It had been four weeks since Makoto received the injury from the youma. Since then, Minako had taken every available opportunity to do things with Makoto. The went to the arcade, the movies, the mall, even to a concert at the park. Sometimes the other senshi were with them, other times they were just alone. If Makoto thought it was strange she didn't comment on it or even show any type of emotion about it one way or the other. She was completely neutral. And that was the thing that was grating on Minako's nerves the most. She had practically been throwing herself at Makoto and still she carried this attitude of detachment. Minako felt like she was banging her head against a cement wall. She couldn't get angry though. She knew Makoto must be afraid of something to have such a thick defense around her heart that she couldn't see what was obvious. Well, at least Minako thought she was being obvious enough. She figured doing anything more would just be an announcement to the world that she had a very big thing for her tall friend and she didn't quite want to be that open yet. Minako had bouts of doubt every so often. She thought she could have read too much into things. But then her rational mind would kick in and it would be as plain as day that Makoto loved her. You just had to be looking for the signs. Really looking. Minako decided she would do the something similar to what Makoto had been doing. Subtly was the key to this. One would definitely have to know what they were searching for to see the suggestions Minako was making towards Makoto. On the surface they just looked to be very close friends. Minako sat on her bed thinking about this, wondering how much longer it would take for Makoto to clue in. 'You'd think that she would be looking for these clues that I like her in return. I mean, I like her and I look for them for reassurance when I need it. And they are there. It's like, she believes I could never be like that. Oh Mako-chan sometimes I really want to smack you on the forehead and tell you to open your eyes.' Sighing she laid back on her pillow and stared at the ceiling. 'But then again there must be a reason she's not letting herself see what's right under her nose. What could have happened to make her guard her heart so much to not even have hope for love? Cause that's the only thing it could be. Makoto's always so brave and strong. Why isn't she like that with this? All I have are questions with no answers. I might be in the nut house before I get any too. Why do you have to be so difficult Makoto Kino.' Minako closed her eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. She let her mind drift to the time they spent together recently. It wasn't where the went that mattered really, it was just being with her that was so great. A smile tugged at the corner of her lips as she thought back to the concert in the park. Rei, Amy, and Usagi came with them that evening. All you had to bring was a blanket and sit in the grass the orchestra provided the rest. Rei and Makoto brought their sleeping bags and spread them out on the grass near the back of the crowd. There was nothing to see really and Ami wasn't inclined to being surrounded by a mass of people. Makoto sat on the outside with Minako beside her. Usagi was in the middle next to Ami and Rei sat at the other end next to her. It was kind of cramped but Minako didn't mind that at all.. it gave her chance to be really close to Makoto. The taller girl had stretched her long legs out in front of her and leaned back on her elbows. Makoto had one knee drawn up with her arm wrapped around it. The other leg was stretched out in front of her and her corresponding arm was supporting her weight behind her. Her hand was a breath away from Makoto's. All she had to do was turn it sideways and it would be covering her friends. Usagi was sitting indian style, Ami had her legs tucked under herself and Rei sat with her knees up with her hands supporting her weight behind her. It would have been a perfect group picture. The concert was wonderful. The girls whispered to each other every so often, though Minako and Makoto were speaking the most. Minako would turn back to her and smile, whispering something about how the music moved her. "This part is so passionate but soft at the same time. How does the composer know how to make a person feel like that with instruments and notes?" "I guess you just imagine yourself as the music and try to express yourself through the notes. Its like any art form." Makoto replied. "Like when you skate? You capture the same emotion when you're skating for yourself. Its beautiful." Minako said in all seriousness. "Oh you noticed huh?" Makoto chuckled. "I don't see how you could have with all the boys flocking around you. I think you're just trying to be nice to me again," she said blowing off the comment. "No, seriously... I could never do anything like that. That's why I appreciate art and beauty whenever I encounter it." Minako was staring at a spot where the sleeping bag showed through Makoto's fingers. "Oh that's not true Mina-chan." "Well then name off something I do that can inspire people and invoke emotion like this music does." Minako said and began tracing around the contour of Makoto's hand with her finger. "Umm... you just... I mean... you..." she