Rustic Woman: Chapter 4
Summary: After graduation many people must find their way in life. This is their story of love, loss, ups, and downs while searching for a bright future. Features AmixMakoto, MinakoxRei, HarukaxMichiru and more. A long song fiction story. Many chapters, still being worked on to this day. Mostly Yuri, some Yaoi in later chapters.
A/N: MinakoxRei fans will find something in this chapter. For those of you Saeko fans (as few and far between as I seem to think you are) I have a little bit of her in there too. Ami and Makoto are here to for a small bit of fluff.
Song: Clueless
By: Billy Gilman
Italics are lyrics.
This is the normal story.
I do not own Sailor Moon. I am merely a fan.
Chapter Four: Innocent Crush
Minako and Rei awoke that day in their normal position. Usagi already left for the day to attend Mamoru to work so that he could leave early later on. That man needed his rest too after all. Rei was warm and comfortable, happy to stay her place, even as cramped as it was. Minako had her face very close to Rei and for a moment their breath mingled slightly. Sure, it wasn't out of romance that this happened, but still, for whatever reason, Rei just simply wasn't so sure she felt at ease being like this with Minako. The innocence of being a child had left them both long ago in her mind. Rei knew what people would assume of them if they had been seen by anyone but their closest friends.
Sometime in the night she had allowed herself to embrace Minako lightly, most likely whenever the blond had snuggled closer into her arms. This position wasn't new to either of them. The closeness wasn't one that should feel discomforting since it had happened so often. Today was different. Today Rei was aware of the cherry blossom scent in the blond hair. The woman had soft skin and feel of her arms as one was draped around Rei and the other behind her head allowed for quite a view for those unaware of the true friendship they had shared all of their teenage lives. The one leg that always seemed to intertwine its self found its normal spot. On most other days this wouldn't have bothered Rei. On most other days she would have cuddled closer to evade the sunlight and sleep till noon or later if at all humanly possible.
Hey clueless why you do you always do this
Do I have to go through this with you again
Cryin' on my shoulder
Whenever the nights grow colder
And you need more than another fair weather friend
Will it end before sundown
Before the prettiest girl in this town
Runs away from a showdown with me again
Now though she just felt confused. Well, perhaps that wasn't the word. Then again Rei didn't think a word had been written for how she felt. It wasn't lust, she wasn't aroused. She wasn't overly nervous, she knew Minako too well. She wasn't appalled. She wasn't a lot of things. Confusion was the nearest thing and even that failed to fit properly. Minako had been acting strange recently. Correction, SHE had been acting strange. Rei had no idea why she felt she needed too. She knew Minako wasn't a judgmental person, but why was it she just couldn't warp around what she felt for the blond. It was so many things and yet nothing at all. Her cell phone rang, waking the sleeping woman next to her. Rei answered groaning into the phone. "May I help you?"
"Get your butt out of bed and come over here!" Makoto chided rudely through the phone. Minako indignantly growled and cuddled closer to the warmth that was Rei as she pulled the cell from her hand putting it to her here. "Hey, are you listening? You and Minako were supposed to be here over an hour ago. Remember?"
"Nap time." Minako yawned, all brain mass eluding her for the moment in place of not wanting to forgo her warm place. "Go have a date Makoto, I'm still sleepy." Leave it to the blond to forget just who she was next too. Rei for her part remained frozen not sure how awake Minako really was. Her answer was given after the blond hung up the phone and broke every law of personal space possible. It was one thing to sleep face to face; it was another for the blond to use Rei's breasts as a pillow. She wasn't sure what to do. Sure she could bolt, but that wasn't the best option. She could remain frozen, as her body seemed to be intent on doing, afraid to make a move to startle the blond, or possibly find herself in an even worse position as a result. She could try to wake Minako up, but she wasn't all together sure that was the grandest idea either. The phone buzzed again between them, this time it had been Ami calling. The phone was pointedly ignored by Minako, and Rei was too stunned to move, the phone already having caused enough havoc with her inner thoughts.
Minako was perfectly awake. She wasn't really in the mood to move and if Usagi had left them to sleep then she hadn't minded in the first place. Thus Minako decided that today was a day to laze about and relax. What better way than with Rei? This used to happen all the time in the past, why not now? She knew the answer to her inquiry. Her friend in question was right now as stiff as a board and was obviously more nervous than ever. The nerves weren't really warranted. Minako had put her face in the area before while sleeping, it was just back then Rei wasn't actually the type to really think of such things. The girl had a level of unawareness when it came to the nature of a relationship two women could attain. Then Makoto and Ami came out of the closet and Rei started to slowly change after that. She hadn't acted appalled or hateful. Confused, apprehensive, and curious seemed to be the better terms for what ailed her. Minako had always been a free spirit in terms of that, having a cousin who dated women tended to give you a broad perspective on things.
(Look at me now)
Come on baby, you need a rock you can't toss out
When you're under the covers
You think you're so strong
Holdin' on to me now
You know why you come around
I'm the rock you can't toss out
Rei was afraid of Minako. Her own feelings for the girl seemed to win out as far as not wanting to hurt her. She didn't want the blond next to her to become upset if she moved away. She knew it was a possibility. Rei shouldn't want to stay still, she was raised to find a boy settle down and get married, perhaps have a few babies. That was what she should be doing. But then, if that's what she should be doing why was she still laying here with Minako in her arms? Why was she allowing Minako so close? This was not her. This was not right. Not in the least.
"Rei." Minako felt the girl of obsidian tresses tense as soon as she heard her name uttered. "Try and relax." Her voice was soft and slightly muffled. Her eyes opened slightly and the fact that they didn't look slightly puffy from sleep proved to Rei that she was at the very least semi-awake. Sighing Minako pulled her close for a soft hug then backing away to her spot she was in before the phone rang. She closed her eyes again and allowed sleep to somewhat invade her senses again. She hadn't been ready to get up.
