Standard disclaimer - I don't own Sailor Moon, or its characters. Any OCs, however, are mine.

Rei winced and adjusted her grip on the broom as she swept. The wounds to her hip and shoulder were still quite sore, five days on. Sailor Crimson sure knows how to inflict some damage, she thought bitterly. At least her grandpa was back at the shrine; the hospital had kept him under observation for a few days, because of his age, but he was resting comfortably in his room as she swept.

She couldn't help but think about her life - or lack of one. It was happening a lot lately. All her friends had moved on to that next stage already. Usagi was at university, working hard to build up her knowledge of all things politics in preparation for becoming Neo-Queen Serenity. If she hadn't seen some of her assignments, Rei would never have believed it. Usagi will be engaged to Mamoru before too much longer, she thought. Then, she'll be married. Everything is all planned out for her already.

Ami was in med-school, well on her way to her dream of being a doctor. Makoto was doing the same with culinary school. Someday, she'd have her own restaurant, of that Rei had no doubt. Even Minako had managed to turn her abysmal grades around and get into university. She'd decided she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher, of all things. Minako, teaching children. That will take some getting used to!

What was Rei doing with herself? Exactly what she'd been doing for the last five years; treading water. She'd finished high school at the same time as the others, but not long after her grandpa had developed a bout of pneumonia. So, she'd stayed on a little longer to look after him while he recovered, and taken over day-to-day operations of the shrine. But now, here she was, back to square one all over again.

I can't resent Grandpa, she thought miserably, because it's not his fault…but I feel trapped. I should be out there, living my life. Doing something with it. I wanted so much more than this, but how can I leave? Even before the pneumonia, grandpa was slowing down…and now, with this latest injury? She sighed, and tossed the broom aside. No…I can't do that to him. He desperately wants the shrine to remain in the family. If I were to leave now…it would destroy him.

Rei stared up sadly at the setting sun. It looks like my future is as planned out as Usagi's after all…

Wrath stared blankly at the wall, lost in thought. He sat in an antique armchair left over from his interrogation of Makoto. His left hand trembled idly in his lap; it had been almost a week since his fight with Justice. A nerve must have been damaged when he was stabbed, and it stubbornly refused to heal. I underestimated Justice, he thought darkly. I pushed him too far when I threatened Mina. And I paid the price for it. He hadn't thought Justice capable of such power; he hadn't seen him use any of it in their other meetings. It was anger, Wrath realised. He got angry…and almost lost control completely. That made him feel a little better. I told him we weren't so different. He leaned back in his chair. Still…he didn't kill me when he had the chance. All that talk about not killing for hate…of being better than me? It proves his foolish idealism is still intact, somewhere inside him. And that, as always, is his weakness.

"Are you still mad at me?"

He turned slowly, already knowing who he was going to find. Wrath was getting better at sensing her arrival; he could almost feel it. He had to admit, it was good to see her again.

"No," he answered. "I'm not mad…I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I was angry and-"

"I understand," Liara said softly. "You're just worried about what's going to happen."

"Yes. Ruin will arrive any day now. Two of the Sailor Marauders are dead, and Princess Serenity still possesses the Silver Crystal. The Revenant Knight will not be understanding of my failure."

She looked at him curiously. "What will you do?"

"I don't know," Wrath replied. "I imagine I will report to Ruin, and bring him up to speed. Then, he will decide my fate. Perhaps I'll be sent elsewhere? Perhaps I'll be demoted, doomed to serve under him for the remainder of our time on Earth." He stared down at the floor. "Or perhaps…he'll kill me." He found the thought of death no longer bothered him as much as it had five days ago.

"Oh, my love…is this truly the life you wanted for yourself?" Liara asked sadly.

"No. It's not," he admitted. "But it's too late to turn away now. After a thousand years of hate and rage...I know nothing else."

"You could simply let go of it all."

Wrath laughed bitterly. "It's not that simple."

