Disclaimer: Sailormoon and all characters are copyright their
respective
owners. I don't own any of the characters related with Sailormoon, and
I'm not making any money off of this story. Also, the song A Whole
New World belongs to its respective owners as well.
Note: Later on in the story, a swear word or two may appear (nothing
very strong) but due to content, this story should probably be rated
Pg-13. Also, the title is subject to change :p
Fears Revisited
Chapter 3
Ryanna (sailorstar100@yahoo.com)
Julia sprang up as the door opened, ponytail flying behind her.
Shinosaki and Makoto walked in together, hand in hand. "Is everything
okay now?" she asked cautiously, looking from one to the other.
Shinosaki started to explain what had transpired, but Makoto
stepped forward, holding out her hand. "Julia, my name is Kino Makoto,
and I apologize about the way I acted earlier. I was rude."
Julia was taken aback. She shook Makoto's hand and answered
slowly, "It's fine. I hope that you didn't get the wrong idea about
Shinosaki and I."
Makoto blushed and shook her head. "Listen, it's stupid for you
two to stay in a motel when I have plenty of room at my apartment."
"Are you sure, Mako-chan?" Shinosaki interrupted from behind,
placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Positive," she said, turning around, "Julia can have the back
room, you can have mine, and I'll sleep on the fold out."
Shinosaki grinned devilishly, leaned over and whispered, "Or we
could share."
Makoto laughed. "We'll see," she whispered back. She turned
back to face Julia. "Then it's settled. "Let's go."
Anybody want tea?" Makoto offered as she disappeared into the
kitchen.
Julia yawned. "No thanks, Makoto. In fact I think I'm going to
go to bed."
"Okay!" Makoto called. "Down the hall, second door on the left,"
she directed Julia, poking her head around a corner.
"Okay. Thanks. 'Night everyone!" Julia called as she
disappeared into the room and closed the door.
Shinosaki walked up behind Makoto and put his arms around her
waist. She giggled quietly as he nuzzled her neck. "I don't suppose
that you want to go to bed, Mako-chan," he whispered.
"And you would suppose correct," she answered, smiling and
turning around, one teacup in each hand. "I want to drink some tea
before I go to bed."
They say on the couch, drinking tea and watching the fire.
Shinosaki had his arm around her shoulders, and Makoto leaned her head
on his chest. She set her teacup on the table and curled up against
his chest. Shinosaki smiled and held her tighter, watching her sleep.
After a few hours, he carefully picked her up, cradling her in
his arms. She mumbled something and snuggled deeper into his arms.
He gently laid her on the bed and tucked the covers around her.
He smiled, and kissed her forehead lightly. "Goodnight, Mako-chan," he
said quietly as he turned to leave.
"Shinosaki?" Makoto's voice stopped him, and he turned to face
her. She smiled. "Goodnight."
He smiled back and left the room, closing the door behind him.
Makoto woke suddenly, sitting up in her bed. She looked at her
alarm clock and sighed. 3:00. "Oh well," she muttered as she opened
the door to her room. "Some water and I'll be back to sleep in no
time."
She wandered into the living room with her glass of water. She
frowned when she saw Shinosaki.
He tossed and turned, lines of fear and sadness creasing his
handsome face. Makoto set her glass down and shook him awake.
He jolted upright, cold sweat running down his face. "Shinosaki,
are you alright?" Makoto asked quietly, sitting down next to him, and
brushing the hair out of his eyes. He was silent for a moment, and she
leaned her head against his shoulder.
Shinosaki put an arm around her shoulder and rested his head on
top of hers. "Yeah. I'm okay."
"Did you have a nightmare?" she asked, looking up at him.
He nodded and met her gaze. "But I'm okay now."
She smiled and yawned. "Good." She snuggled closer to him.
"Because I want to go back to sleep."
Shinosaki tightened his grip on her shoulder. "Mako-chan, it
never goes away, does it?" he asked, lowering his eyes.
The smile faded from her face, and she took his face in her
hands. "No, it doesn't. You know that." Silent tears ran down his
face. She hugged him tighter. "It never goes away, but
eventually-eventually it gets easier," she lied with a tiny smile.
