Title: Sleeping With the Enemy

Chapter: One

Author: Silent Figure

Disclaimer: I do now own any of the Sailor Moon or Sailor V characters in this story.

Author's Note: So Kunzite and Minako have always been one of my favorite couples. There have always been little hints and bits of their story shown in the Manga and I have always wanted to write just a story about them. I decided to go this route and write about what Minako was really doing between the defeat of Ace and the Dark Agency and her showing up in Sailor Moon. And I'd thought it would be nice to put a little love story in there between the two. I'll try my best to keep it true to the events and timeline of the Manga (Sailor Moon) , though I'm certain I'll have to change bits here and there. Anyway enjoy.

The day was a cold one. In Tokyo, winters were rarely this cold, but this winter seemed far different from all the others, especially for one particular young girl. At the delicate age of 14 she should've been excited about being in middle school, basking in the glory of her volleyball skills, having slumber parties on the weekends, chasing after handsome guys in her class, day dreaming about idols, and simply enjoying life. Instead, this particular girl was something all together different from a normal 14 year old girl. For she was no ordinary human either, she was a young woman whose blood was filled with power found only on Venus and she had seen and fought things she had once thought only existed in the stories of her mangas's. After a long and rather maturing experience abroad she had finally returned home to her Tokyo, only to find out that she couldn't quite return. With a sigh she starred at the sign before her, her long blonde hair whipping in the wind, and with a white cat with a curious crescent moon bald spot on his forehead draped over her shoulder. "This is stupid", she muttered grumpily. To a passerby one would think she was merely talking to herself.

"No it's not. It is something that must be done", whispered a male voice that could only come from the cat on her shoulder considering there was no other person around her.

"Artemis…can't I go home? I don't want to be an adult just yet. I have four more years before that happens", she practically whined.

"Minako it'll be fine. Just use your compact and remember this is only temporary, until the others are found", he said encouragingly as he hopped off her shoulder onto the ground. Sighing Minako nodded her head in agreement before sucking in a breath and stepping forward into the Juuban's public library that had a sign in the window that practically glared at her, "Now Hiring."

Once inside she went straight for the bathrooms which to her luck had no other occupants. Groaning she looked into the mirror, taking in her youthful reflection, looking at every detail of her face and wondering how different she'd look when she was through. "After all it'll have to be a reflection you get used to", she whispered to herself, somewhat miserably. She wasn't sure if she was ready to be another person, even if it was her older self. "See you on the other side Aino Minako", she said to herself in the mirror before shouting, "Crescent Moon Power Make Up change me into an eighteen year old me dressed for a job interview!" She closed her eyes as a bright golden light consumed her, she could feel her body change in ways she wasn't quite ready for yet. She felt her legs become longer, thinner and her breasts grow bigger, she felt her muscles tighten and her hair grow longer. Her face lost all of its baby fat and the girl, or rather woman that remained stunned Minako as she looked into the mirror. "Wow", she whispered, touching her cheek. Her school uniform was long gone and she was left in a pair of grey business pants, with a white button up blouse, and matching grey closed toed high heels. Her ribbon was gone and her hair was pulled up in a bun, with a few strands loose to frame her face. She wore a thin pair of black rimmed glasses which thankfully were just for show. "You look beautiful", Artemis whispered sneaking up on her without her knowledge. She turned to him and smiled in thanks. "And professional. Now go get your job." Nodding she walked away from the bathroom completely different from the girl she had been when she walked in.

…

The air was below freezing, the climate a daily occurence for this continent. Few humans attempted to live here, and even if they did it was not for long. This continent had been barren for thousands of years, and the weather had made it practically inhabitable. It threatened death to all who dared stay on its white frosted landscape with harsh wind and devastating snow storms. And yet here he stood, beneath the surface of this barren deathly land, under miles and miles of ice in a place that was far more cold then the land above, though for a much different reason. It still threatened death to any human that approached, but for reasons that people commonly associated with nightmares. He turned his attention away from taking in his surroundings as he heard the clack of a sceptor hitting marble. "Lord General I welcome you home from your endeavor", a slithery female voice addressed him. He nodded his head in acknowledgment briefly bowing before the figure whose voice it belonged. "I have brought you and your fellow comrades here to discuss a plan. The time is more than ripe", she continued her emerald eyes glistening from her place in the shadows, the only light in the room shining upon himself and those who shared in his rank.

