Minako sat in her room and looked at the picture in her hand of her and the others at their senior prom.
FLASH BACK
It was a warm June night and the five Inner Senshi and Mamoru exited a stretch limo. Usagi was the only one with a date that night aside from Ami. Ami bought a ticket for her "date" Rei. Minako's boyfriend Scot was supposed to be her date that night but a week before prom he got the flu. Minako looked at the entrance doors and sighed. Makoto glanced over at Minako and smiled softly and took the blondes hand and spoke only loud enough for Minako to hear. "I'll be your date if you want Mina-chan." Makoto smiled softly at her friend. Minako nodded and released Makoto's hand and wrapped her arms around Makoto's left arm.
The night went by without any yoma attacks which made the girls happy that they were able to enjoy their senior prom in peace. After the prom the limo took the girls home. Minako decided to stay at Makoto's that night so she got out of the car with her friend. Makoto smiled softly at Minako and the two of them walked up to Makoto's apartment. Minako followed Makoto in and sat down on Makoto's sofa and sighed. "I'll be right back ok Mina-chan I'm gonna go change. Call your mother and let her know where you are so she doesn't wig out and hate me even more than she already does." Makoto disappeared into her bedroom and Minako sighed before calling her mother.
Minako glanced down the hallway and saw Makoto's bedroom door was still closed and sighed again. "Why can't I just tell her how I feel? Why does it have to be so hard?"
"What's hard Mina-chan?" Makoto asked rubbing her neck.
Minako blinked a few times as she stared at Makoto. She had changed into a semi-tight white tank top and a pair of loses fitting cotton green shorts.
"Earth to Minako hello." Makoto waved her hand in front of her blonde friends face.
Minako blinked again. "Nani? Oh nothings hard Mako-chan jus thinking out loud." Minako smiled softly at her friend. "You wouldn't happen to have an extra set of pjs I can borrow do you Mako-chan?"
Makoto smiled. "Hai, I do Minako-chan, but um the pants will be a little long on ya." Makoto set a pair of black satin pj pants on the bed and a white tank top and smiled softly at Minako before leaving her room.
Minako came out of Makoto's bedroom a few seconds later still in her dress. "Mako-chan could you please help me with this."
Makoto looked up from the jigsaw puzzle she was putting together and smiled. "Sure Mina-chan turn around."
Minako turned her back to Makoto and blushed softly. Her breath caught when she felt Makoto slowly unzip the dress. Please Mako-chan make a move so I can tell you how I feel.
Makoto chuckled slightly at the tattoo on Minako's shoulder. "I like the tat Minako-chan but why that?"
Minako sighed heavily. you can be so dense sometimes Mako-chan but that's what I love about you. "I don't know the tattoo artist had it on his wall and I liked it a lot so I got it."
Makoto looked at the tattoo again and smiled then put her head on Minako's shoulder and spoke softly. "You really are a lousy liar Mina-chan." Makoto stood up straight and looked at her blonde friend. "Care to try the truth this time Minako."
Minako blushed. "What makes you think I'm lying?"
"Because that's just too straight forward Mina-chan. So out with it."
Minako slowly turned around and looked into the emerald eyes of her hearts desire and smiled softly. Makoto blushed at the hint of longing and desire that flashed in Minako's eyes. "M-Minako-chan don't look at me like that."
"Mako-chan I…I…"
"You what Minako-chan?"
"I got the tattoo because you're my best friend and that's what it represents."
Makoto looked at her friend and smiled. "There were other ways to show that, but it's a sweet gesture."
Minako smiled and hugged her friend tightly. one day I'll tell you the truth about my tattoo.
END FLASHBACK
Artimis purred up against Minako's leg. "What's the matter Minako? You seem pretty down."
Minako scratched the white cat behind his ears and smiled softly as a tear ran down her cheek. "Its nothing Artimis, don't worry I'm fine."
The white cat looked at Minako and laid his left ear down. "Since when do you cry when you're alright?"
Minako wiped the tears out of her eyes and looked at her clock. "Its only 8:15 Mako-chan is still up." Minako got out of bed and went running down the stairs to the front door.
"And where is it you think your going young lady?"
