Divinity: Fates and the Afterlife Chapter 3, a sailor moon fanfic

Divinity: The Fates and the Afterlife

Chapter three

A/N: I want to give a special thank you for your reviews. You know who you are, big thank you.

I do not own Sailor Moon, just this plot and some of the characters.

Friday night eight o' clock; the weekend was just starting and you could see people feeling the urge to leave their offices and start relaxing and shedding the stress from all week. Whether was to have dinner, chill at a café, catch a new movie at the theater or to have a drink with friends at the hippest place in the city, Tokyo had it all to offer some good fun.

Minako was one of those girls who enjoyed the light and sounds of the city at night. She always said it was like if she was transported from one place to another on the same day, which was one of the main reasons she wanted to pursue a career in show business, because of the power the city at night gave her.

With a big smile on her face, she walked her way to the café where she was supposed to meet the girls ten minutes ago. After her audition, she went back to the station and arranged the meeting she had with Usagi and some people from her office and continued her day, trying to block and forget much of what happened earlier-this had been her routine for a while now. Audition, wait for an answer then, forget. As she walked down the sidewalk, she took a glance at her wristwatch and continued her way to her destination while looking at the many projections on the buildings large screens.

Everything was going smoothly and her failed audition was already being archived as another experience point added to her skills list until she saw a blonde girl, one she found very familiar and stopped in her tracks while gaping at the flashing screen. "Well I'll be damned," Minako covered her mouth with her free hand and frowned, "It's her!"

By her, she meant the blonde bimbo with big breasts she saw at the audition and when she cursed herself absently, she was meaning that and the advertising was presenting her as the star of the play she went to audition that very day. Minako could not ignore the girl's pronounced breasts and frowned, slightly disgusted and upset. Minutes after, while still very immersed in her own misery she completely ignored a very confused Makoto was standing next to her "A penny for your thoughts?"

Minako blinked and turned "Oh, hey!" she said, trying her best to cover her lack of enthusiasm. Makoto arched her brow and turned her face at the screen and frowned "Why are you doing here so absently staring at that blonde girl?"

The blonde blew her long bangs and pursed her lips, "She is the star of the play."

"What play?"

"The one I went to audition this morning." Minako turned to Makoto with deception in her eyes, defeat was not a feature the blonde could process and mask very well. she almost looked embarrassed while confessing the real reason for her strange behavior. Makoto widened her eyes and made a face of disgust while looking back at the large advertising "Really, her?" she knew her friend was disappointed because she was well aware of the effort and investment she has done to make a career she could be proud of, she understood her well because she has gone through the same rough patches before having a break in the culinary world.

If Makoto was sure of something was that her blonde friend had struggled in the past year with pretty much everything in her life. The man she dated for two years turned out to be a complete destructive and jealous parasite, her job didn't quite give her any more challenges and she was still waiting for that promotion that both knew was probably not going to happen anytime soon if the producer continued spending the money the way he was in unnecessary things; her relationship with her mother was not in the best of terms and to top it all like a juicy cherry on a frosty cake, every audition she went to participate did not go as she expected. But even with all those things happening to her, she still managed to be the bubbly, cheerful and positive Minako she has been knowing for years and that was what she admired the most. Her passion and love for living and continue fighting for her dreams always gave her the drive to continue fighting for what she wanted.

"I know, right?" Minako tilted her head and tried to ignore the discomfort she felt by watching the other blonde bouncing her breasts up and down while talking to the interviewer. She could not help but to find the silver lining to the situation like she always did and pursed her lips "I met her today and I must say-she is a little mean," she shrugged her shoulders "And when she mention to another actor that she had gotten the part I didn't think she was being serious-I thought she was just being overconfident."

"Hmm—she's probably sleeping with the director or somebody involved in that play," Makoto clicked her tongue "That is the most probable thing."

Minako chuckled, her spirit felt uplifted by her friend's honest and brutal review. She felt genuinely happy to see her friend after a long and exhausting day, "Do you think so?"

Makoto ran her arm around her friend's shoulders and tightened the hug, "Don't worry, you will get something better."

"Thanks." Minako smiled. Without saying anything else, they walked down the street until they reached the corner and the so famous café they have visited since their high school years, "It doesn't matter how many hip places they open in Juban and Azabu, we will keep coming here." Makoto said between chuckles, "I guess it's because it brings good memories."

"Or the free snacks we get for being such loyal customers." Minako giggled, Makoto nodded "Or maybe because we are good friends with the owners."

