That Special Magic
-by: the Yarnspinner-
the_yarnspinner@yahoo.com
http://strands-of-moonlight.my3gb.com
-or- http://strands-of-moonlight.6te.net
A Sekkushiaru Roman
featuring characters from the anime "Sailor Moon"> Chapter 29 - Rei's Guests <
Rei gasped for breath as she looked down at the unconscious man she had just rescued from a youma on the Temple grounds, stunned to discover that his was the face she had seen several times in the sacred fire.
"Daddy!" the little girl cried in English, leaning forward to place a hand on her father's face.
Rei took a breath, then placed a comforting hand on the girl's shoulder. "He... uh... he be... fine," she said in her own less-than-perfect English.
"Really?" the girl asked, looking up at Rei, her large dark eyes pleading for reassurance.
Rei nodded, and began working the man's jacket off, setting it aside.
Yuuichirou returned with the blankets, placing them over the man. "Any idea who he is?"
Rei shook her head.
Her grandfather appeared in the doorway. "Maybe he has a passport on him," the older man suggested. "If we have a name, we can at least let the police know we've found him."
Rei searched his jacket pockets, finding a large leather wallet containing a passport. "I was right... American," she said. She opened it, finding his photograph. "Atana Magi... I think that's his name." She handed the passport to Yuuichirou.
"That looks right," he said. "He's from Hawaii... That explains his physical appearance, although Magi sure doesn't sound Hawaiian... Here's the girl's name, I think: Kara."
Rei leaned closer to the girl. "Your name Kara?" she asked.
The girl looked up at her uncertainly, then nodded.
"Nice name," Rei said, seeing the girl smile.
Rei took the passport and returned it to the man's jacket pocket. Kara held Rei's hand, apparently finding a feminine presence more comforting.
"Coat..." Rei said softly in English, pantomiming for the girl removing her jacket.
Kara nodded, slipping off her coat, then took off her scarf. She had large dark eyes and raven hair that reached past her shoulders. Her skin was somewhat lighter than her father's. She placed her hand in Rei's again, still looking nervously at her father. Tears again welled up in the girl's eyes.
Rei leaned down and smiled, then wiped Kara's eyes, trying to be reassuring. At the same time, she continued to wonder just who this man was, and why she had seen him in the fire. She could sense powerful magic around both Atana and his daughter, and had seen him hurl an energy blast at the youma.
Rei's grandfather crouched beside Kara, putting on a big, clown-like smile. "Would you like some hot chocolate?" he asked in English.
Rei looked at him in surprise, having been unaware her grandfather spoke English.
Kara looked at him uncertainly, then slowly shook her head.
"It's OK," he assured her.
The girl still hesitated.
The older man nodded. "I understand... Do you go to a church or something like that at your home?"
Kara nodded.
"And did your father say you could trust the people there?"
She nodded again.
"Well, this is our version of a church... Good people come here to pray... And we are here to help people."
Rei patted the girl's shoulder comfortingly, having understood enough of what her grandfather had said to be impressed with his understanding of psychology.
Kara finally nodded, a slight smile beginning to form.
"Would you like hot chocolate?" Rei's grandfather asked again.
"Yes, please," Kara answered softly.
The older man grinned and nodded. "I'll bring you some. You just sit here with my granddaughter and wait for your father to wake up, OK?"
"OK," Kara agreed.
Rei held Kara's hand, still looking at the girl's father. As she had time to think about it, a feeling of deja vu swelled within her, and she began to have a growing suspicion of just what it might mean. With that suspicion came a sense of unease.
Finally, the man began to stir and groaned softly.
"Daddy!" Kara cried, climbing up on the bed beside him.
His eyes flickered open and slowly focused on the little girl. "Kara?... Are you OK, honey?" His voice remained weak.
She nodded, then threw her arms around his neck.
Rei smiled happily at Kara's joy. The man looked up at her, an expression of uncertainty forming on his face. Her own sense of deja vu increased as she saw his eyes.
"Uhm... excuse me... Have we met?" he asked, unthinkingly still speaking English.
"This is Rei," Kara said quickly, glancing around to confirm that both Yuuichirou and Rei's grandfather had left the room. "She protected me from that monster."
He looked at Rei in surprise. "Thank you," he said in English. "Thank you very much." He switched to Japanese. "I really appreciate that."
Rei nodded. "It was my privilege to be able to help," she said in Japanese. "You have a very pretty daughter."
He smiled and nodded. "Thank you."
"My name is Hino Rei," she said. "My grandfather is the priest of this temple."
"A pleasure to meet you, Hino-san," he said. "My name is Atana Magi... and this is my daughter, Kara."
