The guard quickly but quietly entered the room of the Martian leader.
"General Hino." He said as he saluted the young Martian.
Rei turned around to face the guard and saluted back.
"At ease soldier, now what is it?" She asked.
"Queen Serenity has asked that you join her on the Moon, immediately. She has something important to discuss with you. Your body guards are waiting outside to escort you."
"Thank you. Do you have any idea what she wants to talk to me about?"
"I'm sorry, I don't. She just said it was very important."
"In that case I had better get going."
Rei arrived on the Moon and proceeded to enter the castle. Rei's bodyguards showed her to Serenity's throne. Rei knelt down in front of the Queen.
"Good evening, my Queen, why have you called me here?"
Rei stood up to face the queen.
"Rei, on behalf of the Moon. Kingdom, I am pleased to inform you that a wife has been chosen for you."
"What?…I...have to get married? but I..."
"Face it Rei, you're not getting any younger, you need a partner."
"Serenity, I'm only twenty-five."
"I'm aware of that, but you're the most successful warrior in Mars' history. You've already had many prospective brides, all of which you've turned away. Because you've been unable to choose a partner, one has been chosen for you."
"But..."
"But nothing...in two weeks you will wed the heiress to the Venusian throne."
"A Venusian!?...but Serenity...I can't..."
"Aino Minako is the most beautiful young woman in all of Venus. It's only fitting that the strongest warrior be given the most beautiful princess. After all, you did save her kingdom."
"I wouldn't care if you gave me Aphrodite herself! I hate Venusians! They're..."
"That will be quite enough from you, General, have you forgotten who you're speaking to?"
"I apologize, Serenity."
"Thank you. Now, Minako should be here any moment and she's very excited to meet you."
"She already knows, about this marriage? Why didn't you tell ME before I got here?"
"Because I knew you'd be less than thrilled by the news, but now you're already here, and you can't go anywhere. So, are you ready to meet her?"
"Do I have a choice?" Rei muttered.
"What was that?"
"Nothing, my Queen."
Rei sunk her head thinking about what her future bride would be like. The Martian's silence was soon interrupted by the creaking of the large doors of the throne room.
Two very large men entered the room carrying a tall, beautiful blonde woman on their shoulders. The men carried the young woman to the center of the room, in front of the queen.
"Thanks boys, you can put me down now." The blonde said.
Rei just stood in the middle of the room, her mouth agape. She prayed that the woman standing in front of her was anyone but her future bride.
Serenity looked over at the dumbfounded Martian leader.
"Rei, meet Aino Minako, princess of Venus..."
Serenity then turned to the blonde.
"Minako, this is Hino Rei, commander and chief of the Martian Army."
Minako looked Rei over, letting her eyes slowly wander up and down the Martian's tight, muscular body.
"Hey you were right, Serenity! She IS cute!"
Serenity loudly cleared her throat.
"Yes well...why don't the two of you spend some time alone and go get more acquainted..."
Rei just stared blankly ahead and ran one of her hands through her thick black hair as she stood in the middle of the room, completely disgusted.
"This can't be happening to me." She muttered.
"Rei?"
"Yes, Serenity?"
"Before you know it Minako will be your wife, aren't you at least going to say hello?"
"No."
"Rei. She's..."
"No way in hell am I marrying blondie here! You can just forget it, right now!" Rei yelled as she stormed out of the room.
The blonde turned to the Queen.
"I think that went well, don't you?" Minako said.
"Don't worry, she'll come around. Rei is just a little stubborn."
"No kidding?"
Serenity summoned two of the castle's servants.
"Please show Minako to her room."
The blonde followed the servants up the huge staircase and down a series of long hallways. One of the servants turned to Minako.
"This is where you *and* your fiancée will be staying until the wedding."
"Great." Minako mumbled under her breath.
The blonde opened the door to see that Rei was already there. Minako walked in and sat down on the bed.
"Rei..."
"Don't talk to me."
"But, Rei...if we have to get married don't you think we should at least try to get along..."
"No. And in case you didn't hear me the first time, I said don't talk to me!"
"But..."
"No! I don't want to hear you."
"I'm just trying to be nice here."
"I don't give a shit what you're trying to be."
"Fine! I'm going to bed then."
"Good! So am I!"
