two

"We," Makoto pronounced slowly, gesturing widely with her arms, "are."

Minako coughed, and Makoto's face twitched.

"The karate team," she finished, and everyone stared at her with blank faces, Senshi and Troopers alike. Indignant, and quite unaccustomed to unnecessary attention, she pinked a bit and started fiddling with her hands. "You know. Like fighting."

"Right," Seiji said flatly. "We got that."

"What karate team?" Yeah, Ryo wasn't buying this either. He was glaring at Rei, who was watching Ami. Ami was studying Shin curiously, her brow furrowed in deep thought—Shin in turn was trying to avoid the eye of Minako, who was giggling behind a hand as she winked at him once more. The blonde seemed to be the only one taking the situation lightly

Makoto smiled nervously, and she said in an unnaturally high voice, "Oh, you know. We fight in tournaments and stuff."

"No, we don't know," Ryo replied bitingly. Rei shifted her attention back to him, frowning at the tone of his voice. He met her gaze evenly.

"Juuban." Makoto swallowed, wishing that her fellow companions wouldn't look at her like she had grown an extra arm. She sucked at lying, yeah, but they could at least try to help. "Juuban High."

And Minako burst into raucous laughter. At Makoto's sudden slumping shoulders of defeat, she smacked a hand over her mouth. "Sorry," she managed to squeak out, "sorry. I just. Had an itch."

These girls, Seiji then decided, were weird as hell. The blonde was special in her own right, but the brunette must have hit her head on something hard if she really thought that she could convince him that she, with those legs and those curves, was a high school student. Ryo, on the other hand, was getting more frustrated with each passing second—as much as he wanted to grab one of them and just shake really, really hard, he controlled himself and looked at Shin. The voice of reason.

Shin simply shrugged (helpfully, of course).

"Okay listen," Ryo said after that exchange. "Listen."

"I am," Ami said, and he stared at her a bit.

"Okay," he continued. "Well. I think it's pretty obvious that you're lying—"

"Way to go, Mako!" Minako interjected, and Makoto glared at her.

"—and that you guys are hiding something."

"Well," Rei said almost condescendingly, "obviously."

Ryo whipped his fierce gaze at her but before he could say anything, Touma spoke up.

"You're Sailor Senshi, right?"

There was a still silence in which all four girls seemed to freeze over. It only lasted about six seconds; as if on cue, Makoto and Minako started laughing. "A HA HA HA HA ISN'T THAT FUNNY GUYS? US AS THE SAILOR SENSHI HA HA HA."

"OH IF ONLY I WERE AS BEAUTIFUL AS SAILOR VENUS HA HA HA HA HA," Minako added. At this, Rei rolled her eyes.

They didn't make any kind of sense at all to Shin, but he was smiling at them nonetheless. They were amusing—as odd and quirky as they were, they had a special kind of bond to them that he knew was rare amongst friends. He could see it. It reminded him, actually, of himself and the Troopers.

"Excuse me," a cool voice interrupted, "but there's just been an earthquake and you are not permitted up here."

Nine heads turned to the stairway (the practical way of getting up there) and Seiji was surprised to see the queen and a dark-haired girl standing there. The queen—no, Kai'ou Michiru was what the program said—looked stern. Cold, almost. There was no warmth there—just a woman. An ice queen, if he really wanted to keep calling her that.

"Oh my gosh!" the girl at her side suddenly interjected, pointing, "you guys are the Juuban karate team huh? You really kicked ass at the last tournament!"

Makoto stared at her. And then, at Minako's nudge, she nodded slowly. "Uh. Yeah... Yeah, I guess we did huh?"

Rei smacked her forehead with her hand and Ami sighed, shaking her head.

Seiji, on the other hand, felt a headache coming on.

x

"That's the thing, though," Ami said, "why would they want you, Makoto?"

A pensive silence fell among the three girls present. Minako was idly playing with the cherry in her drink, but her eyes were blankly staring at the menu. Why would they want Makoto? It had always been Usagi—none of them had ever been really targeted before. Incidents with dream mirrors and heart crystals didn't technically count; they had been targeted as civilians.

