Shady's back! Beat me up later, read and review now.

For you I was a flame
Love is a losing game
Five story fire as you came
Love is a losing game

Though I'm rather blind
Love is a fate resigned
Memories mar my mind
Love is a fate resigned

Father and daughter looked at each other from across the table. Similarly hued eyes briefly met, and then unabashedly flicked to their wristwatches to count the minutes passed since they first sat down for lunch. Only fifteen, and their salads had not even reached the table yet.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine."

"How is your grandfather?"

"He's fine."

"How is Kimika?"

Rei looked at him dryly. "She's fine too."

Senator Hino forced a smile as he surveyed the chic black skirt suit his daughter had opted to wear to their monthly lunch date, something he would've never guessed to be in her closet. "You look nice, Rei-ko. Did Kimika pick that out?"

She stopped herself from scowling at him. "She suggested it, yes." This information caused a pleased smile to cross the Senator's face that made Rei immediately regret the choice of outfit.

"I like it," He repeated the sentiment, still smiling. "You look like my daughter."

Rei opened her mouth to ask what exactly it was that she looked like before, but decided that it was rare enough to see the man smile at her. It was a dumb thing to be so happy about, she thought, but then again she hardly ever did anything to attempt to make him happy. She resigned herself to mumbling a "Thanks, Dad" as their salads finally arrived, and to holding her tongue for the rest of lunch.

"Goodness gracious!" Saki grinned as she pointed her camera and snapped ten frames at lightning speed. "Where did you learn to pose like that?"

Minako would have grinned, but the look they were going for called for "coy and playful", so she pursed her lips and lowered her eyelids.

Fifty frames later, she let herself laugh as she watched Saki bite her lip as she lowered the camera. She hustled to the laptop where the digital shots were recorded, and leaned on the photographer's shoulder as they looked through them.

"These are pretty good, you were really giving it," Dai, Saki's art director told her, "Doesn't even come across that you haven't worked in months."

"I hoped it wouldn't," Minako replied absently, her eyes glossing over the myriad images of herself. Straightening up, she clasped her hands together gratefully, "Thank you so much guys. I can definitely book a job now."

Seeing the cheerful blonde so suddenly serious, Saki chuckled and poked her in the side, eliciting a yelp and a slap on the arm. "That's better. Don't get all teary-eyed yet, there's still lots more to shoot. Go change for the next one."

Dai looked away as the photographer and model shared a brief kiss. He smirked at Saki as soon a Minako had disappeared behind the changing screen, "Saki-kun. Careful, careful. Mia's due back in town soon."

Saki threw her braid over her shoulder as she whipped around to glare at him, "You keep your mouth shut."

Minako fumbled with her cell phone many times as she excitedly dialed her friend's cell phone number from behind the changing screen. The phone rang a few times before a gruff-sounding Ami picked up, "What?"

Surprised, Minako looked at her phone briefly to make sure she hadn't called Rei by accident. "Ami-chan? What's the matter?"

"I'm sorry Minako-chan, hold on for a second," Ami moved out of the less than silent library into an adjacent hallway. Minako heard the girl sigh, "I don't suppose you could dispense some advice on how to turn someone down politely, Senshi of Love?"

Minako let herself grin at the use of her title, "That's not really my forte. I prefer to lead people on."

Ami chuckled into the phone, "How silly of me to think otherwise."

"I was kidding Ami," Minako told her, "But seriously, who's trying and when can I see Mako-chan kick their ass?"

"I wouldn't bother Makoto with this. She'd just get unnecessarily worked up. It's a small matter. A girl in my study group, she's quite persistent."

Minako paused in trying unsuccessfully to zipper herself into a rich fuchsia evening gown. "Is she cute?"

Ami chuckled again, "You're shameless, you know that?"

"I know. Well, is she?"

"I don't believe she's your type. She's not a miko or anything."

Ami heard her friend scoff,"That's not even funny. She was out of line the other night, even for her."

