Chapter Twenty Three
Moving Forward
Early June, 1950
'Click!'
"What are you doing Ami?" Mako asked as Ami flipped the safety of her gun to the on position.
"I can't do it Mako, I can't separate that family. I've done that enough for more than one lifetime." Ami answered as she slung her rifle over her shoulder.
"I guess you're right, I have one question though." Mako said as she turned her safety on and slung her rifle over her shoulder.
"What's that Mako?" Ami asked as she took a sip of water from her canteen.
"What are we gonna eat tonight?" Mako asked as she watched the family of deer walk away.
"Mom's classic spaghetti?" Ami asked with a smile.
"I do love mama Mizunos spaghetti." Mako replied as she leaned against a tree.
"I can't believe it's been five years Mako, where did all the time go?" Ami asked as she rested her head on Makos shoulder.
"Our jobs. We've owned the bakery for about four and half years now, plus your studying to become a doctor. How's that going by the way?" Mako asked as she draped her arm over Amis shoulder.
"Good, since I started in 1946, I should be done some time next year." Ami answered with a smile.
"I thought that was an eight year program?" Mako asked as she stood up and helped Ami to her feet.
"It normally is, but with my backround knowledge from my medic days combined with my moms help, I was able to fly through almost three semesters of classes in just one." Ami answered, as her and Mako started walking back to their Jeep.
"I love this old army Jeep, love the classics." Mako said as she jumped in the driver's seat.
"As long as you're happy, I'm happy for you Mako." Ami replied as she climbed in the passenger seat.
"You don't like supreme thunder, she's my girl though. How could you not love her?" Mako asked as she slowly began driving back home.
"Maybe because the last time I was in a Jeep like this, it got torn to pieces by a train and I almost died." Ami answered with a giggle.
"That wasn't a Jeep like this, I thought it was one of those weird looking German jeeps." Mako replied with a grin.
"Oh yeah, guess it's been so long that my memory's gotten a little fuzzy." Ami said with a smile.
"I wonder how Bella and everyone are doing over there?" Mako asked as she pulled up to their house.
"Knowing Bella, I'm sure she's doing just fine." Ami answered as she grabbed her rifle and got out of the Jeep.
"Home sweet home!" Mako yelled as her and Ami walked into their house.
"It's good to be home, I'm gonna go take a bath if that's okay with you." Ami said as she began climbing the stairs.
"That's fine, just don't take too long. We have to be at Usagis by three, and it's already one thirty!" Mako yelled as Ami disappeared up the stairs.
"If you're so worried about time, then why don't we save a little time and money by using the same water?" Ami asked with a suggestive smirk as she came back down the steps.
"But then my bath would be cold." Mako replied with a devious grin.
"Then, why don't you just join me." Ami whispered as she lightly grabbed Makos shirt collar and pulled her into a kiss.
"Ami Kinno, what has gotten in to you, and why did it take so long to get there?" Mako asked as she passionately kissed Ami back.
"Who knows, guess I've just been talking to Miniko too much. Now come on, unless you don't wanna help me wash up." Ami answered with a wink as she strutted her way up the stairs, followed closely by her mesmerized wife.
"Do it harder Rei!" Miniko yelled at her wife.
"I'm doing it as hard as I can Mina!" Rei yelled back.
"You're taking to long, give me that thing!" Miniko yelled as she snatched the tool from Reis hand. "AGH! There, that should keep the sacred fire going for at least another week." Miniko said as she split the log in two and stacked the two halves on the pile.
"Yeah, we should be pretty good now. Thanks for the help Mina, I owe you one." Rei said as she gave Miniko a kiss.
"You bet you do. But for now we should start getting ready, we have to be at Usagis in an hour." Miniko replied with a smile as she began walking into their house.
"Don't go using all the hot water like you always do Mina." Rei said with a scowl.
"If you want hot water, then I guess you'll have to join me." Miniko replied with a wink.
"After all these years, you're still the same flirty girl I met in that jungle." Rei said with a smile.
"Yep, and you're still the same hot headed warrior. However, you have let down a lot of your walls." Miniko replied as she gave Rei a kiss on the cheek.
"Guess I just needed the right person to break them down for me. I love you Mina, and I'm glad you broke down those walls, I don't know what I would do without you." Rei replied as she grabbed Miniko and passionately kissed her.
"Wow Rei, I thought I was the goddess of love." Miniko said as she tried to catch her breath.
"You are, but I'm the goddess of passion. It's the one thing even the goddess of love can't out class me in." Rei replied with a wink.
