Day 8: February 8

It was Tuesday.

Rei placed her sunglasses over her eyes as she casually left the palace in civillian clothing. No one would recognize her. Though there was still snow on the ground and a chill in the air, the Senshi of Fire received permission to visit a hotsprings resort just an hour outside of the city.

No troubles.

No conflicts.

No confusing feelings.

No Secret Admirer!

Good riddens!

Jadeite watched from a surveillance room as the love of his life casually walked out of the palace in her warm, down coat, scarf, and hat. "I wonder where she is headed..."

"She requested to Neo Queen Serenity that she go to the hotsprings," spoke Mercury as she looked to the Earthen General.

"Which one?"

She smiled, "Hakone Onsen. About an hour and a half away."

Jadeite began to think silently. It made him a little uncomfortable to know she would be out of the city all by herself without anyone. What if she came across trouble?

"She is scheduled to come back in 1900 hours," advised the Water Senshi with a nod. "I would advise that if you wanted to surprise her when she gets back this evening, you may want to consider doing it while she's not in the palace. Including today, you still have nine more attempts to try and woo her before your dinner on Valentine's Day."

He nodded his head in understanding before smiling to the senshi over intelligence and strategy. "You're the best Mercury."

She gave him a smile, "When you see my husband, tell him I send a kiss his way."

"Yes ma'am."

It was 1900 hours on the dot. Rei came back relaxed and ready to turn in.

As she approached her door, she hissed and glared at the flowers outside of her door accompanied by another rather large sized box. She felt the fire begin to tingle at her digits before glaring at the gift resting at her door step.

"WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME?!" she hissed basically breathing fire from her mouth. If her amethyst eyes could shoot laser beams, they would have decimated the box innocently sitting at her door step. She turned around and glared at the camera that was facing her door. "I KNOW YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS AMI! I'M GOING TO FIND OUT! AND I'M GOING TO MAKE YOU PAY!"

"Forget soap operas or the movies," smirked Nephrite as he watched the live surveillance footage, "This is far more entertaining. Wait till Makoto hears about this!"

Jadeite felt his face flush as he rubbed the back of his neck, the sides of his face beginning to sweat just a bit. "Oh boy," he uttered. The blond thought he could amp up the gifts after last evenings' letter from her! His stomach began to clench as he watched her breathe fire and throwing death threats to a certain Senshi of Water. Perhaps she was being sarcastic in that letter. She had a tendancy of doing that back in the Silver Millenium to men pursuing her. Maybe he shouldn't have given her this particular gift. "I feel sick," he muttered closing his eyes.

"Don't you dare throw up on these machines!" exclaimed Mercury.

Rei felt her chest heaving up and down from her fit of rage before turning back to the door and looking at the package. She pulled the note from the top of the package and immediately snatched up the note.

She read it outloud.

"My Dearest Firebird..."

Her eyes widened at the sound coming from the box.

She jumped back at least ten feet gathering fire in her fists. She stared at the package long and hard.

Scratching!

She eeped and felt a shiver crawl down her spine.

A cry! It sounded like... whimpering?

Not even noticing the small holes in the side of the box, she slowly approached the package and pulled out the knife strapped to her thigh. It wasn't a challenge grabbing it thanks to the long slit in her red dress. Poising the dagger in her hand as she began to approach the package, she used the sharp blade to quickly slice open the seal keeping it closed.

"What the hell?!" hissed Ami with wide eyes, "Where did she get that dagger?! Is she really going to kill it?!" Her eyes became frantic as both Nephrite gulped and Jadeite's face became super pale.

Were they really getting ready to witness a brutal murder?!

Then there was a loud 'BARK!'.

Rei jumped back at the sound... before she paused. A bark?

She quickly knelt down to the package and opened the lid after having put away her weapon. Her face immediately changed from fear, to curiosity, to amazement as a tiny white fluff ball looked up at her yapping and trying to get out of the box.

"Awwwww..." she uttered before bringing down one hand and lifting the tiny pup into her hands. It looked like a little puff ball! Whoever this man was gave her a really expensive Pomeranian. She secretly always wanted one.

Wait.

She was given a puppy.

She looked at the little creature in her hands, as it tried coming closer to her to lick her face.

She couldn't possibly bring this creature with her to work... could she? No. Her days were long and tiring. And what would she feed this little thing? Steak? A cat? A whole fish?

She frowned before holding up the small dog in her hands up to the surveillance. "What the hell am I going to do with this puppy? Huh?! Take it to work with me while I kick around newbies on the training field? Watch it dodge arrows as I practice my archery and attacks in the gym?! Have it stay in the office all day with me while I let it chew and piddle on sensitive and secret documents from his and her highness?!" she shouted.

She heard a small bark from the pup.

She turned down looking at it warily. "Yeah! You tell them!"

Nephrite and Mercury burst out laughing as Jadeite groaned.

"What's so funny in here?" questioned Zoisite as Kunzite followed his comrade. Nephrite pointed to the screen. "Mars' reaction to Jadeite's gift. Best comedic entertainment I have seen this century!"

Kunzite stood behind the men with crossed arms and narrowed eyes studying the situation.

"Ohh!" exclaimed Zoisite, as he situated himself beside his wife and wrapping her in one of his arms. "Rewind it so we can see!"

"It's a live feed!" spoke Nephrite hushing the blonds. "Let's see what she does. She suspects Mercury, by the way."

Using the biometric lock, Rei huffed while balancing the pup in one hand, and shoving in everything else with her foot except for the vase of flowers. She brought that into her room with the free hand. As she entered the door, she noticed the note slip from her grasp and to the floor outside her room. All while still holding the puppy, she walked back outside her room and picked up the letter and read it outloud. She had a strong feeling that he was watching through the security camera. And if he was... perhaps there were others watching too.

She hid a wicked smile; a thought crossed her mind.

"My Dearest Firebird, You are the love of my life. This puppy is a symbol of my undying love for you. When we meet..." She paused for dramatic effect pretending to choke and allowing her face to blush, "will do me the honor of being my wife?! Will you see this puppy as a symbol for my undying love to you?! What the hell?!"

"I didn't even write that!" shouted Jadeite, his face becoming bright crimson pointing to the screen, "She's lying! Look at her face!"

Zoisite and Nephrite merely smirked at their brother-in-arms. "Sure..." smoothly teased Nephrite.

"I swear!" argued the blond feeling his heart grip, "I didn't write that!"

"Love, Your Secret Admirer!" Rei 'hissed' and held the note up to the camera. "You JERK! How DARE you write those things to me! Coward! You haven't even faced me yet! When I find out who you are, I'm going to skin you alive!" She spun on her heel and immediately locked herself behind her door.

Yet, when she was inside away from prying eyes, she gave a smirk. Sure, she made up those words so smoothly knowing that this was sweet revenge for throwing her emotions into such chaos. She set the dog down on the ground, as it began prancing around in it's cute little fuzz-ball way.

She smiled at the new pet. It really was a kind gesture.

She paused one more before looking down to the letter and silently read it.

My Dearest Firebird,

Though sometimes loneliness becomes an unwelcomed friend, know that you are never alone. I have seen you fight it victoriously, and I have seen it overwhelm you at times. Please, do not ever forget that there is someone here for you when you need that time of quiet or an ear to listen. Let today's gift be a reminder that though we go down lonely paths as warriors to protect our King and Queen, there is always someone who will love you unconditionally.

Love,

Your Secret Admirer