Chapter 1: So, What's Been Going On?

"M-Mi-Minako? Rei? What are you-?"

I look up to see Mako gawking at us in pure confusion, the light from the hallway beaming in behind her and illuminating this tight room. Ami, grasping at Mako's arm from behind, looks positively bashful, her face very red. Usagi's light blue eyes sparkling with mischief and humor, she grins, unspoken innuendos simply oozing from her demeanor. She is clearly loving this.

Yes, we must be some sight, Mina and I. Bangs sweat-glued to our foreheads, our bodies connected in a mass of tangled limbs, her lips connected to my jaw. Her eyes, locked on our onlookers, say "it's not what it looks like!", but the way she and I have frozen in this position against the closet wall says otherwise.

Damn this party.

OOO

-Earlier That Evening-

Smack.

I watch as she springs up in the air, her long, exposed legs bent, sending the white ball flying over the taut net. In this moment, she seems fiercely determined - an unstoppable force hidden within a goofy, beautiful young woman. With a red bow in her hair. Even after all these years, she has left that ribbon as a single reminder of who she was. Who she is.

A reminder to be strong, even when nothing seems right.

Minako is that amazing.

Despite the multitude of her opponents diving for the volleyball, it lands cleanly on the other side, causing cheers erupt all around me. I was never one for sports - my time could be better spent elsewhere - but I would also never miss her play. She's so beautiful when she really focuses on the game. Even when the matches heat up, the passion in her eyes is what I watch for.

Our friends also cheer as she waves her arms in victory. Usagi, to my left, screams and grabs my arm in elation. Makoto pumps her fist and waves her orange baseball cap, and next to her, Ami claps loudly and beams.

Mako turns towards Ami, yelling over the crowd's noise.

"Woah! How's that for a shot?" Her emerald eyes sparkling, I can tell that she really gets into these matches. Mako still kick boxes, but is actually thinking about joining the volleyball team. Her height alone would make it is easy for her to get in.

Ami nods in response, smiling even more broadly and still clapping.

Minako, despite the crowding teammates surrounding her and begging for her attention, sweeps her vision around the stands, searching for me. Our gazes meet, her blue eyes meeting my purple ones. She grins brightly, and I wave, happy to see her so ecstatic.

How many times have I longed to kiss those soft lips? To hold her in my arms and never let go?

Usagi wildly gestures for me to come closer, distracting me. Leaning in, I tuck my raven hair behind my ear to better hear whatever nonsense she has to say.

"Rei, now that Minako-chan's won, you know what that means!" She says mischievously, her voice lilting with every word.

I squint at her, knowing full well what she is so giggly about.

Ever since we all managed to be accepted to the university, Minako has played on the school's volleyball team. She almost immediately became captain, and this was her first tournament. The volleyball team, should they win, opted to throw a party at our school's fraternity house. Since there are quite a few older students on the team, there will be many seniors at this party, hence Usagi's unwavering joy. Not to mention the fact that the volleyball team's past parties were known to be... rowdy, to say the least.

The idea of a wild night with 'hunky seniors', as Mako had said dreamily, was so enticing that even Ami has chosen to attend.

This does make some amount of sense, though. After we defeated Galaxia years ago, things have been quite peaceful. Without having to balance books and the constant fighting against various enemies, Ami has found much more free time to have fun. Probably for the first time in her life. Even before she awakened as a senshi, she used those books as an escape from her loneliness. She really has opened up.

Well, as much as Ami can. She's still unwavering in her lofty goal of becoming a doctor, and as a result she is constantly studying. I've questioned her about it, too. If she's so smart, then why does she need to study, study, and study some more? Her answer was somewhere along the lines of "IQ does not equate to knowledge, Rei".

As we file down the bleachers in an orderly line, I stare at the back of Usagi's head, her light hair cascading from her twin odango.

A few months before we had moved to college, I confronted her in front of her house about her 'iconic' hairstyle.

"Usagi! Your hairstyle is far too childish for college. You're going to be heading into the professional world! Present yourself as such!"

After some tears and whining, she finally caved in, swearing up and down that they would be gone by the first semester.

That turned out great.

Now, as we land on the hard gymnasium floor, Mako yells out to Minako. With Mako's booming voice and tall stature, Minako easily notices and sprints towards us, pushing through the crowds of people. Her hair is slightly messy, but the stark white fluorescent lights don't do her beautiful hair color justice.

