Planet Bound: Venus by Marj Notes: arigato - thank you musume - daughter minna - everyone okaa-san - mother onegai - please otou-san - father Please e-mail your comments and constructive criticisms at . Thanks! Disclaimers: The characters of Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon were created by Naoko Takeuchi-san, its copyright owned by Toei Animation, Kodansha, Nakayoshi, Sterling Animation Inc., and many other companies scattered throughout the world. Meaning, I cannot claim the characters as my own, and am mearly borrowing them. The character Ayukawa Himeru and all the characters not found in the manga are mine. So please don't sue, as I don't earn anything from this other than the satisfaction of making a story. Chapter Twenty-three: Goodbye, Minako-chan Rei was meditating in front of the fire early that morning. She had sensed that something was wrong the past few days, and was trying to look for the reason through the great fire. But the fire hadn't given her any response. Rei was becoming really frustrated. She had lacked for sleep ever since the bad premonitions had started, and she wanted her questions answered. Suddenly, there was a blinding flash of light. It seeped inside the walls of the temple, and Rei had to cover her eyes to protect them from it. "What the . . . ?" she stammered, then rushed outside. There, she found Artemis and Himeru, with Minako in Himeru's arms. Rei's hands flew to her mouth. "Is she . . . ?" she asked softly. Himeru shook his head. "No. She's alive, but barely. We'd better take her inside." Rei nodded. "Take her to my room. I'll call the others right away." Minutes later, Usagi and the others surrounded Minako on her bed. Usagi looked very worried. "What happened to her back there?" Himeru's eyes were sad. "She had a severe trauma on Venus. Some kind of vacation that was." "Minako's parents were worried these past few days. They've been calling me, and I didn't know what to say. I didn't know how long I could last," Ami said, placing a cold towel on Minako's forehead. "I think we'll have to tell them that she can't go to school anymore . . ." Himeru said softly after Ami examined her friend's condition. Ami nodded, feeling her tears rise to her eyes. "She's too weak." Minako stirred again. This time, she opened her eyes slowly. "Minna . . ." she mumbled. "Minako-chan!!" Usagi cried, putting on the water works. Makoto placed her hand on Usagi's shoulder. "Calm down, Usagi-chan. She's here already, so there's no need to cry," she said. Minako's gaze turned to Himeru. "A . . . Ares . . ." she said, tears forming in her eyes again. Himeru held her hand in concern. "Shh. It's all over . . . don't let it bother you, please. Your condition's getting worse and worse because of it . . ." Makoto looked at Himeru. "Ares? Isn't he your - ?" He nodded, closing his eyes tightly at the memory of his brother. "Yes." Minako squeezed Himeru's hand. "Am I . . . did you bring me back?" "I did. It was your wish, wasn't it?" For the first time in days, Minako smiled. "Arigato." She suddenly started coughing again. "Minako . . ." Artemis said, concerned. Minako weakly smiled. "I guess it's back, huh? There's no escaping it." She tried to stand up. "I have to go home and see my parents before they're totally worried." "Let me help you." Makoto offered, holding her shoulder. "Let's all help her get home," Ami suggested, getting up from her spot by the bed. As Minako watched her friends support her weak frame, she thought happily, ***** A few days passed by until one sunny October morning . . . Kimiko walked slowly to her daughter's room. She was in her ninth month of pregnancy, and was expecting the baby to arrive anytime. She knocked softly on the door. "Mina-chan, get up! It's time for breakfast!" No answer. "Minako-chan!" She heard a soft meow coming from inside the room. She smiled. she thought. "Minako, we'll be waiting for you downstairs!" she called out before heading back down to the breakfast table. She sat down beside her husband. "So where is she?" Michio asked, passing the bread to his wife's mother. "She's still asleep when I went there, but I think her cat woke her up," Kimiko said. "Kimiko," Grandmother Kagami asked, "when did the doctor say your baby's due?" "Anytime this month, okaa-san. The baby's birthday could be near Minako's," Kimiko said, fondly caressing her abdomen. "Minako's turning seventeen this year, isn't she?" The Ainos nodded. Michio thought. Minutes passed by. Kimiko stared at the toast in front of her, her fingers tapping restlessly on the table. "Dear, are you all right?" her husband asked. "That child of yours is taking her time up in her bedroom," she said, a bit annoyed by her daughter's laziness. "I'd better see what she's up to." "I'll do it," Michio said, standing up. "You shouldn't strain yourself, you know." His wife shook her head. "It's a mother's job to wake up her daughter." Grandmother Kagami smiled. "And soon you'll have two." Kimiko looked at her mother. "I hope so, okaa-san. I really hope so." She stood up and once more headed towards her daughter's room. "Mina!! Wake up! We're almost done eating and you're still sleeping!!" she shouted angrily. "Just because you can't go to school anymore, doesn't mean that you get to wake up late, you know!" She still could not hear any sound coming from her daughter's room other than the noisy meows of her cat. "Minako!" ~meow!