Disclaimer: The live action series Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon does not belong to me. It belongs to TOEI.
Theme: Jan 31st
Setting: Post-Final Act, Post-Silent Night; Post-EoT
Main Character (s): Rei, Minako
Type: Fluff, Family.
Note: Jan 31st, 2004 was the airdate of Act 17, the episode Rei visited her mother's grave and first met Minako at the Church. It could be interpreted that Risa died Jan 31st, 1995.
Author's Note: Sorry I've been MIA again. I've been more active in the Tumblr account I created called "honest-khmyh", where I've been sharing my PGSM reinako fanart and fanvideos. I'm thinking I might upload a preview of the next EoT chapter some time on there, so if you have a tumblr, feel free to check mine out or follow me. :) Also, this chapter is not beta-ed, so all mistakes are completely mine.
One year after Act 17
Kneeling before her mother's grave in St. Juban Church, Rei laid a bouquet of Casablanca Lilies on the headstone before clasping her hands in prayer.
"Mama, it's been another year. I'll be a high school student this April. Time sure flies, huh?" she said with a soft smile.
"So much has happened since the last time I was here I don't even know where to start. If only I've told you some things the last times I was here." The miko shook her head, recalling her visit the same day one year ago, and the time when she confronted her father at this very same place.
"Last year, I've finally found out the reason I was given my powers and what I should do with them, just like you've always said I would one day."
Looking around to make sure no one was around to hear her, she placed her hands on her lap and started telling her mother about her time as Sailor Mars, the battles she fought and events that transpired.
"The five Senshi, we've all became really good friends, close enough I'm willing to call them my best friends. And there's Luna, Artemis, Mamoru, and Motoki. Well, Mamoru and Motoki, I'm still not that close to them, but given they are Usagi and Makoto's boyfriend, I'm sure I'll have many more chances to get to know them better. Oh, and there's Akai – who's actually Nephrite. I wonder if there's something going on between him and Ami-chan…"
Rei sighed in irritation. "Great, I think Usagi and Makoto's gossiping habits' finally rubbed off on me."
"Usagi, despite her identity as Sailor Moon, is actually quite the normal schoolgirl you'd find anywhere on the street – with barely passing grades, and quite the klutz. I wouldn't have believed she's our princess if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes! I still think Venus gives the princess-vibe more! But she has the biggest, warmest, loving heart I've ever known a person to have. Everyone loves her. The first time I met her, she jumped in defending me against my schoolmates even though I'm a total stranger."
"And then there's Ami-chan. She's truly a genius, and very sweet. She was the first to see through my reluctance in connecting with people. Later on I understood this was because she has similar insecurities regarding friendship, and we established a sort of mutual understanding along the way. I'm really glad to see she's become more confident, she has no problem hanging out with Usagi's other friends in school now. And it certainly helped that she also has Makoto by her side."
"Makoto is the tomboy of our group, tall and strong. But behind it all she's actually quite feminine, and a big softy," Rei grinned almost mischievously at that, knowing the brunette would've flustered so bad if this was spoken to her face. "Makoto had shown me what real strength is, as well as courage. Unlike me, she didn't shut herself off because she was alone, but instead developed a strong sense of protectiveness to those she values and call friends. She never hesitates to lend a hand to those in need. She even ran after me once when Papa's people… kidnapped me."
Her thoughts drifted at the mention of her father, and the smile on her face weakened.
"Mama, things between Papa and I are finally improving. I've been so angry with him for abandoning us, y'know? But after actually forcing ourselves to listen to each other for once, I was able to find some sort of … closure."
She mulled over her own words, and nodded. There was no other way to put this.
"He said he had work. I'm still angry at his reasoning, but now I understand how life could get in the way every now and then. Last time when he and I were here to talk things over, I almost had to run off when I sensed a Youma approaching. It was only thanks to my friend that I wasn't forced to transform in front of Papa, they intercepted the Youma just in time. Then, Papa finally managed to ask me to have a meal with him, face-to-face, with no pretense over work whatsoever, but I had to decline to help my friends fight the Youma. I guess it was then, I understood."
Rei's smile grew again, but her eyes turned somber.
