Hotaru looked around the crowded ballroom before straightening her black dress. Where was she? "Hey! Hotaru!" With a smile on her lips, the young woman turned to find Megumi making her way over to her, dressed in a cute black skirt and white blouse. "Megumi, what took you so long?" The brunette flashed her friend a winning smile before pulling the shorter girl into a tight hug. Hotaru paused, surprised, before wrapping her arms around the other girl. "It's nice to see you out." "I have you, Sara and Hikari to thank." Megumi pulled back, her eyes unusually soft and a smile on her lips. It faded when she saw a black choker around her friend's neck and felt the gravity of the situation of that night hit her. "Hotaru..." The violet-eyed girl followed her friend's gaze and a hand moved instinctively to her neck. Her eyes glazed over at the reminder of a certain woman as she sobered. "Why?" Hotaru shook her head, clearing her mind of the painful memories before focusing o the confused expression on her friend's pretty face. She plastered on a grin. "Hey, you've known for a while now. Besides, I thought you of all people would support my decision. You never did seem to like her." "Hey! Megumi and Hotaru, over here!" The two turned to the sound of Sara's voice to find her and Hikari making their way over. The blonde wore an off the shoulder white dress that fell just above her knees, summer sandals on her feet and a white purse on her arm. The other arm was wrapped around Hikari's waist. Hotaru had to say they looked great together, her tall brunette friend looking adorable and a bit butch in a silk, black men's suit vest and a pair of black pinstriped dress pants. Her crisp white blouse made it seem like she and Sara had planned the whole thing. "What took you two so long?" Sara giggled as she hugged her black-haired friend, an excuse dying on her lips when she saw the black choker. She never expected Hotaru to actually have taken it off. Megumi shook her head meaningfully. "Well, Sara didn't like what I was going to wear," Hikari said softly with a blush. "She did a good job correcting you," Hotaru teased, smiling when her tall friend's blush deepened. "Enough with the yapping," Megumi drawled. "Where have you two been?" "Getting Sara's stuff, she's sleeping over tonight." The violet-eyed girl grinned wickedly. Sleep, right. "The school's never had the spring benefit here," the blonde of the group said suddenly, looking around the huge ballroom. "I wonder who booked it," Hotaru murmured. Hikari noticed the guilty look on Megumi's face, but knew better than to ask. Maybe later. "So, when's this thing officially starting?" The taller of the two brunettes looked at the program in her hand, blushing softly when her crush placed a hand over hers to angle it so that she could see as well. "At nine, with a song performed by... it doesn't say, actually." "Weird," Sara mumbled. Megumi shrugged and herded the group over to the refreshment table. "I need a drink." Hotaru stuck close to her friends, feeling self-conscious in her dress. The spaghetti straps that held up her dress showed off her ivory skin and slim shoulders while the velvet hugged her curves. A few crystals dotted her bosom, drawing the attention of a couple of guys as she walked by. She was glad the dress went all the way down to the floor, bellowing out at the knees. "Megumi, don't get drunk," Sara warned with a sigh as the shorter girl grabbed a flute of champagne. "No worries, I don't get drunk, remember?" Hotaru snorted softly while Hikari just smiled wearily and shook her head. "Where are Haruka-san and Michiru-san, by the way?" the quietest of the four asked, looking around. "They're here... somewhere." Sara handed Hotaru and Hikari each a flute, but not before taking a sip of the tall brunette's since the blonde didn't take one for herself. The violet-eyed woman smiled at the cuteness of the sight. Suddenly, the lights dimmed and everyone looked around in confusion. A familiar sound floated through the ballroom, a piano. A spotlight was shone on the stage and Hotaru turned to find Haruka sitting behind a grand piano. "What the-" That's when Hotaru saw her. Rei stood on stage, the spotlight making her hair gleam like silk as the long locks cascaded down her back. A black dress, similar to her own, clung to her curvy body. Hotaru swallowed, her mind instantly comparing the miko to the beautiful lounge singers popular in the 40's and 50's. The dress was elegant, though sexy on Rei, baring her shoulders and elegant neck. She was absolutely breathtaking as she stood there, tall and confident with that smug little smile on her full lips. The college student snapped out of her daze when she remembered that she was currently at the annual fundraiser for her school, a place where the beautiful woman should not be. What was she doing here? And what was Haruka doing up there with her. