Author's note: Hi, guys. This is a Rei/Minako fanfic, based on the live-action Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon. For those of you who are not familiar with the show, there are some things you should know (spoiler alert): their personalities are different from the anime (Rei and Minako's, especially); Luna and Artemis are plush cats (don't ask me why... and, honestly, it took me some time to get over it); Minako was already an idol when they first met and she had a brain disease - she dies later in the show, but then she is revived by the powers of the Silver Crystal.
This story takes place two years after the Special Act, which means that Usagi and Mamoru are already married and the girls are around 20 years old. I'm considering that they are still senshi, though they don't have to fight against evil anymore. It's going to be fluffy at the beginning, for I will focus on developing Rei and Minako's relationship, but there will be some drama later on. No action, meaning, no youma or battle scenes. Oh, and things will revolve mainly around Rei and Minako, so I won't focus on the other characters... at least, I don't plan to. Now, if you're still interested, please go on.
I have to warn you that my life is a mess and I will take this story very, very slowly, but I'll try my best to update it as fast as I can.
Disclaimer: I own nothing, but I wish Komatsu Ayaka (the actress who plays Minako) were mine... She's so cute... *sigh*
CHAPTER 1 - Unexpected
Minako let herself fall onto the armchair in her dressing room. She was tired, but she was also happy for it certainly had been an amazing show. After her European Tour, she was finally back to her hometown and it was refreshing to be performing in front of her Japanese fans. In front of her friends.
In front of her.
Minako wiped the sweat off her face with a towel and smiled at herself as she recalled the way Rei was staring at her during the show. Not even once had the miko taken her eyes off her and that realization made Minako's heart flutter.
But would it mean anything?
Minako didn't know. She was the Senshi of Love, indeed, but that had proved to be useless when it came to her own love life. Rei was the most difficult person to read, even with Minako's empathic powers.
A slow sigh escaped her lips as she thought of her fellow senshi. Rei was definitely a mystery. And the more the time passed, the more Minako found herself curious about her friend. Well, curious would be an understatement. Minako was, without a doubt, fascinated by Rei.
The world had ended, it had been restored, she had died, then she had somehow lived again and now she was completely cured of her illness... but one thing hadn't changed: the way she felt around Rei. Since the beginning, and much to Minako's surprise, Rei had naturally found a way to break down all the walls the young idol had built around herself.
Maybe it had to do with the fact that Rei didn't care about Aino Minako, Japan's most beloved pop idol. Rei didn't even know who Minako was when they first met and that thought made her chuckle. But while the Senshi of Fire was completely oblivious to Minako's fame, she had been the first one to really notice Minako, the girl underneath the idol... the girl who was very sick and scared to face it all alone... the girl who desperately needed a friend, as much as she didn't want to admit it back then.
Even so, even with Minako's every attempt to push Rei away, even with Minako's rash comments about whether or not Rei was worthy to be her second in command... the stubborn miko hadn't given up on her. Rei had done everything not to let Minako simply die without fighting for her own life.
Then something inside Minako changed. For the first time in her life, the young idol felt she had a friend, someone who truly cared about her. Someone Minako could trust not only to replace her as a leader, if that time ever came again, but someone who would always be by her side. And for that, Minako was really grateful... and happy.
She came to admire Rei and, in so many ways, she could relate to the other girl. Minako knew the taste of solitude and whenever she looked at Rei's eyes, she would always see that Rei felt the same. For countless times, Minako wished she could make the Senshi of Fire smile that beautiful, bright smile of hers. Minako wanted to hold Rei in her arms and brush that sadness and loneliness away. She wanted to save Rei the same way Rei had saved her.
Then a knock on the door pulled the idol out of her thoughts.
"Come in, Shachou." Minako answered absently, wondering why he had bothered to knock this time. She had just started to put some lipstick on when she took a look at the mirror and noticed it wasn't Shachou who was standing there.
"Rei?!" Minako turned on her chair and she couldn't hold a smile, which Rei returned immediately. "I'm so glad you came, Reiko!"
But Rei's smile was soon replaced by a scowl when she heard the use of her pet name.
"What do I have to do so you can stop calling me that?" Rei snorted half-heartedly. She would never admit that to Minako, but she kind of liked that nickname.
Minako giggled, stepping closer and holding Rei's hand. She saw the blush taking over Rei's cheeks and she was amazed by the fact that the miko hadn't tried to pull away from her. "You should get over it. I'll never stop calling you Reiko, Reiko."
Rei rolled her eyes and sighed, knowing well enough that arguing with Minako about this was a waste of time. She dropped her gaze to their clasped hands and felt her cheeks getting even warmer.
"I... You... Uh, what I mean is... the show was great. Congratulations." Rei stammered a little, her eyes looking everywhere but Minako's.
