Rei and SunTzu had some free time time they could share together the next morning as the delegation was taken care off by Luna and his flight training was just in the afternoon.
Both woke up to the sunshine falling through the shutters. They cuddled up next to each other and stayed there, just enjoying being close to each other and the sun rays on their faces. She lay on his chest, listening to his heartbeat and he caressed her back. Both still had their eyes closed.
The lovers stayed like that for a while.
"Good Morning." He kissed her head and she opened her eyes, leaning up and kissing him on the lips.
"Good Morning."
She rubbed his cheeks where already stubble was beginning to grow again. She went on, thinking about if she preferred him with beard or without. He looked way younger without.
"It's already growing back again."
"Thank god. You look a kid without it." She decided she liked him more with a beard.
They cuddled up for a bit longer and then got up.
She was wearing one of his t-shirts as they both prepared breakfast, bacon and eggs, R'nB music was playing in the room.
"Don't think it's eggs and bacon today you won this night, Topper."
"As far as I remember I won by points." He answered, standing behind her, kissing the back of her neck, while she was stirring the eggs in a pan on the stove.
She twitched because it tickled and smiled. He was actually right but she couldn't let him get away with that so easily.
"Let's call it a draw."l And now stop disturbing me while I cook or you won't get a breakfast."
He stepped away and went to another corner of the kitchen counter, starting to make coffee.
The couple then had breakfast together, fooling around and feeding each other and afterwards they cuddled up on the sofa and while they listened to music and enjoyed their closeness they finished their morning coffee.
After breakfast the Senshi and the Pilot shared a hot shower together and Rei helped herself again at his closet before he left for the temple to get some proper clothes for the farewell ceremony of the diplomatic mission.
"How long you're on duty today?" She asked him while she put on a shirt of his she wore as a dress with a belt around the waist.
"Afternoon, latest 4pm I guess. That is, if no intergalactic attack comes in between."
"Perfect. I was thinking about something. Nobody ever gave you a proper tour through Tokyo, right? How about some Shibuya Sightseeing tonight? The cool stuff of course. Showed to you by a real Tokyo Girl."
"Sounds great, I'd dig that."
"Good, so it's a date." She finished her makeshift outfit and then passionately kissed him goodbye and left his apartment. He took the car from the day before to the base and left it at the motor pool, before he went to the base's gym and then got into his flight suit.
Just in time to be ready to escort the Core Planet delegation's shuttle off planet with the Haruka and Michiru.
As before the escort was uneventful and as soon as the shuttle jumped into Hyperspace they turned around and rushed back to earth. Soon as they passed the ever guarding ESDF Flotilla they accelerated and competed in a race against each other. Unfortunately a winner couldn't be decided because flight control called them off and ordered them to land individually.
Next time then.
At least Michiru was happy and mocked both pilots that none of them won in the end.
When both Star fighters finally had landed the three got out and headed for a small break in the flight center, waiting for Hotaru.
The teenager soon arrived and was greeted by her former co-foster parents and SunTzu.
Soon the four of them were In the sky again and after showing Hotaru on what to take care off, SunTzu and Michiru landed on an island and they changed places with their copilots, with Hotaru and Michiru flying now.
Two hours later they were on the way back and Hotaru was following Michiru and Hotaru in the Voyager as she rushed over the Tokyo Bay. Soon they landed and had a small debriefing. Hotaru still performed flawless.
When they were done SunTzu messaged Rei and went home to get ready.
SunTzu opted for an urban look like he preferred and went out in baseball cap and zip hoodie to take the metropolitan train to Shibuya Station where they were supposed to meet.
Rei was waiting for him on the way to the exit where the famous Hachiko Statue was located at. It was around 5pm on this sunny day in May.
She was wearing sneakers, a long light blue skirt, a Hello Kitty belly shirt, a baseball hat and a nylon college jacket.
"Nice cap." They said at the same time when they noticed each other.
He walked over to her and they exchanged just a small kiss, after all they were still in Japan. Rei then linked arms with SunTzu and they went out. The tour started with the Hachiko Statue and Shibuya Crossing.
She asked him if he wanted a coffee and when he affirmed the had a small coffee in the Starbucks overlooking the crossing.
Just in time for sunrise she took him up to the observation deck of one of the skyscrapers around the train station.
SunTzu held Rei close while they watched the sunrise together.
When the sun disappeared behind the horizon they left the observation deck again and strolled through the nearby streets, deciding where to have dinner.
