CHAPTER 11
After Usagi left with Mamoru, Rei made a huge effort to finish that song. She could feel a lump on her throat, which almost prevented her voice from coming out. Thankfully there weren't many words left to sing and once she was done, she walked away from the stage immediately.
"I'm not running away. I just need to get a drink." She said, her voice almost a whisper, as she noticed Michiru, Haruka, Minako and Naomi's worried expressions at her.
All girls were quiet, each one of them trying to imagine what the senshi of fire was going through. Willing to distract her and grant her wish, the red-haired girl was the first to break that awkward silence.
"Well... Champagne, then?" Naomi suggested and both Rei and Minako nodded their heads in agreement, while Haruka and Michiru hesitated at the invitation.
Sensing their weariness but also their will to keep Rei company as well, Minako gave the couple a reassuring smile, silently guaranteeing she would take care of the senshi of fire.
Haruka and Michiru just nodded their heads, never doubting the blonde would be able to watch over their friend, and said their goodbyes.
Meanwhile, the red-haired girl made a signal to the other musicians, asking them to keep on playing while the trio would take a break.
Minako entwined her arm with Rei's, her face filled with concern for her heartbroken friend. "Rei-chan, do you want to talk about... well, about what happened tonight?" The blonde asked sympathetically.
Rei sighed, the image of Mamoru and Usagi kissing still burning in her mind, but she didn't feel like talking about that; there was nothing left to say. She had lost her one true love for good and, so it seemed, her best friend as well. "Not now. Maybe we can talk later. Now I *really* need to get a drink."
Mamoru opened the door of his apartment and motioned for Usagi to step in first. The princess slowly walked into the living room and her eyes searched around that once so familiar place. Over his desk, she noticed a picture of them; on it, she was standing by his side and he was resting his arm on her shoulders, both smiling at the camera.
If it was Rei on this picture with me, we would probably be all over each other. How come I've never noticed there was no passion between me and Mamoru? We look like brother and sister... there's no spontaneity. Usagi thought as she compared that picture to those she had taken with Rei. My eyes don't sparkle when he's around, my heart doesn't beat faster when I see him, my body doesn't feel like burning when he kisses me. No heat. No passion. Nothing but friendship.
"So..." The prince's voice broke Usagi's reverie as he noticed she was still silent after a couple of minutes. "What did you want to talk about?"
Usagi inhaled deeply to gain some courage. Even though she was completely sure of her love for the senshi of fire, she didn't want to break Mamoru's heart. "I'm sorry if I'm hurting you by doing this, but... I can't be with you anymore. Getting back together was a mistake."
Mamoru's eyes were cold and his only reaction was to raise an eyebrow. "And why would that be?"
Usagi was silent for a moment. Probably it would be hard for him to hear she was head over heels for her best friend, who also happened to be one of her bodyguards.
"I..." Usagi hesitated a little, not knowing exactly how to start. "I don't think we belong together. I think I'm... I'm in love with... someone else."
"No, you're just confused." Mamoru stated simply as he got closer to her, smirking wickedly. "I know we've been distant lately. But... I know a way to reestablish our connection."
Usagi frowned at his strange behavior, but before she could say a word, the prince took her in his arms and kissed her forcefully. She tried to get off of him, but he was way stronger than her and all her efforts seemed to be in vain.
Mamoru then gripped her tighter and pulled her against the wall, reducing her chances to run away.
She's yours. Take her! He heard that familiar voice commanding him and he was determined to follow their orders, but soon he heard a girl crying from far away, which managed to distract his attention.
Stop it! You're hurting me! What's the matter with you?! The girl was pleading desperately. STOP IT!
He let his guard down for a second, then suddenly a hand slapped him across the face. When he felt that painful sensation, he came to his senses and noticed he was pressing his body against Usagi's, who had tears coming out of her big blue eyes.
She was staring at him with sheer terror. "You're not the Mamo-chan I know! He w-would never try and f-force me to do a-anything!" She cried out, stammering over the words as she quickly stepped away from him.
Mamoru widened his eyes and ran his fingers nervously through his black hair. Usagi was right. He wasn't like... that. He would never have that disgusting behavior towards anyone, especially not towards Usagi. But there was this voice commanding him, pushing him into it, and he just couldn't control himself anymore.