Rei nodded. "I know... Forgive me, but I found your passport."
"I understand," Atana said. He thought for a moment. "I presume you must speak some English, since my daughter does not speak Japanese."
"That is true," Rei confirmed. "But my English is pretty weak... My grandfather seems to be pretty fluent, however."
"I do not wish to be rude, Hino-san, but there seems to be more to you than meets the eye," he said.
She nodded, glancing quickly toward the door. "As with you, Magi-san... but that has to remain a secret for the moment."
"I understand," he said softly.
They heard footsteps in the hall. The door slid open and Rei's grandfather returned with a mug of hot chocolate. He crouched down and offered the mug to Kara.
"Here you are, young lady," the older man said in English with a grin. "I hope it's not too hot."
"Thank you," Kara said shyly. She then took a sip and nodded, a smile spreading across her face.
"Thank you, sir," Atana said in Japanese. "That was very kind of you."
"We are here to serve," Rei's grandfather said. "My granddaughter said you were attacked... but she didn't see who attacked you."
Atana glanced over at Rei, then nodded. "Yes... I'm afraid I can't tell you much more... There was this strange man in black.... I told my daughter to hide and then tried to lead him into the woods. That's when he knocked me out."
The older man nodded. "Well, at least you don't appear to have been seriously hurt... and we found your passport and wallet. Nothing appeared to have been stolen."
"I am grateful to you for your aid," Atana said. "And to your granddaughter in particular for keeping my daughter safe."
"I'm just glad I could help," Rei said, before her grandfather could reply.
Kara was still sipping her hot chocolate, but was looking around uncertainly, unable to follow the conversation. Finally, she set her mug down, and gave her father another hug.
Atana smiled down at her and shifted position slightly. As he moved his head, he felt a wave of dizziness. "Ooohhh," he groaned.
"Are you alright?" Rei asked, finding herself quite concerned for him.
"I just got dizzy," he said.
"Perhaps you should stay here for a while," Rei's grandfather said. "You are welcome to stay as long as you may need... And if necessary, we can take you to the hospital."
"I hope that won't be necessary," Atana said. "But thank you."
"Daddy, are you OK?" Kara asked, in English.
"Yes. I'm fine," he replied in English. "I'm just still a bit sore... I need to rest for a little while."
Kara nodded, trembling a bit with lingering uncertainty.
Atana kissed the girl's cheek. "If you're on your best behavior, maybe Rei would be willing to show you around." He looked over at Rei, switching to Japanese. "I hope I'm not being presumptive in suggesting you could look after her for a little while."
"Oh, ah, no. Not at all," Rei said. "I'd be happy to."
"Thank you," Atana said in English. He looked at his daughter. "Rei will look after you for a little while, OK?"
Kara nodded. "OK."
"You go with her, and be good," Atana said. "And don't talk too fast with her."
"OK," Kara said softly. She then threw her arms around him again. "Daddy, I love you."
"I love you, honey," he said, embracing her in return.
"I don't want anything to happen to you," Kara said, tears returning to her eyes.
"Nothing's going to happen," Atana said. "I'll be fine."
Rei crouched next to the girl. "Yes," she said, going slowly and carefully in English. "He... will be... fine."
Kara looked over at Rei and smiled.
"Go on, honey," Atana said.
The girl nodded, then slid off the bed and looked at Rei, who took her hand.
"Thanks again," Atana said in Japanese.
"Just get some rest," Rei replied. "We'll be fine."
Rei led Kara out to the hall and down to her room, sliding the door closed.
"So... uh... how long... you been in Ni... uhm, Japan?" Rei asked Kara in English.
"A while," Kara said, looking around curiously. She then looked at Rei. "You have nice clothes."
"Thank you," Rei said. "Would you... like some... uhm, like this?"
Kara looked up at her. "Really?" she asked excitedly.
Rei nodded. "I... have... old pair," she said haltingly. "They... ah... maybe too big... but we fix." She reached into her closet, finding a box on the top shelf. She set the box down on her bed and removed the cover, finding an old photograph on top of the folded robes, showing a young woman and a little girl both in temple robes.
Kara leaned closer, looking at the photo. "Who is this?" she asked.
Rei stared silently at the picture for a moment. "Hmm? Oh... that my mother," she said, pointing to the woman in photo. "And that me."
"You were about my age then?" Kara asked.
Rei nodded. "About."
Rei set the picture aside, then began removing the robes from the box.
"You want... to change?" Rei asked.
Kara nodded, then began pulling off her shirt.
"You... uh, need help?"
"No, thanks. I can do it," Kara said.
