Chapter 7 - Reunion
Ami and Makoto sat there opened mouth staring in disbelief at Rei and Minako.
"So that's the whole story, that's why we had to leave," Minako finished and Ami and Makoto still could not bring themselves to speak. Rei couldn't tell what they were thinking which was a little weird since Rei could usually feel what people were feeling. Makoto and Ami both wore solemn faces and Rei felt a stab of apprehension in her gut.
"What?" Rei asked finally and Makoto and Ami shared an amused glance before bursting out laughing.
"What's so funny? Do you know how much it pained us to know that we couldn't tell you face to face?" Minako demanded nastily and Makoto stared at her, surprised at Minako's newly found temper then laughed some more while Ami continued giggling to herself.
"Great, we've turned them bonkers just when we really needed them," Rei said sarcastically a bit of her old self shining through her new personality and Trunks and Goten shared an amused glance. This day was getting funnier by the second.
"We're sorry, its just, you say the story like it's a problem, I think its great you two found your families and connected the way you did," Makoto said through her snorts of laughter and Minako gaped at her two laughing friends in wonder.
"But we are saiyans," Minako said as though she expected a big response and Makoto shook her head at Minako pityingly.
"What's your point Minako? You're still Minako, a little meaner, I'll grant you that but you guys are still the same," Ami commented lightly with a teasing edge to her tone that Rei recognised but Minako, in her outrage, did not.
"Meaner? Why you.!" Minako said a hint of anger rising to the surface and Goten reached over and grabbed her hand.
"Temper dear," he reminded her and Ami and Makoto finally turned their attention to the two handsome young men with their best friends having read about them in the many letters they had received.
"And these would be the fabled Trunks and Goten," Ami said with a friendly smile and Trunks returned the smile readily.
"And you would be right, I'm Trunks," he introduced himself giving both Makoto and Ami a shy smile shaking both their hands.
"I'm Goten and it sure is great to meet you two," Goten said with a wave and Ami laughed.
"Same here, I'm Ami," she said and then she nudged Makoto who was busy staring lustily at the two men.
"I'm Makoto, hey are there any other guys like you where you come from?" Makoto asked innocently while Rei rolled her eyes to the sky while Minako shook her head.
"Just my brother but he's married," Goten said and Makoto's hopeful face fell.
"Oh.damn," she said slamming a fist into her palm jokingly and everyone laughed.
"Hey guys, party at the temple so I can introduce my family to you," Rei decided on the spur of the moment and Ami blushed a little for a few seconds causing raised eyebrows all round to be directed at her.
"That would be great.but I am meant to be going on a date with Urawa-chan," Ami said softly so that they all had to move closer to hear what she actually said.
"Urawa-chan? How long has this been going on?" Minako asked with a wink and a smile and Ami looked to the floor embarrassed that now her friends new she was dating, that they wouldn't leave her alone.
"Not long, just a few days," she said and Rei patted her on the back affectionately.
"Well bring him along then, what about you Makoto?" Rei said decidedly not giving Ami an opportunity to object before turning on Makoto who grimaced.
"Unfortunately, I'm just too huge," Makoto drawled rolling her eyes sarcastically and Rei had to laugh at her dry sense of humour.
"Ok, well come over as soon as you can," Rei said and Ami looked at her watch silently calculating.
"Okay, give me five minutes to run back to my house, call Urawa-chan and change," Ami said blushing at her boyfriends name and Makoto mimed throwing up behind Ami's back.
"Same here minus the calling Urawa-chan," Makoto said in a flirty voice and Rei shook her head laughing. She had missed the bickering and affectionate bantering between the senshi.
"Guys I'm glad Minako and I are back," Rei said softly and Makoto winked at Rei so that Minako couldn't see.
"We're glad your back too, even if Minako is a little demon now," Makoto commented as she began running off towards her house.
"Why are you picking on me?" Minako whined like a wounded animal suddenly playing the abused and Ami patted her on the shoulder.
"Oh the old Minako's still in there," Ami added before running off the go change and call Urawa-chan.
