I have totally been neglecting this story...... I apologize. I'll finish it, though, I'm sure. I just need to make time for it when I have nothing else to do. Anyway, here's chapter 11, and I'll probably post 12, and maybe 13 as well very soon as an apology........
________________________________
Usagi awoke in a cold sweat. She had been dreaming about a princess and a mystery man for years now, but she had finally seen their faces. The first thing she thought to do was to tell Rei. That wasn't necessarily the best idea, though. Rei had been acting strangely since Usagi had befriended Mamoru. No, strangely wasn't the word. Cruel was more like it. Minako was the least lucky of them all. She had always gotten the short end of the stick with Rei, but now, Minako and Rei had been getting into physical fights. They could never be left alone. One might kill the other.
The next thing Usagi thought to do was tell Minako. She was the closest to her in the house, save Rei, and had a good head on her shoulders. If any one could figure it out, Usagi's 'twin' could. However, anyone could see that Minako's fights with Rei were starting to get to her. They all knew what the blond's feelings were, and they all knew that fighting with Rei was the last thing she wanted to have to deal with, but all of that on top of her boyfriend issues, bad grades, and overall anxiety made Minako a hard person to talk to. She was only ever kind to Rei, as strange as it was.
Usagi could easily have told the other two girls in the house, but they were always so busy. Makoto was cooking constantly cooking to provide food for the house, and selling everything else for the extra money the house needed. Ami was studying all the time in preparation to become a doctor, and to keep herself occupied. With that and making sure that Rei and Minako were never able to kill each other, there was no free time left for the two to talk about Usagi's trivial problems.
There was only one person left who Usagi could talk to about it, but Rei would kill her if she ever found out. In that case, Usagi would have to make sure Rei would never find out.
She walked down the stairs, and saw that Minako and Rei were in separate corners of the same room. That meant that they had just gotten into another female brawl. Not much of the room was ruined, this time, though. Ami was with Rei, treating some wound on her face, and Makoto was with Minako, trying to keep her from falling apart. That Ami was with Rei meant that Rei had received the most damage from the fight this time.
'Minako must be getting tired of Rei beating up on her all the time. Either that, or Rei fell and hit her face when she lunged too hard at Minako,' Usagi thought. 'Either is a possibility, these days. Rei had better be careful, or Minako will hand her ass to her on a plate.'
Usagi walked quietly to the door, and was prepared to sneak out, when she heard Rei's voice. 'Damn. So close.'
"Where are you going, Usagi?"
"I was going to go to, uh, the store." Usagi cursed her hesitation. Rei would see through that immediately. "I need to get something. I'll be back soon."
"Where are you really going, Usagi?" Usagi heard Ami calling for Rei to sit back down, but Rei paid her no mind. She paid attention to no one, lately, except Usagi, and Minako whenver she did something wrong. "Tell me the truth. Don't lie to me."
"I'm not lying, Rei. Why do you think I'm lying? I have no need to lie to you, Rei. I'm telling the truth, I swear." In the back of her mind, Usagi knew she was trying to hard. She knew she shouldn't have said the word 'lie' as often as she did, but she couldn't help it. This was why she never played poker. That, and the fact that Rei would never allow it.
"Usagiiiii--" Rei's voice took on the dangerous tone everyone hated to hear. It meant she was getting fed up and was about to pounce on Minako. Except this was Usagi. All the other girls came into the room to see what was going on. Minako could hold her own in a fight against anyone; Usagi couldn't beat a couch pillow.
"Yes, Rei?" Usagi gulped. She was fearing for her life right now. She looked for an escape route and found one. Should Rei attack, she would run straight to Minako and hide behind her. That might save her life. For a little while, at least, Usagi hoped.
"Tell me the truth, Usagi. Now."
Rei was getting closer to Usagi. She closed off her possible escape route. 'This isn't like Rei. She pounces, she jumps, she charges. She never moves in slowly. I'm scared.' Usagi looked over Rei's shoulder and made eye contact with Minako. Rei ignored it.
"Usa... Where are you going?"
Her back hit a wall. Rei had cornered her. There was no where to run, and Minako didn't seem too keen on fighting Rei again at the moment. Usagi looked for Makoto and Ami, but neither of them would make eye contact.
"I'm going to the store! Rei! Please! I need to go to the store!"
"Why are you lying to me, Usagi?!"
When they raised their voices, Minako moved closer. Usagi felt a little more courage knowing Minako was so close to her. "Rei, I'm not lying to you! Why don't you trust me?! You never believe me when I say I'm going to the store, or anywhere else I say I'm going! You never let me just leave the house! You're not my mother, Rei! Damn it! You're not even really related to me!"
Rei's eyes flashed; a sure sign that she was angry. Usagi knew she had crossed a line. She had never ever cussed at Rei before, hell, she had never even cussed out loud before. She knew she hurt the girl with her words, but everything she said was true, and she was tired ot being treated like a child by her friend. However, she didn't want to die. Rei's hands clenched into fists, and anyone could see that she was about to hit the smaller girl. Minako grabbed Rei's shoulder, and when she turned, she brought a flaming fist to Minako's face.
________________________________
As I said, I apologize for the wait on this chapter. I have excuses, but I'm not about that life, so I'll just move forward from here.