"Gee thanks Rei, now I lost the Inners bet..." Artemis says in a low mumble.
"Excuse me?" Luna says, hoping that what she just heard was wrong.
Haruka grins. "Let me get this straight- you bet on which one of the Inner Senshi was going to 'get some' first?"
Artemis blushes and nods his head.
"Artemis, I don't believe you'd do something like this!" Minako says in a scolding tone.
Not wanting to drop this subject but instead wanting to learn more, Haruka presses for more information. "I'm almost afraid to ask... who did you pick?"
"Minako" is the almost inaudible reply. The others know what's coming and wisely keep their mouths shut.
Minako's rage instantly shows itself as the blonde feels very deeply offended by what her guardian cat just said. "WHAT? Are you calling me a slut or something? How dare you think that I'd be the first to have sex here!"
"I lost, too- I had Makoto" Michiru says, adding more fuel to the "bet" fire.
Makoto doesn't believe what she just heard. "You picked ME? Why?" the brunette says before looking down at herself and trying to figure things out... and wonders if it's that obvious. "Just because I have big breasts doesn't mean that I..."
The embarrassed and enraraged Makoto points at her breasts causing several eyes and two roving eyes to look over them longer than they should.
"Mamoru!" The blonde Usagi shouts out causing Haruka to let out a sigh of relief that she wasn't caught- the blonde Outer Senshi decides to reveal her pick to divert attention from what she just did...
"Sorry kid, I picked you too" Haruka admits.
In an effort to keep pressure and attention off of himself, Mamoru shakes his head. "Wow, I had no idea you guys were into betting on things like this- I knew Artemis would do something like this but not you two..."
The white cat is not amused. "HEY!"
The former Chibi-Usa decides to "up the ante" and turns to her friend Hotaru.
"Say Hotaru, who did you pick?"
Hotaru blushes and shyly turns away. "Ami"
All eyes turn to look at Hotaru and Ami nearly spits out her drink... her boyfriend shyly turns away as well. "What? Why Hotaru?" is Ami's reply once she regains her composure.
"You know what they say about the... shy ones..." is the soft reply.
Ami's face turns red as a beet and she slinks back in her seat. The others look at Ami... and then at Hotaru, who's also a "shy one"...
Rei is curious about Setsuna, who's been silent on this topic so far.
"Say, Setsuna... did you bet on us? Seems like everyone else here did"
The Senshi of Time shakes her head. "I was tempted to... but I could've cheated and won without the others knowing. I've had enough of looking at the future and I just didn't want to bet on something like this. Besides, what I would've seen may not have been right after all. Usagi's appearance here has already begun to alter the timeline"
Luna looks at Artemis with narrow eyes. "At least someone here has some moral courage"
"Whatever Luna, it was all in good fun, a harmless bet" is the white cat's reply. "Besides, I heard you talking with Haruka- you picked Usagi!"
"She should've been a shoe in..." Luna says, mumbling to herself. "It's not like Mamoru hasn't been looking at her more lately, especially with those low cut blouses..."
The blonde Usagi gets on her feet. "You're right Luna, he should be looking!" For good measure, the blonde gets closer to her boyfriend and takes a deep breath, making her figure look even bigger... and causing Mamoru to blush and pretend not to notice, despite the fact that her chest is front and center right in front of him.
Small conversations break out across the room... it's a few moments before Rei realizes something. As soon as she does, the raven-haired senshi jumps to her feet, insensed about all of this and being left out. "What about me damn it! Didn't anyone bet on me?"
When no one raises their hands Rei grits her teeth in annoyance and begins to sulk.
Haruka calmly asks, "Did you want everyone to think that you, a shrine maiden, would be the first to put out for a guy?" A snarky grin forms on her face and Rei cannot help but respond immediately.
"What?" Rei yelped and backed up and ended up tripping over Yuucchiro's feet causing her to fall in his lap which prevented her from getting hurt but did nothing for the situation.
"As fun as it has been tormenting Rei... and everyone else, we have... bigger problems." Pink Usagi said sadly and stood up. "We've got to figure out if things are changing in the timeline because of this new development- is this a solution to the problem?"
