A/N: So yeah, I decided to combine a whole bunch of my one-shots and short stories, since their growing amount was honestly getting too cluttered for me.

Disclaimer: If I had owned Sailor Moon rather than Takeuchi Naoko, Reinako would've been an official couple by the end of each adaptation and Mamoru would've been less of a jerk to Usagi in the Dark Kingdom arc.

Rei wanted to be ashamed of herself, she really had.

She knew her actions were despicable. Usagi and the others would surely be disgusted by her—no hate her—for what she had done. Of course, it wasn't all Rei's fault, had she she had not been so gorgeous. With her luscious blonde locks and bright baby blue eyes that had gleamed with mischievousness, maybe Rei wouldn't have thought her to be beautiful. Had she had not had such a positive, caring, and bubbly personality, maybe things would have turned out differently. It was okay for her to despise herself for what she's done, right? Everyone would eventually, once they found out. What she did was out of line, being completely unorthodox and taboo.

For Hino Rei had fallen in love with her best friend, the notorious Aino Minako.

Nevertheless, she could't bring herself to believe all the things that she hadn't wanted to believe whenever she was in the same room as Minako. Wherever they were together, Rei would feel her insides get giddy, her legs weaken, her face either burn or flush, and an indescribable happiness etch itself into her brain. Whenever Minako was mentioned, she'd feel her mouth upturn into an inevitable grim. Whenever Minako got with one of her new "boy toy of the week", she'd feel an extreme—almost deadly—jealousy.

But, alas, Rei would feel guilty afterwards. Minako wouldn't want a girl crushing on her, much less her best friend, so why even bother? Minako didn't deserve to have Rei crushing—or love, whatever one wanted to call it—on her. So why even bother?

She wanted Minako to go and stay at the same time. But whenever she was around, Rei would want her undivided attention. It terrified her; she never acted like this to anyone before, not even Kaidou, so what should she do? Should she run? But that will result in probably never seeing Mina again. She could always confront Usagi about it. No, that would reveal my feelings; I can't do that. Maybe it would help if I consulted the Sacred Fire.

Rei clutched her broom tighter as she realized that the others—Minako included—nearing the pavilion of the Hikawa Shrine, right where she sweeping soundly. Once she caught sight of Minako though, she was shocked that she hadn't fallen over or dropped her broom due to her muscles—and maybe her mind—going numb.

"Hi Rei!" Usagi waved joyfully. "How are you doing?"

Rei smiled at her friends. She remembered vividly when she once had a crush on Usagi years ago, when they had first began waging battles against the Dark Kingdom. Usagi was the first person to ever attempt to truly befriend her and had showed her kindness and acceptance where others would have not. It had almost crushed Rei when Usagi had gotten with Mamoru, but after a while, her heart began wandering off. She had suddenly wanted to spend more time with Minako, or constantly noticed her as 'more than a friend material', the way she had once viewed Usagi—just multiplied a hundredfold, maybe even greater than that.

"So, Rei, I heard so you're having an exam soon. Are you planning to study for it?" Ami asked. "Because if you need any help, I'll be glad to tutor you."

"Can you tutor Usagi and me for our next test, Ami?" Minako asked excitedly.

Ami—being the poor soul she was at the moment—paled considerably. Her eyes went wide slightly, as if to say, someone, help me. I can't handle tutor these two at the same time; I'll end up going insane and getting a horrible grade on my own exam from cell overload!

"I'll tutor Mina," Rei said finally. "Of course, if I had to tutor Usagi—even alone—my brain would probably implode from her antics."

"What's that supposed to mean pyro?" Usagi demanded.

"It means that you rarely pay attention and put off all your work for last minute! How is Ami supposed to help someone who isn't trying?" Rei took a short intake of breath. "Usagi, as your friends, we want you to succeed."

Usagi bit back what she was about to say and lowered her head dejectedly, like a child being scolded after opening one present too many before Christmas Morning. It was almost ironic, because if Usagi were Christian or celebrated the holiday in any form, she probably would have. "You're right Rei, I'm sorry for snapping at you?"

"Woah, what has Rei done with our Usagi?" Makoto commented. "Usually she shoots something back and then they bicker back and forth."