So he took a step forward, willing to calm her down. "Usako, I..." But he stopped himself as he saw Usagi shaking vigorously at his attempt to approach her. She was afraid of him. He cursed himself, for he was supposed to care for her and protect her, not to hurt her physical and emotionally. "Please, forgive me..."
Usagi looked at him warily, still shaken for what he did – or rather tried to do. "What's wrong with you?!"
"That was not me... I would never... Usako, I would never do something like... that." He said with his head lowered, completely ashamed for what had happened. "I think there's an evil power taking over my body. I felt something similar back then when Beryl kidnapped me... Please don't think this is an excuse-"
"Oh, I knew that wasn't really you..." Usagi said cutting him off unintentionally and sighing with relief. "I'm sorry for slapping you, but there was no other away..."
He was impressed with the fact Usagi could still trust in his words. "I deserved it." He shrugged. "Just as I deserved the punch Rei gave me. And if she could predict my behavior tonight, she would surely have me killed when she had the chance."
"She would..." Usagi nodded her head. If Rei knew he tried to force her princess into something she didn't want, Mamoru would be dead by now.
The young man sat on the couch and he slightly smiled at the blonde girl. "So... It seems you have regained your memories at last..."
The princess blinked a couple of times in confusion. "What... memories?"
"Well, since you've said you and I don't belong together, I thought..." He paused and placed a hand over his head, feeling an excruciating pain; the same pain he always felt whenever he was about to openly speak with Usagi about their past. But this time he forced himself to continue.
"Do you know something I don't? Please, Mamo-chan, if you do, tell me!" She asked expectantly.
The prince grimaced with pain, but tried his best to not show it. "You are right, we really don't belong together; we never did." He noticed the pain growing stronger. "And I forced myself to step away from you when I fully regained my memories, because I knew that would help you to regain yours as well."
Usagi widened her eyes and parted her lips. "That was the reason you left me?"
Mamoru nodded his head in agreement. "Yes. There was this voice inside my head, telling me that I should be with you... that we should fulfill our 'destiny'. But in my heart I knew your love was never mine. I was confused, so I went to the USA to give us both time and space to figure things out. I think it helped you a little, right? You were... different when I came back. You still cared for me, but just like you would care for any other friend."
"Yes. I've noticed my feelings for you were changing, because after a couple of weeks your absence didn't make me feel so sad anymore. And just after you left I started to have those... dreams?" Usagi said the last word weakly, scared at the possibility those were actually *memories* from her past life; the memories Mamoru was talking about.
And if they were, indeed, then all she believed to be true could actually be a... lie.
"Those dreams were about the one you truly love, right?" Mamoru looked at her and Usagi just nodded her head affirmatively. The prince forced a smile as he went on. "She is... a wonderful girl. And you're lucky to be in love with someone who loves you back with equal passion. She will certainly take good care of you; I myself had a taste of what she would do to protect you."
Usagi's lips parted in surprise as she noticed Mamoru was talking about her senshi of fire. "How... how did you know it was Rei?"
Mamoru chuckled lightly. "One would have to be blind for not to notice it. But I won't be in your way. Not again, Usako. You and Rei deserve to be happy."
"So do you, Mamo-chan. That's why we can't be together. I can't be with you if my heart belongs to someone else. But I'm really concerned about the future... especially about Chibi-Usa. Do you know what will happen to her?" She asked with expectation, hoping Mamoru had answers for that.
"I honestly don't know." He stated, sincerity all over his face. "I've regained my memories of our past lives, but I know nothing about the future. However, I know someone who might help you." Mamoru added.
"Setsuna-san..." Usagi muttered to herself. "I was postponing this conversation, because I was afraid of what she might tell me, but I've waited long enough. I have to deal with it as soon as possible or I'll end up losing my sanity." She let out a resigned sigh. "I just wish I could go talk to her right now..."
As if the Gods were listening to her prayers, she heard a beep from her cell phone soon after she spoke those words.
You can come now, I'm waiting for you.
Setsuna.
Usagi blinked a couple of times looking at the screen, trying hard to understand if she wasn't imagining things. That was just... unbelievable. But then she reminded herself Setsuna was the guardian of the gates of time. Her eyes were everywhere after all.
"Come on. I'll drive you." Mamoru said as he grabbed his wallet and car keys. "This way you'll get there faster."