"For a walk okasa I need to seriously think about some stuff and fresh air helps me clear my mind."
"Ok but stay away from the Makoto girl's house."
"Okasa? What do you have against Mako-chan anyways? She doesn't live there anymore anyways. She moved in with her fiancé. I'm just gonna walk to the park and think for awhile so if you need me call my cell phone."
"Fiancé? Her? What baka fell in love with her? I don't like her Minako because she tries to hard to be nice. People like that are defiantly hiding something."
"Me, I'm the baka who fell in love with her. But she fell in love with a different baka. Ever dawn on you her parents raised her to respect her elders and Mel makes Mako-chan really happy." Minako turned and opened the door. Artimis followed Minako out the door. "You don't have to keep me company you know."
"Yea I know, but unlike your mother I know where you're going and why."
Minako took a deep breath before she knocked on Mel's door. Avery went and answered the door. "Hey Minako-chan what can I do fer you."
"Is um Mako-chan home?"
"Yea she's in the studio with Mel-chan."
Minako nodded and walked into the studio. She cleared her throat when she walked in and saw Mel and Makoto kissing. Mel smirked and reluctantly broke the kiss pulling Makoto's shirt down. Makoto pulled the untied tie from the collar of Mel's buttoned shirt as she turned around. "Minako-chan what brings you here?"
"Before I can let go I really need to talk to Mako-chan alone please."
Mel nodded. "Yea ok but this convo better be the last I hear about this."
"It will be Mel-chan I promise."
Mel nodded and kissed Makoto one last time before leaving the room. Makoto looked at Minako and sighed. "So what do you need to talk to me about Mina-chan?"
Minako looked at Makoto with passion filled eyes and spoke softly. "I want to tell you everything I couldn't tell you after prom."
"Nani?"
"I'm sure you remember the tattoo on my shoulder blade right."
"Hai, Minako I do."
"Well the excuse I gave you was a lie."
"Figured as much, just looking at the look in your eyes told me everything."
"I so wanted to tell you I loved you that night and take you in my arms and make love to you right there on your sofa."
"What stopped you Minako?"
"The look in your eyes."
"What look Minako?"
"The emptiness in your eyes that seems to be gone now."
"Nani?"
"Your eyes, since the day I met you, have always been so sad and empty. Now, now they shine. You seem so happy Mako-chan."
"Hai, Minako I am. I'm very happy."
"It's not fair you found that happiness with someone else. We were happy on the moon, but when Mel started coming around you changed. You got more and more distant. Like you couldn't wait to see her again."
"Me being distant had nothing to do with Mel. Minako I saw you with Usagi by the lake the night of Mel's first visit. Seeing you kissing her and removing her dress ripped my heart out and I honestly couldn't stand to look at either of you. I hated you both for doing that to me. You because you knew how I felt about you, and Usagi because she knew what I was planning. I found out from Rei that you two had been caring on since before we started dating. So yea I did kinda attach to Mel. She was my escape for the day. Never once on the moon did I cheat on you. I loved you Minako; I was planning on giving you a ring come the summer."
Minako hung her head. "I never meant to hurt you Mako-chan. But the real reason I got that tattoo was because I was and am in love with you. I thought if you saw it then you would be brave and make the first move, but you didn't."
Makoto shook her head. "To live in the shadows of the past is to forsake the light of the future. Mel told me that once when she came to visit and its something that suites this situation. Move on with your life Minako let those feeling for me go. I only look at you as a friend maybe even as a sister. I can never bring myself to look at you as any more then that. And before you say it, those feeling have nothing to do with the past."
You bring me to me knees
while I'm scratching out the eyes
of a world I want conquer
and deliver and despise.
And right while I'm kneeling there
I suddenly begin to care
And understand that there could be
A person who loves me
Love is understanding- its hard to believe
Life can be so demanding
I'm sending out an S.O.S.
Rescue me, rescue me
Minako looked at Makoto, her eyes welling up with tears. She finally fell to her knees and broke down crying. "Y-you honestly don't love me anymore."
Makoto knelt down in front of her crying friend. "Hai, romantically I no longer love you. But you're my best friend Minako and I love you as a friend and the memories we shared on the moon hold a special place in my heart."