After Kara had slipped off her pants, Rei began helping her into the little temple maiden's outfit.
"Wow! There is a lot of pieces to this," Kara exclaimed.
Rei nodded. "Yes... many... ah... many part... layer," she said.
Kara looked at her as Rei continued to help her into the robes. "What happened to your mommy?"
Rei looked at her for a moment, remaining silent, not sure if Kara would really understand.
"Did she die?" Kara asked.
Rei sighed softly, then nodded.
"What about your daddy?"
Rei shook her head. "Uhm... I never... really know him," she said. "He and my mother... uh, split up... before I was born. He work in... government now... I do not... see him."
"I'm sorry," Kara said softly, wanting to give Rei a hug, but remaining still as she continued to adjust her robes.
"But... I grow up, uh, here with Grandfather... I learn the way of the Temple," Rei said.
"Are you going to do what he does when you grow up?" Kara asked.
"Maybe," Rei answered. "But I also like to... be singer... or actress... and have, uh, family... some day."
"Wow! A singer or actress? That would be cool!" Kara said.
Rei carefully folded up the pant legs so that Kara wouldn't trip over them, then secured the hems with safety pins. With the robes fully on, she rolled up the sleeves. She decided the pair of traditional socks she had wouldn't fit the girl.
"Do you... like?" Rei asked.
Kara stood up and looked at herself in the mirror. "This is so neat!"
Rei smiled at the girl's enthusiasm. "I... uh, glad you like it... Maybe we take picture, for you... your father."
Kara grinned excitedly. "That would be great... but only if you're in the picture too, Rei."
"Uhm, well, I... think your father not want... picture of me," Rei said, picking up her camera.
Kara shook her head. "He won't mind. And I want both of us in the picture."
Just then, there was a tap at the door. "Rei-chan," Yuuichirou called.
"Yes, Yuuichirou," Rei called back.
He slid the door open. "Your grandfather asked me to see if you needed any help," he said in Japanese.
"Thanks, but I don't think so," she replied.
Suddenly, Kara grabbed the camera from Rei and ran toward Yuuichirou, holding the camera out to him.
"Excuse me, sir," Kara said in English, speaking hurriedly with excitement. "Can you take our picture, please? Rei gave me her nice robes and I'd really like a picture of us together for my father."
Yuuichirou was slightly taken aback. "Uhm, my English is really rusty, I'm afraid," he said in Japanese. "Did you understand what she said, Rei-chan?"
Rei sighed, resigned. "She wants you to take our picture," she said. "She wants a picture for her father of her in my old temple robes, and for some reason she wants me in the picture with her."
He grinned. "That sounds like fun," he said. He crouched down and took the camera from the girl, then nodded.
"Thank you," Kara said in English. "Come on, Rei. Please?"
Rei nodded. "OK," she agreed.
Rei knelt on the floor beside Kara, who was smiling excitedly. Yuuichirou raised the camera and snapped a picture, the flash going off. He wound the film forward and waited for the flash to recharge then took another.
"Thank you, You, uh, You..." Kara started to say, struggling with his name.
"Yuuichirou," he said, pronouncing it slowly for her. "You're welcome," he said slowly in English.
Kara smiled as he handed the camera back to her. She tried his name once more, still unsuccessfully.
Rei giggled softly. "You can call him Kumada-san... if it... ah, easier," she said. "That how we... uh, say... Mister Kumada in Japanese."
Kara nodded. "Thank you... Kumada-san."
Yuuichirou grinned at her and nodded in return. "You're welcome, Kara-chan," he replied carefully in English.
The girl looked at Rei uncertainly. "Kara-chan?"
"We use 'chan' for... a... younger girl," Rei explained.
"Ah... How... old... are you, Kara-chan?" Yuuichirou asked.
Kara thought for a moment, then held up four fingers. "I'm four," she said proudly.
"Wow... such a big girl," Rei said, bringing another happy smile from the girl.
Yuuichirou nodded. "Nice to meet you, Kara," he said. "I... have to... go now."
"Bye, Kumada-san," Kara said. "Nice to meet you."
He nodded, then stepped out of the room, closing the door behind him.
Kara turned to face Rei. "Rei, when can the pictures be done?"
"Uhm... Maybe tomorrow," Rei answered slowly. She was finding English was getting a little easier with practice, but she still wanted to be careful in expressing herself. "If weather better."
Kara nodded. "I want to show Daddy the picture of us."
"I know," Rei said. "You can show him... when picture ready."
"Thank you, Rei... I really like these robes."
Rei smiled, glad to see the girl happily distracted from the recent attack.
"Kara... do you... like... ah, video game?" Rei asked.
