A/N: Another little snippet for your enjoyment.
Disclaimer: Don't Own Sailor Moon.
Exposed
Minako hurriedly kicked off her shoes as she entered her apartment. The senshi had once again been called into action at some ungodly hour of the morning and the idol wanted nothing more than to spend her rare day off relaxing with her girlfriend.
Content with allowing Rei to potter around in the kitchen making what Minako sincerely hoped would be breakfast, the Senshi of Love turned on the TV before collapsing in a heap on the sofa. Releasing a soft sigh she flipped herself onto her stomach and began channel surfing.
After a flipping past several stations that failed to hold her attention the blonde settled on a news station.
"Early this morning the Sailor Senshi were called upon to once again protect our great city. Reporter Suki Nakamura is on the scene..."
Minako's eyes lit up with excitement as she watch this mornings battle being replayed. She found odd enjoyment in watching herself and the others fight in the their Senshi forms. She heard Rei's amused grunt as the raven made her way into the living room expertly balancing 2 cups of coffee and a couple of bacon rolls on a tray.
Accepting the cup and a roll with a grateful smile Minako turned her attention back to the screen just as Sailor Moon destroyed the youma using her tier. Her hand paused on its way to the remote as the report continued.
"...As the Senshi departed our camera crew caught never before seen footage..."
Minako's mouth hung open as a video of Mars and Venus flashed up on the screen. Minako remembered the scene from just a few hours ago.
***Flashback***
Venus pulled Mars closer to her, a teasing smile dancing across her features. "You know you were a little off your game tonight Pyro." Venus smirked as her arms snaked around Mars' neck.
Mars wound her own arms around the Senshi of Love as she returned the blondes gentle teasing. "Well I remember landing a few more shots than you Venus." Mars smirked. She always enjoyed the games that they played with each other.
Venus pressed her lips to Mars' softly before teasingly moving away adding "Well I have the day off so if your up for it you can see just how many shots I can land when I'm on my game." Venus giggled lightly as she began to lead Mars back towards her apartment.
*** ***
Grateful that the camera was too far away to hear the actual conversation, Minako sat frozen as she stared at the screen.
"Oh no, please tell me, that isn't what I think it is!" Rei's voice snapped Minako out of her stupor, the miko quickly got to her feet and rushed over to the balcony.
Glancing back to the television Minako quickly saw the cause of Rei's concern.
Immediately following the footage, the channel had skipped to a live broadcast from outside a building which looked identical to the one Minako currently lived in.
"...after capturing that footage our camera crew were secretly able to follow Sailor Mars and Sailor Venus back to this apartment complex where we believe them to be residing. It is also believed that Idol Aino Minako lives in this building perhaps it has become 'the place to be' for famous icons..."
Following her girlfriends example Minako scrambled out onto the varanda unable to believe her eyes. In the car park below dozens of camera crew were spread out all recording in the area in front of the building.
Minako groaned "All I wanted was one day of peace! ONE DAY!"
Moving back into the apartment Rei silently echoed her girlfriends displeasure. It wasn't often they got a day alone together with Minako's hectic schedule and the one chance they do have, they're swarmed by the press. Before Minako could comment any further on how incredibly unfair life was the shrill ringing of the phone caught her attention.
Shooting daggers at the TV screen Minako reluctantly answered the phone to the over enthusiastic voice of her princess.
"Oh hi Usagi-chan, yeah we saw it." Minako absently twirled the phone cord between her fingers as she watched Rei pace around the room.
"Well first off I don't think Rei would take too kindly to being called either adorable or whipped." Minako smirked as Rei turned to her, a half serious scowl on her face. "And secondly we have no idea what we're going to do about it. We never considered the possibility that something like this would happen."
"Hmm maybe Luna's right. It would certainly get the press off us for awhile but I really don't want to spend my day off holding some stupid press conference."
After a few more minutes discussing details on how best to address the situation and unnecessarily hearing about Mamoru's morning habits, Minako was finally able to hang up.
Forcing a small smile she took in Rei's dejected expression before taking her hand and pulling her towards the bedroom. "Come on Pyro, we've got about an hour before our press conference."
