Previously:
"It's best not to eat before strenuous activity, so let's get to the real fun." Rei stood up, and walked over to the shore, before turning around and unbuttoning her shirt, much to Usagi's horror.
'Just what is she planning?!'
*XXX*
Girls Over Flowers episode 9: Best Friend Betrayal
"What- don't take off your shirt! You pervert! What are you thinking?" Usagi turned away from Rei's smirking face as she unbuttoned her shirt.
"Ha! Gotcha! Come on Odango, let's have some fun!" Usagi finally turned and saw Rei wasn't naked, but wore a red bikini. She got up in a huff and stomped to where Rei was.
"Jerk! You really got me. Why I ought to-" Usagi stopped and suddenly went very pale. Rei looked at her with concern.
"Hey, what is it?"
"Don't- don't move! Theres a, a-"
"A what?!"
"Snake! There's a snake by your foot!"
"AUUIGH!" Rei screamed in terror and immediately took off down the beach, Usagi watching after her.
"WOOOOW! You can run fast Rei! Keep going!"
Rei stopped and nearly tripped, realizing she'd been had. "Why you little-!"
*XXX*
The group was now relaxing on the beach. Ani read a book under an umbrella, while Naru and the rest of the S4 tanned. Usagi had decided to go for a swim. Naru was beginning to get anxious, as Usagi had been under the water a while now. "Usagi! Come out! That's enough playing." Then, to her horror, she saw blonde Odangos come out and go back down.
"SHE'S DROWNING! Help! Usagi's in trouble!" Rei woke from her nap and was in action, only to stop when the water got to ankle length, too petrified to move. Ami dashed past her and into the water. She managed to calm Usagi and drag her from the water.
"Usagi! Are you okay? Open your eyes!" Said girl coughed and weakly sat up. Meanwhile, Rei walked back down the beach, hands clenched and head down.
*XXX*
Back in Japan, Risa sat in her office, looking over papers when walked in.
"Kaidou! Where is Rei?"
"She went to New Caledonia."
"Why?"
"For some warmer weather and a weekend trip."
"Who did she go with?"
"The S4, of course."
"I see. You may go."
*XXX*
Usagi was still curious about the earlier events. "Why didn't Rei go deeper into the water?"
Minako grimaced. "She's an aqua phobic, she can't swim."
Usagi was surprised. The self proclaimed great Hino Rei couldn't swim? "I thought that would be some thing she had down by now..."
*X*
Rei could hear Usagi talking to her friends about her fears. She sank further into the hot tub, but just as her head went under for a second, she popped back up, her heart pounding. She clenched her fists, thinking about what made her fear water like this.
'Mama! Papa! Onee-chan! Save me!'
*X*
"Her family hired a body guard when she was young, but it turns out he wasnt trustworthy. One day he locked her in a car and drove off.
"He kidnapped her?"
"Mmhmm. When the police started to close in on him, he drove it off a cliff into a lake."
"She was IN there?"
"Yes, we still don't know how she managed to survive. Somehow she got out and floated to the top. Rei came so close to drowning, she can't get in water higher than her ankles."
*XXX*
"Hey, Odango! Hurry up, will you?" Rei waited inside Usagi's bedroom in the cabin. Finally, the blonde walked out in a robe. "Geez, I though you died or something!"
"What do you want? Hurry up and tell me."
Rei got extremely close, and Usagi flashed back to what the woman had said.
'Important as a woman.'
"Back off! Get away!" Rei stooped down and grabbed her foot, and slapped on a bracelet.
"I know you like this stuff... So here. Lose it and you're dead. Got it?"
"I-thank you." Rei laughed and ruffled her hair before walking out.
*XXX*
"So, have you thought about what I said?" Everyone was outside, waiting for a special show, as Rei had put it. Minako had come up to Naru once again.
"Yes..."
"And?"
"We'll, it's just... Where are Rei and Usagi?"
"Oh, somewhere off together."
"What?! Where? Are they alone?"