Rei could move. She could go to the love-seat and Minako wouldn't pull her back. She knew Minako wouldn't pull her back, but her voice, it was invitation. Soothing, as if Minako could feel Rei becoming frightened and gave her the space she needed. Now though, the closeness was gone, barely three inches away from her reach, but still it was now gone none the less. Did she want it back? That was the real question. Minako had quelled Rei slightly with her voice for a moment. Now a new torrent of emotions came into her head. No longer fearful for Minako being upset Rei had her own fears drifting into mind. She wanted it back, that closeness in high school gave her solace. Now that she was some sort of adult it meant implications that she wasn't ready to accept. But she could indulge couldn't she? She could play pretend for a little while, right? Her answer was yes. Minako was allowing this, whatever this was, to happen.
The blond wasn't blind to Rei. She wasn't so naive to believe that the protectiveness was purely due to caring as a friend. Rei was protective by nature, but with Minako that protectiveness went beyond that friendly level. Rei could actually scare away dating prospects with ease. She had a level of fierceness she use that none of her other friends had to worry about her using in regards to their relationships. It was only Minako. Most of their lives things of that nature went unaddressed. It would be pointless after all.
Rei was conflicted and Minako hadn't really been ready to ever corner Rei into a spot she would be stuck in. Rei didn't like that. She needed space. Rei had to have time to understand and someone to help her comprehend her feelings. It wasn't an easy task. Both of them had very different styles of being raised and even as supportive as Rei's grandfather could be, he was old fashioned by nature. It wasn't his fault; he was nearly eighty after all. The man wasn't getting any younger and times weren't the same as when he had been in his prime. One had to expect a level of disapproval purely because of that fact alone.
Don't kiss me say you're gonna miss me
Then ditch me till you come back again
Don't touch me
Tell me how much you love me
If you're not gonna love me
Like the world's gonna end
Maybe I never told you
That I want to hold you
And never wanted to be just friends
Minako let her arm rest back in its place along Rei's side. She smiled as Rei didn't move. She did tense back up though. Highly. In fact perhaps too much so. She needed to do something. Something slow would be the best idea. Not a large move, but a move none the less. Perhaps affectionate at best, but not passionate, yes surely this is would be the best plan.
"Rei?" Minako started for a moment before she paused. She kept her eyes closed so that she wouldn't have to see the woman in front of her.
"Yes?" Rei replied still apprehensive and rather frozen.
"Nothing." Minako sighed and used her cop-out. "I just wanted to make sure you were still here."
"Oh." Rei said nodding slightly as she remained in her place. She was afraid to do much else.
Rei fidgeted around with her feet. The blanket suddenly became stifling to her body. Finally she got her feet to stick out so that she could feel the cooler air hit them. She was thankful for the momentary distraction. Now she searched for another one, finding it in examining the small fuzz that lined the blanket from being washed over the years, she plucked it absent mindedly. Every few moments Minako could feel the blanket being toyed with. Rei was either really anxious, or, really hyper for some odd reason. She smirked as she opened one eye at Rei looking at her with an amused gaze.
"I take it your restless?" Minako was only half joking.
"I take it I'm keeping you up." Rei said as she hurriedly stopped playing with the blanket and moved so that she could sit up.
"And now I see you're acting as if I caught you in a cookie jar for no apparent reason." Minako observed vocally.
"I take it you're having fun at my expense." Rei growled. She was trying to keep space from her emotions and they both knew that. It still didn't change things though.
Minako thought for a moment before she smiled something devilish. She was planning something. What that something was could really be troublesome and Rei knew she was going to be the victim somehow. "Well…I wouldn't say I like to have fun at your expense. I don't toy around with you like I do my other, non taken friends." She said with her voice even. "But you are single, and being the fact you are an eligible woman I should treat you the same. Shouldn't I?" after she said this she leaned into Rei who immediately found the floor to be god's gift to the world as she seemed to worship it, or perhaps she was trying to find a way to get buried into it. Rei knew that look that look screamed trouble. Trouble aimed at her. That was never a good thing. Minako liked to stir up problems, especially that of a romantic kind. Minako was now leaning towards her. She was now pulling her into a hug. This was not going to end well…
(Look at me now)
Come on baby, you need a rock you can't toss out
When you're under the covers
You think you're so strong
Holdin' on to me now
You know why you come around
I'm the rock you can't toss out
… Or so she thought. Minako just kept that troublesome gaze. The one of amusement, the one of apparent longing and the one known for causing uproar of many kinds. From the days of chasing after the cheer team and the jocks alike, to swooning over the hottest of superstars of both genders that look defined all of that and much more. So why was it that this infamous look was now aimed at Rei? More over was the question that loomed. What is she going to do next? Rei was for the most part a dear caught in headlights.
"What was that for?" Rei asked as her voice cracked. Her hand held her cheek where Minako had given her a peck before withdrawing. What was that? Was that a prank? A joke? Was it meant to be more than it appeared? Again Rei had no idea and sat for all intents and purposes stunned.
"I'll leave that to you Rei." Minako spoke casually as she stood up. What she had really meant played in her mind. 'The ball is in your court.' She allowed that smile to fade before adding honestly. "I need to be heading home. You should check in with your grandfather and I'll catch up with you later. Okay?"
"Yeah…" Rei was dumbfounded to say the least.
Minako dressed and left and Rei locked the apartment door and found her way down the streets misguidedly a few moments later. Her eyes were glazed over as she kept her thoughts inward. Her feet found her way to the crown where Ami and Makoto were still talking from before. It seemed that they had stuck around. Rei didn't approach them, instead finding her way to the bar where she ordered a milkshake. A childhood favorite of hers. She was always known to have a horrible sweet tooth that could rival Usagi. She just knew how to control it better having learned strict discipline at an early age. If she had been seen her friends had most likely given her space, not wanting to disturb her. Rei was like that on occasion and her friends had learned to respect the need for space.
