Farewell by Amethyst Serenity
AN: My sense of humor went whacko in the last chapter. It's got to stop. Er. maybe. This chapter skips around a lot because it covers the span of about two or three weeks. Special thanks to Ichigo, Aridemarcus and Martdeny. Thanks to all who read and review (love you guys) including Carolin Rocha, ScorpioNightShadow, Marni, Min Hee Ha, Arabella Silverbell, John K, TKDgrl, Allure, Brightstar, Opal Soul, Deuce of Spades, Chel, Jen, omg.plz.Im.dying, LittleDragon5, Usagi-Karen-chan, SaraJean, Makura Koneko, Whiro, Sailor C, a?, Phoenix, Silver Dragonfly, Princess Serenity and Gygglz228. Wow, 8 favorite lists. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I only wish I owned something important like Sailor Moon, JLA or the X-men. Alas, it is not to be.
Chapter 21- Connections
Makoto puttered in the Tsukino kitchen, singing under her breath and taking out freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from the oven. She wore a frilly pink "Kiss the Cook" apron over her green tanktop and black shorts. Dressed in baggy powder blue pajamas, Serena quietly watched as Makoto put down the cookies on the counter and patted her delicious rice balls into a more pleasing shape. Ignoring her salivating stomach, Serena frowned slightly and touched Makoto's shoulder. Startled, Makoto paused in mid-hum and turned towards Serena. Serena's clear gaze searched her forest-green eyes for answers.
"Mako-chan, why are you doing this?"
"Um, what are you talking about, Usagi-chan?" Makoto said, forcing an uneasy smile.
"You're making lunch... again."
"Don't you like my cooking?"
"You know how much I love your food."
"You're the only one who truly appreciates it!" Makoto grinned, nervously laughing and rubbing the back of her head. Serena looked deeper in her shadowed eyes, silently demanding the truth.
"Mako-chan, you've cooked almost every meal here since I've been back. You haven't had time for anything else *but* cooking."
"You don't... *want* me here?" she whispered. The hurt in her voice pierced Serena's heart.
"What's wrong, Mako-chan? Please tell me," she coaxed. When Makoto compressed her lips and clenched her hands into white-knuckled fists, Serena sighed and pulled Makoto over to the kitchen table. Almost pushing her into a seat, Serena sat beside her. Makoto stared tensely at her clasped hands on the table. In the distance, rumbling gray skies threatened to storm.
"We're not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," Serena stated firmly. All at once, Makoto's tough façade collapsed, leaving nothing but hurt and pain on her face. Her misty emerald eyes shimmered and her lips trembled. Shocked, Serena wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"I can't ever make it up to you, can I?" Makoto murmured with tears clogging her voice.
"Make up what?" Serena softly questioned.
"We... *I* should have protected you instead of driving you away."
"Oh Mako-chan, you don't have to do anything. It wasn't your fault," she sighed, feeling guilt burden her aching heart.
"I wasn't there for you when you *needed* me. And... and I could have helped.. .would have *understood* what you were going through."
"I'm sorry that I hurt you. I should have *never* left you," Serena blurted out, hugging her.
"It's okay, Usagi-chan. You were lost, confused, shocked. Your entire world shattered when you lost your family. I *know*," she whispered, brushing Serena's cheek with feather-light fingers. Old, never-quite- forgotten pain haunted her emerald eyes.
"It's *not* okay! I could have gotten in touch with you if I hadn't been so *selfish*."
"Shhh, Usagi. You're the most generous, most loving person in the world but you had things to work out. And we didn't appreciate you enough until you were gone. I never told you but you're... you're the only family I have left. You might not have felt so alone if you had known," Makoto murmured with a wistful smile curving her lips. Serena looked at Makoto with glistening crystal-blue eyes.
"Mako-chan, the girls are our family," she stated in a no-nonsense tone.
"It's not the same and you know it. Their parents might be total jerks or gone most of the time but they're still *alive*. Not like ours," Makoto replied quietly. Aching with sympathy, Serena hugged her again.
"And Mamoru?" Serena softly probed. Reddening slightly, Makoto shrugged.
"Well, um, I don't talk to him much. Not like Rei or Ami. Too much resentment, I guess."
"That works for me," Serena said with a tentative, watery smile, "Mako- chan, how do you stand it every day?" Makoto only had to look at her saddened face to understand.
"They loved me and they'll always be with me because I remember them. That's enough most of the time." They sat in silence for a moment until Serena cleared her throat.
"I'm still sorry for abandoning you," she whispered. Makoto gave her the oddest look.
"Usagi-chan, you didn't. Honest. The fighting was harder but we *depended* on you too much. We had to improve our skills, our teamwork, without you. But if things got really desperate, if someone was in too much trouble, a... Senshi always helped us. We never got close to her but she looked a lot like *you*. Your hairstyle, your uniform... your attacks. She'd dust youma in the nick of time and then pull a disappearing act better than Tuxedo Kamen-sama."
Serena wore a distant, distracted expression as half-remembered images cascaded through her mind.
"Did you fight something like a... truck? It... rushed at you but you couldn't move."
"Sailor Moonlight's first appearance! We *knew* it was you!" Makoto exulted.
"I dreamed it, only *dreamed* that I helped you," Serena murmured in a daze.
"Usagi-chan, it doesn't matter *how* it happened but part of you was with us. No matter where you were, you *never* stopped caring and you somehow sent Sailor Moonlight to us when we needed you. "
Still confused, Serena stared blankly at Makoto but she smiled a little in response to Makoto's glowing grin. She rested her head on Makoto's shoulder. Makoto wrapped an arm around her. With a burst of thunder and lightning, the imminent storm broke. They watched raindrops gently splatter against the kitchen windows. Makoto laid her cheek on Serena's head.
"Mako-chan, want to move in for awhile? You could stay in my room, like a sleepover."
"Won't Mr. Kurawa have something to say about it?"
"Uncle Tenchi won't mind at all because you're family," Serena declared confidently.
"I'd love to."
The next week was *interesting*. Keeping the Inner Senshi and the Earthian Knights in the same room was like waving a lit match near a swimming pool filled with gasoline. Minako was barely polite to the guys and reserved her most venomous remarks for Keith. Keith usually went granite-faced to hide his hurt feelings. Rei took personal offense at Justin's continued existence (and occasionally tried to.. correct matters). Justin usually jumped into the nearest closet when Rei walked into the room. Ami was reduced to furious blushing in the presence of a stuttering Zack. Despite Neil's most charming lines and winning smiles, Makoto refused to go out with him (causing catastrophic damage to his ego). After Serena's visit to her parents' grave (with Haruka and Makoto in tow) and a few days of sightseeing, the Senshi concentrated on more serious matters.
At the Outers' insistence (sadistic enjoyment?), the Senshi and the Knights all participated in daily training sessions at the Hikawa Shrine. While the girls were used to a heavy schedule, the guys were not thrilled at working out in full armor mode. Their outfits were like Prince Endymion's ebony-and-silver armor but had white instead of silver markings and dark gray capes. They weighed a *ton* after an hour or two of training (Due to Michiru's arm-twisting, Haruka reluctantly allowed Mamoru to attend but she usually aimed energy attacks at him and made him run for his life with the excuse of improving his agility). One-on-one, the Knights could match the Inners even though the Senshi had an edge in experience. In pair or group exercises, they couldn't compete with the girls' almost flawless teamwork. However, the Outer Senshi, including petite Hotaru, could fight them *all* into the ground without breaking a sweat. It was more than their formidable power levels. The Outer Senshi had ruthlessly honed their skills with single-minded, implacable focus. To improve the protection of their princess, they were determined to pound every bit of their lethal expertise into the Inners and the Knights even if they begged for mercy (which Justin did. frequently).
To everyone's surprise, Serena literally could *not* transform into Sailor Moon with her brooch. After unsuccessfully trying several times, she gave up in utter frustration and reluctantly observed the others from the sidelines (since she couldn't be out of the Outers' sight for long). Rei's grandfather often sat with her while advising the warriors on their fighting techniques. Dismayed, the Inner Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen constantly discussed the problem in low voices out of Serena's hearing range. Although they sympathized with her, Endymion's Knights were confident in their own abilities and fairly indifferent to the situation. On the other hand, the Outer Senshi secretly exchanged looks of relief. To put it bluntly, they would annihilate Tokyo themselves before letting their Princess go into battle. If she couldn't transform, they would not have to hurt her feelings by locking her in a closet for her own safety.
Surrounded by their eagle-eyed friends, Serena and Mamoru engaged in an intricate, age-old dance of pursuit and retreat. Confused by her conflicted feelings, Serena loftily ignored him as much as possible. Unsure of how to get past her regal aloofness, Mamoru sent her innumerable flower bouquets and other small, sweet peace offerings. Haruka or Michiru usually returned his gifts (while not quite concealing their amusement at his misery). Forcefully curbing his impatience, Mamoru quietly waited for a sign, a response from her, *anything* that would tell him how to get her back. He loved watching her light up a room with only a smile, but he felt cold, so empty, when none of her warmth was for him. Whenever she was in the presence of another boy, acid seared his stomach. He wondered, perhaps foolishly, if anyone had replaced him in her heart. She was close enough to touch but she might as well been on the other side of the universe for all her apparent notice of him. He didn't know how his presence burned into her mind, how she was *aware* of his every breath even as she struggled to shut him out.
