The atmosphere in the Azabu-Juban neighborhood was less than perfect that Thursday afternoon. The sky had suddenly become very dark and a storm had formed pouring rain over the city. The weather report that morning had said there was only supposed to be a ten percent chance of rain that day but it began to rain anyway. And as the rain fell on the city Kino Makoto ran through the streets of the Azabu-Juban neighborhood trying to make it home before she became overly soaked.

Makoto couldn't see where she was going because the rain was coming down in buckets. And as she ran down one of the main streets in the neighborhood Makoto ran into someone and fell on her rear end. Getting quite angry at the person she ran into Makoto stood up and rolled up her sleeves preparing to fight the person.

"Just what are you looking at!" she yelled.

The person she ran into looked at Makoto with apologetic eyes and tried to apologize for causing her to fall down upon the wet ground.

"I'm sorry." He apologized to her.

Makoto became even angrier at the man who knocked her onto the wet pavement and confronted him even further.

"Listen buster if you can get away with just saying you're sorry, we won't need policemen." She yelled at him.

Makoto expected the man she ran into to hit her for saying the things she said and braced herself for a blow to the upper body. But when the anticipated strike never came she finally took a good look at the person standing in front of her. There standing before her was none other than Motoki. The older boy had a polite and apologetic smile on his face and was holding his umbrella over Makoto to keep her from getting soaked even further. Motoki was dressed the way he normally dressed a nice button down shirt and a pair of tan pants. This time the shirt was a nice dark French blue instead of the white he usually wore.

As Makoto stared at the older sandy haired boy she began thinking how much he reminded her of a boy she once knew. Makoto couldn't stay mad at him for very long and began to smile at the college aged boy. As she had told Usagi when she first met Motoki it was his voice that brought back memories of a former crush. Motoki's voice could always make Makoto feel better.

"Why don't I walk you back to your building so you don't get soaked." Motoki offered.

"That would be nice." Makoto replied trying desperately to fight the blush on her cheeks.

The pair of friends walked together under the large black umbrella down the street and as they did they carried on a casual conversation getting to know one another better.

"So I hear on good authority from Usagi that you're quite the gourmet cook." He said, "Maybe you could come over to my place and make one of your best dishes for me sometime."

Makoto was happy that Motoki wanted her to cook for him. She had never had a boy ask her to make him dinner before. With a big smile on her face Makoto agreed to go over to Motoki's place and cook for him and maybe do a little housework too.

"Okay, any time. I can clean your house too." Makoto said.

Motoki was happy Makoto had agreed to make him dinner one night. She didn't have to offer to clean his place but it did need a good once over and he didn't want to disappoint her by declining her offer. Makoto reached into her briefcase and pulled out a small notebook she kept her reminders and lists in and handed it to Motoki along with a pen. The college student opened it to the first blank page and wrote down his address along with his favorite dish, which was hayashi rice.

By the time Makoto had returned the notebook and pen to her briefcase the rain had stopped. Looking up at the sky she saw that the clouds were beginning to break and it would be a long time before the rain would come down again. Makoto was disappointed because the rain had ended so suddenly.

"I wish it would rain some more." Makoto said.

Motoki smiled at Makoto as he shook the rain off his umbrella and closed it. Then taking a quick glanced at his watch he noticed what time it was and remembered he needed to stop by the university.

"I just remembered I promised to meet someone at the university. Looks like I won't be able to walk you the rest of the way. I'll see you soon okay." Motoki said.

"I'll come over to your place this Sunday." Makoto replied.

With that Makoto left Motoki in front of one of the buildings at the university.

A couple of minutes after Makoto had left Motoki a young woman with deep auburn hair down to her shoulders came out of the building Motoki had stopped in front of. She had green eyes and wore a simple navy blue cotton shirt and matching skirt under a crisp white lab coat.

"Hey Motoki that your new girlfriend there?" she teased the blonde male.

"Real funny Reika, real funny." Motoki said dryly, "You don't have to worry though she not your competition. Besides she's just a kid."

