Her blond hair hung around her shoulders and a trail of blood made it's way down her cheek. She closed one eye, taking careful aim at her target. Debris flew around her head, but she was able to ignore them all. Nothing at this point could faze her. Her finger moved and the sound rang in her ears. Her palms were sweaty as she took aim again. Faster and faster each time. Men cried out into the night and the wails of women echoed off the building walls. Blood spots decorated her and her surroundings.
Then there was quiet. The sweat mixed with her blood and dripped off her chin onto her knee. Her gun felt heavy in her hand. She held it to her side as she moved from behind a rack of crates. The ally that she had been in was a dead end, and she was grateful for the crates that gave her such good cover during the shoot out.
Minako Aino, detective at age 20, moved along the wounded bodies, checking each one. In the Police Academy of Tokyo she had been taught how to shoot to kill, but knowing how one's heart hurt due to loss, she only wounded her enemies. Soon, she hoped, she would put a bullet through Lady Rinko's heart. That demon woman would receive no sympathy from Minako.
"Ah chi Minako-chan, you popped a whole lot of them," commented a tall blond man.
"I didn't kill any of them sir," Minako said carefully.
"And it's a good thing, we need to question these law breakers. Death is too easy for them. Did you know that getting yourself killed and suicide is the cowards way out?"
"No sir, I didn't know." Minako thought for a second. "Mr. Yamata? What if you were to kill someone right away?" Mikida Yamata laughed.
"That's too easy. I say make them suffer." He picked up a wounded drug lord. "You hear that buddy?" he said in an icy voice. Minako holstered her gun and exited the ally. Police were surrounding the entire area. People in black and blue jackets rushed around. Ambulances were parked at both street corners and three were parked in front of the ally entrance. Another drug bust another dollar. Minako sighed.
She moved across the street where her car was parked. She leaned against it, closing her eyes. A tall dark woman invaded her space behind her eyelids. Long black hair and navy blue butterfly wings and slender hips and shapely legs. A Chinese dress and a long sword made of ice. Pink balls of light glowed in her hand.
Minako opened her eyes and sighed. She knew that tonight she wouldn't get any rest. She looked at her watch. It was only eleven thirty. She wondered if Makos’ place was still open for a midnight snack. Dark clouds parted allowing a healthy moonlight to shine down on her. She touched the corner of her eye where she had received a cut. She looked down at herself and shook her head. She felt dirty and tired.
"Hey! Yamata-sensi! I'll file my report tomorrow morning!" she yelled across the street to him. He nodded and waved her off, turning back to an American FBI agent. She got into her car and turned it on, listening to the soft purr of the engine. She wondered if Luna and Artemis were still up. She pulled out and stopped at a corner. A flashing light caught her attention. 'Moon Enterprises' it said. She sighed again. She missed Usagi so very much.
Minako came near the street of her apartment, but changed her mind at the last minute. She turned and kept driving until she came to a large empty lot. She parked the car and looked at her watch. Almost midnight. As she got out of the car her head bumped into her henshin pen, which was now a car ornament.
"I guess I was driving faster then I thought." She let out a long breath and fell back on the cool grass. It had been five years since she and Usagi had lain on that same lot. Usagi's smiles she warmed her, but her disappearance haunted her. Minako swore that once she found Lady Rinko she would ask her where Usagi was, then kill her.
Only a few years ago they were there. They talked about their past lives, and Usagi promised boyfriends for all of them. They laughed and sang songs. They even had a bit of liquor. Then the sky got dark, and Lady Rinko came and took away all of their happiness.
"I wish I could have... done better... protecting her." Minako sighed and stared at the full moon. A soft flutter made her sit up and turn around. She got on her knees and rubbed her eyes, blinked then rubbed them again.
"U..Usagi?" she asked, Usagi stood before her in a flowing white dress. The same dress she wore when in her princess form. She smiled wildly and fought back tears of joy. Minako jumped up throwing her arms around her old friend.
The moment their bodies came in contact Minako knew something was wrong. A strong force pushed her back. She let out a startled cry. She had been pushed, but Usagi hadn't moved her hands at all. Minako rolled over and pulled her handgun from a holster on her ankle. She slid back on one knee and poised the gun, aimed at Usagi's heart.
"Who the hell are you?" Minako demanded. Her hand shook. No way this person could be Usagi, and yet...
Usagi's mouth moved, although no sound came out. It was like a silent movie. Pale arms reached out into the air and a yellow light formed within her hands. The ball of light moved slowly towards Minako. In a panic Minako pulled the trigger, closing her eyes and letting her unshed tears fall down her cheek. The shot sounded dull and hollow in the cool night air. The world seemed black and her heart ached as it had once done before.
By the time she opened her eyes it was too late. The light hadn't been stopped and was practically on top of her. She dropped her gun as it absorbed her. She felt as though her body was being pulled apart. Her arms and legs were stretched, threatening to be ripped off. Through the pain Minako saw the fake Usagi holding up her hands as though she were offering a gift to the sky. Minako's Henshin pen floated above her and that was the last thing she saw before giving into the forgiving darkness.
Usagi lowered her hands to her sides as Minako and her bubble faded. She looked onto the city lights and she could hear the oceans crash against the shore. The sound of the night surrounded her and a voice echoed in her head.
"Let me... See them again... Let me see him again.... let me return to earth."
