Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon but I do write stories for it with an original plot and twist on the characters so please respect that.
I got talked into publishing this story, so please blame my friends for this Rei/Mina story.
"And that's another bulls eye for Hino, Rei from Crystal University," called the voice on the loud speaker as the crowd cheers, Rei bowed to the judged and backed away from the shooting marker and sat down as the next archer moved up to the shooting range. Not a hair was out of place of this dark gem of the Crystal University, Rei sat there her face read no emotion but deep down she was very happy with her shot.
"And that's a hit! Point for Crystal University, that thunderous spike by team Captain Anio, Mina-ko," said the announcer in the gym all the way on the other side of the school campus. The whole team running around Mina-ko acting like they are fanning her as Mina-ko struck a pose, her well-known peace sign, marking her victory as the crowd cheered. They all huddled together now getting the serve and hopefully winning point,
"Ok team, we have done oh so well on this game! Kara I know you can totally serve them up a headache so make sure it's on fire! This game is so ours!" Mina-ko said as the team saluted and went to their sports on the court. As expected team member Kara made a hard hitting serve, but the opposing team was and a fair pairing against this volley ball team and struck back with force. As the ball came over to the home teams side Mina-ko' clear 'mine' was herd above the crowds chatter making another thunderous hit back smashing their point over on the other side of the net, victory was written all over her face. The crowd was in uproar; their prize and joy Mina-ko did it again. Mina-ko smiled and bowed to the audience, she loved the people that came to the games, it's half the reason she loves this sport, the people. Mina-ko's team rushed to celebrate with her as they all lifted her on their shoulders carrying her to the changing rooms to talk about the play by play of their resent victory.
Rei's charm was joyously hanging from her arrow, a symbol of the Hino shrine, a well-known trade park of Hino's family. Hino drew back her arrow her stern face showing nothing but concentration as she released resulting in the arrow hitting the middle of the target. The audience clapped yet again, the fan girls in the front clapping a little longer then needed. Hino ignored them, she was here for archery, and the audience was just a draw back of the competition. "Hino, Rei making the winning points to claim Crystal University another win," the loud speakers rang out again in cool triumph clearly taking this as a personal win. Rei looked at the target in distain, even though it was hit in the center it was slightly veered to the left from perfect center. Rei took this as a sign to practice more, then going straight to the changing rooms dropping off her bow and arrows in her equipment locker. Hino put on her school uniform and went out to the judges thanking them for their time to the school. The judges thanking her for her professional spirit wanted to know if she was going to consider the sport of archery professionally. Rei didn't answer claiming other engagements excusing herself, she walked out of the archery field. A small group of girl's gaggled behind Hino as she walked. They were far enough to not bother Rei but close enough for it to be obvious they were following her. Minako and her team were clambering down the hall all going to celebrate their win. "I'll meet you all there," Mina-ko said to the group as they all waved walking a different way to the team bus. Mina-ko walked out and down the gyms steps and suddenly stopped. Looking up she saw a girl her age just turning the corner coming her direction. Her tall slender figure matched her long black hair. "She's gorgeous," Mina-ko, thought, quite shocked she had never seen the girl before. All she carried was a single arrow marking her victory of the competition, clearly about to go into the parking lot. Minako then saw the group of fan girls and hid behind one of the pillars hoping none of them would fan rush her. To Mina-ko's surprise all of the younger students where pretty devote to the raven-haired beauty. This made Minako smile, "so she has a following too," Mina-ko thought watching all the young girls linger and giggle at their close proximity to their idol. A black limo pulled up on the road, the Japanese flag proudly displayed above the headlights stopping right in front of the girl. Right before Rei took a step into the car, she hesitated turned and looked Mina-ko straight in the eye, and then entering the limo letting the driver shut her door and walked back around to drive off. "Gorgeous and perceptive," Mina-ko noted leaning back on the pillar, how in the world did she not know this student. Jumping up in shock, she forgot about meeting up with her team. She effortlessly scaled the rest of the stairs and got into her sports car speeding to her destination.