"I know you never wanted me to hate Papa, and now I know, despite everything, you loved him. There's still a long way to go, but I hope one day I'll be able to forgive him enough, and maybe, just maybe, we'll be able to come visit you together."
The melancholic mood was broken when the text ringtone of her Teletia S. rang from her jacket pocket. Rei frowned and fetched her phone out, muttering an apology to her mother offhandedly. Who would text her today? She already notified Ami what she's doing and knew for a fact the genius would responsibly relay the message to the others at Crown— unless there's something really important…
Her eyes widened in alert when she read the message title "S.O.S", sent by one Aino Minako. She quickly opened the content of the message.
"I have a math test 2mr! Help me!"
The miko's posture slumped considerably, letting out an exasperated sigh.
"False alarm," she informed her mother. "That was Minako… ah, I haven't told you about her, have I?"
She adjusted into a more comfortable position before restarting her narration.
"Minako – the Aino Minako, is the last member of our team. It came in quite the surprise when we found out she's Venus; after all, she's Japan's current top teenage idol, though I could care less about that. Usagi and the others are all her fans, it's quite embarrassing to see how Usagi and Makoto still fan-girl over her work despite the friendship they share." At that, Rei shook her head helplessly.
She turned her head to the direction of the church's chapel. "You know, I was actually the first person to find out who she really was. We met here last year today. Talk about coincidences, huh?"
"Being friends with Minako… wasn't easy. In fact, it had been very rough and bumpy most of the way up until thispoint. She still pretty much annoys me to no end, we butthead all the time. She's unpredictable, and you know how I dislike surprises. She has the strange tendency to barge into my room without notice now-a-days."
Rei rolled her eyes.
"But she's not all bad, I mean, there has to be a reason why she's so popular as an idol, right?" Rei joked good-naturedly. "Actually, she's probably my closest friend; only Kami knows how it came to this. I don't know how I have yet to explode at her, you know my temper problems— I'm still kinda bad at that, unfortunately. I guess having Artemis act as a buffer between us helps; poor him though."
"Many things have happened between her and me. Before the battles ended, most were bad. But I've seen the burden she held, and having seen her like that, from the bottom of my heart, I wanted to support her and make sure she doesn't fall again. A bright smiling idol is more desirable than a sullen one, after all, right?"
Her cellphone rang again, and against her better judgment, Rei checked her phone.
"Srsly! I cannot fail 2mr's test!"
"It's her again. Like I said, she's annoying—" A third and fourth text came in. "—and demanding. I don't know why I put up with her."
"Shachou and Artemis are both on my case! =[ "
"Can I come over 2nite after work?"
"Why can't she spell like a normal person?"
A fifth text: "Reiko! Are you reading this? Don't ignore me!"
The miko had enough and pocketed her phone again, but not without reading the time on the display. She was surprised to find she's been in front of her mother's grave talking for over an hour, no wonder her throat felt dry.
"I really should head out. I still have homework to do, and I'm sure you heard enough from me for one day already."
She stood and stretched, patting the dirt off her pants.
"Until next time, Mama. I miss you, I love you," Rei said before heading out with a smile.
At the graveyard entry way, she was met with the church's priest.
"Ah, Rei-chan," the man called in recognition with a hint of foreign accent.
"Father Casale." Rei bowed her head respectfully.
"I thought I'd miss you today! I saw you enter an hour ago but commitments prevented me from dropping by the graveyard."
"Ah. I took a bit more time with my mother today."
The priest's mustached face split into a delighted grin at the response. "You haven't done that in many years, it's lovely to see you have so much to share with your mother again. Would you walk with me?"
The miko didn't have it in her to decline the priest she had known since childhood, so she complied.
"You look well, Rei-chan. Much better than I've seen you in years, your mother must be pleased."
Rei's brows furrowed. She's always been healthy, if that's what the priest meant, and the last phrase didn't settle well with her, he had said the same thing last year. Her doubt must've shown, because the older man elaborated.
"You're smiling a lot, in fact, this might be the first time I've seen you look so content when visiting your mother. You've grown and matured into a strong lady, Risa must be proud."
"I would hope so," Rei responded humbly, blushing a bit.
"I know so."
The miko couldn't help but chuckle at the man's confidence.