The couple finally opted for Italian-Japanese fusion kitchen and went up to a multileveled building nearby.
Rei and SunTzu enjoyed a candle light dinner with a modern twist and after the newly lovers finished dinner they left for the busy, neon lighted streets and alleys of Shibuya again.
The city girl showed him some more places she enjoyed in the area including some street art and a street with tiny bars nearby, where they had a drink together and then finally went back to the station.
Rei said she couldn't stay the night because she had to take care of some things in the shrine tomorrow morning but SunTzu insisted to at least take her home.
Rei actually found it cute but she didn't tell him.
SunTzu brought her to the stairs leading to the temple and they kissed each other good night.
"That was great, i really enjoyed that. Thanks for taking the time to show me around."
"It was fun. Next time we do Shinjuku. I'll miss you till tomorrow."
"I'll miss you too. When do I see you tomorrow?"
"I'll be around early, i need to do some sport and training too, you know. What about a run tomorrow morning? I'll join you and the other pilots. I'll ask the other girls too."
He went home and pretty soon left for bed, while constantly writing with Rei. The topic for this night was music and the two compiled a play list with songs both of them liked till they both fell asleep.
—-
The next morning the Pilots and Senshis got together at around 8pm and went for a hour of morning cardio. Even Mamoru and Usagi joined in, latter struggled a bit during the hour but made it through somehow with motivation from her husband as well as mocking from Rei.
The Senshi were all pretty fit and a good part of them were faster than most of the pilots. The two fastest were Makoto and Haruka and even Setsuna, SunTzu and Hotaru struggled to keep up with them.
After a hour the group gathered at the Air Center again.
Makoto announced that she and the teams would be at the range later and whoever would be interested could join. SunTzu and Hotaru were scheduled for a training flight but told that they would join in later. Rei chimed in, that she'd come over too and even Ami said she might join.
The flight was nothing to fancy and was basic navigational training. At least until SunTzu gave AICA and override command and shut down her engines while Hotaru was flying from one waypoint to another.
The Senshi reacted instinctively and went into her no Bullshit Ice Princess mode, saving the situation as she circled over a small island till they were slow and then touched down safely on the island's beach with the help of the repulsors. This was quite the spectacle for the few visitors of the beach.
SunTzu commended her for the swift and right actions and turned on AICA's engines again, before he let her commence the regular exercise.
After they got back to the base the changed into combat clothes and went for lunch. The other Outer Senshi joined them.
Next stop was the armory and the Pilot and his trainee got a MK 17 SCAR-H Rifle and the fitting accessories. Time to try out some heavier calibers. Setsuna joined them but opted just for a pistol this time.
They took a Humvee from the Motor Pool and left for the range.
Up there the Inner Senshi were already training self defense shooting under the guide of Makoto. Setsuna joined them while Hotaru and SunTzu occupied one of the long range lanes, that were directed to the sea and covered distances till 800 meters.
While they were carrying stuff over from the Humvee, Rei appeared at their vehicle.
"I see you're going for the advanced course already." She said motioning to the big tan rifle SunTzu carried.
"Reaching out and touching someone Diplomat Hino." SunTzu answered dry and laid the gun down on the car again.
"How was flight training?"
"I tried to kill us but Hotaru quick reactions safed us in the end."
"You. Did. What?! This is not funny. She's a teenager SunTzu, not someone you could do your stupid ideas with." Rei exploded, clearly disappointed that he put her in danger
"Relax Onee-San, SunTzu just corporated a standard safety procedure into today's training." Hotaru chimed in, defending her instructor's action.
Rei looked at the younger Senshi and thought about it for a moment.
"I'm a bit irritated that you actually think I could voluntarily put Hotaru in danger Rei."
"Fine then. But how'd you like if I tell that to Setsuna. In your words."
SunTzu put his hands in a defensive gesture.
"No need for that. Really."
She looked at him challengingly, arms akimbo.
"Really Rei. Remember that bag you saw in Shibuya yesterday you liked so much. I'm willing to bribe you with it."
She just stood there still staring at him.
"What if Diplomat Hino is proof against bribes TopGun."
"Oh please. A diplomat is basically a politician. And all politicians are corrupt."
She walked up to him, fire burning in her eyes. He stood her gaze.
The undercover couple stood there for a moment.