After congratulating her on the win and hugging and such, Minako sprints to the back to fetch her duffel bag. She quickly returns, and we shuffle out to the parking garage in an amoeba of girls. The sun is just setting, since it's already springtime, and I watch as all the tall, cold skyscrapers in the distance flick their lights on simultaneously, forming a nice contrast with the darkening pink sky. I finally spot Ami's car. Ami's mother, being a moneyed doctor, gifted the genius blunette a gorgeous silver Ferrari for her eighteenth.

That said genius cannot drive.

Despite taking the Drivers Ed class three times - three times! - Ami still cannot drive. She is too slow, they said. A timid driver. And despite Ami consulting more books on the subject than I can count on my fingertips, she is still fully incapable. So, as a result, Mako has filed the position of primary driver.

Not that she minds, of course.

And not to mention Haruka's insistence on taking the sports car out on her many dates with Michiru.

"C'mon, bookworm, just lemme take it out for one night. I promise I won't drive it too fast," she had added cheekily, her arm hanging lazily around Ami's petite shoulders.

Ami, being the kind and slightly gullible, in this case, person she is, had assented, and Haruka was free to use the car on her "hot date".

Now, we duck into the car, Mako driving, Ami shotgun, Usagi to my left (again), and Minako to my right.

I'm in the bitch seat.

But, I do have the added... benefit of being so close to the girl of my dreams. As Minako gossips to me about some scandalous thing a teammate did in the locker rooms - I think it has something to do with soap? - our hands, both resting on the seat material, infrequently brush against each other.

Shivers also, coincidentally, infrequently tingle through my spine.

It is a small car, after all. And Mako is a fast driver. It's as if she learned directly from Haruka.

Even though I hear Minako babble on, her lovely features animated and vibrant, if not slightly sweaty, I simply can't listen for the distraction that is her body.

Odd beads of perspiration, slowly trickling down her neck, lead my eyes to her ample chest, which is thinly covered with her flimsy white team shirt.

My eyes slowly traveling down, I stare at her curvy waist, then her long legs. Another positive aspect of attending Minako's volleyball games - those wonderful sport shorts.

Yes, absolutely, those navy blue shorts are as limited on length as possible, to allow for excellent freedom of movement.

And they look amazing.

Unbelievably.

"...ei. rei. Rei. Rei?"

"Huh?" I grunt out in an unladylike fashion, my eyes darting back up.

Minako giggles at me, her eyes sparkling.

"Rei, were you just checking me out?"

I guess I was. When did I become such a pervert, again?

At her question, I can immediately feel the other girls indiscreetly lean in, trying to hear the conversation over the rev of the engine. We're almost at the campus, considering that at the speed we're going the scattered trees and glowing skyscrapers are a mere blur in the window, yet I swear Mako takes her sneaker off the gas pedal slightly.

"Of course I wasn't! What do you think I am, some kind of pervert?" I ask, crossing my arms haughtily under the watchful eye of Usagi, Ami and, partially, Mako.

My voice makes it seem like I'm vexed, but I'm more just nervous about Minako finding out about my feelings. I still don't know if I should say anything. Usagi would say, "You totally should, Rei!", and Ami would tell me, "You two would make a great couple,". Mako would probably say, "Go for it, what's the worst that could happen?", then she would rethink that statement and get depressed about her history.

"It's okay if you were, I know I look drop-dead gorgeous!" Minako cries. "No one can resist the bombshell that is the Soldier of Love, Aphrodite incarnate, Venus herself, Minako Aiiinoooo!" She cheers, making ridiculous poses and kissy faces in the confines of the car. The only thing she achieves is that she gets even closer, if possible, to me. Our hips meet, and I can hear my quickening heartbeat in my ears.

As everyone laughs, except me, at Minako's antics, Mako suddenly slows the car down.

Looking past Usagi out the window, I see the familiar buildings of the university, which is very conveniently located in Azabu.. Pulling into yet another parking garage, Mako shuts off the engine. Minako jumps out first to round the rear of the car and get her duffel bag from the trunk.

Mako throws the keys over the car roof to Ami, who catches them gracefully with a jingle of metal. They smile at each other – what was that?- when Minako bounds up and grabs me from behind. I nearly topple over. Hugging tightly, she squeals in excitement, nearly dragging me towards the dorm building. Everyone else trails behind, except for Usagi, who is almost running to try to keep up.

"Rei! I think I know what to wear, but I really need your help! You have such a sophisticated wardrobe and I really need advice on what to pick!"

Minako still holding my hand tightly, I glance around my environment, trying to focus on anything but my burning hand. It's very hard. She grabbed my hand so easily, unknowing of exactly how much it makes me feel. However, I do see the dark sky, the almost pastel, yet metallic buildings, and I can almost make out the Rainbow bridge.

