Been down this way before
I'm back to take what's yours
Tear the stars out from the sky
-CFO$, "Stars in the Night"

The rest of the day, if it was day; rather hard to tell when one was doing interplanetary travel and all the sky offered was a series of stars, passed with a somber tone. A meal of some sort was presented to her; she ate it without really tasting it or recalling what it was. Just that she had, her actions rather mechanical and compulsatory. From the scraps she offered it to Phobos and Deimos, knowing that ravens would eat anything even if it wasn't necessarily healthy for them. Offering though a thin smile, she softly promised that whenever they did arrive to the Moon, she'd see that they had something better to eat.

Artemis had long since risen from his seat, spending his time in the piloting area. It was probably for the best, her thoughts; not exactly happy and cheerful, had turned dark and she didn't desire his company. Not that she hated him with the same level of despising that say, Minako did, nor could she completely agree with the level of animosity that the blonde felt. But she did understand in a way.

Maybe she was lucky, maybe she wasn't. Maybe she should feel jealous, maybe she shouldn't have a reason to feel envious of her. The blonde lived her life since arriving to the Moon as an objectified sex symbol. She was too familiar; that thought brought a blush to her cheeks for a moment, with a woman that it wasn't just men that lusted after her. Fuck, maybe she was one of the few that hadn't openly spoke about jumping her.

That though didn't account for the thoughts she had of the blonde.

A frown was the opposite of a blush and it was what her face bore now, staring out of the window. She hadn't had a dream like she had of before, no destruction just like there wasn't one of her obviously enjoying someone's company, since she had killed the man. In the weeks that followed since Minako had been dwelling in the limbo between unconsciousness and death, her mind had been mercifully blank. If then the man was the cause of the dreams; she had been wishing to discuss such with Minako but found herself waylaid. Not that she minded but…

But what indeed.

If the man had been the cause, then why did she still feel like there was far more to it? The fire had been silent since then, despite her consultations. She couldn't shake it, thinking instead on the visions, the good and the bad, rather than the simple truth that Minako was the way she was because of so many complex reasons. Engrossed in her thoughts, her eyes passing unseeing as the stars winked in and out of their existence of being seen by her, she almost paid no mind to the slight scent of something floral and hinting of sweetness as it was drawn in with her breath.

Looking up and over, she almost jumped back in place. Across from her Minako lounged, arms drawn over the back of the chair she was in. Gone was her armor, her cloak, by the gods, for that matter so was her jacket. It looked like a simple shirt, ruffled in a way but gods she still looked… Abruptly she snapped out of it, blinking her eyes to avert her gaze heavenwards, or at least the blonde's eyes instead of how the shirt fit against her body.

Whether she noticed it or not it was impossible to tell, for her gaze was out of the same window she had just been at. She didn't say anything at first, a silence existing between them before the blonde broke it, sounding cheerful enough. Or as cheerful as someone could be, with fresh and new stitches, having fought before, and once more on a ship that she apparently did not overly care for.

"Mm, I see I missed the worst part. Too bad I can't sleep through the landing or I would do that too."

She felt a slight smile come to her lips, allowing it its due. Artemis had mentioned that she hated space flight, but probably relating that right now wouldn't be wise. "How are you feeling?" That sounded far better, far safer to start conversation with.

Cerulean eyes cut over to her, ignoring the window. Her head tilted slightly as bangs fell messily to her eyes before she snorted softly. "What happened to my Martian that didn't know how to ask questions that were actually posed as questions?"

"Your Martian?" She wasn't sure how to take that, passing it off as some mix of incredibleness, disbelief, hints of blowing it off and more. The concoction that drew attention away from the feeling that went through her at the apparent possession in the blonde's voice and obvious word choice.

Minako just smiled at her thinly, bringing attention to the fact she had brought a drink with her, since it was raised to her lips to consume. It was the opportunity for her to recollect herself, ground herself against the assault that was a rested enough blonde intent to turn her world upside down and inside out once again. Maybe she should bow out to rest; regardless of how the outside did not support it, she had been up for some time. All that had happened came rushing back to her at once, unable to help the second flush to her cheeks.

It was just her luck that the woman across from her picked up on it. Her brow rose, the mug of whatever it was she had been drinking at was returned to the table before them. It was a coy look on her face, one that signified that she was doomed. That it was the end, she was done for. Surrender was in her best option. "A kiss for your thoughts."

"Wh… what?"

"Mm, you're right. It's supposed to be a coin of some sort but." She shrugged, the look failing to fade away. "Can't say I brought any currency really with me. With Mars falling out of communication with the Moon, there was a lot of uncertainty regarding if there was any sort of system in place."

