Chain of Hearts On
Guardians of the Millennium:
Chain of Hearts (PG-13)
Author's Notes:
1. This is part of a series, and focusses on
Mina & Malachite's tale. If you haven't read the others,
it would help you understand what's going on, but
essentially this is a separate tale. (i.e., new
villain). All you really need to know is the generals
are reborn in the future, and Malachite is a guy
named EZ, who doesn't know about his past. The scouts
know about him.
The stories are in order: Guardians of the Millennium
GOM: Destined for Love
GOM: Into the Fire
GOM: Storm of the Stars
GOM: Pyramids of Ice
2. This is based on a *mix*
of the Japanese Manga/anime and the dub, as
well as elements from Sailor V's Manga. Since
things are different between the anime and the dub
and the manga, well, I picked what I liked
and thus events may be different
than what you remember seeing/reading. Call
it creative license.
3. Star Seeds/Sailor Crystals/heart crystals
Based on what I've seen/read, I thought
these were three different things, and that's how I write the story.
***********INTRO**************
***************************************
MINA SAYS: (SUMMARY)
HEY everybody! I'm so glad you're all
back, to read about my part of the story!
So are you a big fan of Sailor V? You
have heard of her haven't you!? What!?
Ok, I'm putting the cart before the
gift horse's mouth here, so I suppose
I should catch you up to where we are.
Let's see, Amy and Zoicite were just starting
to fall in love in the past, when these giant heads
started attacking, and Amy thought her destiny was to
pilot a robot plane while she sang to kill them ....
Wait, that's not right.
ARTEMIS(sweat-drops): "MINA, what *are* you
talking about? Amy and Zoicite fell in love, but then
war erupted pulling them apart. Zoicite ended up
getting pledged to Beryl, and converted the other
generals to monsters!
MINA: Sorry! Any way, in their present lifetimes,
they found out a lot had changed, in the midst
of a battle to get back a kidnapped Jupiter.
And then, everyone went Skiing while I was
in England, oh, no wait, that was the story
before this one. Hm, where was I? Oh yeah,
this really hot guy has a crush on Amy, but
she's totally in love with Greg. Think maybe
he needs a little help from the Goddess of love?
{She winks}
ARTEMIS (groaning): Mina!!! You left out the
important facts, like who the "Boss" was,
and how Amy and Greg fell in love!
MINA: Well, I can't remember everything!
And let's get on to the next story now, before
our audience gets bored!!!
Theme Song: "Route Venus" 
Song by Naoko Takeuchi, translated
by Alex Glover
"Open that door
The time remaining
Is being drawn away
Lift up your eyes
Stare straight ahead
Give me one last kiss
and walk away
Truly so much
That the wind is biting
My spirit is restrained
Our paths divide apart, I know
It's destiny, the stars have decided
The one that you chose
The white route
The future looms ahead
Don't lose your way
*******PAST* * **
Smoothing her dress, her heart skipping faster than her feet, Mina
followed Amy out to the gardens where the Earth Generals
waited. Idly she wondered what Queen Selenity had told them--had
they convinced her not to raise the shields? She banished that
thought as foolish. The Queen was not one to change her mind easily,
despite even Malachite's eloquence. She sighed. This might be the
last time she'd see him in a long time. She'd dreamed about him,
hearing his voice in every song. She knew he thought of her--but
it wasn't the same.
Unlike Raye, Serena and Lita she had not even communicated with him
since the night of the ball.
She'd understood why that was necessary, and she didn't
begrudge her friends their happiness. At the same time,
she could barely contain her desire to see him. Decorum thrown
to the winds, she started running, passing Amy.
"Lord Malachite" Mina said happily, stopping suddenly just in time
to avoid crashing into him. A faint smile lightened his serious
expression, as he greeted her. The clouds of worries that hovered
over him always disappeared before the bright sunshine of her smile.
Seeing her, he could have no doubts of what ran between them. Yet her
actions puzzled him and he craved reassurance of her love. Why did he
doubt himself now? He'd never flinched before a battle or a fight, but
all his confidence fled as he looked down at her.
" I can't believe you're really here." She sighed
"I've wanted to see you for so long!"
"You attended Mars when she visited Jaedite." His voice was
slightly accusatory. "Why didn't you come see me?"
As soon as he said it, he winced internally. Was he
a fool to show his anger rather than his love? Had he lost all his control?
"OH! That..yes, well, someone needed to play chaperon." She said. She
didn't
want to lie to him, but she couldn't tell
him the truth either. All the times he thought
she'd come to earth, in reality Serena had come instead.
Mina, disguised as Princess Serenity, had remained
on the Moon, far away from him. That she had not
seen him was not her choice. Still she knew that Endymion
had wanted to hide his meeting the Princess from
these two of his guards. She didn't understand
his reasoning, but she didn't question him on it either.
So she didn't reveal the deception. She shifted her stance, hoping
to step away from the awkward question.
"I wish you had let me join you--" he said, trying
to soften his tone this time.
"I had my duty as a chaperon!
I would have been distracted." she teased injecting
a lighthearted tone. They hadn't seen each other
in so long, why was he starting with *this*? Despite
her words, her eyes showed her nervousness.
The tension vanished from his eyes. She was nervous,
he realized. He didn't want to be angry at her.
He smiled gently, and reached for her hand.
"Is this how I would distract you?" He pulled
her in to kiss her,
but he was stopped by her laughter. "I've missed your
laugh--I imagine it in my head, but it's a pale shadow to the
real melody and the look in your eyes."