Shinosaki nodded and forced a tiny smile. Makoto leaned upward and
kissed him softly. "Come on," she got up, holding onto his hand.
"Let's go to bed."
Shinosaki lay awake, content to watch Makoto sleep. She was
cuddled next to him. He yawned, and Makoto stirred. She opened her
heavy eyes slowly. She sat up and looked around for a few seconds,
trying to wake up, then her eyes found her clock and she groaned.
"I'm sorry if I woke you," Shinosaki apologized, putting an arm
around her waist and kissing her shoulder.
Makoto yawned and leaned her head back against him. "No biggy,"
she said sleepily. "I have to leave for work anyway." She got up
reluctantly and headed into the bathroom.
"Well, do you want to catch a movie later tonight?" He called
after her.
She appeared in the doorway, holding her toothbrush. "I can't
tonight. I work from 10-4, then from 8-12." She continued to brush
her teeth.
Shinosaki shrugged. "Okay, then we'll see a movie at 4:30."
Makoto rummaged through her drawers for her work clothes.
"Sure," she answered, "if you want."
"Okay then. Do you need a ride to work?" Shinosaki offered,
getting out of bed and pulling on a shirt.
"Sure. Let me just leave Julia a note."
"Thanks for the ride." Makoto opened the car door.
Shinosaki chuckled. "I can't believe that you're working here."
Makoto became defensive. "Hey, that's not fair. You try getting
a job around here."
"I was just joking. It's just kind of ironic, that's all.
Anyways, I'll be back at four to pick you up."
Makoto leaned against the open car window. "Okay, then. I'll
see you at four," she repeated, and then disappeared into the Crown
Game Center and Restaurant.
"Shinosaki! I'm glad you're back," Julia stood up when she heard
the door open and close.
"What's up?" he asked, hanging up his coat and taking off his
shoes.
"Good news." She handed him a file folder. "We just found a new
lead."
Shinosaki's eyes widened. "You're kidding."
Julia smiled. "Serious. The DNA lab was able to isolate some
skin samples from your mother's fingernails." Shinosaki nodded and
swallowed. "They also identified them as being identical to the
samples that were found on your sister when her autopsy was preformed.
So if it was an assassin, that means that the same person hired him for
both jobs."
"Hana..." he whispered under his breath. Then his eyes hardened.
"When I find the bastard who did this-" he swore.
Julia put her arm on his shoulder. "We'll find them. I
promise." Shinosaki nodded slowly and excused himself to his room.
Julia sighed and sat back down at the table that was covered with
pictures of the two murders. She rubbed her eyes and leaned back in
her chair. "God I hope we find him."
Shinosaki opened the door to the Crown Game Center and Restaurant
where he'd dropped Makoto off hours earlier.
"May I help you, sir?" A young man wiped his hands with a rag.
"I'm looking for Kino Makoto."
"Sure. I'll get her." He motioned to a nearby chair. "Have a
seat."
"Thanks." Shinosaki looked around the building. He smiled.
"Hasn't changed at all."
Makoto came around a corner carrying a pizza. "You're early!"
she called over her shoulder. A few moments later she reappeared. "So
what's up?" she asked sitting down next to him, and planting a quick
kiss on his cheek.
"Nothing," he answered, kissing her on the forehead. "How much
longer till you get off work?"
Makoto looked at her watch. "Twenty-five minutes." She sighed
and leaned her head back on his shoulder momentarily. Then, she rose
and stretched her arms above her head. "Back to work," she mumbled and
disappeared.
"Later guys!" Makoto called over her shoulder as she grabbed her
purse from behind the counter. Shinosaki stood from his seat and
walked out of the tiny place with her.
Makoto sighed as she leaned back against the car seat. She
closed her eyes for a moment, and then looked up at the roof.
"What's the matter?" Shinosaki asked, turning the key to start
the engine.
She smiled at him. "Nothing. Just a little bummed that I have
to work all night, that's all." Silence. Makoto stared out the window
and watched other cars go by. There's something that he's not telling
me, Makoto thought wordlessly. She frowned and stole a glance at his
handsome profile. "What movie do you want to see?" she asked suddenly.
