Giri or Honmei?

AN: Disclaimer in the first chapter so I won't repeat it over and over again. Thanks for those of you who took time to review my story so far, it's greatly appreciated and I always love to hear your opinions on my stories.

Legend:
Items in / / are info to know the day, time, location, etc.
.oO( ) are used to indicate what someone is thinking
" " are used to indicate speech

With this all said, I leave you all to the story and hope you enjoy it.
And now… on with the show.

AN 2: The last chapter was the night of February 11th, giving us a brief glimpse into the life of the girls and Mamoru.

/ February 12th - Hikawa Shrine /

The sun was barely grazing the horizon, casting its soft light onto the grounds of the shrine. Even though a blanket of silence covered the area, the sound of gentle footsteps could be heard against the cold ground as a dark haired young girl made her way to the fire room to tend to the glowing amber before her daily chores were to begin.

Dressed in her traditional priestess outfit, with a red shawl over her shoulder, the midnight colored hair female made her way through the yard, smiling warmly as two crows joined her. Softly, her voice whispered to them both "Good morning Deimos, good morning Phobos, I trust you two rested well." Reaching inside her pocket, Rei took out some dried corn and sprinkled it on the ground, causing the two birds to leave their perch from her shoulder and to feast on their breakfast. She stood silently watching them for a few moments before continuing to her destination.

As Rei stood before the fire reading room, her hands gently sliding the doors open in one soft motion. She walked into the warm room, making her way to the glowing ambers that were still emitting a bright glow and comforting warmth. Reaching to the side, she stoke the fire and brought it back up to it's former glory before sitting down and offering a silent prayer to the flames.

Though her purple colored eyes were closed, she could see the vivid colors of the flames as they danced a few feet before her and the warmth that emanated from it only comforted her, soothing her soul in the process. It always amazed her how much this place felt like home to her. After her mother died, she had chosen to live here with her grand father instead of her father. Over the years, she had learned and taken on a multitude of duties to assist her aging guardian in taking care of the shrine and she enjoyed every moment of it. Even though it often meant sacrifices on her part. None the less, she had been blessed with many friends and for that she was eternally grateful for.

Smiling warmly, Rei stood up and bowed to the ocher blaze before her one last time. Grabbing the broom by the door to sweep the yard before she had to get ready to go to school, thankfully Friday was almost around the corner which meant the weekend would be here before she knew it. A slight grin crossed her features along with a twinkle in her eyes as she remembered a certain blonde haired girl, her first true friend, and wondered just how the girl was doing as the selected day was looming closer. As she swept the grounds with renewed vigor she mentally made a note to look in on the girl today after school.

/ Mizuno Residence /

The sound of running water could be heard coming from the bathroom as its occupant was busy taking a shower. The splashing of the water hitting the ground seemed to echo trough out the empty apartment for many minutes before the water was turned off. Five minutes later, a young girl wrapped in an aqua blue towel made her way to her bedroom where her school uniform was resting comfortable against the chair near her desk.

Changing swiftly into her clothes, Ami unwrap the towel that was surrounding her hair and began to dry her blue locks with renewed vigor. Had it been the spring, she would have chanced going outside with her hair partially wet, however this time of year would only mean an invitation to a severe cold or flu and she did not want to miss out on going to school or more importantly, spending time with her friends.

Once she was content that her hair was dried, Ami folded the towels up neatly and brought them to the laundry basket and deposited them in it, pausing in front of it as her eyes gazed lovingly at the painting hanging upon her wall. It was rare that she would allow herself this moment of solitude with her memories; nonetheless she could not stop herself as her fingers grazed the glassed cover image. She admired silently the painting; a beach scenery with a young child, looking to be no more then four or five, busily building a sand castle.

A warm smile crossed the petite girl's expression as she turned around to glance at the clock, content with seeing that it was still early enough. Ami set out to make herself breakfast and prepare her lunch and if all went accordingly to her agenda she believed that she may actually have a chance to start reading the next chapter in her history book before having to head out to school and meet up with her friends.

/ Aino Residence /

Minako was busily digging through the piles of clothing that littered the floor of her bedroom. For the life of her, the blonde haired girl could not find her favorite skirt. Grumbling in protest at the gods or whatnots that was making fun of her plight she stood up in a huff, her fist resting angrily against her hips as she scanned the room again.

A white feline was watching the scene from the corner of the room, comfortably resting atop of an orange colored bean bag. He had to admit, his owner was quite entertaining at times to survey. Now if only she would remember to buy him those favorite fish flavored treats that he love. Artemis licked his right paw as he stared at the golden haired child that looked like she was about to have a conniption.

