A/N Please read:

Thank you to all who reviewed the first chapter. And those who remembered this story. I am posting the second chapter however I must go on note that the point of the first chapter isn't necessarily them being together. It was about remembering lost love.

Seeing mistakes. Learning from them. Any reader who wants a happy ending…I'm right there with you with any story I read. But that wasn't the point with this one. When people requested I try for a part 2 I gave it my best. But I feel like this lacks. I don't know what I can do to make it better. And I've looked at it from many angles.

There is a 3rd part that Gemna help me write. But please give me time to go over it. As I will be out of town for the next two-three weeks.

Thank you for reading and commenting.

Sincerely,

~KM Rune

The Notebook

~0~

Part 2

I pull the car up to the side and put it into park.

"This can't be right."

I look down at the map then at the address in my hand.

"Usagi!"

My sister rolls over and continues to sleep. I never should have let her have that tea an hour ago.

I step on the parking break then open my door so I can get out. This place looks so old. Not that I have a problem with old things but I never suspected I would ever live in a shrine. Maybe Usagi got it wrong. Maybe this isn't the place we are going to be living in.

I mean really. Usagi hates stairs and this…

I lift my head up counting to see how many there are. Hmmm. One…two…three…four….five, six, seven…twenty. Twenty? Twenty kami awful stairs to go up and down everyday?! There is no way this can be the right place!

I march over to the other side of the car nearly yanking the door off.

"Usagi! Get your damn ass up! This is the wrong place!"

Nothing. My sister is dead to the world and dumb as well.

Grasping her shoulders I shake her as hard as I can. Nothing. Taking a glance into the back seat I huff. She ate all the snacks while I was driving. I take a closer look just to be sure. And I am. She even ate my strawberries and carrots! Suddenly I got a bright idea. It's evil and gross but when you are out of food it's the only thing left.

"Usagi. We're here and Mamoru is strip dancing for you. He's about to lose his boxers." I said in a sing song voice.

"Mamo-chan!? Boxers?! Where?"

I think I just threw up in my mouth. "No where Odango. You gave me the wrong directions." I hand her the piece of paper. She takes it, looks then looks out her window towards the stairs.

"No I didn't. It's Hikawa Shrine. This is it."

I'm not sure what to say. A shrine. We are going to live in a shrine. Who lives in a shrine?! Okay well monks do and yeah Rei's grandfather did. So did Rei but Usagi and me with who knows how many other people are going to be living in a shrine. I wanted to pack myself in the car and head back to Kyoto.

I was stopped from saying another thing on the subject when a voice I've never heard was calling out my sister's name. I looked to the left then the right seeing a woman with short blue hair strolling towards us. A wide smile splits her face as she engulfs me in a hug. Usagi is sitting in the car silently snickering to herself. I send her a glare over the woman's shoulder. The woman pulls back looking at me in wonder and excitement.

"Usagi it's so good to see you again. When did you start wearing your hair down?"

"Um sorry but that's Usagi." I said while pointing to her still in the car. The woman gives me a confused look before dawning shines in her eyes and we both hear the lock on the passenger door opening. Quickly Usagi jumps out of the car darting around it.

"I missed you Ami-chan!"

This Ami-chan quickly lets go of me, bracing herself as Usagi crashes into her, wrapping her arms tight around her friend. I guess everyone who knows her comprehend that you prepare yourself when she hugs you. Soon they released each other and then looked at me. Just then I remembered what Usagi had said about this girl. She was smart. Really smart if she was able to help Usagi pass her classes. Judging by the way she is looking at me now she is sizing me up.

"You must be Minako-san. Usagi hasn't told us a lot about you."

I burst out laughing then. Ami gives me a confused glance and I can't help but laugh harder. Usagi is glaring at me now but I don't care. It is helping to relieve some of the tension I feel about meeting people I don't know and possible one person I do. Attempting to calm my mirth I bow to the other woman.

"Gokigenyou Ami-san. Forgive me for laughing but knowing Usagi I couldn't help but see that as being completely true."

When I straightened back up I could tell Ami was scrutinizing me before a large smile over took her lips.

"I see you know our Usagi just as well as us."

I burst out laughing again while Usagi withdrew from Ami, clearly frowning at the dig. Suddenly she drops to the ground holding her head in her hands, crying. I stare at her not quite believing what I'm seeing. This is new and low coming from her. Ami bends at the knees patting her on the back telling her it's okay. Ami winks in my direction while Usagi's crying slows to a few sniffles. Now I'm just wondering who is conning who.

"Really Ami? You were just teasing?" My sister asks.

Ugh I think my puppy dog face is way better.

At least I can pull off looking innocent.

"Of course! You're always fair game!"

I fall on my butt laughing. I think I'm going to like it here.