Minako smiled and nodded, "I think that might be it."

As they made their way to their usual place far in the corner, a raven-haired woman shook her hand in the distance, "Hey!" Makoto said as she entered the café with a smiling Minako walking behind "Rei-chan!" she greeted happily.

As usual, Rei had gotten there too early, she even dared to say she beat Ami in her punctuality skills since she started working at the hospital but there was much more behind Rei's early arrival. After what happened at the shrine, she needed to get away to clear her head and think thoroughly about the incidents happened earlier that day. As she drunk her cup of hot tea, she pictured in her mind several scenarios that could happen if she ever opened her mouth to speak about the shadows she saw in the fire, the most important being Usagi's reaction.

Usagi, she thought. Usagi had been the one that has been to the test one too many times in the past; the girls understood it and vowed to protect her from any situation that could bring her mood down but then was her duty as Senshi, who swore to a queen to always look out for her daughter. The question was still lingering in her thoughts, lurking like a shadow playing with her own mental peace 'Who are you-who are you meant to be?'

Her two long time friends finally arrived at the table, snapping her out of her long train of thought. Rei scoot over on the large circular seat and moved her purse out of the way so either of the girls could sit next to her while waiting for the rest. Makoto was first and gave her Miko friend a hug, "Have you been here for too long?" she looked at the cup of tea in front of Rei, the priestess smiled "Just a little while-it's alright. It seems I will never learn, I always show up too early for our meetings."

"We could have been here sooner but I was distracted by an ad I just saw on one of the huge screens outside," Minako bit her lower lip apologetically, "It's my bad."

Rei widened her eyes and remembered Minako's grand return to the stage, "Oh right, the audition! It was today, right? How did it go?"

Minako felt the tug of rejection in her chest once again and answered with a soft sigh at first, "I didn't get the part."

"Oh no, Minako," Rei reached for her friend's hand and patted it gently, "The one who did is probably sleeping with the director."

Makoto laughed and turned to a very surprised Minako "See? I told you."

"Wait-how did...?" the blonde was about to say something when a familiar laughter caught their attention, it was no other than the forever cheerful and fashionably late Tsukino Usagi. It didn't matter how many years could have passed, how she did her hair or how many pencil skirts, fancy blouses and high heels she wore, she was always going to be the girl with a terrible sense of time.

Usagi had grown up to be a beautiful lady, not that she wasn't before but you could see how much she matured over the years and became more ladylike and less of the cry baby everybody once knew, she was still as distracted and sometimes could be clumsy with things but now she did it with high amounts of grace. The girls came to the conclusion that it was the result of Mamoru's influence and the many experiences she had to endure and live that made her who she was now without taking away her characteristic charm and endless amounts of dreams and ideals.

For the once lunar warrior, it did not become a problem to wait for her moment to be a bride; sure, she dreamt about it and talked about it with the girls very often. Like any girl would, she day dreamed about how she would like her special day to be and what flavor she would like her cake to be—chocolate, of course. She wanted to start a new life with the man she had known for more than just one lifetime, she wanted to be with him, she wanted to make him happy, and she yearn for her ever after but also she was very aware that at the age of 16 it was still not the right time, for either of them.

Mamoru was against the idea of leaving to study abroad again to finish his medical career and thesis after what happened when Galaxia appeared, it was a topic he preferred to leave aside due to the exhausting and painful amount of emotional baggage that came attach to it but after long talks and arguments, she managed to convince him to start the necessary paperwork he needed to send again to Harvard and leave again this time, with the promise that he had to call her regularly and come home for the holidays. And so, he did.

Usagi realized she wanted and had to do more things before finally becoming a bride and wife. She wanted a career for herself as well and to become a professional with goals and challenges, she wanted to explore her possibilities in the real world and achieve her own level of success while Mamoru was away studying and finishing his thesis. During that time, Usagi graduated high school and followed his example by going to Keio University and decided to pursue a career in Art and Design with his entire support. She accepted his offer to stay in his apartment every time she had to study for a major exam or when she needed the space to work on her projects and prepare her class assignments. Sure, being apart could be hard sometimes; there were days when she missed to go and have lunch with him, and there were nights when she wished he was next to her reading a book while she watched TV or read a magazine, but she was happy they finally lived at peace, they had free long distance calls and he had free mileage to spend on air transportation.

After eight years of self-discoveries, experiences, much souvenirs, and calls, all those dreams and wishes were about to come true. That—and her chocolate cake.