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the Annual Spring Fundraiser for Tokyo University." Applause sounded around the room. Hotaru looked around to find her three friends by her and a very nervous Megumi fidgeting. "I was given the honor of opening the festivities tonight, because my partners and I were able to contribute by providing this ballroom for the night, and I thank the University for giving me this chance." Another round of applause. Well, that certainly answers the violet-eyed girl's question from earlier. But what exactly was Rei doing here anyway? "I would like to begin by performing a piece that was written for me by a good friend of mine, Minako Aino." The students that were present went crazy with applause and Hotaru felt her chest tighten. The blonde that was the root of the problem. "I am very lucky to have the talented Haruka Tenoh and Michiru Kaioh accompany me tonight." Rei swallowed and snuck a glance at the woman she was trying to win back, who was searching the room for, she guessed, her mentioned guardian. "I'd like to dedicate this song to a lovely young woman, whom I've hurt deeply." Purple eyes met and Hotaru was swallowed by the sincerity she saw in her love's lavender orbs. The miko didn't break their eye contact as she spoke, afraid that she'd lose the young woman again. "I hope this song tells you just how sorry I am... and just how I feel about you." Rei took a step back, and nodded to Haruka, who started playing at the cue. The raven-haired woman tried to calm her speeding heart and took a deep breath, preparing herself. This would be her last chance at winning Hotaru back. She licked her lips, placing a hand to steady the microphone as she sent up a silent prayer to her gods. "Come up to meet you, tell you I'm sorry. You don't know how lovely you are." The miko tried not to stare at the young woman whom she'd wronged, though it was taking a far greater effort than she had energy for at the moment. It was taking all her self-control not to jump off the stage, run to the stunning girl and hold her till the world came undone. But she couldn't. Because she knew by the betrayed look in those beautiful violet eyes that she wasn't ready for that and maybe never be. It all depended on this and Rei felt her palms sweat at the thought. "I had to find you, Tell you I need you, Tell you I set you apart." Hotaru could neither believe her eyes nor her ears. Was Rei really saying what she thinks she's saying? If so, the young woman couldn't be sure whether or not she believed the miko. It's hard not to remember what had happened, to ignore how hurt she felt. She had given everything she had to offer to the woman on the stage, who took it all with what seemed to her like love at the time. She had thought that everything would be all right once the miko responded, but she was wrong. She never expected Minako's name to be whispered after they had made love. But it had, which meant Rei hadn't been ready for a new relationship. She turned out to be just another girl to replace of the blonde in Rei's bed. So, could she believe these words now? Could that much change in so little time? "Tell me your secrets, And ask me your questions. Oh, let's go back to the start." 'I'm sorry,' Rei whispered in her mind, eyes pleading with Hotaru. 'I'm sorry for everything I've done. I'm sorry for not telling you everything, for never showing you what I'm really like on the inside. I've never allowed you to see into me, not the way that you let me see you. 'I'm ready now. Ready to tell you and show you everything that I keep inside. Can't we start over, Hotaru? Won't you give me another chance to show you who I am?' Another light illuminated the stage, letting the audience see Minako Aino's personal guitar player. He played a few chords before another light came on beside him to reveal Michiru Kaioh herself playing the bass. "Running in circles, Coming up tails, Heads on a silence apart." It was true, Hotaru realized dimly. It always turned out to be the same in the end. One of them would offer up their heart for the other to see what would happen. Up to now, it had always been her. She was the one to bare her soul, to open up her entire being. This time, it was Rei, the woman she loved, and knew she will always love. A part of her thought that it was about time. She had always been the one with everything to lose while Rei remained perfectly safe. She had taken a leap of faith, only to have the miko let her fall. This time, it was the older woman's turn to take a leap and her turn to decide. "Nobody said it was easy. It's such a shame for us to part." Rei knew that love was never perfect. It had its ups and downs, its problems and its pain. It didn't always work out, but she hoped desperately this time it would. The miko smiled as she recalled their little "adventure" in cleaning. She had been woken early in the morning, though fortunately not at dawn, to start the complicated task. Hotaru had assigned her to kitchen duty while she cleaned and organized the living room. Needless to say, it had taken the owner of the apartment almost two hours to clean out her refrigerator, wash a month worth of dishes and to get all the dust off the many plates that she hadn't