-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 73 - Portents < The girls sat together in Mamoru and Usagi's apartment. "Grandfather is going to let Atana and I get married," Rei announced. "You're serious?" Makoto asked. "Congratulations," Ami said. "Yes," Usagi agreed. "That's wonderful." "See? I told you you were next," Minako declared. "Score another one for the senshi of love." Rei leaned forward. "So now the senshi of love is next in line, Minako-chan." "Sure," Minako agreed. "But probably not anytime soon." "When will it happen, Rei-chan?" Makoto asked. "I don't know yet," Rei said. "Grandfather can't make the arrangements until things slow down after New Year's." "But there's still the problem of whether the marriage will be recognized in Hawaii," Ami pointed out. Rei nodded. "But after my sixteenth birthday that's no longer an issue. Atana already has temporary residency here since he's officially doing consulting and research regarding those artifacts he has on display at the museum. He couldn't do that on just a tourist visa. And once we're married, he said he can apply for extended residency." "That's great," Usagi said. "I'm very happy for you, Rei-chan." "Yes," Minako agreed. "Congratulations." "Thanks," Rei said. "Atana and I are so very happy about it... But we have to thank Mom for it. She was the one who convinced my grandfather." "Your mother?" Makoto asked in amazement. "How did she manage that?" "Well, she didn't really give me the full details," Rei said. "She just told me that he had agreed to it." "So now we do need to begin planning a second party," Minako said with a grin. "But I don't think that was what Usagi-chan called us here for," Ami said. Just then, Geoff, Ryo, and Shinozaki returned from the kitchen with soft drinks and snacks. "Did we miss the girl-talk?" Shinozaki asked. Makoto slapped his hand lightly. "You goof." "Rei-chan just told us her grandfather has agreed to let her marry Atana sometime after New Year's," Ami said. "Hey, that's great," Geoff said. "Congratulations." Ryo nodded as he sat down next to Ami. "Yes. That is wonderful news." "It certainly is," Shinozaki agreed. "I'm sure you'll be even happier than you already are." "Thank you," Rei acknowledged. With the three young men now seated, Usagi leaned forward. "Actually, I wanted to tell you about some options I've found for continuing our educations. I've been looking into this since it is going to be very difficult for me to remain in school while trying to care for the twins." "What did you have in mind?" Ami asked. "Well, we already study together quite a bit, so I was thinking about making this group our school," Usagi said. "This group? What are you talking about?" Makoto asked. "We could continue our classes through a home-school or correspondence program," Usagi said. "Naru-chan has told me that she and Umino-kun will probably be leaving Juuban Junior High at the end of the term to jointly pursue a home-school program." Ami nodded. "That could be great," she said. "There are some really good accelerated programs that would be ideal for Ryo-kun and me." "Exactly," Usagi agreed. "We would each be able to progress at our own pace. There wouldn't be any high school exams. And we can each help each other." "I think it sounds like a really good idea," Ryo said. "Ami-chan and I would love to get out of the junior high programs." "So, we'd all be studying together," Rei said. "Essentially, forming our own school." "Sort of," Ami said. "The school that prepares the program would send us the material, and then we'd send back the completed tests that measure how well we are doing." "But don't we need someone who is legally an adult to teach the material, or at least supervise?" Shinozaki asked. "Hey! What do you think I am?" Geoff asked. "Between Mamoru, Atana, and me, you have three legal adults who could officially supervise... Not that you're really going to need much of that." Minako gave Geoff a hug. "I think it's great." She glanced over at Rei with a sly grin. "Besides, I doubt it will be all that long now before Kara-chan gets that baby sister she says she wants... unless of course it's a boy." Rei grabbed a pillow and flung it at Minako. "Idiot!" Minako just grinned. "I want to remind everyone that I was correct about Rei-chan being the next one of us to get married... So, just remember, you heard it here first. Anyone want to start a baby pool?" Ryo cleared his throat, then closed his eyes. "Hmmm." He then looked straight at Minako. "Perhaps you've already lost the pool, Minako-chan. I'm not so sure Rei-chan will be next in that regard. And it could be sooner than you think." Minako's eyes widened as the others looked at her. She turned and glanced nervously up at Geoff, recalling her father's conditions for staying with him. Ryo, however, couldn't hold a straight face any longer and started laughing. Minako looked at him in confusion. "I got you," Ryo said, still laughing. "What?!" Minako sputtered. She grabbed for a pillow and threw it at him. "Well done, Ryo-kun," Rei said with a grin. "Very well done." Ami was grinning too as she leaned over and hugged her boyfriend. "I can't believe you did that," Minako protested. Geoff was chuckling as well. "No harm done, honey. It was just a joke... And I'm afraid you did kind of set yourself up for it." Minako turned and glared at him. He leaned closer. "Unless you want to try to make his prediction come true," he said softly in her ear. Minako shook her head. "You know we can't do that for the time being. Daddy said..." Geoff nodded. "I remember that. I was only offering a suggestion." He kissed her cheek. "And I think you need to be giving more immediate thought to Rei-chan's party, than to planning for another baby shower." "Yes, you're right," Minako agreed. Usagi leaned forward. "Before we get too busy planning a party for Rei-chan, I need to know if we're all OK with leaving our current schools at the end of the term to start our own home-school group." The others looked around the table. "I'll have to run this by my parents," Shinozaki said. "But since you've already done such extensive research, Usagi-chan, I really doubt they would object." "Mine too," Ryo said. "I'm sure they'll think it's a very good idea, especially since you're talking about a program that would allow us each to progress at our own pace." "And I know my mother will approve for the same reasons," Ami said. "Well, I have to talk to my parents, too," Minako said. "Hopefully they will go along, since they know how much our study group has helped my grades." Rei was lost in thought. "Rei-chan?" Usagi asked. Rei looked up. "Uhm... well, I guess who I need to ask would depend on whether or not Atana and I are married before the end of the current school year." "Oh, that's right," Usagi agreed. "If you're married then the decision is yours and Atana-san's." Rei nodded. "And if we aren't married yet, then it is my grandfather's decision." "But it is probably still a good idea to discuss it with him, Rei-chan," Ami pointed out. "Of course," Rei agreed. "Besides, I can't believe it could take over three months for your grandfather to have the paperwork prepared to allow you to get married, Rei-chan," Makoto said. "I certainly hope it won't," Rei said. "But if I remember right, my grandfather has to submit enrollment forms for the next year before the current year is finished." "Do you think he would object?" Usagi asked. Rei shook her head. "No. I think he might have reservations... but in the end I'm pretty sure he will agree with it. It's for the best, both for me and for Kara." "This is great," Minako exclaimed. "We'll all be in the same school, and no boring memorization drills." "That's true," Usagi said. "Now that we've all agreed, I thought I would ask Ami-chan and Ryo-kun to help select a course program. It should be best if we are all working from the same general program, and we'll need one that can accommodate them too." Ami looked over at Ryo and nodded. "We'll be glad to help, Usagi-chan." "I can help too, if you would like," Geoff said. "I know Azabu University's education department puts together special courses for some of the cram schools and for correspondence programs. One of their counselors might be able to make some recommendations." "Do you need to wait until classes resume after New