Unfortunately Minako hadn't returned home either. She too had found her way to the crown, and effectively she found the bar and Rei at the normal spot. "Guess we both have the same thing in mind." The blonds' voice broke through Rei's inward thoughts as she ordered her usual sundae. She sat next to Rei, wondering what they were both doing there. Reliving their youth no doubt. "Are you going to look at me, or keep ogling that shake all day long?"
I know you want to see me
'Cause you're always at my door
Do you leave 'cause you're afraid of seeing something more
"What are we doing?" the voice was shaky. Rei's eyes still on the room, the drink, and anything else but the woman next to her.
"That all depends and what you think you're doing all spaced out like that." Minako began eating her sundae allowing that to sink in. Rei seemed to be lost in thought.
"I have no idea." She finally spoke. Her eyes found Minako temporarily before she fixed her eyes back to her empty glass. "I guess this is a fitting place though. We always used to come here. Where did that time go? More importantly why did you let me sleep next to you? Why did you kiss me this morning on the cheek?" Finally their eyes met. There were no words for the emotions found within the depths of lavender. There were so many. No one could define it. "Can you tell me that? Can you even answer me anything?"
…You know why you come around, look at me now,
I'm the rock you can't toss out
You think you're so strong
Holdin' on to me now
"No, I can't." Minako said as she took her hand and placed it over Rei's. A comfort and an anchor. Rei wouldn't run if Minako had her consolingly. 'Don't corner her.' Her mind rang out. She didn't want to hurt Rei, who was more than likely conflicted enough that anything Minako said would be easily disputed. "I don't know what I can tell you or what I can offer you. I can and will say this." She paused, collecting herself properly. "You and I were close as kids, we *still* are kids. We're barely out of high school and still live at home with the people who raised us. We are so far from being the people we will end up being years down the line, but, I don't care about years. I care about now. I care about having fun; I'm still that girl you knew."
Rei didn't have anything to say to that. What could she say? There wasn't much. She was at a loss and so Minako pushed ahead. Her words flowed freely from the tip of her tongue as if she was speaking as she felt. The blond had a natural gift for that. It was only one sided though since the miko lacked such an art. She remained quiet trying to take in the words being spoken. "You're still you. Your still one of the few people I can't wrap my head around. I'm not asking for answers. I'm asking you to stop thinking everything's changed. It hasn't, it really hasn't. If it had then I would be someplace in the UK by now."
The discussion the two girls were having remained private besides one lone woman sitting in the corner booth. Even when they walked out the door later that day she remained in her seat. Her mind wasn't on them, or her daughter who just happened to be there with Makoto. No, on this day Saeko had a different reason for finding her seat here. She was alone, and even if those around her spent the day conflicted or even oblivious to her presence her mind would remain fixed on her bottle of beer and old broken dreams that she thought she had walked away from long ago. It had been unbeknownst to her that was the main reason Ami and Makoto were there in the first place. Spying. The girls had become masters in covert operations so it didn't really look like it overtly. That was once skill Minako had taught them well and today was proving useful.
"Explain to me again why we are still sitting here?" Makoto sighed. She knew Ami was worried but this was getting excessive. "She's not moving from that spot. She's fine." Placing a reassuring arm around the woman she loved she tried to coax her from her seat. "Let's give her space. She's a grown woman who can take care of herself."
"She's going to get drunk." Ami shot back pointedly even if she had a calm demeanor outwardly. This was a yearly occurrence. One that Ami seemed to dread and Makoto knew well by now. The Mizuno women were stubborn creatures it seemed and on this day Ami would mirror that definition perfectly. "You know I refuse to leave her alone today. You can go if you want, but I'm staying here." The whisper was harsher than it was meant to be, but Makoto knew that it was called for.
This day had become a routine for as long as Makoto knew Ami. She would have skipped cram school to tail her mother. For some reason the eldest Mizuno found a corner seat and spent the day there. She hardly moved from that spot. In the early morning it would be coffee, later in the afternoon she would switch to sweets, soda, and other things she didn't often frequent, then in the evening she would start to drink. It was something of a punishment Makoto had realized early on. Saeko drank beer then. The woman hated beer. Yet on this day, she found herself drinking many over the course of the night and into last call. It was now that she had just started to drink, and now when Ami became the most on edge. This once a year occurrence was unpleasant indeed.
The times had changed slightly in how things occurred thanks to Ami's closely knit group of friends. The parents had created an alliance of sorts. They had to know where their children were at all times and what better way than all keeping in touch with one another? This had its ups and downs. Personal life started to lose the effect it had since everyone seemed to find out about the dirty little secrets they all held. Some approved, others didn't, all ending up in a jumbled mess that only added to their children's hullabaloo that often found purchase in daily life. It wasn't long into high school that it finally slipped out what actually caused a day like today. Ever since then a new tradition seemed to find its way into Saeko's life.
"What's he doing here?" Makoto sighed as Zoisite walked through the doors with a group of women. "That idiot!" She said as she put her hand to her face. This was normally a ladies night, not only that, it was the ladies who were divorced. They had created a little club and for some odd reason her brother had decided to tag along. "I'm going to throttle him." She growled under her breath. This was another new first.
"My mom likes him. I'm not worried." Ami said calming down the now personally agitated brunette. "Besides, he knows what she gets like. Remember last year?" Ami remembered that one well. Thankfully he had been passing by and taken her mother home himself. Ami had a high level of respect for the gentle man and envied Makoto's position as his little sister. "He'll look out for her, and the rest of them." Those women had a tendency of drinking their sorrows away into idiocy. Thankfully a man was with them to keep them in line, or at the very least keep them safe from harm's way. "I wish my own brother would be doing that, but most likely he's out prowling again." She allowed annoyance to creep into her voice only slightly.
