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Diamohns are Forever	By : SailorSol Category: Sailor Moon > General Views: 22490 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 6
- 7
- 8
A MEETING OF MINDS

Later the same day

Vincent Knight was in the main dining room of his seventh restaurant looking over the reservations for the next few weeks, noting that not only had they not died down as predicted by several critics, but had actually increased by almost half. In fact, they were booked solid for nearly a month, and had dozens of patrons �on call� every night just in case there was a last minute cancellation.

So much for being the old �flash in the pan� that had been foretold at his Grand Opening the previous fall. Like all six of his other branches, this one was also a resounding success, offering world-class cuisine at regular high-class prices, but what set his places apart was the sheer amount of food that made up each portion. Vincent firmly believed that a person should get what they paid for, and that a full stomach led to repeat business. So far, he hadn�t been proven wrong.

He saw a taxi pull up outside, and it piqued his curiosity. Who would be coming here at this time of the day? The place didn�t even open for business for another three hours. He thought idly that it might be someone who had overshot the place they really wanted. He�d heard of such things. Then again, it could be someone who, for some reason, decided to get out right there. Or maybe the driver just might want a nice shady spot to grab a bite of his lunch.

But the last idea vanished when someone got out of the vehicle�s back seat. It was a young woman in a purple dress or skirt-suit. That much information he got in a single glance. And he also noted the fact that she carried a bag, much like a small suitcase. She had straight, dark hair hanging down to the area of her knees, but he couldn�t be certain of the exact color, since the front of his place was in shadow at the moment.

She stood there for several long moments, and then carefully turned and made her way to the door. Apparently she expected it to be open since she simply tried the latch, but when it refused to budge at her touch, she collapsed into a heap of purple cloth and dark hair.

He could just see the headlines � �Mystery Woman Dies of Hunger on Restaurant Doorstep�. Well, there was no way he was going to let something like THAT happen to his establishment if he had anything to say about it. Taking out his keys, he walked to the door, opened it and tried to wake her up. All he wanted at the moment was to get her up and moving, and if she needed medical attention, call the paramedics for her. He wasn�t used to the transient-type, normally because they tended to stay in other, rougher parts of the sprawling city, but if all she required was a good meal, he�d see to it that she got one before sending her on her way. But first, he had to find out if she was even alive.

His first gentle nudge told him that she was still among living by her soft moan, but when her head moved enough for him to see her face, his world stopped. Even in the deep shade he knew that countenance. It was Akari, the lovely face he had dreamed of and drawn pictures of since he was barely in his teens, and someone had recently hurt her very badly. Moving slowly, he gently placed his arms under her shoulders and knees, lifted her up and carried her inside. Nodding to Henri, his Maitre D, to lock the door again, he continued through the building toward his office.

�Pardon moi, M�sieur,� the shorter man asked from behind him. �Should I eenform zee asorities?�

�Not yet.� The tall, golden-haired man shook his head, though he never faltered in his stride. �Ah�ll d�cide whut t�do once Ah finds out whuts goin� on heah. They�s a story t�be told, an� Ah�m fixin� t�heah it. Y�all jest git them books figgered out an� let me take care o� th�little lady.�

Not waiting for an answer, Vincent threaded his way past the last of the tables, and finally entered the huge kitchen on his way to his private domain. It didn�t take long for him to enter his office from there, but before he closed the door, he cast one glance over his shoulder to see all of his early cooks staring at him and his limp burden.

�Does Ah pay y�all t�stand aroun� an� gawk?� he snapped, glaring at each one of them in turn. There was no answer save the suddenly busy workers making far too much noise than was absolutely necessary for the jobs they needed to perform.

Nodding decisively, he finally closed off the rest of the world, and laid the precious burden on the long soft couch that dominated one wall of the room. He was just about to loosen her clothing so that he could help her breathing and check on the severity of her injuries when a soft knock sounded on the door. Muttering an oath under his breath, he answered, and was mildly surprised to see Henri standing on the threshold.

�I zought you might want zee ladeez belongings, M�sieur.� He said, holding out the small bag and a purple handbag.

�Thank ya kindly.� Vincent replied, taking both items and retreating back into the smaller room. Only now did he take a really good look at her.

She had a heart-shaped face framed by long, straight hair the exact shade of ripe chestnuts, some of which was caught up by a purple hair-tie into a high ponytail at the crown of her head. Her eyes were closed, so he had no idea of their color, but the fact that she was of Asian descent was obvious. The almond-shaped eyes and her small, bowlike mouth spoke eloquently of her heritage. In fact, if he were to hazard a guess, he would have to say that she was Japanese. Pulling up a chair so that he could sit beside her head, he then placed the small suitcase on the floor, and looked inside the purse hoping to find something that would identify the injured woman.

He found her wallet in short order, along with several other things, including an unusually decorated stick about eight inches long, a checkbook, a savings account passbook and a passport.

After careful examination, he learned that her name was indeed Akari � Akari Chiba. That she had come from San Marino was obvious from her driver�s license, but the passport was issued in Japan and there was also a Student I.D. card from Cal Tech in Pasadena. Her birth certificate was also in the handbag, and gave Tokyo as her place of birth, yet her adoption papers were issued in Los Angeles, California. But there was nothing anywhere in her purse to indicate why she suddenly wound up half dead on his doorstep in Beverly Hills.

�Dozo . . . � came the almost inaudible voice coming from the swollen lips of the woman. �Tasukeru . . . kudesai.�

Fortunately for him, Vincent�s maternal grandmother was also Japanese, and apparently from the same family tree, since her maiden name was the same. The old woman had managed to teach him enough of the language when he was a child that he understood that the beautiful young woman was feebly asking for help. But what kind was she looking for? Aid for her injuries? Or did she need someplace to hide? Perhaps she was lost. Or was there another reason entirely? Whatever it turned out to be, he would see to it that she got it. He felt oddly protective toward her all of a sudden, and he couldn�t explain why, but he knew deep down inside that he would do his utmost for her. No matter what it was.