***
Just over an hour later Mars and Venus sat with the rest of the Senshi at a long table before a room infested with journalists and cameras. It appeared that Luna had done a very good job of arranging such a big event on such short notice. It was the first time the Senshi had ever arranged to be seen outside of a battle and it had the press hyped.
Venus, having been through press conferences before, had tried to prepare the others as best she could before they were fed to the sharks. Mars' frown clearly showing her irritation as Minako began the conference.
"Welcome everyone and thank you for joining us on such short notice. We decided to call this conference to address several matters that have been recently put out into the media speculating as to our private affairs, we are under no obligation to be here and as such we will only answer questions we deem appropriate. OK, well with that covered lets get started."
As soon as Venus stopped talking every hand in the room shot up, everyone desperate to ask their questions. Pointing to a short balding man in the second row Venus smiled encouragingly.
"Venus-sama, what exactly is your relationship with Mars-sama? And based on that what is your response to the footage that was taken of you both this morning."
The man visibly recoiled as Mars turned her scowl towards him. She did not take well to people asking such personal questions. Evaluating Mars' response Venus gently took her hand giving it a reassuring squeeze before turning the smile back to her captive audience.
"My relationship with Sailor Mars is something that we would have liked to keep private but given the circumstances I guess it must be addressed." Minako felt Rei's grip on her hand tighten as the blonde continued. "Mars is my partner and has been for quite some time. As for the footage of this morning, it is unfortunate that our relationship has been broadcast to the world before we were prepared to deal with it however, now that it is public knowledge we only hope that we can set a good example of what a loving relationship is regardless of the situation."
Venus gave the room a captivating smile as she finished speaking, which much to Mars' amusement left the men in the room spellbound. Taking advantage of this a female reporter in the front row jumped up firing her questions at the Senshi.
"How do the rest of you feel about the relationship between Mars and Venus, and are any of the rest of you involved in relationships?"
Sailor Moon took it upon herself to address the young woman. "I am very happy that my friends have been able to find each other. The love Mars and Venus share is something that is very special and has spanned lifetimes. I think I speak for all of us when we say that they've never been happier than they are with each other and as long they continue to be happy in their relationship we will support them. As for my love life my relationship with Tuxedo Kamen is already public knowledge. Next question please."
The press had avoided asking Rei questions, prefering to go through Minako for the answers about their relationship or about Mars in general. Those who were brave enough to seek answers from the Senshi of Fire were met with a firm 'no comment' or were pointedly ignored.
The press conference lasted far longer than any of the girls had anticipated. Realising the toll it was taking on her comrades, and her own growing need to return home with her girlfriend, Venus requested that the young gentlemen who was ready to pose his question be the last of the day.
"The apartment building that both Mars and Venus returned to this morning is frequented by many famous figures. Given that your so comfortable in this environment Venus, would it safe to assume that you are such an idol. Aino Minako perhaps?"
The young man, grinned smugly as a collective gasp filled the room. Venus however did not miss a beat and offered a him a somewhat tense smile.
"You can assume what you wish, I'm sure Aino Minako would be grateful for the extra publicity the assumption of her being Sailor Venus would bring, however I urge you not to harass the citizens living in that complex. They are good, hard working people who do not need unnecessary disruptions from fruitless questioning by reporters. Our identities are kept secret for our own protection and the protection of those we care about, we ask you to respect that and our privacy. Thank you for your time however I would like to return to my day off with my girlfriend."
The Senshi quickly removed themselves from the room chased by the never ending questions the press tried to squeeze in as they departed. Minako offered a brief farewell to their friends before dragging a very grumpy Mars back to her apartment. Once inside, Venus let her transformation fade as she pulled the still scowling Fire Senshi to her.
"Lighten up Pyro, its over now." Minako grinned as she placed a small kiss on the tip of Mars' nose. Huffing indignantly the raven also returned to her civilian form.
"That is the last time I ever do a press conference."
"Not even if I reward you for your efforts Reiko?" Seeing the small blush finding its way to Rei's features, Minako smirked as she connected her lips with Rei's while pulling her towards their bedroom. The days events giving her yet another excuse to spend some 'quality time' with her girlfriend.
'Til Next Time...
R&R please. =]