~Wavering Destiny~
by Strawberry Moon Rose
Well, we're on the downward slide for this story! Only a couple chapters left to go...
Thanks for the reviews, I cherish every one! =)
Enjoy! :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
Chapter 46: Speak Now
"You are welcome to stay here at the palace for as long as you please," Kakyuu offered. Her coral-colored lips formed a gentle smile.
"That's kind of you, thank you very much. We will consider the offer." Setsuna smoothed her long pencil skirt. She and the other guardians had all detransformed into their civilian selves.
Mamoru mussed his fingers through his jet-black hair and stretched his arms behind his head, stifling a yawn. The bags under his eyes showed that he hadn't had a good night's sleep in weeks. Worrying about his daughter, traveling to the future to rescue her with Pluto, and sustaining her life force had drained all his energy. Now that this whole mess was over, the only thing he could think about was crashing into a nice, warm bed. He was desperate enough he was willing to sleep at the Starlights' palace.
"I think that's a great idea," Mamoru agreed quickly. "We all could use a little R & R."
"Splendid," said Kakyuu. "I shall call for the maids to prepare guest rooms." Pivoting on her heels, she looked at the others. "Will you all be joining us for the next few days?"
Michiru sensed a palpable wave of tension radiating from her lover. Turning, she could see the protest blazing in Haruka's eyes like flames. Just standing in the entry room of the Starlight's home was painful. The thought of having to sleep here made Haruka's skin crawl as if it was covered in earthworms.
Haruka cleared her throat. "No thanks, we-"
"Would really love to," Hotaru interrupted. "It's so nice of you to offer, Princess Kakyuu. It's just as Mamoru said, and I think some sleep and food will do us good. Earth will still be waiting for us all when we get back. And leaving so quickly wouldn't be polite. Right, Michiru-mama?"
Haruka pinched her lips together so hard they changed color.
"I think so too," Michiru said, biting back a smile. Haruka could be so stubborn, she almost found it humorous.
"We can share a room together, Hotaru!" Chibi-Usa said, linking her arm through her best friend's. "It'll be just like a sleepover!"
"Really? Oh, I can't wait!"
"It's gonna be so much fun!"
"Won't it?"
Haruka's eyebrow twitched. It felt like everyone was celebrating but her. She remembered the way Mamoru had spoken before; it was over, it truly was. As much as she wanted to have the final word, she knew it was useless. Raising the white flag was more difficult than she'd ever imagined. Sticking around Kinmoku would be torture, but seeing that she couldn't teleport back to Earth without the others, did she have much of a choice? Refusing would just make herself look like more of an ass than she already had.
Seiya smiled smugly in her direction. Haruka shot her a poisonous glare.
"Chibi!" Perched on Seiya's shoulder's, Chibi Chibi's eyes widened as Seiya moved. She grabbed tiny fistfuls of the Starlight's hair to hang on.
"Ow - hey! Watch it," Seiya joked, holding Chibi Chibi's ankles so she didn't fall.
"Watch it!" Chibi Chibi giggled.
"No, you watch it!"
"You watch it!" Chibi Chibi parroted. Seiya and Usagi burst out laughing.
"Aw, aren't they so cute, Yaten?" Minako cooed, resting her head on her Starlight's shoulder. She couldn't help but marvel in jealousy at the three of them. They'd always looked like a family together.
"Cute?" Yaten wrinkled her forehead. "That's not the word I had in mind, Mina. I mean, Seiya as a parent? She can't even take care of herself! This'll be a nightmare, but..." Yaten smirked as she watched Chibi Chibi yanking on Seiya's ponytail. "...I think we'll get a few good laughs out of it."
Minako smiled and closed her eyes. Fair blonde locks tumbled down Yaten's back as she snuggled her cheek against the satin of her pajama shoulder. She loved that they were the exact same height.
"Well, I think she'll make a good mom," she said.
Yaten's heart softened. She wrapped one arm around Minako's hip and pulled her body close.
"Yeah, I think she will too." Realizing how mushy that sounded, she bit her tongue. "But I swear, if you tell her I said that, I'll-"
"You'll what?" Minako teased.