Be it merciful or not, the blonde had decided not to pursue a reaction for her blush and instead, carried on a normal enough conversation. Curiosity got the best of her, taking the offered bait to keep it going instead of what the blonde had done to her, the feel of her hands and lips against her body. "When was the last time that he even spoke to anyone?" She left it implied about who she was talking about, willing to admit her standing but not completely.

It was enough to pause Minako in thought, her features turning as such before she finally began to speak. "By Lunar standard … it's been five years. But that's the last time the Queen spoke to him in actual person. The last time correspondence of any sort was passed along between the two of them though was a year or so ago."

"A year … and you just now showed up?"

Minako shrugged at her. "Logistically speaking, do you know how long it takes for planetary travel? Emissaries were sent, but they had to be given time to work. When they missed typical and normal reporting times, the Queen grew concerned. Plans had to be made to travel from the Moon to Mars, and given that no one knew the condition on Mars…" off she trailed, collecting the mug to drink once more from.

"Do you regret it." It was a question but she couldn't phrase it as such. She couldn't admit to anything yet, despite how she might want to. Internally was another story, but this was the opportunity, the chance. The perfect time for the blonde to keep things mostly professional with her. It was her chance to back out before it was too late.

A single golden brow raising at her was her initial answer, the mug lowered back to the table top. "I would have flown across the length of the system in the slowest cargo ship that existed." Up to her feet she rose, collecting the mug to take with her. "If it meant you were there." She glanced out the window, the scenery had not changed beyond its already amazing splendor. "It's close to midnight on Mars, you might want to get some rest." Back to her the cerulean gaze went, a shifty smile pulling at her lips. "Don't be long."

The look on her face must have been enough for Minako to continue on, softly laughing at her. "Space is limited, sorry but you'll be sharing quarters with me. I don't like interrupted sleep unless there's a really good reason for it." The grin spoke entirely of what she meant, and if it failed to completely convey, then certainly the waggle of her eyebrows gave it all meaning.

"There's … there's only one bed in there though…" She stuttered along, not quite believing what the blonde was even suggesting. Or rather she believed it, she understood it quite well. It was just not really expected, even if she should have known better.

It was enough to stop her in her tracks, Minako giving a tilt of her head before she shrugged lightly. "Mm well, can't blame a girl for trying. Good night, Priestess." With that she turned, vanishing down the corridor to where apparently, she had a room regardless of what she had hinted at before. She turned in her seat to watch, uncertainty causing her to linger within. She should have stopped her? Would it have mattered? Maybe it was just too soon all the same.

Torn, the decision was made for her when a yawn overtook the rest of her thoughts. It was late, very late indeed. Releasing a breath she rose from the seat, walking down the same corridor. She lingered at the quarters assigned to her to look at the other doors, but none gave an indication of which one the blonde had resorted to staying in. Shaking her head she opened the door, stepping inside to soft ambient light.

And the blonde in her bed.

It wasn't really a big bed by any regard, sure two could fit somewhat comfortably but it was everything for encouraging closeness too. It hadn't even been five minutes and Minako was already fast asleep. Across the back of the single chair within the room was her armor carefully stacked, her jacket over it, along with her pants. Her boots were tucked in under it, out of the way, with her falchion and the two short swords bundled on top of the stacked clothing.

Nestled on top of that, like a nest, Phobos and Deimos currently slept. Apparently they were unphased by the entire notion of what happened. Either of their packs, she noted, were against the wall. There was nothing in the room that spoke of a closet; really it was just a bed and a chair and nothing more.

Minako may have done some of this work before, but she doubted it too. Her gaze moved back to her form, back turned to her as she faced the wall. She wasn't snoring at least, but her breathing patterns said well enough she was out for the count too. Releasing a sigh she finally gave up, slipping from her own boots she debated before pulling the covers aside to crawl in next to the rather insufferable blonde. That she was still otherwise dressed she'd deal with whenever she awoke; right now was the time for sleep.

It was some hours later; she couldn't really be sure, that she awoke to the feeling of being far too warm. She debated moving, kicking off blankets when she realized blankets had nothing at all to do with it. There was a body pressed to her, burrowed into her back. An arm was around her waist, loosely hanging, and she was pretty sure there was a leg intermingling between her own.

She sighed, laying there in bed for a moment longer before she untangled herself from the blonde. All Minako did was roll to her stomach, face pressing to the pillow and she resumed sleeping, if the rise and fall of her back was any indication. She would give her that; she looked peaceful when the weight of the world wasn't on her. Shaking her head, she pulled clean clothes from her pack, collecting clean garments, along with Phobos and Deimos, before exiting with the door shutting behind her.

One of the crew directed her to where showers were at; an adventure within itself, but she felt considerably better after spending nearly a half hour under hot, pressured water. Drying off she changed, collecting her dirty clothes she left them where the crew member said to; apparently there was some sort of laundry service on board as well. The whole thing was a technological advance she had only heard of, only recently experienced. Breakfast was soon to follow, peeking her head in the room after to see the status of Minako.