"Thanks, Mamo-chan." Usagi said with a cute smile. Then she slowly approached him and kissed him on the cheek, much to his surprise. He thought she would never come too close to him again after what he did that night. "I will help you deal with whatever is happening to you, okay? We'll figure this out. I promise."
Mamoru smiled sincerely at Usagi. "Thank you. Your friendship means a lot to me." Then he opened the door for the girl and soon they were on their way to the outer's house.
Three bottles of champagne later, Minako, Naomi and Rei were giggling uncontrollably inside the red-haired's office.
"Here's to unrequited love!" Rei raised her glass to the girls, who quickly joined her on a toast. "To the biggest and strongest unrequited love of all: mine." The miko sighed heavily with eyes filled with tears; the abrupt change in her mood caused by flashes of her princess in her mind. "Oh, I'm doomed to eternally love someone who will never be mine. This feels like a curse."
A drunk Minako pointed her finger at Rei's face. "I'll tell you what a curse is! Take a look at me! I'm all alone. Nobody loves the Goddess of Love!" The blonde burst into tears. "How ironical, uh?" She sobbed before she took a deep gulp of champagne.
"What is this crap about 'Goddess of Love', anyway?" Naomi frowned while she opened another bottle. "She keeps on calling herself that..."
Minako and Rei took a look at each other and then burst into laughter. Minako's previous cry of frustration already forgotten by now, so as Rei's tears of sorrow.
"She claims to be the embodiment of Love." Rei explained and moved her hand in the air dismissively. "But she's just a crazy bimbo who likes to play match maker."
"Hey! Show me some respect! I'm your leader, pyro! I'm the head of Princess Serenity's bodyguards, remember?! And you must obey my orders!" Minako scolded with a serious expression.
"'Leader'? 'Princess Serenity's bodyguards'? What the hell is she talking about?" Naomi asked again in perplexity, checking the alcohol percentage printed on the label of the bottle, but she thought that wasn't high enough to make Minako hallucinate so badly.
"Never mind her, Naomi-chan." Rei whispered, but intentionally loud enough for Minako to hear her. "She's having delusions of grandeur."
"No! You know I'm not! I'm telling the truth!" Minako pouted and whined like a little child. "Anyway... That doesn't change the fact I'm a failure in love."
"So am I, sister!" Naomi high-fived the blonde and poured some more champagne into their glasses. "You're talking to 'Miss Never Had a Girlfriend'."
"What?!" Minako gasped. "Like... never?!"
"Yep. Never." Naomi nodded her head vigorously in agreement.
"But why?" Minako gawked at the girl. "I mean, you're gorgeous, you're hot and you can dance zouk! Come on! You're quite a catch!"
Soon after Minako spoke those words, Rei noticed a blush on Naomi's cheeks, but she was not sure if that was a reaction to the blonde's compliment or a side effect of the alcohol.
"I guess I just haven't found someone special enough..." The red-haired replied with a shrug as she stared at those baby blue eyes.
"Anyway... Why are you so surprised, Minako-chan? You never had a boyfriend nor a girlfriend either." Rei raised an eyebrow and half-smiled, perversely teasing the blonde.
"Oh, thank you, Rei-chan!" Minako replied ironically. "You have just reminded me that I am 'Miss Always Dating, Never Committing'."
Naomi was shaking her head as she couldn't believe her ears. "No way! How come nobody won you over?! You are beautiful, out-going and-"
Well, for several minutes, Rei kept on watching Naomi and Minako's competition for 'Miss This, Miss That', followed by one throwing a bunch of compliments to comfort the other weeping girl.
Then Rei rested her chin on one hand, realizing for the first time something that was right before her eyes: both of them were beautiful, both of them were single and both of them wanted to find someone to love.
Furthermore Rei had seen their amazing interaction on stage and she was seeing their interaction at that very moment. Minako had just placed an arm over Naomi shoulders as they started to cry heartily and sing a lame song about how miserable their love lives were.
The miko chuckled lightly as she thought they were just... perfect together. Then she shook her head in perplexity. How come the Goddess of Love haven't noticed the girl standing literally by her side?
Well, since people say Love is blind and Minako-chan is the embodiment of Love, that only makes sense. Rei thought before her mind travel again to her beloved moon princess.
