Disclaimer: heh...sooo...not mine
A/N: I know I'm a horrible, horrible person, but once school starts up again, I might update more frequently.
Once the details had been worked over sufficiently, the animated chatter settled to a hum in the back of Rei's mind. Evidently, once Usagi had made it into the streets, she had, perhaps not so coincidentally ran into Lita and Tara. Strange names, certainly, and that 'L' so hard on her dwindling accent. At least, Lita was nearly a twin to the Makoto that Rei remembered, but Tara - that one was more like steel with a deceptive silk covering, than the vulnerable (occasionally, at least) Hotaru from her world. The strength they added to the team, along with the scepter they brought, had been enough to bring victory.
As the adrenaline faded from Rei's veins, so too did her high spirits, and she started to slip away, back into the shadows, when slim fingers gripped her arm. Her head snapped up, her eyes meeting those of her princess. A flash of understanding passed, and Rei snuck off unhindered.
The underground passages connected to the building must go on for miles, Rei thought absentmindedly. She herself had only used about 500 yards of them, herself, when she had been targeting Hiiro Yuy. She barely managed to choke down a noise that lay somewhere between a laugh and a sob before she slid down to the floor, leaning against the cool concrete wall. She knew now she couldn't kill Hiiro, not now. Even leaving duty and emotions behind, the man possessed strength, reflexes, and speed in the most deadly balance a human body could handle. And instead of improving, it seemed to Rei that her own skills were dwindling rather than growing. Her stamina had decreased, and her punches didn't carry nearly as much weight as they used to. Perhaps, now that more senshi were here, she didn't need the extra strength to protect her princess. . .
. . . and there was Hiiro here too, she thought bitterly.
"And I'm here."
Startled, and partly shocked, she drew in a long, sharp breath.
"Hiiro. . . I know I didn't say that out loud."
He merely grunted in reply.
"Don't. You heard what I was thinking."
"I know."
"What the hell? How can you hear my thoughts? And accept it so calmly?"
"It's happened before."
"WHAT? Goddammit. Hiiro, what ELSE have you been keeping from us?"
Temper, Rei. . . She gasped softly, putting a hand to her through as she noticed the small ache in her throat. It had been so long since she had screamed that way. But once, she remembered, once, that reaction had been so natural. To think of it, the last time she had such a vocalized tantrum was. . . before the accident. She had needed a cool head and a strong sense of patience. But now? Now, perhaps, along with her strength, that particular talent was gone. The smallest hint of a grin touched the corners of her mouth. She. . .could be herself now! Yet, back in the old world, she had always wished she could hold her fire. It often got in the way, and it would be free to now, once again. Again, reason interjected – she had caught herself this time. Even though her anger was back, living without it had taught her when it got out of control. Maybe things wouldn't turn out so bad after all . . .
As Rei's inner monologue drew to a conclusion, Hiiro began to get worried. She had been so strange, so loud, and then silent for the longest time. And now, there were no echo-less whispers to hint to him what she could be thinking. He began to reach out for her shoulder when she coughed gently.
"You - you said, this has happened before?"
As the darkness hid his face, he smiled briefly. No apology, just a succinct, level continuation of the conversation. He wouldn't want an apology anyway. Not from Rei.
"Once. Maybe twice. I always thought it was my imagination."
"Until now?"
"The world seems to have changed. If you can shoot fire, I thought, maybe I could read minds."
"Have you ever deliberately tried it?"
"No."
"Try reading my mind."
Un fortunately for Rei, she couldn't think of any specific thought for Hiiro; her mind drifted aimlessly, and she was still quite surprised, as both a chuckle and a pair of hands emerged from the abyss. Yet, as his lips met hers for the first time, only the smallest protest formed in her mind. Usagi. . .
Strong arms circled around her waist, and pulled their bodies tightly against each other. Usagi? Who's Usagi?
A/N: No, Rei is not in love with Usagi. . .I actually finished a chapter. w00t. Fira Khushrenada.