"You're passion burns even brighter than the sacred flame, and the best part about it, is that it's all for me." Miniko whispered the last part, as she gave Rei the deepest kiss she could.
"I wish we had time to play our mind games and see who cracks first, but if we don't start getting ready soon, we're gonna be late." Rei said as she started walking towards the bathroom.
"I can't wait to see everyone again. What's it been, over six months since we've all seen each other?" Miniko asked as she started following Rei.
"At least. It's been hard to find time to see each other, between Amis studies, hers and Makos time at the bakery, my song writing, and you're modeling job; there's almost no time to get together anymore." Rei answered as she turned the faucet on and began playing with the temperature.
"Yeah, it's been a busy few years. I can't believe how far we've come, it's so surreal that at times, I think it might just be a dream. I'm always worried that I'm gonna open my eyes one day and find out all of this is a dream, and I'm still in that jungle, or on that beach, or worse." Miniko replied with a few tears.
"Oh Mina. Shh, it's okay, I get scared to, but I promise you, this is real. I am real, and if we don't get moving, we are really going to be late." Rei said with a sweet smile as she held Miniko.
"Thank you Rei, you always were my rock." Miniko replied as she wiped her tears away.
"Now let's go get cleaned up so we can get going." Rei said as she took Minikos hand and began leading her towards the bathroom.
"We ready to go?" Mako asked as she finished combining her hair.
"I've been ready, you're the one who's taking so long." Ami answered with a grin.
"It's all this hair, it takes so long to brush it." Mako said as she walked out of the bathroom.
"Maybe you should cut it like mine." Ami suggested as she grabbed the keys to their Jeep and started heading towards the door.
"I thought about that, but I think it would look weird on me. Besides, that's pretty much you're trademark symbol, the little bluenette. That hair was the only thing that stopped me from strangling you to death in that camp all those years ago." Mako replied as she started following Ami out the door.
"Yeah, I suppose it was." Ami said with as she stared blankly out the door.
"Ami?" Mako asked as she cautiously placed a hand on her wife's shoulder.
"I'm okay Mako, I just prefer not to remember that camp, or the other one." Ami answered as she rested her head on Makos chest.
"I know Ami, I don't like remembering any of it either. But we'll get through this one day, and we'll do it the same way we do everything else." Mako said as she held Ami and gently stroked her hair.
"Together?" Ami asked as she looked into Makos eyes.
"Together." Mako quietly answered as she placed a kiss on Amis lips.
"Thanks Mako, you always know how to make me feel better. Now let's get going before we're late." Ami said as her and Mako walked out to their Jeep and got in it.
"Which way to Usagis house?" Mako asked as she started the engine.
"Go left out of the driveway, then go straight for about five miles, then take a right at the intersection of crescent road and beam avenue. It'll be the fourth house on the right." Ami answered as she gestured with her finger for each turn and straight away.
"Did you grab the thing?" Mako asked as she put the Jeep in drive.
"No I forgot it, I'll be right back." Ami said as she hopped out of the Jeep and ran back into the house. "Can't forget this." Ami said as she carried a large container and a bag back outside.
"We certainly can't, everyone would be so disappointed if we did." Mako replied as she put the Jeep in drive and started heading towards Usagis house. "Looks like we beat Rei and Mina here." Mako informed, as she turned the Jeep off and got out.
"I'm sure they'll be here any minute now." Ami replied as Mako took the bag and container so Ami could get out of the Jeep.
"There they are." Mako said as she pointed to Rei and Minikos car.
"Aww, they beat us here." Miniko whined as Rei pulled into the driveway.
"That's because it took you almost an hour and a half to find an outfit to wear." Rei replied as she turned the car off and got out.
"I had to look nice though, I am a model/singer after all." Miniko said with a wink.
"You're kidding right?! That's so awesome, congratulations Miniko!" Mako exclaimed as she gave Miniko a hug.
"What about you Rei, you still a priestess?" Ami asked as she gave Rei a hug.
"My main job is to be a song writer for Miniko, but I still do the priestess thing on the side every now and then. Just to help grandpa out though." Rei answered as she went to hug Mako.
"That's so cool, I'm glad to hear things are going well for you two." Ami said as she hugged Miniko.
"What about you two, you still studying to become a doctor Ami?" Rei asked as she went to knock on the front door.
"Yeah, I should be done by next year." Ami answered as she walked up behind Rei.
"You two still have the bakery?" Miniko asked as her and Mako walked up to Rei and Ami.
"Oh yeah, and it's thriving! We're gonna need a bigger store at this rate." Mako answered with a big grin.
"That's so good to hear, congratulations you two!" Miniko yelled as she hugged Ami and Mako at the same time.
