ACT 6

"Grand Master Zirconia was very mad that our plan to learn the identity of Pegasus's holder was not successful," Fish-Eye whispered to her two companions who nodded in agreement the two looking at the photo given to them by Zirconia-sama who had told the three that he would chose their targets from this moment forward. "Yes, but when you mentioned Sailor Neptune Master Zirconia once again grew worried, and I now believe that our master is hiding something from us," Hawks-Eye said as Tigers-Eye and Fish-Eye nodded their heads in agreement. "So who is going to go after this target," Fish-Eye asked of Tigers-Eye and Hawks-Eye. "Well Hino Rei-san is young," Tigers-Eye said with that predatory smile of his. "Yes, but Hino-san is also a Shinto priestess," Hawks-Eye said that predatory gleam in his eyes. "Point well made, but I would cherish such a challenge," Tigers-Eye said. "Then what about we flip a coin, winner goes after the target," Hawks-Eye said as Fish-Eye produced a coin saying, "Sense Hawks-Eye suggested the game, Tigers-Eye gets to make the call," as he flipped the coin into the air.

{ PGSM SuperS }

Have you ever had one of those days that at the time seemed overly long and tedious but looking back upon it after it had ended you realize that more positive than negative things had happened during that time frame; well that is what this day had been for me. It was very early in the morning when I had been greatly surprised when my otou-san had come to visit me, wanting to celebrate with me the fact that he had been recently reelected to office and it was surprisingly nice. Papa had asked about my relationship with Minako and I admitted to him that I loved her, and that the two of us were thinking about making our relationship public, Minako no longer wanted to hide such an important part of her life; but I had told Minako just as I did papa that I would only reveal the true nature of our relationship if I had his blessing.

"Would it make you happy Rei, to have something that is normally very private be known to the entire world," my papa had asked me and I had softly smiled before answering, "Hai, because I know that Minako will be right their by my side to weather the storm with me," I admitted. "Then you have my blessing Rei," he said. "Really papa," I said unshed tears in my eyes. "Hai, if you and Minako are willing to face whatever is to come by making your relationship public then I am willing to support your decision and I will not hide from this, consequences be damned. I almost lost you once, Rei because of my unwillingness to realize that you are no longer a little girl, I will not make that mistake again," he said wrapping me in his arms as I actually cried, and I think my papa did to. Papa left soon after, our moment of bonding but I knew as I watched his car drive away that a lot of healing had taken place in our relationship.

I had just put on some water to boil for my tea that I was going to have with lunch when I heard a light tapping on the sliding doorway that led into my room and wondering who it was I went out of the kitchen and opened my door only to find, "Mina-chan," I said in surprise seeing her standing their covered from head to toe in a dry type of foam that I realized came only from a fire extinguisher Artemis at her side in much the same condition. "What in the world happened," I asked of the two allowing them to come inside. "Well," Minako said with a little smile. "Diana had come over to visit Artemis and I had opened my apartments window to let in some fresh air," Mina-chan said and I could tell from the look on her face that she was trying her best to keep from laughing so I knew wherever this story went no one had gotten hurt at least.

"The people who live below us decided they were going to grill something on their barbeque," Artemis said and I had a bad feeling I knew were this story was going as Minako's grin grew wider. "The smoke came into our apartment," Mina-chan said and I could tell it was taking everything she had not to laugh. "Poor Diana, she overreacted and well I think you can guess," Artemis said as Minako finally began laughing. "I don't know how many times she apologized before we finally got her to calm down," Artemis said as Minako nodded her head in agreement. "I have never heard the sama honorific used so much in all my life," Mina-chan said having finally calmed herself down though I caught just out of the corner of my eye Artemis rolling his eyes at Minako's little jib.

"So, your apartment was ruined and I'm guessing you needed a place to stay," I asked the two who looking a bit sheepish nodded as I let out a long sigh. "We didn't want to be a burden on any of the others, I knew how much room you have here at the Jinja, that is why we came here Reiko," Minako said and I knew she had a point. Usagi and Mamoru already had a house full of people to take care of Makoto and Motoki's small home was no were near large enough for any guests and Ami's little one bedroom apartment would never work either. "Remind me again why I love you Mina-chan," I asked with a large smile. "Because I love you Reiko," was her reply as I smiled. "Come on I'll show you were the bath house is," I said actually chuckling when I heard Minako say, "yea, we could use a bath right about now ne, Artemis," causing him to only sigh but I think he like me was trying his best to keep from simply bursting out into a fit of laughter.