Awkward silences stretched out between them, scarcely concealed by the forced chatter of their companions. When their gazes rarely met and held, the world trembled and shrunk to enclose them in private, painful silence. Her eyes would be filled with unbearable longing for all the sweet unspoken promises hovering on his lips. Then, Serena would slide her eyes away and Mamoru's brief opportunity would quickly pass, slipping right through his fingers. He didn't know how to reach out, reach *her* and *prove* the truth of his heart. Almost paralyzed by the fear that she would walk away again, he retreated behind his own wall of indifference, exactly what Serena didn't need to see. Her fears multiplied and caused her to doubt his earlier words. And so, they remained apart, both alone and silently bleeding.
Mamoru lingered on the steps of the Hikawa Shrine, watching cherry blossom petals drift to the ground. Squaring his tense shoulders, he trudged into the meditation room. In her red-and-white Shinto apprentice priestess robes, Rei knelt in front of the Great Fire with closed eyes and clasped hands. The flames flickered with dancing gold and red highlights in seeming unison with her soft chanting. On the opaque, rice paper walls behind her, shadows lurked, almost as if they were somehow alive and gathering. Sensing a presence, Rei opened her eyes and absently smiled at him. The familiar rituals always soothed her temperamental spirit. Mamoru politely smiled back. Slanting a curious look at him, she stood and brushed a little dust off her robes. The somber, watchful atmosphere lifted once the shadows appeared to scatter. Rei mentally reminded herself to tell Yuuichiro to sweep the room more vigorously (with the persuasion of a broom to his head if necessary).
"Hello, Mamoru-san. I wondered when you would get here. You're late today," she commented.
"Sorry, I got held up at work. Rei, did you see anything?"
"Nothing today. Would you like some tea?" Rei offered graciously.
Minutes later, Rei and Mamoru were seated around a low round table in the dining room. Perfectly at ease, she arranged a tray of cookies and poured tea into delicate bone-white china cups. Her every movement was elegant but brisk and precise. Mamoru impartially admired her graceful manner.
"Having the guys around is kind of fun but it's nice to get away from them sometimes, especially Justin. He's got quite a mouth on him. I wonder why no one has strangled him yet," Mamoru dryly remarked. The teapot in Rei's hand trembled slightly. White-hot anger rippled through her mind, disturbing the tranquillity gained from her meditations. Justin. *Jadeite*. Justin was like his Dark King double, the one who had stayed in her home and smiled charmingly at her while plotting to destroy her. She had felt an attraction to that scum but only... *only* because he reminded her of Kaido-san. Concealing her sparking temper, Rei suppressed the mocking inner voice that cast doubt on that thought. Kaido-san, her first love. He had always chosen the same birthday gifts for her, a white dress and a bunch of Casablanca lilies. Kaido-san, her only love. He had kissed her, her very first kiss, her only kisses. Kaido-san the liar, the cheat, the betrayer. He had professed his love for her and married another barely two months later. Kaido-san the ambitious protégé, the promising politician, a handsome deceiver just like his mentor... just like her *father*. Rei's mind traveled well-worn, well-cursed, useless paths. She inhaled deeply and locked down her anger, willing calmness to return. When Mamoru gave her a puzzled look, she pasted on a smile and set down the teapot.
"What do you want to talk about today, Mamoru-san?"
"Usako won't talk to me. She won't even *look* at me. It's like... like she *hates* me."
"Usagi *doesn't* hate you but you hurt her very badly when you were stupid enough to dump her."
"I... know but I miss her. Sometimes, I'm afraid she'll never smile at me again."
"Trust in your love. Trust in *her*. Usagi is a forgiving person but even she needs time."
"The waiting is killing me. What if... what if we don't get back together? What if she *can't* love me anymore?" Mamoru whispered. Rei resisted the urge to smack sense into him.
"If *this* is what you're showing Usagi, it will be a *miracle* if she talks to you!" she snapped.
"Huh?"
"Get some spine, baka! Give her *reasons* to come back to you! The presents are a good start but you have to *show* her how much you love her. You have a long way to go before she trusts you again. Before you screwed it up, you had it easy because Usagi dropped into your arms like a ripe plum. If you want her, you're going to have to *work* for her this time around."
"I... I don't know how."
"Honestly, Mamoru-san! *Talk* to her. Tell her you love her until she believes you. Compliment her. Ask her out to the movies. She's a *princess*. Treat her like one by courting her. You could even ask Motoki for dating tips," Rei lectured, privately thinking that some men were hopelessly dense. He winced.
"Thanks, Rei. Talking to you always clears my head," Mamoru said, quirking a rueful smile.
"What are friends for?" Rei serenely replied. They sipped their drinks, enjoying the subtle flavors of the tea and the restful silence pervading the temple.
The situation between the Senshi and the Knights deteriorated. If it wasn't for Serena and the Outer Senshi, there might have been bloodshed. Ami caught Zack with videotapes of the Inner Senshi. He fervently swore (on a stack of genuine Bibles) that the tapes were for his scientific study of their powers. Icily confiscating them, she became as rude as she could possibly get towards him. Zack thought her snippy moods were absolutely adorable. Plus, her idea of bad manners was much more polite than *his* best behavior. Two days later, Rei walked into Serena's house and found Justin avidly watching a tape of her transformation. Drool and popcorn were liberally strewn over the room... so were the singe marks five minutes later. After fifteen minutes with Rei in a locked room, Justin confessed to buying it off Zack for thirty bucks. Luckily for Serena, Zack, Justin and Neil were most helpful in removing the burn marks after a no-holds- barred-unarmed combat session with Makoto, Rei and Haruka (Keith was spared only because he hadn't bought the tapes yet). Revealing an undiscovered spiteful streak, Ami inserted an incredibly destructive virus on Zack's hard drive "for scientific purposes". She timed the reconstruction of his computer system.
Intuitively sensing Keith's strong attraction to her, Minako playfully flirted with Motoki. For the first few times, Keith ignored it with only audible teeth grinding. Unfortunately for Motoki, Keith had very finite limits to his iron control over his green-eyed monster. When Minako nearly kissed Motoki and waltzed out of the arcade, Keith lunged at him with the intent of bodily destruction. If Mamoru and Makoto hadn't jumped on Keith, Motoki might have permanently been one with the wall of the Crown Fruit Parlor. Motoki actually squeaked and fainted when he saw the very impressive holes caused by Keith's fist. When Mamoru explained that Motoki already had a girlfriend, Keith calmed down (but he usually glared at Motoki whenever they crossed paths). For safety reasons, Motoki often hid from Minako and Keith in the back room or behind any available object/person (Haruka nearly took off his head when he dived behind her for the first time).
Of all the Inner Senshi, Makoto was the least hostile toward the Knights because she was obviously drawn to Neil. She knew it, he knew it and she didn't even bother to deny it... which frustrated him endlessly when she continued to turn him down for dates. No boy, no matter how mouthwateringly attractive, was more important to her than her friends. Neil had never met a girl like her. Gorgeous, strong, fun, powerful, sweet, loyal... unforgettable. Unlike any of his previous infatuations, he couldn't get Makoto out of his mind. Falling back on tried-and-true methods, Neil gave her a pair of emerald earrings that matched her eyes. She gave them back, stiffly explaining that she always wore her mother's rose earrings. After the infamous taping incident, she brought lunch to the guys' hotel. While the food was delicious, it also had a very *special* ingredient... vomit-inducing emetics. The guys devoured every crumb. Before racing to the bathroom for the third time, Neil mumbled something and shoved a box at Makoto. The box contained a delicate white- gold chain and a rose quartz, rose-shaped pendant that *perfectly* matched her earrings. She was stunned. No guy had ever given her such a thoughtful, lovely present. Embarrassed by the gift, Makoto felt horribly guilty about the meal... but she kept the pendant.
Meanwhile, Luna quietly moved back into the Tsukino household. After she accepted that her young charge was more mature and responsible, the feline advisor was less critical and far more easygoing. In fact, Luna was extremely proud of Serena because she was very much like her mother, the Queen. The resemblance brought tears to Luna's eyes several times. However, everything was not sweetness and light in the Tsukino household. Luna's clashes with the Outer Senshi, even diplomatic Michiru, were titanic (Artemis became an unofficial referee when Hotaru threatened to chop up Luna into kitty kiblets with her glaive). Most of their arguments centered on Luna's treatment of Serena. Since Serena would no longer rule a kingdom, Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru thought that Luna's repetitive lectures on deportment and betrothal arrangements from the Silver Millenium were outdated and ridiculous. They also regarded Luna as little better than a traitorous criminal for sending Serena out to fight as Sailor Moon. The Outer Senshi only cared about their princess' safety and happiness. Whoever she dated was her own business (as long as the guy had the guts to survive Haruka's wrath). Accustomed to deference from the Senshi, Luna did not appreciate their comments (or their attitude). Most of the time, they were successful in keeping their private war from Serena.
