Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ The Ascension Trilogy, Book 1: The Coming Ice Age ❯ Questions, Questions, Questions ( Chapter 3 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

THE COMING ICE AGE,
Chapter 3: "Questions, Questions, Questions"

By Bill K.

"I wonder what Setsuna wants?" Usagi said. She and Rei walked up
the street together. Setsuna's house was almost in sight.

"I don't know," Rei replied.

Usagi looked at her askance. "What do you mean you don't know?"

"I mean I don't know!"

"I thought you were psychic!"

"I haven't had any premonitions. I haven't done a fire reading.
I haven't had a chance to read Setsuna or this mystery guy, so I DON'T
KNOW!"

"You don't have to yell," huffed Usagi.

"I don't have to talk to you, either, but I do," sniped Rei.
"Besides, it's hard to read Setsuna. She's got something about her that
hides her emotions from me - - assuming she even has emotions."

"Rei Hino, that is a cruel thing to say!"

"I know. It's frustrating. The only other person I've never been
able to read was Grandpa. I'm not used to not getting impressions from
people. It throws me off."

They arrived at the door and rang the bell. Setsuna answered
immediately.

"My Princess," she said, bowing to Usagi. "Rei. Thank you both
for coming so quickly."

"Of course, Setsuna," Usagi smiled. They were ushered in. "Ooh,
you have a very nice home! I've never been here before! It's just
lovely!"

"My apologies, Princess, for not having you over sooner," Setsuna
offered.

"You mentioned Sailor business?" prodded Rei.

Setsuna sighed. "Perhaps. Perhaps not. I shall let you be the
judge. Please accompany me."

Setsuna led the pair into the bedroom. Once there, both women
goggled in surprise at the nearly naked winged man. Janus spotted the
movement and shifted defensively - - until he saw Usagi. Then his face
calmed and he seemed to relax.

"Hello," Usagi said, giving him one of her radiant smiles. "My
name's Usagi. And you are . . .?"

"Janus," he said, studying her as a child would study a new toy.

"Oh my, you're hurt!" Usagi gasped. She sat down next to him and
touched his visible wound. Janus seemed enlivened by her proximity.
"How did this happen?"

"A fierce battle," he confessed. "They sought to bar my way to
the portal."

"Who are 'they'?"

"My enemies. I escaped to this place before they could kill me."
He looked into Usagi's eyes with wonder. "You are one of great power.
I think your power could dwarf even that of fabled Wodun." Usagi
blushed.

"Where are you from?" Rei asked, looking at him like she was
looking through him.

Janus turned to her and a pall of suspicion fell over him. He
seemed to eye Rei warily.

"It's all right," Usagi told him. "Rei's my friend, just like
Setsuna is. Just like you are, I hope."

It didn't seem to change his view of the priestess.

"I am from Knorr," he replied cautiously.

"And these enemies?" Rei asked.

"Surts," he murmured, looking cautiously toward Rei. Rei
continued to stare at him, taking every tic and gesture. "They are the
Surts. Surts are our enemy sworn. It has always been so."

"Why?" Usagi asked. Janus looked at her, stunned by the question.

"Surts mean to destroy us," Janus replied, amazed she wouldn't
know this.

"Why would they want to do that?"

"Because they are Surts," Janus said bitterly.

"That doesn't sound like a very good reason," Usagi told him.
"Have your two peoples ever tried to work it out between the two of you?
Common ground can always be found if both sides only try."

"It," Janus hesitated, "that could never happen. And yet, when
you speak such words, I find myself believing."

"If you'd like, when you're stronger, we could go to where you
come from," Usagi offered. "Perhaps I could talk both sides into
stopping the fighting. Perhaps I could get them started on the road to
finding a common ground."

"Do you think that's wise?" Rei demanded urgently.

"Of course," Usagi smiled confidently. "Why wouldn't it be?"

"Your offer is most - - kind," Janus struggled to say, cutting
Rei's retort off. "I do not think it will succeed, though. Too much
has happened for there to ever be peace between us and the Surts. We
will protect our lives and our way."

