"Mako-chan, it'll be fun, I promise!" A short blond hared girl tugged on the arm of a taller girl, her sky blue eyes as pitiful as she could manage. "Minako-chan, I can't dance, why would a dance club be fun?" Makoto looked down at the other girl, arching an eyebrow over one emerald colored eye. "Oh no, don't you start with those puppy-dog eyes." "It would be fun because the others would be there, I even talked Haruka-san and Michiru-san into stopping by for a while. Even Ami-chan was somewhat excited about this place opening up last week. Come on Mako-chan, pleaseeeeee? We can stay out all night, we don't have school tomorrow..." Minako turned her puppy-dog eyes up to full volume, then abruptly switched tactics. Reaching up with a slender hand, she brushed a piece of Makoto's auburn hair behind her ear. "Remember that new outfit you bought when we went shopping last week? You looked stunning, it would be perfect..." Makoto suddenly found herself having a somewhat difficult time swallowing. "Ah...yeah...I remember the outfit you mean...who would I look stunning to?" Minako slowly grinned and took a step back from the other girl. "Oh, probably everyone in the room..." She then turned around and continued towards the park where they were going to meet their friends. "Trust me, it'll be fun. Come on, we're already late." "No thanks to you. I told you not to touch that pan..." Makoto grinned and playfully punched Minako on the shoulder. "If we didn't have to clean that mess we'd be there by now." "Yeah yeah yeah..." Minako blushed and then smirked. "So, are you going to come or not?" Makoto rolled her eyes skyward. "Ok fine, I'll come with, if it'll get you off my back." "Great! Don't forget to wear that outfit I mentioned, ok?" Minako grinned and made a little hop-skip. "And if I don't?" "I'll..." Minako blinked, at a loss for a comeback to that one. Makoto laughed and shook her head. "I'll wear it. Don't worry. What time are we doing this?" Minako shrugged. "Not sure yet. I was going to bring that up with everyone else." They had entered the park by this time, instinct leading them towards where they knew they would find their other friends. Sure enough, three young women were seated underneath a cherry tree, just where Minako and Makoto expected to find them. One of them was barely visible behind a large textbook, the only real visible part of her being her blue hair and eyes as she read, ignoring the other two who were arguing over something or another. One of the participants in the argument was another blond, this one having a rather unusual hairstyle of two ponytails streaming down from two buns on either side of her head. The other arguer was a young woman with long raven colored hair, her violet eyes sparking as she debated with the blue-eyed blond. As Makoto and Minako neared the group, the subject of the argument became somewhat clearer. "And why can't Mamo-chan come? Just because you don't have a boyfriend..." The blond protested, cut off by the other. "That's exactly why he can't come! This is a night out for us girls Usagi-chan. Its not like you don't see him every day for goodness sakes! I saw you two when I got here. He practically had to peel you off his arm to leave!" "You're just jealous Rei-chan!" Usagi stuck her tongue out at her violet-eyed friend. "I am not!" Rei responded in kind, and the two settled into their usual routine. Makoto and Minako sat down on the other side of the blanket, immediately ignoring the two arguing girls. "So Ami-chan, anything interesting in there?" Minako asked the book. "Oh yes! There is an amazing section about copepods and their habits, it really is quite engaging..." Ami suddenly looked up, realizing who had asked her that question, met Minako's amused look and blushed. "Oh, hello Minako-chan, Mako-chan." "Hiya...so, how long have they been going at it?" Makoto gestured towards the two who were beginning to turn blue in the face. "Frankly, I haven't noticed..." Minako chuckled and fished around in her backpack. "Not surprising." She found what she was looking for and dropped it between Usagi and Rei, laughing as they both suddenly turned their attention towards said object. "Oh my god Minako-chan! Where did you get this?" Rei picked up the magazine, her eyes fastened on the picture it was opened to. "From England. Katrina sent it to me...she thought I might like it." Minako smiled softly. "Wow...he is so cute..." Usagi sighed slightly and she and Rei were soon fully engrossed in looking at the pictures in the magazine. "You know, you two are looking at that backwards...books and magazines are printed in reverse there..." Ami pointed at her book and then to the magazine, trailing off when she noticed the lack of response. "Oh I give up." Makoto laughed and patted Ami on the shoulder. "Its ok, they can't read it anyway." A small conversation started about the strangeness of the reverse print of English books and about the movie stars pictured in the magazine before Minako's mind switched back to the event happening later that night. "Ok, so when and where are we going to meet?" She asked as she managed to snag her magazine back from Usagi. "We could meet at my place like we usually do." Rei suggested as she took a cookie