"Your Highness."
Usagi jerked upright, brush clattering to the floor, and spun around.
A man was standing in her bedroom.
The man bowed, smiling winsomely. His silver-grey eyes sparkled with charm. "I apologise for startling you, but your...missive did sound rather urgent. Allow me to introduce myself.
"My name is Artemis."
"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHENTAIHELPMAMAPAPAHEN-
TAIINMYROOMHEEEEEELP!"
"I see you weren't kidding about the screaming thing," the unexpected visitor commented idly, his deep, cultured voice laced with dry mirth.
"Of course I wasn't," a softer female voice replied.
Usagi's screaming trailed off as a number of facts penetrated her haze of panic:
- She was not being molested by the strange man who had just appeared in her bedroom.
- There was no sign of her parents coming to her rescue.
- Luna was in the room as well.
- Luna wasn't disembowelling the intruder.
- Luna was talking in front of the intruder.
Quickly taking stock of the situation, she tugged downward on the hem of her (suddenly embarrassingly short) T-shirt and fixed the fair-skinned, white-haired man with a measuring gaze. "You must be Luna's 'master'," she said, the barest hint of steel entering her tone.
"That's right. Luna said you wanted very much to speak to me, so..." Artemis gestured expansively. "Here I am."
Usagi turned crimson. "You could've given me some warning instead of just popping up like this in my bedroom—how'd you do that, anyway?"
"I'm a High Lunar Mage, remember?" the visitor replied, amused. "Teleportation is a trivial matter."
"Well, turn around or close your eyes or something—I'm not about to stand here half-naked with some strange man in my room!"
Artemis sketched another bow, then turned to face the window, humming idly to himself. Luna observed the scene with feline amusement as Usagi rushed to the dresser and whipped out a set of pink pajamas which she threw on at warp speed.
"Okay, that'll have to do," she decided. She then crossed her arms and frowned at the white-haired mage. "You didn't do anything weird to my parents, did you? I mean, they should've been charging in here like ten minutes ago..."
"I placed a silencing ward around this room before I entered," Artemis replied. "Luna warned me that you tended to react to surprises...rather loudly, and given the poor sound dampening of the average Japanese home, it seemed prudent."
"He's got an answer for everything," Luna grumbled. "You get used to it."
"So, to the purpose of this little visit," Artemis said, casually pulling the chair from Usagi's study desk and sitting down. "I was told you wished to speak to me rather urgently..."
Usagi nodded, arms still folded. "Were you the one who messed with Jupiter's powers?"
"Yes." Artemis sighed. "Regrettable, but she was somewhat out of control. Had I not stopped her, she would have killed a defenceless man."
Usagi sighed. "I was afraid it was something like that."
Artemis nodded. "I don't profess to know the details of her personal life, but Jupiter strikes me as someone who's been waiting for a chance to get back at certain people. It's unfortunate, but not unexpected."
Usagi relaxed her posture slightly. "Then you probably did the right thing," she admitted.
The mage's eyes flashed. "I take it you're disturbed by my ability to disable the Senshi?"
"A bit," Usagi replied. "Honestly, I don't like it, and it makes it hard to trust you."
"Perfectly understandable. After all, I've made myself out to be rather enigmatic. It's a mage thing—we do tend to be somewhat secretive." Artemis chuckled briefly, then adopted a sober, lecturing tone. "One High Mage, such as myself, can very briefly disrupt the flow of planetary mana to a Senshi. It's not easy, and the duration of the disruption depends on the Senshi herself. As I have told my young pupil, right now all of you are just coming into your powers, whilst I have had mine for many thousands of years. It will take time, but each of you will be stronger than any ten Lunar Mages. Until that time, I will supervise and protect all of you, as is my duty, sworn unto my Queen—your mother."
Usagi considered that for a long moment. "Alright. Just...try not to do anything too weird or scary without warning me, okay? This whole mess is hard enough without having to wonder whether or not I can trust you."