"Why? Do you think something will happen between then?"
"No, it's just that Usagi already has someone she likes..." Naru widened her eyes and shut her mouth. Minako looked more interested than ever. Unfortunately, Makoto interrupted. "Yo! Come over here. Hurry up!" Someone turned up the music and they all started dancing. Rei soon returned, wallow talkie in hand.
"Alright!" As soon as the words left her mouth, a shower of fireworks began. Everyone oohed and aahed and Monako put a hand in her friends shoulder.
"From now on, I deem you a player, Rei."
*CXX*
Usagi walked along the beachside and spotted a famiar figure. Ami sat in a boat, looking out at the water. "Ah! Ami. Hello!"
The girl snapped out of her thoughts. "Hello. What brings you here?"
"Just taking a walk. And you?"
"Thinking. About this flower." She brought out the white flower from earlier. "It's supposed to bring the one you give it to happiness."
"That's why you give it to the one you love."
"Oh, you know the story?"
"Yes. I think she'd like it."
"She probably would, white really is her color."
"Can I ask you something, Ami?"
"You just did."
Usagi lightly whacked her arm. "You know what I meant! Can I?"
"Fire away, Usagi."
"Did something happen while in Paris? You came back rather quickly."
Ami sighed and looked around, thinking about how to answer. "Why did you tell me to go in the first place?"
"Because you loved her of course!"
Ami looked at the sky, smiling softly. "Yes. Love. I sat there and waited in an empty apartment everyday. I found out how pathetic I truly was."
"But, shouldn't have being there been enough?"
"It was at first. At night she woukd come home and we'd reminisce about our past. After a while, it got old and she lost interest. Do you know what it's like to be a burden to the one you love?"
Usagi felt a bit awkward now. "Ah, I don't think so..."
Ami chuckled and reached for the flower. "Here. I want you to have this."
Usagi pushed the flower away. "I don't want to take this. It's for Michiru..."
"If I'm giving it to you, doesn't that mean it's meant for you?"
Usagi looked awkwardly away. "You should go inside. You'll catch a cold..." She tried to walk away, but Ami grabbed her arm and spun her so they faced eachother. She pulled her closer until they were wrapped in a hug, and put her head on Usagi's shoulder. "It's too late for that. I'm cold. I'm really... Very cold." She closed her eyes, and Usagi could feel the girl's weight. 'She smells so nice. I almost want to...' Ami suddenly released her and Usagi backed quickly away.
"G-Good night."
Ami nodded to her and turned back to studying the lake. After a few moments, she noticed something on the ground. It was a shark tooth bracelet. She picked up and examined it curiously, before slipping it in her pocket.
*XXX*
As Usagi came closer, Rei sprang from her spot and whirled on her. "You-! Where were you? Why didn't you say you were going somewhere?"
Usagi ripped her arm from the heiress's grasp. "Excuse me? Are you my mother? I have no obligation to tell you where I'm going."
Rei blushed. "Fine, maybe you don't. But still, don't worry me like that." She smiled at Usagi, which made her heart pound and ache. 'I didn't do anything wrong. We're not even in a real relationship. But... I still feel guilty.'
*XXX*
It was the next morning at breakfast. Rei was next to Ami, serving herself, when she noticed something on the girl's wrist. She yanked her arm up to get a closer look. "Is something wrong, Rei?"
"Uh, no... It's hot, the porridge I mean. Be careful."
Ami smiled at her. "Would you like some?"
"Uh, no thanks..."
*XXX*
"Hey, Odango! Quit stuffing your face. We have somewhere to go!"
Usagi immediately ceased eating. "Humph. I am not 'stuffing'. And besides, who says I want to go anywhere with you?"
Rei stuck out her tongue. "Don't be stupid. You HAVE to come. Now hurry!" She grabbed her arm and dragged her away, despite her protests.
*XXX*
"Are we going in... That?" Usagi looked in slight fear at the helicopter.
"Don't worry! I'll keep you safe Odango." Rei resumed dragging her towards the helicopter.