"Yeah!" Kara said enthusiastically. "At least, some."
Rei switched on the video game set attached to the small television in her room, then searched through a box of games. She hadn't played many of them herself, but kept the games in case young children visiting the Temple should need entertainment while their parents prayed or made offerings. After a moment, she found several that seemed about right for a girl Kara's age, giving her a brief description of each. Kara looked at the labels, but found no pictures. Finally, she pointed to one. Rei put the game in the machine and started it, helping Kara learn the controls.
"You like this?" Rei asked.
Kara nodded. "It's fun," she said, leaning against Rei as they both sat on the floor.
They advanced through the first level of the game. Seeing that Kara was doing well, Rei held back, and the little girl won.
"Yay!" Kara cheered.
"You... very good," Rei said with a smile.
"Thank you," Kara said. She looked up at Rei, then suddenly gave her a hug. "Thanks for rescuing my daddy."
Rei set down the game control, and embraced the girl in return. "That... part of... what I do," she said softly. "And help nice girl... like you."
Kara smiled and hugged Rei again.
"You want... play another game?" Rei asked.
Kara shook her head, and lay her head in Rei's lap. Rei remained still as the girl lay there, slowly drifting off to sleep, gently running a finger through Kara's dark hair. After several minutes, Rei very gently lifted the girl in her arms and set her down on her bed. Kara stirred slightly as she was moved.
"Daddy?" she mumbled.
"It OK," Rei whispered. "Just... go back to sleep. You be fine."
Kara nodded a little, her eyes remaining closed. Rei pulled a blanket up over her, then sat back to watch her sleep.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The crystal's glow filled the room where the sacred fire was, and Usagi appeared with Mamoru, Ami, and Minako.
"Thanks for coming," Rei said.
"What's happened?" Minako asked.
"Quiet," Rei said, motioning them toward her room. She slid the door gently open to reveal Kara still asleep on Rei's bed.
"Who is the girl?" Ami asked, keeping her voice low.
"In those robes and with the dark hair, she actually looks a bit like you, Rei," Minako observed.
"That's just the robes," Rei said. "She gets the dark hair from her father... He's Hawaiian."
"Hawaiian?" Usagi asked. "Just what happened?"
They stepped back from the door, but Rei, hardly thinking about it, positioned herself so she could keep a watchful eye on the little girl.
"A couple hours after we returned from the island, another youma showed up here," Rei said.
"Another one? In the same day?" Usagi asked.
Rei nodded. "This one disappeared into the rear of the grounds. I ducked into the bushes behind the buildings and transformed, but Kara was there," she said, indicating the girl.
"She saw you transform?" Minako asked.
"Yes," Rei said. "But I told her it was our secret, and she seems to be going along with it... It is a bit of a challenge, since she only speaks English... But anyway, the youma was after her father. There is a powerful magic around both of them, and he hurled a magic blast that knocked the youma back."
"Impressive," Ami said. "I didn't know anyone other than us had that type of power."
"Unfortunately, the youma knocked him out," Rei said. "I finished it off with a fire blast. Then we brought both of them in here. Her father's name is Atana, and he's asleep in a spare room down the hall, while I've been looking after Kara."
"So what did you call us here for?" Mamoru asked. "Do you suspect the girl's father is still in danger?"
"I don't think so... at least not right away," Rei said. "My real problem is... before Atana turned up here today, I'd seen his face several times in the sacred fire."
Minako nodded, a bright smile forming on her face. "And you think he could be the one for you. That's wonderful."
"No!... What I mean is... that's not all there is to it," Rei said, shaking her head. "Kara complicates the situation."
"So he has a daughter," Ami said. "What's the problem? Are you concerned he's too old?"
"No, no," Rei said. "But if he has a daughter... then he probably has a wife."
"Is that what's worrying you, Rei-chan?" Usagi asked.
Rei nodded. "Shouldn't it?... How can we be soul-mates if he already has a wife?... And I refuse to have any part in breaking up a marriage. I could never forgive myself."
Just then, Kara rolled over. Rei stepped into the doorway to watch closely, seeing that the girl remained asleep.
"She's a cute kid," Minako said.
Rei simply nodded, still watching Kara.
Minako glanced over at Rei. "And I think you really care for her too, Rei-chan."
Usagi squeezed Mamoru's hand.
"Do you know for certain if her father is married?" Ami asked. "I gather that only Kara-chan and her father are here."
Rei shook her head. "When I first found Kara hiding in the bushes, I asked her where her mother was, but she didn't answer. I think she was just scared... I can't really blame her... And I haven't had much chance to talk with Atana, at least not privately."
