Disclaimer: all and any Sailor Moon character belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. I just own the idea for this story. So don't sue me, but please don't steal either!

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25

The strawberry flavored drink was good, she would admit that much.

But she knew better than to trust its sweetness, specially when taking under consideration the original intention of said drink being in her hand at all. So when Makoto came and without much of a word took the drink off her hands, taking a long sip and obviously enjoying the cold sweetness of it before handing it back to her, she didn't even think about complaining; three drinks were two too many, and she certainly didn't mind sharing the content the glass Minako had all but forced into her hand with others.

Resting against a column for a moment, she grimaced lightly, letting out a soft groan. Minako really knew what she was doing when it came to clothes and makeup. And though she was eternally and secretly grateful for the fact that her -sometimes too crazy- blonde friend hadn't forced her into one of her minuscule little party dresses, she was really regretting agreeing to the shoes.

She was fairly used to high heels. Not really her first choice as a part of her every day wardrobe, she was used to wearing them on certain occasions and celebrations, and even her Fuku came with those. Only, her Mercury boots were not four inches heeled, platform included, ankle-breakers, and if she could fight, run, jump in them, then surely dancing with an enthusiastic Masato, who just happened to be really good at such activity, including having a bit too much fun spinning her around while wearing the aforementioned ankle-breakers -not that he was either responsible or aware of that fact-, wouldn't be a problem.

Sadly for her, that was not the case and she was not wearing her Mercury boots. And the ankle-breakers were set on torturing her poor feet; she was sure there would be blisters and she wouldn't be able to walk properly for at least two days.

Letting out a sigh, her eyes traveled through the dance floor, landing on the man that had made her dance her little heart out. He was still dancing, of course -she had to wonder where he got all that energy from. But with Makoto all the way over to the bar, Minako and Kunzite with her as they ordered some drink or another, and Rei and Usagi having gone to pay a visit to the ladies' room just a few moments ago -a visit that would probably last more than just a few minutes, Ami was sure; the waiting line alone would make sure of that-, and for obvious reasons not interested on asking neither Jei nor Mamoru for a dance, the tall, brunette man had found in one green eyed Shitennou his newest dancing partner. Slash victim.

With a mocking smile decorating her face, she made him turn around. And with equally mocking movements he complied, taking his sweet time to finish his turn, making effeminate, downright ridiculous movements, hips swinging side to side included.

Zoe laughed. Face up and her body slightly tilting backwards in what was probably a loud, hard to contain laughter. A deep, rich one, Ami was sure, even though both the music and the distance didn't let her hear it.

He laughed along as well, and taking both her hands in his, he jerked her in and towards him. A smile dancing on their faces and laughter still lingering in their eyes, they continued with their dancing, following the current song's beat.

One particularly too fast spin -the same kind Ami had experienced herself less than twenty minutes ago-, made Zoe tripped over her own feet, coming dangerously close to land face flat on Masato's strong chest if not for his fast reflexes and his arms going around her and steadying her. And then the blonde promptly burst out laughing, not at all ashamed and resting against Masato's chest all the same as her entire body shook with laughter.

The handsome brunette laughed too, whispering something into Zoe's ear only to make her laugh even harder, and a smile made it to Ami's lips; it was nice seeing them like this. After everything that had happened -mainly, Zoisite trying and actually succeeding on killing Nephrite-, seeing the both of them like this, carefree and joyful, it was a rather nice change.

She honestly couldn't remember ever seeing them quite like this back during the Silver Millennium. She had known they were close, of course. The close, deep, well beyond duty friendship all four Shitennou and one Prince shared had been a well known fact back then; though blood said different, they were brothers in arms and in heart. But still, Ami couldn't quite remember ever seeing Nephrite and Zoisite ever acting like this, so full of laughter and playful, like brother and sister.

Obvious reasons as to why that was aside, of course, Ami mused to herself; even with Zoisite being the little brother, it would have seemed odd, at the very least, for Nephrite -or any of them, really- to be dancing with Zoisite.

But that was then, and the here and now was entirely different. And if Zoe was even remotely considering hiding her true gender, then the choice of clothes for the night was entirely wrong.

While some -very confident on their masculinity- men had no problem on wearing some sort of heeled boots, the four inches heeled, peep-toe black booties were most definitively not something any men would ever wear, let alone know how to walk on. Except for a transvestite, or maybe David Bowie in the 70's.

