Summary- Someone watches as the death scene from my fiction 'A Year Ago Today' unfolds. This is between that and before 'Together In Death'. Second in the Trilogy.

Pairings-Shoujo ai, Usagi/Rei, perhaps slight hints of Minako/Rei. Minako's POV

Disclaimer-I DO NOT own Sailor Moon. I am merely borrowing these characters.

WARNING-This contains Shoujo ai...as in f/f, girl/girl relationships. Do not read if this offends you.

Dedication-I dedicate this piece of fanfic to everyone who reviewed my stories, but especially trp0522, who gave me the idea for this through their feedback, as well as helping me recover from writer's block to begin writing the last chapter of my main story.


I Cry Inside, But My Tears Do Not Fall

"REI…NO!"

My voice sounds foreign as I call out. Everything was in slow motion and I watched as it happened. The scaly purple and green youma, as it charged forward towards Usagi. Watching in despair as Rei blocked its path and it hit her dead in the middle of her chest, making her fall, before swiping at her side with long jagged claws. Usagi and Makoto, who were closest, running forward in vain to try to help. Rei's scream of surprise and agony, as she the gash appeared in her side. The grimace, seemingly embedded on her features, as she released a display of fiery flames as never before seen, to destroy her conqueror. Then, finally, seeing her fall backwards onto the lush green grass which surrounded us.

Then, as yet more of the beasts appeared, having to keep fighting, to protect our hime, and now our fallen comrade. Yet, at this time, how could even I concentrate, as just behind me, my best friend lay dying? Deep down inside, I knew…from the moment that her cry of pain filled the air.

"Rainbow Moon Heart Ache"

"Jupiter Oak Evolution"

"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody"

"CRESENT BEAM SHOWER!"

Finally, they were all gone. Now, I could finally go to my best friend…to Rei. Somehow, though, even as I turned, a mess of golden blond hair and a tear streaked face was all that registered in my mind, as Usagi hurtled past me, and startled, I stopped, watching instead, as Usagi flung herself down next to Rei, a hand resting on the fire senshi's stomach over her fuku, as she looked desperately towards Mars's face.

The pallor of Rei's face, the way her eyes were closed, caused my heart to tighten momentarily, and wonder if it was already too late…if she was already gone. By now, silvery tears were falling uncontrollably from Usa's eyes, and I could see her struggle to deny the inevitable. With a hand over the wound, she was trying to assuage the tide of blood, which flowed freely, turning both glove and Mars's fuku a deep maroon.

Just as I was sure Rei was gone, she opened her eyes, which were by now a deep tanzanite purple, shadowed with sadness and apprehension. Beside me, I saw Makoto and Ami draw closer together, as if to draw strength from each other as we looked upon this unmistakably tragic scene.

"Don't worry Odango Atama, not just yet"

Even amidst the sorrow I felt a tiny, bitter smile graces my features. Rei will be Rei, thinking of Usagi first, using the familiar 'Odango Atama' to the end. As I think the words 'to the end' it hit me. This is real, and my best friend was dying…Worse still, I thought, my hime was beginning to realise just how much they meant to each other. Her mouth opened, and once again, my heart constricted at the tortured expression gracing her usually happy features.

Then Rei spoke.

"Usa…."

"What is it?

I knew, Rei would not leave without telling Usagi…what she told me nearly six months ago. Although I have to say I was surprised at the time, it was not by the confession of love, but the fact that she actually spoke of it.

Rei never talked of love, not to any of us, not to Ami, not to Makoto, not to me, and definitely not to the one whom everyone could tell she worshipped silently, behind the façade of insults. Who was this person you asked? Was it not clear from her every action?

"I'm dying Usa…and I never got to tell you."

Rei knew she was dying, and momentarily, I wondered what it was like for her at that moment. Was she scared…angry that her life was so short? Somehow though, I knew that the passionate, fiery Sailor Mars would feel none of those emotions. She would feel worry and sorrow for Usagi's grief, and her only anger would be directed inward, that she would no longer be there to protect her 'Odango-chan'...

"Tell me WHAT?"

Usagi's voice, her tones shrill with her sadness, drew me back to the present, as she took Rei's head onto her lap, causing a grunt of pain to be emitted. Hoarse breathing could be heard for a few seconds, before Rei spoke again.

"I…I…" at this point Rei nearly stopped, I think, with a choked sob. "I love you Usa…"

From my right, I heard a small pain filled mewl, and turned, to see Ami beginning to snivel, and she turned to bury her head deep in Makoto's chest. Mako, who also had tears in her eyes, enwrapped the blue haired water senshi in her arms, buried her head in Ami's hair, and, from the way her body shook, began to weep as well.

Although they were not together, I think they were each wondering what they would do in that situation. I certainly hoped it would allow them to gather the courage they had so far lacked, to act on their feelings. Rei's death deserved no less.

Meanwhile, my eyes, which remained as dry as the desert sand, turned back to watch the scene unfolding before them, as the pain continued to soar deep inside.

"I love you too…"

Typically, Usagi did not understand Rei's confession, but I feared it might be too late to enlighten her, as Rei's breathing grew suddenly shallower than before, and the blood flowed around her, touching her beautiful ebony black hair. Nevertheless, she took one more deep breath.

"No Usa…Aishiteru"

Usagi's eyes widened in shock, but my only hope was that she would realise her own true feelings as well. Mamoru is of no consequence here. While she loves him, I knew, had always known, that she was 'in love' with Rei, if only through my senshi skills. Still at the same time that this made me happy, the knowledge that destiny blocked this, the greatest love of all, broke my heart.

Slowly, so slowly, Rei reached up, perhaps using all of her remaining strength to do so, and the strain was clearly etched on her features. Usagi leant in, and their lips met, as her hands reached around to cradle Rei's head. The cherry blossom swirled around them, and for one moment, there was no destiny, no time, no fate and no world to save. There, on the gateway between life and death, where they were to part, there was only Rei, Usagi and their love.

Suddenly, the golden-pinkish aura that had surrounded them, thanks to my powers, fades away, and, as suddenly as it all began, Rei gasped, and fell to Usagi's lap, her head tilted backwards.

Before Usagi could even fling herself onto Rei, desperately pleading with her closest protector to come back, I accepted that Rei was dead. A part of my soul died as well…but she died so happy. She was miserable ever since Yuuchiro left and her grandfather died, and she was caught in a seemingly hopeless love, alone. Yet, she was still my best friend, and my pain did not subside.

Afterwards, we pulled Usagi away, as screamed her love for Rei to the winds, thrashing at us, as if unaware who we were. I wondered what she would do now Rei was gone. Not only was Rei her secret love, but also her closest ally and fiercest protector. Even in the midst of my musings however, I felt envy that she got to be with Rei to the last. I never said goodbye to my best friend, who would never call me Aino-chan, thanks to my last name, as a joke, over and over again. I never said goodbye, I thought, and still my tears did not fall.


Well, that's the first chapter done. Well, after 'Love In Crystal Tokyo', I'm once again back to angsty Minako. Heavens knows why. I just seem to like writing her.