He did not need to turn to them to see their nods of acceptance. They all had forseen this coming especially after what had unfolded after the events of the last year. "As you know the Dark Agency has failed. Our test has proven that we are not the only ones with power in this world, and that these others are indeed here to stop us. Do not fool yourselves into thinking that Sailor V is the only of her kind. There are indeed others, who and where they are has yet to be seen. If we are lucky they won't awaken in time to stop us and we certainly have no intent of purposely drawing them out". Her words lay heavily on them all, for they knew not the extent of the mysterious Sailor V's power and should she have allies that would pose more of a problem for their plans. "Sailor V is merely a nuisance, I am sure these others that have yet to join her are the same", responded one of his comrades. He turned to the speaker, recognizing the short haired blonde as General Jadeite. Jadeite was a man he cared little for due to his brash attitude, short temper, and quick tongue something he was exhibiting already, and it had only been a few minutes into their meeting. Aside from training, he had little to due with the lowest ranking General, something he was in a way thankful for.

He watched as Jadeite stepped towards the figure in the dark and kneeled before her, his fist to his chest. "My Queen, let me be the first to strike. I already have a plan to both gain energy for our cause and to draw out this Sailor V. I will kill her so that at least one of these Sailors is extinguished, and will be less of a force without her. And once I am done I will begin the search for that which our Queen most seeks", he asked not making eye contact with the glinting emerald eyes that starred down intensely upon him.

"Your request is granted General Jadeite", their Queen replied. He could see her head nodding in approval in the dark, only a glint of her flame red hair catching the light. He looked from the corner of his eye and could see the triumphant smirk upon Jadeite's lips. He kept from grimacing, for he already could tell that Jadeite's overconfidence would be his downfall. He could feel the other two men in between himself and Jadeite squirm in anticipation and annoyance. Neither thought it best for such a powerful task to be in Jadeite's hands alone.

"But you will report to Kunzite directly on your progress", she said causing a brief flash of annoyance in Jadeite's eyes, who turned to look directly at him in warning. It was clear he wanted Kunzite to stay out of his business and let him do what he willed.

"Yes my lady", Jadeite responded in a well mannered and accepting tone though Kunzite could tell from the tension in his posture that he was nowhere near accepting.

"Good, now all of you are dismissed", she commanded her pale skin coming into the light as she waved her hand at them dismissively.

Kunzite began to bow but before their formal departure one of his other comrades stepped forward. "My lady what about the rest of us", he questioned. Kunzite glanced to the side at the Chestnut haired General, he resisted from rolling his eyes at the man's clear display of disrespect for their Queen.

"I am sure Nephrite that you will plot for if Jadeite fails. In fact, I am already betting that you already had it on your mind. Now enough, leave me be", she replied all too confidently. With her final words they all, in synchronization, bowed before their Queen before taking their leave. Kunzite immediately split from the pack and headed back to his quarters in the castle. He shut the door and intended upon sitting down at his desk to look over the reports of the Dark Agency's failure and where exactly some of his lower ranking minions went wrong, and also to discern from them just how strong this Sailor V might be. He was certain his fellow comrades would indeed fail in their ventures against these new enemies. Jadeite was overconfident and never accounted for unexpected events. Nephrite was too rash in his decision making and while he did a little more research, he relied heavily upon his forsight which Kunzite knew would weaken him. He was certain those they opposed would have the ability to block his visions and Nephrite's visions were subjective to choices which could change frequent and often. There was only one of the General's he thought could possibly succeed of the three others besides himself. "What is it you want Zoisite", Kunzite questioned the moment the man materialized behind him.

"Nothing in particular just to share some information with you. Information you might be interested in", the younger man replied in a childishly taunting way. The long blonde haired man was what one would assume to be a more feminine man but behind his beautifully handsome features laid a genius Kunzite had yet to see matched. If it weren't for the man's brilliance Kunzite would not have even bothered to speak with him and would simply lump Zoisite in with the other Generals he cared nothing for.

"And what information is that", Kunzite questioned purposefully avoiding the game Zoisite was hoping to get out of him.