�Y�all jest rest easy, hunny.� He said softly in his most comforting tones. He spoke English, hoping that she understood it because what little Japanese he remembered was very bad. �This here�s mah place, an� Ah won�t let nuthin� happen t�ya. All ya gotta do is tell me whacha need.� At the sound of his voice, her eyes fluttered open, and her head turned in his direction.

�Prease . . . � she began weakly in the same language, though with a thick dialect. �Where am I? I need . . . to find . . . � she could barely talk, but she seemed extremely stubborn. �Someone to . . . herup me. Prease . . . �

�What d�y�all need, sugah?� he replied, ready to lend whatever assistance was needed. �Ah�ll hep ya any way Ah can.�

�Mizu,� she said, then shook her head slowly. But Vincent got the message anyway. He poured her a small glass of water from the cooler in his office, helped her into a nearly sitting position, moving onto the couch with her and bracing her from behind with his own body with one arm held loosely around her. Then he held the cup steady for her while she took several small sips. �You speak Nihongo?� she asked in her soft voice.

�Only a mite.� He smiled winningly even though she couldn�t see it. She was trembling violently, but he had no way of knowing the reason for it. He assumed that it was due to whoever had left her in such a state. Vincent decided to do his best to make her feel more at ease, so he kept his voice and conversation light.

�Ah thank Ah�ve done fergotten mo� than Ah re-membah.� He went on, following the previous comment rather than his train of thought. �Mah Granny always tol� me Ah should keep up wif it �cause Ah�d nevah know when Ah might need it, but Ah nevah seemed t�have th� time.�

�Who are you?� her voice sounded a little stronger just from that tiny amount of liquid. �Where am I now?�

�Y�all�s in mah place.� He repeated. �This here�s �Le Parc du Soleil�. Does you know someone who works fer me?�

�I am rooking.� She faltered, her voice fading slightly. �But I do not know his name. He is here. I . . . feer him.�

�You come here cause one o�mah cooks SKEERS ya?� this seemed to make no sense whatsoever.

�Gomen nasai.� She whispered. He could tell that this was taking a lot out of her, but he had to get to the bottom line. �Dat is not what I meant. He does not frighten me. I . . . sense . . . dat he is nearby. More water, prease.�

As he held the glass for her again, he realized the mistake he had made � he had not taken her very obvious Japanese dialect into account. In fact, his grandmother spoke in much the same way whenever she deigned to use English, which was rarely. Now he began to wonder who she was looking for. Her voice sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn�t quite place it. Then he remembered the strange purple stick he had seen in her purse. Could she possibly be . . . ?

�Arigato gozaimashita.� She said softly, raising one hand and gently pushing the glass away. �Onamae desu ka? Oh. Prease forgibe me. I forgot. What is your name, prease?�

�Whut . . . ?� he was startled out of his momentary reverie. �Oh. Sorry. Mah handle�s Knight. Vincent James Knight. How �bout yers?�

�Dozo yoroshiku. Chiba Akari desu.� She replied, trying to bow from where she sat even though he was behind her. �Oh! Prease forgibe me again! My memory is bery bad today. I should habe said �Akari Chiba�. I keep forgetting dat is de way it is done here. Even though I was raised here in America, Gifu-san, my adopted father, would have us act as if we were in Japan. I am most preased to meet you�

�An� it�s a right pleasure t�make yer acquaintance.� He nodded and smiled at her. �Now,� he went on. �How c�n Ah be of service? Ah mean, how c�n Ah hep ya find who yer lookin� fer?�

�There is no need, Knight-san.� Akari lowered her gaze in an apparently shy manner, then she reached out for the water glass. Her small, cool hand wrapped around his as she raised the cup to her lips. After taking another sip, she continued. �I have auready found de one I was rooking for.�

�Then point �im out, �an we�ll git ya all set.� He said decisively. He was more than prepared to personally drag the man in for her, but a deeper part of his mind hoped that it was he that she wanted. And his unspoken wish was granted when she turned slightly to the right, raised her shaking left hand over the opposite shoulder and pointed right at him. A flare of extreme warmth flowed through him as he realized that she meant it.

�Why is y�all pointin� at me?� he said in a startled tone, suddenly feeling rather shy himself. Things like this only happened in fairy tales and dreams. �We ain�t nevah met afore t�day. Ah�d know it if�n Ah�d run inta someone like y�all.�

�Do you not know my boice, Taiyono?� she intoned softly. �Habe you not heard it many times before dis day? I remember yours bery much. Though I could no ronger hear it in my ear since Gifu-san took away my communicator, I heard it constantry in my head and my heart, reminding me of what was said and not said in de distant past.�

�Terra.� He whispered, unable to get any volume into his voice from the sudden revelation. �Ah DO know yer voice, an� Ah re-membah a whole bunch o� stuff from back then just like y�all. They�s sum�thin� Ah always wanted t�say t�y�all.�

�I love you.� They said at the same time, though hers came out more like �I rub you�, then they both dissolved into soft laughter. His merry chuckles seemed to fill the room, but hers faltered into a small whimper of pain after only a few moments.

�Ah�m sorry, hunny.� He was immediately contrite, and it showed in his voice. She had been quite seriously injured somehow, and now she had again aggravated the wounded areas. �Ah didn� mean fer y�all t�hurt ya�sef. Tell me whut Ah c�n do t�make it bettah.�

�Horud me, Taiyono.� Akari replied softly, trying to turn around to face him. �I would bery much rike to feer your arms around me, to pirow my head on your warm chest and hear your heart beating, to feer your breaf stirring my hair. Ar ob dis wir make everyfing much better.�

There was no way he could ever turn down such an eloquent request. So, he maneuvered around until she was in the position she desired, and he was breathing even more deeply of the heady fragrance of Frankincense and Myhrr that permeated her hair. She squirmed and wriggled for a few moments until she found the perfect place, then settled down, her right ear planted firmly in the center of his broad chest. Though neither one of them could have asked for a more perfect moment, that excellent time was quickly shattered by the muted rumbling of her stomach.