offered by Makoto. "Your place isn't too close to the club though Rei-chan. I don't want to ride a bus there." Usagi made a face as she took two cookies. "How about at your place then Ami? You don't live too far from it do you?" Rei suggested. Ami blinked and put her book down. "My place...yes, it is closer. I suppose we could meet there. Not something we usually do however." "And going to an American style dance club is something we do on a regular basis?" Makoto laughed. "Ok, Ami's place. What time?" "Six?" Rei suggested again, looking for an excuse to get out of some of her chores. Minako shook her head no. "The place doesn't open until nine Rei-chan. I don't want to be there exactly when it opens up. Nothing happens until at least an hour after it opens." "It's a good thing we don't have classes tomorrow..." Ami mused. "Why don't we meet at my place around 9, that will give Usagi enough leeway to get there on time." "Works for me." Makoto agreed, and the others nodded assent. "Excellent! I know we'll have a great time tonight guys. Trust me on this." Minako beamed and looked at Makoto out of the corner of her eye. Makoto blinked once, and blushed slightly, looking a little confused. Minako laughed lightly and stood up. "I have to go though, I'm expecting a phone call, and I have a quick errand to run. See you all later!" She waved and jogged off, her long hair swaying behind her. Makoto found herself staring after her, startled out of her thoughts when Usagi shrieked. "Augh! A spider! Get it off!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Makoto walked back to her apartment slowly, her thoughts jumbled. She and the others had left the park shortly after Minako had, after vanquishing the evil spider that had foolishly attacked their princess...Makoto chuckled to herself and rolled her eyes at the memory. Another memory popped into its place, this one of another blond hared young woman and the events of the afternoon. Makoto frowned. She couldn't quite understand exactly what had happened, but she knew it was pulling up old thoughts again. Walking into her apartment building she sighed, and headed for the elevators. After a gut-wrenching ride in the old elevator, she made her way down the hall and into her apartment, throwing her jacket over a chair and then falling over onto her couch. She had long ago realized that she had feelings for the senshi of love, but she had never even remotely thought that those feelings might be returned. Why would they? She had reasoned. Minako was beautiful and athletic, had a wonderful sense of humor and was constantly on the go, ready for anything. In her opinion, she did truly consider Minako the goddess of Venus. And like all gods and goddesses...out of her reach. But the events of the afternoon had sparked a small flame of a thought that wouldn't behave itself at all. She knew that Minako was a flirt, but she had never directed it towards any of her friends before, not even in jest. Sighing, she sat up from the couch and looked towards a clock. "Only four...plenty of time to get ready..." Makoto fidgeted about a bit. "Well...it wouldn't hurt to start getting ready now..." With that decided, she stood from the couch and headed for the shower. Nine o'clock eventually came around, and Makoto found herself looking up at Ami's apartment building. She glanced down at herself and gave herself a final once over. She was wearing a spaghetti strap green sequined top which clung to her like a second skin, she idly thought that she didn't need the straps to hold the thing up. She had on a pair of tight black leather pants, and she smirked, admiring herself. A pair of black boots came halfway up her calves, when she choose them Minako had commented on how similar they were to the boots she wore as a senshi, and she decided that Minako was right. Two thick silver bracelets shifted on her right arm as she moved her hand up to run a finger over the fine silver chain she wore around her neck, and the small lightning bolt charm which hung from it. She had elected to keep her hair up in its usual ponytail, but substituted a leather tie to hold it up instead of the tie she usually wore. Satisfied, she entered the building and pushed the button for the elevator. "Mako-chan!" A voice called, and Makoto turned around to see who was calling her. Usagi was heading her way, waving an arm in the air as she smiled at her friend. Usagi was wearing a loose white blouse with a black leather jacket and a short black skirt, which showed off her legs quite nicely. She wore a simple pair of black flats, and had her hair held up in a bun instead of her usual ponytails. "Wow Mako-chan, you look fantastic!" Usagi looked her friend over once she was standing next to the tall girl. "You don't look to bad yourself. Mamoru-san knows you're going out with us tonight right?" she smirked and Usagi giggled. "Yeah, he knows. He wanted to come, but I told him that Rei would kill him if he did. I think he was jealous!" Usagi giggled again and pulled Makoto into the waiting elevator. "Mamoru-san? Jealous? Heh, why ever for?" Makoto grinned and Usagi laughed outright. "He has nothing to worry about, trust me." Usagi smiled and fingered the promise ring he had given her for