Reika smiled a bit before turning real serious and a little distant. With a heavy sigh she addressed Motoki once again.

"Look I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel our plans for tonight. I need to get some work done for tomorrow and it's going a lot slower than I had originally thought it would." Reika said.

"That's perfectly alright Reika I know how important this research is to you." Motoki replied, "Have you made a decision about that thing we discussed the other day?"

"I really haven't decided one way or the other yet Motoki." Reika told him.

Motoki took Reika's hand in his and began to run his thumb over its back to let her know everything would be just fine. And as they enjoyed the silence between them Mamoru came up to them and broke the silence.

"Hey guys." Mamoru said with a smile on his face.

"Hey Mamoru." The pair replied.

Reika then turned her attention back to Motoki to say goodbye to him before heading back into the science labs at the university.

"I better get going. I'll call you later to reschedule our dinner date." She said.

"I'd like that." Motoki replied, "And please give some more thought to that decision you have to make by next week."

"I will." Reika said before turning to Mamoru, "Mamoru could you keep an eye on this adorable man of mine on your way home."

"I'd be happy to." Mamoru replied.

With that Reika headed back to the science labs at the university leaving her best friend and her boyfriend standing outside the gates to the school. And as she went back to the school Motoki let out a small soft sigh.

"Motoki my friend have you got it bad." Mamoru commented to his friend.

********

Guardians of the Earth
Episode Fifteen: Motoki's Girl

********

Mamoru, Motoki, and Reika had been best friends since the beginning of junior high school. The trio had become quite close over the years. It wasn't until they reached their final two years of high school that Motoki and Reika started to have strong feelings beyond that of a simple friendship. The two started dating and by the time they reached KO University they were in a serious relationship.

Motoki like Mamoru enrolled as a premed student while Reika enrolled in the anthropology department. Reika worked as a research assistant in the two years they had attended KO University. It was hard work but she loved every minute of it. And over the course of the two years she worked within the anthropology department Reika had become one of the top students in her class earning a great deal of respect from her professors. It was that respect and hard work that helped the professors decide that she would be the one to be awarded the opportunity to study for a year under one of the premiere zoologists in the field.

When Motoki had heard about Reika's opportunity to study with a world renowned zoologist he was happy at first and then became quite confused. Motoki wanted Reika to be able to go and study under one of the leading scientists in her chosen field of study but at the same time he wanted her close by. Motoki was afraid that if Reika accepted the offer given to her by the university they would drift apart and fall out of love. He had heard too many stories about long distance relationships causing a couple to stop loving one another. Motoki didn't want that to happen and his confusion over the situation was causing Reika to have doubts of her own. It was that reason that she had asked Mamoru to walk with Motoki as he headed back to his apartment.

The two friends decided to stop in a small coffee shop so they could discuss what was going on between Motoki and Reika. Mamoru had seen the way his two best friends looked at each other when the subject of their long running discussion was brought up. Motoki's feelings and actions were turning an already difficult decision for Reika into something much worse. The more he refused to tell her it would be perfectly fine for her to accept the offer the harder it would be for her to make a decision one way or the other. And as it stood time was running out and Reika would have her decision made for her and the decision would be not to go.

"Motoki are you and Reika having some problems lately?" Mamoru wanted to know.

"You could tell couldn't you." Motoki replied.

"Well something's going on between the two of you." Mamoru said.

Motoki took in a heavy sigh and prepared to tell Mamoru what was happening with him and Reika over the past few weeks.

"A couple of weeks ago Reika was offered the opportunity to study for a year in Africa under one of the top zoologists in the field. When she told me about it she said it was an opportunity few students are given. She will be one of fifteen people studying with this particular doctor. Reika really doesn't know what she should decide to do and I'm no help at all because I want her to stay close yet at the same time I don't want to tie her down." Motoki explained.

"Sounds like a tough situation." Mamoru commented.

Motoki thought he had enough of discussing his situation with Reika and decided to change the topic of their conversation.

"Mamoru do you like hayashi rice?" Motoki asked his friend.