Rei and Minako decided to stop at the store and get some snack food and videos sending a grumbling Goten and Trunks back to the temple to warn her family of the upcoming party. When Chichi and Bulma heard of the party they ran about madly decorating the temple as best they could even though Rei's grandpa kept trying to take them down claiming they were defacing his temple. Goku and Vegeta watched the on goings with amused smiles (and smirks in Vegeta's case) and continued to watch all that happened calmly. They were often seen in deep conversations, but what those conversations were about they would tell no one. When Minako and Rei arrived they were just in time to see Makoto and Ami arriving with Usagi and Mamoru, all of whom were chattering happily. Both Rei and Minako's faces lit up with pure joy at seeing their leader.
"Usagi!" they both squealed with joy and before Usagi knew it she was engulfed in hugs and she giggled happily, feeling that her life was now complete with the return of her two friends and her boyfriend.
"I missed you guys," she said happily and Minako and Rei pulled away from her and dragged all the senshi inside to introduce them to their parents who were waiting nervously. Bulma had somehow managed to get Vegeta dressed in a handsome outfit although you could tell he was very uncomfortable as he kept pulling at the collar of his jacket. Goku however was very proud of his outfit and couldn't help but keep primping himself every few moments while Chichi kept watching him and rolling her eyes. Chichi and Bulma were standing beside each other and Goku and Vegeta on each of the sides. Beside Vegeta was Trunks looking very handsome in his dark blue outfit while Goten was on the other side of Goku wearing his dark purple outfit proudly like his father. Gohan, Videl were standing on their own next to Goten and Videl held baby Pan in her arms and Pan was snuggled into her arms sleeping.
"Okay, guys this is my mom," Rei indicated to Chichi and Chichi gave a wide smile and Rei moved on to her father, "and this is my father."
Rei paused to take a breath and Goten and Gohan both cleared their voices loudly and Rei rolled her eyes at them while Minako giggled.
"And these delightful creatures are my two brothers, but you know Goten," Rei said raising her eyes to the ceiling and Mako and Ami laughed then Rei gestured to Gohan and Videl, "this is Gohan, his wife Videl and my little niece Pan."
Minako then stepped forward towards her mother.
"Well my family list is a little shorter, this is my mother and father," Minako said and Bulma gave the girls a friendly wave while Vegeta merely grunted and Minako waved dismissively at Trunks, "And Trunks you know."
Rei then addressed her family.
"These are my best friends in the whole entire world, this is Ami," Rei said and Ami said and inaudible greeting then Rei gestured to the young man beside her. He was handsome with sapphire blue eyes and dark brown hair, you wouldn't have guessed by looking at him that he was one of the most intelligent men in Tokyo. Giving Ami a wink Rei turned to her family and introduced the young man saying, "and this is Uwara-chan, Ami's boyfriend."
That very statement caused Ami to blush a deep red and Urawa looked away from everyone a red tint appearing on his cheeks too. Minako then spoke to introduce Mako.
"This is our great chef, Mako," Minako said and Mako smiled winningly and Goku smiled back at her liking the girl, sensing that she had a great strength yet to be fully discovered. Mamoru then draped a careless arm around Usagi's slim shoulders and pulled her forward.
"And this is my gorgeous girlfriend, Usagi," Mamoru said gracing Usagi's nose with a gentle kiss and Usagi smiled brightly. Chichi however was glowering at her. No mother liked to see her son have so much affection for another woman, Videl could have told anyone that having been through it herself. Goku however smiled pleasantly at what he hoped would be his soon- to-be daughter-in-law.
"All right now that's all done with lets party!" Goten announced happily and Minako whacked him over the head.
"What was that for?" he asked pouting and Minako shrugged then smiled innocently.
"Not like last night though," Rei commented about Goten's announcement and Minako groaned holding her head in her hands.
"Definitely not," Minako agreed and Usagi looked from Mamoru to Rei then to Minako curiously.