Minako always helped the junior varsity volleyball team during lunch, and since the day was so nice they all agreed to take the practice outside. All of the young girls had a lot of promise and listened to ever word Mina-ko said like it was law, which really helped on the training session. All of them stood in a circle keeping their volleyball aloft. Suddenly an arrow shot straight into the middle of their circle making some girls scream in shock scattering away from the disturbance. Minako instantly saw the small tag an exact copy of the arrow she noticed yesterday. She grabbed the arrow then turned to Kara. "Keep them running drills, I'm going to go find out who is trying to kill us," Minako then turned on her heal and walked toward the archery field. Like most sports teams the archery team was practicing during lunch, many members in traditional archery robes trying their best at hitting the target. Minako instantly spotted the girl with the long hair and walked rather quickly to her location. Rei could sense someone coming her way, looking over her shoulder she saw the longhaired girl whom she spotted yesterday and gave a small smile.
"Ok, everyone make sure to clear all your arrows and supplies from the field, lunch is almost over," Rei said to her young pupils. All of them quickly went to clean up the field, always seeking miss Hino's approval. Rei on the other hand turned and waited for Mina-ko to make her way to Rei all the while giving Mina-ko a good look over. Mina-ko was wearing her short volleyball shorts showing off her very long legs, her hair down and blond hair tied back with a simple red bow and her team shirt on, slightly tight showing off only the best of her figure. Minako certainly had Rei's attention with a body like that. Minako made it to Rei and stopped. "Thank you for bringing back the arrow, some young students wanted to see how hard it was to use my bow without asking me. I hope it didn't do any damage," Rei said extending her hand out to take the arrow from Minako.
"Did no physical harm though if the girls would jump for the ball as fast as they jumped away from the arrow they would be on varsity. Seeing you holding the winning arrow yesterday I knew you didn't make the kamikaze shot," Minako said handing the arrow over. Rei tried not to laugh, though there was no way she could fight the smile now on her face.
"Ah so you know a little about archery?" Hino said back absent-mindedly ruffling the feathers on the arrow with her fingers.
"Sparsely, I took lessons as a child but found out I was more of a hands on player," Minako said pointing to the volleyball patch above her left chest on her shirt. "I should be going though," Minako said then taking an abrupt turn to the exit of the field.
"Whom should I accredit the recovery of the arrow to?" Rei said quickly before the blond girl completely left the field and her life forever. "Anio, Minako at your service. And yours?" Minako said over her shoulder with a wink.
"One name at a time Anio, we can't be getting ahead of ourselves," Rei said smugly then turning walking off the field. Minako had a sly smile on her face, "so we are playing that game," Minako thought leaving back to her team who was by then just walking back to the gym to change.
The next day during lunch Minako excused herself from volleyball practice. The team understood, Anio was one of the top students in the school and had responsibilities to go along with that. They were just confused why Minako was dressed in her volleyball uniform and was taking volleyball with her, they didn't ask. Minako was known for being mischievous and playful, she did have that fire in her eyes today. Walking out to the field where she was just the day before she looked over to the archery field making sure the angle of her serve was perfect, set up, and hit the ball with all of her might.
Minako thought the volleyball girls reacted weird to an arrow. The archery team acted like the ball landing close to the shooting line was an alien substance. Rei on the other hand smirked picking up the distraction and got the team back to practice. Minako walked up to the archery field to see Rei leaning on the brick entry gate volleyball in hand. "Hello again Anio having trouble with your junior team?" Rei Hino said as Minako made it straight to Rei.
"Nope, they wouldn't be able to aim the ball like that more of a varsity talent," Minako said with a cheeky smile, the dark haired beauty looked just as nice in her shooting robes as her school uniform.
"A talent I'm sure you hold," Rei said handing out the Volley ball for Minako, she stepped closer slowly taking the ball from Rei,
"Yes, among many other things," Minako said holding the ball close. Mina's eye contact with Rei's was almost presenting a challenge to the other girl. Rei nodded then turning to leave but paused,
"Oh by the way, my name is Hino, Rei. Until the next time," Rei said smiling over to Minako then promptly leaving. Minako turned on her heal making this day a personal victory. "Rei Hino, hum it fits her well," Minako thought making her way back to the gym.
