Minako's Apartment

Late in the afternoon that Saturday Rei dutifully made her way to Minako's house. Minako had given Rei her address and insisted they exchange phone numbers. Rei had allowed it reluctantly. Either Minako knew better or she was lulling Rei into a false sense of security, but either way she hadn't immediately spammed Rei with messages or calls.

Rei reached Minako's exactly at the agreed-upon time. The door opened before she could even knock revealing Serena beaming at her. Rei was unsurprised to see Serena there so early. She and Minako had been so excited at lunch the day before that the teacher scolded them several times. Serena had probably been at Minako's for hours already.

Serena ushered her in with a flurry of words, remarking on Rei's clothes and saying how much fun they were going to have. She led Rei to the kitchen where Minako was standing in the middle of a giant mess. When Minako saw Rei she lit up.

"Rei! Perfect, we could use some help here," she said.

Rei ignored the casual use of her first name, giving up correcting Minako as a lost cause. Instead she tried to piece together what the two blondes had been doing.

"This looks like a war zone," she said. There were bits of what was probably onion all over the counter. There was a cutting board with chunks of carrot, none of which were the same size. A vague brown mass sat in a pan on the stove. She took a step into the kitchen and something crunched under her foot. Pieces of egg shell were scattered along the floor. "No, seriously, what happened here?"

"Well we bought some nice meat to grill on the hotplate but we wanted to make a side to go with it," Serena said.

"So we tried to make fried rice," Minako added.

"I never cracked an egg before," Serena said. "I didn't think it'd be so difficult."

"It shouldn't be," Rei said.

"Well I didn't know how hard I had to hit it to break it open so I tried a few times and it didn't break then I hit it harder and, well, you can see how that ended up," Serena said gesturing to the egg shell on the ground.

"Let's start there," Rei said slowly. "We can get everything cleaned off the floor and the counters and then deal with whatever that is," she said pointing at the pan with the mysterious brown substance.

"That's the rice," Minako said.

Rei winced. They had probably added too much liquid and heated it for too long. The rice was probably unsalvageable. The three of them started to clean, making only slow progress thanks to Serena and Minako's general ineptitude. They were almost finished cleaning when Serena perked up.

"Ami and Makoto!" she said pointing out the window. She took off for the front door to let them in. She came back in the middle of telling the other girls what had happened. Ami looked concerned and Makoto was laughing.

"You know I heard some horror stories about you two and Home Ec," Makoto said.

"They're not all true," Serena said.

"But I'm sure most are," Rei said. "You really should have seen this kitchen before we started cleaning."

"Well!" Minako interrupted. "Now that you two are here, I think we can leave the cooking to the professionals. Me and Serena are gonna set up some games."

"You guys can help them," Makoto said to Ami and Rei. "I'll handle the cooking."

Rei followed the other girls to the living room. Minako set out a few different games and she and Serena tried to decide what to play first. There were several board games as well as a deck of cards to choose from. Minako complicated the issue when she mentioned the party games she had for her game system. They were still considering what to play when Makoto came out with serving bowls full of fried rice and grilled vegetables. Minako rushed to the kitchen to retrieve the hotplate and the meat, and when she returned everyone sat around the coffee table and dug in.

While they ate they talked. They commiserated over the stress of the past week. They joked about their possible test results. Minako and Serena argued over which of them would have the worst scores. Ami wondered who would have the best and everyone promptly informed her that she would. The meat Minako and Serena had bought was delicious and the sides Makoto prepared were cooked to perfection.

After the food was gone they returned to picking a game. They started with some simple card games before trying some of the more intricate games. Rei was enjoying herself much more than she thought she would. The games were obviously fun, but the atmosphere surrounding the five of them felt warm and natural. These girls were friendly, funny, and engaging. Rei wondered if she had ever enjoyed herself as much as she was that night.

Minako caught her eye and gave her a triumphant look. She knew that Rei was, indeed, having fun, but for once Rei didn't mind that the blonde had bested her. She recalled Minako's words from their first study session at Rei's shrine, where she had said that the other girls were special. In that moment Rei was incredibly thankful that she had given these girls a chance- even Minako.