Minako laid down in the center of the bed and stretched out her arms and legs so that she was taking up the entire area.
"Care to join me?" Minako asked sarcastically.
Rei was now kicking herself for not claiming the bed when she had the chance.
"Fuck that. I'll sleep on the floor. There's no way I'm going anywhere near that bed with you in it."
"You sure? Baby, I can give you something that only a Venusian can..." The blonde said as she patted the mattress.
Now Minako was just trying to piss off the Martian.
"What would that be? Venereal disease?" Rei smirked.
"You think you're just so funny."
"I am."
"Just so we're clear, you know you're an asshole, right?"
"I've been told." The Martian said rather indifferently.
"Yeah, I'm shocked...oh and by the way, I can't give you a disease...I'm a virgin."
"Bull shit. Venusians are nothing but whores. You're such a fucking liar."
Rei had no idea how she even allowed herself to get sucked into the conversation.
"I'm not lying. I was saving myself for the person I married…"
Rei cut off the rest of Minako's sentence.
"YOU are sadly mistaken if you think that I'd EVER sleep with you." Rei said as she laid down on the floor.
"Oh don't flatter yourself honey, as charming as you are, and believe me, you're quite a gem, I think I'll pass." Minako said very sarcastically.
"Just shut the fuck up and go to sleep. I'm done talking."
Minako couldn't help letting her sarcastic side get the best of her.
"Love you too, dear." Minako said as she reached down and patted Rei's shoulder.
"Don't fucking touch me…God I hate you so much." Rei mumbled.
Rei turned over on her side as she tried to fall asleep and forget about the situation that she now found herself in. She hoped this was all a horrible nightmare, that she'd soon awake from.
Minako was first to awake the next morning. Upon waking up, she immediately went to Queen Serenity. The blonde quietly exited the bedroom and headed for Serenity's quarters. She opened the large heavy doors to the throne room, there she met the Queen.
"Good morning, Minako. How was your night?"
"Awful. There's no way I'm marrying that girl!"
"Minako...I told you, Rei can be a little difficult."
"That's an understatement if I ever heard one! She's conceded, rude, arrogant and obnoxious, she's...she's...just..."
"I know that Rei can be a little...well...abrasive."
"A little abrasive!? Serenity, she's awful! I don't see how this marriage can ever work. Physically, she's absolutely stunning, but I need more than that, I need love and passion and romance. I need a relationship that's based on more than just physical attraction."
"Minako, Rei is the strongest warrior that Mars has to offer, she'll protect you and your planet from harm. She's an excellent provider."
"I don't care! I'd rather die than marry someone whom I don't love."
"You'll learn to love her. She just may surprise you. Rei found out about this arrangement only a few minutes before you arrived, it came as a huge shock to her. I'm not surprised by her reaction, she is only human you know."
"That's debatable."
"Minako, Rei has a bit of an overbearing personality, it's going to take some time for her to open up. Just try talking to her."
"But she won't let me talk to her...I tried! She's not a normal person, I don't even think she's even capable of having normal emotions."
"Rei is certainly not one to wear her heart on her sleeve..."
"That's for damn sure!"
"You just have to know how to take her. She can be a handful, but she'll eventually open up, keep trying. Go talk to her."
"What do I have to lose? I guess I'll give it a shot."
"Good."
Minako left the Queen and headed back to the bedroom that she shared with the Martian. Minako entered the room to find the young Martian sitting at the large wooden desk in the room, reading a book.
"Are you ever planning on leaving this room?"
"Nope." Rei didn't even look up.
"Rei?"
"What? Can't you see I'm busy?"
"Sorry. I just want to ask you something."
"What?"
Minako walked over to Rei, reached over her shoulder and closed the book.
"Sorry, but I want your attention."
"For God's sake, why can't you just leave me alone?"
"Because I want to know why you hate me so much. You don't even know me."
"It's nothing personal, I just hate all Venusians."
"Why?"
"You're all Goddamn cheaters and liars. You destroy lives. When your planet was attacked, I went to war to defend you, when no one else would. The Martian Army protected you. If it weren't for me your planet would have been destroyed."
"I know, I owe my life to you, and for that I can't ever thank you enough. It's all because of you that my people were kept safe. I can't even begin to imagine what you went through for Venus."
"I dedicated my life to protecting the innocent and the defenseless, but I was betrayed by just that."