Minako grinned in delight as she noticed the way Rei was acting around her. She looked so cute, embarrassed like that. Even Rei's ears were red now and Minako wondered what would be her reaction if she just leaned forward and kissed her lips.
"Did you really like it?" Minako asked instead, thinking that a stolen kiss would probably scare Rei to death.
Rei smiled, acutely aware that Minako was now caressing her hand. "Sure I did. But I must confess I always think it's odd to hear all those crazy people screaming your name."
Minako just couldn't waste the opportunity, so she took a step forward and brought her lips close to Rei's ear, whispering suggestively. "What do I have to do to make you scream my name... Reiko?"
Rei widened her eyes and stiffened, a look of horror on her face. "Minako!"
"Oh, that was easy." Minako feigned disappointment. "I was hoping I would have to be more... persuasive to make you scream my name." She winked at a mortified Rei, fighting the urge to laugh... and definitely fighting the urge to kiss her.
"Minako, I-"
But Rei was saved by the bell when an energetic princess burst through the door, dragging Mamoru by his arm.
"MINAKO!" Usagi squealed and Rei had to cover her ears for protection. Then the princess let go of Mamoru and threw herself in the idol's arms, almost making Minako lose her balance. "Oh, you were great! You were awesome! It was amazing! And oh my God! The songs, the dancing, the-"
"Usagi." Rei rolled her eyes before she looked at the Moon Princess. "You're babbling. And you're killing her. Her face is even turning blue."
"Oh!" Usagi smiled sheepishly, finally allowing Minako to breathe. "Sorry! It's just that I've missed you so much, Minako!"
"You would miss her even more if you killed her." Rei deadpanned, causing Usagi to pout while Minako and Mamoru chuckled at her antics.
Minako then turned to Usagi, who had just found comfort in her husband's arms. "Where are Ami and Makoto? I thought they would be with you."
"Well, they were. But they decided to go to the bathroom and then we lost them. So Rei came to find you while Mamoru and I went to look for them, but it's really crazy out there!" Usagi explained while she widened her eyes. "You wouldn't believe how many people are there just waiting for you!"
"Usually I would go there and take some pictures, sign some autographs... But tonight all I want is to be with you guys!" Minako stated cheerfully. "Just give me a minute so I can change, okay?"
"So why don't we go find the others while Minako gets ready?" Mamoru suggested, placing one arm over Usagi's shoulders.
"That's a good idea." Minako agreed, smiling politely at Mamoru. Though she wasn't particularly close to him, she had come to like him, especially after he and Usagi got married. "I'll meet you at the Arcade in half an hour."
So Mamoru, Usagi and Rei nodded and then they turned to leave, but then Minako's hand wrapped around the miko's wrist. "No, no. Not you, Rei. You're staying with me. First I need help with something and then you can escort me to the Arcade. After all, you are still a bodyguard, are you not?"
"Yes, I am a bodyguard." Rei said slowly as she eyed Minako warily. "But I am Usagi's bodyguard. Not yours."
Minako then gave Usagi a sweet, innocent look and she spoke in a sweet, innocent voice. "So... May I borrow Rei for the night, Usagi?"
"Hey! I'm not a thing to be borrowed!" Rei stated indignantly, her cheeks getting adorably pink.
Usagi looked at Minako, then at Rei, then at Minako again. She bit her lower lip when she thought that maybe the idol had finally decided to act on her feelings for Rei, which by that time were obvious even to the usually dense Moon Princess.
"Oh, please, take her. I have Mamoru, so Rei is all yours!" Usagi replied, giggling as she saw Rei's gawking expression.
"What?! No, I'm not-"
"Oh, stop whining, Reiko. Whining doesn't suit you." Minako waved her hand dismissively at Rei before she winked gratefully at Usagi. And before Rei could protest or threaten to kill someone, Usagi and Mamoru said their goodbyes and left the room.
When she found herself alone with the idol, Rei became visibly nervous as she mulled over Minako's request and Usagi's double meaning reply.
"So..." Rei began to speak, hoping that it would wipe Minako's smirk off her face. "You said you needed help with something."
"Yes..." Minako turned to the mirror, tossing her hair to the side as she stared at Rei's reflection. She noticed the miko wasn't moving, eyes fixed on her back. Minako wanted to make sure that Rei would return her feelings before she actually made a move, so she decided that she would tease Rei remorselessly and see her reaction. One corner of her mouth twitched slightly and Minako rested her chin on her own shoulder, murmuring seductively. "I can't reach the zipper. Could you help me get out of this dress, Reiko?"
