It's all so subtle
These words mean something to you, to me
Somehow not the same thing
-Minus the Bear, "Last Kiss"

As the shuttle roared through the atmosphere her eyes took into stock everything that had happened then came up with a plan for how to address it. The first was Minako's leg, the second was finding out if the shuttle could get them back to the Moon. Third perhaps was seeing if there were any supplies on board; her stomach reminded her that their last meal was over twenty hours ago. Somewhere on that list was the Princess who was mutely staring at the flooring of the shuttle. It was better than her looking at the dead pilot. She knew though that the Princess really was the top of the list, despite everything.

She really didn't like it, recalling she hadn't sworn to. Really, she was just along for the ride, so to speak. Minako had sworn but that was what Minako did; she swore vows and followed through on them. A frown was starting if it had its way.

Her gaze moved to the blonde, meeting those eyes that told the world everything or at least, what she wanted the world to know. The bravado was there, shining through like this was nothing at all to her. An everyday occurence, certainly nothing to get concerned about.

"How are you doing? We can look at it once its ok to move around." The Princess wasn't going anywhere, engrossed with the windowed view for the time being.

She was rewarded with a thin smirk and a not so successfully hidden flash of pain as the blonde adjusted in her seat, grasping hard the belt. "Never been better. S'great."

The lie bothered her.

Soon enough the shuttle leveled off, followed by Ami's voice. "You can move around. The computer says there's medical supplies in the box in the back on the right, third from the bottom."

She eyed the blonde one more time before releasing her belt to move about. All she received was another grin, fingers moving by her face to make a sign, a "V" before the blonde leaned back, content or perhaps, knowing that it was the best thing she would be allowed to do. Slightly shaking her head, she mouthed "cute" then headed to the back of the shuttle.

Already there was Makoto, doing a better cover up job of the corpse they were carrying. Having a longer reach she opened the cabinet and began retrieving items to pass along to her. A small container; likely a first aid kit, was first. Opening it quickly she confirmed it, tucking it under her arm as a blanket came her way next, followed by two more. Looking at them inquiringly she finally had to ask, "Why so many."

Or at least a question in her mind.

The Jovian jerked her head towards the front. "Princess is freezin', that gown ain't doing much."

A glance that way also confirmed it, before the frown of earlier had its way and came in full force. Minako had risen from her seat, limping as she draped her cloak over the Princess. Hints of red decorated the white material, clashing jarringly.

"Sit down." She had enough, barking at the blonde. When all she received was some saucy looking sassy challenge in return, she jabbed her finger at her, pointing at first at her then the seat.

Minako took it how she knew she would, setting into motion thoughts of what she'd do. When she was better of course. But the blonde finally relented to drop back into her seat. Only since she was watching did she catch all the reactions, Makoto looking like she wanted to laugh, the Princess numbly looking at the with confusion, and Minako's own pain filled attempts at acting like nothing hurt.

Shaking her head she looked back at the Jovian, daring her to say a word all the while waiting for anything else.

A chuckle and the taller woman resumed her search, finding nothing. "Ami! Where's the water on this stupid thing?"

"Rations on the left, top box. There's no entry about water supplies." Came the reply from the front.

"The hell 'posed to do without water." Makoto muttered, investigating the ration packs which looked like extremely dried out meals. Perhaps edible until she turned the packaging over, showcasing the words "WATER REQUIRED" in Lunarian.

"Fuck. Is there anything else." So Minako introduced more vulgarity to her vocabulary.

The Jovian was already looking, producing likely stale and dry crackers in more shrink wrapped packaging. She sighed, producing a dozen such things, before Ami's voice called out again. "There's a small canteen in my pack."

"Gotta choice, water to eat or water for aid."

She looked at Minako, then the Princess, before back to the meager actually consumable supplies. The kit had some things at least from her rather quick scan of it.

"Get something for the Princess to eat, she's our concern after all. I'll get Minako patched up then look at your knuckles."

A nod and she was on her way back, dropping the supplies by Minako so she could hand off two blankets to the Princess who gazed intently and longingly at whatever the water necessary product was going to produce. She poked her head into the cockpit, seeing Ami piloting by way of her computer. Other screens zipped by at speeds faster than she could follow.

The window though gave the best view, a sea of black punctuated by twinkling lights. The Lunar surface a sliver that grew with each passing moment.

Offering the blanket without a question it was well received, giving a status as she watched the Mercurian wrap up in it. "You're the only one who brought water. Makoto is fixing whatever it is for the Princess."

