Author's Note: If you wish to comment on my story, either positively or negatively, please contact me at treetop@voicenet.com. Sailor Moon and all related characters are the property of Takeuchi Naoko, Toei Animation and DIC. Sailor Sirius is the property of Sharon Williams. Any references to Vulcan are the province of Gene Roddenberry and Paramount Studios. So, please, don't sue me because I haven't any money. I do this strictly for entertainment purposes, not copyright infringement.
The Adventures of Talia and Tanya:
The Logic of Romance
by Jeffrey C. Branch
Chapter Four
Rating: PG
La Trattoria was an elegant three star restaurant atop a twenty floor hotel that was rich with the smells of spicy Italian food wafting through the air along with an intimate atmosphere that restaurant reviewers routinely said was highly conducive to romance.
Seated at a table near the window that looked out at the bright lights of Shinjiku, Talia and Seiya talked about each other. Talia, never one for small talk found it suddenly easy for her while in Seiya's presence. The more she was with the rougish, dark haired boy, the more she was enamored with him. For Seiya, just staring at Talia enthralled him, hypnotized him. Before tonight, he never considered the possibility of falling in love, never thought he could ever be serious about something he considered trivial. But Talia was making him reconsider everything.
"Have I ever told you that you're the most exotic girl I've ever met?" asked Seiya, taking Talia's hand into his and gently squeezing it. The scent of her perfume was driving him wild.
Talia, smiling demurely, nodded. Her heart raced from the heat of Seiya's touch. The feelings of bliss she experienced Thursday night had returned full force. "I believe that you have, Seiya. And you are very handsome. I am glad that you find me agreeable."
"You're much more than 'agreeable', Tal. You're gorgeous. I'll bet you had the boys lined up at your door back home."
"Not really. I never had any sort of relationships there. My schoolwork took up so much of my time," Talia explained. "Fortunately, my friends here, like Tanya have taught me that there is more to life than books and studying. What of you? Was there ever a special woman in your life?"
Seiya thought about Serena and how he had been infatuated with her from the day he met her. But things had drastically changed for him. And the girl before him was the reason why. With a grin, he then shook his head. "Nope. No one special. Until now."
Talia's blushed from Seiya's compliment. She was finding it increasingly harder to think, to be logical. To be a Vulcan. She then gazed into Seiya's eyes and decided that it didn't matter. She would follow Tanya's advice and let her heart lead the way instead of her mind. "I am glad to hear that. So very glad."
Seiya grinned and tenderly kissed Talia's hand, eliciting a gasp from the Vulcan girl's lips. "Well, you're certainly worth it. Tal, you've turned my world upside down. I think you're one in a million."
"I greatly appreciate that, Seiya. You have stirred so many feelings within me that I never knew existed before. And I sincerely thank you for that."
"My pleasure," Seiya replied. Near the front of the restaurant on a small stage, a violin trio began playing. Still grinning, he stood up and offered his hand to Talia. "Would you like to dance?"
Stunned for a moment, Talia nodded and placed her hand in his. "Yes. I would. Very much."
The couple left their table and walked onto the floor. Seiya took Talia into his arms and they began to sway slowly to the soft music wafting through the room. Talia sighed from happiness as she melted into his embrace, her feet moving of their own volition with a graceful ease.
"You're a wonderful dancer, Tal," said Seiya. "Who taught you?"
"My father. It is a hobby of his," Talia replied. "He teaches ballroom dancing to seniors at a retirement home on weekends."
"Looks like you learned your lessons well."
"Indeed. But, please, Seiya. No more words. I just want to savor this moment."
"Anything you want. No more words."
And the couple danced, lost in the beauty of the moment. And, more importantly, in each other. To them, the music went on forever.
Two hours later, the couple slowly walked down the street after leaving the restaurant. Holding hands, Seiya and Talia didn't talk, they were content just be together as their feelings for each other continued to grow. Talia's mind was awash in a myriad of emotions, her vaunted logic which she based her entire life on reduced to nothing more than a memory, and for once, she didn't care. All that mattered was being with the boy she liked, and who clearly liked her in return. Talia silently chided herself for having denied herself this pleasure for so long because she deemed it illogical.
