Winter Fantasy

by Desslok

Sequel to "Best Friends"

"Winter Fantasy" by Desslok

Author's Note: This story follows my earlier story entitled "Best Friends". I'm not sure how much sense this story will make if you haven't read that one, but hopefully it stands on its own.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own take on other people's work.

Hino Rei sat across the room from her friends, watching quietly as they discussed their plans for the big night. The Winter Formal would take place the next day and everyone else was quite excited. Rei sighed and wished that Ami was there. Ami understood what it was like to be on the outside looking in, even though in this situation, that would not have been the case. Though the distance spanned only a few feet, Rei could feel the gap between her and the three before her. Usagi being preoccupied with her "Mamo-chan" was typical, though still painful. Minako and Makoto in love was a new development, however. Rei doubted that Minako had admitted that it was love yet, but the signs were there. Mikos were supposed to notice these things, after all. Rei thought it ironic that the Senshi of Love would be the last to figure out that she herself was falling head over heels. Still, watching Minako fawn over a boy was only strange in its degree of seriousness. Makoto in love was something quite different.

Rei had been as happy as anyone when Makoto and Ami had realized their feelings for each other. She took pride in her small part in helping that process along. Truly, she had never seen the two of them as happy as they were now. That, of course, brought Rei great joy. While Makoto had fawned over boys in her day, she'd never been so... giddy.. before.

'Maybe it's harder to watch her because she's in love with a woman, too,' Rei mused, before turning, as usual, to Usagi.

Despite her lack of attention to the conversation, Rei could tell that Usagi was describing her gown and theorizing about what Mamoru might wear. Rei and Naru had had so much fun helping Usagi shop for the Formal. At times, Rei had gotten so caught up in the excitement that she'd forgotten to be upset or jealous.

Naru. Rei did not know what to make of Naru. Before that fateful night when Naru had stopped in at the shrine, Rei had quite successfully hidden away her feelings for her best friend. Somehow, in that brief conversation, all of those old wounds had been torn open. At the same time, however, the knowledge that she was not alone, that someone else suffered the same way she did, brought some comfort to Rei. At first, that had been why she'd insisted that Usagi invite Naru along whenever they went out. Somehow, shared grief, even when the sharing remained unacknowledged, was easier to bear. Since then, however, Rei had realized that she enjoyed Naru's company for reasons other than their common, unrequited love. In fact, they all just had a lot of fun together. Rei and Naru made each other laugh, usually at poor Usagi's expense. They both had their feet on the ground, their practical natures complimenting Usagi's fanciful moods quite well. Naru surprised Rei with her quick intelligence, a feature of her personality that was all too often obscured by her insecurities. She had a sharp mind for business; obviously her apprenticeship in her mother's jewelry store was serving her well. Rei enjoyed making Naru smile, making her feel good about herself.

"Moon to Mars, come in Mars!" Usagi waved a hand in front of Rei's face, yanking her back to the present. Seeing Rei re-focus her attention on her, Usagi asked, "Geez, Rei-chan, what were you thinking so hard about?"

"Naru-chan," Rei answered quietly. Usagi's eyes widened, but Rei recovered quickly. "I was thinking that you should ask Naru-chan to come tomorrow night, too. I'll need all the help I can get getting that meatball hair of yours under control!"

Usagi smiled slowly. "That's a great idea, Rei-chan. I'll call her tonight."

"I wish I had someone to help me get ready," Minako complained. "With Rei helping Usagi and Makoto and Ami helping each other, I'm left with no one."

"What am I, chopped liver?" Artemis asked, padding over from the window where he'd been lying in a sunbeam.

Minako reached down to scratch him behind the ears, "I'm sorry, Artemis, I know you and Luna will help as best you can. Hey, Mako-chan, where is Ami anyway?"

"One guess," Makoto sighed. "Studying. Some things never change." Everyone laughed fondly.

"So, did she really rent a limo?" Usagi asked Makoto, with just a trace of jealousy in her voice. "Mamoru said that it would be just as romantic to walk, but I think he was just being cheap!"

Rei poked Usagi admonishingly as Makoto answered. "She did, and she's not going to help me get ready. She's going to go away and then come back and pick up me, like a real date!" Makoto beamed at her friends.

"Who is going to help you, then?" Rei asked.

"I asked Michiru to come by. They've been keeping my dress over at their house, so Ami wouldn't see it ahead of time. Haruka is going to drop Michiru off and take Ami to her place to help her out. Then, Ami is going to come back to pick me up." Makoto explained with a bright smile.

"That's so romantic!" Minako sighed wistfully. "Who knew that Ami had it in her?"

"I knew!" Usagi insisted. "I caught her once in the school library, during a study hall. She had a textbook in front of her, but inside it, she was reading a trashy romance novel!"

Rei and Minako laughed while Makoto blushed sympathetically.

"She really is quite the romantic," Makoto admitted finally. "And I don't mind one bit!"

As Minako, Makoto, and Usagi fell into a discussion of the relative romanticism of their significant others, Rei once again shifted out of the conversation. She lifted Artemis onto her lap and idly petted him as he napped, staring out the window at the bare trees outside.

"Ouch!" Makoto yelped, jerking her head forward.

"If you wouldn't move around so much, it wouldn't hurt," Ami chided her. "Now sit still and let me finish. I need to get all these tangles out."

With a deep sigh, Makoto settled back into her place on the floor. Ami sat on the edge of their bed behind her, patiently and methodically combing out her long auburn hair. "Maybe I should just cut it all off," Mako considered. "I wish I could just get out of the shower and be done with it in a few minutes like you can."

"Don't you dare!" Ami exclaimed in alarm, wrapping her fingers protectively in the thick strands. "I love your hair just the way it is. Now, I'm almost done, so be patient."

"You don't love it when it hangs down in your face and gets in your eyes when we...oww! You did that on purpose!" Ami smiled slyly, secure in the knowledge that Makoto wouldn't dare turn to see her. "I love your hair all the time, even then, now hold still!"

After a few more minutes, and only a couple more yelps from Makoto, Ami declared her work complete. "There, all done. That wasn't so bad, was it?"

Makoto ran her fingers through her hair once or twice. "I guess not. Now, you'd better get out of here. I still have a lot of work to do to get ready. My 'date' is due in an hour or two, you know." The two of them moved out of the bedroom together toward the entryway.