"Oh, but it is." She reached out and rested her hand gently on his shoulder. "You just need to accept one, simple truth…"

He knew what she was going to say, and it terrified him. "No…"

Liara looked down into his eyes, her expression solemn. "Queen Serenity did not cause my death. Scum like Tyford and Howe…they're not responsible either."

"Stop it," he whispered, closing his eyes.

"You blamed anyone and everyone you could for your pain, my love…except the one person truly responsible." She leaned in close. "Me."

He refused to open his eyes. He refused to listen.

"Nobody threw me from that tower, Garrod. I chose to jump. If you wish to blame anyone for my death, then blame me. Blame me for lacking the strength to keep living without you. Blame me for taking the coward's way out. Blame me…for abandoning you."

"I can't!" he insisted.

"Why?" Liara asked.

"Because then all of this was pointless!" he snapped. "If youmand you alone were responsible…then I am nothing but a traitor. A man who turned on his best friend and his queen out of pain and grief. A man who was partly responsible for the destruction of an entire kingdom!" Wrath shook his head slowly. "No! I cannot believe that. I won't!"

"Do you love her?" she asked abruptly.

"What?"

"It's a simple enough question. Makoto…do you love her?"

Do I even know what love feels like anymore, he wondered. "I feel…something when I look at her. I think she reminds me-"

"Of me," Liara finished. "Her determination, her passion, her zest for life. She follows her dreams, no matter how foolish they may seem."

Wrath frowned. "Yes…how did you know that?"

She sighed. "Oh, Garrod. Liara - the real Liara - is dead. She has been for a thousand years. I'm just the part of her that lives on in your memory." She leaned in, and tapped him gently on his temple. "I'm in here…which means I know everything you do." Her lips curled up into a gentle smile. "You're talking to yourself, my love. You have been this entire time."

"But…"

"You can still change. You can still walk away from this chapter of your life, and become you again."

"I wouldn't know how to be Garrod again, Liara…"

"You know, deep down inside, my love, what you want to do. You just have to be willing to make the choice…"

The door to his sanctum slammed shut, and Liara vanished abruptly. Wrath rose from his chair and turned slowly, already knowing who he would see.

"What do you want, Pride?"

The redhead regarded him coolly; their relationship had practically frosted over in the last week. "That's an odd conversation to have with yourself. Are you considering leaving us, Wrath?" She narrowed her eyes. "You know the Revenant Knight would never allow it."

He glared at her silently.

She approached him cautiously, studying his face carefully. "You really are losing it, aren't you? You've changed…you're not the same Wrath I knew."

"What do you want?" he repeated icily.

"I don't want anything," she snapped. "I simply came to tell you that I'm leaving; I'm done following your orders. You've lost control, Wrath. First, it was this odd infatuation with Sailor Jupiter. Then, you failed to kill Justice, twice…and let him wound you! Now, I find you standing here, talking to yourself about leaving? Betraying our master?" She snorted derisively. "I'll return when Ruin arrives. But not before." The redhead turned to leave, but paused inside the doorway. "For old time's sake, Wrath…take my advice. Pull yourself together. Stop pining over a dead woman, forgot this silly crush you have on Sailor Jupiter, and get your head back in the game. Otherwise, Ruin will likely obliterate you the moment he arrives."

She stepped through the door and closed it behind her. Wrath turned back, but Liara didn't appear again. He sighed deeply and slowly sank back into his chair. I know what I want, he repeated. I just have be willing to make the choice…

"Alright," Fumiko said, her voice a little strained. "Stir it gently. Add in the spices…"

Minako gulped. This was her fifth time trying to do this, and she'd already decided that if this time didn't work out, she was done with cooking forever. "Not too much salt…" she murmured to herself. It's always too much salt with me. I think Rei is still suffering the effects, four years later…

"No, not too much salt," Fumiko agreed. "That's it; just a pinch. Now, reduce the temperate; you only need to simmer it."

