A/N: So I'm cruel, I know. I just like to tease you guys! Thats exactly what this chapter may possibly do. But you will be happy to know there maybe some resolution on the way. Notice how I said, some? Hehehehe! Well! You'll just have to wait and see, eh? So thanks for the love! And...enjoyyyyy!

Disclaimer: I own, nothing. Not-a-damn-thing!


Act VIII.

"Oh, they're here! They're here!"

"Shhh Makoto! Shhh! You don't want Rei to hear you."

"What? But I thought you guys already locked her in the den…"

"Well they are down there, but Ami is keeping her company until we un-hatch Ruka's super-evil-plan."

Makoto blinked.

"It's not really called that is it Setsuna?"

The Time Senshi winked and smiled.

"Whaaa…your serious!"

But Makoto could voice no more as the front door burst open. It's hinges rattling slightly as Minako Aino, Sailor Venus stepped past the threshold. Her outfit covered in murky brown mud and her hair just as messy as the rest. There was even a slight look of madness in her eyes that the other three couldn't exactly place.

"Ahh Mina-

Michiru was instantly hushed as Minako raised her hand towards them. Her head shaking vigorously.

"Do not ask."

She didn't honestly expect Makoto of all people to not ask, did she?

"But your covered head to toe in mud…"

Makoto sniffed.

"…and you smell like oranges."

"Do. Not. Ask."

Makoto promptly shut her mouth.

"Would you like a refreshment, Minako? Perhaps a cold soda?"

Minako's eye twitched and her teeth instantly clenched.

"…No thank you, Michiru."

With a curt nod, Setsuna decided to fill in.

"Well, why don't you head down to the den with Haruka? Michiru will grab you some towels and we can begin business right away."

Minako let out a sigh of relief.

"Very well."

With surprising speed Haruka lead Minako down the stairs to the den. Opening the door they stepped in quietly, Minako found herself instantly on edge when she laid eyes upon Rei. Who was seated on the couch next to Ami. She held a detached expression on her face, when her own lavender eyes landed on the messy blonde.

"Well…uh, here we are! Ami!"

Haruka called to the blue haired genius.

"Oh! Haruka!"

Rei and Minako both stared at the two of them.

"We have that…thing upstairs…to…finish…"

Ami stood up right away, nodding along with Haruka.

"Oh, of course! Yes we must…finish…that thing."

Minako could honestly say she wasn't the smartest tool in the box. (Or was it sharpest? It was surely in a box!) But this was overtly suspicious and she was about to say so until she heard the resounding slam of the door. Then the ever subtle click of a lock.

Oh shiiiii…

Rushing to the door Minako tried once, twice, three times. But it was indeed locked.

Those sneaky little…

"Well, so much for that 'threat' to earth."

Minako sent a cautious glance towards Rei who seemed a mix between amused and irritated. But her words were none the clearer.

"I was wondering when they would all hatch some kind of plan. The pushy advice did seem lacking, lately."

Minako hummed in response.

"You know we could just say we've…gotten over it."

Rei seemed to frown at her own idea, Minako could only mirror her expression. The seconds seemed to tick away in instants.

"What if…"

Rei and Minako stared at each other.

"What if I don't want to talk about…it. Or…anything at all with you?"

It was a cheap-shot (Minako was terribly aware.) But to be perfectly honest, her damn friends happened to of picked the worst possible day to un-hatch their evil scheme. Rei (as expected) huffed indignantly.

"Then that's perfectly fine by me!"

Minako rolled her eyes and turned back towards the locked door. With a heaving sigh, she promptly began banging her head against it. Hoping (if possible) that if she did so hard enough, her brain would implode. If only so that she may die quite peacefully. Besides she didn't really want to turn around and look for any sharp pointy objects.

No, this day just couldn't end could it?


"Hey did you guys ever think about what would happen if they broke out?"

Makoto pondered over a cup of tea with the rest of the Senshi.

"What do you mean, Makoto?"

"Well I mean…its possible they could just transform and blow a hole through the side of your house, couldn't they?"

Haruka and Michiru both paled considerably.

"Hmmm you make a valid point."

Ami said, quite thoughtfully. Setsuna on the other hand smiled her ever mysterious smile.

"They could."

Setsuna admits softly, Haruka and Michiru practically hanging on her every word.

"But their far too hardheaded to do so."

Haruka and Michiru both sighed.

"Thank god for that!"