Revelations 12/28 AM, inner senshi, Luna

[Hino Rei]

Rei dropped the subject and reached for a glass of water. That, at least, didn't make her stomach want to heave. Sipping at it, she glanced at Luna when the cat suggested going ahead. She was right, of course, Minako probably wasn't going to come or would be late. A slight surge of anger rolled over the priestess only to die down in the next few moments. She was too tired for anger, still, and it wasn't as if she expected much from Mina anymore.

Ignoring the bitterness of that thought, Rei nodded as well. "We may as well." She glanced at Usagi to see if the woman wanted to take the lead, or if she should.

[Kino Makoto]

Makoto's frown deepened at the story of all that was going on in Nairobi. She nodded again in agreement with Ami. "I'm here for you too. Anything to help you and our comrades in Africa."

She again offered a small smile as the server returned with her coffee and a croissant, and then exited as quickly as she'd entered. As she sipped, Luna spoke up. They'd have to continue without Minako.

Turning her attention back to Usagi, she agreed with the other girls. "Yes, please. What's going on?"

[Neo Queen Serenity]

"Thank you," Usagi said, giving them all another smile. She felt herself relaxing a little, just at the thought of having her senshi to support her through this nerve-wracking process-- and it was hard enough to deal with without the Shitennou crisis on top of it. "Of course I'll take all the help I can get it. Stick around after this if you want. I really appreciate it, guys. I really do need you."

Usagi glanced down at her watch, frowning a bit. Minako was late-- not that that wasn't entirely out of the ordinary, but after asking Minako to be her second, Usagi really needed her here for this. The others seemed resigned to continue on without her. Usagi nodded slowly, catching Rei's eye. The Priestess seemed irritated, and Usagi felt sorry for Minako.

"Don't be upset about it; it's my fault," she said, taking responsibility. "I had Rei send out the emails, it was the most convenient method of communication at the time but not the most reliable one. Minako might not have even checked her email last night. It's my duty to get the word out to everyone, so if she doesn't show, the blame lies with me." It felt a little surreal to be standing there saying that; years ago when they would meet in the shrine Usagi would have just been glad that someone else was later than she would have been (for back in those days, Usagi wasn't punctual-- at all), she would have been happy to let Minako take heat from Rei as long as it meant she didn't have to.

Usagi sat down in her chair, rolling out from behind her desk so she'd be able to see and speak to everyone on an equal footing. She hating hiding behind a big chunk of polished wood and dictating to people. "Last night Rei-chan came to me about a serious matter," she began. "My contribution of information is the second part of the story, what happened after she relayed this information to me and I took action. I believe it's best if she explains what happened, and I will take up my side once she's finished." Usagi nodded to Rei, hoping this would be alright with her.

[Hino Rei]

Rei glanced at Usagi, making room for her as the woman rolled about the desk. When everyone had settled, Rei nodded to her and sat up in her chair to begin her speech. She wanted to make this as to-the-point as she could. "Alright. This all began, so far as I can tell, four days ago on the same afternoon that Usagi took her field trip."

"Luna," Rei addressed the cat, "You were the only one who didn't make it to Usagi's quarter's when we got the news of her disappearance, so you won't know who this is, but a man I had been having a meeting with at the shrine before the word was sent out had followed me and snuck his way into the queen's quarters. He revealed himself by accent and was taken for questioning, which proved to be futile... however he wasn't as innocent as he seemed then."

Another sip of her water was needed and Rei couldn't help but look at Makoto, "His name is Nathaniel Bernhardt. Model, American originally but has been a Japanese citizen for about two years now. He came to me complaining of disturbed dreams and visions that he's been seeking psychic help for. He's also very gifted in the same fashion that I am, and seems to be well-versed in mind and aura reading. Makoto and I, both, had a sense of recognition about him when we first saw him, a sense that has only doubled upon having spoken more with the man. I'll return to him later."

Rei shifted just slightly, "After he'd been hauled off for questioning and Usagi had been found, I returned to my shrine. Along the way there I met another man whom I felt a strong sense of Deja-vu for. He... hit some buttons and we quarreled. During this..." The woman paused, closed her eyes, but knew that it was important and forced herself to go through it, "I felt a strange... compulsion come over me. I didn't realize how dangerous that could have been at the time, but I suppose I should count myself lucky that I got off so lightly. ... This might seem like too much information, but ... its pertinant and.."