It was almost 3:00 AM when Usagi arrived at the outer's house and Setsuna had opened the front door just when the girl was about to ring the bell. The princess blinked a couple of times, obviously surprised, then she shook her head thinking she would never get used to Setsuna's antics.
"Come in, princess." She said with a slight welcoming smile.
Once inside, the guardian of time motioned for Usagi to go upstairs, where they could talk more privately without disturbing Haruka and Michiru's sleep.
Usagi was silent all the way. She knew she had to open up about what was on her heart, but she was just afraid of how Setsuna would react after knowing what she was willing to do.
She sat on a chair while the older woman sat on the bed, right in front of her. "I'm sorry to bother you late at night..." Usagi apologized shyly.
Setsuna reached for the girl's hands, squeezing them gently. "That's okay. You're not bothering me. Tell me what's wrong."
Usagi seemed thoughtful for a moment, as if she was choosing what to tell her first. "A couple of months ago, I started to have these... dreams." She paused, but since the guardian of time just kept on staring at her, she went on. "Ever since, I found myself utterly confused because in these dreams I was... I was... uh... being *very* intimate... with someone." Usagi lowered her head, blushing furiously.
"'Someone'..." The older woman repeated the word slowly. "Not the prince, I presume."
"E-Exactly. Not him." She gulped, then she noticed Setsuna's stare encouraging her to continue. "I started to question my feelings and I realized I was... I was already in love with this... other person. I tried hard to deny it and to do what was expected from me, but this feeling is so strong, so powerful, that I can't hold it inside anymore."
Setsuna looked intently at the young princess. "Who is this person who made you fall so deeply in love?"
Usagi could feel her body shaking a little. "Well, at first, I couldn't see their face in my dreams... But after a couple of months, I realized who it was. It was a girl... And that girl was... It was... R-Rei-chan." The princess rested her face on her hands. It wasn't that easy to admit she was having this kind of dreams about her best friend. Besides, she was afraid of what Setsuna would say next, since she didn't want to give up on Rei. Only the thought of doing such thing could break her own heart into pieces.
Setsuna was still silent and after a few seconds Usagi raised her head to face the guardian of time stoic as ever. "Why don't you seem surprised?" The princess asked, blinking in confusion. Sure, Setsuna knew about the past, present and future; but she couldn't know about her *dreams*, could she?
"Oh, I knew it was Rei-chan. Who else would it be?" Setsuna chuckled softly, noticing the girl's reaction.
"Really? Why? Is it because every single person in this world seems to be attracted to her?" Usagi snorted uncharacteristically. "Haruka talks about 'Rei's wonderful body' at every chance she has; Minako flirts with her all the freaking time; even my *mother*, for God's sake, hit on her! Not to mention that annoying groupie and-"
"Calm down, princess!" Setsuna sweat dropped. "My reasons aren't related to Rei's appeal. And by the way, people's reactions to her presence are completely normal."
Usagi's jaw dropped. "How could it be normal?!"
Setsuna gave her a smile. "Well, each one of you inspires something different when you're around. For instance, you inspire kindness and forgiveness; Makoto-chan inspires courage and protection; Ami-chan inspires knowledge and wisdom; Minako-chan, being the Goddess of Love, inspires love feelings; and Rei-chan is the Goddess of Fire *and* Passion, remember? So it's only natural that she evokes desire in both men and women."
Usagi folded her arms across her chest, clearly not convinced by Setsuna's explanation. "Minako-chan inspires love, but not everybody is in love with her. So why does everybody have to lust after my Rei-chan?"
The guardian of time was already expecting that question. "There are different kinds of love, princess. There's friendship, paternal love, fraternal love... But there's just one kind of desire. When it comes to Rei-chan, she inspires desire in a higher or lower degree, depending on the other person's sensibility. Some can hold themselves, others don't. Naomi-chan's behavior on that night was a perfect example of what Rei's vibrations can do to a sensitive person."
"That's why that girl was harassing her that way?!" Usagi widened her eyes. Well, she could not blame Naomi after hearing that, since she herself had also grabbed Rei shamelessly on that other day. "But why are things worse now? I mean, she has always been very attractive and she has always drawn attention to herself, but lately things are just out of control!"
Setsuna chuckled at Usagi's displays of jealousy. "You all are older now, you've grown up. Now Rei-chan is more... mature. Let's say she has reached her full potential and her vibrations are just getting stronger."