"What happened last night?" Usagi asked innocently and Rei giggled.
"Apparently a lot," she said looking over at Trunks who smiled at her with a wink.
"Well you guys have sure been living it up," Makoto commented rolling her eyes and Rei laughed.
"Yeah we have," she said hugging onto her boy lovingly and he stroked her hair gently.
Bulma leaned over and turned up the music while Chichi turned the lights down. Goku immediately pulled Chichi to him and Vegeta watched them arms folded across his chest until Bulma came up to him shyly.
"What do you want woman?" he asked her harshly but Bulma heard the affection in his voice.
"A dance, that's all," she said softly and Vegeta gave in pulling Bulma roughly into his arms and Bulma sighed with happiness.
Gohan and Videl picked up little Pan and took her to bed feeling that she had had enough excitement for one day. As they left the room they shared a smile that only they understood and they exchanged a kiss.
"Party time!" Goten yelled out again as he began some crazy moves on the dance floor and Minako looked at him shaking her head in humiliation.
"How embarrassing, look at him," she said to Ami who patted Minako's back comfortingly while Makoto elbowed Minako mischievously in the ribs.
"And just think, you're marrying him!" Makoto laughed uncontrollably and Minako turned to her, her face a mixture of amusement and anger.
"Why you." Minako couldn't think of anything else to say in response to that and everyone starting laughing.
Rei and Trunks looked at each other and without a word they fell into each others arms, holding each other like they never wanted to let the other go. They didn't need to say a word, they just stared into each others eyes dreamily. Usagi watched them and tugged on Mamoru's hand indicating she wanted to dance too,
"Steady on odango," Mamoru laughed pulling Usagi to him and Usagi tilted her head to look up at him.
"Mmm.I love it when you call me that," she murmured and Mamoru bent his head so that he could kiss her lips gently.
Ami and Urawa stood there regarding each other fondly unsure of what to do and Makoto, getting fed up with their shyness gave Urawa a huge push and he bumped into Ami and from then on they were dancing together. Makoto rolled her eyes and went to sit on her own on the couch but Goten wouldn't hear of it.
"No way are you not gonna dance with me," he told her and Makoto gave in seeing his pleading face and Minako joined them in the centre.
A few hours later Rei excused herself from the party to take a walk outside and Usagi took that moment to follow her. She had been wanting to talk to Rei all evening but hadn't found the time, she had been getting to know Rei's mother and father and Vegeta and Bulma as well. Usagi found Rei sitting beside the pond running her fingers lightly over the water causing ripples. Rei didn't look up as she sensed Usagi approaching and waited for Usagi to sit down beside her, which she did and they shared a smile.
"Rei, you've changed so much, it feels like I don't know who you are anymore," Usagi said and Rei looked up at her best friend shrugging her shoulders thinking Usagi was talking about her physical appearance.
"Well I did cut my hair.,.." Rei agreed with her holding it up for Usagi to view and Usagi let out a laugh of amusement.
"No I mean that you've changed, you're more quiet and demure." Usagi was saying quite seriously but she was interrupted by Rei's snort of laughter.
"Ooh big word," Rei taunted Usagi whose eyes brightened with affection.
"That's the old Rei, where is she?" Usagi asked peering at Rei and Rei smiled wryly thinking back to the girl she had been.
"She's all grown up Usagi, but she is still there somewhere just waiting to pop out and tease you," Rei assured her and Usagi placed a hand on Rei's shoulder.
"Don't hide her away, that part of you is the part I love best," Usagi said honestly and Rei hugged Usagi tightly.
"Thanks Usagi," Rei whispered with sincerity and Usagi brushed away her tears of happiness as she heard sounds of an argument coming from inside the party.
"What happened to Minako?" Usagi asked her eyes flashing with laughter and Rei laughed.
"I think she spent too much time around me," Rei said shaking her head and Usagi couldn't help but laugh.
"I am not mean!" Minako squealed from inside the house and Rei nodded her head.
"That's my girl," she complimented Minako silently and Usagi was left in another fit of giggles.
