Chapter 3

Thanks for the reviews, again I don't own any of the Sailor Moon cast. Blah Blah Blah…enjoy. Also the names of my original characters are done by a good friend of mine Hiro Yaio. Don't ask I'm no the one that named her.

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Makoto looked up the stairs of Hikawa Shrine. It had been more than fifty years sense she had last climbed these steps. Her last day in Tokyo in fact.

****

It was raining. The weather always seemed to fit Makoto's mood. Everyone was gathered around the shrine. All of them dressed in white. Usagi was crying on Rei's shoulder with Mamoru behind her. He was trying not to cry but Makoto could see the strain on his face. She couldn't understand why everyone was so sad. What had happened?

Makoto heard footsteps behind her and turned to see Haruka coming up the steps.

"Alright the cars are ready who is riding with me and who is in Mamoru's car?" The tall blonde asked. Makoto just stared at her.

"Usagi, Rei and Makoto are going with Mamoru. I will go with you and Michiru." Minako said with tears in her eyes. Makoto just looked around at everyone. She couldn't understand. Where was everyone going? Why was everyone crying? And where the hell was Ami?

****

Makoto shook her head. "Damn memories." She muttered as she started up the steps. She knew there was more to that day, but she could never bring herself to remember. Not in fifty years, not today. Makoto sighed as she reached the final step and saw a miko trying to clear some of the snow that had fallen from the snow storm the night before.

The miko was dressed in the outfit that Rei had worn so many years ago. Makoto pulled her jacket closer to her feeling the press of her shoulder holster. The gun always seemed to bring a sense of confidence to Makoto. Sad but true she felt better when she had her gun with her.

The miko looked up from her task. Her long black hair swaying as she moved her head to look at Makoto. Makoto was awestruck with the intensity in her violet eyes. It had been so long sense Makoto had seen those eyes. Rei was always such an intense person. Makoto thought that fifty years might have mellowed the miko a little, apparently she was wrong.

"Who's in charge here?" Makoto asked hoping that the girl didn't recognize her.

"My grandmother, but I can answer any questions you might have." Makoto tilted her head. "My grandmother." She thought. "Perhaps this isn't Rei in front of me. Maybe I got lucky and Rei decided to do something else with her life." Makoto sighed. "I'm not that lucky."

"Who is your grandmother?" Makoto finally asked.

"Hino Rei." The young miko looked at her. "Does she know you?" Makoto was about to say that she had heard of Hino-sama. But never met her when she was interrupted by a voice from inside.

"Midori-san, send the visitor in to me." Midori quickly bowed to Makoto and asked her to follow. Makoto obediently followed the young girl into the shrine. So many years ago she had freely walked into this shrine. So many years ago she had helped with the landscapes and helped Rei clean after a terrible storm. That day of cleaning had brought the two senshi closer than any battle before had.

****

The sky had finally decided to become dark and the day was over. Makoto had never sweat so much in her life, but she enjoyed every minute of it. A large storm had come through the night before and torn much of the landscape of the Hikawa Shrine apart. Makoto was the only one of the senshi who could help Rei and her grandfather in the repairs as the others had to fix problems at their own homes. Rei and Makoto had spent most of the workday in silence as Rei did not find it necessary to talk as she worked. Makoto was so involved in her repairs that anything Rei or her grandfather had asked her had to be repeated before she could break away from what she was doing.

Rei had informed Makoto that she could stay the night if she wished and Rei would like it better if she stayed as it was dark and she would feel bad to have used her and then send her home without at least offering her a bed for the night.

Makoto accepted and asked if she could use the shower. Rei said of course and that she would be getting the room ready while she was showering. Makoto thanked her and went to the shower.

Makoto loved the feel of the hot water sliding all the dirt off her body. The feel of her muscles relax under the heat. Makoto had spent much of the year training for her senshi duties thus her body had become well toned and muscular. Makoto had finished her shower and was starting to dry off when she sensed that someone was watching her. Makoto's back was to the door as she took a quick glance over shoulder and noticed that the door was slightly ajar. She had first assumed that it was Rei's ecchi grandfather, but was surprised to see the long black hair that fell into the gap between the door and its frame. Makoto smirked. She had never thought that Rei would be someone who would look at other women. Of course, Rei could just simply be checking on her, but if that was so she would have knocked. Makoto bent over at her waist to pick up the shirt that Rei had lent her. In this position she could she that Rei had not moved from her perch. Makoto stood and put on her shirt covering her bare back and ass.

"What are you doing Rei?" Makoto asked loudly startling Rei behind the door. "Come on in I caught you." Makoto said as she turned around with her arms folded across her chest.

"I…um…was…um…yeah…well you see…" Rei tried to explain her actions, but couldn't find the words. Makoto shook her head and told Rei to wait in the room she would be in there after she finished dressing. Unless of course, Rei wished to watch her. Rei simply blushed and tried to walk out of the room with some dignity.

As Makoto entered Rei's bedroom she saw that Rei had indeed set a place for her on the floor. Makoto looked over at Rei who was sitting on her bed with her feet under her and head down. Even at such an angle Makoto could still see the faint blush on Rei's cheeks. Makoto sat next to Rei and put a hand on her shoulder. She felt Rei tenses under her touch but then start to relax.

