Name: 'Revelations2, part 4.
Author: Cony.
E-mail: rubi@riemann.mat.puc.cl 

Stuff at bottom as always!!. 

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

I only snuggle deeper into Hiroshi's arms, trying to block all my fear and
frustrations away . . . but they just keep coming. Pictures . . . pictures
of myself as I used to be . . . alone . . . alone and hurting . . . a
scared little girl . . . just a fa硤e of happiness and seriousness . . . a
soft hand on my shoulders makes me turn to look who it is. The moment it
landed on my skin, I knew it wasn't Hiro-chan's. This one was lighter,
colder, and thinner. I end up looking onto a pair of ruby red eyes, which
are staring at me directly into my eyes. A flash of anger ignites within my
body, but another hand grabs firmly my own. This one *is* Hiroshi's . . . the
warmth and strengh are completely unmistakeable. This man can read my
thoughts!!. So, I just look back, blinking my tears away. Neither of us
three talk for several instants . . . neither of us knowing what to say.

And then, for the first time since I've ever known her, the misterious
Senshi of Time, Meiou Setsuna, cries. For some seconds, I don't know if
they are just the reflection of my own tears on her eyes . . . but then,
two wet paths of pain trail down her cheeks. I gasp in shock . . . but I
can't move. I can't think. All I can see is her pain . . . she's crying . .
. Setsuna-san is crying . . . Hesitantly, I raise my hand, and softly brush
the tears away. She closes her eyes, and let's me do it. I then finally
understand her . . . at last, I understand why she did it. I now know why
she didn't tell me . . . she never wanted me to suffer those horrible days
. . . but she was doing so because she loved us. She loves all of us. A
love sometimes misunderstood by duty to her job . . . but she just can't
stop the flow of time. What she did, by sending me into the agency's arms,
was far more than she had ever done.

She stopped the current path of time, and re-made this future. She never
wanted any of us to die . . . but there was nothing she could do. Sudden
understanding flashes through my mind. She risked her own life on altering
the present . . . if I remember correctly, it was one of Sailor Plut's
forbidden habilities. My God . . . I hurted her?. I threw her across the
room . . . when the only thing she was doing was taking care of us?. Then,
I just can't take the guilt anymore. Springing off Hiroshi's lap, I jump
onto Setsuna's, and hug her fiercely. She only hugs me back. So many
non-spoken words are said . . . by just this small gesture, I'm forgiving
her, and forgiving myself. Tears leave my eyes, matching the ones already
running down her cheeks. A whisper on my ear, muffled by sobs and a whole
lot mane of hair: "I'm so sorry . . . Reiko, I never wanted this to happen
. . . I thought it was the best for you . . .".

I caress her long green hair, soothing her down. "Shhh, don't talk
Setsuna-san. I know. I understand now". During this events, I've slowly
begining to get how her life must be . . . lonely, hurting . . . what's the
use in having so much wisdom if you can't use it for good?. You know how
everyone's life will end, and you can't do anything about it. Again, she
speaks, trying to say she's sorry: "Reiko-chan . . . I'm so sorry . . . I
never thought it would be so hard . . . you don't know how many times I
thought on releasing you . . . with just a word, I could've let you live a
normal life . . . yet I didn't . . . will you ever be able to forgive me?".
Her tone is so terribly sad, I close my eyes, trying to capture some of her
sadness and transmit it to my own body. I whisper: "Setsuna, it's ok. I
know you did it for good. There was no other way. I forgive you . . . for
this lifetime and any other, I forgive you".

She hugs me tighter, thankful: "Thank you so much Reiko . . . I always
thought I had ruined your life . . . this means so much to me . . .". I
step back, releasing myself from her crushing embrace. I look straight onto
her eyes, and say, my tome as joyful as I can muster: "Hey, lighten up!.
Besides, if you hadn't done what you did, I would've never met him!". I
signal to Hiroshi, who's sitting behind me. Through the corner of my eye, I
see as he blushes . . . how kawaii he looks!!. Setsuna smiles slowly, her
soul been relieved from the weight it had carried for years and years. I
speak again, my tone firmer this time: "In fact, I thank you for what you
did. If you hadn't guided me onto that alley, I would've probably caused
the death of so many people *again*. And that's one weight I can't carry.
Thanks to you, the world is safe again, and . . . and you even gave me a
gift!. I met the most wonderful person in this world, Inoue Hiroshi. I knew
what true love was . . . and for that I'll be forever thankful".

