ANOTHER DAY...

Note: This story takes place before Fireball appears

The five 16 year old girls sat down together in the noisy school cafeteria. Usagi Tsukino, Rei Hino, Makoto "Mako" Kino, Ami Mizuno, and Minako Aino all attended the same High School.

"So, he just comes over to me and says 'I've chosen you to be my partner' I mean.. he didn't even ASK me first!" Minako explained as they all took their seats in the lunch room. She was complaining about her history partner, Yaten Kou, who was also a member of an extremely popular rock group called The Three Lights.

Mako sighed, "Yeah, Yaten is like that," then she smiled, "But isn't he CUTE?! He looks just like my old boyfriend!"

The four other girls groaned. Mako compared EVERY guy to her old boyfriend. "After what we know about them, you STILL think they're cute?!" Rei replied incredulously.

The five Sailor Soldiers had found out a few months ago that Yaten, and the other Three Lights - Seiya Kou, and Taiki Kou - were secretly known as Sailor StarHealer, Sailor StarFighter, and Sailor StarMaker. The three men had the ability to transform into three women known collectively as The Sailor StarLights. The gender-changing made Rei uneasy. Even when they looked like women, they still acted like men.

Rei sighed as she looked over at the table where The Three Lights sat. What had made her even MORE uneasy then the gender-bending, though, was the fact that the Lights knew about her identity, and her friends' identities, as well.

* * *

"Look, Yaten, they're staring at us again," Seiya Kou said as he looked at his sibling. Seeing no response from Yaten, he turned to his other sibling, "Do you think things will ever be the same between us and them again, Taiki?"

Taiki Kou continued to read the book in front of him, "What did you say??" he asked as he looked up from the book. Seiya just sighed, and shook his head. "I'm sorry, Seiya, but I have to finish this chapter before class," he apologized, "We'll talk later, ok?" He said kindly. Seiya nodded. Taiki nodded in return, then he went back to the book.

"What's the problem? You're already FIVE chapters ahead of everyone!!" Yaten said snidely as he played with a strand of his hair.

Taiki looked at him. "Excuse me for wanting to do well!!" Then he sighed, "Besides, Ami beat me on our last test… I have to beat her on this one.."

"She kind've cute, you know," Seiya said, trying to hint that maybe Taiki should ask her out. Taiki didn't take the bait, however.

"Well... she's a nice person, and she's the ONLY one to beat me on a test!" Taiki said.

"Awww! Two brainiacs in one class!! What is our school system coming too?!" Yaten asked sarcastically.

Seiya looked at him, "Yaten! That was un-called for."

"Hmpf!!" Yaten muttered, and stuck his nose up.

"Why are you so rude?!" Seiya asked.

"I am NOT rude!!" Yaten replied.

"Well, I heard you were pretty insulting to Usagi yesterday… telling her you thought her hair was stupid!"

"Are you her daddy or something?" Yaten snapped.

"Hey, what's wrong with you?! Why are you like this all the time?!" Seiya asked.

"Listen! Just 'cuz YOU'VE got the hots for that blond, dim-witted Sailor Moon girl, it doesn't mean that I have to like her!" Yaten answered.

Seiya stood up angrily, "She is NOT a dim-wit!! She's a very sweet, very beautiful girl. How DARE you insult her?!"

Yaten stood up as well, "She's got a boyfriend, lover boy, so quit pining away for her! Or have you forgotten how many times she's mentioned her beloved Mamoru?!" He shouted.

"Just wait 'till you fall for someone, Yaten! You have NO idea what it's like!" Seiya shouted back.

"WOAH!" Taiki began, standing up, "Guys! Calm down! You're making a scene! Enough already!!"

By this time, Usagi, Minako, and the others were staring at the Three Lights' table.

* * *

"What the..." Usagi began. "What's going on over there? Yaten and Seiya look like they're about to hurt each other!" She started to walk towards them.

"Sit down, odango atama!" Rei said.

"Yes.. sit, Usagi-chan," Ami began, "I think Taiki is taking care of it,"

The girls watched what was going on, and surely enough Yaten and Seiya began to calm down. They sat down, and finished their lunch in peace. "Whew, that was close," Minako replied.

"Yeah.. you know how many hearts they'd crush if the Three Lights broke up?!" Mako added.

Minako leaned forward, and whispered to Mako, "Let me guess, your heart would be the first broken.. right, Mako-chan?" Minako smiled, and Mako smiled back.

