Hi, the title came about because that was the song I was listening to. Delta Goodrem's In This Life. Up-beat! Anywho seemed to fit. So Firstly don't own Sailor Moon, and don't own the song either. I know I should be continuing God laughs but I have no inspiration. I will get around to the fourth chapter soonish. Ish being the key part of that word.

Viola and have fun!

Chapter one – Invitations

Rei Hino was not oblivious to the reactions she was getting. She knew she got admiring glances from men, and catty glares from their girlfriends. Her red heels seemed to complete her long legs which her short, black skirt emphasised. The red sleeveless v-neck shirt she wore showed off her ample cleavage. Her long black silky locks flowed down her back; you could almost picture her in a shampoo ad, flaunting it. All in all, people were often surprised to hear the only man she loved was her brother – the most reliable person in the world...who she was meeting in half an hour.

However the Gods were against her.

"Mina! Hurry up!" she snapped into her red mobile phone.

"Listen, girl!" an irritated voice sounded back. "You were the one who said that appearances were important today!"

Rei rolled her eyes. "I also said punctuality was important!" she sidestepped away from the prying eyes of a teenage boy trying to put the moves on her.

"I'll be there! I'm almost ready anyway!" Mina protested.

"Good. We're meeting in that Italian restaurant down the street from your apartment. See you in twenty!" she snapped her phone shut and shoved it in her bag.

Mina Aino – her stepsister from her father's second marriage. A model and a bit of a ditz, but had an intelligent head for planning. Mina and Rei had refused to relinquish ties from one another after Mr Hino had divorced Mina's mother. So still a member of the family – but so incredibly different. A model, yet down-to-earth, she was absolutely stunning. Rei might turn heads, but Mina stopped traffic. Blonde hair to her waist, large blue eyes an athletic body and charisma which helped gravitate people towards her. Not to mention men. Rei rolled her eyes, "who's the latest squeeze?"

Rei arrived at the restaurant. She spotted Darien the minute she got there. It was as though an enormous weight had been lifted from her shoulders. There was her brother – a man who would protect her against anything and everything.

"Dare!" she squealed. An enormous smile lit his face.

"Rei-rei!" he growled. He wrapped her in an enormous bear hug. "I've missed you, pyro!"

She hit him playfully. "Shuddup!"

"Where's Mina?" he asked, looking behind her as he relinquished his hold.

Rei rolled her eyes. "Oh, coming. She'll be 'fashionably' late as per usual."

Darien smiled affectionately as he sat down. "How's it going with you anyway?"

So Rei began to tell him about her month. About grandfather's failing health, about her high scores in law, about her and Mina's trip to London where she'd sat for hours while Mina posed and primped for the cameras before they'd been able to do any serious shopping.

Darien nodded and smiled appropriately. "And your fight with father?" he asked casually, before taking a sip of his drink.

Rei froze. "Oh, you heard about that."

"Heard?" Darien chuckled. "Had to wake up specially."

"He rang you," she said flatly, staring straight ahead.

Oh, yeah. I was in New York...time difference. He was really angry. Want to talk about it?"

Rei shrugged it off, "no." Her lips snapped shut, drawn into a thin line.

"Sorry, I'm late."

There stood Mina. Her beautiful hair tied back, wearing a short, figure-hugging, blue dress with white heels, carrying a white handbag.

Darien stood and hugged his stepsister fiercely. "I missed you Mi!"

"There, there Dare! I know missing me is a curse, but someday the pain will go away," she laughed.

He let go of her. "Let's order."

After ordering, Darien looked carefully at his siblings. "I do have an ulterior motive asking you here today."

"I knew it!" Mina told Rei. "I knew I should have put money on that!"

"Dad asked me to speak to you both," Darien said, carefully nothing their reactions. Rei froze, anger sparking in her eyes. Mina blinked and said too casually, "Ren? How is he?"

"Fine actually. He wants to invite you both to one of these business balls he's hosting. You know how he likes to maintain his family man image..."

Rei's eyes narrowed and flashed dangerously. "Oh, yes. We know. And it helps his publicity to have Mina's high profile there."

Both Darien and Mina blushed.

"No!" Darien said, shocked.

"Oh, come on. He poses for a couple of photos with Mina and I, then flounces off to whatever guy he's trying to rip money off. Well, I'm not doing it."

"Come on Rei, please."

