~*~

Minako's Retreat – Chapter 13

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Minako gulped, unable to stop staring at the fidgeting child, "Itasha, you know that's ridiculous, someone like me could never be a queen."

Itasha looked down at the ground, trying to find inspiration from the Persian rug, "Daddy told me it's wrong to lie," she whispered.

Minako groaned mentally, attempting to summon up the courage to tell the innocent child she wasn't the Queen of Venus, but at that moment, Itasha looked up straight into Minako's eyes.

Damnit.

Her clear, trusting blue eyes, staring up at her like Minako's very words could change her entire world.  There was so much… Trust, in those innocent blue eyes, Minako almost looked away, ashamed she had even considered telling her a lie.  Had she become so corrupted by war that she would lie to a child?

Grim reality settled in, as she realized Itasha would grow up to realize this world wasn't anywhere near as beautiful as child liked to believe.  She would know death, betrayal, and lies.  This was going to be this innocent child's future.

As Minako stared further into Itasha's eyes, the feeling of depression gave way to warmness.  For some reason, whenever Minako looked at her, she always felt this need to protect her.  Kind of like jumping in front of a bomb Minako reminded herself dryly.

With a loud groan, Minako wrenched her eyes away, and fell back into an armchair.  Itasha followed her, stopping a few feet in front of her.

Minako slowly reached out with her palm out.  Slowly, glitter seemed to collect in her palm, forming a small ball, until the ball widened out into light, then disappeared leaving the glittering henshi pen of Venus.

Itasha gasped, staring at the beautiful object of Venus, "Oh wow… you really are Sailor V!  And the Queen of Venus." She stood in awe.

Minako nodded, also watching the pen fondly.  It always reminded her of home, and of all the times she had spent fighting bad guys with her friends. 

"Minako?" Itasha whispered, almost afraid to break the sacred silence.

"Yes?"

"Can I touch it?"

Minako nodded and held it out to her, somewhat reluctant to let it go.

Itasha seemed like she was holding thin glass the way she was handling the henshi pen, "Minako?" Itasha asked, still concentrating on the pen.

"Yes?"

"Why haven't you tried to talk to the Queen of the Moon?" She asked, running her dainty fingers over the small ball.

Minako faltered for a second, before leaning back into her chair and staring longingly out the window, "Because I'm not allowed."

"Not allowed?" Itasha repeated.

Minako gave her a weak smile, "It's kind of hard to explain, and I really don't want to bore you with the details."

Itasha climbed up onto Minako's lap, "Please tell me," she pleaded.

Minako was about to protest, but one look in those eyes forced her to submit, "Alright."

"Your father and I made a deal, and I don't want to break the deal," Minako explained shortly. 

"But you could just leave!" Itasha protested.

"I could," Minako agreed, "But you have to remember my position.  I am a leader, and I'm expected to set a good example to my people."

"But no one would know," Itasha pointed out.

Definitely not as innocent as she appeared.

"But it's dishonest," Minako pointed out, "You don't do something just because no one will know or notice.  I wouldn't want people to do that to me, so I don't do it to them.  In a way it makes sense."

Itasha sighed, "You should talk to my daddy again.  I know he feels bad about what happened.  I can tell."

"Maybe," Minako agreed reluctantly, "Your father's a good person, but he also knows his priorities."

"I think you're one of his priorities" Itasha said softly.

"Do you really think so?" Minako asked curiously, laying her head against Itasha's.

Itasha opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted.

Knock knock

The distinct knocking of someone at the door forced Minako to look up, "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Rashid, who was hold a bouquet of flowers the just barely fit threw the doorway.

Itasha giggled merrily as she jumped off Minako's lap and raced over to Rashid, "Oh their so pretty!" she commented upon reaching them.

"Yellow roses…" Minako said absently.  They were some of the nicest roses she had ever seen, each a ripe yellow.

Rashid motioned for Itasha to leave, "Your tutor just arrived, I suggest you get ready." Then turned to Minako as the door shut behind the young girl, "I'm supposed to give these to you."

Minako didn't get a chance to stand as the flowers were pushed into her hands.  There must have been at least fifty roses in the bouquet.

The door shut behind Rashid as he took off after Itasha.  Minako found herself alone staring at the roses.  Slowly she reached up and fingered the velvety petals.

Standing up, Minako placed the roses on the dresser and searched for the card.  After a few minutes of searching she finally found the small card.

Inside was written:

Follow the rose's trail

Minako blinked in a confused manner.  Follow the roses trail?  Minako walked to her door and opened it, to ask Rashid who sent this when something in the hallway caught her eye.  A trail of yellow petals.

With an amused smile, Minako stepped outside and walked along the trail of spilt petals.  The trail didn't do on for long, before stopping completely outside of a door.

Without hesitation Minako turned the doorknob and walked into the room.

Immediately Minako was bombarded with a very nice scent.  The room she had walked into was a green house, filled with flowers and trees.

An assortment of different colours, shapes and sizes filled the room.  Beautiful flowers such as Tulips, Daisys, roses and daffodils stood proudly.

"Welcome to my greenhouse." Said a voice behind her.

Minako turned around to see Quatre shutting the door behind her.  Minako prepared herself, but it was only half hearted.