"Err, I'm not sure right now. You guys want me to turn around, so I don't watch you kiss now?" Hotaru suddenly asked, making the two secret lovers break their eye contact to look at her and blush.
They finished taking the gun and ammo over to the lane. Rei watched them doing so. When they finished she waved SunTzu over as Hotaru was zeroing the gun on the lane and walked behind the car where nobody could see them. When he came around she pulled him up to her and kissed him and she bit his lip so hard she almost draw blood.
"That's your punishment."
Rei sighed, she really wished that she could spent more time with him right now.
They shared another brief kiss and then appeared from around the car again, running right into Setsuna who just came up to the truck.
She raised an eyebrow when both came sneaking back behind the car.
"What are you guys doing?"
"Oh, I scolded TopGun here, that he let's Hotaru do all the work. But to not undermine his rank in front of her I decided to do it not directly in front of her." Rei put a hand over her mouth, leaning in to Setsuna. "You know, sometimes he needs to get yelled at, so his ego doesn't get too big." She shrugged her shoulders. "Pilots."
"And what happened to your lip?" Setsuna asked and pointed to SunTzu's face.
"I burned my lip." Was his brief answer, as he walked down to the range where Hotaru was assembling the gun.
The two dark haired women observed the two pilots in their combat clothes as they got ready to shoot with SunTzu giving Hotaru tips and tricks she eagerly soaked up. Again it looked like a very perverted version of Daddy-Daughter-Day.
"Not long and I think you have to apply for joint custody." Rei joked as she witnessed SunTzu helping Hotaru put the right adjustments to the rifle's scope.
Setsuna, who kind of took on a melancholic face since ever SunTzu walked away followed the scene too but seemed to be lost in thoughts.
The older woman whispered something that sounded like she knew he'd be trouble but Rei didn't understand her right.
"Sorry? I didn't get that acoustically."
Setsuna snapped out and glanced over to Rei.
"Never mind. I was just thinking aloud." She paused for a moment. "I'm glad someone is taking care of Hotaru, while I'm busy. And he helps her immense in her growth as Warrior."
"You do know she's also a sixteen year old teenager, Setsuna-San?"
"Weren't we all teenagers when we started the fight?"
Rei thought about that for a second.
"You're right. I feel sorry for her and Chibiusa sometimes. Our fight was at least limited to this city or at least the planet. And wasn't a galaxy wide war."
"I feel sorry for both of them too. After all I'm her adoptive mother. But you know our purpose. That's why are blessed, or cursed, with this powers."
Setsuna closed her eyes while Rei turned her gaze back to the range where Hotaru and SunTzu were laying now, getting ready to engage targets. A laugh from the teenager came over after SunTzu told her something.
"At least she's enjoying herself." Rei stated, watching on.
They soon left and got back to their training while Hotaru and SunTzu did a little medium to long range shooting exercise with the battle rifle that rested on a bipod between them. They engaged targets between 400 to 600 meters.
After some time passed the lane next to them was occupied by Kiwi and Aussie the Scout and Sniper from Team 1.
They got ready and immediately went for 600 to 800 meters.
"Oi Mate, wanna do some challenge? Loser pays the tap. 800 Meter exclusive."
"Guess we pass, I'm not competing against a scout/sniper team with just a battle rifle. Not my profession." SunTzu declined. It was just a cheap try to make him loose and come up to pay drinks for the two guys.
"Oh come on. We're giving you a head start."
"What I don't get with you snipers is the pride you guys take in your profession. Where's the face-to-face contact in sniping, the individual note. Killing someone up close is much more intimate. If I want to kill something from a distance I drop a missile from AICA twenty kilometers away and hit a guy pinpoint through a window. Sniping sucks. Everything I cannot hit with this thing here, I'll call air support in for. So, if you guys want someone to pay for your drinks find someone else."
Hotaru threw light on her opinion of snipers and the offer.
"Hey LT, I like your new apprentice. She doesn't take shit! If you ever want to switch over to ground combat let us know." Kiwi answered while Aussie nodded approvingly.
"Sorry, i think lil Miss Murder here would make you guys pretty dispensable. But you can still call us, if you guys need some Death from above." SunTzu answered and the shit talking went on for a bit before both duos got back to shooting.
They packed up after a few hundred rounds and went over to the two lanes the Senshi occupied with their pistol training.
Except for Hotaru all of the other Senshi, including Queen Serenity were there. Mamoru and Motoki were there too.