Picking up the duffle bag that waited by the door, Ami smiled at her love. "I have two and a half hours, thank you. I still think it is an awful lot of trouble for me to go away to get ready and then have to come all the way back here." Makoto's reply was forestalled by a knock at the door. Ami hefted the bag over her shoulder and opened the door.

"Haruka is waiting for you downstairs, Ami-chan," Michiru announced, gliding into the apartment carrying a long dress covered by a plastic garment bag.

"Yes, shoo shoo!" Makoto added, waving Ami out of the door.

Stepping forward quickly, she kissed her girlfriend lightly on the cheek. "I'll see you in a couple hours, my love."

With a happy smile for Makoto and a friendly bow for Michiru, Ami departed.

Makoto left the foyer and found Michiru waiting for her in the bedroom, peeling the garment bag carefully from the dress she carried.

"Her eyes are going to melt when she sees you in this, Mako-chan," Michiru promised.

"Thank you for helping me pick it out," Makoto replied shyly. "I want to look extra special tonight."

"It is the Winter Formal," Michiru pointed out.

"Well, that, and..." Makoto paused. "You see, it was exactly one month ago today that we first got together, the way we are now."

Michiru offered her congratulations, but could tell that there was something else. She waited patiently for Makoto to continue. "It's also the first time that we're...well...it's such a big event. So... so..."

"Public?" Michiru offered.

"Yeah," Makoto sighed. "I'm not really scared, and I know Ami isn't. Ami's never been one to care much about what other people think or say about her, people that she doesn't know, that is. I've tried to not worry about that kind of thing either. I know that you and Haruka don't, and I could never be ashamed of being with Ami, but..."

Michiru strode forward and laid a comforting arm around Makoto's shoulders. "It's still hard, Mako-chan, I know. Just remember, especially after everything you've fought in the past, nothing else matters but your love for each other and your friends. The people who matter most love and care for both of you and the people who would criticize or mock you aren't worth your time."

Makoto offered Michiru a wan smile, "I know. It'll be fine, I'm sure. It's not like we haven't danced together in public before anyway. I don't suppose you could give me a hint about what Ami will be wearing?"

"Of course not, no more than Haruka will tell her anything about this dress. I can tell you that she put a lot of thought into it and that Haruka helped her pick it out," Michiru informed her. "Now, we'd better get started..."

"So, are you ready for your big night?" Haruka asked as she drove Ami to the house she and Michiru shared with Setsuna and Hotaru.

"I think so," Ami declared. "Mako is a little nervous, I think, but once we get there, everything will be fine."

"People are going to be staring at you, pointing, snickering. Are you ready for that, too?" Haruka gave Ami a challenging look. She could recall all too clearly those first few times when she and Michiru had appeared together in public, as a couple. Only Michiru's calm disregard for anyone and anything other than her had kept Haruka from getting into a brawl on more than one occasion.

"None of that is new to me, or to her," Ami answered with a wry smile. "Besides, it's not like we'll be there alone."

Haruka nodded, satisfied with the response, and refocused on the road ahead. In the weeks since Ami and Makoto had realized their feelings for one another, the two young women had come to rely increasingly on Haruka and Michiru for support. The other senshi were at the same time too close to the new couple and also too far removed from their particular situation. Haruka and Michiru provided the wisdom of experience with the clarity that can only come from some distance. Oddly enough, their initial relationships had flipped somehow. Whereas before there had been stronger ties between Haruka and Makoto, and likewise Ami and Michiru, now Haruka found herself more drawn to Ami. Similarly, Michiru and Makoto had formed an unlikely bond. All in all, Haruka appreciated having another couple to spend time with that could understand all the different aspects of their strange lives.

'She's not that much different than me,' Haruka noted, peeking at Ami out of the corner of her eye. 'She is driven to succeed; she is strong and determined, and confident in herself' Haruka realized. True, Ami was not quite the extrovert Haruka could be, nor did she have the 'attitude'. Thinking of their shopping expedition, however, and the new outfit which awaited Ami brought a quick laugh. 'No, not that much different at all.'

"Oooohhh, he'll be here any minute!" Usagi wailed, thrashing about in her chair. "Are you guys almost done?"

"We'd be done already if you'd quit jerking your meatball head all over the place!" Rei flared. She sat behind Usagi in the young blonde's dorm room trying to finish off the braid she'd been working at for the past fifteen minutes.

"Yeah, Usagi-chan, besides, it's good to keep a date waiting. You don't want them to think that you're too anxious," Naru added, putting the final touches on the other braid.

Usagi stuck her tongue out at the mirror in front of her, so her two best friends would be sure to see. She was wearing a beautiful blue evening gown which the three of them had spent the better part of a week hunting down in seemingly every store in Tokyo. Actually, they had found three. Usagi had insisted on getting them all, arguing to Rei later that as a future queen, she needed to begin working on her gown collection as soon as possible. She had finally decided on the sapphire for tonight, however, and now Rei and Naru were finishing up her hair, interweaving matching blue ribbons into her braids.

"But, I haven't seen him..." Usagi moaned, trying to remain still.

"...since last summer!" Naru and Rei shouted in unison. They turned to each other and smiled. "If I had 10 yen for each time I heard you say that," Rei muttered. "There, done. Now, get your shoes on and get downstairs."

"I still think you should wait up here," Naru suggested. She sighed in defeat as Usagi leapt from her chair and grabbed her shoes, dashing out the door before bothering to put them on.

"Thanks guys!" Usagi called out. "I don't know what I'd do without you two. Have fun tonight!"

"You too," Naru replied to an empty doorway.

"I don't know what she'd do without us, either!" Rei agreed, sitting down gently on Usagi's bed. Though Usagi's room wasn't very large, it was a single and that was nothing to complain about. She looked over at Naru, who stood staring at the door. The three girls had spent almost every weekend together lately, shopping, going to movies, etc. Spending time together without Usagi would be new, however.