Minako looked up at her friend with tears streaming down her face. She looked at Makoto for a few seconds before throwing herself into Makoto's strong arms and kissing her deeply. Makoto broke the kiss and looked at Minako. "Don't Minako its not fair to yourself to keep doing that. Why can't you just be happy being my best friend?"
Mel growled. "Yea Minako why? What the fuck did I ever do to you huh? I was willing to put this shit behind me but you keep kissing my fiancé and making it very hard. But I'm willing to still put it behind me if you answer the two questions satisfactorily."
Minako stood up and looked into Mel's icy deep emerald eyes. "You took the only thing on earth I love. I hate you Mel how could you?"
Mel's eyes got wide. "How could I? Look I didn't take Maks from nobody she asked me out. She remembered her past on Jupiter and asked me if we could get back together. So before you hate me think back to the day you met Makoto on earth. Did she ever, EVER display any kind of romantic interest in you?"
"She was my date for the Senior Prom."
Mel looked at Makoto who in turn looked at Minako. "You looked so depressed about having to be dateless at prom. I never like to see my friends frown. I did that to cheer you up."
"So you see Minako she's been a friend to you all these years, never once making a sexual or romantic move towards you. Look I grew up with Scot ok he's a hopeless romantic like you. Give him a chance he'll make you more then happy. He has more money then I do ok."
Minako looked at Makoto heartbroken. "How could you Mako-chan?"
"Nani? How could I what be your friend or leave the chapter of us closed?"
"Close the chapter on us but leave Mel's open."
"That's easy Minako, Mel didn't serve me my heart on a silver platter. Look Minako take me as a friend or take nothing that's it, I'm done talking about the past."
Mel looked at Makoto. "Angel, she's your best friend don't throw that away because she's stuck living in the past. Work something out like you'll never talk about it again after today."
"You hear that Minako no more after tonight." Makoto looked at Minako and sighed as tears rolled down the blondes face.
Minako nodded. "I better get home I told my mother I was going for a walk I've been gone an hour. I'll be happy as long as you stay my best friend Mako-chan. I'd be lost without you in my life." Minako bowed respectfully and left.
Mel and Makoto sat with the others under the shade tree at lunch. Every now and then Minako's gaze fell lovingly on Makoto. one last time I'll try to get her back. If it doesn't work I'll let her go. Minako glanced at Mel and then reached behind her picking the only white rose that grew on the rose bush. Minako tossed it at Mel's feet as she stood. "Meet me after school in the garden theater."
Mel raised her left eyebrow and chuckled slightly. "Ok Miss Tenju. Be sure to bring something to wash your pride down, because after this you'll be swallowing it."
"Just bring your sword Mel, and I'm not talking about a kendo stick. I'm sure you have one at home you could use. Or better yet use Reyu's sword."
Makoto stood up and looked at Minako. "What the hell are you doing Minako? I thought we settled this last night?"
Minako looked at Makoto with an emotionless face. "This matter will be settled after school today. If I lose I'll let you go and accept the fact we can never be more than friends. If I win then I'll continue my pursuit for you."
Makoto opened her eyes wide. "Minako, challenging Mel to a duel with swords is a death wish! Mel has spent all her life training in swordsmanship. You saw what she did to Rogue. And telling her to fight as Reyu only greatens her odds of winning. Trust me Minako you don't stand a chance against Mel. She was Descillian's best warrior. Come down off your damn high horse and just let the past stay just that, the past."
Mel put a hand on Makoto's shoulder. "Its ok angel I can transform into Reyu, draw her sword then transform back into me its fine. I don't need Reyu's power to beat Minako." Mel looked at Minako with an icy stare. "But know this Aino Minako I will NOT go easy on you. We'll duel till first blood from the torso ok. And no wound can be inflict that will result in death got it."
"That suits me just fine. But I'll add one thing to it. First blood from torso and first to lose their rose. Both must happen to declare the winner. The rose must go first."
Makoto looked at her lover then over at her best friend and spoke softly. "If either of you end up in the hospital longer then it takes to stitch up your wound I'll never forgive either of you. Minako for challenging you, and you for accepting."
