Disclaimer: I do not own Sailormoon or the songs used in this story.
A/N: So, I was listening to the radio and I heard the song, "Drops of Jupiter" by Train. The DJ's topic for that hour was to reveal on air or at least by text/twitter of the name of your first crush and what song would you dedicate for them. A guy called and dedicated that song to his first crush. It's kind of deep for a first crush song and I haven't heard it for a while a now and it gave me an idea for a story and I hope you would all like it. ^^
Actually I kind of thought of someone while I was listening to the song. How weird is it to miss someone you haven't seen or talked to face to face for 10 years? I'm such a dork for missing her for so long and not doing anything. *face palms* Anyway, I think she's my Minako and I know it's impossible for her to read this but I dedicate this fic to her. *blush* So if Kami reads fanfics, which I think s/he secretly does, please make sure she's okay and she finds someone whose right for her and not treat her like crap, which I kind of did back then. *slumps defeated*
So if the fic runs long and has too much detail for your taste, please forgive me. I'm trying to let out some mushiness out of my system for missing her this much. And sorry for dumping this unto the readers. *sighs* And for the record, I am missing her and not the idea of her. *sighs*
Enough with the mushiness *shivers* and on with the story.
"Rei, I'm back."
Rei shot up from her bed clutching the sides of her head and let out a small groan.
"Ugh."
The miko plopped down the bed once again, her hands on her face and moved side to side frustratingly. After a few seconds of grumbling to herself, she got the pillow under her head and put it on her face and screamed in frustration. Feeling a little better after screaming, sat again, relaxing as she leaned on the headboard and her gaze accidentally fell to a framed picture in her night stand. Rei sighed and got the picture. Smiling, she ran her hand over the picture, set it again on the table and got out of bed.
Rei just got out of the shower when her alarm sounded, making her jump a little. The miko huffed and pushed the button to make the annoying sound stop.
"I should stop using the alarm since I'm before it goes off anyway," the miko thought as she made her way to her closet. While rummaging through her closet, she found an old shirt neatly tucked on the bottom side of the pile of shirts she had. The old shirt was a v-neck with a logo of some band, which Minako and her watched years ago, with the autographs of the band scribbled on it. "Seriously? After years of searching for that thing, it shows up today?" Rei thought and she got it and thought, "Let's see if still fits me." She put the shirt on and amazingly, it still fits her comfortably. She walked towards the full length mirror near her bed and looked at herself. The miko couldn't help but blush at the thought that Minako was the last one who wore the shirt even if it was years ago. Suddenly her phone buzzed. She picked it up and read the message.
"Dude, I'll be late today (don't ask why) so can you please open the restaurant today. Please. *puppy dog eyes* - Mako"
Rei sighed and typed a reply.
"Sure. I do want to know why you're late today and you can thank me later since I always get up early and I live close to the resto." – Rei"
The miko was about to put down her phone when she remembered that it was Ami's and Makoto's anniversary yesterday. She fumbled with the phone and sent her another text message.
"On second thought, I don't want to know why you're late today. Belated happy anniversary to you and Ami. :D – Rei"
Rei looked at the clock and realized she still got an hour to open the place. The miko decided to get some tea and some snack on a nearby coffee shop and just go to the restaurant earlier and look at what needs to be checked and report it to Makoto when she arrives. She put on her dark grey cargo pants that fit her legs perfectly, it was not skinny and not loose, her favorite army boots then took the black leather jacket on the couch and her Ray ban's and keys at the small table near the door and went off for the coffee shop at the corner.
Minutes after going out of the apartment complex, her phone buzzed again. She took it out of her pocket and read the message.
"Sorry for the late reply, thanks dude. I'll be at the store in an hour or so. Ami says thanks for the greeting. You know, I'd be happy to share what happened last night and today if you want me too. *wink* - Mako"
Rei laughed at her friend's teasing and replied.
"No thanks. I'm happy that my brain is Ami and Mako porn free. *gagging noises* See you later. - Rei"
Satisfied with her reply, Rei went it the coffee shop and got out a couple of minutes later holding a cup of steaming tea and a blueberry muffin in hand. Slowly sipping her tea, she made her way towards the restaurant.
After an hour, Makoto came in their office at the back of the restaurant, smirking and all perky for Rei.
"Please tone it down a little," Rei said as she jotted notes on some paper, not even looking at Makoto.
"You're just jealous," Makoto smirked as she flopped down on her chair and put her feet up her desk.
Rei looked at Makoto and arched an eyebrow.
"Just admit it," Makoto chuckled and put her arms around her chest.
"Sooo, the fish were already delivered and the vegetables too. The chicken, pork and beef will be here in about half an hour or so," Rei looked down again and started jotting something on a piece of paper.