~ "Minako!!!" ~meow!!~ Kimiko placed her hands on her waist and huffed. "I'm coming inside," she said, turning the doorknob. When she got in, she found her daughter on her bed, with the cat Minako called Artemis standing on the bed near her head. The cat was suddenly silent as he saw her in front of the door. Kimiko strode angrily towards her daughter's bed, preparing to summon up the loudest voice she could muster. But she did not shout. Not when she saw that her daughter's breathing was coming out in jagged gasps. "Michio ! Michio!!!" she shouted. She heard her husband's footsteps run up the stairs and into the bedroom. "What is it?" he asked. "Call the doctor! Something's wrong with Minako!" Kimiko quickly reached for the mask on the tank of oxygen beside the bed, which Minako usually used to ease her breathing every now and then. She placed it over her daughter's nose and mouth. Her husband ran back downstairs to call Minako's doctor. ***** That afternoon, Minako woke up to see the faces of her anxious parents and grandmother. She smiled weakly at them. "It's time, isn't it?" she asked quietly. Kimiko shook her head. "We'll be taking you to the hospital today." She gently brushed her daughter's blond hair away from her eyes and kissed her forehead. "It isn't over. Not yet." "I'm tired, Okaa-san . . ." "Don't say that," her mother scolded her. "The doctor said that they could still help you." Minako turned away as she got caught in another coughing fit. Her mother rubbed her back until she looked back at her. " . . . I'm tired . . ." Michio held her hand. "Then go back to sleep. We can take things from here." His daughter squeezed his hand. "Otou-san . . . take me there -" She coughed again. "We're already on our way, dear," her father said. Minako shook her head. "Take me there after . . ." Michio looked at her wife. "After . . . ?" "Onegai . . ." Minako took a few deep breaths before continuing. "Call my friends . . . I want to see them here . . ." "Here? Right now, dear?" Mrs. Kagami asked. Minako nodded. "Right now . . . Michio gave her wife a questioning look. Kimiko could only shrug. "It's hard to refuse a favor coming from a person in her sick bed," she said softly. "Go on, dear. A few minutes with her friends won't do her any harm." Minako looked at her father. "Their . . . phone numbers are written in the ad . . . the address book in there," she said, pointing at the drawer of her study desk. Michio stood up from his chair, took the address book and headed for the phone. After he left, Minako felt something amiss. She started looking around. "Artemis? Where is he?" she asked weakly. "We took him outside, dear. I'm afraid the cat seems to be going through hysterics -" her grandmother answered. "Let him in . . . I want to hold him," Minako said. Her grandmother went out of the room and came back a few minutes later with the cat. Artemis jumped out of the old woman's arms and straight into Minako's. His blue eyes focused anxiously on his friend. Minako sensed his worry and kissed his forehead affectionately. After some time, Michio went inside the room, address book in hand. "I called your friends, dear. They said they're coming, but it seems that your friend Himeru isn't home," he said, sitting back in his chair. Minako felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. she thought, frowning. Soon, the doorbell rang. Her father left to answer the door and came back with Usagi and Luna in tow. Minako smiled slightly. Usagi wasn't the last one to arrive this time. Usagi paid her respects to Minako's mother and her grandmother, then rushed forward to Minako's bed. "I came as soon as your otou-san called me," she said worriedly, sitting down on a chair and holding her friend's hand. "Are you all right?" Minako squeezed Usagi's hand. "Let's wait for the others," she said weakly. Usagi could only nod. Before long, the other Inner Senshi were all there, worried about their teammate's failing health. Minako's parents and grandmother thought it would be best to leave them alone, so they left the room quietly. "Call downstairs when you need us," Mrs. Aino told Minako before leaving. The bedridden girl looked at the other four