The mage sighed. "Your Highness, I'm afraid that there will be times I must act quickly and decisively to prevent disaster. When such times arise, I must act in the manner which is most appropriate to the situation. I am sworn to protect you and the Senshi. That is the oath I swore many thousands of years ago to Queen Serenity. I ask only that you trust in that—that I am here to protect and guide you."
The young princess sighed. "I'll be honest, Artemis-san: I'm not sure I do trust you. I understand that we have a powerful enemy, and I want to protect people from things like the youma that attacked my school. But just because you're supposed to be on our side, that doesn't mean I'm just going to go along with everything you say or do. I may be young, but I'm not naïve, and the very brief experiences I've had tell me you're far from perfect."
"I understand, Your Highness. In the present situation, a bit of suspicion and paranoia is healthy and wise. All I can offer is what I have already said."
Usagi studied him at length, then sighed. "I suppose that'll have to do for now." She crossed her arms again. "But I would like an explanation for this whole 'Sailor V' mess..."
Artemis affected a sheepish look, eyes twinkling with laughter. "It was a training exercise. We just screwed up and accidentally got filmed. As you observed, Your Highness, nobody's perfect."
"And when can I expect to meet this 'Sailor V'?"
"Not yet. And no, I won't tell you who she is out of uniform, either. I have reasons, and as I understand her situation more completely than you do, I ask you to respect that."
The tea-haired girl sighed. "Fair enough. But if we need her help, or yours—"
"We will be there." He stood. "Was there anything else, Your Highness?"
"For now, I suppose not. It's late, and tomorrow is a busy day." Usagi fixed a firm gaze on the mage. "But we WILL speak again, soon."
"As you wish, Your Highness." Bowing deeply, Artemis vanished in a soft flash of silver-white light.
In the ensuing silence, Luna sighed, shaking her head. "You see what I've had to put up with all this time?" She gazed up at Usagi, then dipped her head in a feline bow. "Goodnight, Princess." Her eyes emitted a dull crimson flash and she melted into the shadows.
Usagi remained standing, lost in thought, for several minutes; only the abrupt return of ambient nighttime sounds shook her from her reverie, and she finished preparing for bed.
She didn't change back out of her pajamas. Suddenly, the night seemed a bit colder...
* * * * *
On Saturday morning, Ami found an e-mail waiting on her phone.
FROM: TSUKINO USAGI
RE: The owner of the cat
Ami frowned. *Cat? What...*
Met Luna's master last night.
Don't entirely trust him.
Just wanted to let you know.
PS - "Sailor V" is with him.
Eyes narrowed in thought, Ami fired off a brief acknowledgement, then sat back in her desk chair, removing her glasses.
* * * * *
Juuban typically had a half-day of classes on Saturday. However, due to the circumstances, the students were given an extra break day—much to their general enthusiasm and approval.
In the case of Tsukino Usagi, this meant she would be spending most of the day at a salon with her mother, preparing for the gala.
"Not that I want to see schools get torn up every time you have a date with Chiba-kun or anything," Ikuko insisted on the train, "but this really is lucky timing."
Usagi shot her mother a cross look so fierce, it quelled the older woman's humour.
"I'm sorry," Ikuko replied, ducking her head. "That was incredibly thoughtless."
"Yes, it was," Usagi replied. The train stopped, and the two disembarked.
Ikuko sighed. "Usagi-chan...what's wrong? Really? You've been so moody lately..."
The tea-haired girl was silent for a long moment. "Why should I bother telling you?" she asked softly. "You don't really want to hear what's bothering me. You just want to hear that I'm fine with this whole arrangement thing."
If her daughter had slapped her in the face, Ikuko could not look more shocked. "Usagi!" she gasped. "How could you think—you're my little girl! Of course I care about you. I love you! Sure, I get exasperated with you when I don't think you're trying as hard as you can, but..."
Usagi sighed. "Gomen, Mama. That wasn't very fair of me. It's just..." She played with her hair as she walked. "I always thought I wanted to get married, and the whole omiai thing, I never had a problem with, but..." She paused, then let out a heavy sigh. "Mama, this guy you and Papa want me to marry is the biggest asshole I've ever met."
