-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 65 - Haunting < Tuskino Kenji sat at his desk, looking through a file from his attorney, who was on the phone. "I'm still not certain about this, Watanabe-san," Kenji said. Over the telephone, the attorney sighed. "We've discussed this before, Tsukino-san. The fact remains that your daughter has not yet reached the age of 20. If you wish to do this, then you must transfer guardianship to her young man." Kenji shook his head. "This was supposed to be about marriage..." "It is about marriage, Tsukino-san," Watanabe interrupted. "Because the age of legal adulthood is 20, it has to be done this way, even if the bride were 19. It happens quite often that a girl of 18 or 19 gets married, and her parents must transfer custody." "So, that means the girl is legally subject to her husband?" Kenji asked, scowling. "Not entirely," the attorney said. "The law assumes a greater degree of personal responsibility for a minor as she gets older. That means the full scope of your own parental rights has actually diminished a bit over the last year or two." "I see," Kenji muttered. "Certainly," Watanabe continued. "A teenager is able to purchase some major items that a merchant would never sell to a younger person but only to the parent. The presumption is that the teenager can legitimately make the decision to purchase such items, and can be held responsible for the cost." "And how does that relate to this?" Kenji asked. "If the parent agrees that the minor is responsible enough to marry, then the minor, once married, will enjoy a greater degree of legal self-determination. The husband has guardianship only for those responsibilities that absolutely cannot be assumed until adulthood." Kenji took a slow breath. "My daughter... is pregnant," he said. "And she intends to... to be a housewife... which means she would have immediate responsibility for their child." "That's not a problem," Watanabe said. "Firstly, the ability to care for one's children is a legal presumption, unless there is clear evidence to the contrary. Secondly, her husband can prepare an advance directive that will essentially say that any consent she might give for medical care or education, as just two examples, is declared in advance to be his consent as well." "I see," Kenji said softly. "But you will need to involve Chiba-san once you agree to what has been laid out," the attorney said. "He will certainly want to make some legal preparations, and your daughter will be required to present your certification of consent when they apply for a marriage license." "I will have to give this some more consideration," Kenji said slowly. Just then, his phone beeped. "I have another call, Watanabe-san. Thank you for preparing all of this. I will call again when my wife and I have made our decision." "Very well, Tsukino-san," Watanabe said. "Good bye." "Good bye, Watanabe-san," Kenji said. As the phone beeped again, he disconnected his call and pressed the button for the intercom. "Yes, Nakamura-san?" "Tsukino-san. You asked that I call you five minutes before the staff meeting," his secretary said. "Oh, yes. Thank you," he said. "I'll be there shortly." He returned the papers from his attorney to their envelope and placed them in his briefcase. As he retrieved his materials for the meeting, he glanced over at the television in his office, which was tuned to the news channel of All-Japan Television. Seeing the image of Hino Tadamichi, Kenji turned up the volume. "...was released from police custody this morning," the reporter said. "Hino has been under investigation for allegations of bribery and fund-raising violations, allegations which contributed to the failure of his bid for the leadership of the Progressive Reform Alliance. He was taken into custody for questioning only hours after his defeat, and has been held for several days. This morning, Representative Hino's attorney secured a court order for his release on the grounds that Hino has not yet been charged with any crime. Nevertheless, Representative Hino was required to surrender his passport. Sources close to the investigation expect that one or more indictments will be issued against Representative Hino within the next two weeks." Kenji muted the volume, picked up his notebook and materials for the meeting, and walked to his door. Ami and Ryo stepped off the bus just down the street from Juuban Junior High. As they walked toward the school, he suddenly stopped, clenching his eyes shut. "Ryo? What's wrong?" she asked, concern evident in her voice. "Rei's father is after her again," he said, his voice hardly a whisper. "He's going to try going to her school again. I think this afternoon." He opened his eyes and met Ami's worried gaze. "If he does, he'll find out about Atana." Ami's eyes