Disclaimers: As per usual, don't own characters or series but writing and content are my own.

Author's Note: Huge thank you to Nyridian for making a comment about the general's names. I went to make sure I had them translated correctly and discovered that I read the katakana incorrectly for Kunz's name! Also, thanks for catching my mistake with Minako's name. (This is what I get for reading fanfics and trying to write one at the same time.) There are a few places where the 'ko' is dropped on purpose and when the 'ko' is dropped, that usually indicates familiarity or an endearment.

Also, a huge thank you for the prompt and motivating reviews from Nyridian and goldnheart. I was debating about whether to post it but I'm glad I did!

Ch. 2 Perfect isn't enough

Unbeknownst to either the bumbling trio or Minako, one of her neighbors was watching them much like one would watch a movie—with a bowl of popcorn. Casually popping piece after piece in her mouth and chewing slowly, she continued to stare at the bushes long after the boys had emerged and disappeared like lightning down the street. She broke out in belly-deep laughter before falling into a choking fit as she inhaled the piece she had been chewing on. Mako's going to get a kick out of this.

"Big brother, I don't care what you promise next time but you won't get me to do that again! You almost got us pounded into the dirt." Zoi gulped lungfuls of air as he tried to get back his breath from their mad escape dash.

Mamoru did much the same, plucking at his shirt occasionally to make the sweat evaporate faster. "Seriously. No more of this stupid shit. I thought you were supposed to be oldest of us. Go confess to her like a man."

When they heard no sound from him, both turned towards Kunz to see what he was thinking. Head down and chin tucked into his chest, they couldn't make out his expression. They gave each other the Look before returning their attention. Kunz was only silent when he was mad at them and that could last at least half a year as Jedaito, the youngest, had discovered early on at the age of three. The poor kid still had nightmares about that sometimes.

So of course, they naturally jumped out of their skins when Kunz burst out laughing, clapping them on their backs. "Good to see you two don't need me for a backbone. I was worried that the house would burn down while I was gone, seeing how student body duties take up all of my sleeping time, and only you two and Jei are left here now."

They both winced. Being the troublesome teenager that he was, Jei had taken his father's electronic key card and stuck it in the microwave 'just to see what would happen.' He was lucky he only blew up the microwave and hadn't taken the rest of the house with it. They were glad that his dad didn't work in a high security clearance government something or other or the FBI would probably be at their door faster than they could inhale a hotdog.

"Ahahaha . . ." Good thing they were already sweating up a storm and Kunz couldn't tell the difference between nervous sweat and escape-from-death sweat or Kunz would be grilling it out of them. They were sure he would hear it from his father at some point; they weren't going to be accused of tattling . . . although it might be considered more of an amusing anecdote if nothing else—in their old age, of course.

"So how about those hoops?"

"Ami, honey, don't forget to turn in your residency paperwork by the end of the week."

Without looking up from the light reading she was doing, Ami replied quietly, "It's already been processed. They sent me notification in the mail this morning."

Her mother smiled. "Always one step ahead, aren't you? Well, never hurts to mention it in case you forget."

"Have I ever?" Mrs. Mizuno wanted to sigh at the answer but restrained herself. Her daughter never could express anything more than an aloofness towards her. She supposed that on some level Ami cared about her but she often felt that she only tolerated her and no more. That's what I get for putting my job ahead of my family . . .

Returning to her room to finish dressing, she suddenly remembered something. "Oh! Ami . . ."

The only thing in Ami's room, however, was the copy of Chemical Properties of Mercury and Research on Removing it from Water and Other Substances that she had been reading with a blue-tasseled bookmark slipped in between the pages.

Ami walked aimlessly through the streets of the neighborhood, stopping by the park on her way back home. The breeze felt wonderful on her skin in the heated temperature of the afternoon sun.

She leaned against the head-high fence and watched the crowded basketball court. She was never much for sweating over any kind of sport If one couldn't tell, she wasn't much of an outdoorsy person period. Her pale complexion attested to that.

Sure she did everything on time and without fail but somehow she was still incomplete. She felt tired. Even without any major stressors, so much energy seemed to seep out of her. What am I doing with my life?

A whoop went up as the ball bounced off the hoop before rolling around the rim and falling in without a sound. She stared at the hoop long after the event had happened, her mind running in circles about the possibilities of such a thing occurring and the chance of something so serendipitous happening in her life.

Ami did not even notice until she realized something had obscured her line of sight. In refocusing her vision, she was startled to find grey-blue eyes looking back at her.

He nodded at her as he knelt down to pick up the ball that had rolled to the fence near her feet. The wind blew, whipping their hair around. Later, she would recall this moment for the rest of her life as he looked up at her. Her fingers gripping the metal of the chain-linked fence, she opened her mouth to speak.

He turned to catch the ball as it moved away from him. When he looked up again, he only found the links clanging in her place.