Mina-ko was certainly interested in the mysterious archery champion but she didn't know how to go about gathering information. Minako rarely showed any interest in other students so if she asked around it would cause a lot more drama then needed and Mina-ko wanted to keep her knowledge of Rei to herself, at least for now. Mina-ko stayed late one afternoon out on campus clearly trying to clear her mind of her growing interest in Rei Hino. Volleyball was always her way of clearing her head and plotting her schemes. Sadly late night practice wasn't doing either to her advantage. Minako keep setting the ball higher and higher hoping the sport therapy would cut in soon, she hit the ball up for the final time, this was just not working but when the ball came down it had an arrow shot straight threw it. Not just any arrow, a little charm was attached at the bottom, from the Hino Shrine. Minako looked around to see Rei Hino in the distance a clever look on her face. Minako jogged over. "I'm assuming that was you," Minako said holding up the volleyball by Rei's arrow, the poor ball already deflating.
"No normal archery member could shoot a moving target like that, nope looks like it has the mark of Rei Hino written all over it," Rei said admiring her handy work. "Literally," Minako laughed touching the card still attached to the arrow. Both of them looked around checking if anyone was noticing them actually having a good time while talking to the other. Rei hesitated but still she spoke first,
"Would you like to go get some tea with me? I know of a nice place not far from here," Rei said poking the volleyball trying to avert Mina-ko's eyes.
"It would be an honor," Minako said then jogging off to grab her bag and came right back up to Rei who was just closing her cell phone. "Canceling your ride?" Minako said a spark of curiosity in her voice.
"Something like that," Rei said with a smile, Minako was much more perceptive then most people Hino kept company with.
"Well then, I hope my golden chariot will suffice," Minako said pointing off into the parking lot as the both walked to Mina-ko's car and drove to the tea shop.
"I've never meet a shrine maiden," Minako said honestly over her second cup of tea. Rei was right this teashop was really cute; nothing like people would assume Rei to be interested in.
"Well I'm not the official shrine maiden, my grandfather is the main shrine priest, though he is getting older and well I tend to do most of the work," Rei said with a faint smile. She didn't get to talk about her grandfather much, most people wanted to know about her senator father.
"Well I would like to meet him, if I could that is. I don't have any grandparents, well I don't keep my parents around much either, they live in London you see," Minako said taking a small sip of her tea.
"So you have your own apartment?" Rei said curiously. Minako gave a smirk of a smile,
"Yeah would you like to see it?" she looked up to Rei giving her a solid stare, "what?" Minako asked fake surprise in her voice at Rei's solid stare.
"We are in public, this is not the place to flirt," Rei said trying to keep that 'I don't approve' look on her face. Mina-ko noticed Rei certainly liked to follow society rules, which made Rei's life as a shrine maiden all the more believable. Minako smiled,
"Thus the reasoning behind the invite to a more private location," she said using Rei's logic against her.
"Fine," Rei said curtly, she couldn't fight the small smirk forming on her lips.
"Fine?" Mina-ko's eyebrow rose in suspicion, Rei might not understand the severity of Mina-ko's suggestion.
"Yes, I would like to go, we can go now if you would like," Rei said drinking the last of her tea and stood looking down at the star volleyball player with a spark in her eye challenging the blond. Minako quickly finished her own tea and both of them left the shop together. Mina-ko really hadn't meet someone who would challenge her and deep down Mina-ko felt it tug on her heart, a sensation she never felt before. Rei was a little surprised by the location of Mina-ko's apartment. She was expecting her to have a small place with a few roommates in the suburbs. When actually they pulled into an underground parking garage for a high-class condo. Rei was use to people flaunting their wealth in front of her. Either to show they were worth talking to or they wanted to marry her to get the support of her father. To Rei Minako just didn't seem like a rich kid, but clearly she had to get money from somewhere to have an apartment here. After the elevator ride Minako unlocked to her door to let Rei in.
"Sorry it's a little dirty," Minako said apologetically. Sitting down her school bag on the entry table.
"Anio, the place is spotless," Rei said flatly looking around the modern design and high-class furniture.
Mina-ko laughed a little bit, "I guess it's not that bad, just don't look in my closet! Call me Mina-ko by the way, my mom only calls me Anio when she's cross," Mina-ko said sighing at the mention of her mother.