She giggled, "Since when do sounds have shadows?"
as he pulled her closer.
His face melted into a wounded expression, but his
lips curled into a faint smile. "I speak to you in poetry,
and for that you scold me?! What a harsh mistress you
are."
"You should talk, when you came to reprimand me for not seeing
you the other night?" She returned. "But what of the war? Is it over?"
"No.not so easily. It's beginning to get worse.
We don't know from where the danger comes--we suspect
dark magic is involved." His tone resumed its seriousness.
"Magic? The Dark kind?" Her voice caught a bit.
"Precisely. You should be on guard here as well.
Officially, I came to warn the Moon Kingdom of what
we know--which is precious little." He lightly
brushed a strand of her golden hair away from her face.
"So you were just doing your duty?
Was this just a business visit after all?" She asked
stepping away. Her shoulders rose a bit, her head
tilted as her pale blue eyes watched him expectantly.
"Only in that it is one's duty to
protect those one loves..I could have
sent a lesser soldier with this news, Mina, " he paused
.. " I wanted to see you." He found it strange
that she wanted reassurance of his feelings--how
could so beautiful a creature feel unsure of herself?
Of course he would want to see her.
"And I you. SO this is just for fun!" She grinned, all
doubt washed away like the clouds after a rainstorm.
A date with the man she loved. A day dropped out of
a dream. "What do you want to do? Shall
we go the Hall of Games?? We could
settle our little bet, then." Her smile grew
wider, her eyes glinting a little. She was
the reigning moon champion of every game. He'd
not believed her, and so she'd promised to
beat him, should he play her at anything.
"I'm afraid I can't stay long." He ran a hand through
his silvery-mint green locks.
She pouted a little. "You can't get out of that
promise! I hardly have seen you! And You promised that next time we'd--"
"The war prevents us but when its
over you can try to beat me at that game or any other!"
"And don't think I won't win! But what if we don't get the chance?!
How can I be sure you won't break this promise?"
"I keep my word. Always. You'll get the chance. I swear it."
"But you're going off to a war." Her voice was soft as a shadow.
"I may never see you again."
She voiced the one thought that kept him up at nights, despite
how weary he often was. "I know, Mina, I know." He
frowned, his free hand clasping a small object. He'd said he would
not rush her, would let her grow to love him. He didn't
want to force her, but he couldn't go into this battle not knowing.
Even if destinywere forcing them to separate for now, he
wanted some tie to bind their futures together.
"I wish...I wish I could be with you!"
She cried, almost crushing the hand she
held. "To fight with you, rather than being
trapped here in this Kingdom. We're separated
by our duties! It's not fair. It's not
fair that I find love only during a war."
She realized what she said belatedly and blushed.
Rather than seeming unnerved by her sudden declaration,
he seemed charged. "Then come with me...marry me now,
and retire from your post."He said. "I love
you, and will keep you safe on earth.
I know the Queen would release you from your duty."
"Serena.." She said, the name both an answer and a plea.
Malachite paused, smiling wryly, but pride lightened his
eyes to lavender. "I don't think you could have
given a better answer, my love, though it breaks my
heart. I want you with me, but I knew that if you
agreed to desert your Queen, I would lose respect for you.
A soldier cannot desert in times of war."
"Were you testing me!?" She asked sharply, unnerved
by this calculating side to him. "Because I don't
think you understand what I said. I'm *not* staying
because there is a war, I'm staying for the Princess."
He looked at her strangely. "Does your job mean that much to you?."
"Not the role, but Serena is...even if I
weren't pledged to serve her, I would die for her.
I love her." She stepped back away from
him, staring at the crystal tower of the palace.
"You love her?" His voice had an odd note in it. "And what of me??"
She circled around and grabbed his arm.
"Malachite! I cannot leave her! Not while anything
could happen to her."
He shook her off. "And where do I fit in
to your life? Am I supposed to abandon Endymion,
abandon my life, and come here?? With this
boundless love of yours for her,
what place do I have in your life"
She cut him off. "You sound jealous!?" She said incredulously.
"I am. I've never had much patience for
sharing what I want." His eyes grew to a very dark
grey. "And the way I love you, it absorbs my
soul. There's no room in my life for anyone else."
She softened her voice. "Malachite, I'm not
*in* love with her. I could only ever be
*in* love with you. But there *are* different kinds
of love, and a heart is big enough to have them
all...and I love her."
"But who do you love more?" He frowned. "You're
choosing to serve her over being with me. I
could understand if I thought this was temporary, but
you're never going to leave her, are you?"
"Why are you making this a contest!?" She
asked. "You're not willing to leave Endymion!"
"That's different, serving him is my career.
It's who I am. I am the High General of Earth....
what would I do here? Who would I be?"
"OH!? And I suppose, that becoming your wife
after being the leader of the Moon Princess's
inner guard is a step up?!" She said incredulously,
eyebrows raised, along with a fist, her
anger about to boil. "What's the matter with you!
Do you think a woman's place is in the oven!?""
He laughed. He couldn't help it, but the tension
dissipated like clouds before the sun. "Kitchen,
Mina, Kitchen. I'm sorry...you're right,
I'm being very hypocritical. I suppose though
we will not settle this issue so easily. We're
at an impasse then, each of us unable to abandon our
duties for love."
"Not unless--" She blushed. She wasn't supposed to
reveal the growing attachment between Endymion and Serena.
