*Disclaimer: No, don't own Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon. If I did, I 
wouldn't be torturing myself with chemistry right now, would I?

Medical Miracle
Prologue: A Disturbing Beginning
By: The Rose Society
Rating: PG-13
email: EtrlSlrMn@aol.com

	Chiba Mamoru nervously touched his tie again. 'Oh %*@!...I hope 
I look alright. Of all days to be stuck in traffic...' Quickly running 
a hand through his dark ebony hair, he ducked his 6'2" frame as a 
nursing assistant flew by him carrying an IV bag. He rounded another 
corner of the hospital as he expertly weaved his way through the crowded 
hallway. 'Room 812, Dr. Hongo...I hope my supervising doctor is not early. 
He'll kill me if I'm late.'
	Just as his internal chronometer chimed "You're TOAST!", Mamoru 
slid into room 812. Breathing a sigh of relief, he gently closed the 
door behind him. 'Thank kami-sama that I beat-'
	"You're LATE."
	Startled, Mamoru turned around, deep blue eyes blinking in shock.
The leather chair, which was facing the window behind the wooden desk 
and not the door when Mamoru entered the office, swung around. A slender 
woman, around the late 30's, with short brown hair and a pair of wire rim 
glasses, scowled at him. "I'm sorry, it seems as if I'm in the wrong 
office. I was looking for a Dr. Hongo..."
	"You're in the right place, young man. However, you were," the tall 
brunette glanced at her watch, "2 minutes and 33 seconds tardy. In the 
future, if you wish to continue working here at Tokyo Hospital, you will
be on time. I have more important things to do than to wait around for an 
irresponsible young man."
	Surprised, Mamoru bowed his head in guilt. "Gomen nasai Hongo-san.
It'll never happen again."
	"Take care that it doesn't young man." Dr. Hongo replied curtly. 
"Seeing as how we're already behind schedule, you'll have to explore the
hospital for yourself. I'll just point out some of the key places that 
you'll need to know about, such as the operating room and the labs. 
First, I'll introduce myself. My name is Ayanami Hongo. I am the head 
doctor in charge of Tokyo Hospital's oncology ward. You are Chiba Mamoru,
age 26. You went to Harvard Medical School for your doctorate and have
just recently finished two years of your internship. However, you returned
to Japan, your birthplace, in order to complete your internship and possibly
obtain a residency position in MY oncology department. Tell me, Chiba, what
makes you think that you can cut it here?"

(A.N. ^_^! Ok...I'm not Japanese and I have no idea if these names that 
I'm making up exist or what they mean.) 
	
	Surprised by the abrupt question, Mamoru paused before answering. 
"I think that I can cut it here...iie, I know I can cut it here because I
have the desire to become a good doctor."
	"Iie, Chiba. That's the wrong answer." Dr. Hongo replied quietly. 
"Desire to win isn't everything. You have much to prove to me young man
before I deem you worthy of the title of doctor. Follow me, Chiba. I'll
show you to your office. I have completed my assessment of you." With
that, Dr. Hongo rose out of her seat to her full height, a full inch taller
than Mamoru.
	Angered at being written off so quickly, especially considering his 
brilliant record thus far, Mamoru only nodded and stiffly opened the door to 
allow Dr. Hongo pass. "By the way, Chiba. Don't think that I'm writing
you off. Granted, you have had an excellent schooling, demo knowledge
isn't the only thing that makes a good doctor. Think of my speech as a 
challenge for you to find your true reason for wanting to become a doctor."
Putting on her lab coat, Dr. Hongo led Mamoru out of her office and toward
his new, temporary office.

*Nine Hours Later*

	Tiredly, Mamoru rubbed his temples. Dr. Hongo had taken him around 
the entire hospital, teaching him everything she deemed necessary for him to
know. He had seen all the essential rooms and offices that he would most 
likely need to visit. For nine hours, Mamoru had listened to Dr. Hongo prattle
on and on about various policies and her own requirements for an intern.
Ok, Mamoru would normally have found Dr. Hongo's speech interesting or at
least necessary to his success as a new intern, but he found his 
concentration shattered. Dr. Hongo's enigmatic words earlier had rattled him.
Never had anyone doubted his ability to become a successful doctor. He
excelled in his studies and had performed extremely well in all his pursuits.
Dr. Hongo was Mamoru's first challenger. She questioned his capabilities 
without so much as giving him a chance to prove himself. And what did she 
mean by saying his desire to succeed and his medical knowledge were not 
the most important qualities to making a good doctor? If they weren't, 
then what is the key to being a good doctor? Dr. Hongo was truly a
puzzle. And intimidating, thought Mamoru, wryly. She was taller than Mamoru
with a look that could freeze Hell itself.
	Now, finally after nine hours of exhausting orientation, Mamoru was
finally able to return to his office for some peace and quiet. As he moved
into his new office, his thoughts roamed over the events of the day. Tokyo
Hospital was not going to be easy. Not only was it known for it's high 
level of medical technology, it was also known for it's highly qualified
medical staff. Unfortunately, in addition to professional challenges, he
had to face societal challenges. Already, Mamoru had seen quite a few 
young female staff members fawn over his silky black hair and stormy eyes.
To most men, this would be a great situation. But to Mamoru, this was just
a nuisance. Ever since the car accident that took his parents' life, the
loss of his childhood memories and his difficult stay at the orphanage, Mamoru 
detested situations that forced him to socialize, especially with the 
opposite gender. Mamoru knew that if he ever let someone near enough to his
heart, they would only end up leaving him, broken and lost.
	Regardless of the silly, love-sick girls and the chilling reception of
Dr. Hongo, Mamoru knew that he would try his best to prove himself to be a 
capable and adept doctor. Lifting his tired body to switch from his lab coat
to his green sports jacket, Mamoru turned off the lights in his tiny office
and headed back to his lonely apartment for a good night's rest. Tomorrow, 
Dr. Hongo would be introducing him to his new patients.

Author Notes:
	I hope this was an Ok start to a new series. Questions, comments and
constructive criticism is welcomed.
Until the next chapter...

~The moonlight carries the message of love.~
~Tsuki no hikari wa ai no message.~