That evening, when Rei Hino walked through the door of her apartment, the aroma of food reached her nose. This was especially strange for her, like she'd walked into another dimension or something. Whenever she came home, the only things that greeted her were darkness and silence. The emptiness of her apartment usually forced her to leave again. But tonight, it was different. There was a... warmth she felt when she entered. Her lights were on and the sound of music brought life to her lonely home. As usual, Rei left her bag by the door and quickly rid herself of her jacket. Anticipation like she's never known before coursed through her veins. True, it was obvious who was responsible, yet there was no way she'd believe it until she saw it. A petite figure was swaying her hips to the beat of the music while bustling around the kitchen. Shocked, Rei leaned against the wall, staring at the young woman, mesmerized. - Crawling in my skin, These wounds they will not heal. Fear is how I fall, Confusing what is real. - Well, not exactly something one can dance or shake that pretty ass of hers to, but who cares. As long as Hotaru kept shaking it, that's all that mattered. She seemed so much like a normal girl, dancing while making dinner and humming to herself. It also helped that the song was by one of Rei's favorite bands. - There is something inside me that pulls Beneath the surface, consuming, confusing. This lack of self control I fear is never ending, controlling I can't seem, to find myself again. - And now Rei remembered why. It struck too close to home. It reminded her that she couldn't control herself, her lust. Who was she beneath the desire to bed one person after another? Was there anyone left under the lust at all? They seemed to go hand in hand. You couldn't say the name 'Rei Hino' without think of her many lovers. And you couldn't think 'sleeping around' without a picture of her to accompany it. After stripping her of her reputation, there was nothing left to see. - My walls are closing. Without a sense of confidence I'm convinced, That it's just too much pressure to take. I've felt this way before, so insecure.- Rei's hands gripped the handle of the refrigerator. Oh god, no. Please, not now. Images of Usagi flashed through her mind. The innocence, the light and the love she gave so unconditionally. To the blonde, a person was not plain good or evil. Everyone deserved to be loved, to have someone care for them. Even the insufferable bitch. Rei Hino knew she was a complete bitch in junior high. She took great pride in the reputation she built. She was perfect. She had the brains, the looks, the attitude, the confidence and even the money, thanks to her so-called father. As a teenager, she was untouchable. No one could approach her, they weren't worthy. At least not in their own eyes. People surrounded her day in and day out. Of course, she was in no short supple of friends. But none of them had really been friends. They had been fans of hers. Fans of the image she created. So, wasn't it surprising when Usagi Tsukino came around? She was the opposite of everything Rei was: a cry baby, bad student, loud, whiny, a push over and yes, a blonde. So, why shouldn't she have the only thing Rei Hino didn't have? Love. No, not just the love of others. She had plenty of that. Everyone loved the blonde. No one could resist her innocence. No one could ignore her light. They were like moths to a flame. And for once, Rei Hino became a follower. And the result shocked her. For the first time, someone loved Rei Hino. Yes, someone loved her. Loved her despite her temper, cruel teasing, arrogance and even her pride. Usagi even told her once that she loved Rei BECAUSE of her faults. She had said they made her who she was. And who she was, was a person more than deserving of love. With that, Rei Hino's shields cracked. Her walls came tumbling down. For the first time, someone was allowed into her heart. And what could she do but love the blonde back? Well, it wasn't that simple in the beginning. Before Usagi's world shattering, or mask shattering, confession, the miko tormented her to no end. Hell, she even went out with Mamoru just to spite Usagi. She even tried to turn against Sailor Moon. It was natural. It was her self-defense mechanism. You see, all of them had one. Each of the senshi. Ami buried herself in her studies, computer and books, making herself undesirable to most people. Makoto kept them away by fighting- who would want to be friends with someone that can snap you in two? They were all touched and loved by Usagi. And they all loved the blonde in return. Until Rei began to love her in a way deeper than friendship. It nearly drove her mad. And it only got worse after Mamoru was revealed to be Usagi's prince. Damn, shut down in two ways. First it was her boyfriend. Second, he was the one destined to be with the one she loved. Oh god, life bites. But she continued to love Usagi. Then ChibiUsa appeared. The cursed Moon brat. Well, case closed. It was one thing to know your beloved was destined to be with another, it was another to see