"You weren't exactly well behaved either, Minako-chan," Ami reminded her, "Although I wouldn't worry about it too much, it seems the wine might've had that effect. Rei is never intentionally rude to you. The rest of the world isn't so lucky."

Minako chewed her lip as she pondered this, even as Saki's voice called for her to hurry up. "Ah, I have to get going Ami-chan. I just called to tell you to get everyone together and get down here after lunch. You guys can watch me work!"

Ami smiled fondly as the blonde hung up. She held her phone in her hand, pausing as she highlighted Makoto's name in the phonebook. As it rang, a small part of her hoped to get the voicemail.

"Hey sweetheart," Makoto's cheerful voice answered. "You're out of school already?"

"Afraid not," she said looking towards the library door and her awaiting study group, "I just called to tell you that Minako invited us to her photo shoot. I think I can spare a couple hours to go see her, what about you?"

"I can swing that. Wait—you mean I actually get to see you today? While the sun's up?"

Makoto heard her girlfriend sigh tiredly, a sound she was becoming increasingly more familiar with. "Makoto… My lecture is starting in a few minutes, can you call Rei and Usagi?"

"She wanted Rei to come to?"

"She did say 'everyone'. Perhaps seeing Minako in her new milieu will help Rei to apologize."

"Her new what? Okay, I guess that makes sense. I'll see you soon, then. I love you."

"Love you too," Ami replied automatically, shutting her phone quickly afterwards and heading back into the library for another hour of study.

"Now now, eat everything on your plate. It's bad to waste food."

The seven-year-old looked at Usagi blankly. The Princess returned the stare as she sipped from one of his juice boxes.

"I don't like it." He stated plainly, enough reason to leave half of his lunch untouched on the plate.

"But I just told you, it's bad to waste food."

"So?"

"So there are little boys and girls everywhere who aren't as lucky as you, that have to eat straw for lunch and work eighteen hour days without pay," She returned with a smug smile. She was happy that the lessons from the cultural anthropology class she had slept through most of the semester were finally coming in handy.

Her charge was unperturbed by this information. "And I care about that because…?"

The juice box straw nearly lodged itself in Usagi's throat as she gasped. Young people these days were well-equipped with sarcasm, more so than she had been at that tender age. She had not really encountered that type of cutting witticism until she met Rei, and didn't care for it much then either.

"Because, young man, the police will arrest you for being a selfish, wasteful little brat, on top of being a smart aleck!"

"The police can't arrest me! My dad works for the city."

This kid really had an answer for everything, and there were four more hours yet before his parents came home and finally paid her for putting up with him. "Ah maybe not the police, but surely, Sailor Moon will punish you!" She pointed at him dramatically.

"Sailor Moon?" He looked at her perplexedly, when it dawned on her. The kid was only a baby when the Senshi had transformed for the last time, saving the world—the universe—existence itself—from Galaxia.

He was as surprised as he cared to be when his babysitter's smile broke and she agonizingly whimpered, "I'm so oooold!"

He watched her distress for a few more seconds before adding an unhelpful "Duh!" then scooting out of his chair to find his Nintendo DS.

Usagi let herself mourn the ravages of time a little bit more before the ring of her cell phone distracted her. "Ah Mako-chan!"

Makoto held the phone an inch away from her ear, customary when being greeted by the Princess. As soon as Usagi's voice had returned to safe decibel levels, she plugged her other ear and smashed the phone closer to her face, trying to drown out the sounds of the noisy restaurant kitchen. "Usagi-chan, are you still sitting that kid? Minako-chan's on a photo shoot, she wants us to check it out? Can you come?"

"Yah," Usagi answered matter-of-factly, "I wouldn't miss that for anything!"

"What about the kid?"

The Princess pondered this for a moment, "I guess I'll have to take him with me."

A pained expression crossed Makoto's face that she was glad the blond couldn't see. "Fine. I'll pick you both up. Oh and call Rei-chan, Minako said she could come too."

