Ami sat in the train on her way to Toyama, wondering for the fifth time how the girls convinced her to make this trip. Rei needed to pick up a package for her grandfather. Usagi and Minako thought it would be fun for everyone to go and spend the weekend together before graduation in a few months. However, Usagi, Minako, and Makoto were retaking the entrance exam to the university and would be arriving on a later train.
Ami stared out the window and let her mind wander. She had brought a book with her to read but just couldn't concentrate. Ami had an uneasy feeling about this trip. She glanced at Rei, who was sleeping fretfully. Soon, they would be in Toyama.
Rei was dreaming images that she didn't understand. There were monsters and boys, no young men, in different colored armors fighting
them. She saw the scouts, older fighting the monsters. The girls were wearing some type of armor. Could these images be of the past or the future, she wondered, or were they just dreams. The dream had no answers, only more questions. Suddenly, a train whistle blew.
Rei jerked awake from her bizarre dream.
"What's wrong?" Ami asked in a concerned voice.
"Nothing," Rei replied, "Just a weird dream."
"Do you need to talk about?"
"No"
"Are you sure?"
"I don't want to talk about," Rei answered curtly.
"Ok," Ami answered quietly while looking at Rei with a sympathetic voice but hurt face, "if you need to talk, I am always ready to listen." Rei was not acting like herself. The dream must have been disturbing and she needed time to collect herself.
"Thank you, but I am fine. Let's go get our stuff and get a cab." Rei replied. She felt slightly guilty about hurting Ami's feelings. She would have to do something nice for Ami when she got her bearings together. The dream had left her slightly shaken.
So, Rei and Ami got off the train and went to get their stuff.
As, they stood by the corner, waiting in line for the next available cab Ami asked, "Do you want to go straight to the hotel or should we go pick up that package you need to get?"
"Let's go straight to the hotel. I would like to clean up before meeting Grandpa's old friend. Besides, I got a hotel with a pool and I know you would love to swim after such a long train ride."
Ami smiled, "sounds like a plan." Sometimes, Rei didn't apologize; she went out of her way to be extra nice instead. It was one of those things that people who weren't close to Rei didn't understand and didn't like about her. Nevertheless, that was just the way Rei was.
"Besides," Rei said with a smirk, "With the rest of the girls arriving later, I want a good spot to sleep before Odango takes it."
Ami smiled and thought, 'Rei was back to herself'. Ami and Rei boarded the cab and went to the hotel.
Later that evening, after the rest of the girls arrived at the hotel, they all sat eating room service and discussing the usual topics. Minako and Makoto were talking about two cute guys they saw on the train.
"The shorter one looked just like my old boyfriend." Makoto said. The rest of the girls rolled their eyes.
"He was cute, my Mamo-chan is way cuter," Usagi said with hearts in her eyes. "Should I call him?"
"No, let him miss you," Minako said, "The kiss when you get back will be so much better that way. Is he picking you up or are your parents?"
"Mamo-chan is." Usagi replied.
Ami glanced at Rei, who was being unusually quiet. She wanted to say something but knew that bringing it up in front of the other girls will not get any answers from Rei. Later, Ami decided, to question Rei more and try to get answers from her.
"Rei," Minako said, "You're awfully quiet. Are you missing Yuuichirou?"
"Baka" Rei shouted. "Yuuichirou and I haven't dated for years."
"You could want to get serious with him again." Usagi replied teasingly.
"We're just now starting to be friends again, even if I wanted more, which I DON'T, I wouldn't want to ruin that again." Rei said.
Rei and Yuuichirou dated two years ago. They broke up when Rei realized that Yuuichirou was more seriously involved in the relationship than she was. It hadn't ended well. Yuuichirou was very hurt and moved away from the shrine for six months. Their friendship wasn't the same, until recently when Yuuichirou started dating another girl. Now Yuuichirou felt that he could be around Rei again without being in pain.