"I don't know," Minako answered. "But you know what Joshua L. Liebman once said, "Wisdom is received when a person accepting life as full tension"."

Ami blinked. "I don't know whether to be shocked that you actually got that right or the fact that you were actually paying attention in our studies."

"This is unreal," Makoto breathed. "Mina actually got a proverb right for once."

"You're right," Usagi said. "This deserves a celebration; Mina do you want to go to the Crown Café for some ice cream?"

Minako nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, and it's all on Rei!"

"What?" Rei made a face. "Why do I have to pay; why can't Mako or Ami pay?" Her voice turned to a mere grumble. "I swear; I'll be broke because of you two by the time I die."

"That's not a no I hear!" Minako said in a sing-song tone.

Suddenly, a young man with scruffy blonde hair and blue eyes, holding a bouquet of roses, approached them. He wore the Moto Azabu school uniform, and a small nervous smile. "Um, Ms. Rei?"

Rei turned and stared the young man down. "What do you want?"

"I w-was wondering if you'd like to become my girlfriend? I really like you and I really hope you'd accept." He handed her the bouquet.

She immediately recognized him. Watanabe Hideki was a third year middle school student that attended Mamoru's former school—Moto-Azabu—and due to that factor, she saw him frequently at the festivals where their schools came together; it could've also triggered his attraction to her.

Rei would've normally shot him down in a millisecond, but then she thought about it. Hideki was very handsome, and his looks were very similar to Minako's. She also knew that he was somewhat popular at his school, and athletic. This was her chance to be with someone like Minako and not be ashamed about it, Rei realized. A small smile tugged at her lips. "Alright, I'll become your girlfriend."

Minako looked as if someone had just killed her mother. Her face was pale, and her eyes looked as if they were full of sorrow, rejection, and shock.

"Would you mind if I took you out now?" Hideki asked smoothly.

"I don't mind at all." Rei shook her head. "Let's go after I change."

"All right," Hideki said as he grinned wolfishly, following her into the shrine rather than waiting outside for her to change.

Minako huffed and turned, storming off.

"She's upset," Usagi stated sadly. "Let's make sure she's okay."

"Right," Ami and Makoto both said in unison, following after their blonde friend eagerly, albeit not very cheerful.

Adjusting her big red ribbon and grumbling in discontent, Minako walked down one of the various sidewalks of the Juuban Azabu Prefecture with her friends lazily.

"Mina, are you alright?" Usagi asked. "You've been acting odd all day since that guy had asked Rei out and she accepted."

"Usagi's right, you haven't been yourself after that event," Ami agreed softly.

"Maybe she's jealous," Makoto stated bluntly. "I mean, she practically has all the symptoms of a girl in love."

"I got it now!" Usagi said triumphantly. "Mina must have had a crush on that boy Rei is going out with!"

"I swear Usagi," Makoto said as she face palmed. "I have a feeling it's not just math or English you're horrible at."

"What?" Usagi tilted her head to the side innocently. "Isn't Mina well . . . straight?"

Minako averted her gaze to the ground, oddly silent.

"Wait Mina, you're gay?" Usagi inquired, nearly tripping over herself as she did such. "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"She probably was terrified of what you'd think of her," Ami answered for Minako as if it were her own response, as if she had her own secret. "And besides, her crush on Rei was probably one of the largest factors involved in her silence."

"You like Rei?" Usagi hollered. "What have I been missing out on?"

"Mina, how about we got spy on them?" Makoto suggested. "And see how it goes? Who knows, maybe their date will end badly and you'll still have a chance?"

"I just want her to be happy," Minako said finally. "But, spying sounds fun."

"Alright," the others all replied simultaneously.

And they had all failed to notice the slight break in their distraught friend's voice.

Rei was unamused as Hideki led her through the streets hand in hand. She felt no attraction towards him at all, maybe for the fact that he looked like Minako; but that was probably it.

"So," Hideki began awkwardly. "What do you like to do Rei?"

"I like fire-reading and spending time with my friends," she answered, attempted to force her thought to not travel to Minako while she was on her date. "Zazen is also an enjoyable activity to do as well."