Makoto sighed, leaning forward to sip at her smoothie. "No idea," she finally concluded. "I mean, I'm pretty sure I didn't instigate anything."

"You don't piss people off, Mako, Rei does." Minako slumped in the booth, grinning. Mako matched her expression.

"Good point."

"Where is she anyway?"

"She had a meeting," Ami said, flipping through the menu. "Her father or something."

"Him again?" Minako frowned, trying to balance the cherry on her straw. Within the last three months, Rei's father had started contacting her again. It was then that the rest of them learned of her connection to the prominent politician. It was no secret that Rei would rather choke on Usagi's foot than go and see her father, but her grandfather—her lovely, kind, perverted grandfather with one of the wisest minds any of them knew—had urged her to see him.

Lately the meetings had been more frequent, and it bothered Minako.

"I think I want a parfait," Ami decided, and she went to the counter to order. Makoto watched as Unazuki greeted her loudly and Motoki rang up her order. She leaned back in her chair—Ami herself had changed throughout the years. Medical school prep was tough on her; it was hard enough to decline down scholarships that would take her away from Tokyo. But juggling that and being a tutor after her classes made it almost rare to see her during the weekdays. With responsibility, though, came a grace that everyone knew Ami hid in her teenage years.

Ami was older, and her age was followed by a beauty that most women wished they possessed.

"And those guys—" she started to say when she sat back down, but at once the blonde bounced up.

"OHMYGOSH," Minako gushed immediately, and she looked pointedly at Makoto. "Did you see him?"

"See who?" Makoto checked over her shoulder, confused, but Minako shook her head.

"The cute one! With the smile and the hair! He was so shy but it was so adorable!"

The other two girls sighed in unison. "Minako," Makoto started, but the blonde wasn't finished yet.

"I kept winking at him and he kept giving me this little smile and I just oh my gosh if I were the mother of that boy I would never trust any girl he brings home. He was too cute!"

"Minako," Makoto said again, and the blonde beamed at her.

"Yes, Mako?"

"They knew who we were."

"Oh." Minako fiddled with the cherry again. "Well, I suppose. Although I'm pretty sure it was just a speculation. Not something he really believed."

"We were lucky Michiru and Hotaru came to find us," Ami commented. She dipped a spoon into her parfait. "They must have been listening the whole time."

"Mmm," Makoto agreed. They were lucky indeed; Michiru had escorted them all back into the theater and out of its proper exit. There had been a large crowd gathered, and at her single, pointed look, the girls all parted ways and dashed off. Michiru then charmed the boys with apologies to her cold behavior—it was just that her mother had partly owned the theater and it pained her greatly to see any damage done, and finding a group of people laughing and joking at the site of the damage unnerved her.

They believed her and appeared to forget about the girls.

"What about that rip? Didn't you see it?"

"In the sky?" Ami could remember the rip all too well. It had pulled at her, beckoned her close. It was unnatural and man-made and she only wished she knew what was on the other side. "Michiru said Haruka will take care of it."

"And the one Usagi was with—?"

"She said he was nice."

Their conversation died once again, and Makoto was left to wonder—why did they want her?

x

Ryo waited patiently outside of the flower shop as Jun made his purchase. It was kind of cute, he mused. Jun had a girl on his eye. Sure, Jun was buying her flowers and showering her with candy when everyone was almost positive that the girl didn't know his name. But at least he was trying.

Everyone was trying, Ryo thought, and he smiled easily as Jun exited out of the doors.

"Ne, Ryo," he said with a troubled look on his face, "do you have a vase I can put these in until I give them to—her?"

Ryo noted that the teenager was keen to avoid saying her name. The other Troopers had been trying to pry for more information on her—how old was she? Was she rich? Was she cute? Jun, however, had batted these questions away with a blush and a fist, grumbling that it was his own business and of course she was cute, he liked her after all and he wouldn't like an ugly broad.

(And then Nasuti smacked him over the head for saying that.)

