Disclaimer: Sailor Moon does not belong to me. It belongs to Takeuchi Naoko, Kodansha, Toei Ltd., and tons of other people. Thank you very much for creating such a wonderful story and please don't sue me. ^_^;;; However . . . the events of this story and some of these characters are MY property. No stealing or the fabulous Sailor V will punish you in the name of VENUS!!!! And Artemis will scratch your eyes out . . . In a time of peace . . . In a time of war . . . Two kingdoms lived side by side . . . Two hearts cried out for one another . . . And thus was a legend born. SAILOR MOON IN ANOTHER LIFE: GOLDEN BEGINNING by Fushigi Kismet "Y-You know who I am?" she asked, her eyes wide. "Yes," the girl replied. "That's not supposed to happen!" Minako wailed. "You're not supposed to find out my secret identity! Especially not on the FIRST DAY!!!" She turned to the white cat sitting dumbfounded at her side. "Back me up here, Artemis!" Artemis sat mute, then got up, yawned, and meowed. "Oh, very funny," Minako said, sarcasm dripping from her voice. The girl sighed. "Would you *please* model for me?" "Or what? You're going to reveal my identity to the world?" Minako demanded. "No . . . But I really *really* need you to model for me." "Why me? Who are you, anyway?" "Me? I'm Peggy Jones." Justice Fighter?! aka Sailor V, Never Heard of Her "Peggy Jones?" Minako asked without comprehension. The brunette rolled her eyes and said, "Better known as Lonnie Lineye?" "Ah! SUGOI!!!!!!!!!" Minako yelled, staring at the girl. "You're LONNIE LINEYE?!!!!" *Sweatdrop* "Ah, yes, yes, I am." "Your paintings are *SO* beautiful! I pass them every day when I walk past the Art Gallery display window. Can I have your autograph?!" Peggy sweated a little more. "M-M-My autograph?" "Yeah!" The white cat - Artemis, Peggy recalled - scratched at the blonde's leg and yowled something. "Oh, relax, Artemis!" Minako declared, picking him up and shaking him back and forth. "She's Lonnie Lineye! She's *FAMOUS*!!! She'll keep our secret . . ." Artemis and Lonnie looked at one another and sweatdropped. "Come ON, ARTEMIS!!!" Minako said, shaking him harder. "Our cover's blown already anyway!" The white cat jumped out of her arms, shaking his head and looking seriously rattled. "Well, it wouldn't be if you had just kept your big mouth shut!" "Oh, like it was *MY* fault! I don't understand why you always blame everything on me-" "Because it's always your fault?!" he retorted, fur bristling. Peggy blinked and adjusted her glasses. "Um . . . excuse me . . . Did that cat just . . . talk?" Artemis and Minako paused in their squabbling to turn and look blankly at Peggy. "You mean . . . you didn't know that part?" Minako asked. Peggy shook her head. "This is all your fault!" Artemis screeched, jumping onto Minako's head. He proceeded to get very tangled in her long blonde hair as she shook her head desperately in an attempt to dislodge him. Peggy couldn't help it . . . She started to giggle. Minako and Artemis turned to look at her, Artemis dangling from Minako's head like a very large snarl of white and blonde hair. They sighed. A little while later Minako was sipping tea in Peggy's cottage, a little piece of rural simplicity tucked away amidst the urban sprawl of London. It even had a small garden and Minako had proclaimed her amazement rather loudly and enthusiastically upon discovering it. Peggy had colored in embarrassment but quickly explained that the cottage was her grandmother's and upon her death had gone to Peggy who had moved from Japan to take possession of it. Since her grandmother had been a dedicated adversary of urban advancement, during her lifetime she had dared any and all civil authorities to attempt to defy her and order the removal of the land that had been in her family for eight generations. The authorities had finally settled for declaring the cottage a historical site and shaking their heads and laughing at an old lady's temerity, had taken tea with her. "And that," Peggy had said, laughing a little herself, "is that. Now then, shall we have a cup of tea ourselves?" Minako had agreed and was at present busily wolfing down a few buttered scones while Artemis prowled the premises, leaping to the windowsill and glancing at the garden - combination flower and vegetable! - and Peggy in turn, his eyes thoughtful, his brow furrowed as best a kitty brow could mimic such humanlike attributes. "Now then," Peggy said, attempting to broach the topic delicately, "will you agree to model for me?" Artemis's eyes narrowed. "Why do you want *her* to be your model so badly?" She flinched at the suspicion in his voice while Minako obliviously continued to eat scones. "It's like this, you see . . ." She stared down at her clasped hands. "I paint what I dream." "What you dream?" "Yes." She raised her head to look squarely at the cat and her chin lifted a little higher. "My dreams are special. They're about the past. About people from a kingdom on the moon." There was dead silence in the room and a scone dropped from Minako's suddenly nerveless fingers to her plate. "*Who* are you, Peggy?" Minako asked quietly. Artemis scowled, then, his expression clearing, he sprang from the windowsill to the floor and then onto the table. "Yes," he said shortly, his eyes intent on Peggy. "I thought so." "You thought WHAT?" Minako demanded, distracted from Peggy's most recent startling revelation and irritated at the air of mystery that seemed to surround the whole situation. <> Peggy inclined her head slightly. <> <> the cat's thought was skeptical. <> Peggy had to fight not to turn away from his gaze, part bitterness, part regret, and part - a *very* small part - relief. "WHAT IS GOING ON?!" Minako demanded, Artemis letting out a yowl of surprise as she hauled him up and turned him to face her, her expression fierce. With a quick swipe of his claws he was free and she was busily grasping her raked fingers and muttering imprecations. "All in good time," he told her haughtily, smoothing down ruffled fur with his tongue. "Peggy's not a threat. Well," he qualified, "not much of one at the moment anyway." "I still want to know!" "Still stubborn I see. No surprise there. Get a GRIP, Minako- chan! *You* have more important things to worry about!" "I DO?" She blinked at him in astonishment, momentarily forgetting the pain of the scratches. "Yes, you do." "Like what?" "Like posing for a portrait," Peggy said smoothly. Artemis shot her an irritated look. Minako smiled. "All right then!" "It's getting late," Peggy said, noting the darkening sky. "Tomorrow then? After school," she added, noticing the blonde's hesitation. It was agreed upon over