In her room, Serena contemplated Mamoru's latest offering, a stuffed, creamy-white baby bunny curled around a perfect crimson-red rosebud and a spray of baby's breath. She pursed her lips and tapped her chin, wondering if she could make an exception in her rule about sending all Mamoru's presents back. The little darling was practically begging to be kept. Sighing, she placed the gift on her table and walked over the window seat. Serena sat down, hugged her knees and stared at the pedestrians on the sidewalk. He was getting to her. For the past week, Mamoru had been charmingly persistent with little presents, sweet compliments, phone calls and soulful looks. When she said nothing, he would simply tell her that he loved her. It would be easy, too easy, to fall back into his waiting arms but could she risk it? She wouldn't survive if he broke her heart again. Could she resist him? A knock on her door disrupted her thoughts. Before she could say anything, Justin bounded in with a big smile, his angelic choirboy face and a loudly red Hawaiian shirt over beige shorts. Serena's eyes instantly narrowed in suspicion. Justin had been pretty good lately but...
"Seerrreeeennnnnaaaaaaa, you know I love *you* more than those two snots who pretend to be my younger brothers, right? You're like my very own precious baby sister," Justin gushed.
"Er... sure, Jade-chan. Love you too. What do you want?"
"I'm hurt that you would think that! Really!" Justin declared, feigning shock. Serena looked at him and decided that he wasn't hiding anything behind his back. Besides, her denim dress was very washable.
"Spit it out. Now."
"Well, now that you mention it, you could do me this eensy-teensy little favor. All your Senshi have to do what you say, right?" Justin wheedled.
"It depends," Serena stated, evading the question and raising an eyebrow in inquiry. Justin immediately dropped to his knees, clasped his hands in a prayer-like manner and... went hysterical.
"I'LL BE YOUR SLAVE FOR LIFE IF YOU STOP HER FROM KILLING ME! I'M BEGGING YOU!" Justin screeched.
"Calm DOWN! What are you talking about?"
"REI! SHE'S CRAZY! SHE'S OUT FOR MY BLOOD! SAVE ME!"
"Well, Rei doesn't like you very much."
"That's the freakin' understatement of the century," he muttered, shooting a nervous look at the door over his shoulder. Serena smothered a giggle and dutifully pondered his situation.
"It's only because of that Dark King lookalike. Maybe if you got her to like you?"
"Maybe when they hold the Winter Olympics in hell..."
"Oh Justin, *what* am I going to do with you?" Serena mused.
"Serena, you HAVE to help me! Who else will get you out of tight fixes?"
"Who else will land me into trouble by pulling insane pranks?" she retorted. Justin put on his injured but lovable puppy-dog expression. Serena sighed and leaned towards him.
"Want to know a secret about her?"
"Of course!" Justin exclaimed, eagerly anticipating juicy blackmail material.
"Casablanca Lilies are her favorite flowers," Serena whispered. Justin was flabbergasted.
"I DON'T NEED TO KNOW HER FAVORITE FLOWER! SHE NEEDS A NEW PERSONALITY!" he bellowed but he paused in mid-tantrum as tiny wheels turned and clicked in his devious head. "Wait, what was that flower again?"
"Casablanca Lilies."
"I LOVE YOU, SERENA! YOU'RE MY BESTEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD!" Justin shouted. He bounced to his feet, hugged her and scurried off to unknown destinations. Serena shook her head at his antics, laughed and decided to keep the bunny.
Justin sent a dozen, hideously expensive Casablanca Lilies to the Hikawa Shrine. Without bothering to read the card, Rei dumped the flowers in the trash and cursed Kaido-san under her breath. Then, she bullied Yuuichiro into taking her out to the movies (Yuuichiro fluctuated wildly between joy and fear). A few more bouquets arrived and were again dumped. Eventually, Rei discovered where the bouquets were really coming from but she still mildly despised Justin (downgraded from vicious loathing). Trying to be nice even if it killed him (which was a possibility), Justin actually stood his ground and said hello to Rei at the next training session. Unfortunately, she took it as a personal attack and tried to charbroil him. Strangely enough, Rei's hostility inspired Justin to make further attempts in winning her over. In the same session, Zoisite tried to measure the length of Mercury's Senshi skirt. In an unusual, magnificent display of temper, Ami pushed his face into the ground and stomped on him (Makoto had to pull her off him because Haruka was too busy laughing).
Haruka gleefully started a betting pool on which Senshi would be the first to succumb to the charms of the Knights. The stake was up to ten thousand yen. Obviously, the parents of the Senshi were left out of this little matter (Mamoru was also in the dark because Haruka had just three words for him: toad, run and die). Haruka thought Makoto would be the one to crack. Although she didn't contribute to the pool, Serena privately agreed and watched the betting fervor with amusement. Feeling a special kinship with Ami, Michiru placed some money on her. Motoki bet on (fervently prayed on his knees for) Minako (Keith made Motoki's spine dribble onto the floor). When a few arcade customers overheard their speculations, the betting pool widened to include people who didn't know anything about the girls' Senshi identities. While Haruka was a trifle grumpy about sharing the fun, she was consoled by the thought of the ever-soaring stakes. Minako was the odds-on favorite for the most likely to date one of the guys from America. After all, she was the dating queen of the Juuban district.
Rei's grandfather loyally bet his money on Rei, even though Justin was taking physical punishment from her. That boy was determined, *insane* but determined (and possibly masochistic as well). He was extremely proud of his beloved granddaughter but she was... he hesitated in saying it... somewhat of a shrew. He must not have given her enough sweets as a child. Yet, around Justin, there was a certain *look* in her eyes... half-anger and half-something that a grandfather shouldn't know about. She somehow seemed more vital, *alive* when yelling at him. Aside from offering prayers for Justin's continued survival, he cannily helped the boy by ridiculing him and loudly praising Yuuichiro's potential as a future husband in Rei's presence. Perversely shunning Yuuichiro and defending Justin to her grandfather, Rei was forced to list all his good points (reverse psychology worked beautifully on her). Justin didn't know whether to strangle or thank Rei's grandfather. In an introspective moment (once in a blue moon kind of thing), Justin wondered why Rei's opinion mattered to him. He didn't know... but he wanted to see her smile.
Aside from amusing everyone in the Juuban District, Justin's suffering had an unexpected side benefit. With their tender hearts, Ami, Minako and Makoto were very sympathetic towards him. For Minako, it was a short step from sympathy to friendship. Once she discovered his tendency to pull pranks and his outrageously funny sense of humor, Justin had another companion in crime. Serena, Minako and Justin became an unstoppable force of nature bent on making mischief. None of their friends were safe. Minako and Serena's friendship with Justin lightened the hostility and naturally drew the groups together.
In a short navy blue summer dress with tiny white polka dots and slender spaghetti straps, Minako wandered the library stacks, perkily peeking into every dark, dank, dusty corner. She saw a studiously cute guy on the second floor but she passed by him without a second thought. He didn't have a killer smile or a muscular but lean body or serious, dark gray eyes... The Senshi of Love and Beauty resolutely quashed those errant thoughts because she would not be deterred from her all-important mission. Finally, she found her target in a study cubicle on the fourth floor. With glasses perched on the top of her head and a distracted expression, Ami rested her chin on her hand and faced the window instead of the books scattered on the table. She looked particularly nice in a gold-buttoned, lavender silk vest-shirt and an ivory, gauzy skirt decorated with tiny violet flowers. When Minako sneaked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder, Ami squeaked a little. Flashing a sunshine-bright grin, Minako winked and made her signature V-for-victory, two-finger salute. Ami rolled her eyes and sighed. Minako slipped into the seat next to her.
"Hi! What's new with you?"
"Hello Minako-chan. I'm studying because I do not want to be behind once school starts."
"Last time I checked, zoning out doesn't qualify as studying," Minako stated cheekily. Ami sighed again, settled her glasses on her nose and tried to think algebra thoughts. When Minako cocked her head to the side and stared pensively at her, Ami remained silent. "You know you can tell me anything."
"Nothing is wrong. Your imagination is overreacting again," Ami said stiffly.
"Ami-chan, you can't fool *me*. Besides, you're a horrible liar. If *you* can't study, something's definitely wrong. Usually doomsday, end-of-the- world kind of wrong... but I don't think it's *quite* that bad this time. What's the matter? Is it Serena?"
"..."
"You know I'll get it out of you sooner or later. Make it easy on yourself and 'fess up."
"It is not Usagi-chan," Ami softly replied, lowering her eyes almost guiltily.
"So, it's a person."
"I'm glad that she's back. Glad doesn't really cover it. We're not complete unless she's with us but... it's different too. Not her but... the others..."
"Oh, it's someone who's with her. Perhaps a certain green-eyed blonde named Zack?"
"Do not *mention* that name to me. He's... he's a... a *lecher*!" Ami hissed.
