Story: Courageous Fire

Chapter Three: Selfish Memories

Disclaimer: I do not own the shows that are featured on the story.

Author's Notes: This chapter takes place two months after the events of the last chapter. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Sorry, it has taken me so long to update the story but, at least, I warned you it'd take me a long time to update this story. One Last Embrace will be updated soon, too. This chapter may have some hints of Rei and Tai. Makoto and Minako will make their debut on this chapter… are not you happy. I think this is the chapter Minako will try to impress Yamato… if not, next because I may get too tired to get to that part but more than likely I will.
Now to continue on to the story:

A Forested Area
Time Unknown

"Oak Evolution!" Makoto screamed, sending a powerful attack towards the blonde-haired person, in front of her. The blonde-haired woman quickly dodged and hid in the shadows; she was careful as to not make a sound. Makoto's green eyes stared into the trees to find any hints of where she could possible be… that girl was good, very good.

"Venus Love Me Chain!" Before Makoto could react, a powerful chain surrounded her body, squeezing tightly while great bouts of energy released into her body. Pain was inevitable as she tried as she might not to scream, but the beautiful brown haired girl screamed in exhaustion.

Minako stared as she held onto the chain, trying to keep from her emotions taking over… her sky blue eyes became sympathetic as she stopped her attack while her dear friend Makoto fell limp onto the ground, not moving. Mina could not deal with it, anymore; she could never hurt her friend… not like this.

She ran over with outstretched arms; no longer wanting to do this, she screamed, "Mako-" PHWAP! In the surprise of the moment, she fell onto the ground, holding her stomach. How could she punch her like that?

Makoto stood up and helped the blonde-haired person up, noticing that the hay colored hair girl was trying to keep herself from crying. "Minako, I told you… while we're training, you can't allow your emotions to ever overrule you. Our enemies would love and do love to use that against us." She smiled, sympathetically as she helped her up. They had been training everyday for hours at a time, hardly taking a break. It was taking just about everything out of the blonde, and Makoto felt terrible for allowing her dear friend to go through this. Though she felt bad, she knew they had to get stronger: to protect this world and their princess. She had not told her why this was so important. Knowing Rei for so long, she could always tell if Rei had been having visions or something had been bothering her.

If Makoto's hunch was right and it usually was when it came it came to her then they needed to be stronger than ever before. She wanted no reason for anything to go wrong or to get Usagi involved if she does not need to be.

Nevertheless… if they kept on training like this then soon they would not have enough strength to fight.

"Hey Minako, do you want to hang out at the mall and go check out the FINE guys we can find?" She asked, smiling, hoping it would make her best friend feel better.
The moment the question formed, Minako perked up so much that it looked as if she had never been through the torture of that training. Heck, somehow, she was fully dressed in full make-up and everything.

Hikawa Shrine
Meditation Room
8:00am -10:00 am

Rei enjoyed the peace and quiet of the temple. It allowed her to think and become the woman whom she needed to be. But, in truth, was that why she was truly there? She stayed there all the time… hoping and waiting for something to happen… to hear a familiar voice. 'No,' she told herself, 'I'm just here because I want to… I want to meditate and stay here … why else would I go here!' She tried her best to try to convince herself though her trying was failing her, even herself… how would she convince anyone else she didn't miss him if she wouldn't even convince herself. Staring at the door, there was a strong hope in her heart for someone to walk in… not just anyone, though… only HIM. She dared not to mention his name, not anymore. At least, it was not loud enough for anyone to hear her… only in her dreams.

She strained herself for a moment to keep from crying… no, she couldn't cry. Because crying would e admitting weakness… and weak, Rei was not. It would admit how much she truly missed him. Yuuichiro. Where was he? Had he found someone else? Was he even alive? She DID NOT need him… his comforting words, nor did she need the only man that she ever truly loved.

She hated him! How could he leave, promise to come back, and never come back! How could he go back to Europe and not even, at least, send a postcard

.
The silence comforted her; at least, that is what she convinced herself. In truth, it reminded her of how she'll always be lonely; how true love is what she'll never have. It made her try to get used to the loneliness.

She knew, as a Shinto priestess, that self-pity aka the feeling she was feeling lead to a foolish road of life. How could she let such an emotion take over… was she that weak?
She tried as she might to think about something different. Shifting through thoughts, she seemed to try to find the most and more entertaining and interesting thought that could keep her content at the very moment.