all of Artemis's protestations and she and Artemis disappeared into the lengthening evening shadows after the cat had assured Peggy that he very well *could* find his way around by himself thank you very much. Peggy watched them go, not without apprehension. Within her something seemed to stir but she resolutely pushed it away, back into the recesses of her mind. That door had been shut and sealed a long time ago. A *long* time ago. She had enough ghosts haunting her as without *that* one intruding on her life as well. That night Peggy dreamt a dream she hadn't dreamt in years, and she woke with tears streaking her face. However, slipping back into a sleep that was dreamless, it was soon forgotten as Peggy Jones again came to the forefront and that other self was once more repressed. Not much was said when Minako and Artemis got home. Her parents had been worried and they both gave her a stern lecture about being out too late at night in a strange city. She rolled her eyes and withstood it as best she could. They had a quick dinner since no one felt much like eating, her father cranky with the stress of his new job in a foreign country and her mother upset by her daily difficulties with English. Minako had other reasons for being silent, but both parents simply put it down as her response to their lectures and resolved not to be quite so hard on her in the future. Unaware of anything but the numerous unsettling events of the day, Minako let them think what they wanted. No one was more relieved than she was when she was excused from the table and she nearly ran up to her room, Artemis following closely at her heels. "It's been a long, weird day!" she announced, falling down on her bed. "Yes indeed," the cat replied neutrally. "Of course, it *is* all *your* fault!" "How do you figure?" By now he was used to her strange and often faulty logic. "Well, you're the one who came with all this destiny stuff." "It's not like it was *my* choice." He sniffed, showing that if he *had* had a choice, he most certainly would have made a better one. "It's *your* destiny after all." "Yes," and with a burst of perception that Artemis found unusual, and frankly, disturbing, "but would I have ever known of it if you hadn't shown up?" He stared at her an instant before she waved her hand and turned around. "Now, out you get! I have to shower and get changed." "Going to bed already?!" If the day had not held enough surprises . . . "I'm tired," was her snappish response. "Like I said . . . it's been a long day. Besides, my first day of school is tomorrow." Despite going to bed at a ridiculously early 8:30, Minako somehow *still* managed to oversleep, much to Artemis's disgust. She caught the bus and made it to class on time, however, and was formally introduced. The structure of English classes was rather different than what she was used to, but she still found that she was doodling more than listening. It was true that she was not quite fluent in English so a great deal of what was said went right over her head. However, Minako was nothing if not up for a challenge, so she did her best to understand, though she found herself nodding off regardless. During one of her afternoon classes with the teacher running late, she thought it might be good chance to talk to some of the other students and make some friends. She had been too nervous during the lunch period to talk to anyone. Frantically she cast about for a topic of conversation before finding and settling on one that was of personal interest to her. "And what do you think of Sailor V?" Minako asked one of her new classmates, a fair-haired boy seated in front of her who was pulling a notebook out of his satchel. "Sailor Who?" he asked disinterestedly. "You know, Sailor V . . . the justice fighter?" "Justice fighter?" He sniffed. "What kind of English *is* that?" "She's a masked superheroine who goes around fighting crime and righting wrongs in the name of justice . . ." Minako tried desperately. "Sounds like a kiddie show," he replied, turning away as the teacher walked in. "Or a cartoon. I don't watch cartoons." Minako sat in her seat, fuming to herself. "And then he said-" she paused, then began imitating his high snobbish voice, "I don't watch cartoons. Honestly!" "Well, maybe he doesn't," Artemis commented casually. It was good to know the boy hadn't taken her seriously even if the encounter HAD upset her so much that she had stormed up to her room after school and proceeded to tell him the whole sorry tale. "That's no excuse!" He sighed. "Minako . . . you've only been in action once. It's not like a lot of people actually *saw* you. Hmmm . . . that's good - we should keep it that way." "You're absolutely right!" she shouted. "What Sailor V needs is publicity! And I'm just the girl to do it!" Artemis hung his head. "Why do I get the feeling that she *never* listens?!" Minako's head whipped around. "What was that, Artemis? I wasn't listening." He covered his eyes with a paw. "Never mind. Just . . . never mind." "Anyway," she continued blithely on. "We've got to go meet Peggy now! If we don't hurry we're going to be late." "Minako." She stilled, turning to look at him. His voice had been hard. "Don't let down your guard. Don't trust her too much. No matter *how* much you get along." "You think she's the enemy?" "No, I know she's not. But sometimes, your allies can be even more dangerous than your enemies . . . and your past life has a lot to answer for." "Like what?" He turned his eyes away. "Just remember . . . be careful." "All right, I will," she promised, just the slightest bit unsettled by his manner. "Good." Kenneth leaned back in his chair and stretched his arms above his head, feeling his joints creak and crack, then finished diagramming the engine with two deft strokes of his pencil. He made a face. "It'll have to do." Gathering up his papers and books and packing them in his bag, he got jerkily to his feet, his legs cramped and stiff from long hours of sitting hunched over at the table in the library. The other students watched him go with what looked like envy, but it wasn't his fault if he had done his research ahead of time, now was it? The project was due in two days and he was done but for the write up which ought to take him no more than, oh, six or so hours. Checking his watch, he smiled. Just enough time to get an ice cream cone at the park before rushing off to his fencing class. While fighting with a foil was by no means the same thing as fighting with his sword, he did feel that the practice with the other weapon kept him more active and alert - something he needed to be if he was to assist Sailor V again, and he *very* much