I was thinking about separating my story between arcs into three different parts: Kyoto, Home, and Crystal Future will be the new one. What do y'all think? Lemme know! I don't want y'all to be confused. Sailor Moon is owned by Naoko Takeuchi and TOEI Animation... .
Notes: In the last chapter I totally forgot to include the Starlights ._.
They're sitting at their favorite booth at the Crown Fruits Parlor, planning the upcoming wedding. Usagi and Mamoru are holding hands under the table, all smiles and laughter. It's been a month since the Kuroi and her people said their goodbyes.
"And the flowers are gonna be amazing! Like, ohmygod!" Minako says, grinning.
"Tell me, tell me!" Usagi says, leaning forward.
Minako pulls an invisible zipper across her lips, smiling. "Can't. Sorry!"
Usagi frowns. "Aw, you're mean! Mako! Tell me!"
Makoto shrugs. "Sorry. She made me swear. Oh, yeah, I've finished everyone's outfits, so everyone should come by and try 'em on."
"You're done already?!" Usagi asks in surprise.
"Well… Too be honest, you four are the only ones I needed to do. I did these guys' clothes before you came back, because we already knew that you guys would get married, but they still need to try them on to see that they still fit, and that adjustments don't need to be made. Also, Chibiusa's gonna come and be the flower girl. We can do the girls today and the guys tomorrow. How does that sound?"
"Sounds good!"
"Yeah!"
"Let's do it!"
Usagi notices that Jose didn't say anything. She purses her lips, but doesn't say anything. She'll ask him later. "Anyway," she says, "we need to review the guest list, just to make sure."
"Make sure what? Are you doubting my mad people-skills?" Rei says, pretending to be offended. "Maybe I am, maybe I'm not!" Usagi says, shrugging. "The world may never know!"
"Oh, why you-!" Rei says, and balls up her fists. Everyone laughs.
"Anyway!" Makoto says, brushing off Rei's disturbance. "The buffet orders also need to be reviewed. You two need to decide what exactly it is you want."
"Aww, Mako-chan isn't making all the food?"
Makoto scoffs. "I can't make the clothes and the cakes and still have time and energy to make all the food, too. There are some things that need to be ordered. Like fruits and veggies and-"
Usagi wrinkles her nose. "There'd better not be any carrots in there!" Everyone laughs, and Mamoru squeezes her shoulder, making her stomach jump.
"-And the fountains!" Makoto finishes. "Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Cheese, and Sour Cream." She sighs. "Do you know how much this is going to cost?"
"Don't worry, we're working three jobs each!" Usagi says, talking about herself and Mamoru. "And plus, I have some money saved from- from Kyoto. My job there."
"You sure that's enough?"
"We're hardly getting any sleep these days! It's a wonder that we're here with you guys right now instead of sleeping or working!"
Makoto sighs. "Maybe we should put our money into the pool, too."
"That sounds like a good idea," Ami says.
"I guess, if that what has to be done," Rei says.
"No!" Usagi objects. "I don't want you guys sacrificing your money! We can cut out the veggies and- and the cheese and sour cream fountains if we need to!" Everyone laughs. "I'm serious, though. We can make cuts if necessary."
"You're in luck, because it isn't," someone says. They all turn to see a woman, their age, long, pink hair with a slight curl at the bottom, red eyes, wearing chic clothes approaching their table. "How is everyone? It's me, Chibiusa."
"Princess Serenity-sama!" Jose says in awe. "What are you doing here?"
"My mother told me to help you guys out." She rolls her eyes and places a hand on her hip. "With, like, funds and stuff. So, I'm here. I brought cash."
Everyone stares at her in shock. "A-Are you serious?!" Usagi finally sputters.
Chibiusa shrugs "As a heart attack."
"Wow! That's amazing!" she says.
Chibiusa sets a large duffel bag onto the table, and it lands with a low thud. "This is it." She unzips the bag, and everyone leans in to get a closer look.
There is more money in the bag than Usagi can imagine! She can't believe it! "This is amazing! Wow!"
Chibiusa smiles. "I missed you guys, too."
Usagi sweatdrops. "Sorry. I really did miss you, though."
Chibiusa laughs. "It's cool." She grabs a chair from another table and sits in it. "So, where were we?"
Akira knocks on Makoto's door, and sighs. She hates dresses. She hates big social events. But, it's for her brother and Blondie's wedding, so she has to put up with it.
"Who is it?" Makoto calls.
"It's, uh, Akira," she replies awkwardly.
"It's open, come on in!"
Akira takes a deep breath, and twists the handle, pushing the door open. She slips out of her shoes and walks in to see the biggest, frilliest, white dress she's ever seen.
Usagi smiles. "Hey. Whaddya think?" She twirls in the dress, and smiles expectantly at Akira.
Akira raises her eyebrows and breathes out heavily. "It's, uh… big."
Usagi frowns. "Well, I'm not blind."
Akira snorts, smirking. "Can you even walk in that? Please tell me she doesn't have you in heels, 'cause that's a disaster just waiting to happen."