widened as she realized the full implication of that. "We have to find Usagi, and to warn Rei." Usagi had just entered the school building when she saw Ami and Ryo hurrying toward her. "Good morning, Ami-chan. Ryo-kun," she said. "Good morning, Usagi-chan," Ami greeted her. As they got closer, Ami lowered her voice to a whisper. "We need to talk, privately. We have a problem." Usagi looked at both of them uncertainly, then nodded. They walked down the hall and slipped into a small storeroom. "What's happened?" Usagi asked. "I had a vision this morning. A particularly strong one," Ryo said. "Rei's father is going to try to pick her up after school, probably this afternoon. But the most serious problem is that he will find out about Atana." "Oh, gods," Usagi exclaimed softly. "I think we need to warn Rei," Ami said. Usagi thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I don't want to worry her if we can avoid it, and I think there may be another way of dealing with her father." Ami and Ryo both looked at her quizzically, but Usagi had already caused the ginzuishou to appear. "Ask Naru-chan to cover for me, please," Usagi said as the crystal's glow enveloped her. "Tell her I'm just feeling a little out of it this morning, but that I'll be alright shortly." "What are you going to do?" Ami asked. "First I'm going to return home, and then I'll try to line up some help for dealing with Rei's father," Usagi said. "I'll be back as soon as I can." The crystal's glow grew brighter and Usagi vanished. Usagi found herself in her bedroom, just where she had intended. She focused her concentration, letting the crystal's energy wash over her. Her school uniform vanished, followed quickly by her underwear. Her crescent moon glowed brightly on her forehead and energy continued to swirl around her naked form, quickly forming into Princess Serenity's silver gown. She lowered herself to her knees and focused her power. Her senses expanded, first revealing the swirling chaos of energy that was the city around her. In only an instant, she was probing outward, searching for something beyond the mortal realm of existence. She found herself amazed and a bit scared at how easily it came to her. She seemed to be rapidly flying along past rows of glowing lights. Soon, from all around, she could sense innumerable presences, but still she moved forward, all of them seeming to draw away from the light of the ginzuishou. A tinge of doubt began to form in her mind, that perhaps she wouldn't find who she was looking for. Perhaps she had asked more of the ginzuishou than she was allowed. Just then, a figure appeared ahead of her. As Serenity moved closer, the figure could now be seen in silhouette as a woman with long hair and a flowing gown. "Greetings, your highness," the figure called. "You have come far beyond where even you are meant to be." Serenity nodded. "I know, and I must beg your forgiveness if I am asking too much, but I have a desperate need for your help." The black limousine moved along with the heavy morning traffic. Hino Tadamichi sat in the back with his lawyer. "To be perfectly honest, Hino-san, you are in quite deep this time," the lawyer said, flipping through a thick sheaf of papers. "I've survived other slander campaigns," Hino said. "This is no different." The lawyer shook his head. "For those previous allegations, they didn't have detailed financial statements..." Hino waved his hand. "Meaningless!" he declared. "All lies!" A tight frown crossed the attorney's face. "Hardly," he said. "With one or two phone calls, I can make all that disappear," Hino said, reaching for his cell phone. "I did not hear your say that," the attorney said with a scowl. "But even your unnamed friends cannot change the fact that the Justice Ministry already has very extensive information, including the media research demonstrating that your aides destroyed your records. That is obstruction, Hino-san." Hino returned his phone to his pocket. "I thought you were supposed to be defending me." "I am retained to proved you legal representation and counsel," the attorney said. "Part of that includes advising you on your potential legal liability going into this case." "The case is totally without merit," Hino insisted. "The timing alone proves that!" "Are you seriously trying to say you had no knowledge of these donations and the subsequent transfer of identical amounts into your personal bank account?" "I've already answered that," Hino declared angrily. "It was purely coincidence, twisted around by my opponents to look like something it was not." The lawyer leaned back in his seat. "If you want to build your defense around that, Hino-san, you are going to want to provide supporting evidence of..." "I don't need to prove anything!" Hino said. "The prosecutor has to do