The last five days had been surprisingly uneventful. It seemed that Wrath and the Marauders really were out of action. Minako went to class, played volleyball, hung out with Corey, and generally just lived a normal life. After all the troubles of the week before, it had been a welcome respite. Until it came to dinner time. Her mother had insisted on teaching her how to cook, and to that end they had eaten ramen every night for the past five nights. First, it was terrible ramen. Then, lousy ramen. Then, below-average ramen. Then, mediocre ramen, and finally, however tonight's attempt turned out.

"Okay, it's starting to bubble," Fumiko said cautiously. "Reduce the temperate a little more. That's it. You can leave it to simmer now for five minutes."

"Simmer for five minutes on…low heat," Minako noted. I feel like I'm in class…or hell!

"I just don't understand what goes wrong," Fumiko murmured, studying the pot carefully. "I'm having you do everything I would…but somehow it turns out differently."

"Maybe I'm just cursed?" Minako muttered bitterly.

"No, it can't be that…you've gotten better each time," she said thoughtfully. "I think you're just really, really bad at cooking...so it's taking a little longer to come together. We'll persevere, until you get it right. No matter how long it takes."

Minako turned to her and smiled sadly. "Thanks for trying, mother, but I'm not sure tonight's dinner is going to turn out any better." She looked at the kitchen door warily. "And I'm not sure dad can take eating anymore of my cooking; I caught him crying after dinner last night…"

"Nonsense. He'll eat whatever I tell him to eat!" Fumiko argued. "I'm your mother, and I will teach you how to cook. You're in a relationship now; I want grandchildren someday, dammit, and you won't be able to keep a man if you can't feed him!"

Minako almost collapsed. "Mother," she groaned. "I'm not even nineteen! I don't want to think about having kids yet!"

"Yes, yes, fine," Fumiko agreed. She actually hugged Minako, surprising the blonde. "Don't worry…if we make this enough times in a row, you're sure to get it right eventually!"

"Yeah, but how many more nights in a row do you want to eat bad ramen?"

"As many as it takes!" Fumiko declared, abruptly stepping back, spinning in a circle and raising the spoon high into the air. "I will teach you to cook, Minako. Even if it kills me!"

So much of my life is starting to make sense now, Minako thought sombrely. That explains my love of dramatic declarations.

"How are you and Corey doing, anyway?" Fumiko asked randomly. "You haven't mentioned him much since he came for dinner."

"Oh, we're great," Minako shrugged. "There's just not much to say. I'm happy, he's happy…"

"You're holding something back."

"Well…his mom's coming to visit him," Minako admitted. "On Monday. Which means I'm meeting her…"

"That will be nice," Fumiko said absently, staring at the ramen again.

"It will," Minako agreed. "Only…"

Fumiko nodded sagely. "You're nervous."

"I…yes."

"That's normal. Every girl is nervous when meeting her boyfriend's mother for the first time. After all, she's ultimately the measuring stick he's going to compare her to. If his mother doesn't approve of her, it can put a large strain on the relationship. Most couples don't survive in that situation."

Minako massaged her suddenly sore temples. "Not helping, mother."

"You'll be fine, Minako," Fumiko assured her. "Just don't do any of that weird stuff you usually do."

"Weird stuff?!" she demanded. "What weird stuff?!"

"Oh, I don't know. Don't use that crazy laugh of yours. Or mess up any sayings. And don't be so twitchy around her. You want to come across as an intelligent and sophisticated young lady..."

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Minako asked icily. "I'm trying to work out if you actually love me or not right now…"

"Of course I love you!" Fumiko protested. "I've spent the last week trying to help you learn to cook, haven't I?"

"I know you love me," Minako said softly. "Even if you don't show it like most mothers do…"

"Did you say something?" Fumiko was studying the pot again, almost obsessed.

"Mmm, what smells so good?" Yoshiro asked, poking his head into the kitchen. "Is that…ramen again? Wow, my favourite!"

Minako just glared at him. "You're a terrible liar, dad. If you can't at least muster some more believable enthusiasm, don't even bother."

"Oh, thank you!" he exclaimed, the smile on his face fading. "Can't we just get takeout for dinner?"