Year's, Geoff-san?" Ami asked. Geoff thought for a moment. "I don't think so," he said. "I'm pretty good friends with several students in that department. One of them should be able to tell me which of the counselors are likely to be available." "OK," Ami said. "We just need to decide fairly shortly so we can each let our parents know what the program will be." "I understand," Geoff acknowledged. "Give me a day or two to make some phone calls, and then I can let you know if I have anything to contribute." "That should be fine," Ami said. "Now, let's enjoy some of this food," Shinozaki said, passing a tray around. Usagi leaned back in her chair, feeling tired and as if the energy flowing through her was just somehow not quite right. "Usagi-chan, are you alright?" Ami asked. Usagi smiled and nodded. "Just tired." "You sure?" Rei asked. As she looked closely, she could sense something unusual about her magic. "There is something... different." Ami opened her computer and ran a scan. "Ami-chan, that's not necessary," Usagi protested. Ami studied the readings. "Are you doing something different with the ginzuishou?" "No," Usagi said, shaking her head. "Mamo-chan asked me the same thing yesterday, but I'm not." "Well, usually I can see just a slight trace of additional energy, and its very steady," Ami said, adjusting her scanner for additional information. "But these readings are all over the place, and are flickering quite significantly." "I'm sure it's just another side effect of being pregnant," Usagi quipped. "Maybe you should try it." "I'll consider it," Ami replied, glancing over at Ryo with a grin. "But this is a pretty significant change in a fairly short time, and if it was pregnancy-related I think I'd be seeing more than fluctuations in energy from your crystal." "Well, Mother assured me the crystal will not harm me or the babies, so I'm not too concerned about it," Usagi said. "If you say so," Ami said, shaking her head. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- -
Artemis walked down the hall to the bedroom that had been set aside for Luna, having left the others before Ami's questions to Usagi. "Did you hear Rei's news?" The black cat, curled up on a pillow on the floor, opened one eye. "No," she answered. "Her grandfather is going to consent to her marrying Atana." Luna opened both eyes in shock, then shook her head. "Has everyone gone crazy? These girls have far more important things to be worrying about." "Oh, come now, Luna," Artemis replied, slightly exasperated. "They're trying to preserve as normal lives as possible." "But they're too young for such things," Luna declared. "They've been forced to grow up fast," Artemis said. "And guess what. You and I share a major portion of the blame for that." "For making them realize they were Sailor Senshi with an important responsibility to assume, I will accept responsibility," Luna said. "But not the rest of it. I didn't teach them anything like that." The white cat shook his head. "Oh, right. If they'd listened only to you, they would behave like nuns." "That would be a distinct improvement," Luna interjected sourly. "And the Dark Kingdom would have won," Artemis declared. "Queen Serenity herself meant for them to come together." Luna snorted and turned away from him. "Remember the prophecy that was only fulfilled by Usagi becoming pregnant?" Artemis pressed. "Remember that the girls have been sharing energy, as well as emotional support, with their respective soul-mates? And do you remember that Atana, Geoff, and Ryo each provided invaluable material assistance during the final assault on the Dark Kingdom? Do you?" Luna huffed. "That may be so, but it is entirely beside the point." "And just how do you figure that?" he demanded. "It has nothing whatsoever to do with giving such young girls permission to engage in this sort of behavior." "Luna! You are ridiculously prudish, you know," Artemis said. "Do you remember the past? Princess Serenity was fifteen when her engagement to Prince Endymion was announced. Princess Rei of Mars was sixteen when she had Kara." "What is your point?" Luna challenged, sounding seriously annoyed. "Simple. History is entirely against you, Luna," he answered testily. "You want to live a life of complete celibacy and emotional detachment? Fine. But you have no right to impose those values on them." "My job is to teach them..." "How to be Sailor Senshi!" Artemis interrupted. "How to make use of their powers. How to fight. How to defeat the Dark Kingdom. Nothing more. Certainly not to be nuns of the order of the virgin Luna." "Now you're just being vulgar!" she declared. "And I still maintain that if you had been successful, we would have lost," he said. "Last time around, Serenity and Endymion thwarted the prophecy unknowingly. You would have thwarted it this time because of your own ridiculous prejudice. I think we were just incredibly lucky that Queen Serenity understood human nature far better than you do, Luna." "Well!" she sputtered indignantly. "If you think so little of me, why do you stick around?" "Because I have a duty to those girls, and to their young men," he answered. "And because I have complete trust in Queen Serenity's judgment. You've done a good job at teaching the other girls, and there is no way Queen Serenity would have selected you for this job if you were as closed minded as you sometimes appear to be." He jumped up to one of the top levels of Luna's 'Kitty Kastle', laying down with his back turned to her. Luna glared at him for a long moment, then also turned away from him. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Ami and Ryo walked away from Usagi and Mamoru's building. "So... were you trying to drop a hint?" he asked. "Saying 'I'll consider it'?" Ami grinned. "You've already told me you see it in our future." He nodded. "For all of you. But since we've all stopped aging, it's hard to tell just when. So far, I've only seen images of you and each of the other girls individually. I don't have any sort of reference information as to time." She held his arm as they walked. "Would you object if it was sooner rather than later?" "I... don't know," he said quietly. "I guess not." He looked into her eyes for a moment. "But I think your mother and my parents might not be entirely pleased." "True," she admitted. "And your mother had an unplanned pregnancy," he added. She nodded. "But ours wouldn't be unplanned." "I don't think that would make her feel any better about it," he said. "Probably not," she agreed. "But you and I both want to be doctors." "Right." "That means our studies are going to take up much more time in the future," she said. "Usagi-chan is making similar plans to what my mother did, and it has occurred to me that this might be a favorable window of opportunity for us too, but only if we decided we were both ready." "And if not?" he asked. "Then we wait," she said. "Even if it means one or both of us have to adjust our plans." He nodded. "That sounds like part of being married." "Very true," she agreed. She looked over at him with a grin. "Now are you suggesting something?" "Maybe," he replied. "But I was really just making the observation." "I understand," she said. "So, have you decided what you want yet?" he asked. "No... Not yet," she answered. "I'm still considering it. How about you?" He was silent for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess I'm considering it... because you are... but I guess I need more time to think about it." "Me too," she agreed. "I mean... we're both young," he said. "I know." "Geoff-san and Atana-san are at least both legally of age," he added. "And Mamoru-san very soon will be." She nodded. "But age isn't the only issue in the decision." "I know," he said. "There is also the question of accepting that responsibility. Once we take that step, it's for good." "Yes, it is," she agreed. "For better or for worse." He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. "But from my perspective, being with you is definitely for the better." "Mine too," she said. "So very much better." He nodded. "But we can both afford to slow down a bit on our studies, you know," she said. "Whatever we decide." "I guess so," he agreed. "With Usagi-chan's plan, we'd be much more free to set our own pace." She nodded. "But in setting our own pace, we could also go a little