Ami opened her computer and scanned the girl. "These readings are unusual," she said. "Her magic is powerful, though largely untapped. But it is entirely different from the magic of the Dark Kingdom."
"That's right," Rei agreed. "And her father's is much the same."
"Where is he?" Ami asked.
"Just down the hall," Rei said.
Ami walked down, slid the door open a little, finding Atana still asleep. She ran a scan, then slid the door closed and walked back.
"Well? Did you find anything?" Usagi asked.
Ami looked at the readings again. "Not really," she said. "He's not seriously hurt... but the scan didn't tell me anything in particular."
Usagi glanced at Ami's computer, which now displayed a picture of Atana's face. She thought for a moment. "He does seem vaguely familiar."
Rei nodded. "I've tried to stir up memories of the Silver Millennium for myself. I do seem to recall him being there, but I can't remember anything in particular... I just don't seem to have any memory at all of Kara, however."
"How do you feel about him?" Usagi asked.
"My memories are still unclear," Rei said. "I'm pretty sure he was special to me... but that doesn't change the current situation... In this lifetime, he's obviously found someone else."
"Rei-chan, relax," Usagi said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "You don't know what the situation is yet. Take some time to find out before you start getting really upset."
Rei took a breath and nodded.
Just then, they heard a soft noise as Kara began to stir. She rolled over and stretched, her eyes slowly opening. "Daddy?" Kara called sleepily.
Rei crouched alongside the bed. "Hi, Kara," she said softly in English. "You have nice nap?"
Kara looked up at her. "Rei?" She wiped a hand across her eyes, then nodded. "How's my Daddy?"
"He still sleeping," Rei said. "But he... be fine soon."
Kara nodded again then glanced around, seeing the others. She grasped Rei's sleeve uncertainly.
Rei smiled and patted her hand softly. "These my friends," she said. "This Ami... and Minako... and Usagi and Mamoru."
Minako crouched at the foot of the bed. "Hi, Kara," she said in English. "Rei says you're from Hawaii."
Kara looked at Minako shyly, then nodded.
Usagi knelt beside Rei. "Maybe you should ask her about her mother," Usagi whispered, in Japanese. "If she is around, she probably ought to know what happened."
Rei nodded, then leaned forward. "Kara... do we... uh, need to tell you mother... where you are... and that you daddy be OK?" she asked her.
Kara looked up at Rei with a slight frown, then shook her head.
"I'm sure she'd be worried about you," Minako added.
"Yes," Rei agreed. "I want... uhm, do not want to pry... but we should... let you mother know."
Kara's gaze fell to the bed, and she sat there quietly.
"You OK?" Rei asked.
Kara nodded, but still looked down at the bed.
Mamoru glanced around at the others. "I'm beginning to wonder if her mother might no longer be around," he said softly in Japanese.
Rei gently slipped an arm around the little girl. "Did you... lose you mommy... like I lose mine?" she asked quietly.
Kara slowly looked up into Rei's eyes, then nodded almost imperceptibly. "I never knew my mommy," she whispered. "It's always been just Daddy and me."
Rei sighed, feeling both her own relief, and a pang of sympathy for Kara having to grow up without her mother. She gave the girl a gentle hug. "I... sorry... you not know you... your... mother," Rei said softly.
Minako stood up and moved quietly toward the door. "You know, I never really pictured Rei-chan as the maternal type... but she and Kara already seem quite attached to each other. Did you notice how, when we were talking out in the hall, she always kept an eye on her?"
Usagi nodded. "But let's also remember, Rei-chan rescued the girl from a youma and saved her father," she said softly. "But even so, they do seem to be getting along very well together."
"But we still need to know why that youma was after her father," Mamoru said softly. "Or there could be a more ominous possibility... namely, that the Dark Kingdom has identified the Temple as a gathering place for the Senshi."
"And if Mamoru-san is right, then Atana-san was just in the wrong place at the wrong time," Ami said, likewise keeping her voice low.
"But what do we do if he's right?" Minako asked. "Rei could be in very real danger."
Usagi thought for a moment. "Ami-chan. Can you call Ryo-san, please? Maybe he can offer some clues as to just what the Dark Kingdom was after here."
Ami nodded, then reached for the phone and dialed her home number. "Hi, Ryo. It's me," she said. "We need some help, my love... That's right... Rei-chan found a youma at the Temple, and we need to know if you have any insights as to who it was after. If it was looking for us, we'll have to take measures to protect her... What?... The man she rescued?... Do you know who he is?... No, I understand... What's that?... How is that possible?... OK... Thanks, Ryo... I'll be home as soon as I can... I love you." She hung up the phone.
