Note: This story depicts two girls in love (Makoto and Minako).
If you have a problem with that please evolve. If not, well it's just an angst filled, unrequited love story, with no real plot. (Revised from original)

Disclaimer: The Sailor Moon characters are not mine.
I'm just using them for my own romantic pleasure.
I promise I'll put them back as soon as I'm done with them.

Chapter 6

It had been four weeks since Makoto received the injury from the youma. Since then, Minako had taken every available opportunity to do things with Makoto. They went to the arcade, the movies, the mall, even to a concert at the park. Sometimes the other senshi were with them, other times they were just alone. If Makoto thought it was strange, she didn't comment on it or even show any type of emotion about it one way or the other. She was completely neutral. And that was the thing that was grating on Minako's nerves the most. She had practically been throwing herself at Makoto and still she carried this attitude of detachment. Minako felt like she was banging her head against a cement wall.

Well, at least Minako thought she was being obvious enough. It wasn't too hard to read between the lines if you studied the two together. If she was anymore obvious, she'd be out, and she didn't quite want to be that open yet. Being that Minako was not one for subtlety, the whole affair had become incredibly, emotionally draining for the young blonde. She knew she shouldn't judge, but if Makoto really loved her and really knew her... she should be picking up on these signs. It just seemed right to the blonde that her friend should make the first move. She had set up opportunities and tried to give the taller girl encouragement to confess her true feelings, but her hard work had been dismissed. One thing she hated most was being ignored, and that was essentially what Makoto was doing.

Minako sat on her bed thinking about this, wondering how much longer it would take for Makoto to clue in. "You'd think that she would be looking for these clues," she muttered aloud, "that I like her in return. I mean, I like her and I look for signs from her when I need reassurance. And they are there. It's like..." cocking her head to side, a deep furrow formed between her sculpted brows, "she believes I could never be like that. Oh Mako-chan, sometimes I really want to smack you on the forehead and tell you to open your eyes." Sighing she laid back on her pillow and stared at the ceiling. "But then again there must be a reason she's not letting herself see what's right under her nose." Closing her eyes for a moment, she waited for an epiphany. She opened them again when it didn't come. Minako continuing on her train of thought hoping some spark of inspiration might ignite. "Makoto's always so brave and strong. Why isn't she like that with this?" Again, she waited for an answer from her ceiling. "I might be in the nut house before I get this figured out. Why do you have to be so difficult Kino Makoto?" Minako closed her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh.

She let her mind drift to the time they spent together recently. It wasn't where they went that mattered really, it was just being with her that was so great. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she thought back to the concert in the park. Rei, Amy, and Usagi came with them that evening. All they had to bring was a blanket and sit in the grass, the orchestra provided the rest. Rei and Makoto brought their sleeping bags and spread them out near the back of the crowd. There was nothing to see really and Ami wasn't inclined to being surrounded by a mass of people.

Makoto sat on the outside with Minako beside her. Usagi was in the middle next to Ami and Rei sat at the other end next to her. It was kind of cramped but Minako didn't mind that at all. It gave her chance to be really close to Makoto. The taller girl had stretched her long legs out in front of her and leaned back on her elbows. Minako had one knee drawn up with her arm wrapped around it. The other leg was stretched out in front of her and her corresponding arm was supporting her weight behind her. Her hand was a breath away from Makoto's. All she had to do was turn it sideways and it would be covering her friends. Usagi was sitting Indian style, Ami had her legs tucked under herself, and Rei sat with her knees up with her hands supporting her weight behind her. It would have been a perfect group picture.

The concert was wonderful. The girls whispered to each other every so often, though Minako and Makoto were speaking the most. Minako would turn back to her and smile, whispering something about how the music moved her. "This part is so passionate but soft at the same time. How does the composer know how to make a person feel like that with instruments and notes?"

"I guess you just imagine yourself as the music and try to express yourself through the notes. It's like any art form." Makoto replied.

"Like when you skate? You capture the same emotion when you're skating for yourself. It's beautiful." Minako said in all seriousness.

"Oh you noticed huh?" Makoto chuckled. "I don't see how you could have with all the boys flocking around you. I think you're just trying to be nice to me again," she said blowing off the comment.

"No, seriously... I could never do anything like that. That's why I appreciate art and beauty whenever I encounter it." Minako was staring at a spot where the sleeping bag showed through Makoto's fingers.

"Oh that's not true Mina-chan."

"Well then, name off something I do that can inspire people and evoke emotion like this music does." Minako said and began tracing around the contour of Makoto's hand with her finger.

"Umm... you just... I mean... you..." she stammered and a blush burned across her cheeks. "Just take my word for it..." She was now looking down at her hand and how close Minako's finger was to tracing her skin instead of just around it. She was so lost in thought for a few moments; a longing look had slipped into her eyes. Minako tapped her hand bringing her back from dream-world and stared questionably at her.