~X~

"Here is your room. I'm sorry you have to share with the shrine dragon but after Yuuichiro flooded the bath then fell through the roof it couldn't be helped."

I smiled at Makoto nodding at her in understanding as I set my bags off to the side, hopefully out of my roommate's way. The room was simple. No pictures anywhere. Nothing to tell you what interest this "Rei" had. I didn't even see the "forbidden panda" that Usagi had mentioned on the ride here. Just a bunk bed, which I think is odd, and a desk with two closets off to the side and to my right a window.

"Hey did you hear me?"

"I'm sorry," I said blushing, "What was that?"

I actually hadn't heard her and now I've made a fool of myself. Way to go Minako.

"I said you look familiar. Have we met?"

My brows narrow a little. "You know Usagi and I are twins."

She laughs good naturally at that. So far I like these two. Ami and Makoto are both really sweet. They care about Usagi as if she was their sister and have taken me in as a friend.

"We all know that. It's just I swear I've seen your face before but it's not because of Usagi." She chuckles again, more to herself than at what we are talking about. "First time Rei met Usagi she swore our odango was a ghost."

There was her name again. I had to know. "Rei? What's her surname?"

"I don't know."

This time there is nothing to stop me from falling to the ground. What is it with these girls and not knowing something? My sister I can understand but this girl? I thought she would know.

"Sorry bout that. I don't think any of us thought to ask. Usagi met her first and some crows scared her off. Rei had dropped a bracelet and Usagi wanted to return it. She dragged Ami, Setsuna and myself here with her the next time. It wasn't a good first meeting."

"What happened?" I had to ask. The more I heard I just knew it was my Rei. I resisted smacking my hand into my head as a thought occurred to me. If it was my Rei I might need to find a new home to live. I doubt Rei has forgiven me…if she even cared to remember me.

"She invited us in and I'm sure you know Usagi likes to get into stuff," Girl did I ever know that. Rei wouldn't of even crossed my mind if she hadn't found our exchange diary, "Well Usagi had picked up a stuffed panda and started throwing it around. Rei had just stepped in with some tea to witness Usagi throwing it up then catching it with her teeth. Rei literally threw us out of the temple. A week later we found out she was friends with Haruka and Michiru and slowly we began to hang out."

I gave a small smile showing I understood. But now I'm even more curious.

"Makoto does Reiko have or has had a girlfriend?"

The question has frozen the tall brunette. Her whole body has stiffened and I know I've said something wrong.

Makoto eyes are guarded now and she is watching me, searching for something that I have no idea what it is or if she will even find it.

She crosses her arms, jerking her head up to the top buck. "Rei said top is yours. Try not to wake her up in the morning. She is a fire breathing dragon."

She turns to leave and I leap forward desperate. "Makoto, please. I have to know."

"She did once. But she never mentions their name. She does not have one now and she has swore to never have one again."

I'm left alone.

I'm tired. Quickly I get ready for bed then climb up to the top bunk. I pulled the diary with me. Slowly I opened again staring at the page before me.

~0~

~Rei,

Hello my passionate firebug!

Do you know what today is?!

If you guess correctly then you will get a treat.

Can you guess?

I'll give you one hint.

It's special.

Do you know now?

I'll be waiting under our tree.

Oh! And I won't be there for practice!

Come and catch me if you can

Forever Yours

Minako

~X~

~Minako

Yep that's it. You are my only thought.

I can't tell you…

Why me?

Did you plan that?

Thank you

Thank you for loving me.

Our six month anniversary

You made it everything I ever dreamed off.

I won't even penalize you for making us both miss practice.

I love you

Rei

~0~

I drift off to sleep reading our book. The last thing I hear is the door sliding open and the book being taken gentle from my hand as it hangs off the railing.

I love you Reiko

~X~

"Usagi! Why did you eat my all of my pocky sticks!?"

The yell woke me up causing me to fall out of bed. My ass slams into the floor while my head cracks against the beam. As I sit up rubbing my head another yell echoes through the walls only this one I know.

"But Rei-chan I was hungry!"

"So get your own damn food. Don't eat my sweets!"

"But you always have the best ones and the best mangas!"

I stood quickly. I know this is going to be bad. Maybe if I'm lucky my sister will only be slightly choked. I open the door and follow the voices towards the kitchen where I see Makoto and Ami sitting quietly at the table sipping tea while Usagi is standing in front of a raven haired women whose back is to me.

"Usagi if you went into my room while I was sleeping I will murder you."

Usagi sees me as I sit down with a cup of tea. Makoto offered me a piece of toast but I decline with a wave of my hand. My sister starts edging towards me but I don't take notice. My attention is on the new person in front of me. The voice is sexy. The woman's figure is something many would kill for. Her back is ramrod straight and if I didn't know better I would think steam was coming out of her ears from all the yelling.

