Disclaimer: SM's not mine, yada yada yada.

Summary: A series of slightly introspective one-shots, where each Senshi answers the ever-present question. Rei's turn.

Finished:

Who am I?

Who am I?

What do you care? And why should I trust you, anyway?

...Oh. Because you want to know the truth...

Well, my Princess would bid me answer you for that reason, so in the name of truth, I'll speak.

People think that I'm strange, scary... with "creepy" (to quote one stupid, stuck-up prick of a girl) powers that no one can explain, or even really believes exist. Oh, and did I mention that those same people call me arrogant and conceited, simply because I avoid them and their ridicule? I'm too good for the world, and would prefer to spend my time sweeping the stones of the Hikawa Jinja or feeding my pet crows, which is an oddity in itself. Apparently no "sensible, normal, girl" would ever dream of having anything that lacks fur or garishly bright colors as a pet.

The world knows me as the Senshi of Fire, with a temper as hot as the element I wield. I protect the Earth, have died for it, and yet receive no thanks. Many believe that I and my fellow Senshi are mere phantasms, unreal beings created by those with overactive imaginations. And even for those who do believe, because I have been seen to criticize my leader, I am criticized myself.

And yet...

My friends know that I have my temper because I am so passionate, and believe strongly in so many things. I give everything my all, which is why I become angry with those who do not. I am the fiery one, the "hot-head", but when they call me that I know it to be friendly teasing, not an insult. To them my unusual powers are a gift, not a curse, and with their unconditional acceptance of them I can find the strength to accept them also.

I am the Senshi of War, upholding the traditions of my namesake. I carry within me the soul of a warrior, and my fellow Senshi recognize this and respect me for it. They know that I criticize my Princess only because I follow the warrior's way, and she does not. I am a Senshi of Love and Justice as she is, but while she is full of love for all, I search only for justice. Mercy is not the warrior's way — and she understands this, even though she does not ascribe to it herself. That is why I follow her. Her love and compassion encompass all, including me. And so I am content to fight for her and protect her with all the power that I possess.

Who am I?

What have you seen me to be?

I have grown and matured since I first met my friends, and they all readily call me beautiful. I still have little patience for anything annoying or stupid, but my temper has calmed somewhat from where it once was. I still live at the Hikawa Jinja with my grandfather, who remains alive and well despite his age. When he dies I plan to take up his duties in caring for the shrine, but until then, I pursue my dream of a career in the spotlight.

I am the Senshi and the Princess of my planet, even though the days of when the title meant something have long since passed. Though most people know nothing of the Moon Kingdom and our former lives, my fellow Senshi do and that is enough. Together we protect our beloved Princess, to whom my loyalty has been sworn for innumerable lifetimes, and for any more still to come. She is my life; without her I am nothing.

Besides my Princess and my fellow Senshi, no one may claim having access to my heart save one. One of the guards of my Prince and future King, who conquered my heart before I knew that he desired to do so. Though he is no longer beside me, I know that it was only because he was stolen from me by force. I know not how many times I have been forced to fight him, how many times he has been taken from me. In this life, fate has been both cruel and kind, for I fought and destroyed him before I knew the truth, which would have likely given him enough of an advantage to kill me also. However, now that I have gained even a paltry fraction of my memories, I can recognize him and know what I have done.

For this, I wonder if he will ever be able to forgive me. In this life he had no will, no thought, no freedom, could do nothing else but what his masters willed. Yet, I... I destroyed him, before anything could be done to try and save him. I wonder sometimes how I was forced to kill him before, and if he truly deserved his death. And I will now live the remainder of this life alone, for no other man could replace him in my heart and should he return, I do not see why he would still wish to know me. My Princess, with her heart full of love and forgiveness, tries to give me hope, but I have difficulty believing in her words of comfort. Why, if he should ever manage to return to serving his rightful prince, would he desire to be with me? I am torn between longing to be with him once more, even if for only a moment, and fear of being rejected when he realizes what I have done.

Who am I?

I am a woman living through a strange dream, waiting to wake up and find that all is well.

I wait.

I hope.

I desire.

I fear.

I hurt.

I love.

I am Passion.

Fire.

A Senshi.

I am Sailor Mars.

I am Hino Rei.

But no matter how many names I take, or faces I wear... I will always remain myself. Nothing will ever make me change.

~Fin~

Well, there you have it, the product of an age of writer's block combined with a night of no sleep. Why do the Muses only come when you're supposed to be asleep? Anyway, overall I think Rei turned out rather well. I hope I got her accurately enough. Next will come Makato whenever she's done. I hope you enjoyed Rei's little monologue of thoughts. Please, tell me what you think in a review! *points at button at bottom of page and at email address on profile* See you next update!

~Ocianne