Usagi was clearly confused. "Potential? What do you mean with 'potential'?"
The older woman rolled her eyes. She would have to be more specific. "Her sexual potential. She's... ready, if you know what I mean. So the way she moves, the way she stares... everything about her is inspiring. She is the embodiment of passion and people aren't immune to her. Oh, they so are not..." Setsuna said staring at nothing in particular with eyes half-lidded.
"You too?!" Usagi's jaw almost hit the ground.
Setsuna shrugged. "Just because I'm doomed to be alone for all the eternity, it doesn't mean I have to be immune to this kind of thing. I can still remember her abilities as a lover during the Silver Millennium..."
"WHAT?!" Usagi squealed with her blue eyes widened. "Don't tell me... You and Rei... You two... Back then..." The young princess couldn't even put the words together to make a sentence.
"Oh, no. I wish. Uh, I mean..." Setsuna gasped as she saw a jealous princess narrowing her eyes at her disapprovingly. She cleared her throat and returned to her stoic expression. "Well, I wasn't supposed to talk about this now, but no. She had a lover back then, indeed, but it wasn't me."
Usagi was silent for a moment. "It was... me. Right?" She parted her lips and touched them with her fingertips. "Those weren't just dreams. Those were... memories. Memories of my past life, when I was her... lover." The princess said almost under her breath, then she widened her eyes when she realized something. "So this means... Oh, God... Did Rei and I really have all that sex?" Usagi covered her mouth with one hand, as she blushed the deepest shade of red.
Setsuna chuckled louder now. "Yes. You really couldn't take your hands off each other. But that was only natural, since she was the Goddess of Passion. One could not blame you."
"That explains why I had that... reaction that other morning." Usagi spoke aloud to herself. "That's why I couldn't control myself when she got really close to me. That's why everything felt so right, so familiar. My body recognized hers. But... how is that possible? I had an... affair with Rei during the Silver Millennium? And why none of us remember anything about it?!" The blonde girl asked, obviously stunned.
"It wasn't just an affair, princess. You were truly in love with each other. But when you all reborn on this planet, your memories were altered just so you wouldn't remember what really happened in your past." The guardian of time explained to an amused Usagi. "There was someone who had a personal interest in breaking you two apart."
"Who is this person?" The princess asked quickly, trying hard to think of who could possibly do that.
"Let's deal with one thing at the time. This is a long and sad story... but I promise I'll tell you that soon enough." Setsuna sighed as she thought of a past she wished she could forget. "Now... What do you intend to do about Rei-chan?"
"I was hoping you could help me with that..." Usagi lowered her head. "I'm afraid of what will happen to the future if Rei and I really get together."
"What does your heart tell you?" She asked seriously with her crimson eyes stuck on Usagi's blue ones.
"My heart..." She repeated slowly. "My heart screams Rei's name with all its might. It keeps on telling me that I should go and find her immediately, then hold her in my arms, kiss her with all this passion I have inside and never let her go. I love everything about her... even her grumpy mood." Usagi was smiling for the first time on that night. "I've never felt this way before, Setsuna-san... It's like a part of me is missing when she's not around. Rei... completes me."
"And do you honestly think your heart would lead you to the wrong person?" Setsuna asked and Usagi opened her mouth, but she was speechless. "If *you* of all people don't believe in what your heart is telling you, how can you expect the others to do so? You fight for love and you're turning your own back at it."
"I told myself this exactly same thing tonight..." Usagi muttered. "You're right. My heart would never lead me to Rei, if we weren't meant to be together."
"There you go." Setsuna smiled at her. "I'm glad you came to realize that."
"But... What about Chibi-Usa?" Usagi asked with concern. "How can she ever be born if I be with Rei rather than Mamoru? I mean... We both are girls and we can't-"
"Do you believe in the power of love?" Setsuna cut her off with a serious expression.
"I... I do..." Usagi replied weakly at first, then she shook her head and steadied her voice. "I do. Sure I do."
"Well, maybe love will find its way." She added and she saw Usagi sighing with relief.
"So this means I can be with Rei?!" The princess asked with much expectation and a wide grin in her face.
"If your heart is asking you for that, I would say not only you *can* but you also *must*." The older woman couldn't hold a grin as she saw Usagi truly happy for the first time.