Her eyes smile as her mouth does when she hears my words. "Is that true,
Reiko-chan?". I smile widely, and say: "Indeed. It's thanks to him that
I've survived all these years . . . he's the one I really love. I don't
know if we were destined to be together, and I don't care. All that matters
to me, is that we love each other, and we'll never be appart again. And all
of this is Thanks to you, Setsuna-san". She wipes the last reamining tears
from her eyes, and snickers at me. Something I had never seen her do
before. It looks so natural on her!. "I think you don't need to call me on
that formal way anymore. From this day on, I know I can trust you as a
friend". "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll be here. As you know, I
can keep a secret more than anyone else . . . Setsuna-chan". The name
slides off my tongue . . . how good it sounds!. I know that now, she and I
share a special bond . . . a bond born out of understanding, friendship and
knowledge. One that will never be broken, not even on other dimension or
timeline.

"I'll leave you both alone now", Setsuna says, grinning at me. I can't help
but blush a little, as the statement settles in. But, before I can answer,
she speaks again: "There must be a lot you have to talk about". And then,
as quick as lightining, she's gone. I'm alone now, with Hiroshi. Slowly, I
turn to face him. I can still find some trace of his blush on his cheeks,
but a big smile is dancing on his lips: "Well, seems everything went out
fine", he says, with that smirk of his. I grin, and say: "Better than I
thought. I'm feeling much happier right now". He crosses his arms as if
sad, and says, a look of hurt on his eyes: "And I that thought I'd had the
chance to hug you again . . . seems I won't be able to". I walk up to him,
and playfully slap his shoulder. "You know you can hug me anytime you
want". A devilish glitter appears on his eyes . . . uh-oh, that means he's
up to something . . . "Well then, come here!". Suddenly, his arms come
forward, take me inside and before I realise what's going on, I'm again
sitting on his lap. Not even a squeak left my lips, so sudden was the move.

I humpff at him, mock anger swelling on my voice: "Who gave you any
authorization to do this?". He stares down at me, his huge green eyes
playful and childish. "Certain someone. I swore to death I wouldn't tell".
My lips twist on a sardonic smile, and I say, my tone firm, but still with
a hint of jokeness: "*You'll* have to suffer the consequences then". Just
as quick as he is, so am I. So, before he can react, my hands come to his
sides, and tickle. This is a secret between you and me . . . I've never met
a man such as ticklish as he is. With just a brush of my fingers, he starts
laughing. And this time, I'm not being soft . . . I dug on his skin,
rubbing and squeezing. Difficult thing to do, specially while he's
squirming so much . . . but I manage to continue. His laughter rings on my
ears, as a balm on happiness. He closes his eye on a reflex, but he can't
control the shaking. "Ok Reiko . . . ha, ha, ha . . . I give up . . .
(giggling) . . . stop it!".

For some instant, I stop my hands. I whisper, in the most evil tone I can
at this point (which is actually something similar to a giggle): "You
surrender?". For a moment, I see as a glint of determination lights his
eyes, but with only a flexion of my hands, I extinguish it. His head hungs
down in defeat, and he says: "I do. I surrender to my master". I smile.
He's just soooo cute when he does that puppy-eyed thing . . . I can't help
but hug him fiercely, and whisper onto his clothes: "Good. Now shut up and
hug me". I can feel his strong arms around me again, and I purr in
contentment. So safe . . . so secure . . . so utterly happy . . . so
completely loved . . . what else is there to ask?. What else could I ever
want than to be like this?. I hear him whisper on my hair, his breath
tickling my scalp: "With such a gorgeus master like you, who wouldn't
surrender?". I giggle softly, and answer: "With such a lovely servant, who
wouldn't be a tyrant?".