"What did he say?" Minako asked.
"He's not sure, but he thinks the youma was after Atana-san," Ami said. "Ryo tried to focus in on him, but he said there is some sort of interference surrounding him... He couldn't see any sign that the youma was connected to Rei, and in fact, hardly saw the youma at all. He usually gets at least some sort of a flash when the Dark Kingdom moves against us. Since he didn't see this one, he figures it's likely the youma was hidden from him in the interference surrounding Atana-san."
"That still raises the possibility that the Dark Kingdom may make another attempt against Atana-san," Usagi said softly. "And we still don't know why they're after him in the first place."
Minako glanced outside, seeing a form on the porch outside. She moved to the door, seeing a tall woman with dark hair standing there. Turning back, she gestured to the others. "Hey, take a look..." She turned back to find the woman was gone. "Where'd she go?"
"Who?" asked Mamoru.
"There was a woman lingering out on the porch," Minako said. "I only turned away for a moment, but now she's gone."
"This sounds like too much for just a coincidence," Mamoru said. "I'll take a look around."
Ami opened her computer again and activated her scanner. A frown crossed her face, and she tapped at the keys.
"Anything?" Usagi asked.
Ami shook her head. "There's nobody here who isn't accounted for."
"But I saw her!" Minako said.
"Shhh," Usagi cautioned, glancing back at Rei's room. "Don't alarm young Kara."
"I'm not saying you didn't see her, Minako-chan," Ami said softly. "Only that she's completely disappeared."
"I don't like this," Usagi muttered. "First a youma, and now this strange woman..."
"Maybe she's Kunzite's replacement," Minako suggested. "The shadow demon that possessed Kunzite's body, I mean."
"But Queen Beryl has only been using shadow demons as her field commanders," Ami said. "And all of Endymion's former commanders have been eliminated... so who's left?"
"She could be someone entirely new," Minako said.
Mamoru returned. "There's no sign of anyone, I'm afraid."
Usagi nodded. "Minako-chan. Did you get a good look at this woman?"
"Not all that good," Minako said. "She was tall. At least as tall as Mamoru... Dark hair, but not quite black, I don't think... and really long... I can't be sure, but I seem to think her skin was dark."
"As dark as Atana-san's?" Ami asked.
Minako shook her head. "The light wasn't good, but I don't think she was that dark."
Usagi closed her eyes, and her brow furrowed in thought.
"What is it, Usako?" Mamoru asked softly.
"That description...," she said. "It sounds familiar... I can't think why, but something tells me this person is not a threat."
"How confident are you in this feeling?" Ami asked.
"Not enough to place Rei-chan, Kara-chan, or Atana-san at risk," Usagi said. "I had hoped to avoid this, but we need to ask Rei to seek some information from the fire."
"Do you want one of us to look after Kara?" Minako asked.
Usagi glanced back again, then shook her head. "In the absence of Kara's father, I think that has to be Rei-chan's call." She turned and walked slowly into Rei's room.
Kara looked up at her uncertainly. "Hi, Usagi," she said in English. "Do you have a special secret like Rei?"
Rei looked back to see Usagi frowning with confusion. "Yes... she has secret... like mine," Rei said quietly. She then turned to Usagi. "What's up?" she asked softly in Japanese.
"We need a fire reading," Usagi said quietly. "I'm sorry, but we've had some new information, and another... visitor."
"A youma?" Rei asked, glancing over at Kara with obvious concern.
"No," Usagi said. "A woman... tall, with dark-hair... Minako saw her for a moment, and then she vanished... We don't think there is any immediate threat, but we want to make sure."
"And the new information?" Rei asked.
"Ami called Ryo. He says there is an interference around... her father," Usagi said, nodding faintly toward Kara, but not wanting to risk alarming the girl at the mention of Atana's name. "It prevents Ryo for seeing much about him. Ryo couldn't see the youma that attacked him, and assumes that's because it was after him and thus concealed by this interference."
Rei nodded. "OK... I'll be right there." She then turned to Kara. "Would you... like to... see... something special?" she asked in English.
Kara looked at her and nodded.
"This... another secret... Just ours, OK?"
"OK," Kara agreed with a grin.
Rei took Kara's hand and led her out to sit in front of the fire. The other girls and Mamoru sat behind them. Rei leaned closer to Kara and squeezed her hand. "Now... I need you... be quiet... OK?"
Kara nodded. "OK."
Rei smiled at her, then placed both hands in her lap and focused her concentration. Her fingers danced through the ritual motions and the fire flared. Atana's face briefly appeared to Rei's trained awareness.