"How did your test go?" Ami asked. Rei gave Ami a grateful look for the conversation change.
Usagi, Minako, and Makoto all sweat dropped at the question.
"I think I did better." Minako replied. "Besides, if I don't get in, it'll be a sign that I should be an idol without waiting." Minako was only going to college for her parents. They said that they'd support her dream only if she had a degree to fall back on if her it didn't work out.
"I have to only take the test to get into cooking school, so it doesn't matter what score I get." Makoto replied happily. The cooking school she was accepted at didn't have a minimal score requirement, only a requirement that the exam be taken. The other cooking schools she applied to didn't require the exam. Because of that, the first time the exam was given, Makoto didn't show up. She was schedule to work and forgot to request the day off.
"Not so good," replied Usagi. "Hopefully, I got a high enough score to get into the university." She wanted to go to the same school as Mamoru and Ami next year, but she would need really high marks to get in.
"If you do get marks high enough, thank Ami for helping you so much. You would never get them without her." Rei said.
"Rei, you are so mean!'" Usagi screeched.
"I didn't do much. Usagi is the one who took it seriously and worked hard. All I did was help a little." Ami replied gently while blushing. Everyone knew she was minimizing all her help. She spent hours almost every day with everyone going over everything that would be on the exam. She even hid manga so Usagi would concentrate. She bought American comics to help Usagi learn English, used every available opportunity to tutor Usagi. One time, she had Usagi and Minako add up their food bill before Motoki gave it to them to work on their basic math skills.
"See, Rei," Usagi replied and stuck out her tongue.
"Ami's lying to protect your feelings, Odango. She's much nicer than I am." Rei replied. "You needed a lot of help. I don't know how Ami was so patient. You are so ungrateful."
This was the start of another infamous argument between the two of them.
"What should we do now?" Makoto asked as she, Ami, and Minako snuck out of the room. They didn't want to hear any more of the argument.
"The hotel was a pool and a sauna. We can go swimming." Ami said when they got into the hall.
"We should go swimming tomorrow." Minako said. "I say we should go dancing. I saw a sign for a dance club."
"Dancing would be fun. If we went swimming, then we would have to go back into the room and the argument to get out suits. Besides, we can go swimming any time. I want to see if we can find those cute guys again." Makoto said.
"I really would rather not go dancing." Ami said.
"Come on, Ames, It'll be fun. Besides, you are such a good dancer. I could do your hair and maybe you can find a guy." Minako pleaded.
"I have Ryo." Ami replied.
"Please, you haven't seen him for years. You only talk on the phone and e-mail each other." Makoto told her matter-of-factly.
"I didn't bring anything to wear."
"I'll loan you one of my dressing," Minako begged with puppy dog eyes. "I'll even do your hair and make-up. Please, pretty please with a cherry on top."
"You're a lot bigger than me." Ami countered, glancing down at her 5ft 3 slim frame. Minako was 5ft 7 1/2 and a lot bustier than Ami.
"I'll find you something to where in Usagi's or Rei's clothes." Minako countered. Usagi was 5ft 2 1/2 and Rei was 5ft 4. Both had a slim build, but neither was as petite as Ami.
"I don't know," Ami said. Her resolve was weakening. Some times, it was easier to give in than argue.
"Please, pretty please. I'll make you your favorite food when get to Tokyo." Makoto begged.
Just then, the door to their room opened, and Usagi and Rei walked out.
"Why did you leave?" Rei demanded.
"Just didn't want to sit through another argument. Right now we're trying to convince Ami to go dancing with us." Minako replied. Rei had a doubtful look on her face. She had too much on her mind to go dancing and enjoy it.
"I wanna go." Usagi replied excitedly. "Ami and Rei, you have to go. You both are such good dancers. We should all go. It'll be fun."
"I'll go if Rei goes." Ami replied, knowing that Rei wouldn't go and that way, she won't have to go without saying no.