"I really don't care. There's probably some new horror flick
playing," Shinosaki suggested as he pulled into the parking lot of the
movie theater. "I just want to spend some time with you." He smiled.
"Okay," Makoto agreed, climbing out of the car. He'll tell me
sooner or later, her mind reassured her.
"I'll see you tonight then, okay?"
Makoto smiled, unbuckling her seatbelt.
Shinosaki leaned over and gave her a quick kiss. Makoto pulled
away slowly. "Bye!" she disappeared into the arcade, leaving Shinosaki
alone. He sighed and headed back to the apartment to discuss this new
lead with Julia.
"Makoto-san!" Furuhata Motoki came around to where she was
wiping down the tables. I'm going to run to get some milk for tomorrow
morning. I'll be back in a few minutes."
Makoto nodded and went back to wiping the tables. She heard him
leave and sighed. She rubbed her eyes and yawned. She looked up at
the clock. Midnight. Good, she thought, Shinosaki should be here
soon. Her ears perked up when she heard the door open.
A short, dark man entered the small restaurant portion of the
game center and sat down at a nearby booth. Suddenly she wished that
Motoki hadn't left. "I'm sorry, sir," she said quietly, "but we're all
closed up for tonight." A deep put formed in the middle of her stomach
as he turned to face her. Get a hold of yourself, Makoto! her mind
scolded. Nothing bad is going to happen. You can take care of
yourself.
"Oh," was the only word the man uttered. Slowly he rose and
turned to leave. Makoto let out the breath that she'd been holding
without realizing it. But still the pit remained. "But I'm forgetting
something." The man turned around, pulling a gun from his coat.
Makoto's breath was caught in her throat. "Take whatever you
want," she whispered. The man grinned, baring a mouth full of ugly
teeth. "Oh, but I already have what I want." She could see his beady
eyes narrow under his hat. He pulled the trigger.
Makoto cried out sharply as she fell to the ground, her hand
clutched to her chest. She struggled to breathe, and her mind
wandered. She felt darkness creep up behind her, its icy hand
strangling her, slowly creeping into her mind.
Faintly, she heard a door open, and then two voices. "Shino-
saki-" she cried, her voice barely above a whisper. Her vision blurred
and her body tensed slightly, then relaxed as the darkness became
victorious.
Motoki head someone walk up behind him as he started to open the
door to his game center. "I'm sorry, we're-" he cut off sharply as he
turned to face the stranger.
"Motoki-kun?" Shinosaki blinked in surprise.
Motoki did the same. Then a smile spread to their faces. "I
didn't know that you were back in town," he continued as he opened the
door. "Do you want something to eat?"
"No, thanks. Actually I'm here to see-" Silence cut him off
when they entered the tiny dining room. Fear cut through Shinosaki as
he stood there, frozen and unmoving. "Mako-chan," he whispered.
She lay face down on the floor, a crimson cloud around her. Both
Motoki and Shinosaki stood paralyzed in the doorway. "Call an
ambulance, Motoki." Somehow Shinosaki found his voice. Motoki nodded
wordlessly and disappeared.
Shinosaki knelt next to her, and carefully cradled her in his
arms. Tears formed at the corner of his eyes. This can't be
happening, his mind screamed. Not again. "Mako-chan," he whispered,
softly rubbing her cheek with his thumb. "C'mon," he pleaded, "just
wake up."
Sirens wailed and screamed in the distance as they drew nearer.
Shinosaki held Makoto closer to him, never wanting to let her go.
A wave of paramedics entered the game center. They shoved
Shinosaki out of the way; forcing him to back off. He stood, dazed as
they swarmed around Makoto. Beeping and shouting filled the air.
Motoki put a hand on Shinosaki's shoulder. Shinosaki looked down at
his hands. They were covered with crimson, and were stained with the
blood of his beloved.
The medics lifted Makoto on a stretcher and raced for the door.
Shinosaki watched with blind eyes. He felt himself follow her. A
medic appeared in front of him and stopped him from following her.
"Sir, you can't go in the ambulance with her. But you can follow
behind. We're taking her to Shogun Hospital."
The ambulance doors were closed and it raced down the street.
Shinosaki jumped into his car and followed the ambulance into the
dark night.
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