Letting out a groan of frustration, Mina made her way to her makeup table and sat down irately onto the chair. Reaching for her brush, she began her morning routine of 50 strokes per side, counting them silently as she let her mind drift to more pleasant things; like that dream about that hot blonde guy asking her out along with those rock stars begging for a minute of her time. Grinning widely, she gazed back at the blue eyed girl that appeared in the mirror before her. Tilting her head left and right, making sure her locks had their full shine and bounce to it, she reached for her red ribbon and tied it in a bow.

Standing up, she walked over to her bed through the clothes cluttered floor and put on her school attire and stood back to check her image out in the mirror, turning left and right and admiring the image before her. Pleased with what she saw, Minako quickly blew herself a kiss and winked at her reflection. Suddenly, something caught her attention from the corner of her eyes.

Slowly, her right eye twitching, she turned her attention to what was right behind her. Minako made her way to her favorite beanbag where a white fur ball was busy grooming himself. Growling under her breath, the blonde lowered herself till she was eye level with the feline and as sweetly as she could Mina said "Artemis, dear… unless you want to loose eight of your nine lives, I suggest you get off my skirt or else…"

The white cat had become still as he noticed the blonde girl approaching, Artemis tilted his head as he observed her and her movement. Though her voice was somewhat pleasant, the change of colors in her eyes warned him that he was best to depart his comfortable spot if he wished to see another day. Bouncing off he speedily made his way to hide under the girl's bed and hoped that whatever he may have done to irk her would be soon forgotten.

After watching the white blur of fur make its get away from her, she grabbed her skirt and examined it. Satisfied that it was in perfect shape, she went and placed it back into her empty closet and took a peak at the clock. Squealing loudly she grabbed her books and made a mad dash toward the kitchen to grab her lunch and an energy bar. As she rushed out the door, Minako remembered that she had agreed to meet up with Makoto to walk to school and hopefully she could maybe get a chance to flirt with that cute neighbor of hers.

/ Chiba Residence /

He had been up since before dawn and had watched as the sun had risen above the horizon; his dark blue eyes surveying the world before him as people woke up to start their day. Mamoru ran his fingers through his raven lock as a smile graced his features, a quick glance at his clock reminded him that if he wanted to be on time he would need to eat his breakfast and then get dressed.

Walking into his spotless kitchen, Mamoru opened his fridge door and scanned its content before grabbing the orange juice and pouring himself a tall glass before placing it back. Though his body was calling out for caffeine, he tried his best to take his daily vitamin C intake, after all if he wanted to be a doctor he had to make sure he practiced what he would later preached to his patients, right?

Downing the glass in one gulp, he quickly washed it and placed it back into the cupboard and grabbed a granola bar munching on it as he made his way to his bedroom to change. Moments later, Mamoru stepped out dressed in his sweats and started to do his morning stretches before heading out for his usual morning run.

Satisfied that he had warmed up adequately, he glimpsed at his watch and made his way to his front door where he quickly tied his shoes, a slight grin forming on his face. Hopefully fate would be on his side again this morning and like every other morning for the past month now. Chuckling slightly to himself Mamoru stepped out into the hallway of his complex and locked the door behind him before making his way to the elevator, nodding politely to a few of his neighbors that were heading out to work.

/ Kino Residence /

It was unusual for Makoto to not want to get up first thing in the morning when her alarm clock beeped at her. Every now and then, she would be having a very pleasant dream and she wouldn't want to leave the comfort of her warm and cozy bed. After hitting the snooze button for the second time, she forced herself out of bed and stretched her limbs as she tried to wake herself up.

Standing up from her bed, wearing an old t-shirt that reached to her knees, she made her way to the window and gazed outsight, relieved that it looked like they were in for a nice day with no chance of snow. The cheerful brunette made her way to her bathroom, quickly grabbing a hair band as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail, making sure to leave a few wisp of hair loose to caress her cheeks. Without taking her eyes away from the mirror, she reached for a glass on the counter before her, pulling out her rose shaped earrings, Makoto placed them upon her ears.

Happy with her appearance, Makoto went back to her room to get dressed in her old school uniform, taking a quick glance at her Juuban uniform that had arrived weeks before. She couldn't explain why, although she should be happy that she could dress like her friends, she still could not convince herself to trade in her old outfit for this new one. Beside, it's not like anyone would notice anyhow or even care. After all, everyone at school was used to her wearing this one so it did not matter.

Chancing a glance at the clock, she gathered her school books and placed them on the living room coffee table and made her way to the kitchen to prepare her breakfast. Twenty minutes later, Makoto brought a heaping plate to her kitchen table and was about to sit down when she heard a rhythmic knock upon her door, grinning she shouted out "Morning Mina-chan, it's unlock" as she made her way to the kitchen as she heard the bubbly voice of one of her best friend and the front door closing behind her.

As she came back into her dining room, holding another plate in her hand, Makoto couldn't help but grin widely as the blonde was helping herself to her breakfast. Tilting her head, she teased the girl and said "Just help yourself, Mina; I have plenty in the kitchen." Sitting down, she let out a chuckle as her friend blushed in the same red shade as the bow that adorns her hairstyle.