She was expecting Rei to gawk, gasp or blush furiously. Maybe Rei would even do all these things at the same time. But much to Minako's surprise, Rei said no words and simply walked to where she was standing. Slowly Rei's hands searched for the zipper and Minako shivered as she felt the warm touch of those fingers on her bare skin. The idol even had to restrain a soft moan that almost reached her lips. Then she closed her eyes briefly, pretty aware that her goosebumps would be easily noticed by Rei.
Minako just couldn't believe her plan had backfired and Rei had beaten her in her own game.
But though Rei was usually a shy and reserved girl, Minako had always thought there had to be a very good reason for her to be the Senshi of Fire andPassion. This was probably Rei's most intimate side, the side that she would only reveal to her lover. And Minako so desperately wanted to be the one who would get to know it, especially now that she was feeling Rei's warm breath teasing the back of her neck with irregular puffs of air.
They had never been this close before and Minako felt she was beginning to lose control. Not only Rei had unzipped her dress, but she was now pulling the straps off Minako's shoulders with a gentle, lingering touch. The Senshi of Love bit her lower lip, feeling her desire increase and all her inner muscles contracting repeatedly.
Rei's reaction was simply unbelievable. Not that Minako was complaining... because she obviously wasn't. It was just that now she didn't know what to do. Rei was moving forward instead of retracting herself like she had always done. Minako's guess was that Mars had taken the lead, for in her past life the Senshi of Fire had been considerably less shy than Rei.
And as her dress slid down her body and fell onto the floor, Minako instinctively, yet slowly, turned around to face Rei.
"Reiko..." She locked her eyes with Rei's and whispered her name longingly, feeling for the first time her face flushing. She hadn't planned on going this far, but there she was, wearing only lingerie in front of the girl she had fallen in love with a couple of years ago.
"Mina..." Rei whispered back, watching Minako gazing at her through half-lidded eyes. Her commander licked her own lips, sensually wetting them. So Rei looked away from her eyes and stared at her mouth, finding herself completely enticed by the other girl. She was still looking intently at Minako's lips and her arms moved almost of their own accord, wrapping around the idol's thin waist, pulling her closer.
The Senshi of Love closed her eyes and her hands found the back of Rei's head. Their trembling lips were mere inches away, almost to the point of touching, but a loud voice broke the moment.
Coming out of her trance and moving like lightning, Rei stepped away from Minako just before Saitou got into the room.
"Oh, there you are! What's taking you so long, Minako?!" He asked, apparently not minding the idol was only in her underwear.
Minako was with her eyes widened, then she shook her head and tried to regain her composure. "Shachou! Close the door! I don't want someone to take a picture of me wearing only lingerie!" Minako declared while quickly covering her body with a towel, still feeling dazed for what had almost happened between her and her second in command.
"MARS REIKO!" Saitou cried out when he noticed the girl standing on the corner of the room, closing, or rather slamming, the door behind him. "It's so good to see you!"
"Uh... hi..." Rei muttered and Minako wondered how Shachou could be so oblivious to the fact that she herself was almost naked, face flushed, and Rei was currently blushing the deepest shade of red. For a man who was brilliant while managing her career, it seemed he couldn't put two and two together when it came to her love life.
"Oh, you were so right, Minako! Reiko is even more beautiful than she was two years ago!" The manager declared happily, cupping Rei's chin in his hand. He was unaware of the blush on Minako's cheek for his slip of tongue. "Look at these eyes! And this skin! And this jawline! I really wished you were more inclined to join the show business, you know? You would be a huge success as a model!"
"Shachou, stop harassing her. You've already tried to persuade her like a thousand times before. It's time to accept that Reiko won't give in." Minako said with a roll of her eyes, as she began to get dressed.
Her manager kept on staring at Rei thoroughly, making the miko a little bit uncomfortable and apparently ignoring Minako's words. A few seconds later, though, he glanced at the idol and frowned. "Hey, why are you wearing that? You should put on that other outfit for your press conference."
"What press conference, Shachou?" Minako said the words slowly, frowning as she did so. She definitely couldn't remember any press conference she was supposed to attend to.
Saitou smiled nervously when he noticed that Minako didn't look happy. "Well, the one I've just scheduled for you to talk about your last show and your next album."
"No! No, no, no! Not tonight, Shachou! You promised me!" Minako shook her head negatively, the annoyance even more evident in her tone. "You've said I could be with my friends after the show and you won't trap me into a press conference right now!"
"Wait, Minako!" Saitou tried to argue, but for the look on her face, he knew it would be in vain. "Please, don't-"
"You scheduled this press conference, right? So you deal with it." The idol said with no trace of sympathy in her voice, reaching for her purse with one hand and grabbing Rei's with the other. "Bye, Shachou. See you tomorrow."
And she was gone before he could voice another word.