"Hooray! Auntie Ami, auntie Mako, auntie Mina, and auntie Rei!" A small pink haired girl cheered.
"Hello Chibiusa, how's my favorite niece today?" Mako asked as she picked Chibiusa up and bounced her a little.
"Higher! Higher!" Chibiusa cheered as Mako continued to bounce her.
"Oh my god, you all came! It's so good to see you all again!" Usagi squealed as she pulled everyone into a big group hug. "Come on in, everyone's already inside." Usagi said as she gestured everyone into the house.
"Everyone?" Ami asked as she walked into Usagis house.
"Ami, long time no see. You and Mako still all mushy with each other?" Haruka asked as her and Michiru came around the corner.
"Haruka! Michiru! It's so good to see you both again, and yes, we're even worse since we opened the bakery together." Ami answered as she gave Haruka and Michiru a hug.
"I thought I heard two of my favorite instructors. How are you guys, it's been far too long since we've seen each other." Mako said as she hugged Haruka and Michiru.
"We've missed you too Mako." Haruka replied as she tightened her hug around Mako.
"So how have you two been, the years been good to you both?" Michiru asked with a smile.
"Very. Ami's almost done with med school and our bakery is thriving, you two should stop by sometime, I've got the perfect treat for the both of you." Mako answered with a wink.
"Really? Well we may have to take you up on that offer." Haruka replied with a grin.
"What am I, chop liver?" Setsuna asked as she strolled into the room.
"Of course not, I could never forget one of my favorite teachers. Thanks to everything you and mom taught me, I flew through almost three semesters worth of med classes in just one, so I should graduate sometime next year." Ami answered as she hugged Setsuna.
"What are those?!" Chibiusa yelled as she caught sight of the large package and container in Makos arms.
"You mean these?" Mako asked as she waved the two items in front of Chibiusa.
"Yeah! What is it?! What is it?!" Chibiusa cheered as she jumped up and down.
"You'll have to be patient, unless your parents say I can give these to you now." Mako answered with a grin.
"Can I have them now papa? Pleeeeease?!" Chibiusa begged.
"I suppose so, but at least come outside by everyone else before you open them." Mamoru answered with a smile.
"YIPPEE!" Chibiusa screamed as she ran out the back door.
"Everyone else?" Miniko asked as she began following Chibiusa.
"Mamo, you ruined the surprise." Usagi whined.
"Crap! I'm sorry Usako, please forgive me." Mamoru begged.
"It's okay, I forgive you." Usagi replied as she gave Mamoru a kiss.
"Let's go meet these, mystery guests." Rei said as she and everyone else began walking towards the back yard.
"SURPRISE!" A bunch of people yelled as the group came outside.
"I don't believe it! Mikasa! Hotaru!" Ami yelled as she ran to her old friends and threw herself into their arms.
"We missed you too Ami." Mikasa said with a smile.
"Guess what, there's another surprise as well." Hotaru informed with a grin.
"Really?! What could be more surprising than seeing you two again?" Mako asked as she hugged Mikasa.
"You ladies may enter when ready!" Haruka yelled.
"Oh. My. God!" Ami, Mako, Rei, and Miniko simultaneously exclaimed!
"I can't believe it! Ami shouted in surprise.
"You'd better believe it." A tall woman replied in a heavy French accent.
"Bella!" The four women yelled in surprise.
"Don't forget me." The other woman said in relatively good English.
"Anna!" The four women once again yelled in surprise and joy.
"I can't remember the last time we saw you two, I've missed you both so much." Ami said with a few tears of joy as she pulled each of them into a group hug.
"We've missed you too Ami." Bella replied as she hugged her old friends.
"How have you been Ami, it looks like you healed fairly well considering the shape you were in when I last saw you." Anna said with a smile.
"You thought she looked bad before we left your house, you should've seen her a few hours later." Miniko replied with a smirk.
"I didn't think she could've been worse off if she tried, it's not like she died or anything." Anna said with a laugh. Everyone just looked at each other. "What?" Anna asked as she looked around at everyones faces.
"Have we got stories for you two." Mako said as she placed a hand on Bellas and Annas shoulder. For the next couple of hours everyone talked and exchanged stories of everything that happened each time Ami and her team had found themselves with the various people they worked with during the war.
"Damn Ami, you have the worst luck. You got shot in the arm the day you met me, you died in a train wreck a day or two later, then you had a building dropped on you the day you met her, and three days after that you were almost beaten to death. I don't know if you're the luckiest or unluckiest person at this party right now." Bella joked.
"You forgot the part where she almost bled to death." Rei laughed.