"Do you need help with Minako?"

"It won't be the first time I've patched her up. Something tells me it won't be the last either. Let me know when you can reach the Moon, I want to talk to Artemis."

The Mercurian nodded, looking at her computer more than anything. "I'll let you know. Tell Mako to bring me two of those crackers when she's done."

"Mako huh."

The blue haired woman shrugged, smirking at her. "One day you too will be creative and nickname Minako. Today though doesn't seem like that day."

How was that a nickname though, she just shortened her name. Shrugging she stepped back into the main cabin, looking at the Princess who ate, rather indiscriminately, whatever it was that the water requirement produced. Makoto was making a face at the dry crackers and Minako looked like she was dozing.

"Bring two," was all she said, gesturing to the front before she pulled off the gauntlets to set aside, pushing up the sleeves of her uniform jacket.

The blonde wasn't dozing she found out, merely looking out the window. Once she produced a pair of surgical scissors from the medical kit to begin cutting her pant leg away did she feel eyes on her. There was a pause, their gaze meeting before the blonde softly spoke, not wanting it to go beyond them. "Do you think … we could have done anything differently?"

Discarding the length of material that was really only on her by way of her boots, she eyed the arrow critically. "We did what we could."

It was hardly an answer and Minako called her out on it with a look.

"I … had a feeling, like an epiphany. Perhaps it was a vision, like before, but this felt different. This'll hurt."

At the blonde's nod she stopped speaking, coaxing the arrow back once she could feel what type of of point it had. Thankfully not jagged nor hooked, it seemed meant for punching through armor, nothing more. Minako gritted her teeth with each pass of her fingers anywhere close to the arrow. It was to be expected though. A few muttered curses in that language she labeled as Venusian, breathing heavily through her nose as the arrow came free slowly and surely, an awaiting antiseptic swab causing more snorts once it came in contact with skin.

"Fucking collection…" the blonde vocalized, taking a deep breath. Looking at her blankly it took her a moment to remember, looking at the blooded arrow and her own stained fingers.

"I … still have that, you know." She did, the arrow from what day was it? It was on her dresser that held her clothes, looking out of place. To be honest, she was surprised that the blonde never commented on it. It wasn't like she had never stepped foot inside.

It brought a thin, but meant smile as the blonde reached to the kit, using another handful of swabs to clean away some of the blood that otherwise was like a second layer to her skin. The gesture didn't match the words though that followed, "Something is going on and no one will tell us. I don't like it, it makes my job … all of our jobs … all the more difficult to accomplish because of it." She sighed, frowning. "Do you know how to stitch?"

A nod was all she gave, retrieving a needle and surgical thread. Behind her the Princess had dozed off, Makoto still up with Ami.

"I'll have to pin down the Mau. As much as I don't want to, someone will give me answers. I am tired of bleeding for ignorance."

"After you rest."

"What? No, minute this shuttle has landed, I'll march or limp or hand stand my way if I have to. This is bullshit. It wasn't a 'nice and relaxing vacation,' they were ready to kill us."

"Minako. You still need to rest and heal up." She would give the Venusian that, she was taking having her skin sewn together pretty well with only the occasional, maybe they were numerous though, faces she was making.

"I will, after that."

"No. You won't."

"Are you telling me no?" It was partially incredulous the look, but also something more. She recognized it from the last time they were on a shuttle, that time leaving Mars. Ordering Minako to do something, in that case to go to medical.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, stopping her stitches to meet her gaze directly. "You're going to medical when we land. Even if I have to carry you there myself. And yes, I will, Princess."

It was cheating that, but she got the answer she was looking for in the shape of a wordless nod. Now she knew for sure if she wanted a speechless blonde, that was how to do so.

"That's a good irritation."

That she watched the blonde roll her eyes at her with a smile made her feel better about it all.

Both the Jovian and Venusian were asleep again, the Lunar Princess long since out, when Ami called her.

She had partially finished a cracker, shared with Minako, after checking that it was mostly just scratches and broken skin over Makoto's hands. A simple bandage took care of them, her own arms a dull ache from combat. Minako had nodded off, perhaps the best thing that she could do.

It didn't take too long for the Jovian to either. There wasn't anything else they could do. Ami was the only one who knew how to pilot the shuttle. Hopefully the lack of sleep wouldn't be an issue, as a full day cycle had come already and was working its way towards another.

Carefully she made her way in, trying not to wake any of the three sleeping people. It wasn't like she could wake the dead either but still. She tried to be as silent as she could.