"Mina..."
"Why not?" she said innocently. Minako took one look in Seiya's direction and wiggled her eyebrows.
"Because I'll never hear the end of it, that's why not."
Minako narrowed her eyes mischievously. "Then you'd better stop me before I tell her you said that..." She slithered out of Yaten's grasp and tiptoed away.
Yaten frowned and crossed her arms. She knew Minako was just messing with her, but she also knew that the blonde was a total blabbermouth. She'd have to watch what spilled out around her, or everyone would think she was soft. But she couldn't help it, whenever she was around Minako, all the ice on her heart melted. Minako was the only person who had that effect on her
Minako peeked over her shoulder to see if Yaten was following her. A smile played on Yaten's lips without permission, and she felt her arms coming uncrossed and her feet moving forward. Grabbing the blonde's wrist, she spun her around and pulled her close before she could take another step. The last thing Yaten saw was Minako's surprised blue eyes before lips met lips in a smiling kiss.
Minako's hands danced all the way down her back to the dimples at the end of her spine. The skin of her fingers tickled through her shirt, making Yaten arch her back slightly. Minako pulled her even closer and cupped the Starlight's face between her two hands. A stifled moan escaped Yaten's mouth. She tasted amazing.
"I've gotta hand it to her," Makoto said with a sigh as she watched the lovey-dovey couple. "Minako beat me fair and square."
"What do you mean, Mako?" Ami asked.
"Oh, you know. We've always had this competition going on to see who could get a boyfriend first. Looks like she won! Sort of. Does it count if she has a girlfriend instead?" Makoto joked. "'Cause if not, then I still can win!"
"Win? And with whom do you have in mind?" Taiki raised a chestnut brow.
Makoto flushed. She scratched her head. "Well, I dunno yet! But I'll find someone. Someday..."
"Good for you, Mako. I think there's someone out there for all of us," Ami said, her eyes on Taiki.
Rei, standing beside her friends, swallowed hard. She hadn't heard a word they'd said. It felt like a sinkhole had opened up in her chest and her heart was being sucked into it.
"Earth to Rei!" A hand fluttered in front of her face. It took a couple seconds for her to realize Makoto was trying to get her attention.
"What?"
"What's up? You're acting like a total zombie!"
Rei smiled weakly. "Yeah."
Makoto frowned and stepped close. "Hey. What's wrong?" she whispered.
"Nothing's wrong."
"Don't lie, Rei."
"I'm not lying."
"Yes you are. You look like you're going to cry..." Makoto followed the raven-haired girl's gaze, and suddenly, a door opened in her mind.
"Forget it." Rei shook her head. "I haven't slept in a few days, that's all."
"Would you like to rest?" Taiki asked. "Your room is still available. The maids haven't touched a thing since you girls left."
"Terrific." Rei plastered on a smile and headed towards the hall. She could have sworn she saw Makoto reaching after her, but she couldn't bring herself to look back.
Getting to the hallway meant having to pass by Minako and Yaten, which was the last thing she wanted to do. But sticking around would just be even worse. She needed to get away and clear her head. A cold, hard realization had surfaced, and she wasn't ready to deal with it. Not here, not now, not ever. Biting her lip, she strode past them as casually and as quickly as she could, praying she didn't look as insecure and small as she felt.
The couple was cuddling now, whispering in low voices, and she was grateful she couldn't make any of it out. As she passed by, neither one batted an eye. They were so infatuated with each other now that they could finally be together again, Rei was sure that if she'd walked by butt naked they wouldn't have noticed.
Setting her jaw, Rei turned her head away and stared out the broken windows, suddenly wanting to just go home.
The sky was pitch-black, thunderclouds drowning on the horizon. The moons dipped lower behind the rustling trees. A damp, chilly breeze blew in from the night, cutting to the bone. Rei shivered in her priestess robe. She'd been wearing it when they'd left Earth at the Hikawa shrine, and the thin white and red material offered little to keep her warm. She tightened the bow at her waist and buried her hands in her sleeves to conserve heat.