Ikuko blinked. That did NOT sound like her daughter. "Usagi-chan!" she chided.
"He IS!" the tea-haired girl ranted. "The day he came over to meet me, he called me useless and empty-headed! Yesterday, he ambushed me at the train station on my way home to tell me what time to be ready, and he wasn't exactly nice about it. I've only met or spoken to him two times, and both times he's treated me like I was dog poop he'd just stepped in." She turned a fierce gaze on her mother, who stopped short. "How the hell am I supposed to be happy about having to marry someone like that?"
Ikuko's mouth fell open. She was silent for a long time. "...Usagi-chan," she breathed. "Why didn't you tell me this before?"
"Because you and Papa are so bent on this thing, I..." She sighed. "I couldn't. Besides, I've had other things on my mind, and I just can't deal with it all at once."
"Other things?" Ikuko asked, head tilted curiously.
Usagi's mouth snapped shut. "Forget it," she said softly. "It's just...friends I'm helping with problems. Not really something I can talk about."
"Sou ka," Ikuko replied, frowning. "Well, I am proud of you for being a good friend to people, just...don't push yourself too hard, okay?" With a sigh, she drew her daughter into a gentle hug. "As to Chiba-kun..." She sighed again, more deeply. "I'm sorry he's not being more..." She trailed off. "I'm sorry. But maybe...maybe it won't always be like this..."
Usagi sniffled. "Yeah, maybe."
* * * * *
Mina stepped off the bus to find Rei waiting, dressed in jeans and a plain red shirt. She waved to the dark-haired girl, who inclined her head in greeting.
"Got all my books," Mina chirped. "Brought some rice cakes, too," she added, holding up a box with a wire handle.
"Your thoughtfulness is appreciated," Rei replied. "Shall we go?"
"Ready whenever you are!"
They walked in silence for a time.
"Mina-san," Rei began, "there is...something you should know, before we arrive."
"Hm?"
Rei seemed unsure of how to continue, but at length, with a sigh, she said, "My home...I live at a Shinto temple."
"Really?"
"Yes. My family has maintained this temple for generations, and I am expected to be its next caretaker. When I am not in school, I train as a miko. My grandfather is the current priest, and oversees my training."
"Wow." Mina paused. "So, you're a Shinto priestess who likes to read the Christian Bible."
Rei grimaced. "Please do not mention that in front of Jijiue. He..." She paused. "Actually, that is what I wanted to warn you about." She stopped, turning to face the blond. "Jijiue...he is not an unkind person, but he has a rather poor opinion of foreigners. He also absolutely despises Christians."
Mina blinked. "How come? I mean, other than the obvious reason."
The dark-haired girl frowned. "I have never understood his attitudes toward foreigners or..." She trailed off. "I do know that he lived on Okinawa when he was young, so I have my suspicions about the source of his attitudes." She shook her head. "It is not important. I merely wished to warn you that my grandfather may seem...unwelcoming."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll be careful to be on my best behaviour." Mina smiled.
Rei returned the smile, somewhat shyly. "I thank you, Mina-san. I can only hope Jijiue will also be on his."
* * * * *
Despite all the worries weighing on her mind, and her utter lack of enthusiasm about a date with her fiance, Usagi had to admit that the salon treatment was heavenly.
After three hours of pampering, the two Tsukino women emerged, looking much changed. Ikuko looked her daughter over, and smiled. "Once we get you dressed and made up...even Chiba-kun won't be able to resist you."
Usagi blushed. "Mama..."
* * * * *
"I thank you for welcoming me into your home," Mina bowed to the wizened priest, her Japanese carefully enunciated and formal. "I apologise for the intrusion. My name is Aino Minako." *And if my mum heard me right now, she'd probably make a mess in her knickers. I'm doing this for YOU, Rei...*
The priest returned her bow. "It is my honour to meet one who my granddaughter deems a friend." He glanced at Rei. "Prepare tea for our guest."
"Hai." Rei retreated into the shrine; the elder Hino gestured Mina into the sitting room.
"It is a relief to see that Rei-chan has made a friend," he said. "I'm sure you've noticed that my granddaughter is somewhat reserved."