"It sure was lucky that Mamoru got back in time for the Formal,"Naru pointed out, moving to sit across from Rei at Usagi's desk. She didn't feel all that lucky, and was relatively sure that her companion shared the feeling. Not for the first time, Naru let her eyes linger over her new friend. Rei was probably the most beautiful woman Naru had ever seen. True, she had met not one, but all (she thought) of the Sailor Soldiers at one point or another, but when she'd seen those women they'd been surrounded by an aura, a glow of power and light that had obscured their features. Thinking back, Naru could remember their sailor suits in different colors and their long legs, but that was about it. She doubted any of them had eyes to match Rei's.

Rei looked over to the door and then back to her friend. It occurred to her that this was the first time they'd really been alone together since that night in the shrine. Her thoughts from yesterday, along with the feelings generated watching Usagi get ready to meet Mamoru, put Rei in a melancholy, reflective mood. Somehow, she could think of no one better to share that with than the pretty girl before her.

"It's hard for you too, isn't it?" Rei asked gently. Meditating on the flame was all well and good, but she really needed someone she could talk to about this.

Naru looked up from her own thoughts, surprised. She began to ask what Rei meant, but Rei's expression filled in any gaps. Naru knew all to well what her companion meant. She nodded silently and both women shared that silence for a while.

"I never got the chance to thank you," Naru finally said.

"For what, Naru-chan?"

"For what you said, that night. It really helped me." Seeing Rei's confusion, Naru explained. "You told me it was never wrong to love somebody. It meant a lot to me. It means a lot to me."

Naru lifted her eyes to meet Rei's. For a moment, she lost herself in the violet fires that simmered there.

"I'm glad," Rei replied with a gentle smile. "I'm also glad you came that night. It's been...easier...since I've gotten close to you." As she said this, Rei realized suddenly that it _was_ a lot easier with Naru there.

Again, Naru nodded knowingly. Suddenly, she noticed something on the desk beside her. "Oh no! Usagi forgot her tickets!"

Rei laughed, "How typical! Well, don't worry. I'm sure she can talk her way in."

"Shouldn't we try to return them to her?"

Rei looked at the clock by the bed. "Mamoru is always right on time," she noted. "I think he got sick of hearing Usagi wail at him for being late. I'm sure they're gone by now."

"Yeah, I guess so," Naru answered. She sighed, but then realized something strange. For some reason, she didn't feel quite as upset as she'd thought she would. Naru had long ago come to terms with her feelings for Usagi but seeing her with Mamoru usually brought on at least a little melancholia. Tonight, however, she could barely scrape up enough regret to give a proper wistful sigh. Maybe Rei was right. Maybe it was easier now.

"I think I have an idea," Rei announced, jarring Naru's contemplation. "You can fit into Usagi's clothes, right?"

"Some of them," Naru admitted with a curious look. "Why?"

"And I know I can, with a safety pin here and there," Rei continued. "And, we have these tickets, and I'm sure they were quite expensive. It would be a shame to let them go to waste, wouldn't it?"

Naru blushed suddenly, "Are you suggesting..."

Rei noticed the blush with some confusion. "That we borrow those other two gowns and go to the formal? Of course! Why not?"

"Rei-chan, I'm not sure..." Naru stammered, still blushing fiercely.

"It will be fun to get dressed up! I'm sure there will be other girls there with their friends. Who needs men anyway?" Rei laughed.

"Ohhh," Naru said, understanding dawning. "Yeah, sure, ok. But I get to wear the green one. I really don't know what Usagi was thinking getting that. It's not her color at all. I'm sure you'll look great in the red." Naru rose to retrieve the other gowns from Usagi's closet.

Rei watched her friend, pondering. Initially, she had just thought it would be fun to dress up and see her friends at the dance, but Naru's blush was making her wonder...

"What do you think?" Naru asked, holding the green gown in front of her.

Rei caught her breath. Even just held in front, she could see how perfect the gown was for Naru. She would look exquisite in it. 'She's so beautiful,' Rei thought suddenly.

"Well?" Naru asked again, concern tweaking the corners of her eyes.

"It's perfect," Rei whispered. Before she could finish her train of thought, however, Naru presented her with the red gown.

"Better get moving if we want to make it on time," Naru pointed out. "I guess we should just get changed here." Shyly, she turned her back and started undressing.

Rei watched for quite a while before she had to begin getting ready herself. Fortunately, the excitement of dressing up gave her thoughts a rock on which to moor while a strange storm flashed through the recesses of her mind.

The doorbell rang just as Michiru was putting the final touches on Makoto's hair. Though she normally kept her hair in a large ponytail, tonight she wore it down, auburn locks cascading across her shoulders and delicate curls framing her face. Michiru patted her shoulder gently and headed out to answer. Though Ami had her own key, of course, she wouldn't use it this evening.

It had all been Makoto's idea. One evening a week or two previous, she had lamented that the odd way in which they had finally come together had robbed them of the joy of dating. After all, Ami had practically moved in right away. Though her mother was still unsure about the idea, it was all but certain that Ami would be moving in formally after the holidays. After hearing Makoto recount her old teenage fantasies of waiting at home for her date to arrive, of fancy dinners and dances, and of furtive kisses stolen at the front door on the distant edge of curfew, Ami had decided to make those dreams come true for the Winter Formal.

"Eighteen...nineteen...twenty," Makoto counted to herself, trying to restrain her eager curiosity. Michiru had counseled her on how to generate the proper levels of suspense and nervousness in a date. With a deep breath and a final check in the mirror, she left the bedroom.

In the sitting room, Ami stood, impatiently shuffling her feet. "Isn't she ready?" she asked Michiru.

Michiru smiled, "The best things in life are worth waiting for, wouldn't you agree, Ami-chan? You look very nice tonight." Ami thanked her, but most of her attention remained focused on the closed bedroom door. After what seemed like an eternity, the door opened.

"Oh my," Ami sighed. Her breath seeped out of her and she had trouble recapturing it as she took in the vision before her.

Makoto stood framed in the doorway, blushing shyly, in an elegant green strapless gown, cut low enough to bring a blush to Ami as well. Her hair lay across her shoulders along with a pink wrap that matched the ever-present rose earrings perfectly. As Ami stared at her, Makoto slowly spun around, her dress ever so briefly opening along the slit that ran up to mid-thigh. "Oh my,"Ami sighed again, at a loss for coherent speech.

"You like it, then?" Makoto asked in a quietly triumphant voice.