"I really haven't been too fond of that particular dish." Mamoru replied, "Why?"

"Well Makoto Kino offered to cook for me this Sunday and I told her that was my favorite dish." Motoki explained to his friend.

Makoto's name had sounded familiar to Mamoru and then he remembered he had not only heard her name in the Crown but he had also seen her there too with Usagi and her other friends.

"She's one of Usagi's friends." Mamoru said, "Don't you know how Usagi feels?"

"Yeah, they're both cute." Motoki replied with a smile.

Mamoru thought his friend was getting a bit dense and wondered what he meant by his comment.

"Cute?" Mamoru inquired.

"Come on, they're only high school kids." Motoki said.

Mamoru began wondering about Rei who was the same age as Usagi and the others. The college aged student didn't know if he should still be seeing Rei. It wasn't fair to her if he kept toying with her emotions by going out with her.

"They're like younger sisters." Motoki quickly added to explain his prior comment.

********

The morning after a storm in the Azabu-Juban neighborhood everything seemed to gleam with a newness about it. There was a fresh look to the streets and the flowers along the main streets in the neighborhood opened their petals revealing their beauty to the entire world. Even the people of the Azabu-Juban neighborhood seemed different the morning after a storm. They were calmer and ready to face the new day with a great big smile on their face. And that was how one Kino Makoto felt as she left her apartment building bright and early to go over to Motoki's place and offer her services.

Makoto reached the apartment with an hour and a half to spare before the first warning bell would sound at Juban Prep. She would have plenty of time to assess what needed to be done around the apartment before heading off to school. Ringing the bell Makoto waited for Motoki to answer the door. As Motoki opened the door to the small apartment Makoto was greeted by a sight she hadn't expected to see, Motoki's place was a pigsty. There were clothes thrown every which way about the apartment. The floor was barely visible and it looked as though Motoki had not cleaned his place in ages. Makoto was going to have to get down and dirty and clean the place.

"Whoa this place is a mess." Makoto commented.

"I've been too busy to clean it lately." Motoki replied.

"Well then I'm going to clean it." Makoto offered.

"You really don't have to." Motoki said.

"But I want to." Makoto insisted.

As Makoto began to pick up some of the clothing that was lying on one of the chairs Motoki went back into his room to gather the things he would need for his classes that day. Makoto happily set to work getting all the dirty clothes off of Motoki's floor so she could then clean it. After ten solid minutes of cleaning Makoto had every piece of clothing off of the floor and the furniture in the main room of the apartment. Noticing a few pictures and other accessories in the room had fallen over Makoto set about straightening them up so the room would look nicer. And as she picked up one of the photo frames Makoto noticed a picture of Motoki with a very beautiful young woman with auburn hair and green eyes. One look at the happy couple in the photo and Makoto could tell they were very happy together.

"Hey Motoki who's the person in the photo with you I found under all your clothes out here?" Makoto asked a bit curious.

"Oh, that's my girlfriend Reika." Motoki replied from his room.

Not wanting to impose on a man who was already taken Makoto decided to leave the apartment.

"Sorry Motoki but I'm going to have to get going. I just remembered I promised to help Usagi with a couple of things before school." Makoto called out before she left the apartment.

********

Lunch at Juban Prep was a somber occasion for Makoto. She still couldn't shake the fact that Motoki had a girlfriend. But something else was bothering her too. Makoto couldn't stop thinking about a certain wandering martial artist named Ryouga Hibiki. No matter how hard she tried Makoto couldn't get Ryouga out of her mind. As she sat under one of the large maple trees Makoto asked Luna for her advice on the situation.

"Luna I have a problem. I have this crush on a real nice guy but I also happen to have feelings for another guy. The situation wouldn't be real complicated if it was just that but it also seems that the guy I have the crush on has a girlfriend. Should I pursue the guy I have the crush on or should I let him be happy with his girlfriend and wait for the other guy to return back to Tokyo?" Makoto asked her.

Luna thought about Makoto's situation for a moment before she gave the Thunder Senshi her honest opinion on the situation.