Yet if things worked out, they could *both* continue their duties,
without either having to quit. "That is, love answers the knock
of opportunity!"
"What!?" He asked, furrowing his eyebrows, a smile
sneaking its way across his face. He found it very hard
to stay angry at her. Not when she made him laugh and love
like this, not when he felt everything else in his life
was almost a filler until he could see her smile.
"Are you saying that we will work this out?"
"I'm saying we may not have a problem." She replied thoughtfully,
still contemplating whether to tell him. As a result,she
sounded a bit preoccupied.
"You're right...the shields." He whispered in a low voice,
the worry projected in the straightening of his spine, and
the increase on the pressure of his hand on hers. He was
a fool to argue with her about where they would live, when
they might never even get the chance to decide.
She held a finger up to his lips. "Let's not waste our
time together talking about that. I want to make the most
of this day!"
He kissed her finger, but didn't release her hand.
"I agree." He knew it was now or never. He held out a small
ring, made of a chain of gold hearts.
"Mina, my goddess of love, will you ---"
He stopped as her fierce hold almost choked
him. "YES!" She shouted. "Oh! Malachite!"
"Mina, I can't think of a better way to
die, but I'd really rather live." He gasped out.
"Sorry!" She said, releasing him a bit.
When he could breathe he said
"I don't know when we can be together...but
if our hearts are united, eventually so will
we."
"This is just the way it has to be for now.
But one day soon we'll be." Her voice was bright, but something
darker lay just underneath the words she
spoke. "Carefree and together."
He caught the note, and titled her head
back surprised at the dewy wetness she
held back. "Mina." He wanted to promise
that nothing would happen, but they both
knew that wold be a lie. "I'm sorry."
He said, apologizing for their near argument.
He should' t have wasted those precious seconds.
Mina paused and unhitched a small chain
she wore around her neck. Concentrating,
a small glow of energy formed a little
golden key.
"Take this." She said. "You can bypass
the shields with it if need be."
"I couldn't." He frowned."My place is
with my prince, until this war ends."
"Then hold it as a symbol of my love
until it does."She didn't want to restart
the argument. She understood how he felt.
"I will come straight to you" He said.
"The minute it does."
"Promise me I will see you again?" Her eyes
held his, luminous with the fear that set
her lips quivering as she asked the question.
"I promise." He knew what she was asking him to do.
"Even if." She bit off the rest and forced a smile. "But of course
the war will end soon, and as soon as it does, you'll use
it then right?"
"Immediately." He had said holding her closer.
"Everything will be all right." She had whispered into his chest,
her tears dampening the cloth. "That is a rule. Those in love
belong together and nothing can keep true lovers apart."
He lifted his eyes from her golden hair, and stared at the
Crystal Tower. Inside, no doubt, the Queen bowed her head in prayer.
"Let her prayers be granted." He thought.
"Let this war be over soon. Let me be with her, where I belong."
He gave Mina one last kiss, and turned
and walked away to his duty. Outside
the bluish dome of the palace, the lunar
winds swiped bitterly at Mina's face.
Restraining her tears, she stared until the white light
of his transportation spell disappeared.
Then she reentered the safety of the blue
dome, whispering to the air
"Come back to me, to
our future together. Don't lose your way."
* *
Malachite approached Endymion in the throne/war room. Endymion appeared
to be transfixed by something in his hands, playing a tune.
"My Prince, the latest report suggests that Beryl has been using
supernatural evil.I have yet to tell the others." He'd returned from
the Moon Kingdom aglow with Mina's acceptance of his ring. Then he'd
read the reports, and all his fears bubbled up dampening that glow.
"What?" Endymion said jerking up with a start.
"The magic she's using could not be ordinary. I did not want to
cause unnecessary panic, but I thought I should tell you first.
She was your fiance, after all." Whether or not he cared for her,
Malachite thought to himself.
"Thanks." Endymion seemed not sure of what to do with that information.
"Endymion, I'm going after Beryl."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean that I am going to teleport to her side and kill her.
That would be the only way to end the siege."
"I forbid it!" Endymion said aghast. "There has to be another way."
"Her soul is possessed.there is no other explanation. You will have
to kill me too, if I don't return to you."
"What? Malachite, you can't be serious. No. I would never do that.
Why don't we just wait for her to attack, and defend."
"We'd never win. Her forces are stronger. If you forbid me,
then I won't."
"I--" He broke off as a thought struck him. "If she's
using dark magic,then that explains this.."
He held up a note in which was folded the ring he'd
given Beryl. The note very simply
said that his lunar love would
die by his ring, a sacrifice for Metallia.
In the Mineral Kingdom language, that
actually rhymed.
"I've got to warn her." He said "See
to everything here." With a twist
of his cape, he was gone. "I'm going
to the Moon."
"Fool!" Malachite thought. "He's abandoned
his own people to save his love. How
dare he desert us now? With the
shield up, he may die in attempting
to transport there!" He slammed the table
then, pounding all his anger into the
polished wood. It split right in half,
crashing loudly.
"Lord Malachite." A voice called.
A young boy appeared, timidly
approaching the High General.
He waited for Malachite to
acknowledge his presence.
"Yes?" Malachite growled.
"Lord Zoicite gave this note for you."
The boy said, bowing hastily.
Malachite read the note twice, and crumpled it in his hands, swearing hard.
If he hadn't already destroyed the table, he would have again.
"Am I the only one with any sense?