Rei thought about it and knew Ami needed some fun and relaxation this weekend. Between, her own schoolwork, helping everyone with their schoolwork, helping everyone to prepare for the exam, working part-time at the hospital, and being a scout, Ami had very little time to do anything fun. Ami liked to dance, however it was something she rarely allowed herself to do or even sometime admitted to liking. "I'll go."
"Traitor," Ami hissed quietly to Rei as everyone went back into the room to get ready.
"You need some fun," Rei replied. "Besides, what's the worst that can happen?"
"Famous last words," Ami mumbled.
Ami sat on one of the beds as Minako went through everyone's clothes, looking for an outfit for Ami to wear to the club. Minako, Makoto, and Usagi decided to get Ami ready first, because she would be the most difficult.
"Here," Rei said holding up a beautiful forest green button up shirt. "How about this shirt?"
"If we can't find anything else, that could work with a lace camisole." Minako replied.
"I found it. The prefect outfit for Ami. It's sexy, fun, and would beautiful on Ami." Usagi said holding up a blue flowered baby doll halter-top and a white skirt. On Ami, the skirt would be slightly above the knees. The outfit would look perfect on Ami.
"I love it!" Minako cooed. "It's perfect. Go try it on Ami."
"Or we'll force you," Makoto added.
Ami reluctantly took the outfit and went to change. She still wasn't happy about going.
"I think I'm going to wear this." Rei said pulling out a red kimono styled silk shirt and a black mini skirt. The outfit accented her coloring.
"I like it," Usagi said approvingly.
"Like you have a choice," Rei said. "I may have agreed to go, but I didn't say that I would wear what you choose."
"What shoes are you going with?" Minako asked, hoping to prevent another argument.
"I am going with the black strappy sandals." Rei said.
"Flat or heels?" Minako asked.
"Heels" Rei answered.
"That will look great on you. It will be prefect. Can you help me find a pair of shoes for Ami's outfit?" Makoto asked.
"Ooh, ooh, I have a pair of brown sandals that would match the brown on the shirt." Usagi said.
"It's lucky that you and Ami wear the same size," Makoto said. "I can't borrow anyone's clothes."
Just then, Ami walked out of the bathroom. She looked beautiful.
"Wow Ames, you look fabulous." Usagi said. "I should let you keep that top. It never looked that good on me."
"You do look amazing Ami. We found shoes for you." Minako said as she drug through Usagi's suitcase to grab the sandals. She handed the sandals to Ami.
"Can't I wear my white ballet slippers? They'll be more comfortable for dancing." Ami asked looking doubtful at the sandals.
"I know these have a bigger heal than you are used to, but they'll look perfect with the outfit." Minako told Ami.
"I don't know if I can walk in them, much less dance in them." Ami said.
"We'll compromise. Walk a little in them before we go. If you can't walk in them comfortably then you can wear your ballet slippers." Makoto told Ami.
Minako nodded with that statement and added, "You can walk while the rest of us are getting dressed. Then, I'll do your hair and make-up."
"I'll do her make-up." Rei said as she exited the bathroom after changing. "You go plan your outfit and get dressed."
Minako whined "But I wanted to do her make-up."
"This way, you can spend more time on your clothes, make-up, and hair. I know you want to look good, in case you see those guys again."
Minako's face brightened and she let Rei do Ami's make-up.
While doing Ami's make-up, Rei whispered to Ami, "Minako would put more make-up on then you're comfortable with."
"Thanks," Ami said to Rei gratefully, while Rei was putting on eyeliner.
Rei did the rest of Ami's make-up without conversation while the rest of the girls got ready.
Clothes were flying everywhere while Minako was trying to decide what to wear. She tried on six or seven outfits before deciding on a bright orange tube top, white mini skirt, and a pair of white strappy sandals that made her Sailor Venus heels look like flats. Minako added a pair of large gold hoop earning with the outfit and left her hair down.