Conversation dies slowly, until we're only relishing on the feeling of been
with each other. I'm drowning on his forest scent, while I feel his
powerful muscles flexing under his clothes. He'll protect from everything .
. . from anyone . . . a sudden tightening on his body makes me look up. I'm
about to ask if I hugged him too strongly, when I see his face. It's hard
and serious . . . his eyes had a look I had only seen a couple of times
before . . . and trembled with it. The determination . . . the anger . . .
that look is one I've only seen when we were fighting, back on the days of
the agency. They are so dark, it as if they were almost black. It's as if
he had suddenly inmerssed himself into anger. A shiver runs down my spine.
Was that the way I looked before?. No wonder my friends were afraid. Even
I, with the resistence I built when I was a spy, can't help but feel afraid
and terrified at the deep hatred inside those usually soft eyes. Slowly, I
shift on his lap, and stare into his eyes. He doesn't look back. I whisper,
panicking as every instant goes by: "Are you alright?". Again, he doesn't
answer. It's as if he didn't even hear me.

"I must go". Wonder appears on my face. "Go?. Where?". "I'm been called".
His voice . . . so serious . . . so sad . . . a terrible premonition lands
upon my heart. Something's telling me a terrible thing is going to happen .
. . and to my total desperation, that little voice of mine is always right.
I grab his wrists, firmly and tightly, and stare directly into his eyes.
"Who?. Who's calling you?". My voice gets desperate as I feel him starting
to drift away. His mind is obviously somewhere else . . . not in this room
with me. "Take . . . Takesono Miyagi . . .". "Hiroshi, Hiro-chan, wake up,
look at me!". I snap my fingers in front of his face. Much result as if I
hadn't done it. His eyes are lost in a so-very interesting point outside
the window. I shake him, trying in vain to make him return. To no avail at
all. "Reiko . . .". His whisper is frantic. I cup his face, trying to get
his attention. "Hiro-chan, I'm right here . . . look at me!". His hazed
eyes move at my voice . . . but he can't see me.

"Reiko-chan . . . I love you. Good bye". Panic grabs hold of me. I hug his
neck, shivering as I feel how cold he is. He's freezing!. "Hiroshi, you're
scaring me. Please . . . please . . .". His mouth whispers on my ear, his
voice harsh and throaty: "I'm sorry . . . there were things about me I
never told you . . .". I grab his hand, and squeeze it lovingly. I bring it
up, entwining our fingers together. My necklace get's in the way . . . but
I only squeeze tighter. 'Partners till the end' . . . please don't go.
Whatever's going on, just stay with me!. The coldness of the pendant feels
warm when his freezing skin touches me. For an instant, his eyes become
clear again, and drill onto mine. I'm struck by the many feelings inside
them . . . I gasp when he grabs my head, and mashes our lips together. The
force, the power of the kiss overwhelms me . . . I'm struck by surprise,
and can't help but feel sad. A memory snaps on my mind . . . he kissed me
the same way when we separated long ago . . . that doomed day of separate
paths . . .

When he knocked me down and jumped into danger . . . my senses wake to
total attention, as the posibility of the same event happening again
strikes me full force. I can feel power around him. But it isn't his power
. . . his magic is pleasant and warm . . . full of love and caring . . .
this one . . . this one's cold . . . no emotions in it . . . just pure raw
power. He stops the kiss, and looks into my eyes again: "It was good while
it lasted, wasn't it?". I hesitate before answering. "What?. What
'lasted'?". A thin layer of sweat covers his forehead. "Us . . . together .
. . just remember I love you, ok?". His hands clasp my ownh again, my
pendant in between them . . . "Good bye", he whispers. And then, in a
bright flash of light, his form shimmers . . . I feel a sudden tug on my
neck, and a slash appears on it, as if something had just violently brushed
by . . . his body tightens again, and I launch myself forward, trying to
hold onto him . . . and then, he's gone.