Ami nodded in reply, moving forward slowly. For her part, Ami wore a midnight-blue tuxedo, discernable from black only by the way the color meshed with the aqua-blue vest and tie underneath. Silently, she proffered a small white box to her date.

Makoto's heart raced as Ami glided across the floor to her , even her romantic fantasies could not compete with this wonderful reality. 'My prince,' she thought happily.

"I hope this matches," Ami said as she placed the box in Makoto's trembling hands.

Carefully pulling the gold ribbon from the package, Makoto lifted the lid. "Oh Ami, it's perfect! Thank you!" She lifted the corsage of pink roses up for Michiru to see, noting that Haruka had apparently come in while she was focused on Ami. "Wait here a minute," Mako requested.

Moments later, Makoto returned from the kitchen with a box of her own. "I've been working on this hybrid for awhile now. I hope you like it."

Ami took the box with a questioning glance. She knew that Makoto loved flowers and spent some of her free time in a local greenhouse, but she hadn't suspected that she was doing anything so serious there. "Makoto, I didn't know this sort of thing was possible!" she gasped after opening her present. "Could you?" she asked, handing the box back to Mako.

Makoto smiled and reached inside, pulling out a single rose. At first, it looked like a normal white rose, but as she carefully pinned it to Ami's lapel, the blue tint of the petals came to light.

Michiru slid her arm around Haruka's waist and laid her head against her, with a happy sigh. Haruka chuckled and pulled her love close. For a moment or two, they happily watched Ami and Mako as they stood together, gazing dreamily into one another's eyes, hands clasped lightly. Finally, though, Haruka spoke up. "Ok, young lovers, it's time to get going. You're paying for that limo out front by the hour, after all."

Extending her arm to Makoto, Ami escorted her date to the door. "Thank you both for everything," she told Haruka and Michiru.

"What are your plans for the evening?"

"Oh, we'll find something to do," Haruka responded with a devious grin. "Have fun and don't do anything we wouldn't do."

"Haruka love, what exactly wouldn't we do?" Michiru asked in an innocent voice, winking naughtily at Ami and Makoto as Haruka turned bright red and tried to stammer a reply. "Have fun, we'll lock up," Michiru called. After Ami and Makoto left, she turned to face Haruka, her fingers idly toying with the buttons on her lover's white Oxford shirt. "Now that we're alone, dear heart, why don't we do something that we 'wouldn't do'." Any reply from Haruka was lost in the press of soft lips on hers...

Minako twisted her foot back and forth nervously. How ironic that after so many weeks of longing to see his face again, now that he was here, she couldn't meet his eyes. "How was your trip?" she asked nervously.

"Fine," Kenjo replied in a painfully normal tone. "I was worried that I wouldn't make it in time, but I guess you can see that I did. You look beautiful, Mina-chan."

"Thank you," she replied politely. She knew this, but it was always nice to hear. They had decided to meet at the Student Center, next door to the gymnasium where the dance was being held. She'd arrived in gown #7. At least, that's how she referred to it, since she'd bought and then later returned six other ones before settling on this black, tea-length number. With all of her friends busy with their own preparations, Mina had had to get ready by herself. Well, not entirely by herself. Artemis and Luna had been there, but there's only so much cats can do without opposable thumbs.

Kenjo, for his part, wore a standard-issue tuxedo. It annoyed Minako to no end that guys could just walk into a formal-ware store, get a couple measurements taken, and be done with their preparations for an event like this. He did look good, though.

"So," Kenjo said.

"So," Minako replied.

He'd called her just about every day since he'd gone back to school. They'd emailed each other to fill the spaces between phone calls. For the past month, they'd talked of nothing more than how much they longed to see each other again. She'd shared all of her innermost secrets, her hopes, her desires, and he'd done the same. She'd even begun getting progessively racier in their phone conversations, particularly the late night ones. They'd been dating over a month and in that time they'd become closer than either ever thought possible. But she'd only ever seen him a handful of times, not once since that weekend. They'd both tried, but the end of the semester brought exams and papers and neither Kenjo nor Mina was the type who could crank out their work and be done with it quickly. Sharing yourself in person was much different than sharing yourself over the phone.

"Do you want to get a cup of coffee or something before we head over?" Kenjo suggested tentatively.

Anything was better than this, so Minako leaped at the chance. "Great! There's a cafe upstairs, come on!" In her enthusiasm, she grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the stairway. The contact brought a shock that stopped her in her tracks. How could a simple thing like holding hands carry so much power?

Before she could say anything, Kenjo stepped forward, his eyes locked with hers. Gently, carefully, he reached out and took her hand again. His thumb caressed hers and he smiled and Mina knew suddenly that everything would be all right.

"Mako-san! Ami-san! Come get your pictures taken!"

Ami and Makoto stood in the doorway, eyes still adjusting to the change in light. They slowly moved toward the familiar but unexpected voice.

"Hotaru-chan, is that you?" Ami asked.

"Hai, Ami-san," the teenage girl replied. "Michiru-mama knows someone on the faculty and pulled some strings. This is my first real gig!"

Makoto grinned at their young friend, noticing how much older she looked in a formal woman's business suit. Gone were her usual goth trappings, though the suit was as black as the clothes she normally wore. "So, you're the official photographer, huh?"

Hotaru nodded enthusiastically and pulled the compliant couple in front of the backdrop before her camera. "You both look wonderful. Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama showed me your outfits. They look even better on, and next to each other." As she'd planned, her compliments brought about beautiful smiles on her subjects. A click, a flash and she was done.

"I'll track you guys down later!" Hotaru told them, hustling them out of the area. "But, I get paid by the picture and everyone wants them taken before they get all sweaty dancing. Usagi and Mamoru are here already. They were the first ones in, just about." She pointed Ami and Mako in the direction of their friends and turned to greet the next couple.

Ami and Makoto made their way across the dance floor to a table where Usagi and Mamoru waited. Somehow, Usagi had managed to save the other six chairs at the round table with just her coat and Mamoru's.

"Mamoru-kun," Ami called out, "it's so good to see you again."

The warning gave Mamoru time to disengage himself from Usagi, who sat for a moment with eyes closed and lips puckered before she realized the kissing was over for the moment. He stood up and extended a hand to Ami. "Hai, it's been too long, Ami-chan." Mamoru bowed, taking Ami's hand and squeezing it gently. Rising, he turned to Makoto and said, "You look wonderful, Makoto-chan. Congratulations to you both."