The denim pencil pants that could just as easily be just paint over otherwise bare legs, hung low on round hips and marked a small, rounded, tight buttocks and rock hard looking thighs. And if that alone was not enough of a clear statement of a female body, then the fitting denim shirt surely did the trick. The last few buttons were undone, presenting a generous cleavage that ended right over the valley of her breasts, the tight material and the benefits of being young playing their part.

It was a bold outfit, Ami thought. Such a cleavage would look trashy and quite slatternly on anyone else; she wasn't even sure Minako would be able to pull it off, and the blonde had the ability to make even a potato bag seem like the epitome of youthful -and tasteful- sensuality. But on the green eyed Shitennou, the combination of it all, the fitting pans and shirt, the generous cleavage, the high heels and the ponytail at the back of her neck, with blonde ringlets escaping it and falling down her neck and shoulders, the faded black eyeshadow framing green orbs; it just suited her. The end result wasn't slatternly or trollopy, and it added a certain air to her final appearance that just suited her.

Switching from foot to foot to somehow try to relieve the painful pressure on her toes and heels, she noticed the necklace around Zoe's neck. The same one she had seen her wearing ever since Ami met her, and it looked kind of familiar…

"You look like you could use a chair."

The unexpected though very accurate comment voiced so close to her made her jump in her resting spot against the column. Her feet resenting the movement immediately, she silently thanked the darkness all around when a burning red came rushing to her cheeks, only now realizing she had been staring at the dancing, laughing blonde, scrutinizing her.

But as she turned to the voice's owner, both her embarrassment and all and any regrets about the choice of shoes for the night were forgotten as she looked into familiar blue eyes.

"Ryo!" she exclaimed; an honestly happy smile spreading on her features, despite the pain on her poor feet. "What a surprise!"

The smile on Ryo's face mirrored her own as he took both her hands in his in warm greeting.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, unable and unwilling to hide her surprise and her excitement.

She knew he was supposed to be in Germany. He was finishing his studies there, building himself up a rather promising career as an architect and already working on a major studio.

They reminded friends, and e-mails were exchanged every so often. So of course she was surprised of seeming him there; he hadn't mention anything about coming back to Tokyo.

He shrunk his shoulders then, burying his hands in his jean pockets. "I knew you'd be here," he admitted.

It was not the words by themselves, or even the implied admission that he still had the ability to see the future, that got her both curious, and slightly on guard; it was the tone to his voice, along with the way thick brown eyebrows came together.

"Is everything alright?" she asked, concern slowly but steadily growing within her.

A new enemy was the last thing they needed right now.

With the Shitennou along side with them, she knew they could only get stronger. But she was also very aware of the fact that they had never been on a fight while on the same team. Heck, they haven't even trained together. Something, she knew, Kun was everything but pleased with; the tanned man had been making plans to try and find a place both big and secure enough for them to train.

She didn't want to think lowly of any of them, but she wasn't even sure where they stood when it came to fighting skills. They had just started to regain their true powers, and she knew by personal experience how hard it could be to get used to one's own strength and abilities while having to face an enemy at the same time…

"I was just about to ask you that myself," Ryo answered her, forcing her off her train of thoughts.

She noticed his blue eyes moving away from hers, and she followed his gaze until her own eyes landed on one specific, still being forced to dance, blonde woman.

"Is that… that's really her… isn't it?"

"Zoisite, yes," she answered, nodding her head. "That's her."

Again, two thick eyebrows came together in worry, and it wasn't hard for Ami to realize why he was so apprehensive; his meeting the Shitennou had been far from pleasant.

"It's alright, Ryo," she said. "She's not evil anymore."

His frowning gaze turned to her then, doubtful, and a small, understanding smile made it to her lips as she tilted her head to a side.

"Is that why you came?" she asked, as softly as all the noise around allowed her to. "Because you knew she was here?"

"I'm here to visit my family for the summer, too," he said, slightly shaking his shoulders, not denying he had been worrying about the green eyed Shitennou's return.

"I appreciate the gesture, but there's nothing for you to worry about," she assured him.

Funny how she was defending Zoe now, when only a week ago, she had been on the exact same position Ryo was in right now. Only, slightly different; for him there was no past, no betrayal, and Zoisite was nothing but the Dark Kingdom's lackey, and nothing else. He had never known what the Shitennou had once been, and it was easy for Ami to see how it could be hard for him to even consider the possibility of her being anything but the wicked, backstabbing enemy they had once met.