Ami and Makoto sat there opened mouth staring in disbelief at Rei and Minako.
"So that's the whole story, that's why we had to leave," Minako finished and Ami and Makoto still could not bring themselves to speak. Rei couldn't tell what they were thinking which was a little weird since Rei could usually feel what people were feeling. Makoto and Ami both wore solemn faces and Rei felt a stab of apprehension in her gut.
"What?" Rei asked finally and Makoto and Ami shared an amused glance before bursting out laughing.
"What's so funny? Do you know how much it pained us to know that we couldn't tell you face to face?" Minako demanded nastily and Makoto stared at her, surprised at Minako's newly found temper then laughed some more while Ami continued giggling to herself.
"Great, we've turned them bonkers just when we really needed them," Rei said sarcastically a bit of her old self shining through her new personality and Trunks and Goten shared an amused glance. This day was getting funnier by the second.
"We're sorry, its just, you say the story like it's a problem, I think its great you two found your families and connected the way you did," Makoto said through her snorts of laughter and Minako gaped at her two laughing friends in wonder.
"But we are saiyans," Minako said as though she expected a big response and Makoto shook her head at Minako pityingly.
"What's your point Minako? You're still Minako, a little meaner, I'll grant you that but you guys are still the same," Ami commented lightly with a teasing edge to her tone that Rei recognised but Minako, in her outrage, did not.
"Meaner? Why you.!" Minako said a hint of anger rising to the surface and Goten reached over and grabbed her hand.
"Temper dear," he reminded her and Ami and Makoto finally turned their attention to the two handsome young men with their best friends having read about them in the many letters they had received.
"And these would be the fabled Trunks and Goten," Ami said with a friendly smile and Trunks returned the smile readily.
"And you would be right, I'm Trunks," he introduced himself giving both Makoto and Ami a shy smile shaking both their hands.
"I'm Goten and it sure is great to meet you two," Goten said with a wave and Ami laughed.
"Same here, I'm Ami," she said and then she nudged Makoto who was busy staring lustily at the two men.
"I'm Makoto, hey are there any other guys like you where you come from?" Makoto asked innocently while Rei rolled her eyes to the sky while Minako shook her head.
"Just my brother but he's married," Goten said and Makoto's hopeful face fell.
"Oh.damn," she said slamming a fist into her palm jokingly and everyone laughed.
"Hey guys, party at the temple so I can introduce my family to you," Rei decided on the spur of the moment and Ami blushed a little for a few seconds causing raised eyebrows all round to be directed at her.
"That would be great.but I am meant to be going on a date with Urawa-chan," Ami said softly so that they all had to move closer to hear what she actually said.
"Urawa-chan? How long has this been going on?" Minako asked with a wink and a smile and Ami looked to the floor embarrassed that now her friends new she was dating, that they wouldn't leave her alone.
"Not long, just a few days," she said and Rei patted her on the back affectionately.
"Well bring him along then, what about you Makoto?" Rei said decidedly not giving Ami an opportunity to object before turning on Makoto who grimaced.
"Unfortunately, I'm just too huge," Makoto drawled rolling her eyes sarcastically and Rei had to laugh at her dry sense of humour.
"Ok, well come over as soon as you can," Rei said and Ami looked at her watch silently calculating.
"Okay, give me five minutes to run back to my house, call Urawa-chan and change," Ami said blushing at her boyfriends name and Makoto mimed throwing up behind Ami's back.
"Same here minus the calling Urawa-chan," Makoto said in a flirty voice and Rei shook her head laughing. She had missed the bickering and affectionate bantering between the senshi.
"Guys I'm glad Minako and I are back," Rei said softly and Makoto winked at Rei so that Minako couldn't see.
"We're glad your back too, even if Minako is a little demon now," Makoto commented as she began running off towards her house.
"Why are you picking on me?" Minako whined like a wounded animal suddenly playing the abused and Ami patted her on the shoulder.
"Oh the old Minako's still in there," Ami added before running off the go change and call Urawa-chan.