I have been such a damned fool for believing that, she thought.
The couple entered a park, it's trees filled with bright pink cherry blossoms. Seiya and Talia sat on a park bench and took in the scenery. When Seiya put an arm around Talia's shoulders and pulled her close, the Vulcan girl, acting on an instinct she never knew she had rested her head on Seiya's shoulder. The couple stared up at the night sky, filled with brightly twinkling stars and a full, gibbous moon.
"A penny for your thoughts, Tal," said Seiya.
"I was thinking about how fortunate I am to be with you," said Talia. "You have become so very special to me, Seiya. I have never felt this way before. At first, it was all so....strange to me. Now, I find that I like it. I like it a lot."
"I know what you mean. I've felt the same way. This is pretty new to me too," Seiya paused to stare deeply into Talia's eyes. "I can't get you out of my mind, Tal. And I don't even want to try. I want to be with you as much as I can. As often as I can."
"Fascinating. Could what we are feeling for each other be interpreted as....love at first sight?"
Seiya mulled over the question for several moments, then, with a grin, he nodded. "Maybe it is. From the moment we met, you captured my heart. So, it's time for me to say what I really feel. I'm in love with you, Talia."
Talia's eyes widened and she gasped. Never in her life had she imagined anyone saying those words to her. Her barriers that reined in her emotions broken, Talia began to cry. Now it was Seiya who gasped from worry. "Hey! What's wrong?"
"I am sorry. I did not mean to lose control like this," said Talia in a broken voice, tears streaming down her face. "I never thought I would be worthy of someone's love, especially yours. That means a great deal to me."
"I'm glad it does, Tal," said Seiya, gently drying Talia's tears. "But, please, don't cry. I never want to see you cry. From this moment on, I'm going to do everything in my power to make you happy. I swear it."
"You have already succeeded by telling me how you feel. I love you, Seiya. I love you with all my heart."
For several moments, neither person spoke, content just to stare deeply into each other's eyes. Then, Seiya gently cupped Talia's face in his hands and slowly pressed his lips on hers. Talia's mind exploded from ectasy as she wrapped her arms around Seiya and enjoyed the incredible high and the boundless joy of her first kiss. Talia, caught fast in the throes of bliss was positive that she heard beautiful music playing in her head. For what seemed like hours to them, the two lovers held fast in their embrace as their kiss lengthened and grew more and more passionate. It was as if they never wanted to part from the intoxicating sweetness of each other's lips.
After their lips parted, Seiya smiled sweetly at Talia and gently caressed her soft cheek. Talia returned Seiya's smile, her eyes shining from the affection she had for him. Then, with a grin, Seiya stood up and offered his hand to Talia. "C'mon, Tal. Let's dance."
"But, there is no music," Talia pointed out.
"Doesn't matter. We don't need it."
Talia realized the logic in her lover's words. Standing up, she took Seiya's hand and the couple danced, moving gracefully across the pavement to music they heard only in their heads. The music that came from deep within their strongly beating hearts. Time held no meaning to the couple as they danced, passersby were ignored as if no one existed in the world but them.
"Seiya, you are wonderfully irrational," said Talia as Seiya held her close from behind and hummed in her ear while they gently swayed.
Seiya chuckled. "It's all part of my charm. You'll get used to that in time."
Talia turned around and smiled fondly at Seiya. She enjoyed being in his strong arms. "I eagerly look forward to that....beloved."
"Mmm. I like the sound of that....angel."
And the couple danced.
An hour later after a liesurely stroll, Seiya returned Talia to the front door of the Hattori home. The couple spent several minutes in a close, tender embrace, content to hold each other and revel in the intimacy they felt. To Talia, it was a delight that was beyond words.
"I had a great time, Tal," said Seiya, softly stroking Talia's hair. "But, I have to admit, I'm not eager to leave you."