Ami looked a bit ragged, hiding yawns behind her hand.

"Can you nap?"

"No, not really. We're ten or so hours out, I think I have a signal."

She nodded at that. "Is there enough fuel?"

Ami just smirked. "No. Apparently we were to refuel while there."

"Fuck."

"Pretty much." The Mercurian punched and pressed, to her, random buttons on the ship's control console before speaking. "This is shuttle NMT79200, does anyone copy?"

A male voice came back, "This is Lunar Control NMT79200. What is your status?"

"Lunar Control, we have four hours of fuel left. Request immediate refueling."

She winced, four hours was not very long. The thought of being stranded here, in the expanse of space… it took a deep breath to calm that sudden bout of anxiety.

"NMT79200 what is your position? Our records show you're supposed to be on Terra."

"Get me Artemis, now."

"New voice, identify yourself."

"My name is Rei. I'm one of the Princess' guards. Get me Artemis now."

The man at the other end didn't shut off his mic in time, the scattering commotion before it cut out was mixes of who did she think she was ordering them about, the Princess, some commentary about what one wanted to do to "that blonde one," and someone still trying to figure out where they were.

She looked at Ami, "How much trouble do you think I would be in if, when we were back, I fried most of them?" It felt so casual talking about how she had produced flames. It hit her again, Makoto produced lightning, she created fire from her hands and Minako … Minako a golden chain.

Before Ami could really answer Artemis' rather panicked voice came through. "Rei? Is that you?"

"Yes. I'm here with everyone else."

"What is this about fuel? You should all be with the Prince, did something happen?"

"That's putting it mildly. Look, we need fuel now, and someone from the infirmary waiting for us."

"The infirmary..? The Princess! Is she?"

"She's fine."

"Oh."

"Ami will give you where we are at. We need fuel, and some water would be great."

"There's a freighter nearby…" he trailed off, but the line remained open with the sounds of beeps and keyboard noises. The command that they had reached must have still been there, as she overheard their voices reaching out to this freighter.

Leaving it to Ami she stayed silent as numbers were relayed, their location provided. Wisely no mention was made of what happened, their conversation ending with assurances that the freighter could meet them.

"Let everyone know, it will be close. I'm going to conserve fuel so no lights. We need to meet with the freighter then they'll get us back."

"How long?"

"Three to meet the freighter. It'll probably take them a week to get to the Moon."

The curse she couldn't help. A week meant the Chancellor would be back on Terra. A week though away from the politics. They could do their research if Ami had the files. Minako could mend… they could eat hopefully. Maybe even shower. Anything.

She still frowned though. "I'll tell Minako and Makoto. We can wake the Princess when it's time with the freighter."

Receiving a nod, she left to wake and relay the news.

"Minako." Her hand reached out, gently shaking the sleeping blonde's shoulder. Ami had killed the lights inside a few minutes after she was back. What light was provided came by the grace of their surroundings. It looked beautiful yet dreadful at the same time, reminded of how little fuel they had left.

"Minako you need to wake up."

A hand batted at her half heartedly before sleep filled eyes opened, staring at her. "Was sleeping…"

"I know, but it's important." She waited a moment, watching as the blonde forced herself to wake up fully, moving to sit up better in the seat she had managed to find a little rest in. Rubbing the side of her face she looked at her bearily.

"We made contact with the Moon, we're going to meet up with a freighter to get us the rest of the way back. Ami says we're a ways out and only four hours of fuel."

For a moment she thought Minako had fallen back asleep before she said something. "Wait until an hour before to wake the Princess. She doesn't need to panic like she will anyway. Who did you talk to there?"

"Ami got Lunar Control, I spoke to Artemis." That was a gamble to say, given how the Mau and Venusian got along, but it couldn't be helped.

"Probably better than anyone else. That freighter probably doesn't have any secured lines back and … it'll be slow going." She yawned hard into her hand, "That'll give us time to discuss what happened. How is Ami holding up?"

"She's tired … we're three hours from them."

"We'll make sure she gets rest at the first opportunity, we all need to." Her eyes closed, again almost falling asleep before they opened, forcibly clearer. Without further word she collected the makeshift bandages that came by way of a cloak, wrapping up her otherwise exposed knee.

Appearances to be maintained, after all.