Since we had first come here, nearly a year ago, I've really felt at home. All my friends are here, and, while I do miss the shrine and Grampa, I visit every weekend, so that makes me happy.

As we walk to the dorm, my thin black loafers softly treading on the grass, I look up at the building. Home. Our dorm window - that is, Usagi and I's - faces the lovely, yet precious little, green areas.

I remember all those days of studying on the lawn, Ami always helping us if there was something we couldn't understand. Mako always has trouble with biology, it's her least favorite subject, but Minako is terrible at calculus.

"Amiiiii…. Don't talk about math when I'm eating!" She had exclaimed to Ami a couple of months ago while we were eating at this great Chinese restaurant in Roppongi, right by where I used to go to school.

We're only about half-way through the year, and Usagi is showing how smart she has become. Well, she was always smart; it was her laziness that wore off, and so now she usually turns her homework in at the right time.

Minako throws open the doors and nearly runs up the stairs. We reach my dorm, and Minako yanks that door open, too. We all crowd in the moderately sized room.

As a result of Ami's scholarship to the university, she was able to ensure that we all got rooms right next to each other: Usagi and I got to share a room, and Mako and Ami have one, too, directly across the hall.

Only Minako got her own, the lucky girl. At first she was ecstatic.

"Ha! I get my own room!" She gloated when we first moved in, making Mako exasperated. Ami chided her for being boastful, and Usagi groaned, whining about how she didn't get her own room, too.

Of course, later Minako realized how lonely it was, living by herself, despite the freedom it offered. She would always come over to my dorm later at night to visit or study. Other times she would go to Mako and Ami's. But mostly to mine.

After a while, I asked if she wanted me to move in with her. I was only half joking.

At first her eyes widened, and she looked like she was about to nod, but then she... blushed.

Blushed.

And then she shook her head furiously, saying something about Usagi needing the company.

At that time, I had known the full extent of my feelings for the girl for a few months. At first, it was just a crush. That was years ago, though.

More recently, however, my 'crush' developed into something much more.

A lingering hug.

A passionate gaze.

A desire.

For more than friendship.

But she saw me as a friend. A best friend, maybe. But that's it. Nothing more.

But then what was that blush for?

Minako snaps me out of my deep thoughts.

"Do you think I should wear this dress - or..." She digs through the deep closet, her voice muffled. "This one?" She emerges, holding up a black mini dress.

I point at the mini dress - it really does look the best - and Mako and Ami nod too.

Usagi is distracted by a manga she has splayed out on her bottom bunk.

"I'm gonna change too. But we better hurry, or the party'll start without us," Mako says, grinning dreamily. She still hasn't found love yet, and although she has fewer crushes than she used to, it seems like every other weekend she and Minako are bonding over some failed boyfriend-conquest.

Is it wrong to be glad that Minako isn't successful?

So Ami and Mako start to head to their dorm, but Usagi stays put, still reading the manga. She calls Minako over, and the soldier of beauty is now staring at a picture of some pretty girl too, appearing to be totally out of commission for a while.

"Minako, Usagi," Ami starts quietly as Mako waits near the door. "We want to be punctual, so it might be better if you start changing,"

I've always admired Ami's tact and gracefulness, in a way. She is so gentle with animals, children, even 6 foot tall guys. I'm brash and arrogant, sort of. Almost Ami's antithesis. I really enjoy Ami's friendship; she reminds me to be kinder in life.

So, we all shower and change into our outfits and head out, except for Usagi, who stays behind, seeing as she was, still, literally too distracted by the manga after showering to change. Minako also stays behind, saying she forgot her gold necklace and can't find it. She promises to be out in a few minutes. We believe her.

Usagi truly has grown in these past few years, despite her lack of punctuality. Apparently, having the fate of the world balanced on one's shoulders will quickly cause a person to mature.

She is so mature, in fact, that she realized how Mamoru and she did not get along. They had been fighting a lot recently, and, unfortunately, I've had the high honor and distinction of listening to their baggage. "Mamo, you're always so busy with medical school!", "Well you're always so childish! I have an adult life, with real responsibilities!"

Usagi also thought about how Mamoru dickishly dumped her around the time Chibiusa first came to the 20th century. So, Usagi broke it off just a few days ago, telling him, "I guess I'll see you in the Crystal Millennium?" So far she seems perfectly composed, as if the break-up didn't bother her in the least.