As midnight approached they spent more time chatting than playing. At one point Rei noticed that no one had taken a turn for a few minutes, but she didn't say anything, content to enjoy the conversation. It wasn't until Serena noticed that they had stopped playing that Minako called for them to pack up the game.

"I've got another game we can try," she said as she darted off to the kitchen. When she returned she had a bottle of beer in hand.

Rei was surprised. "Alcohol?" she asked. "Is that a good idea?"

"Just one, for the game I want to play. It's traditional to use a beer bottle."

"Wait, what game needs a bottle of beer?" Makoto asked.

"Spin the bottle," Minako said with a grin. Rei glared at Minako. She could guess why the other girl wanted to play, considering her favorite pastime was teasing Rei.

Serena 'ooh'ed' and glanced around the table. "This'll be fun," she said.

"Wait, is this- are we really gonna play?" Makoto asked. She looked at Ami and Rei. "Is everyone alright with that?"

Rei was a little surprised when Ami nodded, but she shrugged and nodded as well. She wouldn't back down from Minako, even if the stakes were higher than normal.

"So," Minako said uncapping the bottle, "who wants a taste?"

"I'm curious," Serena said. "I mean, adults seem to love drinking alcohol."

Makoto frowned. "Since it's only a little," she said, "and we haven't had any before."

"Still, maybe it's not a good idea," Ami said, hands nervously clasped. "Aren't we a little young?"

"Oh come on, Ami," Serena said, throwing an arm over the other girl's shoulders. "This is what being young is all about. Trying new things, especially when we're not supposed to!"

"But if she doesn't want to that's no problem, right?" Rei asked pointedly.

"Naturally," Minako said easily. "And you?"

Rei considered for a few moments. She probably shouldn't, considering her position as a miko. Drinking underage had a slew of problems, some legal and some moral. But she was a little curious, and Minako was giving her that challenging look she knew so well.

"Just to see what it's like," she said.

Serena went first. She took the bottle and quickly threw it back, taking a big gulp. She immediately started coughing, getting some of the beer on the table.

"That's gross, how can people drink that stuff?" she asked.

"Usually not all at once," Minako said. "Try it like this."

She took the bottle back and tried a much smaller sip. Her face still pulled back in a grimace. "So the taste isn't great, but it's manageable."

"A ringing endorsement," Rei said. "I'll try it next."

Minako handed her the bottle and Rei eyed it with trepidation. Minako and Serena hadn't made it seem appealing, but a lot of people seemed to enjoy drinking it. Though maybe they only enjoyed the effects. Rei took a breath and brought the bottle to her lips. The taste was odd. There was a hint of wheat and then a sharp, bitter taste made her grimace much as Minako had. That settled it- people only drank it for its effects.

"Well, who's next?" she asked.

Makoto raised her hand and took the bottle from Rei. She tried it and passed it to Ami, and both of them agreed that beer must be an acquired taste. The bottled was passed around a couple of more times before Ami finished the last few drops.

"Well, I don't think I'll have that again any time soon," Serena said.

"Same," Minako said, "but now we have an empty bottle. So, who wants a spin?"

Serena threw her arm up excitedly. Minako put the bottle on the table in the middle of the grou and everyone glanced at each other. An odd tension filled the air. Serena grabbed the bottle and spun it. Everyone watched in anticipation while it spun, then as it began to slow. It finally settled on Ami, who squeaked. Serena jumped up and rushed around the table, causing Ami to shink back a little under the intensity of her excitement. Minako and Makoto leaned in excitedly, eager to watch. Rei held her breath.

"So, um, how does this work?" Ami asked.

"Like this," Serena said, and she leaned in and pecked Ami quickly on the lips. Makoto whooped and Minako wolf-whistled. Ami blushed and laughed airily. Rei shook her head. Leave it to Serena to cut through a tense moment so easily.

It was Ami's turn next. She spun the bottle and everyone watched it again. Rei wondered how she should react if it landed on her. A quick kiss didn't seem like a big deal, but at the same time she had never kissed anyone outside of her family in any fashion. This would be a brand new experience.

Then the bottle stopped moving, open top pointing to Minako. Minako grinned and leaned towards Ami, elbows on the table.

"Lay one on me," she said.

