“Feather filled pillows versus sleeping bags – iv”
They pressed gently against the fabric of her top with every breath she took. He had wagered they were about a handful. Not overly large, nor inconceivably small but like the American fairy tale – they were just...perfect. Tetsuo Ishikawa made a modest living working as a cab driver for Narita International. The interior of his little Daihatsu smart car saw all walks of life and was sometimes privy to stars that wanted to be incognito. Ishikawa was the man they turned to. He was known for his discretion...but more so for his lechery.
Ah yes, the man had many a catch in his cab. He loved them all. Women. Young, fast and strong-willed. They had to be attractive. Personality was fine but with all truthfulness, would one choose fantasizing about loving a pug-faced baboon of a lady in the back of a Daihatsu? Ishikawa didn’t. And when this God-sent, nubile woman chose his services the lecher was beyond Saint Peter’s gates.
Ah...the angel took a breath again!
He lifted his hand to adjust his rear-view, resting now at the gentle hollow of her slender throat. Her pulse was steady, he saw. Knocking against the supple bronzed flesh – it beat just for him. An uncomfortable feeling began to throb below his waist. Irately the 42-year-old man shifted his position.
The picture wasn’t complete without a look at her eyes and lips. So again his gruff hand traveled to the rear view, pushing the mirror upward just a tad...
“One more time Ishikawa-san and you will understand the true meaning of Blue Balls.”
He winced. Her voice was dulcet yes but it was edged with injected venom that he knew, was no bluff. Ever since the woman settled herself into his cab the heat had been turned up, so to speak. She never said more than a few words but there was something about her. Her eyes conveyed everything to him. As it’s said, the eyes are the windows to your soul. His angel’s were intense, radiating with an inner fire – but above all were dressed with tumult.
It had been well more than just a few minutes since they arrived at her point of destination. A half-hour, at best guess. But his angel still sat there, gazing out the window. Ishikawa turned his eyes followed her line of site.
Silently his chapped lips mouthed the words, ‘The Crown’. Furrowing his brow he recognized it as the local town’s teenaged hangout. Why they were there, sitting stationary was beyond his scope. Just as well, it gave him more time to spend basking in his fiery angel’s wake. A lazy Cheshire grin spread over his face before hearing movement at the back of his cab. Casting a starry eyed glance over his shoulder he found his client’s positioning changed. Curious, Ishikawa darted his gaze back towards the establishment.
A mid sized car pulled along the curb of where the Crown was located. Two occupants were in the vehicle the larger of the two pulled himself from the driver’s side. Easy to see now, it was colored man. A very rich colored man. Ishikawa was near blinded with the reflection of light that played from the man’s thickly banded jewelry. As the foreigner rounded the car, the passenger side popped open. A dainty hand emerged from the bowels of the car. Despite the baseball cap pulled tightly about her head...the cab driver sucked in his breath.
“Hey...isn’t that...??”, said the driver excitedly.
“I didn’t pay you to speak,” she murmured.
“Ahh...hai, gomenasai.”
“Follow when they leave.”
He nodded quickly, as his hands gripped the wheel. Still more people filtered from the Crown. An outing of sorts had been planned and the driver of the Daihatsu had been the unwitting choice to spirit the brooding woman that was seated in the back. Soon the term mistress ran amok in his mind.
--
Rei was lost in her own world too busy to even notice the slight film of sweat that the driver had developed on his forehead. And it wasn’t because it was a terribly balmy day in Japan. In fact winter had come early this year. The day had been unnaturally crystalline. Colors were sharply defined and contrasted – it seemed almost surreal. Something will happen, that’s all the priestess knew. With the brief snippet of what Minako had explained, the girls were planning a picnic. The starlet and her lover were to meet Makoto and perhaps the rest. The miko didn’t know at what time. So, she had hired this cab and literally beelined her way here. A haunt of her past.
It was as if time stood stationary. A few shops granted, had been put out of business. But the Crown remained. The sign had been dressed in different neon colors – the only real change. At least on its exterior. It was a school day so there were no children out and about. Ideal day for an outing. Her body had gone rigid even before her eyes pinioned the source of her subtle reaction.
A car had arrived on the scene. The Singer’s gallant knight came to her aid then, helping her from the passenger’s side. Rei chuckled to herself – a half smile coursed her lips.
“Brat,” a breathless prod uttered to ears that would never hear it.
Rei’s gaze remained rapt on the Singer. Minako was casually dressed in a pair of blue sweats, that almost doubles as a pair of bell bottoms with how they flared at her calves. A singular stripe accented her wear, tracing her ample thighs. Coursing her gaze upward, the miko clucked her tongue upon the roof of her mouth. Minako’s top was equally simple, a mere jacket like sweater gently hugged the singer’s lithe body; the woman was the epitome of style and beauty.
