C'est La Vie
It was another, typical day at Hikawa Shrine. Five girls sat
around the low table in the center of the room, chit-chatting amongst
themselves. Well, make that four girls were chit-chatting amongst
themselves. Hino Rei did not chit-chat.
"Wow, that dress looks so cool! We should go shopping! I'd love to
get it!" A bubbly blonde shook the magazine in her hand at her friends,
grinning from ear to ear.
The brunette across from the table sighed, shaking her head.
"Usagi-chan, did you even take a look at the price on that thing?
Besides, even if you could afford it, don't you think it's a little,
well, flashy?"
Usagi pouted. "Mou, Mako-chan, you don't have to be mean about
it!"
"She's right, Odango. I don't think Mamoru would want you wearing
something like that in public."
"You're just saying that because you want it, Minako..."
Minako's eye twitched. She fixed their blue haired friend with a
glare.
"Hush, Ami-chan."
Ami sighed and went back to her laptop.
"Well, I think it's pretty. What about you, Rei-chan?"
Silence.
"..."
"Oi, Rei-chan?"
The miko sat with her legs curled under, her nose stuck in the
book she was currently reading, oblivious to the calling of her name.
"Moon to Rei-chan!"
A twitch.
Amethyst eyes peered up and over the book, sending death glares in
the way of their princess. Usagi gulped.
"What are you reading that's so much more important than us,
Rei-ko."
Ah Minako. Ever the brave one... or was it stupid one?
Rei visibly tensed, her fingers around the book tightening. "I
thought I told you not to call me that, Minako."
The blonde grinned, pleased with herself for finally getting a
rise out of the stoic miko. The others swallowed, awaiting their
leader's impending doom.
"Did you? My apologies. But seriously, what are you reading?"
Hesitation.
"A book."
Minako snorted. Rei glared.
Makoto glanced from the blonde to the miko, then back again.
Minako's shit-eating grin grew with each passing second. She was about
to strike another nerve, Makoto could feel it.
"Ah, I think it's time I get going. Ami-chan, want me to walk you
home?" The brunette stood hastily, bringing the genius with her.
"Wh-what? But, we didn't even--"
"Mako's right, it is getting late! I'll walk with you guys!" Usagi
jumped up.
Makoto blinked. Did their princess sense it too? This...looming
sense of dread?
"See you later, Rei-chan, Minako-chan!" Usagi looped her arms with
Makoto's and Ami's, nearly pulling them out the door. Makoto placed a
hand on the wall, glancing back in at the two in their staring match.
She opened her mouth, thought for a moment, then snapped it shut again
and headed out after the other girls. Rei and Minako. Alone. Glaring at
each other. They'd be alright...right?
--
"I don't get it, Rei. Why are you always such a, a..."
"A what, Mina?"
"A bitch?!"
That did it. The book was slammed shut and tossed aside as the
miko stood, forcing Minako back a step.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know reading in my own home made me a bitch."
She growled.
"Well, no, but ignoring your best friends does! You always do
this, Rei! We make plans to hang out, go shopping, whatever, and you
always sit in the corner like some teenaged emo kid!"
Rei's eyes narrowed. She took another step forward.
Minako stood her ground and waited. Waited for the yelling, the
cursing, the possible burning down of the Shrine.
But it never came.
Rei's face scrunched up as she went over the blonde's words in her
head. With a frown she plopped herself back down onto the bed, curling
her legs up.
Minako blinked, the adrenaline slowly fading as she watched Rei go
from an animal ready to snap, to a kicked puppy.
"...you're right."
Minako felt feint. Did...did Hino Rei just admit that she, Aino
Minako, was right?
"I'm sorry...what?"
The miko huffed, looking off to the side.
"I said you're right. I am a bitch."
The blonde laughed, sitting next to her friend and second in
command. Rei scowled.
"Look, Rei, I'm sorry. You're just so frustrating at times. Why
won't you ever sit with us? You are part of the team, ya know."
"That's just it, Mina. We're not a team anymore. The only reason I
stayed with them was because of our mission. I don't drool over every
boy I see. I don't care about the latest gossip, or song, or anything
like that. I'm a soldier...was...a soldier. Now I just...I dunno." She
Rei fell silent.
"And what about me?"
She looked up to find Minako staring down at her lap.
"What do you mean?"
"You said you only stayed with them because of the mission. Is
that why you stay around me, too?"
Rei flinched.
"No, Mina...I--"
"It's ok, Rei. I understand." She shook her head, blonde strands
falling around her face. "When I first met you guys, that's all I cared
about: the mission. But as time went on...things changed. Yes, we were
soldiers. Yes we had a duty to protect our princess...hell we still do.
But that doesn't stop me from having fun."
Minako turned to Rei then, smiling softly at the other girl. Ever
so gently she cupped the miko's suddenly reddened cheek.
"That doesn't stop me from seeing you, Reiko."
Rei swallowed, the blush spreading from her cheek to her ears. Not
once since they met had Minako sounded so serious, so genuine. Rei was
floored by it. For once, the fiery senshi was at a loss for words.
Minako took this opportunity to lean closer to the speechless
miko, tucking a few loose strands of raven hair behind an ear.
"Talk to me, Reiko. Please?"
Rei closed her eyes and inhaled the sweet scent of strawberries
that was Minako. She shivered despite herself. Having the blonde so
close, to feel her breath tickle her ear, was too much. She opened her
eyes only to find Minako had closed the distance between them, their
lips barely inches apart.
"Mina...ko. Don't..."
Mina smiled, taking Rei's burning cheeks in her hands. "Don't
what, my little Reiko?" Her lips just grazed over the miko's trembling
ones.
"Don't tease me like this..."
Minako giggled softly. "I'm sorry." She leaned those few inches
closer, finally pressing her lips against Rei's.
Rei inhaled sharply through her nose, a soft moan rumbling in her
throat. Mina took that as an invitation and gently pushed the miko onto
her back, their lips never parting.
Minako slowly thread her fingers through Rei's midnight mane,
gently kneading her scalp. A chill ran down the miko's spine and she
tightened her grip on the blonde. Finally they parted for air, lips
swollen and breathes laboured.
They stared at one another for a long while, Rei gently running
her fingers through Minako's hair while the latter stroked the others
cheek. It was Rei who broke the silence first.
"Mina...what was that?"
"I believe they call that a kiss, Reiko."
The miko puffed her cheeks out and furrowed her brows.
"What did I tell you about calling me that?"
The blonde giggled and curled herself next to Rei.
"You love it and you know it."
"...whatever."
Mina laughed, curling a finger around a black lock of hair. "If it
bothers you that much, I'll stop."
"...you don't...have to."
"Good. 'Cause I didn't plan on it."
Rei snorted. "You're so stubborn."
"And you have a bad temper, what's your point?"
The two looked to each other again before breaking out into
laughter. Soon Mina found herself wrapped in Rei's arms, her head tucked
under the miko's chin.
"Ne, Rei-chan?"
"Hm?"
"I love you."
Rei's heart skipped a beat and she looked down to Minako.
"What?"
"I said... I love you." A light blush coloured the idol's cheeks
as she smiled up at Rei. Rei's own blush came back full force.
"I...I love you too, Mina." She gave the blonde a squeeze, kissing
the top of her head. Minako shifted, suddenly straddling the miko with a
wolfish grin. Rei gulped.
"M-Mina?"
"So, I was thinking, wanna pick up where we left off earlier?"
Rei's cheeks burned hotter than her own fire ever could.
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