�Gomen nasai.� Akari whispered, her face turning red from a furious blush. �Prease pay no attention.�

�Ah�ll do nuthin� o� th�sort!� he retorted, somewhat sharper than was really necessary. She flinched against him, starting to pull away as if she expected nothing less, and maybe much, much more. �Hunny,� he went on, a little softer than before, hoping to ease the situation. �If�n y�all is hungry, jest say so an� Ah�ll go out an� whip ya up some vittles.�

�Some what?� she asked, her confusion plain in her voice. �Prease excuse me but I do not understand.�

�Now it�s mah turn t�be embarrassed.� Vincent chuckled warmly. �Ah meant that Ah wuz gonna git y�all some food.�

�Ar that is necessary is for me to be shown to the kitchen, and I wir find a rittah somefing.� Akari said in her soft voice. �I am a somewhat decent cook. Gifu-san insisted on dat from me.�

�Y�all don� need t�cook in mah place.� He smiled down at her, hoping that she would look up at him. �Ah�m th�boss, an� that�s whut Ah gots hirelin�s fer. They all knows where they paychecks come from. So, y�all don� need t�bother y�sef about it.�

�I assure you,� she insisted calmly, �It is of no consequence. I am most capabah.� And with that, she actually managed to move off the couch and slowly stood up, heading unsteadily for the door despite her injuries.

Suddenly frightened that she might hurt herself even worse, or aggravate her existing injuries, Vincent surged up and reached out quickly to stop her. He somehow managed to take hold of her right arm, and she whirled, her face suddenly a mask of terror. Her eyes were wide and staring, and those pale hazel orbs somehow met his golden eyes squarely.

All at once something within them gave an inaudible yet palpable �click� and they seemed to blend together. In that eternity-moment everything they were was shared with the other. They were trapped within a whirlpool of memories not their own, and yet they desired this above all else.

� �Kari, darlin�.� He breathed, then his expression grew hard. �Ah am gonna kill that man who dared t�call hisself yer step-daddy.� He vowed grimly. �No one deserved whut he done t�y�all all these years. But don� you worry yer purty little head �bout nuthin� no mo�. Ah�ll take care o� y�all.�

�And I wir kir your oniisan, your order brover for what he has done to you.� She promised him in return, her eyes still wide. �He had no right to act as he did. Neiver did your otosan, your father. Dat poor innocent inu. Your dog did not need what was done to him in order to hurt you. But ar ob dat is ober now. I wir take bery good care ob you, and your home. You may prace your trust in me, Taiyono, I wir dear wif everyfing.�

�That ain�t necessary, �Kari-hunny.� The golden-haired man said softly. �Ah gots a housekeepin� staff fer that. They sorta come with th�house.�

�Den dey wourd appreciate de time off.� Akari replied decisively. �It wir be my honor and privirege to do ar ob dis for you.�

�Well,� he didn�t like the way that she was talking, but something in the back of his mind told him that she was raised this way, and nothing he could say or do would convince her otherwise short of a direct order. And THAT was something he would rather avoid if it was at all possible. So, he turned the conversation back to a far more pressing matter.

�Well,� he repeated, trying to re-start the conversation. �Ah�ll go git one o� mah lazy cooks off�n his bee-hind and have him bring us some chow.� He stood and gently moved her back until she was seated once more on the soft couch. �After all, that�s whut they gits paid fo�.�

Heaving a shallow sigh, she finally nodded slowly, trying not to show him how much pain she was in. There was no way that she could interfere with a man�s work, nor could she disobey when a man gave her instructions. She no longer needed for it to be an order either. She was trained far too well for much too long, and that indoctrination had been quite painfully reinforced very recently. And she also remembered nearly everything that Gifu-san had done to her since the age of three.

Now she wondered if he had done the same things to Aster, her beloved stepsister, making her scream as she had done so often when they were younger, and if so, if that was the reason she had run away, even if she WAS going to finally solve that riddle. Only the fact that she was still carrying her beloved Mamoru�s child, and that the baby was still alive had enabled her to do the same thing.

As she sat lost in thought, Vincent went out of his office and had one of his better chefs whip up a pair of well filled, fluffy omelets, Included on the large plates were diced potatoes with onions and green peppers pan fried in butter to a golden brown, a thick slice of smoked ham, also fried until the fat was crispy, and a small bowl of fruit. Both of these were placed on a tray along with a basket of warm croissants fresh from the oven, a crock of the owner�s special �whuped �lass�s buddah�, and a pot of hot tea. Of course there was the appropriate flatware and cups as well.

The tall, golden man took the large tray by himself, and re-entered the office, knowing that she would probably fall asleep after she ate, since he knew there had been little opportunity for either thing in the past few weeks. He was well aware of the massive agony she was feeling, for somehow, it was as if he had suffered the injuries personally. He also knew all of those things she had either chose to hide, had forgotten, or had been MADE to forget, including the fact that she was carrying a child, and the identity of that infant�s father.

She had remained on the couch where he had placed her, sitting absolutely still to try and minimize the pain. Her pale hazel eyes again grew wide when she saw the massive amount of food the gold-eyed man was bringing in, wondering how many people were going to be dining with them. To her eyes, there was more than enough for the entire family she had grown up with. Vincent pulled out a metal tray stand, opened it and placed the loaded tray on it. He smiled warmly when he lifted one large plate and held it out to her.

Not wanting to insult him or his generosity, she took the plate, then slid from the couch so that she could sit on her heels as she was used to doing for most of her life. She set the plate on the floor, and began removing the remainder of things from the tray, setting them out as if there was a low table before her. When she had everything arranged to her satisfaction, she motioned for him to take a seat across from her. Now it was his turn to let out a sigh, but her shy demeanor and eloquent manners spoke loudly of her refusal to have it any other way. Though he knew that he could order her to change her habits, he refused to do so lest he remind her of the man who raised her.

