Title: Forever the Martyr
Summery- The Senshi are in College, no more monsters too fight, just time, love, and of course: fate.
Pairings: Rei x Minako, Mako x Ami, slight Mako x Motoki, slight Mamoru x Usagi, some Haruka x Michiru.
Warnings: Drugs, Alcohol, violence, suggestive themes, language, girl/girl love, depression
AN: My first attempt at a M-rated fiction. Tell me if you think the M-rating is necessary or if I should keep it.
"Another round over here" I hear Haruka call over as I frown and look to Michiru for approval. Michiru just nodded and I prepared the drinks. Paying for college sucked big time and getting a job at a local club was the last thing I considered when I got there. Other then Haruka pestering me for a discount on drinks, it wasn't that bad of a job. Thankfully my shift dodged prime time for drunks and bar fights. I walk over to the table with the tray of drinks when I finished as Haruka flashed me a smile and took her Bud Light off the tray.
"So how's college?" Michiru asked as I placed her Lime Margarita in front of her.
"Fine," I was majoring in Criminal Law Enforcement, pretty much going to school at a police academy, and according to my teachers I had a promising future in that field.
"They let you carry around a gun?" Haruka asked as she sipped her beer.
"Not a real one yet," I stated, "They start us off with fake ones, kinda like paint guns. Still hurts if you get shot."
"And how many times do you get shot?" Makoto asked as she looked up from her Rum and Coke. I actually had to think about that one. I don't really remember anyone getting a clear shot at me.
"Once or twice I'm sure," I stated as I set Mamoru's Sam Adams in front of him as well as Usagi's non-alcoholic Sprite in front of her. Haruka smirked at me as I set down Ami's Rum Runner in front of her. This surprised me because normally Ami didn't drink too much, well that and she couldn't hold her liquor very well. Minako and Her new boy-toy were making out in the corner, his hands all over her body. Shameless was the first word that came to mind. Minako had become very much the playgirl as her career as a singer took off. I headed back to my counter to make myself a drink after watching that little unfolding.
I mixed 3 oz of gin and, 1 ½ oz of lemon juice, and ½ oz of sugar syrup into a tall Collins glass before filling it with club soda. I took a sip before hearing a voice behind me.
"Drinking on the job?" I turned to see Haruka sitting at the counter, her beer in hand. "I though bartenders weren't aloud to drink on the job."
"After seeing that you expect me not to drink?" I asked gesturing over to Minako and her boy-toy. Haruka looked at them and then back at me.
"She doesn't like him that much,"
"Could've fooled me" I coughed taking a swing of my drink. "If you're on third base I assume you like someone."
"Is that what Tom Collins tells you?" Haruka asked gesturing to my drink. For those of us that are not very bar smart that was the name of the drink; Tom Collins. I just ignored her and finished off my drink. "You still love her don't you?"
Haruka's eyes had softened as she asked me that.
"I never stopped, unfortunately, I lost my chance." I looked back up to see Minako and her toy broke it up and were sitting their enjoying their drinks.
"At least you can control how much alcohol she drinks," Haruka tried to joke, but it failed as I watched the beautiful blonde haired playgirl that stole my heart.
"Speaking of which, I didn't know Ami drank that much," I stated as I caught sight of her empty glass. Haruka looked worried as Motoki took Mako to dance. When Haruka didn't anwser I turned my attention back to Minako.
Her long blonde hair fell loosely around her shoulders and down her back. She didn't really wear the red ribbon anymore. Her slightly tan skin looked youthful against the flashing lights coming from the stage. She was wearing those dark blue skinny jeans that fit her just right and a black T-shirt with 'Love Games' written in some funky font. Around her neck was the white gold locket in the shape of a heart with a 14K yellow gold rose on it on a white gold chain. It was priced at 42,274 yen (515 US Dollars), how do I know? Simple, I bought it for her birthday last year. I scrapped up all the cash from this job and cut back on supplies for school so I could afford it. It seemed so stupid now to pay so much on a gift for someone you love who has no feelings for you in return.
I sigh
"So…" Haruka started, "Heartsmith,"
"What-"
"The locket, it's a Heartsmith. Those aren't cheap; believe me I bought one for Michiru." Haruka stated. "Does Minako-chan know it's a Heartsmith?"