girls inside her room. "Minna," Minako said softly. "This is it." "Minako-chan, no . . ." Usagi pleaded, gripping her friend's hand tighter. Burning tears started to form in everyone's eyes. "I'm so tired, Usagi . . . I want to rest." Minako coughed before continuing. "It's all over." Usagi laid her head on Minako's chest, her body racked with heartbreaking sobs. Ami and Luna soon accompanied her cries. Artemis was crying silently, his head buried in Minako's arm. Rei closed her eyes and looked away. Makoto bit her lip so hard it bled. They were supposed to be strong - they shouldn't cry. But their tears fell, and they failed miserably to maintain their masks. "Don't cry, minna . . . onegai . . ." Minako said, tears running down her cheeks as well. She took her frail hand from Usagi's and stroked her friend's face. "You're crying," Usagi sobbed. "So we have the right to do so, too!" "Hey." Usagi looked up and at her friend's face. "Crying doesn't . . . doesn't suit you. Keep smiling, Usagi. Don't you ever . . . ever change because of this." Minako smiled through her tears. "Promise?" Usagi nodded, but she continued to sob. Minako then looked at the other girls. "Luna, Ami, Rei, Mako . . . take care of Usagi. Make sure she de-" She coughed again. " . . . develops into the queen that we've seen she becomes." They all nodded. Then Minako reached into her subspace pocket and brought out her henshin wand. She poked Artemis with it. The white cat looked up. "Here," she said, handing the wand to the cat. "Hold this. Until you . . . find the next person to hold the power of Venus . . ." Everyone sobbed loudly. "No one can ever take your place, Minako- chan!" Makoto cried. "We'll never know." Minako looked at her guardian cat. "You will take . . . care of your new apprentice just . . . just as you did for me, won't you?" Artemis slowly took her henshin wand and put it in his subspace pocket. He stared at Minako with wet blue eyes. "I will." Minako turned to Rei. "Rei-chan, you acted as . . . the leader before my arrival. Now . . . take my place, and become . . . the new leader of the Senshi and Serenity's right hand," she said between gasps. The black cat in Ami's arms looked at the dying Senshi for a while. "As leader, you have the right to appoint your successor. All those who oppose the decision of the Senshi leader - those who are superior to her command omitted - will have violated the Senshi Code of Conduct," she said. Then, she looked at Rei. "Princess and Senshi representative of the red planet, Sailormars. You are now promoted to the rank of Senshi commander, the inheritor of the title of Sailorvenus." "Let this be known to the Outer Senshi. And anyone who disagrees with the decision of the successor of my right hand will have to go through me," Usagi said quietly, raising her head from Minako's chest. Minako tried to sit up but with her weak frame, had some difficulty. Makoto noticed and helped her up, supporting her back with a few pillows. Minako then took Artemis from his place beside her and fondled him gently in her arms. "Sailormars . . . Rei-chan . . . you are now the apprentice . . . of the strategist and mentor of the Silver Millennium's Defense Force." Tears fell down Minako's cheeks as she and Rei stared into each other's eyes. "Take care of him for me . . ." Minako said, barely above a whisper. Rei felt her eyes water as she looked at her former leader and her new guardian. She opened her mouth to say a word, but none came out, and all she could do was nod. She stepped forward and hugged her friend tightly. "I'll miss you," she whispered in Minako's ear. Ami, Makoto and Usagi soon followed Rei's hug. Afterwards, they all held hands. "Minna, the future is in your hands," Minako said softly. She squeezed Usagi's hand tight. "Most especially in yours." There was a knock on the door. Makoto answered it and found Hikaru and Mie standing outside in the hallway. "Come in," she said, moving aside to let the new visitors in. Mie ran towards the bed and threw herself over her friend, crying. "Mie, what's wrong?" Minako asked. The little girl just shook her head and continued sobbing. Rei and Usagi made way for Hikaru. "I'm sorry I'm late. Mie called me and asked me to pick her up after she received Aino-san’s call," Hikaru apologized. "She was really worried." Everybody's eyes turned to the young girl. Her mother had told her about her friend's failing health as soon as they had gotten home from their trip. Mie had thought it a joke until Minako herself told her. She had been so upset that Minako didn't know how to comfort her. All she could do was hold her in her arms - which was what she was doing right now. "I feel sorry for her," Hikaru said softly. Ami placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't look too good