Senshi: the Gathering of Five
Interlude: Christmas One
Rei Hino's expression didn't really change as she swept the stone walkway outside the shrine, the air cold with the onset of winter. Her long black hair fell in a glossy wave, her red and white garb suiting the intense young shrine maiden.
"Are you serious about this?" Rei looked up to ask.
The brown haired young woman sat with a casual ease on the wooden steps that led up into the building, her athletic body comfortably at rest. Makoto Kino leaned forward, the sleeves of the forest green jacket that the taller girl was wearing rolled up to reveal muscular forearms, "I think that a Christmas party wouldn't be a bad idea."
"We've only really begun to get to know each other," Rei commented, but she didn't sound opposed to the idea, merely making a point.
"I doubt many of us have plans of Christmas," Makoto pointed out to her gently, "and I think Usagi could use the break."
"True," Rei conceded.
Rei knew that other people found her intense, even driven, but Usagi Tsukino was beginning to worry even her. The other girl was so focused on the defeat of the Youma and their masters the Oni that she was almost scary. Combine that with the grief that Usagi still carried and you had someone who was under a great deal of stress.
"So who do we invite?" Rei asked.
"Ami Mizuno, Minako Aino and us," Makoto answered, "if they're willing."
The faint blush that appeared on Makoto's cheeks at the mention of Ami's name made Rei fight back a smile. The older scientist seemed to be in Makoto's thoughts fairly often, and from what she had seen of Ami she liked being around Makoto too. Of course it didn't necessarily mean anything, but it was kind of cute to watch.
"Would a idol like Minako even go to a small Christmas party?" Rei raised an eyebrow, leaning her broom against a post.
"The only way we'll know is to ask," Makoto shrugged. "I'm just wondering where we can hold it," she said with a frown.
"Here," Rei said simply. As Makoto looked at her in surprise Rei smiled wryly, "Usagi's is out for obvious reasons, I'd bet Ami just has a little apartment and I wouldn't feel comfortable trying to impose on Minako just yet."
"And your Grandfather won't mind?" Makoto asked. She tilted her head to the side, "He is an Shinto priest, after all."
"I think Gramps won't mind," Rei answered, "he's just happy that I'm making friends at all."
Makoto got up, looking mildly surprised as she felt something wet and damp tough her cheek. She looked up, her lips stretching in a smile as she put her hand out to catch another one, a flake of delicate snow. "Good omen," she looked over at Rei.
Rei nodded, the flakes gradually falling around them like the petals of cherry blossoms. "Then let's get to work asking the others," she smiled.
The apartment building rose up in steel and glass, ultra modern and priced so that only the most exclusive could reside there. Makoto looked up, the wind blowing her ponytail out as she murmured, "This sounded so much simpler yesterday."
The receptionists were two young ladies, stylishly dressed and made up. Both looked at the scruffy woman who entered with suspicion, the redhead especially wary. "Something I could do for you?" she asked stiffly.
"Could you let Ms. Aino know that I'm here?" Makoto asked, putting her hands in her pant's pockets nervously.
"I doubt that she'd want to be disturbed by you," the blue haired girl not even picking up the phone to call upstairs.
Makoto really wanted to say something rude, but she restrained herself. "Maybe so," she agreed, "but the only way you'll know for sure is to call her." She flashed a dangerous smile, "Then you get to try to kick me out."
The redhead gulped. "Keep an eye on her," she ordered the other girl as she dialed. It took only a few moments before it was picked up, "Ms. Aino, I'm sorry to disturb you... There's a young woman here to see you, Makoto Kino." She stiffened visibly, listening as her eyes got wide.
Makoto fought a smile, 'Wonder what Minako said to her?'
The phone clicked into the silence as it was returned to it's cradle. The redhead looked sheepish, "Ms. Kino, you can go right up." She paused, "I'm sorry to have inconvenienced you, there won't be any trouble with entry in the future."
"Thanks," and with a casual wave she walked to the elevator, noting the two women's dumfounded looks as the doors closed behind her. The proper floor was reached and she strode down the hallway, knocking on the front door.
Minako opened it in a moment and Makoto blinked in surprise. The polished starlet was gone, instead her blonde hair was messy and face devoid of makeup. She wore a ratty robe, broken in and comfortable and was wearing a pair of... bunny slippers.
"Sorry," Minako waved her inside, "I was up late last night at a industry party."
'Wow,' Makoto thought as she walked inside, the front door opening into a massive livingroom. White couches were set to either side, matching endtables beside them and a massive entertainment center was up against the wall.
"I made a pot of coffee," Minako continued as she led Makoto over to the well stocked but mostly unused kitchen, "would you like a cup?"
"Uh.. no, it's all right," Makoto answered as Minako poured, adding sugar and cream.
"So what brings you here today?" Minako stirred her cup then took a drink.