"Well in all honesty, you're brother is a jerk." Makoto had far more effective words for the little brother Ami had to deal with. It wouldn't be proper to even say to the foulest people and so she kept it to herself. Makoto didn't mind letting the world know her distaste for him in the least though. "Zoisite better be good or I'll nail him to a wall."
"Makoto…" Ami had a mock stern face on as she tried to clear the implied imagery from her mind. "He's as straight as a circle. You have no need to worry about that. Really, do you think he'd hit on any of them?" Both of them knew that was a far fetched idea. "That's just preposterous." She waved off the thought one final time as Makoto blushed slightly for thinking her brother would find an attraction to any of the women there. Makoto was more of a risk to that than her brother if one really took time to think about the sexuality of both siblings as Ami obviously had. "What are they talking about over there?" Ami wondered as a few of the women laughed out loud and a few others, Saeko included, blushed a deep crimson red.
"I've no idea, and I think I'd like to keep it that way." Makoto shivered knowing full well that whatever it was it wasn't something she wanted to be privy too. She saw more laughing followed by one of the older women, who she knew to be Rei's grandmother on her father's side slap Zoisite playfully on the arm. "Yeah, um no. I don't want to know anything at all of it." She shivered again. That woman was one to be feared. Unfortunately that banter got louder and finally reached their ears. Thankfully for the girls who were covertly babysitting the topic had changed too one of innocence. It looked as if this was a senior version of horse playing.
"It's rather fun out there actually." Akane defended. "It's grand, but we need to sell. I'm not a young chickadee any more you know."
"No. Now you're just an old crow." The woman next to her chided as she playfully poked at some of the wrinkled skin around Akane's eyes.
"I thought that was your title you ol' stick in the mud." Lethe shot back the older women often enjoyed poking fun at each other.
"I'm an old woman Lethe. Once you attain my age you can do and say as you please. 'till then I would advise you shut your mouth."
"You're only two years older than me so hush." The younger of the two shot back.
"You girls can stop fighting now." Zoisite joked lightly knowing full well about the playful antics the table could hold.
"Anyway, tell me more about this house. Have you found a buyer?" Saeko found interest in living in the country and had once thought about it herself when she had been a newlywed.
"Not a one." Akane sighed. "That's my entire problem. I know it would be called a fixer upper but I don't have the time or ability to do it myself."
"My sister is looking for work. She's pretty handy with tools depending on what you need done. I don't mind either if it'll help you to get it sold." Zoisite suggested.
"Well, that does indeed seem like a plan if you'd be willing to help. Lord knows I can't afford a contractor and it only really needs a minor tune up." Akane smiled at the offer very few people had it in them to be helpful to those they barely knew.
"Alright, if you excuse me for a moment I'll see to the arrangements." He got up and walked over to the table that Ami and Makoto were hiding behind.
"You have a job." He said to Makoto who just looked confused that he knew she was there. "I want you both to go home. I came here so that you two don't have too. So go on back and relax. I don't know when you'll be starting but contractor work isn't easy." He said addressing Makoto before looking fondly at the shorter girl. "Don't worry. I'll look after your mom. It's not safe for women or girls your age to be out late at night regardless of how drunk someone is or not." He didn't give them time to respond as he went back to the table of women who were trying to help Saeko keep her spirits up.
Ami wanted to stay and keep a look out on the surroundings and her mother but she knew Zoisite would protect her. He was a good man, and saw Saeko as a sort of parent in an odd way. She trusted him and so, she and Makoto took their leave out the back so they weren't seen. The walk home was quiet as Makoto held Ami close to her. Some people that were passing by gave looks of confusion or repulsion since being in such an open relationship of their nature wasn't often favorable in the eyes of most.
The night passed by slowly as Ami paced the living room waiting for her mother to return home. Finally Makoto couldn't take it anymore and scooped the smaller woman in her arms as she squeaked in shock. "You'll put a hole in the rug if you keep that up." Her voice was soft and gentle as she put Ami on the sofa and pulled her into an embrace. "She's with my brother. It's not like we left her with someone irresponsible. He won't let anything bad happen." Makoto let her hands move across Ami's back to soothe the tension she had built there. The night was long and both fell asleep in that spot waiting around for hours.
Finally just as the dawn was starting to break through the clouds Saeko strolled in with Zoisite. He was holding her vertical as she mumbled something incoherent rolling his eyes as she called him a good boy. The two girls that had been sleeping stirred as he smiled at the older woman who was trying to maintain balance. After he passed her off to Ami he sat down knowing the woman was going to be a handful. Makoto could only look on as she continued to make a fool of herself. "What on earth did you give her?" Makoto quizzed.
"I didn't give her anything. I blame Minako's mother." He rolled his eyes and tried to shake the image out of his head as Makoto seemed to be waiting for him to continue. "Around three last night we ran into Ikuko and her friends and I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but somehow we ended up following them as they went bar hopping. I'll say one thing; those women can really put it away. Anyway four bars and a strip joint later here we are."
"You didn't?" Makoto couldn't believe her brother would step foot into that place.
"Indeed we did." Her brother laughed as he held up a few numbers. "There were some really hot guys. You should have seen it."
"I'm glad I didn't." Makoto grumbled as Ami sighed finally having coaxed her inebriated mother into bed.
"Anyway, you'll be starting work on Tuesday. So be sure you're ready. I need to head back home and get some sleep myself. It was one very busy night and women are harder to chase after than I thought." He sighed as he hugged Makoto and Ami goodbye and made his way back home. Now that the tense night was over and everyone was where they should be for the most part Zoisite had the right idea. A day to sleep in was needed after a night of worrying for nothing and Makoto would be sure to get it as she and Ami found their way to the all too comfortable bed for the rest of the morning.
