Author Note: This chapter was originally really long but I decided to cut it into two smaller chapters so it's easier to digest. Lots of things are about to happen.
I don't own Sailor Moon, any brand names, or any songs and have tried to the best of my ability to site my references.
Takeuchi, N. (1991). Sailor Moon. Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan: Kodansha Ltd.
Lavigne, A., Martin, Max, and Shellback (2011). Wish You Were Here [Recorded by Avril Lavigne]. On Goodbye Lullaby [CD], Stockholm, Sweden: Maratone Studios.
Lexus is a division of, and belongs to, the Toyota Motor Corporation (cited September, 2013). Mercedes-Benz is a division of, and belongs to, the Daimler AG Corporation (cited June, 2015). The brands are used merely as a descriptor for this fiction piece.
The company 'Mineralogy' that appears in this work is fictitious. Any resemblance to real businesses, existing or defunct, is purely coincidental.
Chapter 23:
They landed safely back in Tokyo and, once Nobuo had secured the jet in its rightful hangar, Rei and Minako began walking hand-in-hand towards the parking lot with Nobuo close behind.
"Rei-sama," Nobuo said, getting the archer's attention as she unlocked her red Lexus with her key fob, "About the errand you asked me to run earlier today?"
Rei's eyes lit up, "Yes, I almost forgot. And?," she replied in a hopeful tone.
Nobuo tilted his head towards the black Mercedes as he used his key fob to unlock it. An eager smile graced Rei's lips. She turned to Minako and gently squeezed her hand, "I'll be right back," she said as she quickly kissed her on the cheek and went to the Mercedes.
Minako watched in confusion as Rei opened the back-passenger door of the car and leaned in.
"Rei-sama asked me to pick something up for her earlier today," Nobuo explained, startling Minako out of her curiosity as he caught up to her from behind.
"O-Oh, I see," Minako replied quickly, recovering from the small fright she received from Nobuo's soothing voice interrupting her thoughts. They stood in silence for a moment as they waited for Rei to return.
"Kobayashi-san," Minako said, breaking the silence as she turned to look up at the bodyguard, "Rei-chan told me about your scar and how you saved her life while she was in college." She stepped back a little and bowed respectfully towards him, "Thank you for protecting her and continuing to do so."
Nobuo smiled as he bowed in return, "Just doing my job, Aino-san," he replied humbly, "It's my duty to protect her."
"But it's more than that," Minako said as they both straightened, "You really care about her and it shows." She turned to look at the raven-haired beauty, "She thinks the world of you, you know. It makes me happy to know she has someone she can trust watching over her. She needs that…people she can trust."
Nobuo smiled kindly at Minako. He could hear the sincerity in her voice as she spoke, see the endearing care in her eyes as she gazed fondly at the beautiful archer. He could already tell from the two women's interactions how Rei felt about the gorgeous blonde, it was pretty obvious. But he felt a weight lift slightly from his shoulders now that he could see that Minako appeared to feel just as strongly for his young charge.
"Yes, Rei-sama is someone very important to me," he said as he glanced over towards the young raven, "I would gladly take a bullet for her if it came to it."
He half smiled as he watched Rei, "And, from the looks of it, she would probably do the same for you," he said with slight mirth in his soothing tone. Minako blushed at the comment and averted her gaze to the floor
"Aino-san," Nobuo said quietly after a moment, his soothing voice taking a more serious tone. Minako looked up towards the bodyguard again, "You're right about Rei-sama needing people she can trust."
Minako watched as Nobuo cast his dark-brown eyes towards the ground, "I've sworn to protect her for as long as she needs me. Trained for many years to that end, but…," he paused for a bit before letting out a long sigh, "But, unfortunately, this arena is very much out of my jurisdiction."
He turned towards the gorgeous blonde, "I can tell you mean a great deal to her, too. Probably more than she's letting on. Because of that, I'm putting a lot of faith in you. Don't make me regret it."
Minako was taken aback by Nobuo's words. His chocolate-colored eyes reflected concern, worry, and maybe even a hint of…helplessness?
"It's perfect, Nobuo-san. Thank you," Rei said sincerely as she shut the door of the Mercedes and approached the two, drawing both of them from their conversation. She was holding a small, unassuming, silver giftbag in her hand.