Makoto had agreed to watch the Princess initially. It gave Ami a chance to bunk down in a spare room, and while there was no medical, there was plenty of water. The blonde would escape by way of technicality, at least here. There was even a place to shower which was her first destination. For once, maybe, Minako didn't try to join her. The only reason for that, she knew, was because the freighter's captain wanted to speak to her first. That was why she went to the showers instead of trying to make sure the Venusian got better medical care.

There was some discussion that perhaps, they could spare some fuel to get their shuttle going again; currently it was in the cargo hold that wasn't quite as full as the captain desired. Of course, that hinged on a price, and before she was shooed out, Minako was left to negotiate their stay.

A thing that should have been with the Princess' input, save that she was 'positively starving' yet again. While the crew was rather enamoured with the Princess, it didn't mean that anyone would leave her alone with them.

A change of her clothes was on a bench, a row of six showers stalls behind her. Pulling off her clothes, she left the dirty ones in a neat pile, stepping quickly into a shower that offered hot water. By the time she was done her arms no longer ached as badly, stepping out after drying off. Wrapped in the towel she paused, hearing the door to the entry open. Her gaze darted to her swords, close by, before the blonde's presence filled the room.

She looked like she was dragging, perhaps only moving by sheer willpower. Strips of that sliced up cloak had been tucked half heartedly into her boot, creating a fashion statement within itself. Somewhere along the way she had managed to leave her breastplate, and that ridiculous helmet never had a chance to be worn in the first place.

Plopping down on the bench she almost looked like a sullen teenager, not at all the nigh invincible woman who could do anything she wanted. Part of it was being tired, another part was being injured. Somewhere there was that notion too of being misled. Then there was everything that happened. One couldn't discount the lack of food either, or the need to be cautious to to maintain their reputations.

"A shower will help you feel better."

The blonde's response to her offering was to merely flop over on her side, lying awkwardly on the bench.

It struck her then, in manners that all epiphanies would, how much Minako let down her persona around her. Had it been anyone else, anytime else, she would have still soldiered on, refusing to show much more than a yawn. Here she was, out of that perfection of uniform, showing the world that she could bleed. She could be hurt.

She had been hurt.

The sullenness was wrong, she looked tired. Worn out, exhausted. There was no move to rise from her awkward position, no matter how her falchion was hanging over her side, or that golden chain was spooling lazily against her thigh.

Minako looked like she didn't care. Her humanity was almost showing, or maybe it was outright. Maybe this was who she really was or maybe it wasn't.

Really, only Minako knew. Despite how close she was to her, there was no real them. Was it a relationship? Was it just benefits?

One day, she was going to have to answer that, not just to the blonde but to herself.

Despite the fact she had showered already, some part of her knew that the only way Minako would return to her Commander mode was if she made the nudge for her to be there. The only way she might shower was if she went in with her.

It … wasn't what she wanted though.

She wanted the blonde to relax, for once, to let others shoulder the burdens. Delegate, for the Gods sake! They were capable! She wanted to ask her just what they were. They had to be something at this point! Gods knew she wasn't just into mindless pleasure and to assume the blonde might actually be was to fall to the racial stereotypes that everyone else labeled her to.

Minako's eyes were unfocused, boring holes into the empty shower stall she was halfly standing in.

This wasn't easy though. The sheer worry had left her on edge, finally letting go the minute she showered and could ignore everything beyond hot water.

Minako never stopped. That she knew.

Commander mode against delegation. It was too easy, too simple to just follow directives. They were all capable all the same.

Professional against personal. It bothered her greatly to see her hurt, more than her consideration for the Princess. Minako though, irritating as she could be, put her duty before her own care.

She didn't like it.

The sudden movement snapped her back, the blonde having pushed up to her feet to unbelt her weapons, bundling it together on the bench before she began pulling off her boots. "Once Ami awakens we'll take the shuttle to return. This ship is Mercurian; once the Captain found out that it was Ami, they couldn't scramble enough. He's checking to make sure the fuel will work. Apparently new designs and shit means it might not. I'm going to shower then eat; make sure you do the same. I'm taking watch of the Princess after Makoto, if we end up having to stay here for some time."

Like that, she was naked save for missed streaks of dried blood. Belatedly she remembered the cut to her shoulder but the shower was already on and running, the blonde under the spray.

Commander mode was back.

She vowed, then and there, the moment they were back on the Moon and the blonde was satisfied with pressing for answers, or as much as would be allowed, she was going to break her out of that persona. Even if only for a moment.

She'd get that humanity out that she knew the blonde possessed by way of hints showing through in her gaze. She would have it shine, burning brightly.

Just like she knew that she did.