A story set in "A Dance Set to the Music of Time" sequence.

Disclaimer: Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon belongs to Takeuchi Naoko, Koudansha, TV Asahi, and Toei Douga, and DIC. Gatekeepers is owned by GONZO and Bandai Entertainment. This is used without permission.

This disclaimer also applies to several intellectual properties referred to in the text. Please be guided accordingly.

1992:

"Kaji-san."

Someone was calling him.

"Kaji-san."

He heard it like a voice from the heavens. The voice held an ancient tone to it, like the voice of an old man. Like the voice of God.

"Kaji-san, if you do not open your eyes, I will be forced to throw you off the bed."

He opened one eye to see a rather diminutive old man at his bedside. The sterile whiteness of the infirmary made the old man's black business suit stand out.

"Good. You're awake."

Kaji Yuuichiro opened both eyes and felt a headache coming on. Hunger made his stomach growl and made him woozy.

"Still a bit weak, I see."

"Do I know you?" Kaji snapped as he looked around. Food was left on the small table next to the infirmary bed. Taking an apple, he bit into it, the sweet taste filling his dry mouth.

"My name is Hino Akira. I think you've heard of me."

Yuuichiro blinked. The Hino family had a reputation in AEGIS Far East Branch. This wasn't what he was expecting.

"What's a Hino visiting an Omega for?"

"Omega? Ah, yes. I forget that you fellows have all this jargon for such things, even for such things as sole survivors."

Yuuichiro gave the old man a withering glance. The short old man met the gaze equally. The younger man flinched and turned away.

"What do you want?!"

"You."

"What?!"

"I want you for an assignment."

"Gramps, in case you didn't hear what I said earlier, I'm an Omega. I'm not—"

"Kaji Yuuichiro. Rank: Major. Born February 24, 1970. Recruited from the JSDF Special Science Division for AEGIS after an incident involving several cryptozoological creatures encountered at Special Quarantine Island 3. Served with distinction for three years—"

"Until I got my entire team killed. I'm up for a board of review in a few weeks. I'd be lucky if they didn't send me to prison for life. I'm not exactly up for assignment right now."

The two men were silent, one looking down at the white sheets of his bed, the other with a considering look on his face. The older man broke the silence.

"It was not your fault, boy. Anyone could have lost their team in the same situation. That board of review is going to agree with me on that. I think your real problem is the fact that you survived… Which is why I'm offering you this assignment."

Yuuichiro looked up at the old man. "What do you want me to do?"

"A simple enough job. I think you've heard of the Juuban incidents?"

"Yeah. Dimensional intrusions in what used to be one of the quietest wards in Tokyo. The intrusions are similar to those happening in New York, London, Paris and several other major cities. Only here in Tokyo, we got a noninterference order shortly before a P-10 rated individual started to trash the dimensional intruders."

"That's right. We can't interfere overtly, but the Commander would like an observation post set up. I'm already there, so I got saddled with the job. I need a good assistant. Someone who knows what he's doing and is good enough at the job…"

"You mean me, right?"

"Correct. All you'll have to do is slip on the cover identity and do a bit of leg and surveillance work. Just that. Consider it a paid vacation."

Yuuichiro rubbed his chin, considering.

"Who do I have to be?"

"First, look at this picture." The older man pulled out a picture of a pretty young girl dressed in a shrine maiden outfit. "What do you think?"

"She's cute. But a little young."

"Good. You're in love with her."

"What?!"

Pulling out a folder, seemingly out of nowhere, Hino Akira started reading out loud.

"'Kumada' Yuuichiro. Slacker and wanderer. Out 'looking for himself' and his sense of identity. Goes to the Hikawa Shrine, falls in love with Hino Rei, and chooses to stay for awhile."

"Er… She's your granddaughter?"

A nod was the old man's answer.

"Then she's—"

"No, she hasn't manifested any Gate abilities that I know of. Currently she's a P-3 rating, almost verging on P-4."

"Are you sure about this?"

"Sure, I'm sure. I've already had the paperwork finished. Your brother Ryuuji will be taken care while you do this. Besides, it's just a simple observation job. All you need now is to grow your hair long and not shave."

Yuuichiro gave the old man a skeptical look. "And the fact that I'm supposed to be your granddaughter's suitor doesn't bother you?"

"Ha! Rei is fourteen. She should have a boyfriend by now. A fake one would make no difference."

"Fourteen?! I'm not some cradle-robber!"

"Don't worry. It's just for show anyway. A good cover for staying over at the shrine."

Yuuichiro sighed in defeat. The old man was adamant. It seemed he was going to be living at a shrine for a while.

Author's notes: What does Yuuichiro do at the Hikawa Shrine anyway?

I know, I know, assistant and acolyte and all that. But hey, in the Dances sequence there are a lot more serious things afoot.

Anyway, here's a bit of a cooler reason why Yuuichiro shows up. It also gives a hint of who Rei's parents are.

As always, C&C is welcome.

Webmaster: Larry F
Last revision: May 21, 2007