With a long happy sigh, she saluted her friends with a big apologetic smile "I'm so so sorry,"

"Usagi-chan!" the three girls said in unison. Minako raised her hands dramatically while motioning her to sit next to her "You made it!"

Usagi nodded and took a seat next to her blonde friend and sighed in relief, "Yes, I finally made it," she combed her choppy long fringe to the side and waved her hand like a fan "I thought my boss was never going to let me go, she can be a lot sometimes," she put her binder on the table and her big tote bag on the floor since she sat at the edge of the circular booth.

Rei chuckled "Well, you should be proud. This is probably the first time you got here before all of us!"

Usagi widened her eyes and blinked her crystal blue eyes with surprise, "Oh?" she turned to see Ami was missing "Ami-chan is missing?"

"I'm here, I'm here!" a very hurried Ami walked towards them with her backpack on one shoulder, "I'm so sorry—I'm so late!"

"Crazy day at the hospital?" Makoto asked softly as she scoot over on the long seat and gave the bluenette enough space for her to sit, "It was not as hard like other days but it was sure crazy." she smiled and put her bag on the metal hanger at the end of the table, "How are you girl?" she blushed "Oh my, please don't tell me you have been here for too long?"

Rei smiled and shook her head, "No, Usagi beat you for like—5 seconds."

"I still won." Usagi laughed and shrugged her shoulders "5 seconds are 5 seconds."

Ami laughed too "Well, that's a first."

It wasn't long after Unazuki came with five menus on her hands and a big smile on her face "How are we doing today? Long time no see girls!"

"Hey, Unazuki!" Minako smiled at Motoki's little sister, "Well we came here like—what?" she turned to look at the other girls "A week ago?"

"Yeah," Makoto said "Well, Rei chan couldn't come because she had things to do at the shrine but you, Usagi and I came, Ami chan got here like an hour later,"

Ami sighed "I think it has become a tradition of mine to be late to every meeting."

Usagi chuckled and turned to the bluenette "Tell my fiancé to stop being so bossy and let you go an hour early." Ami chuckled at the joke, "Actually, I was supposed to assist him today but he wasn't at the hospital, so Motoki kun asked me to assist him all morning." she turned to Unazuki who was laughing softly "Oh, how is he treating you at the hospital?"

"He's cool." Ami smiled and shrugged her shoulders playfully, "You know-Motoki like."

Unazuki laughed and handed them the menus "That's my brother—I honestly don't know how Reika can keep up with him, he's so hyperactive."

Rei smiled and leaned her chin on her hand, "Opposites attract. What better example that the one we have here in front of us?" she chuckled at Usagi who was reading the menu; Unazuki giggled and nodded "That's right!"

"Hey Unazuki, I love what you have done to the place. It's very cozy." Makoto said while looking around, "I love the neutral colors with wooden furniture and the pop of color you give with the accents." she sighed dreamily "Oh how I wish I could have my own place to decorate it as cool as this place."

Unazuki blinked surprised "Oh right, you were planning on opening your own place. How is that coming along?"

Makoto half smiled "Well, there have been some hiccups along the way that has kept me busy working at the restaurant."

"Well-as long as you don't lose hope, I am sure you will open your place soon and that will give serious competition to the Crown."

Makoto chuckled, "Thank you-I really hope so."

"Everything has a vintage vibe to it, I like it." Minako joined the conversation while looking around the newly refurbished area near the bar. Unazuki giggled and turned to look around, "Right? Yeah, I knew my many rough sketches would come up in handy someday," she smiled.

"So are you running the place from now on?" Ami asked, "Motoki kun finally stepped aside and left you to do your own thing huh?"

Unazuki nodded, "My dad was hoping Motoki would take care of the business but with his career as doctor and his new role as husband it makes it nearly impossible for him to be here and well—I once was a waiter here so I learned more than a few things on how to run this place, I think I am going to give it a shot and see how it works out. I want to keep updating this place, and open a little cocktail bar on the other room."

"Oh that would be amazing!" Usagi clapped her hands with excitement, "I hope you do it, it's a great idea."

Unazuki crossed her fingers "I'm hopeful." she smiled "Well, you let me know when you guys are ready to order."

"I think we are," Makoto said while looking at the menu "I'll have a lemonade with mineral water."

"Ok," Unazuki nodded and waited for the others to order their drinks. Minako waved her hand and bit her lip "Well, since you are introducing new drinks to the menu and are planning on opening a cocktail bar, and this is a girls night out, I'll have an apple martini."