Makoto blushed slightly and shocked everyone by dropping into a perfect curtsy. "Thank you, Prince." Noticing everyone's astonishment, she added, "What? It's a formal event, so I thought I'd practice my court manners. I'm going to need them someday!"

Ami shook her head fondly. "You never cease to amaze me, or impress me, my love." This time, Makoto's blush was anything but slight. Ami moved to a chair across from Usagi and pulled it out, holding it for Makoto. Makoto sat primly as Ami helped her slide the chair forward.

"Oh Mamo-chan, why don't you hold my chair for me like that! It's so romantic," Usagi sighed. Mamoru sighed as well, though in a different tone, and moved to get Usagi's chair for her.

"Usagi-chan," Ami asked, "why have you saved the whole table? I thought we were only expecting Mina and Kenjo."

Makoto scanned the room quickly. "Yeah, and I don't see them here yet. I hope they didn't sneak off for a quickie. It has been awhile since they've seen each other, but that would be rude!" She was so intent on looking for her friends that she missed the shared look of embarrassment between Usagi and Mamoru.

"Well," Usagi began, leaning forward conspiratorially, "can you guys keep a secret?"

'Here we go again,' Makoto thought even as Ami anxiously moved to listen to Usagi's gossip.

The dance was in full swing by the time Kenjo and Minako appeared at the table, eyes still partially blinded from Hotaru's flash. Usagi, Mamoru, Ami, and Makoto had filled in the time catching up with Mamoru. Ami in particular had lots of questions for him about his experiences studying abroad. After introductions were made and teasing of Minako for being late was complete, Usagi finally prevailed upon Mamoru to dance with her. Kenjo and Minako joined them, leaving Ami and Makoto alone.

For the first time, Makoto shifted her attention away from their table and scanned the room. There had to be at least two hundred people in attendance, very few of whom were familiar to her.

"Mako," Ami said quietly. "Would you like to..."

"Hey there, ladies!" a loud, slurred voice interrupted. "What's two hot chicks like you doing all alone in a place like this?" Standing over the two women were a pair of broad-shouldered guys, swaying ever so slightly. Despite the distance, Makoto could smell the beer on their breath. "So, you wanna dance? Or maybe just skip all the bullshit and blow this taco stand?" The blonde attempted to give the dark-haired boy a high-five, but they barely connected.

"No, thank you," Ami replied politely.

"I told you she was a dyke," the blonde whispered loudly.

"How about you, baby?" the other guy asked Makoto. "How about taking a turn with a real guy. I bet I fill out my tux a hell of a lot better than your 'friend' there." Laughing crudely, he shoved his crotch forward.

Makoto focused her attention on his zipper with a critical eye. "I doubt it. There's a difference between having a big dick and being a big dick, you know."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" her suitor roared, able to puzzle her words out enough to get that he'd been insulted.

As he moved forward, though, he suddenly fell to the ground in a heap, taking his friend down too. For a moment, the two of them scrambled and flailed about, until everyone in a twenty foot radius was looking and laughing at them.

"Fuck you, dykes!" the blonde said as they crawled away, finally able to stand. Despite the harsh words, they fled from the taunting looks of the bystanders, leaving the gymnasium altogether.

Makoto sat, trying to figure out what had just happened, when she noticed something funny about the floor. Reaching down, she felt a sharp chill as her fingers hit a puddle of icy cold water. She looked to Ami with an expression of amazement. "You didn't..."

Ami simply smiled serenely and stood up. Extending a hand, she said, "You know I never get tired of asking you to dance, my love. Will you?"

Makoto rose, and again curtsied formally. She never let her eyes leave Ami's and was rewarded with a radiant smile when she replied, "I will, my prince."

Later, as they danced close, oblivious to anything else in the world around them, Ami whispered, "Technically, you know, I would be a princess, not a prince."

"You will always be my prince," Makoto insisted with a happy sigh, nuzzling her head even closer to Ami's. "Always."

When the happy couples returned from the dance floor, they were surprised to find Rei and Naru sitting at their table.

"You know, meatball head, you shouldn't just leave your things here for anyone to walk by and steal!" Rei warned. As she stood to greet her friends, four jaws dropped, for rather similar reasons. (Usagi and Minako were impressed, but in quite a different way than the other four.)

Wearing the long red formal gown that Usagi had bought, her long black hair flowing naturally down her back, Rei could have stepped from a fashion magazine. Somewhat less stunning, though no less beautiful, Naru stood in the green gown that matched her eyes and set off her red hair perfectly.

"What are you guys doing here?" Minako asked, not noticing that only Kenjo seemed as surprised as she to see them there.

"Usagi forgot her tickets, and she had these gowns, so we figured we might as well," Naru explained, a little embarrassed. "I hope you don't mind, Usagi-chan."

"Of course not, silly!" Usagi announced, giving both of her friends hugs before letting Mamoru settle her in her chair.

"Thanks a lot, Ami-chan," Mamoru complained, "now I'm going to have to hold every chair she ever sits in or else hear all about it." Usagi nudged him in the ribs, hard, and he turned a winning smile on her. "Which, of course, I don't mind at all."

Ami smiled prettily as she sat herself down, "She is a princess, after all." The way Ami squeezed Mako's hand as she said this made it quite unclear to whom she was referring, however.

"Well, I'd say you owe me at least a dance?" Mamoru asked.

"Me?" Ami asked, slightly confused, "well, I'd be delighted."

Noting the early warning signs of Usagi's pout, she quickly added, "if it is ok with you, Usagi-chan."

Usagi grimaced slightly, but then her more typical smile lit up her face. "Of course, Ami-chan, but you'd better bring him back safe, 'cause I'm holding onto to Mako-chan as insurance until you do." This brought about a round of laughter, if only from the mental image of Usagi trying to keep Makoto away from Ami somehow.

After Mamoru and Ami left, Minako turned to Naru and Rei. "So, since you both are here and looking so beautiful, are you going to try to meet some guys?"

Makoto muttered something about 'slim pickings' but didn't elaborate.