Rei once again stopped and forced herself to remain on point. Usagi had been right, however. It was important to know what sort of things this... "recognition" could amount to. "There was an ... indiscretion between us. I did not see him again until yesterday morning. He came to the shrine seeking the head priest and found me, instead. According to him he'd been having strange hallucinations and visions since our... meeting.. and was hoping for spiritual help. Something about this meeting broke a barrier I believe to have been inside of his mind--which I'll explain in a moment--and his true nature was revealed."

Rei set he water glass upon the table. "He was--is--... has become again the Shittennou Jadeite."

"Jadeite seemed strangely happy to see me, and did not seem to realize that we were enemies. Quite the opposite, in fact," the corner's of Rei's mouth tightened, "He insisted that he was a guardian of Endymion's and that we were on the same side. I called Mamoru to the shrine to have him collaborate the story--which he did. Mamoru revealed that for these past seven years he has been keeping the souls of 'his' shitennou inside of four jewels on his person, and even calling upon them for advice. He seemed to have no remorse for not informing us of the whereabouts of our enemies or even that they were alive. I threw him out and they left."

At this point the woman retrieved her water glass, taking another sip. Rei sighed, faintly, and went on. "Following this I remembered the feeling I recieved from Nathanial and so I looked him up. I approached him in regards to the problem that he had come to me with before and in doing so was allowed a glimpse into his mind. Sure enough, there is a rather large barrier that has begun to crack, most likely sealing off memories of the past. I have offered him a place in my shrine and my help in exploring those cracks, in order to try and get a better sense of what is going on here."

Looking up from where he gaze had fallen to the table, Rei tried to find Makoto's eyes, "Based upon the evidence I've gotten from his personality and looks, I am guessing that he is Nephrite. I know you and I discussed this once before, but its probably best if you stay on your toes around him. He could still be an enemy, even if he doesn't know it." She didn't bother mentioning what she'd also learned from Nathaniel. Instead, Rei shook her head, "Usagi believes she might have found Kunzite as well." She raised her glass to her lips again and fell silent.

[Luna]

Luna had given Rei her entire attention the moment Usagi had said that it would be best if she had explained things first. She nodded impatiently when Rei mentioned that she had been the only one to make it that day. She hadn’t actually been aware of Usagi’s disappearance until soon after she had been found. However, even though she hadn’t seen the man she was at least familiar with the incident and so she remained quiet listening curiously.

She stiffened slightly as Rei spoke of meeting a second man that seemed familiar too, briefly recalling Khalid and the sense that she herself had gotten from him. Luna sat up from her curled position at the mention of the strange compulsion and what followed. She seriously was not liking how this conversation was going. What kind of spell could these men hold over the senshi that would make Rei act in such an unusual manner? Still Luna kept silent, not wishing to interrupt this strange and unnerving tale that Rei was revealing.

The moment that Rei mentioned the man turning into Jadeite, Luna couldn’t help growling softly. Her ears flattened against her head as she dug her claws into the cushion below her, however at Rei’s next words her momentary anger flew into confusion. Why would Jadeite not realize they were enemies? She supposed it could be a trap, but that didn’t make very much sense to her. What really confused her was the fact that Mamoru appeared to have known about them, even taking advice from their former enemies. That simply didn’t make sense to her. Why would he do that?

When Rei mentioned that Usagi believed she had found Kunzite, Luna didn’t need to think very hard before remembering the meeting with Khalid earlier that afternoon. She didn’t need to remember the man very much before associating his looks to those of Kunzite’s and she turned to glare at Usagi growling, “I told you that you needed to be careful around that man Usagi.”

[Mizuno Ami]

As she listened to Rei’s story, any thoughts of Nairobi faded from her mind, at least for the time being. Instead, Ami listened very carefully, sorting through all the facts that Rei was giving them, being careful not to miss anything that might be important.

She nodded slightly at the mention of recognition when the man – Nathaniel – fell into the room. She had felt it as well and described it as her brain itching.

However, past that the information was all new to her, so she simply listened. She blinked a bit as Rei briefly mentioned having had an indiscretion with the other man, though there was no judgment reflected in her face at all, nor did she feel any. While she continued to sort through the facts as Rei gave them, she did feel a touch concerned about the “compulsion” she described though.

Ami felt like her brain had stopped when Rei said that the man was… or now was Jadeite. Fortunately, it did not stay stopped for long, and she caught the explanation – or most of it anyway – as to how Jadeite had behaved and the claims he made.

Her brain stopped a second time at the revelation that Mamoru had had the souls of the Shitennou for the last seven years. She felt her jaw clench at that, but pushed the anger away and returned to the comfort of facts.

Unfortunately, for Ami the first realization she made out loud – though in a tiny voice was, “All of them but Zoisite…” Somehow, despite being the logical one, the “genius,” the unfairness of the fact that all of them had been reincarnated, or at least “found,” but Zoisite was where she started.