"That's Daddy," Kara gasped.
Rei felt her concentration slip with the stunned realization that Kara could actually perceive images in the fire. She took a breath and refocused herself. Atana's face appeared once more, and then a very indistinct form. As Rei focused on it, the form briefly solidified enough to be discernable as the silhouette of a woman with long hair, but almost immediately faded from sight. Rei probed further, but sensed no immediate threat to any of them. After two battles in one day, however, fatigue was beginning to overtake her, and she let the fire fade, slumping forward where she sat.
"Rei!" Kara cried, throwing her arms around her.
"I... OK," Rei said softly in English, embracing her. "Just... tired."
"Did Kara see something in the fire?" Usagi asked, in Japanese.
Rei nodded. "I not sure how... but she did," she said. "I saw her father again, and a very faint image of a woman... probably the one you saw... but I'm not sure... She's incredibly well hidden."
"Is there any more danger to her father or any of us?" Usagi asked.
Rei shook her head. "Not immediately... I don't know why they attacked him, but there is no immediate threat."
"Well, that is good to know," Usagi said. "Do you feel confident enough for us to go home, or do you want us to stay?"
"No, you can go home. We'll be fine here," Rei said. She looked down at Kara with a smile, and switched to English. "I... look after Kara."
Kara smiled up at her and nodded.
"OK. We'll see you later," Usagi said.
"Bye, Kara," Minako said in English. "It was nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you," Kara replied with a grin, still embracing Rei.
Rei slowly rose to her feet, lifting Kara in her arms. "Uh, we go back to my room, OK?"
"OK," Kara agreed.
"Bye," Rei called to the others. "And thanks."
As Rei took Kara back to her room, Usagi made the gizuishou appear again. Its glow washed over them. She first made certain it was safe to send Minako back to Geoff's apartment, then increased the crystal's glow, and they all vanished.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mamoru and Usagi sat together at his table, eating.
"So, do you think this Atana is Rei's soul-mate?" Mamoru asked.
"It seems very likely," Usagi said.
"But I wonder who he is, and what his special power is," he said.
"It does seem strange," she agreed. "But then again, Ryo's psychic ability has remained even after he lost his nijizuishou, so maybe the other girls' soul-mates have special powers of their own."
Mamoru frowned. "Well, Geoff has always seemed perfectly normal... and of course we still don't know who Makoto's soul-mate is."
"Actually, I have a hunch about that," she said.
"Her friend Shinozaki?" he asked. "But she insists they're just friends."
"Maybe," she said. "But I'm sure no one knows her better than he does. I'd say just give them some time."
"But we still don't have any reason to suspect that either he or Geoff have any special powers," he said.
"Well, maybe they don't," she said. "I was just considering the possibility... Perhaps it depends on who and what they were in the past."
"I guess all we can do is wait to learn more," he said. He then leaned over and kissed her. "I love you, Usako."
She smiled happily. "I love you, Mamo-chan. More than anything."- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Several hours later, Kara was again asleep in Rei's bed. Rei had offered her the bed, while she would sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag, but the young girl had insisted on having Rei there with her. As Kara now slept, Rei quietly lay there, reading a book.
She heard a noise in the hall and a soft tap at her door.
"Hino-san?" It was a man's voice, and she quickly realized it was Atana.
"Yes," she called softly.
He slid the door open slightly. "May I come in?"
She glanced down. She was wearing an over-sized t-shirt, which provided adequate coverage, and in any case was under the covers. "Certainly," she said.
He opened the door and stepped into the room, sliding the door closed behind him.
"Are you feeling better?" she asked.
"Yes. Thank you, Hino-san."
"Please. You may call me Rei," she said.
"Thank you. And I am Atana," he said, sitting down beside her bed. "I wanted to see how Kara was doing. I hope she hasn't been any trouble."
"Not in the slightest," Rei said. "We've been getting along wonderfully."
"I'm glad to hear it. Thank you for looking after her," he said. "And thank you for your aid to me."
"It was my pleasure... in both cases."
"You don't mind her sleeping with you?" he asked.
She shook her head. "She didn't want to sleep alone. I figured it was because of the strange surroundings and what happened. I wanted to do what I could to make her feel safe and comfortable."
"I really appreciate that," he said. "I'm afraid she's never really known a woman in her life."
Rei nodded. "She mentioned that she'd never known her mother."
"Yes," he said softly. "That's true."
She remained silent until it became clear he wasn't going to say any more. "I lost my mother several years ago... so I have at least some idea what it's like."
"I'm sorry to hear that," he said.
