Chapter 4: Round 2 "The Ride Home"

Disclaimer: I do NOT own Sailor Moon and its characters. I only own this fanfic and the plot.


The Crown

How many hours must have passed? No one but Raye was acknowledging it.

'If I knew we were going to be out for so long, I should have done the chores before I came. Why didn't I do those before? Oh right… I was distracted by that disturbing news of… grr…'

Raye buried her scowling face in her hand.

Mina noticed Raye's disturbance, concern filling her eyes. Little did she know, everyone else had noticed, too.

"Raye? Is there something wrong? Wanna talk about it?"

Raye sighed and pulled away from her hand.

"It's nothing, Mina."

Mina could tell it wasn't nothing. She was going to push the topic further when Lita intervened.

"Ah, she's probably thinking about a very important task she has to do later on, right, Raye?"

Lita gave a wink, and Amara gave a laugh. To both Raye answered with a glare saying, 'I'll get you for that.'

"Important? What could be more important than a reunion with Mina, Raye?" asked Serena.

Silence.

Was that question intentional or was Serena just being frank to the point that she valued Mina's reunion as an important thing? Raye wondered.

'Knowing Serena, I'd guess it is the second one. No way could she have noticed my yearning for Mina.'

"Oh, come on. As your princess, I order you to tell me what could be more important than this."

Everyone looked at Serena as if she had grown another head. Now where was this authority abuse coming from?

"Keh," Raye spoke up, "like I'd listen to that. Besides you are so not a princess according to your punctuality."

"Raye!" Serena squealed.

With Raye teasing Serena again, everyone seemed to let the topic loose. That is, everyone except Mina and Yaten.

"So… what were you thinking about, Hino?"

"None of your concern, Kou."

"Ooh, the chic one, I see."

Raye growled. Yaten smirked. Mina, well… she was trying very hard not to punch Yaten in the face.

'Didn't he just admit his loss at flirting? And what is he doing now?'

Yaten, on the other hand, believed that he was just having a casual conversation with Raye, rather than flirting with her.

Mina scowled. How could she shift Raye's attention? She used her embrace assault before. It was too early to use it again.

'Hmph.'

Suddenly, a light bulb lightened over her head.

"What if it was one of my concerns, Pyro?"

"Huh?"

"You heard me. What if I wanted to know what could possibly be above me on your priorities list?"

"Uh…"

'Confessing to you, maybe? Come on, Mars, think, think, think!'

"My… chores, I guess?"

"What?!"

Raye visibly cringed at Mina's surprised, and somewhat angry, voice.

"You do your chores everyday and you say those daily things are more important than me?! Oh, Raye Hino, you can't be serious!"

'No, I'm not…'

"I am, when else was I not? Besides, it's my bad. I should've done them this morning before this meeting, but I didn't."

"Why not?"

"I was preoccupied."

"With?"

"Please, Mina, I need to go."

As Mina and Raye went on, everyone else was just watching. Though they, except Serena, were very well aware of the two's feelings for each other, they worried that this conversation might ample to a fight. Among them, Yaten was the only one amused.

'Wait… Maybe I can use this opportunity to my advantage.'

"Hey, Raye. Want a ride?"

Mina and Raye stopped talking simultaneously and stared at Yaten. So did everyone else.

"Well, it's about time I need to return to my hotel and your shrine is along the way. You said needed to go to do your chores. I'm just trying to be a gentleman and help you out."

'Hmm… if it means that he's away from Mina, then…'

"Not bad of an offer. Looks like all of that traveling finally put some sense into you."

"Ouch, low blow."

Raye laughed as she stood up. Mina, however, was not amused.

"Wait, Raye, come with us to karaoke together. I want to hear you singing. It's been a long time, and –"

"Mina, you know I don't like karaoke. And as for my singing… maybe some other time, okay?"

"…Okay."

Mina reluctantly answered and followed Raye to the door.

"See you around, Raye."

"Hopefully not, Amara," said Raye as she waved goodbye. Amara chuckled and waved back.

Mina watched the two till the end.

She saw Yaten hand Raye a helmet.

She saw Raye ride onto Yaten's motorbike.

She saw Raye not-so-reluctantly wrap her arms around Yaten's waist.