"Ami-chan, you're one of my best friends and I love you dearly so don't take this the wrong way. You pushed him into it."
"WHAT?!!!?" she shrieked, flushing in shame when a patrolling librarian gave them a warning glance. Minako's sky-blue eyes danced with amusement and she touched a finger to her lips.
"Shhhh! This is a library. Ami-chan, I'm surprised at your behavior."
"Minako-chan!" she groaned. Minako shook her head mock-sternly.
"You asked Zack if he was *gay*. For any guy, it's like the *ultimate* challenge to his manhood. He's proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's absolutely, one thousand percent NOT gay!" she lectured. Nearly dying of embarrassment on the spot, Ami bore a passing resemblance to a tomato. Minako slung a companionable arm around a stunned Ami's shoulders and hid her grin. "But there's more to it, isn't there? How do you *really* feel about him, Ami-chan?"
"I... he.... he... *scares* me," Ami stammered, struggling for words. Minako's face softened with sympathy. "He... he makes me *feel* things. I never used to get angry but he makes me so mad! He's a *jerk* but..... but sometimes when he has that dreamy look in his eyes... I... I... *want*... I think..."
"You want what?"
"When he looks at me like that, he makes me *feel* different... like *I* am beautiful... like his eyes are *telling* me so... but he couldn't be thinking that... he's... he's so handsome... and... and sometimes... I have dreams of... of... running my hand through his hair... and it's like... fire-kissed golden silk..." Ami breathed wistfully.
"Did you ever feel this way with Urawa-kun?"
"No, I like Urawa-kun but I didn't... I *don't*... think about kissing him... not like with Zack... I think his kiss would taste like mint... and... and I'm *angry* when there are other girls around him... even when he's acting like a pervert."
"Ami-chan, you're jealous... and you're in love."
"No, I can't be! Not with *him*!" Ami blurted out in a shrill, panicked voice. Minako had difficulty maintaining a straight face. She had never seen Ami so off-balance.
"If it's any consolation, Zack's crazy about you too," Minako confided. When Ami's mouth dropped open, Minako stifled her giggles. Regaining her composure after a few moments, Ami turned her head and stared at Minako with narrowed eyes.
"What about *you*, Minako-chan?" Ami challenged, turning the tables on her smug friend.
"Wha... what are you talking about?"
"Why do you flirt with Motoki-san so much when he has Reika-san?"
"Don't be silly, Ami-chan. It's all in fun," Minako evaded, avoiding Ami's eyes. She pulled her arm away from Ami's shoulders and nervously fiddled with a book on the table.
"Why do you torment Keith-kun with these games? You know your flirting bothers him a great deal," Ami probed, abandoning subtlety in favor of getting straight answers.
"I'm *not* tormenting him!" she flared. Ami made a sound that suspiciously resembled a snort.
"It's not like you to be this mean. Even I can see that he really likes you."
"Pain is a sexy look for Keith," Minako remarked flippantly. Ami frowned in disapproval. Minako sighed and threw her arms in the air. "Fine, *be* that way! I... don't want to be around him."
"Why? He's nice and very polite, especially for a gaijin."
"Before I came back to Japan, I was cursed by an enemy."
"Cursed? How?" Ami said blankly.
"I would never have to choose between duty and love... because I would never love."
"Minako-chan, that's ridiculous. If youma curses were real, we'd be long dead."
"It doesn't matter. Long ago, I valued love more than duty. It was a... mistake. *Nothing* will interfere with my duty again," Minako flatly declared with cold, hard eyes. Ami raised an eyebrow.
"What does Keith-kun have to do with your duty?" she inquired in her most reasonable voice.
"Other boys wouldn't distract me from my duty but Keith is... different. He could be important, *too* important. I don't want to hurt him but I will not *allow* myself to be that weak."
"You, of all people, should know that love is not a weakness."
"I'm not in love with Keith."
"But you *could* be. Usagi-chan would *never* demand a sacrifice of love for duty. She loves us and wants our happiness."
"I *can't* love him," Minako insisted stubbornly.
"Minako-chan, don't use Usagi as an excuse. You *know* what she would tell you. Life, especially *our* kind of life, is too short and precious to waste. If you have a chance for love, take it. Take it and enjoy it."
"But the curse!"
"Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san have defeated far worse curses in the past. We're living proof that *we* can make our own destiny."
"I'll... think about it," Minako whispered after a moment of silence. Her cornflower-blue eyes were troubled. When Ami reached over and squeezed her hand, Minako smiled a little and gave her a speculative look. "Hey, I thought *I* was the expert on love in our little group."
"We'll take turns. *You* can be the smart one next time," Ami retorted, dissolving into giggles (and earning the dreadful vengeance of the librarian for the first time in her life).
At the next training session, everyone was shocked speechless. Zack had smuggled in another camera past Haruka and Makoto's eagle eyes. However, Ami had been keeping a *very* close eye on him. Before he could take any pictures, she marched up to him and grabbed the camera. Almost as an afterthought, she shoved him but Zack lost his balance, grabbed *her* to keep from falling and somehow managed to knock them both to the floor. When Ami landed on top of him, Zack *tried* to be a gentleman but his mouth collided with Ami's face. Instead of rearranging his anatomy as expected, Ami went breathless and wide-eyed. Impulsively, Zack kissed her. He had an instant to regret his action before she kissed him back. Completely absorbed in new exciting sensations, they didn't hear the catcalls and wolf whistles from their friends. When Ami and Zack finally came up for air, they couldn't ignore Haruka's glowering frown (or her foot-nudges to their ribs). After the training finished, Zack finally snapped out of his daze to ask Ami out on a date. She shyly nodded her answer. Haruka scowled all the way to the Crown Fruit Parlor (betting pool headquarters) with Michiru smugly grinning beside her.
On another front, Mamoru got used to the concept of non-Motoki, male friends. Guys who stayed up until insane hours of the night to play video games while eating junk food. Guys who gave him embarrassing nicknames like "Rose Boy", "Mighty Mask" and "Movie Usher Guy". Guys who regularly insulted him and each other with great enthusiasm and inventiveness. Guys who dragged him off to sporting events, rock concerts and movie theatres. Guys who reduced his painfully neat apartment into shambles. Guys who taught him poker and cleaned out his pockets almost every week. Guys who didn't understand the meaning of the words "No. I have to study." Guys who actually *watched* anime and made him sit through the most absurd science fiction TV marathons. Guys who were loud, obnoxious, annoying... and the best friends in the universe.
His new friends made his continued estrangement from Serena a lot easier. After smacking him several times for his imbecilic behavior toward Serena and punishing Zack for his good fortune with Ami, they whin... er, commiserated about their love lives over root beers and potato chips. Keith and Neil also hatched elaborate vengeance plots against Haruka (all abandoned out of paralyzing fear). Zack rhapsodized over Ami (earning more torture sessions at the hands of his friends). During these guy-bonding times, Justin relentlessly campaigned for another team name ("We should be the Justice Knights! It's a totally kick-ass name! Earthian Knights is *so* lame! We are cooler than the JLA AND the X-men!") and other superhero names ("Who wants to named after a crappy piece of rock?"). Other than the inevitable training sessions, they acted like normal hormone-driven, lovesick teenagers.
Although there had been no youma attacks for weeks, the Sailor Senshi and Endymion's Knights became uneasy and kept their eyes out for trouble. Each day, Rei asked the Great Fire for answers and received ominous, frustratingly obscure visions. Neil's oracular dreams were full of black inverted crescent moons, golden flames and increasingly dark, inscrutable omens. Growing haggard from the lack of sleep, he rarely had more than four uninterrupted hours without a prophetic nightmare. Zack and Ami's upgraded computer simulations and scans detected nothing unusual. Affected by the edgy, tense atmosphere, Justin, Minako and Serena lacked the desire and concentration to pull off their infamous pranks. Icily controlling his need for a fight, Keith spent time at a local dojo (and terrorized other black belts). Makoto went on another cooking marathon. Frustrated and restless, Mamoru took long, erratic walks at odd hours. Impassively watching the others, Haruka, Hotaru and Michiru were the least affected by the growing nervousness. Aware of their own abilities, they did not doubt that they could handle whatever was coming. It was the calm before the storm....
Interlude 10
Striking the floor with her staff, the woman glanced at the pale-eyed lady.
"The event approaches."
"By the light of Selene, I will pray for their success."
AN2: Ages of the Sailor Senshi and Earthian Knights (for Carolin Rocha who really wanted them):
Tsukino Usagi/Serena - 15
Mizuno Ami - 15
Hino Rei - 15
Kino Makoto - 16
Aino Minako - 16
Tenou Haruka - 23
Kaiou Michiru - 22
Tomoe Hotaru - 13
Meioh Setsuna - I don't have the guts to ask her.