It seemed that only the coldness of the room was the only thing that could fill her even if she was in the meditation room, in front of the fire, in a blanket wearing thick priestess garments. She trembled from how cold it was… she began to wonder did unhappiness make somebody cold… was it really that cold in this room?

She closed her eyes and opened her ears to listen to her fire crackle. Tick… tock… tick…. A vision. She leaped from her spot for a moment after seeing two shadows in the vision of her mind. There was a flash of red light… it felt so real, it had to be a vision.
Her mind turned back to mission that she was on and put her back n focus on what mattered. Her heart pounded from the excitement, but, first, she needed to understand what it meant.

She spoke in words that no one could truly understand; try as they might, they would not understand. She begged the fire to tell her of its meaning. The fire sprung up and showed a portrait of Ami and Greg… Rei's mouth dropped open, her breath taken away as it showed Greg falling into Ami's arms, body limp, and blood dripping.

'Ami!' Rei thought to herself, 'N-n-no is this what she has been keeping to herself?' The fire went back to its original form as Rei decided to walk out, assuming there was nothing left to see. How wrong she was. Another image appeared the moment that she left… even without the use of her spiritual powers.

"Rei!" A male's voice could hear calling from the outside of the temple. It sounded familiar: young and joyous, so familiar. She leaped form her spot in joy in hope that was right about her presumption of who it was. 'Yuuichiro.'

Her mind began to scream the name Yuuichiro so that if it was him, she could've already used up her excitement and could easily pretend that she never missed him.

She ran through the halls and slowly slowed down as to pretend that she just so happened walk this way and she just so happened to bump into him. With emotions overcoming her wanted actions, she found herself hugging the young man in front of her. That was not the plan. "Oooh, I missed you!" She cooed. That was definitely not that plan.

The young man whom she had not looked at seemed surprised by her actions. She looked up and nearly jumped out her skin from embarrassment. That WAS DEFINITELY NOT HIM. Now, that is embarrassing.

"You missed me that much?" The teen smiled, arrogantly. His eyes glowing with the fire of courage as he spoke to the fiery priestess, he said, "I'll come and visit you more, then."

Rei frowned as to respond to Tai's arrogance. "Miss you? No. I assumed you were somebody else. I wouldn't have come out if I knew it were you." She said, coldly. Her eyes showed contempt for the young teen as he tried to study the girl in front of him.

Did she always have to be mean? Why did she always have her guard up? He didn't really care to find out the answer but he knew one thing, he was going to make her open up to him.

He liked to annoy her just to see her react to every small thing. She reminded him of Matt: nowhere near as tough as they depicted themselves. He laughed to himself… Rei was going to be his… whether she liked him right now or not. She looked surprise, in his opinion, that he was unfazed by her rampaging efforts on him.

She was surprised but not because of what he had thought. How did she become so selfish as to forget her friends… and began to think of herself all the time. This was unnatural for her. Did Yuuichiro's leaving have that effect on her?

Tai looked at her and, for once, found himself caught off guard. It was the first time that he really looked at her and not just look at her for her beauty and desirous self. Yes, she was beautiful beyond compare but... her eyes… showed of something he never knew or cared to know to see the emotions in her head.

Resentment… was the first, and the only emotion he used to see but, now, it showed of longing ness, a deep sadness, and too much pain for one person to handle. Nevertheless, even deeper than that, behind her faced of façade of happiness and arrogance, there was a little insecure girl hiding form the rest of the world, not wanting to draw close to anybody.

Could his study of her be correct? His eyes showed of sympathy for the raven-haired girl who stood with her arms crossed, not looking at him, but out the window- the window of her memories.

Annoyance showed on her features after realizing that this boy was trying to study her- as if he could figure her out. "What did you come here for?" Her voice flat and monotone, she mumbled.

"I came to see you," He smiled, chucking just for her annoyance. His eyes stayed sympathetic for the girl as he stared in her eyes, in hope that he could figure out more about more the beauty. His voice soft and for the first time since she knew him sympathetic, he said: "What's wrong with you… why you are so— sad?"

The question came with an stupefaction effect on her… who was he to assume that she was sad? Was that an assumption or did he get that from studying her? Either way, she did not like him saying that she was. She wasn't sad, no, not her. Even if she was, it was HER job to STAY strong. … Moreover, be the one that everyone can count on.