"Of course not. Mako isn't stupid."
Makoto sweatdrops. "W-Well…"
Usagi snaps her head around to look at her. "Right?"
Makoto sheepishly brings forward a pair of white pumps with gold trim. "Maybe a little…"
Akira tosses her head back, laughing. "That's the best joke I've heard in a while! You are joking, aren't you?"
"Well, no. I think that she might be able to manage it if she really tried. The Queen wears heels, you know. In a slim gown, nonetheless!"
Usagi frowns and sits on the couch. "Well, the Queen is perfect! And… I'm not."
"I can think of one person who can beg to differ," someone says. Everyone looks to see Rei and Minako taking off their shoes at the entrance. Akira suppresses a groan. "Hey," the one who spoke, Rei, says.
Makoto smiles. "Yeah. The one she's meeting at the altar. He doesn't count."
Minako pouts. "Of course he does! Let love be love, Mako!"
Makoto shrugs. "Whatever. Here, you guys take your dresses. They're all laid out here, color-coordinated," she says, and winks.
Rei rolls her eyes, and smiles. "So I guess mine is the pink one?"
"Not pink!" Makoto objects. "Light red! It took me forever to find light red polyester! Be grateful, or I would've had to go with pink!"
Rei laughs, and picks up a sparkly, "light red" sundress. It looks pink to Akira, too. She looks over the dresses, most of them light, pastel colors with a nylon mesh fabric on the outside, but there's one made from a bright, in-your-face Sunburst Orange, and a tuxedo with a sapphire bow tie and vest.
"Here, Akira," Makoto says, picking up the tuxedo. "This is yours. Haru-chan hinted that you wouldn't be happy wearing a dress."
Akira laughs. "Yeah, I'm hardly happy wearing my fuku."
Makoto laughs with her, but says no more. Akira skillfully buttons the shirt and ties the bow tie around the collar, and then buttons the vest. As she's buttoning the cuffs with real sapphire cuff links, the door opens again.
"Hi, sorry we're late!" Everyone looks to see Haruko and Ami at the door. Haruko drops her bag when she sees Akira, and walks up to her.
"Oh, my gosh! Mako-chan, how did you do this? This is amazing! You got her to wear fancy clothes!" Then, she notices Usagi on the couch, and gasps. "You look fabulous! Oh, my gosh!"
Makoto laughs. "Akira actually seemed pretty willing. Your dress is there, too, Haru-chan."
Haruko looks at the coffee table where the outfits lay. She grabs the tight, orange cocktail dress and laughs. "Wow! You made this?!" she asks.
Makoto smiles. "Yeah! Sewing isn't as hard as people make it out to be. I could teach you, if you want me too."
"Please! I would love you forever!"
"After the wedding though. We have much to prepare for in the time being. Starting with Usagi."
Usagi snaps her head up. "What?"
"You need to learn how to walk in high heels and a dress."
Usagi lets out a small sound and looks down at the floor. She sniffs. "Aw, man…"
Then the door opens again, and Akira spots Mamoru at the entry. She sprints to cover his eyes and pushes him back out.
"Ah! What the-?!" he objects.
"Not today!" she whispers. "It's bad luck for you to see the bride's dress before the wedding! Go home and come back tomorrow!"
"I just need to talk to Makoto!"
Akira narrows her eyes at him through the crack in the door that she's poking her head through, and then sighs. "Makoto!" she calls back into the room.
"Who's at the door?"
"The groom!"
Makoto groans. "What does he want?"
"He wants to talk to you!"
She groans again. "Right here? Now?"
Akira looks at him again. He nods urgently. She sighs. "Yes!"
"I'll be there in a sec. Hold on," Makoto runs over, and Akira notices that she's not in her dress. She's wearing black leggings and a green t-shirt. She probably doesn't need to try on her own dress immediately. Akira goes to join the others as Makoto shuts the door behind herself.
"What's up?" Makoto asks.
"The Generals are coming, too. You remembered, right? They're my groomsmen."
Makoto rolls her eyes and scoffs. "Who do you think I am? Of course I remembered. I have your tuxes here."
Mamoru sighs in relief. "Good. 'Cause they're here right now. They wanted to try them already."
Makoto groans. "Well, tell them they can't yet. Can't they wait a day?"
"I already tried convincing them."
"Well, now you gotta step your game up to commanding."
Mamoru sighs. "Gotcha. I'll see ya tomorrow."
"Bye."
Usagi frowns as Makoto walks back in. She wanted to see Mamo-chan! "What was that all about?" she asks.
"The Generals' tuxedos. They want to try them already."
Usagi nods, and bites her lip. It takes all her strength not to go running after him. She loves him so much.
"Well, do they all fit?"
"Well, I dunno…" Minako says. "I'm having a hard time zipping it up over my boobs."
Makoto groans. She walks over to Minako, reaches into her dress, pulls out the thick, gel cups, turns her around, and zips up the dress with ease. "You're not as clever as you think, Minako."