'That was the plan, wasn't it?' Rei thought. She did not reply to the question, though, as she realized that she didn't know the answer any more. Instead, she focused on Naru. Though Naru and Usagi wore similar sizes, Rei still could not believe how perfectly the dress fit the redhead and how wonderful she looked in it. 'How could Umino have ever let her get away?' Rei wondered, not for the first time.

While Rei was pondering, Naru shook her head. "No, we just wanted to get dressed up and see you all. Like Rei said, 'Who needs boys anyway?'"

Minako and Makoto laughed at this, making Kenjo pout a little.

Rei seemed lost in thought while Usagi just smiled knowingly and nodded her agreement.

"Well, I'm glad you're both here," Usagi declared.

A slow waltz was playing as Mamoru and Ami approached the dance floor. Mamoru paused, unsure for a moment, until Ami held out her arms, encouraging him take the lead. He chuckled briefly and led her into the a moment or two, they waltzed together, gliding smoothly among the other couples there. Ami was a much more accomplished dance partner than Usagi and it took Mamoru a few moments to adjust to that. For his part, Mamoru was a decent dancer, but Ami couldn't help but think that he didn't hold a candle to her Mako-chan.

"I was surprised to hear about you and Makoto," Mamoru finally said.

Ami smiled up at him, "I can imagine you were." She thought for a moment. "You know, I used to have a crush on you. I guess it was safe because we all knew you'd always be with Usagi."

"I thought you, well," Mamoru paused, trying to pick his words carefully, "I wouldn't think you'd have a crush on a guy."

"Like I said, it was safe," Ami laughed. "Besides, I was flattered."

"Flattered?" Mamoru asked cautiously. She couldn't have known, could she?

"Of course," Ami replied, giving a pointed look. "What girl wouldn't be flattered knowing that such a smart, debonair young man was interested in her?" Seeing his surprise, Ami smiled reassuringly. "I might not be a genius when it comes to people, like Usagi or Minako," she explained, "but, even I can see some things."

Mamoru grinned wryly, but didn't reply. "You know I love Usagi with all of my heart," he began.

Ami shushed him, "I know, and I'm sure she doesn't mind in any case."

"Do you think she knows?" Mamoru asked, horrible visions of tantrums to come looming in his mind.

"When it comes to love," Ami advised him, "I don't believe there is much that our princess doesn't know. Besides, you can always just remind her about the way she goes all starry-eyed over Motoki, or Haruka."

With a relieved laugh, Mamoru swept her into the final stages of the dance. "I'm glad that you're happy, Ami-chan. I think, aside from Usagi and Chibi, I've always felt closest to you."

"I know, Mamo-kun," Ami answered. "I feel the same way." With a heavy sigh, she added, "It's nice to have at least one male friend I know I can rely on."

Usagi had told Mamoru about the business with Urawa, but Mamoru didn't want Ami reliving it on such a special night, so he said no more. They finished their dance in the comfortable silence that comes with deep friendship.

And so the evening passed, with the happy conversation of good friends interrupted only by an ongoing succession of dances and the private talks that accompanied them.

At Makoto's urging, Kenjo danced with Ami while she and Mina went to "powder their noses." As with Mamoru, Ami noted that Makoto was a more pleasant dance partner. 'Perhaps I'm just getting used to leading,' she considered.

After an awkwardsilence, Ami spoke. "I understand that I am in your debt."

"What do you mean?" Kenjo asked, confused.

"Well, Makoto has told me all about how you tried to help get us together," Ami replied with a patient grin.

"Of course she did," Kenjo nodded with understanding, "I should have assumed that. Still, I'm not sure I had much to do with it after all. I should have trusted that she'd take care of things on her own. If anything, I owe her a debt, for introducing me to Mina."

Ami looked up at him, considering. "We all care for Minako very much. She is a very giving, loving woman."

Kenjo smiled, "Don't worry, Mizuno-san, I know just how lucky I am and how precious she is. I care for her, too, and I will try my best to do nothing to hurt her."

Ami seemed pleased with the answer and the two danced together quietly for a bit more. This time, Kenjo broke the silence. "I know it's not my place to say so, that you aren't doing it for me, but I did want to thank you for making Makoto so very happy."

Ami blushed suddenly, not knowing how to respond to such a statement.

Kenjo continued, "We've been friends forever and I love her like a sister. I've always hoped she could find someone who would love her for who she is, who could make her as happy as she deserves to be. I have never seen her remotely as joyful and alive as she is tonight, with you."

"Thank you," Ami replied quietly. "She makes me feel the same way."

"So, do you think they're talking about us in the ladies' room?" Kenjo asked, sneaking a glance toward that part of the gym.

With a light laugh, Ami followed his gaze. "I'm sure they are. I'm sure they both want us to be good friends." She turned back to him. "I'd like it if we were, too."

"I would, too," Kenjo agreed. The music came to an end and he bowed politely before leading her back to the table, where Minako and Makoto waited eagerly. Mina looked up expectantly, but Kenjo shook his head. "Sorry, Mina-chan, but Makoto promised me the next dance."

"As long as you save the last dance for me," Minako said, elicting laughter from her friends. "What?" she asked, puzzled.

"That's the lyric to an old song," Rei informed her. Softly, Rei sang a verse, entrancing everyone with her lovely voice.

"Well, song or not, you'd better do it," Minako snorted.

Kenjo smiled and bowed. "After this, my dance card, like my heart, will be yours and yours alone, my fair maiden."

"Ooooh, he's good," Usagi pointed out.

"Told ya," Makoto agreed, standing and taking the hand Kenjo had extended.

As they danced, Makoto and Kenjo used the time to get caught up. Though they didn't speak often, when they did, they made the most of it. As he had mentioned to Ami, Kenjo marveled at how happy Makoto seemed and she shared with him the joy and happiness that her relationship with Ami had brought into her life. "So, why were you and Minako so late to the dance?" Makoto eventually asked in a teasing tone.

"We decided to have some coffee together before coming here," Kenjo replied. "And yes, I just mean coffee. You know we've never... I mean, this is really only our third date!"

"But, you've been talking almost non-stop since you went away, right?"

"Yes, and that's been wonderful, but it is still different than being together. I think it took us both a little while to adjust. We wanted to do that by ourselves, instead of here with everyone watching."

Makoto nodded, watching his expression carefully. There was something in his demeanor that she had never seen before, but she thought she could guess what it might be.