"And how did you score an apartment like this?" Hino asked also putting down her stuff as she then followed Mina-ko as they walked further into the apartment both of them sitting down on the sofa.
"Rich parents, I don't really talk with them much but they want me to go to college and I guess they are use to living like this," Mina-ko said dropping her head a little, she didn't like talking about her parents. Rei reached over and lifted up the blonds chin and smiled at her then tucking a stray hair from out of Mina-ko's face.
"Oh… sorry," Rei said pulling back her hand quickly she wasn't normally that bold but for some odd reason Rei felt drawn to Mina-ko, Minako just smiled,
"It's alright, actually it's just what I was hoping for," Minako said leaning in softly kissing Rei, hoping she doesn't get a good left handed slap for this. But the slap never came, on the contrary she got a surge of pleasure as Rei pulled her closer, deepened the kiss, drawing the blond on top of her and working very hard at gaining dominance early in the game.
Minako and Rei were never seen together but they certainly spent time together, privately. A few people did notice, mainly Rei's archery students, getting less growling drills and sometimes aloud to go home early. One after school practice in particular Rei went so far as to let them leave without cleaning up, saying she could take care of it herself. So as the last person shuffled out of the changing rooms Rei was just finishing putting away the stray arm guards and arrows, going over to her own locker to change herself. "All alone are we?" came a whisper from behind her ear, Rei tried not to show her surprise but she really hated it when Mina-ko snuck up on her. Rei quickly turned only to be firmly pressed into the lockers by a searing kiss. "We are at the school!" Rei said through gritted teeth as Mina-ko kisses down Rei's neck her hands surveyed Rei's body, Rei couldn't help but have a lapse of judgment and closed her eyes at the feeling of Mina-ko's warm breath on her neck. She was breaking a lot of rules with Mina-ko, it was like Rei was going into a dark tunnel unsure of if she can come out safe but still desperately wants to go further into the void.
"Doesn't that make it a bit more exciting," Mina-ko said as her hands expertly loosened Rei's robes.
Rei gasped pulling Mina-ko back, "I have a great idea," Rei said positively beaming then went off to another part of the changing room. Mina-ko turned with a raised eyebrow,
"Who gave you a sugar pill this morning? Normally I'm the bouncy one," but she couldn't be herd and all Mina-ko could do was follow the allusive girl with a raised brow.
"This was a great idea," Mina-ko said sarcastically as they stood out on the archery field Rei smiling with excitement Mina-ko on the other hand looked liked she was being forced to study.
"Hush it's a great idea now slowly pull the arrow back," Rei had Mina-ko out on the archery field trying to shoot at the target. The problem was Mina-ko wasn't being so forth coming but she did as she was told. Rei would adjust Mina-ko's stance all the way down to adjusting her feet.
"I was hoping you would go down on me but I didn't quite mean it like this," Mina-ko said jokingly getting a stern look from Rei, she wasn't use to back talking. Rei then stood behind Mina-ko. "Now concentrate," Rei whispered into her ear.
"Kind of hard when you are so distracting," Mina-ko said in a singsong voice. Rei smiled,
"Doesn't that make it a bit more exciting?" Rei said back pressing her body closer and not moving, suddenly Mina-ko's eyebrows creased together, damn this brunette knew how to drive her crazy and she wasn't going to last long at this rate. Mina-ko released the arrow and quickly turned to stare at Rei,
"Keep distracting me and I might hit the arrow like your young students," Mina-ko said clearly annoyed and it only got worse when she noticed Rei wasn't even listening to her, actually Rei's jaw dropped looking over to the target. Mina-ko also turned to see the arrow shot perfect center of the target. Rei then looked back to Minako then to the target, trying to find out which one was realistic. "Hum, must have been a fluke," Mina-ko said a shameful smile on her lips. Rei went over to grab the arrow,
"Flukes don't happen in archery, you're really good why did you quit?" Rei said looking Mina-ko straight in the eye.
"I told you, I found out I was more of a hands on person," Mina-ko said and with one quick swoop she picked up Rei bridal style and started walking back into the changing rooms.
