Disclaimer:I don't own Sailor Moon, shocker, but Naoko Takeuchi and hundreds of other people do, mostly big bad businesses with big bad lawyers. In other words please don't sue me cause I don't have anything since ummm...I buy all the products you put out. Yeah, that's right. *Whew*, dodged a bullet there! Um I did create some of the minor characters and feel free to use them in your own fics if they strike your fancy. Author's Notes at the end and here's my email in case you wanna email me, pretty pretty please with ice cream and chocolate and a cherry and sprinkles(you get the picture) on top... inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com Rei:First Love Chapter Four Rei stared at Jadeite in shock, her mind reeling and lips still warm from the kiss they had shared. 'I love you?...Oh Mars no... I promised...I swore...Oh Rani what is happening to me? I just kissed a man and a man just proclaimed his love for me!' And he was serious. He didn't say those words lightly and for once the proud warrior of fire was speechless. Rei backed away, eyes wide as tears coursed unnoticed down her cheeks. Jadeite though was not letting her leave so easily and for every step she took back he took one forward, waiting, begging, pleading for an answer. He caught her hands in his, his wonderfully strong hands that asked for an equal, a partner, someone to share his life with. One trembling hand reached up and brushed her cheek hesitantly. "Rei...please..." His voice shook with those two words and she sobbed a bit. She wanted, Mars only knew how she wanted, to say the words back. She had known him for two days yet the honesty, the emotion, though new, was true and sure. He was her match in every way, she had read it in his eyes just like she had read that he knew their true identities. The other scouts had been shocked when she had told them, after Serenity had ushered them out of her bedroom, though none as angry as she. Memories of a childhood in hell flashed across her mind. And the words that had been forming on her own lips died with a muted cry. Then Rei did something that she had never done before. She pulled from Jadeite and ran away as fast as she could. * * Jadeite stared after her. Damn, he had been so sure and he had seen the answer! He had seen the words that she almost spoke but what had happened? She could have told him that he was moving too fast, that she needed time to think, but no she had fled from him crying. What had he done? He had just made Sailor Mars, one of the most renown warriors in the galaxy cry. 'But she isn't just a warrior... She is a princess also... She is a woman...' It was strange, thinking of them all as the same. It was exciting and thrilling and he wondered at the way it seemed, at least to him, to make sense. Sensing a warm presence behind him he whirled. Princess Venus, Sailor Venus, Mina stepped out from the shadows. He stepped back, surprised and she smiled a bit at him. What in earth was she doing here? "Princess?" he murmured softly, questions in his tone. She sighed a little and came forward. She took his hand and led him to a bench where they sat, both oblivious to the dust. "I'm here," she said gently, "because I sensed the turmoil inside of you." She pointed to his heart. "And I, as an agent of Venus, am dedicated to fixing matters of the heart." Realization dawned belatedly on him. Venus was the planet of love. Of course she would have been drawn to them. "Would you like to tell me what's going on?" "Wouldn't you rather ask Rei?" An elegant eyebrow rose at the use of Rei's first name but she didn't comment. Mina shook her head. "No. In love Rei is more secretive than the most complex lock in hiding how she feels. She tells no one what's going on." Jadeite felt a flickering of hope. "But you can tell what she's feeling, right?" Mina snorted unladylike. "If I wished but I would not pry so into other's feelings. There are rules for everything and that would violate one of the most basic of rules for the use of my powers. I can help only if it is asked for, so do you want my help?" Jadeite felt a flicker of uncertainty. He was use to standing on his own, and yet, he had never felt this way before, and he was hopelessly out of his depth. "Yes," he finally hissed. "I want your help." Mina grinned like an errant child that was allowed into mischief before clapping her hands enthusiastically. "Good! Well first things first what's going on? I can feel things, not read minds." Jadeite ran a hand through his hair, tugging gently at the snarls in it. "I'm not sure. I danced with Princess Mars last night and it was nice, better than nice. She was wonderful, beautiful, witty, but I sensed her holding back from me so I didn't push anything. Then I saw Sailor Mars today in battle and felt just as much, even more attracted to her than I did the Princess. I didn't get to talk to her, I wanted to, but I it felt odd, as if it would be betraying the Princess, though I owed her nothing. Then when I was delivering that message to Princess Serenity and I accidentally overheard your conversation and learned that you were the Sailor Scouts! It was shocking, I'll give you that, but it made everything seem to fit. It was perfect. The two women I had admired more than I had any other in all my years of existence were one in the same. When I left Princess Serenity Rei brought me here. I could tell she was furious but I could also tell she was attracted to me, though she hid it well. Then I acted on impulse. I kissed her. It was incredible and trusting my fledgling feelings I spoke. I told her that I loved her. Then she ran away." Mina chuckled a little. "Yes, I came in on that part." She sighed gustily. "I don't think," she said slowly, "that you really did anything bad. You moved fast but you trusted your gut, your instinct, your heart, and that wasn't wrong, it never is. But Rei's life has been