wished to be prepared in case of that possibility. At the very least he was getting practice with *some* kind of weapon if not his own. While he *did* wish to practice with it, it would be a bit strange if he was to bring his sword to class and inquire if any one was willing to spar. He smothered a smile. If only Zephyr were here . . . they'd most likely be sparring in the streets and getting arrested two minutes later as a bunch of Highlander wannabes. Humming "Princes of the Universe" under his breath, he made his way to the park. "Hold still, please," Peggy asked, just a hint of exasperation bleeding into her voice. Minako heaved a huge sigh and tried to stop her squirming. "You know, I've never modeled before!" "I can see that," Peggy replied, sketching rapidly. She sighed. "Could you please try and smile . . . You look like I'm putting you through torture right now!" The golden-haired girl composed herself and produced a weak smile. It only lasted for a moment. Her eyes lit up and she said, "Hey, Peggy, d'you think that once I'm famous this painting will sell for a lot of money?!" "Well, I try not to sell my originals," the artist responded, her eyes flicking from her subject to the canvas and back again, "but I do rather think that it'll sell for quite a bit even if you don't become famous. You're a pretty girl, Minako." "Really?!" Minako beamed. "HOLD THAT POSE!!!" Peggy yelled, sketching as fast as possible. "But . . . Peggy," Minako protested through her smile, "this hurts . . ." Peggy hummed to herself, pretending not to hear. Artemis, who had been sunning himself on the windowsill, let out a yawn and stretched, lazily looking over at his ward. "Oh, very attractive, Minako-chan," he commented. "It looks like you're trying not to spit out a hairball. Or maybe some of that awful-tasting stuff that you call cooking." "WHY YOU LITTLE-!" Minako screeched, getting up from her seat to run at the cat. Peggy put a hand to her head. Suddenly, she had a massive headache. Half an hour later they were all reseated. Peggy in front of her canvas and easel, Minako seated back on the couch, and Artemis in her lap. One of Minako's hands was around the cat's neck and he looked like he was having trouble breathing. "Mina . . . ko . . . AIR!" he pleaded with her. She simply continued smiling. "Serves you right, cat," she said, smiling wider and squeezing tighter. He groaned. Peggy finished the sketch with no further interruption and extended a dinner invitation to Minako and Artemis who regretfully declined. "After all," Minako sighed, "I wouldn't want to get lectured for the second day in a row." They were given strict instructions to come the next day barring ill weather, because Peggy would start painting right away, but she wanted Minako there for reference. The touch-up work went well the next day, though Peggy wouldn't let either of them see it until she was wholly satisfied with it much to Minako's disappointment. The two girls seemed to be becoming fast friends, much to Artemis's uneasiness. Of course, he was to have more to worry about in the days ahead. Minako had still not forgotten her publicity idea and had nearly convinced Peggy to help her until Artemis had very firmly axed the suggestions. That did not dissuade the blonde, however, and she went on making her own plans. By Friday afternoon, she was ready to put her plan in action. The door to the bedroom swung open as Artemis leapt out of the way and Minako shuffled inside. "Minako, do you really think that all this is necessary?" the white cat demanded, staring at the large stack of flyers she carried. "Absolutely," she responded, plopping down the pile on her desk. "Or else I wouldn't have spent two weeks' allowance making all these copies!" "You DIDN'T spend two weeks' allowance! You snuck into the school library after hours and made them!" "Details, details!" Minako said irritatedly, absently flapping a hand in his direction. "What's important is that I spread the word about Sailor V!" "What's important is that you DON'T! That you KEEP QUIET so that our enemies DON'T KNOW." "Don't be ridiculous, Artemis! A little publicity never did anyone any harm! Think about Superman! Batman! Spiderman! The Amazing Hulk! Do you see THEM complaining?! Well, maybe the Amazing Hulk - I don't think anyone's heard of him in years. And speaking of him what about Swamp Thing? When's the last time anyone asked you about Swamp Thing?" "MINAKO!" "Errr," she was abruptly snapped back into the present. "Where was I? Oh, yes, as I said! That's EXACTLY my point! NOBODY gives a darn about those guys anymore because they haven't been in the public eye enough! If we don't publicize the enemies will forget about Sailor V in a snap and THEN how are we supposed to strike fear in the hearts of men, I ask you? Hmmm? Hmmm? Hmmmmm?" "I hate to say it," Artemis said, sighing, "but you might have a point." "SEE!" Jubilant, she looked in a mirror and adjusted her red bow, grabbed the mountain of flyers, and skipped out of the room. Half an hour later . . . "Have you ever heard of the very famous Sailor V?!" Minako questioned a man on the street, waving a flyer in his face. "The *who*?" the man asked, irritated. "Look, little girl, I'm late for a very important meeting. If you don't mind-" He pushed her out of his way and continued walking. Minako glared. "BAKA! And I am *NOT* a little girl!" She stalked off, Artemis at her heels. So much for that street corner. The man breathed a sigh of relief and set his stand back up. "Honestly, you're gone for five minutes in this town for a cup of tea and the savages start moving in!" He shook his head and starting waving his merchandise around. "Papers! Get your newspapers!" Kenneth, standing outside the library bus stop for the last few minutes, book in hand, watched Minako's form get gradually smaller as she made her way down the street. he thought. He though back to the events of that day. He smiled a little, his eyes narrowing as a sudden thought occurred to him. With that thought, he began following her, making full use of his skills in trailing. "Lady Garnet." Garnet turned from her examination of a large cut red ruby to glance disinterestedly at the youma addressing her. "Yes?" "The Hunters you sent out after that unknown warrior who interfered with our jewelry store operation have retrieved this." He handed her a piece of paper. Glancing at the flyer, her lips curved into a well-pleased smile. "Have they now? And you think this will lead us to her?" "At the very least attacking the messenger may bring the master. The girl delivering this was not considered a threat but perfect material for bait." "And