"I don't remember any of that being nearly as bad as you're all making it out to be." Ami replied with a laugh.
"That's probably because you were either unconscious or dying during most of it." Miniko replied with a grin.
"Or you just forgot on account of all those blows to your head." Rei laughed as she lightly knocked on Amis head.
"Ha ha, very funny." Ami replied in a jokingly annoyed tone as she gently rubbed her head a few time where Rei tapped her.
"Look what mama and papa got me!" Chibiusa squealed as she came running outside with something behind her back.
"What did they get you?" Ami asked as she lightly poked Chibiusas nose.
"It's super cool, look auntie Ami!" Chibiusa cheered as she pointed a toy gun at Ami.
"SHIT!" Ami screamed as she instinctively slapped the toy out of Chibiusas hand and reached for a weapon she didn't have.
"What's wrong Ami!" Mako yelled as she came running to Amis side and wrapped her in a protective hug.
"Get off me! No! No, let me go!" Ami screamed as she kicked and flailed against Makos grip.
"What happened?!" Usagi yelled as she came running out of the house with Mamoru close behind.
"Auntie Ami slapped me!" Chibiusa cried as she ran to Usagi.
"Why would Auntie Ami do that? She would never hit you Chibiusa." Usagi said as she knelt down and hugged Chibiusa.
"What is wrong with you Ami?! Why would you..." Mamoru began yelling at Ami as he stormed towards her, until his foot kicked something plastic across the ground. "Chibiusa?" Mamoru asked as he picked the item up.
"Yeah?" Chibiusa asked as she lightly cried into Usagis shoulder.
"Did you show your toy to auntie Ami?" Mamoru asked with some slight concern.
"Yeah, and she yelled at me and slapped it out of my hand." Chibiusa answered with a sniffle.
"Did you point it at auntie Ami?" Mamoru asked with a raised eyebrow. Chibiusa lightly nodded in response. "That's why auntie Ami slapped your toy away, you scared her Chibiusa. Do you remember what mommy and I told you when we gave you this toy?" Mamoru asked as he stared at Chibiusa.
"No." Chibiusa quietly replied.
"We told you never to point it at anybody except mommy and me because we know it's a toy. But you can't point this at other people, especially auntie Ami and her friends. Remember when I told you that your aunties Ami, Mako, Rei, and Miniko get scared really easily?" Mamoru asked as he continued to stare at Chibiusa.
"But they're grownups." Chibiusa replied with a sniffle.
"Grownups get scared too Chibiusa." Usagi said as she continued comforting Chibiusa.
"But why?" Chibiusa asked as she looked up at Usagi.
"Because they saw and did lots of scary things. Remember our scrap book, the one with daddy and I in those fancy outfits?" Usagi asked as she gently stroked Chibiusas hair. Chibiusa nodded in response. "Do you remember the one with that tent and the beds?" Usagi calmly asked.
"Yeah." Chibiusa answered.
"That was your auntie Ami and auntie Rei laying in those beds, all that scary stuff gave them lots of boo boos. Ever since then they get scared really easily, because they don't want more boo boos. That's why Auntie Ami slapped your toy away, you just scared her, she would never hurt you on purpose." Usagi explained as she hugged Chibiusa.
"I'm so sorry Chibiusa!" Ami cried as she fell to her knees in front of Chibiusa. "I would never wanna hurt you. I love you Chibiusa, and I'm so sorry I hurt you!" Ami yelled as her head fell the ground and she cried hysterically.
"Don't cry auntie Ami, I love you to." Chibiusa said with a few tears as she ran to Ami and hugged her.
"Chibiusa." Ami quietly said as she hugged Chibiusa.
"I'm glad everyone's feeling better, now let's get this party back on track!" Usagi yelled.
"I think the air's a little bitter right now Usagi, why don't we sweeten it up a bit." Mako suggested with a grin as she went into the house.
"Fifty bucks says she walks outside with a cake no less than three tiers high." Rei whispered into Minikos ear.
"A hundred bucks says she walks out with a cake no less than five tiers high." Miniko whispered back.
"Ta da!" Mako yelled as she carefully walked back outside with a huge ten tier cake.
"Holly crap corporal! You plan on feeding a platoon with that thing?!" Haruka yelled as she stared in awe at the colossal cake in front of her.
"You can never have too much cake Haruka." Mako replied with a laugh.
"Anyone have a sword? I don't think a knifes gonna cut it, literally." Rei joked.
"Hey Ami, I think that cake's taller than you." Miniko joked.
"It is, by almost a foot to be exact." Ami replied with a giggle.