"No Darien. I won't do it. I want to maintain my dignity!"

It was Darien's turn to be angry. "Are you suggesting I don't?"

Rei's eyes widened with shock. "No! Dare! I mean, you actually work for him, what do I get in return for it? Absolutely-"

"You don't get cut off," Darien cut her off. Rei gaped.

Mina looked at him, with a look that suggested he had insulted her fashion sense. "Excuse me?"

Darien closed his eyes. "I didn't want to say that." He took a deep breath and reopened his eyes. "Rei; you are my sister and I love you. I want to protect you. I don't want you to get cut off. He's still mad about your fight-"

"Wait a sec!" Mina interrupted. She turned to the slightly sheepish Rei. "You had a fight with Ren!" she accused.

"Yeah," Rei answered sullenly. "What's new?"

"You promised after last time."

Rei hesitated. "Technically I had my fingers crossed."

"REI!"

"Sorry."

"May I continue?" Darien asked, a little amused.

"Sorry," Rei repeated.

"Yes, you may," Mina said regally reclining in her chair.

"Okay. Rei, he's still fuming over your fight...I know how much your degree means to you. Don't start ruining your life. Another three years and you never have to speak to him again."

Rei pouted. "But I don't wanna go!" she wailed.

Darien rolled his eyes. "I'll buy you a brownie."

Rei raised her eyebrow. "Caramel fudge brownie?"

"Yes," Darien sighed.

"Deal!"

"Good! Now on to more important matters!" Mina exclaimed. "Like how delicious that food looks!"

Rei and Mina both watched as each meal was slid in front of them. Vegetarian lasagne for Rei, and Cannelloni for Mina. They both drooled with delight. Darien however looked from one meal to the other and then down at his own lunch. A salad foccaia. "Let me guess," he said dryly, watching them eat greedily. "I'm paying?"

Mina looked up from her meal. "Why, dear sweet generous Darien—"

But before she could continue she was interrupted with a flat "Yes" from Rei who did not look up from her lasagne.

Serena lounged about the flat. She considered it to be one of the many "art-forms" of laziness. Her roommates just considered it a pathetic excuse not to pay the rent. "What's the point in me paying it if I am basically a part of the furniture?"

The response to that argument was normally" "Because even though you are an armchair you still eat all out food!"

Housed in this flat that had no room for human furniture were three girls. Serena was extremely lucky to live with three girls she had known forever. No one else would put up with her.

The smells coming from the kitchen indicated that Lita was home, and the tapping from the study meant Ami was studying. The only reason she even bothered following the girls to this city was because Mina, another friend from school, had gotten her a job with her ex-stepfather. Secretarial work, but work all the same. Then she and Mina would go waste all the money shopping.

After they had finished school and finished three years at the local university getting their first degrees, Ami had been accepted to the top medical school in the country and Lita to a well-established culinary academy – it had an excellent reputation for top-notch chefs. So, Serena's teaching degree now stood a shelf waiting to be used. Truth was, she felt she had more to do before she settled into a profession.

Like Mina had. The model had travelled the world, met amazing people and even today had her face plastered not only on billboards but tabloids as well. Serena wanted to travel but knew it she worked at a school, she'd stay there and never leave. Never see the world she saw on television.

Serena's laziness was interrupted by a yell from the kitchen. "Serena! Open the door! There's someone there!"

Groaning the short blonde left the couch and opened the door. There stood Mina, looking like she'd just stepped off a photo shoot.

"Hey Serena!" Mina said coming in.

"You're back from London?"

"Yeah, family stuff cut it short, but it was good. Where's Lita? Ami?" she called the last two names.

The kitchen door opened and in stepped Lita. This was a woman who would stick up for herself and her friends, known to throw the first punch, but when she was cooking – food became art. Tasty art. At six foot she towered over her other friends, her mahogany hair piled in a pony tail high on her head made her seem taller. Her green eyes sparkled as she presented Mina with a sample of her latest recipe and a small smile danced on her features as she heard the delight in Mina's voice.

"Lita! My God! This is heavenly! Ami, have you tried this?"

Ami's head poked around the study door. Her glasses were pushed up in her hair and as she walked in it was evident that she was exhausted. Her short clue tinged hair was ruffled from having run her fingers through it way too many times, due to stress. She worked herself hard and without remorse. She yawned and selected a treat from Lita's tray. However her eyes danced in appreciation of the taste. "Oooh, Lita! This is delicious."