It wasn't completely unheard of, their enemies having a change of heart. It had happened before. In fact, it was what Sailor Moon had always aimed and stood for; love and compassion and understanding winning above all else.

They never killed their enemies; they were the ones doing that -Beryl to Jadeite, Zoisite to Nephrite, the Wiseman to Sapphire, Mimet to Eudial… the list went on and on…-, and they had always tried to change their enemies' heart. They did destroy their monsters, though. Which, more often than not, were originally object that were not supposed to be animated in the first place and only did that because of the dark energy embedded in them. But if a soul could be healed and rescued from the darkness, then by all means, they would try to do that.

"It really is alright," she said, offering him a reassuring, confident smile. "Like I said, she's not evil anymore, and… she's actually a nice person," she admitted.

She smiled at the irony of the situation, but it didn't make her words any less true. She didn't know the blonde that well, but she seemed like a nice person, and there really was no reason for Ryo to worry about her being back; she trusted Setsuna's words on that.

And even if there was, there was nothing he could do about it.

He let out a sigh. "If you say so," he finally said, shrinking his shoulders. But then a small, honest smile came to his lips. "So, how have you been?"

.-.

It lasted barely a second, but he noticed.

She hit his arm, laughing at his joke, shook her head and adverted her filled with mirth eyes away. And then her smile faltered.

She was fast to recover, and her smile was firm and wide once more as she turned back to him, continuing with their dancing as if nothing happened, but had noticed. Just like he noticed her relaxed, happy attitude and amusement were completely gone, even if she was trying to disguise that.

Something was distracting her. And as he noticed green orbs wandering off and away, back to that same spot somewhere behind him, a barely there frown wanting to break into her features, surprise and something else he couldn't quite pinpoint flashing through her eyes -concern? Disappointment, maybe? He wasn't sure…-, he knew she was troubled.

Taking her hand once more, he made her turn, and in a swift move, he switched places with her, trying to search for whatever it was that had changed her mood so fast. And then he saw it.

He thought he recognized him. If he remembered correctly, he was an old friend of Ami's, but he wasn't sure; the distance, the constantly changing lights and half darkness wouldn't let him make the features clearly. And really, it was hard to fully recognize someone from a picture he had once seen on the girls' flat.

Turning his gaze back to his little sister, he hummed to himself.

Now, why would Zoe be troubled about that boy talking to one cute little Ami? Could it be that, maybe, her one hundred percent sure lack of interest in one blue haired Senshi wasn't actually that sure? The stars did say something about love bounds, brighter and deeper than before, but he had just assumed they were talking about the future King and Queen…

Interesting, he thought.

There was a teasing comment burning at the tip of his tongue, but he shoved it back to where it came from. Knowing her, any comment of any nature, teasing or otherwise, regarding a possible unchaste interest on her part towards some -very specific- pretty lady would result in her folding back and hiding away for a ridiculously long time. Zoisite had locked herself up in the Palace's library for almost two months, two whole, long months, stubbornly and miraculously avoiding all human contact, to the point of going to the kitchens herself to fetch her food, avoiding running into maids and guards alike, and somehow even managing to hide from the three of them and the Prince himself, hiding behind thick books and blueprints and whatnot when Jadeite had had the brilliant idea of pointing out how green eyes would light up at the sight of one specific Senshi.

For such a brilliant person, her ability to be quite childish and ridiculously stubborn sometimes, swimming in the waters of denial and completely unable to see the obvious with her own two eyes was surprising. And just plain stupid. And considering modern technology, takeout, and the chance to buy anything any person could need online without ever setting a hair out on the street, the possibility of her not leaving her apartment at all for that exact amount of time shall he follow Jadeite's example was something he didn't want to risk.

It was too soon to tell, anyway, and he much rather sit back and silently enjoy the show.

Makoto, Minako and Kun came back and rejoined them, and Kun said something to Zoe, distracting her. But only momentarily, as her eyes flickered back to one blue haired woman again for the briefest of moments.

Letting his hands go around his girlfriend's waist, he smiled to himself. Yes, he much rather sit back and enjoy the show; it promised to be quite interesting.

.-.

She made her way back from the ladies' room, scanning the floor with her eyes and trying to spot a friendly head. It was fairly dark all around, with the flashing lights not making it any easier, but she was confident in knowing that, no matter how many people were around and regardless of there not being much light for her to see, there weren't that many men she felt drawn to, whose auras and very souls called out to her.

Green eyes surveyed the dance floor, but before she could spot a familiar face to match the always present tug in her chest, her eyes landed on someone else.