Chiba Mamoru - 17
Zachary Daniel Winslow - 16
Justin Jebediah Damon Reed - 16
Thomas Neil Lawrence Scott Stanwyck Junior - 18
Keith Thomas Bennett - 18
AN: My sense of humor went whacko in the last chapter. It's got to stop. Er. maybe. This chapter skips around a lot because it covers the span of about two or three weeks. Special thanks to Ichigo, Aridemarcus and Martdeny. Thanks to all who read and review (love you guys) including Carolin Rocha, ScorpioNightShadow, Marni, Min Hee Ha, Arabella Silverbell, John K, TKDgrl, Allure, Brightstar, Opal Soul, Deuce of Spades, Chel, Jen, omg.plz.Im.dying, LittleDragon5, Usagi-Karen-chan, SaraJean, Makura Koneko, Whiro, Sailor C, a?, Phoenix, Silver Dragonfly, Princess Serenity and Gygglz228. Wow, 8 favorite lists. Thanks!
Disclaimer: I only wish I owned something important like Sailor Moon, JLA or the X-men. Alas, it is not to be.
Chapter 21- Connections
Makoto puttered in the Tsukino kitchen, singing under her breath and taking out freshly baked chocolate chip cookies from the oven. She wore a frilly pink "Kiss the Cook" apron over her green tanktop and black shorts. Dressed in baggy powder blue pajamas, Serena quietly watched as Makoto put down the cookies on the counter and patted her delicious rice balls into a more pleasing shape. Ignoring her salivating stomach, Serena frowned slightly and touched Makoto's shoulder. Startled, Makoto paused in mid-hum and turned towards Serena. Serena's clear gaze searched her forest-green eyes for answers.
"Mako-chan, why are you doing this?"
"Um, what are you talking about, Usagi-chan?" Makoto said, forcing an uneasy smile.
"You're making lunch... again."
"Don't you like my cooking?"
"You know how much I love your food."
"You're the only one who truly appreciates it!" Makoto grinned, nervously laughing and rubbing the back of her head. Serena looked deeper in her shadowed eyes, silently demanding the truth.
"Mako-chan, you've cooked almost every meal here since I've been back. You haven't had time for anything else *but* cooking."
"You don't... *want* me here?" she whispered. The hurt in her voice pierced Serena's heart.
"What's wrong, Mako-chan? Please tell me," she coaxed. When Makoto compressed her lips and clenched her hands into white-knuckled fists, Serena sighed and pulled Makoto over to the kitchen table. Almost pushing her into a seat, Serena sat beside her. Makoto stared tensely at her clasped hands on the table. In the distance, rumbling gray skies threatened to storm.
"We're not going anywhere until you tell me what's going on," Serena stated firmly. All at once, Makoto's tough façade collapsed, leaving nothing but hurt and pain on her face. Her misty emerald eyes shimmered and her lips trembled. Shocked, Serena wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"I can't ever make it up to you, can I?" Makoto murmured with tears clogging her voice.
"Make up what?" Serena softly questioned.
"We... *I* should have protected you instead of driving you away."
"Oh Mako-chan, you don't have to do anything. It wasn't your fault," she sighed, feeling guilt burden her aching heart.
"I wasn't there for you when you *needed* me. And... and I could have helped.. .would have *understood* what you were going through."
"I'm sorry that I hurt you. I should have *never* left you," Serena blurted out, hugging her.
"It's okay, Usagi-chan. You were lost, confused, shocked. Your entire world shattered when you lost your family. I *know*," she whispered, brushing Serena's cheek with feather-light fingers. Old, never-quite- forgotten pain haunted her emerald eyes.
"It's *not* okay! I could have gotten in touch with you if I hadn't been so *selfish*."
"Shhh, Usagi. You're the most generous, most loving person in the world but you had things to work out. And we didn't appreciate you enough until you were gone. I never told you but you're... you're the only family I have left. You might not have felt so alone if you had known," Makoto murmured with a wistful smile curving her lips. Serena looked at Makoto with glistening crystal-blue eyes.
"Mako-chan, the girls are our family," she stated in a no-nonsense tone.
"It's not the same and you know it. Their parents might be total jerks or gone most of the time but they're still *alive*. Not like ours," Makoto replied quietly. Aching with sympathy, Serena hugged her again.
"And Mamoru?" Serena softly probed. Reddening slightly, Makoto shrugged.
"Well, um, I don't talk to him much. Not like Rei or Ami. Too much resentment, I guess."
"That works for me," Serena said with a tentative, watery smile, "Mako- chan, how do you stand it every day?" Makoto only had to look at her saddened face to understand.
"They loved me and they'll always be with me because I remember them. That's enough most of the time." They sat in silence for a moment until Serena cleared her throat.
"I'm still sorry for abandoning you," she whispered. Makoto gave her the oddest look.
"Usagi-chan, you didn't. Honest. The fighting was harder but we *depended* on you too much. We had to improve our skills, our teamwork, without you. But if things got really desperate, if someone was in too much trouble, a... Senshi always helped us. We never got close to her but she looked a lot like *you*. Your hairstyle, your uniform... your attacks. She'd dust youma in the nick of time and then pull a disappearing act better than Tuxedo Kamen-sama."
Serena wore a distant, distracted expression as half-remembered images cascaded through her mind.
"Did you fight something like a... truck? It... rushed at you but you couldn't move."
"Sailor Moonlight's first appearance! We *knew* it was you!" Makoto exulted.
"I dreamed it, only *dreamed* that I helped you," Serena murmured in a daze.
"Usagi-chan, it doesn't matter *how* it happened but part of you was with us. No matter where you were, you *never* stopped caring and you somehow sent Sailor Moonlight to us when we needed you. "
Still confused, Serena stared blankly at Makoto but she smiled a little in response to Makoto's glowing grin. She rested her head on Makoto's shoulder. Makoto wrapped an arm around her. With a burst of thunder and lightning, the imminent storm broke. They watched raindrops gently splatter against the kitchen windows. Makoto laid her cheek on Serena's head.
"Mako-chan, want to move in for awhile? You could stay in my room, like a sleepover."
"Won't Mr. Kurawa have something to say about it?"
"Uncle Tenchi won't mind at all because you're family," Serena declared confidently.
"I'd love to."
The next week was *interesting*. Keeping the Inner Senshi and the Earthian Knights in the same room was like waving a lit match near a swimming pool filled with gasoline. Minako was barely polite to the guys and reserved her most venomous remarks for Keith. Keith usually went granite-faced to hide his hurt feelings. Rei took personal offense at Justin's continued existence (and occasionally tried to.. correct matters). Justin usually jumped into the nearest closet when Rei walked into the room. Ami was reduced to furious blushing in the presence of a stuttering Zack. Despite Neil's most charming lines and winning smiles, Makoto refused to go out with him (causing catastrophic damage to his ego). After Serena's visit to her parents' grave (with Haruka and Makoto in tow) and a few days of sightseeing, the Senshi concentrated on more serious matters.
At the Outers' insistence (sadistic enjoyment?), the Senshi and the Knights all participated in daily training sessions at the Hikawa Shrine. While the girls were used to a heavy schedule, the guys were not thrilled at working out in full armor mode. Their outfits were like Prince Endymion's ebony-and-silver armor but had white instead of silver markings and dark gray capes. They weighed a *ton* after an hour or two of training (Due to Michiru's arm-twisting, Haruka reluctantly allowed Mamoru to attend but she usually aimed energy attacks at him and made him run for his life with the excuse of improving his agility). One-on-one, the Knights could match the Inners even though the Senshi had an edge in experience. In pair or group exercises, they couldn't compete with the girls' almost flawless teamwork. However, the Outer Senshi, including petite Hotaru, could fight them *all* into the ground without breaking a sweat. It was more than their formidable power levels. The Outer Senshi had ruthlessly honed their skills with single-minded, implacable focus. To improve the protection of their princess, they were determined to pound every bit of their lethal expertise into the Inners and the Knights even if they begged for mercy (which Justin did. frequently).
To everyone's surprise, Serena literally could *not* transform into Sailor Moon with her brooch. After unsuccessfully trying several times, she gave up in utter frustration and reluctantly observed the others from the sidelines (since she couldn't be out of the Outers' sight for long). Rei's grandfather often sat with her while advising the warriors on their fighting techniques. Dismayed, the Inner Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen constantly discussed the problem in low voices out of Serena's hearing range. Although they sympathized with her, Endymion's Knights were confident in their own abilities and fairly indifferent to the situation. On the other hand, the Outer Senshi secretly exchanged looks of relief. To put it bluntly, they would annihilate Tokyo themselves before letting their Princess go into battle. If she couldn't transform, they would not have to hurt her feelings by locking her in a closet for her own safety.
Surrounded by their eagle-eyed friends, Serena and Mamoru engaged in an intricate, age-old dance of pursuit and retreat. Confused by her conflicted feelings, Serena loftily ignored him as much as possible. Unsure of how to get past her regal aloofness, Mamoru sent her innumerable flower bouquets and other small, sweet peace offerings. Haruka or Michiru usually returned his gifts (while not quite concealing their amusement at his misery). Forcefully curbing his impatience, Mamoru quietly waited for a sign, a response from her, *anything* that would tell him how to get her back. He loved watching her light up a room with only a smile, but he felt cold, so empty, when none of her warmth was for him. Whenever she was in the presence of another boy, acid seared his stomach. He wondered, perhaps foolishly, if anyone had replaced him in her heart. She was close enough to touch but she might as well been on the other side of the universe for all her apparent notice of him. He didn't know how his presence burned into her mind, how she was *aware* of his every breath even as she struggled to shut him out.