"Nor do I want you to leave, beloved. I wish this night would never end," said Talia in a breathless voice. "I feel as though I have been reborn, and I have you to thank for this new person I have become."
"The pleasure was all mine, angel," Seiya replied. Staring into Talia's eyes and the way they sparkled like sunshine upon the ocean put him under a spell. "God, I'm so lucky to have met a fantastic girl like you, Tal."
Talia smiled fondly at Seiya. "And I am fortunate to have met you as well. You are extraordinary."
"Then we've both hit the jackpot," said Seiya with a chuckle. "Think you can spare some time out of your busy day to watch the guys and I at Budokan Hall tomorrow night? Or rather, tonight? It's after midnight."
"For you, beloved, I will find the time."
"Cool." Seiya paused to plant a passionate kiss on Talia's lips. Talia returned her lover's passion with all the strength in her heart and soul. "Good night, my sweet angel. I love you."
"And I love you, my darling Seiya. Good night."
Talia watched with fondness as Seiya left. She felt a great lightness in her heart at having discovered true love for the very first time. At that moment, the Vulcan girl felt more alive than ever before. "What a wonderful feeling," she whispered. Elated, Talia hugged herself. "Perhaps I have finally learned what it means to be human by falling in love."
With a girlish giggle, Talia entered the house.
Several miles away in an auto junkyard, the girl with dirty blond hair stood in front of a pile of wrecked and rusted cars piled four high. She had come to this place to conduct an experiment.
With the loud, angry music of Metallica pounding in her ears from the Black Album CD she had been playing non-stop for the last two hours, the girl soaked up the energy from the music like a sponge. She could feel it's force, it's power surging through her. Heavy Metal, at full volume was the closest thing to the concert she attended three nights ago and the girl was eager to find out if it could help her recreate the sonic blast she used to kill those thugs.
Taking a deep breath, the girl, staring intently at the pile of cars opened her mouth and screamed. The sound, high pitched, was ordinary at first, but then quickly increased in volume until it became an ear piercing din as waves and waves of sound struck the pile of twisted steel, causing it to vibrate, then shake furiously.
Even though her throat was raw, the girl continued screaming until the pile literally exploded from the force of the sonic power she threw at it. Exhausted, the girl crumpled to the ground as the effort drained her. Panting and wheezing like an ashmatic, the girl grinned at her handiwork. The pile of wrecked cars had been demolished from the force of her scream.
"Wow!" she croaked. "Awesome! I can do anything with this power! Nobody could say no to me! Not even the Lights!"
With the sound of barking dogs from several yards in the distance, the girl climbed to her feet and staggered out of the yard, climbing through the hole in the fence she ahd found. Her experiment a success, Sunday night would be the real test. The girl played her Metallica CD all the way home.
Even though it was Sunday, Junko Sakurada, feeling restless, decided to check the crime scene where the four hoodlums were murdered Thursday night.
Wearing a polo shirt, a windbreaker and jeans so she wouldn't look conspicuous, Junko looked around the alley she and Lieutenant Fukoda went over with a fine tooth comb the previous day. The two detectives, in addition to their search of the alley knocked on doors and questioned neighbors about what they heard and what they might have seen. The cops didn't get much in the way of information.
Standing at the exact spot where the bodies were found, Junko stared down at the faint remnants of the bloodstains on the ground that had been washed away and wondered what sort of weapon could've killed those men. She was convinced that there was a rational explanation for their deaths, and not a 'B.E.M.' as Fukoda suggested. Junko was surprised that a highly respected and decorated veteran of the force believed in such nonsense.
Frustrated that she no more found anything now than she did yesterday, Junko sighed and left the alley. Just as she exited, Junko saw a teenaged girl with dirty blond hair staring at her from across the street. The girl wore a Discman and a wary look on her face. Junko locked eyes on the girl and the two stared intently at each other for several moments. Junko sensed something unusual about the girl but couldn't figure out what it was.