"I think you're making a mistake," grimaced Usagi.

"I have made them before," Janus smiled. "All I ask of you, and I
realize it is much to ask, is a haven to recover my strength. I do not
think the Surts would pursue me to this world. You need not fear."

"Agreed," Setsuna spoke up. Usagi and Rei both turned to her.
"You may stay here for as long as you wish. Should any come after you,
I pledge to defend you."

"Of course, Janus," Usagi added. "We'll be glad to help you until
you get well."

Janus looked up at Setsuna. "You have been too kind to me. You
have my thanks. Know that one day I will try to help you as you have
helped me." Setsuna seemed gratified by the response.

"Rest now," Setsuna said, touching his forehead. She and her
fellow senshi adjourned to the kitchen. Instantly she turned to them.

"What are your impressions?" Setsuna asked.

"He's dreamy," sighed Usagi. Rei scowled and Setsuna seemed
momentarily uncomfortable.

"Well," Rei hesitated. "Everything he told us was true. I was
able to read that much, plus I can tell he's a mystical being and I've
seen mentions of a place called Knorr. It's one of the mystical
dimensions, like Elysian."

"Where did you encounter this knowledge?" Setsuna asked.

"As my 'sight' grows, it becomes more sensitive to mystical
beings. And I'm not the only person in history with the sight. In my
divinity studies, I've run across descriptions of visions by others with
the sight. They describe mystical dimensions and mention names. I'm
pretty sure one of them was Knorr."

"Besides, he's dreamy," Usagi added. "Dreamy guys don't lie."

"Dreamy guys are the ones you have to watch out for the most," Rei
grumbled. "Like I said, everything he told us was true."

"But you imply he is not telling us everything," Setsuna judged.

"He was real suspicious of me, too," Rei noted. "Since he's
mystical in origin, maybe he could tell I'm a seer and didn't want to
reveal too much. Maybe it's something else."

"There is one other thing," Setsuna admitted. "During my initial
time with him, I received a vision of the future." Setsuna hesitated.
"Perhaps I should not be telling you this."

"You can see the future?" Usagi gasped in wonder.

"My Princess, it is only a refinement of the abilities I have had
for years. My glimpses of events yet to come are clearer now. And I
have come to learn that the future is ever changing, based upon the
actions we take in the now. That is why I hesitate to reveal this
vision to you."

"Is it good or bad?"

"It is," Setsuna said gravely, "most terrible. My fear is that
revealing this to you will somehow allow this tragedy to come to pass."
Setsuna shook her head. "I have said too much. Please pardon me for
worrying you both."

"Maybe you should tell us, Setsuna," Usagi said. "If it only
allows you to lift this terrible burden from your shoulders, that's a
good thing. I can see how depressed it's making you."

"Usagi," Rei interceded. "Setsuna's doing what she thinks is
right. I've had some experience with tragic visions. It's not always
in everyone's best interest to know what's coming."

"But if it's bad and you know it's coming, then you can fight it
or avoid it!" Usagi argued.

"And there are times when a single event, like the tip of an
iceberg, masks other greater troubles behind it. By avoiding or
forestalling the initial tragedy, you set off a chain of events that
will domino into catastrophe. The future is a delicate thing, My
Princess, and must be handled with great caution." Seeing she still
wasn't convinced, Setsuna softened. "Allow me at least to meditate upon
this and attempt to see more before I decide."

"I'll try to divine something, too," Rei offered. "See if I can
get some handle on what might or might not be coming."

"OK," Usagi murmured. "Well we are agreed that we're going to
protect him, right? In case some of those Surts come looking for him?"

"So I have sworn," Setsuna said firmly.

"Sure, even if it's just to keep Earth from becoming a potential
battlefield," Rei replied. "But I'd like to look into this a little
deeper. I want to know just what he's not telling us."

Usagi's eyes got narrow as she glanced over at Setsuna. Her mouth
curled up into a grin like a cat lapping cream.

"I noticed the way he was looking at you, Setsuna," Usagi grinned.
Setsuna flushed, a reaction Rei couldn't remember ever seeing the woman
have. "So tell me, do you think he's cute?"