"Do you love her?" she asked.

"It's a little early to worry about that, isn't it?" he answered a bit too quickly. "I mean, it's only our third date."

"Why does that matter, especially if you've been sharing so much time together?"

"Long-distance relationships don't work."

"Usagi and Mamoru work. You haven't answered my question, Shinozaki. What are you trying to convince yourself of?"

Kenjo tore his eyes away from his friends and fell silent.

Makoto followed suit, giving him time to sort things out.

Finally, he spoke. "You're just trying to get even with me, aren't you?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, quite unsure where that had come from.

"Because I figured out about how you felt about Ami before you did," he explained, a slow, uncertain smile forming.

Understanding brought an answering smile to Makoto's lips. "You do love her, don't you? I knew it. I guess I do know you as well you know me."

"I knew there would be an 'I told ya so' in there," Kenjo lamented. More seriously, he continued, "I think I do, Mako-chan. She's just completely unlike anyone I've ever met. She's fun, she's caring, she makes me feel like ... she makes me feel like you do, Mako-chan, but with a little something extra."

Makoto smiled fondly at her best friend. "Are you going to tell her?"

"Eventually," he replied. "When the time is right."

"I suppose that will do for now."

"Mamo-chan!" Usagi whispered from down near his chest, where her head rested as they danced.

Leaning down as best he could while maintaining the forms of the dance, Mamoru asked, "Yes, Usa-chan?"

"You need to dance with Rei!"

Mamoru lifted his head and glanced toward their table where Rei and Naru sat chatting with Ami and Makoto. "I wouldn't mind dancing with Rei, but why do you want me to?"

"You just dance with Rei and leave the rest to me," Usagi directed. "The trouble I go to..." she muttered under her breath, but he did not hear.

"Naru-chan, you haven't danced once tonight," Usagi complained.

Mamoru had just accompanied a startled Rei out to the dance floor, where the other two couples already glided to the soft classical music in the air.

"Oh, that's ok, Usagi-chan," Naru sighed. "I didn't come to dance."

"Well, why did you come then?" Usagi demanded.

"I don't know, we didn't have anything else to do and Rei suggested it. It seemed like a good idea."

"'Seemed like?' Aren't you having fun?" Usagi asked, laying a concerned hand over Naru's. For once, Naru didn't react at all to her touch. Usagi considered this an encouraging sign.

"I'm having fun," Naru insisted, but her eyes were glued to the dance floor, watching Mamoru and Rei.

"Will you dance with me at least?" Usagi begged. "My boyfriend has abandoned me once again!" She sighed and turned the full force of her best 'puppy-dog' look upon an unsuspecting and unprepared Naru. "Please?"

"Sure, why not?" Naru agreed. Truthfully, she had been having a good time this evening. She felt so classy, all dressed up and sitting with such handsome men and beautiful women. Though she was closest to Usagi and Rei, Naru knew the other girls from school and considered them all friends. Still, as the evening wore on, she had begun to feel a bit out of sorts, a feeling that had come on particularly strong after Mamoru had asked Rei to dance. She told herself it was because, as long as Rei wasn't dancing either, it was ok that she didn't. Naru told herself a lot of things.

"Hooray!" Usagi yelled, dragging Naru to her feet and yanking her out toward the dance floor. "I get to lead! No one ever lets me lead, not Mamoru, not Haruka, no one!" Seeing Naru's eyebrow rise at the mention of Haruka, Usagi broke out in a cold sweat. Before Naru could inquire, though, Usagi was grabbing her hands and leading her into a Usagi was not a bad dancer, the attempt to lead was testing her skills to the utmost. Fortunately, Naru had had formal 'charm school' training and was able to assist her friend subtly. After a few turns around the floor, they found themselves dancing next to Rei and Mamoru.

"Rei-chan! Mamo-chan!" Usagi called out, drawing the attention of most of the dance floor. "Leading is hard! I want to dance with my Mamo-chan!" In a deft demonstration of dexterity, Usagi swiftly exchanged her partner for Rei's, dancing off in a swirl with Mamoru, leaving a very confused Rei hand-in-hand with an equally confused Naru.

"I'd ask what just happened, but I already know the answer," Rei commented wryly.

"Usagi happened," Naru agreed with a giggle. "I guess we should just go sit down," she added, her gaze dropping to the floor, along with her smile.

Rei turned to face her friend, still holding her hands tightly. She considered the young woman before her shyly examining the ground and twisting her foot back and forth. Without another word, she lifted her right hand and slid her left around Naru's waist and continued the dance.

'She's a much stronger lead than Usagi,' Naru noted, even as she felt her spirit filling with delight. Warmth and comprehension suffused her as she looked up into those violet eyes that had shone in her dreams for nearly a month.

Rei remained silent, but her expression spoke volumes. She smiled fondly and shared understanding and happiness sprang between the two of them. Without another word, Naru rested her head on Rei's chest, content to follow Rei's lead to the end of the world.

Mamoru and Usagi were the first to leave. Everyone knew how hard it had been on them, being apart for so long, so no one begrudged them their time together. They made their way back toward his apartment, hand-in-hand, sharing their thoughts on the evening. The walk was indeed quite romantic, as he had promised. It gave them the time they needed together. Despite their long separation, it was as if no time at all had passed and they fell naturally into the rhythms of their love for one another. When they arrived, each was more than ready to make up for lost time.

Quite a while later...

"You planned all that, didn't you? The dance, the tickets, the dresses, all of it."

"Why Mamo-chan, I have no idea what you're talking about."

"Remind me never to underestimate you, my love."

"If you need me to remind you, it's too late for you anyway."

Not too long after Usagi and Mamoru left, Minako and Kenjo said their goodbyes. They found their way to that playground where they had stopped on their second date and sat for a long time, drinking in each other's company. Finally, the time was right. Admissions of love, happy as they are, can be difficult and are often born in tears, albeit tears of joy. Fortunately, tears can be kissed away, while true love is eternal.

Eventually, the happy couple left the playground. They could see the earliest glimmers of the long path strewn before them and they took the first steps eagerly, hand-in-hand.

"Here we are," Ami announced as she and her date arrived at the door to their apartment. Though their long limo ride around Tokyo had been fun, it was good to be home. She paused in the doorway, remembering the role she had been assigned this night.

