Chapter 18

Over the course of the next day and a half a few things changed in Rei's world. The biggest being Jadeite officially moved in. Up to that point he still claimed to be living at Mamoru's, and had his address there, even though he was always at the Shrine with her.

Grandpa was beyond excited that Jadeite would absolutely be staying. He didn't even consider offering Jadeite his own room, just had a dresser, and night stand added to Rei's. Jadeite joked about the amount of clothing Rei owned when he went to hang some things in her closet. She just brushed it off, and said she liked fashion. It was her thing.

Jadeite also got a late admission acceptance to college. He would start in the fall. He would begin with general studies until he decided on a direction. Rei knew Mamoru would absolutely help him figure it out. At the same time Rei's grades were going back up with the help of Ami, Mamoru, and Usagi.

Another big change was Yuirchu left Hikawa Shrine. He thanked grandpa for his teachings, but felt it was time to move on. Again, grandpa didn't even bat an eye. He just wished Yuirchu well, and sent him on his way. He did leave without even saying goodbye to Rei. In the end she believed it was for the best.

Now she and Jadeite were heading to training. The last few sessions had been focusing on hand to hand so she figured they would be doing that again. She was a little disappointed when they entered the clearing, and she saw targets set up again. She knew that meant mental attacks again. She took a deep breath, and moved into the clearing, to the group. Rei found herself paired up with Minako again. After getting her henshi pen, and transforming Rei followed Minako to the target.

When they reached the target Minako turned to Rei, and gave her a sly grin. Rei scowled back or at least tried to.

"So all official now huh?" Minako asked.

"Yeah." Rei answered.

"What's it like?" Minako questioned.

"Maybe you should ask Usa and Mamoru for Kunz, and find out for yourself." Rei quipped.

"Thought about it, but I'm not ready yet. I want to get through high school before I do the lifetime commitment."

"I get it."

"So how is the making up for lost time?"

"Mina!"

"What?"

"You're a nut."

"We know this. Now answer the question."

"We're not there yet."

"All things considered I understand. You ready?"

"Yeah."

"Vocalize your attack a feel times first, and search for the feelings while you do."

Rei nodded, and turned to the target. She slowly, and quietly called her attack to her. For the first time the feelings associated with it were strong, and clear. She latched onto them, and examined them then dropped her attack. She repeated this several times, until Minako interrupted her.

"Are you going to throw your attack or just keep dropping it?" Minako asked.

"I'm feeling something so just examining, dropping, and doing it again." Rei answered.

"This isn't only so you can do this mentally, but also to see the strength of your attack. I can't see if you're getting strong if you don't throw it." Minako explained.

"Oh." Rei respond.

"Yeah. So come on pyro. Show me your fire."

Rei snorted at the nickname she hadn't heard in almost a year. She pulled her attack to her, and threw it. It her Fire Soul wasn't quiet as strong as it once was, but it was close.

"It got weak with disuse. Keep going." Minako advised.

Rei nodded, and kept practicing. As she continued to practice she kept examining what she was feeling with it. Her attack wasn't getting stronger, but her understanding of the feelings was.

"OK. Stop. Try mentally now." Minako instructed.

Rei only nodded in response. Taking a deep breath, and closing her eyes, Rei mentally called her attack. She almost stopped in shock when she searched for the feeling associated with it, and actually found it. She pulled them too her than threw her attack. It worked! It had actually worked! She did it! Eyes wide, she turned to Minako.

"I did it!" Rei whispered.

Minako only smiled, and nodded.

"OH MY GOODNESS I ACTUALLY DID IT!" Rei squealed and jumped up and down.

"You did! Rei, I'm so proud of you! Now do it again Usa Jr." Minako joked.

Rei giggled than went back to practicing. When Minako finally called a halt, Rei didn't want to stop, but she knew she needed to. She could feel herself getting drained. Once or twice she asked about trying her other attacks, but Minako said no.

"Why can't I?" Rei asked.

"The stronger the attack the more complex it is, and the more emotions involved. You need to crawl before you can walk, and walk before you can run. You need to have complete mastery over one before you move on to the next. This one also needs to be a bit stronger before you start the next." Minako explained.

"I understand." Rei responded, which she did, even though she was disappointed.

"You'll get there. I don't think it will be too much longer until you're ready to work on the next one. This needs to be second nature first though." Minako said.

"I know you're right." Rei replied.

"I know you want to move on to the next one, but don't push yourself too hard. It's easy to get the attack feelings confused, or mix them up completely during the learning process. I did that once, and boy was that a mess. I hit myself in the face with my Love Me Chain that ended in my Crescent Beam. I blinded myself for a good 20 minutes from it."

"Ouch."

"Oh yeah. Since you're playing with fire you could literally burn yourself if you're not careful."

"That's true."

"Yeah, and we don't need a fried pyro."

"Nope. We definitely do not."