"Oh, God! I feel so... relieved! I was avoiding this conversation because I was afraid you would be against it." Usagi admitted. "I even couldn't gather the courage to talk to anyone else... well, except for Luna."
"I know it must be scary for you, because you're about to change everything you believed to be true. But things will turn out just fine." The guardian of time gave her a reassuring smile. "Now we should get some sleep. It's late at night for you to walk home so you can sleep here with me; the bed is big enough for both of us. Tomorrow you can deal with all this."
"I wish I could go after Rei right now, but you're right. Tomorrow. I'll do that tomorrow. Oh, and I also want to talk about all this with Luna, Artemis and the others. Since I'm changing everybody's future, I want to tell them first." Usagi said and she saw Setsuna nodding her head in agreement.
"Fair enough." The older woman said as she saw Usagi crawling under the covers.
"Good night, Setsuna-san. Thanks for hearing me and for taking this weight from my shoulders. I'm feeling so much better now..." Usagi yawned, just realizing how tired she was, and within minutes she fell asleep.
Setsuna kept staring at the princess affectionately and gently caressed her blonde hair. "Finally she broke that spell. It seems things are going to be the way they should have been a thousand years ago... Sleep well, my little one."
"I don't think I can drive now..." Rei mumbled, placing a hand over her own head. "Things are... spinning really fast."
"You two should sleep over my house. I live near here." Naomi stated as she was trying to collect eight bottles of champagne from the floor at the same time, using only two hands. She was failing miserably, but she kept on trying. "The nightclub is still open, but my father is here tonight to take care of things. We can walk home now."
"Can we?" Minako laughed out loud when she tried to stand up, but collapsed again onto the couch. "Oh, and you're right, Rei-chan, you shouldn't drive now. You are really drunk and if the police stops us, we will be sent directly to jail!" The blonde stated, nodding to herself, then suddenly her eyes grew bigger. "Oh, God! I don't wanna go to jail, I would have to become someone's bitch there!"
Rei smirked. "Well, didn't you want to find love? Maybe you get lucky there." She said and she saw Minako frowning thoughtfully, as if she was really considering that possibility.
"Come on, girls. Let's get going!" Naomi stated, walking out the door with Rei and Minako tailing her.
Hours later, Rei was lying on a couch in Naomi's apartment, looking intently at the ceiling. The effects of the alcohol didn't last long, probably because of her healing powers, and her mind was working harder than ever.
She took a look at the clock: 4:23 AM. She sighed sadly as she thought her princess was probably lying asleep in Mamoru's arms by that very moment.
Usagi... Nothing would make her forget or stop thinking about her one true love. The girl was tattooed in her mind and soul, and she would certainly remain this way til Rei's last breath.
After what it seemed like an eternity, the raven-haired girl took a look at the clock again and she rolled her eyes as she saw that only five minutes had passed since the last time she had checked. She was restless, so she rose from the couch and stared at Minako and Naomi; the blonde had passed out on another couch, where she was lying uncomfortably, and the red-haired girl was sleeping on her bed.
Rei frowned as she recalled Minako's statement from earlier; she knew her friend very well and, even though she was drunk, Rei knew the blonde wasn't joking when she regretted being alone.
Always playing the match maker for everybody and you can't find someone for yourself... This is really ironic.
So Rei walked over to were Minako was. She took the blonde in her arms, then she carefully placed her on the same bed with Naomi, since there was plenty of space there for both of them.
By now, the least she could do for her friend was to make her more comfortable for the rest of the night.
Almost instantly, Rei saw the blonde clinging to Naomi in her sleep and she had to muffle a giggle. Well, bimbo, it seems you're more effective in your sleep!
After that, Rei walked back to the couch and laid there, still looking at the two girls sleeping peacefully together. She closed her eyes then as she thought of her princess for the thousandth time that night, silently praying that the pain would go away.
Sunday morning came and Usagi quickly headed home for having breakfast with her family, willing to get there as soon as possible; she knew Ikuko would be mad, since she never let her mother know she would be spending the night out. So, when Usagi opened the front door, she wasn't surprised to see Ikuko there, right in front of her, narrowing her eyes to her previously missing daughter.
"Usagi! How many times..." Ikuko had just begun her lecture, when she was cut off by the girl hugging her affectionately.
"Oh, mom, I'm so happy!" Usagi bounced around a stunned Ikuko. "I haven't been this happy for weeks!"