"I want to tell you…" he began, "That I'm sorry.  I don't want to fight with you, and I certainly don't want you to avoid me."

Minako said nothing.  Truthfully, she didn't know what to say.

Quatre continued, "I know you can understand why I can't let you leave, but I want you to know I will consider it despite all this.  I don't want you to be unhappy."

Minako felt heat rushing to her face.  He didn't want her to be unhappy?  Did that mean something?

"Quatre…"

"Yes?"

"I don't want to fight either."

Quatre flashed her a smile, "I'm glad we agree."

Minako returned the smile, "Me too."

~*~

Duo sat tapping his foot impatiently.  He could sense the sense feelings from his friends around him.  War made then all like this.

Relena had already begun rallying people to her, to fight as soldiers.  Himself, Heero, Quatre, Wufei and Trowa would lead them into battle.   She had said it would be soon.

The thought of being the one to bring a bunch of innocent people to their deaths, had never really appealed to Duo, but he hadn't questioned Relena's decision.  So why was he having second thoughts now?

The door opened and closed, leaving a smiling Quatre standing in the doorway.

"What are you so happy about?" Duo asked, yawning as he stretched out.

"Nothing at all." Was Quatre's only reply.

"So…"

"Oh." Quatre said suddenly, "Relena wants us in her office tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Trowa question, "Isn't that a little soon?"

He shrugged, "That's what Relena wanted."

There was a long pause, as everyone realized just how close this war was.  Probably in a few days, they would find themselves slaughtering innocent people yet again.  Was this really the way to achieve peace?

~*~

A special thank you to Transcendent, Who edited this for me.  Thank you!

Review Responses:

Jewels14 – Aww Thank you!  That's so nice of you to say.  Thanks for the review!

Xtreme Nuisance – lol, Here's more.  Thanks for the review! ^___^

Susami Masaki – Here's your update, thanks for taking the time to review!

Talum – Yes she is ^^ Thanks for the review!

Water Angel1 – I wish I was as poor as Minako, she gets to stay with the Gundam pilots. Lol, thanks for the review!

etoile noir - Thanks ^____^ Come on though, would you come back if I wasn't so evil?  -_^ lol thanks for the review!

Usagi Asia Maxwell - Thank god, SOMEONES going to kill her.  Lol whenever I watch Gundam wing and she's on it, I always find I can't keep my eyes off her eyebrows.  I mean they stick out!  Does she like gel them or something?  Lol, thanks for the review!

Zaeria – Who knows, Minako seems to be late a lot like Usagi, she might not -_^ lol, thanks for the review!

Minako Winner – **Munches on her cookie** I'm sooo glad I'm on my x-mas holidays ^^ no more annoying homework!  Do you know what I realized?  I hadn't put you down as one of my fav authors!  I can't believe that!  I've been reading your stories for so long!  When are you going to continue them?  Like A love worth waiting for and A lady's love?  Those were my favs!  They were some of the first fics I ever read when I came on here! (imagine my surprise when you started reviewing to my fics lol,) Anyways, who doesn't want Dorothy dead?  She stabbed Quatre!  **Grumble grumble** lol, thanks for the review!

Venus fan - I'll consider it -_^ lol, kidding.  Thanks for the review!

flamin-phyinix – I know that wasn't fast but I tried!  Thanks for the review!

Airlady – Thanks for the review!  I promise to keep writing -_^

Midnight Lilly – For some reason, this review seems familiar… Anyways, you brought up a very valid point about why they don't use their powers and things like that.  I'll try and add that at some part of the story to clear up things.  Sorry!

Tenshi-Hotaru – lol, you sounded tired. @_@ me too.  I've been staying up late trying to update ALL my stories.  Uuurg all 13.. or is it 14 now?  I've lost count -__-;; lol, thanks for the review!

crystalgem2003 – You make it sound so simple!  Lol, I WISH I could, but that would just bore the hell out of everyone and then I would be flames until I was crispy.  ^_^ Thanks for the review!

AznxAngel – Dorothy and Relena will get their dues in all good time ^__^ I know what you mean about having a younger sister like her, I mean look at me!  I got stuck with a mouthy little brother!  Aaaaarg the humanity. Lol Thanks for the review!

Shadow Fox2 – Thanks for the review, sorry it took so long @_@ I've been swamped lol.

Kazzeh Sodapop – See if I told you all of those things, then you wouldn't review any more!  Lol, sorry this took so long, thanks for the review!

Faith - I'm so glad your enjoying this!  Thanks for the review, it made ME smile -_^

Jupiter Angel - @_@ wow.  Lol, you thought it all out didn't you? I'm not sure about having the youma's and all that.  I regretted putting in one at the beginning, and have been trying to stay away from the whole monster thing ., but I really appreciated your idea!  If you have any others, please tell me!  All my idea's are having to be split up between 4 gw/sm stories and I'm running out of them!  Thanks for the review! Oh ya!  How's the story coming along?

firelightz – Thanks for the review!  Honestly I wouldn't mind being Minako right now, I mean that rock just happens to be Quatre ^^ lol thanks!

Thanks to everyone who read my story!  You guys are great!

Also, Anyone who wants to an e-mail when I update Minako's Retreat, please say so and leave your e-mail!  Thanks!

~Ceso