"Yeah, sure, Seiji's probably got something."

"It's still so weird you guys are roommates." Jun shifted his grip on his flowers as he opened the door to Ryo's car. "I'd put money on you and Shuu rooming, but not you and Seiji."

Ryo shrugged. "It just kinda happened." Which was actually the truth. Touma preferred to live by himself, and Shin and Shuu couldn't be separated. Ryo probably could have lived in a single apartment, but he knew it'd be easier on the rent if it was split. Seiji therefore offered to be roommates. "It's not that bad."

Jun, however, had stopped walking. His mouth fell open, and for a second he looked transfixed. Then he squeaked and tried to hide his face behind the flowers. "Oh no oh no oh my gosh how embarrassing!"

Ryo glanced in the direction of where Jun had been staring at found himself looking at two high school girls walking towards their direction. They were obviously from different schools; the shorter one had on a red uniform similar to Jun's while the one with dark hair was from a more prestigious school. Upon second glance, he realized the dark haired girl was slightly familiar—where had he seen her?

"Oh," the short one said as she saw the flustered Jun. "It's you."

"H-hey," Jun choked out. "What's—up?"

"Not much," she said coolly. "Are those flowers?"

"Yeah. Do—do you want them?"

The girl turned as pink as her hair and she suddenly dropped her gaze. Her cool demeanor dropped in an instant. "Well, I—yeah, sure. I—I mean! If you're not... you know, giving them to... someone else."

"Oh no! No no no these are for you!" Jun thrust them in her arms, and her face reddened even more. Her companion, who had stepped off to the side, giggled softly.

"They're gross, aren't they?" she remarked to Ryo, and Ryo smiled.

"So that's her?" He took in her appearance—her hair was a bit weird, yeah, but she was cute. A little skinny, a little short, but her face could probably break hearts if she wanted to. Hopefully Jun was fortunate enough to never have that happen to him.

"How are you, Sanada?"

Ryo stared back at the curious violet eyes. It was then he remembered who she was. "You're—Tomoe, right? You were with Kai'ou yesterday."

"Yes, that's me."

"I had no idea you knew Jun!"

"I had no idea you knew him," she countered peacefully, and he had to laugh.

"This," he said, "is the smallest world."

"You have no idea."

And before he could ask her what she meant, and why she sounded so cryptic, Jun's pink-haired crush pushed the teenager aside. He fell harshly to the ground; in his spot was a large hole in the ground. Jun stared blankly at where he once stood. The girl was looking around wildly, at a loss for words.

"Chibiusa!" Hotaru made to move forward, but Ryo beat her to it. In one smooth motion, he scooped the girl into his arms and motioned Jun to follow.

"I've got to get you guys out of here."

"Wh-what? No! Put me down!" Chibiusa struggled in his arms, but he refused to relent. "I have to go!"

"No, it's not safe there!"

"What about Tomoe?" Jun choked out, and Ryo stopped to turn around. Already the area was becoming infested with youja soldiers. His eyes searched until he found the source—a large, gaping rip in the sky. And currently Hotaru was standing right under it, eyes wide as youja soldiers piled out of it.

Cursing under his breath, he handed the girl over to Jun before darting right back into the battlefield. Hotaru avoided a narrow blow; she leapt to the side just as a youja soldier crashed right where she had been standing. Picking herself up, she fought her way between the mass of bulking armor.

And, as wrong as it sounded, all Ryo could do was stand there and watch. It was almost like watching a dance. She was moving so fluidly; every step she took seemed deliberate. He realized, after a moment, that she wasn't even touching them—they were trying to attack her, but she avoided every chain and sickle effortlessly.

"Yamano, let me go!" Chibiusa was struggling against his grip, but Jun shook his head.

"No! You could get hurt!"

"Hotaru could get hurt!"

"She's not important to me, Tsukino; you are!"

The confession barely picked up on Ryo's ears and, despite himself, he smirked. He could hear the silence behind him, hear the tension being awkwardly cut as Tsukino Chibiusa simply ran away from Jun and into the arms of a youja soldier.