"Ouuhh fancy!" Unazuki smiled and scribbled down the order on her electronic pad. Ami closed the menu and nodded, "Minako-chan's right, I'll have the same as her."

"Right on Ami chan!" Minako winked her eye at her, making the bluenette blushed and chuckled, Rei thought carefully what would be best to have and pursed her lips in thought, her grandfather's words scratched any possibility to order another cup of herbal tea.

'Go have fun, have a drink…'

"For me it's going to be a vodka tonic with a lemon twist," she finally came to mind and returned to menu to Unazuki. "You guys…" Makoto sighed slightly surprised and annoyed, "Am I the only one drinking a silly lemonade?"

"Yes, most likely." Usagi chuckled and turned to Unazuki "I'll have a blue moon martini."

Unazuki laughed "Mako-chan, I can turn your silly lemonade into an electric one if you like?"

"Oooh Ooooh or you could have a Long Island tea, instead." Minako looked at the brunette with a knowing look. "Never again." Makoto blushed nodded at Unazuki's suggestion, "Since we all are skipping coffee—that sounds like a more suitable idea." she laughed. The red haired girl nodded "Alrighty and to eat?"

"A sampler with everything sweet you have." Minako looked at their friend "You know, those sweet little pastries and chocolate covered strawberries—I love those."

"Drinks and sugar-the perfect combo to shake all the stress off of our day." Makoto chuckled.

Unazuki nodded and waved her hand "Alright, I'll send your order right away." With a warm happy smile she turned on her heel and left the girls alone. Five good minutes after they all had their drinks on their hands; Minako cleared her throat and raised her glass, "I would like to make a toast," she turned to a blushing and very excited Usagi "Here goes to our dear friend who is finally getting married with her Prince, I love you so very much Buns."

Usagi smiled and raised her glass "I love you too Venus," she turned to look at the other girls with a big smile on her face "I love you all and since we have our glasses up, I would like to make a toast for being together after all this time and after all the adventures we have lived in the past. Thank you for being with me on this whole crazy life journey and on my wedding planning. I love you girls. Honestly, if I had the opportunity to go back in time and do it all over again, I would choose to go the same path as long as you are with me."

"Awww" the girls clinked their glasses together "Cheers!" Usagi said happily and put her glass down after taking the first sip. She looked so polished and chic with her cream colored blouse with pearls as buttons and flowy sleeves and her navy inspired, vintage pencil skirt matched beautifully with her black stilettos. Her hair had gone through an amazing change as well, it wasn't as long as it used to be when she was in high school but it was still several inches below her breasts; now her usual and much known 'buns' style had changed to a sleek high ponytail or a super chick messy top bun. At first it was shocking for her friends to see her sporting a new look, but with time they got used to this drastic change, she may have perfected her way to dress with her job as an assistant to the chief of the art department of a cult fashion magazine but Usagi couldn't deny she kinda missed her quirky yet carefree hairstyle, so she did it from time to time. Especially on Sundays.

With big eyes she took a bite of her chocolate covered strawberry and turned to a very surprised Minako "Wait, weren't you supposed-" she widened her eyes "Your audition!" she asked with great enthusiasm, hoping to hear the great news.

Minako's lips pursed as she took another sip of her drink "Yeah that—I didn't get it."

"What?!" Usagi's eyes widened and turned to the other girls who shared the same surprise, "What happened?"

"A blonde silly girl got the part."

"What silly blonde girl?" Ami asked confused.

"A blonde girl with big breasts." Minako added "I met her today at the audition. She was bragging to others that she had gotten the part but I didn't think she was being serious."

"Ah, well," Usagi shrugged her shoulders and put the strawberry stem on a napkin, "She is most likely sleeping with the director."

"Oh. my. God." Minako shook her head with surprise.

"What?" Usagi licked her thumb with delicacy, "It's true."

"You too?"

"What?"

"Everyone has been telling me that."

"Who's everyone?" Usagi arched her brow.

"Me." Makoto raised her hand and took a sip of her icy electric lemonade "Me." Rei said softly while deciding which strawberry she should pick next, and then all eyes rested on Ami who was taking a sip of her drink "What?"

"What do you think Ami-chan?" Minako leaned forward, expecting a more neutral, realistic response. Ami rubbed the back of her neck in thought and nodded, "I think I agree with the girls, I mean, if it's that blonde I've been seeing in mostly every ad on the streets—it's most likely she's sleeping with someone with influence."

"See?" Usagi accentuated her logic by waving her hand.