the proving!" "By the standards of bookkeeping and accounting, the financial records they have do prove it," the lawyer said, holding up the papers. "The prosecution will tear your claims apart if you don't have something to document what you say and show that their conclusion is wrong." "You are overreacting," Hino said. "This is purely a political slander campaign, and it can only be decided in the political arena." "There is a very high probability that you will be indicted within the next fourteen days, Hino-san. The rules of your party will require you to resign your seat." "I will not!" "It may be unavoidable," the lawyer said. "If you do not resign your seat, you will be expelled from the party. Your seat was won on a party slate, not direct election of a candidate. That means a strong case could be made that the seat is held by the Progressive Reform Alliance, not by you personally. Undoubtedly, the Alliance leadership will make that case, which could result in your expulsion from the lower house. If that happens, you will lose all the privileges and immunities you enjoy as a lower house member." "That would only prove that this is a politically motivated campaign against me," Hino declared. "But that does not help your legal defense any," the lawyer pointed out. "Enough of that," Hino said, holding up his hand. "But now, I have also decided to show my family close to me just now." The lawyer rolled his eyes. "I intend to pick up my daughter at her school this afternoon," Hino said. "And I want you to take the necessary steps to claim my parental rights." "You have no parental rights, Hino-san," the lawyer said. "I am her father!" Hino shouted. "That fact cannot be denied!" "There are three relevant facts. First, you had effectively abandoned your wife before the birth of your daughter. Second, your wife's will gave her father exclusive custody of your daughter, and denied you any visitation without his express permission until your daughter should reach adulthood. And third, you never contested those custody provisions following the death of your wife," the lawyer said. "Taken together, these demonstrate that you abandoned all spousal and parental responsibilities, and that you never cared enough to challenge your wife's decision to formally exclude you. If you did not challenge it then, a judge will not consider reversing it now, especially since there are no allegations that the priest, Hirano-san, is in any way an unfit guardian, while you face criminal allegations." The car pulled up in front of the apartment building where Hino maintained his Tokyo residence. "Look into both of these matters," he instructed as he reached for the door handle. "I want something much more serious on both by tomorrow." He opened the door and stepped out, then turned back to the driver. "Drive my lawyer back to his office." He then slammed the door and walked toward the building as the car pulled away. Inside, Hino retrieved his cell phone and pressed a speed dial button as he entered the elevator. "Moshi, moshi," a female voice answered. "Hello, Yomura-san. This is Hino," he said. "So, they let you out?" the woman asked. "Of course. It was purely political," he said. "But I will be home tonight, and would appreciate you sending over one of your best. Just put it on my account" "Forget it, big shot," she said derisively. "Your credit is no good with me or my girls anymore. Your cash is pretty much useless as well just now." "Don't you forget who you're talking to, woman," Hino growled. "I can still arrange a full-scale police investigation of your business." "But you need to remember that my appointment book and records would then fall into the hands of the police," Yomura countered. "I would think you have enough problems as it is." The elevator doors opened. "I have other friends too, Yomura-san," he said darkly, walking out of the elevator. "I know about them too, remember? And I've already talked with several of your friends. You may find your credit drying up with them as well," she said. "Don't bother calling me again." He cursed silently as he heard her hang up. Angrily shoving his phone back into his pocket, he retrieved his keys, opening the apartment door. It was a large and luxurious apartment. As he slipped off his shoes, he felt a strange chill and the hair stood up on the back of his neck. He looked around, entering the living room cautiously. A faint noise broke the silence, and he spun around anxiously. Hearing it again, he rushed into his private office, where he hurriedly opened the safe and retrieved a small handgun. Private gun ownership was extremely rare in Japan, and keeping one in his home was absolutely illegal, even for a legislator. He quickly loaded the clip into the gun and advanced the first round into the chamber. Just