The days passed by, and days turned into weeks, and weeks turned to months. Three months from their first arrival, a battle was going on in the library.
"Ami and Quatre are having a chess battle! You have to come watch"
Mako burst into Minako's room yelling at the top of her lungs the news but was dumbfounded at the sight of Minako and Duo locked in a passionate embrace, their lips locked together. They broke apart blushing as Mako stood there gaping in shock at the both of them.
"Uh, wow a chess battle," Duo blurted out lamely in the uncomfortable silence that followed before leaving the room, presumably to the library where the others were. Mako raised a curious eyebrow at Minako who blushed deeper but her eyes were worried.
"Don't tell Rei, you know she won't approve," Minako begged, her eyes pleading and Mako frowned crossing her arms over her ample chest.
"I'm not sure I approve Minako," Mako told her grimly and Minako narrowed her eyes.
"Don't start," she warned before running off after Duo and Mako's frown deepened watching Minako disappear. Minako was getting far to close to Duo. It wasn't safe. These people were friendly, and nice, and polite, but they were also trying to find out information about Serenity and Endymion and Mako and the girls still had no idea why. Until they knew the men's motives, Mako knew that they should not let their guards down. It was dangerous for them and more importantly dangerous for Serenity, Endymion and Small Lady. Mako sighed deeply and wandered back to the library.
Inside the library, Quatre and Ami were engaged in a battle of chess, just as they had been when Mako left to get Minako. Her gaze wandered unconsciously to Wufei who was seated on the love chair, his face twisted into his customary scowl.
Mako could just imagine him thinking, 'why couldn't Quatre beat such a weak little onna already?' The thought that she knew what he was thinking made Mako smile and Wufei caught the grin and raised his eyebrows wondering why she was smiling at him like that.
"Silly onna," he breathed darkly but was surprised that the moment he had opened his mouth to speak, Mako had mouthed his words at the same time. Mako came to sit by him grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"You are so predictable," Mako told him pleasantly and Wufei grunted in response.
"Baka..."
"Baka onna," Mako grouched with him anticipating his words and Wufei looked over at her and couldn't help the smirk of amusement that came to his mouth. Mako looked to check that everyone was there. Minako and Rei were sprawled out on a rug in front of the fireplace. Rei had her usual basket of roses beside her and sitting in the basket was her work of roses. They had finally discovered what it was that Rei had been making all this time. The nearly finished dress made from the roses, so intricately done that it had taken her 3 months to nearly complete it. Rei had her eyes closed listening to the soft classical music that lilted through the library. Heero stood by the window, gazing out into the night sky, but every so often his blue eyes would seek Rei's lovely face. Duo sat behind Minako who was lying with her head towards him. Unnoticed by all but Mako, he was stroking her hair gently and she was smiling up at him adoringly. Mako had a bad feeling about this, as he remembered just how close Duo and Minako had become, from what she had seen in Minako's bedroom in any case.
-When was this?- Rei asked inside Mako's head interrupting any thought Mako had in her head.
This shook Mako as it had been a long while since Rei had spoken to her or any of the other girls directly. Mako felt a stab of guilt that she had unintentionally told Rei, despite Minako's plea.
-In Minako's room, just before- Mako replied immediately and Rei turned her head where she lay to look over at Minako and Duo who were obvious to her gaze, too caught up in each other.
-Get Ami and Minako to my room later for a senshi meeting- Rei told Mako who nodded confirming. Rei then closed her eyes and resumed her listening and Mako's attention reverted back to the chess game.
The relaxed atmosphere in the library was broken when Trowa and Relena strolled into the room. Relena hadn't visited them since the first time they had met. She had devoted most of her time to finding out all she could about Crystal Tokyo. The latest news she had discovered was that Serenity and Endymion had been protected by women known as Senshi, 4 of them were the personal protectors, and 4 of them protected the family from afar. The personal protectors were called the Inner Senshi, their names were Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus. The Outer Senshi, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus and Pluto were the protectors from afar. It was said during the Crystal Freezing the outer senshi were frozen where they were standing guard in the outer solar system protecting Crystal Tokyo from any outside attacks.
"Relena, what a surprise," Quatre said standing up to address her, the game of chess abandoned and Ami stood to acknowledge Relena as well but Relena gave a tinkle of laughter and waved her to sit back down.
"Please sit down, I'm here for the weekend only," Relena announced as Minako and Rei sat up slowly. Relena noticed Rei's basket on the floor and walked towards it curiously but Rei grabbed the basket to her chest before Relena could get too close. Relena had heard of the contents of Rei's baskets from Lady Une, but Relena longed to see for herself the self-mutilation Rei impressed upon herself daily.