"If you want my opinion on the matter I think you should figure out what it is you like about both boys and then see which one has the better likeable qualities. You need to know which boy you have the stronger feelings for." Luna suggested.

"I had a feeling you would say something like that." Makoto said with a sigh.

Makoto sat back against the tree and thought about all the things that attracted her to Ryouga and all the things that attracted her to Motoki. The list was pretty even except not once on her list for Ryouga did it mention anywhere how he reminded her of someone she once knew.

Sitting there Makoto slowly trudged through her lunch trying to figure out who had the better qualities. As she did so Usagi came bounding over to the tree with her usual tray of food in hand grumbling about the tiny portions the school gave her. Thoughts of lunch were quickly put out of her mind when she saw the way her fiend was sitting under the tree.

"Mako-chan you look like you've had your heart stomped on." Usagi said concerned about her newest friend's condition.

"Life just isn't fair Usagi." Makoto replied.

"Maybe I can help you out if you tell me who the guy is." Usagi offered.

"Well Usagi you may not like this but the guy I like is Motoki." Makoto told her friend.

Usagi was shocked to hear that Makoto liked Motoki. Usagi also had a crush on Motoki. Even before she began to develop her crush on Tuxedo Mask Usagi had feelings for Motoki. Turning to her friend and her cat Usagi told Makoto what she thought of the situation.

"Wait a minute you can't like Motoki because I like Motoki." Usagi complained.

Makoto thought Usagi was going off the deep end when she mentioned liking Motoki. As far as she knew Usagi had feelings for Tuxedo Mask.

"But I thought you liked Tuxedo Mask Usagi." Makoto said.

"Hey I happen to like both guys." Usagi replied.

Luna was trying hard not to laugh because Usagi was in the same boat as Makoto. The female Saiyan had a crush on two guys at the same time just like the tall brunette and one of those guys was the exact same individual.

"Well I can say one thing for the two of you; you both have the same tastes in men." Luna commented while trying to keep a straight face.

"Yeah and it looks like we both have the same problem." Makoto added.

"Well I think the two of you should decide on one or the other." Luna said to the two Senshi.

"Well I know one way to make you happy again Makoto. We should go to the game center after school. That always seems to make me feel better." Usagi suggested.

********

With the school day over Usagi and Makoto could spend time focusing on having fun and forgetting about their shared problem. And as they headed towards the Crown Game Parlor from Juban Prep Makoto told Usagi about what she had found out that morning.

"Usagi it seems my guy problem is a bit more complicated than I had originally told you." Makoto began, "You might want to brace yourself but Motoki has a girlfriend."

Usagi got a big smile on her face when she heard Motoki had a girlfriend. Thinking she was his girlfriend Usagi quickly put Tuxedo Mask out of her mind and began to think of all the things she and Motoki could do together.

"I saw a picture of her at Motoki's place this morning when I went over to assess what I would need to do on Sunday. She's real beautiful and she had auburn hair and green eyes. Motoki said her name is Reika. He looked real happy in the photo with her Usagi." Makoto told her friend.

Usagi was shocked to hear that Motoki was taken. It seemed all the great guys were taken. Ranma was taken even if he didn't admit it and now Motoki was taken.

"Motoki can't be taken!" Usagi blurted out.

"Well I for one am not going to give up on Motoki. I'm going to attack with all I've got even if there isn't much hope for me." Makoto declared.

Usagi sighed and grabbed Makoto by the arm and began to lead her in the direction of the game center. They were going to get to the bottom of this no matter what it took. Usagi was determined to talk to Motoki about the girlfriend he had.

When the two friends reached the game center Usagi wasn't paying much attention to where she was going when they got to the entrance and ran into something or rather someone solid. Looking up at the person she ran into Usagi saw it was none other than Mamoru Chiba. Usagi was not very thrilled to see Mamoru again and Mamoru didn't look too happy to see Usagi either.

"Watch where you're going will ya odango atama!" Mamoru said.

"I have more important things to worry about other than weather or not I'm going to run into you mister high and mighty Chiba Mamoru." Usagi yelled back.