"But anyway, we've had fun," she said. "Kara took a liking to my temple robes, so I dressed her in an old pair of mine. We took a picture of her for you, which we should be able to have developed tomorrow. She was most anxious for you to have the picture."
He smiled. "I'd like to see it."
"Would you like to let her know you're here?" she asked.
He shook his head. "No. Let her sleep." He sat there quietly. "It's an incredibly peaceful thing just watching her sleep."
She smiled and nodded, looking down at the young girl asleep beside her.
After several minutes, Atana's gaze shifted to Rei. She soon noticed this, and blushed slightly.
"Excuse me," he said. "I was just noticing again that you are an extraordinary young woman."
"Uhm... thank you," she said softly.
"I think I mentioned before, there seems to be more to you than meets the eye," he said. "Like, how a young woman could defeat that demon."
She nodded. "Or how an otherwise ordinary looking man could knock it off balance."
"True," he acknowledged.
"There is a very powerful magic around both you and Kara," Rei said. "I can perceive things with the aid of the sacred fire here at the Temple. Only someone with a particularly ability for it can see anything intelligible in the fire... but Kara was able to see the things that I saw."
Atana nodded. "I can't fully explain it yet, but I guess you'd say I'm a wizard, and I have a particular affinity for fire. That may explain her sensitivity... But, there is still the question of your extraordinary ability."
"Yes...," Rei said softly. "Well, only a few people know... and it has to remain a secret. Have you ever heard of the Sailor Senshi?"
"Yes... in the papers," he said. He looked at her closely. "Long black hair, and an affinity for fire... Let me guess... You would have to be Sailor... Mars, is it?"
"That's right," she said. "Kara happened to be hiding in the bushes where I transformed."
"And the demon?"
"They come from another dimension, the Dark Kingdom, which is trying to conquer our universe," Rei explained. "But... I don't understand why it was after you."
He sighed and shrugged. "I'm afraid I don't know much about it either... I've had run-ins with a few of those things over the past few years."
"That long?" Rei asked.
He nodded. "But I don't know why they're after me... The only thing I can guess is that some of my magic efforts must have attracted their attention."
"You don't know what you did?" she asked.
He shook his head. "I'm afraid not... There was an explosion in my workshop at my home in Hawaii. A neighbor pulled me out, but I spent two weeks in the hospital recovering... I still can't remember anything about the explosion or what I was doing though."
"What happened to Kara?" Rei asked.
"She was just an infant at the time," he said. "My neighbor cared for her until I got out of the hospital."
"Was that when the youma... demons, started appearing?"
"The first one turned up maybe a month or two later," he said. "They've only turned up one at a time, and usually they're not all that formidable."
"We've been fighting the Dark Kingdom for several months," Rei explained. "Things seem to be approaching a climax, we think... and that may mean they'll make more attempts on you if they think you have some means to insure their victory."
He nodded and frowned, looking at Kara with obvious concern. "Maybe it would be best if I just take her home to Hawaii right away."
Rei felt her heart sink at the thought that they might leave. "No... uhm, what I mean is... if you stay in Tokyo, we'll be able to help protect both of you."
He smiled. "Alright," he said.
"Are you staying in the city?" she asked.
He nodded. "I've rented a small apartment. I'd planned to be here for at least a few months."
"I'm glad to hear that," she said softly. "Will you be going back to your apartment in the morning?"
"I think so," he said. "I hope I'm not out of line... but I was wondering if you'd mind coming with us for a little while. It... uh, it might be easier for Kara to have another friendly face there... and I certainly would like it, too."
She smiled. "I'd love to... But we'll have to do it fairly early, since I need to get to school."
"High school?" he asked.
She blushed slightly. "Ah... no. I'm in junior high... second year."
"Really? I wouldn't have guessed," he said, feeling a brief flash of caution sweep through him.
She smiled again. "Thanks... but that's OK." She noticed his concern. "And if you'd rather I didn't come over afterall, I understand."
"No... no. There's no reason that should make any difference," he said. "Kara likes you very much... and I hope I can consider you a friend... I'd still like you to come with us... if it won't make you late."
She glanced down at Kara, still sleeping alongside her, then looked back at Atana. "I'd love to."< To be continued >
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NOTE: Hopeless Romantic and I now have a message group to notify our readers when we post new stories/chapters. Those who are interested can sign up at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/strands_of_moonlight/ . More to come.Always remember, good gentles, that a yarnspinner works from and within existing legends and stories. The characters of "Sailor Moon" belong to others. In spinning my yarns, I do not seek to infringe on their rights of ownership, but merely to join with other fans to spread the legend still further. "The moonlight carries a message of love." Enjoy
-01.11.2002