Makoto had an easier time picking out what she was going to wear. She went with a simple look, a dark green button-up shirt, which she left the bottom half not buttoned to show off her abs and a pair of flared low rise jeans. On her feet was a pair of black doc martins. In Japan, strappy shoes that fit were difficult to find. Her hair was in its typical ponytail.
Usagi completed the group with a pink baby doll dress and a pair of matching pink sandals. She left her hair up in its usual manner.
"I still can't walk in these shoes," Ami said. "I'm going to wear mine."
Minako opened her mouth to argue when Rei said, "they'll look great. We better get going. Everyone is ready to go."
The group left for the club.
"We should do something tonight," Ryo said as he and the rest of the Ronin Warriors were eating together at Kento's family's restaurant. They were getting all together for the first time in weeks. Cye and Kento had gone to Tokyo for a week visiting various family members, and Rowen has been studying hard for the university entrance exam next week.
"What do you have in mind?" Rowen asked.
"I don't know, just something," Ryo replied.
"I know," Kento said, "the girls, Cye and I saw on the train, were talking about dancing at a new club. We could go and try to find them."
"I don't know," said Rowen unconvinced, "dancing"
"It'll be fun," Kento said, "something, we've never done before."
"Kento, you and your ideas," Cye said, "But it will be nice to do something different for a change."
"It will be fun to get our minds off the exam coming up. I'll go if everyone else goes." Sage replied.
"I guess I'll go," Ryo said, "I need to get my mind off Mia."
Ryo and Mia were dating before she went back to Canada to care for her sick mother. Ryo didn't know when or if she'll be coming back at all. Their relationship was in limbo until further notice.
"All we have to do is convince Rowen," Kento said with a smile looking at Rowen, "Come on Row, it'll be fun."
"I really would rather not. I have a lot of work to do." Rowen replied.
Cye leaned close to Rowen and said, "You know how he is; he won't stop asking until you agree."
Rowen glanced at Cye then Kento. Kento nodded with a big smile. Rowen knew this was a loosing battle, and then said, "Fine, I'll go."
Kento gave a huge whoop and jumped up from the table. "We have a lot to do before we go. We have to shower and get dressed. We have to find the address. Sage can you drive us or should we call a taxi or take the bus?"
Sage was the only one of them with a car. His uncle had given it to him as a gift for his 16th birthday, not realizing that the driving age was 18 in Japan. Sage drove it only on a rare occasion because he wasn't 18 yet.
"Slow down, Kento. Let's finish eating first. I'll look up the address." Cye said calmly.
"We can meet here in a few hours and I can drive us, as long as we leave at a decent time. I have an early class I have to teach tomorrow and the granddaughter of an old friend of my grandfather's is arriving tomorrow morning to pick up something." Sage replied.
"What is she picking up?" Rowen asked. He then glanced at Kento plate. "Kento, if you're not going to eat the rest of your food, can I have it?"
That question made Kento sit down and finish eating his supper.
"I don't know," Sage replied, "and Grandfather isn't telling me. Believe me, I've asked. He told me in his own manner to mind my own business."
"It sounds very strange." Ryo said.
"I know," Sage said. "To make matter worse, if I didn't know better, I would swear my mother is trying to set me up with the granddaughter."
"What makes you say that?" Cye asked.
"Well," Sage answered, "She keeps mentioning the granddaughter and telling me how pretty she was when she was little, how gentle and shy she must be being raised on a shrine by her grandfather the priest, and what a nice family she comes from. The only reason I'm even going out with you guys is to get away for a bit."
"Will we be going to your wedding soon?" Rowen asked teasingly.
"No!" Sage replied ardently, "I'm not ready to get married for a long time."
"We should get going soon. All of us have to go home and get ready. We'll meet here in two hours to go dancing." Cye said bringing the subject back to the original topic. "Does that sound good to everyone?"
"Sounds good," Ryo replied. "See you in two hours."
The guys all left to get ready to go out.
This is my first fanfiction. Please review. All comments are helpful. Thank you for reading.