I feel my stomach growl and reach for the toast Makoto had previously offered me. Ami smiles at me, I think she is trying to reassure me while Makoto is staring intently on the fight. I begin to spread strawberry jam on it. It's funny. When I was younger I couldn't stand the stuff. I was also allergic to them. Didn't matter what I couldn't stand even the smell. Now I can't get enough of strawberries.

I was too focused on what I was doing to pay any attention to my sister. Usagi had continued to inch my way till she had a good distance to make a break for it. When she saw her chance she lunged for me screaming.

"Minako-chan save me!"

Once more I'm caught in her strangle hold as she stands behind me, pulling my chair away from the table to use me as a shield from the woman in front of us. I can hear something braking and my breath ripped from me. I frantically slap Usagi's hand to let her know I can't inhale.

"sagi!" I choke out. My vision is dimming and this time I worry that she might not let go.

"Usagi let Minako go right now! You're killing her!"

Usagi lets me go quicker then I've ever seen her move before. I collapse off the chair pitching forward into someone's arms. I can hear Ami's voice telling the person to make sure I have room to breathe. Greedily I suck in air then release it slowly. As my eyes adjust I see Makoto in front of me and I can hear my sister crying behind me while Ami fusses between the two of us. I look up and dearly wish I hadn't.

All my suspicions were right. Beautiful lavender eyes stare down at me in concern-for now. I harshly push away from Rei ignoring all of their concern while they ask if I'm okay. I'm not. I never will be. I have to get out of here.

I have to leave the shrine.

Forever.

~0~

She was there in my arms.

I never thought I would see or hear from her again.

I must have been so tired last night when I came home to not realize that the person sleeping above me was my ex-girlfriend. I had even taken our journal out of her hands, setting it down on the desk. Usagi…their surnames are different but they look alike. The first time I saw her I thought Minako had followed me to Tokyo. How many times did I pick up the phone just to set it down again.

I knew what would happen.

I had seen it.

I hated him. Minako was mine and he dared to touch her. At least I can say I got him back. During what would have been his Senior year he came here. I remember marching straight up to him and punching him square in the nose. Haruka and Ami had to pull me off him. When I struck out at them in my anger it was Makoto who stopped me.

That night I told her ever thing.

Minako.

Our relationship.

My mistake.

I hadn't seen it till then. I set us up to fail. Minako had tried to not hurt me. We were young and stupid. I still hurt but I can't blame her alone. Yaten, Minako and me-we were all at fault.

"It's her isn't it?"

Usagi sits on the grass next to me. I don't understand her question. There are few things I understand about her.

"What?"

"Minako. She is the one you love. Isn't she?"

Yeah. I never know what to think when it comes to her.

"Yes it's her. How did you know?"

Usagi smiles. I hate that smile. It always means she is up to something and I'm going to get a headache later from it.

"She asked about you in the car. She was desperate to find out. And I'm sure, Rei, you know she doesn't get desperate about much. Not unless she really cares about it."

I consider this for a moment. Then a smile crosses my face. She didn't forget me. She might still love me. I stand wanting to find our exchange book. I turn on my heels walking back towards the shrine when Usagi's voice stops me.

"Don't hurt her Rei. For whatever happened you have the right to be upset but please don't chase her away. I don't want to lose my sister again."

Without turning I say, "I won't. She won't leave here. I promise."

"Good. Hey what is your surname?"

I snap back around to stare wide eyed at her with my jaw hanging loose.

I just can't believe her sometimes.

~x~

Rei~

If there is ever a time when I may return our book to you then you will know I love you.

I always have

I always will

Hino Minako (?)

I keep looking at the words almost willing them to change.

Minako still loves me.

She wrote to me up until she was due to move back here. She hurt. And she regrets. I want to be angry again. Why didn't she just talk with me? She tried so hard then broke. Stupid Minako.

I blink as I catch sight of the clock on the wall. It's dinnertime and Minako hasn't returned. I set our book aside then stand. I leave the room searching for someone, anyone who can help me.

Living room: empty.

Kitchen: empty.

Fire room: All of them.

"Hey. You know you aren't allowed in here." I call out.

"Come on Rei. You know we would never do anything." Makoto replies.

Usagi and Ami just sit there staring at the fire. Something has happened.

"What's wrong?" I ask. I don't like this.

Ami let out a sigh of frustration. "Minako said she found a flat. She will vacate as soon as she can."

I'm shocked and pissed. Then I remember that it's her. She has always been like that. She leaves those she loves if she feels that she will cause them more pain in the future. I look over to the fire. I can see her. Alone and crying inside. I give the rest of my friends a small smile before rushing out into the night.

Rushing towards someone I should have believed in.

Once upon a time.