"Not at all," Mina deferred. "I have attributed her appearance of reservation to my own excessive forthrightness. I am accustomed to a different social climate, but I am endeavoring to learn." *Oh God, I'm going to throw up...*
The priest smiled. "You have acclimated yourself well, Aino-kun. Ah, here comes Rei-chan."
Rei placed a tea tray on the table, poured three cups, then carefully seated herself.
The three sipped tea in silence for a moment. "Rei-chan tells me you come from England."
"Hai." Minako set her tea down carefully, folding her hands in front of her. "My mother is Japanese. She was born and raised in Kyoto. She met my father at university. They found they shared common interests, and in her youth, my mother decided that visiting another country would broaden her horizons. She became more enamored with my father, and..." She trailed off, allowing herself a blush. "My apologies, I have said more than was strictly necessary."
"Not at all, child, not at all," the priest chuckled, smiling. "So, are you enjoying your new home?"
*Hell no.* "I am...still adjusting to the change," Mina hedged. "It is a difficult transition, made more so by—" She paused, then coughed. "Japan and I have not...connected," she finished lamely.
The elder Hino nodded. "It is to be expected. I'm afraid my people are somewhat xenophobic. Please do not allow that to cast an unfavourable light on your impression of Japan. It is a beautiful country, rich with tradition and culture, and I do hope you will come to cherish it in time." With a last long sip of his tea, he sighed and stood. "Well, you girls have studying to do, so I'll let you get at it. If anyone needs me, I'll be tending the courtyard."
Once he had left the room and was well out of earshot, Mina let out a shaky breath. "Whew."
"You handled Jijiue quite admirably," Rei said, respect in her violet eyes. "I am impressed."
Mina shrugged. "It's easier to shovel shit when you know which crop it goes on," she said, draining her teacup noisily.
Rei choked on her own tea and let out a strained giggle. "That is...a very interesting metaphor, Mina-san."
Mina chuckled. "I just hope I don't have to do that too often. I know you Japanese play word chess like nobody's business, but..." She trailed off. "Oh God, I'm sorry! That was—"
"Understandable," Rei replied. "As I have said, one thing I admire about you is your forthrightness. I...often wish I had the courage to speak as openly as you."
An uncomfortable silence descended. "Well...maybe we should get to work, then?" Mina asked, opening her bookbag.
The rest of the afternoon was drowned in a sea of kanji.
* * * * *
Titanium microweave body netting.
Heat-treated impact-resistant ceramic athletic supporter.
Kevlar biweave undervest with graphite-alloy vital organ protective plates.
Steel-threaded dress shirt. With a stylish ruffle.
Armour-plated silk cummerbund.
Navy blue formal tuxedo from the most lavish haberdashery in Tokyo, with matching dress shoes.
Classic black tuxedo with full tails and opera cape—loaded with custom options for infiltration and self-defence.
The black tuxedo went into a special garment bag. The navy went on over his elegant body armour.
Chiba Mamoru had a very unique way of preparing for a formal affair.
* * * * *
It was nearly sunset when Mina packed up her books and said goodbye to her hosts. The priest gave her a warm smile and invited her to come by again, and Rei offered to walk her to the bus stop.
As they stood waiting for the bus, Rei fidgeted. "Mina-san," she began.
"Hm?"
"I...have a favour to ask of you."
Mina blinked. "Sure, like what?"
With a slightly embarrassed smile, Rei lifted her shirt and fished something out of the waistband of her jeans: a flat, rectangular object wrapped in a plastic shopping bag. "I would ask you to safeguard this for me," she said softly, handing the object to Mina.
The blond, curious, unwrapped it and looked inside. Her eyebrows climbed to her hairline. "A Bible?"
"It is...precious to me," Rei said, head bowed, face flaming. "However, I became careless and allowed Jijiue to discover it by accident. He was...displeased. I have been ordered to dispose of it." Something hard flickered across her face. "I cannot do as Jijiue demands. I do not wish to..." She trailed off. "But if he discovers I have disobeyed him, the consequences will be...dire." She fixed an intense gaze on the blond. "So I must ask you, Mina-san, to please take possession of this, and to keep it safe. If I may be so presumptuous."