"Can't you just believe in success?" Minako asked between chuckles, "Wait," Usagi turned to her friend with a puzzled look, "Are we talking about this new blonde model advertising a new bikini line?"

"Yeah," Makoto said "That's the one," Usagi pursed her lips and took a sip "The magazine has chosen her to be on the next cover issue."

Minako rolled her eyes with annoyment, "She's everywhere now. Why the hell I am the only one who's only seen her once?" Usagi bit another chocolate covered fruit and shrugged her shoulders "Well, to answer that burning question, yes, she is sleeping with the director of that play. So there, no success just-good body genes I guess."

"You met this girl?" blonde asked blonde "How is she like?"

"I didn't meet her personally, but I did see her coming out of the editor's office once, she talks—a lot."

"Ah," Minako said thoughtful. "Well-I am not sure if that makes me feel better or not."

"She mentioned she has been 'dating' this new famous director. So I take the word 'date' as 'sex'." Usagi put her hand over Minako's shoulder "So to me dear friend, that is not success—it's far from it."

Minako's eyes lit up "You think so?"

Usagi nodded "I know so—so you didn't get that part, who cares? Next time you go to an audition you'll get the part you want because you earned it and not because you were 'romantically' involved with the casting director."

"Here goes to our royal bride!" Makoto raised her glass again for another toast. "That's me!" Usagi clapped her hands excitedly and bit her lower lip "Although, I feel like there are still a ton of things to look after and I have so little time."

"If you need any help you know you can ask any of us," Rei said softly "We have told you that so many times in the past."

"Thank you, Rei-chan." Usagi smiled, but was soon distracted by Makoto "What else do you need Usa-chan?"

Usagi laid back on her seat and counted with her fingers "Well, the flowers—the music for the ceremony, the catering."

"Hey! I told you to leave that to me, why are you even worrying about it?" Makoto frowned, "You are adding more things to your 'to do list' than are already taken care of."

"Because I know you have a lot of work and I don't want to be a bridezilla." Usagi chuckled, Makoto laughed "Usagi chan, you are NOT being a bridezilla. Calm down, I'm taking care of the catering I already asked some people at work to help with that. Don't worry."

"A guy, maybe?" Minako's lips curved into a playful and devilish smiled while turning to Makoto. The brunette couldn't hide her flushing face, catching the girls attention "What!? When did this happen?" Usagi asked with shock. Makoto waved her hand "Nothing has happened, we are just co-workers—friends maybe."

"You should invite him to the wedding." Minako suggested.

"Well, if he is going to help me with the food, I think he will have to go but not as a guest. It's work. Usagi insisted in paying us."

"It's the right thing to do." Usagi said softly.

Ami turned to Rei and tilted her head "Are you alright Rei-chan?"

"You have been awfully silent tonight." Minako said softly, showing genuine interest and concern for her friend, "Everything okay at the Shrine?"

Rei looked at Minako and then at the rest of the girls on the table and shook her head, "Yes, yes—it's okay. I am just a little tired, you know—there is so much to do at the shrine and I have to take care of my grandfather."

"Are things going the same with, you know—him?" Makoto asked softly.

Rei sighed and stared at her drink "Yes-I just," she frowned and closed her eyes for a moment. The sole mention of her past relationship with Yuuchiro always ut her on the edge. Rei was not the kind of girl that would weep in front of others, she hated to be seen as a vulnerable, broken girl; but when she was around the girls it was as if her hard shell slowly crumbled revealing a girl with a broken heart. Yuuichiro had been a part of her life for too many years, way before she awakened as senshi, and the situation between them only strained more and more with time.

But now, things were getting more complicated for the priestess, with the strange events that happened earlier that day. The image of the dark figure and the visions in the sacred fire came to her mind again, making her open her eyes with evident distress. "Rei-chan?" Ami asked with concern, "Did something happen with him?"

Rei looked at the girls and had a mental battle with herself, as she tried to decide what was best to do for them. It was either telling the truth of what happened that afternoon or leave it in the past, along with any speck of suspicion for a new enemy. She turned to very concerned Usagi and thought if it was a good thing to say in a moment like this, whatever happened, whoever that was, she had to keep it to herself, at least until she knew more about-if there was more to know about it. Her emotions were against each other, like a battle between good and evil; she could not do such thing to her best friend in the midst of her wedding, just when they have just got used to be normal again. There was that word again

Her emotions were against each other like a battle between good and evil; she was against the idea of becoming the one who brought bad news to good moments like the ones they enjoyed for 8 years. She could not do such thing to her best friend in the midst of her wedding, just when they have just got used to being normal again.

