Disclaimer: I love Sailor Moon long time.

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Chapter IV

Minako sat alone in one of the many practice rooms in her music school. Almost every one of these rooms carried a grand piano, around fifty-thousand each. The band attended a rather wealthy university. Minako sat at a chair in the corner, sulking in her posture. It was Thursday afternoon, and Minako was supposed to be selecting a piece for her first recital. Her mind couldn't possibly be in music right now, admittedly, her second love.

Why had Rei never told Minako that she was gay? Such an important secret should not have been kept from Minako. It was about sex, romance, possibilities—everything Minako daydreamed about. Minako felt like Rei had punched her all over, her face, her stomach, her heart…it was as if Rei had been lying all along! Minako had always assumed that Rei just wasn't interested in these kinds of things, leaving the raven-haired girl asexual. Minako could readily accept having an asexual best friend, because Minako would never have to compete with losing her best friend to someone more important than herself. Minako liked being the center of Rei's world, and now Minako felt firmly that she wasn't just being selfish, because she genuinely ached from the thought of losing Rei to someone else.

And the most nagging question in Minako's mind—if Rei had been lesbian all this time, why had Rei NEVER shown any interest in Minako?? Just a tad deluded in her self-evaluation, Minako was the closest thing to aesthetic perfection. Minako was short, but she had the model body with impressive breasts proportionately. She had a small face, feisty eyes, proud cheekbones, a pointy chin, and sex hair. Sex hair. And still dainty. Minako knew Rei only ever associated with the Japanese community, so Minako was the ideal. Rei had never even made the slightest pass at Minako. If anything, Minako had shamelessly hit on Rei throughout the years, wondering if the raven-haired girl had any sexuality. Minako was put-out.

If Rei had been lesbian all this time, why did Rei so suddenly accept that Mio bitch's proposal? What was so good about Mio, that Rei would chose Mio as her first? Or had Rei done other things behind Minako's back? No…that wasn't possible. Rei could hide feelings or thoughts from Minako, but Minako's and Rei's time was shared from an early age.

When Rei's grandfather had died when she was in late primary school, Minako's parents immediately adopted the lonely girl into their family. The Ainos loved Rei. Rei was like the daughter that Minako could never be, not in a superior way, but just that Rei was Minako's foil. Rei was less talkative, but her actions compensated for her shyness. Where Minako could talk things out with Mrs. Aino if she was having a rough day, Rei could pick up the yard work or cleaning. Where Minako could humor her mother at shopping, Rei actually did play catch with Mr. Aino, the few times he wasn't at the hospital. Minako was extravagant, while Rei was very low-maintenance. Considering the comfortable wealth of the Ainos, taking in Rei was not a problem. Minako had been an only child, so Rei made the perfect addition.

When an 11-year old, shaking Rei came to the Ainos' front door for her first night as an honorary family member (she had been invited/dragged over before by Minako infinite times), the three Ainos had already fully-furnished a room for Rei. It would never properly get lived in, as Minako snuck over to sleep with Rei the first few nights. As much as it annoyed Rei, Mr. and Mrs. Aino really appreciated how they could finally have their own privacy returned, as Minako used to invade their bed. Minako was deathly afraid of not robbers, rapists, ghosts, or demons, but just of being alone. While Rei viewed loneliness more abstractly, Minako would take longer to mature into that. At any rate, Rei, the good daughter that she was, humored everyone by just moving in with a delighted Minako. Rei would sleep at the edge of Minako's single bed, turned away, and Minako would clutch a stiff Rei, nuzzling into the pleasant warmth of her back.

One way that Minako did develop earlier than Rei was hormonally. Minako almost felt her mood go up as she recalled that she had some firsts of Rei. Actually, Minako and Rei shared a lot of firsts together. When Minako was 13 (Rei was still 12), she had wanted to practice kissing. Rei had been strongly opposed to the idea.

"No Minako! Why would we practice something like that?" The two sister friends sat on Minako's bed.

"Because I want to be good at it! And I don't want to do this with somebody gross, so just play along for once, okay?"

"I always play along with your bad ideas, but I won't this time! What if your mom and dad see?" It would take Rei several years to call them her own mom and dad.

"Daddy's at work, stupid! Mom is out with Usagi's mom, just shut up and do it!"

"I'm not doing it, because you say so. I have better things to do…"

"Are you scared, Rei-chan? Bok bok bok, ba-GOK!!"

"No, I'm n—"

"I think you are."

"Am not."

"You're lying."

"You're full of it."

"Look at you, you baby. I think you're about to cry. You are so scared."

"I'm not scared of anything!!" Rei's face became a deathly shade of red. High-blood pressure was already rearing it's ugly head in her 12-year old state.