"What do mean? Who betrayed you?"
"Forget it...I should have just let the marauders destroy your planet when I had the chance...then I wouldn't be in this situation."
"What happened during the war, Rei? Tell me. Who betrayed you?"
"Never mind. I'm done talking about this. Just leave me alone. I don't want to see you, I don't want to talk to you, I don't want to hear your voice. Don't you have something to do?"
"Yeah. You know what? I do." The blonde said as she turned and left the room.
The blonde shut the door behind her and paused for a minute, leaning her back against the wall.
*I'm going to figure you out Hino Rei, even if it's the last thing I do.* Minako thought.
Minako walked the hallway, looking for one of the castle's servants. Within a few minutes Minako ran in to one of Serenity's maids.
"Excuse me, but..."
"Princess Venus. What can I do for you?"
"You know who I am?"
"Of course I do. Your pending marriage has got the whole Moon Kingdom talking."
"Really?"
"Yes, of course. And rumor has it that you and the
General are less than thrilled by the arrangement."
"You have NO idea."
"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do for you, princess?"
"Do you know if Rei's body guards are still here?"
"Yes they are, but they're getting ready to head back to Mars. I just spoke with one of them a minute ago."
"Do you know where he went?"
"I saw him heading that way." She said pointing over her shoulder.
"Thanks. Sorry but I have to catch him. It's important."
"Thank you again!" Minako said as she ran down the hall.
The blonde met up with the large, muscular man, just as he was walking out the door.
"Hey, you're one of Rei's body guards, aren't you?"
"I am."
"Can I ask a favor of you?"
"Certainly. What is it?"
"I need you to give me the inside story on Rei. Tell me everything you know about her."
"Well...I've known Rei since she was born. She's the leader of the Martian Army and Mars' strongest warrior. Rei's got the kind of strength that every man only wishes he had…she joined the army, just a scrawny little thing, barely even eighteen years old, but she was truly determined to succeed."
"Didn't her parents discourage her from joining the military?"
"Rei's mother passed away when Rei was in her early teens. And her father, was never really much of a father. He left her to practically raise herself."
"Poor thing. That's so sad. How did she end up becoming the leader at such a young age?"
"Well, from what I understand, the General was so impressed with her skill that he essentially made her his "right hand man," when he was critically wounded in battle, he was honorably discharged and sent home to Mars for treatment. Rei, who was second in command, assumed his position as the highest-ranking official."
"What else do you know about her? Tell me anything and everything."
"She is extremely intelligent. Rei has extensively studied and mastered most forms of martial arts, as well as yoga. She's also highly skilled in archery and has a vast knowledge of astrology. Rei has always been guided by religion. God is her number one priority. Every day, she always spends the early hours of the morning deep in prayer and meditation, she has been given the gift of clairvoyance and the ability to manipulate fire."
"She's a psychic?"
The guard nodded. "Indeed she is, princess."
"Interesting."
"Most people find Rei to be extremely intimidating and a little eccentric, yet strangely alluring at the same time." The man said.
"Mm hmm...understandable...so why does she hate Venusians so much?"
"No one knows for sure. She refuses to talk about it. Rei always had a very kind heart, but when she returned home from war, something changed. She was just different. Perhaps it was just the effects of battle on a young mind. She suffered through some pretty severe bouts of depression, anxiety and insomnia. War has a tendency to change people, and usually not for the better. I'm an army veteran myself. I served when Rei was just a young child, and I've definitely seen some pretty brutal things."
"Well let me sincerely thank you for your service, sir." Minako said putting her hand on the man's shoulder.
The man nodded. "You're quite welcome, princess."
"Has Rei ever been married before?"
"No. Never. I mean she did have a fiancée at one time, but they separated, unexpectedly. She's never even been close to being engaged since then."
"Really? Don't you find that at all strange? The highest-ranking officer of the Martian Army, has remained unwed?"
"Well yes, I suppose it is a little unusual. Over the past few years, Rei has received many marriage proposals from many different women, but she's turned every single one down."
"It just seems like she's hiding something. Every time I've asked her about the war, she's gotten defensive and won't talk about it. I'm going to get to the bottom of this. Thank you very much for your help."
"You're most welcome. Good luck, princess, I wish nothing but happiness to the both of you."