Crunch. Crunch. Her wooden sandals ground against the glass shards and rubble. The entire entry room was a mess. She knew Ami and Taiki would stick around and help clean up like model citizens, but it looked like they'd be the only helpers working alongside the workers and maids. The room was quickly emptying.
Hotaru and Chibi-Usa had already taken off after Mamoru and Setsuna to their own rooms. Chibi Chibi was doing the potty dance and Usagi said something about taking her to the bathroom down the hall. Seiya joked about going with so she didn't get lost.
Wherever Haruka went, Michiru went. The couple reluctantly started for a room of their own. Nobody wanted to talk about what had happened before, especially them. The past was gone, and the only thing left to do was look forward, as difficult as that may be. Haruka couldn't wait to finally get away from everyone and have some time alone before the sun rose on a new day; a new future. She wasn't ready to face whatever would happen next, but she hoped some sleep and time to cool down would change that. After all, she had nowhere else to go on this alien planet, so she held her tongue and stuck by her lover's side.
Reaching her guest room, Rei heaved herself inside.
The air was a few degrees cooler than the hall and smelled like cinnamon and vanilla. She ran her fingertips across the wall and flicked the lights on.
Nostalgia settled over her. It was just as she remembered with its teal-colored walls and wooden furniture. Her sandals sunk into the plush carpet, so she kicked them off near the dresser and pulled the heavy door shut behind her. Exhausted, Rei collapsed onto her bed. It was perfectly made, just as she'd left it, unlike Minako's on the other side of the room. The ravioli-shaped pillows and white lace comforter were strewn in a careless heap.
Rei's insides twisted like someone was stirring them with a fork. She laid down, her head hitting a stiff pillow near the headboard. Suddenly, the blankets felt itchy, like they'd been spread too taut and tucked too properly. Heaving herself up, Rei crossed the room and crawled into Minako's bed. She unraveled a ball of blankets and slipped between it and the mattress. Finding a pillow, she let her head sink into the downy material and pulled the comforter to her chin.
They smelled like flowers, vanilla, honey. They smelled like Minako.
Heat swelled behind Rei's eyes, and when she blinked, a tear slipped out. It ran down her cheek and absorbed into the pillowcase. Grinding her teeth together, she pulled the blanket over her head and rolled over.
What's wrong with me? I should be happy for Usagi and Seiya right now, and relieved that we rescued Chibi-Usa. And I am... So why do I feel like this? Why do I feel like I just got hit by a train that I've seen coming for miles? But now it feels so real. So final. It's really over, isn't it? Seiya and Usagi have a future now, so that means Yaten and Minako do too...
"Rei?" A husky, yet feminine voice called. The door opened.
Rei winced. It was Makoto. She quickly wiped her eyes and yanked the blanket off her head. It frizzed her hair, but she didn't care.
"Yeah? What's up, Mako?" She hoped it was more convincing that it sounded.
The brawny girl shut the door and approached her friend. Hesitating for a second, Makoto lowered herself onto the edge of the bed. Outside in the hallway, they heard footsteps thudding past the door.
"Chibi Chibi! Get back here!" Usagi yelled.
"Back here!"
"Come on, it's past your bedtime! You can sleep with me and Bun Head, so let's go!" Seiya said.
"Chibi Chibi!"
"Running like that's dangerous! You'll trip!" Usagi sounded out of breath. She stopped outside the door. "Oh, honestly! Seiya, you go get her! I hate running!"
"Me? Why me?"
The toddler's footsteps grew quieter. A faint giggle echoed down the hall before she rounded a corner. Usagi groaned. "Great, now we lost her!"
"Good going, Bun Head." Seiya chuckled.
Rei managed to smirk. Chibi-Usa may have been a handful, but at least she complied to Mamoru. Chibi Chibi on the other hand, was all giggles and play around both of her parents.
"Sounds like they're having a good time," Makoto said, breaking the tension.
"Yeah. We're lucky it all worked out."
Makoto smiled distantly. "So...what do you think will happen now?"
"What do you mean?"
Makoto shrugged. "Are we all going back to Earth together? The Starlights too...?"
