Always With You

Chapter 4: Fire and Ice

Oh you would never believe who I talked to today dear...

I shook my head and brushed my hair back from my eyes as small shards of glass fell onto my shoulders. The bedroom looked like a hurricane had come through for redecorating. Bits of wood, feathers, shredded cloth, everything lay strewn about the room.

I listened as Mamoru walked through the living room downstairs but I made no move to leave the bedroom.

"Ami, I'm home."

"I'm upstairs," I yelled in return. After everything that happened I just couldn't muster the energy to do anything but stand there expressionless. I stood unmoving as the door opened and Mamoru's voice reached me.

"Ami honey why is there a hole in the…….door…"

I turned to see my husband standing in the doorway, his eyes widened and his mouth slightly open.

"Ami…what?"

I couldn't suppress the almost cynical chuckle that escaped my lips. "You might not believe it but this was definitely not a nightmare."

I turned toward him and our eyes locked, his desperately searching mine for some sort of logical answer, one that I wasn't honestly sure I could provide.

"I saw….I… Whatever caused my car accident was here in the house today. And it was what caused this."

I continued to rattle of the entire story, excluding the portions that involved Usagi. I couldn't help feeling as if I were deceiving Mamoru by leaving out those crucial details but I didn't want to hurt him. I didn't want to reopen his old wounds. But, maybe that wasn't all of my reasoning. Maybe I was the one who didn't want to be hurt. Maybe I was afraid. Deep down inside, maybe I was afraid that I wouldn't like his reaction. Maybe I was afraid that he would blame me, as I've blamed myself all these years.

I watched him for a moment as he processed the tale. "So what do you think it is?"

I shook my head. "It could be anything, youma, spirits, aliens. I haven't managed to figure everything out yet, but whatever this thing is it's certainly not a figment of my imagination."

He nodded as his eyes scanned the room for a second time. "It definitely isn't."

I stood there a moment, contemplating what to say or do next when he beat me to the punch.

"I think you should pay Rei a visit."

That wasn't exactly what I was expecting. My gaze fell to the floor as my mind jumped to attention, grasping at thin air as it struggled to find any reason to not visit the priestess.

"Now…I know you two haven't seen eye to eye lately." He reached forward, cupping my chin in his palm, forcing me to look him in the eye. "But I know she doesn't hate you and you don't hate her. Go see her and find out what her opinion is on this."

He ran his thumb slowly across my cheek as I stared into his soft blue eyes. How could he even expect me to say no to those eyes? I nodded dumbly as he enveloped me in his arms and pulled me close. I returned his embrace, burying my face into his chest and breathing deeply of his scent. "I'll head over in a few minutes," I mumbled.

And we stood there like that, him stroking my hair and me listening to his heartbeat, just long enough for me to summon the courage to grab my keys and minicomputer and leave. And as I pulled out of the drive Mamoru stood in our bedroom surveying the damage a third time and wondering just what he was going to do to fix it.

I tapped my fingers on the steering wheel as I drove, the tempo rising with my level of anxiety. It had been about five months since I had last seen Rei, since Mamoru and I had announced our engagement and upcoming marriage. I remember that day well…

"Everyone, there's something we'd like to say to you."

Minako turned immediately toward the two of us, a joyful sparkle in her eyes and a jackal's grin gracing her lips. Makoto smiled and waited patiently for what it was we needed to announce and Rei…well Rei…

"Mamoru and I are getting married." I squeezed his hand and waited for my friends' reactions as the butterflies in my stomach threatened mutiny against my body. The first sound I heard was a squeal as Minako nearly knocked me to the ground.

"I can't believe it. I'm so happy for you two. When did you propose? When are you getting married? You have set a date right? Do I get to be a bridesmaid? I am invited right? Are you having a western wedding or a traditional wedding?"

We laughed as I practically peeled Minako off. "We haven't decided everything yet but don't worry you'll be informed every step of the way."

She smiled and sat back down with a wink. "Good because otherwise I would have to call you everyday for updates and that would just be such a hassle for me."