That idiot, he's going to be killed or
worse." He'd been angry at Endymion, but
this cold fury turned his lavender
eyes dark grey. For the first time,
Malachite felt fear wash over him and
his sense of control wash away.
He pushed the feeling away with sheer
force of will.
He needed to find his other generals
and go after Zoicite. He tugged the
small golden heart shaped key he wore around his
neck. He couldn't abandon his friend
to the dangers that would await him there.
Even if it meant he might not be able
to keep his promise to Mina.
* * * * * *
PRESENT
*******
EZ Spade suppressed the irrational desire
to shout. He'd just finished teaching
his last class of the first week of school.
He'd quickly established control
among these students not much
younger than himself. Everything had run
smoothly and sanely. He'd done it.
His life would return to normal.
To be hired to teach and work on
research in the Tokyo University Physical
Chemistry labs was more than he had hoped.
Sure, he'd gotten his doctorate in one of
England's best schools, but he couldn't
exactly produce a recommendation from his
last job. He could have stayed there.
The new C.E.O of Stanton Electronics,
Field Stanton had even personally offered
him a promotion. He'd turned it down.
He didn't want to work with a ghost. Or
someone who should have been one. Every time
he thought about that afternoon at the Stanton
tower shivers ran down his spine. He didn't
understand it. What had happened? He'd
seen that man fall out the window.
Greg, who'd seen the whole thing, had seemed
less disturbed. "The Sailor Scouts
saved him of course." He'd said.
And his missing boss? Presumably the work
of the scouts again. The police didn't care.
No one did--once Stanton had
taken over the company he'd found files
and files that showed that Sineheart was
not a person to be missed. So no
one, except Spade asked questions.
Even Amy had said pretty much the same thing
when he'd finally questioned her.
Why did people trust these Scouts so much?
His was a world of science and logic. He didn't
understand this unquestioning acceptance
of what he could only describe as Magic.
It disturbed him. Retreating to the
safe order of a University Lab would
suit him fine. A Routine, predictable
safe understandable land in which to live.
Until *he* got bored with it. He wanted
to be the instigator of instability--not
the other way around.
But Inexplicable forces seemed determined to follow him.
When he'd been 20, he'd disappeared for
months. His father had abandoned him
by then, so no one looked for him but
the schools. When he resurfaced, he
remembered nothing but could not
explain how he'd ended up, naked inside a museum's
locked gem vault, in front of a mural made of
malachite.
Though arbitrarily set back four years in school (he'd
had to repeat high school, his school records inexplicably
lost), he'd made the best of it.
And, he'd met Greg, which softened that setback.
Despite the difference in their ages, they'd formed a
fast bond.
Eventually his previous knowledge and natural
genius had quickly allowed him to catch up and then surpass
his peers and depart for a scholarship
to England. Six years of normalcy had
followed until a few weeks ago. He'd been
walking home late from the lab. He'd lost track of time.
He'd gotten engrossed in his research on a new isotope
of a rare mineral found on the moon. Under the right
circumstances it formed a silver crystalline structure.
He was sure this substance could be used to concentrate
and produce energy and amplify it's effect.
He had yet to try it.
Some had scoffed at his suggestions--"Dreaming
of magic" they'd said. "You can't amplify
energy. Might as well build a perpetual
motion machine..or are you suggesting you've found
the secret to cold fusion?"
Work aside, he also had personal reasons to
delay going home. He'd been reluctant to go home
and see Amy and Greg together.
So he'd strolled the wet London streets,
pondering his future in Tokyo at his new
job when rough hands grabbed him and
his briefcase of notes. He'd
started yelling, pleading with them to
just take his money, biding his time before
he took them out. He hadn't studied
so many years of martial arts for nothing.
Then the INEXPLICABLE happened. A waif
of a girl in blue and white dress slipped in,
knocked his attackers down (and his
computer over the side of the bridge).
And then she'd just flashed him what looked like
the peace sign and a wink--ready to disappear into the night
until he screamed at her. "You threw my work over there!"
She hadn't liked that. "I just saved
your life, you ungrateful--"
"You bet I'm ungrateful. I was fine, until you interfered."
He had said. Even now, anger and irritation
swirled in his mind along with an irrational
attraction to the girl. The flimsy uniform
she wore had revealed a lithe and graceful
figure, which should not have had the power
to knock down the men who attacked.
"Then next time, I'll just let them get you!"
She warned. "DUCK!" She yelled,as the crook's
backup arrived, shooting a silenced gun
which sent something whizzing over his head.
She'd used some weird energy beam that
had shot (as far as he could tell) from her
fingers to take them down. She'd
shouted something while doing it.
"Don't need my help, huh? " She asked when
he scowled at her.
"At least they wouldn't have destroyed my
research!" he had growled gesturing over the
bridge. She had leaned over (giving him a
rather interesting view)
and had gracefully dived *over* the bridge
to the road below. A strange glow emanated
from below, and suddenly she'd somehow climbed back
up holding his briefcase. None the worse
for the huge drop, the fight or the climb.
"I believe this is your lost work?"She'd
inquired, with a light flirtatious laugh.
He'd snatched it from her, checking to make
sure his disks were alright.
"What still no thanks? You English are usually
so polite."She had said, the mask not hiding
the amusement in her light blue eyes. He couldn't
remember her exact words, but he was sure
she'd misquoted a proverb or the other.
"I'm not English." He'd responded. He
was sure he'd been cold as ice.