"No!" Fumiko snapped. "Minako has cooked you a dinner of ramen and love! You will eat it, and then you will give us your honest feedback!"

Minako backed away from her mother slowly. "Seriously, mother, you're a little intense right now…"

"Dinner is served!" Fumiko cried, dramatically scooping a generous serving into a bowl and shoving it in her husband's face. "Eat!"

"But…" His eyes turned to Minako.

She smiled sweetly. "I hope it's good. I tried really hard this time!"

"You said that the last four times too," he muttered, "but I can't refuse that adorable smile."

"Yoshi!" Fumiko warned.

"Right, right…" He collected some noodles and a piece of pork, and tentatively popped it into his mouth. He chewed thoughtfully, and swallowed.

"Well?" Fumiko asked impatiently.

Minako just waited breathlessly. Please, let it be okay…I don't want to eat ramen again tomorrow night!

"It's…actually pretty good," he said, sounding surprised. "I think you've finally got it, Minako!"

"No way!" Minako shrieked, grabbing her own chopsticks and slurping a noodle into her mouth. Her eyes went wide. "I actually made it right?!" She cackled manically and twirled around, holding her chopsticks high. "I can cook! Chef Minako Aino has arrived!"

Her father smiled awkwardly as Fumiko leaned in slowly. "Now, that whole crazy proclamation thing you just did? Don't do that when you meet Corey's mother…it's silly."

Minako stared at her in disbelief. "But you just did the exact same thing five minutes ago!"

Corey slowed to a halt. He'd just run five miles in a weighted vest, including a trip up the shrine steps. He entered the courtyard, breathing heavily.

"Back for more training, Corey?" Rei called, looking up from her sweeping.

He nodded as he walked over. "Yep. Can't afford to half-ass it anymore." He noticed her wince as she adjusted her grip on the broom. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, yeah," she answered. "I'm fine. It's just these cuts…every now and then my robes rub them the wrong way, even through the bandages."

"Want me to finish up the sweeping?" he offered. "It's the least I can do, after you letting me train on the shrine's grounds."

"No, I'm fine. Really," she assured him. "Truth be told, I find it relaxing…it gives me time to think." She gestured with the broom. "Go on, don't delay your training on my account."

"Alright. If you change your mind, I'm just over there."

"Good luck!" she called.

After stretching, he found himself sitting cross-legged on the ground, his sword resting gently across his outstretched hands. His eyes were closed, his breaths slow and deep. The rising moon shone down, casting a dull light around him.

"Fight for peace…" he murmured. "Not from anger." His thoughts turned to Minako. Usagi. His mother, his sister. The others; he would protect them all. Corey focused on the faint sensation of strength inside; the fire burning gently in his chest. He could actually sense it, even at rest, for the first time since he'd awakened as Justice. Corey focused that fire, and pushed it, feeling the power flow from his chest, into his shoulders, down his arms…and out into Justiciar.

Corey opened his eyes slowly to see the blade glowing with a faint white light. "Progress…"

"Impressive."

He turned to find Titus sitting on a tree branch to his left.

"I think that's the brightest I've seen Justiciar shine yet," the cat observed. "Except in battle, of course." He dropped down from the tree, landing gracefully before Corey. "I admire your newfound work ethic. Running every morning, training every evening…every day for almost a week now. I can't remember seeing you this dedicated since..." His face fell slightly. "Well…since."

"Yeah," Corey said blankly. Since I trained with Dawkins. "I know."

Titus studied his outfit curiously. "You do realise that the weighted vest isn't really helping," he pointed out. "Your armour is an extension of your sword. As your power grows, so will your ability to move in it."

"Perhaps…but at the same time, a little extra cardio and strength training won't hurt, will it?"

"Not at all," Titus agreed. "I'm proud of you. This is all I wanted to see since we arrived in Tokyo. You, taking your training seriously again."