her scent?" "Yes, milady, they have it. They should be able to track her down now." "Very good." She airily waved a hand in dismissal, dropping the ruby and one other like it into a goblet filled with a clear liquid that immediately turned red and began to fizz as the stones dissolved. "You may go. Make sure to give me reports when they've finished." The man-shaped youma bowed from his waist before departing. "Yes, milady." She took a sip from the glass, her eyes reflective. Unlike some, she had little use for youma. Perhaps, she thought to herself, it came from having a hand in their creation and resurrection all those years ago. She had always viewed them as the result of painstaking scientific study and development, and thus, she did not think of them as people, merely as tools to be used and discarded. Tightening her grip on the glass, she watched the mottled shadows playing across the walls of her quarters. She was tired of being here, of hiding in shadows and living in filth. She was tired of being surrounded by youma. She wanted to return . . . to quickly finish this damnable assignment and acquire the crystals. Her mouth twitched in a frown. She felt like an exile so far from Court with only youma for company. Bitterly, she spat at the ground. She would sooner die than take a youma for a lover. She had been duly informed by certain more brazen members of the Court that youma could be excellent, if a bit rough, in bed. She sneered. Doubtless some of her more infrequent lovers were sampling their skills while she was away. Ah, but she had an important assignment and when she returned in triumph not only would her mistress be pleased, all the rest would be desperate for her favors. Any she cared to bestow. Besides, *she* had better things to do. The star crystal glowed beneath her touch. She would have to take the time to examine the artifact more closely. Placing the goblet on a grotesque table carved from bone, she strode off to see how some of her creations were progressing. It was to be hope that their new enhancements were improvements or she would be forced to terminate them like so many others. Imperfections displeased her almost as much as failure. Minako flopped down on a park bench, exhausted and depressed. Artemis leapt up next to her and settled down on the wood. "Not one person!" the girl complained to her cat. "Not one person in this whole city has heard of Sailor V - or cares!" "Except the enemy," Artemis said, shutting his eyes. "Yes," she whispered, "except the enemy." Her expression changed. Her eyes lost a little of their depression, a little of their innocence. A savage satisfaction replaced them, and a hint of fear. "They know me . . . and fear me." "Not for long," Artemis grumbled. "Soon they'll discover what an ill-trained and inept Senshi you really are." "And whose fault is THAT?!" Minako demanded, glaring at the cat who was curled up beside her, his eyes shut. He didn't seem perturbed in the least. "All right, fine," she conceded, still a little angry, "maybe it's not all your fault. I *am* new at this, you know." She sighed. "Still, it's not fair. A little fame isn't too much to ask for, is it? I mean . . . I could die tomorrow and no one would miss me . . . Well, except for Mom and Dad and you . . . right, Artemis?" There was no answer. She smiled wryly, "I guess I haven't really endeared myself to you much, but I'm not used to doing what I'm doing, or being where I am, or even having a cat, so you'll have to give me some time. But . . . you *will* miss me if I die, won't you, Artemis?" Still no answer. She turned to look at the cat, angry now. He was sound asleep. "ARTEMIS!" The cat remained snoozing. Minako sprang to her feet and glared at the cat. "Fine, you can find your own way home, you ungrateful furball!" She grabbed her fliers and stormed off. A few moments after she had gone, the cat cracked open one eye, smiled to himself, and jumped off of the bench in leisurely pursuit of the girl. Kenneth waited a good five minutes after their departure, then got out from where he had been hiding behind a tree and advanced towards the bench. He picked up the piece of paper lying there. The girl had forgotten one of her flyers. SAILOR V: WORLD'S GREATEST SUPERHERO Defender of the innocent. A justice fighter for the times! A grim smile made its way to his lips. "Nice to meet you, V- chan." The Hunters sniffed the air. The tantalizing scent was there. Mortal . . . but filled with Power. Things with power drove them mad . . . Things with power they were charged to find and acquire, and if that could not be done, to destroy. To them there was no difference between people and things save people bled, and that too was preferable. The taste of mortal flesh, of young blood - things that had blood to bleed were all young to them - they were ancient like the dust on the moon. There had been a time when they had felt that dust crunching beneath their feet. Yes, they were old. It had been a long time since they had last killed. A very long time, even for those whose centuries passed like seconds. Too long. Kenneth stiffened, his senses tingling. There was something ahead of him he didn't like. He couldn't see it, could only feel the dark energy it emanated . . . The vague sense of it he got did not reassure him at all. It was a feeling of blood and death. He quickened his stride, concerned for the girl. He had known her once and she had not been a stranger to death, but now? That too- brief glimpse of her face . . . She was a child. Silently he swore. Yes, a child. But in Sailor V he had seen none of the child and only the woman. In Sailor V he could believe. But that young girl? And yet, something in him wanted to be able to believe in her too. Perhaps because she was all he had left to believe in apart from the dreams. There was a sudden cold gust of air on his back and he dropped into a crouch with lightning speed. With a flare of light following whispered words he was clothed in his armor, sword ready in his hand. There had been a time, he knew, when nothing but a thought could have affected the change. The Hunters ringed him, shadow and bone, sinew and power. One snapped his jaws in anticipation, sharp yellow teeth glistening, and saliva trailing down his face. They were not manlike nor were they wholly animal, but the hunger in their eyes was primal. "Come for a snack?" he inquired, exceedingly aware of who it was they were truly after. He thanked the empty streets - there would be no innocent casualties and no witnesses today. There was nothing in the world but his struggle as they dove towards him as one, an impenetrable mass of teeth and claws and