"This is soooo not cute," Rei said her annoyed dry tone back in her voice.
"Really? Because I find this totally adorable," Mina-ko replied before Rei wrestled herself out of Mina-ko's hold with Mina-ko laughing the whole time.
Rei slammed Mina-ko against the back of the door of Mina-ko's apartment as it shut already reeking havoc down Mina-ko's neck. "Jesh don't tare the place down," Mina-ko said trying to be serious as Rei was making quick work of Mina-ko's shirt.
"Just say it was a robber," Rei sneered she hated it how Mina-ko would talk when she was preoccupied.
"Hum good excise," Mina-ko said then turning Rei around slamming her against the door as Rei grunted in pain Mina-ko went straight into a breath taking kiss as she her hand was traveling shaming low on Rei's hip. All the sudden the two girls herd a knock on the door Rei froze completely still, "Miss Anio, is everything ok in there? I was just walking on my rounds when I heard the door," said one of the security officers. Minako couldn't help but giggle, "Yeah I'm fine," Minako said in a lofty tone. Rei mouthed 'stop laughing!' but all Mina-ko could do was cover her mouth muffling the noise. "Ok, well if you need anything just ring down to the main desk," the man said on the outside of the door in a worried tone. "Ok, thanks for your concern," Minako grabbing Rei's hand and pulling her further into the apartment both of them cracking up and they kicked off their shoes. Minako pulled Rei on top of her as they both fell on the large comfy sofa.
"Guess the slamming people against the door is out," Rei said with a smirk looking down at Minako still elated with joy.
"Guess we better keep to walls," Minako said already making quick work of removing Rei's shirt.
"You know I don't think I've ever been in your bed room," Mina couldn't help but giggle at Rei's statement. They never seemed to make it past the sofa in their mad rush to feel their bare skin touch. Mina looked at Rei pausing from their rushed fevering affection and pulled Rei up off the sofa.
"I think we should change that," and seductively Rei was pulled deeper into the apartment to Mina's bed room, the door shutting was the quietest thing to come out of this room for a few hours…
Mina-ko rubbed her heck on her walk to the front of school. Jesh she really needed to ask Rei to not be so rough next time. Mina-ko certainly liked it, actually she couldn't get enough of the dark haired girl but her team mates might raise a few eyebrows if she is this sore with no reasoning behind it. She would need to make sure some major payback happened, this put a small smile on her face. Mina-ko then saw Rei walking ahead of her up to the school not far from her, Mina-ko made sure she couldn't see any other students before she cat called. Rei turned to see Mina-ko smirking behind her she paused waiting for Mina-ko to ketch up. "Walking to school?" Rei asked more in concern then annoyance.
"Oh not exactly, what about you?" Mina-ko said slinging her book bag over one shoulder; they weren't use to talking at school.
"I was here early for archery," Rei said as Mina-ko silently nodded knowing how sports can quickly take up your time.
"Hey Mina-ko!" called a voice, both girls head spun on the spot to the voice. Minako sighed,
"Shit, I have to go she is on the junior team for volleyball. I'll see you later tonight," Minako said to Rei giving her a wink before scampering off to the girl that called her name.
Minako gave one of her more charming smiles when she came up to the younger player. "Oh my gosh you got Hino to talk?" the girl seemed thunder struck with shock over who Mina-ko was chatting with on the way to school. Mina-ko looked back to Rei who already walked off and turned back to the girl confused.
"Well yeah, we talk sometimes. Why is that so shocking?" Mina-ko was confused, she never talked to Rei in public true but she never had an issue with Rei.
"Hino never talks, teachers don't even call on her in class they just get a glare. Only her little archery students get to talk to her, and she refuses to talk to guys. Ever wonder why her whole archery team is girls?" the girl said leaning in to be very hush hush. Mina-ko gave the girl a weird look,
"Clearly you think about it," Mina-ko said with a raised eyebrow the girl leaned back averting her eyes a light blush on her cheeks.
"Well she's the senators daughter, everyone is a little interested in Hino," the girl said defensive but shy at the same time.
"She's the senators daughter?! I herd she went to the college I just, well I thought it was some snobby rich kid," Mina-ko was taken back. How in the world could she of spent so much time with Rei and not know she was the Senators' daughter?