"I have little choice in the matter. Someone tougher than Terror and Wrath is coming, and the Revenant Knight isn't likely to be far behind. I have to be ready...for everyone's sake."

"That's admirable. Might I ask what changed your mind so suddenly?"

"My memories of the Silver Millennium," Corey admitted.

"You have seemed troubled lately," Titus observed.

Corey shook his head slowly. "Right after I got my memories back, I tried to tell myself it was all okay. I wasn't actually Corval. I wasn't the same man. I was Corey, and we were different people." He let his head fall forward. "But that's a lie. I am Corval...and there's no escaping it." Corey looked up at Titus again. "I just can't believe the mistakes I made. I mean…I criticised Queen Serenity for failing to act, but isn't that exactly what I did as Elder Knight? Wasn't I just as indecisive as she was?"

Titus frowned. "Are you actually asking for my opinion? Or are you just thinking aloud?"

"Give it to me straight, Titus. How bad did I screw up?"

The cat shrugged; Corey observed he was quite good at it by now. "It's true…your idealism blinded you to many things. Not the least of which was the decline of your fellow Guardian Knights."

"I know. When I relived my life as Corval, I couldn't believe I didn't act against them sooner. I should have confronted them; demanded they state their intentions. Something! But, instead, I just stood idly by and waited for Faith and Honour to act…hoping that my suspicions were wrong. I didn't want to admit I was losing them…and I didn't want to admit that I had failed as Elder Knight. But the truth is…the Guardian Knights and the Moon Kingdom collapsed on my watch."

"Well, let's not go too far," Titus argued. "There were a lot of other variables at work, Corey. You can't just blame yourself. In the end, they chose to turn on the queen. Just as Metalia choseto turn the people of Earth against the Moon Kingdom."

Corey nodded solemnly, and looked back at his sword. "Perhaps that's true…but none of it matters now, I suppose. I'll never let it happen again." As he returned his focus to his sword, Justiciar glowed a brilliant white for just a second, and a faint smile came to Corey's lips. Never again.

"This is so cute!"

Usagi held the dress up to herself, and turned to face her friends.

Makoto reached out for the price tag and blanched. "But the price is ugly!"

Usagi took a look for herself and her face fell instantly. "Oh…" She placed it back on the rack sadly. "That's never happening." She perked up again as an idea occurred to her. "Unless Mamo-chan buys it for me!"

"I don't think Mamoru has that kind of money either," Ami observed.

Usagi felt the sudden urge to have a good, old-fashioned cry, but she was nineteen-years-old now. She tried to refrain from the over-the-top waterworks…at least in public.

"No, I suppose he doesn't," she sighed. Her eyes glazed over dreamily only a moment later. "After all, Mamo-chan's got to save up lots of money so he can buy me a big, beautiful engagement ring!"

"Of course he does," the brunette agreed reluctantly. She nudged Ami gently. "Hey, Ami! That reminds me! Minako told me she saw you and Ryo together at the library the other day!"

"Ryo?" Usagi asked. "You didn't mention he was back in town!"

Ami looked back at Makoto in disbelief. "Minako was at the library?"

"Aha!" Usagi declared. "So you don't deny it?"

"No, she doesn't," Makoto agreed, smiling devilishly.

"Minako," Ami repeated. "Our Minako…was at the library?"

Makoto folded her arms across her chest as she laughed. "Don't change the subject, Ami. You didn't mention you two were seeing each other again!"

Ami blushed. "We're not! Not exactly. We're just getting to know each other again…seeing what-"

"Guys!" Usagi hissed suddenly. "Get over here, quick!"

She was huddled behind a potted planet, peering at someone in the distance.

Makoto joined her, frowning. "What are we looking at?"

"There, by the counter," Usagi said. "The tall redhead. Is that...Sailor Pride?"

"I don't know," Ami whispered. "She looks so different."

She certainly did; gone was her Marauder uniform, replaced with a classy violet dress and heels. Her hair hung around her shoulder blades, free from its typical tight bun. Usagi tried to picture the woman in a black fuku, violet skirt and knee-high boots, but it was difficult. She was so used to seeing Pride with an arrogant sneer on her face…but this woman was actually smiling as she looked down at a display case.