stammered and a blush burned across her cheeks. "Just take my word for it..." She was now looking down at her hand and how close Minako's finger was to tracing her skin instead of just around it. She was lost in thought for a few moments, a longing look had slipped into her eyes. Minako tapped her hand bringing her back from dreamworld and stared questioningly at her. Minako came back to the reality of her bedroom. She had a pretty good idea where Makoto's thoughts had gone that day. That dreamy look in her eyes and the blush gracing her features hinted as much. The stammering proved she was trying to hide something. "You know Mako-chan, one of these days I'm just going to loose all my patience and do something drastic," Minako said to her ceiling. "And then-" she was interrupted by the phone ringing. She looked at the clock as she sprang out of bed. It was just past four in the afternoon. As she ran into the hall she screamed, "I'll Get It!" to anyone in the house who might take it. They all knew it would be for Minako so no one had moved. She reached the phone just before the third ring. "Hello?" "Hey," it was Makoto's voice on the other end. "I was wondering if you could come out with me to the park tonight. I think its about time we had a talk." Minako's face looked like it was about ready to burst with joy. "Yes, sure, no problem. When do you want me there, where are we going to meet." Makoto laughed, "Calm down, I was just going to tell you that. We'll me at the swing set at eight. You sure your parents are cool with that? It is kinda late and I don't want to get you in trouble." "Oh they will be, if not I'll make them." Minako said. 'Wouldn't miss this date for anything,' she thought to herself. "Ok, see ya then." "Bye." Minako put the phone back in the cradle. She dashed back into her room and started looking for something to wear though she knew she had four hours to get ready. She had the biggest smile ever plastered on her face. Finally Makoto had opened her eyes. * * * * * Makoto was sitting on one of the swings waiting patiently for Minako. Minako wasn't exactly late, it was just that Makoto was incredibly early. She looked at her watch again and it read 7:56. She was wearing some dark blue jeans and a gray t-shirt. Her baseball cap was pulled low so the brim was just above her eyes. She was holding an object in one hand behind her back. She looked up as she heard footsteps. Smiling she saw Minako come into view wearing a pair of blue capris and a light yellow spaghetti strap tank top. She looked great as usual. Makoto let herself drink in the beauty that was Minako. This was how she inspired people, just being herself. Her movements were so elegant that when she moved it reminded Makoto of someone dancing. "I'm here," Minako said waving and smiling as she walked up to the swings. "So what's up?" "Hi," Makoto was smiling but her eyes were serious. She reached out and grabbed the chain of the swing beside her and pulled it towards Minako. "Have a seat." Minako sat noticing her friend was holding something in her other hand behind her back. She tried to control the knowing look in her eye and the smile that wanted to beam from her face. The necklace was supposed to be a surprise and she wanted to keep it that way. "Ok I'm sitting. Now what's up." "Well, I wanted to bring you here and talk, cause... umm... this is where everything happened... and... yeah." Minako smiled thinking back to the day when she flew off the swing and tackled her. Her smiled faded a bit thinking of the day after that. But it returned when she thought about their trip to the mall. "Yeah I guess it did happen here didn't it." "Well I think it's time we talked about it Mina-chan. Because, I mean, all this acting..." she paused trying to find the words. "I just don't ... I mean I think... man... I want us to talk about it so it can ... so it can stop." "Ok, so how exactly did you want to talk about it?" Minako thought it best if Makoto said what she had to say first. It would be easier then and it seemed right. "Mina-chan... I just want you to be happy. You know that," she looked up and her emerald eyes sparkled with love and sincerity. Minako nodded holding her gaze. Makoto began drowning in the deep blue pools. 'Oh Mina-chan, why do you have to make this so hard for me. But you don't even know what you're doing to me so I can't blame you.' Makoto thought to herself. Minako could sense the courage that the brunette was trying to build. She knew the confession would be the next words to cross her lips. Oh how she longed to hear those words. "Minako..." her voice was slightly shaky. The blonde's heart pounded faster, her eyes closed as she waited for those three little words to wash over her. She heard the soft husky voice speak her name again and she knew now was the moment. "Minako... I..." Makoto stammered a bit. The look on Minako's face was so indescribable, making her that much more beautiful and making it that much more harder for Makoto to speak. Taking a breath and inhaling the soft perfume that she wore had her almost in a daze. But she had to say it, she had to finish. She closed her eyes and finally spoke the words. "Minako, I think its time you get past this guilt and move on with your life."
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