"But you know, Risa would be happier if you come with—"
"I know, Father. But I don't think coming with Papa will happen anytime soon. I do hope it'll happen eventually."
At that, the priest chuckled.
Rei frowned in confusion.
"Still the same headstrong girl I've met all those years ago, you are." The man shook his head. "I wasn't talking about your father. I meant to say a companion."
Rei's frown deepened.
"You've stopped coming here with your grandfather since the age of eleven, Rei-chan. You're always on your own. While I know Risa would love nothing more than to see you with your father together, I do understand there are things that cannot be forced. But, I do think Risa would like to know that there is someone whom you can open yourself to and share your heart with."
At that, the girl grimaced, and the priest laughed once more. Really, this girl had always been so easy to read.
"I'm not saying it should be soon, but I know your mother would like to see it happen eventually. After all, didn't you already share a tradition between your mother and yourself with a friend this Christmas?"
"Ah." Rei blinked, recalling the time she and Minako were here for the Christmas Carol performance. "Sorry, Father. We would've stayed to greet you, but we were on a tight schedule."
The priest waved off her concern. "It pleases me to see you so happy and open. It's a good change." The priest smiled and placed a firm hand on the girl's shoulder.
Rei cringed when her Teletia S. rang again, this time an actual phone call instead of a text message. She had already adjusted the volume to the lowest without being silent, but it was still more than loud enough to break the surrounding serenity. She hastily took out her phone and cut off the incoming call.
"And as much as I enjoy knowing you've become popular, I suggest turning your phone to silent next time you visit." Father Casale's eyes twinkled in amusement.
"Of course!" The miko blushed in embarrassment.
"I shall not delay your departure any longer, and you might want to return the call. I'll see you again, Rei-chan."
"Good day, Father."
The moment Rei made her escape from the church, she returned the call.
"WHY DID YOU NOT ANSWER ME? MARS!"
"The world doesn't revolve around you, Minako!"
Six / Seven Years later –
"—just the other day, she made a mess when we had onigiri for lunch! She never corrected her bad habit of gripping the rice too hard despite your previous efforts, so the rice got everywhere on the table and on her hand. I was really surprised! I didn't expect her to have that problem, after all, she's so good at making origami, and that's a task only suited for people who are delicate and careful—"
"I am careful."
"Oh, so you were paying attention after all?" Minako cast a smug look over her shoulders at Rei, both of them kneeling side by side in front of the worn marble grave. "I thought you spaced off. Can't have that now, can we?"
Rei rolled her eyes. "We are in front of my mother's grave, y'know."
"Exactly. And you're too quiet."
"You talk enough for the both of us," Rei mumbled under her breath.
"I heard that!" Minako elbowed Rei, toppling the priestess over. "I have to be the one talking if you won't. Besides, someone's gotta tell your mother all your embarrassing things, because you obviously wouldn't."
"Who in their right mind would?"
"True. That's why I'm here to amend that!"
Rei shook her head and readjusted her position. Watching her girlfriend resume the animated one-way conversation to her mother's grave, she made no effort to suppress the warm smile spreading across her face.
"And sometimes you wonder why I love you so much."
"W-What?!" Minako turned to the priestess with wide eyes, rosy cheeks.
Rei coughed and quickly turned away, not realizing she had said her thoughts out loud. Despite being together for some time, the priestess was not one to be vocal with her affection, and the couple usually avoided being openly affectionate outside the comfort of their homes or their tight group of friends.
"I said I don't know why I put up with you."
"That's not what you said!"
"Don't ask if you already heard me!"
"Reikooooo~"
"Don't 'Reiko' me!" The priestess stood up abruptly, patting the dirt off her pants. "Come on, we should head out. We've been here for over an hour."
The idol pouted but took her girlfriend's proffered hand to stand up.
Hands remained clasped, Rei turned to the gravestone.
"We're heading out, Mama. Sorry you had to put up with Minako today." She only laughed this time when the idol smacked her on the arm. "I'll see you again soon. Papa and I are planning to come visit you on your birthday together."
With that, the idol bid Rei's mother goodbye as well and the two headed off for the center chapel, fingers remaining entwined.
"Reiko."
"Yeah?"