bladed edges that sliced like knives. They were the Hunters and they had found Prey. Together, they would bring down this one, then join their Packmates who had gone after the other. Minako felt a chill run down her back. She shivered and began walking faster, unnerved. She could hear the scrabble of what sounded like claws behind her. A bead of cold sweat rolled down her neck and she broke into a run, inordinately frightened by every reaching shadow. "Run!" Artemis's voice shouted behind her and he landed on her shoulder with a flying leap. She almost slowed but the pressure and points of his claws in her shoulder kept her legs moving. "What is it? What's going on?!" "You're being Hunted," he said cryptically. "You feel it, don't you?" She hesitated. "Yes." "They're after you, Minako. If you don't find a safe place and transform soon you're going to die." A set of snarling teeth directly along her path stopped her heedless flight. She glanced to either side of her and saw two more Hunters and she could feel the hot breath of the one behind her. "No place left to run." The ones to the left and right of her simultaneously lunged. She rolled forward and away, Artemis flung by the motion into the air but outside the circle of youma. She found herself a hair's breadth from the jaws of the Hunter in front before she sprang into the air to escape the sweep of the claws that sprang from his fingertips. Distantly she could hear Artemis shouting for her to transform. She clutched the compact tightly in her hand, the words spilling into the air. "Moon Power . . . TRANSFORM!" As the golden light washed over her, Minako wondered once again why fate had chosen her to play such a role . . . a role that she wasn't even recognized for, no less! Before she had even landed she whirled and shouted, "Crescent Beam!" The light flared out and struck one of the Hunters a glancing blow. It tumbled to the ground and lay twitching for an instant before getting to its feet. Using a burst of adrenaline and the increased strength that always came with her Senshi form she leapt to the nearest building top, but the Hunters followed her effortlessly. Artemis ran along the street after them as she leapt from rooftop to rooftop. Sliding down a slanted roof, she aimed high and struck a Hunter mid-leap with a Crescent Beam squarely in the chest in the air above her. His body burst into fragments and dissolved. Landing on the ground below, she ducked underneath the overhang and ran parallel to the street, hearing the sounds of the Hunters behind her, belling out a death knell. Abruptly she whirled and dashed across the street, doubling back and aiming to take out the straggler of the three Hunters - the one she had injured earlier. It let out a howl as it was struck, then the other two were upon her. One went for her leg, the other for her throat, but missed and struck her chest, sending her hurtling through the air, shouting "Crescent Beam!" and aiming wildly. The attack struck the Hunter that had only managed to slash her leg as he was off to one side and he too, vanished in a spray of dust. Glass shattered around her as she and the Hunter crashed through the front window of a modeling agency, interrupting a shoot, no less. She felt a few pieces slash at her bare arms and legs, but ignored the pain of the bleeding cuts, forcing her body into a roll that ended with her springing upright. The Hunter had likewise rolled to one side and was studying her with a wild hungry gleam in its eyes. "Are you all right?!" she managed to catch enough breath to ask the civilians inside. A man in a suit had shielded the bathing suit- clad model and the photographer had swiveled his camera around on the tripod to point at her. "Who . . . who are you?!" the model asked, blue eyes wide, shaking in terror at the monstrous apparition before her, whether the grotesque beast or the bloody girl no one knew. V blinked for an instant, then grinned. This was her big chance! "I'm Codename: Sailor V! A fighter for love and justice! And I advise you to get out of here RIGHT NOW because *that* seems VERY hungry!" "Let's go," the suit guy said, and V figured that he had to be the agent. The model nodded and cautiously edged their way back through the broken glass. They needn't have worried for the Hunter only had eyes for Sailor V. She possessed power and her blood was sweet. There would be time for lesser Prey in the future. The two of them made for the back of the building, where, Sailor V assumed, there must be another exit. That still left the problem of the photographer. "What about you?" she asked, her eyes never leaving the Hunter. "I'm fine!" he said, valiantly ignoring the nightmare beast in front of him. "It's not everyday you get to take pictures of a sexy superheroine in a short skirt." "I advise you to go, but I obviously can't make you. This is dangerous and I'll do my best to protect you but you're just making this harder." "Actually," he admitted, "I think I'm frozen to the spot. I can't move." "All right. Just be careful," she warned him, stealing a few lines from her favorite U.S. cop dramas. "It's about to get ugly!" A woman walked out from the back, "Todd, what's-" But V didn't get a chance to look at her as the youma leapt for her, sending more glass shards flying as its feet lifted and displaced the broken fragments. It bellowed, a bastard cross between a snarl and the deep echoes of a bell, its eyes fixed on the lithe form of Sailor V. Sailor V moved her head as the bladed edge of the arm swept past her in a whoosh of motion, claws extended in what had been intended to be a killing swipe. Gold glimmered in the light of the studio, glinting as the light struck and caught on it with the gleam of something precious before it tumbled and fell away . . . scattered like the cast-off straw of newly scythed wheat to the winds. Silence. She could not hide the shaking of her hand as she reached up to touch the uneven shorn ends of the hair that fell now against her neck on one side and her shoulder on the other. Her eyes trembled for an instant as she beheld the drift of gold piled on the ground. "I think," her voice rang coolly throughout the studio, "that you need a bit more practice." The Hunter hissed. It had made a fatal error, and like its fellows it would pay with its life. That was a Law that it understood. It backed a step away as Sailor V's head snapped up and two blue eyes bored into its own but it did not run. This fate was inescapable for all who lived on the Laws of the Pack. The Hunter one day must become the Prey. It knew its death and it was good. "CRESCENT BEAM!" Afterwards, she didn't quite remember all