She wanted to yell at him, curse him to his face, and plainly make him feel low. However his eyes… reminded her of whom she didn't want to think about. She missed him. ... Where was he? He said he'd be back!

Flashback & A Moment of Time

Three Months Ago

Rei's Temple

7:00pm -9:00pm

Rei walked silently through the temple, hoping to see Yuuichiro one last time before he left. She had spent all day avoiding him and even in the last hour and a half after coming home from hanging with her friends avoiding the tension of having to say 'goodbye.' He told her a week before that he was leaving to go back to live with his family in Europe; she always wondered after seeing that mansion if he would ever miss the rich life. She wore her hair in a high ponytail, thanks to the girl he had given her back during the time of the heart snatchers—that seemed so long ago in her heart.

She smiled as she walked into his room. She had always found it 'touching' that it was so easy for him to be able to show his emotions with the feeling of being ashamed. Tears feel down his face in a quick and sudden pace the moment he saw her violet eyes as he grabbed his garments, one by one.

He sighed as he walked past her as he thought about "what" he should say. He guessed that should probably say more than just 'bye' but then what else would he really say to her. Unwilling to just walk away without saying or doing anything, he walked up to her and hugged her tightly thinking about what happened earlier.

She tensed. Yeah, sure, he was always the type to show his EVERY emotion but never had she felt him be so pained in his heart. He held her tightly as he whispered quarrelsome words into her ear, repeatedly. What was he saying? Whatever it was, he was saying it a lot. "Rei… be careful." He vented out, still holding her close. She dared not to allow her emotions to show.

"Yuuichiro, stop being so emotional," She laughed aloud, her violet eyes showing that she nowhere as complacent as she made herself out to be. "Besides," she started, taking herself out of his embrace, "You're only leaving for a little while, right?"

He made no tense to answer her… as he reached deep in his fur coat to grab something. He took out a strange device causing a stir in Rei's spirit as he took it out… he tended to take that thing out a lot.

"What, exactly, is that?" She asked, curiosity building up in her.

"Don't worry about it," he sighed, "I've got to go…" he walked into the rain without a sheer of happiness within him.

That was strange for him to respond like that.

She watched him walk away in the rain; he kept that strange device in his hand as the stormed brewed from the heavens and a bright light emitting from the abnormal device. His words repeated in her mind as he walked away. She was trying to enunciate what he said and then it finally became clear, and it made no sense at all.

"Light will become Darkness,

The purifier of Light will fight the darkness that was once light,

The purifier will give it it's all,

The Darkness within the Light will not stand the power of purity,

A sacrifice of purity for light will be made,

and the great power of purity... the darkness will take,

Hope will lose a mate,

A Great darkness will be made!"

That was the last thing he said before saying 'Rei…. Be careful.'

'Rei…. Be careful….'

'Be careful…'

What was he trying to say? It did not make sense.

End of a Moment of Time

Hikawa Shrine

8:00am -10:00 am

"I am not sad," she commented, turning her back and then said," You have no right to make that assumption."

Tai sighed; there was so use of going into this with her. Rei walked away for a moment and came back in some casual clothing… looking just as PRETTY And FINE as she wanted to. Gasping and blushing, Tai found himself speechless.

Rei smiled cockily as she walked past him, "I don't want to stay here all day. How about…we hang out today?"

Tai nodded his head as words seemed hard to find. She looked at him and with a look as if she forgot something, she walked back to her room to find her 'special' gift or as she told Haruka, her good luck charm. She grabbed the cloth and put her hair in a high ponytail. "Sorry…" she paused, a bit annoyed, realizing how he LOVED to try to make her mad on purpose. She thought for a moment about how she could make him cringe: "for making you wait. I had to get something… Taichi."

'Taichi?' Tai thought to himself, confused, starting to looking around for this 'Taichi.' "Who's Taichi?" he asked, incredulously.

She smiled knowingly and grabbed onto his hand, "Taichi, you're clueless!"

Tai looked dumbfounded and blushed, embarrassed as he exclaimed," Taichi? That's not my name."

Rei smiled as she led him to where they would hang out.

