Chapter 4: Makoto
While she was spending time with Ami and Usagi, Rei felt more at peace. She was bothered less by strange dreams or unsettled feelings. Sometimes while she was with them, she got hit with a strange sense of deja vu, but that was easy to write off. For now anyway.
Then came the day that Usagi, cheerfully turning and waving goodbye to Ami and Rei outside the Crown Arcade, didn't notice the light on the crosswalk had changed. A bus honked loudly as it barreled down the road directly toward her wide-eyed stare.
Everything happened in slow motion, even Rei's own scream felt like a strangers' ripping from her throat.
And then someone leaped out onto the street grabbed Usagi and jumped, flinging them both to the sidewalk in a heap of arms and legs.
Usagi sat up dizzily, and Ami ran up to check her over and thank the stranger profusely. Usagi's savior looked a little abashed but relieved as she put a long arm behind her shoulder. "Heh, no problem I guess. I mean - I wasn't thinking I just did it, but I'm glad she's okay."
Rei wasn't focusing on their conversation, or the curious eyes of the passerby around them, or even Usagi (once it had been determined she was fine). Rei noticed the heroic girl was Makoto Kino: brown uniform, sparkling green eyes, high pony-tail and all, but dismissed that as well to deal with later.
She was too busy trying to calm her breathing and her heart and steady her spinning mind. As soon as she thought Usagi might be hurt, might die-
Rei remembered.
She remembered everything.
"Rei, are you alright?" Ami's voice at her elbow, Rei struggled to remain standing. "Everything's fine now."
"Yeah, it's okay Rei, I'm fine. This girl - Makoto? - yeah, she totally saved me. It was the coolest thing!"
Rei looked at Usagi searchingly. "Usagi-"
Usagi met Rei's eyes and tried to read the tumult behind them. Suddenly, her blue eyes filled with tears and in choked voice she managed: "Rei-"
Rei opened her mouth to comfort, to explain, to help Usagi through her new memories when -
"Rei, look at my chaaaaaarm!" Usagi burst into tears as the remains of her love charm, left in the street, were crushed under yet another pair of tires. "Oh no! I am sure that is gonna bring the worst luck ever!"
Rei didn't remember how she got out of there, back to the sanctuary of her room, but that was where she found herself, legs up to her chest, eyes serious and angry.
She remembered.
She remembered and she was the only one.
What the hell.
Well. Well, she'd just have to do something about it, that's what. Find Luna, get some answers, find Makoto again, and track Minako down and get them to remember.
But, she thought, first things first.
"I brought you a new charm. To replace the one that broke." Rei handed Usagi the small package outside the arcade the next day.
Usagi squealed and threw her arms around Rei, who awkwardly attempted to return the hug until Usagi released her and bounced back on the balls of her feet to examine her new treasure.
"Rei-chan, thank you thank you thank you oh my god you are the- HEY!" Usagi cried, her eyebrows pursed in disappointment. "This one is for grades!"