Minako came back to the reality of her bedroom. She had a pretty good idea where Makoto's thoughts had gone that day. That dreamy look in her eyes and the blush gracing her features hinted as much. The stammering proved she was trying to hide something.

"You know Mako-chan, one of these days I'm just going to loose all my patience and do something drastic," Minako said to her ceiling. "And then-" she was interrupted by the phone ringing. She looked at the clock as she sprang out of bed. It was just past four in the afternoon. As she ran into the hall she screamed, "I'll Get It!" to anyone in the house who might take it. They all knew it would be for Minako so no one had moved. She reached the phone just before the third ring. "Hello?"

"Hey," it was Makoto's voice on the other end. "I was wondering if you could come out with me to the park tonight. I think it's about time we had a talk."

Minako's face looked like it was about ready to burst with joy. "Yes, sure, no problem. When do you want me there, where are we going to meet?"

Makoto laughed, "Calm down, I was just going to tell you that. We'll me at the swing set at eight. You sure your parents are cool with that? It is kinda late and I don't want to get you in trouble."

"Oh they will be, if not I'll make them." Minako said. 'Wouldn't miss this date for anything,' she thought to herself.

"Ok, see ya then."

"Bye." Minako put the phone back in the cradle. She dashed back into her room and started looking for something to wear though she knew she had four hours to get ready. She had the biggest smile ever plastered on her face. Finally, Makoto had opened her eyes.

- - - - -

Makoto was sitting on one of the swings waiting patiently for Minako. Minako wasn't exactly late; it was just that Makoto was incredibly early. She looked at her watch again and it read 7:56. She was wearing some dark blue jeans and a grey t-shirt. Her baseball cap was pulled low so the brim was just above her eyes. She was holding an object in one hand behind her back.

She looked up as she heard footsteps. Smiling she saw Minako come into view wearing a pair of blue caprice and a light yellow spaghetti strap tank top. She looked great as usual. Makoto let herself drink in the beauty that was Minako. This was how she inspired people, just being herself. Her actions were so elegant that when she moved it reminded Makoto of someone dancing.

"I'm here," Minako said, waving and smiling as she walked up to the swings. "So what's up?"

"Hi," Makoto was smiling but her eyes were serious. She reached out and grabbed the chain of the swing beside her and pulled it towards Minako. "Have a seat."

Minako sat noticing her friend was holding something in her other hand behind her back. She tried to control the knowing look in her eye and the smile that wanted to beam from her face. The necklace was supposed to be a surprise and she wanted to keep it that way. "Ok I'm sitting. Now what's up?"

"Well, I wanted to bring you here and talk, cause... umm... this is where everything happened... and... yeah."

Minako smiled thinking back to the day when she flew off the swing and tackled her. Her smiled faded a bit thinking of the day after that. But it returned when she thought about their trip to the mall. "Yeah I guess it did happen here didn't it."

"Well I think it's time we talked about it Mina-chan. Because, I mean, all this acting..." she paused trying to find the words. "I just don't ... I mean I think... man... I want us to talk about it so it can ... so it can stop."

"Ok, so how exactly did you want to talk about it?" Minako thought it best if Makoto said what she had to say first. It would be easier then and it seemed right.

"Mina-chan... I just want you to be happy. You know that," she looked up and her emerald eyes sparkled with love and sincerity. Minako nodded holding her gaze. Makoto began drowning in the deep blue pools. 'Oh Mina-chan, why do you have to make this so hard for me? But you don't even know what you're doing to me so I can't blame you.' Makoto thought to herself.

Minako could sense the courage that the brunette was trying to build. She knew the confession would be the next words to cross her lips. Oh how she longed to hear those words.

"Minako..." her voice was slightly shaky.

The blonde's heart pounded faster, her eyes closed as she waited for those three little words to wash over her. She heard the soft husky voice speak her name again and she knew now was the moment.

"Minako... I..." Makoto stammered a bit. The look on Minako's face was so indescribable, making her that much more beautiful and making it that much harder for Makoto to speak. Taking a breath and inhaling the soft perfume that she wore had her almost in a daze. But she had to say it; she had to finish. She closed her eyes and finally spoke the words.

"Minako, I think its time you get past this guilt and move on with your life."

Minako's eyes shot open and she looked at Makoto like she grew a second head. She blinked a few times as the words sunk in. The words, which were the wrong words, hit her then, after sinking and thudded in the bottom of her stomach like a dead weight. She closed her eyes and took a breath, trying to sort out what this night was really about. She was so confused. Her mind was flying a mile a minute trying to put everything together.