then, the door slammed. Hino spun around, the gun held at the ready. "Who's there?" he called. The lights went out, leaving the room in almost total blackness. He fumbled for a table lamp, switching it on. As the light came on, he saw that his desk chair was slowly rotating. He raised his gun to shoot, but found the chair was empty. Edging toward the door, he continued to look around the room nervously. His hand grasped the door handle, but he found it was locked. Frantically, he tried it again, then fumbled for the lock. "Leaving so soon, Tadamichi?" He turned toward the sound of the female voice, finding a dark shape in the shadows. "Who are you?" he demanded. "Don't move, or I'll shoot." The figure moved forward, ignoring his warning. He raised his gun, but the figure still approached. His muscles tensed and a defeaning report shook the room as the gun fired. "I'm afraid it's a little late for that, Tadamichi," the figure said. "Cancer beat you to it." His breath caught and his eyes widened in shock as her face became visible. "Rika?" he gasped. She smiled. "I'm flattered that you even remember," she said, a cold tone in her voice. He struggled for breath. "How?... What... what do you want?" The spirit of Rei's mother moved closer, her expression hardening. "What do you think?" she asked sternly. His hand trembled as he pressed back against the door. "My final instructions for my daughter were quite clear," she declared, her voice now reverberating ominously. "She is my daughter too," he said. "Only in a biological sense," she said, lunging closer. "You were never a father to her, just as you were never a true husband to me. Simply being a sperm donor does not entitle you to anything." "How dare you?!" he shrieked, his voice shaking both with fear and rage. "The fact of fatherhood is sacred!" She shook her head. "No. The responsibilities of fatherhood are sacred," she said coldly. "You have fulfilled none of those. You made no secret that you placed more importance on your political schemes." "Mind your place, woman!" he declared. "You have no right to lecture me!" Her eyes darkened and a corona of fire glowed around her as she moved still closer. Hino's lip trembled and he pressed himself back against the door. As his hand shook, he fired his gun twice more. Suddenly, it became too hot and he dropped it with a cry of pain. "Have... have you... come as a... a vengeful spirit?" he stammered. She burst out laughing. The fire had not been intentional, but she was enjoying watching him squirm. "Not yet, Hino Tadamichi. Not yet." He swallowed hard, flinching away from the flames that radiated around her. "But you should know full well there is no more dangerous animal in nature than a mother defending her child," she said with a growl. "If you go anywhere near Rei, then you will discover what a vengeful spirit truly is." "I... I'm supposed to... to stay away entirely?" "You made that decision fifteen years ago," she said. "Now you are stuck with it." He struggled for breath, feeling his heart pounding so hard it seemed about to burst out of his chest. "And if I refuse?" Her jaw set, and the flames around her swelled. Hino screamed as intense heat swept over his hands and up his arms. He lunged away from her, but his foot snagged on the edge of the carpet. Losing his footing, he tumbled forward, striking his head on the wooden desk and collapsing to the floor, unconscious. She glanced down to confirm that he was still breathing, then looked at the small video camera sitting on the desk, still recording. Already, she could hear the building's security guards pounding on the apartment door. Knowing they would enter at any moment, a smile formed on her face and she faded away. In an office at The Rising Sun magazine, a phone rang. The reporter leaned over and picked up the receiver. "Nagata." "Nagata-san, this is Genda," his partner announced. "Yes, Genda-san," Nagata said. "Hino Tadamichi collapsed this morning, apparently delusional," Genda said. "Delusional?" Nagata asked. "That's right," Genda said. "The guards at his apartment building heard several shots. By the time they entered the apartment, they found Hino had locked himself in his office. He was unconscious. For some reason, he had had a video camera running. I would guess he turned it on accidentally." "A video camera?" "Yes," Genda confirmed. "One of my contacts let me see it. Hino entered the room, acting like he feared a burglar. He could be heard opening his safe, from where he apparently retrieved a handgun. The lights went out and the door slammed, followed by Hino switching on a table lamp. He cried out, as if challenging an intruder, but no one else appears or is heard on the tape. I caught him calling out only a single name, which suggests he thought he was facing his late