that had happened. She vaguely remembered worrying that all the hair and blood would leave DNA samples, would give her identity away to any investigators . . . That this was it, the end. Her career had really been so short, after all. What would her parents think when they found out? When the whole affair was brought to light and everything was known? What did she think now? But the photographer and the woman had taken out two brooms and swept up the debris of the battle into two large trash bags as she silently stood and watched them. "We owe you a debt of gratitude," the man had said, looking at her earnestly. "We owe you our lives. Whoever you are, that's no one's business but your own. Your life is your own." And something had touched her and caused something within her to move, and tumbling, fall gently into place. That there were people like this . . . That there were people who *cared* . . . Surely, surely this was what she was fighting for. The lives of people who only wanted to continue living. She smiled and they smiled back at her, as she said, softly, genuinely, "Thank you." Then she had leapt through the remains of the window and vanished as they watched her go. The door clicked shut behind her as she leaned against it. Peggy turned from stirring a pot of stew. "Mina, is that you? I'm just making din-" She stopped short, ladle raised in the air as her eyes lit upon her friend. A hand fluttered to her mouth. "Oh, Mina, what HAPPENED?!" "Does it look that bad?" Minako asked quietly, inadvertently reaching up to touch the irregular lengths of hair brushing against her neck and shoulders. "*I* was looking at the blood, myself," Peggy said, gesturing. Minako looked down and realized that she was a bloody mess. "Oh, that." ""Oh, that?" Minako, what happened?!" "I just ran into a little trouble." "What kind of trouble." Artemis came in through the door. "The kind we ought not to talk about. Have you anything to treat her with?" Peggy bit her lower lip. "As a matter of fact, I think I have some bandages and . . ." "Don't bother," Artemis snapped. "There's more blood than wounds. Senshi heal fast anyway. Just clean her up a bit, will you?" Greatly taken aback by Artemis's attitude, Peggy stuck the ladle back in the pot and went quickly to the bathroom, returning with a first aid box. "You didn't cut it yourself, did you?" Peggy demanded, making her way to where Minako stood, unshed tears gleaming in her eyes. Mina managed a short, stiff laugh. "No, but it's not everyday you get a youma to give you a haircut." There was a too-long instant of pained silence, before Peggy sat her down on a chair and began dabbing at the cuts with alcohol and pulling out slivers of glass. Artemis had been right, the wounds were not as serious as they had first appeared but for all of the glass. She also took care to brush the glass out of Minako's hair and off of her clothing. When she was fairly sure she had pulled out of the glass she said so. Artemis turned to look at Minako. "Transform." "What?" "It'll speed the healing process." "But . . ." She looked at Peggy and the brunette looked away, busying herself with getting something out from the first aid kit. "She knows already. Just do it!" his voice was sharp with concern and anger. Minako quietly transformed and Peggy gasped to see it happen, her face pale as Sailor V appeared. As she moved to clean more of the cuts, she found to her surprise that several of the smaller ones had healed already and the larger ones were also healing up nicely. After another moment of tense silence Peggy turned, picked up the receiver of the wall phone and looking at Mina asked, "What's your number?" "Excuse me?" "I don't suppose you've been home?" "N-No. Not yet." "Well, then I'm going to call and tell them that you're staying over for dinner. That's all right, isn't it? I have more than enough." "If it's not too much trouble-" "Here." Peggy shoved the receiver into her hand. "YOU call. They'll probably want to hear from you anyway. We'll have a nice dinner and, since I have a pair of magic scissors I've been itching to try out, I'll fix up your poor shorn head, okay?" "Okay," Mina replied with a quirk of a smile. That was quickly accomplished and dinner served and eaten and then there was only the task to accomplish. Minako seated herself on a stool placed on top of pages of newspaper in the kitchen as Peggy draped one of her artist smocks over her. She set up a small mirror - one she used to help her see the side of a person's face while she was doing portraiture or the infrequent times when she attempted sculpture - on the counter in front of Minako so she could observe the proceedings. "Ready?" Minako nodded, and with that, Peggy began to cut. "There, how do you like it?" Peggy asked her ten minutes later, scissors finally stilled in her hand. Minako blinked and gazed at the person staring back at her from the inside of the mirror. She reached up one hand to touch the ends of the blonde hair brushing against her chin and watched the reflection do the same. Then she broke into a smile. "Peggy, thank you!" The brunette smiled back at her. "Well, hair-cutting isn't exactly my forte, but my mother used to cut mine when I was little. I made sure it's all even so I think it looks all right . . ." "It's very stylish!" Minako assured her, admiring her new look. "Maybe I should have gotten my hair cut earlier?" Peggy laughed. "Right. But then you wouldn't have had use of my magic scissors!" The next day Minako found herself wandering down the street where she had been attacked by the youma. Glancing left, she saw some workers replacing the large pane of glass that had made up the front window of the modeling agency. Her body tingled as it remembered with what force it had impacted with the glass. Walking closer, she wondered if she was simply a masochist and had never known it. Again the moment of impact flashed through her mind as the glass had cracked and shattered, thousands of tiny shards embedding themselves in her body the monstrosity straining to rip her throat out. She suppressed a shudder and glancing once more at the modeling agency, a place she had wanted to work at all her life, she felt she could not get further away. "Hey, wait!" a voice called. She turned around and saw the photographer from yesterday standing outside the building looking at her. "Aren't you going to submit your resume?" What? He walked closer to her. "You know, you look kind of familiar." She experienced a moment of supreme panic. "Um . . ." "But it's probably just me. There've been a lot of blondes coming through lately." She forced herself not to react to those words. He