As the one holding me up dissapears, I fall to the floor, but the landing
doesn't register. My hands grasp nothing but thin air . . . I look
dumbfounded at the empty chair in front of me . . . at the empty space
where he was just a second ago . . . at the empty air he was just occuping
. . . "HIROSHI!!!!!!". My sream rebounds around the temple. Less than a
second after, I'm surrounded by cries, running and demanding. "What's going
on?". "What happened?". "Who screamed?". "Where's Hiroshi-san?": I don't
hear any of them. I'm alone again . . . alone . . . he left . . . he left
me on my own . . . I'm one again . . . one against the world . . . I can't
cry . . . can't think . . . a whisper goes outside my lips: "No--- please,
come back. Come back". I can't cry. There are no tears inside my eyes. No
tears. My eyes are dry and serious. Through a haze of the saddest forms of
feelings, I can faintly hear some screams . . . screams directed at me.
Someone is shaking me, trying to ask me something. What happened?. I don't
know what happened . . . how could I know?. Why do they keep asking me?.

This is just a dream . . . a nightmare . . . a nightmare . . . I will soon
wake up, on my warm bed . . . sweaty and crying, but whole. With my other
half still there with me. I'll take the phone, and call Hiro-han . . . and
he'll be on the other side of the telephone . . . and he will scold me for
letting dreams make me cry . . . and he'll kiss me goodnight again . . .
and none of this will ever really happen . . . it will all be forgotten and
buried on the deep corners of my mind . . . Pain brings me back to reality.
A tingling sensation on my neck . . . it hurts . . . as if a bullet had
just scratched my skin . . . why does every injure I receive have to be on
my neck?. I've been kind of traumatized ever since I had that mind
controller inside of me . . . my neck has become a vital part of my body .
. . even if I brush it too hard with my clothes, a reminder of the pain I
suffered snaps on my brain . . . and now, a deep ache fills my body . . .
the source been my neck.

I bring my hand upwards, and softly search for any wounds. There, I feel
something . . . a slash . . . where did it come from?. Hiro-chan, can you
see what it is?. A knife of pain is stabbed on my heart as I realise
Hiroshi isn't there anymore . . . he's gone . . . his goodbye was final . .
. he knew he was leaving forever . . . Hiroshi . . . where are you?!. I
stand up quickly, my dry eyes flashing in determination. "I'm going to find
you, no matter what". Someone appears on my view. Blond hair, down to her
knees. Loose, with a red ribbon. Minako. "Reiko-chan, what happened?". I
throw at her a look that drips venom . . . "I'm going. Move". She sets her
feet firmly on the floor. "No". The commanding tone of the leader of the
Senshi is on her voice . . . but I'm not a Senshi right now, and I don't
have to obey her anymore. "I said *move*". I can't wait. I have to save
Hiroshi. No matter where he is, I will find him. As he found me when I was
kidnapped, I will return the favor. I will discover where he is, and bring
him into my life again.

I won't let anything or anyone get in between us. Not anymore. I've beared
the agency, the separation, time and destiny . . . I can surely handle
anyone who was stupid enough to take him away from me. They don't know who
they are messing with. Takesono Muyagi will pay . . . from by very own
hand. "You ain't going nowhere until you tell me what happened". Oh, so
little Venus Senshi wants to fight for it?. Fine with me!. Before I can
ontrol myself, my hand slahses forward, and before I know what's going on,
I feel a sting on my palm. My eyes turn upwards, and I gasp in shock. A red
mark is spreading on Minako's cheeks, while her big and round blue eyes
widen in pain and surprise. "I . . . I'm sorry . . . I didn't mean to". My
God!. What did I just do?. How could I hit her?. She was worried about me,
and I just attacked her!. They have all the right to be scared of me . . .
even *I* am sometimes.

Several gasps and cries of shock are heard behind me. A whisper . . . a
voice deep on accusation . . . "You dared to slap her". I don't care who
said it, but the fact is, it was said. And that was what pissed me off. And
I can't take it anymore. I hiss, twirling around to face the taken back
faces of the Inner and Outer Senshi: "YES!. I dared!. So what?. Got a
problem with it?. Come and say it to me on my face". I'm sick of been
treated like a monster . . . I may be a little lacking of self control . .
. but who wouldn't living a life such as mine?. I think I deserve a chance,
and they aren't giving it to me!. "You wanna know what happened?. Fine!.
Someone took Hiroshi, happy with it?. Now, would you please stop acting
like stupid teenagers and start behaving more like adults?. Does any of you
know how I feel right now?. The man I love was taken away from me . . . do
you know how much it hurts?. Have you ever felt as your heart is ripped out
of you?. Have you ever thought that I have feeligns too?".

