Notes: Episode 10, "Cursed Buses! Fire Soldier Mars Appears". Or, "The one where they discover Rei."

Episode 10

People would stop blaming the shrine. Rei supposed she should be grateful for that.

They'll find something else to blame us for, the cynical voice in her mind said.

Probably, Rei agreed.

But maybe not.

Huh?

Rei didn't have time to think on it. The cat was talking again.

A talking cat. And STILL that wasn't the weirdest thing to happen today.

"…other Sailor Senshi, and the Moon Princess!" The cat was looking sternly at Rei, trying to press upon her the importance of whatever was just said.

What did the cat want from her? Rei had already accepted whatever … all of this meant. She'd taken the pen, hadn't she? Said the words? Felt the joy of the flames speaking in a voice she could finally – FINALLY, after all these years – understand?

Rei didn't waste time questioning this. It was what she'd waited her whole life for.

No, she'd question everybody else instead.

"So this is it?" she asked, her tone making it clear exactly what she thought of "it".

The cat (Luna, that was it) bristled. "This is our team so far, yes. As I was saying, there are more of us. We simply need to find them and—"

"How do we find them?"

"Well, we … we're looking. I'm sure with patience—"

Oh they can't be serious. "So you're just wandering around, hoping you'll bump into them."

"It's working great so far!" Usagi said brightly.

Rei felt her eyelid twitch.

"What about that Tuxedo Kamen guy? Shouldn't he be here?"

Usagi's face instantly took on a distant look. Rei was pretty sure there was drool. Gross.

"He's not exactly part of our group," the other girl said.

It was the first she'd spoken. Rei had almost forgotten she was there, but now she'd been reminded, she openly studied the girl, appraising her. She hadn't been in that other place, but it sounded like it was only because of her that they were able to get home at all.

Rei bowed, and missed the startled look on the girl's face. "Rei Hino," Rei said. "Thank you for helping us."

"A-Ami Mizuno, pleased to meet you," said Ami automatically. "And it's fine. Of course. I was just relieved everyone was okay."

A brusque nod was all Rei's answer, then it was back to business. "So if Tuxedo Kamen isn't part of our group, who is he?"

"We … don't know."

"But he's on our side, right?"

Ami and Luna exchanged a glance that did not go unnoticed. "Maybe?" Ami offered.

"Oh he's DEFINITELY on our side!" Usagi sighed.

An eyebrow arched at Usagi and Rei regarded her with extreme skepticism. "How do you know?"

"He's so CUTE!"

Rei buried her face in her hand and prayed to the Kami for strength. "Look, maybe we should just do this later. I have to figure out what to do with these buses and all those people."

"Oh it's already taken care of," Ami said, sounding more certain now she was on solid ground again. "As soon as you all came back, I alerted the authorities. They should be here any second." Then she looked sheepishly at Rei. "I took the liberty of impersonating a victim and made sure they knew your and your shrine had nothing to do with it. A white lie, I know, but …"

Rei could only blink at Ami. She was oddly touched by the thoughtfulness, and felt a surge of emotion she couldn't quite identify. "Thank you," was all she said, quietly but sincerely.

Ami's answering smile was just as sincere.

Usagi swept up Luna in a crushing hug, totally ignoring the cat's squawks of protest. "Oh look, Luna! We're a team now, a real team! The four of us together can do anything!" Just a suddenly, Usagi dropped Luna to the ground (again ignoring the resulting howls) and flung herself at Rei.

But Rei was faster, and thrust out a hand, stopping Usagi in her tracks. "No! No no. No hugs."

"Aww," Usagi pouted.

In the distance, Rei caught the wail of an approaching siren. "You should probably go. I'm sure the police will want to talk to us, and then I have to chores to finish up."

Ami nodded, but Usagi didn't bother to hide her disappointment. "We'll need to meet again soon," Luna said. "We still have much to discuss."

"Yeah, like where to wander aimlessly next and hope something happens," Rei muttered. At Luna's disapproving glare, she rolled her eyes. "Fine. We can meet here. Noon tomorrow. Grandpa won't care, and the shrine's big enough for plenty of privacy."

Usagi gasped with delight and flung her arms around Ami. "We have a headquarters now!"

"Yes, I heard," Ami said, giggling at Usagi's infectious enthusiasm.

Rei, however, remained immune. "Just don't be late."

But she'd let her guard down, just for a second, and Usagi snuck in with a brief but intense hug. Rei flailed, but by the time she could make any headway, Usagi had already let go and was headed toward the shrine entrance. "We're gonna be great friends, Rei-chan!" she called out. "I can feel it!"

Rei watched them go, her expression flat.

She was glad to have found them, she could admit that much. This was what she was meant for. And while the questions were piling up fast, so many others were on their way to being answered. Rei knew her duty, and she vowed to fulfill it with every ounce of her power, strength, and will.

But friends with that girl? Never happen. Not if she lived to be a thousand.