"Since when exactly did you fall in love with me?"
The priestess snapped her head to look at her partner with eye brows skyrocketed. "Where did that question come from?!"
"Just a thought. You gonna answer me or no?"
Rei shrugged. "Well, I can't really pinpoint when. It just kinda happened I guess."
"You know, that day we've first met here, Artemis actually warned me to not transform and save you. I've always wondered why I didn't listen to him that day. I mean, I was trying so hard to follow the plan we came up with together for so long, and then suddenly it was like I had no self-control at all and I just jumped into battle - and stupidly just transformed right in front of you too! Putting our whole fake-princess act at risk."
Rei said nothing and waited for Minako to continue.
"Seeing you, there's just something I couldn't ignore inside of me. It was like I was drawn to you, and I just couldn't stand leaving you alone in danger. Maybe I might just not have realize it then, but I might have fallen in love with you even in the short hour we've taken care of Riki."
"You mean Taro?"
The pop-star rolled her eyes at her smirking girlfriend before continuing. "Do you think it's fate? I mean, to think that of all the possible days in the year, I chose to come to this church on your mother's anniversary."
Rei blinked, then giggled. "That's actually an interesting thought. If my mother does have that kind of power, I can see her plotting for us to meet, especially if she knew who you would end up being to me."
"And just who am I to you?"
Rei's face reddened. "Don't ask questions that you already know the answer to!"
Seeing the flustered answer, the idol couldn't settle if she wanted to laugh or to pout. Before the idol had a chance to pursue for an answer though, Rei spoke up.
"You know, it could've been Mars and Venus projecting their feelings onto us that led you to your action that day. I mean, I felt the same way too and for the longest time I had no idea why the thought of your bugged me so much. You annoyed me to no end, but despite everything, I find myself gravitating towards you. It's like my instinct is to be near you."
"So now you're blaming Mars for your stalker tendencies." Minako grinned, the comment earning an eye-roll.
"Well, whatever the case was, I'm just glad it happened and we met."
Rei pulled them both to a halt and turned to fully face the idol, taking both of Minako's hands into hers. Given it was early noon on a week day, they don't really need to be worried about the eyes and ears of passerby.
"Mina, after Mama passed away, I used to think January 31st is the worst day of the year. But after meeting you, that changed. I mean, of course I wish Mama is still here with me, with us, but if this is how life needs to have it, I'm glad her passing led to something else that's good. I'm glad my mother led me to you."
"Rei that just might have been the sweetest thing you've said to me yet." Minako breathed out, eyes almost tearful with emotions.
"Yeah well, you started it." The priestess blushed and cleared her throat to regain composure. "And don't get used to it."
"Wouldn't dare take it for granted, I'll treasure it for sure." The idol recovered quickly and winked – she's not one of world's top idol for nothing! "So, you still haven't answer me. Just who am I to you?"
"Must you?" The stoic woman's complaint almost sounded like a whine.
"I want to hear it!"
Rei let out a suffering sigh at her demanding partner before straightening her posture, gaze turning sharp and serious, looking into Minako's caramel iris.
"Mina, you're my one and only. The love of my life." Rei leaned in to the idol's ears and whispered, "You're mine."
Minako swallowed greedily hearing her girlfriend's husky voice. "Reiko, kiss me," she demanded softly.
Rei straightened. "No."
"Wait, what?!"
"We're in a church still, holding hands is as far as I'm allowing this to go."
"Who cares? I'm the Catholic here! You are Shinto!"
"I respect all religions."
"Yeah, yeah. Too much respect! Ugh."
"Come on, we can kiss and tell later," The priestess said with a teasing smile. "Let's go see if Father Castiel is around or not. He won't let me hear the end of it if I don't drop by to talk to him today."
Seeing Minako's indignant pout, Rei chuckled at her lover's childish behavior before urging for them to start walking again. Surprisingly, she was met with resistance and was pulled back towards the idol.
Minako leaned in and whispered into Rei's ear. "Just wait till when we get home, Reiko," she said sexily.
This time it was Rei who gulped with anxiety.
Unable to function properly, Rei let a giggling Minako drag her along to where the church's priest would supposedly be found. Rei really hoped the priest isn't feeling chatty today.