apigrabbit Note: Alright, let's try this again! I deeply apologize for disappearing for a year :( I went M.I.A when I was pregnant, and basically motherhood has been very distracting/keeping me very busy. My son is now a babbling one-year-old who is beginning to walk, so he's definitely kept me super busy...BUT! While I have been away, I've been reading over both 'Meaningless Love' & my attempt at revising ML, 'War of Hearts' (it has been deleted), and I think I finally understand where I want to go with this story. I know, it only took like 2 years -_-U I apologize again. This is my third (& I'm praying it's my final) attempt at finishing this story. So, like I said in the beginning, let's try this again! - P.S. after this chapter, all author notes will only appear at the bottom.

Disclaimer: Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon & Sailor V are property of Naoko Takeuchi

Dangerous Attraction

Chapter One - The Beginning

From his office, Kunzite Shitennou listened to the buzzing of his mother's voice through the receiver and swore. He loved his mom, he truly did, but Kunzite was a busy man. Far too busy to be wasting his time on such tedious tasks, like trying to contact his brothers to make sure they too would be attending the family dinner later this week.

He thanked the heavens when his mother stated she had to go. Returning the receiver to its cradle, he took off his glasses, and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. He had contemplated stopping by the Life Tribune magazine's department, and check out their numbers for the week, but with the sun nearly set, decided against it. After a few more seconds of brooding over his mother's request to contact his brothers, he resumed making his notes for the day.

Dropping his pen, he tossed his notepad over a pile of unread files; another task he had yet to get to, and rose from his oak desk to stand by the window.

The city of Los Angeles stretched out before him and he could see all the way to the Pacific Ocean. He loved his vantage point. If there was one thing Kunzite loved, it was being on top. Ask any of his previous girlfriends–well, casual acquaintances–girlfriend was a bit of a strong word for him.

Below, traffic moved in a steady stream. He watched the tide of pedestrians as they strolled in packs or twosomes, merging under the heavy rain. It seemed the weather forecaster's prediction was off yet again. For the pass four days the rain had been coming down in sheets, and although the rain refused to let up, today was bearable.

He caught sight of a young couple embracing in the heavy rain. He watched as they linked their arms, a casual gesture, and then he saw the meeting of their lips.

He turned away as he felt an odd sting of envy. Kunzite was unused to this feeling. The feeling of restlessness and–dare he say it, emptiness. Looking back at his desk, he let out a discontented sigh as he saw the work he had yet to tend to, but felt no rush to complete them.

His phone buzzed, taking him out of his reverie. Pressing a red button on his phone system, he asked, "Yes?"

"I apologize for disturbing you, Mr. Shitennou," a soft voice came through the speaker. "Helios is here."

"Thank you, Thetis. Please send him in."

Moving his many files towards one side of his desk, he stacked them on top of one another, and noticed a pink while-you-were-gone note left by Thetis. It seemed he had to endure an interview in a few weeks with a young woman named Ami Mizuno for some paper she was writing. Picking up the thin, pink paper, he stared down at it quizzically. Kunzite turned his eyes heavenward in exasperation as the name finally clicked in his brain. He had completely forgotten that he had agreed to participate in an interview with the ever timid, Miss Mizuno.

He knew Ami's mother, Saeko Mizuno, a well-known doctor at the Juuban Second General Hospital back in Tokyo; they had done business together in the past for some children's charity event, which also happen to be the same place he had met her doe-eyed daughter. How could the young woman, who out of all the careers she could have chosen, decide to be a journalist? She didn't have an assertive bone in her body. He cupped his chin in thought. If he went through with this interview, he would be doing Saeko a favor, which he could cash in on later when it suited him.

Picking up his glasses, he tucked them into the front pocket of his suit jacket, and crossed towards the large walnut finished cabinet that sat off to the side of his office. Passing a large, black leather couch, trade journals and news magazines dotted along the smooth surface of his matching coffee table. He pulled the cabinet doors open, revealing a fold away bar. Opening his mini fridge to grab himself a bottle of water, he spotted a bottle of brandy set on the middle shelf. The amber liquid was tempting.

Hearing the click of his office doors shut, he turned on his heel to see a tall, elegantly dressed man with a manila folder in his hand.

"Brandy?" Kunzite called out as he gave in and poured himself a cup of the amber liquid.

"Yes, please," Helios said.

With two snifters in hand, he handed over a glass to the younger man, and saw that his face was ashen. He cocked his head to one side and regarded him intently.

"Why don't we sit," he said before taking a swig of his brandy. Waving the younger man towards the leather couch, Kunzite gracefully lowered himself into his seat, while Helios–who was unusually nervous–sunk into his seat, and blew out a shaky breath.