Minako frowns. "That's no fair! Now I look small, compared to you!"
Makoto shakes her head, and places her hands on her hips, pushing her chest out, grinning. "Please. You can't match natural talent."
"You made it this tight on purpose, didn't you?!"
"The dresses have cushioning of their own! You don't need to add anything! And tight's a good thing, last time I checked! You always have to complain, don't you?!"
Minako frowns, and balls up her fist. "Boy, one of these days, I swear I'm gonna-!"
"Oh, please! You can't hurt me!"
Minako narrows her eyes, pinches Makoto's arms, and then runs off to find refuge, giggling.
"Oh, you-!" Makoto says, chasing after her. "I'm gonna rip you apart!"
Minako hides behind Rei, who sighs. "Couldn't you have found a better place to hide? Go hide under Usagi's skirt; it's big enough for that!"
Minako giggles. "Sounds like a plan!"
"What?!" Usagi shrieks. "No way! Thanks a bunch, Rei!"
Rei smirks. "She won't really do it."
"How do you know?" Minako says, still giggling. Maybe I will!" she says, and flips up Usagi's skirt, causing Usagi to fall.
"Timber!" Akira calls, snickering.
"Akira!" Haruko scolds, then giggles.
"You gotta admit that was funny."
Usagi growls, and pounces at Akira, who easily flips her onto her behind. "Whoa, there, Tiger!" she says, and everyone laughs. Makoto tackles Minako, who squeals, and they roll. Makoto pinches Minako's arm, making her yelp.
"Usagi! Save me!" she calls.
Usagi rubs her backside in pain. "Oww… I'd love to, but I can't… Get Rei to do it!"
"Rei!" she moans. "Help me~!"
Rei groans. She pulls Makoto off Minako, and Makoto laughs. "Aw…" she says.
~That Night~
Usagi turns on the lamp in her own room in Akira and Haruko's apartment, which she hasn't slept in in ages. She hasn't seen Mamoru all day, and she really wants to, but she has to ask Jose what's up, and since he sleeps in the same room, that was the best place to do it.
Usagi pulls out her math textbook, and though she hates it, she has to study. Her alarm clock reads 12:06 am
Suddenly, Jose walks in the room and slams the door shut behind him. Usagi is startled. He walks over to her, kneels beside her, and kisses her deeply, and she snaps her head up to find that he's not really there.
She sighs in relief. Just a dream. It seemed so real! She checks her clock again, and it reads 3:37 am. She takes a deep breath and looks to see if Jose has come in yet. He… hasn't. She cocks her head in curiosity. She lays her textbook to the side and stands. She stretches-the position she had been sleeping in wasn't comfortable at all; criss-cross, leaning all the way over, face on the blanket. She opens her door and sees a light coming from the front room. She hears someone talking-Jose. And then… Akira. She pads down the hallway to see what was going on.
They seem to be having a serious conversation, so she hides behind the wall.
"When do you leave?" Akira asks. Leave?
"I want to stay for the wedding, at least. I'll probably leave that evening."
There's a pause in the conversation, and the air of tension is thick. "Blondie won't be happy. She'll probably start crying if you tell her."
"I have to tell her, though. I just don't know how."
"Like you told me. She's tough, she can take it. She might not be happy about it, but… She'll understand."
"You think?"
"Definitely. Why don't we go get her right now?" Usagi's heart stops as she prepares to run, quickly and stealthily like the NINJA of old times.
"No!" Jose objects to Usagi's relief.
"Hey, keep it down!" Akira hisses. "You'll wake… the beast!" Usagi smiles, remembering the last time Solar Flare was released.
"Y-You're right. Sorry."
Akira sighs. "It's cool."
Usagi moves to get a better view of what's going on. Jose is sitting at the small table, and Akira is perched upon the counter, holding a glass of water. Usagi leans further in, and then loses her balances. She lets out a yelp as she falls.
"Blondie!" Akira says. Caught!
"What happened?! Are you alright?" Jose asks.
"Moreover, what were you doing there?"
Usagi sighs as she sits up. "I won't lie to you. I was listening in. I heard that Jose's leaving soon, and that he thinks I'll be upset about it. And…" she hesitates, "I guess I am a little, but you do need to go back home. I mean, I love you, Jose. I really do. But, there are people that need you right now more than we do. I would appreciate it if you would stay for the wedding, but afterwards, you need to go home. I don't wish that you would, heck, I wish we could keep you here forever. But that's not possible. I can see that much."
Jose purses his lips. "Are you sure you're not mad?"
"Of course. I'm fine. Come here," she says, and gestures for him to give her a hug. He awkwardly leans in, and, sitting down, hugs her. The hug last for about two seconds and ends with a final, tight squeeze.
He sits back and she smiles at his darker-than-normal face. "We should go to sleep for now."
Jose nods, and Akira smirks. "Yes, Mommy," she mocks. Usagi rolls her eyes.
(rolls over and stretches) Myaa~! Pet me, Master! Sorry.