She'd seem surprised at that, but
his mouth slid up as he remembered
her response.
"Good, because I'd feel bad for England
if you were."
Definitely a weird encounter, although he had to
admit he wouldn't mind seeing another girl that
pretty again. Not as strange
as the fight between similarly
attired women super heroes at the Stanton
Tower..that had been the latest inexplicable
thing. He hoped it would be the last.
Especially now, as he walked along
the campus basking in his sense of normal
life.
He wasn't so lucky. Lost in thought,
he'd not seen the cat drop from the trees
and therefore, couldn't avoid it. He dropped his
books, and swiped at the small fur shape
stuck on his head. "GET OFF" He
swore but the cat clung all the more.
So much for commanding the respect of
his students, he thought. He was aware
of a growing crowd of people laughing as he
fought with the scared feline. It's
claws were stuck in his hair. Why hadn't
he cut it instead of bleaching the unnaturally
dark black out?
"Artemis." A female voice called out, and immediately
the cat seemed to relax. "What *are* you
doing?" He felt arms remove the offending
beast from his head.
The cat said *meow*. EZ froze. He was absolutely
sure the cat had *said* the word rather than
make the sound. The owner, initially seemed oblivious
to his confusion or consternation, and started
merrily patting the cat, saying "There,see, that
wasn't so bad? Are you Ok, Artemis? He didn't hurt
you did he?"
At that EZ exploded, "ME hurt IT!? That's a devil
cat! Should be on a leash! IT practically tore
my hair out!" He said feeling his silvery locks to
make sure they were all there.
Cheerfully, she apologized."Sorry, Artemis is a little clumsy."She
said, looking up happily. As if it understood,
the cat swiped a claw at her. "Oh, Hi EZ." Her grin
was very wide, and her voice too innocent not to
be guilty of something.
He knew her. Amy's friend. The annoyingly chirpy and
dizzy blonde that he'd met at the airport. He wondered
how Amy could stand to be friends with such an
air headed--the thought vanished uncompleted as a sudden
tug on his arm hurled him forward.
He felt like he was hit with a hurricane
as she led him to a cafe across
the street. "Least I could do--I've a brush if you
want to fix your hair? When did you dye it back?"
She chattered on brightly, impervious to his
protests.
"Back?" He wondered how she'd known he'd died it
in the first place, and how she'd known this odd
bleached out, silvery, green shade was quite close to
what he'd been born with.
An older man eyed Spade and Mina as they stood
talking.
"Miss Aino."The professor said. "Remember, those remedial
exercises are due on my desk by 9:am sharp Monday. Do
not be late to my class again."
"Oh Hi Professor." Mina beamed unaware of the
awkward situation, walking EZ past the other man.
She whispered to EZ
"That's my chemistry professor.He's awful.
It was the only class that fit my schedule.
What are you taking?"
"I'm teaching." He said breaking her hold and turning
around to speak to the older professor "Sir, I."
"We don't approve of impropriety at this University."
The man said stiffly. "You young hot shot professors
think you can abuse our rules. Use your power to influence
young female students! Well, this University stands behind
our women's groups. We won't tolerate any improper relationships,
do you understand me? I'll be watching you Spade."
He said darkly, walking off.
"Sir!" He dismissed the impulse to explain.
In any case, had he wanted to do so, Mina's
insistent tugging would have prevented him.
"Teaching? Here!?I had no idea
..!" She gushed, a slow heat suffusing her cheeks.
She knew perfectly well he was teaching. She even
knew which subjects, and which rooms and where
his lab was. She'd have never let him know though.
"Well, I am." He frowned. How had she wrangled
him to this cafe? He wanted to leave, but he couldn't
be rude. Then again, he hadn't eaten lunch either.
She began to order things, so he let her.
She may be an airhead, he thought, but there's something
fascinating about her. There were worse things than being
accosted by a pretty girl..even if he did just
get yelled at by his superior. Then again, she
was a student and he was a professor. He
figured just being seen with her would set
a gossip mill spinning somewhere. All he
needed was more scandal in his life.
Mina stared at EZ. Sure, he was good looking, if
you liked the imperious, serious type. Seriously handsome,
she amended, as she sighed at him, especially
now that his hair wasn't that ghastly flat black, but
a lighter blonde that suited his lightly tanned skin. He must
not spend a lot of time indoors (good sign), she decided, but then
again, he didn't look very athletic.(bad sign) She sighed. His eyes were
somewhat obscured behind narrow gold
framed glasses that gave him more of a scholarly
look. She couldn't tell if they were grey or
blue. In keeping with the University traditions,
he sported a dark grey suit. Yet something about
him hinted he was more dangerous than the usual
stuffy scholar.
First, she could hardly miss the long silky
white strands of his hair (once again smoothed and tied
back). Second, he'd neglected to wear a tie, and
his shirt was unbuttoned a bit. He didn't
mind breaking conventions and rules, perhaps.
"Do you like volleyball?" She asked. "I'm going to
play on the team here. You should come watch me!"
"I don't care for games." He replied curtly. "Unless
they challenge the mind."
Mina decided her little experiment was definitely
not going well. She frowned. She'd pleaded and
pleaded with Artemis to participate in her little
scheme so she could meet EZ. She'd studied his
habits and class schedule. In the tiny
notebook she'd carried, she'd written everything
down. She'd known
he would walk under that tree at precisely
2:34 pm. The hard part of her plan was getting
Artemis to participate in her trap.