I had left Artemis and Minako at the bath house about an hour ago, and had decided to take a bath myself, so heading towards the baths I had my cloths, soap, shampoo, and a towel to dry myself all tucked neatly into a little basket. Pausing for a moment outside the bathroom door I didn't hear any water running, or the sounds of someone on the other side so checking the sliding door and finding it open I went inside only to freeze in place when my eyes landed upon Minako's very bare back side. "Reiko," she said turning her head alone to look at me her eyes as wide as my own, and snapping out of whatever trance I had been put into I quickly turned around, shutting the door and leaning against it my cheeks as red as my fuku when transformed. "Oh Reiko, I'm so sorry," I heard Minako say from the other side of the now closed doorway.

"It took poor Artemis forever to clean off all of the residue from the fire extinguisher and I am not use to locking the door to the bathroom when at my apartment, are you ok, Reiko," she asked me and somehow I kept my voice steady enough to reply that I was as I heard her chuckle on the other side. "Did you at least enjoy the view," she asked me her voice teasing the statement once again making me turn a brilliant shade of red. "Mina-chan," I said in an exasperated tone before I stomped off down the hallway Minako's laughter following my every angry footstep away from were she was. As I walked into my room I heard my cell phone ring and with a sigh I answered only to here Usagi was on the other end of the line. "Rei-chan, what's wrong you sound troubled," Usagi said and I only rolled my eyes, I should have known she would pick up on something so small as my voice sounding different than it usually did.

I don't really know why I did it, but I told Usagi-chan the truth about what had just happened. "Oh my, really," Usagi said in a questioning manor. "Hai. I, I don't know what to do Usagi," I said. "Do you need me to come over," she asked and I couldn't help but smile, no mater what else Usagi, our princess had an amazing heart, always willing to help others at the drop of a hat. "Um, ok," I said. "I'm on my way now," Usagi said but I stopped her from hanging up by saying her name. "Hai," she said and I replied, "domo arigato," only to hear her chuckling on the other side of the line. "Your welcome," was her simple reply as we exchanged goodbyes and hung up our phones. With Usagi on her way I decided that I could use some time just to simply calm myself down, so I headed into the room with the sacred fire and setting down I closed my eyes in meditation until the soft patter of bare feet against the wooden floors drew my attention towards Minako who was looking a bit sheepish.

"Reiko," she said with a shy smile. "Mina-chan," I replied standing up knocking imaginary dust from my kimono. "I, I wanted to apologize, for earlier…" Minako said as I could only shake my head. "I should apologize as well, I should never have just stood there," I admitted finding a sudden interest in the floor and my feet. "Still, I shouldn't have made you feel even more embarrassed than you already were," Minako said stepping closer to me. "Gomen nasai Reiko," she said wrapping her arms around me and for a just a moment I stood their not reacting until at last I gave in and just allowed myself to sink into her embrace letting her know she was forgiven, but then I remembered that Usagi was on her way to help me with what had happened and here I was having already solved the situation with Minako myself.

"Reiko, what's wrong," Minako asked me and with a long drawn out breath I explained what had happened after I left her alone in the bathroom, and the conversation I had had with Usagi-chan. "Well she will be happy that we worked things out ourselves at least," Minako said to me causing me to laugh as I realized that she was completely correct. "We are quite the pair, ne Mina-chan," I said. "Hai, Reiko that we are," she said drawing closer to me causing my cheeks to turn an interesting shade of pink realizing why she was doing so, only for us to be interrupted by a knock on the door and thinking it was Usagi I drew away from Minako both of us giving each other a look before I headed towards the doorway. Opening the door my smile slid away when it was not Usagi but a young man with orange-yellow hair and matching eyes dressed in a formal black kimono.