Mamoru noticed Makoto was with Usagi and began to wonder what they were doing at the game center that afternoon.

"And just what are you two doing here as if I didn't know." Mamoru wanted to know.

"For your information mister nosy we came to play some games and see Motoki or is that a crime now." Usagi spat back at Mamoru.

"I hope you know that Motoki only thinks of you two like sisters." Mamoru told them.

Usagi couldn't believe what Mamoru was telling them and got angry at him for making things up. She believed deep down in her heart that Motoki had real feelings for her.

"How could you say such a thing you big baka!" Usagi yelled while trying to keep her Ki from flaring up in anger.

"It's true. You can ask Motoki himself." Mamoru said, "Well I have to get going. Be seeing you odango atama."

"My name is Son Usagi you baka! Get it right!" Usagi yelled at Mamoru's retreating form.

Angry and frustrated Usagi wanted to take things out on a few video games and walked into the game parlor with Makoto close behind. When they got into the game parlor they noticed Motoki was nowhere to be seen. The person they had come to see had not arrived at work yet.

"Great he's not here." Makoto said disappointed.

"Why don't we wait for him outside." Usagi suggested.

The two friends went back outside the game parlor to wait for Motoki to come to work and saw that Mamoru was still where they had left him. Walking over to the older boy Makoto wanted to ask him what he knew about Reika.

"Mamoru what do you know about the girl Motoki is seeing?" Makoto asked him.

"If you mean Reika she's probably the best thing to happen to Motoki. The three of us have been close for quite some time but those two started going out in high school." Mamoru said, "Reika is a zoology major and is real dedicated to her work. In fact, she was given a chance to study in Africa under one of the leading scientists in the field."

Makoto was surprised to hear that the competition just might be leaving the country for a while. With Reika out of the way Makoto just might have a chance with Motoki. Grabbing Mamoru by the lapels on his green blazer Makoto began to shake the older boy in order to get more information out of him.

"Alright Chiba talk. I want to know everything you know about this study trip to Africa of hers. I want answers and I want them now." Makoto demanded.

Mamoru was taken by surprise when Makoto became forceful with her and began to tell her everything he knew which wasn't very much.

"I don't know too much about this study trip other than what I heard from their conversations at school. From what I gather she hasn't made a decision as to whether she was going or not." Mamoru said.

With that Makoto put Mamoru down and went to rejoin Usagi near the game center.

********

Zoicite was once again spending some quality time with Malachite in his chambers once again. The effeminate general had placed the crystals he had captured in an elaborate maple box lined with dark blue velvet. The red and green crystals stood out against the dark background as they were prominently displayed in the large front room of Malachite's chambers. The box had been a gift to Zoicite from Malachite so he could present the seven rainbow crystals to Queen Beryl in style. But all they had so far were the two that were now in the box.

Zoicite was sitting with Malachite on the dark blue velvet chaise lounge passing his black crystal between his fingers. The effeminate general was trying to come up with a way to get the two crystals that Tuxedo Mask and the Senshi had in their possession. Watching the black crystal pass from one finger to the next Zoicite then got an idea that just might work.

"I think I know how to get the other two crystals or at least one of them anyway. When I go for the next rainbow crystal I'll act as though I'm going to strike a deal with them and when one of them lets down their guard I'll grab the crystal they have and take the next one for ourselves." Zoicite said.

"Sounds like a fairly good plan." Malachite commented.

"Well then shall we put phase one into action." Zoicite said.

With that Zoicite held the black crystal in his hands out at arm's length and call forth its power.

"Black crystal find me the next holder of a rainbow crystal!" Zoicite called out.

The crystal began to glow as the tendrils of light came forth and revealed the next person to hold a rainbow crystal inside of them. In the column of light was the image of a young woman with auburn hair and green eyes wearing a dark blue shirt and matching skirt with a crisp white lab coat over the outfit. The young woman was none other than Motoki's girlfriend Reika.

"She's pretty." Malachite commented.