The Three Lights were sitting at their table, not talking to each other, or anyone else. "Hmmm... think they're calm now?" Rei asked.

"Yeah, I think so," Usagi said.

"Well, I'm going over to visit them," Mako began, and she got up and headed for the Three Lights. Before she got there, though, a group of other girls surrounded them, begging for their autographs. "Hmm... those girls are like piranhas!"

Minako smiled sadly, "That's what happens when you're a teen idol, you get mobbed by fans." She shook her head. "Yaten looks peeved again, maybe I should take pity on him.. he doesn't like being hounded," She sighed, then became somewhat reflective, "I know how he feels..."

"Then maybe we should let him fend for himself," Rei began dryly.

Minako shook her head, and walked over to Yaten, who currently had girls hanging on him at the moment. "Hey, Yaten!" She began, "Come on, let's start on our project!"

Yaten looked at her, then at his fans. "Let go! I have to get to work!" And he shrugged them off as he headed towards Minako.

Minako smiled, "Well, you seem to be enjoying your fans so far..."

"Stop joking around!" He snapped.

"Well.. if you're going to be rude, I'll leave you alone!" and she began to walk away. A few nearby girls saw this, and began heading towards him again. He quickly followed Minako.

"Ok! What work did you have in mind?" He asked her as they stood near the door.

"Well," she began, "I really didn't have anything in mind.. I just thought I'd give you an excuse to get away from those girls,"

Yaten looked at the group of girls now hanging all over Taiki - who was trying to read his book - and Seiya - who didn't seem to mind a bit. "Yeah... well... see you in class," and walked through the door.

"Geez, you're welcome!" She muttered as she watched the door close behind him, angry that he didn't thank her. She began to walk back to her friends.

"Hey, Minako?" Yaten called out. He had come back in. "Want to go to the library or something?"

Minako turned back to him, "Sure, let's go," she smiled, and the two headed outside.

* * *

"Minako left with WHO?!!" Haruka Ten'ou shouted incredulously. She was standing beside Michiru Ka'ou.

"Hush, Haruka, don't get so excited!" Michiru began softly, taking Haruka's hand in hers.

"I'm sorry... but you KNOW how I feel about the Lights!" Haruka replied.

"Minako just left the lunch room with Yaten. She didn't say where they were going.." Usagi explained.

"Well, she did mention something about working on their project. Perhaps they are at the library?" Ami replied.

"Hmpf! Perhaps Sailor Uranus should follow them!" Haruka began.

"If you do that, then Sailor Neptune would have to stop you..." Michiru warned.

Haruka looked at her, "You wouldn't!"

Michiru crossed her arms, and nodded. "Yes, I would!" Then she sighed, "Haruka, Minako can take care of herself. She IS Sailor Venus after all!"

"Yeah, and Yaten is Sailor StarHealer! Don't tell me Venus could defend herself against his attacks!" Haruka replied sharply.

"What makes you think he'd attack her anyway? He has no reason too!" Michiru exclaimed.

"We don't know that! Remember, Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten keep talking about some sort've mission they're on! Maybe they're working for Galaxia!" Haruka continued.

"I TOLD you what their mission was!" Usagi started, "Seiya told me Galaxia destroyed their solar system, and their planet. Their Princess was able to escape to Earth. Now they have to find her. THAT is their mission!"

"Yeah," Haruka snorted, "That's what he SAYS!"

"You don't believe him?" Usagi asked.

"No!" Haruka replied.

Michiru sighed, "Come on, Haruka, I'm sure Minako is safe. Besides, we have a class to get to!" and she tugged gently on Haruka's sleeve.

Haruka looked at Michiru, and sighed. Finally, she put an arm around Michiru's shoulders, and the two walked away. A few fellow students were standing in the hallway, staring at the open display of affection between the two girls. Haruka and Michiru had gotten good at ignoring them.

"We have a class too," Rei started. "Come on, Usagi,"

Usagi sighed, "I'm coming in a minute,"

"Well then, we'll meet you there," Ami replied.

"Aren't you going to be late if you don't come NOW, Usagi?" Rei asked.

Usagi smiled, "Yes, but the sensei is used to me being late! If I showed up on time, he'd worry.."

Rei rolled her eyes. "Forget I said anything!"

Ami looked at her watch, "Oh.. class starts in 2 minutes!" she said, and quickly pulled Rei down the hall. Usagi eventually joined them.

NEXT: Minako