Mina nodded, rewrapping the Bible and tucking it into her bookbag. "Sure, no problem. I know how parents—well, grandparents—can get about things. See you Monday?"
"Hai," Rei replied, face full of gratitude and relief. She bowed. "Arigatou, Mina-san. Sayounara."
* * * * *
The young woman who stepped out of the Tsukino house when Mamoru's car pulled up to the curb was completely different from the small, mousy creature he had been betrothed to—so much so that he very nearly stared.
Usagi wore a shimmering, cream-coloured satin dress which fell just past mid-thigh and clung rather fetchingly to her hips. The neckline was both conservative and provocative, and her bare shoulders were dusted with shimmery powder that accentuated her milky-almond complexion. Pearl-coloured high-heeled slippers with pale-gold satin straps graced her feet. Her nails were immaculately shaped and polished pale pink, matching the lip gloss she wore. Her makeup was light and tasteful, highlighting her natural beauty; her hair had been piled up atop her head, and hung from a braided bun in tight, springy curls of warm, glossy honey-brown. She wore very little in the way of jewelry—simple pearl stud earrings, a thin gold neck chain, and a matching bracelet on her right wrist—and clasped a dainty brocaded white silk purse before her.
She inclined her head when Mamoru emerged from his car. "Husband," she said softly. "I hope I meet with your approval."
The youth, elegant in his navy tuxedo, eyed her for a long moment, then nodded curtly. "You'll do," he said shortly. "We must go." He held the passenger door—of the back seat—open for her.
Repressing her urge to scowl or make a rude comment, Usagi gracefully strolled down the short walk and seated herself in the vehicle. She cast a last long look at the door, where her parents were watching with fond smiles.
*All things considered, I think I'd rather be fighting youma.*
* * * * *
Neither Usagi nor Mamoru attempted to make conversation during the drive to the Yamagoto Tower Hotel. Once they pulled into the waiting area for the valet, however, Mamoru quietly said, "We will be meeting a number of extremely important people here. Please remember to keep your proper place a step behind me, and do not speak unless spoken to. And then as little as necessary."
"I understand."
Ten minutes later, they strode into the most opulent ballroom Usagi had ever seen. The grand ballroom was done in rich mahogany panelling with gold inlays, marble tile on the floor and ceiling, glittering crystal chandeliers, elegant golden wall sconces, rich, plush purple velvet carpeting, and the finest of furnishings.
*This one room probably costs more than every house on my street!*
As they walked along the carpet which divided the room, an older couple approached, smiling broadly at them. "Mamoru-kun!" The grey-haired man called, extending a hand. "So glad you could make it."
"Kamekona-shachou," Mamoru replied, clasping the extended hand in a firm, brief shake. "My parents send their regards, and regret their inability to attend."
"Yes...please extend my regards to your parents. Ah, and who is this lovely young lady?"
"This is my fiancee, Tsukino Usagi. Usagi, Kamekona-shachou is the director of the Yamagoto Corporation. And this is his wife."
Usagi bowed. "I am honoured."
The older man beamed at her. "Such a refined young woman, and so pretty! You are a lucky man, Mamoru-kun." Usagi blushed at the praise.
Kamekona's wife reached out and clasped Usagi's hand daintily. "Is this your first time at a gala, dear?"
"Hai," Usagi replied.
The older woman smiled warmly. "Don't be nervous. Just relax and enjoy yourself."
"Arigatou," the younger girl replied.
"Well, Mamoru-kun, if you'll excuse us..." Kamekona clapped a meaty hand on Mamoru's shoulder, then he and his wife strolled off to greet more guests.
* * * * *
The evening wore on, and Usagi staved off the increasing boredom with fervent attention to projecting the image of perfect, prim, proper spousal servility she knew was expected of her—not an easy task, when one had Chiba Mamoru for a fiance.
She was certainly meeting many interesting people, however. It seemed that the Chiba family was incredibly well-connected, and Mamoru seemed to know, or at least be familiar to, every single important person in the room.