"Then let's do it. Here, I'll start."

Minako moved into Rei's space, feeling a little more nervous than she thought she would have. Minako was making serious eye-contact with Rei, while Rei was practically glaring back. This did not daunt Minako as she moved just inches away, her eyes naturally drooping from Rei's hot, angry puffs of breath. Rei slammed her eyes shut in turn, embarrassed by the situation. Minako put her hand gently on Rei's right chest and shoulder to brace herself, as Rei put her right hand on Minako's pelvis, in case Minako fell on her. Minako closed the distance, quelling all nervousness as it passed onto a Rei who shuddered upon contact.

Minako held the kiss, not sure what to do. Rei opened her eyes from time to time, wondering why this was still going on. Rei didn't feel anything but awkwardness at the time. Minako on the other hand, didn't feel like this was enough. She liked the feel of lips enough, but something more needed to transpire like she had witnessed on a lot of bad TV. Minako opened her mouth, slightly parting Rei's mouth, as she let her tongue taste Rei's lips. Rei, out of uncontrollable reflex, shot her tongue out as if she wanted to say something in response. Rei's reaction spurred something unknown in Minako, so that Minako pushed her body flush against Rei. Minako's tongue was completely in Rei's mouth, lapping at Rei's tongue enthusiastically. Minako felt ravenous as she continued to continue the onslaught, pushing Rei taut against the bed's headboard. Rei was doing her best to comprehend the situation, until she registered that she should stop. Minako had begun to slide her hands up Rei's shirt, and Rei finally used her hand on Minako's waist to shove the consistently throughout life, smaller girl off.

"I don't want to do this anymore. This is…weird, Minako, I just feel weird. Sorry."Rei just wasn't sure what to feel about the whole situation. She wasn't quite disgusted, but she wasn't ready to enjoy the sensations that she would be able to in a year or so.

Unfortunately for Rei, Minako had liked the first practice so much, that she would randomly, though it seemed regularly to Rei, demand that Rei practice with her, up until Minako started dating Zoicite. By then, Rei began to bloom, not understanding any of her matured feelings for Minako.

Minako theorized, "It's good for us, because then we'll be experts at making out for our future boyfriends. We'll be so good, everyone will want to be our boyfriends," as Minako murmured into Rei's ear, licking it, and moved back to work on the younger girl's, hot mouth. Rei would hesitantly follow along in these sessions, not as active, and she never let it get too far. Her personal space at the time could only be breeched so far. The practices generally happened right after they returned from their middle school, when no one else was home, the midday sun still too hot and draining to meet the others, and in the small bed they shared. They would last anywhere from ten to sixty minutes, as it seemed that Minako had a lot of endurance for these things.

Minako felt a little bit better as she remembered these sessions vividly, feeling like she claimed some of her territory victoriously. Of course she hadn't done this "practicing," she laughed at herself, now nearly 19, in a long time. Though she flirted shamelessly with other people, Minako had always been very faithful and serious in her relationship with Zoicite. Minako really couldn't love any other way. She had immediately stopped her practices with Rei, much to the girl's relief and later dismay, but Minako would never stop being touchy with her sister friend. Rei was like Minako's right hand, no, so much more. Half of her body, her own body; Minako felt that it was every right for her to touch Rei as she pleased, as much as if she were touching herself. In order to make better space of their small dorm room, Rei lofted her own bed atop Minako's bed. Rei should have thought it better out, as Minako inevitably hopped aboard Rei's bed that very night, and now they both slept in the top bunk every night. Minako even claimed the wall, as she liked being on the inside, but she still made Rei either back up or face her as she pulled the groaning girl towards her every night. Minako's bed had become the room's couch, as Minako had moved in a nice flat screen on the other side for movies.

Minako felt a small pang of regret, as she had always stopped in the past when Rei pulled away, looking overwhelmed. Minako imagined finally getting Rei's shirt off, touching Rei in a way she couldn't resist, really making their young, teenage years memorable. Minako wouldn't have stopped if she had the chance now, spreading Rei's legs with her own, rubbing the younger girl through the fabric of her shor—

Minako flushed. She couldn't believe she was having these thoughts about her Rei-chan! So what if she had done all these things in the past? Their friendship wouldn't have been the same if they had gone too deep, so Rei had been right in stopping Minako when she couldn't herself. Minako was with Zoicite now, had been for nearly four years. Minako needed to get back to the dorm anyway, to get ready for a double date with Usagi and Mamoru tonight. Minako tried her best to focus on Zoicite, her partner for the date, but the more she tried, the more images of a certain best friend kept popping up in her mind, in suggestive positions and states of dress. Rei had grown into more than the little girl Minako practiced with in middle school…

****

It was cheap date night at their favorite noodle-soup restaurant, so Minako found herself here for the second night in a row. Not that she minded, as long as she didn't see that—

"What will it be guys?" Mio said.