The black cat nods her head. "Exactly- good thinking, Chibi-Usa... err, I mean, Usagi"
"Thanks, Luna" the pink haired woman walks over and gently pets her friend on the head, relishing the thought of being back where all of her friends and family actually exisited.
Makoto has an idea and shares it with everyone. "Before we do that, let's have some pie... this is a party after all, and we should celebrate the return of our friend from the future"
"Yuuchiro did jump the gun and attack you... and well, we all need to apologize" Rei says with a nod.
The pink Usagi shakes her head. "It's not his fault, I set this up on purpose to mess with you guys, to make you think I was Black Lady again. There's a little damage to my blouse but I'm sure Helios won't mind the extra view..."
That comment gets the blonde Usagi's attention as well as Mamoru. The other inners wonder where she got her naughtiness from as Makoto motions everyone into the kitchen, leaving the family of three alone for a few minutes.
The mother Usagi wastes no time in her quest for answers. "Helios?"
"Yes, mom, Helios. Once I came back, we met and... bonded" a slight blush forms on the pink Usagi's cheeks as she speaks those words, leading Mamoru to some conclusions...
"Where is he? I haven't seen him since our dealings with the Dark Moon Circus"
"He went out to get some stuff for the party, I'm sure he'll be in shortly" is Usagi's reply before going over to her father and giving him a hug.
"It's good to see you again, it's been a long time"
Turning her attention to her other parent, Usagi decides to address a concern that both parents probably have.
"Don't worry, I do love him, with all my heart. I came back to help everyone else find love..."
Sensing the need for reconcilliation, the blonde Usagi holds out her arms and embraces her now grown up daughter and smiles.
"Looking good, kid... you certainly inherited your mothers' figure"
"Thanks, mom... I also got your courage as well. No matter what happens, I don't want anyone else to suffer. I don't blame you for what happened and you will help to change things, right?"
"Of course" is the immediate reply.
Mother and daughter break their embrace and then pink Usagi smiles. "Great... let's eat! Where's that pie?"
"Definitely her mother's daughter..." Mamoru says softly.
"What was that?" the blonde replies dangerously.
"Nothing, let's eat..."
A knock on the door is heard a moment later and Helios enters with 2 grocery bags of drinks from 7-11. "Did I miss anything?"
Numerous sighs are heard in the room and no one replies, leaving Helios quite confused.
Setsuna finally speaks up. "Come in, you're letting the heat out"
After taking off his shoes and jacket, Helios comes inside and closes the door. He places the drinks in the fridge and passes a bottle of sake to his girlfriend.
"I didn't realize that you drank" Usagi notes as she watches her daughter pour herself a drink.
"I'm old enough to... I hope being over 900 is good enough here" is the reply to that before the former Chibi-Usa takes a sip of her drink. "Now that's the stuff, thanks Helios"
"No problem, let me get a drink and I'll be right back" Helios starts walking towards the kitchen but takes a backward glance at his girlfriend, noting the view that wasn't present before he left. She winks at him and he resumes his journey for some snacks...
Quietly, the future queen notices her daughter's behavior and realizes that she may be seriously involved with Helios, maybe even the same as Rei and Yuuchiro. She looks at Mamoru and he nods his head, showing he's thinking the same thing. Makoto returns with the pie and starts cutting slices for everyone. The conversation turns to Christmas itself, snow, and other less serious matters as the Senshi decide to think about something else, at least for a little while. The Inners are slightly surprised to see Setsuna drinking sake, wondering if the visitor from the future had anything to do with that.
The former Chibi-Usa puts down her sake and heads for the T.V. "Let's make this a real party- I want to play some of the ancient videogames Setsuna has!"
Setsuna rolls her eyes. "They aren't old, at least in this time period"
"Video games? Sounds fun!" Minako says, wanting to challenge someone.
"I'm in" the brunette adds. "I want to play"
"Me too!" the blonde Usagi says.
"Should we have a tournament then?" Haruka suggests, wanting to play herself.