"Get away!" she shrieked, and she somehow she slipped from its grasp and knocked off its helmet. She ducked under a swinging leg and grabbed it—and with an almighty (and frighteningly unnatural) force, she swung the youja soldier around and threw it back to its companions. And then, panting heavily, the pink-haired teenager drew back her arm and punched a fallen youja soldier in the chest.

"WHO'S NEXT?"

"Oh my gosh, Chibiusa, you're a beast!" A young woman skidded to a stop right by Ryo, gaping at what the teenager had done. She was clad in an orange skirt that left little to the imagination (Ryo blushed just looking at her), complete with gloves, heels and a sailor collar. "What in the world is going on?"

"Venus!" Chibiusa pumped her hands in the air, grinning like a maniac. "I'm powered by LOVE!"

At this, the orange girl slapped her hands to her cheeks, gasping. "No way! Oh my gosh really Chibiusa? I'm so happy for you! Who's the lucky guy?"

Chibiusa brushed off imaginary dust from her shoulders. "Wellllllll, if you must knowwwww," she drawled, looking sideways at her, "he's standing right behind you."

And there was Jun, staring at the orange woman with big eyes. "S-s-s-s."

"He's kinda weird," she said thoughtfully.

"Sailor Venus!"

"But he knows my name. I approve!" Grinning, Sailor Venus spun back around. She held up a finger, and it seemed to charge with a light. "Crescent beam!" The light flew from her finger and attacked a group of youja soldiers. They all clanked uselessly against each other, before toppling and falling.

Ryo was beyond confused. Sailor Venus was fighting the youja soldiers back-to-back with Jun's psycho girlfriend. And Tomoe—she was still avoiding attacks, still weaving in and out. He watched as she ducked and stepped sideways and slid under legs and finally jumped. High. Into the air. When it looked like she was falling, she used a youja soldier's head to propel her higher.

Hotaru reached up into the rip, grabbed the top of it, and let gravity take over. Ryo didn't know what he was seeing—the rip had sealed itself shut, she was falling, right into a sea of soldiers with swords and spears and red, glowing eyes. He didn't know what possessed him to do so, but in an instant he was right there, and she fell into his arms, staring widely into his eyes.

"Thank you," she breathed, he couldn't do anything but nod. Then, tensing, he spun around and aimed a kick at the nearest youja soldier. It clanged backwards and knocked down a few of its companions. He was briefly aware of Sailor Venus eyeing him appreciatively (her gaze sent shivers down his spine; it was almost like she was a predator and he was her prey). Tomoe squirmed a bit in his arms; he adjusted his grip, refusing to let her down.

"That," Ryo said, slightly scolding, "was dumb."

The girl kept silent, looking away from him. He ducked a chain and grabbed the sickle of its end, yanking the youja soldier towards them. Then, at the last moment, he stuck out a foot and pushed. Metal collided with more metal. Hotaru looked uneasy.

"Just who are you?" Ryo finally asked, setting her down but not letting go of her arm. She looked at him, and he looked back. And then, with utmost precision, she propelled herself over him (he let go of her, realizing he would twist her arm if he didn't) and landed on a youja soldier just behind him. It collided with the pavement, and Hotaru's foot penetrated its chest. A wisp of black smoke hissed through the air.

"I am Tomoe Hotaru," she said simply, and she smiled at him. It was then more sailor-collared and short-skirted girls appeared—instead of orange, though, they were blue and green.

"Geez, Venus, we didn't really mean it when we said, 'last one there is a rotten egg.'"

"Yeah, whatever!" Sailor Venus called back, punching a youja soldier in the face and blasting another with her golden finger. "You're the one that smells now, Jupiter!"

The tall, green-clad woman sighed, massaging her temple. Ryo heard her mutter to herself under her breath, "Stay calm, Jupiter. Stay calm. You do not smell. You showered today."

