The melody was plain, understated, but undeniably gorgeous. It attracted Minako’s attention even in her sleep and drew her to the door like a moth to the flame.

  The door looked heavy and old. The ornate symbols and carvings gave it an air of mystery. Minako loved a good mystery. Still, she may have ignored the cracked door had it not been for the melody.

  Her musical mind assessed what she heard. Somebody was playing the piano. It was in…D Minor…3/4 time. There was something evocative about the melody; she could almost picture a flame dancing in a breeze.

  Desperate to hear more, she opened the door and stepped through.

  She found herself in her apartment, sitting at the piano. Her fingers glided across the keys with grace and skill. Her head swayed in time with the music. It filled her mind and her heart.

  As she finished her song, a pair of small hands applauded. She turned her head and saw Chibiusa sitting next to her at the piano. The little girl grinned from ear to ear.

  “Aunt Mina, that was so beautiful!”

  Minako could feel herself reach out to ruffle Chibiusa’s hair. She realized she was not in control; she was just a passenger. Somehow, she had joined her future self.

  “Thank you, Chibiusa. Let’s keep this our little secret for now, okay? I’m not done writing the lyrics yet.”

  Chibiusa reached up to repair the damage to her hair, but the grin never left her face.

  “Okay, Aunt Mina.”

  Chibiusa jumped up from her seat, ran across the living room, and dove onto the couch. Instead of the uncomfortable leather monstrosity Minako knew, this couch was beige, soft, and fluffy.

  Minako glanced around the apartment. It was hers alright, but it looked very different. The furniture and the decor were more personal, cozier. It felt like an actual home. She smiled.

  Chibiusa giggled.

  “Do you think if I find somebody to love one day, that I could write a song so beautiful for them?”

  Minako laughed.

  “Why not? Love makes all things possible.”

  Chibiusa sat up straight and looked at Minako with a serious expression.

  “Can I ask you a question, Aunt Minako?”

  She let out an exaggerated, dramatic sigh.

  “Another one? Alright, go ahead.”

  Chibiusa hesitated.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  “Do you think they’ll approve you two to foster a kid?”

  Minako gave a low whistle.

  “You ask hard questions for a kid, Chibiusa.” It was Minako’s turn to hesitate. “I don’t know. It’s complicated.”

  Chibiusa looked sad.

  “It’s not fair. I think you two would be great parents.”

  Minako stretched out her arms.

  “Come here, you.”

  Chibiusa walked over to Minako and sat on her lap. They hugged.

  “You’re a real special kid, Chibiusa. You know that?”

  The sound of keys jingling in the lock of the front door caught their attention. Chibiusa jumped out of Minako’s lap and started bounding toward the door.

  “She’s back!”

  Who’s back?

  Before the door opened, she felt herself seized from behind. Strong hands lifted her up and pointed her toward the ancient wooden door.

  “Go home, Minako Aino. The Door of Time is not for you.”

  There was something familiar about the voice, the smell of jasmine. Before Minako could respond, the figure pushed her through the door and back into her own dreams.

  ***

  “No.”

  Rei stood in front of the door in the middle of a black, endless void. She knew she was asleep. Her spiritual powers left no doubt that the door in front of her was not a part of her dreamscape. It was an intruder.

  She could sense the truth of what lay on the other side of the cracked door. Rei suspected it led to some point in the future. It was a temptation. She refused it.

  “I don’t want to know. Leave me alone.”

  The door did not move. It just stood there as if to taunt her.

  She sat down in front of the door, closed her eyes and meditated. Here, inside her own mind, this door would not defeat her. She could resist.

  After some time, she opened one eye. The door was still there. She huffed.

  It occurred to her she might not wake until she saw whatever time, or fate, wanted to show her. She stood.

  “Fine, then. Do your worst.”

  Without another hesitation, she opened the door and crossed the threshold.

  Rei found herself in a high-rise apartment. She stood in front of a large, floor-to-ceiling window and looked out at the Tokyo skyline. It was night. Thousands of lights twinkled across the city and bathed her in a radiant glow.

  Rei noticed with some trepidation that she was wearing a short black nightgown. Cool air caressed her long, bare legs. She had draped a thin blanket over her shoulders.

  Where am I?

  She could sense that she was not in control here. Her future self was in charge; she was just an observer.

  She felt two long, slender arms wrap around her from behind. Fingers caressed her collarbone. A delicate, warm body pressed against her back.

  “Come back to bed, Rei. It’s late.”

  She turned around and stared into the sleepy face of Minako. She, too, wore a nightgown, white and flowing. Her hair was messy, as if she had been asleep.

  Rei could hear her own voice answer.

  “Sorry. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

  Minako smiled. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

  “I bet I can think of something to get you back to bed.”

  Rei gave a short laugh.

  “Oh? Like what?”

  Minako ran her hand through Rei’s hair and looked deep into her eyes. Rei felt her pulse quicken.

  Minako…?

  Minako leaned into her and caught her lips in a passionate kiss. Rei melted into the sensation, into her embrace. It was as if she had been under water and was coming up for air.

  The kiss deepened as it continued. Rei felt her arms move downward, caressing Minako’s shoulder blades, then the arch of her back. She breathed in through her nose and let Minako’s scent fill her completely. It was intoxicating.

  They separated. Rei looked at Minako as if she saw her for the first time. Minako smiled.

  “Well?”

  Rei returned the smile.

  “You convinced me. Let’s go to bed.”

  A high, melodic voice interrupted the romantic moment.

  “That’s quite enough, Rei Hino.”

  Rei stumbled for a moment as the door appeared in front of her, growing larger, filling her field of vision.

  “Who are you? Show yourself!”

  The voice did not respond. Rei tripped and fell through the door. She woke up in her bed. Her heart hammered in her chest. She lay still and stared up at the ceiling for a long time.

  Her thoughts were with Minako.