After a decidedly dull lunch with her father, Rei had found herself standing idly on the steps of the Metropolitan Government Building, waiting for Kimika. She sent the woman a seventh text message asking how long she would be. The reply came several minutes later, after maddening catcalls from the idiotic construction crew across the street, informing her that whatever she was working on was being held up by something and that it would be at least another hour.

"Ridiculous," the miko huffed to herself. An hour was an eternity to wait in the mind-numbingly tedious business district, but not enough time for her to make it back to the shrine to do something productive. She was considering doing so anyway, despite the consequences she would have to endure later.

A providential ring of her cell phone informed her that Usagi was calling. "Please tell you you're near the Government building," she answered impatiently.

"Nope, but we'll be nearby soon," the blonde replied in stride, "Minako's having a photo shoot right now and she invited us along. Can you make it?"

Rei nearly hopped down the steps to the sidewalk in joy. She calmed herself though, hesitating to answer. "I sort of have to wait for Kimi—"

"Oh well forget it," Usagi concluded. She wanted to make the decision for the miko, because she knew exactly in which direction she would go.

"No! Wait! It'll still be another hour before she gets out, and you said the place was close right? I can stop by and take a look. I mean, I've never seen Mina in action."

Usagi looked wryly to Makoto behind the wheel, who chuckled, also predicting Rei's judgment call. "Fine, Rei-chan. We'll be by in a few minutes."

Makoto shook her head as Usagi hung up, "What are we going to go with that girl?"

The Princess frowned, "I wish there was something we could do. Y'know, besides physically hurting her."

"We may have to resort to that option," Makoto grinned.

"Yowza!" Saki encouraged Minako excitedly as she snapped several shots of the blonde posing flirtatiously in the fuchsia gown, oblivious to her four friends and a bewildered child entering the studio quietly.

They stood by out of sight as Minako continued to work, a mixture of pride and awe coming over them as they watched their friend.

"She's sooo pretty! And cool!" Usagi squealed, clasping her hands together in star-struck admiration. The seven-year-old by her side stared for a while before looking around for something of more interest.

"My, this is surreal isn't it?" Ami remarked in an emotional whisper, "She looks nothing like the girl we grew up with, yet beneath all the cosmetics it's Minako-chan."

Makoto nodded, her proud smile turning into a frown, "Yeah. I just wish her parents were here too." She kicked at the tiled floor, irritated, "What's wrong with them?"

"Maybe nothing's wrong with them," Ami and Makoto were surprised to hear this from Rei, "Maybe something's wrong with Minako." Her furrowed eyebrows relaxed as the model executed her trademark, blowing a kiss and winking at the camera. She felt a shiver go through her. "Damned if she doesn't look good though."

"Simmer down now," Usagi warned, snapping out of her rapture momentarily.

"I'm not saying anything wrong, she does," Rei replied quickly, crossing her arms. Her ears caught a bit of Saki's eager praise and huffed, "What is with that woman? Is she getting off on this or something? For God's sake…"

Usagi rolled her eyes, turning to Rei, "It's her job. She is the photographer."

"Yeah, some job," the miko snorted. "Taking pictures of half-naked beautiful women all day…" she murmured, unable to complete her resentful thoughts as Saki's camera stopped clicking and Minako excitedly made her way to her friends.

She threw her arms around Usagi, Ami, and Makoto all at once, squeezing the four together while Rei and Usagi's charge looked on. It wasn't until Rei cleared her throat that Minako acknowledged her.

She straightened up, lifting the skirt of her gown and taking a step towards the miko. "Rei. I didn't expect you to come," she admitted, still bruised from the last words they exchanged.

That, however, seemed to be the furthest thing from Rei's mind. Minako's eyebrow rose curiously as Rei's gaze traveled over her; from sparkling three-inch designer stilettos, to the full charmeuse skirt that flowed from the silky bodice which dipped with the blonde's slim waist and likewise hugged the swell of her breasts; to bare collarbones and a fine neck adorned with a diamond tear-drop pendant dangling from a white-gold chain; to a glossy pink mouth, full lips drawn slightly apart; along a dainty nose and rosy cheekbones, finally to sky blue eyes staring back at her intently beneath kohl and curled lashes.