wife. For most of the recording he is backed up against the office door, looking terrified. At the end, he screamed, either in pain or fright, and tried to run, but he tripped and struck his head on the desk." "Was he injured?" Nagata asked, as he hurriedly scribbled notes. "Only a lump on his head, consistent with striking the desk," Genda answered. "Was there any other way in to the office?" "No," Genda said. "Just the one door. Wooden, solid core, and bolted from the inside." "Bolted? An interior door? That's unusual," Nagata said. "Anything else out of the ordinary?" "There were three bullet holes in the walls," Genda said. "But those had to have come from his own gun. The video tape shows him firing three times." "At what?" Nagata asked. "Nothing that could be seen within the camera's field of view," Genda answered. "Where is Hino now?" "He is at Central Hospital, in the psychiatric ward," Genda said. "Are you still covering the investigation?" Nagata asked. "That's right," Genda confirmed. "Alright," Nagata said. "I'll start making some calls to see what I can learn about his condition at the hospital." "Sounds good. I'll keep in touch," Genda said, before hanging up. Mamoru was waiting as Usagi and the others emerged from Juuban Junior High. "Mamo-chan!" Usagi called happily, before embracing him. "How was your day, Usako?" he asked. "It was OK," she said. "But we did learn that Rei's father was up to something. Ryo had a vision." Mamoru paused, looking at her. "I was about to ask if you had heard the news." "What news?" Makoto asked. "Did he try something?" Mamoru shook his head. "The news reports are saying Hino Tadamichi had a breakdown this morning. He locked himself in his home office, where a video camera recorded him firing a gun as if he was confronting an intruder, but no one was there. He then fell, knocking himself out. He's now in hospital, under psychiatric observation." Usagi's eyes widened, and the others looked at her. "Wow," she exclaimed softly. "I'm amazed she managed all that, and so quickly." "Who?" Mamoru asked. "Rei's mother," Usagi answered. "I used the crystal to find her spirit and ask for her help. I thought she might be able to do something both more subtle and more persuasive than any of us could." "You can just call spirits back to the realm of the living?" Makoto asked in surprise. Usagi shook her head. "Ordinarily no. But as a Sailor Senshi, the spirit that was Akari of Mars and Hirano Rika is quite a bit more powerful than that of an ordinary mortal. Even then, it only worked because she was willing to return. If she had refused to cross over, there is no way I could have forced her." Ami nodded. "But you consider this more subtle?" "Well, I didn't know what she was going to do," Usagi admitted. "But you have to admit, Rei's mother probably knows more about him than we do. And clearly, it was subtle, since the news reports are saying only that he had a breakdown." Atana pulled up in front of Rei's school. The radio was again reporting on Hino Tadamichi's apparent nervous breakdown. With a frown, he switched off the radio. As he stepped out of the car, he caught site of a woman standing near by, attired in a white skirt and blouse with a light blue jacket, and her knee-length hair drawn back in a braid. He looked again, seeing her resemblance to Rei. In only a moment, he realized just who this had to be. His enhanced senses confirmed this was no ordinary mortal. "Hello," Atana said. "Hino-san, is it? Or do you prefer Hirano-san?" "Hello, Atana-san," she said. "It is a pleasure to see you again. And you may call me Rika." He nodded. "Thank you, Rika-san. But if you don't mind my asking, just what brings you here? I hadn't expected to see you again after we returned from Hawaii." "I hadn't expected to return either," Rika acknowledged. "But Rei's father was making new plans concerning her." Atana looked at her in surprise. "But it's all over the news that Hino Tadamichi had a nervous breakdown this morning." She smiled. "Yes. It seems he thought he was being confronted by the spirit of his dead wife, who threatened a most terrible fate if he went anywhere near her daughter." "I see," he said slowly. "Like mother, like daughter, I guess. I can easily imagine Rei threatening him with great harm." "I wouldn't be surprised," she said softly. "But actually, I did what I did to protect Rei and her own family." He looked at her curiously. "Indeed?" She nodded. "Usagi-san called me here. If Tadamichi had had his way, he would have been here this afternoon... and he would have found out about you, Atana-san." "Then Rei and I owe you a considerable debt of gratitude, Rika-san," he said. She shook her head. "Not at all. I simply did what was necessary as a parent." Rei walked toward Atana's car, her eyes widening