hard. Her childhood was a nightmare, she's never even told us everything that happened to her and Rani." He frowned a bit. "Rani?" Mina smiled sweetly. "Yes, her twin. She loves him more than anything else in the entire galaxy. He was her protector, he still is. If she trusts anyone completely, absolutely, it's him. Even with us there's still moments when she pauses, and her soul is not open, even though we're her dearest friends. It's because of her past and she doesn't trust, not easily. And though she's never spoken about anything like this with us she never trusts men. They treat her as a possession, if that. And you may take comfort from this, Rei has *never* asked another man to dance like she asked you." Jadeite frowned. "Never?" Mina shook her head, another winning smile lighting her curved lips. "Never, ever. Giver her time, I'll help if I can, and perhaps we'll all be pleasantly surprised." "Then you approve of us, as a couple?" Mina laughed. "What is there not to approve of? You've got a good, steady head on your shoulders. You'll respect and care for her but I can tell you've got enough of a temper to be her equal. You're perfect for each other and Rei's stubborn, not stupid. It won't take her too much longer to realize that, if she hasn't already, she just needs time to accept the fact." Jadeite smiled himself. "Thank you Princess." She nodded regally but spoiled it by giggling. "Now there's another thing you might be able to help me with..." Jadeite cocked his head in silent query. Venus and he stood and she linked a friendly arm through his as she led him away. "Now for a fact I know there's something going on with your friend Zoicite and Ami. I think its time for Love Doctor Venus and her assistant Jadeite to pay Zoicite a visit. He needs to sort through his feelings about Ami..." Shaking his head Jadeite chuckled. These women were truly amazing creatures... * * Rei angrily bushed the tears away and she fled to her room. She threw herself on her bed crying. Minutes later she rose and sat, knees tucked under her chin, as she stared at the great fire that roared constantly in her large fireplace. A solitary tear or two would, at odd intervals, leak from the corner of one amethyst eye, leaving wet sparkling trails down her flushed cheeks. What in Mars's name was she suppose to do with this mess? How was he affecting her so? What made him different from the others? And how was she supposed to remedy the situation? Who could she talk to? Ami? No, Ami wouldn't be any help to her, she was, if anyone, just as clueless in love. 'Of course she is perfectly happy day dreaming about Zoicite...' Serenity? No, their friendship was strong but they teased each other and Rei couldn't bring herself to ask her, the bubbly, vivacious, sickeningly cheerful Serenity for help. She wouldn't, couldn't understand. Her life was perfect, always had been. She grew up in a loving home and now was madly in love with a Prince whom she met two days ago. 'Am I in love with Jadeite?' Shaking her head she banished the thought. Mina? Mina was the senshi of love and yet... Rei wasn't sure Mina's meddling was what she needed right now. That left Lita. Lita who had suffered through her beloved mother's death. Lita who bore the weight of having to marry and bear children in order to truly become a Sailor Scout. Lita who had been through more serious relationships than even Mina in her quest for a husband. Lita who would indeed keep her secret if she asked. Lita who made the best cookies in the whole galaxy which were just what a slightly depressed Rei needed right now... With that last comforting thought of food Rei stood and rubbed her eyes, not daring to glance at the mirror and see how awful she looked. With hesitant steps she made her way to the palace kitchen where Lita could usually be found after a training practice, especially when she didn't do so well. She always claimed that fighting made her hungry. Shuffling into the huge room, full of ovens and counters and food and pots and pans, Rei looked around. And sure enough there was a whistling Lita at a counter, busily rolling delicious looking dough flat while sheets of freshly baked cookies sat hot and gooey and browned. She was alone in the kitchen but that wasn't surprising since most of the cooks were taking breaks since it was after lunch and hours before dinner. "Hay Lita." The brunette turned and smiled, her whole face lighting up. Taking in Rei's puffy red eyes and slightly runny nose her friend's face grew concerned. "Uh-oh... That looks bad. Come on, I'm making Sob Cookies, come help me put lots of icing on them. Figured I'd need some after the 'battle' today but I think you need them more." Rei chuckled a bit and joined Lita who handed a bowl of icing and a knife. "Here, smooth this on the ones that are finished." Rei nodded and began the task. "Hay, this is your patented Boo Hoo Icing, right?" Lita giggled. "Yup, full of enough sugar to rot your teeth if you eat more than five." Rei laughed. "Then how come Serenity still has all her teeth, she usually eats about a dozen!" Lita's face became mock serious. "The laws of physics have never applied to our dear Moon Princess." They shared lighthearted laughter again and worked in silence for awhile, Lita using cookie cutters to cut out more cookies, Rei icing the ones already baked. Finally Lita broke the quiet. "Not that I mind the help or the company but what's up Rei? You never cry, last time you did it was when Rani got married." Rei shrugged as she considered how much to tell Lita. "Its just...well I did meet someone at the ball and he's a nice guy, actually the nicest I've met so far, and...but...well." Encouraged by Lita green eyes Rei swore. This was harder than she thought. "I just don't know! I mean he said he lo...loved me and I don't know what to do." Remarkably Lita had no cries of glee or other high pitched