"So, why were you watching me?" Rei tensed up again and seemed to shrink more into herself. Makoto had never seen this side of Rei before. Never would she have expected to see the unsure part of Hino Rei. "Ok, let's start with an easier question. What is the average velocity of a shallow?"

Rei chuckled. "An African Shallow or an European Shallow?" Both girls laughed. "Can I tell you a secret Makoto?" Rei asked as she looked up into Makoto's eyes. Makoto sat there transfixed in her stare. Of all the senshi Rei's eyes were the most demanding.

"You can tell me anything Rei." Makoto said trying to convey her honesty in her gaze. Rei sighed and put her head back down.

"I love our princess." Makoto blinked at her.

"You mean more than friends don't you." Makoto took in a breath and held it. After some thought she slowly let it go. "Rei, there is nothing wrong with loving someone."

****

Makoto shook her head. These damn memories where coming too close together. Makoto truly hated this country and hated this city even more.

Midori led Makoto to the room that once upon a time had been that of Rei's grandfather. Midori opened the sliding door for Makoto and then quickly excused herself. The incense wavered out of the dark room. It was so think that Makoto almost sneezed.

"Well, are you just going to stand there or are you going to come inside?" Makoto peered into the blackness of the room and tentatively stepped inside. Once inside the screen behind her shut and the fire in the room burnt with new life. The firelight gave the room an eerie appeal. The lights danced across the classical Japanese paintings on the wall bringing a sense of action to each portrait. Makoto looked around the room and stopped when her gaze landed upon the woman kneeling in front of the fire. Her long hair was raven black. It was all that Makoto could see of the woman from her angle. Makoto fell to her knees and put her head on the floor in a traditional bow that she had not done in years.

"What brings you to my shrine after so many years?" asked the woman without turning to Makoto. "Or maybe I should start with an easier question. What is the average velocity of a shallow?" Makoto smirked

"An African Shallow or an European Shallow?" Makoto heard the woman turn from her position. Makoto raised her head and saw those same amazing eyes. There was a bit of sorrow in them, but mostly they were filled with anger.

"Makoto it is you. I had thought that the Sacred Fire was starting to lie to me." Makoto raised up from her position so that she was sitting back on her feet.

"Well as you see it has not." Rei nodded.

"No it has not." With that Rei stood and beckoned Makoto to follow her. Makoto stood from her resting place and followed the shorter woman. Once out of the dark room and into the bright winter morning Rei stopped and turned around to look at Makoto.

In fifty years Makoto had change quite a bit. Makoto had a cut her chestnut hair, though still long enough to remain in her ever present ponytail. Rei assumed it was a physical way for Makoto to break away form her old life. The truth was Makoto found it easier to manage, at least that was what she had convinced herself. Rei also noticed that the rose earrings were gone. Perhaps lost after so many years. The long coat that Makoto wore hid most of her clothing, but Rei did notice the slight bulge under her left arm. Rei may not have seen it if she was not looking so close at her old friend. She truly hoped that it wasn't what she thought it was. Finally Rei lifted her gaze to Makoto's eyes. She had waited to look at them last as she knew that they would tell her how far Makoto had fell into the abyss.

However, Rei saw nothing in her eyes. No pain, no happiness, no emotion, nothing. Makoto had not fallen into the abyss she had become the abyss. Rei could feel the tears that threatened to fall. Rei couldn't help it she raised her hand to touch Makoto's cheek. It had startled both of then when she made contact. Part of Rei had thought that she was asleep and that Makoto wasn't standing before her. However, touching her made those thoughts vanish. Suddenly Rei wrapped her arms around Makoto throwing herself into Makoto like she had done that night so long ago.

****

After hearing Makoto's acceptance of her feeling toward their princess Rei flung herself into Makoto's arms. Makoto radiated a feeling of protection amongst her friends. Makoto was knocked over by the impact of Rei and the two laid on Rei's mat with Rei on top of Makoto. Makoto push Rei over so that they were laying side by side with Rei nestled in Makoto's grasp as she cried. Makoto brushed through her hair with her hands as she tried to quiet the distraught miko. They had remained like that for many hours until Rei had finally settled down enough to talk to Makoto.

"I had been holding that in for so long." Rei said as she wiped her eyes. She looked down at where she had hidden herself in Makoto's chest and saw the wet marks she had left. She tentatively placed her hand upon the wet spot. Makoto grabbed Rei's hand, Rei looked up into Makoto face and expecting to see disgust only saw kindness. Makoto leaned down and kissed Rei's forehead. That touch sent a power through Rei that she had never felt before. It started as out the calm before the storm, almost a suffocating stillness, then just as suddenly it shifted into a rush of wind. Rei gasped as she felt the power leave her body and reenter Makoto's. But she could still feel the edges of it like a soft sprinkle after a strong storm. That power had stroked something deep and hot inside Rei.

"What was that?" Rei asked with a shaky voice.