"I imagine so," said Rei, avoiding her eyes. She picked at the fibers of the blanket in her lap. She could picture everyone back home already; Seiya and Usagi chasing Chibi Chibi around the CROWN fruit parlor, Taiki and Ami studying together at the table by the window, and Yaten and Minako sitting side by side sipping from the same milkshake while playing footsie under the table. She didn't even need her psychic powers to foretell that.
"You think they'll be able to do that? Leave Kinmoku? This is their home... And Princess Kakyuu? What if she doesn't let them go? Who'll protect Kinmoku?"
Rei pursed her lips together. To be honest, she was wondering the same things. It all was happening so quickly. While it looked like everything was falling apart, it was actually falling into place. It was overwhelming to even begin to think about, and it was starting to give her a headache.
"How would I know? Go ask Yaten or something," she muttered.
Makoto flinched. She tilted her head away, allowing a curl to fall into her face.
Rei opened her mouth, but only a dry explanation came out. She looked down.
"Sorry. That didn't come out right, Mako."
"It's fine."
"No, it isn't," she insisted. "I'm taking my anger at Yaten out on you, and you didn't do anything wrong. Forgive me."
Makoto put her hand on Rei's shoulder. "It's okay. We've all been through so much in the past few days. I don't blame you for being snappier than usual."
"Thanks, Mako. For understanding."
"Not a problem." Makoto pulled her knees to her chest and leaned against the wall. "So...why're you mad at Yaten?"
The corner of Rei's mouth twitched. "I'm not mad at Yaten."
"You just said you were."
"Oh." Rei sweatdropped.
Makoto leaned closer, the scent of pine cones tickling her nose. "So what happened? I saw you shooting her daggers earlier."
Rei pressed her lips together. Makoto's eyes were the color of trees in the summer; a sincere shade of green. She couldn't tell her. She couldn't.
"Do you realize that me and you are the only ones who don't have someone?" she blurted.
Makoto blinked. "Eh?"
"Think about it, Mako! I mean, Usagi's got Seiya, Minako has Yaten, and Ami is with Taiki. We're outcasts. Complete rejects."
"Oh, come on, Rei! Don't say it like that." Makoto's eyes widened. "Wait a second. You think Ami is acting weird around Taiki too?"
"Of course I do! And can you blame them? It's like they were practically custom-made for each other."
Makoto clucked her tongue. "I knew it! All those times she said she was going to the library here at the palace, I bet she was going just to see Taiki! Isn't she sly! And when I asked her about it, she said-"
"Mako!" Rei raised a hand. "I think you're missing the point."
"What point? That Ami is keeping secrets from us?"
Rei heaved a sigh. "Well, that too."
"I can't believe it... Ami, the late bloomer, fell in love before I did! Unbelievable." Makoto rolled up her sleeves. "It's too bad they weren't the Five Lights, instead of the Three Lights. I want someone too."
"Tell me about it," Rei said quietly. "And if we hadn't come to Kinmoku, none of this would've happened. Usagi would still be with Mamoru, Ami's love would be her studies, and Minako..." Rei's heart slipped up to her throat. Although she was looking across the room, all she could see was Minako running her hands over Yaten's small frame and their lips against each others. "Minako...she'd be..." Her voice sounded wobbly. She could feel Makoto's worried eyes burning on her. Her pulse began to race.
Makoto's hand came down over hers. Rei's skin was hot and dry, and she could feel the trembling in her fingers. "I think... I think I know what this is about now."
"You...do?"
Makoto nodded. "Rei...you're upset with Yaten because...you like Minako, don't you?"
Color rushed to Rei's cheeks. Tears clouded her eyes, but didn't fall. "How'd you know?" she asked.
Makoto pursed her lips together, looking pained. Her eyes traveled to Minako's bed they were sitting in, but she said nothing. To make it even worse, Makoto didn't look all that surprised.
Rei squeezed a fistful of sheets in her hand and looked away. It was embarrassing to think that someone other than herself knew, but it was also comforting at the same time. Makoto was a good friend. She'd understand, and maybe could help. It'd been torture keeping it inside for so long, and now she'd reached her limit.
Rei sucked in a gulp of air and blew it out slowly between her teeth.