Halfway between the first cocktails and the dinner seating, Kamekona had reappeared to introduce a rather exotic-looking man to Mamoru. "Mamoru-kun, I don't believe you've met Sanjouin-san?"
"I have not had the pleasure," Mamoru replied, bowing.
"Egyptian" was the first word that sprang to Usagi's mind as she took in the newly-introduced man. He wore a deep wine-coloured suit with a grey shirt and white silk tie. His complexion was a light bronze—too pale to be Arabian, but too dark to be purely Japanese—and his high cheekbones accentuated his sharply slanted blue-black eyes. He wore his dark hair in long, oily curls about his shoulders.
Sanjouin bowed and exchanged a polite introduction, then was shepherded off by Kamekona to meet more people. Mamoru frowned almost imperceptibly at his back. "Hmm."
"Do you recognise him?" Usagi whispered softly, unable to stop herself.
Mamoru shook his head slightly. "No. It is just an odd feeling." He then remembered himself, and gave Usagi a stern glance. "Do not concern yourself with it."
"Of course. My apologies, husband."
No more was said of the matter, as Mamoru's phone chose that moment to ring. He withdrew it from his jacket pocket, scanned the screen, and frowned. "I must take this call," he said. "I will have an usher seat you. Do not leave your table." Without waiting for a response, he left.
* * * * *
Twenty minutes passed with no sign of Mamoru's return. Not that Usagi was anxious to see her "fiance" again, but the already boring party was beginning to get less interesting by the minute.
"Usagi-chan!"
Usagi looked up and smiled happily. "Naru-chan!" She stood to greet her friend, who had just approached with her mother.
"God, I didn't recognise you, Usagi-chan...you look so different!" Naru was eyeing her friend with awe and a bit of jealousy. She herself looked very much the same as usual, but with slightly less frizz to her hair and a sedate green dress. She glanced around. "So, where's this fiance of yours?"
Usagi made an impatient noise. "He went off to take a phone call nearly a half hour ago, and hasn't come back. Jerk."
"Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please!" Kamekona's wife had taken the stage at the head of the room and was speaking into a microphone. "To thank you all for coming tonight, I have a special presentation! I have brought a selection of rare and exquisite treasures from my private collection, and will now place them on display for viewing. I hope you will appreciate their beauty as much as I do!"
"Oooh, the director's wife's collection," Naru's mother said excitedly. "That's what I really came to see tonight."
"So without further ado—"
The lights went out.
Excited, confused murmurs arose.
Usagi frowned, wrinkling her nose. *I smell...smoke? No...*
"What's that...smell...?" Naru asked.
"It's...tear gas, I think!" her mother replied, coughing. Around the room, choking coughs and furious exclamations were filling the air.
The lights came back on.
A man in a black tuxedo stood atop the display case.
Which had been picked clean of jewels, leaving only the gold.
He bowed theatrically, sweeping his tall top hat from his head. His eyes were hidden behind a white silk domino mask, but his mouth bore a cocky, self-satisfied grin. "Okusama, thank you for your generous contribution!" he declared in a roguish voice. "Please rest assured, I shall indeed enjoy your jewels as much as you have!"
Kamekona's wife screamed. "THIEF! SOMEONE CALL THE POLICE!"
A wave of noise crashed over the assembly. Naru, wide-eyed and pale, turned...
...to an empty seat. Usagi was gone.
* * * * *
It had not been easy to crawl across a crowded ballroom full of panicking men and women, with a haze of tear gas still clinging to the floor, but Usagi had managed—without ruining her dress or breaking a nail, at that.
She had heard the thief's proclamation, and understood what was happening. She was also fairly sure the police wouldn't arrive in time. Not if this guy could steal all the jewels that quickly, right under their noses.
Luckily, nobody had to wait for the police.
Ducking into the lavatory, Usagi opened her purse and withdrew a golden brooch.
"MOON PRISM POWER, MAKE-UP!"
* * * * *
Things in the ballroom had gotten interesting.