"It was something I had discovered when I was training. The best way I can describe it is like becoming one with your element. I stumbled across it and have been trying to harness it for the past few months."

"And you never told us. Why?" Rei asked as she tried to get closer to Makoto. That power was amazing and she wanted to feel it again.

"I wasn't sure if I could control it, plus I didn't know what effect it would have on you." Makoto stopped as she felt Rei snuggled into her. "Obviously you liked it." Makoto said as she laughed. Rei started to rub her leg between Makoto's. This stopped Makoto's laugher and she looked into Rei's eyes sternly. "Rei, what are you doing?"

"Please Makoto. That power was amazing and we have both been so lonely for so long. I can see the pain in your eyes, you are as lonely as I am." Rei said as she started to pull herself further into Makoto. Makoto sighed and put some distance between them.

"Rei, I will hold you as long as you need me, but I will not be used in such a way. Your heart belongs to the princess, this I know. If you do this with me now it will mean nothing. Just you trying to surpress what ever desires you may have." Makoto shook her head. "I will not be Usagi's replacement." Rei stopped and looked at Makoto, tears stated to roll down her face again.

"I never meant to use you that way." Rei started to cry again. Makoto pulled her into another hug.

"I know you didn't, but you must realize that the reason we won't do this is because I am not who you truly want this with." Makoto raised Rei's chin so that she was looking at her. Makoto wiped away the tears on her cheek. "You are beautiful. And if it was I that you loved then I would do everything and anything that you asked of me." Rei smiled and hugged Makoto again. She buried herself into Makoto. Makoto simply held her the rest of the night. No more words were said between the two.

****

Makoto blinked away the daydream. At the time, Makoto had meant every word that she had said. If Rei had confessed love for her instead of the princess they would have made love that night and perhaps Makoto would have never left Tokyo, but that was not the case. That day was before she had fallen in love with Ami, before she thought that Ami loved her back, before that evil day.

Makoto looked down on the shorter woman. Makoto was not expecting Rei to be so kind to her. But just as that thought pasted Rei let go of Makoto and slapped her across the face.

The slap was hard enough to turn Makoto's head, but she did not raise her hand to the offended cheek. Makoto turned to look at a fuming Rei.

"Fifty years, Damnit! We thought you were dead. How could you leave us like that?" Rei wrapped her arms around herself and turned her back to Makoto. "We lost two senshi that day. First Ami and then you."

"I'm not dead." Makoto protested. Rei spun around and glared at Makoto with fiery eyes.

"The hell you weren't. You leave the funeral in a mad run and when we try to find you there were no signs of you ever returning to your apartment. You just up and disappeared. Where have you been?" Makoto looked at the ground. Fifty years…she had been around the world and back. She had seen hell and wrestled with the devil. Makoto smirked and looked back into the face of the miko.

"Well, here and there. At least I don't have to worry about a family, Grandma." Makoto said. Rei's face softened slightly and then hardened again.

"Midori isn't my granddaughter. She isn't even alive. Not truly." Makoto blinked and stared at Rei "She's an android, I needed a cover. Someone to watch the front. No one would believe that I'm the same Hino Rei that ran the shrine fifty years ago. Look at us Makoto we still look like we should be going to college somewhere. It isn't natural. People start to ask questions." Makoto smirked, she herself had allowed a rumor to go around that she wasn't really the first Kino Makoto, but the forth or fifth in the line. Makoto agreed that it did help keep some questions at bay.

"I understand that." Makoto said hoping that she had diverted Rei. Rei's furry wasn't easily detoured however.

"That is besides the point Makoto. Why did you leave us. You almost killed Usagi. She isn't the carefree girl she uses to be. She went through a serious of depressions. You have no idea what it felt like to watch her eat herself away from the inside. She was so sure that it was all her fault. That her inability as a leader caused Ami's death and your disappearance. Your stupid stunt almost destroyed Crystal Tokyo." Makoto laughed.

"If my decision was going to kill our future queen Setsuna would have stopped me. She has a way of showing up before any real damage can be done."

"Is that what you have convinced yourself of? Is that how you are able to sleep at night? You think that your actions didn't create true damage because no one came along and told you not to do it. Makoto I can't believe that you of all people would put the future into such a risk." Rei was screaming at her now.

"You know nothing about me." Makoto screamed. She pushed herself past Rei and ran down the shrine steps. Rei did not turn to watch her go. Now she had to decide if she should tell the others that their lost solider had returned.

At the bottom of the steps Makoto slumped against one to the trees she could feel the tears try to fall. She refused to let them.

"They know nothing about the pain you have suffered." The voice in her head said. "They could never understand. Where were they when you laid on that subway floor bleeding to death? Where were they when you would cry yourself to sleep those first nights? They weren't there were they. Damage she says. Ha, they don't know anything about damage." Makoto stood and started to walk toward her hotel.

"They want to know about pain. I can show them pain." As she said this she stroked the gun under her arm.

Ok that's all for this chapter, it probably won't be until later next week until I can update again. I have several important exams coming up and I should be studying for them instead of writing fanfiction. However please review and I might update sooner.

Thanks

Wuffers.