Shrine of the Moon

By Bashfulglowfly

Chapter One

"You're going to go to the Tsukimine Shrine today and help them out."

Rei turned to look at her Grandfather. An eyebrow rose. "Excuse me?"

He raised an eyebrow right back at her. "You are going to the Tsukimine Shrine and help them out. They are short-handed and they're trying to prepare for a Festival. I volunteered your services."

Rei huffed indignantly. "Well what if I have plans?"

Her Grandfather glared back. "You'll have to break them. Besides, I owe them several favors as it is."

"Why is that?"

"Because their sons have come over here and done things around the grounds for me…when you were out gallivanting with your friends."

Rei flushed and bit her lip. She knew that she'd been slacking off at the Shrine. But there was no way that she could tell her grandfather that she'd spent the last two weeks battling an incredible amount of youma as Sailor Mars. "I'm sorry. You're right. I owe them."

Her Grandfather just smiled.

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"I'm Tsukino Ikuko, the Head Priest here at the Tsukimine Shine." Rei bowed to the cheerful woman with merry eyes and long blue hair. "Welcome. You must be Rei-chan! Your grandfather has told me much about you."

"Thank you. I'm looking forward to helping you prepare, Tsukino-san."

The older woman laughed. "Call me Ikuko. Actually, I'm going to have you work with my oldest son." She looked around. "Jun? JUN!"

A deep voice came from around the side of the building. "Coming, Mom." Rei turned to towards as footsteps came near. A young man rounded the corner and somehow Rei managed to keep her jaw from hitting the ground. And from transforming and setting Ikuko-san's son on fire.

It was Jadeite.

Ikuko-san smiled as he leaned over and kissed her cheek. "What's up? You needed me?"

"Yes, this is Hino Rei. She is from the Hikawa Shrine. She's here to help us out."

Blue eyes met purple. "Oh, you're the girl that's the miko over at Hikawa. The one that's not helping her grandfather out."

"JUN!"

He shrugged. "It's the truth. If she'd been at the Shrine helping her grandfather, Shingo and I wouldn't have had to go over there so much recently."

Rei felt her cheeks burn. How dare he! He has no idea what I'm going through!

"Jun, that doesn't matter. Just work with Rei-chan." At that, Ikuko-san disappeared into the building.

Jun looked down at Rei who glared defiantly back. His blond hair glowed in the sunshine as he ran his hand through it. He sighed. "Look. I'm sorry. I know that you have your own life and things you need or want to do. But, your grandfather can't do everything by himself anymore. Maybe you and your friends can spend time together by helping out at your Shrine."

Rei bit her lip. "You might be right." She glared again at him. "Maybe."

He laughed. "Feisty, aren't you?"

Rei sniffed. "What would you like me to do, Tsukino-san?"

"First, call me Jun. Tsukino-san is my dad."

"Where is he?"

"In Hong Kong. He's a reporter and he's covering a conference there. He won't be back until the day the Festival starts." Jun motioned towards an outbuilding. "Follow me."

For the rest of the day, Rei was kept busy. Sweeping, dusting, painting. Helping Jun trim trees back so that lanterns could be later hung in the branches. There were several buildings on the property that needed windows washed. Rei couldn't believe how large the property was. It even included a small hill with a cave entrance.

Rei had walked by the cave several times; she had noticed the cave had a shimenawa with gohei across the entrance. She felt something emanating from within. Something that seemed familiar to her. She started to duck under the shimenawa to investigate but a hand dropped upon her shoulder making her jump.

It was Jadeite….no, Jun.

His blue eyes were a trifle frosty. "Sorry, but you can't go in there. No one outside the family is allowed enter the cave shrine. It's rather like the room that houses your Fire."

Rei flushed. Embarrassed that she had been caught but angry over the fact that his touch made her heart pound. "Sorry. You're right, I should know better." She tried her most charming smile. "I allowed my curiosity to get the better of me."

The frost left his eyes but they were still solemn as he looked deep into her eyes. Releasing her shoulder, he looked away. "It's time for lunch. I'll show you where you can wash up."

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Rei knelt on the cushion. She had offered to help Ikuko-san bring out the food but she had brushed aside Rei's offer.

Rei looked around the room and her eyes lit upon a series of photographs. The one that caught her eye was one of Jun, a younger boy with darker blond hair and a girl. The girl's hair was as bright blond as Jun's and even longer than Rei's. The picture appeared to be a couple of years old.

"Jun-san…is that you and your younger brother in that picture?"

He didn't even glance up. "Yes."

"Who's the girl?"

"My sister." Rei looked sharply at Jun. His tone of voice was flat and almost monotone.

"Where is she? Shouldn't she be helping out?"

Jun looked up at Rei, his eyes were dull with pain. "My sister is very ill. She's unable to help."

Rei bit her lip. "Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause you pain."

Jun gave a sad smile. "I know. Just please don't say anything in front of my mom. It hurts her very much."

Ikuko came back into the room with the rest of the food. Rei simply nodded at him. Then gave thanks for the food in front of her and began to eat.

After lunch, the pair sat and made charms. Rei looked around at the several baskets that were already full of various types. She looked at Jun. "Don't you have enough charms already? We're always making and blessing them at our shrine."

He didn't pause in his calligraphy. "No. We only bless the charms twice a month. At the New Moon and at the Full Moon. So, we need to make lots in-between times."

"I see."

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Ikuko-san smiled. "Thank you for all of your help today, Rei-chan." She pressed a basket into Rei's hands. "This is for you and your grandfather. Please thank him for us for letting you come and help us out."

Rei bowed. "It was my pleasure. If you need more help, please don't hesitate to call."

Jun, leaning against the wall, smiled "Bye, Rei-chan. See you soon."

Rei barely glanced at him. But she did hear the slightly mocking tone of his voice.