at the sight of who was there with him. A lump formed in her throat and she struggled to keep from crying out. She rushed closer. "Mom," she whispered softly. Rika smiled. "Hello, my dear." Rei threw her arms around her mother. "I can hardly believe it," she whispered. "But what are you doing here?" "It has to do with your father," Rika said. Rei scowled. "What has he done now?" "Let's get into the car, dear," Rika said. "I can explain as Atana-san drives." "That is amazing," Rei said, as her mother finished her account. "So, what happened to him?" "According to the news reports, he's in a hospital psychiatric ward," Atana said. Rei burst out laughing. "So, they think he's crazy. That's classic!" Rika nodded. "I had to prevent him from threatening you and your family, dear," she said. "But I didn't want to kill him. Even he doesn't deserve that." Rei scowled. "I guess not." She thought for a moment. "Usagi was able to bring you back here?" "Well, she found me and asked for my help," Rika said. "Under the circumstances, I could hardly refuse. She just made it possible for me to return. Like before, I'm sure my stay is only temporary." "How long are you going to stay, Mom?" Rei asked. "I'm not entirely sure," she admitted. "To a large extent, that will depend on Tadamichi. If he remains determined not to stay away from you as I instructed, then I will have to take further action." "Yes," Rei said softly. Atana looked back at Rei's mother. "Would you like to come with us when we go to pick up Kara?" "I would be delighted, Atana-san. She is such a charming girl." Atana nodded. "And I'm sure she would love to see you again," he said. "But that does make me think. If I'm not mistaken, Kara has never seen you in this form, unless it was in one of Rei's photographs." "Yes. That is probably true," Rika admitted. "And if I'm going to be seen with you here in Tokyo, it should be safer to be seen as Akari since no one here would have any way of knowing a woman who died over a thousand years ago." She closed her eyes and her features began to change, altering from a woman in her mid-twenties to one in her late teens, while her hair shortened from knee length to waist length. Her hair remained tied back, and her outfit was unchanged except to fit the smaller frame of Akari of Mars. "Is this better?" "I don't think it's a question of better," Atana said. "Definitely not, Mom," Rei agreed. "But Kara will more readily recognize you like this. And you're right about no one else knowing you. We certainly don't want anyone connected to that bastard of a father of mine recognizing you. That would ruin everything." "Yes, it would," Akari agreed. She looked back up at Rei and Atana. "But I'm also looking forward to seeing my wonderful granddaughter again." It was early evening when Hino Tadamichi awoke from his drug induced sleep. His head remained foggy, and he looked around uncertainly, trying to determine where he was and how much of what he seemed to recall was only a dream. "Hino-san?" a doctor asked. "How are you feeling?" "I... have a headache," Hino muttered. The doctor nodded. "That's understandable. The paramedics said you appeared to have tripped, striking your head against your desk." "Is it serious?" "It shouldn't be," the doctor said. "But we'll keep you here for a few days, Hino-san. You can't be too careful with a head injury." Hino nodded, wincing as the movement made his head hurt worse. "I guess not." He looked around, wondering at how spartan the room was. Just then, another figure entered the room. He struggled to focus on the figure, gradually making out that it was a woman. The doctor did not seem to pay any attention to her. "Hello, Tadamichi," Rika said. "Feeling better?" He gasped as he recognized her voice, now able to focus on her face. "Hino-san? Is something wrong?" the doctor asked, concerned. "Yes, Tadamichi. What's wrong?" Rika asked sweetly. Hino looked at Rika and then at the doctor. "Hino-san?" the doctor asked again, leaning forward. He blinked and returned his attention to the doctor. "Sorry, doctor," he said softly. "Just a twinge." "I understand," the doctor replied. "I'll stop in to check on you again in an hour or so, Hino-san. Just try to rest." He turned away and started for the door. "Yes, Tadamichi," Rika said. "Just try to rest." Hino glared at her. In an instant, her finger touched his hand, feeling like it was red hot. He stiffened and cried out in pain. The doctor rushed backed to him. "Hino-san. What's wrong?" He struggled, but couldn't move his arm. His eyes clenched shut as the pain became unbearable. "Get away from me, bitch!" he screamed. The doctor recoiled in surprise. "Hino-san?" Rika pulled her hand away. "Leave my daughter alone, Tadamichi," she said, her voice a low growl. "Never forget that I am watching