noises to greet that statement, perhaps sensing that they weren't what Rei needed right now. "Well do you love him?" The simple question, the very same she had asked herself, now put into words made the situation that much more real. Rei groaned. "I've known the man two days!" Lita looked at her, her hands momentarily still as knowledge sprang to her gaze. Darn it, she had just given away that it was a general with that one... "It doesn't matter, you know or you don't. It may take longer to confess the words or to do anything about them and sometimes you don't do anything at all. There's more than one man to fall in love with, but only one who will capture your spirit and soul." Rei pursed her lips. "Have you ever fallen in love?" Lita nodded simply in answer to the question. "Yes, but I didn't want to spend the rest of my life with him, so we're just good friends now." Rei chewed her lip, thinking. "Wellll," she drew out. "What should I do?" Lita looked closely at her before shrugging. "You're not going to tell me everything and I'm not sure I can help even if you did. I suggest you go to the one person who knows you best..." Rei frowned. "Rani." Rei sat back, aghast. "But he's my twin!" Lita laughed. "That's the point Rei. He knows you better than anyone, heck you two share the same thoughts. Ask him." Rei blushed. "I can't," she said softly. Lita snorted. "Why ever not?" "Well one, he's a guy. I mean guys aren't the best with dealing with these kind of things, two I don't know how he'll react, and three he's my little brother!" Lita sighed and shook her head. "He's not just any guy for one Rei. He's shared your thoughts since you were kids, I think he at least grasps the basic concepts of the feminine mind which is more than most guys do. Two you don't know how he'll react until you tell him and three you're only older by five minutes!" Rei sighed. "Perhaps," she said grudgingly. "I need some time to think." Lita nodded as if she had expected that answer and pulled out a napkin in which she wrapped up some two dozen finished and frosted to the point of drowning cookies and handed them to her. "Good luck and Jupiter bless," she said cheerily. Rei took the bag with a small smile and haltingly started to ask something. Eyes glinting Lita chuckled. "Don't worry I'll bite my tongue, won't even tell Mina, until you sort this out." "Don't you mean until I say you can tell people?" Making big eyes Lita faked tears. "But Rei, this is juicy gossip! I mean how often does the fire warrior let a man near her and not scorch him!" Rei glared but Lita only giggled more. "Come on Rei... I'll keep it quiet for a little bit..." Finally Rei sighed and excepted that small concession from her friend. "Demon Child," she called out over her shoulder with a quirky smile. "No," Lita corrected primly. "I'm a Demon Woman." With a snort Rei made her way back to her room. Closing her bedroom door she leaned against the wall, feeling a headache beginning to pulse at her temples. What to do? What to do? She went and sat down, slender legs crossed, on the plush rug that was situated before the fire that burned brightly. Ignoring the heat she began to meditate. Finally, after debating the issue within herself she sent her thoughts out to her brother, her twin, her other, and some whispered better, half. 'Rani, my brother, are you there?' She felt his mind slip easily away from reality to join her. 'I always am sister dear. What's up?' Rei paused, and finally decided that she had to tell him, she desperately needed his wisdom, his strength. Swallowing her fears she formed the whole mess in her mind and 'shoved' the story at him. He digested it for several minutes and Rei held her breath the entire time. When he spoke again his mind voice was muted, soft, and full of quiet joy. 'Rei, that's wonderful!' Rei hung her head miserably. 'No its not wonderful, its awful. What am I to do Rani?' She tried to force the panic that was creeping into her mind voice down but knew she didn't truly succeed. He quietly laughed at her emotions. 'Tell him you love him Rei.' She rocked back with shock. 'Lo...love?' She felt his bemusement. 'Of course... Why else would you be this worked up over it? Many others have promised you their undying love and you laughed in their faces. Others have even managed to kiss you and you slapped them and walked away without a second thought, but Rei he's got you flustered! Of course you love him.' 'But Rani, love? I've known him for two days.' Her twin chuckled. 'I knew Jutance five minutes and knew she was the one. Time is not always the telling agent. Love is unpredictable, unreliable, and makes no rational sense what so ever.' Rei assimilated the information, shaking her head all the while. 'Perhaps... I need time to think, just a little more time...' 'Rei, I'll be here any time you need me and I'll check in once in awhile. Good luck sister dear.' 'Thanks Rani, brother of my heart. I will keep in touch, promise. Wish Jutance well for me.' She felt his laughter. 'Twin bond promise?' Rei chuckled at the reminder of their special form of oath taking they had used as children. They would swear on their bond as brother and sister, as that was the most precious thing to them when they were young. 'Twin bond promise,' she replied gently and withdrew. Author's Notes: Wow, got through another chapter. Sorry this book is so long, doubt the others will be, but I can't seem to finish it. I know how I want it to end but its taking up a lot of page space writing it.=) Neway next week is in most liklihood the last chapter then on to Lita's story. Email? Yes please! LOL Please email me, comments, praise, flames, whatever, I like them all. Here's the spiffy people that emailed me this week, you guys are the greatest!: Yoshi, Echo Hansen, Mn, SpringAngel16 Well, bu-bye for now ya'll. Have a wonderful week! Wow I can be sickeningly cheery, LOL.