She was still asleep, her position unmoving from when she left. Creeping inside she watched her for a few moments, understanding she was tired, before equally leaving just as quietly. Returning back to the main room, as best as she could call it, she once more resumed her seat. Outside the window the view was much the same as the night before, still a myriad of stars and darkness.

Artemis appeared a few moments after she sat, "Good morning Priestess."

"Good morning … how can you tell the time around here?"

He softly laughed. "There's a few clocks scattered around the ship. Otherwise I couldn't rightly tell you what time it is." He spoke her native tongue rather well, slightly accented but not by any culture she knew. Then again, there was a lot she didn't know. "Unless we're on the Moon, then it follows a rather routine day and night cycle that is almost the same as the Earth. How did you sleep?"

She almost felt like she was put on the spot, but kept it from showing. "Well enough."

"Good, good… is Minako still asleep?"

"She was when I checked in on her, before coming out here." That felt safe enough to answer with, she didn't have a reason to distrust him other than the blonde's own views. It was just that she couldn't shake the feeling like she was being judged. A thin frown appeared, deciding to try Minako's own tactics by changing the subject. "How long before we reach the Moon?"

"We should be there by tomorrow afternoon. This isn't the fastest ship; Mercurians truly make the fastest transports that could ever exist, but even the Queen can't justify the cost of owning more than a few in Lunar fleet. Most of the time the transports are traveling to and from the outer planets, so localized interplanetary travel is done by slower, but no less robust shuttles. They are often considerably more roomier than this, but this was all that was available on such short notice." He stopped, looking up behind her before softly speaking. "Good morning Minako."

Turning about in her chair she was greeted by the blonde who bore a better frown at sight of Artemis before she sighed. "Good morning Artemis, Rei." Sinking down she took one of the other chairs, stretching for a moment before she leaned back in the seat. "Were you able to find everything alright?" The question was directed at her, the blonde she noted was doing everything in her power not to glower given that Artemis was right there. She looked like she had showered and changed into clean clothes, dressed down to the skirt and shirt she had worn what felt like ages ago in the temple.

"I did…" She felt like adding in being too hot, not expecting the blonde to have been in bed already; more so the very bed she was sleeping in, but she let it go.

The blonde surprised her, leaning back in her seat with a sort of soft smile before she began to speak. "I should have said more on this earlier but." A shrug followed, glancing at Artemis for a moment something unspoken passed between them. "Almost twenty years ago, the Queen spoke with the King of Mars, concerning a vision that his wife, your mother had."

A/N: Because I like doing this and I am behind… so from chapter 27 on.

Yellow dot One - How much can I say that doesn't give away The Future Plot… A lot of what keeps her going is pure pride. For whatever undisclosed as of yet reason, she feels she has a lot to prove, and so it gives her a lot of motivation to do what she is. Why didn't the others say something or arrive? That comes later, promise =)

BooBooKittyFuck - I won't tell you how long I had that chapter, it just needed some revisions to make it fit and there it all went.

Reinako1 - I'm not sure if you were the same person or not but you know, you apologized and that's nice of you to do so. Dialogue isn't the easiest thing for me to write. For some people I'm sure it is easy, but there's something that they can't write in return. Me writing dialogue is a "challenge," I suppose you could say. It takes me a while but I try. And maybe I improve. And yeah, I like Spoils of War too … I think 'cause I can express deviousness that just never made its way here.

radicalbri - Thanks =) Hope you're enjoying.

13kat22 - Oh yes this goes full on Reinako mode once they are on the Moon. There's some Ami/Mako but I'm not gonna lie… I can't "get into them" so it will probably be implied. But there's awesome fanfiction out there that has them. Otherwise yeah, I have so many plans for Reinako it's gonna be great as long as I can live up to my own lofty expectations.

Thunderfall - Yes to more Rei dressing Mina, because that is pretty hot and I wanted to expand more on it. No promises on happy endings though. Not unless you tell me that FFXIII ends on a happy note. Or the secret to doing Eidolon fights. Can I skip 13-2 and go right to Lightning Returns or do I gotta play through in order?

CCC - Doing that to Artemis probably wouldn't go over too well (though it'd be kinda fun…), and doing that to the Lunar army would is probably grounds for punishment… can't promise anything other than blood will flow. Gardens of the Moon is exactly how you said, you do utterly feel for Rei in it (but the last chapter or two had some happiness going on for her at least). This one though is kind of a stab at all the things I don't like about some fanfiction or Sailor Moon in general, like how Minako is shown as submissive, meek, or a Usagi clone. It's a stab at exploring it, explaining it, giving me a chance to write and feel more confident about doing so. As for Recollection updates … good reviews tend to get me to write on it.