"There's more than one way to catch a
man with a cat." She'd misquoted. Ultimately
Artemis had given in just to shut her up.
All that planning for nothing!
He was dull as fish water she thought. By
the time the meals arrived, she was actually
glad that he practically inhaled his food
and sped away. At least, she thought, he
was nice enough to pay.
"You're a student." He'd said. "I'm the
Professor. It's only proper. Study hard
Miss Aino."
He hadn't even called her by her first name!
She sat at the table after he left, drumming
her fingers. *HE* was the man she'd loved
a lifetime ago? This stiff, serious and infuriating
man? Was this her destiny? Her one chance
for love? She'd rather be alone! She threw her head in her
hands out of exasperation.
"Mina?! Mina Aino Is that you?!" A voice called out
and a hand tapped her shoulder.
"Yes?" She looked up and was happily surprised
to see "HIKARI!?" She looked at the pretty young
woman who stood before her with short dark hair.
The first thing that struck her was how much
her old friend looked like Amy.
"I haven't seen you since you left our school!"
They'd been best friends before Mina had discovered
she was Sailor V. "You still have that cat! That's
how I knew it was you, but you haven't changed much."
"That's what you think." Mina didn't
feel like pointing out just how much she'd
been through. "You know what they
say, the less things change the
more they aren't the same."
Hikari's brow wrinkled in confusion, and then
straightened as she said. "If you're
free tomorrow, why don't you come to a
Sisters of the Millennium meeting? I can
see you're not a member yet." She smiled,
twisting the small black dragon pin she
wore. "I know you'll want to be."
Mina stood up. "What's that?"
Her friend's eyebrows shot up. "You haven't
heard of them! They're just the best club on this
campus. They do a lot of volunteer activities,
and charity work. AND! It's only for women, to
help us feel better in this male dominated
society."
"Uh sure" Mina didn't sound excited.
"Let's face it, that man you were talking
to is a Professor here right? He didn't
seem very respectful to you, and I bet
if you'd been a male student that would
be different."
Mina winked at her friend.
"Actually, he's not my professor and I was trying to get
a date with him!" She confessed smiling.
Hikari frowned. "You shouldn't be chasing
men, Mina. Really, promise me
you'll come?" Hikari smiled gently
"Read this club literature." She handed a small
folded paper to Mina. "Tomorrow's event
will be *quite* exciting. It's on "The Legend
of Sailor V: Male Fantasy or Feminine Ideal?"
"Sailor V?" Mina said blinking her eyes wide.
"I know, she's not as popular as that Moon
character, but I think that's why they're doing it
on her. Some copyright thing. There's going to be a film
showing too, and a debate. The woman that
created the comic books of Sailor V is going
to be there too, along with the voice actress."
Hikari added, seeing Mina's interested stare.
"The author!?" Mina said amazed. In all the time
those books had been out, she'd never bothered to
find out *who* had been writing her adventures
down. She'd just enjoyed her alter-ego's fame.
"YES! She's an amazing woman, did you know
how much money the Sailor V franchises pull in?
She's helping to sponsor this event. I believe
she's a member too!" Again, Hikari touched her
pin. Mina felt a creepy feeling run down her
spine at the sight of that pin.
"Say you'll come? Normally non-members aren't
invited but since I'm helping to organize, I
get two extra tickets. I'm giving both
to you--bring a friend, ok?" Hikari smiled. "I'd
better run now though. I've got so much to
do to prepare for this event!"
Mina mentally rolled her eyes, but promised
to at least check the club out. To herself
she said "I guess I might as well. Besides
volleyball, I hadn't thought what other clubs
I'd like to join. And I want to meet as many
students as possible." The clubs were the only
things that made college bearable, that and the
fact that since even Serena had enrolled, Mina
felt she had to do the same.
On her way home, Mina passed Lita's new restaurant, and hesitated
before deciding not to go in. Once Lita
had gotten engaged to Field, she'd decided
that college didn't make sense. He had
enough money for her to do what she wanted.
"Flower Cafe" already had a following on
the campus but the good food would soon start attracting
the after-work crowd, and power lunch
types. The campus would have to fight to
retain it as a hang out. Then again, Serena
alone could handle that. Mina smiled, glad
her friend was so happy. She could see
the top of Lita's ponytail swinging
as she passed. At the window table,
chowing a mile a minute was Serena.
Darien, on his lunch break from his classes
was laughing at something she'd said.
Mina paused at the entrance to her apartment
building, and picked up the mail for her
and Amy. There was a flyer for the
Sisters of the Millennium event.
She and Amy had decided to share a room
for school. Rather than a dorm room, they'd
gotten their own off-campus apartment.
Amy claimed it was practical. If Sailor
business arose, it would be hard to do from the strict
rules and chaperoning present in girls dorms.
Mina suspected a certain visitor from England
had more to do with that decision than Amy admitted.
Greg had gone back, but he'd clearly left his heart
here. Mina noticed all the mail was for Amy--including one
package from England. The phone messages were also for Amy.
Mina sighed. The apartment was neater than she would
have kept it, another sign that Amy was her roommate.
Mina tossed her notebook down and sighed.
She hadn't told the others about her plans
to pursue EZ. They'd all agreed that his memories
should be left alone. "What if he becomes
evil like Zoicite? Or crazy?" Raye had argued.
"It's just best to let things
take their time." Amy had counseled.
"Why dig it up--let him be happy not
knowing the pain he's caused." Field
had stated. The shadows under his eyes spoke to his
own internal struggle with guilt.