"Minako-sempi she doesn't talk to anyone, it's generally assumed she is a snobby politicians child," the girl said then catching Mina-ko's incriminating look, "Um present company excluded of course, well your different Mina-ko your social and Hino will glare at you if you get too close. Believe me I've tried," the girl looked dejected. Minako put the subject behind her throwing her arm over the smaller girls shoulder pulling her into the school.
"Well then lets hope you don't cross her path again! Next time she might even sneer!" Minako joked, as the girls face got gradually more petrified. Even after talking to her underclassman Mina-ko couldn't get the image of Rei that every one else see's out of her head. She felt special that Rei actually talks to Mina-ko.
Mina-ko was starting to get tired of walking, Rei has promised a surprise and they have been walking for several blocks. It wasn't that Mina-ko was tired, no volleyball kept her very fit, her attention span on the other hand was reaching it's bare minimum. "Are we there yet?" Mina-ko asked switching her school bag from one arm to the other readjusting the weight.
"Stop being a cry baby," Rei said curtly over her shoulder. She has made this walk so many times she couldn't count.
"Oh, you will know when I'm being a cry baby," Mina-ko said in a laugh but suddenly Rei stopped almost making Mina-ko run into her. Mina-ko looked around to see a long steep stairway. Mina-ko looked at the stairs and back to Rei, "Up?" was all Mina-ko asked. Rei smirked and nodded. Mina-ko let out a tiny pout swaying her hips side to side playfully before realizing Rei wasn't going to stop and bounced to follow Rei up the stairs. Now Mina-ko was getting a little tired, all these stairs was good for cardio but she already had volley ball practice today and didn't want to work out anymore. Reaching the top of the stairs, the view caught Mina-ko's breath.
The beautiful trees and old shrine sat in front of her. It all looked like time had stopped for this old shrine. Stuck back in an era that is long in the past but far from forgotten. Mina-ko turned to Rei a bright smile on her face, "is this your shrine?" Rei loved the amount of joy Mina-ko got out of seeing the shrine.
"This is where I live, come let me introduce you to my grandfather," Rei said with a rare smile leading the way into the shrine. Mina-ko kept looking around the shrine; you never find old growth trees in Tokyo this big without being on shrine land. Rei didn't have to go far before she found her grandfather working in the gift booth selling off some love charms to a few younger girls. As the girls scattered Rei's grandfather looked up and smiled at the sight of Rei.
"Ah! Rei, I'm so happy you are home now! I needed a little help… Oh but who is that beautiful girl with you," Rei's grandfather's attention was now solely on Mina-ko. Rei rolled her eyes, "This is Mina-ko Anio grandfather. Mina-ko this is my grandfather," Rei said introducing the two. Rei's grandfather smiled big quite happy to make Mina-ko's acquaintance. "I'm going to show her around though so we will see you later," Rei said suddenly her grandfathers face went from delightfully happy to full of sorrow.
"Ah but… if you need anything just tell me you two!" he called after them as Rei ushered Mina-ko into the shrine. Mina-ko giggled,
"He is sure friendly," Mina said looking back at the man as Rei made it a point to get as far away from her grandfather as possible.
"He likes pretty girls, this is the way to my room," Rei said leading Mina-ko into a separate part of the shrine away from the main building, she opened the sliding door to a small but well sized room with the basic necessities.
"Wait so you live with your grandfather," Mina-ko said with a raised eyebrow pointing in the direction they just came from. Rei nodded,
"Yes I've lived here since I was seven years old," Rei said putting down her things. Mina was surprised, well just the other day she found out Rei was the senator's daughter and now to find out she lives with her grandfather and probably never spends time with her father. Mina-ko didn't bring it up; clearly Rei didn't like to talk about it. Mina-ko looked around.
"Well you have the basics," Mina-ko said looking around. Rei smiled giving Mina-ko a small kiss but oddly enough Mina-ko pulled away. "We can't kiss here! This is a shrine!" The way Mina-ko said made Rei almost laugh.
"Mina-ko, you are such a dork, this is my room. Not apart of the shrine," Rei said point blank. Mina-ko looked both directions as if someone was watching.