The rest of her brain caught up only a moment after the words had escaped from her lips, and she forced herself not to raise her hands to her mouth, but clenched them in her lap and tried to ignore the familiar burning that told her she was blushing. Rei’s and Luna's words, and even the fact that Usagi had called this meeting, made it clear that they were still considered enemies. She really hoped that the others simply saw her words as an observation.

“If you explore Nathaniel’s cracks… might that not trigger his own…um, revelation?” She hoped the question didn’t sound too hopeful (after all, if it worked with Nathaniel, perhaps it would help Zoisite when he was “found” as well… if he was out there…). With any luck, it would simply distract the others from her earlier slip.

[Kino Makoto]

Makoto listened intently as Rei spoke. Her heart pounded as Rei looked to her while she spoke of Nathaniel. When she made mention of speaking more with him, her stomach did a flip-flop as she recalled her own feelings after the ‘alley incident’.

Though she carefully contemplated every word that had been spoken, Makoto only became more and more confused as Rei relayed the information regarding the Shitennou. The fog within her mind began to stir yet again, bringing forth another headache. She had no idea who Jadeite was, other than he’d been the first General from the Dark Kingdom that the other girls had battled. That was before she’d been re-awakened as Sailor Jupiter. But the fact that he’d apparently been reincarnated yet again was rather discomforting. Even worse, Mamoru knew about them. She couldn’t understand why he’d have kept that a secret. And of course he’d seek their advice, wouldn’t he? Something about that just seemed right… ‘Wait, what? Where did that come from?' she rubbed her temples, trying to erase the thought that had bubbled to the surface of her mind.

Her attention turned back solely to Rei as she spoke of Nathaniel again. She’d had a glimpse into his mind? She locked eyes with Rei and found her breath caught in her throat. Though the words hadn’t been spoken, Mako just knew. ’I am so dead…’ She tried to quickly look away, until Rei spoke another name. Nephrite. That was the Dark Kingdom General that she herself had killed with a thunderbolt. She’d never given him a second thought after that. And now it seems that he’s Nathaniel? Another flash of pain seared through her head, her heart beating faster still. ’Nephrite… Nephr…’ The fog stirred again, fully clearing from one teeny tiny section of her mind. Her eyes went wide as realization hit and her hands flew to cover her mouth. ’Nephy…Oh gods, what have I done?’

She never heard Rei’s mention of Kunzite, or Luna speaking to Usagi, or Ami’s comments. As the pain grew stronger, everything around her seemed to slow down, silence ringing in her ears, her vision going dark. A single tear slid down her cheek and she managed a whisper, “Why?” before slipping into unconsciousness.

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi sat still as Rei told her side of things, nodding now and then. When Rei reached the part of Hiroki and that 'indiscretion,' she placed her hand on the Priestess's shoulder in support, but said nothing.

She was about to open her mouth to explain about Kunzite when Luna reacted. Usagi frowned, glaring back at the feline. Why was Luna so upset with her? She hadn't done anything wrong, they had talked about it! Or maybe it was just a strong reaction to the news in general.

"And I agreed with you, Luna! We have Khalid right where we--" Usagi was distracted by Makoto's mumble. She turned to look at her friend quizzically, her eyes widening in horror and surprise as Makoto fainted. Her Mako-chan!

Instantly Usagi pressed the button on her console linking her to the Secret Service. "Kino Makoto has fainted-- Dr. Mizuno is here but we might need some kind of supplies..." She hadn't even finished talking before the door was open and the medical team had filed in. There was always a doctor never more than 100 feet from her, and Usagi was perpetually followed by a small pharmacy and a supply of her very own blood in case something happened. However, for any medical issues if at all possible Usagi went directly to Ami. She trusted her friend implicitly, and liked her bedside manner far better than the physician whose duty was to tail her all day long. She sometimes wondered if he resented how she went over his head to Ami, but that was just tough for him. Unless the senshi wasn't with her, Usagi would always rely on Ami first.

"Dr. Mizuno has this under control, but get her whatever she might need," Usagi commanded, wanting it to be clear just who was in charge when it came to medical issues and the senshi.

[Hino Rei]

Rei had turned her attention to Luna when the gasp came and looked up just in time to see Makoto slip to the floor. She jumped to her feet, moving to the girl's side to turn her onto her side and check her head for bumps. "Mako-chan?" The priestess immediately looked for Ami, ignoring the influx of physicians in favour of their friend. Such was the chaos that she completely forgot about Ami's strange slip.