"Like I would miss this," Rei finally retorted, locking her gaze onto Minako's. With a lowered voice, she added, "I'm proud of you."

Minako was just recovering from the stripped bare feeling that more often than not resulted from Rei's intense stare. The quiet admission on top of that, left her slack-jawed. Her own gaze hit the floor, relieved to escape the violet pools that reminded her so much of things she was better off forgetting. Like the many times the miko had conveyed that she wanted this for her as much as she wanted it for herself. And how much Minako had wanted to hear those words and see that spark of admiration, from Rei.

"Um," she giggled, a natural blush tingeing her cheeks even more pink, "Thanks," was all she could muster to say. Relieved to hear Saki calling out to her, she turned to the photographer who slipped both arms around her waist.

Rei looked away, crossing her arms as Saki lay smiling kisses on Minako's face and neck. "Isn't she great?" The older woman addressed Minako's four friends, "She's going to be a star."

"Oh, how original," all eyes snapped to the miko, who was examining her nails casually.

Usagi furrowed her eyebrows at Rei before turning to Saki, "Well, as long as we know she's in good hands."

"They're great hands, Usagi-chan," Minako grinned, ignoring the gagging noise coming from Rei's direction.

Saki raised an eyebrow, whispering, "I wish you let me show you how great they actually are."

"My friends are right there!" The blonde screeched back.

Rei felt nauseous, forced to look upon the photographer-model duo whispering to each other and playfully touching. She would puke soon if she had to bear witness to them any longer. Fishing out her cell phone, she emitted a small gasp at the number of missed calls, new text messages, and voicemails.

"What is it?" Ami asked, noticing her fallen face.

"Have we really been here for an hour and a half?" Rei replied incredulously. "I was supposed to meet Kimi a half hour ago!" She quickly read through the text messages, each more hostile than the last. "Oh shit, she's really angry, I have to go. Makoto, can you give me a ride?"

Makoto looked to Minako, who shrugged. "I have to get changed, and besides Saki and I are going to dinner in a bit. But I'm so glad you guys came!" She squealed, throwing her arms around each one of her friends in turn.

Minako only meant to embrace Rei for a second, but the miko held on. As she watched Saki watching her over Minako's shoulder, Rei whispered, "Be careful."

"She's nothing I can't handle," Minako replied wearily as she pulled away.

"I know but—"

"You should be careful too, y'know," she told Rei with a smirk. "That Kimika looks a lot more merciless than she lets on."

Rei rolled her eyes, "You're one to talk about mercy."

"I forgave you eventually you—" Minako stopped herself, not wanting to let Rei push her buttons in front of Saki. "Just get the hell out of here already."

She shoved Rei away from her and turned to Saki, waving to the others as they made their way out of the studio.

Rei was anxiously perched in the front passenger seat of Makoto's car, having declared "Shotgun! It's an emergency!" and relegating Ami to the backseat with Usagi. She stared out of the streaky windshield, becoming more uneasy with each passing landmark that showed how close she was getting to the home of her undoubtedly pissed off girlfriend.

"STOP!" A cry came from the backseat, causing Makoto to slam on the brakes and send all four occupants flying forward.

"What?!" The brunette yelled, eyeing Usagi in the rearview mirror and rubbing her chest where it had collided with the steering wheel.
"The kid! I forgot the kid!"

The three women stared at their Princess with utter astonishment. Without a word, Makoto made a precarious U-turn and speedily headed back to Saki's studio. The child was waiting patiently in front of the building, enjoying a popsicle and holding a certain blonde model's hand, who threw her head back and laughed raucously at her not-so-responsible friends.

Rei groaned as she squeezed into the back beside Usagi and Ami, as the kid demanded the front seat in exchange for the promise that he would speak not a word of the incident to his parents. She sunk deeper into the little space she occupied as her pocket vibrated with what was most likely another livid text message from Kimika.