"But still, this is like holy land man!" Mina-ko for some odd reason marked the whole shrine as this untouchable area where impure things just don't happen. Rei thought it was slightly cute but she didn't want Mina-ko to keep up this preconception. So Rei moved fast pinning Mina-ko against the wall and claiming the blonds' lips for her own. Mina raised her hand to push Rei back but Rei was again too fast pressing Mina-ko full against the wall with her own body. Mina-ko let out a soft whimper, damn Rei and her skill for making Mina-ko's mind cloudy with limitless lust.
Rei was walking down the sidewalk just getting to school for her first class, making sure her hair was correctly covering her neck. Damn Mina-ko left marks on her neck from the day before, she would certainly get revenge for such an act. On her way in she looked up and made an abrupt stop, she saw Mina-ko talking with another girl.
Seeing Mina-ko didn't bother her, she had actually gotten use to seeing Mina-ko at school but certainly acting like they had never meet formally. No, what caught her eye was the other girl with Mina-ko, how Mina-ko was laughing with her pushing her shoulder playfully. Rei thought Mina-ko was just this care free around Rei… resentment grew in her. She knew even if Mina-ko wanted her to, Rei could never come to like this girl, Rei would be sure to ask about the girl later. Both blonds in the distance hugged saying their goodbyes and walking in separate directions.
Rei's shots were off all day, and her archery students who had gotten use to nice Rei was working double time as she barked out instructions to them being insanely picky over the smallest things. Wishing her fellow arches would get one thing right she looked about to see Mina-ko standing at the archery entrance gate a faint smile on her face. Rei sighed, guess she would have to get this over with sooner then later. Telling her students to keep practicing she left off to the only way in or out of the stonewall enclosure. "Hey, practicing hard?" Mina-ko said with a wink when Rei finally made it up to her.
"Yeah," Rei said making sure the club members couldn't see Rei or Mina-ko talking. Mina-ko could instantly tell something was wrong, Rei had a tendency to be short with people but not like this.
"What's wrong?" asked Mina-ko genuine concern in her voice. Rei looked away, not wanting to sound like a spy or a snitch or what not but she still wanted to ask Mina-ko about the other girl.
"I saw you this morning talking to a blond girl, you two seemed… close," Rei scuffed her sandaled foot into the ground. Minako looked confused and then relived,
"Ohhh, you mean Serena? She's….. um…. an old high school classmate. Poor thing hasn't got much of a brain though, surprised how she got into this school," Minako looked over to Rei seeing Rei's odd face and smirked, "Oh were you a little jealous maybe? I guess we did seem rather close," Minako said tapping her chin in thought.
"No! I wasn't jealous," Rei said quickly proving that she was in fact a little jealous. Minako lifted up Rei's chin smiling down at the girl. Mina-ko's heart deep down tugged a little looking into Rei's eyes, the normally clear ruby color seemed misted over with a spell only Mina-ko knew the words for…
"Rei I think we should talk about this after school," Mina-ko said firmly almost motherly, which was really out of character. She looked away from Rei and made a quick decision to ignore that tug on her heart, ignore the look on Rei's eyes.
"But I said I wasn't jealous," Rei said playfully tugging on Mina-ko's shirt. Rei really didn't want things to change and she had a feeling that talking about it would alter their relationship, whatever it was.
"No, I think it's time we talked. I don't want you thinking I'm just messing around with you," Mina-ko said this time Rei nodding, "now can I get a hug, maybe a small one while no one is looking?" Mina-ko asked playfully looking around to make sure they were in fact without an audience.
"Sure," Rei said leaning in wrapping her hands around Mina-ko's waist and resting her head on Mina-ko's shoulder and closed her eyes for a brief second grasping on to Mina-ko a little tighter then normal.
"I still don't see why we have to talk," Rei said flopping down on Mina-ko's sofa her arms crossed in visual protest. Mina-ko came around to the sitting area giving Rei some tea like a good hostess sitting her own cup on the table.
"Ah so your ok with keeping me as your lover," Mina-ko said coolly Rei flushed the same color as her shrine robes.