Lita's smile widened. "That's great! It's a new recipe!"

Mina squeezed her shoulder. "It's delicious. Guys, I have a question for you."

Serena froze from chewing and swallowed hastily. "You're getting married."

Mina looked confused. "Ah...no. Why would you think that?"

Serena shrugged. "You just looked cosy with the guy from that calendar."

Mina winced. "Two things. Complete bastard. And met him once on that shoot and that's it." She shook her head. "Anyway, what I was going to say was, how would you like to get all dressed up and go to a ball?"

"YES!" screamed Lita and Serena.

Ami bit her lip. "I'm not sure that's such a good idea. I have exams coming up --"

"Which you could pass in your sleep!" Lita interrupted dismissively. "She'll be there." She promised Mina with a firm voice. Ami gaped at her friends.

"What's it for?" Serena asked.

"Oh, well...actually it's for your work! That's what the family lunch was about. Guaranteeing my presence through bribes."

"Oh, that..." Serena paused. "Okay, we'll all be there."

"Great, with you guys there to help me it will be a complete success!"

"It's going to be a disaster!" Darien whined. He sat slumped in a stool in the local bar with his best mate, Kunzite. "Dad's not going to get the money off Foxer and who will he blame?" Not missing a beat, he answered his own question before Kunzite could draw breath. "Me, that's who. And do you know why?"

"No, but I have a feeling you're going to tell me anyway," Kunzite drawled, before draining the rest of his beer.

"Because I'm an easy target. I may as well have a sign around my neck saying 'TARGET PRACTICE! HIT ME! HIT ME!'"

"Hey boys," a disheartened voice spoke. Kunzite looked around, and there stood Nephrite.

"Hey Neph," Darien said, looking as though he was considering drowning himself in the beer. 'That'd be the way to go,' he thought approvingly.

Neph nodded and slid onto the stool next to Darien. "God, your father was on the war path tonight. It I wasn't certain I would be fired I'd conveniently get out of town before Friday. That ball might just be my funeral! 'Nephrite!'" he mimicked Darien's father's gruff voice, "'Are you sure you invited the President of my Party? Nephrite! Where is that blasted tuxedo? Nephrite, call my daughter! Call my son! Call my dentist! And PICK UP MY CAT!" He sat breathing heavily, trying to calm himself down. He waved over the bartender.

Kunzite laughed as he watched Nephrite down two undertaker shots, but then Darien looked at Neph blearily. "Did you pick up the cat?"

"Yes!" snapped Nephrite, then his eyes widened. "No! Shit!" he exclaimed before running out.

Kunzite laughed even harder and when his brother arrived he looked at him strangely. "What is up with everyone? First Neph runs outside panicking about someone named Fluffster, you're laughing and you look like waking up was a bad idea this morning." Zoicite finished speaking, still looking at the men. "Well? Someone tell me who the hell Fluffster is!?"

Darien looked at Kunzite's brother. "I spoke to Rei today."

Both men's interest peaked. "You didn't tell me that!" Kunzite accused, at the same time Zoi said "what did she say?"

"She's coming. She's not happy about it and apparently Grandpa's health is bad so I have to go visit him," Darien rubbed his eyes. "Plus Mina's coming and bringing friends. Only way she would come without one of her toy boys." He ordered another beer.

"Oh, so I finally get to meet the illusive Mina," Zoi quipped.

"Believe me, you're not missing much," Kunzite said darkly.

"Be nice," snapped Darien. He turned to Zoi. "You coming Friday?"

Zoi blanched. "You see I would, but due to the short notice...I already have my evening planned, if you know what I mean." He quirked an eyebrow, trying to provide his not so hidden meaning.

Kunzite smirked. "You and what imaginary girlfriend?"

Zoi hit him. "OI!" yelled Kunzite.

Darien stopped them with a gesture. "And this evening will be filled with?"

Zoi's forehead crinkled in concentration. "Well, I was going to...I heard that if I..." he sighed. "I'll be there."

"We'll all be there, including Jed apparently," Kunz said casually.

Darien groaned tiredly. "Oh, well, we are trying to get the money from his Daddy."

"So it should be a piece of cake," Zoi said not really believing it.

"If not Neph will definitely have that funeral," Kunz laughed darkly.

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