her last birthday. Makoto smiled. "I know, I know." With a soft ‘ding!' the elevator doors slid open and the two headed down the hallway to Ami's apartment, both blinking as the door opened even before Makoto could lift her hand to knock. Rei stood there with a startled look on her face before she burst out laughing. "I was just going to go downstairs and see if you two were here yet." She held the door open for them and then shut it behind them. "Ami! Mako-chan and Usagi-chan are here." "I told you they would be here soon." Ami replied as she walked into the living room, and smiled. Ever the conservative one, Ami was wearing a sleeveless light blue dress that came down to just above her knees, and a pair of boots the same color stopping just below her knees. A silver necklace with a blue stone hung around her neck, and a simple watch wrapped around her slender wrist. "Well, it's a first for Usagi to be on time." Rei smirked and shrugged, walking past Ami to sit on the couch, running a hand through her bangs. She had drawn her hair back into a long braid, weaving a red ribbon through it when she did so. She wore a red short sleeved shirt which barred her well toned stomach, and a low cut pair of black jean shorts, which some would classify as Daisy Dukes. She also wore a pair of black cowboy boots that she had at one time swore she would never have a decent outfit to wear with and wasn't going to buy until Minako threatened her with bodily harm if she didn't buy them. "Where's Minako-chan?" Makoto asked, glancing around the apartment. "She called earlier to say that she would have to meet us there...I guess the phone call she was expecting hadn't come yet, and she didn't want to miss it." Ami replied. "We're going to meet Michiru-san and Haruka-san there as well." Usagi bounced in place. "Lets go! Its 9:30, it will take us a little while to get there, and if we don't have to wait for Minako, we can just go." The four looked at each other and nodded. "Lets go!" ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The club was called "The American Eagle", a large bird arching over the doors to emphasize this. It was an all ages club, the downstairs being strictly for dancing and food, the upstairs contained another dance club, and a bar, complete with a bouncer to check ages. The inside was filled with neon lights and advertising signs from various American products such as sodas. The front of the room was filled with tables and there were booths all along the walls, the back of the room occupied by the dance floor, a d.j. set up in a back corner. The four made their way to a larger booth along the edge of the dance floor, the door within sight so they could spot their other friends once they came. Rei and Usagi immediately dragged Ami out onto the dance floor, leaving Makoto to decide if they wanted anything to eat or not. Makoto stood on the other side of their claimed booth, her eyes scanning the crowd. About ten minutes passed, Ami escaping from the dance floor for a while before Usagi pulled her back, then the three returning to the booth and quickly setting into happy conversation. Makoto sat down and joined in, and soon Usagi and Rei were pulling her out onto the dance floor, despite her protests. The song picked up a Latin beat, the singers voice and the beat filling the room. He sang about the paralyzing affects of his lover's presence, of the way simply looking at him could make him freeze in place, and how he was powerless to fight it. Makoto considered the lyrics while dancing, and decided that it had a pretty good description of what happened when that ‘certain someone' would enter a room. The song began over, and Makoto looked towards the D.J., wondering if it was a mistake. "Hey, the song started over..." She shouted to Rei. "So? It's a good song!" Rei grinned to her and then moved towards a guy who had caught her attention. Abruptly, Makoto had realized that Usagi had returned to the table, and was about to go there herself when she caught sight of Minako on the other side of the dance floor. Either she had come in through the back, or had been there for a while, because she was situated by the D.J. Makoto backed up until she was against a wall and leaned against it heavily for support as she stood there and simply stared. Minako was wearing an extremely tight sleeveless gold dress that had a light blue design wrapping around her body like a snake. The dress stopped well above her knees, and seemed to shine with every movement she made. She also wore a pair of gold sandals, which caused Makoto to smirk at the similarity to her shoes as a senshi. She had pulled the majority of her hair up into a bun, a braid wrapping around it and around her head, a few strands hanging loose at the sides. Minako's eyes quickly scanned over the crowd before settling on Makoto and staying there. She smiled, and Makoto found herself drawn into Minako's gaze, and quite suddenly discovered that she couldn't move. Damn. This song is fucking true... she thought to herself as she continued to stare at Minako, and felt her heartbeat begin to speed up at the sight of her friend. Minako slowly worked her way through the crowd, brushing off the advances of several guys who Makoto now