"I just...don't know what to do." Squeezing her eyes shut, words starting rolling off her tongue. "Ever since I met her... I wanted to know her better... We just had something so special, you know? I really thought it might lead to something more. But I...I never actually told her how I felt, and she moved on... God, I'm so stupid." Hot tears trickling down her face, a sob escaped the back of her throat. "I'm just so stupid."
Makoto pulled her into a hug. She didn't say anything. She didn't need to. Holding Rei close, she stroked her back softly, making soothing circle motions. She'd never seen her like this before; so unguarded and hurt. To think that this was tearing her up this badly, it made her own heart squeeze.
"It's selfish," Rei mumbled into Makoto's shirt. "She's happy now, and that's all I've ever wanted for her. It just kills me that I can't be the one who brings that smile to her face." She sniffled.
"I think you need to tell Minako how you feel."
"What!?" Rei pulled away fast. She wiped her eyes on the back of her hand, smudging it with watery mascara. "Are you insane, Mako? I can't do that! Not now that she's with Yaten!"
"Rei." Makoto put her hands on Rei's shoulders. She spoke slowly, patiently. "If you don't tell her, this feeling is never going to go away. You won't be able to move on. You need to do this."
"But it's too late! I don't want to mess things up. She has no clue I feel this way, and it'll make things awkward between us if she finds out now. I can't do it."
"You can't or you won't?"
Rei squirmed. "Don't look at me that way, Mako. I just can't!"
"Why not?"
"B-because! She might not believe me. Or worse, she might laugh. You wouldn't understand..."
"Right. Because I've never been in love before," Makoto said sarcastically. The sempai who broke her heart floated to her mind. Frowning, she quickly brushed the thought away and stood up.
"I'm sorry, that's not what I meant," Rei was saying. "It's just... Hey- Mako, where're you going?"
"Stay here. I'll be right back," she said over her shoulder. And with that, Makoto left.
"What the heck?" Rei said aloud. She crossed the room and peeked her head out, but there wasn't a soul around.
"Mako?" Her voice reverberated down the long corridor. Moonlight streamed in through the windows, casting shadows over everything. Shivering, Rei pulled the door shut. She closed her eyes and leaned her weight against the door frame and let out a shaky sigh. The mirror on the back of the door felt cool against her skin. She turned and caught a glimpse of her reflection.
The pretty girl looking back had the same inky violet eyes and shimmering straight hair, but something was different. The whites of her eyes were dull with a tinge of melancholy. Her priestess robe was wrinkled.
She realized the chirping of crickets in the distance was the only sound. Usagi and Seiya must have finally chased down Chibi Chibi. Right now the three of them were probably snuggling up in Seiya's ginormous bed under the covers together.
In the mirror, Rei gazed at Minako's bed on the other side of the room. She wouldn't be surprised if Minako didn't sleep in their room tonight. She was most likely with Yaten at the very moment.
Suddenly the bedroom door slammed open, jostling into Rei. She stumbled back, trying to get out of the way, but the door clipped her hip, shoving her backwards.
Tripping over her sandals that she'd kicked off near the doorway, she saw the room spin in a blur. Air whistled through her hair. She hit the ground, pain shooting up her side. Her cheek was pressed to carpet and her elbow throbbed. Groaning, she pulled herself into a sitting position.
"Thanks a lot, Mako," Rei grumbled, rubbing her side. "I really needed that."
"Oh my god! Rei! Are you okay?" a high-pitched voice asked shrilly. A flash of blonde hair caught her eye. Then a red bow. No. Rei glanced up in horror as Minako's cute face swam into view.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't know you were standing there!" Dropping to her knees, Minako hovered over her gingerly. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah..." Rei's head started spinning, and it wasn't from the fall. The sweet fragrance of honey and vanilla swirled around her nose. If Minako got any closer, they'd be breathing the same air.
"Which one?" Minako asked, looking confused. "Yes it hurts or yes you're okay?"
A smile tugged at the corner of Rei's mouth. "Both."
Minako rolled her eyes. She extended her hand. Rei took it, trying her best to ignore the butterflies in her stomach when their skin met.
"Are you sure you're okay? I'm seriously such a klutz," Minako said when they were both on their feet again.