"I'm glad it's to your liking, Rei-sama," Nobuo nodded towards his young charge. Rei noticed Nobuo's white aura wavering with…Concern? She immediately went to him and brought a hand up to rest on his arm,
"Mataku, Nobuo-san," Rei sighed teasingly, "You're going to get gray hairs if you keep worrying like you do." She squeezed his arm gently, "I know it's late, but we'll be fine. We're heading back to my place so I'll text you when we get home so you know we're safe, ok?," she said reassuringly, trying to soothe his distress.
"Yes, please do, Rei-sama," Nobuo smirked and nodded in response to the young raven's teasing.
Rei nodded in approval once she felt his aura relax back to his usual state of confidence. She squeezed his arm gently again before releasing him to walk around her car to the driver-side. Nobuo went to the passenger door and opened it for Minako,
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Aino-san," he said warmly towards the gorgeous blonde, "Have a good night."
"M-Mmn. You too, Kobayashi-san. Thank you," Minako replied quietly with a hint of apprehension in her voice. She was still mulling over their brief conversation, not sure of what to make of it.
Nobuo closed the door once Minako was safely inside and watched as the red Lexus pulled out of the gate and sped down the street.
- I can be tough. I can be strong. But, with you, it's not like that at all. There's a girl that gives a shit behind this wall. You just walked through it. -
The music stopped once Rei parked and turned off her car. It was a little before 9:00pm when she texted Nobuo to let him know they got to her condo safely.
"Tadaima," Rei called into the condo once she opened the door.
"Okaeri," Minako called right after as she shut and locked the door behind her. They smiled at each other at their new routine as they took off their shoes. When Minako placed her shoes near the door, she noticed Rei walk over to her breakfast bar and set down the silver giftbag she got from Nobuo earlier in the night.
"So what's that?," Minako asked curiously as she walked over towards the archer and dropped her purse on the counter.
"Your next surprise," Rei said playfully as she reached into the bag, "I was afraid it wouldn't be done in time."
"Mou, Rei-chan!," Minako said, feigning exasperation, "You've done enough for me already tonight! You didn't need to…"
Minako's sentence trailed off as Rei pulled out a black, velvet, square necklace box with the word 'Mineralogy' in elegant, gold script embossed on the it. Her azure eyes widened and she gasped.
Minako had heard of 'Mineralogy' before, who hadn't? The Irish-owned company was only the most exclusive, high-end, luxury jewelry relator in the world! She never thought she would get to see one of their infamous 'black boxes' in real life! She stared at the box in surprise and looked up at Rei,
"Congratulations on your new job," Rei said warmly with a radiant smile, "Open it."
Minako blinked at Rei, who nodded encouragingly. Her piercing cobalt eyes went back to the velvet case before her. She carefully picked up the case and slowly flipped the cover open. Inside was a 24K yellow-gold, chain necklace with a heart locket. The locket had a row of alternating sapphires and diamonds curving diagonally from the lower-left of the heart to upper-right near the top. Minako's jaw dropped and her hand went up to her mouth in shock.
"I thought a gold chain would suit you better than silver," Rei explained, "I had them add the sapphires and diamonds. They reminded me of your eyes."
Minako didn't move or speak. Rei could tell by her aura she was still in shock, "Mina?" she asked with concern.
"It's…It's beautiful," Minako managed to whisper. She looked back up to the devastatingly beautiful archer and began shaking her head, "Rei-chan, no. I…I can't-"
"Please," Rei said softly, the simple statement silencing Minako's protests. "It would mean a lot to me."
Minako's eyes began to sting with tears as she looked back down at the necklace. She gently touched the locket as a gentle smile came to her lips, "Can you help me put it on?" she asked softly.
"Mmn," Rei replied with a nod. Minako placed the box on the table and turned around. She twisted her hair up to expose her neck as Rei carefully pulled the necklace out of the box and moved closer to standing behind Minako. Rei circled the necklace around Minako's creamy neck and fastened it at the back. She stepped back to allow Minako to turn around. The gorgeous blonde released her hair and reached into her purse and pulled out a compact mirror to examine the necklace.