For the next several days Rei and Minako barely spoke, while everyone else in the kingdom was busy preparing for the wedding. One evening the blonde was lying in bed, and beginning to drift off. Rei took her usual place on the floor, beside the bed. Minako looked over the edge of the bed at her soon-to-be wife.
"Rei?"
"What?"
"Quit being so stubborn and come up here. You can't sleep on the floor forever."
"Who says I can't?"
"Stop being ridiculous and come up here."
"No."
"If you don't get into this bed, I'm just going to come down there with you."
"Just because we're being forced to get married doesn't mean we have to sleep in the same bed. And it certainly doesn't mean we have to like each other."
"Rei, why do you have to be so stubborn?"
Rei didn't respond.
"Please come up here, you're going to end up hurting your back."
"If I come up there will you stop fucking talking?"
"Yes."
"You swear on your life?"
"Cross my heart."
"Ugh, fine, but I'm not doing it because you asked me. I'm only doing it for the sake of my body and my aching muscles."
Rei got up off of the floor and laid down in the bed opposite the blonde, moving as far away from Minako as humanly possible.
Rei awoke the next morning to find the blonde still lying next to her. When Rei opened her eyes she saw that Minako was staring at her.
"What the fuck are you looking at?" Rei demanded as she moved away from the blonde.
"Nothing. Geez." The blonde said as she got up off of the bed.
Rei got up and headed toward the bathroom.
"Why can't you just leave me alone? I'm tired of asking you."
"Rei, we're getting married in less than a week and I hardly know you."
"Good! I don't want you to know me, and in case you haven't noticed, I still don't give a shit about you!"
"So what, we're going to go through the rest of our lives not talking to each other?"
"Fine by me."
"You are unbelievable, you know that!?" Minako yelled as she left the room. Slamming the door behind her.
Minako wandered aimlessly throughout the castle, thinking about what her new life was going to be like. Minako walked downstairs, where she unexpectedly met a pair of old friends.
"Makoto!? Ami!? What are you doing here!? It's so great to see you guys!" Minako said as she hugged both of her friends.
"We're here for your wedding, of course. What's your fiancée like?" Makoto asked.
"Well...her name is Rei and she's from Mars. She's the General of the Martian Army and the strongest, most influential of all Martian warriors. I'm telling you, this girl is insanely hot. She's tall, broad-shouldered, relatively light-skinned, has long black hair, dark penetrating eyes and a body that's to die for, but..."
"But what, Minako? She sounds amazing." The tall brunette asked.
"Her personality sucks. She's is extremely rude, pig-headed, has a horrible temper and to top it all of she totally hates me."
"What!? How can she possibly hate you!? You're so sweet." Ami asked.
"I don't know, she apparently hates all Venusians. No one knows why."
"Minako, that's terrible. I'm so sorry. You deserve so much better than that." Makoto said, hugging the princess.
"She's been nothing but mean to me since the minute we met, but you know what the screwed up thing is?...I think I'm actually falling in love with her. Too bad she can't stand me. I've tried to make it work, but she won't even give me the time of day."
"You'll just have to win her over, Minako. If anyone can make a person fall in love with them, it's you." Ami reassured the blonde.
"Thanks Ami. I'm really glad you guys are here."
A few more days had passed and Minako hadn't gotten anywhere with Rei. The blonde had opted to just keep her mouth shut instead of further aggravating the hot-headed Martian, but with their wedding only days away, Minako was now desperately seeking answers.
"Rei?"
"What do you want now?"
"Rei, please I have to know...what do you have against me? I just can't understand why you hate me so much. At least I'm trying to make this work. Why can't you? Please I've tried everything, I've been patient and loving and kind, everything I know how to be, but nothing is working. I can't get through to you, Rei, just let me..."
"Minako...stop."
The blonde suddenly looked surprised.
"You...you called me Minako..."
"So. That is your name isn't it?"
"Well yeah...It's just that this is the first time you've actually said my name." Minako smiled.
"And?..."
"Nothing. I'm just surprised that you actually remembered my name...but never mind that...now, will you please just tell me what you have against me?"
"I already told you, it's nothing personal, I just can't stand Venusians."
"Why? What's so bad about us?"
"Your people are completely undisciplined, with absolutely no will-power or self-control. You're manipulators...you..."