"Yes". I'm taken back. Someone answered. I didn't expect any of them to. My
eyes search for the source . . . Usagi-chan. Her soft blue eyes are settled
on me, and as she speaks, I can feel my anger dissipating, and been
replaced by sadness and despair: "Yes. I know how you feel. Mamo-chan was
driven away from me too, remember?". Memories from old times return to my
mind . . . almost three years ago . . . when we were still close friends .
. . when we fought alongside, not caring about anything . . . trusting each
other . . . as powerful as we'll ever be . . . joined by friendship . . .
together as partners and allies . . . tear come to my eyes, yet again. So
many emotions I'm feeling . . . despair, for Hiroshi's dissappearence . . .
frustration, for not been able to help him . . . longing, to return back on
time when all these problems didn't exist . . . sadness, for what I've lost
forever . . . I close my eyes, not wanting them to see my tears . . . my
sobs are held inside my body, but I can't stop them from shaking me from my
very core . . . why, why is this happening?. Why is life so complicated?.

My hands hug myself, trying to replace Hiro-chan's warmer, more tender and
safer ones . . . to no result at all. How can I trade his scent, his
security, his love . . . with my own hands, which are trembling with fear?.
How can I try to cheat on myself, when I know it's not true?. I'm so scared
. . . . what if I never see him again?. His goodbye was so final . . . oh,
Hiroshi, where are you?. If at least you had told me something else . . .
Takesono Miyagi . . . who is he?. Why was he calling you?. Whatever their
connection is, I'll figure it out . . . when I can think straight again. A
soft whisper reaches my ears, coming from the deep corners of my heart:
"Remember I'll always love you, okay?". His voice . . . that's his voice .
. . still with me . . . no matter how far away we are, he's still with me .
. . inside my heart, inside my soul . . . the sound of his firm and loving
voice fills my body, and hunts my fears and worries away. Rational thinking
returns to my brain, and I can *think* again.

I open my eyes slowly, and give the staring girls in front of me a long,
serious stare. I look at them, one by one . . . and when I get to Minako,
my eyes soften slightly. I speak, letting my real feelings into my words:
"I'm sorry for hitting you. I didn't know what I was doing". None of them
believe me, I know. Yet, I feel much better now . . . I apologized, it's
their problem if they believe or not. I slowly turn around, and say, to
everyone: "I'll be going now. I won't be a charge on you anymore. All you
need to know is that you won't see me again till I find Hiroshi". Before
any of them can reply, I gather my energy, and let it spread through my
body. Taking a deep breath, I prepare my legs for a long run . . . it's a
long way from here to my house. Focusing on using the littlest strengh I
can to move, I launch forward, and less than a second later, I'm already
outside, with the wind rushing through my face, pulling me forward and into
the dark night, only lightened by the moon on the sky . . .

* * * * * * * * * * *

As Reiko left, the remaining Senshi stood dumbfounded. For some seconds,
they didn't even realised she was gone. So quick she was, only the light
lapping of the door back and forth told them she was gone. Setsuna was the
first one to speak: "We should help her". Inmediatly, Makoto answered: "She
told us to stay away". The older girl, turned towards the Inner, and spoke
slowly, letting them understand and absorb her words: "Listen to me girls.
I know you are all very scared of her. It's obvious you fear and distrust
Reiko-chan . . . yet let me tell you there's no reason to. I know her more
than she knows herself, and I would lay my hands on fire for her. I know
it's very hard for you to believe me, but you'll soon understand . . .
you're afraid of her new personality, not because of her past. She may have
killed before, but didn't you see the look of regret that crossed through
her eyes everytime she spoke about that?. She never wanted to become what
she is now . . . but you've forced her to. With your fears and rejection,
she has lost the one thing she had . . . your friendship.