Without looking he could see Zoisite's emerald eyes narrow in annoyance and he heard the silent sigh that Zoisite purposely held in. "Queen Beryl has given me a private mission, one of which she has granted me permission to let you in on, and she has given me a little more insight into this Sailor V problem we have as well as this crystal she says we so desperately need", Zoisite taunted, his eyes glinting in satisfaction for a brief flash of surprise passed through Kunzite's eyes.

"And this mission is", Kunzite questioned with a raised eyebrow. If he knew more about Sailor V then he was sure he could take her down and should he learn of any ally she might have he could use pre-emptive tactics to ensure their downfall.

Zoisite leaned against the wall and crossed his arms in a manner that told Kunzite the man was about lecture him, once more he resisted the urge to show his annoyance. It was not of his nature to let others around him know what he thought nor how he felt. "Well apparently Earth wasn't the only place that had a human populace. Long, long ago the other 8 planets did as well as the Earth's moon. And strangely enough it was the Earth's moon that ruled over them all, with the exception of Earth. They ruled with a power unknown and unmatched which was encompassed in an object called the Silver Imperium Crystal. Our Queen says that there is folklore here on Earth and perhaps bits and pieces of archaeological record of it all. She wants me to research and since I care little for knowing of this Moon Kingdom, I figured you'd like to research the Moon Kingdom and its Silver Alliance", Zoisite explained.

"Tell me why I would care about some place that has lain in ruins for so long that Earth has practically forgotten its existence and what exactly it has to do with Sailor V", Kunzite asked beginning to crack on showing his irritation. The thing he disliked most was wasting his time and it looked as if Zoisite was doing just that.

"Oh you have so little faith in me. The Moon Kingdom and these other planets are the former homes of our friends these Sailors, who apparently are all women from this Silver Alliance reborn here on Earth. Sailor V included", Zoisite responded with a smirk on his face.

Kunzite showed nothing, but in his mind he most definitely perked up. In knowing his enemy's background he could better predict their ability to retailiate one of the Dark Kingdom's attacks and perhaps assess just how powerful they were and currently might be. "So you have no care to learn of your enemies background", Kunzite questioned.

"I learn better by actually witnessing what powers they may possess, not guessing at it. And my instinct is telling me they will awaken as feared and we'll get front row seats to their abilities compliments of our fellow comrades. Besides my goal is the crystal, that Sailor V child and her allies will matter not if I find it, which I intend upon doing", Zoisite shrugged confidently. Without much else said Zoisite left the room to Kunzite, knowing there would be no grateful gesture by Kunzite, for Kunzite was not one to give them. Kunzite took a few moments to process the information Zoisite had so kindly given him. Turning back to the reports he set about his task of learning what he could from them. Just because he had new information did not mean he had any intent upon abandoning the old. "Oh and we're to report back all our findings to the Queen", Zoisite's voice interrupted, though the foreign presence was gone after the instant the words had been spoken. He showed no acknowledgement but mentally processed the words along with the other newly acquired information he had just been given. Picking up a paper with photos he glanced over the reports one of his spies had written about Danburite. He grimaced as he saw a note that Danburite had admitted love for his enemy, Sailor V, in the last battle with her. A battle that cost him his life. He couldn't help but mutter, "Fool."