"I don't want the pressure of restoring another
person's mind. I didn't know I could hurt
someone." Jed had added.
"What would we gain?" someone had asked.
So Mina knew that maybe it was selfish of her
to pursue him but she couldn't put the thought
out of her mind. Memories or not, if they
had a bond like Serena and Darrien, he'd fall in
love with her. She'd love him too. He had to.
She had to. That's the way
things worked, those were the rules of true love.
Or at least, that was they
way they were supposed to work. So far,
though, nothing was going according to her plan.
Maybe Amy was right--there was
nothing to this "destined love" prophecy, and
she was on her own. Still, Serena and Darien,
Jed and Raye, Lita and Field. Those were
pretty good odds that a larger force was at work.
So why wasn't it working for her as well? She
sighed and flopped on the couch.
* * *
Sometimes Mina had to suppress a desire just to
tear up the room and wreck the sheer order of it.
Tonight was one of those nights.
A small neatly written note informed her that
Amy wouldn't be back until late, but was at
the library studying.
"So much for our "girls night out".
Not that I'd have made other plans anyway.
All alone again, just a typical Friday
night in my life" She said. She opened the
cabinet and took out a packet of instant
ramen noodles. Finally she found
one that wasn't mushroom flavored, and
she poured water into a pot to boil.
"Hey what am I? Chopped liver?" Artemis
commented.
"I thought you and Luna had a date?"
Mina said as she put the noodles in the pot.
Artemis looked indignant. "It's not a date. We
are discussing Sailor Business.
Some of us don't shirk our duties just because
no monsters have attacked in the last year.
Don't you have homework to do young
lady?"
"Sure, sure." Mina said. "Go get ready
for your date." She looked at the
assignment. "This looks hard. But it's not due til
Monday. I'll do it later." She thought.
"Just leave me here all alone, as
always." Mina said out loud.
"You didn't have to be alone.
You didn't even try to flirt with that
guy who said how cool the latest Sailor Moon
movie was. And you were almost rude
when he said you looked like
her---" Artemis jumped to her shoulder.
She was just staring into space.
"Are you listening to me?"
"Yes."She said absentmindedly.
"Then what's wrong?" Artemis said.
"Nothing. I've decided I'm through flirting."
"YOU!?" he asked, and was rewarded with being
unceremoniously dumped to the ground. "MINA!"
She threw him a nasty look. "Leave me alone. I've decided to act my age
that's all. No more chasing boys. No more video games. I'm going to
be responsible. Look after Serena. That's my destiny. I have no
other purpose in life."
Artemis knew when Mina was serious, something was seriously wrong.
How do you fight the internal enemy of loneliness and despair? Sometimes
he knew she just needed time alone, but right now he felt he'd
better say something.
"Mina."He called. "Talk to me! What's
wrong?"
"Nothing. I'm just being realistic."
"That's not true! Something is bothering you."
She turned around and put her hands on her hips.
"You want to know what's wrong? I'm the guardian of love.
but I'm destined to be alone. Every time I think I find love,
he either loves someone else or he's the enemy." she said. "Or both!"
Artemis blinked, a little stunned. "Mina, now why all of a sudden--"
"Sudden? Do you ever listen to me? All I wanted, ever was my own love. Ok,
among other things, but now everyone has love but me and I'm all alone
again."
She said sitting down on the couch. On her fingers she counted off
"Raye and Jed, Lita and Field, Amy and Greg and of course, wonder-couple,
Serena and Darrien. Even you have Luna!"
Artemis blushed. "Mina! Is this about that lunch with EZ? Forget about him.
There are other men."
"You're wrong. Who's going to understand what it is to have these powers
and responsibilities? Understand my pledge to my *princess*? Greg, Field
and
Jed have power-- they know. It makes them different. It would never work
between our kind and regular humans otherwise. He was my last chance! So
maybe
Hikari was right, I shouldn't be chasing men." She pointed to the pamphlet
Hikari had handed her.
She paused, her voice had become very uneven. On a ragged breath she
continued
"I'm awful aren't I, Artemis? . I should be *happy* for them all.
Not sorry for myself." She broke off and buried her face in her hands.
"It's one thing to die protecting Serena but another to imagine living
a 1000 years without my own love."
He nudged her a little, with his head.
"Mina, why do you think that's your destiny?"
"The fall of the Moon Kingdom
was *my* fault" She broke off in tears. "And this is my punishment."
Artemis saw the look in her eyes, and suddenly,
though he had rarely wished to be human,
he felt himself wishing it more than ever,
just so that he could put his arms around her.
"No, Mina, it wasn't." He said softly.
"If I had been good enough for him to have
loved me, he wouldn't have betrayed us..
He doesn't want me then, and nothing's changed...
But I thought, I thought..."
She slid to the floor, still sobbing. "Go on, leave me alone.
I'm just feeling sorry for myself. I'll get over it later."
She all but pushed him out the door.
She went to the sink, splashed her face with
water, and finally decided to change into
a red china silk robe her father had given
her. It had big red hearts woven into it,
and the smooth cool feel of it always cheered her up.
The heart motif clamored around her side of the bedroom.
Posters of popular singers lined her walls--the second largest poster
in the room was a signed Three Lights poster.
The largest poster was a framed, signed Sailor V poster.
It read "To the only fan who
understands me." She'd thought it was
funny when she'd done that. Now it seemed childish.