He sank easily to the floor, using the men�s traditional open-kneed position which his obasan, his grandmother had drummed into him with her fan since he was a young boy. Akari noticed the ease with which he sat, and it made her more comfortable. After pouring the tea for both of them, she sat back and waited, her steady gaze apparently glued to her dainty hands that lay palms down in her lap. At first, Vincent idly wondered why she hadn�t started eating, considering how hungry he knew she was, then it suddenly dawned on him � she was waiting for him to begin the meal. He deftly cut off a bite of the egg mixture, and placed it in his mouth.

Only after she had seen him chew and swallow did she slowly begin to eat herself. The food was superb, but she was very afraid that she was unable to do it much justice since she knew that she would never be able to eat even half of what had been handed to her. But on the other hand, she was even more afraid of insulting Vincent or his people, and in many places around the world, leaving that much uneaten food behind was a grave insult. How she was going to deal with that particular dilemma, she had no idea. When she had consumed as much as she dared without making herself physically ill, Akari sat back on her heels and waited for him to finish as well.

�Ain�t it t�yer likin�?� Vincent asked, his voice showing his deep concern. �If�n they�s sumthin� else ya�d rather have, jest tell me.�

�I assure you,� she said softly, giving him a small bow from where she sat. �De food is excerent. I simpry cannot eat bery much. Prease do not be insuhrted. I do not wish to make mysehrf sick from trying to consume too much.� She seemed to be terribly embarrassed by her softly spoken confession.

�Ah shoulda knowed.� He nodded slowly. �Well, at least y�all wuz able t�eat sumthin�. Don�cha worry yer purty head �bout it none. Ah feels bettah knowin that y�all has had a decent meal wifout havin� t�look at that . . . person.�

�I arways tried bery hard not to do dat.� She answered in her small voice. �I usuary had to take my meals seperatry from him so that I couhrd better serbe him whire he ate. So rong as he was adequatery serbed, he did not notice me, and I couhrd armost ignore de fact dat he was even dere. But do not arow my inabirity to hamper you. Prease continue wif your meal.� And with that, she deftly picked up the teapot and refilled his cup before he could move.

Vincent said nothing. After all, what COULD be said about something like that? That crazy man had treated Akari like a servant or slave, and much worse, for an extremely long time. He had terrorized her, used and abused her, and generally made her believe that she deserved nothing better. And, for the most part, she still believed it.

Fully realizing that she would know it if he lied about being full himself, he went to his plate with a will and finished his meal in short order. Only then did Akari begin to �clear the table� by placing all of the items back onto the large metal tray, stacking the dishes with an ease that spoke of long practice. After she was done, she rose somewhat shakily to her feet, and looked at the tray. When she saw the golden-eyed man shake his head slightly, she resumed her seat on the long couch.

Vincent smiled gently, took the tray out of the office, and returned to the sofa himself. Almost gladly, the chestnut-haired woman again nestled into the protective circle of his warm embrace, pressing her ear against his broad chest once more. He felt so good, having her like that in his arms, knowing that she needed it, and he was more than willing to hold her whenever she wanted, for as long she desired. He loved her so deeply, and it almost frightened him. How could something like that have happened so quickly? But on the heels of that thought came another � it wasn�t all that rapid. He had loved her through centuries, no - millennia and in many, many past lives. He was very much aware of that now.

He loved the feeling of having his arms wrapped securely around her, and his thoughts began to shift toward other, more pleasurable pursuits. He wanted her so much that it was almost too difficult for him to keep his hands where they currently rested when all he desired at that moment was to show her just how much he truly loved her. His shaft, which had been growing steadily the entire time, now pulsated with a life of its own, and it was all he could do to master his nearly rebellious body. She had been too badly hurt recently, and he was determined not to add to it by answering his carnal desires.

Her delicate left hand, which had started out gently gripping his shoulder, now limply and slowly dropped to his lap, very close to his throbbing spear, and he noticed that her breathing, which had been shallow and nearly silent, had taken on a deeper, regular rhythm. She had indeed fallen asleep, though he had no idea of how deeply she slept. Even though he had things to do, he dared not move, afraid of disturbing her much needed rest. He felt so good at that moment, and he wanted to savor that sensation for as long as he could. The door to his office opened, and Henri�s head poked itself inside.

�Eez everyzing awright, M�sieur?� the gray-haired, mustachioed man asked in a near whisper, his sharp, flinty eyes taking everything in. �I was beginning to wondair about zee young Ma�am�selle.�

�She�s jest fahn.� The golden-eyed man replied softly, hoping that their voices wouldn�t waken her. �Turns out, she�s an old friend o� mahn that Ah ain�t seen in a coon�s age. She�s done had a hard time o� thangs recently, an� she�s done come t�me fer hep which Ah�m fixin� t�give her. When she wakes up, Ah�ll be takin� her t�mah place. Ah don� know if�n Ah�ll be back t�day.�

�Eef you do not return, M�sieur,� the older man nodded slowly. �I weel take care of everyzing �ere for you. I �ave done so before, and I can do so again.�

�That�s why Ah keeps ya aroun�, Henri.� He said with a small chuckle. �Y�all always knows whut t�do fer me. Sometimes Ah don� know whut Ah�d do wifoucha hangin� aroun� mah place.�

�Your restauran� would probably fail, M�sieur.� The ends of the man�s thin mustache seemed to twitch upwards, but it could have been a trick of the light. The older man had NEVER smiled in Vincent�s experience.

�Git yer froggy bee-hind back up t�the front an� make dang sure mah place is ready fer mah customers.� He said mock-angrily, and watched as the other one nodded and closed the door behind him.

Neither of the men meant the insults they gave to each other, and they both knew it. They had been together for far too long not to realize that. Henri had been Vincent�s Maitre D in every branch of the restaurant the golden-eyed man had ever opened, and planned to transfer to Tokyo when the eighth, and last establishment of �Le Parc du Soleil� opened. In fact, the property had already been purchased, and was being refurbished at that particular time.