"I think it is her," Usagi murmured, "but I can't say for sure from this distance."

"We need to get closer," Makoto agreed.

Usagi looked around. "There! That woman with the dress…"

"I'm not sure that's such a good idea, Usagi," Ami said.

"Come on, we used to do this sort of thing all the time!" Usagi laughed. "Follow me!"

They hurried along the floor in single file, gathering behind the middle-aged woman and the dress she was carrying.

"Yes, I'd like to return this-" Their cover stared down at the three girls suddenly huddled around her with a puzzled expression on her face. "Uh…can I help you?"

"We'll just be a minute," Usagi said sweetly. "Don't move, please."

"But…why?"

"It's not important," Usagi replied. "Please, just…stay still." She turned back to Ami. "Are your scans showing anything?"

"She reads as human," Ami said with a shrug, tapping away at her computer. "Of course, that's how all the Marauders read. They usually just come with a few extra energy readings."

"We need to see her face," Makoto mused. "Oh, look, she's grabbing a scarf!"

They peered around the woman and her dress, looking carefully at their quarry's face.

The redhead wrapped the silk article around her neck, and turned slightly to look in the mirror.

"That's her for sure!" Usagi decided.

"Undoubtedly," Ami agreed. "I'd recognise those eyes anywhere after my face-off with her in Wrath's base."

"But why is she here? Why is she shopping of all things?" Makoto wondered. "It has to be a trick of some sort!"

Pride spun slowly, pirouetting before the mirror as she laughed at something the sales assistant had said.

"How dare she come to our mall and shop like nothing has happened!" Usagi muttered. "This is weirding me out!"

"Speaking of that!" The woman they were hiding behind had clearly grown frustrated. "What are you three doing down there?!" She tried to move aside, and Usagi grabbed hold of her.

"Please," she insisted. "We can't let her see-"

"Get…off!" the woman shrieked, spinning abruptly and throwing Usagi to the floor.

The blonde landed on her face and immediately uttered her signature wail. She looked up to see Makoto and Ami frozen in place, and turned to find Pride staring at her curiously.

The redhead's eyes went wide in recognition, and she pointed accusingly. "You?!"

Usagi leapt to her feet and dusted herself off, striking a familiar pose. She began swinging her arms about by reflex as she launched into a speech. "You, who would disrupt an innocent girl's shopping trip! This is unforgivable! I am Sai-"

Makoto tackled her, clasping her hands over her mouth.

"Usagi! What are you doing?!" the brunette whispered.

"Why don't you just make an announcement over the PA?" Ami agreed, pinching the bridge of her nose as she sighed.

Usagi pressed a hand to the back of her head and uttered a high-pitched laugh. "Oops! I almost forgot!"

Pride stared at her with what looked like…horror? "You're completely insane…all of you!"

"Hey!" Usagi snapped. "Who are you calling insane?!"

"I can see it," Makoto sighed.

"Me too," Ami agreed quietly.

"Just who's side are you two on, anyway?!" Usagi demanded, spinning to face them.

"I'm not doing anything wrong!" Pride insisted "I've been having a really tough time lately! I lost two of my friends, my superior is going insane, and I found a grey hair yesterday! So I thought, I know, I'll get in a little shopping. That will soothe my nerves. But you monsters couldn't even let me have one day to myself, could you?! No, you had to come here and ruin everything!" She turned and fled. "Just leave me alone!"

"After her!" Usagi cried, breaking into a run; she heard Makoto and Ami follow behind her.

"Hey!" the sales assistant called. "Miss! You haven't paid for that yet!"

It dawned on Usagi that they must make a strange sight; a redheaded woman being chased by three teenage girls, who were themselves being followed by one of the store's sales assistants. Pride could run, that was for sure. But several years of chronic tardiness had conditioned Usagi well and she had no trouble keeping up. Pride ducked left abruptly, disappearing into the store's beauty department, and the blonde followed. She skidded to a halt just inside; Pride was nowhere to be seen.