Mel growled and glared at Minako. "Don't worry angel we'll both walk away from this."
Makoto looked at Mel with tear filled eyes. "You better."
Mel walked into the open garden theater and looked at the cement seats. Makoto and the others sat in the second row. Makoto walked down to her lover's side when Minako walked in. Minako held a traditional Japanese samurai Katana in her hand and wore her white rose pinned to her shirt. Mel raised her left eyebrow. damn she was serious Mel looked at Makoto and cupped her chin in her hand. "Forgive me princess, but as your personal knight I must do this. I don't want to because I know it'll cause you pain." Mel then pressed her lips to Makoto's in a soft kiss. "You don't have to watch if you don't want to."
Makoto smiled softly and pinned Mel's black rose to her uniform shirt. "It's ok Mel I can handle it. I've seen you duel before just do me a favor and don't kill her ok. I'll tell you now it won't be a fair fight. She'll throw every cheap shot she can." Makoto kissed her lover lovingly. "Good luck ai."
Mel looked at Makoto and nodded before changing into Reyu and drawing her sword. Once her sword was drawn Reyu changed back into Mel. Mel clutched Reyu's sword in her left hand and spun it around. "Lets get this over with shall we?"
Minako threw the sheath off her sword and ran at Mel. Mel brought her sword up and when the two swords clashed, sparks flew.
Realizing that Mel and Minako were using real swords Usagi started to cry. Mel out muscled Minako and pushed her away sending her to the ground hard. Mel took a few steps back to allow Minako to recover and stand. Minako growled and rushed at Mel again. Mel dodged her charge but as Minako's body got even with Mel's she spun around quickly and cut Mel across her right cheek. Mel growled and held her sword so the blade was flush up against her arm and swung her arm hitting Minako square in the jaw with the handle of her sword. Mel then wiped her cheek with her hand and growled again. By this time more and more students wondered to the garden to see what all the commotion was.
Yeah I'm gonna make you, shake you, take you I'm gonna be the one who breaks you Put the screws into ya, my way Yeah, c'mon, c'mon come and make my day Make my day
Yeah Got some hell to pay you, steal your thunder The joy of violent movement, pulls you under Ooh bite the bullet, well hard Yea, but I bite harder, so go to far To far
Friction, fusion, retribution I can't hear ya... talk to me I can't hear ya... so talk to me I can't hear ya are you talking to me I can't hear ya are you talking to me I can't hear ya trying to be my lord I can't hear ya talking 2 by 4
Yeah I'm gonna make you, shake you, take you I'm gonna be that one who breaks you Put the screws into ya, my way Hey c'mon, c'mon, come and make my day Make my day
Minako charged Mel again cutting her arm this time. Mel growled and nicked Minako's cheek with the tip of her sword. Minako charged at Mel again. Mel smirked and ran towards Minako flipping over her and kicking her in the back knocking her to the ground hard. Minako stood up slowly and brushed the dirt from her arms and skirt before turning and facing Mel again.
Mel and Minako circled and Mel's eyes flashed red. Her voice gruff and full of anger. "This ends now Minako!" At that Mel ran her sword up along the ground cutting Minako's torso then her rose. Minako looked at Mel stunned as the petals of her rose fell. She slowly fell to her knees when she saw blood coming from her stomach.
Ami ran down to where Minako knelt and examined her wound. She looked up at Mel with a look of shock on her face. "H-how did you do this Mel? The wound doesn't even need stitches." Seeing Minako was ok Ami walked over to Mel and looked at the wound on her cheek. "Yours on the other hand defiantly does need to be stitched."
Mel looked over at Ami and smiled softly. Still breathing kind of heavy from the duel Mel spoke. "Any trained swords man can inflict a wound like that. I didn't want to hurt her Ami-chan just end this pointless duel." Mel then walked over by Minako and extended her hand.
Minako's eyes were wide as she lunged upwards with her sword. "It's not over till I say it is."