Minako let the distaste roll out her mouth in an audible exhale.

"Oh, so it's my future girlfriend's good friend. How are you today? I didn't catch your name before. Mine is easy," Mio tapped at her badge.

"Minako. I'm fine." Minako felt her eye twitch madly at Mio's assumption.

"Oh Mina-chan, do you know each other? Who's the girlfriend, or um, future girlfriend?" Usagi chimed in.

"I, Mio Kuroki, am going out with the goddess Rei Hino Saturday night. Do you all know her?"

"EHHHH!?" Usagi let the whole restaurant know, knocking over her chopsticks, which Mamoru bent over to pick up or to hide his face in shame.

"I'll take that as a 'yes.' Round of waters for everyone first?" Mio charmed.

"Yes, I think that's what we all wanted anyway," Mamoru said.

"Coming right up guys." Mio went to the back. They waited in silence for her to be gone from the vicinity.

"Mina-chan, I'm confused! Rei-chan is going on a date?? When did this happen, why with a girl, I'm so confused…" Usagi said.

"It happened last night when we ate here. You should probably ask Rei the rest. I don't really know either," Minako said, sounding pretty bummed.

Usagi made whimpering noises, effectively revealing how she was rather opposed to the idea, why, the others did not know. Well, Mamoru might have known. Mamoru wanted to pick up the downer of the mood, so after getting their waters and placing their orders, Mamoru began,

"Well I'm pretty shocked too that Rei is finally dating someone. Another girl too! She always kept to herself in high school, making idiots of the guys after her."

"Mamo-chan, how did you know Rei-chan was so popular?" Usagi's mood did go up in her sudden curiosity of the gossip.

"First off, you guys were the 'Sailor Planets.' Everyone wanted a piece, and I'm a guy; I hear what other guys say. I'll admit…she's got a good head on her shoulders. That's attractive. She's just…a little cold, you know?" Mamoru said.

"You mean she's got a pretty head on her perfect body, Mamoru? I bet you would have tried to date Rei-chan if you didn't fall for Usagi first," Minako challenged.

"Is that true Mamoru!?" Usagi looked at Mamoru, betrayed. He whispered reassurances in her ear, claiming that of course he'd like Rei over the catty Minako, boyish Makoto, and shy Ami. He stared firmly at Minako, a glint of provocation in his eyes,

"Well well Minako, I would say the same of you." Usagi choked on her water. Minako didn't fall for the bait though, because Mamoru took too long to deliver it.

"I always knew Rei Hino was a lesbian," Zoicite said, finally making his existence known among the four. But just as he came in, he effectively ended the conversation, as they waited for their food to come out.

When the food came out, they began to talk about less controversial subjects. Zoicite directed most of his conversation to Minako, but Minako was talented at giving everyone eye contact and attention. Usagi and Mamoru were an amicable couple as usual, and the meal turned out to be pleasant, with no more interruptions by Mio, emotionally and physically.

The couples left in different directions, as Usagi followed Mamoru to his car (he had upgraded from motorcycle after high school) to his apartment for the night. Zoicite would walk Minako to her dormitory.

Zoicite looked thoughtfully at Minako. Yes, he could imagine doing things like this for the rest of his life, except that it would only get better. Instead of spending so much time with Minako's friends, their time would be occupied by their music careers and at least, three children. Yes, he wanted a sizeable family, so that he could raise each child to be a prominent musician. He would love and discipline them dearly to form the perfect quintet plus, of a family. He needed a violinist, a cellist, possibly a flute or oboe…he would need a lot of children. Minako could do that. She was good with people, something he didn't want himself, but he appreciated in her, quietly though. He wanted her focus to be on their future, their family. They would have beautiful, talented children, and he didn't understand why that wasn't her priority. They had found love, and now they needed to pass that on to the next generation. If anything, Zoicite believed it was the most noble thing. It seemed people always matured at different rates and areas, and by in no means, terms of good or bad. Forcing a right answer, a correct way to live and love, denied the natural freewill, the varying maturations and compatibilities of people.

Zoicite held Minako's hand firmly. Minako let it be, as her thoughts had already raced home, back to the dorm, back in her makeshift bed couch. She would put on the most obnoxious, distracting movie to pull Rei out of her fervent studying, and the two would engage in the most witty and coordinated editors' commentary of the B-rated flick. Zoicite was right in his conviction that Minako and he had found love—only Minako's hadn't been realized.