Makoto moved to get the door. "Would you to like to come in for a little while?" she asked coquettishly.

"I think I would like that very much. How long can I stay?"

"How about...forever," Makoto replied as her lips found Ami's.

After a languid kiss on the doorstep, they moved into the apartment. Ami slid her shoes off and hung her coat and jacket neatly. Before Makoto could do any more than remove her wrap, Ami took her by the hand and led her inside. Seating Makoto on the couch, she sat delicately on the coffee table in front of her.

"Do you know where I was exactly one month ago, my love?" Ami asked tenderly.

"Here, with me," Makoto recalled with a broad smile.

Gently, Ami lifted Makoto's foot onto her lap. Her deft fingers made quick work of the straps that ran along her ankle and halfway up her calf. As Ami eased the shoe off, Makoto settled back against the couch with a happy sigh.

"You gave me a massage," Ami reminded her. "You made me feel as loved and as special as I ever had in my life. And every day since, you've done the same exact thing." Even as she spoke, Ami took Makoto's other foot and released it from its stylish leather prison. "Now, it's my turn to make you feel the same way."

"But Ami, you do, every moment..." Makoto began to protest before Ami shushed her. Taking the hint, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the sensation as Ami began to rub and caress all of the sore points on her feet. After a thorough massage, and all of the grateful soft moans it had elicited, Ami slid her hands up over her lover's calves and later past her knees. Makoto slid down on the couch, silently begging Ami to roam higher. Her sighs and heavy breathing made the same plea, but much more audibly. After an eternity of delight, Ami knelt on the floor before the couch, now following the trail her hands had blazed with soft, tender kisses interrupted only by the occasional tender nibble.

"Oh Ami..." Makoto sighed, surrendering herself completely to the joy and pleasure her love was intent on providing. "Oh my..."

Quite a while later...

"Aren't you cold out here, love? It's so much warmer in our bed."

"You should know that cold doesn't bother me much. I just want to be out here for a minute or two. Isn't the view beautiful?"

"Not as beautiful as you, my prince."

"You know it makes me blush when you call me that!"

"I like it when you blush."

"That's very sweet, my love. Now, stand behind me... there, just like that."

"This is kind of nice. And much warmer this way."

"This is my favorite place in the whole world and I wanted to be here tonight, just like we were that night a month ago."

"I love you, Ami. Thank you for a perfect evening."

"I love you, too, Mako. Thank you for a perfect life."

"Are you sure she went back to Mamoru's?" Naru asked for the third time.

Rei gave her a wry look in response even as she opened the door to Usagi's dorm room. Clearly, it was unoccupied.

Naru giggled, "Looks like you were right. I guess this means we can take our time getting changed." With a heavy sigh, she slipped off her shoes and sat gingerly on the edge of the bed.

Rei tossed her jacket over the chair and joined Naru on the bed."I guess so. Thank you for agreeing to come along tonight."

"Thank you for inviting me," Naru replied shyly, suddenly dropping her eyes. "I had a wonderful evening."

Rei smiled and leaned back against the wall, watching her friend.

Naru looked up and met Rei's gaze with a puzzled expression. For a long moment, they simply observed each other. Rei's eyes glowed with a strong feeling that Naru couldn't name, but which made her feel warm and comfortable. In the face of that, Naru's confusion and uncertainty melted away, her own smile arriving at last to meet Rei's.

"I need to ask you something, Naru-chan," Rei said finally.

"Sure, you can ask me anything," the redhead replied, a little of her uncertainty returning.

"Did you ever kiss her?"

A small tear formed at the corner of Naru's eye as she turned away. "Does it matter?" she whispered, her voice breaking.

Suddenly, Rei understood. It didn't matter any more, at least, not for the same reasons. A sudden mental image of Usagi and Naru kissing brought a sharp pain in Rei's gut, but it was not only Naru she was jealous of. Eyes widening, Rei realized that she was equally jealous of Usagi. The bed shifted underneath her, snapping her back to the moment.

"I'll just grab my stuff and get changed at home," Naru sniffled. "Thanks for everything..." She stood facing away from the bed, away from Rei.

"Naru-chan," Rei said quickly, "don't... I'm so sorry."

"Why should you be sorry?" Naru replied curtly in a trembling voice. "I wonder the same thing sometimes. We both love her, right? We both love her and neither of us can have her and..."

Naru's words were cut off as Rei stood quickly, pulled her into her arms, and kissed her. Rei's soft lips pressed Naru's until they were still; Rei's arms held Naru until she relaxed into the embrace. Naru's eyes closed and her mouth shifted, pulling on Rei, summoning her, willing her to deepen their kiss. As Rei's tongue slid tentatively to meet her own, Naru twisted her hands in long, soft black hair.

"So, am I a better kisser than she was?" Rei asked with a naughty, playful smile. Naru punched her on the arm. "Ow! Ok, I retract the question."

Rei sat down on the bed again, pulling Naru down next to her.

"Naru-chan, I want you to know, I love her, I will always love her. It's a part of who I am." Naru nodded sadly, but Rei lifted her chin and met her eyes directly. "But, just because I love her, doesn't mean I can't love anyone else. You're right, we both love her. That's one thing we have in common, but it is not the only thing. Tonight... for a while now really...it's been easier and easier not to think of her. Just now, I realized why that is. It's because I've been thinking of you instead."

Naru leaned forward suddenly and kissed Rei with a longing passion that both startled and excited them both. "You know, for someone so wise, you just don't know when to shut up."

Quite a while later...

"I think I've decided something."

"And what have you decided, dear heart?"

"There can never be enough love in the world."

"That's very profound. Does that mean you want to make some more?"

"Mmm hmmmm. Do you have a problem with that?"

"What do _you_ think?"

Quite a while later again...

"I think I've decided something else."

"My, you are full of revelations today. Maybe you should ditch the jewelry store and come work with me."

"But I like jewelry! That's not the point anyway."

"I'm sorry. What have you decided?"

"That it's kind of ironic?"

"What's ironic, sweety?"

"Well, you and I... here... in her bed."

"I can tell you one thing. There's no damn way I'm changing her sheets for her."

And laughing together, the two happy young women settled down to sleep in each other's arms.