"May I help you sir," I asked the young man who smiled in a somewhat disturbing way. "Hai, I am looking for Hino Rei-san, do you know were I may find her young miss," and I answered that I was Hino Rei as I heard Minako walk into the same room I was but standing in the doorframe leading into the entrance way a strange look in her eye that was directed at the young man speaking with me. "Ah well it is an honor to meet you Rei-san," "Um, yes you as well," I replied. "Could we speak privately for a moment," he asked me and I glanced out of the corner of my eye at Minako who silently nodded her head but was clearly giving me a look that said, be careful. "Very well, I can spare a few moments," I said stepping outside and towards a small grove of trees. "I know that this may sound strange Hino-san, but I must admit you very beautiful," the young man said and I thanked him for the complement but asked, "why did you wish to speak to me sir."

"Oh, I simply wished to learn what the dreams of a Shinto priestess hold," the young man said with a predatory smile as he snapped his fingers his kimono fading to be replaced by a very familiar attire. "One," he said as the red board with a strange eye symbol appeared behind me. "Two," he said before I could even think of using my hen shin, and I was bound to the board unable to move, "Three," he said at last the pink mirror with a blue bow appearing from my chest. "Let us see if he resides within your dreams," Tigers-Eye said coming towards me and sticking his head within my mirror causing me to scream out in pain. "So, Pegasus is not here. It is a shame for I can not allow you to live, least he find his way to you," Tigers-Eye said ready to destroy my mirror as two very familiar voice called out. "Stop right there," causing Tigers-Eye to turn his attention towards Usagi and Chibi-usa. "How dare you threaten the dreams of this priestess. We are the pretty guardians of love and justice, Sailor Moon," Usagi said, "and Sailor Chibi-Moon," Chibi-usa added. "And in the name of the moon we shall punish you," the two said as one. "You two again," Tigers-Eye said as a third figure dropped down beside them a burning fire behind her eyes. "They are not alone, I am the pretty guardian of love, Sailor Venus, and on behalf of Venus I shall punish you," Mina-chan, no Venus said her eyes cold, her voice calculating, at this moment this wasn't my Minako but the leader of the Sailor Senshi who was speaking to Tigers-Eye.

"We shall see. Come out my Remless, water trick artist Mizugeiko," Tigers-Eye said as a formally dressed Remless appeared upon a Japanese fan trying to spray Usagi, Chibi-usa and Minako with water that was not normal as it burnt the ground as it landed. "Take care pumpkins, Mizugeiko I leave this to you," Tigers-Eye said making his retreat. "Be careful of the water it is not normal," Venus warned as Moon and Chibi-Moon nodded in agreement. The three worked well together and when the Remless targeted Usagi and Chibi-usa once again Venus pushed the two out of the way shouting "Venus Love-Me Chain," to send the acidic like water away from her body. "You shall not harm anyone here again. Venus Wink Chain Sword," Minako yelled sending the orange energy embraced almost lovingly by red energy destroying the Mizugeiko's fan that the Remless had used as a shield.

"Please Pegasus! Protect everyone's dreams," Chibi-usa said before saying the words "Twinkle Yell," causing her Crystal Carillion to ring out as the Pegasus appeared and the Kaleido-Moon Scope appeared within Usagi's hands. "Moon Gorgeous Meditation," Usagi yelled out at the kaleidoscope of colors struck the Remless causing it to yell, "Stage Out," before vanishing in the way that all the Remless did. "Reiko," "Rei," Minako, Usagi and Chibi-usa cried out rushing over to help me Minako easily reaching me first and wrapping her gloved arms around me. "Are you ok," she asked me as I nodded. "It looks like you guys solved everything yourself," Usagi said with a large smile causing myself and Minako to both blush while Chibi-usa giggled. "Hai, I guess we did," I said as I stood up Minako helping me to do so as I easily melted into her side knowing Mina-chan wouldn't let me fall.

{ N O T E }

And so ends Act 6. Never before has writing an act given me so much trouble. I know I did more revising, and rewriting for this act than any other I have ever written. No blood was shed but their were definitely plenty of sweat and tears in the making of this chapter; so I hope that you enjoy it despite the long wait involved in its making. Talk about feeling a sense of accomplishment (insert smiley face here)

So until next act;

I remain a . . .

KuRSeofTime