Vincent breathed a small sigh of relief. Akari had not been disturbed in the slightest when Henri had been there. She still slept easily, her limp form growing heavier against him as she slipped deeper into the land of Nod. He also began to doze as her warmth covered him.

~*~*~*~*~

Vincent woke suddenly from his unexpected nap when something heavy shifted on his chest. For a mere moment he was extremely confused. He had somehow managed to sleep in the daytime without being in direct sunlight, but the weight baffled him. It shifted once more, and then he remembered. It was because of Akari. He had responded to her fatigue! His legs had cramped slightly, and he tried to alleviate the discomfort, and all at once she was awake.

�Gomen nasai.� She murmured as she struggled to sit up without hurting herself too badly. �I did not mean to far asreep. Prease forgibe me for my rack ob manners.�

�That�s awright, �Kari-hunny.� He intoned, his smile somehow making it into his voice. �Ah did too. Y�all ain�t had much real rest fer a long time, an� ya needed it. Ah ain�t gonna hold it agin ya.�

�Arigato gozaimashita.� She breathed softly, bowing from where she sat. �Now I wir begin my new duties. Prease ter me where your home is, and I wir take a takushi. I am certain dat your home wir need a good creaning, and I wir habe your dinner waiting for you when you return.�

�Ah cain�t have y�all do that.� Vincent said firmly. He was worried that she would seriously hurt herself trying to clean an already spotless house.

�Why not?� she asked, a sinking feeling hitting her midsection hard. Had she somehow misjudged his feelings for her? Or was he rejecting her?

�It�s simple, darlin�.� He heaved a huge sigh. �Ah don� wancha hurtin� yesehf agin. Y�all is hurt too bad t�start sumthin� that big. Ya needs t�heal up some fuhst. Y�all unnerstand?�

�Hai, wakarimasu.� Akari replied quickly, bowing again. �I wir wait untir you say dat I am hearud enough. I do not need to be in perfect hearuf to take care ob you. May I at reast cook for you?�

�Ah usually don�t eat much mo� than bre�fass� where Ah lives.� He admitted almost reluctantly. �All th�others is us�ally ate heah.�

�Den what am I to do for you?� she asked, a note of near panic tingeing her voice. �Or maybe,� she continued much softer, now sounding defeated. �You do not wish me to care for you at ar. I wir understand if dat is de case. What we may habe been to each over in de past is nofing to us now. Perhaps I was wrong to come here. I am going now. Prease forgibe me for my assumption.�

At that, she stood once again, picked up her purse and suitcase, and slowly headed for the door. All of a sudden, something twisted sharply in Vincent�s heart, and he knew that if he let her walk out now, he might never see her again. If that man ever found her, she would most likely disappear forever. After all, he was certainly looking for her since her escape, and he might be anywhere by now. The golden-haired man sincerely hoped that the other had no idea where she had gone, or in what direction she had traveled.

�Ah nevah meant nuthin� o� th�sort!� he cried out, his heart begging her to understand. �Put them thangs down an� git ovah heah.�

Akari did exactly as she was told. But the manner of her obedience wasn�t what he expected. She immediately placed both bags on the floor where she stood and walked back to where he was still sitting. Then she quickly dropped somewhat heavily to her knees and bowed low and abjectly, her hands on the floor before her, and her forehead touching the back of her dainty fingertips. And she remained in that lowly position despite the fact that she was suddenly in terrible agony.

�Y�all don� hafta do that.� The golden-haired man said in a soft voice. Her actions made him feel immediately contrite. He had felt the flare of intense pain radiating from her and wanted only to make it stop in any way he could. �Ah didn�t mean it thataway. Ah jest didn�t want ya t�walk out on me. Ah don� know whut Ah�d do if�n y�all left me.�

�You habe onry to ter me what you wish, and I wir make certain dat it is done.� Akari said without moving from her position. �You must excuse me for my ignorance and stupidity. Rest assured, I wir rearn bery quickry.�

�Whut Ah meant, �Kari-darlin�,� he smiled, reaching down and gently making her sit up. �Is that Ah gots folks livin� there that does all th�chores �round th�house, and fixes up th�few meals Ah takes while Ah�m there. Which ain�t all that often. So, they ain�t much for y�all t�do.�

�You wir not need dem whire I am dere.� She said simply, keeping her gaze lowered as she had been taught since she was a small child.

�We�ll talk �bout that when Ah gits y�all t�mah place.� Vincent replied evenly, getting to his feet, and helping her up as well. He then handed her the purse, taking the small suitcase in his own hand, before leading her out of the office into the large kitchen area.

Again, all sound and movement in the room ceased at her appearance, but she apparently didn�t notice a thing. The tall golden-haired man merely glared at those working in that space, and their tasks took on a sudden new meaning for them. Ignoring them after that, Vincent now led Akari through the rear door into an alleyway parking area where a metal-flake gold Ferrari with an interior of red Cabretta leather sat waiting. Placing her small bag into the trunk, he opened the passenger-side door for her, indicating that she should take a seat inside.

Though she was still in a great deal of pain, the chestnut-haired woman slid onto the seat, daintily drawing her feet in after her. He closed the door for her, then walked around to the other side and climbed in as well. Within moments he had inserted the key and started the powerful engine with a muffled purr-roar. Deftly steering the vehicle out of its parking space, he pulled out onto the street, and headed for the house in the hills where he had been living since he had opened that branch of his restaurant.

It didn�t take very long at all before Akari saw him pull out what looked like some sort of card, wave it in front of a box attached to a pole near a wrought iron gate, and a moment later that very gate began to slide open. Vincent drove through, heading even higher into the hills, and finally came to a stop before a huge manor house that rivaled a typical Southern Plantation Mansion in size, though not in configuration. Only then did the golden-haired man turn off the powerful machine and get out. As he was coming around the vehicle, pausing just long enough to retrieve her suitcase from the trunk, she opened her door and stood up to wait for him.