"What are we waiting for, let's serve it up!" Mamoru yelled with joy as he walked outside with the biggest knife he could find. After almost twenty minutes everyone had eaten at least two pieces of Makos super cake.
"When do I get my hundred bucks?" Miniko asked with a mouthful of cake.
"When we get home, or." Rei trailed off with a suggestive smirk.
"Or what?" Miniko asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Or perhaps, I can pay you some other way." Rei whispered as she licked some icing off Minikos lips and kissed her.
"I think I'd like that." Miniko whispered back as she returned the kiss.
"Get a room you two." Mako said with a grin.
"That's the plan, and maybe you two would like to join in on the fun." Miniko whispered with a wicked grin. At the sound of that, Ami literally inhaled a bite of her cake.
"You okay Ami?!" Rei yelled as she gave Ami a few slaps on her back.
"Yeah...I'm good. Thanks Rei." Ami replied with a breath.
"Here I was thinking you'd gotten a little less shy." Mako said with a grin as she placed a gentle hand on Amis shoulder.
"I have." Ami replied with a smile.
"Even if you hadn't, I'd still love you just the same. In fact, that shyness was one of the most attractive things about you when we first met." Mako said as she hugged Ami.
"I love you Mako." Ami said as she held Mako as tight as she could.
"I love you too Ami." Mako replied as she gave Ami a gentle kiss.
"Looks like it's starting to get a little dark, I think we're gonna head home. It was nice seeing you all again." Haruka said as her and Michiru approached the group.
"Good bye Haruka, I'm so glad we got to see each other again." Mako said as she hugged Haruka goodbye.
"Take care Ami, you're mom has our address, you're all welcome to stop by anytime." Michiru said as she hugged Ami.
"Thank you Michiru, I'll be sure to visit." Ami replied as she hugged Michiru back.
"Good bye Ami, good luck with your schooling, I know you'll make an amazing doctor one day." Setsuna said as she hugged Ami good bye.
"Thank you Setsuna, I couldn't have done it without you." Ami replied as she hugged Setsuna good bye.
"Good bye Mako, I hope to see you again soon. Maybe we can spar a little, see how tough you've gotten." Haruka said as she finished hugging Mako.
"I'd like that Haruka, we'll have to find a day to do that." Mako replied with a grin as she watched her friends leave. A few hours later the party officially ended and only four guests remained.
"Look at that one Mina." Rei said as she pointed to a bright yellow star.
"Look how bright it is, that must be the North Star." Miniko said as she laid back on the grass and stared at the beautiful star filled sky above.
"That's actually the planet Venus." Ami corrected as she laid down next to Miniko.
"I think that's my favorite planet, I do like Mars though." Miniko replied as she continued to stare at the sky above her.
"Venus sure is beautiful, but I think Mars is way cooler." Rei said with a grin.
"What about you Ami, what's your favorite planet?" Mako asked as she laid down next to Ami.
"I've always liked mercury, but my personal favorite is Jupiter. What's your favorite planet Mako?" Ami asked with a smile as she cuddled up to Mako.
"I think Jupiter's pretty neat, but for some reason, I've always loved Mercury." Mako answered with a smile as she wrapped a gentle arm around Ami.
"I think you're all wrong, the brightness and most beautiful of them all is definitely the moon. Especially when it's full." Usagi said as she stepped outside and laid down next to everyone.
"I suppose you're right Usagi, it is beautiful when it's full, and tonight it's definitely full." Mamoru said as he sat down next to his wife and stared up at the full moon above them.
"I still think Venus is the prettiest." Miniko said with a smile.
"You know what's even prettier though?" Ami asked as she crawled on top of Mako.
"My Mina?" Rei asked as she crawled on top of Miniko.
"No, my Mako." Ami answered as she kissed Mako. "I love you Mako. I'm so glad I literally bumped into you all those years ago." Ami whispered as she rested her head on Makos chest and closed her eyes.
"I love you too Ami, I'm glad to have bumped into you that day as well. My little blueberry." Mako whispered back as she gently wrapped her arms around Ami, kissed her, and fell into a peaceful sleep.
The End
(Final Authors Note: I hope everyone enjoyed the story, as you're aware this story is based on events from World War Two, which came to be known as the last Great War. As you all know, there was nothing great about it. From September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945, World War Two consumed almost every aspect of the lives of every citizen in almost every country across the globe. More than fifty countries participated in the war and over sixty-five million people were killed at the very least. It is important we never forget the sacrifices made to preserve peace and freedom around the globe. Thank you for reading, comments are welcomed as well a constructive criticism. Thank you.)