"You there! Can I talk to you for a minute?" called Junko as she crossed the street. The detective figured the girl would bolt, but she stayed put.
"Sure," said the girl, removing the earbud headphones she wore and switching off her CD player. "Are you a cop?"
Junko displayed her badge on a chain around her neck. "Inspector Junko Sakurada, Tokyo P.D. Do you live around here?"
The girl nodded. "Three blocks away. What happened? Did somebody get killed?"
Junko's eyes narrowed slightly. Eyewitnesses said they heard a female scream in that alley. And the murders weren't made public because of their grisly nature. "What makes you think someone was killed?"
"Are you kidding, lady?" said the girl with a caustic laugh. "Gangs run this neighborhood like they own it. Someone's always getting killed around here. That's the only time bozos like you bother to show up."
Junko frowned, trying not to lose her temper as she didn't like anyone badmouthing her profession. What really annoyed her was that the girl was right. "What's your name?"
"Aya. Aya Misato."
"Okay, Aya. Did you hear or see anything around here Thursday night, say around eleven p.m.?"
Aya shook her head. "Nope. I was asleep. Who bought it? Anyone I should care about?"
"All life is worth caring about, young lady."
"Puh-leeze! Give me a break!" grumbled an exasperated Aya, rolling her eyes. "Can I go now?"
"After one last question. You were watching me when I came out of that alley. Why?"
"Curious. Only drunks, dopers, bums and cops spend quality time in alleys," said Aya with a shrug. "And you had 'fuzz' written all over you. Maybe if you dressed like a clown you would've fit in better."
Aya giggled, but Junko found nothing funny about what the girl said. "You can go now."
"Thanks. Happy hunting." Putting back on her headphones, Aya turned her CD player back on and left. As the girl spun on her heel, Junko noticed a small, dark red stain that stood out on the toes of her all white sneakers. The detective arched an eyebrow from curiosity. After all her years spent investigating violent crime scenes, Junko knew dried blood when she saw it. And she was positive she saw that on Aya's shoes.
"Curiouser and curiouser," Junko muttered. She considered going after Aya, but rejected the idea since she had no probable cause to detain the girl, only a suspicion, and a vague one at that. A law school freshman would rip me to shreds in court, she thought bitterly.
Still, something about the girl bothered Junko. The detective, relying on her instincts had a feeling there was more to Aya than she let on. Junko decided to keep an eye on the surly girl.
Aya, feeling the eyes of the detective on her back smirked. That bitch suspects something about me. I know she does, she thought while enjoying her music. Doesn't matter. If she's dumb enough to get in my way, I'll kill her, just like those slugs the other night. But all I care about right now is seeing the Lights tonight. And making Seiya mine.
"So tell me, Tal, how does it feel to be in love?" a grinning Tanya asked Talia as they enjoyed brunch at a sidewalk café later that morning.
Talia, a forkful of salad in her hand stopped short and her cheeks warmed from a blush. Over the last several days, the Vulcan girl found herself doing that more and more often. She found that somewhat embarrassing. "Is it that obvious?"
"Yup. A girl can sense when her best friend's got herself a guy." Just like Thursday night, Tanya could see a glow of sheer happiness on Talia's face. "Can I assume you and Seiya are now a couple?"
Talia nodded. A smile curled her lips and she felt that now familiar thudding in her chest at the mention of the boy she deeply loved. "Most definitely. I had a lovely time with him last night. Seiya is a most engaging person. And he excited me considerably when we kissed."
Tanya smirked. "Oooooh! You guys sure didn't waste any time. Normally, it's custom to wait until at least the second date before you lock lips with your sweetie."
"Indeed. Well, I was....unwilling to wait that long," Talia replied. "And, I sensed that Seiya expressed the same sort of impatience."
"What was it like when Sey kissed you?"
Talia did something Tanya had never seen her do before. The Vulcan girl sighed. "It was beautiful, Tanya. Words cannot describe the bliss I felt at that moment when our lips met. Illogical as this sounds, but I actually heard music in my mind, just like you had."