But, I nearly died when she told me what she said to him. I couldn't stop laughing. Usagi seemed slightly sad at my mockery, but I was still laughing. I could not stop, and was gasping for breath when Ami shushed me. Minako quickly swooped in and offered Usagi her "breakup" cassette tape, full of lovelorn songs, and Mako gave her an itemized list of how to recover from the melancholy faster, plus she came by later with a nice potted plant from her dorm to cheer her up.

"I should know how to recover!" Mako had said. "I've lost many people, but it gets better," she added with a wink and a sad smile that had more meanings than one. Who was she talking about? Her many loves? Or her parents, whom she had lost in that tragic plane accident all those years ago?

Of course, no one believed the future royal couple would stay apart that long. I certainly don't. How many lifetimes will they have been together by the next century? 3? 4? Someone should give them an award for longevity.

I definitely do think they'll get back together, but Minako and Mako made a not-so-secret bet. Minako believes they will get together within the next month, whereas Mako believes they won't ever get back together so firmly that she wagered 2000 yen. I guess Mako's become slightly less hopeful over the years.

But, their little gambling bubble burst when Ami piped up and said that if Chibiusa was still here in Tokyo, "then that means that Usagi and Mamoru will make it back together sooner or later,". This was, of course, logical, but Minako and Mako made an oh-so very serious agreement not to call the annoying brat to see if she was still alive.

I didn't see it, but I could just imagine Minako dashing to a phone booth five minutes later to call the Tsukino household and "see how things are going", all the while anxiously looking behind her back for a tall figure.

Just afterwards, I also visited Mamoru at his apartment. He called me a bit earlier, but I don't know why he wanted to talk to me. What could I possibly do for him? However, he had seemed very desperate and... Crazy.

His room was disheveled, he was disheveled, and I was comforting him on his leather couch as he held the portrait of Usagi and him in his arms. It was ridiculous, to say the least. After talking with him and helping clean his usually spotless room up, I had him call up Chibiusa, living proof of his and Usagi's future. It made him feel better, so I then proceeded to scold him.

"Next time, Mamoru, don't be such a dick to Usagi. You guys argue all the time, honestly! Usagi has the purest heart I've ever seen. She's a catch. Seriously, do you need me to list of all of Usagi's suitors? Let's see... There was that Demande guy, then Haruka, then Seiya... Plus there's this guy down the hall who has the hots for her. He's pretty cute."

And so then I walked out with a final comment of "Watch out, Mamo, or your precious Usako will slip from your grasp!"

Mamoru's not that bad of a guy, he was just pretty awkward back in the day. He's better now.

Mostly.

All of this runs through my mind as Mako, Ami and I wait in the lobby of the building by the door. I'm making idle chit-chat about something with Ami when I hear someone step down the stairs. I look up with widening eyes and nearly swallow my tongue.

I see an enigma.

She steps down the stairs, her blonde hair flowing beautifully. The short black dress she's wearing, the one I picked out, hugs her curvaceous figure perfectly and contrasts excellently with her fair skin. The sharp heels she dons makes her legs look slender and long. She looks elegant. Divine. Immaculate. A goddess.

But her expression is that of a normal 18 year old girl - flighty, happy go lucky, cheerful, goofy. The kind who makes bunny ears with her fingers behind other people's heads in photos.

Maybe there's no enigma. Maybe that's just Minako.

And so, while I'm still reeling from the beautiful girl who's stepped up next to me, Usagi comes bounding down the steps, not tripping since she fortunately lost her clumsiness some time ago, and we walk to the party, which is being held at the campus fraternity house.

Glancing over at the gorgeous girl next to me for what seems like the thousandth time in the past two minutes, I swallow thickly. The bright moon, just risen and almost silver in it's luster, gives Minako and almost ethereal glow.

I'm not sure I'll be able to speak tonight.

Damn this party.

Hello!

I'm back! And this is probably my favorite fanfiction I've ever written. The next chapter is going to be pretty humorous, which I love.

Sailor Moon is my favorite anime; Rei (or maybe Makoto) is my favorite character. This Rei I've written dislikes men, like in the manga, but has the fiery temper, like in the anime.

This fic is basically a mind dump for all my headcanons about the senshi's futures… would Ami be a timid driver? What if Usagi broke up with Mamoru? Etc…

I really think that all the senshi, except for Michiru/Haruka (of course) and maybe Chibiusa/Hotaru are just really, really amazing friends, or whatever you would call their lasting relationship through the centuries. But, if I had to ship someone, ReixMinako would be it, hence this story.

Thanks a million,

~Izzie