Ami looked more nervous than when Serena was about to kiss her. "Well, here goes nothing," she said.

She moved slowly, eyes wide and blinking. Minako continued to smile at her as she moved in. When their lips met Ami pulled back almost immediately, her cheeks bright red.

"Not bad," Minako said still smiling. "Now let's see who I get."

She shot a devious look at Rei. She quickly grabbed the bottle and spun it, and Rei tensed up again. Ami was one thing, but if Minako's spin landed on her what would the other girl do? Rei could guess from the look in her eyes.

Then the bottle stopped on Makoto.

"Do you want to spin again?" Makoto laughed.

"I don't think that's how the game goes," Rei said flatly.

Minako moved next to Makoto and grabbed her hands. "Close your eyes," she said.

Makoto did and Minako moved in. She tilted her head to the side, closed her own eyes, and pressed a firm kiss to Makoto's lips. It was longer than Serena's and Ami's kisses had been. When Minako pulled away Makoto opened her eyes again.

"That was almost a real kiss," she laughed nervously. Her eyes darted to Rei and Ami, seemingly unsure where to look.

"Since we're playing why have fun," Minako said. She returned to her spot at the table. "Your turn."

Makoto's spin landed on Ami.

"Me again!?"

"Let's see it," Minako said gleefully. "Give her one like I gave you."

Makoto laughed nervously and turned to Ami beside her. "Well, here goes nothing," she said.

Ami squeezed her eyes shut and seemed to be holding her breath. Makoto grabbed her shoulder and turned her so they were facing each other square on. Then she leaned down and kissed the shorter girl. When she pulled away both girls avoided each others' eyes.

"Man, this is even more embarrassing than I thought it would be," Makoto said. "I guess it's your turn to spin."

Ami went again and this time the bottle pointed at Rei. She waited while Ami made her way over. Ami looked more nervous than Rei felt, which was odd considering she had taken part in this game twice already.

"Well, here I go," she said and leaned in slowly.

Rei wasn't sure if she was supposed to close her eyes or not, so she settled on leaving them open- she didn't want their faces to crash together. Ami came closer and closer and Rei involuntarily retreated for a moment. She steeled herself and instead moved forward to meet Ami halfway.

It was a strange feeling, having her lips meet someone else's. She couldn't say it felt good. She couldn't say it felt bad either. Then Ami pulled away. Rei blinked.

That was it? In everything she had seen and read kissing was special. It was supposed to be a romantic gesture or an expression of desire. Rei had only felt a slight pressure on her lips and Ami's breath on her face. But then, they were only kissing because of the rules of a game Minako wanted them all to play.

Rei was shaken from her thoughts by Minako.

"Alright Rei, let's see who you get," Minako said. When Rei looked at her she winked.

"Right," Rei said. She reached for the bottle slowly. Would it be different with someone else? Would it feel like more than a simple physical act? Would it be special if it was… someone else? Before she could spin a snore cut through the air and Rei startled back.

All eyes turned to Serena, whose head was slumped forward. As they watched her shoulders rise and fall another snore came from her. The four of them looked at each other completely bewildered, then they started to laugh. Their laughter woke Serena, who sat up and tried to pretend she hadn't been sleeping.

"Maybe that's a sign we should turn in," Makoto said.

"No, no, it's fine," Serena said thickly.

"It is quite late," Ami said. "I'm not used to being awake at this hour."

Minako checked her phone. "Twelve thirty is awfully late," she said teasingly. "But maybe you're right. There's a place that does a nice breakfast I thought we could check out, so we shouldn't sleep in too late."

"Mmmm, breakfast," Serena said, head drooping again.

"Can you guys take her to my bedroom down the hall?" Minako asked. "I've got a couple futons and blankets laid out for everyone to share. I'll clean up in here."

Makoto guided Serena to her feet and led her away with Ami in tow. Rei hesitated. The other two seemed like they could handle Serena.

"I'll help in here," she said.

She and Minako picked up dishes and glasses and pieces from the various games the played. The last thing to clean was the bottle they used for spin the bottle. Rei picked it up. She was sure that Minako had wanted to fluster Rei by making them kiss. But if her kiss with Ami was anything to go by kisses just weren't very appealing. There was nothing special about them. Even Minako would struggle to make Rei feel anything with a kiss. She looked at Minako. In Rei's experience the other girl had a penchant for being exceptional.

