Makoto and Kunzite had knocked out the shopping for Mamoru's party in record time. Both of them had their mind occupied on the same matter, but neither knew what to say. Kunzite had offered to give her an explanation on his next day off, which was this Sunday. Makoto was the only one working on Sunday and she didn't particularly mind if he kept her company at the flower shop.
They had parted ways once the provisions had been procured and he left with his hands full, towards Mamoru's apartment. She, with much less to carry, made her way back to her own appartment. Mamoru had once upon a time lived in the sam building with her, but once she and Usagi had graduated from high school... He moved away to a larger apartment, so that Usagi could live with him.
She smiled softly as she recalled the fit Usagi's father threw when they went to tell her parents their plans. Usagi's mother as completely fine with them moving in together, she even seemed a bit happy about it. Usagi was her little girl, but she knew that Mamoru was a really good man and something told her that her daughter would be happiest and safest with him.
Makoto had been slightly depressed at the time of their graduation. Of course she wanted to be happy. She wanted to smile with all her heart for Mamoru and Usagi. For the families of her best friends... Heck, even Rei's father had shown up for the special occasion. She was the only one who was alone. She had slipped away from the group that night, and she spent it alone in the dark... crying in her apartment. She had thought bitter things like; I wonder if my mother would have cried of happiness? Would my father have been angry if I had planned to move in with a boy? Would I have a picture to hang up on my wall of my graduation?
Makoto shook of the returning bitter feelings. So what if she had to live two lives without her parents? She was sure they would be sad if they knew she was hurting from being so lonely.
She picked up her cell phone and started typing in the names of all her friends, to include the Shitennou. She sent them a mass text with the details of Mamoru's party. She wasn't really expecting a reply from any of them... After all, they weren't really on a talking basis just yet. Now all she had left to do for the party was to go over to Mamoru's place and prepare the food. She assumed that she would be able to handle all the preparation in a matter of a hour and an half.
-Later That Night-
Makoto tapped her foot to the rhythm of the elevator tune as she was lifted up to the 7th floor. She was the only Senshi to have a key to Usagi and Mamoru's place., so she knew that even if the couple weren't home yet, she could get inside to prep. The elevator binged and she quickly made her way out, the clicking of her heels the only noise in the hallway. When she turned the corner towards the apartment she was shocked to see her dear friend Ami fidgeting outside of the door. Makoto approached, her heels giving her away as Ami turned toward the noise. "Oh, Mako-chan."
Makoto plastered a huge smile on her face. "Ami, I am so glad that you came! I didn't think that... well.. that any of the other girls were going to show up." Ami fidgeted with her fingers, clearly struggling to say the words she wanted to. "You know... I forgave them a long time ago. I... I just don't know how to approach him and make it okay again." Makoto looked at Ami thoughtfully and pulled the smaller girl into a hug. Ami eagerly hugged her friend back. "I think you need to figure out how to convey that for yourself... Did you talk to Urawa-kun about it?"
Ami blushed deeply at the mention of her boyfriend's name. "We... we did. Ryo knows everything about Zoisite and he really encouraged me to make up with him. After all, even if we aren't together anymore... Zoisite is an important person from my past life. He brought me much happiness. Ryo knows how painful that life was for me... for us. He is so thoughtful." Makoto smiled. She knew that the Ami in this life had eyes for no one other than Urawa-kun. "I think he is right. You two are so lucky to have found each other." Makoto smiled at her friend's happiness.
She unlocked the door and ushered the blushing girl inside. Then they both froze at the most unexpected sight.
There stood Kunzite, sporting Mamoru's apron, in the kitchen chopping up some tomatoes. He had stopped mid chop to stare at the two girls in the door. His jaw slowly started to droop at the shock of being caught in, what he perceived, as an embarrassing sight. His cheeks dusted a light pink, he tried to play off the situation. "Erm... Mamoru asked me to make... my famous salsa."
Makoto chuckled lightly at the sight. "This is something I never thought I would see... not even in two lifetimes." Kunzite seemed to fume a little and looked back at the cutting board and made to finish his task. That is when they noticed it. He must still be pretty new to cooking, since the way he held the tomato was to hold it down with his finger tips. His cuts of tomato were slightly jagged and there was the constant threat of him cutting himself. Makoto knocked her elbow into Ami's arm and nodded her head toward Kunzite.
Ami's eyes widen as she understood the opportunity that Makoto was pointing out to her. She took a deep calming breathe and approached Kunzite with the intention of helping him learn how to properly use the knife. Makoto had shown her many tricks over the year and she was confident she could help him. If Ami could make her intentions clear to their leader... surely the others would come to understand. Surely Zoisite would understand.
Makoto smiled and made her way to the fridge and started gathering all the ingredients they had bought earlier that day.
-An Hour Into The Party-
None of the other Senshi had made it to the party. Minako claimed singing practice and Rei had to prep the fortunes for the shrine tomorrow. All the Shitennou and Mamoru and Usagi were present and enjoying a nice buzz. Jedite had just finished making another round with the wine bottle, filling everyone's glasses.
It was about Ami's third glass in, that she finally faced Zoisite completely. She had worked up enough liquid courage to finally have a conversation with him. He was wearing his trademark ponytail and showing no signs of inebriation like the majority of the party guests were. "Zoi-san... How... How is life for you? Are you enjoying this rebirth?" Ami and Zoisite had been the last couple to get together back in the Silver Millennium. They had been colleagues, family in the name of intellect, and best friends. They had never shared the details of them finally getting together back then, no one knew the story... even now.
Zoisite didn't seemed to be fazed by the question, even though an eerie silence had befallen everyone else in the room. "It's good. It's a new kind of freedom that I never got to experience back then. Here... I can do what I please with my life. I imagine that that feeling only increased your fighting spirit in this life... Ami." Ami nodded to him like she had understood a secret message in his words that was meant just for her. It didn't even register that he had said her name plainly. "What is it that you want to do with this life then?"
His smile was genuine as he answered her eagerly. "I am studying to be a botanist."
The night carried on in merriment. Usagi and Makoto teased Ami about Urama-kun until her entire face was red. The guys talked about how their studies were going and how life was treating them. The night ended with Zoisite making sure Ami was safely in a cabby on the way home. Kunzite was insisting that Makoto let him walk her home.
She had refused repeatedly, but ended up succumbing to the worried look on his face. She was having a hard time believing that this was actually Kunzite, but the other guys hardly blinked at his behavior. That was, with the exception of Nephrite, who was desperately trying to hide the hurt on his face.
Was this how Kunzite actually was? The only thing she saw of him, in their previous life, was during battle and while he guarded the Prince. He always wore the same stoic expression. She had always assumed that he lacked feeling and that his only purpose in life was to be a knight. Even when Princess Venus spoke of him dreamily.. hew as still that stoic figure in her descriptions. So who was he really?
Makoto was so caught up in her pondering that she hadn't even noticed that at some point he had laced his fingers through hers. She was even more shocked that she seemed to be gripping his hand just as tightly. A deep red blush began to cover her cheeks, but she didn't let go. Maybe it was the alcohol... but she wanted it to last just a bit longer.
Author's note: Man... I am just the worst! :( Hahah, I haven't updated anything in such a long long time. I will try to get some more chapters out to all the stories I already have started. I have a One Piece one-shot coming out soon... cause it won't stop assaulting my mind. ;-; Oh yeah, in regards to all the mixed reviews I am getting on this story: I am a huge fan of non-canon couples! (it isn't a secret) That is all. ;) Anyway, please R&R! Love y'all.