yourself." Hikaru smiled weakly. "I'm just worried, that's all." "Minako's parents will be taking her to the hospital later today. She'll be all right." "They won't," Minako said quietly. The girls stared at her. "What are you talking about?" Makoto asked. "Just . . . that. Mako-chan . . . help me lie down again." Minako looked very tired. Mie stood back as Makoto and Hikaru helped her get back under her bed covers. Ami went beside her to check over her. "I'm okay, Ami-chan," Minako assured her. But Ami knew better. She was fading, and fast. But she couldn't say it out loud. Minako was looking at her, and she knew that her friend was silently pleading. So Ami just smiled. She reached out for the oxygen mask and placed it over her nose and mouth. "I'll ask your Okaa-san for your medicine," Ami said. Once Ami got into the hallway, she covered her face with her hands and cried. ***** "Your Highness." Himeru already recognized the foreseer's voice without even turning around. "Come in, Cassandra," he said. He heard the door to his room open and close and the sound of her footsteps coming nearer and nearer him. "If your purpose for coming here is because of my mother, forget it. I am not leaving this room." "Duke Anchises, the duchess is only worried about you. You have stayed in this room since you returned from delivering the princess home. You're not even eating." Himeru leaned against the wall and gripped the windowsill in his hand, gazing at the blackness of space. "So?" Cassandra glared at him. "You cannot continue with this foolishness, young man. You must live, not only for the sake of this planet but for the future as well." "Life is not worth living if you cannot spend it with your loved one . . ." Himeru murmured quietly, remembering what Minako had told him. The foreseer shook her head. "That's not true." "I thought so too, at first. Now I'm not sure." Cassandra followed his gaze. "Space," she said softly. "So dark and inviting. Like death. Often some think that all problems can be solved by means of a sword. Its blade can place a man or the one he hates into eternal repose. People are so foolish." Himeru sighed. "Then count me as one of those foolish men, Cassandra." The girl shook her head. "I could not count you as foolish, Anchises. Your older brothers believed in that theory; that life is not worth living without your love, but that is absurd. You once denied that theory. You are wiser than they could ever be." "So you are saying that the princess is also foolish." "I did not say that. The theory has a different meaning to her. If it had meant the same as that of which you know, then she would have been dead a few years ago, when she lost the one she loved to a close friend." Cassandra turned to look at Himeru. "She loved her life. She continued living, and the only reason why she pretended to have died was because she loved her friends, and she wanted them to be happy." Himeru shook his head. "I don't recall her telling me that story." "It is only her darkest, most painful secret. But can't you see? Before you brought her back to Earth, you also considered what she had done. You were willing to leave for her and your brother's sake, all because of love." "That was then. This is now." "We are Venusians, Anchises. We are lovers of everything that gives life and happiness." "I am not a pure Venusian." "You may be part Martian, but your views regarding the value of life don't have to change." She placed a hand on his arm. "Do not commit the same mistake that your brothers did, and you will be well rewarded." "With what?" Cassandra smiled. "I cannot tell. But it is what Vulcan had foreseen. Upon the road leading to it you will make a great many sacrifices, but the time is growing near, and you alone can fulfill his words." She removed her hand. "Now, Your Highness, hurry back to Earth. I have obtained permission from Her Majesty the Queen. The princess is calling for you, and she needs you now." Himeru stared at his companion. "If the reason is because of what I think it is, it would only cause me pain." "Yes, it will. But it would hurt even more if you stay here and do not see her for the last time." The young duke was silent. Cassandra started walking away. "It would hurt her, too. And I know you wouldn't like that." Himeru turned back to his window and closed his eyes . . . ***** "Minako, it's time to bring you to the hospital," Michio said, entering the room with his wife and mother-in-law. The people inside made way for them. His daughter removed the oxygen mask from her face and shook her head. "No. Not yet . . ." she said weakly. Her mother shook her head. "If you stay here any longer, the doctors might have a harder time helping you. We're going now." "Getting a . . . hospital room is just a . . . a waste of money. Besides, it's