Ikuko parted her lips, not sure about what to say. Then she decided she had to ask Usagi an important question, although she was a little bit afraid of the answer. "Who... who did you spend the night with?"
"Oh, I was with Setsuna-san." She replied simply, smiling brightly at the older woman.
Ikuko brought a hand to her mouth. "Oh, God, Usagi... Is there a third person?! I thought it was just Rei-san and Mamoru-kun."
Usagi's jaw dropped at her mother's statement. "No, mom! Setsuna-san is just a friend. And..." The princess paused briefly, looking intently at her. "...there's no Mamo-chan. Not anymore. It's just Rei now." She couldn't help smiling when she spoke the name of the girl she so loved.
Ikuko sighed with relief. "Oh! So you two finally got together?"
"Well, not yet. But I'm planing to surprise her tonight! I can hardly wait to tell her what's in my heart!" Usagi said excitedly, still bouncing around, but soon she paused again and looked somewhat warily at her mother. "Uh, mom... are you really okay with this? I mean..."
"With the fact that you're in love with a girl?" Ikuko grinned at her daughter, cutting her off. "Usagi, I always knew you had feelings for her. You were the only one unaware of that." She giggled as she saw Usagi's stunned expression. "Rei-san is a lovely young lady. I'm fine with you two being together, since all I want is you to be happy."
After she heard those words, the girl threw herself in her mother's arms. "Thanks, mom! You don't know how much your support means me."
Ikuko winked at her daughter, happy to see her smiling again. "So... Breakfast?" The woman asked and Usagi nodded her head enthusiastically, feeling hungry for the first time in days.
Minako Aino felt the sunbeams hit her face, announcing the start of another day. She was still with her eyes closed, but she could feel something soft pressing against her body. She smiled and welcomed that sensation, slowly beginning to open her eyelids just to see a red-haired girl lying asleep in her arms. She blinked in confusion and it took her a time to understand where she was and what had happened, but she was still trying hard to remember how she had gotten to the bed.
Before she could find an answer though, she saw Naomi moaning under her breath. The senshi of love looked at her, wondering why she had never noticed how perfect Naomi was. Her pale skin was soft and smooth, bringing up her long red hair, and she had pinkish lips, which were full and also... inviting. The blonde could also feel the shape of the girl's body and it was obvious that she was used to exercise.
"Beautiful, isn't she?" Minako was startled by Rei whispering in her ear, the senshi of fire narrowing her eyes mischievously at her. "She sings, plays the bass and guess what? I heard she's single."
Careful to not wake up the girl, Minako turned to face Rei and slightly shook her head. "So? What's the point? She's in love with you anyway." She replied quietly and Rei had to do a lip-reading to understand what Minako had said.
The senshi of fire frowned and waved her hand dismissively. "She may *react* to me, but she has never been in love with me. The Goddess of Love should have known that." She chided teasingly. "Besides, I saw the way she stared at you on the stage last night... and then the way you stared at each other after that."
Minako glanced at the sleeping girl as if she was considering her friend's words. And just when she was about to answer Rei's last remark, she noticed Naomi stirring in her arms and two lovely green eyes opening up and sparkling with surprise.
"Minako-chan?" The red-haired girl muttered and quickly her cheeks got slightly red.
"I'm sorry..." Minako blushed as well. "Did I wake you up?"
"No..." Naomi denied and Minako raised an eyebrow, noticing the girl was lying. "Well, yes... But I would have to wake up eventually, right?" She gave the blonde a cute smile.
Minako nodded her head slowly, then she noticed she was still holding Naomi close to her body. "Uh... I'm sorry... I can't remember how I managed to get to your bed and, uh... hug you." She apologized as she freed the girl from her embrace.
Naomi smiled shyly at her. "That's okay. Probably that was the reason I slept so well last night anyway..." She stated and blushed a darker shade of red.
Rei half-smiled as she noticed their reactions. Surely she had helped by placing the blonde on Naomi's bed, but Minako had made a hell of a job hugging the girl so close to her own body all night long. Cheers for her.
"I'm sorry to interrupt you two, but it's 11:00 AM and I promised Chibi-Usa we would have lunch together, so I must get going. I still have to step at home to have a shower and change my clothes before picking her up." Rei said sounding strangely innocent.