looked at her then glanced at the window being installed. "Oh, don't worry about that. We just had a little trouble yesterday. Luckily," he added cheerfully, "it seems our very own superheroine showed up to save the day." She couldn't believe it . . . someone had actually acknowledged Sailor V. "So," he said, not unkindly, "are you coming in?" A moment later Minako was inside the agency and she looked around, drinking up the sight of the interior that she had not had time or inclination to look at before. "No resume, huh?" Todd said regretfully. "That's strange. I thought for sure you'd be a model." Those words stopped her cold. Her? A model? A real, honest-to- goodness model? Hmmmmm . . . He took out a pen and paper and she saw that it was an application. "Okay, name?" "Minako Aino." He blinked. "Doesn't sound very European." "It . . . isn't." "So, where're you from?" "Japan." "Uh . . . your parents?" "Japan." "What's your ethnicity?" "My what?" Minako puzzled the strange word over in her mouth. "Y'know, like I'm English but I've got a Swedish grandmother?" "Oh! Japanese." He eyed her long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. "Uh-huh. Right. Yuri!" A dark-haired woman with flashing green eyes poked her head out from behind a partition. Minako recognized her as the woman who had come out in the middle of the fight. "Whaddaya want?" He gestured at Minako. "A little help here?" "*You* need help with a pretty girl? Must be serious." She strode out and looked Minako over. "Yes?" "She's says she's Japanese-" "Konnichiwa," Yuri said after a moment, looking Minako up and down. "From Tokyo, are ya?" Minako nodded, drinking up the sound of the familiar Japanese language. "I'm Tashida Sayuri. I'm from Kansai myself." She winked. "But I'm sure you could tell."* "Aino Minako. Pleased to meet you, Sayuri-san." Yuri turned to look at the photographer. "I don't know how you do it, Toddy m'boy. You've found another one." He stared first at Minako, then at Sayuri. "But . . . but . . . What's going on here?!" Sayuri laughed, and the sound was like the chiming of bells. "I'm sorry," Sayuri said a little later, setting down her teacup. "It's just that it's been such a long time since I've seen anyone from Japan. I hadda try out my English tea on ya. Do you like it?" "It's . . . nice," Minako said, setting down her own teacup after sipping politely. "But nothing beats a good ol' brew from Japan, huh?" She smiled. "All right then, let me explain about Toddy-boy's reaction earlier. Y'see, he's a professional photographer . . . and I am his first and only discovery. Tashida Sayuri, or just Yuri as the modeling world likes to call me. He was surprised when he discovered that I was Japanese . . . the height and the green eyes, y'know. Foreigners just don't realize that Japan hasn't been completely oblivious to outside influences. Seeing somebody like you or me for that matter, comes as a bit of a shock to them. A blonde Japanese? They're quick to disregard that as ridiculous. But for Todd it's even worse . . . discovering two girls . . . and they're both Japanese? The devil's luck!" Minako looked up, "What do you mean . . . discovering? You mean . . . I've got a job?!" "Did you doubt it? All you had to do was look at Todd's reaction. Here, just too make sure, we'll dress you up real pretty and see how Boss likes you. After all, it's his call." They made her wear one of Yuri's smaller outfits, a shirt and Sweater, which fit admirably well. "Well, if you aren't smashing!" Todd said, whistling. "Todd!" Yuri looked slightly irritated. "Hell, she's got potential. But look, Yuri! Doesn't she look like the girl in the pictures? This could be big if it comes to anything at all." "You're the photographer, Todd, not me." But she too had a speculative look in her eyes. Girl in the pictures? Minako swallowed. She had forgotten about that. "Um, what girl in the pictures?" "Our superheroine of course," Todd said promptly. "I snapped some pretty damn fine shots." "So you just want me because I look like this girl?" "Of course not! It's because you're a pretty one, right, Yuri? We'll have to keep you around. Anyways, I'm off to get the Boss man!" He turned and walked off. Minako's cheeks reddened. "Oh," she murmured softly, embarrassed. "Nonsense," Yuri said, calmly. "You should be upset if he *doesn't* say you're pretty." "Oh!" Minako felt chagrined. "I didn't mean it like that," Yuri said softly. "You *are* pretty. That's the point." "Arigato, Sayuri-san." "Oh, go ahead and call me Yuri-chan. We're going to be friends and I'm not *that* much older." "Okay, Yuri-chan! Um . . . how long have you worked here?" "Here as in this studio or here as in England? Well, I've been in England for five years and I've worked with this agency for three. Todd "discovered" me, if you will. And I've had to work with the idiot ever since." "Do you love him?" Minako asked, without thinking. Once the words were out she wondered what had prompted that question. It was so personal and . . . random! "Do I love him?" Yuri looked at her, her words soft. "Yes, I think I do. As much as any woman can love a rascal like that. Oh, but 'e's a tricky one, m'girl. Don't be taken in by him." "Tricky?" "He could charm the scales off a serpent." Before Minako had time to respond to that, the "Boss" walked in, Todd at his side. Mr. Stanley, she reminded herself firmly. She mustn't forget his name! He gave her a cursory look then turned to Todd, his best studio photographer. "This the girl?" "Yes, sir." He looked her up and down for another instant critically then turned to look at Todd and Yuri trying to be discreet in the background. "Hrrrmmm. Hmmmmm. Yes, hmmm." Then with a flick of his fingers he turned and began walking back to the elevator that would get him to his office on the third floor. "She's green as grass and we haven't any demand for her "type" right now. She's got to establish herself a bit first." Just as Minako was beginning to feel the weight of her dreams crashing about her, he stopped and paused. "Girl, what's your name?" "Minako. Minako Aino." He snorted. "Too foreign. You from overseas?" "Yes, sir. Japan." "Oh-ho." Slowly his head turned to look at Todd with one eyebrow lifted, his expression inscrutable. "Another one, Toddy boy?" Todd tried not to flush. "Well then," "Boss" Stanley said briskly, "can you make coffee?" "Um . . . yes?" "Are you asking me or telling me?" "I mean, yessir! I can, sir!" "Don't call me "sir"! Call me "Boss" like the rest of 'em." His voice suddenly became even more strident as he resumed walking. "All right, you're hired. Right now you're only coffee-girl and gopher, got that? After some