Rei and Minako decided to stop at the store and get some snack food and videos sending a grumbling Goten and Trunks back to the temple to warn her family of the upcoming party. When Chichi and Bulma heard of the party they ran about madly decorating the temple as best they could even though Rei's grandpa kept trying to take them down claiming they were defacing his temple. Goku and Vegeta watched the on goings with amused smiles (and smirks in Vegeta's case) and continued to watch all that happened calmly. They were often seen in deep conversations, but what those conversations were about they would tell no one. When Minako and Rei arrived they were just in time to see Makoto and Ami arriving with Usagi and Mamoru, all of whom were chattering happily. Both Rei and Minako's faces lit up with pure joy at seeing their leader.
"Usagi!" they both squealed with joy and before Usagi knew it she was engulfed in hugs and she giggled happily, feeling that her life was now complete with the return of her two friends and her boyfriend.
"I missed you guys," she said happily and Minako and Rei pulled away from her and dragged all the senshi inside to introduce them to their parents who were waiting nervously. Bulma had somehow managed to get Vegeta dressed in a handsome outfit although you could tell he was very uncomfortable as he kept pulling at the collar of his jacket. Goku however was very proud of his outfit and couldn't help but keep primping himself every few moments while Chichi kept watching him and rolling her eyes. Chichi and Bulma were standing beside each other and Goku and Vegeta on each of the sides. Beside Vegeta was Trunks looking very handsome in his dark blue outfit while Goten was on the other side of Goku wearing his dark purple outfit proudly like his father. Gohan, Videl were standing on their own next to Goten and Videl held baby Pan in her arms and Pan was snuggled into her arms sleeping.
"Okay, guys this is my mom," Rei indicated to Chichi and Chichi gave a wide smile and Rei moved on to her father, "and this is my father."
Rei paused to take a breath and Goten and Gohan both cleared their voices loudly and Rei rolled her eyes at them while Minako giggled.
"And these delightful creatures are my two brothers, but you know Goten," Rei said raising her eyes to the ceiling and Mako and Ami laughed then Rei gestured to Gohan and Videl, "this is Gohan, his wife Videl and my little niece Pan."
Minako then stepped forward towards her mother.
"Well my family list is a little shorter, this is my mother and father," Minako said and Bulma gave the girls a friendly wave while Vegeta merely grunted and Minako waved dismissively at Trunks, "And Trunks you know."
Rei then addressed her family.
"These are my best friends in the whole entire world, this is Ami," Rei said and Ami said and inaudible greeting then Rei gestured to the young man beside her. He was handsome with sapphire blue eyes and dark brown hair, you wouldn't have guessed by looking at him that he was one of the most intelligent men in Tokyo. Giving Ami a wink Rei turned to her family and introduced the young man saying, "and this is Uwara-chan, Ami's boyfriend."
That very statement caused Ami to blush a deep red and Urawa looked away from everyone a red tint appearing on his cheeks too. Minako then spoke to introduce Mako.
"This is our great chef, Mako," Minako said and Mako smiled winningly and Goku smiled back at her liking the girl, sensing that she had a great strength yet to be fully discovered. Mamoru then draped a careless arm around Usagi's slim shoulders and pulled her forward.
"And this is my gorgeous girlfriend, Usagi," Mamoru said gracing Usagi's nose with a gentle kiss and Usagi smiled brightly. Chichi however was glowering at her. No mother liked to see her son have so much affection for another woman, Videl could have told anyone that having been through it herself. Goku however smiled pleasantly at what he hoped would be his soon- to-be daughter-in-law.
"All right now that's all done with lets party!" Goten announced happily and Minako whacked him over the head.
"What was that for?" he asked pouting and Minako shrugged then smiled innocently.
"Not like last night though," Rei commented about Goten's announcement and Minako groaned holding her head in her hands.
"Definitely not," Minako agreed and Usagi looked from Mamoru to Rei then to Minako curiously.
"What happened last night?" Usagi asked innocently and Rei giggled.