With a smile, Tanya reached over and squeezed Talia's hand. "I know the feeling, girlfriend."
"Before last night, I had never been happier in all my life," said Talia. "Before, the mere idea of being happy was completely alien to me. My logic would not permit me to understand the feeling. But, I took your advice and let my heart lead the way. Tanya, I cannot thank you enough for all that you have done for me."
Now it was Tanya who blushed. "Awww! Cut it out! I didn't do a thing. I just gave you the benefit of my experience, that's all. I'm so glad you've got a boyfriend. And since it's Seiya, you guys could double date sometime with Yaten and me."
"Yaten and I," corrected Talia.
Tanya grinned and gave her best friend a raspberry. Regardless of the changes in Talia's life, the Vulcan girl was still as annoyingly correct as ever. But that was one of the many things Tanya loved about her. "Well, ex-cuuuuuuuse me, teacher!"
"You are excused. However, there is one serious matter that has yet to be addressed regarding my relationship with Seiya."
"Oh? What's that? Where to go on your honeymoon?"
The look Talia gave Tanya bordered on annoyance. "Not quite. I am referring to my dual existence as a Sailor Scout."
Tanya's eyes widened and she gulped, loud enough almost for Talia to hear. The ebon girl, in her elation over Talia having fallen in love, had completely forgotten about Seiya being a Scout. And since Tanya figured that Seiya hadn't revealed the truth to Talia, that meant neither person was aware of the other's true identity. Tanya saw that as a potential recipe for disaster, and it left her with a sinking feeling deep in the pit of her stomach.
Oh, gods! How will Tal react when she finds out her boyfriend morphs into a girl?
"Tanya? You look shaken. Is something wrong?" a concerned Talia asked.
Tanya laughed nervously and shook her head. Inwardly, she cursed herself for letting her worry show. "Me? Nope! I'm cool! It's just that the secret identity thing hadn't occurred to me. Uh, what do you plan to do?"
Talia was silent for a moment as she dwelled on her problem. "I am not sure. I abhor keeping secrets, especially from people I care about. While my parents are unaware of Sailor Vulcan, I dislike having to deceive them. Because of my closeness to Seiya, should he not know everything?"
Now it was Tanya who went silent, her mind plagued from guilt because she hid the truth about Seiya from Talia. It hurt the black girl to keep that secret from her friend as it wast't her place to make such a revelation. "Tal, I....I don't know. Given the life we lead, you know we can't let people know the truth because an enemy would use our loved ones as leverage against us."
"I understand that. Still, it is dishonest to conceal the truth. Even if the cause is just. As a Vulcan, it is an anathema for me to lie."
"It's not lying. It's being discretionary," said Tanya, trying to keep any semblance of nervousness out of her voice. "Look, my own father doesn't know I'm Sailor Sirius. It would kill him if he found out what I do behind his back."
"And I assume the same holds true with Yaten?"
Tanya gulped again and nodded. "Er, kinda." That's it, Cambridge. Keep on digging your grave. If the crap ever hits the fan about Seiya, you're gonna need it after Tal breaks your neck for keeping this from her! "Tal, I can't tell you what to do. Only you can make that choice about revealing your identity to Seiya. But, whatever you decide, I'll back you, all the way."
With a warm smile, Talia reached over and clasped Tanya's hand. "Thank you, Tanya. Your friendship and support has meant everything to me. My life would be barren and empty without you."
Tanya, her throat tightening from emotion returned her friend's smile and placed her hand on Talia's. "Same here. I love you, Tal, and I only want you to be happy."
"I am most certainly that. You were right, I have found my soulmate. And I will never let him go."
"I'm glad to hear that. Speaking of Seiya, are you excited about tonight's show with the Lights?" asked Tanya, eager to change the subject.
"Yes indeed. My relationship with Seiya has given me a brand new appreciation for pop music," answered Talia. "Could you take me to a music store so I can buy their latest CD?"