You have made her become desperate and frustrated . . . she doesn't know
how to tell you about her feelings . . . and your not willing to listen
anyway. Please, undestand she's still the girl you knew . . . she has only
changed for the best. You are scared of her new abilities and strengh . . .
but wasn't Makoto-san like that when you met her?. And weren't the same
Haruka and Michiru-san?. Even myself . . . why weren't you afraid of us?.
We have killed too . . . and for that we will be forever regretful. Yet you
accept us as one of you . . . what about Reiko?. The fact that she hid her
past from you doesn't change anything . . . she just couldn't tell you, and
you know it. Perhaps you should reconsider what you are doing . . . you are
hurting her deeply . . . react before it's too late. Shall you loose her
help and friendship, there's no magic in the Universe that could put you
back together".

Her words were sinking deeply onto everyone's minds. They were acting just
as she was describing . . . but they just couldn't help it . . . it was
stronger than them . . . how couldn't they fear her?. She had lied to them,
used them, even threatened them . . . everyone's heads turned down, as they
dealt with their own worries. Setsuna, seeing she had planted the seed of
doubt, smiled. Now, it was only a matter of time before it rooted, and
blossomed. Soon, the Senshi would be united again, as the Inner realised
their mistake with Reiko. A soft prayer escaped her lips, only heard by
her: "Please Mercury, help your avatar in surviving what's coming . . . she
needs you more than ever". And somewhere, up and far away, on the deep blue
sky, a star suddenly shone brighter, as the prayer was acknowledged . . .

* * * * * * * * * * *

As I ran through the rooftops of Tokyo, I finally let my grief control me.
Hot, painful tears slide down my cheeks, each and everyone of them longing
for a warm and strong hand to wash them away . . . but the hand is gone,
and so does the owner of my heart. Hiro-chan, where are you?. I stop for an
instant, basking on the feeling of the wind brushing my skin. I look around
me, watching as the city slowly seems to inmmerse on a slumber . . . one by
one, the lights are turned off, and people go to bed . . . not knowing that
just then, one of them is suffering the loss of a loved one. I sit on a
corner of a roof, letting my legs fall freely onto the emptyness. Stories
below me, the streets ruffle with cars and trucks, lights and speed . . .
everthing's a haze of colors and sounds. I close my eyes, and relax . . .
trying to forget what's happening . . . but I can't. As soon as my eye-lids
close, a smiling young face, with huge green eyes and a devilish glitter on
them appears . . . Hiroshi, so handsome and caring . . . I can almost hear
his voice telling me: "Feeling down, Reiko-chan?. I'll make it better. Just
come here and let me kiss you . . .". I groan in sadness. I'm only making
myself feel worse. What's the point on doing this?. I smack the back of my
head, to clear my mind.

When I'm ready and clear again, I start thinking. My objective is to found
Hiro-chan. And to do that, I must remember. Remember our last moments
together . . . what were his words?. 'Takesono Miyagi' . . . 'he is calling
me' . . . 'things I never told you'. So, the best way to start, is to go
downtown and check on my old contacts . . . some of them must know
something about this Takesono person. I stand up, dusting my skirt. And as
I look at it, I realise I must change my attire. A girl on a skirt doesn't
reflect much authority . . . I look more like a high-school teenager than
the spy I want to be. Turning, I ran again, this time faster, with 'home'
on my mind. Jumping swiftly from roof to roof I move as quick as light, a
whirlwind of colors and energy sliding through the air. When I reach home,
I enter through my window. Keeping quiet for some seconds, I make sure no
one's home.

When I'm sure I'm alone, I walk to my dresser, and flip through clothes and
clothes, looking for the perfect suit. And then, I find it. A pair of
fitting blue-jeans, with a black short shirt . . . seductive, yet not
daring. I slip onto them quickly, and less than five minutes later, I'm
outside again. Springing off the ground with my super habilities, I set
course for downtown . . . specially, onto the Ninkami district, where I
know my contacts still populate. The night is warm and welcoming, and no
fears or doubts cloud my mind. For over three years now, I haven't called
on my informants . . . they probably think I'm dead. What a surprise it's
going to be!. For over three years, the Blue Thunder has been gone . . .
but now, I've returned . . . for good.