"Way to change the subject," chuckled Makoto as she spun her chair a couple of times. When her friend didn't respond, she got the remote near her and turned on the TV.
"Minako Aino, one of the biggest pop idols in Europe will now head to Tokyo for her last stop to have her greatest hits concert.
A clip of Minako singing on stage was shown but was cut off with a reporter asking Minako during some press conference.
"So how do you feel ending the tour in Tokyo? Is it good to be able to finally tour in your home country?"
"Definitely. It's great to know that I can finally perform in Tokyo. I definitely miss going home since I've been busy for years and I'm excited to see my family and friends. Especially my friends when I was in high school. Oh hi Pyro!"
"Pyro?"
"Yeah. My Pyro-bear." Minako blushes as she giggles.
"When are you arriving in Japan?"
"It's a secret." *winks*
"Okay. So any lines for your fans in Japan?"
"Hi everyone! I would like to invite you the concert I'll be having there in Tokyo! I can't wait to see you guys! *winks* Thanks for the support!"
End clip.
"It's also been in the gossip mill that her rumored boyfriend, Yaten Kou, will not be attending the concert after breaking up last week…"
A clip showing Yaten and Minako in what seemed like a heated argument outside a shop. When the two saw the photographers and camera men, they suddenly went in the store.
"Well we'll see if the rumors are true that Minako was the one who broke up with Yaten and the reason was that Minako was allegedly cheating with another woman…"
Rei stopped writing after she heard Minako's name being uttered by the reporter and was frozen. Makoto became wide eyed and suddenly turned off the TV.
"Rei," Makoto whispered.
"I have to check if the meat shipment arrived," Rei said, her voice slightly shaking as she stood up and went outside the office.
Makoto sighed and took out her phone and texted someone.
Knowing her friend, Makoto looked for her friend after an hour and found her smoking near the small alley near the store. She slowly approached her and Rei smiled sadly as she saw her friend approach cautiously and put out her cigarette.
"Didn't know you started smoking again," Makoto looked at her friend as the miko put it out with her foot.
"Only when I'm stressed," Rei offered a smile to her friend.
"Take the day off. Go the shrine and clear your head, I'll deal with everything here," Makoto put her arm around Rei's shoulder and they started walking towards the restaurant.
"You sure?"
Makoto nodded.
"Thanks. I'll make it up to you," Rei smiled and headed to the office to get her jacket. Getting the jacket as fast as she could, Rei went out the restaurant and hurriedly walked towards the direction of the shrine.
Once getting at the shrine, Rei didn't even bothered to change to her miko outfit and just got the broom and started sweeping. She didn't even notice that Yuichiro was looking at her and noticed she was stressed so he decided not to interrupt.
An hour passed and Rei was still stressed but she now was tired with all the frustrated sweeping she had done. She stopped and leaned on the broom for support and sighed. Suddenly, she felt something that she hadn't felt for years. She felt warm and dare she say, giddy and mushy, at the same time. Hairs on her arms suddenly straightened up and the miko shivered. She looked towards the stairs and her heart started to pound, making her ears hurt a little.
A wind gushed around and she smelled it.
"Strawberries and vanilla," Rei thought and nervously smiled.
After a few minutes of staring at nothing, she tried to calm herself and thought, "It's nothing. She's not coming back to you. After all she said you were holding her down." Rei sighed and continued to sweep even though the place looked clean and no more leave were scattered on the ground.
Before she could walk away from her spot, the wind passed again with the scent of strawberries and vanilla.
"Damnit! Why do I smell strawberries and vanilla!" Rei stomped once and groaned in frustration.
"You said you love that smell on me," a sweet voice said.
Rei turned around and saw Minako Aino, world famous pop star and former best friend, standing at the top of the shrine stairs, one hand on her hip and balanced her weight on the other side of her leg. The blond was wearing an olive green short shorts, a baby blue and white striped with a white collar short sleeve polo and white chucks. Minako pushed her aviator sunglasses to her head and smiled at Rei.
"Min… Minako?" stuttered Rei. The miko was shocked that Minako was in Japan, let alone in the vicinity of the shrine.
"That's my name, Pyro. Don't wear it out," Minako giggled and walked towards the miko. In instinct, Rei took a step back and winced. "Rei?" asked Minako stopped walking, her head cocked on one side and worry laced her voice.
"Yeah?" Rei nervously got the fallen broom and looked at Minako.
"I'm back," Minako nervously smiled and stepped forward. Noticing Rei smile back a little bit, she walked towards the miko and enveloped her in a hug.
"So I've noticed," Rei said smirking. After hugging, the miko looked at Minako's eyes and kissed her forehead. Before Minako could reply, her phone buzzed in her pocket.