-Don't touch- Relena heard a voice in her head but wasn't sure if she had imagined it. Rei's expression said the same thing.
"What is it?" Relena asked of Rei who made a few quick motions with her hands.
"Weaving, she is making a dress from the flowers," Heero replied for Rei without looking at her at all and Relena was surprised at how much he knew about Rei without even looking at her.
"I see, but what of your hands?" Relena asked gently and Rei looked at her daughter and shrugged.
The state of her hands was nothing compared to what she would do for Serenity and Endymion. Relena smiled weakly at Rei, feeling something was strange about her.
"Time for bed," Heero interrupted the questioning and everyone in the room agreed, most uncomfortable about Relena's appearance into their little cliche. Minako and Duo left first, parting at the door, then Mako and Wufei, Quatre and Ami, until Heero, Rei, Trowa and Relena were left alone. Rei stood up with her basket clutched tightly in her hands and as she passed Relena, Rei gave her a single rose and a gentle smile. Relena was struck by a strange feeling in her heart. Suddenly she felt as though she had known Rei somewhere before. Rei left with Heero following and Relena turned to Trowa.
"I know her Trowa," Relena whispered and Trowa frowned at her words.
"She was frozen in crystal with the others Relena," Trowa pointed out but Relena shook her head, whispering adamantly,
"Somehow, I know her."
Later that night all the girls snuck into Rei's room and sat in a circle on Rei four poster bed. Minako had come last, knowing what they wanted to talk about and not being too keen to hear it. They sat opposite each other, cross-legged in silence for a few moments then linked hands.
-Minako…- Rei began, her tone lecturing but Minako shook her head stubbornly.
-No Rei, I don't care what you think or say, I like Duo and we will be together whether you like it or not- Minako bravely stated punctuating her statement with a nod and Rei gave her a look.
-But you can't tell him anything- Rei reminded her and Minako rolled her eyes retorting,
-I know that, I am not a child-
Rei shook her head slowly as she questioned Minako,
-Minako, what kind of a relationship is based on lies?-
Minako couldn't reply knowing Rei had made a very important and valid point.
-I think I am in love with him- Minako revealed slowly and Mako widened her eyes in surprise wondering how this could have gotten so far so soon.
-And he has promised himself and his love to you?- Mako asked of Minako and Minako sighed deeply.
-No not yet, but he will-
Rei could feel the uncertainty in Minako's thoughts and played upon that insecurity. She could hear what Duo had told Minako of his life, the good and the bad and Rei knew she could use it.
-Can you be sure? He has been hurt before has he not? By someone named Hilde, is that not what he told you? He gave her his heart, he was to marry her, but she broke his heart and married another-
Minako couldn't answer. Ami thought it best to get to the point.
-Are you his girlfriend then Minako?- Minako shook her head unhappily.
-No, but I hope to be, I want to try, please- Minako begged her eyes filling with tears and Rei pursed her lips and nodded.
-Very well, just don't be the fool Minako, we are the Princesses of the Silver Millennium, and members of Neo Queen Serenity's Court, we are nobody's fool, especially some boys- Rei cautioned Minako who squealed happily hugging them all at the same time.
-Thank you, I have to go, Duo is waiting-
Minako disappeared into the darkness and Rei shook her head sadly.
-This happened in the Silver Millennium but it was Ami and me in Minako's position- Rei revealed parts of their past without realising and Mako sighed.
-I wish I could remember- she said wistfully and Rei smiled at her.
-Someday you will-
-Yeah someday- Mako returned Rei's smile then looked at the time, -I gotta go, sparring with Wufei in 15 minutes and I need to warm up-
Mako hurried off and Ami gave a delicate yawn.
-I might go for a breath of fresh air- Ami decided and Rei nodded.
-Goodnight Ami- Rei called to her as Ami left the room and giving a wave Ami was gone too.
Alone Rei took out the small dress she was making and took one last rose weaving it through as she had done before and to her utter relief it was finished. Finally she had completed the dress for Small Lady. Now she had to start on Endymion's cape, and lastly, Serenity's dress.
AN: Someone wrote in the reviews a note saying how strange it was that it was now minako going against the senshi code. Thats part of the irony of it all, because Minako doesn't actually remember saying any of that to Rei. Minako doesn't remember that she isn't supposed to fall in love, and now its Rei who is the cautious one, but unlike MInako, Rei relents because she knows all too well how it feels to be denied the one person you wanted to be with so badly.