Minako hadn't been able to resist the mouth-watering aroma that had greeted her when she had first entered the apartment. Though she had heard Makoto's voice, she could not see her friend in the room and had instead discovered a plate with a scrumptious omelet that made her drool, quite similar to how Usagi was whenever she was presented with a chocolate treat. Unable to resist she quickly took a seat and helped herself and realizing that Makoto was talking to her after she had already eaten half of the plate's content. Her entire face was now a bright crimson shade; she bowed her head and apologized with a mouth full of food as she said shyly "Sowwy, Mado-chan… dis smelled do good do resists."

Winking at the blonde, the brunette said "Don't worry about it, with you and Usagi-chan as my friend I've learned to always cook extra portion… speaking of which, I think I'll bring extra for lunch just in case our buddy forgets her lunch again this morning." The two girls burst out laughing as they remembered poor Usagi the day before who had been late and forgotten to grab her lunch and was left with nothing to eat at noon. As usual her friends had split part of their food with her but even that didn't appease her huge appetite.

/ Tsukino Residence /

A voice from downstairs echoed through the house for the fifth, or was it now the eight, time since the morning. "Usagi! For the last time, get up or you will be late for school!" Shaking her head, Ikuko sighed heavily and marched back into the kitchen to finish serving her family their breakfast. Sitting at the table was her son and husband, both of which didn't seem the least bit concern about the blonde that was yet to make her morning appearance.

It's true that it was a constant routine in the Tsukino household, yet she couldn't help but wish that for at least one morning that the entire family could have breakfast together. Smiling, she shook her head and reminded herself that Usagi was who she was and she wouldn't want her to change for anything. Beside, Ikuko was fairly sure she would faint if ever Usagi would be at the kitchen table eating breakfast with the rest of her family on a school day of all days.

Up the stairs, in a bedroom with a pink door that was closed shut, a young girl had her head hidden underneath three pillows as she tried to drown out all the sounds. Usagi had already managed to permanently silence that offending alarm clock of hers, which reminded her that she would need to go and buy a new one since she somehow managed to, let's say deactivate it, accidentally, of course. Mumbling at her mother's voice, she replied through the layers of pillows "Just five more minutes' mama… just five more blissful minutes…"

Shaking her head, the black feline looked at her charge or at least what she could see of her. One foot was sticking out from underneath the comforter, golden hair was peaking from beneath a mountain of pillow and two paled colored hands with pink nail polish were holding down said pile in place. Knowing the routine of the young girl, she knew all to well that there was only one way of getting Usagi out of bed now that she had dismantled her alarm clock. Padding her way closer to the young girl, Luna stuck her paw out and revealed her claws. Swatting it fiercely at the girl's foot. dodging out of the way as she heard the muffled and irritated scream from the girl.

Usagi had been having the most wonderful dream, it was about him again and she felt like she was floating in heaven and did not want to wake up. She knew it was a dream, it was always a dream after all; nevertheless she wished nothing more then to extend it as long as she could. Just as she was about to drift back off to sleep, a sharp and unfortunately familiar, pain shot through her foot and she found herself bolting out of bed as she yelled angrily at Luna.

Glaring around the room, searching for the black cat, her innocent blue eyes noticed the time on her DVD player in her room and she let out a startled scream, forgetting yet again how she had been woken up this morning. "Oh no… I'm going to be late! Mooooooooooooom… why didn't you wake me up earlier! Mrs. H is going to give me detention again, I can't be late… come on Usa go go go go!"

It took her less then ten minutes to wash her face, dress, do up her hair and grab her books. Slipping into her shoes, she dashed into the kitchen at the speed of light and grabbed a slice of toast before kissing her mom's cheek and saying "Hi mom, dad, pest…" Taking a bite from her so called breakfast, she made her way toward the doorway saying in one quick breath, "Bye mom, dad, shingo…" Usagi was almost at the front door before she rushed back to the kitchen and looked shyly at her mother as she said, "Oh yeah, Mom? I kind of broke my alarm clock… can you get me a new one? Ok, thanks… Bye… Got to jet or else I'll be late!"

Just as quickly as she had entered the kitchen she had left, the family members in the room completely impervious at these usual events in the household. Shaking her head, Ikuko noticed all too late that the golden blur that had been through the room had yet forgotten her lunch again this morning. Taking the lunch bag, she placed it in the fridge, confident that her energetic daughter would more then likely have it as a snack after school.

AN3: Ok, I was planning on writing more then this tonight however I have to work tomorrow and it's already past midnight (yipes!). I promise that this weekend there will be more to this story. I will have to continue the 12th tomorrow and the 13th and 14th will have to be a long work in progress this weekend, I will probably post multiple chapter this weekend… this is the first time I am attempting on working on more then one story line in one story, so wish me luck!.

To be continued!
-Jy