Rei likes the sound of that. "Okay, but how about something where a lot of us can play at once?"
"Okay, let me pick out something..."
The others let their future guest pick out a game... while she does so, something that has been nagging at Luna for the last thirty minutes finally gets expressed verbally.
"Yuuchiro"
The rocker turns and looks down at the black cat, hoping she isn't about to ask a personal question. "Umm, what is it Luna?"
"What should we call you? All of the other Sailor have a planetary tie in... and you have an unusual outfit on"
"I was going to ask the same thing" Artemis says before pointing at his head. "Especially with that hat"
"Well, Rei and I were talking about this on the way down and you can call me..."
All eyes in the room turn and look at Yuuchiro as he gives out his "new name"...
"Sailor Angus"
Several shoulder shrugs and "Huh's" express the Senshi's confusion over the name.
The newest Senshi tries to clear things up. "Umm, the famous guitarist? Angus Young?"
Makoto shakes her head. "Nope, doesn't ring a bell"
Yuuchiro tries again. "AC/DC?"
Rei notices that no one is answering and, despite her limited knowledge on the subject, rips the others for not picking up something in the last few years of hanging out around him.
"Come on guys..." Rei turns and looks at Setsuna. "How about an illustration?"
Setsuna takes her Garnet Rod and holds it up. "Sure, why not? Let's solve this mystery..."
The orb on the top of the rod glows softly as Setsuna mutters her request, a vision of the famous AC/DC guitarist suddenly appears in the center of the room... his clothing matches Yuuchiro's outfit exactly. Black hat, school boy type uniform (from Australia) with a white undershirt, black vest, blue tie, and black pants. A close up of the guitar shows a Gibson SG, which is what Yuuchiro appears to have, though with more powers then the ability to "rock"...
"Okay, makes sense now" Mamoru says, making the connection. "Interesting choice but hey, you're a guitarist, right?"
"Yeah, I am... and that's why I've got musical attacks..." Yuuchiro says proudly.
Seeing an opportunity to celebrate even more, pink Usagi silently gets up and heads to the kitchen, returning a short time later with a large bowl of eggnog and one of punch.
The blonde Usagi is the first to take her glass and get some punch. "Looks yummy!"
"Just don't over do it, mom..." her daughter warns, knowing about that "weakness"
"Maybe you shouldn't..." Mamoru says quickly, knowing exactly what was meant by his daughter's comment.
"Should we even be drinking this stuff?" Makoto says after taking a sip of eggnog.
"Well this is a party and, what the hell, it's Christmas..." Haruka says before passing a glass to Michiru. "How about a toast?"
"How about some progress towards a solution to our problem?" Michiru suggests.
"Thanks to our lovely couple over there" Minako says with a wink as she looks at Rei and Yuuchiro.
Mamoru raises his glass. "Seriously, we should toast another holiday of being together, and to a bright future!"
"Here, here!" Usagi raises her glass, making it obvious that the alcohol already is taking affect in the blonde's bloodstream.
Everyone present takes their glass and raises it in a toast, the clanging of glasses is heard a moment later- right before a sudden and unexpected vision suddenly appears in the center of the room.
"What the..." Artemis says while looking up at the vision, wondering what triggered this. A cold mist fills the room, sending shivers down everyone's spine as events unfold in front of the captive audience.
In the future, Minako has found someone and bonded with a seemingly handsome and fine young man... but it turns out to be the wrong guy. She's reduced to tears as she watches her future self battle verbally and physically the man she loved and thought loved her... he humilates and demeans her to the point that the blonde lashes out and kills him herself...
"Woah" is about all anyone can manage to say as the vision comes to a brief pause before revealing another shocking revelation. Makoto's eyes go wide as she realizes her future self is the next to be featured. A feeling of bitterness and resentment is cleary visible in the words and actions of the future Sailor Jupiter after the death of Minako's companion... who was also her lover.
"This is not me..." Makoto says in disbelief as she realizes that she doesn't have her own true love... and the one that she wanted was stolen by her friend Minako. The two end up battling and Minako wins, leaving her former friend hanging from the ceiling in a noose made of a "Love me Chain"... with the fallen Sailor Neptune at her feet, the latter having tried to break up the fight but instead falling victim to the battle crazed attacks of the former friends.
