Chapter 11!!

I had, like, a whole lot of time this weekend, so this has been edited a couple times. And I reread the first 10 chapters too, so I realized a lot of things that I forgot and I think I started to point some of that out to myself during this chapter... Or was it the next one? I don't remember...

Lunch was ready when the group of girls walked back into the house. Kenji and Yakumo were already served and chowing down, and Akkoku smiled at the girls when they filed through the kitchen to head for the dining room with the boys.

"Kari, Makoto, help me out will you?" she asked, handing them some food.

At the table, however, there were two different types of conversations going on, verbal and mental. Rei and Minako were arguing over who won the staring contest earlier between Kari and Ami, and Ami was watching Makoto and Kari interact in the kitchen.

They move around each other with such ease. It's like watching us as Sailor Scouts moving during a youma attack, with fluid precision without words, never needing to know where anyone was because we are all so close and in tune with each other. Makoto is the same with Kari.

Ami had gone beyond just playful competition, and was trying to figure Kari out now to learn more about her and Makoto. If she could figure out what was making Kari so adamant about winning Makoto, and what was making Makoto so sad about denying her, then maybe she could find a solution that ended up with her own confession without Kari being hurt and Makoto…

She shook her head. Her thoughts ran away without her again, and they were bringing up hopeful thoughts that would probably never happen. Makoto would never return her feelings; she's too boy crazy, and Ami had heard her tell Makoto tell Kari she wasn't interested.

Ami studied Makoto then. She said she wasn't interested; does that mean she's not interested in Kari, or not into girls in general? Ami could have chance, if it's not the latter. But is it worth the heartache if it is?

She nodded her head; it was worth it, because there's still that chance, and Ami loved Makoto enough that she would take that chance if the brunette could possibly return those feelings. She would just need to gain the courage for it first.

"She did not win! Ami sneezed, so it doesn't count!" Minako said loudly, catching Ami's attention. "Kari was about to blink, she was so close, and would have lost if Ami hadn't sneezed!"

"Kari was holding off a lot better than Ami was at the time, if you'll recall," Rei pointed out. "Even if Ami hadn't have sneezed, she wouldn't have held on much longer. Kari would have been able to hold out just long enough to win."

"You're just upset because you have to take me out one night," Minako leered, teasing her raven haired friend. Rei's face reddened, though whether it was from embarrassment or anger is still to be determined.

"No! I just… I mean, they both blinked at the same time, because of the sneeze, so… Well, the bet is null now, right?" Rei mumbled.

"Well, we determined it was tie, so… Either you guys both pay up, or yes, it is null," Makoto answered, sitting between Kari and Ami. Both girls shared a quick glare before they looked away from each other and concentrated on everything else.

"What was your end of the deal, Rei?" Usagi asked. Makoto didn't hear the answer, she was too busy watching the girls on either side of her. She had noticed them look at each other, but hadn't noticed the looks they gave each other. She frowned and started eating silently, listening to her own inner monologue.

Kari and Ami… Well, I guess that could explain Ami's attitude toward me recently. I mean, if she does in fact like girls. And Kari? Well, if she likes me that would explain her hostility toward her. But, Ami isn't usually so competitive like that! Why would she suddenly decide to compete with Kari so openly? Especially if she's got a thing for her… It doesn't make any sense! Well, unless she was trying to catch Kari's attention, but Kari was paying too much attention to me again… But still, it's Ami for Kami's sake!

Makoto stumbled over her own thoughts of what she had determined was now a love triangle, with Ami trying to catch Kari and Kari trying to catch her while she loved Ami. She totally missed the discussion of what the plans for the day were.

"Then it's settled," Kari said, glancing at Ami.

"Huh?" Makoto asked, coming back to Earth. "What's going on?"

"Where have you been, Mako? Jupiter?" Minako teased, earning a light smack and a glare from Rei. Usagi giggled at them, but took pity on Makoto.

"We're going swimming in the pond! It's big enough, and there aren't any fish or anything in it so we won't even disturb any animals there!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Which, of course, means a shopping trip!" Minako added excitedly. "Rei, Usagi, and I didn't bring any swimsuits. Ami said she always has a swimsuit, just in case, and Kari said she already has one here. Do you need one, Makoto?"

Makoto frowned in thought. She had one, sure, but… Well, now it looked like she would have to compete with her best friend for Ami's attention, and the suit she had wasn't exactly the most eye-catching of things. And water was Ami's element, so she couldn't just excuse herself if she was going to subtly win her over. The question was, did Kari know about Ami's attraction? Would she be wearing something eye-catching? It'd been so long since the two of them swam together, Makoto didn't even know what sort of suit style she liked anymore. Then again, she could say the same thing about Ami…

"Who all is going shopping?" Makoto asked. "It'll determine whether we take the van, or Grandpa's car."

Rei, Minako, and Usagi raised their hands.

"I'll relax and read my book until you return," Ami said.

"I guess I'll stay, so you can take the car comfortably. There's really no reason for me to go along," Kari said in a bored tone of voice. "It'd be pointless to go for the fun of it and then have to take the van."

"Here, Makoto," Yakumo said, setting the keys down beside her. "Don't be stupid with her, all right? She's my baby."

"I know Gramps. I'll be careful," Makoto said with a nod.

"All right, now that that's settled, let's go!" Minako exclaimed, jumping up, Usagi right beside her. They began to chat excitedly, and Makoto shared a pained look with Rei. If it weren't for the fact that someone had to drive, and someone had to keep an eye on each of them (reasons for two of them) they probably would have backed out of the trip right then and there.

The two excited blonds ran outside, and Makoto and Rei followed a little more slowly.

"You know, Kari might have a spare suit that you might fit in," Makoto mumbled just loud enough for Rei hear. "And I technically have one somewhere here…"

"Yeah, but someone needs to keep them out of trouble, and I'd feel better if it wasn't just me," Rei replied calmly. "Besides, how bad can it be?"

Famous last words…

Okay, so since I was camping, I've got this chapter, the next chapter, and a third chapter done... Yeah. I had lots of bored free time... There might even another chapter... I just need to check and maybe finish it...

So, yeah... I'm gonna go upload those chapters now...