"Want me to take that?" Minako asked.

Rei blinked. "I didn't get a chance to spin," she said slowly.

"Ah, I guess not," Minako said. She waited a moment as if considering her words. "Maybe next time?"

"Or," Rei said as she set the bottle back on the table. She spun it. Minako was transfixed by the spinning glass, expression blank. Rei dropped her eyes to it as well. It slowed to a halt pointing off to Minako's left.

"Ah," Rei started. "Well, you're closest."

"Are you sure?"

The question hung in the air for several long moments. Rei didn't know if Minako was giving her an out or daring her to continue.

"I'm sure."

"Alright." Minako moved slowly, stepping around the table and approaching Rei like one would a small animal. When Minako stopped she was so close she filled Rei's vision. As small as it was, the gap between them, the distance Rei would have to cross to… to kiss her looked insurmountable.

"Right," Rei said, trying to steel herself. "Here I go."

"Right," Minako breathed. Her eyes closed with a flutter.

Rei inched forward. She tilted her head and closed her eyes. Her lips pressed against Minako's. She could feel Minako pressing back.

A few moments passed and Rei pulled back. She and Minako were both breathing quickly. Minako opened her eyes and considered her for a moment.

"So? What did you think?"

"Nothing- nothing special," Rei said. She was mostly telling the truth. Certainly the physical sensations had been the same as the kiss she shared with Ami. But something about Minako left her feeling unsteady.

"Well," Minako said, a familiar glint appearing in her eye. "We could try something a little more special."

Rei's breath caught in her throat. "Oh." A thousand thoughts flashed through her head but she couldn't make sense of any of them. "We could."

"Do… do you want to?"

Another moment passed. Rei was tense, and she felt as if everything around her were sharp. The sound of Minako's breathing, the bright blue eyes boring into her own, the tingling sensation on her lips grabbed all of her attention.

"Just to see what it's like," she said.

Minako nodded. She moved closer and Rei stayed still. Rei felt a tentative hand at her side and watched Minako's other come up to caress her cheek. Her own hands seemed to move on their own, mimicking Minako's and grabbing the other girl's waist.

Minako's lips touched hers, pressed in, separated them. Her hand slid from Rei's cheek to her neck, her thumb moving to stroke Rei's jaw. Her tongue did the same to Rei's lips. Slowly Minako deepened the kiss until her tongue moved against Rei's, and Rei struggled to breath. Her hands gripped Minako's shirt tightly. It was all so new, so intense, and not what Rei expected. It was more, much more, and she had not been ready for it. She needed to ground herself.

She unclenched her hands to look for something solid. They slipped them under Minako's shirt, feeling the other girl directly. Her skin was hot and Rei's thumb rubbed over Minako's hip bone. She grabbed and held on for dear life. Minako let out a low noise, something between a moan and a growl. She pressed her body to Rei's, and Rei didn't realize she was moving backwards until her back hit the wall.

Then it ended. Minako pulled back, only far enough that they were still breathing each other's air. Their hands stayed where they were, keeping them close.

"How was that?" Minako asked. Her face was red, her breathing heavy, her lips plump. Rei was sure she looked the same.

Her voice was rough and low and Rei shivered. She didn't know how to answer the question. It had been so intense, like nothing she had ever felt before. Minako's tongue in her mouth had been alive, exploring and caressing. Her whole body felt hot- or maybe it was Minako's, considering everywhere the other girl touched burned.

"Good." The word slipped out. At least her penchant for understatement prevented her from saying anything embarrassing. Minako smirked and Rei pulled her hands back. She could still feel the texture of Minako's hip, the heat from her side, her fingers pressing into the softness of Minako's-

"We should turn in too," Minako said. Rie nodded, not trusting her voice.

They went to Minako's room. Serena was already asleep and Ami and Makoto were most of the way there, barely acknowledging them when they entered. They changed into their pajamas and joined the others on the futons. Between her buzzing thoughts and racing heart Rei knew she was in for a long night.

A/N: Interesting note, this was one of the first scenes I thought of for this stories and one of the earliest drafted parts.