(disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon)

(UDATED: 5/18/09)

They had only been traveling for a week up the river, but it felt at least twice as long to Minako. She and Kimishii had talked about many things for most of their journey, except for their purposes for running away and what their lives were like. Minako was growing bored with talking about the different flowers and food on Venus, and the mention of food made her hunger grow even more. They had finished off what few apples she had carried with her, and despite their efforts, they were not able to find anything to eat without traveling too far from the water.

The afternoon sun was high above them, and the light was reflecting off of the clear water. Minako was sweating from the heat, but all she could do was rub the water on her. Kimishii, however, being a man, was able to take off his shirt and roll up his pant legs to help keep from perspiring so much.

He had given her his shirt to use as a cloth to wet, but she was too embarrassed to use it. It was bad enough that she kept blushing at the sight of his chest. Although he did not say what kind of life he lived, Minako could tell that whatever it was, he worked hard. As he rowed, the muscles in his arms were very visible, shining with sweat. She couldn't believe that her face was turning so red from looking at a man.

When Minako had refused his offer to use his shirt as a wet cloth, Kimishii tore it in half and tied one piece around his hair to keep it off of his neck and back. He was happy to see that Minako had done the same, pulling her golden hair up high on the back of her head. Kimishii kept finding himself watching the sunlight dance in hair, and gradually watching her face. Whenever their eyes met, Minako would turn her head and look at the water. Kimishii could see though, that she was hiding her pink cheeks.

Kimishii also couldn't help looking at the scars, especially the ones that were visible on her back when she turned away. He had not asked her if she was a slave, but he felt deep inside that she was, and knew better than to ask about her life. She was obviously scarred, both physically and emotionally, by her life, and that was her purpose for escaping. He admitted only to himself that her reason for running was far greater than his.

"It's so hot!" Minako moaned, shading her eyes with her hand. "My skin is turning red, and it feels like it's too small for my body."

Kimishii chuckled, amused by her description of her sunburn.

"What?" Minako said, leaning forward. "Do I amuse you?"

'You do more than that,' Kimishii thought to himself, as he looked away from her. As she leaned forward, her dress fell away from her body, and he could see down her garments to the two ripest breasts he had ever seen.

Minako, oblivious to what she had done, leaned back against the boat. "Can't we stop somewhere and try to find something to eat?" She touched her stomach, feeling it rumble beneath her hand. "I'm starving."

"You're not the only one." Kimishii looked around and spotted a low bank with vegetation around it. "There's a forest over on the right. Perhaps we could find some fruit in their." He smiled as he added the last phrase. "As long as it doesn't get thrown at me."

"I said I was sorry!" Minako shouted, slightly whining. "I thought you were someone else." Her smile disappeared, and her eyes were downcast.

Kimishii realized that he had hit a sensitive spot. "I'm sorry. I'll stop picking on you." The boat softly hit the dirt, and Kimishii quickly tied the rope around a tree trunk. He jumped onto the shore, and held out his hand to help her up. Before she could go away, he wrapped his arms around her softly. He felt her go stiff in his arms, and suddenly pulled away. "Sorry. I just thought you needed a hug. You looked so sad."

Minako smiled, though he could tell it was forced. "That's alright. Thank you." She set off into the trees, searching for something to eat. She could hear Kimishii's footsteps nearby, searching for food off to her left. As his footsteps started to fade, Minako fell to her knees and began to cry.

She had been startled by Kimishii's sudden embrace, and her first thought was to not move. She had not been hugged like that since she last saw her parents. Her uncle was never a sentimental man, never gentle. The many years she spent with him had taught Minako that. Her uncle's touch was always rough and demanding, causing her pain. But Kimishii's touch had been gentle, filled with emotion. She felt like crying and screaming at the same time.

Minako heard footsteps coming her way, rushing towards her. Kimishii emerged from the trees, falling beside her. "Are you hurt? Did something bite you? What's the matter?"

Minako shook her head, fighting back even more tears. For the first time in eight years, she welcomed an embrace by a man. "Just hold me, Kimishii. Hold me."

Kimishii wrapped her up in his arms, her head leaning against his bare chest. He stroked her hair, slightly rocking as he spoke to her softly. "It's okay, Minako. You've left that life. Nobody can hurt you now. Nobody can touch you."

"I'm afraid he'll find me," Minako whispered, the tears still streaming down her cheeks. "What if he finds me?"

"I won't let him. Your master will have to go through me first to get to you." Kimishii continued to hold her, stroking her hair. He felt a strong connection to Minako, holding her like this. He truly wanted to protect her, to keep anyone from harming this beautiful girl.

"Every time I run, Uncle finds me. The longer I hide, the worse it is." Minako held onto his arm, clutching it in fear of being found. "If he finds me now, I don't know what he'll do."

"Your uncle?" Kimishii couldn't believe his ears. "Your uncle is your master?" With a nod from Minako, Kimishii nearly erupted with anger. "How could your own relative beat you like that? Doesn't he realize you're his niece?" Kimishii shook his head. "I don't understand how one's own blood could whip his family like they were a slave."