The shorter one beside her, with the blue outfit, had gathered a mass of—something in her hands. And then she let it loose, and Ryo watched with an open mouth and wide eyes as water—water—froze a mass of youja soldiers. The green one (Sailor Jupiter, he presumed), then cupped her hands together and pitched out a volley of lightning. The rest of the youja soldiers crumpled in a heap, fading into smoke and dust.

These girls were weird. They were quite unlike the Troopers in that they didn't use weapons to channel their powers—it was almost like magic.

Sailor Venus regrouped with her fellow warriors, the pink-haired squirt under her arm. "Hey guys! Glad to see you made it!"

Sailor Jupiter stared at her, hard. The blonde's smile didn't waver as she dropped Chibi-Usa right on the ground. The teenager grumbled something about 'power of love up your ass you orange freak,' but Sailor Venus heard none of it.

"So," she said, "who picks up the Fruit Parlor tab?"

Sailor Jupiter hung her head, unable to fight it off any longer. "Yeah, yeah, I got it, don't worry..."

"Excuse me," Ryo interrupted, and they noticed him for the first time. Sailor Jupiter's eyes widened considerably, and she nudged the short one.

"Mercury," she whispered, although audibly, "that's—!"

"He knows Chibiusa's boyfriend!" Sailor Venus suddenly blurted out, and all at once they turned to stare at Jun.

Jun almost cried at the title.

"Well!" Sailor Venus said diplomatically to Ryo, "thanks for the help. But it's our job, as warriors of love and justice, to take care of evil. Please don't feel like it's your responsibility. We're eighteen now. That's old enough for responsibility."

Sailor Mercury sighed, took Sailor Venus by the arm, and led her away. Sailor Jupiter started for a moment (she had been ticking things off with her fingers, and Ryo could hear her say, "...parfait, smoothie, she had three... damn.") before following after her companions.

Looking around, Ryo realized he was left with Jun, Jun's girlfriend, and a torn-up street. Tomoe had simply disappeared.

x

"That," Minako emphasized, "was really zany."

"He's at the scene of every occurrence," Ami mumbled, more to herself than anything. "It could be coincidence. I remember when Osaka Naru happened to be everywhere we were."

Makoto paused, remembering Naru. She'd been introduced to them as Usagi's best friend, but as time went on, they saw less and less of Naru. Briefly she wondered if Usagi still kept contact—but then, realizing that Usagi was always sleeping, eating, or spending quality time with the Senshi, a small bubble of guilt formed in her stomach. Had they taken Usagi away from Naru?

"I don't know," Makoto reasoned slowly. "Naru was there because she was Usagi's friend. This guy's a complete stranger."

"He's cute," Minako supplied.

"Yeah," Makoto agreed enthusiastically. "More cuter than yesterday when he was all mad and 'who are you blah blah blah.'"

"Should we worry about him?"

Ami shook her head. "No, not yet. He means well, I think." The trio fell into silence, before Ami spoke up again. "They weren't after you, Mako."

"Oh?"

Both pairs of eyes peered at her curiously, and Ami fought off a blush. "Well—they attacked an area you were nowhere near. If they were targeting just you, they would have attacked Crown Fruit Parlor."

"Right," Minako said, and a frown suddenly graced her features. "Do you think Usagi's in danger?"

Ami glanced at her, pondering the question. "What do you mean, Minako?" Because their princess was always in danger—always.

"Last time they wanted Mako-chan. I'm pretty sure they were after Chibi-Usa just now." Minako ran her fingers through her hair—her shorter, choppier hair. In a rush to stand out from other contestants in a random idol contest, she had gone to the salon and told the hair stylist to 'do something like they do in London.' The result came to just past her shoulders, with lots of messy layers (she still kept the bow, as ridiculous it looked with the new style). Minako didn't regret it—sure, the long locks she was practically infamous for were gone, but it was more manageable. Cuter, too. And no one mistook her for Usagi anymore.

"But if they're after Sailor Senshi, then what does Usagi...?" Makoto trailed off, shrugging her confusion. Ami smiled wryly, comprehending Minako's train of thought.

"If we're gone, who's left to protect her?"


an this was done actually awhile ago, but i got lazy to post :x enjoy!