Mel without thinking blocked Minako's sword with her arm. Mel growled in pain and grabbed a hold of Minako's sword hand just as the tip of it went in below Mel's rib cage. Mel dropped her sword in shock and pushed Minako away. Minako fell to the ground hard. The very tip of her sword had blood on it. Mel looked down and saw her shirt was red. Mel growled and picked Minako up off the ground, holding the blonde by the front of her shirt with one hand, Minako's eyes got wide as she felt no ground below her. Mel growled again and drew her right arm back; just as she was about to punch Minako she stopped and lowered her arm. Mel let Minako go and picked her sword up and walked through the crowd of student and left the theater.
Makoto ran over to Minako and glared at her. "Are you happy now Minako you've lost more then just this duel." At that Makoto ran off to find Mel. Makoto found her sitting in her jeep with her hand over her wound breathing heavily. Makoto put a hand on Mel's cheek. "Are you ok ai?" Makoto removed Mel hand from the wound under her ribs. "Here let me see this." Makoto unbuttoned Mel's shirt and looked at the wound. "Here scoot over. Let me take you to the hospital to get this stitched up. It doesn't look all that deep so."
Mel opened her left eye and looked at Makoto. "I think my arm is worse then the one under my ribs." Mel slid over to the passenger's side of her jeep and closed her eyes and growled in pain.
Ami ran over to the jeep. "Let me go with you. I'll keep Mel alert and conscious till we reach the hospital. We can't let her pass out; she might slip into a coma if she does."
Makoto nodded. "Sure, hop in Ami-chan." Makoto looked over at Mel and frowned. "And you keep talking to Ami got it." Mel nodded and growled in pain again.
Makoto paced the waiting room waiting for Ami to come out and tell her how Mel was. Makoto growled in annoyment, she hated waiting. She stopped pacing when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "Ami-chan how- oh gomen ne Haru-chan."
Haruka smiled softly. "It's ok kitten. We heard what happened and came to see how you two were."
"Physically I'm fine, emotionally on the other hand." Makoto sighed. "I'm still waiting for Ami to come out of the OR and tell me how Mel is. Her arm was cut pretty deep, and the wound under her ribs didn't look that deep. Why did she have to accept the challenge?"
Michiru walked over to the other side of Makoto and smiled softly. "She accepted it for the same reason Minako made it. Though Mel also did it because she felt it was her duty as your knight to defend your honor. If she refused she feared you would think her weak."
Makoto hung her head and sighed. "I pity Minako when Mel gets out of here."
Haruka pulled Makoto into a soft hug. "It'll be ok kitten I doubt Mel-chan will do anything to her."
"You didn't see the look on Mel's face when Minako stabbed her."
Haruka's eyes got wide. "Minako did what?" Haruka looked at Makoto and brushed Makoto's bangs out of her eyes. "Mel won't do anything to her because she's your best friend and Mel loves you to much to do anything she knows will hurt you. And beating the living hell out of Minako would hurt you. Probably kill Minako too, Mel's pretty strong."
"I'm no longer friends with Minako."
Minako's jaw hit the floor. "You can't mean that Mako-chan. I didn't stab her on purpose honest it was a total accident. If I had meant it I wouldn't be here right now to see how she was and to apologize to you. What I did today was totally wrong. I'm so sorry I hurt you Mako-chan. I never meant for it to end like this. I don't know what I was thinking I saw Mel walk over to me with her sword still in her hand and I dunno I kinda lost it. I didn't realize how close to me she was. I never meant to stab her honest Mako-chan."
Makoto looked at Minako and was about to speak when Ami walked into the waiting room. "Mako-chan, minna Mel's fine. The gash on her arm was the worst one. She'll definitely have yet another scar on her face, and arm. The one under her ribs was not much deeper then the wound she inflicted on Minako. But other than that she's fine. My mother is just now finishing up the stitches. You can go see her if you want. She's in room 21B."
The group of Senshi walked to the room, but stayed in the hall as Makoto entered. She looked at Mel and spoke softly, holding back tears. "Baka, I told you to walk away from this one. But no you had to fight." Makoto hung her head and walked out of the room. She looked at Minako and motioned for her to follow her. They walked back to the waiting room where Makoto looked at Minako and spoke softly. "If you think looking at me like that will make me forgive you, your wrong. I won't forgive, nor will I forget what you did today. Its true I loved you once a very, very, very long time ago, but damn it Minako I don't feel like that about you anymore. This is the last time I'm going to address this with you. If I have to again consider our friendship over. Whether you like it or not come summer I'm marring Mel. So please, for me, be happy with Scot. Marry him, start a family. You'd make a wonderful mother Minako."
