Ah, reviews. A writer's candy, it means someone actually read their story.
Balticbard: Um, no. There will not be any same sex loving in this story. Sorry to all who wanted it. I'm glad you like it so far. I hope you say the same thing when you keep reading, if you do.
Athenae: Mina (Minako) happens to be my second favorite character (Sailor Pluto, is my favorite). Well written, you say? Why thank you. I like your name, by the way.
Lady Imp: Short but sweet. I shall continue, as long as you continue reading…
Chapter Two
I left Mina in the park, weeping pathetically on the ashes of what was left of a few trees. I don't know if her tears were an attempt to get some sort of sympathy from me, if it was, it didn't work. In fact, I had even less sympathy for her than I had before I saw her. I could never excuse her cowardice especially since that was what ended my best friend's life.
Walking downtown, I passed several shops that brought tears to my eyes. I had to leave downtown all together, for it held too many memories of times when we were all happy, times now long gone. However, as much as I would have liked to run away from the pain right then, I had to go to the grocery store for my grandfather. And I wasn't one to run, like some people I knew.
I tried to keep my eyes focused on the sidewalk in front of me, instead of the shops around me. I suppressed a sob. Crying wouldn't bring her back. Hating Mina wouldn't solve anything either, but at least that made me feel a slight bit of comfort. Hate felt better than pain. Half of my heart was consumed with grief, the other half with anger. I had no room for anything else, I realized.
"Raye," a voice said from behind me as I reached for fruit. I turned, praying that it wasn't Mina. It wasn't.
"Hey, Lita," I muttered, semi-incoherently. Lita twirled her finger around a lock of her brown hair. She looked nervously at me as she gave an effort at a friendly smile.
"How—how are you feeling?"
"As well as can be expected, under the circumstances, I suppose. What about you?"
"Okay." Lita's green eyes flashed sadly. I instantly knew she wasn't okay.
"How are you really?"
"Oh, I feel awful, Raye. I just don't understand how this could have happened. She wasn't supposed to die. We were sent here to stop that. I just don't understand." I touched Lita's arm reassuringly.
"I know, I know." Lita sighed.
"Have you talked to Mina?" I jerked my hand away angrily. Then I remembered Lita hadn't done anything to deserve my anger.
"I saw her today. She tried to act though she cared."
"But, Raye—"
"As though she meant anything to Mina. If Mina had an ounce of bravery in her, she would still be alive."
"Aren't you being a little too hard on her? I'm sure Mina feels as bad as we do. Maybe more so because she was the only one of us free. She probably feels guilty."
"She should! Are you sympathizing with her, Lita?"
"Raye, I think we're being ridiculous for not talking to her. We should all be sticking together in times like these, not rejecting someone because we blame her."
"You do agree it's her fault though, don't you?"
"I believe that there was more that she could have done, yes. But she was scared, we all were. She was just in the wrong position to be scared. Perhaps it would have been different if you were free instead."
"It would have."
"And maybe not."
"It would have."
"We don't know. The only one of us would could know is Setsuna and she won't tell not matter what we do."
"It's Mina's fault, Lita, and I'll be damned if I ever forgive her."
"You might be damning yourself by not forgiving her. We all might be. Including Mina herself." I could not accept any of what Lita said, although it all made sense. There was no excuse, why wasn't Lita acknowledging that?
"I have to go. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
"Are we meeting at the temple? We haven't done that all week."
"Yes."
"All of us?" I paused. Lita really wanted to trust that Mina was sorry. I sighed. I suppose if she was eager to be backstabbed by Mina that was her business.
"Fine. But you talk to Mina. I can't stand the sound of her voice anymore today. I had enough of her bull shit." It was Lita's turn to be reassuring.
"We'll work through this, Raye. It'll be difficult, but we can do it. We've gone through tough times before."
"We'll see."
^^^^^^^
A/N: One thing I need to say: I decided that it's kind of impossible for this to be in SMR because of my ever so subtle mention of Setsuna I don't think they knew who she was in R, did they? Anyway, if my second chapter is as successful as the first, I will be a very happy Plutonian.
P. Thunder