Jumping in between buildings with ease, I start forming a plan. I need to
find one of my contacts . . . and Nomuto 'Lion' Hikai shall be the first
one. He always was my most trusted and loyal informant. He knows someone on
almost every organization of the 'underworld', as he likes to call it. He
surely knows who this Takesono Miyagi is. Hiro-chan . . . where are you?.
As the wind and the power of my jumping lifts me over and over again, tens
times over the ground, I feel as something is missing. A prescense by my
side . . . a smirking face when I turn around . . . a soft rush of air
brushing my clothes, as he runs alongside . . .so many times we did this
together . . . now I'm on my own . . . as I've always been. Alone,
abandoned . . . Hiroshi, please, tell me where are you!!. My prayers land
on emptyness and hollow, no answer reaching my ears. If I only knew how he
found me . . . I could use the same method to find him . . . but I enver
asked him about that . . . the days with the agency and the reunion are
taboo, and neither of us like to talk about them.

Yet, how much I wished we *had*. I could track him down easily . . . but
now, I must focus on the task ahead. Entering the downtown district, not
causing much of a mess and finding Hikai quickly. The more time goes by,
the more I feel as Hiroshi drifts more and more away from me. I come to a
sudden halt, as some huge light signs tells me I've arrived. Making sure no
one is watching me, I jump down to the floor. The smell of crowds, alcohol,
drugs and trouble fills my nostrils . . . I inhale deeply, as old memories
are triggered on my mind. D骠 vu strikes in, as the events start replaying
themselves. Years ago, I did this same thing, when I was tracking down the
localisation of a serial killer . . . a pang of regret hits me . . . but I
must not think of this. Right now, I my only objective is to find
Hiro-chan. And I will. As I walk in between lights, neon signs, people and
cars, several whistles are heard. "Honey-pie, would you like to go home
with me?". "What is a baby like you doing in a plce like this?". "Feeling
cold sweetie?. I can get you *real* warm".

I only smile sadly. All those compliments only make me remember my Hiroshi
. . . he used to call me those names too . . . sweetie . . . baby . . .
honey . . . it sounded so good. But now, I get sick. What do those men now
about love?. In a world such as this one, only darkness settles . . . yet
even in the middle of the black, a ray of light can shine. But, I still
can't stop myself from feeling angry. Why do they keep whistling and
cheering?. Do I look as a 'woman who knows the world'?. Poor of them of
they dare come any closer . . . the hospital is only a kick away. As
chaotic and heavy loaded are my mind and heart right now, I can't help but
feel right again. When I used to be a spy, my world . . . well, it was this
world. It was one made of power, instinct, evil and survival . . . yet it
was *my* world. The deeper I stroll into the street, the more places I
recognize. The bar . . . where I learnt that pretending to be drunk can
give you very interesting info . . . or the motel, where Hiro-chan and I
spent a night together, checking on 'The Claw' organization, which used to
have a base just on the opposite building . . . the Chinese restaurant,
where I almost died from snake poisoning . . . let me tell you something,
never enter a Chinese restaurant without making sure the kitchen is clean
of enemies.

For been careless, I was posioned with asp's poison . . . thank God I had
built up some resistance to poisoning . . . hadn't I been trained to handle
that, I would have died right there and then. The alley . . . on which we
hid from a police patrol or an angry gang so many times . . . knowing that
right now, this place is no good for Suiseki Reiko, I switch onto 'Blue
Thunder' mode. My eyes scan the place, while my limbs tickle with the
adrenaline that's been pumped into my system . . . my ears listen to
everything they can, and my feet are ready to make a dash with just a
thought. My heart beats faster and faster, making every nerve on my body
ready for action. My eyes narrow slightly, almost unoticeable to anyone . .
. some guys have been staring at me for too long now . . . trouble's headed
this way, I can feel it. And then I feel heavy footsteps behind me.