Minako shook her head. "He doesn't whip me as often as he does other things."

Kimishii realized that Minako had suddenly gasped, her movement frigid. He replayed what she had said in his head, and his eyes widened with rage. "He's touched you, hasn't he?" His only reply was the continuation of tears that poured from Minako. "That's why you're running, isn't it. His own blood, and he's used you as he would a prostitute."

"Shut up!" Minako jumped up, her eyes brimming with tears. Her fists were balled up, as if she was about to hit him. "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" She turned around and slammed her fist against the tree, then leaned against it, overpowered by her sorrow.

Kimishii stood up and touched her shoulders, but she brushed him away. "I'm sorry, Minako. I didn't realize that he did that to you."

"Now you know why I ran away. I can't be caught. He could actually kill me this time." Minako continued to cry, and Kimishii stood there, understanding that his touch at the sensitive time could make her memories worse.

After a while, Minako's tears began to dry, and her body was exhausted. She pushed herself off from the tree, but her legs would not support her anymore. She started to fall, but she felt Kimishii's arms catch her. He lifted her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. She felt her cheeks turn pink, and saw that his face was full of concern and tenderness. "We need to get something for you to eat. You'll get sick if you don't eat."

"I can walk," Minako said, pointing at the ground. Kimishii set her on the ground, but as soon as he let go, her legs gave way again.

Just as before, Kimishii caught her and cradled her again. "If you don't mind, I'll carry you."

Minako thought that he was being sarcastic, but his tone told her that he was trying to make her feel comfortable. She remembered that he said he was not one to force his self onto a woman, and she nodded her head. "I would appreciate that."

They walked a little bit until they found a shady orange tree in the forest. Kimishii sat Minako down and went to pick out the ripe ones. They sat under the tree for a long time, eating the citrus in silence for most of the time.

Minako wondered if Kimishii was waiting for her to say something, and realized that he didn't want to tread on bad memories. "In Utopia, will I see you again?"

Kimishii looked up at her. "Sure. If you don't want to stick with me, I understand." He bit into his orange, the juices dripping down his chin. He looked up at her again and saw the disappointment on her face. "Unless, that is, if you want me to, we stay together until we get comfortable."

Minako smiled. "I'd like that. I don't know what I'd do there."

They continued to eat, and Kimishii continued to plot out what to do when they reached Utopia. Minako would be safe there for some time, since no one there told travelers who lived there. He feared, though, that her uncle might come looking there for her, and since she would be alone and the people of Utopia did not nosy into other's business, he might take her away and once again abuse her. Kimishii thought of different ways to keep her from being found: she could change her appearance by cutting her hair and she could change her name. But Kimishii had a feeling that her uncle would still recognize her, so he continued to ponder.

Suddenly, the answer came to him. "Minako, how old are you?"

She looked at him funny, her mouth halfway open and ready to bite her orange. "Eighteen. Why?"

"That's perfect! You're of legal age."

"Legal age for what?" Minako bit into her orange.

"To get married."

Minako nearly choked on her food. She began to cough, and Kimishii patted her back. Once her throat was clear, she let her thoughts out. "What do you mean, 'get married'? Why would I get married?"

"Don't you see," Kimishii said, standing up. "If you were married, you would belong to your husband. Your uncle can't take you away."

Minako was overjoyed at the explanation. "Are you sure?" Kimishii nodded. "Well, there's one problem: who am I going to marry? I don't know anyone, and I don't know if I would find a good husband in Utopia, especially on short notice."

"You would marry me." Kimishii saw the shock in her eyes. "We can just be married by law, have it on paper. That way your uncle can't take you back. When you're ready to actually marry someone who you love, I'll give you an annulment."

"What's an annulment?"

"It makes it where the marriage never existed. Since we would only be married by law, we don't have to consummate the marriage, if you know what I mean." Minako nodded, her eyes dropping to the ground. "We can get married in Utopia, and then your name would be under mine. They would know you as Minako Saiji, my wife."

"Your last name is Saiji? You never told me that." Minako looked up, meeting his eyes.

"It's up to you, Minako. I won't force you into this. But I do believe this is the best, well, the only way to ensure your safety. Let me know when we reach Utopia, if you need the time."

"I'm definitely going to need to think about this."

The next few days were rather awkward. Minako kept going over the idea of Kimishii's proposal. She was flattered he had offered to marry her, but wasn't sure about it. She didn't want him to be trapped in something that was only convenient for her. What if he found someone and fell in love with her? Would they still have the annulment? He had said that would happen if she found someone.

She was also bothered about the consummation. Kimishii had said that they did not have to, and that he would not force himself upon her. But her past experience with the only man she had contact with made her fear that one day Kimishii would take advantage of her.

The day finally came when she would have to answer him. They approached the city of Utopia during the evening, and Minako thought that the city was quite beautiful at night. It was lit up, almost like fireflies against the night sky. Kimishii brought the boat to dock and tied it to a post. He got out first and helped Minako out. They stood there for a moment, her hand in his, staring into each other's eyes.

"Yes," Minako whispered.

"Yes?"

"Yes, I'll marry you."