"Sure! No prob! Maybe I can get you interested in N-Sync and the Backstreet Boys too!"
Talia's face puckered slightly. "Let us not get carried away."
Even though it was his day off, Hideki Fukoda, wearing casual clothes, swung by the precinct to see if there were any new reports on the murdered thugs from Thursday night. He was surprised to see Junko at her desk.
"Junko? You didn't tell me you were coming in today?" said the detective as he walked up to her.
The woman looked up from her computer monitor and grinned sheepishly. "A spur of the moment thing, sir. I think I might have found a potential witness, if not a suspect in Thursday night's killings."
Intrigued, Fukoda pulled up a chair and sat next to Junko. "Let's have it."
"I went back to the crime scene this morning. I didn't find anything new, but when I left the alley, I saw a girl watching me," said Junko. She paused to sip at a cup of coffee. "I talked to her and it turns out she knew about the murders and displayed a rather cavalier attitude about them."
"Being insensitive about murder isn't cause for being charged with one," Fukoda pointed out. "Did you get a name?"
Junko nodded. "Her name's Aya Misato, age 16. Her address is three blocks from the crime scene. I just finished a background check and she has a record, but it's all petty stuff, mainly shoplifting CD's from music stores. An average student at Nakatomi High, she's from a broken home, living with her mother who works as a secretary."
"Doesn't sound like much. What makes you think she's involved?"
"I saw dried blood on her sneakers."
Fukoda's eyes narrowed. "Are you sure about that, Junko?"
"Positive. We interviewed everyone within a square block of that alley, but never saw her because she lives nearly half a mile away," said Junko. "According to reports, the alley was cordoned off within minutes of the first 911 call, so no one disturbed the crime scene. The only person who possibly could've tracked in the blood that spilled before units arrived was...."
"The killer," a frowning Fukoda finished. "Yeah, I see what you're getting at. But what were the circumstances preceeding the attack?"
"Well, sir, four hoods plus one teenage girl in the alley of a rough neighborhood after dark equals attempted rape. Remember, neighbors heard a female screaming."
"And the murder weapon?"
Junko had to think on that for a few moments. "Perhaps one of the Scouts showed up, blasted those goons to pulp then fled before the neighbors arrived. That would explain why their skeletons and organs were destroyed while there wasn't a mark on their bodies."
Fukoda folded his arms and scowled. Much as he tried to poke holes in Junko's theory, just for the sake of being a devil's advocate, he couldn't. "What you say makes sense. Still, it's not like the Scouts to use lethal force on common street hoods."
"Pardon me for asking, sir, but, how would you know?" Junko countered. "How would any of us know just what the Scouts are capable of doing when they're pushed too far or lose control?"
Fukoda's scowl deepened, his thoughts reluctantly pulled back to that nightmarish day on the Mitsumos' island where he saw Sailor Moon and Sailor Mercury go berserk after having mistakenly believed that one of their friends had been killed by the mad scientists' bloodthirsty creatures. The inhuman look of bottomless rage he saw in their eyes chilled him to the bone. Suddenly, he wasn't quite as sure about the heroines as he once was.
I cut the Scouts slack because of the incident with the Mitsumos. Junko gives them none because of her hatred for vigilantes, Fukoda thought. Subjectivity versus objectivity. Reality for us meets somewhere in the middle. Maybe that's why Mura paired us on this case. Crafty bastard. "Point taken. Okay, what do you want to do next?"
Junko was taken aback. It wasn't often that a superior asked for her opinions, especially a well respected veteran like Fukoda. "I have Aya's address. We go to her house and ask some more questions. Even if she doesn't have anything to do with the murders, I'm betting she at least knows something about them."
Fukoda nodded, finding Junko's strategy sound. "Works for me. Let's swing by my place for my sidearm, then we'll go to the girl's house."
"Sir, we're only going to question her. Not serve an arrest warrant," Junko pointed out.
"I know," said Fukoda, rising from his chair. "But after all these years on the job, I don't believe in taking chances. Let's go."
TO BE CONTINUED