Chapter 10
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Sailor Moon characters.
(Rei's POV) to start
Amethyst eyes slowly moved from the book she'd been reading, preferring the moon to provide her light. Nimble fingers quietly shut the book as the fire Senshi lifted her gaze, hearing a small gasp escape the blonde at the door. Deep violet eyes, a shade darker than usual silently analyzed the girl who'd entered, an ancient wisdom hidden within the refined movements she provided as Mars stood. The show had provided a small opportunity for the ancient warrior to finally awaken, pushing her way to the conscious portion of Rei Hino's mind. Allowing Mars to control her movements, her speech...allowing her to live once again - even for a short period of time.
She took careful note of the way Minako's eyes widened in a small, almost unnoticeable way and she then knew that Venus's reincarnate recognized the change. "You are caught off guard." The Martian verbally noted for them both, her head tilting to the side ever so slightly as she took a few steps from the rocking chair she'd vacated only moments ago. Hair black as night swayed behind her as she moved, coming to still her footsteps only three paces in front of her blond commander. "I was not the one you seek." She stated again. The voice that carried this statement was battle-worn, elegant yet held a certain gravelness to it that brought the sound down an octave from her normal vocal sounds.
(Minako's POV)
Cerulean eyes widened ever so slightly as the object of her affection slowly made her way closer. Minako tried her best to hide the surprise, though a slight gasp escaped parted lips as she mentally scolded herself for the mistake. She'd willed her feet from the door behind her before stopping after a few steps, having gotten a better look at the raven before her. There was a different air about this girl - no women, that stopped just feet from the Goddess of Love. And as the Fire Senshi spoke, Minako had a hard time paying attention to the words drifting from the lips she remembered all too fondly of kissing. The voice, spoke with a dominate authority that her Rei lacked upon the usual occasion.
"You are Mars." she countered. "Princess Mars." she offered again, and for the first time in Minako's life, she was at a loss for words. Not quite knowing how to address the Senshi in front of her. Her gaze drifted to the board shoulders, held in a more confident fashion. Lower still they traveled to take note of the hands that remained ideally by her side before snapping up to those amethyst eyes she'd fallen in love with lifetimes ago.
(Mars POV)
Two certain steps forward put Mars directly in front of the blonde, lifting a hand to Minako's chin as if she were inspecting the women before her. The raven haired Senshi took a few things into account during that interaction. First was the defiant gleam that surfaced from within the deep blue eyes which reminded her more of the Venus she searched for. Next was the light blush that dusted her sun kissed cheeks. But lastly, Mars noted the slight movement in her body, pushing forward as if against the blonde's own will. "You frighten her." Mars dropped her hand from the blonde's chin, moving to step to the side and in slow steps she quietly circled the golden haired goddess. Hands clasped behind her back, she continued on quietly like a predictor would while sizing up their prey.
"You challenge her commitment to duty, to her mission." Abandoning her prey, she moved to stand next to the window quietly contemplating her next words carefully while looking up into the night sky. "I've only just awoken, and even now I can feel her battling for control. Once she wins - which she will, all of the past memories will flood back and challenge her more. Challenge her control over her own destiny, her feelings for you. Her resolve that if in the situation, can she fulfill her duties, even at the cost of your life." She turned, black hair swaying with a haunting glow in the moonlight before cerulean and amethyst met as they have many of times, thought a softness took root in Mars eyes. "You look very much like my Venus, yet so undeniably different." Physically they were a mirrored image, yet at the root they were more different then anyone could see. Save for Mars - who knew the women she loved inside and out. A slight smile graced thin lips before she moved, her step faulting as a blinding light from the insignia on her forehead pushed back the darkness of the room they stood in, violet eyes slowly shutting as she felt the sensation of falling back into Rei Hino's subconscious.
(Minako's POV)
The touch came as a shockwave throughout Minako's body, though she refused to allow it to show, yet she couldn't help being drawn towards the one person she could truly give her heart to. Regardless of who was present, the golden haired Senshi couldn't shake the feeling of heat that radiated from the Princess of Flames. She longed for the touch once it was removed yet remained glued to her spot, feeling a nervous sensation trickling over her body as the women she loved moved silently around her. She listened attentively at the words that Mars offered, still wondering why she offered them at all. It was only when the light chased the shadows away did her body respond to the one falling to the hardwood floors. It was out of pure instinct and reaction that she shot sideways, moving to collect the fallen body before it hit the floor. With panic lacing her deep blue gaze, she lifted a shaking hand to brush raven strands away from a pale face. "Mars!?" But she was gone. Minako watched the red symbol of Mars leave almost as quickly as it came.
Soft fingers traced the spot that the insignia vacated as she stared upon the unconscious women in her arms. With a sigh escaping her, the Goddess of Love Beauty carefully slid an arm behind the bend of Rei's knees, the other moving to the middle of her back before she carefully stood. Silently thanking her Senshi strength, golden hair flowed silently behind her as Minako made her way towards her bedroom. It'd taken her a while on the handful of times Venus had occupied her mind to recover and awaken, usually with nothing more than a fuzzy memory of the interactions previously had. Gently resting the Guardian of Fire onto her bed, the taller women pulled a bunched up comforter over Rei's body. She silently thanked her self for changing out of that dress earlier in the evening, having worn it to meet her friends and hopefully impress the raven hair beauty she now gazed upon. Her hopes had been met with the bitter taste of disappointment, though she began connecting the dots as to Rei's absence. Mars having taken over, she wouldn't place herself within the circle of friends but wait her time out as she had in Minako's apartment.
Bending at the hip, Minako pressed her lips every so lightly to the top of raven hair. A gleam of water coated her crystal gaze before she tore it away from the girl in her bed and turned, shaking her head and hopefully the tears away. She took a shaky breath while heading over to her dresser, pulling a thin linen sleeping top and shorts. She would take the couch tonight. As much as she'd love to share a bed with Rei and has done so before, she felt ill advised to do it now. Though they were both under the pretense of friendship when they had sleepovers, no matter Minako's feelings - she never wanted to make the shorter girl uncomfortable in her presence.