The minko’s appraisal of the woman beyond her reach came to a stop. She was never allowed to see those features she grew accustomed to years ago. Minako was all but joined to the hip of her lover.
Rei shouldn’t’ve expected anything less.
--
A massive yet slightly calloused hand eased under the fringes of her shirt, pads of that very hand brushed gently against her flesh. They then hooked its thick digits at the waistband of her sweats tugging her backward. Her body became flushed against a taut frame. And this was the game he played every time in public. There was no such thing as personal space between the pair. Soon Minako found herself being manuvered between his legs and confining arms snaking about her mid-section. Behind closed doors, Minako prefers the intimate ambiance where she’s able to give more of herself freely without ridicule, publicly – she would rather do without. Too many a time had tabloids stabbed into her life and near ruined her. But it seems this day she had no say in the matter. Terry was staking his claim.
“...that okay Minako?”
Someone had obviously asked her a question. It took all but a second for the singer to realize her mind hadn’t been on the conversation. It had been elsewhere since this morning and even before that phone incident. Almost blankly, the star looked from one person to the next.
A kiss was placed on the back of her head, “Well?”
Terry. Terry had been the one speaking. Breathing in deeply, the woman tendered out her lie, “I’m sorry, the concert is on my mind – It is my last stop, I want to make it special,” she paused and sheepishly smiled. None knew better and afforded the Star the benefit of the doubt. They always did.
“See now, that won’t do no good – didn’t I say your thoughts were supposed to be on me twenty-four seven?”, teased the Football star. Garnering a few chuckles from the rest of the rather large group.
Minako gave a tired smile and inwardly the woman was pleased that her beau had paid heed to her – starting on the right foot for once by speaking in her native tongue. It seemed that everyone had been tittering amongst themselves with little or no tension. At this, Minako gave her lover a squeeze of his arms, a sort of a silent thank you.
“Lapps-san...”, began Ami.
“Terry,” interjected the hulking male.
“h-hai, Terry-san...,” corrected a slightly nervous Ami.
“Just Terry, Ami. Das fine – ain’t gon’ bite your head off, shorty. Y’hella too fine with it glued to yo’body”, replied the proverbial flirt.
Makoto went wide-eyed, Usagi grinned, Mamoru and Motoki, two males that Minako had introduced earlier, laughed and Ami...So noted Minako – near collapsed. It seemed Terry had been welcomed into the fold. No one could resist his charm. If he just gave her more time, the Singer knew she could very well give everything she is to him. But this is as close as she could comply. Canting her head to one side, Minako decided to forget what had earlier transpired in the day and slipped herself into the now. Or try to.
Visibly Ami fought to regain her composure and won quite admirably.
“T..terry mentioned you wanted to stop somewhere before the park?” offered the good doctor, albeit shakily.
Tracing idle patterns over Terry’s forearms, Minako nodded. “I can take a cab – it’s not too far from here.”
Assenting with quick nods the group began to break into two parties. The girls were to ride with Terry, while the foodstuff was stored into Motoki’s compact Daewoo. As they all pitched in, the Football player once more arrested Minako to his side. Relinquishing her inhibitions – at least for now, the icon curled her arms about her lover’s neck. Her body melded perfectly with his.
“What?” a kittenish smile spread over her features.
“You have no idea what you do to me.” Terry eased his forehead to rest against hers as he continued, “Don’t take too long, I’ll miss you somethin’ awful, woman.”
She laughed, but it was silenced as his lips pressed hungrily against her own. Minako had barely time to assess what happened. It was searing to her, more so than usual, he knew everything about her. What buttons were where and how to push her to her limits. His lips were searching threatening to rock her to her very foundations. Minako wanted this to stop, something wasn’t right. She knew eyes would be on her, but...there was a pair more intense that it burned her from the inside, out. Someone was here...was it her?
It wasn’t till the sound of wheels burning on asphalt did the assault cease. Minako tore herself from the deluge scouring the surrounding area for the source. Lust blurred eyes pinioned on a cab, surging off to the west. The occupant in the back at that moment, turned.
Storm clouded eyes met her own confused ones.
--
“I thought you wanted me to follow them?”
“A woman is allowed to change her mind,” said the miko absently.
Had she seen her?
Out of rest of the already close-knit group, she and Minako had shared an implicit bond. Rei never understood why. The priestess only knew that whenever Aino Minako was concerned – the senshi of Mars was impassioned, nothing ever made sense. Minako could make anyone feel as if they were the center of her world. But today...seeing her with him tore every shred of decency.
She hated how he touched her, how they laughed, how they looked; she wasn’t the secretive and anti social Minako of old – she was an entirely different, yet captivating beast altogether, to taste that would be an elevation to one’s soul. Jealousy reared its ugly head in her and the miko could feel every ounce of its venom seep into her blood.