She saw him vaguely motion for her to precede him, and though it made her extremely uncomfortable to walk in front of a man, she did as she was bid. The walk from the car to the front door wasn�t really a long one, but it was finally more than she could physically handle. What had been left of her strength ran out at long last, her legs failed her, and she fell heavily to the ground, nearly senseless. Suddenly afraid for her well-being, the tall man rushed forward, scooped her up in his strong arms, and, holding her as easily as he would a small child, he carried her and her small bag into his residence, up the wide stairs to the second floor, and into one of the many empty bedchambers on that level.

He gently laid her out on the soft bed, arranging her arms and legs properly, noting that she was nearly unconscious, sweating profusely from her exertion, and that her breathing was rapid and very shallow. She was so painfully thin that he could actually see her quick and slightly uneven pulse in her neck, and he wondered if it had been such a good idea to bring her there instead of taking her straight to a hospital. But on the heels of that thought came another, far more sinister one � in a hospital, HE would be able to find her, and if that happened, there might never be a �next time�.

Still, he could tell that she needed some form of medical care, and soon. Heaving a huge sigh, he decided to find her night-clothes, or something that could double for them, dress her in them and try and figure out what to do after he knew just how serious her injuries were. So, he opened the suitcase he had brought in with her and began to go through it. He finally found several soft cotton kimono that could be used for sleeping, and pulled one out, carefully unwrapping it from the items it was obviously protecting, and was amazed to see, among other things, a smallish crystal statuette of a galloping horse. It reminded him of some things one of his �Uncles� had given him when he was a young child. Knowing that it was precious to her, he reverently placed it on the nightstand beside the bed.

It took him quite a while to remove her clothing without either hurting her even more or giving in to his baser desires, but finally the job was done. What he had seen in the process, however, both horrified and angered him. Her body was literally covered with cuts and bruises, some of which were fairly old, but the worst of them were all apparently inflicted within the last day or two, and most of those were concentrated in the lower abdominal region. That despicable bastard, that yaro who dared to call himself her stepfather had deliberately tried to make her lose the child she carried.

Now, Vincent was terribly afraid for her. She was in very bad shape. Her breathing was becoming labored, as if she was struggling just to draw in enough air, so he propped up her upper body and head with several thick pillows to make it easier for her. And even though she had apparently lapsed into total unconsciousness, she started whimpering softly, her delicate heart-shaped face betraying the agony she was experiencing even in that state. He had no way of knowing just how severe her injuries were, or if there was any internal damage, though he suspected that there might be. He didn�t want to have to take her to an emergency room, nor were there any doctors around that made house calls, so he did the next best thing.

�Saturn, this here�s Sol.� He said evenly, pressing the fingertips of his right hand to the golden medallion he wore at his throat.

�Aye, lad.� Came the answer on the heels of his words. �To what do I owe th� pleasure of yer call, boyo?�

�Ah needs yer spee-sific type o�hep.� Vincent replied, knowing that the other men on the �network� were also listening. �Ah gots someone heah who . . . oh, whut the hail. Ah�s fixin� t�break Pluto�s dang rules anyhow, so Ah might as well jest go fer it. Terra�s heah at mah place, an� she�s been hurt real bad.� He then proceeded to tell them what he had seen and his address.

He knew that he would most likely be flooded with men who all wanted to meet the woman whom they were expecting to fight alongside, but it seemed to be the only way to make sure that Saturn, with his fairly strong healing ability, would be among those who would come. Vincent now began to wonder how they would arrive, and how he would recognize them if they showed up at his front gate in civilian garb. Then, he figured that he�d take it one step at a time, crossing that bridge when he came to it.

As had been expected, Pluto was the first one to arrive at the house, some twenty minutes later. Letting himself in through the gate, since he often stayed there as a change of pace from life in a five star hotel and had copies of the keys, the newcomer drove rapidly up the hill. Vincent clearly heard the other�s arrival for there were very few sounds he knew of that could ever be mistaken for those of a Lamborghini.

The golden-eyed man hurried down to the front door so that he could meet the new arrival, and still be able to quickly head back upstairs in case she took another turn for the worse. He was fully prepared to face down their unofficial leader in the defense of Akari.

�Just what in the name of everything you hold sacred did you do this for?� the tall Japanese man nearly yelled as soon as he had entered the house. �You do realize, I hope, that you are going to jeopardize everyone else with this foolish stunt you�re pulling.�

�Ah don�t thank so, Takagi.� Vincent replied in a calmer voice. �We�s gonna have t�meet up sometaim, an� seein� as how Terra�s upstayas barely ahlave, Ah took it on mahsehf t�do sum�thin� about it.�

�Why didn�t you just take her to the hospital emergency room?� The dark-eyed man asked, waving his ever-present swagger-stick around. �Any sensible person would have done that much.�

�Y�all don� know th�whole story.� The tall golden-haired man shook his head. �If�n Ah does whut y�all suggests, her �dopted daddy�s gonna find her, an� most likely NOBODY�S evah gonna see her agin. He�s the one that�s been makin� all them youma-demons we�s been bustin our butts on all this tahm.�

�That�s still no reason to jeopardize everyone else!� Takagi was still very angry, and it showed.

�An� since when wuz we takin� all our orders from y�all?� Vincent countered, his own anger starting to get the better of him. �Th�men looked t�ME fer advice an� all sorts o� other stuff, when they wuzn�t goin� t�mah twin sistah. An� when Ah says sum�thin� these days, they does it. That�s th�way it wuz a long tahm ago, an� th�way it SHOULD be done now.�

He was feeling extremely protective towards the woman upstairs, and there was no way that he was going to allow Takagi to tell him that he couldn�t help her in whatever way he felt was best. Whatever the Japanese gentleman was about to say in response was lost by the sound of someone who reminded the golden-haired man of Henri calling the house from the gate via the intercom system.