slower. I mean, do we really both want to earn our medical degrees by the time we're twenty?" "And then years as interns," he said. "Assuming we can find intern positions at that age," she reminded him. "But now that I have good friends, and a young man whom I love more than anything, it just no longer seems like studying is the only thing in my life." "Yes, I know what you mean," he said softly. "Even if we decide it isn't the right time to start a family, we still could find other things to do," she said. "I agree," he replied. They continued to walk along the street. "I didn't mention anything about it back there," Ryo said. "But I'm not sure Rei-chan will be the next one to get married." "Who then?" Ami asked. "I don't have a strong feeling on it yet, which probably means not everything that needs to happen has happened," he said. "But I'm getting flashes of Minako-chan and Geoff-san." "How could that be?" Ami asked. "Minako-chan's parents aren't going to agree to that, which makes it impossible." "I know," he said. "And since my feeling on it is still pretty weak, I didn't say anything about it, but that is what I've been seeing." She nodded. "Well, I think you made the right call not to tell her yet." She fell silent as they walked. "Do you have any feelings about Usagi's crystal?" He shook his head. "Nothing that makes any sense. Just a very confusing jumble." "Yes," she said softly. "The readings from my scan didn't make any sense either." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Atana walked along a hallway of Yokohama Central University, with one of the professors at his side. "Thank you again for speaking to my class, Magi-san," Professor Hidori said. "The mystery involved in those artifacts of yours is most helpful in capturing the attention of some of our undergraduate students who still think of archeology just as long, laborious digs to obtain obscure fragments..." Atana nodded. "And then there are those who only think of Indiana Jones, Hidori-sensei." Professor Hidori rolled his eyes and sighed. "Yes. That's all too true." Atana smiled. "But I had a colleague from the University of Honolulu who was involved in a dig in Central America. They were being pursued by treasure hunters. He told me they spent that night packing up everything they could carry. They then spent three days cutting their way through the jungle until they could reach an army camp, and have the artifacts airlifted back to the national museum." "Well, I am very glad his party was able to get the artifacts there," Hidori said. "I too have heard such stories. Usually not with such pleasant endings, I'm afraid." "I must say, I was a bit surprised to find classes still in session," Atana said. "I was under the impression that all schools and universities would be on holiday break by now." Hidori nodded. "Most are, but we follow a slightly different schedule. Our break starts in just a few days." They turned a corner, finding another man waiting for them. "Greetings, Hidori-sensei." "Ah, Kanno-sensei," Hidori greeted him. "This is my associate, Kanno Yuji. Kanno, this is Atana Magi from Hawaii, the owner of those very interesting masks." Kanno bowed. "A pleasure to meet you, Magi-san," Kanno said. "I've been studying the photos of your masks." "A pleasure for me, Kanno-sensei," Atana said. "Did they lead you to any conclusions?" "Nothing definite," Kanno said, shaking his head. "I would very tentatively theorize a pre-historic and thus far unrecorded migration to the islands predating the arrival of the Polynesians. Since there is no trace of any significant non-Polynesian settlement before the arrival of Europeans, I would suppose these early migrants either died out or did not stay." Atana nodded. "Sounds reasonable." "But I would need considerably more information even to develop a credible working hypothesis," Kanno added. "All we can say with certainty at this moment is that somebody, at some time apparently prior to the arrival of the Polynesians, dropped off those masks of yours." "But while you're here, Magi-san," Hidori said. "Perhaps you would care to have a look at another mystery we've been trying to unravel." "As long as I wouldn't be intruding," Atana replied. "Oh, not at all," said Hidori with a wave of his hand. "It's just one of those real puzzlers, not a matter of national security." Atana nodded. "Something from here in Japan?" "No. This is European, actually. From the University of Strasbourg, where this particular item was recently discovered," Hidori said. "But it is most unusual." Kanno opened a door, leading them into an office. A number of enlarged photographs sat on the desk, along with a series of reports. He picked up several photos and handed them to Atana. Atana's eyes widened at the first glance. He studied the photos closely. He was looking at a Roman eagle, complete with the base inscribed with the letters SPQR, but fashioned of crystal rather than metal. A photo showing a full view of the eagle included two rulers to show scale, indicating the eagle was over a meter and a half from wingtip to wingtip, and about a meter from the base to the top of the head. "I beg your pardon, Magi-san," Kanno said, looking at him quizzically. "But you appear to recognize it?" "What?... Oh... No. No, I've never seen anything like it before," he said. "But this appears to be made of some type of crystal. I thought Roman eagles were generally made of metal." "Yes. They usually were," Hidori said. He picked up a large magnifying glass from the desk, along with a photo showing a close-up view of the base. "There is an inscription here. In Latin, of course." " 'Lucius Quintus Tertinnian'," Atana read. The name was followed by a symbol that stirred another memory. " 'In the year twelve of Augustus Caesar Imperator'." "We presume 'Lucius Quintus Tertinnian' was the craftsman who made this, in the year 15 BCE, the twelfth year of the reign of Augustus," Kanno said. "But that symbol is a mystery." "Yes," Hidori agreed, looking mystified. "The theory is that it is some sort of guild symbol, but I've never seen anything like it. The researchers in Strasbourg are mystified too. They've researched all known Roman era symbols, but found no match." Atana shook his head too, trying to look just as puzzled as the others. He knew full well that the symbol belonged to the Roman Guild of Magic, to which all wizards in the Roman Empire belonged, but there was no way he could tell them that. This particular symbol indicated a non-military master adept of the tenth circle. If he remembered correctly, his own rating had been equivalent to only the Roman sixth circle. This Lucius Quintus Tertinnian was plainly a wizard of very advanced ability, suggesting that this crystalline eagle was something very special. As he looked at the various pictures, more memories stirred. He was beginning to have an idea as to what this might be, but having never actually seen one in the past, he couldn't be certain without having the actual eagle to examine. "Very unusual," he finally said. "But what brings you to be studying this?" Kanno smiled. "Well, Magi-san, I think you will agree that finding a Roman artifact in the vicinity of Strasbourg dating to the early years of the reign of Augustus is not particularly unusual." "True," Atana said. "But what would you say to finding an almost identical artifact here in Tokyo?" Kanno asked. "Is that what you are saying?" Atana asked, surprised. Kanno nodded, opening a door at the back of the office. This door led to a larger room. An object sat on a table at the center of the room, covered in a heavy tarp. Stepping into the room, Atana could sense clear traces of magic. Hidori and Kanno pulled back the tarp, revealing an eagle virtually identical to the one in the photographs. "You say this was found here in Tokyo?" Atana asked. "That's correct," Kanno said. "It was found on the grounds of a small Buddhist temple. A new water line had to be installed. Given the sensitivity of the area, they had to hand-dig a portion of the trench." "That was most fortunate," Hidori added. "A mechanical excavator would almost certainly have broken this up." "But the inscription is the most interesting thing," Kanno said. Atana leaned closer, finding the inscription at the base. " 'Marcus Iulianus Valerius' followed by a similar symbol." This symbol