"M-My Princess," stammered Setsuna. "I - - no doubt he is - -
merely grateful for my care and hospitality."

"That's the way it always starts," Usagi said sing-song. "You
just keep showing him how caring and devoted you can be and . . ."

"All right, put it in neutral, Little Miss Matchmaker!" Rei fumed.
She grabbed Usagi by the arm and jerked her away.

"But Rei!" howled Usagi.

"Honestly, I can't take you anywhere!" she said as she dragged
Usagi to the door. "We'll touch back later, Setsuna. Come on!"

"But Rei, they're perfect for each other! Rei!"
* * * *
"Dr. Fujihara?" the receptionist said over the phone to Ami. "I
have a woman here asking if you'll see her. She doesn't have an
appointment, but she asked me to tell you that it's 'Mrs. Manabe'?"

Ami's eyes lit up. "Yes, I'll squeeze her in! Please send her
right back!"

The woman, a striking beauty with medium length black hair, was
escorted back to one of the exam rooms of the doctor's office. She wore
drab jeans and an inexpensive blouse and dark glasses even inside. Ami
smothered a grin and ushered her into the room, then closed the door.

"Another successful blind for the mistress of disguise," smirked
Minako as she whipped off the glasses and wig.

"It's nice to know you haven't lost your flair for the dramatic,"
grinned Ami.

"Dramatic?" gasped Minako dramatically. "I HAVE to go out like
that! Otherwise I'll be mobbed by fans! Ami, I can't cross the street
without half the teenage population of Tokyo descending on me! Not to
mention reporters and papparazzi!"

"You chose this life," Ami told her.

"And I love it," Minako replied. "But it can wear on you. Which
is why I'm here. My last show of the tour is tonight and I am just
beat! Anything you can do?"

"I can tell you to maintain a proper diet, get proper rest and
exercise, just like I always tell you," Ami said with mild sternness.

"I get the exercise on stage. As for the rest, I'd prefer
something that doesn't leech every ounce of fun out of my life."

"I suppose I could give you a shot of vitamins," Ami sighed. "I
doubt you've been eating right. That's about it. I'm not prescribing
anything stronger for you."

"Hey, I'm not asking," Minako said, throwing up her hands. "I've
seen way too many people crash and burn from stuff like that on my rocky
road to overnight stardom. I'm not traveling down that path."

"Well, good for you," Ami said. She pulled out a box of
pharmaceutical samples and fished through it.

"I've got some tickets to tonight's show if you want them," Minako
said, digging into her jeans. "Love to have you. You can even bring
Mr. Boring."

"Hayami is not boring," Ami bristled. "He's quiet."

"Oh, is that what it is?" teased Minako. "I still can't see what
you see in him."

Ami grew melancholy. "You reach a time in life when you get tired
of being alone, Minako. Hayami may not be the man I dreamed about when
I was sixteen, but he's kind and he's considerate and he's someone to be
with. It took me a while to notice, but he showed me the logic of us
being together. And you may not think he's handsome or exciting, but
there's a lot to be said for stability - - and the longer I'm with him,
the more beautiful things about him I notice."

"Well, as long as you're happy," Minako smiled warmly. "It's a
hard thing to find sometimes."

"I haven't been keeping track. Is the divorce from Toshihiro
final yet?"

"About a month ago. And before you say anything, yes I did have
to jump into bed with Ace! Honestly, you doctors are all so smart! Why
haven't any of you come up with a cure for him?"

"Medical science can only do so much," Ami said, trying to conceal
a laugh. "The patient is chiefly responsible for health maintenance by
avoiding risky situations."

"Learn that at Oxford, did you?" grumbled Minako.

"Here," Ami said, handing Minako two tabs with pills in them.
"Take these. They're high in iron. It's probably why you're so
fatigued. And some day you'll meet the right man and your love for him
will sweep Ace out of your system." She smirked. "Who knows - - he may
be working in your local library right this minute."

"Heaven forbid," scowled Minako. She downed the vitamins. "Ami,
this may sound weird, but is anything unusual happening around town?"