Awkward silences stretched out between them, scarcely concealed by the forced chatter of their companions. When their gazes rarely met and held, the world trembled and shrunk to enclose them in private, painful silence. Her eyes would be filled with unbearable longing for all the sweet unspoken promises hovering on his lips. Then, Serena would slide her eyes away and Mamoru's brief opportunity would quickly pass, slipping right through his fingers. He didn't know how to reach out, reach *her* and *prove* the truth of his heart. Almost paralyzed by the fear that she would walk away again, he retreated behind his own wall of indifference, exactly what Serena didn't need to see. Her fears multiplied and caused her to doubt his earlier words. And so, they remained apart, both alone and silently bleeding.
Mamoru lingered on the steps of the Hikawa Shrine, watching cherry blossom petals drift to the ground. Squaring his tense shoulders, he trudged into the meditation room. In her red-and-white Shinto apprentice priestess robes, Rei knelt in front of the Great Fire with closed eyes and clasped hands. The flames flickered with dancing gold and red highlights in seeming unison with her soft chanting. On the opaque, rice paper walls behind her, shadows lurked, almost as if they were somehow alive and gathering. Sensing a presence, Rei opened her eyes and absently smiled at him. The familiar rituals always soothed her temperamental spirit. Mamoru politely smiled back. Slanting a curious look at him, she stood and brushed a little dust off her robes. The somber, watchful atmosphere lifted once the shadows appeared to scatter. Rei mentally reminded herself to tell Yuuichiro to sweep the room more vigorously (with the persuasion of a broom to his head if necessary).
"Hello, Mamoru-san. I wondered when you would get here. You're late today," she commented.
"Sorry, I got held up at work. Rei, did you see anything?"
"Nothing today. Would you like some tea?" Rei offered graciously.
Minutes later, Rei and Mamoru were seated around a low round table in the dining room. Perfectly at ease, she arranged a tray of cookies and poured tea into delicate bone-white china cups. Her every movement was elegant but brisk and precise. Mamoru impartially admired her graceful manner.
"Having the guys around is kind of fun but it's nice to get away from them sometimes, especially Justin. He's got quite a mouth on him. I wonder why no one has strangled him yet," Mamoru dryly remarked. The teapot in Rei's hand trembled slightly. White-hot anger rippled through her mind, disturbing the tranquillity gained from her meditations. Justin. *Jadeite*. Justin was like his Dark King double, the one who had stayed in her home and smiled charmingly at her while plotting to destroy her. She had felt an attraction to that scum but only... *only* because he reminded her of Kaido-san. Concealing her sparking temper, Rei suppressed the mocking inner voice that cast doubt on that thought. Kaido-san, her first love. He had always chosen the same birthday gifts for her, a white dress and a bunch of Casablanca lilies. Kaido-san, her only love. He had kissed her, her very first kiss, her only kisses. Kaido-san the liar, the cheat, the betrayer. He had professed his love for her and married another barely two months later. Kaido-san the ambitious protégé, the promising politician, a handsome deceiver just like his mentor... just like her *father*. Rei's mind traveled well-worn, well-cursed, useless paths. She inhaled deeply and locked down her anger, willing calmness to return. When Mamoru gave her a puzzled look, she pasted on a smile and set down the teapot.
"What do you want to talk about today, Mamoru-san?"
"Usako won't talk to me. She won't even *look* at me. It's like... like she *hates* me."
"Usagi *doesn't* hate you but you hurt her very badly when you were stupid enough to dump her."
"I... know but I miss her. Sometimes, I'm afraid she'll never smile at me again."
"Trust in your love. Trust in *her*. Usagi is a forgiving person but even she needs time."
"The waiting is killing me. What if... what if we don't get back together? What if she *can't* love me anymore?" Mamoru whispered. Rei resisted the urge to smack sense into him.
"If *this* is what you're showing Usagi, it will be a *miracle* if she talks to you!" she snapped.
"Huh?"
"Get some spine, baka! Give her *reasons* to come back to you! The presents are a good start but you have to *show* her how much you love her. You have a long way to go before she trusts you again. Before you screwed it up, you had it easy because Usagi dropped into your arms like a ripe plum. If you want her, you're going to have to *work* for her this time around."
"I... I don't know how."
"Honestly, Mamoru-san! *Talk* to her. Tell her you love her until she believes you. Compliment her. Ask her out to the movies. She's a *princess*. Treat her like one by courting her. You could even ask Motoki for dating tips," Rei lectured, privately thinking that some men were hopelessly dense. He winced.
"Thanks, Rei. Talking to you always clears my head," Mamoru said, quirking a rueful smile.
"What are friends for?" Rei serenely replied. They sipped their drinks, enjoying the subtle flavors of the tea and the restful silence pervading the temple.
The situation between the Senshi and the Knights deteriorated. If it wasn't for Serena and the Outer Senshi, there might have been bloodshed. Ami caught Zack with videotapes of the Inner Senshi. He fervently swore (on a stack of genuine Bibles) that the tapes were for his scientific study of their powers. Icily confiscating them, she became as rude as she could possibly get towards him. Zack thought her snippy moods were absolutely adorable. Plus, her idea of bad manners was much more polite than *his* best behavior. Two days later, Rei walked into Serena's house and found Justin avidly watching a tape of her transformation. Drool and popcorn were liberally strewn over the room... so were the singe marks five minutes later. After fifteen minutes with Rei in a locked room, Justin confessed to buying it off Zack for thirty bucks. Luckily for Serena, Zack, Justin and Neil were most helpful in removing the burn marks after a no-holds- barred-unarmed combat session with Makoto, Rei and Haruka (Keith was spared only because he hadn't bought the tapes yet). Revealing an undiscovered spiteful streak, Ami inserted an incredibly destructive virus on Zack's hard drive "for scientific purposes". She timed the reconstruction of his computer system.
Intuitively sensing Keith's strong attraction to her, Minako playfully flirted with Motoki. For the first few times, Keith ignored it with only audible teeth grinding. Unfortunately for Motoki, Keith had very finite limits to his iron control over his green-eyed monster. When Minako nearly kissed Motoki and waltzed out of the arcade, Keith lunged at him with the intent of bodily destruction. If Mamoru and Makoto hadn't jumped on Keith, Motoki might have permanently been one with the wall of the Crown Fruit Parlor. Motoki actually squeaked and fainted when he saw the very impressive holes caused by Keith's fist. When Mamoru explained that Motoki already had a girlfriend, Keith calmed down (but he usually glared at Motoki whenever they crossed paths). For safety reasons, Motoki often hid from Minako and Keith in the back room or behind any available object/person (Haruka nearly took off his head when he dived behind her for the first time).
Of all the Inner Senshi, Makoto was the least hostile toward the Knights because she was obviously drawn to Neil. She knew it, he knew it and she didn't even bother to deny it... which frustrated him endlessly when she continued to turn him down for dates. No boy, no matter how mouthwateringly attractive, was more important to her than her friends. Neil had never met a girl like her. Gorgeous, strong, fun, powerful, sweet, loyal... unforgettable. Unlike any of his previous infatuations, he couldn't get Makoto out of his mind. Falling back on tried-and-true methods, Neil gave her a pair of emerald earrings that matched her eyes. She gave them back, stiffly explaining that she always wore her mother's rose earrings. After the infamous taping incident, she brought lunch to the guys' hotel. While the food was delicious, it also had a very *special* ingredient... vomit-inducing emetics. The guys devoured every crumb. Before racing to the bathroom for the third time, Neil mumbled something and shoved a box at Makoto. The box contained a delicate white- gold chain and a rose quartz, rose-shaped pendant that *perfectly* matched her earrings. She was stunned. No guy had ever given her such a thoughtful, lovely present. Embarrassed by the gift, Makoto felt horribly guilty about the meal... but she kept the pendant.
Meanwhile, Luna quietly moved back into the Tsukino household. After she accepted that her young charge was more mature and responsible, the feline advisor was less critical and far more easygoing. In fact, Luna was extremely proud of Serena because she was very much like her mother, the Queen. The resemblance brought tears to Luna's eyes several times. However, everything was not sweetness and light in the Tsukino household. Luna's clashes with the Outer Senshi, even diplomatic Michiru, were titanic (Artemis became an unofficial referee when Hotaru threatened to chop up Luna into kitty kiblets with her glaive). Most of their arguments centered on Luna's treatment of Serena. Since Serena would no longer rule a kingdom, Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru thought that Luna's repetitive lectures on deportment and betrothal arrangements from the Silver Millenium were outdated and ridiculous. They also regarded Luna as little better than a traitorous criminal for sending Serena out to fight as Sailor Moon. The Outer Senshi only cared about their princess' safety and happiness. Whoever she dated was her own business (as long as the guy had the guts to survive Haruka's wrath). Accustomed to deference from the Senshi, Luna did not appreciate their comments (or their attitude). Most of the time, they were successful in keeping their private war from Serena.