� �Allo?� the voice repeated with a familiar sound to it. �Eez zis zee place whair we can find a certain solar presaunce? �Allo?�

�If�n y�all is a arrogant hot-head psychic,� the golden-eyed man answered the call with a small chuckle, suddenly remembering one other who spoke in that manner. �Then y�all gots th�right place. If not, then git yer bee-hind off�n mah property.�

�I suppose zat you are right about certain sings.� The voice came back wryly. �I also �ave weeth me a shocking personazhe, a plant maniac and a . . . a larzhe quiet type. I believe zat �e is zee one you were looking for.�

�Then come on up th�drive to th�top.� Vincent invited, hitting the controls that opened the gate. �Ah�ll be waitin� at th�door.�

After terminating the connection, the golden-haired man went to the front to await his visitors, totally ignoring the dark look that Takagi shot at him. It didn�t take long at all for the long black limousine to pull to a stop next to the golden Ferrari and the metal-flake green Lamborghini. A liveried chauffeur rose from the driver�s seat, opened the double passenger door, and stood back to allow those inside to exit the vehicle. Vincent fully expected to see four people to get out, and was completely surprised when only three left the inside, and the driver joined them on the walk to the house, taking his cap off and placing it under his arm on the way.

Introductions were soon being made all around � the huge man with the flame-red hair who had been the first to exit the vehicle was none other than Kishi Saturn, Sean O�Connell, owner and president of Planetary Energy, an international corporation dedicated to clean energy and it�s sources.

The second man, a thinner person with greenish-blonde hair was named Kishi Venus, Martin Peterson, and just happened to be Sean�s key botanist, while the last man from the passenger compartment was Kishi Jupiter, a blonde man by the name of Robert Van Doorne, a civil engineer who specialized in disaster defenses, especially tsunamis. It was then revealed that he and the botanist had been drinking buddies for several months.

The driver turned out to be Kishi Mars, the one and only Eduard LeBlanc, a race-car driver from Europe, known only for his inability to ever complete a race, thereby becoming known around the globe as �The Fastest Loser in the World�, despite the fact that it had been proven time and again that the accidents and such were constantly caused by his many rivals who either ran him off the road or sabotaged his vehicle. The �fastest� part of the appellation came from the fact that he consistently won a starting position in the top four, and, more often than not, he achieved the pole position.

Once that was completed, Vincent showed the large man up to the room where Akari lay. Sean clucked his tongue at the sight, shooed the golden-eyed man from the room, and immediately went to work. He gently began by opening her clothing so that he could more properly assess the injuries inflicted on her, then he concentrated on the areas that bore the worst of the damage on this side � her lower abdominal region. Her back, which was almost as bad, could be saved for a later time.

Slowly, the red-head began to exert the power that had brought him more than one session of beatings, harsh penance on his knees and going without food for days at the Belfast Catholic orphanage where he and his older sister had been placed after the death of their mother. He started to feel the true extent of her injuries, both inside and out, and reasoned out why they had been inflicted in such a manner � she was carrying a child, and someone had tried very hard to make her lose it. No. It was TWO!! He truly had his work cut out for him.

~*~*~*~*~

Downstairs, Vincent was playing host to four of the five guests to his home, when he received another call on the intercom. Answering that one, he noticed that the voice was again all too familiar, the broad accent being that of one of two people, either Uranus, or Neptune, and they told of having found a bit of silver that simply HAD to come for some reason. Adding it all up, the golden-haired man realized that all of the men had indeed come, just as he thought they would. He remembered being good friends with all of them during the time of the Silver Kingdom, and he saw no reason to change that now.

Again he waited by the door, wanting to be the first to greet them, and also to find out just why Moon felt he had to come. After all, the Silver Knight was the one who always bemoaned the fact that he even HAD the powers, let alone the fact that he kept going on about how they were all damned for what they were. So, why did he come? The gold-eyed man had no answers.

When the sea-green sedan pulled up next to the limo and disgorged its trio of occupants, Vincent saw the three walking together, and he strode out to meet them. They were all of an age, though two of them looked older from a distance. One, the shortest of the trio, had silvery hair that reached down well below his shoulders. The tallest looked just like the actor Tom Sellek when he was in a western-type movie sporting shoulder-length raven waves along with a �Bill Cody� style mustache and beard, while the third could have easily passed for a woman with long lavender hair that reached his waist.

The silver one turned out to be named Thomas Black, the look-alike was branded Nathan Winters, and the effeminate one was Quentin Bradley-Winters. The last two were definitely a couple. Such things didn�t bother Vincent despite the fact that he was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, the heart of the �bible belt�. All that he asked was that they leave him out of their affairs. He didn�t have habits of that sort, nor was he inclined to learn.

It was then revealed that all three attended classes at the same college, and though Thomas lived in one of the Dorms on campus, and as part-time students, the couple dwelled in an apartment nearby, they shared several classes. The couple had even managed to get the silver-haired young man to let his hair down several times when they went out together to eat or have what fun they could convince him to indulge in. They had all become friends, and had somehow partially convinced the young New Englander that his powers weren�t as evil as he had claimed them to be. It was Thomas that had begged the other two to bring him with them when Vincent had called Saturn.

�Please,� The silver-haired man asked their host softly, tears standing out in his large pale blue eyes. �I need to see her. I know that I�m not a doctor or anything, but I can at least pray for her if nothing else. I MUST be allowed to be there. She�s my primary!! I NEED to try and help!�

�Ah git�s th�idea.� Vincent replied with a nod. �Mebbe just bein� there would do ya both a world o� good. She�s out cold rahght now, but Ah�m mighty sure she�s a�gonna know that y�all is there. Foller me, silver-top. The rest o� y�all c�n go on in an� make y�selves at home. An� don� let Takagi rile ya none.�

Leading the young man up the wide stairs, Vincent began thinking that this incident just might be the one thing that was needed to help the troubled young man. He was barely grown, hardly more than a boy, but his unusual beliefs were so entrenched in him that they seemed to be those of someone far older. Before too long, they had arrived at the door to her room. When Thomas reached out for the knob, the golden-eyed man could see that his hand was shaking slightly.