"Michiru!" Haruka calls out, being so in the moment that she thinks the here and now Michiru is now dead. Her cry makes the vision backtrack a few weeks, showing Minako's husband before his death fighting with her due to her rejection of the new Senshi of Lust.
The battle is shown in graphic detail and everyone watching is on edge, especially Haruka who nearly passes out as her future self succumbs to the unorthodox fighting tactics of Venus's husband and is run through with a sword... her sword...
Ami covers her eyes, being quite sickened and disturbed by all the events that she's just witnessed. A tug on her sleeve causes her to open her eyes- just in time to see Urawa get into a fatal accident while riding on a train to see her.
This future event is like a mental punch to Ami, who falls backward onto the couch, her eyes open but not seeing... it's as though she is awake but no one is home. Urawa looks at his girlfriend and realizes she's in a catatonic state and he can't do anything to help her.
The next events shown is this tragic vision is that of Setsuna trying to right this wrong, though she couldn't seem to go back in time to stop the accident, leading to hard feelings and distrust that lasted until the untimely death of Setsuna at her hands, the Senshi of Water and Ice kills her by freezing Setsuna's heart and calling her an ice bitch since Setsuna would not save her love.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Setsuna cannot help cringe at the thought of dying yet again at the hands of a fellow Senshi. She squirms in her seat and eyes the blue haired Senshi cautiously, despite being on the opposite side of the room.
Hotaru has had enough and cries out "This is horrible, how is this better then before?", feeling overwhelmed at all of the death and destruction she just witnessed. Upon hearing her voice the vision changes suddenly to show the adult Hotaru and her efforts to find a soul mate to bind with... though time after time she ended up getting used, allowing her to get more and more nieve and angry at the world until there was no turning back. Despite some help from Luna near the end the Senshi of Destruction turned her own power against herself, destroying the planet Saturn and herself with her glaive...
"This cant be happening, I thought things were going to be fixed!" the blonde Usagi calls out, wondering why these events were happening. 'I didn't set any of these events in motion... and it doesn't seem to be any better!'
The vision changes to show a scene of the not too distant future and a series of fights with Artemis and Minako about her choice of boyfriend. Time and time again the white cat tries to warn her that this boy was trouble and a smooth talker but she ignores his advice, partly because of her own desire to have a companion, regardless of the cost. One day the white cat disappears and is found dead, the victim of an unfortunate accident...
"ACK! That bastard killed me!" Artemis cries out.
Luna begins crying. "Artemis!"
Swirls form in the vision and the 30th century comes into view once again, showing a dejected and scrawny Luna, alive though barely so, her hair mangy and unkempt.
"Does anyone live?" Pink Usagi asks with much bitterness and resentment, thinking her appearance would change things for the better, not for the worse. She doesn't have to wait long for an answer as the vision changes to show the end result of things... Rei, Yuuchiro, Ami, Mamoru, Usagi, Luna are all there but she is not, the timeline changing so much that she doesn't exist, having never been born in the first place.
Once the vision clears the future Pink Lady becomes visibly upset and jumping to her feet she began swearing in several languages that only Setsuna can decipher.
"I had a husband..." Minako says softly while contemplating the seriousness of that development. "But he helped kill my friends and was involved with Makoto..."
The brunette says nothing and ponders her own actions of cheating with Minako's abusive husband while on the other side of the couch Rei grabs Yuuchiro and begins sobbing into his chest. Urawa tries to get Ami to respond but she's still catatonic and won't reply. Usagi and Mamoru look at each other and have no idea what to say or do at a time like this, the emotions being so overwhelming that both are in shock.
On the other side of the room, Hotaru cannot believe what she just witnessed, trading death by lonelyness for that of a broken heart, leaving her to wonder if she'll ever truly be happy. Michiru and Haruka hold hands and try to make sense of it all... the fighting seems to never end, only take a new form or fashion- and the end result is very clear. Death.