*XXX*
"Wow... We're going up so high!" Usagi pressed her face up to the window, completely forgetting her earlier fears. As they passed over several landmarks, she caught sight of a familiar shape. One of the small islands was shaped like...
"It's a heart!" Next to her, Rei nodded.
"I always thought, when I found someone I liked, I'd bring them here. Can you see it, Usako? Can you seem my heart?" The grin she shot Usagi melted her heart, and she felt like flying.
*XXX*
"Hey Ami, wanna play some background music on your fiddle?"
Said girl grimaced. "Several times I've told you. It. Is. Not. A. Fiddle. And anyhow, I didn't bring one, so no."
Minako tossed her a black case. "I bought one special for you. Come on! Something fast and loud!" The remaining girls were on their private beach, catching some rays. Very reluctantly, Ami took out the instrument and shakily held it. Just as she was preparing to begin, her resolve cracked.
"Actually, I think I'll go fishing." She quickly set it back in the case and sprinted for the boat. Minako frowned at her retreating form. 'She did that last time too... Has something happened to her skills?'
*XXX*
Ami was preparing the ship to sail when Usagi came upon her. "Are you going out?"
"Yup. Would you like to accompany me?" Usagi nodded excitedly. "But you have to be quiet. I can't have you scaring the fish away." Usagi blushed.
"I wouldn't do that!" Ami laughed and held out her hand to help the girl in.
*XXX*
Rei watched Ami and Usagi sail from the shore with a scowl. Already, they were laughing and talking. Now Ami was putting her arm around her! What could they have been doing that she needed to wrap Usagi in their embrace? She nearly ripped the newspaper she'd been pretending to read at the sight of them.
*XXX*
"No, you have position yourself like this, and throw you arms back, but not too much..." Usagi blushed as she felt Ami put her arms around her and move her body correctly. Eventually, after Ami nearly got her shirt taken off by the hook, they both gave up and Usagi watched her fish.
"Wow! You're really good!"
"Thank you... My grandfather taught me." Usagi watched carefully as Ami's face seemed to droop at the admission.
"Say, Ami, are you really okay?"
Ami answered with a question of her own. "What sort of person do you think Michiru would marry?"
Usagi answered immediately with out thinking. "A handsome prince! Someone very smart and political, I think." She looked at Ami, whose face morphed into a scowl. She turned and began to sail the boat back to shore.
"I should have known you'd scare the fish away. You're so noisy and annoying." Usagi looked at her, wondering about the sudden mood change.
*XXX*
After the brief boat ride, the teens had decided to play a game of volleyball. Usagi and Naru opted to stay out of it, while the S4 battled it out: Ami and Makoto against Rei and Minako. Minako clearly had experience, her dives and passes were spectacular. However, Makoto and Ami were fast and strong. During a break, Rei noticed the bracelet on Ami's wrist again.
"Hey, where'd you get that anyways?" She said, gesturing to the charm.
"Oh, I found it yesterday. Usagi dropped it while she was with me last night." She unsnapped it and handed to Rei. "I keep forgetting, so give it to her for me, okay?" Ami smiled before lightly hitting Rei's shoulder, returning to her side of the court. Rei stood still, holding the bracelet in shock. She was so deep in thought she didn't notice the volleyball headed straight for her face.
"Rei, watch out!" The dark haired girl was knocked right off her feet and into the sand. She rubbed her nose, and noticed the red that came away.
"Hey, you okay?" Ami reached out with a napkin, but Rei pushed it away.
"I'm fine!" She stood slowly up, and stumbled down the path, nearly falling over.
*XXX*
"Odango! I have a question." Usagi froze at Rei's voice. She gulped before looking up at her. She had been sitting on her bed, waiting for dinner.
"Sure. What is it?"
"Your bracelet. Why don't you wear it?"
Usagi paled as realized she had no idea where the ankle charm had disappeared to. "I-well, that is..."
"Did you lose it?"