Kamekona had attempted to bulldog the thief, only to be whacked sharply in the shins with a gentleman's cane and sent sprawling with a flourish of cape. Two more men tried to rush him and met with a similar fate. Now, the thief stood on the stage before the display case, his cape billowing out behind him. "Please...I really don't want to have to hurt anyone," he called. He made a show of glancing at his wrist, then declared, "Well, it's been fun, but it's time I was on my way—"
"You're not going ANYWHERE!" a female voice rang out.
Heads all around the room whipped back and forth, searching for the source of the voice.
"Look!" Naru shouted, pointing into the centre of the room. Standing on an unoccupied table...
Excited murmurs and whispers filled the ballroom.
"A Sailor Senshi!"
"They're really real!"
"It's Sailor Moon!"
Serenity frowned. "It is NOT 'Sailor Moon'!" she shouted indignantly. "I don't know what idiot came up with that name, but—"
"It does fit," the tuxedo-clad thief called out, smirking. He was leaning against the display case, idly twirling his cane. "My my, I am honoured. Imagine, little old me being fortunate enough to meet one of the lovely young superheroines everyone's been gushing about lately..." He offered the Senshi an exaggerated bow.
"Sailor Moon! You've got to stop him!" someone shouted.
"No kidding, really? And I told you, my name is NOT Sailor Moon!"
"But it really does fit," the thief called in a teasing voice.
"YOU stay out of this!" Serenity yelled. Then, she was distracted by a beeping below and behind her. "HEY! No panty shots! Pervert!" Her face was crimson. "Try that again and I'll break your phone!"
The man who had been caught with his camera phone out turned crimson and attempted to run for cover. The nearest three women set upon him with a vengeance, and the group disappeared under a table, from which sounds of violence issued.
"Well, you're busy dealing with your adoring public," the thief remarked, "so I'll just be—"
A folding chair, hurled with the force of a Howitzer, smashed into the wall to the left of his head, splintering the mahogany panelling. He froze.
The room went deadly quiet.
Serenity recovered from her throwing posture.
"That was a warning," she said with quiet menace. "You don't want to know where the next one goes."
The thief gulped.
"Yeah! Get him, Sailor Moon!" Naru cheered.
Serenity groaned, rolling her eyes. Deciding things had gone on long enough, she launched herself across the room. The thief gave an indignant squawk as he was grabbed by his lapels and thrown into the centre of the room, smashing a table and scattering fine china and silverware every which way.
He rolled to his feet and withdrew a rose from his jacket, which he threw at the Senshi. It clipped her arm, a thorn drawing a thin line of blood. She narrowed her eyes. "Okay, playtime's over," she said dangerously. "CRESCENT MOON!"
The thief's eyes widened in horror behind his mask. He narrowly dodged the silver energy blast, which sheared through his trailing cape, severing a sizeable scrap of it. Another blast bisected his hat, spilling burglary tools all over the floor.
"Okay you know what? Screw this," the thief said, all trace of humour gone. He pulled a large velvet pouch out of his pants pocket and tossed it to the Senshi, who was gearing up for another attack. "The one I'm looking for wasn't even here in the first place, she switched it with a fake, and the rest of these just aren't worth all this trouble."
Serenity caught the pouch, blinking. The thief bowed, sweeping his truncated hat from his head. "Abayo, Sailor Moon-chan." He threw a small grey ball at the floor, which erupted into a billowing cloud of smoke.
The Senshi rushed into the smoke, but the thief was long gone.
"Damn, he got away!" She turned to the stage, where the director's wife still stood, looking poleaxed. "Um...here, these are yours I think?" With a quick leap, she was on the stage with the older woman. She handed over the velvet pouch, which was taken wordlessly, nearly dropped by nerveless fingers.
"Th—thank you, young lady..."
"Think nothing of it. It's just lucky I was nearby." Serenity bowed...
Around the ballroom, people began standing from where they had taken refuge. Applause, scattered at first, rising steadily in volume, broke out, along with some cheers and whistles.