useless . . ." "Stop talking like that, I say!" her mother almost snapped. Then, she calmed herself. "Your things are ready and waiting for you. Let's go, dear." "Okaa-san . . ." Kimiko stared long and hard at her daughter. Then, she suddenly burst into tears and crumpled on her daughter's weak form. "Minako . . . musume . . ." she sobbed. Her husband placed a hand on her back and soothed her gently. "Hush, dear. It's not good for the baby," he said. He looked at his daughter compassionately, and Minako saw that even he had tears in his eyes. "Onegai . . . don't cry. Don't cry!!" Minako wailed. She cried loudly, but in each sob she found her chest tightening. Her eyes widened and she suddenly gasped for air. Ami quickly put the oxygen mask back over her face. It eased her breathing a bit, but it wasn't enough. She closed her eyes, her faced marred with pain and fatigue. Her parents and friends looked at her with concern and worry. "We should take her there now," Mrs. Kagami said. Ami sadly looked at Minako's grandmother. "I'm sorry, Kagami-san. I'm so sorry . . ." The old woman bit her lip and looked away. Minutes passed by. The doorbell rang. Hikaru got up from her chair to answer it. A few moments later, she reentered the room, followed by a young man, who remained standing near the door. "May I come in?" he asked. Makoto's tear filled face looked up, and the tiniest of all smiles appeared when she saw him. "Himeru-san!" she said softly. She stood up and took his hand. "I'm so happy you're here . . ." Himeru squeezed the hand of the one who had introduced him to his princess. "How is she?" he whispered. Makoto didn't answer. She just led him towards the bed of her friend, where the elders where sitting. Himeru looked at Minako's parents, who said nothing but smiled sadly. He then kneeled down, took Minako's hand and held it close to his face. "Minako," he said gently. Minako opened her eyes halfway up at the sound of his voice. He gently removed her oxygen mask. "You . . . you came," she said. "I couldn't stay away for long . . . I went back home but . . ." She smiled weakly and closed her eyes. "I'm so glad you're . . . here . . ." Himeru clasped her hands tighter. "I had to come. I love you too much," he whispered. "Take care of my mother . . . my people . . ." Minako said in a voice that could not be heard by the others in her room. The boy beside her nodded. "I will." Minako removed her hand from Himeru's grip and placed it gently on his cheek. "Himeru-san . . . I love you, too." Himeru could only stare at her. He had finally heard what he wanted her to say for the longest time, and it was the first . . . and the last time that he would. He took her hand and gently brought it down to the covers. Then he stood up to allow her mother to embrace her child. After hugging her daughter, Kimiko looked her straight in her fading blue eyes. "Take... take care of yourself, Okaa-san . . . yourself and your new baby . . ." Her mother nodded, tears flowing down her cheeks like a steady river. Minako turned to Artemis, who had been lying down beside her all the time. With one arm, she held him close to her, and she cried softly for him. The cat that had been her closest friend in both her lives. The one whom she could call her second father. Artemis's grief could not be measured. He wanted to say something to his friend, but he couldn't. Not with her parents, Hikaru, and Mie standing there. All he could do was purr sadly. Minako stared at Artemis' eyes. Her eyes were reflected by the same shade of blue that the cat's eyes were. She smiled softly. Emotions ran through Artemis as she kissed the spot where the crescent moon on his forehead lay. No words were needed between them. Her tired yet peaceful eyes roamed around the room and stared at each person present. While staring at Usagi, her eyes slowly closed, never to open again. They heard a tiny, soft, satisfied sigh. All was silent. Ami moved forward, took Minako’s wrist and searched for a pulse. She then reached out for a ballpoint pen and a piece of paper and wrote down the time indicated by the alarm clock that stood on the dresser beside the bed. It was what she had seen her mother do when she recorded someone's death. ***** Aino Minako died about two weeks before her birthday, age sixteen, during a warm, October evening. Although it went unnoticed by the others, the Inner Senshi , the remaining duke of Venus, and the guardian cats saw the sign of Venus glowing brightly on her forehead as she died. Cassandra sensed the sad event from her place on the Magellan Castle. "The promise you gave to your guardian a few nights ago will be fulfilled. What Vulcan said to you the night you died will now come to pass." She looked at the star that was actually the planet Earth and smiled. "It's not over yet."