Onto Chapter Five
A/N: MinakoxRei fans will find something in this chapter. For those of you Saeko fans (as few and far between as I seem to think you are) I have a little bit of her in there too. Ami and Makoto are here to for a small bit of fluff.
Song: Clueless
By: Billy Gilman
Italics are lyrics.
This is the normal story.
I do not own Sailor Moon. I am merely a fan.
Chapter Four: Innocent Crush
Minako and Rei awoke that day in their normal position. Usagi already left for the day to attend Mamoru to work so that he could leave early later on. That man needed his rest too after all. Rei was warm and comfortable, happy to stay her place, even as cramped as it was. Minako had her face very close to Rei and for a moment their breath mingled slightly. Sure, it wasn't out of romance that this happened, but still, for whatever reason, Rei just simply wasn't so sure she felt at ease being like this with Minako. The innocence of being a child had left them both long ago in her mind. Rei knew what people would assume of them if they had been seen by anyone but their closest friends.
Sometime in the night she had allowed herself to embrace Minako lightly, most likely whenever the blond had snuggled closer into her arms. This position wasn't new to either of them. The closeness wasn't one that should feel discomforting since it had happened so often. Today was different. Today Rei was aware of the cherry blossom scent in the blond hair. The woman had soft skin and feel of her arms as one was draped around Rei and the other behind her head allowed for quite a view for those unaware of the true friendship they had shared all of their teenage lives. The one leg that always seemed to intertwine its self found its normal spot. On most other days this wouldn't have bothered Rei. On most other days she would have cuddled closer to evade the sunlight and sleep till noon or later if at all humanly possible.
Hey clueless why you do you always do this
Do I have to go through this with you again
Cryin' on my shoulder
Whenever the nights grow colder
And you need more than another fair weather friend
Will it end before sundown
Before the prettiest girl in this town
Runs away from a showdown with me again
Now though she just felt confused. Well, perhaps that wasn't the word. Then again Rei didn't think a word had been written for how she felt. It wasn't lust, she wasn't aroused. She wasn't overly nervous, she knew Minako too well. She wasn't appalled. She wasn't a lot of things. Confusion was the nearest thing and even that failed to fit properly. Minako had been acting strange recently. Correction, SHE had been acting strange. Rei had no idea why she felt she needed too. She knew Minako wasn't a judgmental person, but why was it she just couldn't warp around what she felt for the blond. It was so many things and yet nothing at all. Her cell phone rang, waking the sleeping woman next to her. Rei answered groaning into the phone. "May I help you?"
"Get your butt out of bed and come over here!" Makoto chided rudely through the phone. Minako indignantly growled and cuddled closer to the warmth that was Rei as she pulled the cell from her hand putting it to her here. "Hey, are you listening? You and Minako were supposed to be here over an hour ago. Remember?"
"Nap time." Minako yawned, all brain mass eluding her for the moment in place of not wanting to forgo her warm place. "Go have a date Makoto, I'm still sleepy." Leave it to the blond to forget just who she was next too. Rei for her part remained frozen not sure how awake Minako really was. Her answer was given after the blond hung up the phone and broke every law of personal space possible. It was one thing to sleep face to face; it was another for the blond to use Rei's breasts as a pillow. She wasn't sure what to do. Sure she could bolt, but that wasn't the best option. She could remain frozen, as her body seemed to be intent on doing, afraid to make a move to startle the blond, or possibly find herself in an even worse position as a result. She could try to wake Minako up, but she wasn't all together sure that was the grandest idea either. The phone buzzed again between them, this time it had been Ami calling. The phone was pointedly ignored by Minako, and Rei was too stunned to move, the phone already having caused enough havoc with her inner thoughts.
Minako was perfectly awake. She wasn't really in the mood to move and if Usagi had left them to sleep then she hadn't minded in the first place. Thus Minako decided that today was a day to laze about and relax. What better way than with Rei? This used to happen all the time in the past, why not now? She knew the answer to her inquiry. Her friend in question was right now as stiff as a board and was obviously more nervous than ever. The nerves weren't really warranted. Minako had put her face in the area before while sleeping, it was just back then Rei wasn't actually the type to really think of such things. The girl had a level of unawareness when it came to the nature of a relationship two women could attain. Then Makoto and Ami came out of the closet and Rei started to slowly change after that. She hadn't acted appalled or hateful. Confused, apprehensive, and curious seemed to be the better terms for what ailed her. Minako had always been a free spirit in terms of that, having a cousin who dated women tended to give you a broad perspective on things.
(Look at me now)
Come on baby, you need a rock you can't toss out
When you're under the covers
You think you're so strong
Holdin' on to me now
You know why you come around
I'm the rock you can't toss out
Rei was afraid of Minako. Her own feelings for the girl seemed to win out as far as not wanting to hurt her. She didn't want the blond next to her to become upset if she moved away. She knew it was a possibility. Rei shouldn't want to stay still, she was raised to find a boy settle down and get married, perhaps have a few babies. That was what she should be doing. But then, if that's what she should be doing why was she still laying here with Minako in her arms? Why was she allowing Minako so close? This was not her. This was not right. Not in the least.
"Rei." Minako felt the girl of obsidian tresses tense as soon as she heard her name uttered. "Try and relax." Her voice was soft and slightly muffled. Her eyes opened slightly and the fact that they didn't look slightly puffy from sleep proved to Rei that she was at the very least semi-awake. Sighing Minako pulled her close for a soft hug then backing away to her spot she was in before the phone rang. She closed her eyes again and allowed sleep to somewhat invade her senses again. She hadn't been ready to get up.