The happy Christmas party has turned to an evening of doom and despair... each person present has their own idea about what to do next. Both Minako and Makoto reach for more drinks, eyeing each other as they consume the spiked drinks...
The former Chibi-Usa has no idea of what to do next or what to say so she excuses herself. "I... I'm going to bed... I can't take this... and I'm sorry about my joke earlier"
Mamoru shakes his head. "Don't worry about it... we'll stop by tomorrow then..."
"Okay" is the soft reply before Usagi motions to her boyfriend Helios who politely nods his head at Mamoru and blonde Usagi before exiting with his girlfriend. Both lovers get into bed and Helios begins to hear Usagi cry...
"Why? I thought I'd be able to save everyone..."
"I don't know, I thought you'd change things... but things are still pretty bad"
Usagi buries her head into his chest. "Yes, they are, and the thing is, what do we fix next?"
"You and I will figure that out, let's get some rest and come at the problem fresh"
"Good idea Helios"
"I love you, Usagi"
A quick peck on the cheek shows her appreciation for that comment. "And I love you"
Both parties soon fall asleep and escape the painfulness of reality, if only for a few hours. Back in the living room both the punch and eggnog bowls are empty as the remaining parties sans the cats quickly drink up the leftovers in order to drown out what they just saw...
Luna is quite concerned by this development. "I think everyone should stay here tonight, you've all had a lot to drink!"
Most of the people in the room nod their heads but two do not. "No. Mamoru and I are leaving!" is Usagi's reply to Luna's comment. "I only had one drink and it's worn off- I do have to be home... you know that, Luna"
"I think she's right, we don't want her to get into anymore trouble" Artemis adds, being fully aware of the situation she had before over seeing Mamoru and not telling her parents.
"Just be careful out there!" Luna says while still acting in "Mother mode"
Usagi reaches for her shoes and coat. "We will..."
"We'll stop by in the morning..." Mamoru adds softly before donning his coat and shoes. He takes Usagi's hand and holds it firmly, trying to tell her that it's okay, even though things are far from okay as they leave the apartment and head down the snow covered sidewalks back home.
Setsuna realizes that she's got quite a few guests and decides to try and make them comfortable as possible. "Let me get some blankets and pillows for everybody, I'll be right back"
"I'll help" Hotaru says, wanting to do something to get her mind on something besides the future and her death. The pair soon return with all the available blankets and pillows and begin distributing them. Haruka and Michiru snuggle under the covers though as a form of reassurance, not of intimacy. Rei and Yuuchiro share a blanket as well, the new Senshi of Rock taking a moment to transform back to his civilian clothes. Hotaru spreads a futon on the floor for the two cats and herself while trying not to stare at the two silently feuding Senshi in the upper part of the room...
Setsuna sees the situation as well and tries to defuse it. "You two just go to bed... that hasn't happened yet and there's no need to get angry over this..."
"I guess you're right" Minako says, resigning herself to the fact that it was just a vision and hasn't happened yet. 'Things do change'
Makoto takes a blanket and then Setsuna offers one to Minako, who quickly takes it and wraps in around herself. The brunette tries to make peace with her friend before they go to sleep.
"Sorry..."
"It's fine, we'll figure it out in the morning" the very sleepy blonde says before yawning. "Good night..."
"Good night" is Makoto's reply before making herself comfortable and falling asleep. Setsuna allows herself a glimmer of a smile before turning to talk to Urawa about the catatonic Ami.
"Is she okay?"
"I hope so" is the concerned reply from Urawa as Ami slowly stirs, her eyes blinking very rapidly. "Maybe we should stay here?"
"No" Ami says softly. "I need to go home, to get away..."
"Are you sure?" Setsuna asks while trying not to get too close.
"Yes"
Urawa slowly helps Ami to her feet. "I'll take her home then"
"Be careful out there"
"We will Setsuna, I'll remind Ami to call you or stop by in the morning" Urawa then puts on Ami's shoes and then his own before getting their coats and making a quick exit- he could see the increasing nervousness in Setsuna's voice and actions and wanted to avoid any issues between his girlfriend and Setsuna. After Ami and Urawa's departure Setsuna heads back to her room and gets into bed, her eyes yearning for sleep as the only means of escape from the harsh new reality that has presented itself.