"I guess you're really busy this time of year," Makoto began to lead up to it.
"A lot of industry parties," Minako agreed, "places I need to make an appearance and all that."
"Are you going to be busy on Christmas eve?" Makoto asked.
Minako looked thoughtful, "There is a event that night..."
"Well," Makoto looked disappointed, "we're holding a little thing over at Rei's shrine that night, but I guess you can't get away."
"Are you kidding?" Minako grinned. "I'd love to go," she said eagerly, "I haven't been to an intimate Christmas party in years. What do I bring?"
"Just yourself," Makoto nearly laughed at the other woman's energy, "I'm cooking, and gifts are optional." As they talked on Makoto thought, 'I hope Rei is having as much luck as I am.'
Across town the kendo hall was noisy, the wooden blades coming together loudly over the roar of the crowd. The smaller figure seemed outmatched but she moved swiftly, parrying attacks and striking back swiftly. In a final flurry of motion the wooden sword was turned aside then the smaller figure struck, silence reigning after the blow was struck.
"Point to Tsukino," the ref declared, "the match goes to Tsukino Usagi."
Usagi pulled her face gear off and offered her hand, letting the taller young man shake it vigorously, "Good match, I hope we can do it again."
'She really is good,' Rei thought from where she stood on the sidelines.
Usagi didn't even have a chance to divest herself of her protective gear as fans and well wishers swamped her, the slim blonde disappearing for a moment in the crowd of people. It took a few moments for the champ to break free then she walked to Rei's side, smiling wearily as she said, "You could have rescued me, you know."
"From your adoring fangirls?" Rei smirked, "I don't think so."
Putting her helm down Usagi ran a hand over her blonde hair, the long mane tied back into a tight braid. Dressed like that, the padded suit almost made her look like some samurai, weary from the wars. "I still don't know," she sighed, "should we really be holding a party now?"
"Even soldiers need a rest occasionally," Rei shrugged, "a chance to regain their strength before the next battle comes."
"Who's coming?" Usagi asked, not committing herself to it at all.
"All four of us," Rei answered, "at least, I think so."
Usagi's lips lifted in a slight smile as she looked at Rei thoughtfully, "Don't the rest of you have better things to do than holding a pity party to keep me from getting depressed?"
"It's no pity party," Rei felt herself getting angry as she continued, "I like Ami and Makoto, I'm looking forward to spending Christmas with them." Gentling her voice a bit she added, "And I'd like to spend it with you, too."
"I'm sorry," Usagi said a few seconds later.
Rei nodded slightly, reaching out to put her hand on Usagi's arm. "So, are you going to come?" she asked her again.
Usagi nodded, eyes twinkling a bit as she said, "Yes, I promise."
Rei watched Usagi walk away to get changed, noting more of a bounce to the other girl's step. 'This may do all of us some good,' she mused.
Makoto didn't get to it until the next day, something she blamed on being busy, but it was more than that. The flutter of butterflies in her stomach showed Makoto she was nervous, something that still surprised her a little. She was a warrior, someone who had made a name for herself fighting in the streets and alleys of Tokyo, it was crazy that such a quiet and mature older woman would make her feel so hesitant and tentative.
Making herself move Makoto pressed the keys, listening for a response from the intercom. A second later a clearly cross Ami Mizuno barked, "Who is it?"
Makoto winced, wondering if she had come at a bad time. "It's Makoto," she answered, "I was wondering if I could talk to you?"
Ami's harsh tone all but disappeared as she said, "Of course Makoto, I'll buzz you in."
Ami met her at the door, ushering her in even as Makoto was apologizing, "I hope I didn't interrupt anything, I just wanted...."
"It's all right," Ami reassured her as she led Makoto into the small apartment, "my annoyance wasn't directed at you."
"I'm glad," Makoto admitted as she took a look around.
The apartment was small, made even smaller by the clutter around the room. The living room had the usual couch and television but a worktable was up against one wall, covered with partially assembled pieces of technology. A computer was set up in the connected dining area, a screensaver of snow falling on the screen while the kitchen was spotlessly clean, if filled with various pieces of time saving cookware like a microwave, rice cooker and others.
Ami sat down, waving Makoto to a seat then took her glasses off. Rubbing at her eyes tiredly she explained, "I just got off the phone with my mother, we got into an argument when I told her I wasn't going to the hospital Christmas party."
"Your mother works there?" Makoto asked.
"Chief of surgery," Ami answered, adding irritably, "it seems there are some nice doctors that she wants to introduce me to."
Makoto just had to smile at the tone of Ami's voice, "You're not interested in doctors?"
"Not ones introduced by my mother, no." Ami said dryly.
Sensing the perfect opportunity Makoto leaned forward, "How would you like to go to a Christmas party with no doctors at all?"
Ami began to smile, "Oh, yes."
To be continued....