"She's nothing more than just an ugly youma." Zoicite replied with great jealousy in his voice.

Not wanting his life partner to get the wrong idea Malachite produced a perfect single red rose.

"You shouldn't get jealous you know." Malachite said as he gave the rose to Zoicite.

"You know I'm lucky to have someone like you." Zoicite replied.

********

Makoto was confused. After spending the afternoon with Usagi she didn't know whether or not she liked Motoki or Ryouga better. On one hand Ryouga was a handsome caring individual who had some of the same interests she did. He was into martial arts and had spent a good portion of his life training. But on the other hand Motoki was also kind and considerate and good looking. Motoki was the first one Makoto had a crush on yet what Mamoru had said to her and Usagi that afternoon didn't sit well with her. Motoki only thought of her as some kid sister he liked to have around not someone he could have a serious relationship with. And while Ryouga was trying to figure out a few things in his own life Motoki knew what he wanted to be and he wasn't going anywhere just yet.

But there was one thing about Motoki that made Ryouga more desirable besides the fact that Makoto had given the wandering martial artist her photo. It was the fact that Motoki was in the middle of a very serious relationship with Reika.

Makoto had decided she was going to have a little talk with Reika. If she could convince the older girl to accept the offer to study in Africa then she would stand a better chance with Motoki. As she made her way to the university Makoto thought of all the reasons Reika should go to Africa to study. But she also began to think about her relationship with Ryouga. I let him go back to Nerima so he could sort out a few things even though I wanted him to stay here so I could be with him does that mean I love him, Makoto thought quite confused.

Walking onto the campus of KO University Makoto made her way over to the science building to find Reika. The tall brunet found the older girl in one of the labs in the zoology department. Reika was looking over some video tape of an animal behavior experiment she was assisting on when Makoto walked into the lab. Knocking on the door frame Makoto got the attention of the older girl.

"Can I help you?" Reika asked Makoto.

Makoto took a deep breath and began to casually bring up the reason for her visit.

"My name is Kino Makoto and I happen to know Motoki. First off he didn't send me here to talk to you. I came here on my own when I heard about your chance to study in Africa from Mamoru Chiba." Makoto said with a pleasant smile.

"Mamoru told you I might be going to Africa did he." Reika replied.

"Yeah but he didn't tell me very much about it. All he said was that you had the chance to go and study in Africa under one of the best zoologists around and you hadn't decided one way or the other yet. I think that was all he knew of the situation." Makoto told her.

Reika stopped the video and gave Makoto her full attention curios as to why she had come.

"Mamoru's right I do have the chance to go to Africa and study zoology but it means making a one year commitment and I don't know if I could stand to be away from Motoki for that long. I want to go really I do but if Motoki says he doesn't want me to go then I'll turn them down." Reika explained.

Makoto couldn't believe what she was hearing. Reika was willing to throw away a great opportunity if Motoki objected to her leaving for a year. Getting upset with Reika Makoto confronted the issue head on giving Reika her opinion.

"Well if that's the way you feel then don't go. You need to make your choice right now, love or study!" Makoto almost yelled at Reika.

The moment the words came out of her mouth Makoto suddenly remembered the real reason why she came to see Reika. She was supposed to convince her to leave not stay. Oh no I totally goofed, Makoto thought. But after some further thought on the subject Makoto realized why she said what she had said to Reika. It finally dawned on her that if she couldn't have Motoki then she should make certain he would be very happy with Reika.

The more she thought about it the more she was beginning to realize Ryouga was the right choice all along and that maybe she was going after Motoki for the wrong reasons. But she still wasn't going to give up on the arcade worker just yet.

********

Sunday came quicker than Makoto had realized and she had gone over to Usagi and Ami's room at Kinmoko Hall to ask Usagi if she wanted to help her cook hayashi rice and shrimp for Motoki. Makoto didn't feel comfortable going over to Motoki's place alone after the conversation she had with Reika on Friday. If Usagi were with her then things wouldn't seem awkward.