"No, I never told her. She would kill me if she found out I paid that much for it." At least she would have killed me back when I gave it to her. I really hoped that the Minako I knew and still loved was underneath that playgirl flirting with her toy. Haruka looked over at the group and then to me,
"When do you get off," I looked at my watch
"Twenty minutes" I said as I wiped off the counter, trying to distract myself from the playgirl. My attention was soon brought to the whistling and catcalling going on as Motoki pulled Mako into a passionate kiss. Out of the corner of my eye I say Ami heading out the back door. "Be right back,"
Haruka nodded as I headed back to where Ami had gone. As I drew closer I could hear the sniffing and quiet crying. As I turned the corner I saw Ami sitting there, birds made completely out of water flew silently around her. She turned to look at me as I drew closer.
"Just practicing," She choked out as I took a seat next to her on the curb of the sidewalk.
"They're really good," I stated as I watched the birds fly around. They were cool little tricks that we practiced to hone our Senshi abilities. I flicked my hand and a rose made of fire appeared.
"You've been practicing as well," Ami stated as she looked at the rose, the fire flickered lightly in the wind.
"Never try it when you spill tequila on your hand, that my friend burns." Ami smiled slightly as she turned away. We sat in silence for a few minutes. I flicked my hand again and the rose disappeared.
"How does it feel, Rei-chan," I turned to Ami, "When you see Minako-chan with some guy."
I was temped to ask her what she was talking about, but she interrupted me.
"I know…I see the way you look at her…You're my best friend." Ami looked up at me, we sat in silence before the water birds fell back into puddles on the road and Ami broke down crying. I wrapped an arm around her as she cried into my shoulder.
"It feels like this," as said as tears formed in my own eyes, "It hurts."
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I drove Ami home after my shift, by the time I got there the effects of too much alcohol already set in. She was in the bathroom throwing up while I placed her purse on the table.
"You alright in there Ames?" I called as she stepped out dizzily. She nodded and took a step into the room.
"I think I'm just going to take a shower and get to bed, thank you for driving me home." Ami said before rushing back into the bathroom.
"I'm not leaving," I called as I sat on the couch. She was my friend and I wasn't going to leave her in her house by herself while she threw up in the bathroom. I slid off my shoes and walked into the bathroom, "Until you're better, that couch is going to be my best friend."
I slept on Ami's couch that night and woke up with a sore back. Ami was still knocked out as I stood up and stretched out, re-aligning my back.
"Morning," Ami called as she came out of her room sluggishly. I look at the clock and then to Ami. "if you want, you can take a shower before you head out. I can throw your clothes in the wash."
"You don't have-"
"Yes I do," she interrupted me, "That's the least I can do after last night."
"I've seen worse," I tell her but she's already pushing me toward the shower. I guess I did reek of alcohol, maybe the smell was just making her sick. I slipped into the bathroom and ran the shower before stripping and handing my clothes off to Ami. I slip into the shower, the cool water washing away the alcohol smell from my dead end job. I washed and conditioned my long hair, which took a while, and then washed the rest of my body. No sooner did I step out of the shower did Ami knock on the door.
"Your clothes are done,"
"Ok," I called as she walked away from the door. I got my clothes and dressed in my black slacks and my white button-up shirt. I didn't bother to get my tai and black vest on. I dried and brushed out my hair before leaving the bathroom. Ami had crashed on the couch. I wish I could have stayed longer, but I had to get home to do my daily chores and finish homework. I scribbled a quick note saying I would swing by to check on her later and started out. I opened the door and a pair of very familiar blue eyes looked right into mine.
"Rei-chan," It was Minako, she looked at me confused. "You stayed at Ami's"
"She got sick last night from drinking too much." I stated, stunned that she was here. We just stood there, not knowing what to say to each other.
"You got taller," Minako pointed out trying to start a conversation. I didn't even realize that I had gotten a few inches taller then Minako. I ran a hand through my slightly damp hair.
"So, your singing career's going well?" She nods, but she has a fake smile on her face. She knows she can't fool me with that.
"What's wrong?" She looks up at me with a serious look in her eyes.
"Can I talk to you…alone…somewhere else?" She asks, her eyes pleading.
"Whatever you want princess." The nickname left my mouth before I could stop it. It was one of those teasing nicknames we used to give each other. Minako's eyes turn thankful as she steps forward and gives me a quick hug.
"Arigato, Rei-Kuma," She murmurs against my ear before she pulls away. "Come by my place later?"
"Sure," I state as she jots down her new address on a piece of paper and hands it to me.
"Come by around four?" I nod as she hurries away.
Tell me what you think, READ AND REVIEW
Kuma = Bear
Rei-Kuma = Rei Bear