proof. In the form of a daughter. There was no one that could understand how she felt. She was completely broken hearted. But as always, she pieced herself together. True, she couldn't be the same, but nonetheless she forged on. Then came "The Talk." Usagi told the miko she knew of her love. But, as they both knew, it could never be. The blonde simply didn't love her that way, and would never love her that way. Dear Mother Earth, that would have been the perfect time to open up and swallow her. But it didn't. And Rei was forced to continue living on. "Rei?" Hotaru's voice brought the miko from her thoughts. - There is something inside me that pulls Beneath the surface. Confusing what is real. - A whimper caused Hotaru to freeze. She was pretty sure she wasn't the one that whimpered. And the only other person that would be in the house was Rei. After taking a deep breath, she turned. Please, she hoped the whimper wasn't because she thought her dancing was horrible! One look at Rei banished that thought from her mind. Actually, it banished all thought from Hotaru's mind. The woman stood at the refrigerator, her knuckles white from the death grip on the handle. Her brows were furrowed, something Rei always did when in deep thought. But it was her eyes that caused Hotaru to freeze. Her lavender eyes were dark, a pained expression etched on her face. But they were twinkling at the same time... with unshed tears. The motionless figure whimpered yet again. Despite not knowing what was wrong, Hotaru knew she had to do something. First, snap her the hell out of her stupor. Walking closer to Rei, a list of things to say raced through her mind. None, however, seemed appropriate. So, stick with what you know. "Rei?" Glazed eyes blinked several times as Hotaru saw the miko return. Slowly, Hotaru reached over and touched the other's cheek. Large eyes, shocked by the sudden touch, widened further when a single tear held on the tip of the younger girl's finger was brought to her attention. 'She doesn't even know she's crying.' Rei quickly wiped away the tears, smiling in attempt to throw Hotaru off. "What smells so good?" Pink lips parted to speak when violet eyes caught sight of the pleading look in the eyes of her beloved. The question died as Hotaru stood and pulled Rei to her feet. The former turned, giving the other a chance to regain her composure. The miko smiled softly. Only Hotaru. "I'm making fish soup." At the mention of fish, the taller woman paled. Hotaru was a good cook when it came to noodles and rice. But was she capable of making something like fish soup? "Try this." A long, wooden spoon was held in front of the miko. Seeing the expression on the younger girl's face, ruby lips parted as the tip of the spoon was placed in her mouth. Light colored eyes widened as the taste of the soup danced on her taste buds. It was not only edible, it was absolutely delicious! Who knew Hotaru could cook this well? Hotaru laughed at the bewildered expression on Rei's face. Thank god she took cooking lessons from Michiru and Makoto. It was true they resulted when Michiru-mama saw the state of the kitchen when Haruka-papa tried to cook. But thank god none of the sea nymph's threats came true and Haruka had been, for the most part, unharmed. "Surprised I can cook?" As much as Rei longed to wipe that annoying and cocky smile off Hotaru's face, she couldn't help but think of how annoyingly cute she looked. Better stick with instincts. "Considering Haruka raised you, yes." Hotaru was more than prepared for Rei's comment. She knew the miko would say something like that. Her pink lips curled into a mocking smile. It was amusing to see the fiery woman pale. "At least mine is edible. More than I can say about the curry and rice you made for ChibiUsa-" A single finger pressed against the moving lips, silencing the younger woman. To say the action shocked her was putting it lightly. As she stood there, eyes wide, Rei was struck again by her beauty. She looked like an innocent angel, frozen with disbelief. For once, Hotaru's violet eyes reflected everything she was feeling. Pale cheeks were tainted with a rosy blush, making the powerful senshi look like a love stuck school girl. Hotaru's brain was utter mush. Rei was NOT touching her lips with her finger. This was like the other day all over again and they were in the kitchen... again. One difference, her secret love held all the cards this time. She could do whatever she wanted and Hotaru knew she'd go along with it, no complaints. After all, who could say no to those eyes? Rei knew she had Hotaru's undivided attention. Her violet eyes were trained on the miko, unblinking. For the first time, the senshi of fire felt uncomfortable under another's gaze. She's always known exactly how to play the game to keep all eyes on her. She loved attention. But Hotaru's intense eyes were something different. They paralyzed her, all thoughts fleeing her mind. It would be so simply to take her right there and then. A simple kiss and she'd be in her arms. Her guest would not resist. The look in her eyes told her so. She trusted Rei