A piece I did for the SSREVMB17 bring on next year

Notes: Thank you to my lovely artist, galaxylily tumblr same name Thank you also to my fanmix maker, catandmouse10 tumblr /astarinsomebodyelsessky You've all been super!

Chapter 1

Makoto was troubled. or the first time since she'd lost her parents she, herself, felt lost… hopeless even. She paced throughout her old apartment, wearing out an already worn floor,noticing, almost compulsively, the fading wallpaper almost bleached white by the sun in some spots. She'd always tried to make the most of what little she'd had, but she was sick and tired of seeing the same four walls, day in, day out. She would be 18 in a matter of hours, and that meant she would finally be able to get hold of the large inheritance her mother and father had left in their wills for her.

The money would certainly help, but there was bigger itch she was desperate to scratch: she wanted an adventure. School wasn't helping, either. It had her tied up in knots. "I've got to get out of here!" she shouted as she pulled at her ponytail.

She swiped her phone from the nearby table in order to check the time and then grimaced... even her phone was getting old. Dismissing the thought quickly, she dialled Usagi, knowing without a doubt that she'd still be up.

Phone call number one: Usagi: Hey! Mako-chan!

Makoto: I need an adventure, I'm going stir crazy here but we have school to think about and up until… well, in a few hours time, I will no longer have to think about money in the same way I used to, and also it's my birthday tomorrow, so I think I'm justified in wanting to go on an adventure, and aren't Haruka and Michiru heading out on tour at the weekend - I know they are since Sets told me last night. So I think I should go with them.

Usagi: Uhh… hello to you, too?

Makoto: *sigh* sorry. I'm just… I don't know, I have itchy feet. I'm going to be eighteen, you know? and I… I want to do something for it.

Usagi: Well, ok then! I can use the ginzuishou and manipulate a few memories so that only ones that know you're away will be the senshi, Mamo-chan and Helios. Would that help?

Makoto: That would be amazing, thank you! I seriously need a break.

Usagi: Oh, you know I would do anything for you guys, go have fun but when you come back, let's talk about it? This is all kind of sudden.

Makoto: I promise.

Usagi: Are you sure you're ok?

Makoto: Yeah, but thanks for asking.

Usagi: Sure! And ring Haruka - she just sent me a text, so I know she's up. I'm sure she would be thrilled to have you along, especially considering your history together. Makoto: What? Usagi: Oops… Gottagobyehavefunloveyoulotskeepintouch!

The line went dead What on earth… what history? She didn't dwell on it, too long, though. She had a plan she needed to enact. Scrolling through her contacts, she found Haruka's name. Pressing the dial button, she prayed the two outers wouldn't freak out at the idea of her skipping school and having Usagi manipulate a load of memories with crystal just because she was hoping to join them on their world tour.

Phone call number two: Haruka: Mako-chan? To what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?.

Makoto: Yeah, sorry about the time, Haruka-san. I know it's late, but this was something that couldn't wait. Uhm, so, I just got off the phone with Usagi-chan, and she's kindly offered to cover for me using the Ginzuishou, so that I could maybe join you and Michiru on your world tour.

Haruka: I see. Makoto: I know I'm asking a lot, but I'm coming into some money, and I'm just desperate to get out of Japan for a while. It's a long story, but I think I need to do something big and dramatic, and this would fit the bill perfectly. I'd understand if you didn't want a third wheel, but-

Haruka: I don't mind at all. Michiru and I would love to have you. We always reserve extra space in case any of you want to join us.

Makoto: Thanks Haruka-san, I will be round first thing in the morning. What time would be good for you?

Haruka: That's far too late to start an adventure so pack up now. I will be round in an hour.

Makoto: But I need to ring my Landlord to cancel my tenancy.

Haruka: you can do that in the morning while you're here, plonker. Get yourself sorted and I will pick you up shortly.

Makoto: Yes, Haruka-san. See you soon?

Haruka laughed on the other end of the line and hung up.

Makoto sat herself on the lumpy, creaky chair at the dining table, taking it all in. Well, one thing's for certain, I'm not going to miss the discomfort of this thing. Was she really going to do this? It seemed so. She was nervous and excited at the same time, but it seemed like the smile on her face was beating down the lump in her throat. She had no idea what to pack, she was going away for six months - she'd never left for so long, and she certainly hadn't spent that much amount of time with the outers before.

She had no idea what to expect. But it wasn't going to stop her. She was getting out of there. She was going on an adventure. She only packed a few outfits - her favourites, her least worn (her frugal side was still a little hard to ignore), but she didn't worry too much about it, because she would have ample opportunity while she was away to buy what she needed, and when she came back, she could get herself a new wardrobe - after all she was almost imminently going to be the subject of a very large inheritance fund.

She also decided to place some of her favourite plants into a box large she'd been using to double up as pantry space: Makoto knew Setsuna would look after them while she was away (after all they shared the same love of flowers).

She was finally packed and just in time for the doorbell to ring signalling Haruka's arrival. Makoto took a deep breath and opened the door, and then stood aside to let Haruka stride. She eyed the suitcase and the box. "Is this all you're taking?" Makoto nodded.

"The inheritance fund from my parents becomes accessible from midnight tonight, when I turn eighteen."

"Congratulations, I suppose."

Makoto gave her a small smile in thanks. "I still wish my parents were here, I miss them a lot,but in some ways I'm glad..."

"Glad?" Haruka asked, surprised. "Maybe that's the wrong word. I'm… at peace with it. Things have worked out for me. I wouldn't be here today, living my true destiny if things hadn't happened the way they had. I would have never met you, or the others and Usagi… I would have never…"she kept the thought of him to herself. She'd been the one to kill him - not that she blamed herself for his death, she hadn't had much of a choice; it was just a shame… she missed him.

"There was a lot of things I would never have achieved if life hadn't turned out the way it did."

Haruka gave her a look of empathy. "You ready to go?"

Makoto took a last look around the old apartment. Goodbye, old life. She pulled an envelope full of money, the last of her years of savings and left it on the table with a note for her landlord.. She lifted the handle of her suitcase while Haruka picked up the box. "Yes," she said, and closed the door behind her.