Despite the slow going on the snow covered sidewalks, Ami and Urawa arrive back at her place well in advance of the agreed upon return time. Urawa takes Ami's coat and hangs it up while she looks around to see if anyone's home... and while doing so, finds a note on the fridge.
"Anything from your mom?"
Silently, Ami nods her head.
"And?"
"Urawa, can we talk?"
That reply throws off Urawa, who was expecting a "Yes" or "No" answer. He agrees in order to find out what's on Ami's mind- she had been silent and deep in thought the whole trip back. He follows Ami into the front room and sits down next to her on the couch.
"What's on your mind?"
"You" Ami answers with a blush. "It seems that you're my destiny... and I'm going to make sure that you don't get into that accident"
Urawa takes her hand. "Of course, I don't want to die, I want to be with you"
"Thank you" is Ami's soft reply as she mentally debates what to do next. Thoughts of having lost him continue to plague her, especially since they hadn't even bonded yet. She mutters a few words to herself softly.
"We didn't even..."
Urawa catches some of what she says. "Didn't even what?"
The blushing Senshi of Water takes his hand and places it on her waist and then repeats for his other hand, causing Urawa to blush and wonder what's on her mind.
Ami takes a deep breath and utters one word. "Bond"
Knowing what might be on her mind, Urawa replies carefully. "Oh, I guess we didn't... but Ami..."
"I don't know when you're going to..." Ami tries to be logical despite the overwhelming emotions she's feeling. "I want to get closer to you, just in case we can't stop things from happening..."
Not wanting to rush things, despite the doom they witnessed a little while ago, Urawa tries another approach to calm Ami down and dissuade her from bonding right here and now.
"Your mom could be home any second, ummm..."
"She's on call, that's what the note said, she won't be in until after 2 A.M."
"Oh, that's what was on the note"
Ami smiles and moves closer. "Yes, you are correct"
Having run out of excuses Urawa reluctantly resigns himself to his fate. "Are you sure that you want to do this?"
"I don't want you to die because... because I love you" Tears form in Ami's eyes as she places her arms around her boyfriend and holds him tight, expressing her deepest fears and needs to him out loud, something she had been wishing she could do for a while now.
"I'm not going to die" Urawa says before kissing her on the cheek. "Not with such a strong woman like you around, not with such wonderful friends always being in your company"
Ami slowly pulls herself away and wipes off her tears, her now clear eyes meeting his. Neither one moves for several seconds before he slowly moves closer and closer, his lips finally meeting hers, showing his own thoughts on the situation they're in.
"I need you, Ami"
"I need you, too"
Few words are spoken as the lovers, in agreement, begin expressing their deepest passions for each other, not holding back at all. Urawa's hands begin squeezing Ami's behind and caressing her hips as she presses her body forward during their kissing, causing him to slowly fall back on the couch. He can feel her body as she repositions herself in his lap which quickly proves pleasurable for both parties.
"Too hot" Urawa mutters, referencing both Ami and the room temperature. He quickly gets help with the latter problem as Ami takes off his sweater and then his shirt, running her hands on his chest.
"Very handsome... and very... sexy" she softly coos while his hands squeeze her behind even harder, causing her to moan loudly. "That feels good"
"So does what you're doing... and I want more, too" Urawa exclaims, noting the movements of her hips into his body. He begins to unbutton her blouse, stopping occasionally to caress her bosom which he mentally notes has gotten a bit fuller since their first meeting a few years back. 'She's gotten curvy and I like it!'
"Mmm... Urawa..."
"Ami, you're very sexy..." the final button of the blouse is soon undone and Urawa removes it, causing him to repeat what he just said. "Very sexy... blue is definitely your color"
Staring at her bra clad chest he blanks out, his eyes fog over and even as he stands their transfixed he does not reply when she calls his name. Fear and panic sets in and the moment is ruined as she begins remembering the future...
End Part B