[Luna]

Luna flicked her tail in irritationand murmured, "I know that Usagi, I'm not really upset with you. Its just ..."

It was more like she was upset at the situation. She had told Usagi that she would trust her judgement on Khalid and she intended to do so. There was just so many things that she was confused about. She couldn’t understand why their former enemies were reawakening, or why Mamoru would trust whatever advice they would give him. They were enemies, obviously the advice that they gave wouldn’t be very good.

She didn’t really catch Ami’s strange slip, nor did she finish what she had been about to say, as Makoto’s fainting spell and the physicians filing in took most of her attention. Luna didn’t move from her chair, not wishing to be stepped on by any of the medical team now standing about. She paid them no mind, trusting that Ami would remedy the situation far better then they could.

“Will she be alright Ami? What could have caused her to faint like that?”

[Mizuno Ami]

Ami was on her feet as soon as Makoto fainted and at her side in moment. As Rei rolled her to her side, Ami quickly got a sense of her friend's vital statistics. It was clear that she was breathing, so she moved to find her pulse, frowning a bit at how fast it was, though it was nothing dangerous, just faster than she would expect from someone who had just fainted.

"My first guess is shock. She's been suffering from headaches, and I would not be surprised if she has one when she comes to. Rei, check and see if her prescription is in her bag."

She looked to the many physicians now in the room, "Cuff, stethoscope, and smelling salts!" She wanted to check Makoto's blood pressure before she brought her to, wanting to make sure that there was nothing more going on then simple shock. She was quickly handed what she asked for, and put the cuff around her arm, listening to pulse as she took her blood pressure.

She frowned again at the fact that her BP was elevated, though not too much to cause her to be concerned. She nodded to herself, "Psychological shock." To be honest, that made perfect sense to Ami.

Unscrewing the smelling salts, she gently wafted them under Makoto's nose, though she would not be surprised if Makoto came to on her own, since there was no discernible (at least without more serious equipment) physiological reason for her to have passed out.

[Kino Makoto]

Green eyes fluttered open and were met with several different colored pairs staring back down at her. She blinked a few times to get her bearings. Rei was to one side of her, Ami to the other with a bottle of something in front of her nose, and what appeared to be a medical army behind them. Reaching up to her head which was now throbbing, she scrunched her face in pain. “Ughhh… What just happened? I feel like I was hit by a Mack truck.”

Looking around to her friends she suddenly remembered where she was and what had just happened. She winced as another sharp pain hit. “I’m so sorry you guys. I don’t know what came over me. I just...” She searched for the right words, not wanting to worry anyone any more than she already had. Lowering her voice, she spoke softly, “I just…remembered…something… “

Still surrounded by way too many people for comfort, she tried to sit up, hoping that would cause a few of them to back off. Ami and Rei were cool, but the others could go. “Could I get some water or something?”

[Neo Queen Serenity]

Usagi watched the proceedings from her seat, still frowning. She couldn't do anything for Makoto other than what she already had; though it didn't keep her from worrying. Luckily, her friend came to rather quickly. Usagi nodded at the medic team and the Secret Service personnel, quietly mouthing 'thank you' over the heads of the otherwise distracted senshi. They got the drift quickly and filed, once more slipping into the background, the door closing behind him.

Ami had said it was psychological shock, and now with Mako-chan saying she remembered something... Usagi reached over and poured a fresh glass of water from the pitcher, taking two steps and leaning down to hand it to Makoto. "Just take it easy," she smiled. "Let's take care of that headache and let you recover a bit, and then maybe you can tell us what you remembered," she suggested, figuring it must have had to do with the subject they were talking about.

[Hino Rei]

A few minutes of digging in Makoto's bag provided two very interesting results. The second was the small bottle of prescription medication which Ami had requested and that Rei provided to Makoto when the woman opened her eyes. The first had been some rather interesting clothes that looked as if they'd been stuffed there for later. Suspicions up but not about to ask--yet--Rei set the purse aside and stood, offering their friend a hand up.

[Luna]

Luna nodded briefly as Ami said it was probably psychological shock. If this was the case, and she didn’t doubt Ami’s ability to correctly diagnose the problem, then Makoto would be fine. Still even though she trusted Ami’s words, Luna was relieved with Makoto woke up.

She curled her tail around her paws once more, settling down to watch and listen. She figured the memories that Makoto had ‘remembered’ had something to do with what they had been discussing. After all it had been the discussion that had apparently triggered the memories.

Luna waited patiently as she watched Rei hand over the medicine and help Makoto to her feet, while Usagi handed her the requested water.