Minako frowned, wondering if the senshi of fire had something to do with her mysterious teleportation to Naomi's bed, but she just nodded her head and stood up, still feeling the red-haired girl's pleasant scent on her own skin.
Usagi was walking towards the kitchen to grab something to eat, when she noticed Chibi-Usa sitting on the living room, looking directly at the clock with an anxious expression.
"Hey, why are you staring at that clock so intently?" Usagi asked her future daughter, raising an eyebrow at her unusual behavior. "Are you trying to stop time by staring at it?"
"No, it's quite the opposite. I wish the time would fly." Chibi-Usa strangely ignored her teasing and gave her a big smile. "I'm waiting for Rei-chan to pick me up, we are having lunch together!"
"This is great!" Usagi smiled back at the girl. She always felt happy to see how great Rei and Chibi-Usa got along. "But why do you seem a little upset?"
"Nothing really. It's just that she has called me to let me know she was going to be late." The little girl shrugged somewhat sadly.
"Rei is late? But she is always sharp on time! She even teases me saying I should follow her exemple..." Usagi frowned at the absurdity of that fact. "What happened to her?"
"She said she would have to go home to take a shower and change her clothes first." Chibi-Usa explained absently, still with her eyes stuck at the clock.
"But... why? Where was she?"
"She slept over some friend's house last night." The pink-haired girl answered without looking at her future mother. But since she remained silent, Chibi–Usa finally turned her face to a strangely pale Usagi. "Usagi-chan... Is there anything wrong?"
"What... what 'friend'?" Usagi asked slowly, fearing what was about to come.
"Uh, I guess her name was 'Naomi'." Chibi-Usa frowned thoughtfully. "Why?"
Usagi felt her stomach twist when she heard Naomi's name and suddenly breathing seemed the hardest thing to do, but somehow she managed to mutter the word 'nothing' to Chibi-Usa. The little girl kept on staring at her with much confusion as she saw Usagi turning on her heels and quickly heading to her room.
Chibi-Usa blinked a couple of times, then she shrugged. Usagi-chan can be really weird sometimes... She thought as she resumed her task to count the seconds on the watch.
Usagi shut the door behind her and threw herself on bed. The tears she was trying hard to hold back now were falling down uncontrollably. She had never felt such a terrible pain before; the thought of Rei and Naomi sleeping together breaking her heart into small little pieces.
She hugged herself tightly, crying harder and cursing herself for taking too long to realize and admit her feelings for her senshi of fire. She should have told Rei she was in love with her so they together could figure out what to do. Instead of this, she kept avoiding the girl, shutting down her every attempt to talk about what was going on between them and hurting her feelings deeply along the way.
So Rei had decided to finally give in to Naomi's affections and Usagi knew she was the one to blame. Now she had lost the girl she loved more than anything in the world, but she had it coming. And ironically it all happened just after she heard from Setsuna that it was actually possible for them to be together. Destiny was definitely playing with the moon princess.
After several minutes of crying, she heard a slight knock on the door, but she decided to ignore it. She wasn't in the mood for... anything at all. Unfortunately, though, the person didn't give up.
"Go away!" She yelled between her tears and sobs, hoping whoever it was would leave her alone. But her request had the opposite effect, since she heard another knock, this time louder.
Usagi rose from her bed with annoyance, the girl strongly decided to kick out anyone who dared to disturb her... just when she saw the door sliding open.
She felt her heart skip a bit and she took a step back, clearly surprised for who was staring directly at her blue eyes.
The one person who could always make her feel loved and protected.
The last person she was expecting to see.
There.
Right before her eyes.
Both remained silent for a while, carefully studying each other's features, their hearts pounding fast and heavily against their chests. The girl effectively stepped inside the room, gently closing the door behind her back to give them both some privacy.
Usagi was almost panting, feeling her body react instantly at her approach, her blue eyes never leaving hers. She had opened her mouth, but no words could be heard. She didn't have the slightest idea of what to say.
"I was downstairs and... well, I know you didn't want to see me, but I felt you needed... me." A voice soft as a caress spoke with a mix of concern and devotion for her princess. "So here I am, Usa."
"R-Rei..." Usagi stammered at last, feeling a whirlwind of emotions as she kept on staring at those amethyst eyes for what it seemed like an eternity.
Author's note:
This was longer than I had planned, but I just couldn't stop writing!