Makoto knocked on the door to Usagi's room and was greeted by the sight of the female Saiyan in her blue and pink training clothes. It seemed to the tall brunet that her friend wore her training clothes even when she wasn't training.

"Hey Mako-chan what brings you here?" Usagi asked her friend with a smile.

"Well I was just on my way to Motoki's place and I was wondering if you might like to come with me. I had offered to make him his favorite dish and not only could I use the help but I could use the company too." Makoto replied.

Usagi took all of one minute to decide if she wanted to go to Motoki's with Makoto before giving the taller girl her answer.

"Are you kidding I'd love to go with you." Usagi told Makoto.

With that said the female Demi-Saiyan yanked her friend into the room and began to rummage through her closet looking for the right outfit to wear over to Motoki's place. After three minuets of searching Usagi had decided on a short pink skirt, a white sleeveless mock turtleneck, matching pink canvas shoes, and a short light green denim jacket. In her hair Usagi had two pink barrettes and she had two pink earrings. Usagi thought she looked cute. It was the first time Makoto had seen the female Saiyan in anything other than loose pants or training clothes. When Usagi was changed the two friends headed out with Luna in tow to prepare for an afternoon at Motoki's place.

Usagi and Makoto walked down the street with their arms full of grocery bags. Makoto had purchased everything she would need to make the hayashi rice and shrimp for Motoki. Makoto was going to win over Motoki by making him the best dinner possible. Makoto was proud of her cooking and she was going to show Motoki just how great a cook she was.

As the trio got close to Motoki's building Usagi began imagining she was alone with Motoki having a romantic candlelit dinner for two. Motoki then produced a small black velvet box and opened it to reveal a perfect diamond ring.

"Usagi will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" she imagined Motoki saying.

"Yes I'd love to." Usagi imagined herself replying to him.

Then Usagi closed her eyes and imagined Motoki leaning in to kiss her. Puckering her lips Usagi prepared to kiss Motoki. Leaning forward Usagi could feel the distance close between them. Just as she was about to kiss Motoki she felt a hand on her mouth. Opening her eyes Usagi saw that she was mere inches away from Makoto's face. Usagi jumped with a start and a slight blush came to her cheeks.

From her position at their feet Luna tried hard not to laugh at the two blushing teens.

"Well at least I don't have to worry about that problem." Luna commented.

With that said and done Makoto pushed the buzzer to Motoki's apartment and waited to be let into the building by the dark blonde college student.

"Makoto it was certainly nice of you to come and I see you brought Usagi with you." Motoki said as he opened the door.

"Thanks for having us." Makoto replied.

"The kitchen is just through there." Motoki pointed out as the girls came into the apartment.

Usagi and Makoto went into the small kitchen that overlooked the sitting area and unpacked what they would need to make hayashi rice and shrimp.

"Okay Mako-chan I'm ready to help just tell me what to do and I'll do it." Usagi offered.

"Well, you can start by peeling the carrots." Makoto said.

Usagi took one look at the bunch of carrots and remembered the last time she tried to peel carrots. It had become a disaster and half of the carrots were unusable. Chichi wouldn't let her daughter peel vegetables ever again.

"Um Mako if you actually want to use most of these carrots then I wouldn't let me peel them if I were you. I tend to mess them up real easily." Usagi said sheepishly.

Makoto let out a sigh and took the bunch of carrots from her friend and placed two large white onions in front of her.

"Well then you can chop the onions for me." Makoto suggested.

Usagi took one look at the onions and began shaking her head.

"No way am I going to touch those onions. They make my eyes water and they leave a bad smell on my hands that won't come out for days." Usagi complained.

Once again Makoto let out a sigh only this time it was louder and sounded more frustrated. Turning to Usagi Makoto put the bag of rice they had purchased in front of her.

"Then cook the rice." Makoto said trying to remain calm.

Usagi looked at the bag of rice and remembered the one time she actually tried cooking rice during the time she and her father and Gohan were in the time and space chamber. The whole thing was a disaster and the rice came out burnt and stuck to the pot forcing them to eat instant ramen, chicken broth, and heat and serve canned miso soup the entire time they were there.