Makoto laughed and playfully punched Minako in the shoulder. "That's great you two. If you need any help with the catering or a cake or anything food related feel free to give me a call. I've never done a wedding but it would be wonderful to make yours my first."

I smiled and nodded. "We were planning on putting you completely in charge of all of our food requirements." I grinned as her face lit up. It made me happy to see them so enthusiastic.

"Are you pregnant? Is that why you're doing this?" Her dark violet eyes seemed to bore into mine with that statement.

"Rei!" Makoto frowned and gave her friend a reproachful look.

"N..no…I'm not pregnant..." I managed to stammer as my cheeks flushed scarlet.

"Then why? Why are you doing this?"

"Rei, it's been nearly four years," Mamoru interjected.

"I know damn well how long it's been," She snapped back, rising from her seat. "But that doesn't change a thing. It doesn't change a damn thing."

I opened my mouth to speak, to try to remedy the situation and maybe somehow calm her nerves but they didn't come nearly in time.

"I thought you two would have more respect. How could you? Were you just waiting for something like that to happen?"

My mouth hung open in shock, no words forming at all. I sat there dumbfounded for a moment before I felt the tears beginning to well.

"That's enough Rei!" Mamoru slammed his hand to the table. "I know it's been difficult for everyone but we've managed to move on. You can't hold that against us."

"What about Chibi-Usa? What about Crystal Tokyo?" She glared for a moment before storming out the café doors with every eye in the establishment following.

I stared blankly and bit my lip to keep it from trembling as Minako jumped to give chase. Makoto reached out and grabbed her arm. "Let her go…"

The room was filled with an awkward silence. The tension was thick and stifling, threatening to choke me before my tears ever could.

Minako laid her hand on mine and looked at me with a consoling yet sad expression on her face. "I'm sure she didn't mean it Ami."

She didn't come to the wedding.

Everyone brushed it off, saying that she was just surprised and didn't mean anything she had said that day, but I wasn't so sure. And this will be the first time I've seen her since. I bit my lip. I was becoming more and more nervous the closer I came to the temple. Deep down I was afraid Rei really did mean every word she had said that day in the café.

I sighed as I pulled into a parking spot a few blocks away. I would have to walk the rest. I closed my eyes as my feet took me down a very familiar path. It brought back many memories of sleeping late over at Rei's from a Senshi meeting and booking it to class the next morning. Usagi would always be the one behind, hopping on one foot as she struggled to strap her shoe while choking down a piece of toast. But those were only memories now. Memories back in the days when things were as they were supposedly destined to be.

I continued walking, almost in a daze until I realized I had topped the steps to the Hikawa Shrine without noticing. I stood there for a moment taking in the sight, the cleanly swept path, the prayer tree, the building where Rei and her grandfather lived. It was so familiar yet almost so alien. I nervously twisted the hem of my blouse while my mind screamed at me to forget it and leave, to leave before it was too late. But that wasn't to happen.

"Hello Ami…"

Author's Comments: Wee cliffhanger dodges tomatoes And it is review replying time. .

Anon: Thank you. I do plan on continuing it.

Mayonaka-Hitori: I'm glad you like it. Here's your update. And you will know what happens in time.

Mizzy: Why thank you. And I am proud to a certain extent, though I am sure this could be much better.

Sonar de Mecury: Soon..me? He heh I know I'm not the fastest updater but..at least I'm not dead right? Right?

MercuryDestiny: Yeah it is supposed to be kind of scary, though not B horror movie scary, more of a psychological thriller. Apparently it's working pretty well though.

rabbitTsukino: Thank you. I'm glad you're enjoying it. And yes I do love my twists.

Neonlights: Weeee I'm glad you like it. And I have taken your suggestions into account. We shall see where the story goes from here eh? And I'm on your favorite stories list woo hoo. . Makes me happy.

Le Ami: Why thank you. I am glad you think so.

DarkParis: I'm glad the creepiness factor is working. And here are some of the other scouts. They will be appearing throughout the story. Just now had the opportunity to introduce them. Hmm and is Usagi trying to do that? I don't know. Shall have to wait and see won't you?