"Oooh! Something's vibrating," giggled Minako and wriggled her eyebrows at Rei.
Rei blushed and stuck out her tongue to Minako, got her phone and answered, "Hino Rei."
Minako couldn't hear what was being said on the other line. All she heard was Rei answering.
"Yeah, I'm alri… No no no… it's oka… Mako texte… Will you stop cutting me off in mid sen… USAGI! Stop panicking! I'm alright!"
Minako arched an eyebrow on Rei.
"She's here… What do you mean who? Of course it's Minak… I am not joki… Usag…" Rei couldn't finish her sentence as Usagi squealed on the other line. Minako heard that squeal and laughed as Rei winced and held the phone in arms length from her ear. "I think she wants to talk to you," Rei gave the phone to Minako.
"Stop squealing you baka! Of course it's me… I was going to call yo… Wha… Usag… hear me out fir… USAGI!" Minako screamed at the last word. "Just calm down. Jeez, Usagi… Wait, I'll ask her," the blond smiled and looked at Rei. "She asks if it's alright that they come over here now." Minako asks Rei and the miko sighed and nodded. "She says its okay. An hour? Okay. Bye." Minako said then gave the phone back to the miko.
"I guess we're ordering take out then?" Rei smiled and gestured to Minako to follow her to her old bedroom.
Half an hour passed and all of their friends came to the shrine. Usagi jumped on Minako and they giggled as they jumped around their friends. After squealing and jumping, the blonde hug each and everyone there and they made their way to Rei's old bedroom.
The group talked for hours over take out. Rei noticed how Minako was listening intently, giggling every time she made silly gestures and it ended up her friends were the one telling the stories about what happened while the blond was gone. The miko remained quiet as she was contented that Minako was leaning on her side while listening throughout the stories. Rei noticed that Minako hadn't shared anything about what happened to her.
'Things can change right? I mean she's here and maybe I could still get my chance,' Rei thought as she felt the heat radiating from Minako's body. 'Is this a dream? God, I hope its not,' the miko thought after the blonde got her hand and interlaced her fingers with Rei's. The miko squeezed it a little, making the blonde look at her and they both smiled.
Minako tried to stifle the yawn she knew she was going to do but Haruka noticed it.
"Why don't we let Minako rest for the evening? I'm sure she's beat from the flight she had," Haruka smiled and got up.
"Yeah, we should go," Makoto followed and winked at Rei.
"But I want to talk to Minako more!" whined Usagi. Mamoru chuckled and whispered something to her girlfriend's ear and Usagi smiled. "Oh we have to go!" Usagi suddenly said and hugged both Minako and Rei and went out the room.
Ami and Michiru dusted their thighs off as they stood, saying good bye to Minako, after Setsuna, Haruka and Makoto insisted that they help Yuichiro with cleaning up the take out trash in Rei's room. They decided to meet up for lunch at the restaurant to continue their sharing of stories. Yuichiro said good night after the others said their good bye.
"Where are you staying?" Rei asked Minako, leaning on the door frame.
"Actually, I was wondering if I can stay with you," blushed Minako.
"Ummm… Okay. We should sleep here then we can go to my apartment tomorrow," Rei answered.
"Apartment?"
"Yeah. I moved out when grandpa died but Yuichiro saved the room for me."
"Oh I am so sorry I didn't get to attend the funeral."
"It's okay. I knew you were busy so I didn't tell you," Rei went inside the room and flopped down on her bed. Minako flopped down next to Rei. The blond snuggled closer and yawned.
"Sleep. I know you're tired," Rei smiled and scooted closer to Minako.
"Hmmm," Minako sleepily replied which made Rei chuckle.
Several minutes after, soft snores could be heard across the room. Rei faced Minako and caressed the blonde's face carefully not to wake her. The miko smiled genuinely, a first for so many years, and kissed Minako's forehead once again. The blond smiled in her sleep and scooted more, making Rei shiver as she felt Minako's breath on her neck. The miko suddenly felt sleepy and wrapped her arms around the blond, relaxed and dozed off without her noticing.
A/N: Here's the first verse of the song –
Now that she's back in the atmosphere
With drops of Jupiter in her hair, hey
She acts like summer and walks like rain
Reminds me that there's time to change, hey
Since the return from her stay on the moon
She listens like spring and she talks like June, hey
Oh and if anyone might say that the song was about Pat's departed mom and not about two lovers, well this is how I felt about the song when I heard it. Everybody's got their own interpretation on it and this is mine so deal with it. (Bitter much? Ha-ha!) Anyway, I hope you liked it. The next post maybe tomorrow or later, depending on what time I am able to get out of the assigned coverage I have today. I'm supposed to be working for only half day today but I was given an assignment. Oh well. Reviews and criticisms are welcome!