Disclaimers: Sailor Moon is not my property. 'Nuff said.

A/N: New story, gasp! The next chapter for Verdantia is in the works but in the meantime here is something new to chew on. ;)

Chapter One: Makoto and the Sunshine Pet Clinic

Makoto Kino's hurried pace slowed as she turned the corner on her way to work. A new veterinary clinic had opened on the corner of the block; covered in a warm yellow exterior, the building was pristine and welcoming. The red awning above sported the name of the clinic in big block letters, Sunshine Pet Clinic. A large glass window showed the inside of a waiting room, currently empty except for the vet's assistant sitting at the reception area. Makoto's feet paused and she peered into the waiting room openly as the assistant picked up the phone, all attention focused on the current conversation.

Makoto did not have a pet but she still slowed down as she had done since the first day the clinic had opened. A woman with short blue hair and a lab coat exited one of the inner offices and a smile unconsciously grew on Makoto's face as she followed the woman with her emerald gaze. Makoto did not know the vet's name but she had fallen for the woman on sight. A small sigh left her lips as the woman approached the receptionist's desk. But before she arrived at the desk she looked up, her large blue eyes meeting Makoto's through the window pane. Makoto could feel her cheeks warming as she was caught staring but the woman did not seem to mind, she gave a small wave and a smile and Makoto responded with a wave of her own before scurrying off to work.

Every morning at five minutes to seven, this was their routine; Makoto dawdled long enough in front of the clinic to catch the woman's attention and they would exchange a smile and sometimes a wave. Today Makoto waltzed through the door of the bakery where she worked as if floating on clouds.

"You were almost late, you know Yamato gets really bitchy if we're even a minute late," Shizuku, a dark haired woman with a hime-cut styled hair greeted the brunette. Shizuku was Makoto's coworker at the bakery and fellow comrade in the dating preferences department. She was also incredibly blunt. "Did you speak to her today?"

Makoto shook her head, sienna locks flowing as her hair followed her head movements. "Nope," Despite the negative answer she sported a large blissful grin. Vet-san's blue eyes are so pretty.

"Sooo you still don't know her name," Shizuku stated as she donned her apron over shop clothing.

"No," Makoto donned her own apron, her expression unchanged.

Shizuku sighed loudly, "You really are one useless bian."

"Hey! What's wrong with just enjoying the way things are?" Mako frowned, as the word useless penetrated her balloon of happiness.

"Oh absolutely nothing, if you were in middle school!" Shizuku flicked her on the forehead with a fingertip then turned to leave the changing area. Makoto followed her out into the shop, an objection on her lips but a customer came in and effectively ended their conversation. Soon more customers arrived and they were both busy with the morning rush. As usual, Makoto received quite a few admiring glances but her mind was on work. And the interrupted conversation with Shizuku.

The brunette knew her coworker was right but there really wasn't anything Makoto felt she could do at the moment. Crippled by school bills Mako was barely making ends meet. How could she ask someone on a date if she could hardly provide for herself? Then there was also lack of time. She worked so many hours she barely had enough time to sleep. When she began university she had hoped to graduate with business management skills and find a job even if it was entry level. She was more than willing to work her way up but in this recession offices already had plenty of workers. Now all she was left with a was piece of paper claiming she graduated and bills she owed.

Mako sighed as she stared at her bentou. The morning was already gone and Shizuku had not exchanged two words with her since their talk earlier due to the constant traffic in and out of the bakery.

"What's got you so down in the dumps?" Shizuku sat down next to Mako and untied her bentou.

Makoto looked up to find her coworker with a smile on her face. The brunette sighed again before taking a bite of her lunch, "the usual...the latest bill."

"Hmm, well I have something to tell you that will perk you right up," chopsticks in hand Shizuku selected a piece of chicken from Mako's bentou and popped it in her mouth.

"What is it?" Mako asked. She was willing to sacrifice a piece of chicken tempura for some good news.

"Mushi got sick yesterday and I had to take her to the vet." Shizuku grinned, waiting for Makoto to catch up. But Makoto was just confused.

"Mushi? Who is Mushi?" The brunette asked before taking a bite of broccoli.

Shizuku rolled her eyes, "And this is why girls call you tall, dark and dumb! Mushi is my pet she's fine. Stupid cat ate something she shouldn't have but anyway...I'm talking about the vet, your vet!"

Makoto's eyes widened with excitement as she dropped a piece of carrot, "Vet-san? You met with Vet-san?"

"Yep," Shizuku replied with a smirk, though her eyes were on the contents of Mako's lunch, "I'll tell you Vet-san's name if you buy me a strawberry milk. Or you can hand over the remaining chicken tempura."

Makoto held out her bentou, feeling too worked up to eat, "You can have both, milk and chicken. Just tell me her name!"

"Easy there, tiger!" Shizuku grinned and Makoto thought the woman had to have a sadistic streak a mile wide if she enjoyed torturing her like this. "Vet-san's name is Ami Mizuno-sensei."

Immediately a goopy smile slid onto Mako's face as she repeated the woman's name to herself. She missed Shizuku's eyeroll as she caught Makoto's expression. "You really are tall, dark and dumb," the woman muttered to herself as she continued to eat her lunch while shooting occasional glances at the brunette beside her.

To be continued!