A/N: Yes, it's my turn...I know, I know. 100 yen I'll be writing the next one as well -- Meg's little revenge on me...well, I worked really hard on this when I should have been paying attention to my teachers -- so it better be appreciated!
The sun had only been risen for an hour or so when the other senshi began stirring, one by one. Makoto was the first. She awoke from dreaming to find her covers unsalvageably tangled with those of her blue-haired friend. The movement of Makoto as she got to her feet left Ami to sigh softly while she teetered on the edge of sleep and wakefulness. But she would not be the next to wake.
The glowing light of morning lanced through the window and bathed the room's only bed in a hazy spotlight of gold. Rei's brow furrowed as her perfect dream was filling rapidly with wild bursts of color. The sunlight crept beneath her eyelids and made spots dance behind her eyes. Opening her lilac orbs to the world she allowed them time to adjust to the harsh light of day before sitting up.
Another beautiful morning...she thought to herself.
Swinging her legs over the front of the bed she almost stepped on the wind senshi lying curled at its base. A look of simplicity and pleasure lined the face that found too little of either while awake. Her lips moved slightly and Rei could hear her murmuring Usagi's name.
"Oh, Haruka..." She whispered, "Through whatever comes...may the Goddesses keep your heart from breaking."
Now, more than ever; here in the realm of safety and comfort, Rei realized the extent of the relationship between wind and the moon.
Haruka's entire essence was intertwined with Usagi's she had attached herself to their princess in such a way that if ever separated she would be ripped apart. She would lose every part of herself because every part of herself was completely in love with Usagi. Rei didn't think she'd keep breathing if it didn't been she was able to love Usagi just one more day... She was irrevocably bound to her -- mind, body, and soul. Rei made a mental note to ask Minako when she awoke try and "read" the older woman's emotions.
I wonder if anyone will ever love me that way...
The smell of pancakes drew Rei's mind away from the dramatic train of thought it was taking and focused it instead on the rumbling of her empty stomach. Stepping easily over the sleeping forms of her friends and partners she followed her nose to the kitchen where tantalizing smells were wafting away from Makoto's half-finished creations.
Ami and Haruka awoke at roughly the same time, leaving the flaxen blondes of moon and love the only two left in the thrall of dreaming. Usagi was curled up on the bed in a mound of red silk and Minako lay on the floor beside her; blanketed in her own golden waves of hair.
Yaten appeared in the kitchen after a while where the rest of the group were congregated and munching on a variety of breakfast foods. Her cheeks were flushed and her ponytail was still disheveled from sleep. Looking certainly more chipper and awake than the others, she bounced over to the oven where something yummy was sending salivating signals to her brain. Bending over she cracked open the oven door and gave the food inside an appreciative whiff.
"Mmm, cinnamon rolls!" Yaten gave Makoto an overly dramatic look of thankfulness, "My favorite!"
As if instinctively, Minako and Usagi popped into the kitchen just as the oven timer went off. Bumping Yaten amiably aside, an oven-mitt wielding Makoto retrieved the rolls and set them out for consumption. Usagi pounced. She seized the sticky concoction with greedy fingers and bustled jovially over to the coffee machine.
"Mmm, cinnamon rolls!" She gushed -- an echo of Yaten's earlier words. "My favorite!"
Everyone turned to stare. Makoto and Ami were beaming with obvious delight, but Minako was frowning. She glanced over at Rei to better gauge her reaction, but the shinto priestess had buried her face behind the newspaper. Minako didn't like to frown -- it gave you wrinkles -- but she did now. She was worried about Rei and the feelings she might or might not have.
This rivalry of love is becoming quickly more than anyone had ever planned for...
Usagi herself seemed completely oblivious to Haruka's seething discontent as she poured loads of cream and sugar into a tall mug of steaming coffee. Usagi smiled at the room and raised her coffee mug in front of her mouth to hide her half-chewed food before she spoke, "Bathroom. I'll be back in sec." She mumbled through a full mouth.
Finishing off her first roll with a big bite she snagged another one before bouncing out of the room.
Once inside the tiled haven she closed the door quietly behind her and climbed on top of the toilet. She set down her breakfast for a moment to make use of both hands in wedging the tiny bathroom window open and a sharp breath of wind glossed over her cheeks and set a chill into the ceramic tiled floor. A serene smile shaped her lips as she took a moment to relish in the fresh air filling her senses.
She grabbed her coffee and roll, sticking the latter in her mouth for more mobility, and awkwardly scrambled out the window. Getting down proved to be the real challenge. Her little escape route ended in a most Usagi-like fashion -- right on her bum. Pouting, not so much from the fall but for the needlessly spilled coffee, she took a moment to mourn the loss before clambering innocently to her feet and starting around to the front of the temple.
Autumn wind riffled through the trees lining the Hikawa Shrine knocking loose pink sakura blossoms in spiraling patterns about Usagi's head and she smoothed out her short cotton nightgown before sitting down at the top of the steps but didn't bother removing the petals that were even now landing in her hair.
Usagi stretched her legs out on the stairs and looked down the several dozen steps to where people were just starting to leave their homes. She finished her second roll off quickly and filled the rest of her time with frequent sips of scalding coffee to combat the cold.
"You better not have really gone to the bathroom 'cuz Rei is gonna be pretty mad if you defiled her lilies."
"Mina-chan!" Usagi exclaimed looking up in surprise.
The second blonde settled herself beside the first, but did not continue the conversation. She stared out at the birds flocking from tree to tree. She watched the local paperboy chuck the paper halfway up the high stone stairs. And she stared off into space for a healthy span of time before she turned to Usagi.
"You hanging in there?"
Usagi gave one of her closest friends the faintest of smiles, "By a thread..."
Minako chuckled and brushed her bangs away from her forehead with the back of her hand. "Come on, it can't be that bad."
Usagi just gave her a look.
Minako chuckled again, "No seriously. You've died like what...three -- four times? How could this be any worse."
Usagi laughed along in good humor with Minako. "Oh, Minako, I'm lucky to have you."
"Damn straight." Minako said. "So what are you doing out here, anyway?"
"Just taking some time to be by myself. Besides...it's always so pretty here in autumn."
"Mmm...listen, I know you're having a hard time sorting through things and the last thing you need is another person giving you advice, but hear me out."
Usagi nodded stoutly. She set down her mug and turned to give Minako her full attention. Now, Minako took a deep breath and started.
"First of all, I'll love you no matter what you decide and I'll always be your friend. Now here's the advice: This is getting real thick, real fast. This isn't just about you and Haruka and Yaten anymore. It's about you and Haruka and Yaten and Rei."
Usagi was silent, but her eyes were contemplative.
Minako stood up and brushed off her own nightgown, "Rei's your best friend, Usagi. That's why she's not saying anything herself, but I know you want what's best for her." She sighed, "Just...keep your eyes open when you get inside."
Usagi nodded, "Thanks Mina...I'll see you inside." She murmured distractedly. Minako smiled softly and disappeared back inside leaving Usagi deep in thought beneath a shower of sakura blossoms.
Go repeatedly email Meg...I'm going out for SM Season 1 (UNCUT, I might add) and watching it all the way through repeatedly...fun times...
kiss