Rei could move. She could go to the love-seat and Minako wouldn't pull her back. She knew Minako wouldn't pull her back, but her voice, it was invitation. Soothing, as if Minako could feel Rei becoming frightened and gave her the space she needed. Now though, the closeness was gone, barely three inches away from her reach, but still it was now gone none the less. Did she want it back? That was the real question. Minako had quelled Rei slightly with her voice for a moment. Now a new torrent of emotions came into her head. No longer fearful for Minako being upset Rei had her own fears drifting into mind. She wanted it back, that closeness in high school gave her solace. Now that she was some sort of adult it meant implications that she wasn't ready to accept. But she could indulge couldn't she? She could play pretend for a little while, right? Her answer was yes. Minako was allowing this, whatever this was, to happen.
The blond wasn't blind to Rei. She wasn't so naive to believe that the protectiveness was purely due to caring as a friend. Rei was protective by nature, but with Minako that protectiveness went beyond that friendly level. Rei could actually scare away dating prospects with ease. She had a level of fierceness she use that none of her other friends had to worry about her using in regards to their relationships. It was only Minako. Most of their lives things of that nature went unaddressed. It would be pointless after all.
Rei was conflicted and Minako hadn't really been ready to ever corner Rei into a spot she would be stuck in. Rei didn't like that. She needed space. Rei had to have time to understand and someone to help her comprehend her feelings. It wasn't an easy task. Both of them had very different styles of being raised and even as supportive as Rei's grandfather could be, he was old fashioned by nature. It wasn't his fault; he was nearly eighty after all. The man wasn't getting any younger and times weren't the same as when he had been in his prime. One had to expect a level of disapproval purely because of that fact alone.
Don't kiss me say you're gonna miss me
Then ditch me till you come back again
Don't touch me
Tell me how much you love me
If you're not gonna love me
Like the world's gonna end
Maybe I never told you
That I want to hold you
And never wanted to be just friends
Minako let her arm rest back in its place along Rei's side. She smiled as Rei didn't move. She did tense back up though. Highly. In fact perhaps too much so. She needed to do something. Something slow would be the best idea. Not a large move, but a move none the less. Perhaps affectionate at best, but not passionate, yes surely this is would be the best plan.
"Rei?" Minako started for a moment before she paused. She kept her eyes closed so that she wouldn't have to see the woman in front of her.
"Yes?" Rei replied still apprehensive and rather frozen.
"Nothing." Minako sighed and used her cop-out. "I just wanted to make sure you were still here."
"Oh." Rei said nodding slightly as she remained in her place. She was afraid to do much else.
Rei fidgeted around with her feet. The blanket suddenly became stifling to her body. Finally she got her feet to stick out so that she could feel the cooler air hit them. She was thankful for the momentary distraction. Now she searched for another one, finding it in examining the small fuzz that lined the blanket from being washed over the years, she plucked it absent mindedly. Every few moments Minako could feel the blanket being toyed with. Rei was either really anxious, or, really hyper for some odd reason. She smirked as she opened one eye at Rei looking at her with an amused gaze.
"I take it your restless?" Minako was only half joking.
"I take it I'm keeping you up." Rei said as she hurriedly stopped playing with the blanket and moved so that she could sit up.
"And now I see you're acting as if I caught you in a cookie jar for no apparent reason." Minako observed vocally.
"I take it you're having fun at my expense." Rei growled. She was trying to keep space from her emotions and they both knew that. It still didn't change things though.
Minako thought for a moment before she smiled something devilish. She was planning something. What that something was could really be troublesome and Rei knew she was going to be the victim somehow. "Well…I wouldn't say I like to have fun at your expense. I don't toy around with you like I do my other, non taken friends." She said with her voice even. "But you are single, and being the fact you are an eligible woman I should treat you the same. Shouldn't I?" after she said this she leaned into Rei who immediately found the floor to be god's gift to the world as she seemed to worship it, or perhaps she was trying to find a way to get buried into it. Rei knew that look that look screamed trouble. Trouble aimed at her. That was never a good thing. Minako liked to stir up problems, especially that of a romantic kind. Minako was now leaning towards her. She was now pulling her into a hug. This was not going to end well…
(Look at me now)
Come on baby, you need a rock you can't toss out
When you're under the covers
You think you're so strong
Holdin' on to me now
You know why you come around
I'm the rock you can't toss out
… Or so she thought. Minako just kept that troublesome gaze. The one of amusement, the one of apparent longing and the one known for causing uproar of many kinds. From the days of chasing after the cheer team and the jocks alike, to swooning over the hottest of superstars of both genders that look defined all of that and much more. So why was it that this infamous look was now aimed at Rei? More over was the question that loomed. What is she going to do next? Rei was for the most part a dear caught in headlights.
"What was that for?" Rei asked as her voice cracked. Her hand held her cheek where Minako had given her a peck before withdrawing. What was that? Was that a prank? A joke? Was it meant to be more than it appeared? Again Rei had no idea and sat for all intents and purposes stunned.
"I'll leave that to you Rei." Minako spoke casually as she stood up. What she had really meant played in her mind. 'The ball is in your court.' She allowed that smile to fade before adding honestly. "I need to be heading home. You should check in with your grandfather and I'll catch up with you later. Okay?"
"Yeah…" Rei was dumbfounded to say the least.
Minako dressed and left and Rei locked the apartment door and found her way down the streets misguidedly a few moments later. Her eyes were glazed over as she kept her thoughts inward. Her feet found her way to the crown where Ami and Makoto were still talking from before. It seemed that they had stuck around. Rei didn't approach them, instead finding her way to the bar where she ordered a milkshake. A childhood favorite of hers. She was always known to have a horrible sweet tooth that could rival Usagi. She just knew how to control it better having learned strict discipline at an early age. If she had been seen her friends had most likely given her space, not wanting to disturb her. Rei was like that on occasion and her friends had learned to respect the need for space.