Rei’s skin suddenly felt confining. She should have felt elated for her friend. No one, save Usagi, deserved it more. Instead...the need to make Minako feel the pain she was currently going through became prominent.
“Where to now then?”, questioned the driver softly.
Blinking towards the rear-view Rei tensed her jaw, “Take me to my mother’s.”
--
With a wave and a promise to meet them at the park, Minako had turned about and opted to walk towards her destination. Her pace was hurried and to the occupant within her bag – determined. A soft unzipping was heard by the Star but paid no heed to.
“Minako??”
“It was her, I’m sure of it Artemis – just like the phonecall”, she replied curtly.
“It makes no sense, Mars would never...”, inferred the dirty white plush cat.
“She may have her reasons, I don’t know. I...I don’t know.”
“How do you know it was her?” he pressed.
She rounded the corner, cutting through the promenade of a bustling business district. A few bystanders took notice of the icon, most remained rooted, unsure if they were seeing things or not. Minako’s mind raced, why was the miko being so...stand-offish? Didn’t she want to see any of them?
Didn’t she want to see me?
All throughout the day the singer felt her presence. The miko was so close. A few times the Singer careened into a few bodies – offering only a quick sorry as she hurried on her way once more. Hoping beyond hope that her thoughts on where the miko would next be, was correct.
For a long while Minako hadn’t answered – how can one explain knowing something that only came naturally? She knew...because she felt her. Her fellow senshi possessed an aura that was in a league of its own. Anyone near the miko would either feel in awe or drown from the intensity. Minako believed that no one understood her as she did – they had that kind of relationship. Had. The miko was all encompassing. It was as simple as that.
“I...I just know Artemis! Stop asking me questions like that!”
Artemis mroweld quietly, taken aback by Minako’s sudden outburst. He had been surprised when Minako told him about that call but even more shocked as she had shared her belief as to whom it was – she hadn’t told the rest of the girls. As far as he knew, the priestess had been swallowed by one of the four corners of the globe. It was for the best. Rei and Minako couldn’t happen – not that Minako was that type. It was just...odd. And as much as he adored for the rest of the senshi – Minako was, is the only one he’ll truly care for – and he’ll not stand for anyone getting in the way of her happiness. And right now, from what he witnessed at the Crown – Minako reached that plateau that most only dream of.
Suddenly, his human came to a slowing halt. Curious, the plush doll whirled about in the bag, facing where the Singer was looking at. “...A...church?” The icon nodded.
Looking along the curb, there was no cab sitting in wait – granted, she couldn’t recall the details of what the cab may’ve looked like, but those eyes. Minako had hoped. Maybe she was chasing absolutely nothing but the tendrils of her imagination.
Returning to Japan from the get go began to wear on her, it truly wasn’t a reunion without the priestess. She made her way onto the grounds dejectedly, explaining to Artemis that this is where she and the miko had first met. Minako wandered her way deeper into the expansive courtyard of the Church ground before pausing before the massive oaken doors that led straight into the heart of the chapel. Placed on its weathered planks was a nailed notice. The interior was under renovations of sorts. Minako gave a hollowed sigh as her hand trailed the door’s face.
Each of her slender digits sunk into the aged wooden grooves bringing with it the connection to those distant memories. They were tied to her dream somehow – and in turn, her dream was rooted with that of the miko.
Turning about the woman murmured, “...I have one more stop.”
“Minako...I don’t understand why...”
Why I acted like I did? Why I’m chasing when I’m not sure myself?
“...Is it really that difficult to understand that I just miss a...friend – I thought it was her, keep in mind I...haven’t seen her far longer than any of you.,” courteously injected Minako. She quickly tacked on a reassuring smile to her long time friend. Maybe she did answer quicker than she intended. Minako hadn’t fully comprehended why she was spurred into reacting in such a way. But she was glad that Artemis let the subject sink. She didn’t have answers to the whys. And doubted she ever will.
The pavement gave way to softer ground as she continued on her silent trek. Artemis remained quiet for the duration, having dug his way back into the darkened pit of Minako’s bag. As he peered out from a pre-fabricated hole in the accessory, Artemis noted that they had traversed into the recesses of the Church. His wandering gaze was greeted then with spokes of granite sticking up from the earth. Farther off in a non- descript corner was a solitary Angel, chiseled from stone stood sentry over the grounds. Flower arrangements dotted the land, adding some color to a doldrums laced ambiance. He realized then where they were.
Minako had stopped apparently they reached their ultimate destination. A sensation of weightlessness coursed his fabric generated being soonafter. The bag was being set aside. Curiosity got the better of the plush guardian; so on peeking his head out he witnessed the senshi of Love and Beauty knelt quietly before a headstone. With gentle ease, Minako eased herself forward clearing the debris upon the grave. Whose grave it was, Artemis wasn’t sure. He couldn’t make out the worn carving.