Outside

Hikawa Shrine

11:00am-2:45pm

Serena decided it was a good day to wake up early. Her eyes bright and shining, she had stayed at Rei's temple for about an hour… going in and out to bring out Rei's mangas to read them.

Her long blonde hair swayed in the in the clam wind that was present in the air. "OH MY GOD… Will Miaka and Tomohome survive in the next issue?" She looked around, her eyes wet and trembling, she cried out, "Why doesn't Rei have the latest issue!"

Everybody turned and looked at the blonde, not exactly sure how to respond to the girl's distress.

"Um… are you alright?" A young male calmly said, resting his hand on her shoulder.

She looked around and couldn't help but the notice the diverted attention being on her; embarrassment came upon her as she turned to answer the male. "Oh," She blushed, embarrassment evident in her eyes, "I'm alright." She giggled. "I was just mad because Rei-Chan didn't have the latest volume of Fushigi Yuugi manga," She paused and continued, sweat dropping, "Guess I overreacted, huh?"

The boy laughed, "Yeah it was! My name is Takeru but everyone calls me Tk." He smiled as he too out his hand as if to shake hers.

She smiled back and shook his hand, "My name is Usagi Serenity Tsukino, just call me: Serena."

"Serena?"

"It's short for Serenity, my middle name." She replied with an innocent smile. He nodded his head and took a bow as to leave with respect. She watched the handsome blonde boy walk away, talking to his blue haired friend, automatically making her think of her friend Ami. "BYE Takeru!"

Tk waved back without ever turning to see her. "Ken, those kids gave us the right information."

Ami's Point Of View

Tokyo's Great Library

1:15pm-5:00pm

I am not sure what I am doing there. There is a distinct feeling in my gut telling me that I should leave yet, right now, my heart yearns for something that rarely comes upon me: vengeance. Revenge is something that I never believed in but, at this moment, my heart does not care for what is right.

Vengeance is the one emotion that ONLY if something happened to Greg that it could come upon me and take over my mind, body, and soul. I told everyone that I was alright but Rei, trying to be a good friend, has become protective and is ALWAYS trying to figure out the truth.

I pretend that I am looking a book though I have been waiting patiently for that boy to walk in.

I've been studying him for two months, now. He comes here everyday to study. Joe. That is the boy's name… I know that he has something or at least knows something about those creatures or at least that vampire. I know this seems unlike me but I want to trick him by being as if a friend or maybe girlfriend so that I could learn more about those creatures that he and that his friends have.

I looked at my watch; it's about 2:30... Crap, he will not be here for another thirty or so minutes.

That's strange; he's come early, today. My palms sweat… no, I can't back down now. I need to get my plan started.

Oh kami, please let this work.

"OH Kami!" I cry out in an overdramatic gasp. "God. God! GOD! N-no, I'm soo dumb!" I surprise myself, I didn't know I could be dramatic. All I need now are some real tears and I'm set. I walk next to the blue haired boy as he seemed surprised by sudden walking over there. I look at his history book and, ytes, I now know that my plan will definitely work if he knows how to show compassion for a girl in distress. "I'll never pass my history class… We're talking about the Feng Shui dynasty and I have no clue who Shui was and whose fang it is!" I almost broke character so I quickly put my head onto the table after hearing the librarian tell me to shut up. I almost laughed while putting on this show… because I said something that Minako would've said or maybe Serena.

I deserve an OSCAR for this. Wow, I never spoke this way before—maybe, Greg's death has affected me more than I believe.

"I-I-I ca-can help y-you." The boy stammered, nervousness evident in his face and sweat pouring down from his forehead.

"OH NO! NO! NO! I don't want to be a bother to you." I decide to cry out, receiving a hissing shut up noise from the librarian.

He took off his glasses and started rubbing repeatedly; I wonder if that's what he does when he is nervous. "No, it's quite alright…" The handsome male said, putting back on glasses.

He was shy, nervous, and smart- reminded me of me—the weaker me. The 'me' that would never avenge the life of an innocent person- the 'me' that I hated and that's why I changed my image.

The 'me' I left a long time ago. However, I didn't hate these qualities on him—actually, I found it quite pleasing.

Author's Note: Wow, this chapter is nine pages. Oh well, I was planning on getting to the Minako and Yamato part but I feel that should supplant you until then. I don't want this chapter to go to twelve pages.

Sorry about the long wait... please review and tell me what you think.