Unfortunately Minako hadn't returned home either. She too had found her way to the crown, and effectively she found the bar and Rei at the normal spot. "Guess we both have the same thing in mind." The blonds' voice broke through Rei's inward thoughts as she ordered her usual sundae. She sat next to Rei, wondering what they were both doing there. Reliving their youth no doubt. "Are you going to look at me, or keep ogling that shake all day long?"
I know you want to see me
'Cause you're always at my door
Do you leave 'cause you're afraid of seeing something more
"What are we doing?" the voice was shaky. Rei's eyes still on the room, the drink, and anything else but the woman next to her.
"That all depends and what you think you're doing all spaced out like that." Minako began eating her sundae allowing that to sink in. Rei seemed to be lost in thought.
"I have no idea." She finally spoke. Her eyes found Minako temporarily before she fixed her eyes back to her empty glass. "I guess this is a fitting place though. We always used to come here. Where did that time go? More importantly why did you let me sleep next to you? Why did you kiss me this morning on the cheek?" Finally their eyes met. There were no words for the emotions found within the depths of lavender. There were so many. No one could define it. "Can you tell me that? Can you even answer me anything?"
…You know why you come around, look at me now,
I'm the rock you can't toss out
You think you're so strong
Holdin' on to me now
"No, I can't." Minako said as she took her hand and placed it over Rei's. A comfort and an anchor. Rei wouldn't run if Minako had her consolingly. 'Don't corner her.' Her mind rang out. She didn't want to hurt Rei, who was more than likely conflicted enough that anything Minako said would be easily disputed. "I don't know what I can tell you or what I can offer you. I can and will say this." She paused, collecting herself properly. "You and I were close as kids, we *still* are kids. We're barely out of high school and still live at home with the people who raised us. We are so far from being the people we will end up being years down the line, but, I don't care about years. I care about now. I care about having fun; I'm still that girl you knew."
Rei didn't have anything to say to that. What could she say? There wasn't much. She was at a loss and so Minako pushed ahead. Her words flowed freely from the tip of her tongue as if she was speaking as she felt. The blond had a natural gift for that. It was only one sided though since the miko lacked such an art. She remained quiet trying to take in the words being spoken. "You're still you. Your still one of the few people I can't wrap my head around. I'm not asking for answers. I'm asking you to stop thinking everything's changed. It hasn't, it really hasn't. If it had then I would be someplace in the UK by now."
The discussion the two girls were having remained private besides one lone woman sitting in the corner booth. Even when they walked out the door later that day she remained in her seat. Her mind wasn't on them, or her daughter who just happened to be there with Makoto. No, on this day Saeko had a different reason for finding her seat here. She was alone, and even if those around her spent the day conflicted or even oblivious to her presence her mind would remain fixed on her bottle of beer and old broken dreams that she thought she had walked away from long ago. It had been unbeknownst to her that was the main reason Ami and Makoto were there in the first place. Spying. The girls had become masters in covert operations so it didn't really look like it overtly. That was once skill Minako had taught them well and today was proving useful.
"Explain to me again why we are still sitting here?" Makoto sighed. She knew Ami was worried but this was getting excessive. "She's not moving from that spot. She's fine." Placing a reassuring arm around the woman she loved she tried to coax her from her seat. "Let's give her space. She's a grown woman who can take care of herself."
"She's going to get drunk." Ami shot back pointedly even if she had a calm demeanor outwardly. This was a yearly occurrence. One that Ami seemed to dread and Makoto knew well by now. The Mizuno women were stubborn creatures it seemed and on this day Ami would mirror that definition perfectly. "You know I refuse to leave her alone today. You can go if you want, but I'm staying here." The whisper was harsher than it was meant to be, but Makoto knew that it was called for.
This day had become a routine for as long as Makoto knew Ami. She would have skipped cram school to tail her mother. For some reason the eldest Mizuno found a corner seat and spent the day there. She hardly moved from that spot. In the early morning it would be coffee, later in the afternoon she would switch to sweets, soda, and other things she didn't often frequent, then in the evening she would start to drink. It was something of a punishment Makoto had realized early on. Saeko drank beer then. The woman hated beer. Yet on this day, she found herself drinking many over the course of the night and into last call. It was now that she had just started to drink, and now when Ami became the most on edge. This once a year occurrence was unpleasant indeed.
The times had changed slightly in how things occurred thanks to Ami's closely knit group of friends. The parents had created an alliance of sorts. They had to know where their children were at all times and what better way than all keeping in touch with one another? This had its ups and downs. Personal life started to lose the effect it had since everyone seemed to find out about the dirty little secrets they all held. Some approved, others didn't, all ending up in a jumbled mess that only added to their children's hullabaloo that often found purchase in daily life. It wasn't long into high school that it finally slipped out what actually caused a day like today. Ever since then a new tradition seemed to find its way into Saeko's life.
"What's he doing here?" Makoto sighed as Zoisite walked through the doors with a group of women. "That idiot!" She said as she put her hand to her face. This was normally a ladies night, not only that, it was the ladies who were divorced. They had created a little club and for some odd reason her brother had decided to tag along. "I'm going to throttle him." She growled under her breath. This was another new first.
"My mom likes him. I'm not worried." Ami said calming down the now personally agitated brunette. "Besides, he knows what she gets like. Remember last year?" Ami remembered that one well. Thankfully he had been passing by and taken her mother home himself. Ami had a high level of respect for the gentle man and envied Makoto's position as his little sister. "He'll look out for her, and the rest of them." Those women had a tendency of drinking their sorrows away into idiocy. Thankfully a man was with them to keep them in line, or at the very least keep them safe from harm's way. "I wish my own brother would be doing that, but most likely he's out prowling again." She allowed annoyance to creep into her voice only slightly.