"Where'd she go?"

Makoto entered behind her. "She was just in front of us a second ago! How did she disappear so quickly?"

Ami held up her computer, frowning down at the screen. "It's no good. She just shows up as human. As far as I can tell, everyone in here is."

Another sales assistant behind a nearby counter suddenly glanced down. "Hey! What are you doing down there? You can't be back here!"

Usagi closed in…and Pride suddenly leapt up from behind the glass. "Special Pride Attack! Eau de Belle Vanité!" She produced an unmarked perfume bottle from behind her back and sprayed it right into the blonde's eyes.

"Ah! It stings, it stings!" she shrieked, swinging her fists blindly. They collided with something…and then again. "Aha! I got you, Pride!"

"Not quite," Ami muttered.

Usagi rubbed her eyes and opened them to see a blurry Mako and Ami holding their cheeks and wincing painfully.

"Same team, Usagi!" Makoto groaned.

She laughed nervously. "Sorry!"

"Why won't you just leave me alone?!" Pride demanded, taking off again.

"Oh, no, you don't!" Makoto snapped, seizing a powder-puff from the counter before them. "Deadly Powder-Puff attack!" It slammed into the back of Pride's head, and she sneezed loudly as a cloud of white powder exploded around her face.

"Stop!" the sales assistant cried, closing in. "You'll damage the scarf! She hasn't paid for it yet!"

"We can still catch her!" Ami called, already moving. Usagi followed behind, rubbing her sore eyes again.

They were heading deeper into the store, and Usagi wondered where Pride was going. She can't get out this way. What's she planning? She caught sight of the redhead, standing in a dead-end.

Pride stomped her foot angrily. "Oh, this is the worst day ever! All I wanted was some relaxing time alone to forget my troubles! But what do I get instead? You three!" She turned and waved her hand over the wall, causing a familiar black vortex to appear. "This is unforgivable! You hear me? Unforgivable!"

"That's our line!" Usagi shouted. "First our speeches, now our lines?! Stop stealing our routine!"

"Oh, shut up!" Pride snapped, before leaping through the portal. It began closing almost immediately.

"Hey!" the assistant called, dashing forward. "You still have to pay-" The portal closed and he ran face first into the wall. Usagi winced; that looked painful. He stood groggily, as a security guard approached.

"We may want to get out of her," Ami suggested quietly.

Makoto nodded. "Yeah…we've attracted quite a bit of attention."

"That sounds good to me," Usagi agreed quickly, taking a step back.

"Stop them!" the assistant called, pointing at Usagi.

"Hey!" she protested, suddenly finding herself restrained. "What did we do?"

"You seem to know her," he insisted, gesturing at the now normal wall. "So you can pay for that scarf she just stole!"

Makoto wasn't impressed. "Friends?! With her? Don't make me laugh!"

"We aren't affiliated!" Ami argued.

Usagi nodded emphatically. "Pay?! For that scarf?"

Five minutes later, they stood outside as they glared back at the same assistant. He stood in the doorway waving.

"You jerk!" Usagi cried, waving her fist angrily. "See if I ever shop here again!" They hadn't had to pay for the scarf, in the end…but they were still kicked out for causing a disturbance.

Makoto just sighed. "Retail workers, huh? A woman jumps through a literal hole in the wall and disappears, and he can't see past the fact that she stole a scarf!"

"I don't understand people at all somedays," Ami added, shaking her head.

Usagi just groaned loudly and rubbed her sore face. "What a day…"

AN: This was a bit of a fluff chapter, to be honest...but I needed a break from all the seriousness. Hopefully at least some of the comedy worked for you guys. Things start heating up again next chapter; we've got two big arrivals - Ruin, and Corey's mom - and events begin accelerating into the home stretch. I'm going away for the weekend, so it will probably be early-to-mid next week before my next update. Thank you all for reading as always!