Reaching into the inside pocket of his suit jacket, Kunzite took out a satin silver cigarette case. Blowing out a cloud of white smoke, he flicked the ashes of his cigarette into a crystal ashtray he kept on his coffee table. "Did you take care of it?"

"The newspaper incident in Las Vegas? Yes." Helios said with a nod of his head, "they've managed to stop the papers before being distributed, but not before attracting the authorities." He paused, trying to gage the older man's emotions. "The police are now harassing the Dark Agency. They've been monitoring their transactions, and the authorities are starting to hang around the nightclubs." Helios finally said before taking a hardy swig of his own drink. He welcomed the liquid heat that permeated down his chest. "What do you want us to do about it?"

After a few seconds of agonizing silence, Kunzite put the younger man out of his misery. "I suppose I could persuade them with some pocket change," he lifted his shoulder in a half shrug, "just leave the rest to me."

The authorities could snoop around the nightclubs all they wanted, Kunzite could care less. As long as that newspaper never left the building of the Oracle headquarters, he knew they wouldn't find anything.

"Yes, sir."

"What about the Hino-woman?" He asked. "Did you find anything on her?"

Helios rested his hand against the nape of his neck. "I'll just show you," he mumbled under his breath. Picking up the manila folder, he slid it towards his boss.

Stubbing out his cigarette into the crystal ashtray, Kunzite took the folder, and was surprised to see several photos of a young woman inside. She had thick, raven hair that came down her back like a waterfall. She had fair skin, a clear complexion, and almond shaped eyes the color of amethyst.

"Is this Rei Hino?"

"Yes."

Flipping through the papers, he stopped when he came across another photo, only it wasn't a photo of Rei, but another woman. She had cobalt blue eyes, milky white skin, and long, thick blonde hair.

"Who is she?" Kunzite asked, tapping her photo.

"The blonde?" Helios asked. Kunzite nodded his head. "Her name is Minako Aino. I didn't bother looking too far into her information."

"Why did you look her up at all?" He asked, glancing up from the folder.

"Rei Hino's last known occupation was at the Fiore. When I spoke with Esmeraude, she said Rei and Minako joined the group around the same time," Helios continued, "she said that she had seen Rei and Minako congregate in the back a few times." Taking another swig of his drink, he added, "according to her, they seemed pretty close."

Kunzite's forehead crease. "I want a full background check."

Helios' eyes widened in surprise. "On the blonde?"

"Yes," Kunzite nodded his head. Closing the file, he tossed it back onto the black table top, and finished off his brandy.

His phone buzzed again. Tapping the speaker button, Thetis came on the speaker. "Mr. Shitennou, Artemis is waiting for you downstairs."

Placing his empty glass on his desk, he said, "Tell Art that I'll be down soon." Glancing towards his coffee table, he eyed the manila folder, and added, "Thetis, please get Esmeraude Green on the phone. Actually, have her call my cell."

"Yes, sir. Will there be anything else?" She asked.

"Please set up a flight to Las Vegas."

"For tomorrow?" Thetis asked, unable to hide the surprise in her tone.

"Yes. Also, make sure my Rolls Royce will be ready for tomorrow night."

"Yes, sir."

Helios' forehead creased, his lips turned downward. "I thought you wanted a background check on her?"

"I do," Kunzite said as he picked up the manila folder. Collecting his coat and scarf from the coat-rack near his office doors, he tucked the folder under his arm, and slid on a pair of black leather gloves.

Helios' frown deepened. Blowing out a disgruntled sigh, he knew that was all the information he would be receiving from the older man.

Opening the double doors to his office, he bid the younger man a goodbye before leaving him alone with his thoughts, and rode down to the lobby. He waved goodbye to the head security guard of the graveyard shift, who gave a nod in acknowledgment.

Stepping out pass the sliding glass doors, Kunzite felt the wind slap him hard across the face, the rain pouring harder than before. Quickly, he tucked the manila folder into the inside of his coat. He spotted Artemis standing by the open door of a Lincoln town car, waiting for him beneath the large metal awning. October was usually a decently warm month in Los Angeles, but this year, the fall weather was aggressive with rain and bellowing wind.

Relaxing into the leather upholstery, he gave a nod of his head for Artemis to drive off. Reaching into his coat, he pulled out the manila folder. Skimming over the photos of the young blonde, he felt the vibration of his cell phone in his coat pocket. Peering down at the screen, Esmeraude's name flashed across it.

"Green," he said into the receiver and smiled, "What are you doing tomorrow night?"

apigrabbit Note: Please leave a review and let me know how you like the story so far. Reviews/constructive criticism are greatly appreciated.