you." "No!" Hino cried, starting to flail. "Get away from me! Get away!" "Just remember what I said," she declared. "Hino-san!" the doctor cried, struggling to get past the politician's flailing arms to restrain him. Finally, he stepped away and pressed a call button. Two powerfully built male orderlies rushed in. "Restrain him," the doctor ordered. "I must administer a sedative." "Get away!" Hino cried again. "Get away, you bitch." The orderlies closed in, one on each side of the bed. As they seized Hino's arms, Rika again touched his hand. Hino screamed in pain, and the stunned orderlies flinched back. Rika removed her hand once more. "You have no right to dictate to me, woman!" Hino screamed. "I shall do as I please!" Rika smiled as the orderlies pinned his arms. "You may find that more difficult than you think, Tadamichi." The doctor moved in with a syringe. "This is for your own good, Hino-san." "Yes, Tadamichi," Rika said, her voice now showing a tinge of regret. "All this is necessary, both to protect my daughter from you, and to protect you from yourself." "No!" Hino gasped, his body beginning to go limp as the sedative took effect. "No." Rika looked down at the now unconscious man and shook her head, then faded away. From an adjoining observation room, two other doctors had watched the scene through a one-way mirror. They were joined by an official from the Justice Ministry. The official shook his head. "I had thought the news reports this morning were just the build up to some sort of insanity defense, but I don't suppose there is any serious chance of what we've just seen being a ploy." "It is still too early to say with absolute certainty, but based on experience I would consider it very likely that Representative Hino is presently unbalanced," the first doctor said. "I'm afraid I must agree," the second doctor said. The official nodded. "Well, thank you for letting me see this. The Ministry will want a preliminary report on his condition as soon as possible." He reached into his briefcase. "And before Hino's attorney files a petition, I have an order from the minister, himself, authorizing you to provide a copy of the report to Hino's attorney. I believe the minister wants to avoid any perception of political motivation in this." Akari approached the door to Atana's apartment and knocked. Atana opened the door. "Hello, Akari-san," he said. "Please come in." "Thank you," she said, stepping inside and removing her shoes. "Rei is giving Kara a bath. She'll be done shortly," he said. "How did it go?" She frowned and sighed. "Well, I think it is now quite likely that Tadamichi will be ruled insane, at least for the short term. But I didn't particularly enjoy doing it." "I understand," Atana said. Akari sat down on the sofa. "It's just one more reason to be angry with Hino Tadamichi," she said. "But it was clear he wasn't going to stay away from Rei for long." "He won't be in the hospital forever," he pointed out. "Unless you're planning to 'haunt' him for the rest of his life." She shook her head. "I doubt I could stay here that long, even with Usagi's help. But I suspect that once the doctors determine he has 'recovered', he'll find himself standing trial." She looked up at Atana. "I gather he was involved in some sort of bribery scandal?" Atana nodded. "Yes. That's right. The news broke just as he was running for the leadership of his party," he said. "He tried to intrude himself into Rei's life then because he apparently wanted to have family there with him for what he expected to be a victory party." "Yes, of course," she sighed. "No thought for Rei. Only for himself. Nothing has changed." Just then, Kara came rushing down the hall, wearing her Sailor Mars nightie. "Hi, Grandma," she called in English, leaping up onto the sofa alongside her. "Hi, Kara," Akari said, giving the girl a hug. She had seen Kara in this nightie before when they were in Hawaii. "Are you all ready for bed." The little girl nodded, leaning against her. Rei entered the room, looking at her mother. "Any problems?" she asked softly. Akari shook her head. Atana walked over to Rei and kissed her cheek. "They're certain to find him crazy for the short term," he whispered. Rei nodded, sighing with relief. "That's good to know." Akari smiled as she looked at her daughter and the man Rei loved, while holding her granddaughter. It pleased her to see Rei so happy and with a family of her own. She was grateful to Usagi for calling her back to help protect Rei's happiness. * * * * * * * * * * * * NOTE: Just a reminder; I am exercising creative license with certain aspects of Japanese law relating to marriage and guardianship. More to come. 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/ . 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. -05.21.2004 |