A/N: Written for the Sailor Moon Flash Bingo, #084 – Rei's Grandfather.
Growing Old
He knows he is growing old, that he won't be there for his daughter forever, but he also knows her heart is like a well-guarded shrine and he might not have the luxury of seeing her happy with other company before he passes. That is why, when Tsukino Usagi and Mizuno Ami start frequenting the shrine, he is more hopeful than he should be.
For neither of them seem like a good pair for her Rei, and indeed, the first glances confirm that. But he sees a deeper bond: whether because he is approaching desperation or because he knows Rei better than her own parents, but he sees that deeper connection. And he turns out to be right, because he sees a lot of Usagi-chan and Ami-chan over the years…and newer friends as well: Makoto-chan and Minako-chan, and Mamoru-kun and Chibiusa-chan and Michiru-chan and Haruka-chan and Setsuna-chan and Hotaru-chan…and Rei is happy, happier than she was with just him, and he is happy too. Because Rei was too accustomed to him, and he is growing old; he won't be with her forever.
And even if it is a sad thought, he can be happy watching her open her shrine doors and accept more and more friends.