"Um... I may have..."
Rei frowned at her. "Don't do it again! This is a very special bracelet, you know!" She tossed her the bracelet before grinning. "Come, let's go to dinner."
*XXX*
Usagi looked around at the occupants of the table. "Where's Ami?"
Makoto frowned. "That weird girl, she took her food and left. I don't know what her problem is- one minute she's flirting, the next she's acting angsty."
A magazine suddenly landed on the table. The front page had Michiru on it, holding hands with a young man. The caption read: 'Famous violinist and model Kaioh Michiru wins heart of racing sensation Tenoh Haruka!'
Minako, who had out the magazine down, frowned. "It looks like they might be marrying in a few years."
Rei looked on in surprise. "You think Ami knew?"
Makoto stared at her. "Of course she knew! No wonder she's been acting so strange. She must be heartbroken..."
Usagi stayed silent during all this. "Who is Mr. Tenoh?"
Minako glanced over at her. "A genius F1 racer. His dad's a prominent politician, and it looks like he'll follow suit." Usagi's eyes widened at at the description. 'Handsome... Smart... Political. I was exactly right!' She stood from her hair and ran off in search of the missing girl.
*CXX*
Ami sat in the same place from yesterday. Once again, she stared blankly at the waters and isn't notice her visitor until they spoke up. "I- I'm sorry, about Michiru."
The musician didnt look at her. "What are you sorry for? After all, you didn't tell her to go marry that guy."
"So... She'll really marry him?"
"Who knows... That woman does as she pleases." Usagi looked down and pouted slightly. She felt awful, 'why did I have to open my big mouth?'
"It's really okay, I think I found someone else I like."
Usagi started as she felt a knot twist in her stomach "Who?"
Ami leaned in closer until their lips were an inch apart. Usagi was so taken with her deep eyes she couldn't bring herself to move. "You." With that, she leaned in closer, capturing Usagi's lips. Immediately, the blonde felt a rush, and put her hands in Ami's hair. When she opened her eyes, however, the rush turned into a despairing wave.
Standing right behind them, watching the entire thing, was Rei.
Her amethyst eyes were clouded over with anger and hurt. She clenched her teeth and bared her fists as Usagi stepped back from Ami. She slowly walked closer to the couple, before sucker punching Ami in the head. Usagi screamed as the girl went down, but before she could help, Rei grabbed her arm.
"So this is the kind of person you are? I showed you my heart, and this is your answer? You... Both of you..." Her voice was low and Usagi could hear the tears she held back. Rei turned and stormed off the beach.
"Rei!" Ami had picked herself off the ground, but her friend refused to hear any of it.
"Shut up! JUST SHUT UP!" Rei whirled around, eyes blazing. Usagi could clearly see the tears running freely down her cheeks, and felt the knot twist even tighter.
*XXX*
"Early this morning? Why did she do that?" It was the next day at breakfast and Minako spoke on the phone to one of the pilots. She ended the call and turned towards the other. "Apparently Rei left at dawn using one of the jets. Usagi, so you know anything about this? " Said girl started before shaking her head. Ami soon came out if her hut, and she felt a brief wave of excitement. It passed however, when the girl walked past her, with out even a word or a glance.
*X^
"You've been awfully quiet lately, Usagi." Naru out a concerned hand in her friend's shoulder. Usagi looked distantly at her, before recognizing the bracelet on her arm.
"Naru, where did you get that?"
"This? I got it from that first shop we visited. You know, you're supposed to give it to the one you want to be with forever!" Usagi felt her heart sink as she remembered Rei's words. 'Its special, you know. Don't lose it!' She covered her mouth with her hand as tears flowed.
"Usagi, what's wrong?"
"Oh Naru, I've done something awful!"
*XXX*
"She did WHAT?" Makoto couldn't believe her ears. She and Minako had stormed Rei's room, as the girl had locked herself in.
"You heard me. I found them on the beach, kissing. There is no mistake this time."