completely. She was so innocent, so pure. The senshi of Death and Destruction, not to mention Rebirth, stared at her, eyes unguarded. She was the miko's to take. Hotaru's breath caught in her throat when Rei leaned closer to her. Anticipation pumped through her veins. So the businesswoman has decided. This time, she wouldn't resist. Rei saw the excitement in the shorter girl's eyes as she removed her finger. She continued moving closer, the girl's scent both intoxicating her and bringing her to the edge of her sanity. Seconds stretched into years as Hotaru felt Rei's body move closer and closer. All she could focus on were those full lips. The lips she's dreamed of for years. And they were getting closer to her own. She could practically feel them on hers. Sweet sin. Rei needed not move too much farther to claim her friend's pink lips. Hotaru's ragged breath fell on her neck, charging her. This was it. The college student wondered if Rei could hear her pounding heart. Their lips were separated by a single layer of molecules. Finally. The ruby lips touched Hotaru's cheek. Rei drew away from the kiss, noting Hotaru's wide eyes. They turned to her, confused. The miko barely controlled her own need, crushing to urge to kiss Hotaru's pouty lips. There were no words to describe how the violet-eyed girl felt at that point. She was snapped back to reality and felt as if she's been slapped. The darkening of Hotaru's eyes almost sent Rei's self control out the window. But no, she couldn't. A hand caressed the shorter girl's pale cheek, causing their eyes to meet. The miko smiled weakly and opened her mouth to speak. 'Tell her!' She shouted mentally, 'Tell her you don't want to hurt her! Tell her you don't want to do something just because you were caught up in the moment. Tell her you don't want her to do something she'll regret later! Tell her, damn it...' "Let's eat." Hotaru could only stare at the woman she loved. 'Let's eat?' For once, Rei wished she had Makoto's power over nature and earth. That way, she could arrange for a nice hole to appear beneath her and swallow her whole. 'Let's eat!' Was she insane? That was NOT what she meant to say. "Hotaru-" "Sure, you must be hungry." Hotaru turned around, afraid to let Rei see the tears collecting in her eyes. So, the miko didn't care for her like that. Why else wouldn't she take the opportunity to kiss her? She was clearly giving her permission to. What went wrong? Hotaru moved silently, her destination in sight. Despite being one in the morning, light came from the open door. It had been shut almost completely to keep the light pouring from it at a minimum. Stepping in, violet eyes soon found the woman behind the desk. Raven hair was pulled back in a sloppy ponytail to prevent it from getting in the way of the focused, dark eyes. Hotaru didn't know whether to scold Rei for staying up so late or admire her work ethic. Settling for somewhere in the middle, she knocked on the door. "Huh?" Rei looked up, blinking in surprise. Her glasses perched on the tip of her nose, giving her a very scholarly look. A smile graced her features at the sight of the girl waiting in the doorway. "Oh, hey! What are you still doing up?" Hotaru crossed the distance between them and handed the miko the cup in her hands. She was given an appreciative smile and watched the older woman cradle the tea in her hands. "I should be asking you that question." The miko smiled sheepishly and looked at the clock. "I need to get these reports done and these papers signed. Besides, I didn't even notice the time." Hotaru let her annoyance show as she sat down on Rei's desk at a clean spot. The other woman seemed to back away slightly, though she never looked away from the violet orbs of the girl perched on her desk. "Then why did you ask me why I'm still up?" "Simple, you said you were going to bed a while ago." The answer and the cocky smirk were the classic Rei Hino retort. Letting it slide, silence settled over them. Yet again, it was an awkward silence. What with the situation they were in only a few hours ago. However, neither dared to talk about it. "So, how much longer are you going to take?" Rei's eyes browsed over the papers on her desk. "Another hour or two." "I hope you don't plan on going to work tomorrow." Rei smiled softly at Hotaru's protective tone. She will never get used to being scolded by the young woman. It was touching, of course. Everyone gave up on trying to get her to listen. "I have to," Rei said and seeing her friend's protest, she quickly cut the younger girl off. "But only for a short while." Hotaru considered the woman's words. The taller woman was the founder of one of the fastest growing businesses. Already, she hasn't been to work for three days. The work must be piling up, like the ones on her desk. "Hotaru, why don't you go sleep? I'll be done in a while. No use waiting up for me." The girl considered this and nodded. Bidding her long time crush goodnight for the second time, she walked out. The miko smiled adoringly before going back to work.
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