"So, who do you like to do?" he asked slyly, most likely in an attempt to be for better terms, a humorous perverted comedian.

"Not you," Rei replied dryly. She knew that her friends were undoubtedly spying on her in the nearby bushes excitedly, although she didn't quite understand the horrified look on Minako's face after she had accepted Hideki's love proposal.

Suddenly, a scream tore through the streets and a black-skinned Youma from the shadows of a building appeared to terrorize the citizens of Tokyo. It was of a human physique, with long spiky jet black hair, narrowed golden eyes, long vampire-like fangs, a black Greek chiton, ram horns sprouting from its head, and extended talons.

"Damn it!" Rei shouted and ducked as the Youma spit acid in her direction. "Why now of all times!"

"Venus Crystal Power—"

"Mercury Crystal Power—"

"Jupiter Crystal Power—"

"Moon Cosmic Power—"

"—Make Up!"

Sailor Moon, Sailor Venus, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Jupiter all jumped to protect Rei from the Youma's offense.

"Took you long enough!" Rei grumbled. She looked around and saw Hideki hiding behind a sign for a nearby shop.

"Coward," she scoffed. "Now hurry up and finish this thing guys!"

"Alright!" they all chorused.

Another acid offense—notwithstanding much more powerful—was sent spiraling in Rei's direction.

Her eyes went wide as she attempted to jump out of the way, but the attack was going at an extraordinary speed and was all to close for a mere human to dodge; if she was Sailor Mars at that moment, then maybe she would be able to move out of the way sucessfully.

Being the closest to her location, Venus took the hit.

The acid ate away at her uniform, revealing a nasty bloodied burn spread across the flat of her stomach; the only way she survived was obviously due to her Sailor Soldier enhancements, without them, she'd probably be dead by then.

Rei went to catch Venus as she began to fall back, no doubt from the Youma's recent attack.

"You bastard!" Jupiter shouted at the beast, glaring intensely. "Jupiter Oak Revolution!"

Moon and Mercury both took it as their cues to attack as well, and soon the Youma was no more than a thick pile of golden sand.

"Dusted!" Moon shouted triumphantly, but then her face fell as she remembered her friend's condition.

"Why did you do that Mina?" Rei demanded, her voice breaking all to slightly to reveal the smallest traces of deep concern rather than pure anger. "You are such an idiot!"

"Because," Venus replied, weakly flashing her an all too familiar grin and reaching gloved hand to caress her pale cheek. "I care about you too much."

"Stop acting like you're dying in some cheesy romance film." Rei held the hand that had been caressing her cheek. "But, you really care about me so much to take an attack for me?"

"Yeah," Venus replied, leaning up to capture Rei's lips. "I do."

"I see." Hideki walked out of his hiding spot somberly. "I guess I never really had a chance to compete against Sailor Venus, did I?"

Jupiter nodded, a small grin flashing across her face despite the situation. "Like hell you didn't!"

"Jupiter, language!" Mercury scolded.

"Sorry Mercury," a red-faced Jupiter laughed nervously whilst rubbing the back her neck.

"I'm going to let you go, so you can be with her." Hideki stared at Rei one last time before walking away with his head down.

Minako held onto her arm grinning madly. She had been charged from the hospital a mere weeks ago, with bandages tied around her wounds.

Rei smiled and stared at the blonde affectionately. She had known long before that she had loved Minako, and had been ashamed of herself, but ever since she found out that she had felt the same and that it had been okay to feel that way that they did, life the past few months had been pure bliss.

Rei leaned down to bring Minako's lips to her own. If there was something that she was certain of, it had to be that she'd never stop loving her and find her in the next life and the one after that.

Aishiteru Mina, always.

A/N: I hope you guys all enjoyed this! Please remember to rate and review!

I feel bad for Hideki though, he had finally mustered up the courage to ask a girl he liked out, then he was attacked by a Youma, and afterwards his girlfriend of only half an hour started making out with Sailor Venus like her life depended on it. Poor guy.

As always, according to my knowledge of the Japanese language, Ashiteru can be translated into the phrase "I love you".

Roughly, Zazen is seated zen meditation.