"I—"

Was all Rei managed to get out of her mouth before Kimika slammed the door in her face. The agitated miko inhaled sharply before rapping on the condo door once again. "Kimi, come on! At least let me explain."

Hand poised to knock again, she was surprised when the older woman opened the door.

"Fine, explain why you were two hours late for our date."

"You weren't exactly timely either—"

Rei rested her forehead against the door once Kimika had slammed it again. Sighing, she reached for the doorknob, relieved to find it unlocked. Upon entering the lavish condominium she found her irate girlfriend rattling dishes around in the kitchen. She looked up at Rei dangerously through a curtain of bangs swept messily to the side; she was still dressed in a previously pristine silk shirt with slacks, wrinkled throughout her stressful workday.

"You look nice," Rei started, lamely.

Golden eyes shot into her, then rolled to look at the ceiling. "You were going to explain—without trying to blame me."

"Right," the miko acquiesced, although silently resented the motherly way her girlfriend intoned. She moved to the kitchen's island, taking a seat at one of the high stools while Kimika continued to prattle around with pots and pans. "I apologize, I really do. I just got caught up with… my friends."

Kimika whipped around to face her, "You ditched me to hang out?"

"No! No, no, no, that's not it," Rei got to her feet, going to Kimika's side. Apparently, her words lacked charm tonight, so she decided to change gears.

"It was something that I couldn't miss, and I lost track of time, that's all," she explained softly, reaching for the woman's waist and pulling her close. "I'm so sorry, it'll never happen again," she said tenderly as she nuzzled into her neck. She smiled to herself, feeling Kimika's stiffness diminish until she was wrapping her arms around the miko's neck to return the embrace. "I love you," she whispered, the icing on the cake, and placed an open-mouthed kiss on Kimika's throat.

Somewhere in the back of her ever-reasoning mind, Kimika knew she was being manipulated. Even so, she had to congratulate Rei on playing her like a finely tuned instrument with all the skill of a maestro. The younger woman knew how to talk to her, to upset her, to soothe her, and presently, how to kiss her.

Rei's kisses were torturously light, forcing her to be the one to push closer, to cradle the miko's head with one hand while the other hand fumbled with jacket buttons. The deep chuckle Rei emitted as her suit jacket was hurriedly slipped off sent a blush crawling up Kimika's neck; Rei making her aware of her own runaway desire that only she was capable of evoking.

She let a deep sound of satisfaction escape as Rei finally allowed her to deepen the kiss, the miko's own desire rising to meet her lover's. She pressed herself into Rei as much as she could, holding her face in her hands, determined to taste the flavors of her mouth thoroughly. The younger woman's hands glided seamlessly and everywhere; down to pull the shirt out of her waistband, back up to cup her breasts through the sleek fabric, down again as she worked effortlessly through each button, up again as she nearly tore the shirt from her shoulders.

Just as she was becoming lightheaded, breath came to her in a surprised gasp as the miko lifted her onto the kitchen counter. Another gasp followed as Rei's warm, soft mouth sought tender flesh through the lace of her bra, hands busy with her pants zipper.

Lifting her hips to aid the removal of the slacks, panties right along with them, she reached out a slightly shaking hand to brush her fingers through Rei's bangs. Their eyes met as Rei's lips descended on her inner thigh and she felt her smiling against her skin.

On the hazy edges of coherent thought she briefly wondered if Rei's gaze was naturally or purposefully intense and why, of all times, she chose now to stare unrelentingly right into Kimika. She wanted so bad to close her eyes, to simply feel the unfathomable pleasure as it washed over her, but those violet eyes entranced her, wanted her to watch Rei take her, to see nothing but Rei.

She fell headlong into the gaze, and despite the rational side of herself that she constantly wrestled with, deeper into love with Hino Rei.

Full AN on profile page.

Love is a Losing Game - Amy Winehouse