Some of them did better than the others, but when it comes to the worst, all of them could defend theirselves with a pistol and also small blasters.
SunTzu tried out the small personal blaster too, but Blasters weren't his thing still. While a small blaster packed more punch than a pistol a good pistol was more reliable and usually easier to conceal. Plus certain ammo made for better man stop power than a blaster. Also a blaster pistol wouldn't penetrate a Vongese Armor, certain pistol Munition at least could cause a hydrostatic shock to living tissue and weaken it.
SunTzu and Hotaru helped packing up after the training and where about to get into their Humvee when Mamoru walked over.
"You mind if I drive Lieutenant?" He asked pointing to the all-terrain-vehicle.
"Of course not. Please help yourself."
Hotaru went into the back and was joined by Chibiusa.
The King was about to start the engine, as he turned around, putting on black shades.
"Someone minds, if we drive a little faster?"
Everybody was okay with that and Mamoru started the vehicle shooting away, with the two teenage girls waving over to the other Senshi that waited for their shuttles back and SunTzu that was pretty much lounging in the co-driver's seat.
Mamoru rushed over the base way faster than anybody else would have been allowed to and the girls in the back were shaken around pretty much. Nonetheless, everybody enjoyed the little joyride.
He drove all over the base and soon crossed paths with the van that carried the Senshi back to the palace. SunTzu greeted them with a victory sign while they rushed by.
The Queen was not amused with her husband's style of driving.
"What does he think he's doing there with the girls in the back?"
"Relax Usagi, he's just letting off some steam. That delegation's visit got on his nerves a lot too." Minako told, gaze following the Humvee that took a sharp turn.
A few minutes later the Humvee stopped in front of the main palace building, under comments of the two teenagers in the back how cool that was.
King Endymion turned off the engine and sighed.
"I needed that."
Next to him, on the stairs up to the building the Neo-Queen appeared, looking pretty angry and obviously waiting for him to come talk to her.
The king sighed again and looked over to SunTzu.
"Still totally worth it." He flustered over to SunTzu before he got out and took on some innocent air.
"Usa-Chan, my heart. How nice of you to wait for me here."
"No more Usa-Chan Mister…" She started chewing him out as they walked away.
Poor Guy, SunTzu thought, having pity with him.
The two teenage Senshi's got out too and followed the Royal couple in an adequate distance. The rest of the Senshi was looking at the scene from the ceiling above the stairs.
SunTzu got out and changed to the driver seat. He just settled in when the Queen turned around and yelled at him too.
"Oh and you Lieutenant will be in my quarters for an audience as soon as you brought this car away from my gate way.
Wait, I didn't do anything.
Rei above him fit into a fit of laughter and pointed to SunTzu laughing.
"Stop laughing Sailor Mars! You'll be accompanying him."
Rei was abruptly silenced and swallowed down her laughter.
Now SunTzu grinned at her. Behind her Uranus hushed a "Busted" out and earned an annoyed look from Mars and Neptune.
The Queen scolded the King some more with a suppressed voice before she went up the stairs again, with him on her coat-tails.
"Ami, can we go!?" She yelled over to Ami who then fell in behind her and the king.
She turned around and glanced at SunTzu again.
"Why are you still here? Get going Lieutenant! That was an order! The rest of you is dismissed!"
SunTzu started the engine and pulled away, off to the motor pool.
He brought the car away and started messaging Rei what in the hell was up and if they were busted with keeping their relationship on the down low.
Rei didn't have any idea either but feared that their cover was blown too. She was already in the Crystal Tower.
With big steps he walked over to the tower too and took the elevator up to the Royal Quarters.
The guard opened the door for him and looked at him sympathetically. Looks like the Queen didn't really calm down yet.
He entered and saw Rei sitting on the Sofa, with Ami sitting near her on one of the armchairs, having a cup of tea and reading something in a datapad.
The Queen was not to be seen but the loud voice coming out of one of the rooms seemed to be hers.
He sat down next to Rei who pressed out a smile. When Ami wasn't looking he gently and reassured stroke over Rei's knee and they both looked worrying at each other.
The door to one of the rooms finally opened and Usagi came out, closing the door again.
Rei sighed and walked up to the table.
"That should teach him to not take me with him when he does fun stuff like that." She muttered while she made her way there.
Then she looked over to the couple sitting on the sofa.
Rei cleared her throat and before Usagi could say something and began to speak.
"Usagi. Listen, we can explain."