"Well in all honesty, you're brother is a jerk." Makoto had far more effective words for the little brother Ami had to deal with. It wouldn't be proper to even say to the foulest people and so she kept it to herself. Makoto didn't mind letting the world know her distaste for him in the least though. "Zoisite better be good or I'll nail him to a wall."
"Makoto…" Ami had a mock stern face on as she tried to clear the implied imagery from her mind. "He's as straight as a circle. You have no need to worry about that. Really, do you think he'd hit on any of them?" Both of them knew that was a far fetched idea. "That's just preposterous." She waved off the thought one final time as Makoto blushed slightly for thinking her brother would find an attraction to any of the women there. Makoto was more of a risk to that than her brother if one really took time to think about the sexuality of both siblings as Ami obviously had. "What are they talking about over there?" Ami wondered as a few of the women laughed out loud and a few others, Saeko included, blushed a deep crimson red.
"I've no idea, and I think I'd like to keep it that way." Makoto shivered knowing full well that whatever it was it wasn't something she wanted to be privy too. She saw more laughing followed by one of the older women, who she knew to be Rei's grandmother on her father's side slap Zoisite playfully on the arm. "Yeah, um no. I don't want to know anything at all of it." She shivered again. That woman was one to be feared. Unfortunately that banter got louder and finally reached their ears. Thankfully for the girls who were covertly babysitting the topic had changed too one of innocence. It looked as if this was a senior version of horse playing.
"It's rather fun out there actually." Akane defended. "It's grand, but we need to sell. I'm not a young chickadee any more you know."
"No. Now you're just an old crow." The woman next to her chided as she playfully poked at some of the wrinkled skin around Akane's eyes.
"I thought that was your title you ol' stick in the mud." Lethe shot back the older women often enjoyed poking fun at each other.
"I'm an old woman Lethe. Once you attain my age you can do and say as you please. 'till then I would advise you shut your mouth."
"You're only two years older than me so hush." The younger of the two shot back.
"You girls can stop fighting now." Zoisite joked lightly knowing full well about the playful antics the table could hold.
"Anyway, tell me more about this house. Have you found a buyer?" Saeko found interest in living in the country and had once thought about it herself when she had been a newlywed.
"Not a one." Akane sighed. "That's my entire problem. I know it would be called a fixer upper but I don't have the time or ability to do it myself."
"My sister is looking for work. She's pretty handy with tools depending on what you need done. I don't mind either if it'll help you to get it sold." Zoisite suggested.
"Well, that does indeed seem like a plan if you'd be willing to help. Lord knows I can't afford a contractor and it only really needs a minor tune up." Akane smiled at the offer very few people had it in them to be helpful to those they barely knew.
"Alright, if you excuse me for a moment I'll see to the arrangements." He got up and walked over to the table that Ami and Makoto were hiding behind.
"You have a job." He said to Makoto who just looked confused that he knew she was there. "I want you both to go home. I came here so that you two don't have too. So go on back and relax. I don't know when you'll be starting but contractor work isn't easy." He said addressing Makoto before looking fondly at the shorter girl. "Don't worry. I'll look after your mom. It's not safe for women or girls your age to be out late at night regardless of how drunk someone is or not." He didn't give them time to respond as he went back to the table of women who were trying to help Saeko keep her spirits up.
Ami wanted to stay and keep a look out on the surroundings and her mother but she knew Zoisite would protect her. He was a good man, and saw Saeko as a sort of parent in an odd way. She trusted him and so, she and Makoto took their leave out the back so they weren't seen. The walk home was quiet as Makoto held Ami close to her. Some people that were passing by gave looks of confusion or repulsion since being in such an open relationship of their nature wasn't often favorable in the eyes of most.
The night passed by slowly as Ami paced the living room waiting for her mother to return home. Finally Makoto couldn't take it anymore and scooped the smaller woman in her arms as she squeaked in shock. "You'll put a hole in the rug if you keep that up." Her voice was soft and gentle as she put Ami on the sofa and pulled her into an embrace. "She's with my brother. It's not like we left her with someone irresponsible. He won't let anything bad happen." Makoto let her hands move across Ami's back to soothe the tension she had built there. The night was long and both fell asleep in that spot waiting around for hours.
Finally just as the dawn was starting to break through the clouds Saeko strolled in with Zoisite. He was holding her vertical as she mumbled something incoherent rolling his eyes as she called him a good boy. The two girls that had been sleeping stirred as he smiled at the older woman who was trying to maintain balance. After he passed her off to Ami he sat down knowing the woman was going to be a handful. Makoto could only look on as she continued to make a fool of herself. "What on earth did you give her?" Makoto quizzed.
"I didn't give her anything. I blame Minako's mother." He rolled his eyes and tried to shake the image out of his head as Makoto seemed to be waiting for him to continue. "Around three last night we ran into Ikuko and her friends and I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but somehow we ended up following them as they went bar hopping. I'll say one thing; those women can really put it away. Anyway four bars and a strip joint later here we are."
"You didn't?" Makoto couldn't believe her brother would step foot into that place.
"Indeed we did." Her brother laughed as he held up a few numbers. "There were some really hot guys. You should have seen it."
"I'm glad I didn't." Makoto grumbled as Ami sighed finally having coaxed her inebriated mother into bed.
"Anyway, you'll be starting work on Tuesday. So be sure you're ready. I need to head back home and get some sleep myself. It was one very busy night and women are harder to chase after than I thought." He sighed as he hugged Makoto and Ami goodbye and made his way back home. Now that the tense night was over and everyone was where they should be for the most part Zoisite had the right idea. A day to sleep in was needed after a night of worrying for nothing and Makoto would be sure to get it as she and Ami found their way to the all too comfortable bed for the rest of the morning.
Onto Chapter Five