"Unusual? Why do you ask?"

"Oh, Artemis has his tail in a knot about the cool weather we've
been having. He thinks its 'Plan 9 From Outer Space' all over again or
something. But now he's got my old Sailor V instincts itching,
wondering if he's really onto something."

"Hmm," thought Ami. "Maybe when I get home, I'll do some quick
scans of the geological and meteorological data for the island - -
before Hayami and I go to the concert, of course. If anything abnormal
comes up, I'll contact you." Ami thought some more. "You might also
want to check in with Setsuna."

"Setsuna? What's her angle?"

"She has a very intriguing house-guest."
* * * *
Akira peered into the dark room before heading home for the
evening. He was eager to see his wife and young son again, but his
loyalty to both his ideals and his fellow priest forced him to linger.

Rei was bent over a ceremonial iron fire pit blackened by multiple
uses, chanting intensely as a fire roared inches from her. Her face was
red from the heat and slick with perspiration, but she didn't seem to
notice. She stared intently into the fire without really seeing it, for
her vision was on a different plane of reality.

It had been a shock to learn that the woman he had come to admire
for her unwavering dedication to her shrine and her faith was both the
famous Sailor Mars and a woman gifted with the sight. He'd read about
people with second sight, labeled precognition by science, but was
always unsure as to whether they actually existed. Rei actually
existed, as did her powers. He knew that simply by the way she seemed
to anticipate people's moods. Further proof came when he spotted her
fortune-telling for worshippers who stopped by. They claimed they only
wanted those special charms that only Hikawa had, but Akira was enough
of a judge of character to know they knew Rei could give them a peek
into their future.

The knowledge she was also Sailor Mars was just as startling.
When she was forced to transform in front of him to stop the attack of a
spirit monster several years ago, he was forced to accept the truth.
Yet, for all of her ability, Rei still remained a dedicated priest and a
sad, unrequited woman wounded early by the cruelties of life and
reluctant to venture out from her safe cocoon. And yet she put that all
aside without hesitation the moment a threat to someone else appeared.
Was that why she communicated with the fire now?

"Fukuoka-sensei," bowed Naoko, the shrine maiden on duty. She was
a round-faced sixteen-year-old with a beautiful spirit who loved her
time at the shrine, despite Rei's occasional demanding nature. "Is
Hino-sensei in there? I've been looking for her."

Akira put his finger to his lips. "Quietly Naoko-chan," Akira
whispered. "Hino-sensei is occupied."

"Fire reading?" Naoko asked. "What's wrong?"

"Perhaps nothing."

"She wouldn't be doing a fire reading unless she was afraid of
some threat."

"You are correct in that. It does not mean her suspicions are not
groundless."

"When Hino-sensei senses trouble, she's usually right," Naoko
said.

"What did you need?"

"I've swept up and stored the charms and incense. I was wondering
if I could go home. Although if she's fire-reading, maybe I'd better
stay."

"Go home, child. What she does is very personal. You could not
help her and she would not wish your help, though she would be honored
by the offer." Akira smiled. "Do you have a date?"

"Only with my algebra book," Naoko replied, rolling her eyes.

"Then go home. Hino-sensei would want you to keep up with your
studies. I will walk you to the street."

"Shouldn't somebody stay with her?"

"We are not the ones she needs by her side," Akira smiled gently.
"When she has need of them, she will call and they will come. She has
done this for a great many years, child. Have faith in her."

Akira and Naoko gently shut the door and walked to the street
level. In the dark room, illuminated only by the light from the fire,
Rei continued to chant and keen before it, her mind searching the fire
for the answer to her suspicions. The chanting died down to silence as
a vision trickled into her head. Rei tried to see it, straining her
mind's eye to pierce the cloud that made the picture hazy. Her brow
furrowed. Silently she pleaded with the kami of the fire to make the
picture clearer.

Her parched lips parted slightly. Seeing nothing in this
dimension, her eyes stared out. A whispered word formed and spilled
out.

"Ice."

Continued in Chapter 4