A/N: I...am officially 'shamed at my lack of writing. But, here is a short follow-up. There will be a final part...maybe tonight. I've already started, but it seemed like putting it in here would make this a bit too long and take away from the tone I'm trying to achieve here. Anywho, I hope you guys enjoy it.

thwock

The arrow lodges directly in the center of the target, and Rei calmly reaches down beside her to prepare another arrow. Before she can release it, an excited voice floats towards her from the shrine.

"-can't believe she canceled the rest of her tour, can you, Makoto? I mean, I'm glad she's going to be here for a while, but why? I bet so she can spend some alone time with her guy…"

"Usagi, he's back in America already. He could only stay long enough to promote that new movie, remember?"

"Awwwwww, I wanted to meet him…hi, Rei!"

"Hey…Rei? Are you alright?"

Frozen in place, the same words sound over and over in the priestess's mind: canceled the rest of her tour be here for a while canceled the rest of her tour be here for a while canceled be here a while be here be here

*W*W*W*W*

Uncertain amethyst eyes look warily at twinkling brown.

"You're sure, Grandpa?"

"Of course, Rei! Take a load off! Have a night on the town!" Playful mirth suddenly gives way to gentle concern. "Just go do something, outside of the shrine. You've been here so much for the past few weeks, too much." A hand raises to cut off a fiery response. "Too much, even for you. I don't know what's bothering you, but clearly shutting yourself in here isn't working. So go out! Do what all you young people do these days! And if you see some beautiful ladies, bring them back ho-"

"Grandpa!"

Hearty laughter follows Rei through the hall as she escapes to her room. "Have fun!"

*W*W*W*W*

The Friday evening is warm yet windy, and the park is empty. Rei is sure sitting on a swing alone isn't what her grandfather had in mind when he all but banned her from the shrine for the night. But this place is calming. Comforting. Reminding…

"Mina…are you sure this is ok?"

A playful giggle mixes with the sound of creaking metal as the disguised singer rocks back and forth on the swing like a child. "Of course, Rei!" Her tone switches to seductive and her expression follows suit. "Unless…you would rather we take this to somewhere more private…"

Rei sputters with raised eyebrows. "Wh-what? No, I wasn't suggesting that!...just…I just…"

Minako slows down to a stop and twists in the swing to face Rei. "What's wrong?"

Rei's eyes are turned to the ground, intensely studying the small mounds of sand as if they might suddenly open up and swallow her. Her knuckles are white from their tight grip on the suspended chains. "I just want you to be sure about this. You're about to go around the world for the next two years, and we just found out how we...how we feel about each other. I know we both said we can handle it, but I don't…what if you change your mind?"

Gentle hands softly pull Rei's away from the chains and hold them lightly. Rei's eyes lift from the ground to meet serious blue sparkling in the moonlight. "Rei, the only thing I want is for you to know that I've never been so sure about anything in my life as I am right now. I don't care how many places I go or how many people I meet. I love you...I have for a long time. Two years away isn't going to change what has built up over seven."

Rei blushes as Minako softly grasps either side of her face and leans down to kiss her cheek. She pulls back and rests her forehead against the priestess's. "I can wait a little longer. Do you understand, Reiko?"

Nodding shyly, Rei smiles. "Yes. I do."

An impish look spreads over Minako's face and she grins wickedly. "Good…though I think we should go to a more private place just to make sure you really do understand…" And the singer's boisterous laughter rings through the park at the priestess's blushing embarrassment as she loops their arms together to stand her up.

Rei smiles softly at the memory before shaking herself and forcing her mouth into a scowl. Jerking up out of the swing, she stands still a moment to gather herself when she feels a familiar presence a few feet in front of her.

"Hi."

The sandal-clad feet and long bare legs finally disappearing into tight jean shorts confirm who it is. But Rei refuses to look completely up. If she does right now, with usually repressed memories so close to the surface and usually tightly-controlled emotions spilling over, she knows she'll find her feet stuck in the sand against her will. So she quickly turns around and starts towards the back entrance of the park.

"Wait! Rei!"

It doesn't occur to her that she's running until she realizes the shouts have faded away to wind whipping in her ears.