#tenouu

Being strong and independent and capable of being on her own was a point of pride for Minako. Graduating highschool may have happened with her skating by on the skin of her teeth, but she had graduated - and from there, despite the expectations of many (including herself), she had gotten into university. Ami and Rei both had been expected to do so, and Makoto probably was going to attempt some prestigious culinary college, and Usako would start her domestic life with Mamoru while Minako began her idol career.

Except that wasn't what happened.

She had applied to the small university in the Netherlands on a whim, mostly expect to be denied, and instead found herself accepted. What followed next was several whirlwind months of figuring out what she needed to pack, getting herself set up with room and board, and then the eventual move.

'It's not permanent. I'll come and visit. You guys can visit too!' All words she said before getting on the plane, and each statement felt flatter than the last. They were all true of course, but...

But part of her felt like she was lying. That even if she meant it, something was going to be irrevocably changed between them and that her leaving was just the start of the distance that would grow between the five of them. After all, for years now it had been just them: Usagi, Ami, Rei, Makoto, and her. Sailor Moon and her inner warriors. The Princess and her protectors. So much of who Minako even was had been built around protecting her Princess, and now she was going to be on her own.

Days turned to weeks turned to months. First one, then another. She had talked with everyone often enough, but it wasn't like any of them could afford to just hop on a plane to visit her, and she couldn't do so in the middle of a semester either. Most people couldn't. But...

@tenouu asked: ❛ you’re important to me, you little shit. ❜ (lovingly) protective prompts

She didn’t need to look over at Haruka, to see the look on their face, to know the words they spoke were true. She didn’t need to search for a sign of sincerity glimmering in their eyes or be reassured with a friendly or loving smile. While she didn’t think the senshi of the sky would ever lie to her, she had another reason for believing those spoken words.

She recalled every moment they’d ever shared — the words spoken to her or in her absence. She recalled that day in the elevator, when she’d trembled standing beside the three outer senshi that wielded powerful talismans. She remembered feeling so alone and scared, separated from the inner guardians she’d come to rely on. As if it were only yesterday, she could still remember the answer Haruka-san had given her when she’d asked what it was like where they were stationed during the Silver Millennium. 

“They were very lonely. They were without people. We were alone there, in such isolated places that no one would come to our rescue…but, no matter what, we could look towards the beautiful Silver Millennium and think of its beautiful queen and princess. They both served as our rays of light.” 

She was told how Haruka-san had screamed of wanting to protect her after she dove head first into that shadowy pit, free falling through that midnight abyss into their enemies with the legendary Moon Chalice, after calling upon the ultimate power of all nine sailor soldiers. She’d planned to unleash the powers of the Moon Chalice and the Silver Crystal to save them — to save their world. 

And Haruka had screamed, just as the other senshi had screamed, all believing she was dead, having sacrificed herself for the sake of their planet. 

How many different ways had Haruka-san shown how much they cared? From words of sentiment to throwing themselves in front of Usagi when they believed she faced a threat? 

There was no reason to doubt the words they spoke.

Silver lined her eyes as tears welled, her lower lip trembling before Usagi rushed towards the older senshi, throwing her arms around their waist and burying her face into their chest. She knew she was important to them, just as she was important to all of the senshi.

And Haruka-san would forever have a special place in her heart, just as all the senshi did. 

“I’m sorry for scaring you, Haruka-san…” Her voice wavered as she gave a shake of her head, pulling back just enough to peer up at the taller guardian of wind. She’d heard the panic in their voice moments ago when she’d barely dodged the enemy’s attack, thus the need Haruka felt to remind her of her importance and utilize the oh so affectionate name.

don't faint , don't faint !

everyone is looking at them wherever they go. ( i feel SO MUCH COOLER ! ♡ ♡ ♡ ) " wow , haruka-san ! you were right about this place ~ ! " she has been stuffing her face with ice cream since it has been achieved. " thish ish the best icecream i've ever tashted ! " geez , sometimes she is as bad as usagi. ( no , no ! usagi is waaaay worse with icecream breaks ! )

maybe she should ease up though. so she does. she takes a napkin slowly dabbing her face with a soft giggle. " heh ehehe .. so .. this is PRETTY COOL , right ? us hanging out .. like super close friends ? i-i mean .. " don't let the conversation die , mina ! you got this ! you are with the coolest sailor guardian aside from michiru-san ! don't screw this up ~!