There was that word again, she thought.

"Normal."

"No—he didn't." the priestess shook her head and sighed heavily, "I just can't stand seeing him near me—not after what happened."

"I just can't believe he did that—I can't believe he cheated on you that way." Makoto said with deep surprise and shook her head, "He was like a beacon of hope for the rest of us to believe there were still good men out there, you know?" she sighed, feeling defeated "But putting that aside, he didn't look like the kind of guy who would do something like that."

"True," Minako nodded "Like the guy I was seeing until a week ago, he seemed nice but then found out he was just another jerk from the bunch."

Makoto narrowed her eyes "You said he was boring,"

"Talking about his ex all time makes him a jerk, Mako-chan," Minako said greatly annoyed, "It's offensive, he wants to meet new people but he clearly is not over her." Rei arched her brow and nodded "Point taken. Nobody wants to go out with someone like that—but, I do not trust men so," she shrugged her shoulders dismissively.

"Well, at least you didn't go out on a blind date like I did." Ami said softly "I barely have time to socialize that I had to fall for that."

"Why did you agree to do it in the first place?" Makoto asked puzzled, she couldn't help to chuckle, Ami blushed and bit her lip shyly, "I know what you are going to say, but I thought it would be fun and of course—it wasn't."

"Usagi is the only one who has come out triumphant on this whole dating ordeal." Minako patted her friend's hand "Lucky you."

Usagi blushed, she tilted her head low and smiled widely, "I am very lucky, yes."

"Mamoru is a special case—he's not just any random man. He's a big deal." Rei said softly and leaned her face to rest on her hand, "I mean—he's the man you met a thousand years ago and promised to find you in the future." she smiled, "Who does that these days?"

"You can't beat that." Makoto nodded "You two have overcome so many obstacles."

"Even when Seiya was here." Ami said but abruptly stopped from continuing her reasoning, realizing she had touched a very sensitive fiber in Usagi's heart. The bluenette knew very well what the once singer meant to Usagi. She never considered the tiniest possibility of leaving Mamoru for him but he did a lot to try to gain the blonde's heart while Mamoru wasn't around, all of them were aware of that. Even when the terran prince didn't say many things about that chapter in their lives she knew it was something that really bothered him, and made him take a defensive stance.

Mamoru wasn't stupid, and just because he was the reincarnated version of a prince it didn't mean he couldn't feel jealous of the man that got to be with her, in times when she needed him the most. Just because he was not around during that time, it didn't mean he did not know exactly what the other man tried to achieve. "It was hard." Usagi breathed, "But in the end, things got better and we are together. To me, that is all that matters." she turned to Ami and smiled, the bluenette returned the gesture and put a finger under her chin in thought "Speaking of Mamoru-kun, I was scheduled to assist him today at the hospital earlier this morning but he called in and said he would be late, I thought for a moment that maybe something happened because the only reason he would be late for work is because it's something related to you."

Usagi blinked and shook her head "No, not at all." she bit her lower lip "I haven't talked much with him today, but I think he was going to see his lawyer or accountant, I honestly don't remember what the man actually is."

Ami widened her blue eyes "I didn't know he had a lawyer."

"Yeah, me neither." Makoto said softly.

"Um, well, he is more like a family friend. He took care of his parent's will when they were gone and he took care of everything related to his parent's passing while he was at the hospital recovering from the accident," Usagi said softly, "He has meetings with him regularly to see the status of what was left to him, if that's the correct way to say it."

"Wow—even after all these years, he still has to face his past and the loss of his parents that way." Minako said softly "I mean, even with everything they left him, he still had to live in an orphanage and face life alone." she frowned, "Why would destiny want to give him such a hard time?"

"I know-I mean, tell me about it." Makoto said softly. Minako leaned closer to her friend and ran her around her shoulders "I know Mako-chan, but, the good thing now is that you are not alone."

"Exactly," Rei said softly, "You have many friends and us,"

Usagi smiled "Rei-chan's right."

Rei nodded and turned to Usagi "So, about the wedding,"

"I already asked the hospital if I could have the day off," Ami said excitedly and turned to Makoto "Mako chan, did you speak with the chef to ask the day off?"

Makoto slurped the remaining of her drink and bit the long straw she used to stir the cold beverage, "Um,"

Usagi widened her eyes and turned to the tall girl "Oh my god! You haven't? Mako chan, you know how volatile that man can be!"

Makoto raised her hands "Don't panic! Everything is under control," she bit her lip "I'll manage."