There was one though, that had clear view and she offered a soft prayer.
“...I’m sorry,” began the Star, “That we hadn’t been fated to meet. I’m almost positive that...we would have gotten along better than your daughter and I did,” Minako chuckled.
There was a lull before a gentle wind stirred, bringing with it on its wings sounds of the leaves overhead, laughing couples just outside the gated sanctuary and footsteps. Made plain by the crunching of flora beneath the stranger’s footfall. There was another paying a visit, thought Minako not uncommon. It is a public domain. But..she did hope to be alone for a little while.
“I didn’t know stars prayed.”
Minako’s back went ramrod stiff. Her fingers curled on her thighs, sending her nails digging into the soft flesh of her palms. It was that unshakable aura that suddenly blanketed the Singer. She felt hot. Naked. And for the first time was unsure of what to do. But that voice, though reasonably duskier and lower in tone belonged to the priestess. It generated tingles from her ears to her very center. Minako’s skin reacted eliciting forth a wave of goose pimples.
“Mama, gomenasai – Some people have no concept of ‘rest in peace’,” prodded the miko further.
Minako couldn’t stop it even if she tried. Her cheeks flared beet. And still no words were offered. If she uttered anything, should would have sounded foolish.
“Bearing no gifts as well...Is that an American way of thinking? Here,” Rei offered a singular red long stemmed rose towards the Star. “The least you can give her – my mother’s favorite.”
A slender hand eased forth cupping the rose gently at its base, right beneath the velvety petals. Minako’s gaze lifted, Rei was positioned just along her now. The miko had her eyes focused on the headstone. She wasn’t mistaken, those eyes could never be replaced. They were dark and stormy, dressed with long lashes and not once had they looked on her. Rei had gotten a shade darker – but her complexion was still, unblemished. Her hair was relaxed in a loose braid; a few stray tendrils whisked forward with aid from the wind – it took all of Minako’s resolve not reach out and push the errant hair away from blocking Rei’s face.
Why?
Something had changed Rei – something that Minako couldn’t yet pinion. One thing was certain, the woman looked more exotic now than she was years ago.
Returning her attention towards the headstone, Minako lobbed the singular rose onto it. Breathing in, Minako picked up on the subtle trace of jasmine in the air. It was then that she realized Rei was in close proximity. Since when, thought the singer had Rei dabbed herself in fragrance? The priestess rose to her feet. Minako followed suit.
“Am I that below you that you won’t speak to me, Minako,” commented Rei, this time her back was to the singer with her arms folded over the swell of her chest.
Rei was taller now her frame built to suit the wiles of the work she does. Even under the fit-to-form khaki pants and loose mid-rift bearing top barely covered with a windbreaker, the priestess had a feral, look to her. No longer was she in the grips of those unforgiving teenaged years. Her thighs were firm, her belly taut – she was all woman.
“I’m just...I’m surprised...You surprised me,” stammered Minako finally.
A touch of a nod was proffered. “Thank you.”
Minako blinked in confusion, “For?”
“My mother. Visiting her. Her headstone was a little...dirty.”
“It was nothing – She was, very accommodating.”
“She’d have to be, Minako – she is dead,” truthful as they were, Rei’s words were terse, bordering angry. The songbird had wondered why.
“You’ve...changed,” stated Minako.
Rei chuckled, shaking her head, “Mm...I sleep under the stars in sleeping bags – while you...” the priestess listed her eyes closed, before looking over her shoulder and meeting the Singer’s gaze evenly. “...While you sleep with feather filled pillows, embroidered with your initials on its coverings – We’re different.”, paused Rei, “Yes. But changed? Will you be sicing your psychologists to confirm that? Or is this your expert opinion...”
More infuriating, definitely, voiced Minako’s inner thoughts.
Chocolate played on chocolate, Minako was swallowed whole before she found Rei within the depths of her intense pools of ruddy-brown. But that instant was lost as Rei looked away. If she wants to play...
Minako shrugged her shoulders casually, before pivoting on a planted foot and sniping up the handbag, sending its occupant within tumbling about. With final respects paid to Hino Risa, the star whisked herself passed the priestess.
“If you need mental assessment, fine I’ll pay for your treatment. But...I’m already late as it stands,” the singer’s gaze scoured Rei’s features daringly behind rosy tinted shades, “If you can weed out which persona is more sociable – you’re welcomed to join the rest of us. If not...” commented the singer.
Minako’s heart thundered through her body. She wasn’t even sure what she said to the priestess. One thing remained...Hino Rei was a woman that is ultimately unknown to the icon now. She enraged the star, sending torrents of wild emotions through her – so much that she didn’t know if she were even standing right side up.
But you want to know her...don’t you?, her mind had questioned.
Beyond logic and beyond reason her heart tendered a whispered reply – if she weren’t listening...the dark haired singer would have missed it.
...I do.
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