Amy's sedate blue tinted covers were a sensible contrast to the chaos
of Mina's room. Everything seemed more adult and practical.
"STUPID." She growled at herself, as she tripped over a stuffed animal.
She felt like painting everything black just then, and stripping her
walls of all the cute heart stickers. All the hearts and flowers--a room
dedicated to love and beauty. She pulled out the ribbon in her
hair--silly school girl sentimentality she thought. " Just because a guy
said it would look pretty on me." She growled. She picked up the
brochure to the Sisters of the Millennium.
She'd just read the first headline "Anything
men can do, Women can do better!" when, she heard a knock at the door.
"Who is it?" She doubted Amy forgot her key.
Mina had several times, but Amy always made sure she had hers.
She got up, and scrambled to the door. To her surprise, the
door was opening on its own. The creek of the floorboards
informed her that whoever stood outside could not be Amy--
she didn't weigh enough to make the floor creek. Mina hid behind the door.
The figure stepped inside, and she brought her hands down on
his neck, sending him sprawling onto the floor. She crouched,
ready to fight if necessary.
"DON'T MOVE CREEP." She ordered calmly. "I'm calling
the police right now, but if you move you'll wish you hadn't."
"The door was unlocked.I didn't mean to scare you." The figure explained.
Her mouth fell open wider. "EZ?..I mean, Professor
Spade?" he was the last person she'd
expected to see. He was still wearing
the same clothes, but had taken off the jacket.
His hair was loose and spread across his
back. Without the jacket covering his frame,
she could tell that he must have
spent *some* time doing something athletic.
"Oh, let me help you up! I'm so *sorry*"
She said, blushing. "But what are you doing here!?"
Her eyes met his. She swallowed trying to slow the quickening pace of
her pulse. The dark grey shirt somehow brought out the light in his
unusual lavender eyes.
Mina couldn't help but think how good he
looked. She tried to stifle the thought.
"I shouldn't be thinking he's
cute when he was rude to me this afternoon."
She told herself. And then he smiled, at her.
Thought's of Hikari's warnings flew from her
head.
"I was looking for Amy, but this is a nice surprise." He murmured
huskily, staring up at her, his eyes darkening to
a silvery grey. As he rose, he continued to stare at her intently.
"Get a grip girl" She told herself. "Quit
trying to live in a romance novel." Out loud,
she added "Amy? She's not back yet.." Mina turned
to open the door. "I'll tell her you came."
His hand stopped her. "I don't want to trouble
you but may I just wait for her? Here, with you?"
Her bare arm felt shockwaves of heat
travel through it at the brush of his hand against her skin.
"She won't be back until 11. She
left me a note." Mina replied quickly, her voice a little
high. She pushed the cascading waves of her hair aside. "I'm afraid
you came over for nothing. I'll tell her
you stopped by." She raised an eyebrow when he didn't move.
EZ couldn't get over the fact that she'd
managed to sneak up on him. He'd studied martial
arts for far too long to believe this woman
could have thrown him to the ground like that.
It hinted at an inner strength. She reminded him
of that mystery woman in England who'd lately
begun to steal into his mind instead of Amy's
face. There was more to Mina than met the eye.
Though what met his eye was extremely nice, he had to admit.
How could he have not noticed her before? Like a warrior maiden,
of legend, her golden hair surrounded her, moving slightly
with her quick breaths. Her robe swirled around her form, a silken
armor that marked her ready for battle or (his pulse quickened) anything
else.
Except that she was clearly hinting that she wanted him to leave.
She regained her composure. "I'm afraid
I already started making dinner for myself so if you'll excuse me."
"Is that what's burning over there?"
He asked, pointing to the kitchenette, where
a smoky pot of burned raman noodles sat.
"OH NO! You distracted me and I forgot all about
dinner!" She yelped, trying to clear away the smoke.
Now he raised an eyebrow. "It's not my fault if you're a bad cook.
Come on. I'll get you dinner. I suppose Amy's forgotten about me."
"You? Me? Dinner?" Her voice squeaked. After
a pause she added in her normal voice
"I suppose a date with you is better than burnt raman noodles."
"Or so I've been told." He replied. "But this isn't a date. I consider
it my civic duty. You might burn the apartment down otherwise."
"I would not!!!!" She protested seriously, hands on her hips "I'm not
that bad."
" I suppose I'm exaggerating." He added with a smile "You do have
a fire extinguisher."
For a half second, he thought she might throw the pot at him. Instead,
she started laughing.
"I guess you're right.These are pretty
well scorched aren't they? I'm notoriously bad in the kitchen."
"Amy warned me." He grinned slyly. "And she also said not to let you
play nurse."
"You wouldn't be so lucky." She shot back
smoothly as she grabbed her purse and started out
the door. "Well let's go then."
His grin widened. "I like the outfit, but I don't think it'll
work at the restaurant."
Mina looked down, and flushed as red as her robe. "Uh, I'll just go
change." He laughed then, as she left the living room.
He was really cute when he laughed, she decided. If only he wouldn't say
anything irritating, she might enjoy this a lot.
Perhaps fate was serving her another shot. She shoved her sorrow down,
and smiled. Well, she'd be sure to spike it this time and score.
*********END OF CHAPTER ONE***********
(Oh yeah, if you want the rest (three more chapters) go to my homepage,
that?s http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Island/2924 )
My internet access is really spotty, so there?s no telling when I?ll
be able to post the rest to the archives. Might be awhile.