Minako tilted her head "I guess it won't be such a big deal if you don't go that day since the restaurant has such competition with that new place across from you it has been very lonely."

"Actually, I want to talk to you about that," Makoto blushed and smiled "I kind of did something amazing today,"

Four pairs of eyes were fixed on the amazon girl "Today, after you left," Makoto turned to Minako and continued "Two customers came in and ordered something from the menu. I got an order to make crab crepes and well, I knew it was going to take me a while to finish my order if I followed the chef's recipe so,"

"So?" Usagi asked.

"I improvised and created my own version of those crab crepes."

Rei frowned and leaned forward "And?"

"Well, the customer loved my dish, then Chef Haruto learned by one of the waiters that the customer who had the crepes, was one of the toughest food critics in the area."

"Oh my, Mako chan!" Rei widened her eyes and leaned back surprised, "That is great news!"

"And what did the food critic say? What did the Chef say?" Ami asked, joining Rei's surprise. Makoto sighed softly and rested her hands on the table "At first Haruto-san was very upset because I changed his recipe but after he got compliments for my dish, he made the decision of not leaving the restaurant and change the whole menu."

Minako covered her mouth with both hands "Mako-chan! That is incredible!"

"Well, yes, yes it is but now Haruto-san wants us all there to give him ideas of how we could 'revamp' the menu and turn it into something new, fresh and appealing." she turned to Usagi and smiled "Don't worry, I am not missing that wedding for anything in the world! Even if I have to stay the next few days cloistered in the kitchen with everyone at the restaurant, including Suzuki."

"Yeah, what's up with her?" Minako frowned, "Is she still nagging?"

Makoto sighed "She always nags,"

"I can't stand when people are like that," Ami said and took a sip of her drink "There are several people like that at the hospital."

"Well that is a bit better than living with your ex-boyfriend and pretending everything is great in front of everyone at the shrine." Rei said dryly "I think that is worse."

Minako sighed tiredly, she was always against the raven-haired idea of keeping him around, for various reasons. Her friend's well being the most obvious one. "Why Rei-chan? Why is he still there—it's been four months."

Rei bit her lower lip "Because I find it more complicated to let him go than to make him stay. My grandfather's health is on the line."

Usagi looked at her friend with sad eyes, "But that is torture for you Rei-chan."

Rei shrugged her shoulders as if trying to ignore the freshly packed baggage of emotions, "If he finds out what he did, it will devastate him—I can't do that. He will probably would have another heart attack."

"I feel so powerless—I wish he could just vanish from your life." Usagi said softly, making Rei chuckle by the drastic comment in such sweet, powdery voice, "No one knew how stupid he could be, me included," she reached for Usagi's hand "Don't worry Usagi, I will handle it."

"Well, you guys know you can bring a date if you want to, you are the only ones I could ever say no to anything." Usagi turned to the girls and smiled, Minako laughed, "Thanks Usagi-chan but in my case, I think I'll ask Haruka to dance with me, she's such a good dancer!"

"I was thinking of doing the same!" Makoto laughed.

Usagi smiled while she rested her head on her hands; she was very happy to see her friends gossiping and joking around like if they were still in high school. She thought hundreds of times how she couldn't have gone through so many things if she didn't have them in her life; they were a part of her, they were her family.

She could talk to them about what she couldn't even mention to others, she could ask for advice or seek comfort when days were not going too well at work, just a phone call to any of these girls would make her feel a lot better.

Ami saw her friend from across the round table and chuckled "What are you thinking about Usagi chan?" she asked in her always sweet voice; she never changed even after having all the achievements as a young doctor. Ami had the ability to keep her feet on the ground and be the nice girl she always has been. Usagi looked at her and let her smile grow bigger "It feels like we were in high school again. Remember when we came here almost every day to gossip about the couples in school and how did we do in our pop quizzes?"

"I know," Makoto smiled "We practically grew up in this place."

"Well, some of us came here to see Motoki." Minako turned to Makoto and arched her brow when she turned to Usagi, "And some of us came here to fight with his friend."

"I didn't come here specifically to fight with Mamo-chan, besides—he started it all the time. Every time we argued was because he said something mean to me. I had to defend myself." Usagi said proudly.

"Yeah well, you are now marrying him." Minako made the girls laugh with her last comment.

Rei looked at Minako and Usagi talk playfully and felt a tug in her chest; it was a feeling of melancholy or maybe it was just longing. She didn't want to believe she felt like something was missing in her life just because she was having problems with Yuuichiro but sometimes she wondered if the other girls ever missed being the soldiers they once were, like she did.