touched in ages. By the time she was done and ready to take a well-deserved rest, she entered the living room to find it absolutely spotless, with a coffee table that she hadn't see the glass of in days clean enough to eat off of. Her little slave driver was standing smugly at the balcony doors with a huge grin on her pretty face and a gleam in her eyes. Before she could even sit down, she was ordered to clean her room. Feeling like a five year old again and grumbling under her breath, Rei remember trudging into the room and taking a look around. It hadn't been that messy, since she rarely did anything beside sleep, sometimes with other people, in the room. All she needed to do was sweep the floor and tidy up a bit here or there. By the time she was done, Hotaru had already cleaned the bathroom, placed all her magazines in a bookshelf she kept especially for that purpose and organized her study. The miko remember being in utter shock, trying to figure out if her houseguest was even human. She finally figured the cleaning obsession came from living with Setsuna and Michiru. Actually, she knew a bit like Haruka, forced to clean. At the end of the day, they were both, or at least Rei was, utterly exhausted. Being exhausted and lazy made eating out an easy choice. So the two of them showered and changed before heading to a nice little restaurant nearby that the miko visited if she had a night to herself. They sat in a booth in the back, away from prying eyes, and shared a simple, but delicious dinner. They had talked about anything that came to mind, from music to movies to embarrassing moments. Rei couldn't remember enjoying any of her dates as much as those few hours with Hotaru. "Nobody said it was easy, No one ever said it would be this hard." Hotaru could remember all those fairytales and bedtime stories from her childhood where the prince would ride in on a beautiful white horse and rescue the damsel. Then, of course they'd live happily ever after. But happily ever after didn't exist in the real world. The reality was... love came with pain, grief, hurt and betrayal as much as rainbows, giggling and that warm fuzzy feeling you get whenever you're with that special someone. Only with heartache can one know what good times are, and tears made the worth of laughter all the greater. Love was meant to be bumpy, meant to be difficult, or else it wouldn't be special. "Oh, take me back to the start." Perhaps they could just wipe the slate clean and start all over again. Start over without the secrets and be open with each other. But that all depended on one thing, whether or not Hotaru could forgive and forget. "I was just guessing, At numbers and figures, Pulling your puzzles apart." Rei Hino could deny it all she wanted, but what she felt for Hotaru was greater than anything she'd ever felt for Minako. The star had rescued her from hopelessness while Hotaru had rescued her from her worse enemy, herself. She used to wonder, years ago, back when Hotaru was still a little girl, what she would be like when she grew up. She wondered if she'd be quiet like before. Or maybe outgoing under Haruka's tutelage. It was even possible that Hotaru would be like Usagi. But she also wondered what kind of person she would love. Rei had picked a handsome, quiet but brilliant young man for the toddler's perfect partner. Surprisingly, she fell for her. And Rei Hino possessed none of those three qualities. And she was definitely not a man. "Questions of science, Science and progress, Do not speak as loud as my heart." Hotaru Tomoe grew up to be somewhat of an enigma. She hadn't changed much, though she was more outgoing. She wasn't as shy as before, willing to stand up for her beliefs and convictions. She was intelligent and observant. She knew when to listen and exactly what to say. She was also the last type of person the miko thought would be a good partner for her. Hotaru was too quiet, too sweet and far too introverted for her tastes. Ru seemed like she needed someone that could protect her. Someone that would understand her needs without saying a single word... someone that knew when to let her fly free. Rei Hino could do none of the above and was the opposite in almost every way. She was overprotective but too broken to look out for someone else when it came down to the important things. She was intuitive, which being a miko trained her to be, but she always needed to be told what someone needed after her fallout with Minako. And being as overprotective as she was, she would always want to keep her safe. But Hotaru was exactly what she needed. Hotaru Tomoe was loving without being overbearing, knowing exactly when to express her feelings and when to let them speak for themselves. She was caring and kind, nursing her (even if she was tricked into it) when she was sick and confronting her about her habits, in her own way. She was a good listener but always knew the right things to say to sooth a tattered pride or calm a raging storm. She never judged and was fair to everyone about everything. Then there were the little