Day 10- February 10

It was another busy day at work. The paperwork was piled high. She didn't even look up when someone entered her office and placed something on her desk. Rei continued to read before she heard the tapping of a heeled shoe.

She glanced up seeing Venus.

"Yes?"

She smiled, "Did you see the gift I placed on your desk?"

Amethyst eyes lazily turned to the beautifully stitched, crimson purse.

"Oh, nice," she casually uttered before returning to the document she was reading over. The Senshi of Love placed her hand on the paper Rei was currently scanning. The Fire Senshi turned up and glared at the blonde woman, her little pup also starting his growls as well. "I need to finish my work."

Venus raised an eyebrow, "Your admirer personally requested that I give this gift to you."

"Did he now?"

She smirked, "Yes, and he wanted me to tell you that he is looking forward to the scheduled dinner in four more days."

Rei sighed leaning back in her chair. "Okay." She shrugged her shoulders. There was a pause before Rei raised an eyebrow. "What are you waiting around for?"

Minako seemed taken back. "Uh, well... aren't you supposed to... you know... throw a tantrum, breathe fire out your mouth, scream threats at him, you know, the usual thing you do with men who pursue you?"

So that's what it was.

Rei gave her a small shrug, "I'm not going to let this man bother me any more. End of story. No more."

Sailor Venus stood in awe. "Really?"

"Really."

"Oh."

Waiting for her superior to give a quick congrats on the new-found love interest and making her way out, Rei gave a small smirk as she watched the Senshi of Love leave. When Venus was a good distance away, she grabbed the purse and her pup before trailing the Leader of the Senshi. She made sure to put the dog inside her new purse before watching where Venus trailed off to. Rei was thankful there were many men and women out today. She could easily blend in on this busy Thursday afternoon noon...

"How did she receive the gift?"

Rei froze before leaning against a wall and listening in. Her head peaked around the corner of the large hallway before her eyes caught a sight she never dreamed possible.

"She seemed rather accepting of it," spoke Venus looking genuinely surprised. She tapped her chin, "I'm wondering if both the gifts and kind words are breaking down her barriers."

Jadeite gave a small nod with a smile on his lips. "I hope she appreciates them."

Rei stood frozen as he began walking closer and closer towards where she stood, his attention still on Venus as she began light chatter with him, a smile on her features. The senshi of Fire couldn't move. She felt numb. Here he was. The man who haunted her dreams. He was the very man who she saw die before her very eyes a millenia ago. He was the very man who stole her heart and betrayed her.

She felt tears pricking at her eyes. Just as she was ready to turn away, she bumped into someone with several books and documents in their arms. She gasped breathing her apology, the first words she was able to speak for several minutes.

She turned her head up, her amethyst eyes widening in horror as she held a book in her hands.

"Zoisite!"

She stumbled back before grabbing the dagger from her leg to shove at him incase he attacked her. His emerald orbs stared at her widely. He was in just as much shock as she.

"Oye! Zoi! Do you need a hand?" called Jadeite seeing his comrade bent over to pick up his fallen books and documents. He froze when she turned around and stared into his stormy-blue eyes. She stared unmoving. Her amethyst eyes began processing who was coming closer and closer to her and her former enemy by her side-

Bark! Bark!

She looked at the pup under her arm inside the purse peaking his head out and barking. Still with the dagger in her hands, she held it in her grasp backing away from the two men in General uniforms.

They were back.

General Jadeite and General Zoisite were back...

"Stay away from me," she hissed holding up the blade. She glared at the lighter blond as he took another step closer to her, his eyes soft towards her. She swung the blade towards him nearly nicking his face. "Stay away from me!" she shouted. Venus ran over. "Mars! Stand down-"

"You LIED to me!" hissed the raven-locked princess. Fire began to form at her fingertips. "You, my leader, lied to me!" She began backing away slowly, everyone in the halls watching silently or clearing away from the furious Senshi of Mars. "Stay away! All of you!"

Turning on her heel, she ran.

And ran.

And ran.

It wasn't till later, after several shed tears and making sure her room was locked from any intruders, she pulled out the whining and crying pup. She held the little fluffball in her lap while wiping away her tears. It was when she opened the bag to pull out the pup, she noticed the note with beautifull caligraphy.

She gave a sarcastic laugh while pulling it out. She was so tempted to rip it in two.

My Dear Firebird,

How I desire to come out of my hiding and share with you who I truly am.
I fear I must remain in hiding for a few more days as I build courage to finally see you face to face.
Until then, I present to you this purse to hide your little companion.
I've heard rumors of how he goes whereever you take him.
Perhaps this purse may help you bring him along with you on your journeys.

With Love,

Your Secret Admirer

She stood up and grabbed an ink pen before sitting in her previous spot. She pulled out the note and crossed out 'Your Secret Admirer'. Instead, she wrote in bold letters 'JADEITE'.

She heard a loud knocking behind her that jolted her. Her pup began barking crazily.

"Rei?" he called loudly knocking on her door again.

She took her shoes off so he wouldn't hear her walk. She grabbed her dog and began walking to one of the other many chambers in the room.

"Rei! I know you are in there," he called to her from the other side of the door. "I hear the dog!"

"GO AWAY!" she shouted loudly muffling her pup's barks. She locked herself in the back bathroom tying to ignore the insistant knocks on the door and the conversation he tried having with her through the door.

She refused to listen to anything he had to say.