Once they were out her sight, she screamed out of frustration.

"Raye Hino, you IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"


On the way to the Shrine

Raye couldn't help but wonder if Mina had held onto Yaten like this on their way to the Crown.

'No, no, no! They did not come together! Scratch that idea out, Raye!'

Yaten could feel Raye scowling as she tightened her embrace of him.

'I wonder what's on her mind. Hmm… what should I do once we arrive? Maybe one of those soap opera shooting I've done might come in help. Something not so typical, but not so out of the blue. Hmm… None of the plots seem to fit.'

They went to stop in front of a red light. Yaten used this moment to concentrate on his thoughts.

'Maybe, the whole doesn't have to fit. Maybe, I just need just the right scenes. How about–'

'Honk! Honk!'

The lights had turned to green.

'Whoops!'

Yaten went on with his way to the shrine. He was a bit embarrassed, but he had found the right scene. Meanwhile, Raye was wondering why the silver-haired boy was spacing a moment before.


Hikawa Shrine

"Thanks for the ride, Kou."

"My pleasure, Hino."

After she gave her gratitude, Raye went up the shrine steps.

'One, two, three…' Yaten counted three seconds before he called out, "Raye!"

Raye turned around, surprised. Yaten couldn't help but admire her looks under the sunset's colors.

'Those colors really fit her. No wonder Sailor Mars is red… no wonder why Mina fell for her beauty.'

"Um, you called?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah. Um… do you mind if I… could I stay for a moment? You know, for a talk?"

A talk? They haven't met in years, not to mention that even in those times they've met, all they would do was to fight with each other. And yet, he asked for a talk?

Raye stood there, dumb-founded.

'She's hesitating…' Yaten mentally smirked.

"If it's… if it's too much of a trouble, I'll… I'll just go…"

Yaten hung his head. He slowly started to get the engine started.

"Ah, Yaten!"

"Hmm?" Yaten looked up to Raye.

'I guess a talk wouldn't hurt, would it?' Raye thought. Maybe she could use this time to see Yaten's true feelings for Mina and sort out the problems they had in the past.

Raye let out a sigh. "Are you going to pay back for the minutes I wasn't able to use on my chores?"

A smile widened on the boy's face. "You bet!"

She smirked and went up the steps. Yaten followed suit.

Little did Raye know that Yaten was praising himself for his wonderful acting behind her back.

'Let's check out your love for Mina, Hino.'


The Crown

"Mina, dear? Is something wrong?" Michelle asked soothingly as everyone took their seats.

"Does it look like it?"

"Well, you certainly don't look as jolly as you were before."

"Do I?" Mina said in a sarcastic tone.

"To state it specifically, you weren't as jolly as you were when Raye was here." Amara particularly emphasized Raye's name. Mina jerked her head towards the two Outer Scouts out of surprise. They gave her knowing looks.

'I guess it's just normal for them to know. They're always the know-it-alls, after all.'

"Well, Amara how would you feel if Seiya offered Michelle a ride and she accepted?"

"Same as you," chuckled Amara.

"Whoa, whoa, hold it right there."

Everyone looked at Lita who seemed very confused.

"Why are you comparing Raye and Yaten to Michelle and Seiya? Raye and Yaten fight, but Michelle and Seiya flirt. Whoa, no offense there Amara."

Lita cringed a bit as Amara looked ready to punch her in the eye.

"Now, now, dear, behave. As for your question, Lita, I think that's up to Mina to answer."

She smiled at Mina. Mina smiled back. Michelle was giving her a choice: either to confess to the group or make up a lie.

Which should she choose?


:: Author's Note ::

Ha! Finally got this devil written! xD

Guess what?

I'm on a roll today!

I just kept writing and writing.

I'll soon be able to update up to the final chapter! (note: this does not mean the next chappie is the final one. lol)

this chapter is dedicated to: Rukangel, knightskye, flamesniper19, krugern, Fender18, MinaRayeFan, xXMiMiXx, jedicaro, Ramanda87, water mixed flame, and Whirlwind of Flames and Love!

people who have been patient and read most of my chappies and one-shots... much appreciated!!

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once again, this humble author asks of your noble reviews xD