Minako clenched her fists. "This isn't like her. Do you think she's still in shock about Michiru?"
Rei continued to pet her crows, her eyes cold and voice flat. "I'm sure of it, which makes me even more upset. Usak- Usagi is just being used. However, that stupid girl fell for her, so I'll punish them both." She stood up suddenly, making Phobos fly away. Behind her, Minako scowled as she grabbed jacket and left the Hino estate. 'I need to knock some sense into her!'
*X^
Minako covered her ears at the screeching sound that enabled from the Mizuno household. She stood in elegant walkway and pounded on the door. The sound immediately ceased. Without preamble, Minako opened the door and walked straight in, hunting for her target.
"MIZUNO! Where are you? We need to talk." She arrived in front of a door, which was simply labeled Ami. She threw it open to find her prey laying casually on her bed, reading a magazine. She narrowed her eyes, something was clearly up.
"What was that awful sound I heard?"
Ami didn't bother looking up. "There was no sound. And even if there had been, it certainly wouldn't be described as awful."
"That's beside the point of my visit anyways. What the heck do you think you're doing?"
"What are you referring to?"
"You kissed Usagi."
"And so...?"
"So? You KNEW Rei liked her!"
"Didn't we all?"
Minako clenched her teeth at the short replies. "Would you look up from that damn thing? How could you do something like this! I wouldn't be this angry if you had seduced my younger sister and left the next morning!"
Ami smirked as she carefully laid the magazine down. "Unless I'm mistaken, you do not have a sister."
"This isn't the time for jokes."
"I don't see a problem. You and Makoto trade girls around like they're playing cards. So what if I knew Rei was into her? When I asked Usagi if they were together, she didn't confirm it."
"That was different. I would never pursue someone I KNEW Mako liked. What you're doing is WRONG. I know you're upset over Michiru but-"
"Get out." Minako was surprised at Ami's tone. She was shocked when the usually shy girl hurled her magazine at her. "Didn't you hear me? Get out! And don't ever mention that woman's name in my presence again!"
Minako blinked, before squaring her shoulder. "Fine. But just know, none of us will be on your side this time. Not until you do the right thing." Ami didn't reply, only glared silently at a point behind Minako's head. With that, the blonde stormed out.
Once Ami was sure she was off the premises, she stood up from her bed and threw the blanket off. Underneath lay a violin, and when she picked it up to play, the melodious notes that usually flowed out were replaced by tuneless screeches of discord.
*XXX*
Usagi ate lunch in the school cafeteria warily. It seemed as though word hasn't gotten out yet, as no one had thrown any remarks at her. 'Maybe I'm safe. Maybe she...' Her thoughts were drowned out by the loud ringing of a bell. At the top of the stairs stood the S4, sans Ami. Rei looked around the cafeteria, before locking eyes with her.
"From this day forward, Mizuno Ami is no longer a part of the S4. In a week's time, she and Tsukino Usagi will be expelled from Mugen Gakuen." She ignored her friend's gasps. Instead, she swiped at her still teary eyes and walked way, black hair billowing behind her.
Usagi still sat in shock as her fellow students whispered and stared. Then, the trio came up to her.
"Humph. So you broke Hino-Sama's heart and seduced Mizuno- sama. You dirty, slutty, disgrace. No wonder you're being kicked out. I can't believe you're dragging down Mizuno-sama with you!"
"Who's a dirty disgrace who is dragging me down?" Kaorinite stopped her tirade at the icy voice behind her. The trio and Usagi turned to look behind them. There stood an average height student with shaggy blue hair and glasses in a boy's outfit.
"What are you? This is none of your business!"
"We'll, it actually concerns me, since I'm being expelled." The student smirked before removing her glasses and combing her hair to its normal perfected state.
"Mi-Mizuno... You look so different! It's a good look on you." Telulu giggled nervously, hoping to save face.
"Save it. You three just don't know when to quit, do you? For your information, Usagi is not dragging me down. If anything, it was the other way around." With that, she grabbed the blonde's hand and dragged her from the cafeteria.