"Apparently a lot," she said looking over at Trunks who smiled at her with a wink.
"Well you guys have sure been living it up," Makoto commented rolling her eyes and Rei laughed.
"Yeah we have," she said hugging onto her boy lovingly and he stroked her hair gently.
Bulma leaned over and turned up the music while Chichi turned the lights down. Goku immediately pulled Chichi to him and Vegeta watched them arms folded across his chest until Bulma came up to him shyly.
"What do you want woman?" he asked her harshly but Bulma heard the affection in his voice.
"A dance, that's all," she said softly and Vegeta gave in pulling Bulma roughly into his arms and Bulma sighed with happiness.
Gohan and Videl picked up little Pan and took her to bed feeling that she had had enough excitement for one day. As they left the room they shared a smile that only they understood and they exchanged a kiss.
"Party time!" Goten yelled out again as he began some crazy moves on the dance floor and Minako looked at him shaking her head in humiliation.
"How embarrassing, look at him," she said to Ami who patted Minako's back comfortingly while Makoto elbowed Minako mischievously in the ribs.
"And just think, you're marrying him!" Makoto laughed uncontrollably and Minako turned to her, her face a mixture of amusement and anger.
"Why you." Minako couldn't think of anything else to say in response to that and everyone starting laughing.
Rei and Trunks looked at each other and without a word they fell into each others arms, holding each other like they never wanted to let the other go. They didn't need to say a word, they just stared into each others eyes dreamily. Usagi watched them and tugged on Mamoru's hand indicating she wanted to dance too,
"Steady on odango," Mamoru laughed pulling Usagi to him and Usagi tilted her head to look up at him.
"Mmm.I love it when you call me that," she murmured and Mamoru bent his head so that he could kiss her lips gently.
Ami and Urawa stood there regarding each other fondly unsure of what to do and Makoto, getting fed up with their shyness gave Urawa a huge push and he bumped into Ami and from then on they were dancing together. Makoto rolled her eyes and went to sit on her own on the couch but Goten wouldn't hear of it.
"No way are you not gonna dance with me," he told her and Makoto gave in seeing his pleading face and Minako joined them in the centre.
A few hours later Rei excused herself from the party to take a walk outside and Usagi took that moment to follow her. She had been wanting to talk to Rei all evening but hadn't found the time, she had been getting to know Rei's mother and father and Vegeta and Bulma as well. Usagi found Rei sitting beside the pond running her fingers lightly over the water causing ripples. Rei didn't look up as she sensed Usagi approaching and waited for Usagi to sit down beside her, which she did and they shared a smile.
"Rei, you've changed so much, it feels like I don't know who you are anymore," Usagi said and Rei looked up at her best friend shrugging her shoulders thinking Usagi was talking about her physical appearance.
"Well I did cut my hair.,.." Rei agreed with her holding it up for Usagi to view and Usagi let out a laugh of amusement.
"No I mean that you've changed, you're more quiet and demure." Usagi was saying quite seriously but she was interrupted by Rei's snort of laughter.
"Ooh big word," Rei taunted Usagi whose eyes brightened with affection.
"That's the old Rei, where is she?" Usagi asked peering at Rei and Rei smiled wryly thinking back to the girl she had been.
"She's all grown up Usagi, but she is still there somewhere just waiting to pop out and tease you," Rei assured her and Usagi placed a hand on Rei's shoulder.
"Don't hide her away, that part of you is the part I love best," Usagi said honestly and Rei hugged Usagi tightly.
"Thanks Usagi," Rei whispered with sincerity and Usagi brushed away her tears of happiness as she heard sounds of an argument coming from inside the party.
"What happened to Minako?" Usagi asked her eyes flashing with laughter and Rei laughed.
"I think she spent too much time around me," Rei said shaking her head and Usagi couldn't help but laugh.
"I am not mean!" Minako squealed from inside the house and Rei nodded her head.
"That's my girl," she complimented Minako silently and Usagi was left in another fit of giggles.