In her room, Serena contemplated Mamoru's latest offering, a stuffed, creamy-white baby bunny curled around a perfect crimson-red rosebud and a spray of baby's breath. She pursed her lips and tapped her chin, wondering if she could make an exception in her rule about sending all Mamoru's presents back. The little darling was practically begging to be kept. Sighing, she placed the gift on her table and walked over the window seat. Serena sat down, hugged her knees and stared at the pedestrians on the sidewalk. He was getting to her. For the past week, Mamoru had been charmingly persistent with little presents, sweet compliments, phone calls and soulful looks. When she said nothing, he would simply tell her that he loved her. It would be easy, too easy, to fall back into his waiting arms but could she risk it? She wouldn't survive if he broke her heart again. Could she resist him? A knock on her door disrupted her thoughts. Before she could say anything, Justin bounded in with a big smile, his angelic choirboy face and a loudly red Hawaiian shirt over beige shorts. Serena's eyes instantly narrowed in suspicion. Justin had been pretty good lately but...
"Seerrreeeennnnnaaaaaaa, you know I love *you* more than those two snots who pretend to be my younger brothers, right? You're like my very own precious baby sister," Justin gushed.
"Er... sure, Jade-chan. Love you too. What do you want?"
"I'm hurt that you would think that! Really!" Justin declared, feigning shock. Serena looked at him and decided that he wasn't hiding anything behind his back. Besides, her denim dress was very washable.
"Spit it out. Now."
"Well, now that you mention it, you could do me this eensy-teensy little favor. All your Senshi have to do what you say, right?" Justin wheedled.
"It depends," Serena stated, evading the question and raising an eyebrow in inquiry. Justin immediately dropped to his knees, clasped his hands in a prayer-like manner and... went hysterical.
"I'LL BE YOUR SLAVE FOR LIFE IF YOU STOP HER FROM KILLING ME! I'M BEGGING YOU!" Justin screeched.
"Calm DOWN! What are you talking about?"
"REI! SHE'S CRAZY! SHE'S OUT FOR MY BLOOD! SAVE ME!"
"Well, Rei doesn't like you very much."
"That's the freakin' understatement of the century," he muttered, shooting a nervous look at the door over his shoulder. Serena smothered a giggle and dutifully pondered his situation.
"It's only because of that Dark King lookalike. Maybe if you got her to like you?"
"Maybe when they hold the Winter Olympics in hell..."
"Oh Justin, *what* am I going to do with you?" Serena mused.
"Serena, you HAVE to help me! Who else will get you out of tight fixes?"
"Who else will land me into trouble by pulling insane pranks?" she retorted. Justin put on his injured but lovable puppy-dog expression. Serena sighed and leaned towards him.
"Want to know a secret about her?"
"Of course!" Justin exclaimed, eagerly anticipating juicy blackmail material.
"Casablanca Lilies are her favorite flowers," Serena whispered. Justin was flabbergasted.
"I DON'T NEED TO KNOW HER FAVORITE FLOWER! SHE NEEDS A NEW PERSONALITY!" he bellowed but he paused in mid-tantrum as tiny wheels turned and clicked in his devious head. "Wait, what was that flower again?"
"Casablanca Lilies."
"I LOVE YOU, SERENA! YOU'RE MY BESTEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD!" Justin shouted. He bounced to his feet, hugged her and scurried off to unknown destinations. Serena shook her head at his antics, laughed and decided to keep the bunny.
Justin sent a dozen, hideously expensive Casablanca Lilies to the Hikawa Shrine. Without bothering to read the card, Rei dumped the flowers in the trash and cursed Kaido-san under her breath. Then, she bullied Yuuichiro into taking her out to the movies (Yuuichiro fluctuated wildly between joy and fear). A few more bouquets arrived and were again dumped. Eventually, Rei discovered where the bouquets were really coming from but she still mildly despised Justin (downgraded from vicious loathing). Trying to be nice even if it killed him (which was a possibility), Justin actually stood his ground and said hello to Rei at the next training session. Unfortunately, she took it as a personal attack and tried to charbroil him. Strangely enough, Rei's hostility inspired Justin to make further attempts in winning her over. In the same session, Zoisite tried to measure the length of Mercury's Senshi skirt. In an unusual, magnificent display of temper, Ami pushed his face into the ground and stomped on him (Makoto had to pull her off him because Haruka was too busy laughing).
Haruka gleefully started a betting pool on which Senshi would be the first to succumb to the charms of the Knights. The stake was up to ten thousand yen. Obviously, the parents of the Senshi were left out of this little matter (Mamoru was also in the dark because Haruka had just three words for him: toad, run and die). Haruka thought Makoto would be the one to crack. Although she didn't contribute to the pool, Serena privately agreed and watched the betting fervor with amusement. Feeling a special kinship with Ami, Michiru placed some money on her. Motoki bet on (fervently prayed on his knees for) Minako (Keith made Motoki's spine dribble onto the floor). When a few arcade customers overheard their speculations, the betting pool widened to include people who didn't know anything about the girls' Senshi identities. While Haruka was a trifle grumpy about sharing the fun, she was consoled by the thought of the ever-soaring stakes. Minako was the odds-on favorite for the most likely to date one of the guys from America. After all, she was the dating queen of the Juuban district.
Rei's grandfather loyally bet his money on Rei, even though Justin was taking physical punishment from her. That boy was determined, *insane* but determined (and possibly masochistic as well). He was extremely proud of his beloved granddaughter but she was... he hesitated in saying it... somewhat of a shrew. He must not have given her enough sweets as a child. Yet, around Justin, there was a certain *look* in her eyes... half-anger and half-something that a grandfather shouldn't know about. She somehow seemed more vital, *alive* when yelling at him. Aside from offering prayers for Justin's continued survival, he cannily helped the boy by ridiculing him and loudly praising Yuuichiro's potential as a future husband in Rei's presence. Perversely shunning Yuuichiro and defending Justin to her grandfather, Rei was forced to list all his good points (reverse psychology worked beautifully on her). Justin didn't know whether to strangle or thank Rei's grandfather. In an introspective moment (once in a blue moon kind of thing), Justin wondered why Rei's opinion mattered to him. He didn't know... but he wanted to see her smile.
Aside from amusing everyone in the Juuban District, Justin's suffering had an unexpected side benefit. With their tender hearts, Ami, Minako and Makoto were very sympathetic towards him. For Minako, it was a short step from sympathy to friendship. Once she discovered his tendency to pull pranks and his outrageously funny sense of humor, Justin had another companion in crime. Serena, Minako and Justin became an unstoppable force of nature bent on making mischief. None of their friends were safe. Minako and Serena's friendship with Justin lightened the hostility and naturally drew the groups together.
In a short navy blue summer dress with tiny white polka dots and slender spaghetti straps, Minako wandered the library stacks, perkily peeking into every dark, dank, dusty corner. She saw a studiously cute guy on the second floor but she passed by him without a second thought. He didn't have a killer smile or a muscular but lean body or serious, dark gray eyes... The Senshi of Love and Beauty resolutely quashed those errant thoughts because she would not be deterred from her all-important mission. Finally, she found her target in a study cubicle on the fourth floor. With glasses perched on the top of her head and a distracted expression, Ami rested her chin on her hand and faced the window instead of the books scattered on the table. She looked particularly nice in a gold-buttoned, lavender silk vest-shirt and an ivory, gauzy skirt decorated with tiny violet flowers. When Minako sneaked up behind her and tapped her on the shoulder, Ami squeaked a little. Flashing a sunshine-bright grin, Minako winked and made her signature V-for-victory, two-finger salute. Ami rolled her eyes and sighed. Minako slipped into the seat next to her.
"Hi! What's new with you?"
"Hello Minako-chan. I'm studying because I do not want to be behind once school starts."
"Last time I checked, zoning out doesn't qualify as studying," Minako stated cheekily. Ami sighed again, settled her glasses on her nose and tried to think algebra thoughts. When Minako cocked her head to the side and stared pensively at her, Ami remained silent. "You know you can tell me anything."
"Nothing is wrong. Your imagination is overreacting again," Ami said stiffly.
"Ami-chan, you can't fool *me*. Besides, you're a horrible liar. If *you* can't study, something's definitely wrong. Usually doomsday, end-of-the- world kind of wrong... but I don't think it's *quite* that bad this time. What's the matter? Is it Serena?"
"..."
"You know I'll get it out of you sooner or later. Make it easy on yourself and 'fess up."
"It is not Usagi-chan," Ami softly replied, lowering her eyes almost guiltily.
"So, it's a person."
"I'm glad that she's back. Glad doesn't really cover it. We're not complete unless she's with us but... it's different too. Not her but... the others..."
"Oh, it's someone who's with her. Perhaps a certain green-eyed blonde named Zack?"
"Do not *mention* that name to me. He's... he's a... a *lecher*!" Ami hissed.