"So tell me. How does it really feel to be with Jadeite again? I mean inside. In your heart?"

"Honestly, very good. Like my life is at peace. I know it's not, but that's how it feels at the same time. It also feels like coming home. It feels right."

"Hmmm…."

"Are you considering changing your mind about waiting until after high school to ask for Kunzite's return?"

"No. I have to wait."

"Why?"

"My parents. They feel I am not ready for dating because of my grades. They feel like my ONLY focus should be school. If they knew I was a senshi, much less the general of the senshi, they would lose their minds. They would try to force me to quit, and have nothing to do with any of you. No way would they be ok with a man in my life. Also, I feel like I need to experience life a little before I settle down. Not dating and stuff, just you know. Life."

"I can understand that. There was a part of me that wondered if I should do the same thing, but honestly, I couldn't do it. If I'm going to experience life, I want to do it with Jad by my side. I don't think it would be the same without him."

"It probably wouldn't be, but if you remember Kunz was always so serious. I'm not sure he would want to do the same things I do."

"True, but you never know. I thought Jad would be the flirt and man whore he once was, but he hasn't been. Sure women hit on him when they see him, but he simply tells them he is happily taken, and sends them on their way. Just remember Mina, people change, times have changed, and we're all living in a different world and time now."

"That's true. I do miss him though. Some days more than I feel like I should."

"Why shouldn't you miss him? He's your soulmate. I missed Jad so much I couldn't keep living without him. Granted our situations are very different."

"You needed Jad. Weather you realize it or not, he's helped you more than any of us ever could. He's helped bring you back in so many ways."

"I do realize. I don't think I could have done this without him, but if you ask him he hasn't done much. He's wrong though. Him showing me he was here for me, and actually doing it. Him protecting me, and working with me on so many things has helped me immensely."

"I know he has. I can see, and feel it. I just don't need Kunz the way you needed Jad. I'm also, honestly not ready. I'm not ready for the intensity of what we have yet. I'll know when I'm ready."

"Yes you will. Until than live, and enjoy your life."

"I plan to. You need to do the same thing Rei. I know life has been shit to you, but there is so much more out there. So much better. Enjoy it."

"I will Mina."

"I love you pyro. You know that right?"

"I love you too, you nut."

Minako giggled as they joined the rest of the group.

"Great job pyro! I saw you mentally pull your attack! It was amazing to see." Usagi beamed at Rei.

"Thanks Usa. It felt amazing, and so exciting. I can't wait to work on it more." Rei responded with a smile.

"You will. Just remember, one step at a time. Also, set backs can, and will happen. It doesn't mean something is wrong or you're failing. It just means you need to try again." Usagi stated.

"I'll remember that Usa. Thank you." Rei said.

"Alright everyone, we're done for the night. Be here Sunday at 1:00." Minako ordered.

Rei dropped her transformation, and handed her henshi pen over to Minako. She smiled at her friend than turned to Jadeite, who was waiting for her. She didn't even realize she had pulled a Usagi, and skipped over to him, until Makoto said something.

"When did Rei turn into Usa?" Makoto asked with a snort.

"MAKO! Leave her alone. She's happy. Let her enjoy it." Minako chidded their friend.

"I'm just teasing her." Makoto protested, as Rei turned to her.

"Just you wait Mako. The day you do the same thing I'll be right there for pay back." Rei quipped with a smirk.

"I don't skip." Makoto replied with a lift of her chin, but Rei caught her smirk.

"Uh huh. Sure you don't." Ami said.

"You're not immune either Ami." Makoto joked.

"I never said I was." Ami responded.

"Mamo, they're like little kids." Usagi said with a snort.

Rei stuck her tongue out at Usagi which Usagi did in kind. Rei smiled then giggled with her friend. She said her goodbyes to her friends, and headed home with Jadeite.

"So how does it feel to have been about to mentally call your attack?" Jadeite asked.

"Wonderful." Rei replied as she put her arm around Jadeite's back.

"I have no doubt. You looked beautiful doing it too." Jadeite stated.

"Thank you, but flattery will get you….huh. Ok. Maybe it will get you far." Rei said with a giggle.

"As long as it's with you, I'll take it."

"Thank you Jad. For everything."

"This isn't the part where you say, but this isn't working for you, is it?"

"Absolutely not. You're stuck with me now."

"What was it I heard you being called? Pyro?"

"Hey! Only the girls call me that."

"I kinda like it though."

"You would."

Jadeite laughed, and Rei found herself giggling as they ascended the shrine stairs. Jadeite stopped her at the top of the stairs, turned her to face him, and kissed her, gently. He didn't deepen the kiss, but just his lips pressed against hers made her heart race, and her soul soar. It is the perfect end to a perfect evening. She couldn't wait to practice more, but right then all she wanted was to fall asleep in Jadeite's arms, and she did.