…

Minako walked out of the library, tucking her hands in her grey pea coat which had magically appeared upon realization that she didn't have a jacket to counter the cold outside. Truthfully she didn't feel like questioning where it had come from or why, she was so confused about her mixed feelings on having acquired the job she had just interviewed for. She would have rather not thought over the anomalies of her power. At least she had a job to support herself so she could afford the apartment Artemis had acquired for her over the internet and so she could go sign the lease which was next on their to do list for this new life she was setting up for herself. But as exciting as it was to get to experience life on her own (even if it was premature), she still wished she could be a normal teenager. She'd miss at least a whole semester of school. She'd most definitely miss her family, who thought she was off acting in China, having acquired another movie contract after the big movie with Ace. Not to mention she had just given herself a job she truly had no interest in. Studying wasn't her thing, and neither was reading books, sure, she'd read manga, just not actually anything of literary significance. Artemis had insisted upon it, saying that this library had access to the much larger government library files. Her job was meant for more then just a paycheck because apparently there was some archaeological record of the Moon Kingdom catalogued in the National Archaeological Database which Juuban's Public Library had access to (since it was so kindly donated to the public by a famous archaeologist). Sighing for what must have been the millionth time that day she couldn't help but think that in depth researching simply wasn't her job as the leader of the Senshi. She sure felt like there had to be someone better at it on her yet to be discovered team. She was jolted out of her thoughts as her shoulder slammed into another person's shoulder, her first reaction was to yell at the person for not watching where they were going, but decided against it when she saw who she had accidently collided with. The girl was meekly apologizing as she picked up her books which had fallen to the ground after their collision, rolling her eyes sky ward Minako kneeled down along with her and started gathering them as well as some loose leaf papers. "No need to apologize. It was my fault I wasn't looking where I was going", Minako replied to the girl who had finished her apology and gone quiet, and who had become a little too focused on gathering her things on the ground.

Minako met the girl's ocean blue gaze and couldn't help but feel a sense of deja vu, like she had met the girl before. Taking in the rest of the girl's appearance, she noticed the short dark cropped black hair, which strangely shined blue. Her eyes reflected an intense amount of intelligence, something she would've noticed even if she hadn't seen the titles on the books the girl had been carrying which ranged from advanced chemistry to advanced English. "Neither was I. So I guess it was both our faults", the girl replied taking the books Mina had gathered as she stood up.

It was then, crouched on the ground that she realized the girl was wearing a Juuban middle school uniform. "You go to Juuban Middle", Minako asked, silently berating herself for stating the obvious.

"Yep", the girl replied quickly, looking over the 'older' girl. Minako nodded and replied, "Yeah I go there." The girl looked at her skeptically and Minako had half a mind to slap herself for forgetting that she was supposed to be 18.

"I mean I went there. Good school, had lots of fun there", Minako recovered quickly. The girl just simply nodded in agreement as an ackward silence fell over them. Minako could just read the girl's thoughts which seemed to scream 'why is this girl talking to me?'

"Well I better be off. I have an exam to be studying for", the girl muttered and walked past her quickly.

"But it's Friday", Minako replied softly as she watched the girl walk into the library from which Minako had just exited.

Shaking her head she couldn't help but think about how weird that had been. How weird that girl had been and how weird it was that she for some reason could not shake the feeling that she knew her. "God that was weird", she whispered to herself reiterating the sentiment out loud as if to help her cope with the overwhelming strangeness she found herself dealing with. It was true that they did go to the same school, she could've run into her in the hall or something Minako rationlized. Sighing Minako gave up on that whole situation, finding it better to put it on her long list of strange events in her life, and started heading off in the direction Artemis had told her to go after she was done with her interview, where he'd be waiting. She found him laying on a bus bench, with his eyes closed, snoring softly. "So while I am doing all the work around here you just get to take a nap", Minako asked, knowing her guardian wasn't so deep in slumber that he wouldn't wake up immediately upon her arrival.

"I found you the job and the apartment. All you did was the interview", Artemis grumbled after he had a nice long yawn.

Sitting down next to him, she closed her eyes and let her head fall back, taking in a much needed deep calming breath. "How did it go", her guardian asked just before he started giving himself a cat bath.

Minako resisted the urge to cringe at the thought of what cat's considered a bath, she couldn't imagine using her own saliva as a means of cleaning. With that thought she couldn't help but grimace. "What", Artemis asked noticing her staring.

"Um…nothing. It went well. She gave me the job", Minako replied solemnly scooting further down in her seat.

"Good, good. And you'll be working a computer", Artemis questioned. Minako nodded her head, "Yep. I made sure of it. So we have computer access and they'll be giving me passwords to access national databases for the researchers who we get coming in. Apparently the library is hooked up with some University near here as well as that Archaeological database and the Government files. Who knew that our library was so useful? I mean the thing is tiny."

"I knew", he grumbled and found that he had to resist the urge to tell her that she would too if she hadn't been such a ditzy teenage girl before she found out the truth of her real identity. "This is perfect. Just perfect", Artemis said more to himself than his companion.