more time and after you've been around long enough to learn the ropes we'll see if we can shop you around to some people in need of models. But for god's sake, you'd better not be lying about that coffee! STRONG coffee! You ought to thank your lucky stars that the regular girl's out with pneumonia. Yuri can't make a pot to save her life and Todd's tastes worse'n ditchwater. If I didn't need coffee to survive I wouldn't even give you a second look, got it?" "Yes, si-Boss!" "One last thing. Your name is Mina Love from now on. Got that? And you're going to keep a squeaky clean reputation if it kills you. We're short on those kinds of models. Squeaky clean, hear?! Or it's out on your ear you go!" "Yes, Boss!" He hit the elevator button and the door opened instantly. The doors closed on him and by the changing floor numbers they saw that it was rising. Minako stood in shocked amazement for a moment before she mumbled the name out loud. "Mina Love." A quiet voice within her said, "Good show!" Yuri said. Todd was grinning broadly and rubbing his hands together in anticipation. "Ah, yes, I see my evil schemes are working!" The blonde teenager whirled around, exclaiming, "I got the job? I got the job! I got the job!" "You got the job!" Todd and Yuri chanted back happily. "We're all done with this window!" one of the workers from outside shouted. Starting, Minako stared at the window for an instant, happiness warring with dread in her face. Then she squared her shoulders and looking away from the window, a determined look in her eyes, she looked at Todd and Yuri and smiled. Returning to her house, still elated, she was surprised to find Artemis waiting for her outside. "Peggy called," he said shortly. "She said to come right over." "Is something wrong?" Abruptly all the happiness was gone. He shrugged. Breaking into a run, Minako went back down the street and kept running until she was at Peggy's cottage. She was gardening outside as they came up, panting, and her expression was perplexed. "Minako, did you *run* all the way here?" "Peggy, what is it? What's wrong?" "Nothing's wrong," she replied, laughing. Minako glared at Artemis but he was too busy trying to catch his breath to notice. "I just thought you'd like to know that it's done." She smiled and added with genuine excitement, "Come see, Minako!" She let them in through the back gate and into the door of the studio. The portrait was the first thing that met her eyes as the door swung open before them. A woman sat stroking the sleeping white cat in her lap. She was dressed in a white dress with what looked like a little half cape. Colorful ribbons were twined through her golden hair. Soft light filtered through the leaves of the trees behind her and illuminated her figure. The pillars of something that looked like a shrine could be seen in the background as night edged into day along the horizon. She was smiling and her eyes were a wistful blue in color. The whole painting had the quality of a dream. "How do you like it?" Peggy whispered. Minako swallowed. Hard. Artemis's countenance took on the aspect of a thundercloud. "It's beautiful," Minako said stepping closer to it. "Is that really me?" "Yes and no." Artemis snorted. "Yes, that was you. In another life. Isn't that right?" He looked over at Peggy. "Yes." Her voice and eyes were steady. "That's right." Staring at the woman who shared her face, Minako's eyes searched then caught on something. "What's this I'm wearing? This stone pendant? It almost looks like a sword . . ." The white cat jumped, then he stared at the portrait. "I don't know," Peggy was saying. "You wore it in the dream." "Dreams," Artemis bit out, "can be misleading." "What's your *problem*?!" Minako shouted, losing her patience. "It's a *beautiful* portrait! What don't you like about it?!" He ducked his head and lifted and set down one paw repeated. "I look fat." "WHAT?" Peggy burst into a fit of laughter until Minako gave up and joined in too, Artemis still glaring balefully at the floor. In the darkness the lone Hunter prowled, licking its wounds. There was the smell of blood in the air. Its blood. Ancients did not bleed . . . that was a job for lesser Prey. There was Pain. It had gone lame in one leg and both ears had been torn off. Should it return to the Lair it would undoubtedly Die. The Hunter was Smart. It would not go. It would Stay in the Mortal world and feast on Mortal flesh for a long time . . . until it was well again. Then it would Hunt the thing of Power once again. The blades on its arm were still sharp. Its teeth could still rend and Kill. It would Wait. A blade stabbed through its back, severing its spine and puncturing a quick succession of internal organs. It lay bleeding for an instant, the blood-soaked sword plunged through it with its hilt and the hand that held it slick with blood. Then its body too was gone, leaving behind only a pool of blood upon which floated motes of remaining dust. The clatter of falling metal could be heard, as could the sound of a body slumping to the ground. There was Pain but he Lived. To be continued . . . *People from Kansai have a distinctive accent, which is what Yuri means by Minako being able to tell already. Author's Notes: I just wondered . . . What would Minako look like with chin-length hair? For me, it was an interesting thought. What would any of the Senshi look like with a different hairstyle for that matter? I just thought I'd experiment with Minako. Apologizes to any enraged Minako fans. It could've been worse, after all. I could have given her a big tattoo that said "MOMMA" or something. ^_- At least this is only temporary! ^^; Gahhhh . . . And the whole episode was originally a great deal more light-hearted than it ended up being. Because once I actually thought up a good monster of the day that shoved the whole thing up another notch with regard to *that*. And yes, Minako getting a job should have been part of some other episode but it just really, really, REALLY won't fit with Episode Three and she needs to HAVE THE JOB by Episode Four, so. Oh, and Todd and Yuri are just fun. You wouldn't see a whole lot of them, but they'll be there somewhere. *Since this series takes place in England from now on I will be listing Minako under her English alias. All other Japanese characters will be listed family name first. Mina Love/Aino Minako Kenneth Knight/Kunzite Artemis/Artemis Peggy Jones/Yumeno Yumemi Garnet/ORIGINAL CHARACTER Todd/ORIGINAL CHARACTER Tadashi "Yuri" Sayuri/ORIGINAL CHARACTER Mr. "Boss" Stanley/ORIGINAL CHARACTER Still have no idea as to the names of Minako's parents. ^^; Arigato=Thanks Konnichiwa=Good afternoon Sugoi=Awesome