The hairs of my neck stiffen, and my hands tremble with excitement . . .
this is it. No move or flinching tells anyone I felt whoever is walking
toward me. I gasp when he speaks. A breath full of alcohol and drugs
invades my nose, as someone speaks right over my shoulder: "Cutie, wanna
come with me?. I'll take good care of you". Ordering mys tomach to stop
making turns inside my abdomen, I turn around, and whisper softly, even
sexily: "Only if you give me something first". The big,
not-shaved-for-a-week man smiles stupidly: "What, you want it already?". I
grin, my lips twisting in ager: "Yes". I launch my hand forward, and grab
his collar neck. With no effort at all, I lift him off the floor. My small
body doesn't shake at all when the heavy man I'm lifting struggles to get
free. My fist is like iron, and my heart as ice. He glurps and gasps, the
vapors of alcohol leaving his eyes: "What the hell--?". I twist my hand,
squeezing his neck hardly. He chokes repeatedly, but I do not falter. This
scene will show anyone who was even thinking on approaching me to think it
twice before doing so.

"Don't you ever dare messing with me again, got it?", I hiss at him, my
teeth clenched in anger. As weird as it sounds, I feel alive again, as I do
what I'm used to again. No more pretending, no more acting . . . this is
the real me, and it feels good to be myself again. He cringes in fear . . .
well, as much as he can cringe in the death grip I have him in: "No ma'm,
never again ma'm . . .". His voice is full of fear and terror, and a whole
lot of shock. Probably wondering if the wine he was drinking is making him
see things . . . how can a little girl as me handle him so easily?. Poor
guy, he doesn't even know ho he's dealing with. "Good. Now, I've got one
more question Answer it of you don't want to get home aching tonight. Where
is Nomuto the Lion?". His eyes look at me suspiciosuly. "Why should I tell
you?". Big mistake. Quickly, before he can even breathe, my wrist twists
around, making almost a full circle. His collar wrinkles horribly, and
squeezes his neck with no mercy at all.

He chokes harshly, and his face stiffens in sudden surprise. His hands come
forward, trying to grab my arm. I look at him . . . so pitiful . . . I
should just toss him away, but my instinct tells me he knows something. "I
will let you go unharmed if you tell me where he is". I let my grip loosen
a little, only for him to be able to breathe almost normally. "He's . . .
he's at the 'Locky Tatoo's". I smile softly, letting him now he did well.
"Good, now, get out of my sight before I change my mind". With just a small
twist of my wrist, I send him flying away, into the other corner of the
street. He lands hardly, a big THUMP resounding all along the place.
Several claps are heard, and even some comments . . . this type of scenes
are common in this place . . . the only new thing is that the winner was a
small girl such as me . . . the watchers are gonna have one hell of a story
to tell at home . . . if they have any at all.

Dusting my hands, I look around, a smug look on my eyes: "Anyone else?". No
one moves, so I only smile, and set target to the 'Locky Tatoo's'. Quickly,
I pass in between standing people, who don't even feel me when I go by
their side. When I arrive to the stablisment, I brace myself for what's to
come. As much os ordinary this rutine is to me, it still gives me the
creeps everytime I have to enter a place like this. All the needles, which
aren't for healing . . . the sadistic faces of the people inside . . . so
many demon-looking faces hanging from the ceiling and painted on the walls
. . . I shiver unconsciously, as the door snaps shut behind me, leaving me
in total darkness. Only a couple of candles light the air, and their weak
shinning only serves to make the eyes look redder, more evil and almost
satanist. I shake my face, cleaning my mind from every thought. There's no
time for playing.

To be continued . . . 

* * * * * * * * * * * 

See?. Told ya' the chapters would be longer now!. And so will the rest from 
now on!. What do you think about this?. Is it good enough? I mean, I tried to
make this as much fun as possible . . . but that's MY opinion. I wanna know 
what *you* guys think. 
You're probably wondering who this new character is . . . well, Takesono 
Miyagi was made up by me, and you will soon see the very-much important role 
he plays on the story later on!. But for now, why does he want Hiroshi?. 
Uhmmm, think it till next time!. 

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi and other companies, not 
to me.