insignificant things. Like the way she'd brush her hand against Rei's when the miko was upset. Then there's how her smiles reminded Rei of sunshine after the rain. There were also the looks Hotaru gave her when their eyes met... a brief twinkle in those violet depths or a gleam of mischief. And let's not forget the most important thing, her secretive and innocent laugh, determined to be such after having a few drinks and calling a certain couple while they were otherwise engaged. "Tell me you love me. Come back and haunt me. Oh, and I rush to the start." Rei wanted nothing more than to have the young woman in her arms again, to feel her small body mold perfectly into hers and to feel her warmth wrap her in a blanket of security. She wanted to hear Hotaru whisper that she loved her again, even if it'd be the last time. If it didn't work out, if the violet-eyed woman didn't forgive her, the miko would accept it without a word. She didn't have the right to do anything more than to beg for a chance and if she's rejected, then she'd done all she was entitled to do and nothing more. She refused to cling this time to something that would never be. Something that she' lost because of her own stupidity. But she'll always remember the times they shared. The weeks she spent with Hotaru Tomoe were some of the best in her life, as important to her as her years with Minako. She didn't want to forget them and if she could, she would to carry them with her to the grave. She may need Hotaru back, but she wouldn't force her. If the young woman does forgive her, then she'd be the lucky person on Earth. If not, then she deserved as much. "Running in circles, Chasing our tails, Coming back as we are." Rei Hino was baring her soul on stage and Hotaru understood it all. In essence, she had done the same thing in front of her, but for two very different reasons. She had revealed her feelings on her own accord, because she needed to get it off her chest. Rei was doing it because she had to in order to get something she wanted. Her. Only problem was, did she believe her? What could have caused the miko to change her mind so quickly? She still wanted Minako only a week before and now was telling Hotaru that she wanted her? Needed her even? Could she trust Rei again? "Nobody said it was easy. Oh, it's such a shame for us to part. Nobody said it was easy. No one ever said it would be so hard." 'Fool me once,' Hotaru thought as she closed her eyes, 'shame on me. Fool me twice...' "Shame on me." "I'm going back to the start..." Rei closed her eyes as the spotlight on her dimmed and the ballroom echoed with applause. When the lights turned back on, the miko's lavender eyes searched for Hotaru. But found the spot where she stood only seconds ago empty. Her heart wrenched painfully in her chest. She'd failed. She'd lost what was most important to her. Haruka stood and placed an arm around her friend's slim waist. She wasn't surprised when the defeated looking woman leaned against her for support as she led her off the stage. Rei was shocked when she felt tears well up in he eyes. She thought she had no more to shed. She thought she'd cried them all when Minako left her and then Hotaru had done the same. Looked like she was wrong, as she has been so many times. The blonde pianist looked desperately at Minako, who shrugged helplessly from the balcony as her eyes scanned for a sign of the missing girl. The tears fell as the miko buried her face in her friend's tuxedo jacket, which caused a pair of strong arms to wrap tightly around her trembling form. She didn't hear the hurried steps that approached them. "H-Haruka-san! Rei-san!" The racer looked up to see Sara run up to them, panting and wheezing. She arched a brow. "Rei! Hotaru wants you to meet her in the garden!" Lavender eyes snapped open as the businesswoman turned to stare at the grinning college student. The tears stopped. "Are... are you serious?" "Yes!" Rei stood still, unable to believe what she'd just been told. Hotaru wanted to see her? There was still a chance then! It wasn't too late. "What are you waiting for?" Haruka asked, wiping the tears from the miko's cheek with a handkerchief. Rei smiled and ran off in the direction of the garden, but not before pulling the two blondes with her into a tight hug. Then, she was gone. Sara smiled as she walked back to where Hikari waited for her. Together, the two watched the exit through the double doors. "Hopefully this will have a happy ending," the taller of the two said quietly. "Of course it will. Hotaru and Rei-san deserve to be together." "What about you?" The blonde looked at her friend in confusion. "What?" "I know you like Hotaru." "What!" exclaimed a very alarmed Sara. "No use denying it. You've liked her for ages. I... I like you a lot, Sara. But I knew you'd never go out with me if Hotaru were still available. Now will you consider it?" The blonde shook her head, looking angrier than Hikari expected. She also looked quite shocked, to say the least. "You idiot," she whispered before storming off. The brunette, left behind, stared