She lowered her gaze and looked at her hands, hesitant to ask the question that has been burning her senses for quite a while now. Without any introduction to the subject, she gave in to her emotions. "Do you miss it?" her voice barely left her mouth but it was finally out and it waited for an answer. A long pause followed her question, making her think that maybe it had gone unnoticed.

"Miss what?" Makoto finally asked, breaking the sudden uncomfortable silence. There was no turning back Rei thought; she had asked the question that has been drilling her mind for the last few weeks, or even months. She took a deep breath and dared to look up "You know," she trailed off and turned to Makoto "That.?"

Minako's smile faded and looked at Rei "Is something wrong?"

Rei bit her lip and shook her head "Nothing's wrong," she responded bitterly and abruptly, she was starting to become frustrated and almost cursed herself for even bringing that topic to the table. "I just wanted to know if any of you miss that part of our lives."

"Well, since we fought against Galaxia—everything calmed down," Makoto said, "Since then, everything has been normal."

There was that word again, the damned word that started all in the first place."It's been eight years since that battle." Minako said softly "I guess our duty as soldiers came to an end."

"Do you miss it?" Ami asked Rei "Do you miss that part of your life?"

Rei leaned on the back of her seat and sighed " I—I" she hesitated and frowned, not really sure of what to answer. Did she really? she thought and even considered that maybe was what came attached to that alter ego of hers. "Have you ever wondered if Setsuna's predictions were real?" she turned to Usagi "I mean—she said you would become Queen by the age of 22 and that you would be having a child and here we are, still planning your wedding."

"And you're 24," Minako muttered, startling Usagi, "Yes, thank you Minako-chan for the reminder," the blonde sweatdropped, "But," she bit her lower lip, now in a more serious manner, "I don't want to be Queen—just yet."

"I am not complaining, I am just asking," Rei tried to sound more convincing and less panicked by the whole unexpected turn the conversation had, silently hoping someone would change the subject.

"I do remember Setsuna said once that the future was always subject to change, maybe—it did. Peace has reigned for a long time now and we all learned how to put that part of our lives aside and take our role as normal human beings again." Ami said "I see your point, it sure feels strange but—we're happy and maybe what we all saw back then was just the result of the enemies we ended up defeating."

Minako pursed her lips and leaned back on her seat, following Rei "Good point."

Rei sighed and tried to change the mood the conversation was taking "I was just being curious, though, I won't deny that sometimes I wished I could throw a burning mandala at certain people—Yuuichiro for example."

This last comment made everyone burst into laughter, "If that's the case, I would so love to chain some people too! My boss has been giving me a hard time lately, or even that blonde girl." Minako chuckled.

"Yeah!" Makoto laughed and cracked her knuckles, "I would like to put my thunder into use!"

Rei looked at the girls and swallowed her doubts like someone would normally swallow a huge pill. It was uncomfortable and it felt like it was still somewhere on her throat waiting to be expelled. She felt somewhat guilty for avoiding to mention what happened earlier that day but maybe, it would be too much for the girls, especially for Usagi.

She looked at her blonde friend in silence, pretending she was still paying attention to the conversation while thinking about the many times that petite girl in front of her sacrificed her safety for the sake of others, for the sake of them. She had seen her bleed and cry, she had seen her suffer. She had seen her in her most lowest points and immersed in a sea of confusion and still, she had the courage to move on.

That was something she will always admire from her, sure, she could still cry about something or be a little dramatic but she had to admit how much she had grown and matured over the past eight years; maybe it was the challenge of being away from her lover for some time or maybe was just the fact that she saved the world one too many times.

Rei took a deep breath and reconsidered, her problems were affecting her too much and maybe all that happened today at the shrine was the result of her own stress and problems. She was so concentrated into taking care of his grandfather and into pretending everything was alright with Yuuichiro that maybe she wasn't paying much attention to the signs the gods were sending her. Maybe the dark shadow she was seeing was no other but her own inner demons, the ones Galaxia released when she fell into the cauldron along with Usagi. Maybe the fire just exposed her true feelings and she was just trying to find a distraction to her problems by wondering what would be like if she became a soldier again.

Her friends were right, Setsuna's prediction didn't seem to be that accurate and either she or Michiru and not even Mamoru had seen anything threatening since that battle came to an end. So maybe, this was just her imagination.

"Maybe," she thought as she sipped the last drop of her beverage.