After a while you may forget

But just in case the memories cross your mind

You couldn't know this when I left

Under the fire of your angry eyes

I never wanted to say goodbye

-LINKIN PARK (Sorry for Now)

~MINAKO~

The days seemed to drag on as soon as they arrived on the Moon. Meetings upon meetings she had to attend to plan the ball. Security was to be tighter than usual, which was to be expected. All the details of the meetings seemed to blend together. Everything was the same; keep the Queen safe, and watch for spies and changelings.

After a meeting she was stopped by Haruka.

"You need to stop dwelling over your choice," Haruka said.

Well that was straight forward, Minako thought. She was going to reply but decided to keep quiet.

"You are a commander," Haruka said. "You can't focus on one person while you hold that title. Yeah, I know you will guard the future princess, but you must be focused on keeping everyone else safe."

"Love is what Venusians are kno-"

"Yes, but you are a commander," Haruka said. "What you once were is meaningless now. Love is secondary." She put a hand on her shoulder. "What I learned from my father is that a leader wears two wears two faces, first the face of a lord, and second the caregiver. A leader must learn to wear those faces to be successful."

She started walking away.

"Once you learn that you'll be fine," Haruka said.

Minako stood there in silence as she thought about her choices. She then started walking away. As she rounded a corner, she was hit in the head with a mailed fist and that was all she saw before she blacked out.

The dried blood crusted over her eye and she could only open one eye. She was in a dark damp cell. Moss adorned the walls and the musty air made her sick to her stomach.

A loud ringing made her cringe in pain as she stood up. She reached up and touched the wound on her head.

Distant footsteps started getting closer. Before her stood a young man. His amber eyes struck fear in her entire being.

"There is fear in your eyes," he said. He lifted her chin and grinned. "You know who I am."

Minako wanted to pull away but she couldn't move.

"You fear me?" his malicious grin forced her back. "You do. So you are the bitch who drove a sword through my father. I was very young but I remember you."

She collapsed on the ground. Her eyes were locked with his.

"Oh boy, we're going to have fun," he pinned her down. "I was going to kill you but you are a prize for any prince."

He pressed his mouth to hers. The beast then started ravaging his prey.

Hours passed since she endured the first encounter with the son of the white wolf. All of her will to live left her being. She crawled over to her belonging that had been torn from her and quietly searched for something.

Artemis had given her something for her to use in dire situations. It was more of a suicide pill but this pill enabled her to be reincarnated near the Queen's prayer room. The pill was to ensure they would make it back.

She felt the lump in her gauntlet and pressed on it. The pill was loosed and she took it in her hand. As she brought it to her mouth she paused for a moment.

Rei, I never wanted to say goodbye.

She took the pill and was enveloped in a warmth as she blacked out.