Rei finger-combed her long hair and fluffed her bangs.
"Yeah, no worries," she said as nonchalantly as she could.
"Hold on." Minako took a step close. Her hands fluttered to Rei's midsection as she straightened the bow on her robe. Rei froze. Her posture went so rigid it looked like someone had replaced her spine with a metal rod.
Minako's fingers crawled up from her stomach to her ribcage as she adjusted the material. Near her collarbone, her fingertips accidentally brushed against Rei's chest, tingling her bare skin as she straightened the collar. Rei didn't move. Her heart was pounding so hard she could feel it in her toes.
"There." Oblivious to the exchange, Minako smiled and stepped back, satisfied with a job well done.
"Th-thanks." Rei's cheeks were hot.
"No problem! So what'd you wanna talk to me about?" Minako chirped.
Rei blinked hard. "What do you mean?"
"Mako said you had something super important to tell me. That's why she came and got me, isn't it? And it'd better be good, 'cause Yaten and I were totally in the middle of something, Rei."
Rei's stomach squeezed. She hadn't noticed before, but standing there now, she could see that the blonde's cheeks were flushed and her shiny lip gloss was smeared. She and Yaten had definitely been in the middle of something. Her heart sunk.
"Oh. Well... It's nothing." Rei rubbed her elbow even though it didn't hurt anymore. "Mako's just being stupid, that's all. You can go now, forget about it. There's nothing to say."
"Are you sure? She made it sound like it was urgent."
"Yeah, definitely. It's not important. She shouldn't have interrupted you. Go on." Rei shooed her away. Minako raised an eyebrow and Rei fudged a laugh for good measure. It sounded dry and unnatural, like it belonged to someone else.
"Well then, okay..." Minako glanced at her one last time before turning to the door. Rei swallowed a lump in her throat. Something in her deflated like an untied balloon. Although the idea of telling her was practically a suicide mission for their friendship, letting her walk away didn't feel right either.
Minako clasped the doorknob, jangling it all around. Frowning, she gave it a good tug. It wouldn't budge. "Hey, what's up with our door?" she said.
"What do you mean?"
"It won't open!"
"Sorry!" Makoto's muffled answer came from the other side. "You two aren't going anywhere until Rei says what she needs to. I'll wait here until morning if I have to."
"Technically, it's already morning," Minako pointed out, glancing at her watch.
"Mako, I swear you'll be sorry if you don't open this door!" Rei warned.
Makoto lowered her voice. "Rei, you'll be sorry if you keep running away like this. Trust me, it's for your own good."
Rei gritted her teeth. Heat rose in her face, burning her ears. She balled her fists and pressed her forehead against the mirror on the back of the door. She listened hard as Makoto's footsteps grew further and further away. They were really alone now.
"Rei? What was that about?"
Rei closed her eyes. Makoto's words lingered in her head. She inhaled and exhaled three uneasy breaths before turning around. When she brought her eyes up, Minako was giving her a look of concern.
"Minako..." Rei's voice wavered. "There's...something..." She sighed. "...I need to tell you."
"Oh." Minako clapped her hands together. "Okay, shoot."
Rei's hand fell to her belly. Nausea rippled through her gut. Was she really going to go through with this? What would she think? Sweat collected in the grooves of her palms. Her legs felt too weak to support her weight. Her heart was chugging so fast behind her sternum, she was worried it might explode.
"I... I..." Her tongue felt welded in place. It wouldn't form the words.
"Rei...?" Minako closed the distance between them. One more foot, and they'd be touching.
"What's wrong?" Minako's voice was silky and smooth. So caring. So gentle. She looked like an angel with her innocent eyes. She was close enough that every time she blinked, Rei could see her eyelashes grazing just under her blonde eyebrows. I have to do this. I have to.
"Minako," Rei whispered meekly. "...I like you."
Minako's eyes moved around her face. A bird cawed in the distance. The lights hummed above them. Then, a small smile played on her mouth.
"I like you too, Rei," she said cheerfully.
Rei pinched her lips together. She shook her head. "No. I mean, I like you."
