explained.
The woman noticed his camera hanging around his neck. She frowned and held out her hand.
"Give me your camera," she said.
At first Sanjuro thought the woman was mugging him, and then he realised she wanted the film. She wanted his award-winning pictures!
"Umm... why? There's nothing on here except photos of buildings and drug dealers, things like that," Sanjuro lied.
The woman just looked at him, her hand still extended.
"Oh come on!" whined Sanjuro, "you know what I went through to get these?!"
Sanjuro thought about bolting. Then he remembered that she could probably outrun him or chuck a fireball. He sighed and gave her the camera.
"Thanks," she said. Sanjuro could imagine the evil grin behind her scarf.
Sanjuro winced as the woman pulled out the film and slipped it inside her coat. She handed back his camera.
"Don't follow me again," she said coldly.
As the woman began to walk away, Sanjuro wracked his brain for a way to save his story.
"Wait! Here, take my card!"
The masked woman stopped and turned back to him. "Why would I want your card?"
"Well, you know, if you ever wanted to do an exclusive inter-" She began walking again.
"What I mean is, I'm a one of the top investigative reporters in this city!" Sanjuro exaggerated.
This got the woman's attention. "So...?"
"So maybe I can investigate stuff for you, dig up intelligence and all that..." said Sanjuro, "all superheroes always have an intelligence guy."
She looked at him for a second. "I'm not a superhero," she stated.
"Yeah, maybe... but still, I'm really good at what I do..." said Sanjuro, hoping she'd buy into his lies.
She frowned as though deep in thought. After a short time, she came to a decision. "Fine. Give me a card,"
Sanjuro grinned broadly, trotted up to her and handed out one of his cards. "You want me to put my home number on that?"
"I'll somehow manage without it," she said sarcastically.
The woman started walking away again.
"Hey, wait! What's your name? What do you call yourself?"
She stopped walking and turned her head slightly back in his direction.
"I don't have a name," she said softly, "...not any more."
As Sanjuro was about to suggest one, his instincts told him to leave it alone. He watched her walk away, a slight wind blowing her long hair and coat. Sanjuro idly wondered how long it would take to put more film in his camera and take a shot of her like that. He looked around the street he was standing in.
Where the hell am I?
"Hey wait!" he called out.
"Geez, what is it now?!" the woman replied irritably.
Sanjuro ran up to her and looked at the ground, shuffling his feet. "Would you walk me out of this neighbourhood?" he asked sheepishly.
She blinked at him, then gestured with her head to follow her.
******
Why do I always attract the idiots? thought Sailor Mars as she walked with Sanjuro. He could come in handy though...
Having someone who could get access to special information on buildings, people and organizations could come in useful in finding out the youma's headquarters or entry point into this world. The sooner Mars destroyed Khairephon, the youma's apparent leader, the better... hopefully doing that would stop the youma influx, or at the very least disorientate them so she could take care of them easily.
Sailor Mars glanced at Sanjuro. He sort of reminds me of Yuuichirou... I wonder if he's still at Hikawa Jinja? I hope so; Grandpa will need his help with me gone
After a half-hour or so of walking, the pair were finally out of the neighbourhood.
"Now get lost," said Sailor Mars, "and if I see anything about what happened back there in the Yokohama Daily..." Mars trailed off, the threat implied.
Sanjuro opened his mouth to say something, and then clamped it shut. He simply nodded.
"Good. And don't follow me," Sailor Mars ran off, searching for a place to detransform, leaving Sanjuro far behind.
******
It was nearly 3.00am by the time Rei arrived at her apartment. She went to the bathroom to take a shower and clean and bandage her arm. When she left the bathroom, Tsubasa was waiting for her in the hall.
"Megumi! Where have you been? I thought you got attacked or something..." he said, concerned.
Rei pulled the towel she was wearing a little higher over her chest. "You waited up for me?" she questioned.
"Well, I..." Tsubasa blushed and looked away from her. He rubbed the back of his neck.
Damn, he's been acting weird lately thought Rei.
Tsubasa noticed Rei's bandaged arm. "Oh, you're hurt! Were you really attacked??"
Rei glanced down at her arm and searched for an excuse. "Uh... no, umm... a dog. A dog bit me," Rei mentally slapped her forehead at such a lame excuse.
"A dog? You should get a rabies shot," said Tsubasa.
"Uhh, already got one!" said Rei cheerily, "look, it's late, I'll talk to you in the morning... night!" she quickly entered her apartment and locked the door.
Rei took off the towel and changed into a vest and boxers. She put Sanjuro's film and card on her desk, switched off the light and got into bed. How was she supposed to find where the youma were coming from? She couldn't really use Sanjuro until she had something she could go on. Rei let out a sigh. She needed to get a youma alive and willing to talk, which meant going back on yet another hunt through gangland.
There's got to be another way
Rei let out a yawn. She should get some sleep. Rei reached over and picked up the picture of her and Usagi, and ran her fingers down the glass. Rei wondered how she was doing, if she was alright. She wondered if Usagi still missed her.
In time she'll forget... `time heals all wounds', as they say Rei placed a light kiss on the picture and replaced it on the table.
Time heals all wounds... no, not all wounds... not the wounds... of the heart Rei drifted off to sleep, this time dreaming of her princess.
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