The epiphany came and her eyes opened again as she figured out what Makoto brought her here for. Her brow began to crease and her eyes began to narrow. Something in her was beginning to splinter and would snap at any moment. Everything she had done, all the time they had spent together, Makoto thought was motivated by guilt. What kind of person did Makoto think she was? Her knuckles were white from gripping the chain of the swing.

Makoto was aware of the emotional change happening inside of Minako. She had no idea why it was happening though. She didn't like Minako being upset and she knew she had somehow caused it. She just wanted to make things right again. She reached out and placed her hand on Minako shoulder.

"Don't touch me right now Makoto." Minako's voice was very soft and very dangerous.

Makoto pulled her hand back, pain evident in her eyes. She had no idea what was going on. "Mina-chan..." she whispered softly, "tell me what's wrong-"

Minako looked at her as if she asked the stupidest question in the world. "What's wrong? What's wrong? What's wrong, Makoto, is that you won't open your eyes; that's what's wrong," she snapped. Her temper was blazing and she was trying her very best to bring it under control.

Makoto was hurt and confused. All she wanted to do was make everything better, make everything right again. "Mina-chan if we could just talk." She paused and looked and the blonde who had her eyes closed. She was silent and Makoto took this as a sign to continue. If she could explain herself, things would get better. "I know you feel guilty about me taking that blow for you from the youma, and that's why you have been nice to me for the past couple of weeks. I mean you ignore all the boys and turn them down if they ask you to do anything, just to be with me. I don't want to see you waste your time trying to repay me for what I did. It's part of being a senshi and I would do it again in a second if I had to." She had thought this through many times and stayed her course. "You need to move past this. I'll always be here for you. I'll always be your friend." She finished and watched Minako closely. She could see her temple pulsing as her jaw clenched and unclenched repeatedly. Makoto didn't head its warning and added one last thing. "I'm freeing your from what ever duty you think is owed to me."

Minako bolted out of the swing and stood towering over Makoto. She was absolutely fuming. "Duty? You're freeing me from my duty?" Her eyes were blazing and her face was flushed. "That's what you thought all this time." Makoto sat in the swing stunned. She had never seen Minako this mad before. "Gods Makoto, you are so dense and blind." Sarcasm was almost tangibly oozing out of her as she spoke. "Thank you so much for thinking for me and deciding you know what's best. I didn't know you could read minds and I'm terribly impressed." She turned her head and made a grand, sweeping gesture with her arm. "Though what amazes me is how you could tell what I'm feeling by looking through your own eyes instead of mine. You'll have to teach me that trick someday."

Makoto seemed to shrink from the onslaught. Her shoulders hunched over and she bent closer to her knees. Receiving this anger from Minako felt like her insides were being torn apart in a great void of emptiness. She visibly flinched as the biting words struck their mark.

"You want to talk about an act then look at yourself Makoto. You've got one hell of a performance going on there yourself. What's in your hand Makoto, cause I know it's not what I expected it to be."

Makoto was totally confused; the barrage was coming so fast she couldn't sort it out in her head. Her instinct told her to do whatever Minako wanted so she moved her hand from behind her back and revealed a smooth black stone. There was a grove in the center where her thumb lay and she rubbed it slowly. It helped her relax and concentrate.

Minako looked at it and a recognized it from Makoto's dresser. Makoto had explained what it was before so she didn't have to ask. "So why don't you tell me about your act Makoto, just to make sure I have my story right."

Makoto had a blank look on her face. "I don't know what you're talking about Mina-chan. I ju-"

She was cut off from saying anymore by Minako's enraged voice. "The act Makoto, the act where you play the part of my friend though that's not what you want."

Makoto's brow furrowed. She truthfully didn't know what Minako was talking about and a defensive anger began to emerge. "That's not true Minako. I am your friend and I want to be your friend more than anything. I would do anything for you." She stood up, not liking the lies that Minako threw at her.

Minako faced her and poked a finger at her chest. "Of course you would do anything for me. I know that. But being my friend is not the reason for it nor is it what you want more than anything. If it was then you wouldn't have bought me that necklace you keep in your nightstand drawer."

Makoto's eyes were wide and her jaw was slack. She just stared dumb founded. She felt as if her heart had been ripped out and her entire world was coming to an end. The pain and loss she felt at that moment filled her eyes. She only saw how angry Minako was with her. She believed it was because her secret had been found and Minako was disgusted with it. Memories of her old school washed over her. All the hate she received, the torment from the people there. It was all happening again. Everything in her life that she tried so hard to protect was destroyed. All in an instant.

She had to leave. She had to get out of there before the pain crushed her. She turned and ran. She didn't know where she was going. She just knew she had to get out of there. She never heard Minako's voice calling after her or the tread of her footsteps as she tried to keep up. But Makoto was running from the demons that chased her, and no one would be able to catch her.