I’ve used the concept of the "uber-Rei" again, that is, she is the Rei of the anime, but has the experiences of the Rei of the manga. And just for good measure, as a sort of experiment, in this story Rei does *not* have a thing for Usagi. I thought it was time to see a story without that brooding dark cloud hanging over poor Rei’s head. I’d like to thank Matt, who gives me all kinds of evil ideas; and to my own personal research assistant. You know who you are. :-) ------------------------------------------------------------ Minako slammed her locker shut with a sense of satisfaction. Practice had been excellent - even the freshman volleyball squad was looking good. She slipped her shoes on, grabbed her books and stepped lightly out of the school. She could hear her name called from over by the gym and turned to wave at the three girls who ran to meet her. "Aino - san!" called out a small dark-haired girl with a short haircut. She seemed almost boyish, even in their regulation school uniform. She was waving wildly and Minako grinned at her enthusiasm. Furiko was the newest member of the volleyball team and had a tendency to worship Minako. A tendency Minako was rather enjoying, if truth be told. "Furiko-chan, Hannah-san, Yuki-chan!" Minako waved back at her friends from the club and waited as they caught up to her. The next few minutes was a riot of exchanged encouragements, gossip and laughter, as they analyzed the day’s practice, each other and the boy’s team. The four girls passed out of the school grounds and onto the street. They paused for a moment, not wanting to leave each other. "Going to another study meeting?" Yuki asked archly. She had an ongoing joke with Minako that the so-called study meetings were nothing more than a front for meetings with a boyfriend or two. "What are you studying for, anyway? You’re already a junior in high school..." Her tone was more than a little peeved. Yuki had only known Minako for a year, but she was jealous of these other friends who took her away every day. "There’s still the university exam." Minako said simply. She knew what Yuki really meant, but there was no way she was going to explain the truth to her friend. Yuki laughed loudly. "You’re going to university?! I don’t believe it! Ow!" The last was directed at Furiko, who had loyally bashed Yuki with her backpack in defense of Minako. Minako smiled her thanks at Furiko, who dimpled in response. Furiko now turned on Yuki with some heat. "Stop trashing Aino-san! She’s smarter than you are!" Hannah, a transfer student from England, put one hand on Furiko’s shoulder and spoke quietly. "Please Furiko-san," she still used the honorifics a bit hesitantly, "Yuki-san didn’t mean it." Furiko backed down, but she was clearly ready to leap to Minako’s defense in a second. Minako nodded. Yuki really didn’t mean it - it was just the way she was. Brash, loud and headstrong, Yuki was a real leader on the volleyball court, but could be a pain sometimes off of it. Yuki shrugged indifferently and began to turn away from the others, but Minako held her back. "Yuki-chan, can you come shopping with me this weekend? I need a new dress for the spring dance and I’d like you to meet someone." Yuki’s face lit up and she agreed eagerly. Minako let go of the younger girl and pushed her gently away. "I really have to go, now." she said lightly. She turned towards the Juuban shopping center and waved over her shoulder as Yuki called her farewell. Furiko ran a few steps to catch up with her, followed by the tall, and nearly silent Hannah. "Can we walk with you?" Furiko panted. "Sure." Minako said. "Why? Got something on your mind?" Furiko didn’t answer, but the slight blush on her cheeks betrayed her. Minako smiled but did not speak. She’d had her own crushes as a freshman, she remembered. For that matter, she thought, she still had them now. It wasn’t a bad feeling, she acknowledged, being looked up to. The three girls walked silently and Minako thought about her new friends. She had joined the volleyball club once again when she entered high school. It had felt right, somehow. She was surprised how easily it all came back to her. As a sophomore, she had been asked to join the senior team and it was with great pleasure that she had become co-captain this year, the youngest captain of the team ever. Furiko, now silent and brooding at her side, was the best of the new members. Hannah, a junior like Minako, had come from England halfway through the year and had turned out to be an old hand at competitive volleyball. Her height was a great advantage, even if her Japanese was a little slow and stilted at times. She was as quiet as Yuki was loud. "Aino-san," Furiko blurted out suddenly, "why don’t you have a boyfriend?" "Furiko-san!" Hannah was shocked at the younger girl’s lack of tact. Minako hid her surprise in a loud laugh. "Like I can fit them in my busy social schedule..." Furiko interrupted her. "Really, Aino-san! You’re beautiful and good at sports and smart..." Smart? thought Minako. Well, my grades *have* improved...thank you Ami-chan! Minako patted Furiko’s shoulder and grinned. "I guess I haven’t found my Prince yet, that’s all." Furiko stared at her intensely and Minako became a bit uncomfortable at the dark eyes boring into her. Furiko had hit a sore point with Minako. She had dated, of course, and as often as possible. But it never worked out. Either she ended up canceling one too many dates, or lying to the boy wasn’t worth the effort. It wasn’t like she could tell anyone why she had to run off. "Oh, sorry - I have to go! I’m Sailor Venus and there’s an emergency!" Minako could feel the heat in her face, and cursed her own fair coloring. Hannah smacked Furiko’s arm lightly, drawing her attention away from Minako. "I cannot believe how rude you are being, Furiko-san." She tried to lighten the moment, as was her habit. Furiko looked up suddenly and reddened in embarrassment. She bowed to Minako formally. "I apologize, Aino-san, I was very rude. Please forgive me." Minako waved it all away with a laugh. "Forget it. Look, I have to go now...I’m late as it is. I’ll see you tomorrow at practice, right?" Furiko nodded, her brows furrowed, then her face cleared. "You promised to show me your signature move, right?" Minako smiled slyly. "Sure, I’ll show you - but don’t think its so easy to do." Furiko laughed and walked off arm in arm with Hannah. Minako noticed that Hannah had braided daisies into her hair today. It was a little joke between them. One of the girls on the team had mentioned that Hannah’s name meant "flower" in Japanese. Now she always wore a floral pattern, or a flower somewhere on her person. Hannah was sweet...except on the volleyball court. Minako smiled at the thought and then, running, caught the bus to Hikawa shrine. But Furiko’s question stuck in her mind, like an unpleasant rumor.
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