"No we're not."
"Yes you are, you're life wreckers. You don't care about anyone but yourselves. You ruin the lives of innocent people."
"What are you talking about?..."
"I do not wish to discuss this any further."
"Rei, please just talk to me. What happened in your life to make you harbor so much hatred toward my race?"
Rei appeared to be deep in thought, as she put her hand on the back of her head.
"You really want to know?"
"Yes, Rei, I really do. I NEED to know. Please."
"You're just not going to let this go are you?"
"No. I'm sorry, but I can't."
"Fine...Minako, sit down."
The blonde did as she was told and took a seat on the bed.
"I joined the military when I was young, after the death of my mother, four years earlier and no support from my father, I was feeling lost and confused and had no where else to turn. The army gave me both strength and discipline when I needed it the most." Rei said as she paced about the room.
"When I went to war, I promised to fight to protect Venus and her inhabitants. When I left my home, I left my heart behind…" Rei said as she ran her hand through her hair.
"I left my girlfriend. She was a Venusian and the most beautiful woman that I had ever known. I was young and helplessly in love. We were perfect for each other."
The Martian walked over to the bed and sat down beside the blonde.
"Rei..."
"No, let me finish...my girlfriend was to stay safely on Mars and wait for me, we were together for almost three years before my departure, we were to be married upon my return. But when the war was over, and peace was restored to Venus, I returned home, only to find the love of my life in the arms of someone else...the only person I ever truly loved...stabbed me in the back."
Minako moved closer to Rei, putting her hand on the Martian's knee and taking her hand.
"Rei, I'm sorry."
"I was absolutely devastated. She crushed every hope and dream I had for my life. It was that very day that I locked away my heart and vowed to never love again."
Minako looked over at Rei who now had tears forming in her eyes, though she tried desperately to hide it. Minako reached up and wiped away a stray tear from Rei's cheek. Minako put one of her hands on the Martian's chest and the other around her shoulder.
"You really are lost, aren't you?"
"I…I just don't know what to do anymore, Minako. It hurts…a lot, you know? That day, I could almost literally feel my heart break. We parted ways and I've never seen her since."
"Rei, I'm so sorry. I had no idea. I wish I could take your pain away. I can't believe anyone would do something so low. You fought to protect her life and her freedom, and cheating is how she thanks you?"
"It's been quite a while since we broke up, and I hate her for what she did to me, but for some reason my heart just won't let her go. She meant everything to me. When I lost her, I lost everything good in my life. I just feel so empty, and broken and sad…I may as well have just been killed in battle."
"Don't say that! God, why didn't you tell me any of this, Rei?" Minako asked as she hugged the raven-haired girl.
"I've known you less than two weeks, I don't generally divulge my entire history to perfect strangers. All my life, I've just wanted someone to love me for just being who I am, God knows my father never did. I'm not perfect, I know that, but I've worked so hard to make something of myself. I guess I was just never meant to find love."
Minako lifted Rei's chin to look into the Martian's dark amethyst eyes.
"That's not true...I know it hurts, but you have to first love yourself, before you can ever love anyone else again. Rei, I do care a lot about you. Why do you think I've been pushing you so hard to confide in me? I want to know you, not even just as a spouse, but simply as a friend."
"Minako, how can you even give a damn about me? You deserve so much better…I'm a poor excuse for a soldier…I'm weak when I should be strong. I'm a warrior, we're not supposed to ever expose our vulnerabilities."
"Rei, showing your vulnerabilities doesn't make you weak at all. It's okay to show emotion, you don't have to be tough all the time. I know that when most people look at you they see a fighter. Someone who is brave, loyal and strong, and that's great. But I know that in your heart, you're so much more than that."
"Minako…"
"Rei…when I look at you I see so much more than just a Martian warrior...I see a broken heart longing to be mended and a lost soul dying to be loved…please Rei just let me in, I know marriage won't be easy, but believe it or not, I DO want to be with you. Together we can make this work."
Rei looked deep into the blonde's eyes. She was suddenly and inexplicably overcome by strong feelings of passion for the young blonde. Emotions that she hadn't felt in years. Rei kissed the blonde, and completely lost herself in a sea of emotion and desire. And as much as she wanted the blonde in the most intimate ways, tonight, Rei never overstepped her boundaries with her fiancée.