"Maybe for you. So where's this great apartment you've set me up with", Minako asked deciding to change the subject from her boring job to something she could at least look forward to. Living on her own, not really having any parents to tell her what to do. Though having Artemis around was kind of like having one. Still, if only she could make contact with her old life she could've invited her old best friend, Hikaru, over for a fun slumber party. They could've stayed up all night, eating whatever they wanted, making prank phone calls, maybe talking to boys. How much fun would it be if she could use her broach to transform them both into older versions of themselves and go to a club? With those thoughts she couldn't help but groan as she remembered that couldn't possibly happen. Nope, her first business was her duty and that duty involved a great deal of secrecy at the expense of her social life.

"We'll take the bus to it. It's not far from here. Don't you worry about getting furnishing, I made sure it came that way. Though you probably didn't even think about that. We'll have to go shopping for some cooking utensils and food, and we'll have to get you some new clothes since you've clearly grown out of the ones you have back at the locker in the train station", Artemis listed off, only one of those things something Minako could actually look forward to.

"Can't I just conjure everything up with my broach", Minako asked slumping down further in her seat, if that was possible. God she was not ready to be grown up.

"No, that's a waste of energy you'll need for fighting. Just because you defeated the Dark Agency doesn't mean that our enemy still isn't out there. Somehow I have a feeling they were just testing us and until we find the others you are on your own. Best to save your power and energy for that", Artemis lectured, his tone of voice telling her that any chance of acting like a child or taking the easy way out was simply not an option.

Minako rolled her eyes and nodded in agreement. Turning her head she looked at all the posters on the light pole next to the bench, nearest to her. She sat up straight as her eyes caught sight of one poster in particular. Standing up she ripped the poster, or rather news paper clipping and re-read it over. The first things she had registered was "Female Singer Wanted" in big bold letters, but as she continued reading she found out that it was for a prestigious wedding and events band and it wasn't a back up singer they were looking for either, it was the female lead. Grabbing her cell phone she immediately dialed the numbers, shushing Artemis who began to question what she was doing. She ignored him as she spoke to the band's manager who quickly informed her that they were holding auditions this week and promptly asked her when she was free, and then handed her a time slot to come in and audition. The whole time she had to fight off Artemis, who mid way through the conversation jumped onto her shoulder and read the flyer she was holding. Protests were immediate, though she had managed to cover his mouth while she finished up her conversation. After hanging up, she pushed Artemis off of her shoulder who landed on the ground on all fours, with a fierce glare. "This isn't a game Minako. You don't have time for this", Artemis practically growled.

"I am aware this isn't a game. Their engagements are only at night and they only work at weddings and big time events. Practices are twice a week, at night. I work at the library during the day. It'll work", Minako explained rationally.

"So what exactly will you tell them if you have to run and fight a youma? You can only use family emergency so many times before you get kicked out", Artemis countered.

"I haven't even made it in yet. Look, I'll deal with it if I make the band and when that comes up. For now I have to do something for me Artemis. I'm a fourteen year old living in an eighteen year old's life, literally. I'm cut off from my family and all my friends. I need to have something for me or else I am certain I will go crazy. That is if I haven't already", Minako replied seriously, feeling the weight of it all on her shoulders.

Artemis stared at her for awhile silent, then finally huffed after seeing the pained look in Minako's eye. She really was suffering for her duty, and after all she was really young. What he was asking of her was a whole hell of a lot, what she was asking wasn't much at all. Sighing he gave in, "Ok."

"Ok?", Minako asked getting excited as she realized that Artemis was finally giving her a break. Grabbing him by the arms she kissed him on the nose, "Thank you, thank you, thank you."

"Just know duty comes first", Artemis reminded her. He was saved from another round of thank you's as their bus approached them. Minako walked onto the bus happily, whistling a tune she was considering singing for her audition. As soon as they had sat down in the back, away from the few passengers who were all in the front Minako muttered quietly to Artemis, "So about shopping? Clothes first?" If it weren't for his need to conceal the fact that he was a talking cat, Artemis would've groaned out loud. He was a fool for even mentioning shopping for clothes to Minako, he should've just ordered a bunch of clothes online. All he could settle for was a deep breath and a slow acceptance of the reality of many hours in a shopping mall.