Goodbyes are meant for lonely people standing in the rain
And no matter where I go it's always pouring all the same
These streets are filled with memories
Both perfect for detected pain
And all I wanna do is love you
But I'm the only one to blame
-Secondhand Serenade (Like a Knife)
~MINAKO~
Silence was never pleasant for her or anyone. Wrapping her fingers around the falchion that hung from her hip; she did what she could to distract her aching heart. A happy reunion was out of the question when they boarded the ship back to the Moon. Only thing that welcomed either woman was the icy grasp of silence that constantly gnawed at their hearts. In her mind she thought her mind hurt more.
The others talked amongst themselves, but she kept to herself and the damned silence of a breaking heart.
When she had made the decision she only wanted to run from the fighting. In her short existence she had seen more blood than she would've liked. Not only that but she lost her love more than once, with the second being to the damned silence of her breaking heart.
There was a part of her that wanted to rip her own heart out and end her pain there. However, there was a part of her that wanted to talk it out with Rei. No matter what she chose it would be better than the damned silence.
Gathering her courage she got up and took Rei by the hand and led her away. They walked down the corridor to her chambers. As the door closed behind them they squared off and circled each other.
"What do you want?" Rei asked. "Want to force me into a cell? Do you think I'm still your dog? Is that the only reason you loved me?"
Minako frowned and sighed. She wondered if it was a bad idea. However, anything was better than the damned silence.
"I loved you," Rei growled. "I would've done anything for you. However, I will not become someone's prisoner because you told me to."
Minako remained silent as Rei voiced her frustration.
"Say something!" Rei shouted. She shoved Minako back. "Say something!"
Silence fell over the room as Minako stood still. As much as she hated the damned silence she couldn't find the words. Her heart cried out for her to say something, but her mind left her long ago.
Rei slapped her across the face. The red mark of shame was emblazoned on Minako's face.
"Rei, you are the most stubborn and proud woman that I have had the privilege to know," Minako said. She embraced Rei. "You can try to be cold but your heart is a blazing fire. I never wanted to make you bow. I wanted to run away from the fighting with you. I wanted to live a life where I wouldn't have to choose between duty and you.
I love you more than anything in the universe. All I wanted was to keep you safe. You're mine and I am yours."
Rei tried to break free but Minako held her tight.
"Go ahead and leave me. Break your oath to your gods," Minako said. "As of now, I'm my own goddess. You were once my goddess and then you abandoned me like the goddess I used to pray to." She kissed Rei then let her go. "There is no longer a reason to make a choice between duty and love. Duty without love is just an empty promise. Love without Duty is lust. Lust is the death of both duty and love."
A solemn silence graced the room as she let Rei go. As she walked away she felt Rei reach for her but it was for naught.
Minako left the room and headed for the command center where Hotaru and Artemis were planning the trap for the final wolf.