"No! Jesh don't put it that way, it sounds so wrong." Red quickly said Mina-ko raised her eyebrow,
"Well what do you want to call it? I just need to know what's what here. I am a rather open person but I can't have you glaring at everyone I know," Mina-ko said as Rei gave a sour grumpy face.
"I don't want to call it anything because I'm not generally aloud to make my own choices," Rei said looking down sitting her tea aside knowing full well she wasn't going to drink it.
"You mean with your father?" Mina-ko said cooing, pulling the hair away from Rei's face and tucking it behind her ear.
"No one is suppose to know," Rei said in a small voice half frowning over the honestly of her statement half smile over Mina-ko's tender touch. "All I want is to be with you, but my life is far from private," Rei said looking up into Mina-ko's eyes hoping to get some solstice but was meet with something quite different.
"I see the honest part of the conversation has begun," Mina-ko said backing off away from Rei. Rei looked confused. Minako loved to get into Rei's personal space, for Minako to back off was a bad sign.
"What's the matter?" Rei asked concern now riddled her speech.
"Serena isn't my friend, she is my sister," Mina-ko said taking a breath; she always hates giving bad news. In all honestly Mina-ko really likes Rei, more then she's ever liked anyone else in her life. It makes it that much harder to tell Rei things that would make her sad or mad. "She's here to take me back home. My parents want me to finish college back in England," all Mina-ko could do was look at her palms, she doesn't get this emotional Rei leaned over and lifted up Mina-ko's face with her soft hand. "I really don't want to go," Mina-ko laughed at her own statement.
"But you have to," Rei said in a stern tone.
"Your ok with this?" Mina-ko said in surprise, Rei seemed only tranquil.
"No," Rei laughed how quickly she replied, "but I wish you told me sooner," Rei said a bitter regretful feeling flew through her.
"Same here, I wish I didn't have to go, maybe I will show my major wit and get out of school that much faster. Then I can run away and become a… Well I don't know, a shrine maiden," Mina-ko's cheeky smile made Rei roll her eyes.
"You couldn't handle it," Rei said honestly.
"What!" Mina-ko jumped up in the sofa adjusting herself to face Rei, "I can handle anything," Mina-ko said with a smirk. Rei leaned closer to Mina-ko,
"Prove it," Rei said as a challenge before giving her a fierce kiss.
"So you're leaving tomorrow," Rei asked without knowing she said it. Finals were a week ago and the summer break had started but Rei really hadn't noticed. Most of her time was spent not thinking about Mina-ko moving away, the result was Rei thinking about it every waking second. Mina-ko paused from folding up her shirt she was packing up to move over and sit next to Rei on the bed.
"Yep, at the earliest light," Mina-ko said with a slight grunt, she never liked early mornings. Mina-ko nudged Rei's sulking figure. "Don't be like that! Your acting like you will never see me again," Mina-ko said trying to lighten the mood.
"I may never see you again," Rei, replied frankly, everyone left her behind. This time of course Mina-ko can't really help it… Mina-ko pulled Rei into a sudden hug that shocked Rei at how close Mina-ko pulled her in both physically and emotionally.
"Don't say that," Mina-ko said stroking Rei's hair. "I promise to you, we will meet again," she gave Rei a kiss on the cheek and Rei nodded her head in agreement. "And by then you will have some cute new girlfriend and I will be mega jealous and we will get in a cat fight and it won't be pretty but we will meet again," Mina-ko said making up some wild story.
"Pfft, Mina you think up some of the weirdest things," Rei said shaking her head at Mina-ko's antics. Mina blushed slightly at Rei's pet name she gave Mina-ko, it always lifted her heart hearing it. Rei then got uncharacteristically shy, "can you give me a kiss. To remember you by," her question was shy but she didn't speak soft. Mina-ko then realized just how blessed she was to know this side of Rei.
"I never understood that phrase. I will remember much more about you then a silly little kiss," Mina-ko said trying to lighten the mood. Rei looked straight into Mina-ko's eyes and leaned in and kissed Mina-ko like she has never and probably will ever be kissed again. Rei was staking her claim one last time hoping it would leave a mental tingle for years to come.
AN: Chapter end, more to come in the next chapter.