They had changed out of their shrine clothes, and dressed to go out. Minako still had a penchant for large hats and sunglasses. Rei's clothes were quite a bit less expensive, but walking down the street, they looked like any two normal bickering teenage girls. Of course, they weren't normal, and they weren't teenagers, but they bickered enough for anyone, and as they kept at it, the tension flowed away and Minako caught up Rei's arm and held on as they walked, and Rei didn't even think of yanking it away.

They were walking down the street and a lady carrying a huge mass of flowers was walking the other way. Suddenly the lady stopped and dropped all the flowers.

"Rei? And… is that, Minako!"

"Makoto?" Rei and Minako helped her pick up the flowers and then gave her a look up and down. She was looking sleek in tall black boots and a skirt; she had turned the tomboy look into something entirely feminine, yet still sharp and aggressive.

"What are you doing here, Minako? Just- walking down the street… and Rei! Why didn't you tell anyone she had come to visit! She never comes to visit! You can't be selfish."

Minako glanced down at the sidewalk. "Actually, I didn't come to visit."

"No?"

"I came to stay."

"What!"

"I'm living with Rei at the shrine now."

Makoto stepped back and eyed them. "I always thought there was something about you two…"

"What!" Rei sputtered. "No! You've got it all wrong! She's staying because she needs to- to-" She glared at Minako, "You explain. It's still a bit muddled to me."

"I need to remember how to love." She leaned against Rei's shoulder, the owner of which looked mortified. She giggled and Rei shook her off. "Isn't she cute when she's annoyed?"

Minako leaned in and kissed Rei's cheek. Rei froze and started to blush furiously.

Makoto laughed. "No, no. I didn't mean that. It just seemed like you two were better friends than any of us were with you."

Minako smiled. "Yeah, and I really needed a friend."

They walked along the street together until they reached Makoto's shop catching up on things. It was mostly Makoto and Minako talking because Rei was red and scowling and being dragged along by Minako who still had her arm hooked into hers.

Minako glanced back at her and smiled. Rei glared furiously. "Is it okay if Makoto comes out to lunch with us, honey?"

"Yeah," Rei grumbled.

Makoto grinned. "I'll call Usagi and we'll make a party of it."

"Yay!" Minako clung to Rei even tighter as she struggled to get away. "I never got my Itterashai party, but this can be my Okaeri party!"

Rei looked sick and stopped struggling. Minako glanced at her and saw the expression on her face. "Rei- I- I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"It's your right." She choked it out, covering the pain with anger.

"Rei-" Minako stepped closer and touched her face. Rei jerked away.

"You- you died! And, and every day-" she choked and wiped her eyes harshly, "and every day I'm afraid. Minako- Minako is everything, and this morning- I, I checked you breathing. I need to know you're alright, because I can't do that again, I can't deal with it again."

Minako stepped into her and slipped her arms around her waist. Rei tried to pull away, but she pulled her in tightly and Rei's head buried itself in her shoulder and she sobbed. Makoto was looking around for a place to flee to. Minako mouthed at her. "Call Usagi- I'll deal with this." And she slipped out of the room to the phone.

In a minute or so the sobbing subsided and Rei was just breathing laboredly into her shoulder, and Minako started stroking her hair, figuring that would be embarrassing enough for Rei to get a hold on herself, not that she didn't want to. Her hair was soft and she liked to run her fingers along the roots on her forehead and neck. Rei finally did pull herself out of the crook of her shoulder where she had so comfortably settled herself and looked away. Minako thought that there could have been a moment. There could have been a time where Rei would look into her eyes and she could have kissed her and promised that she would always be there, but Rei had pulled back into herself and hadn't left the opportunity. It was probably a good thing, because if there had been a chance, Minako would have stared at her and thought about kissing her, and thought about being natural and spontaneous and it would have never happened. She pulled out her handkerchief and caught Rei's chin so she could wipe her face.

"Blow." Rei scowled as she blew her nose for her. "Don't worry too much. You're not going to get rid of me that easily." Rei pulled out of her grip and went over to the sink to wash up. Minako watched her walk of affronted dignity and almost smiled.