"Ami-chan, you're one of my best friends and I love you dearly so don't take this the wrong way. You pushed him into it."
"WHAT?!!!?" she shrieked, flushing in shame when a patrolling librarian gave them a warning glance. Minako's sky-blue eyes danced with amusement and she touched a finger to her lips.
"Shhhh! This is a library. Ami-chan, I'm surprised at your behavior."
"Minako-chan!" she groaned. Minako shook her head mock-sternly.
"You asked Zack if he was *gay*. For any guy, it's like the *ultimate* challenge to his manhood. He's proving beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's absolutely, one thousand percent NOT gay!" she lectured. Nearly dying of embarrassment on the spot, Ami bore a passing resemblance to a tomato. Minako slung a companionable arm around a stunned Ami's shoulders and hid her grin. "But there's more to it, isn't there? How do you *really* feel about him, Ami-chan?"
"I... he.... he... *scares* me," Ami stammered, struggling for words. Minako's face softened with sympathy. "He... he makes me *feel* things. I never used to get angry but he makes me so mad! He's a *jerk* but..... but sometimes when he has that dreamy look in his eyes... I... I... *want*... I think..."
"You want what?"
"When he looks at me like that, he makes me *feel* different... like *I* am beautiful... like his eyes are *telling* me so... but he couldn't be thinking that... he's... he's so handsome... and... and sometimes... I have dreams of... of... running my hand through his hair... and it's like... fire-kissed golden silk..." Ami breathed wistfully.
"Did you ever feel this way with Urawa-kun?"
"No, I like Urawa-kun but I didn't... I *don't*... think about kissing him... not like with Zack... I think his kiss would taste like mint... and... and I'm *angry* when there are other girls around him... even when he's acting like a pervert."
"Ami-chan, you're jealous... and you're in love."
"No, I can't be! Not with *him*!" Ami blurted out in a shrill, panicked voice. Minako had difficulty maintaining a straight face. She had never seen Ami so off-balance.
"If it's any consolation, Zack's crazy about you too," Minako confided. When Ami's mouth dropped open, Minako stifled her giggles. Regaining her composure after a few moments, Ami turned her head and stared at Minako with narrowed eyes.
"What about *you*, Minako-chan?" Ami challenged, turning the tables on her smug friend.
"Wha... what are you talking about?"
"Why do you flirt with Motoki-san so much when he has Reika-san?"
"Don't be silly, Ami-chan. It's all in fun," Minako evaded, avoiding Ami's eyes. She pulled her arm away from Ami's shoulders and nervously fiddled with a book on the table.
"Why do you torment Keith-kun with these games? You know your flirting bothers him a great deal," Ami probed, abandoning subtlety in favor of getting straight answers.
"I'm *not* tormenting him!" she flared. Ami made a sound that suspiciously resembled a snort.
"It's not like you to be this mean. Even I can see that he really likes you."
"Pain is a sexy look for Keith," Minako remarked flippantly. Ami frowned in disapproval. Minako sighed and threw her arms in the air. "Fine, *be* that way! I... don't want to be around him."
"Why? He's nice and very polite, especially for a gaijin."
"Before I came back to Japan, I was cursed by an enemy."
"Cursed? How?" Ami said blankly.
"I would never have to choose between duty and love... because I would never love."
"Minako-chan, that's ridiculous. If youma curses were real, we'd be long dead."
"It doesn't matter. Long ago, I valued love more than duty. It was a... mistake. *Nothing* will interfere with my duty again," Minako flatly declared with cold, hard eyes. Ami raised an eyebrow.
"What does Keith-kun have to do with your duty?" she inquired in her most reasonable voice.
"Other boys wouldn't distract me from my duty but Keith is... different. He could be important, *too* important. I don't want to hurt him but I will not *allow* myself to be that weak."
"You, of all people, should know that love is not a weakness."
"I'm not in love with Keith."
"But you *could* be. Usagi-chan would *never* demand a sacrifice of love for duty. She loves us and wants our happiness."
"I *can't* love him," Minako insisted stubbornly.
"Minako-chan, don't use Usagi as an excuse. You *know* what she would tell you. Life, especially *our* kind of life, is too short and precious to waste. If you have a chance for love, take it. Take it and enjoy it."
"But the curse!"
"Usagi-chan and Mamoru-san have defeated far worse curses in the past. We're living proof that *we* can make our own destiny."
"I'll... think about it," Minako whispered after a moment of silence. Her cornflower-blue eyes were troubled. When Ami reached over and squeezed her hand, Minako smiled a little and gave her a speculative look. "Hey, I thought *I* was the expert on love in our little group."
"We'll take turns. *You* can be the smart one next time," Ami retorted, dissolving into giggles (and earning the dreadful vengeance of the librarian for the first time in her life).
At the next training session, everyone was shocked speechless. Zack had smuggled in another camera past Haruka and Makoto's eagle eyes. However, Ami had been keeping a *very* close eye on him. Before he could take any pictures, she marched up to him and grabbed the camera. Almost as an afterthought, she shoved him but Zack lost his balance, grabbed *her* to keep from falling and somehow managed to knock them both to the floor. When Ami landed on top of him, Zack *tried* to be a gentleman but his mouth collided with Ami's face. Instead of rearranging his anatomy as expected, Ami went breathless and wide-eyed. Impulsively, Zack kissed her. He had an instant to regret his action before she kissed him back. Completely absorbed in new exciting sensations, they didn't hear the catcalls and wolf whistles from their friends. When Ami and Zack finally came up for air, they couldn't ignore Haruka's glowering frown (or her foot-nudges to their ribs). After the training finished, Zack finally snapped out of his daze to ask Ami out on a date. She shyly nodded her answer. Haruka scowled all the way to the Crown Fruit Parlor (betting pool headquarters) with Michiru smugly grinning beside her.
On another front, Mamoru got used to the concept of non-Motoki, male friends. Guys who stayed up until insane hours of the night to play video games while eating junk food. Guys who gave him embarrassing nicknames like "Rose Boy", "Mighty Mask" and "Movie Usher Guy". Guys who regularly insulted him and each other with great enthusiasm and inventiveness. Guys who dragged him off to sporting events, rock concerts and movie theatres. Guys who reduced his painfully neat apartment into shambles. Guys who taught him poker and cleaned out his pockets almost every week. Guys who didn't understand the meaning of the words "No. I have to study." Guys who actually *watched* anime and made him sit through the most absurd science fiction TV marathons. Guys who were loud, obnoxious, annoying... and the best friends in the universe.
His new friends made his continued estrangement from Serena a lot easier. After smacking him several times for his imbecilic behavior toward Serena and punishing Zack for his good fortune with Ami, they whin... er, commiserated about their love lives over root beers and potato chips. Keith and Neil also hatched elaborate vengeance plots against Haruka (all abandoned out of paralyzing fear). Zack rhapsodized over Ami (earning more torture sessions at the hands of his friends). During these guy-bonding times, Justin relentlessly campaigned for another team name ("We should be the Justice Knights! It's a totally kick-ass name! Earthian Knights is *so* lame! We are cooler than the JLA AND the X-men!") and other superhero names ("Who wants to named after a crappy piece of rock?"). Other than the inevitable training sessions, they acted like normal hormone-driven, lovesick teenagers.
Although there had been no youma attacks for weeks, the Sailor Senshi and Endymion's Knights became uneasy and kept their eyes out for trouble. Each day, Rei asked the Great Fire for answers and received ominous, frustratingly obscure visions. Neil's oracular dreams were full of black inverted crescent moons, golden flames and increasingly dark, inscrutable omens. Growing haggard from the lack of sleep, he rarely had more than four uninterrupted hours without a prophetic nightmare. Zack and Ami's upgraded computer simulations and scans detected nothing unusual. Affected by the edgy, tense atmosphere, Justin, Minako and Serena lacked the desire and concentration to pull off their infamous pranks. Icily controlling his need for a fight, Keith spent time at a local dojo (and terrorized other black belts). Makoto went on another cooking marathon. Frustrated and restless, Mamoru took long, erratic walks at odd hours. Impassively watching the others, Haruka, Hotaru and Michiru were the least affected by the growing nervousness. Aware of their own abilities, they did not doubt that they could handle whatever was coming. It was the calm before the storm....
Interlude 10
Striking the floor with her staff, the woman glanced at the pale-eyed lady.
"The event approaches."
"By the light of Selene, I will pray for their success."
AN2: Ages of the Sailor Senshi and Earthian Knights (for Carolin Rocha who really wanted them):
Tsukino Usagi/Serena - 15
Mizuno Ami - 15
Hino Rei - 15
Kino Makoto - 16
Aino Minako - 16
Tenou Haruka - 23
Kaiou Michiru - 22
Tomoe Hotaru - 13
Meioh Setsuna - I don't have the guts to ask her.
Chiba Mamoru - 17
Zachary Daniel Winslow - 16
Justin Jebediah Damon Reed - 16
Thomas Neil Lawrence Scott Stanwyck Junior - 18
Keith Thomas Bennett - 18