Minako arched her eyebrows. Rei nodded slowly, her cheeks turning red. Then, the realization hit her. It was as if her thoughts had short-circuited and her brain needed to be rebooted. Her mouth was open, but no sound came out. Her hand found a random tress of hair and started twirling it around her index finger.
"Oh," was all she could say. "Oh..."
Rei looked at the floor. Awkward seconds snailed by. All Rei could think about was how much she'd rather be anywhere but here. She kept waiting for Minako to say something, but she was taking forever. What could she possibly be thinking? Why wasn't she responding? The anticipation was shredding her apart from inside to out.
"You must think I'm pretty pathetic, don't you?" she said at last, desperate to shatter the ocean of silence.
"No, I don't," Minako said quietly. "I'm just...shocked."
Rei couldn't bring herself to look up and see her expression, but her voice sounded even. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? She couldn't tell.
"I...I wanted to tell you for so long, but I never did. And I know it's too late now. Yaten makes you so happy. And I just want you to know that I truly am happy for you and I don't want to get in between you two. I just needed to tell you so I could move on."
"Rei..." Minako licked her lips nervously. "I didn't know you felt that way about me. I can't believe...this whole time...you've been holding that in... I can't even imagine how that must've felt..." She unwrapped the lock of hair around her finger and let her hand fall to her side. "I wish you would've told me earlier, but I'm glad you did now. Better late than never, right?"
"Yeah. I guess..."
Minako gazed at Rei. She looked completely heartbroken, but was trying incredibly hard not to for her sake. She'd always looked up to Rei. She was beautiful, intelligent, and graceful; everything she longed to become. To think that Rei saw something special in her was so flattering, and made her stomach jump involuntarily. Had she not been with Yaten, maybe this confession would have been the curious start of something. After all, the lines between friendship and love were never clear.
Without thinking, Minako took another step closer. The distance between them was only six inches, and shortening. Rei's eyes widened. She could feel the heat snapping off the Minako's body as she leaned in. Her sweet fragrance grew stronger, intoxicating her brain and freezing every muscle in her body.
The next thing she knew, Minako's lips were touching her cheek. It was short. It was sweet. When the kiss came to an end, Minako lingered there, so close their noses touched. And for a split second, they breathed together.
Warmth rose in Rei's face. Electricity coursed through her veins instead of blood, and she wondered if she was going to pass out.
"What...was that for?" she whispered.
Minako smiled sheepishly and took a step back. "Just a way of saying thank you."
"For...what?"
"For saving me at the party. You know, when you let me wear your dress onstage. I never did get the chance to tell you how much it meant to me... While Yaten was acting like a total jerk, you were there for me, Rei. You always were. I'm so sorry I never noticed until now."
Rei nodded. A weight settled in her chest, like every sentence she spoke was piling there. She knew by the feather-light pressure in the kiss that it was nothing more than an act of friendship; a farewell. As painfully bittersweet as it was, a sense of closure rose above all other feelings attached to the notion. Something lifted off her shoulders, a weight that she hadn't known was there until it was gone.
"Thank you, Minako. I feel...better somehow," Rei said honestly.
"You're my best friend, Rei, and you always will be. Thank you for that. Even though I can't be that person for you, I know you'll find him or her someday."
Rei's eyes flooded with happiness. She was suddenly engulfed with the urge to throw her arms around the blonde and never let her go. But she didn't. She couldn't.
"I'll try," she said tightly.
Minako tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "So. Um, I guess I should get going. Yaten's probably wondering where I am. You know how impatient she gets..."
"Yeah. That's for sure..."
Their gaze met and both girls grinned. Minako flipped her hair over her shoulder and pulled the door open with ease, not surprised to find it was unlocked.
"Oh! One last thing, Rei."
"Yes?"
"You're gonna have to come up with a good excuse for Yuuichiro on why we suddenly disappeared at the shrine. You know he's probably worried sick about you right now."
Rei rolled her eyes. "Ugh. You know what? He probably is. He's such a goofball."
Minako's features softened. "You should give him a chance, Rei." She smiled and stepped out into the hallway, her voice echoing into the blanket of night. "You never know, people are full of surprises."