“What do you mean, we’re married in the future?”

  A harsh edge crept into Minako’s melodic voice as she stepped closer to Chibiusa. Her eyes narrowed.

  Rei stood behind Minako and kept quiet. She could feel the heat rise in her face. She ran her hand through her long black hair and tucked it behind her ear. This situation was getting out of hand.

  When Chibiusa had travelled to the past, she had damaged time. The future was seeping into the past. Last night, Rei and Minako had experienced glimpses of the future in their dreams. Rei sensed the other former Guardians had, as well.

  Whatever Minako had seen had emboldened her. She had acted on the attraction between her and Rei. On instinct, Rei had pushed her away. That’s when Chibiusa had revealed that the two of them were in a relationship in the future.

  Now, Chibiusa squirmed in her seat on the couch. She shuffled her feet and swallowed hard.

  “I’m sorry, Aunt Mina. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  She slid off the leather couch and started toward her guest bedroom. Her shoulders slumped, her head hung low.

  Rei’s eyes darted toward the apartment door. She, too, wanted to extract herself from another uncomfortable conversation. Minako, however, would not allow a simple escape for either of them.

  “Hold it right there, Chibiusa! We’re not finished talking about this yet.”

  Chibiusa froze.

  Rei glanced at Minako. She thought back to the controlled, mission-focused girl she had met five years ago. Minako had shown less emotion back then. She had grown much more comfortable with her feelings over the years.

  Maybe she’s just tired of the future jerking her around.

  “Time to spill it, Chibiusa. I want to know what will happen in the future between me and Rei.”

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  Chibiusa turned to face them, but her eyes remained downcast.

  “Please, Aunt Mina, don’t make me. I’m supposed to awaken the Guardians, but I don’t know what will happen if you learn too much about the future.”

  Minako crossed her arms.

  “I think it’s too late for that.” Her voice softened. “This is beyond your control now, Usa.”

  Chibiusa took a deep breath, raised her head, and locked eyes with Minako. For a moment, her gaze reminded Rei of Princess Serenity.

  “I can’t remember a time when you two weren’t together. You’re my favorite aunts, my family. When I was five years old, you got married at Hikawa Shrine in a Shinzen Kekkon ceremony. Mama was the nakodo.”

  Minako took a step back and braced herself against the couch. Her face was pale.

  Rei swallowed hard.

  A Shinto wedding. It’s what I would want.

  Chibiusa’s voice took on a hurried, breathless quality as she continued.

  “When I left, you were trying to become foster parents. It wasn’t easy because… well, Aunt Rei said not everybody accepted your love.”

  There was a long silence. Finally, Minako spoke. Her voice was quiet, as if she were talking more to herself than anybody else.

  “I thought there was something between us, but I never imagined…”

  Rei cleared her throat.

  “There is nothing between us.”

  Minako turned to face her. Her posture was stiff, her jaw clenched. Rei could see a muscle twitch in her jawline. In an instant, she regretted her instinctive deflection.

  “Oh, is that so? Tell me, last night in your dreams, when you travelled to the future… what did you see?”

  Rei thought back to the kiss she had shared with Minako in her vision of the future. Her warm hands. Her scent. An inexplicable longing struck her as she glanced at Minako. Rei’s face flushed once more.

  I need to work on my poker face.

  Minako stared at her.

  “Well?”

  Rei looked away, unable to hold her gaze.

  “That’s not important right now.”

  Minako threw her hands into the air.

  “This is getting ridiculous. We’ve been friends for years! Why won’t you talk to me about this? Why won’t anybody talk to each other anymore? Even the voice of that woman in my dream tried to prevent me from seeing the truth!”

  Chibiusa gasped.

  “Wait… you hear the voice in your dreams, too?”

  Minako and Rei turned to look at Chibiusa. Before either of them could respond, Minako’s phone rang. She pulled it from her pocket with a sigh and glanced at the screen.

  “It’s Mamoru.”

  She answered the phone, and within seconds, her anger had evaporated.

  “Rei and Chibiusa are here. We’re on our way.”

  She closed her phone.

  “The enemy attacked Crown Karaoke. They injured Usagi and Makoto. They’re at the hospital. Mamoru and Motoki are on their way now.”

  Chibiusa turned pale.

  Rei didn’t hesitate. Their argument would have to wait.

  “Let’s go.”