Minako hugged her friend softly. "I understand Mako-chan. I didn't expect you to forgive me or to forget what I did I just wanted you to know I didn't mean to do it. I'll happily be right there by your side as your maid of honor Mako-chan. I promise I will make a life with Scot. I hope that some day you and Mel-chan can find it in your hearts to forgive me." Minako started to pull away from Makoto and stopped by Makoto's ear and spoke softly. "The fact you have a future child proves that you aren't completely faithful to Mel." Minako stood up the rest of the way and nodded.
Makoto sighed and looked at Minako. "Don't fuckin remind me Minako. I feel like shit every time I look at Mel."
"Angel don't worry about it ok. It's in the future. So let's just go home ok." Mel's right arm was bandaged up from the wrist to her elbow.
Mel sat in her studio with Makoto and Rei. Rei had asked Mel to play the acoustic guitar for her two slow songs. After they recorded the two songs Rei smiled. "I should be getting back Ami's probably wondering where I am."
Makoto smiled. "So you and Ami hit it off huh? I bet I know when you asked her out."
Rei smirked at her older friend. "Oh yea, well if you think you're so smart when?"
"Milan. Walking back to our room after dinner we heard…um uh…well one of you two moaning."
Rei blushed horribly and stood up. "Ok Mako-chan round 1 is yours." The raven haired girl chuckled then bowed politely. "Arigotu again Mel-chan. I'll see you guys at school tomorrow."
Mel laid in bed holding Makoto close. Makoto awoke with a start when her communicator went off. Makoto opened it and saw Sailor Venus' face appear. "Mako-chan you and Mel have to get to the dock and fast yoma attack."
Mel looked at Makoto and nodded. The two quickly got dressed and hopped on Mel's motorcycle. When they got there they saw the lights of the battle. Mel propped her bike up and her and Makoto transformed as they ran towards the group of Senshi. As they neared the battle Super Nova stopped when she saw the large shadow yoma. "Angel you might wanna change into Amaya, it looks like Callisto 'as already transformed into Kargorok."
Jupiter nodded and watched Super Nova transform into Reyu before transforming into Amaya. Amaya looked at Reyu and smiled. "Be careful my love." Reyu nodded and the two ran to aid the Senshi.
The two demons and the goddess charged the shadow yoma. The Senshi all looked at each other then back at the battle between the yoma and the others. Finally the three were successful in defeating the yoma. Reyu, Amaya, and Kargorok all walked back towards the group of Senshi, their cloths a bit tattered and they had a few minor wounds.
Mars looked at Reyu and raised her eyebrow. "Where's Jupiter?"
Reyu smirked slightly and touched the tip of her tongue to her fang. "Right here." Reyu pointed at Amaya. "Its ok we aren't needed anymore." At that the three transformed into their Senshi forms once again.
Sailor Moon's jaw hit the ground. Standing where Reyu, Amaya, and Kargorok were Super Nova, Jupiter, and Callisto. "Mako-chan when did you learn to do that?"
"I told ya she would be stronger ya guys didn't believe me, 'uh" Super Nova looked at Sailor Moon and smiled.
"When you said stronger we thought like physically not like that. And I thought you said you weren't gonna make her a demon."
Super Nova looked at Sailor Moon and smiled. "Amaya isn't a demon. She's a goddess. The goddess of lightning on Jupiter. You all 'ave a goddess of your element sleeping in the depths of your soul. Jupiter is able to transform into Amaya because of the demons blood that runs through 'er veins."
Jupiter looked at her friends and smiled softly. "If it poses a problem I won't do it anymore."
Sailor Moon looked at Jupiter and smiled. "Don't worry about it Mako-chan, feel free to use your new powers."
Super Nova yawned and detransformed. "Sorry you guys but I'm beat I'm going back to bed."
Jupiter chuckled and detransformed. "That sounds like a good idea lets go home."