indicated a master adept in military service of the eighth circle. " 'In the year seven of Imperator Laurentius, Augustus Caesar Occidens.' " He studied the name. "Emperor Lawrence?" "There never was a western emperor named Laurentius," Hidori said. Atana nodded, unable to tell them they were wrong. As far as the history books recorded, the Western Roman Empire had fallen centuries before this emperor. "And there is no other dating. Only the year seven of Imperator Laurentius," Kanno said. "So there is no way to determine a timeframe for this." Atana pulled a small camera from his jacket pocket and took several pictures. As he took his pictures, he thought hard about how to react to this. "What do you make of it?" Kanno asked. "Hmm? Oh... Ah, probably the same as you do," Atana replied. "Really?" Kanno asked. "Of course," Atana said. "It seems obvious. Based on what we know, we can say the Strasbourg eagle is probably authentic, even if we can't begin to guess what it was for. We can say with certainty that it was found in a place that had been under Roman rule at the time it was supposed to have been created, and the inscription offers valid dating information." "True," Hidori agreed. "But the Tokyo eagle's inscription does not offer valid dating information." "Yes. And that would suggest it has to be fraudulent," Atana said. "As you said, there never was a western emperor, 'Augustus Caesar Occidens', named Laurentius." "So, that leaves the question of how it got here," Kanno said. "Your speculation would probably be better informed than mine," Atana replied. "You know Japanese history better than I do." "You think someone in Japan forged this?" Kanno asked, surprised. "No, of course not," Atana said. "What motive would there be in that? No, a Japanese forger would want to produce something that would be of immediate and practical value here in Japan. Something like, perhaps, a commission from a Japanese emperor or from the person exercising the civil rule." "That leaves a foreign source," Hidori said, rubbing his chin. "The priests of that temple are certain the object had to have been hidden there for at least three hundred years, and possibly longer. That means late 1600s or earlier." "And as I remember, that dating leaves open the possibility of this eagle being European in origin," Atana said. "Yes," Hidori agreed. "European contact was certainly well-established by that time." Atana nodded. "I hope I am not making a gross error, but I would assume Japanese authorities at the time of the early visits of European explorers would not have known the names of individual Roman emperors." "That is probably true," Hidori confirmed. "A forgery like this could not have fooled anyone in Europe who would have understood the value of an authentic original," Atana said. "Any European noble would have known there was no emperor named Laurentius. But traders could offer it as a gift on the other side of the world, knowing that if it ever did find its way back, it would never be taken seriously." Hidori nodded with a smile. "Yes. I had assumed that this one must be a forgery. Your theory of early European traders presenting a particularly large 'shiny bauble' to an 'ignorant savage,' as they no doubt saw us, does seem to fit perfectly." "Was this something of importance to the Buddhist temple?" Atana asked. "No," Hidori replied, shaking his head. "They didn't even know it was there, and since it is not a Buddhist symbol, they had no desire to retain it." "So, an historical curiosity. Nothing more," Atana said. "Most likely," Kanno agreed. "But we must thank you for sharing your time with us, Atana-san." "It was a pleasure, Kanno-sensei," Atana replied. "I am honored to have been allowed to see this puzzle of yours." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Atana moved through the crowd at the station and on to the platform where the train back to Tokyo waited. Ahead of him were a pair of teenagers, perhaps a year or two older than Rei and her friends. The girl had shoulder-length dark hair, which seemed to have an aquamarine tint to it; she wore a blue-green dress with a darker green jacket over it. Accompanying her was a tall, rather thin boy with short, somewhat wavy blond hair, dressed in khaki slacks, a white button-down shirt, and a brown sport coat. As they reached the train, a heavy-set man with dark features and a completely bald head bulled past them. The girl gasped as she was knocked off her feet. As she spun around, the boy quickly caught her arm, while Atana suddenly found a violin case hurtling at him. Blessed with quick reflexes, he easily caught it. The boy, seeing that his companion was safe, leapt after the man with surprising speed, quickly seizing his arm. The man tried to strike the boy, clearly not regarding the boy to be a serious threat, but suddenly found himself jammed against the side of the train car, his wrist twisted painfully and pressed into his shoulder blade. Observing the scene, Atana quickly recognized that the boy was using finesse, not brute force as he was trying to make it appear. The twisting of the man's arm was overkill, clearly indicating the boy's anger at his girlfriend being mistreated, but it was not necessary. The nerve point the boy had targeted had certainly left the man's entire arm numb. "Perhaps this will teach you some manners," the boy growled, releasing the man's wrist, but delivering an edge handed blow just above the man's kidney that dropped him to the platform in blinding pain. Atana moved closer to the girl. "I believe this is yours," he said, holding out the violin case. "I hope he didn't damage it." She smiled. "Thank you." She quickly opened the case. "It's fine. Thank you." "It seems your boyfriend took care of him," Atana added. The girl glanced over at the boy with obvious caring. "Not my boyfriend... but yes, you do seem to be right." "Are you alright?" the boy asked. "Oh, yes," she said. "This man caught my violin." "Thank you for your assistance," the boy said. Atana nodded. "It was my pleasure. I see you made short work of that brute." A faint smile flickered across the boy's lips. "I cannot abide such behavior." As the boy spoke, Atana noticed his throat, which lacked the more prominent larynx protrusion common in men. This gave him something of a feminine appearance, but could be entirely normal since his voice was in a high tenor range, while his speech and personal carriage were unquestionably masculine. "Uhm, yes. And especially when directed at someone you care for." The boy simply nodded. "Well, a safe trip to you both," Atana said. "And to you," the girl replied. The boy and the girl stepped into the train car just ahead of him. As they turned, the boy's shirt pulled taut for just a moment, confirming for just that brief instant that this was not a boy. Atana made no comment on it, since it was certainly no concern of his. The two girls, as was now clearly the case, found a pair of seats, and the blond girl removed her jacket, showing that she was not in any way trying to conceal her gender. Atana moved further along the aisle to find a seat of his own. Sitting down, he reached for his cell phone. He needed to meet with the other guys about what he had learned at the university. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Mamoru, Atana, Ryo, and Shinozaki sat with Atana in the living room of his apartment. "A Roman emperor who never existed?" Geoff asked. "At least as far as the history books tell us," Atana confirmed. "It's something I've never understood," Ryo said. "How did history change so completely? I mean, history has been rewritten even long before the time of the Dark Kingdom's first attack." Atana nodded. "As far as I can tell, Queen Serenity tried to erase as much of the evidence of the Dark Kingdom as possible by making everyone left on Earth believe that magic was just a myth. Now, she wasn't completely successful. There are still those who practice genuine magic, but they keep a very low profile, and most do everything possible to let the general population go on thinking they don't exist." "So the tremendous death toll from the Dark Kingdom invasion is remembered instead as a more gradual reduction in population during the Dark Ages," Mamoru said quietly. He had been struggling with a vague sense of unease ever since Atana mentioned the eagle, but he was unable to sort it out. "OK, but what accounts for such a drastic change in history?" Ryo asked. "You said both parts of the Roman Empire continued to thrive right up until the Dark Kingdom attack, but instead we remember the Western Empire collapsing in 476 CE with the deposition of the usurper emperor, Romulus Augustulus. And then there is Atlantis, which completely vanishes, except for its name which has become confused with Plato's story that probably refers to the eruption of what is now the island of Santorini." "The change is that the world we now remember is how it might have been without magic," Atana said. "Imagine how different today's world would look if you suddenly erased the electronics revolution and didn't substitute alternative advances in its place. The most advanced nations, which use computers and other electronics for almost everything, would be the hardest hit, but nearly all civilization would be thrown into chaos. That's what happened when Queen Serenity, essentially, 'took away' magic, and didn't replace it with anything. By the time of the Dark Kingdom attack, Atlantis was a civilization almost completely dependent on magic, and Rome from the time of Augustus had followed a very similar path. In the actual history, Rome defeated the Germanic rebellions and extended its border from the Rhine to the Elbe, with Germania becoming the new heartland of the Western Empire, but it did that based on the power of the wizards who served in the legions and the advanced, magic-based weapons carried by their troops. And then, sometime in the fourth century, there was very nearly a world war, which probably would have been almost as bad as major nuclear war in our time; as I recall, a tyrant bent on conquest intended to unleash waves of dark magic to destroy everyone opposed to him. The threat united the rest of the world powers to stop it, and terrified of what had almost happened, they all agreed to turn the World Confederation from just a purely nominal entity into a real international arbitrator. From that point, nations and tribes virtually abandoned war, since the cost was just too high. Erase all magic from history and you do away with all that. Without magic, there was no World Confederation, let alone the threat of a great war that forced the world to turn to more peaceful pursuits. You also do away with the wizard who commanded the Roman legions during the Germanic rebellions and was tremendously successful in winning over many of the village-dwellers. In his place, you get a political hack who heedlessly marched three legions into a devastating ambush. The loss of magic does away with nearly all of the military and civil advances in the Roman empire over the next several centuries, which explains why in the history books Rome fell into stagnation and decay." "But Rome, or any other nation, should have evolved in different directions," Geoff observed. "Yes, they should have," Atana agreed. "I can only guess that was a limitation of Queen Serenity's magic. It didn't introduce anything that wasn't already there; it didn't replace centuries of magic development with an alternative path of cultural evolution. The Eastern Empire was more diverse than the Western, and, with the loss of Germania, had a larger population, so there were more ready options there after magic was taken out of the picture. Also, with the lack of Roman military power in central Europe, and stable states in eastern Europe allied to the Empire, and with warfare and conquest continuing unabated, the 'barbarian' tribes had little if anything to stop them sweeping into Gaul and the rest of the Western Empire. The Eastern Empire didn't face a truly severe military threat until some time later." "But what is this eagle figure you found?" Shinozaki asked. "I think it was part of the Roman magic grid," Atana said. "Rome had magic collectors placed at nearly all the significant magic points around the empire. This allowed them to bring all that energy to bear at any point where they needed it. That certainly explains the one that was found in Strasbourg, but not the one here in Tokyo. That just doesn't make any sense." "Could it have anything to do with Beryl's invasion of Earth?" Ryo asked. The others looked around the room at each other, shrugging. Mamoru looked at Atana. "Do you remember anything about the invasion and the fall of Earth?" Atana frowned. "Now that you mention it... No. I don't." "I don't either," Mamoru said. "Just some of the events after we evacuated to the Moon, but nothing of the fighting on Earth." He shook his head. "I wasn't sure if your memory was still intact, since you weren't reincarnated." "Afraid not," Atana said quietly. "That means if Ryo is right, we may never know," Geoff said. "But why?" Ryo asked. "It could be too traumatic," Shinozaki said softly. "Too traumatic?" Geoff asked. Shinozaki nodded. "My grandfather's brother was in Nagasaki... when the Americans dropped the bomb... He survived, but I've been told that for the rest of his life, he couldn't remember the attack, nor anything about a week before or after it." "That could be," Atana agreed, though sounding a bit doubtful. "But your past self was a native of Jupiter. There's no reason to think he was even on Earth during the invasion." "So what's the alternative?" Geoff wondered. "Perhaps Queen Serenity didn't want us to remember," Mamoru suggested. "So we're back to saying we may never know," Geoff said. "I still think trauma is a possibility," Shinozaki said. "I mean, each of us would have known we were going to die and that there was nothing we could do about it. We all would have had to watch family and friends die. Atana, you had to leave Rei to save Kara. I don't know if I was on the Moon at the end or on Jupiter, but in either case, I might not have had the chance to see Makoto-chan at the end. If I could remember that, I think I'd be having nightmares every night." The others nodded thoughtfully. "That's certainly possible," Atana conceded. "But it appears that all the memories we have recovered relate directly or indirectly to things we each needed to know to assist in the campaign against the Dark Kingdom. That's what leads me to believe Queen Serenity orchestrated this as well." "What about the Roman eagle?" Ryo asked. "Is this something we need to be concerned about?" "Maybe we should tell Artemis about it," Geoff suggested. Atana shook his head. "I don't think Artemis would know all that much about this," he said. "In that time, he probably knew that the Roman magic grid existed, but not much as to the specifics." "So, what about the eagle," Ryo asked again. "It's in a store room at Yokohama Central University," Atana said. "I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting we try to steal it." He looked around the room. "As for the eagle, it's just an energy collector. The Roman magic grid doesn't exist anymore, so there's no network for it to transmit to. It's as useful as a cell phone in a place where there is no cellular network. So, I don't see any reason why it would be a threat." "But if this collector has survived, why not others?" Mamoru asked. "That's a very good point," Ryo agreed. "In fact, if the collectors were spread worldwide, that could explain why Queen Serenity's magic failed to completely erase all traces of magic. Feedback from the grid might have canceled out some of that magic." "Entirely possible," Atana agreed. "So, if there is more than one, the collectors could be put to use again," Mamoru said. "And we know Artemis and Luna have made it a priority to find loose magic artifacts." Atana nodded. "We do know there is more than one. Their study of this one is based on a nearly identical find in Strasbourg, but that is a location where one would expect to find Roman artifacts." He thought for a moment. "I can certainly help with the search... but if we're looking worldwide, that's a whole lot of ground to cover. For that big a search, we'd need help." "Well, Artemis and Luna have been coordinating that search so far," Shinozaki pointed out. "So it seems only right that we should let them know what we've found." "I agree," Atana said. "You said we'd need help for a worldwide search," Geoff observed. "Is there anyone we could actually call? I thought the Senshi were it." "For dealing with Beryl and Metallia, yes," Atana confirmed. "But as I said, there is a surviving wizard community in this era. They have a global organization to protect their secrecy and enforce their rules." "You have contacts with that organization?" Geoff asked. Atana shook his head. "No. But I do know another wizard in Hawaii who is native to this era. He can put me in touch if I need it... In fact, now that I've regained my memories, I really should register myself with them since that is one of the requirements." "That could be useful for the Senshi as well," Mamoru commented. "If future threats were to appear, they would probably be things that Luna and Artemis aren't prepared for in the way they were prepared for the Dark Kingdom. Having access to specialized information would be a good idea." "I'll mention it to Artemis and Luna," Atana said, nodding. "But probably after the holidays... unless they think we need to start an immediate search for these collectors. We all have enough other things going on right now." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Shinozaki hung up the phone. He was sitting on the couch in the apartment he now shared with Makoto, wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt. "Well, my parents seem positive about the idea of switching to Usagi's school plan. They just want to know when we've selected a specific program." "That's good," Makoto answered from their bedroom. "But I see your conversation with them worked very nicely to get you out of helping with clean-up." "Maybe I can make it up to you," he suggested. "Funny. I was thinking the same thing," she said, emerging from the bedroom. Her hair was down and she was wearing only a very small, sheer, pale green nightie. He sat up, his body immediately responding to the sight of his very sexy girlfriend. "Oh, wow!" he whispered. "You look gorgeous." She smiled at him as she moved closer. "You're sweet, darling." She crouched down and kissed him. "And you're also decidedly overdressed." She grasped the waist of his pants and began pulling them down. He didn't resist in the slightest, letting her pull his pants off. He then pulled off his shirt. "That's much better," she said softly, laying down over him and pressing her lips to his. As their tongues began to dance slowly and sensuously together, he slid his hands along the backs of her thighs, quickly grasping the soft, bare flesh of her bottom. She moaned softly into their ongoing kiss. He was her best friend, her lover, and her soul-mate. Never had she been happier. She knew there was more to love than just sex, but there were times - quite frequently, she had to admit - when they both needed that indescribable joy of joining themselves as one. In those moments, it almost seemed like they were trying to make up for a thousand years a separation by melding their bodies, as well as their souls, into one. Shinozaki began working her nightie up higher, now finding her to be overdressed. With a sigh, Makoto broke their kiss. She sat up and pulled off her nightie. "That's much better too," he said softly, his hands going gently and tenderly over her bare breasts. She smiled at him. "Oh, gods. I love you so much." "I love you, Mako-chan." She lifted herself up until she felt his swollen tip rubbing against the lips of her opening. Grinning at him, she let his tip just begin to spread her lips open. "Oh, Mako-chan," he groaned. She teased him for a moment by just holding there, but her own yearning all too quickly overwhelmed her and she thrust down on his shaft, gasping in delight as it plunged so deep inside her. Nothing at all felt so good as this. "Oh, yes," he whispered, once more physically conjoined with the girl he loved more than anything. Her insides were squeezing his penis tightly as she began to move. "Oh, Mako-chan... You're... so beautiful." "And all yours," she sighed happily, thrilling to the feel of his large, warm, throbbing mass within her. Leaning down, she kissed his lips. "I want... to be yours... forever." "That's... what I want... too," he gasped in reply. "I want to be... all yours." She moved faster and harder, even as he moved with her. It was the perfect joining of two into one, giving physical expression to their love. That was what elevated their act from plain sex to something truly magical. He groaned softly as their glorious love-making went on. She was the only girl in the universe for him, and had been over the course of two lifetimes. They were equal halves of a single, much greater whole, so of course right here was the only place he truly belonged. She kissed him again. Their passion was like a symphony, sweeping inexorably toward its grand finale. She could feel his shaft quivering within her, now so familiar with his body that she could recognize the signs as well as her own. She too was fast soaring toward her peak. "Oh, yes," she gasped. He struggled to keep moving with her as his body began to seize up. Pushing harder, he knew he had to bring her to her own release too. She felt his penis swelling within her, seeming to push still deeper. Just then, she was consumed in glorious climax. Her head rolled back and she cried out in purest ecstasy. The power of her orgasm carried him away too, even as he abandoned his struggles to hold himself back. A powerful, unstoppable surge swept the length of his throbbing manhood, propelling streams of his seed into her depths. "Mako-chan," he gasped. With a sigh of pure contentment, she settled down over him and kissed his lips. "Oh, wow! I just never get tired of that." "Neither do I," he said softly, running a hand through her hair. "But I'm sure it's because I'm in love with the most wonderful girl." She smiled. "And I'm in love with the most wonderful boy." "As long as you think so, that's all that matters to me," he said. She kissed him again. "I definitely think so." "Maybe we should go to bed," he suggested. "I don't know," she replied with a grin. "I'm quite comfortable where I am." "I'm sure you are, Mako-chan." After several minutes, she finally eased herself off his now fully softened penis and rose to her feet. He stood up and embraced her. "I love you," he whispered. "I love you," she sighed, enjoying the feel of bare flesh on bare flesh. Hand in hand, the two naked teens switched off the light and walked back to their bedroom. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Ami and Ryo were walking back to her house after having dinner with his parents. "Meeting your grandmother was certainly a pleasure," Ami said. "She's quite a woman." He nodded. "Yes, she is. I just had no idea she was going to be there." He smiled. "But she told me she really likes you." "That's nice to know," Ami said. "She was very impressed with our home-study plans, and thinks it shows real maturity," he said. "And even more importantly, your parents were certainly very positive about it," Ami said. He nodded. "I was pretty sure they would be. It certainly is time for both of us to abandon the regular school curriculum." "True," she agreed. "Besides, they know how happy I am now," he said, gently squeezing her hand. "I'm so happy too," she sighed, smiling at him. "Your mother said she's very happy for us. So did your grandmother." He smiled. "Dad's very happy for both of us too," he said. She looked over at him as they walked. "You know, I had a few minutes alone with you grandmother and I really felt like she was welcoming me as a part of the family." Stopping beneath a tree, he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Ami slid her arms around his neck, sighing happily. Ryo smiled at her. "You truly are a genius, as well as so incredibly beautiful." She kissed him in return. "So, she approves of your taste in women." He nodded. "Definitely. So much so, she gave me something she had always planned to leave for me. Apparently, she decided I was ready for it now." "Really?" she asked. "Yes. I think you were the one who convinced her," he said. "Me?" He nodded again. "It's something that concerns you." "It does?" she asked, feeling her heart beginning to pound. "Only you," he said. "It couldn't concern anyone else but you." Before she could respond, he pressed his lips to hers and slid his tongue into her mouth. She moaned softly into the kiss as her body was rapidly heating up for him. "I love you so much," he whispered. "I love you," she sighed. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small leather-clad box. Ami felt her breath catch. "This is an heirloom of sorts," he said. "It's supposed to stay in the family... My grandmother said she wanted me to have it and give it to someone who would be family. And she was certain you were that someone." She found herself blinking away tears. "I know we talked about waiting to decide, but I can't bear to wait any longer. And after what we were discussing earlier, I thought you would agree to not waiting either," Ryo said. "I know... and now my parents and my grandmother know... that you and I are made only for each other." He opened the box, revealing a diamond engagement ring, clearly very old, but in pristine condition. "Mizuno Ami, will you be my wife?" "Oh, yes!" she cried, hugging him tightly as tears of joy streamed from her eyes. "Yes, you wonderful boy!" She felt him taking her hand and slipping the ring on her finger. "Oh, Ryo," she cried softly. He pulled her into his embrace and kissed her, his heart pounding with joy. "Ami, you make me so happy." "Just as happy as you make me," she said. She pressed her lips to his and slid her tongue into his mouth. Now it was official. She wasn't just his girlfriend. She was his fiancee, which of course meant that one day she would be his wife. That was what she wanted more than anything. Whatever she did in life, she wanted to do with him. He sighed as their kiss went on and on. It was so wonderful. They were family now, and he was going to spend the rest of his life with her. They were made to be together. Their chance for happiness had been stolen in their past life, but not this time. At the same time, his body was yearning desperately for a different kind of joining. "Oh, Ami," he groaned. "Oh, yes," she sighed. They hurried along the street to her house, quickly letting themselves in. With the door closed, they removed their shoes and their jackets. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her again, while beginning to unzip her dress. "You said your mother wouldn't be back until tomorrow, right?" She nodded as he slipped her dress off her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. "That's right. She took several days off with Toshiro." "Maybe he had the same idea I did," he suggested. "Could be. I'd be very happy for Mom." Ami unfastened his belt and his pants, reaching into his shorts to take hold of his swollen penis. He groaned softly. She pulled down his pants, helping him step out of them, then pulled down his boxers, exposing his fully erect penis. Her own body was tingling with anticipation and her insides were growing still hotter and wetter. She pulled off his socks, then stood back up and began lifting his shirt. "But right now, I'm more interested in having some fun with the boy I love." "I do like that idea," he said softly, tossing his shirt away. Slipping his arms around her, he unclasped her bra and slipped it off, then slid down her panties. She sighed happily at once more being completely naked with him, except for her special necklace. He made her so indescribably happy. He grinned as his eyes swept lovingly over her. "Uhm, you know... we really should go up to our room," she said breathlessly. He nodded, reaching down to help gather up their discarded clothes. They rushed up the stairs to their room, tossing their clothes aside. She unclasped her necklace and set it aside. Ryo swept his hands over her back and her bottom, thrilling to the knowledge that she was now his fiancee. She was everything to him, and always had been. Ami pulled him toward the bed. "I love you," she whispered. "I love you," he sighed. She slipped into bed, smiling with delight as he climbed into bed with her. His hand slid gently down over her abdomen and across her pubic mound, before two fingers parted her nether lips. "Oh, yes," she gasped. He kissed her lips, while stroking her channel with two fingers. "Oh, Ryo," she gasped. "Oh, yes... Oh!... Oh, gods!" Her gasps turned into a cry as his thumb brushed her hyper-sensitive jewel. He knew her so perfectly, knowing just where and how to give her pleasure. All too quickly, his determined caress brought her soaring toward unstoppable climax, and she cried out in ecstasy. "You're so beautiful," he whispered, kissing her cheek. "And... I'm going to be your wife," she sighed breathlessly. "That's the best part," he said softly. "Oh, yes," she agreed. He moved over her and lowered himself into position as she embraced him tightly. She sighed as his swollen tip lodged against her nether lips. Grasping the flesh of his bottom, she gently pulled on him. As he slid forward, she could again feel the exquisitely wonderful sensation of his warm mass beginning to spread her open. He kissed his lovely fiancee again, then thrust forward, burying his shaft deep within her. "Oh, yes!" she gasped, clinging to him tightly. The feel of their two bodies being joined as one was something she could never grow tired of. He began to move slowly but firmly. As good as this felt for him, his true pleasure and joy came with caring for her needs. Seeing and hearing her cry out with love and joy was what made him happy. She ran a hand over his back as he moved within her, flooding her with such indescribable joy. Knowing that he put her needs far ahead of his own, she was the one to focus on his needs, but that was only how it should be for a boy and a girl so truly in love. He was everything to her, and they were made to be one, which was why it was only natural that they should be married. Ryo continued to kiss her as he thrust into her. Her cries were growing more breathless as he swept her still higher. Ami's entire body was shaking as his penis moved within her, setting her every nerve on fire. "OOOHHH, YES!!" she cried out, swept away in orgasm. He took a breath, then resumed his motions, knowing she needed still more. As she looked up into his eyes lovingly, she began pushing up through her hips more forcefully to meet his own movements. "Ami," he whispered. "Oh, my love," she sighed. Her insides were squeezing still more tightly on his penis, sapping at his control. "I... love.. you," he gasped. "I love you," she cried, fast soaring to another peak. His entire body was trembling, no longer responding fully to the commands of his passion fogged brain, while his shaft seemed to be swelling within her. She felt it too, pulling on him sharply. Just then, her insides seemed to explode in climax, even as he erupted within her. He groaned as he poured himself into her. It felt so good, and he never wanted to let go of her. "Oh, yes," she sighed, feeling his spreading warmth. "So good." He kissed her lips. "I couldn't agree more," he said softly. She continued to hold him with her arms and legs, thrilling as usual to the feel of his warmth over her and within her. "You make me so happy." "And you make me happy," he said. "Without you, my life had no purpose." She nodded. "I know just what you mean. We need each other to be complete." "So very true..., Mrs. Urawa." She grinned, hugging him still tighter. "My wonderful Mr. Urawa." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Usagi and Mamoru were both jolted awake as her heart was pounding and her energy was fluctuating wildly. As he embraced her, she gasped for breath, feeling like a heavy weight was pressing on her lungs. 'Mamo-chan,' she gasped through their link. 'Usako,' he whispered in reply, trying to open his mind to her and calm her thoughts. Finally able to draw a decent breath and to focus her concentration, she shut down the trickle of energy she usually drew from the ginzuishou. In just a few minutes, her heartbeat was back to normal. 'Oh, gods,' she exclaimed. 'I don't want to go through that again.' 'Neither do I, my princess,' he agreed, still embracing her. "I don't want to experience something like that myself, but even more I don't want you to." 'I guess you and the others were right. There is something wrong.' 'We'll figure this out together,' he said. She nodded, shifting position to rest her head on his shoulder. 'I love you, Mamo-chan.' 'And I love you.' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - In an apartment in another part of Tokyo, Kaioh Michiru thrashed uneasily in her sleep. Alongside her, Tenoh Haruka burst awake, sensing her lover's agitation. Both fifteen, they had met at the beginning of the school year and had immediately fallen in love, discovering they were true soul-mates. Haruka was the classic tomboy, being both a skilled mechanic and a skilled driver of cars and motorcycles, despite her youth. She also preferred male dress, even defying her school rules to wear a boy's uniform instead of the female uniform. Michiru, on the other hand, was completely refined and feminine. Highly accomplished in the arts, she was a prodigy both as a violinist and as a painter. They complemented each other perfectly. Despite their youth, they had decided to share an apartment and to let their relationship become completely intimate. They had found they shared more than just an affection for each other, but also a very profound obligation. Reaching over, Haruka embraced the other naked girl. "Michiru," she called softly, knowing that her dreams were very often emerging memories of things they needed to learn, or portents of things to come. The green-haired girl blinked, her eyes coming into focus. "Another dream," Haruka said. "We've been having bad omens lately." Michiru nodded. "It's starting," she said. "Not how we originally thought... and much sooner... but it's starting." "I understand," Haruka acknowledged. "This is what we're here for," Michiru said grimly. "Nothing else matters." "I know." "There is a tremendous power out there," Michiru said. "It will soon destroy the world." "Unless we destroy it first," Haruku finished. Michiru looked into her eyes, then nodded. "If you have a shot, but have to hurt me or worse to take it..." Haruka nodded. "Same goes for you," she said. They embraced each other tightly. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - Two black-clad men silently climbed over the wall protecting a secluded estate on the edge of a suburban district in Ibaraki prefecture. One tossed a small burlap sack to the ground, which landed with a soft but distinct thud. The men waited, watching and listening closely. The first gave a hand signal to the second, satisfied that the guard dog was not loose on the grounds. They dropped down off the wall and moved stealthily toward the house. At the side of the house, the men found the junction boxes for the telephone and alarm service, quickly cutting the wires to both. They crossed the veranda to a pair of French doors that opened off the darkened study. In only seconds, they had the latch jimmied and the door opened. The room was dominated by a large wooden desk with a credenza behind it. On the credenza were a number of pictures of the homeowner with other politicians. On the wall behind the desk was a framed scroll denoting membership in the Japanese House of Representatives. Opposite the desk was a painting of the homeowner in traditional samurai garb, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. The first man moved quickly to the desk. He pulled the monitor off the computer's processor case and opened the case. "Hard drive's gone. The police already have it." He pointed to the painting. "Check the safe." He began a hurried search of the desk drawers, finding them already emptied of anything the least bit important. The second man produced a long bladed screwdriver and swept behind one edge of the frame. In only a second, he felt the blade catch the release mechanism and heard a soft click. With the painting now released from its mounts on the wall, he pulled it down, revealing a small safe set in the wall. He produced a small flashlight and examined the safe closely. "Undisturbed." The first man looked up from the desk and nodded. "Open it." He glanced at his watch. "But hurry. It won't take the caretaker long to notice the alarm system has been cut. When he does, he'll call the police by cell phone." The second man pulled out a small amplifier, attaching it to the front of the safe door, and slipping on the attached headphones. As he slowly turned the knob, he could hear the tumblers clearly. He smiled with satisfaction; these cheap safes made his job almost too easy. The last tumbler clicked and he turned the handle to draw back the bolts, then opened the door. Suddenly, an ear-splitting wail shook the house and emergency beacons flashed on. "Damn!" the first man cursed. "That wasn't in the security company's plan! Just take whatever's there!" He retrieved several small cylinders from beneath his jacket. The second man pulled out a ledger book and a small stack of papers, stuffing them into his jacket. The first man set the cylinders under the desk, then turned the dials at the top. "Let's go!" As they rushed out through the door, the cylinders exploded in sheets of flame, which quickly spread to engulf the room. They could hear a dog barking loudly, and the yelling of the caretaker, who they already knew lived in a separate apartment over the garage. Still sprinting toward the wall, they heard the dog being released, scrambling up the wall only seconds before the dog, a huge wolfhound, caught up with them. They jumped down from the wall and hurried to their car, already hearing a police siren in the distance. The first man slipped behind the wheel and started the engine. As his partner jumped in, he slipped the car into gear and pulled away. After about ten minutes, he was confident they were not being followed. "I think we're in the clear." The second man pulled out his flashlight and began to examine the ledger and the papers. "The boss is not going to be pleased," he muttered. "This is worthless." "Damn," the first man cursed. "We raided Hino's house for nothing." - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
- -
- - It was two o'clock in the morning on the psychiatric ward of Tokyo Central Hospital. The elevator door opened and a police office emerged, stopping to talk with the duty nurse and the hospital guard covering the floor. Seeing the arrival of his replacement, the police officer covering the door to Hino Tadamichi's room walked down the hall to join them. Several doors down the hallway in the opposite direction, a man in an orderly's uniform was checking files on a cart. As the officer left Hino's door, he quietly picked up a tray and slipped into the room. Inside the room, he glanced around, seeing Hino unconscious. He moved to the side of Hino's bed, where he pulled a small vile from the tray and attached it to the intravenous tube. At once, Hino's heart began to fibrillate, and the monitor sounded an alarm. Down the hall, an alarm sounded at the nurse's station. The duty nurse glanced at the her computer screen. "512! Crash!" she called. The two police officers, nearly back to Hino's room, number 512, broke into a run, bursting through the door, with two doctors close behind. By now, both officers were sufficiently acquainted with Hino's medical routine to know the man they saw had no business there. The man produced a knife and lunged at one of the officers, then swung his knife at one of the doctors trying to get past him. The second officer pulled a stun-gun from a holster on his belt as the doctors were forced to step back. Two metal leads shot across the room, trailing thin wires. The leads struck the man in the side, his body completing the circuit. At once, his entire body spasmed uncontrollably. The police officer released the trigger on the stun gun, and the man fell to the floor. With the stun leads detached, the first officer applied handcuffs. Seeing the man safely restrained, the doctors rushed to Hino's bedside. "He was tampering with Hino's I.V.," the second officer said. The doctors removed the I.V., and detached the vial, which had not completely emptied. An orderly entered the room. "Stop!" the second officer instructed, moving to block the orderly. "He's legitimate," the first doctor said. "His name's Kaito, and he's assigned to this department. I've known him for four years. The second officer checked the orderly's ID badge, which confirmed what he had just been told. "OK," he said. The first doctor handed the vial to Kaito. "Take this to the lab. I need to know what this is. Someone just tried to poison Hino-san." The orderly nodded and hurried away. < To be continued >
* * * * * * * * * * * * NOTE: More complications as I'm working to draw things together. 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. -12.12.2012 |