Serenity flushed crimson and gave an embarrassed smile and wave. "Thank you, thank you. Um...sorry about the mess...enjoy the rest of your evening, and drive home safely?" She leapt high into the air, disappearing into the rafters above the stage.
* * * * *
Mamoru angrily crammed the ruined cape and hat into the boot of his car, along with the bag containing his "work clothes". He was now back in his navy tux, and thankfully had not taken any visible injuries in the fight.
But he was NOT happy.
*Dammit, I should've known the old bitch wasn't going to put the real one in the case. And that Moon chick made me look like a chump! I've gotta be more careful, if I'm gonna keep running into these freaky girls.*
He sighed as he slammed the boot lid.
*She was definitely cute, though. Maybe not as hot as the other one, but...*
Brushing at his lapels, Mamoru swiftly left the parking garage, sticking to the shadows, to rejoin the crowd in the ballroom.
* * * * *
The police had finally arrived by the time Mamoru returned to the ballroom. Usagi was emerging from the lavatory, looking slightly flushed. He walked over to her, frowning. "What has happened here, and why did you disobey my instructions?"
"I had to go to the toilet, okay?" Usagi hissed. "Girls do that sometimes, you know."
"Yes, of course." Mamoru angled his head toward the centre of the room, where most of the damage had occurred, and where police were questioning witnesses. "And this?"
Usagi shrugged. "I have no idea."
"Usagi-chan! There you are!" Naru called breathlessly, racing up to them. She espied Mamoru, and her eyes widened. "You must be Usagi-chan's fiance!" Mamoru nodded silently.
Naru took Usagi's hands in hers, eyes wide and sparkling. "Usagi-chan, you missed it! Someone tried to steal the jewels! And Sailor Moon showed up and stopped him!"
"Sailor Moon?" Usagi asked, tilting her head. "You mean, like from the news?"
"Un! It was amazing! She's so strong and fast, and...oh, she was just so COOL! Oh, it's a shame you missed it..."
"Yeah, sounds...exciting," Usagi agreed. "Um...I guess the party's pretty much over then, huh?"
"Well, the police probably want to talk to everyone, but...yeah, looks about like it." Naru sighed. "Shame...I really did want a better look at the jewels."
* * * * *
An hour later, Mamoru's car pulled once again to the curb at the Tsukino residence. Usagi emerged from the back seat and stood on the sidewalk. She turned and bowed to Mamoru. "Thank you for taking care of me this evening."
He nodded. "Abayo." He drove off without further comment.
Usagi watched his car turn the corner. "Jerk," she muttered. Sighing, she turned and walked up to the house.
"Usagi-chan! We just saw, on the news!" Ikuko cried, rushing to embrace her daughter as she stepped inside. "Are you alright? Did you get hurt?" She inspected her daughter critically for a long moment.
The younger girl sighed. "No, Mama, I'm fine. Just tired. It's been a long night..."
* * * * *
In their private suite at the hotel, Kamekona Sato was struggling, vainly, to calm his wife. "There there," he said gently. "Here, have some more wine. Look, it's okay. Even if he'd gotten away with the jewels, he wouldn't have gotten that one, right?"
"I just...I'm...oh, I..."
"I believe she is embarrassed that the thief so brazenly revealed her ruse," a rich baritone voice entered the conversation.
Kamekona looked up, frowning. "Yes, that was rather...crass."
The director's wife sniffled, blowing her nose loudly into a handkerchief. "I feel so humiliated," she sobbed. "And scared...if he knew about the fake, he must be after..." Her eyes widened. "Oh god, he MUST be after...!"
"After what?" the third person in the room asked, head tilting curiously.
"It's nothing, Masato-kun," Kamekona replied airily, waving a dismissive hand.
"No, it's..." The director's wife sniffled, then plunged a hand into her cleavage, withdrawing a silk-wrapped bundle tied with a golden cord. Hands shaking, she unknotted the cord and spread the silk bundle open with trembling fingers.
A crystal the size of a robin's egg lay within. Its translucent facets shone with a brilliant silver lustre, almost as though it were illuminated from within.
Blue-black eyes widened momentarily in surprise, before narrowing in contemplation.