*X*
"You're getting kicked out of school, it's all my fault..." Ani chuckled at the guilt in Usagi's voice. The she leaned casually against the railing in the fire escape.
"It seems I've gotten us into a real mess. I only know of two solutions... And the second one isn't guaranteed."
"What are they?"
"We'll, the first is to go into the den of the lion, and the second us to reveal the lion's weakness. However, that weakness may not be available..."
Usagi was growing anxious. "Quit speaking in riddles! What are you planning?"
Ami smiled before speaking again. "Don't worry about it. I got us into this situation, and I will get us out." She kissed the blonde's cheek quickly before exiting.
*X*
"Hey Rei, was that really necessary?" Makoto tried talking some sense into her friend in the S4 lounge.
Rei wasn't having any of it. "Of course it was! Ami is using her, and Usagi is letting her. That's unforgivable, and they need a lesson."
"But still...!"
Rei stood up in a flash. "Don't support her! She's the one doing wrong. If you try to convince me again... I'll kick you out too." Her phone suddenly buzzed, and she looked at the message. "I'll be leaving." She then hurried from the lounge.
Makoto stood in the middle of the room, arms crossed. 'Everything's gone to hell in less than a week. Then... I guess THAT is the only way to sort everything out.' With a nod she pulled out her phone, scrolling through contacts, until she came to the ones beginning with S.
*XXX*
Rei came into the theater, which had been rented out. There was only home othe person in the room. She cautiously sat down. They both watched the movie in silence, before she spoke. "You wanted to talk, so talk."
"Do you remember this movie? We must have watched 10 times. The Knights of the Round Table." Ami's voice was nostalgic, as the characters flashed across the screen. "We even advanced our english studies so we could watch the original."
Rei continued to keep silent, but watched the movie with interest.
"Leave her alone, will you? I kissed her, so just kick me out. I'm asking you, as a friend."
Rei scoffed at that. She stood up and began to walk from the theater, when her 'friend' spoke again.
"I'll protect her. No matter what I have to do."
Rei paused for a moment, choosing her words carefully. "11 times. If you had been a true friend who remembered we'd watched that movie 11 times, none of this would have happened." She closed her eyes before walking out, leaving no room for a reply.
Ami continued to sit in the theater. "Well, I guess it's come to THAT.' She took out her phone and scrolled through her contacts, before stopping at the ones starting with M.
*XXX*
'I can't do this... I have to ask her!' Usagi had tossed and turned all night trying to make the decision. After some encouragement and a good scolding from Naru, she had come to her solution for this problem. She pushed open the doors to the S4's private classroom.
"Rei! I've come to say I'm sor-!" She stopped in surprise. The room was completely empty. 'Where did they go?' Usagi frowned and walked out. As she got ready to turn the other way, a flash of long dark hair caught her eye. She ran and turned the corner, spotting her target.
"Hino Rei! I need to talk to you!" Said girl scowled before walking quickly to her car. She sat down and gestured to the driver.
"Get out of here. Quickly! He screeched from the curb and the heiress sat back, satisfied. She closed her eyes and awaited her return home, away from the girl who broke her heart.
However, behind her, was Usagi, peddling as fast as possible to keep up. This was something she absolutely had to do, and with that resolve in mind, peddled faster.
'I won't let you get away, Hino Rei!'
XXXXXXXXXXX*
A/N: Just as things were looking up, Usagi's feelings get the best of her and she and Ami betray Rei. Perhaps from the shock of her first love getting married, Ami seems to have lost her talent to play the violin. As Rei sinks deeper into her betrayal and hurt, can she find it in her heart to forgive the two? And just who is Makoto and Ami calling?
Find out when I finish the next chapter!
P.S. If you paid attention to early chapters, you can probably figure out who it is. In case you can't wait and can't figure it out, here's a big hint: Makoto arranges her contacts [First name] [Last name]. Ami arranges hers [last name] [First name]. Vale!