"What do you think?," Rei asked curiously, "Do you like it?"
Minako closed her compact and looked adoringly at Rei, "Mmn, very much," Minako said warmly as she stepped closer and wrapped her arms around the taller woman's neck. Ever since she arrived at Rei's condo after work today, the night felt like a string of wonderful surprises, This has to be a dream. Things like this don't happen to people like me. People like her don't happen to people like me. This can't be real.
She was brought back to reality when she felt a soft hand caress her cheek. She looked up and was met with the most beautiful pair of amethyst eyes she had ever seen that belonged to the most beautiful woman she ever met.
"What are you thinking, Mina?," Rei asked with concern, feeling Minako's aura begin to waver with Disbelief.
"If this is a dream…if you are a dream…I don't ever want to wake up," Minako whispered. Rei smiled as she felt Minako's aura begin to morph into that warm, soft flame. She held the gorgeous blonde closer, wanting to curl herself up in it and stay in it forever.
After a moment, Minako gently stepped out of the embrace, "It's getting late, baby. I should-"
"Stay with me tonight," Rei interrupted softly with an entreating tone, finishing Minako's sentence for her. She blushed as she looked at the floor shyly, "I mean…you're not working tomorrow and I worry about you driving home this late, so-"
She paused as she heard a melodic giggle come from the gorgeous blonde. She looked up as Minako moved closer to whispered in her ear, "That's perfect because I wasn't planning on leaving tonight."
Rei looked to Minako, who was blushed slightly. Once Minako's words sank in, Rei couldn't hide the gleam in her eyes, happy that she wouldn't have to be apart from the gorgeous blonde.
Minako stepped back and turned around, her hands going to her hair, "What I was going to say was I should probably get ready for bed." She gathered her golden mane and pulled it over her right shoulder towards her front so that her back was revealed to the archer. She turned to look at Rei over her left shoulder seductively, "Could you help me with my dress?"
Rei smirked as she approached the gorgeous blonde. She gently pulled the zipper of Minako's dress down until it stopped right below her hips, revealing the smooth, creamy skin of Minako's back. Rei felt herself being drawn to the expanse of exposed skin and brought her hands to rest on Minako's hips. She leaned in and gently placed a kiss at the base of her neck softly, right below the gold chain of her necklace.
Minako closed her eyes at the contact, "Mmmmm," she moaned quietly. Though she didn't have Rei's abilities, she could almost feel Rei's adoration tingle down her spine through the kiss, "That felt-ah!"
Minako's sentence was interrupted when she let out a delicate gasp as Rei gently nipped her left shoulder, close to her neck. Rei smiled slyly as she felt Minako shiver under her touch, her aura flaring slightly.
Minako took deep breaths to steady herself. She bit her lip as she felt soft puffs of Rei's warm breath tickle her neck, "What am I going to do with you?," she breathed as she shook her head slightly.
"Isn't that my line?," Rei whispered suggestively.
Minako let out a soft, amused chuckle. She took slow, sultry steps forward, gently breaking out of Rei's hold. She smoothly tossed her hair behind her so it cascaded down her back, effectively covering most of her body save her long, toned legs. As she continued towards the bedroom, she allowed her dress to slip slowly off of her and fall to the ground. Rei licked her lips and smirked as she watched the gorgeous blonde seductress walk away.
When Minako got to the open doorway of the bedroom, she lifted her left hand to rest it lightly on the doorframe and turned to look at Rei over her shoulder with hooded sapphire eyes, "You need a lesson in patience, Rei-chan," she said in a provocative tone.
Rei shook her head slowly, "You are such a tease, Mina."
"That remains to be seen," Minako replied coyly with a small shrug, "I haven't said 'no', have I?" She giggled as she turned and continued into the bedroom, "C'mon, Pyro," she said playfully over her shoulder, "The sooner you get ready for bed, the sooner I can be naked in it with you."
She smiled triumphantly to herself as she heard Rei follow quickly behind her.
Author Note: Things are about to get really serious in Chapter 24.
Fun Fact: Had to sneak in another chain reference for Minako's senshi weapon, couldn't help it. Again with the details!
Constructive feedback/reviews would be greatly appreciated.
(updated 06/2015)