wanted to kill, and finally made her way to standing in front of the tall senshi, who could barely breathe at this point. Minako slowly looked Makoto over, starting at her feet and working her way up, pausing occasionally before finally making eye contact again. She smiled and leaned up close to Makoto's ear so that she wouldn't have to yell and said, "I told you you'd look stunning." Makoto stuttered a little, having every intention of saying that Minako looked stunning herself, but couldn't make her tongue and voice work right. Minako laughed and caught a hold of her hand, and pulled her out onto the dance floor. The song continued its Latin beat and Minako moved in perfect time with the music, pressing her body up against Makoto for a moment before moving away and drawing the taller girl with her. Even though she swore she couldn't dance, Makoto found herself moving in harmony with Minako, and all of the other people seemed to disappear as she focused all of her attention on the goddess she was dancing with. She felt other people's eyes on the two of them, but frankly, she didn't care. She didn't care what others might have thought; she didn't care what went through their heads at all. All she cared about was Minako, and that's all she was going to focus on, come hell or high water, and there was no way she was going to let anyone get near Minako. They stayed out on the floor for a good half hour, moving in harmony with each other. The songs changed to a slower beat and Makoto was just about to suggest that the two go somewhere to talk for a while when there was a tap at her shoulder. Turning around, she met the amused gaze of Haruka. "Mind if I cut in?" Haruka asked. She was wearing a dark blue men's shirt and a pair of black dress pants, apparently not overly concerned with dressing up for this particular club. Makoto was just about to say no when there was another light tap at her shoulder. Michiru stood there, a smile on her face and her hand out stretched. Always elegant, Michiru had chosen to wear a turquoise dress that matched her hair perfectly, and hung down below her knees. Her hair hung loose around her shoulders, and a simple string of pearls wrapped around her neck. "Its only fair if Haruka steals your dance partner, that you steal hers." Michiru winked and Makoto relaxed, giving Minako a quick glance before being led off a slight distance by Michiru. "When did you two get here?" Makoto asked, letting Michiru do most of the leading since she was unused to this particular style of dancing. "Oh, a little while ago. Saw the two of you dancing together...seems as if you have gotten yourself caught in a certain young woman's love chain." Michiru smiled at Makoto, who blushed. "I don't know...I'm not too sure on what all of this means. I know what I hope this means, but I haven't been able to flat out ask her..." Makoto glanced back towards where Minako and Haruka were dancing, a worried look in her eyes. "Trust her Makoto. I think our Venus is more like the goddess than any of us truly realize. She more than likely has a better grasp of understanding love than any of us do." Michiru leaned in and gave Makoto a quick kiss on the cheek. "And trust yourself." The song ended and Michiru turned Makoto loose with a slight push on the tall girl's back. Makoto immediately headed back to Minako, who was laughing at something Haruka had just said. Haruka nodded to Makoto and held out Minako's hand to Makoto. "Thank you for the dance Minako. I'll talk with you later." The tall woman nodded again and winked before heading back to her partner. Makoto grasped Minako's hand, determined to find a place where the two of them could talk. Minako seemed to be reading her mind, because she began to head towards a booth on the opposite side of the room from the rest of their friends. It was a small circular booth with high backs, providing a bit of privacy and a slight buffer from the music. The two slid towards the center and sat next to each other. "Minako-chan...I..." "You know what? I changed my mind. Lets get out of here. The others are doing fine without us, lets go." Minako interrupted Makoto and stood from the booth, holding out her hand. Makoto smiled and accepted the offered hand, and started to lead Minako to the door. Minako caught Usagi's eye and waved, and with a knowing smile, Usagi waved back. Makoto abruptly stopped outside the club, suddenly unsure as to where to go. Minako bumped into Makoto's back and laughed. "Don't stop so suddenly like that...so, where to?" Minako looped her arm through Makoto's and looked around where they were. Makoto found that being so close to Minako was beginning to affect her breathing again, and she glanced at the street sign. "My place. It's not far from here...unless you want to go home?" Minako snorted. "Are you kidding? Your place is perfect. I sort of told Mom I was staying there tonight anyway..." Minako trailed off, looking towards the ground and blushing. Makoto laughed again and lead Minako down the street. "Did you know that in my spare closet I have at least one complete outfit from each of you guys? You all seem to manage to leave something behind every time you stay over." "A complete outfit? Totally and absolutely complete?" Minako smirked and waggled her eyebrows, making Makoto blush slightly and then laugh. "Ok, not TOTALLY complete." She grinned. "We'll see what we can do about that." Minako grinned devilishly and broke away from Makoto, walking a step in front of the taller girl, who for her part was quite stunned. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The two girls made it to Makoto's apartment without further embarrassment of each other, and Minako settled on the couch while Makoto busied herself with making tea. "You still have any of that Earl Gray tea I sent you last time I went back to England?" Minako asked as she gazed around the apartment. "Yep. Would you like a cup? I have to admit that I didn't really drink much..." Makoto peeked out from the kitchen. Minako laughed. "That's ok, I'll drink it. I developed a liking for the stuff." Makoto came out of the kitchen with a tray, carefully setting it down on the coffee table. "Its...heh, well, its not my cup of tea." She smirked and Minako laughed, sending chills up Makoto's spine. Makoto resolved to try to make Minako laugh more often. She handed Minako the cup of Earl Grey and settled back on the couch with her Green Tea. Silence settled between the two young women, but it was a comfortable silence. Abruptly, Minako yawned and blinked, blushing a soft shade of red. "Tired?" Makoto grinned. "Sort of. But not enough to actually want to sleep." Minako smiled and put her cup down, stretching her arms up behind her head, setting her anatomy moving pleasantly. She grinned and raised an eyebrow. "Like something you see?" Shit, she caught me staring! Makoto blinked and blushed deeply. "Uh..." Minako smiled softly and tucked her legs up underneath her, looking down at her lap. "I'm sorry Mako-chan...you must think I'm going crazy or something..." She spoke so softly that Makoto wasn't sure she heard her. "I...I've wanted to say this for a while now...and I understand completely if you hate me forever or something...well, no, I don't understand, because its ok and everything but people don't always understand and it sort of annoys me..." "Minako-chan..." "And then they're all stupid and stuff and that's just wrong...I mean love is love and it doesn't matter right? But for so many people it does, and it shouldn't..." "Minako-chan..." Minako blinked, coming out of her little rant. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to go off like that, and you probably had no idea what I was talking about...I just..." She looked down at her hands again and Makoto smiled. "You're cute when you're flustered." Makoto reached out and took a hold of one of Minako's hands, rubbing her thumb back and forth against her wrist, smiling as she could feel Minako's pulse speed up. Minako looked at Makoto's hand and smiled again, a little wider this time. "Mako-chan..." A breathless pause. Please say what I want you to say... Makoto thought, and she could swear that her heart stopped. "I love you." Minako whispered, still looking down. She blinked in surprise as she felt Makoto's hand on her chin, guiding her face upwards to meet her lips in a gentle kiss. When they finally broke apart, Makoto rested her forehead against Minako's and smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that. I've loved you for a long time Minako...I could never find the right way to say it to you..." She kissed the blonde's forehead and pulled her into a close hug, and Minako rested her head on Makoto's shoulder. "I love you too...so much..." She blinked as she felt wetness on her shoulder, and pulled back slightly. "Minako? Why are you crying?" Minako sat back slightly and wiped at her eyes. "Its ok, really...I've...I've been so lonely for so long Mako-chan. No relationship I've ever been in has worked...we can do this right?" Makoto responded with another soft kiss. "Of course we can." "It's not going to be easy. People out there don't always understand..." "Hey, we're sailor senshi. We always come out on top." Minako grinned, a glint in her eyes, one that Makoto would come to know quite well. "On top eh?" Makoto arched her eyebrows in surprise and laughed. "Well, I suppose..." Minako reached behind her and let her hair loose from its bun, letting her long blond hair cascade behind her. Makoto couldn't resist and reached out to run her hand through it, smiling happily. Minako stood from the couch and pulled Makoto up with her, then reached over to Makoto's cd player to see what was inside. Finding it to her liking, she pressed play and a soft song came from the speakers. Pulling Makoto close, the two began to dance the night away. And Makoto wouldn't have it any other way. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Author's note Whee! Man, I wrote this a long time ago, but I still like it. Considered writing further on it, but Im not entirely certain. Minako/Makoto is one of my favorite pairings, though when I drag the Outer Senshi into it, things generally shift to Minako/Hotaru, and I'll possibly post one of those stories soon as well. Depending on reaction, I may or may not make this a continued story, but for now, here's a preliminary chapter, or a nice little one shot, we'll see. :)
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