�It�ll be alrahght�. He said calmly, clapping the younger man firmly on the shoulder. �Gowan in, boy.�

Thomas turned the handle, opened the door slowly, and slipped inside as soon as there was room for him to do so. He saw the deep purplish glow coming from the huge red-head�s hands, and though part of his brain shrieked at him to flee this room filled with witchcraft, the other part of him told him that he was needed. So, he slowly walked over to the head of the bed opposite from the large figure, sat on the bed near her head, pulled out his Testament and Psalms and opening it to a particular page, he began reading, his voice softly sounding in the room.

�Tsuki?� The woman on the bed moaned weakly. �Anatawa sore desu ka? Anatawa koko desu ka?� (Moon? Is that you? Where are you?)

�What is she saying?� Thomas asked the gigantic man on the other side of the bed. �can�t understand her.�

�Sure�an I�m to be after understandin� what she�s mutterin� in her delerium.� The Irishman answered almost curtly, his face glistening with sweat from his exertions. �I�ve all I�m after bein� able t�handle with her injuries, boyo. I�ve no time t�be after tryin� t�decipher her gibberish.�

�It�s not gibberish!� Thomas said with an unaccustomed anger in his voice. �It�s Japanese! I can�t figure out what she�s saying right now, but I can at least recognize the language!�

�Don�t ye think I know that, lad?� the large man muttered through gritted teeth. �But I don�t have th�bloomin� time t�be after bein� civil right now. If I don�t keep goin� the lass just might be spendin� her last night on Earth.�

�She can�t die!� the silver-haired man cried, sudden tears filling his eyes as he kneeled beside her where he was and gently took her dainty right hand in both of his. �I can�t lose her!�

�Then keep yer bloody tongue behind yer teeth, boyo.� The red-head hissed at the younger man. �I need t;be after concentratin� t�do th� job right. Pray if ye must, I can be after workin� aroun� that, but don�t be expectin� me t�be answerin� ye. I�ve got too much on me plate right now t�be tryin� t�think o�th� right responses.�

�I understand.� Thomas nodded, then he quietly resumed his readings, the books placed on the bed beside her. He still held her hand, however, willing with all of his strength that she recover. It had become the single most important thing in his life at that moment, but there was no way that he could tell anyone the reason why. Not even himself.

~*~*~*~*~

After nearly five hours, the tall, beefy, red-haired man finally descended the wide staircase, wiping his face with a pristine handkerchief pulled from his pocket. His whole manner was one of near exhaustion, but his steps were steady despite the fact that they were slow. Takagi quickly got up, procured a bottle and a glass, and set them in front of the large Irishman as he took a seat with a weary sigh.

�She�s nae longer in danger.� He said in his soft brogue. �I�ll be after grantin� ye that �twas a wee bit dicey fer a time there, but I�ve been after takin� care o� the main problems. She an� her babes are after bein� just fine.�

�Is she gonna be alrahght?� Vincent asked, his vocal tones showing of his great concern. Then he realized what the larger man had said � that Akari was bearing more than one child! He decided to talk to him later about that.

�She�ll be after healin� normally now, boyo.� Sean replied, taking the bottle in one hand and looking closely at it, examining the label minutely. He nodded to himself Then balled up one fist and scratched the glass with the large diamond ring he wore on his middle finger. �This far, an� nae farther.� He intoned sedately before opening the bottle and pouring some of the contents into the glass he had been given.

�Where�s th� other kid?� the golden-eyed man questioned, wondering why the boy hadn�t come down as well.

�He�s after bein� up there,� the red-haired, green-eyed man nodded in the general direction of the stairs. �He told me that he was wantin� to pray for th� lass a wee bit more. It didnae seem as if he were meenin� any harm.�

�Well, he cain�t do no harm with a prayer or three.� Vincent nodded as he went back toward his chair. �Pull up a chair an� set a spell.�

***** *****

It was actually more than an hour before Thomas came downstairs. He looked exhausted, but relieved.

�She is awake,� he said. �She said she was thirsty. I remember my mother giving people that were recovering from injuries broth for nourishment and thirst at the same time.�

�Thet�s true,� Vincent said. �I�ll whup some broth together for �er. Tell her I�ll be raight up.�

�Very well,� Thomas said. He turned and made his way back up the stairs to deliver the message.

~*~*~*~*~

When Vincent arrived with a bowl of broth and a small pot of tea, Akari was sitting up and Thomas was sitting on the edge of the bed, holding her hand. He stood up when Vincent came in, releasing her hand.

�I will come back,� he promised. �You should rest after you eat.�

�Broth ain�t exac�ly food,� Vincent said. �On th� other hand, I put som�thin� on fer y�all that oughta be done soon. In th� meantiam, there�s bread an� stuff down in th� livin� room.�

Vincent brought the tray to Akari, and set it on her lap. The bowl with the broth in it had handholds; it was specifically designed for soup, so that the bowl could be picked up and drunk from. The tea was accompanied by a small tea bowl for drinking.

�Now,� Vincent said. �I wanna see all that broth gone, an� some of t� tea, as well. Then, I gots a question t� ask y�all.�

�Ask me, Taiyono,� Akari said. �I wir answer your qrestions as bes� I can.�

�I wanted t� ask ya t� marry me,� he said. �We could take a weekend t� Vegas an� get it done quiet-like. Then, if�n yer step-daddy comes after yous, y�all can go t� the police.�

�You rish to hab me as your rife?� Akari asked, a surprised look on her face.

�Ah do,� he replied. �Ah�ll even raise those babies as if theys mahn.�

�Hai, Taiyono,� she said, her eyes shining. �I rourd be happy to marry you.�

TBC

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taiyono � sun child
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Diamohns are Forever