at Megumi, who was standing nearby. She was surprised when her shorter friend shook her head as well, a look of disbelief and exasperation on her face. "You idiot," Megumi echoed before walking away. ------------------- Rei was nervous as she stepped into the garden. For good reason, though. She was given another chance to fix her huge mistake. Her eyes looked around, trying to find the young woman whom she knew she loved. Her nose detected her before she saw her. Without hesitation, she walked in the direction of the familiar scent. Hotaru stared at the small waterfall before her, hands fidgeting. She could feel the miko approach and her anxiety grew. The lavender-eyed woman stopped when she saw her friend's back. She said nothing nor did she make a noise, waiting patiently for the other woman to acknowledge her presence. Hotaru took a deep breath and turned around, a small smile on her lips. Rei blew her away again with how divine she looked in that dress. Her hair faded into the darkness, as did her outfit, leaving only creamy skin where exposed and her face easily seen in the surrounding darkness. "You look beautiful." The compliment brought the shorter girl back to the present and the moment at hand. Once the statement was processed, she blushed. "Thank you. You look great, too." The two fell silent. The night air was alive with the calls of insects and buzzing with promises of what could be. But at the same time, it was strangely tranquil. No matter how the night ended, it was a few beginning for the both of them. For two people that at one point thought they even had futures, this knowledge was Rei steeled her nerves. She was the one that made a mess of things, she should be the one to start talking. But seeing Hotaru, being only a few feet away from her... all the words left her. "Rei..." "I'm sorry." The college student stiffened, not expecting that of all things. "I know I messed up," continued the miko softly. "I messed up bad and I didn't even know it. I would not have done it if I had been conscious." Hotaru felt her heart sink. If she had been conscious. Damn it, that meant she really did still love Minako. Her heart broke a little bit more. "But maybe it was a good thing I whispered Minako's name." Shock and hurt coursed through the younger girl, forcing her to look at the woman speaking. Rei had a wistful smile on her lips, her eyes dim with regret and a kind of bitterness. "It meant I wasn't as ready to love you as I thought." Hotaru felt the familiar feeling of heartache return. Why was she doing this to her all over again? Hadn't she hurt her enough? She turned around, unable to deal with that the woman she loved was telling her. "I thought I severed all ties with Minako. I was wrong. After you left, I thought long and hard about who I was. And I realized there was one bit of unfinished business I had to attend to before I gave myself completely to you." Rei wrapped her arms around the violet-eyed girl's waist from behind after closing the distance in a few strides. At first, the youngest senshi's body was stiff, but it soon relaxed under the warmth that came from the businesswoman. Both of them relished in how perfect this felt, the two of them touching and the beauty of the night. Then, as if by magic, one by one glowing lights surrounded them. The two stared at the fireflies in a daze as they hovered above the trees, on the flowers and in the air. "I finally get it, Hotaru. You can love more than one person in your life. The past doesn't matter, it's the past. The memories Minako and I made when we were together were some of the best in life, but that's all they are... memories." The smaller of the two placed a hand over the one resting on her stomach. God, this felt so right. "I messed up, badly. But I can never forget Minako and I don't want to. I can't expect you to forget those that you've been with and I don't want you to either. All that matters is who you're with in the present." Rei turned Hotaru around to find tears in her large, violet eyes. She took the woman's face in her hands, her voice as soft as a lover's caress and as sweet as a first kiss. "Give me another chance? Please? Because you're the one I want to be with, I get that now. You're the one I love." The question lingered in the air, the fireflies stopped flying, landing all around the two with their lights ablaze. Everything stopped for that single moment and all the world hushed as she awaited the answer. Rei tried to ignore the dread bubbling inside of her. She prayed to every deity she knew of. Please, just this once. Without a single word, Hotaru leaned up and touched her lips to the awaiting miko's. She stared into the shocked lavender eyes for a split second, happy beyond words that the eyes she loved brightened and filled with love. Her own closed as she smiled, only one thought on her mind. Rei's eyes were filled with love for her, and that's all that mattered. The song used in this chapter, as you may well recognize, is Coldplay's "The Scientist."
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