She gulped.

Would he remember? God, she hoped not…

She gulped again when he started making his way towards her, but she shook herself fast enough, putting on her best formal, poker face, gentle though unreadable smile neatly in place. She had no reasons to believe the boy remembered her at all; Rei's grandfather didn't remember a thing, after all, and he had all but welcomed 'his granddaughter's friend' with opened arms and a warm smile.

She chose to ignore the fact that there were legendary, magical crystals working their magic on all of them. Who needed masks when there was magic to count on to keep their identities secret from the rest of the world, just like it had been a millennia ago?

If anything, the boy could have seen her talking to Ami's friends and one point or another, and could easily be wondering who she was. That was a perfectly valid, reasonable explanation; one that Zoe couldn't make herself believe.

"Hi," she said, hating the way her own voice sounded unsure and trembling even to her own ears. "You're Ami's friend, right?" she asked, going for the friendly approach. "I'm Zoe Calhoun," she introduced herself, extending her hand out to him in as friendly of a tone and manner as she could muster.

He took her hand, shaking it. "Yeah, I know exactly who you are," he stated, simply and bluntly. "Ami says you're all good now," he commented, leaving the 'but I don't believe it' part hanging in the air.

So, he did remember.

And, apparently, he still had the power to foresee the future, too.

Inwardly, she patted herself on the back as she firmly kept his gaze in what, she was sure, was a stoic face that would make Kunzite proud. She didn't want to come off as cold, aloof and heartless, but she was not about to let him or anyone else judge her and patronize her. Aside from her brothers and the Prince himself, of course. And the Senshi; they had a right to judge her if they chose to.

But this boy? Yes, she felt sorry for him and for what had happened to him, for what she had -involuntary- put him through. But he didn't even know the half of it; he had no right to judge her.

So she held his gaze, unwilling to budge.

She let out a sigh, wandering her eyes around for a moment and finally coming to the conclusion that an apology was in order, when he stopped her before she could even open her mouth again.

"Stay away from her."

She blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Stay away from her," he said again, firmly and with a stern frown upon his face.

Was it her, or he just sounded like a zealous boyfriend?

Was he Ami's boyfriend?

She shook her head as the thought popped into her mind. So what if he was? He was no one to be ordering her around like that, and boyfriend or not, he had no right on telling her such a thing in the first place.

"Look, pal…"

"Is everything alright?" Ami's sweet voice somehow managed to float above the loud music, getting her attention and making her swallow the words burning at the tip of her tongue, turning her face to a side instead only to find the petite bluenette standing right next to her and curiously -and somewhat worriedly- looking at the both of them.

"Yeah," the boy was fast to say, plastering a smile on his previously frowning face. "Zoe here was just telling me about life in San Francisco," he said, surprising her out of her mind at the mention of her hometown. "I think I might go there someday," he continued; his previous demeanor completely gone now, being both talkative and friendly instead. "I'd sure love to see the Golden Gate Bridge and walk down Lombard street."

"And take a cable car ride," she added for him, almost automatically.

And when big blue eyes looked up at her, the relief in there at finding them talking civilly evident, she decided to play along. One small, tiny little white lie couldn't hurt.

Ami smiled then, agreeing to her comment and adding one of her own about the matter. The nonexistent previous conversation continued on smoothly, soon shifting from San Francisco to sights worth seeing in Hamburg.

She knew it shouldn't bother her, and a part of her found it rather funny, the way he acted like Ami's guard dog. And really, what could he do, a simple, powerless boy like him, to protect the mercurian young woman? He held no match against neither Ami nor herself. The thought was almost hilarious.

But it did. The glances he would throw her way every now and then, the silent warning evident in those wide orbs of his, bothered her. He was marking his territory -a dog indeed-, and as annoying as such an archaic, macho chauvinist attitude was -something she was sure Ami wouldn't appreciate, if she were aware of it-, what bothered her the most was the silent order in itself.

As if that boy could do anything to stop them from hanging on the same -tight and closed- circle. As if he had any clue at all.

Whatever, she mumbled to herself, deciding to ignore him. Whatever this premonition power of his had showed him, he obviously got the completely wrong idea, and she had far much better things to do than worrying about a jealous boyfriend.

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Coming soon: "I never really liked clowns, and I always thought they're just creepy characters with a big fake and ironically sad smile on their faces. But now all I can think of is lizard like claws for fingers and sharp teeth and 'they all float down here'."

Meanwhile, any thoughts?