"Uh Mako you're not going to like hearing this but I burn rice every time I cook it." Usagi said while hanging her head in shame.

Makoto became very frustrated and popped Usagi in the face. The punch didn't do any damage but Usagi got the message loud and clear.

"Look the last time I tried to cook I burned everything and my father, Gohan, and I didn't have a decent meal for seven months. I'm a cooking disaster." Usagi almost wailed.

Makoto then grabbed the rice cooker and flung it at Usagi in anger. Her perfect day with Motoki was not going the way she had planned it.

"Fill that with water to the line. Surely you can't mess that up." Makoto yelled.

While the girls began to argue in the kitchen the phone began ringing in the family room. Motoki, who was sitting on the couch, leaned over and picked up the receiver.

"Moshi, moshi." He said into the receiver.

"Motoki it's me Reika. I've finally made a decision. I'm going to go." Reika said on the other end of the line.

Motoki couldn't hear what Reika was saying over the loud argument coming from the kitchen.

"You're going to have to repeat that a bit louder." Motoki yelled into the phone.

"I said I'm going." Reika yelled back.

Motoki still couldn't hear her.

"What?" he yelled.

"I said I'm going." Reika repeated.

The yelling and screaming from the kitchen just wouldn't stop.

"Look it's too noisy here I'll have to meet you at the park." Motoki yelled.

"Okay I'll see you there." Reika yelled back.

Motoki then hung up the phone and yelled into the kitchen.

"I'm stepping out to see Reika for a bit I'll be back as soon as I can." Motoki yelled.

With that Motoki grabbed a jacket and ran out the door silencing the two arguing friends.

"Well he's gone." Usagi said.

"We can just make the rice and shrimp and surprise Motoki when he returns." Makoto told her.

********

The shrimp and rice were made without incident and the two friends sat down to wait for Motoki's return. And as they waited they began to talk about boys.

"So Mako, have you given up waiting for Ryouga?" Usagi asked her getting straight to the point right off the bat.

"No I haven't given up on Ryouga. It's just that I don't know which one I like better." Mako admitted to her friend.

"Well I haven't figured out who I like better too but I'm beginning to realize that maybe Motoki is happier with Reika." Usagi said.

"I don't know Usagi but when I was with Ryouga it just felt so right." Makoto told her.

"Well if it feels that way with Ryouga then maybe he's the one for you." Usagi replied.

Usagi's right maybe Ryouga is the one for me, Makoto admitted to herself.

The girls continued talking about this and that for a while before falling asleep. They had been waiting for Motoki for over an hour and the food was beginning to get cold. As they began to drift into a peaceful slumber Luna noticed the moon rod inside Usagi's small pack begin to glow. Walking over to Usagi Luna jumped onto her lap waking her up with a start. The small scream Usagi let out was enough to wake up Makoto as well.

"There's another rainbow crystal nearby. The moon rod is responding so you two had better transform and quick." Luna told the girls.

"Right." Usagi replied.

"Alright some action." Makoto added.

"Makoto are you sure you're not a Saiyan?" Usagi commented.

The girls let out a small laugh at Usagi's comment before preparing to transform. With that they pulled out their henshin devices and called out their henshin phrases.

"Jupiter Power!" Makoto called out as she held her pen high.

"Moon Prism Power!" Usagi added.

When the transformations were complete Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Moon stood ready to face off against Zoicite and any youma he might have at his disposal. Grabbing the moon rod the two Senshi were off to find the next rainbow crystal.

********

Zoicite had successfully tracked down Reika who was currently sitting on a small park bench with Motoki discussing the situation concerning Africa. The effeminate general pulled out his black crystal in preparation for the extraction of the rainbow crystal from Reika's body. And if Motoki somehow got in his way Zoicite would deal with the blonde haired college boy in his own manner. In one swift movement Zoicite made himself known to the younger couple.

"Now I have you." He said to Reika.

Reika let out a scream when she saw the menacing look on Zoicite's face. Seeing the one he loved in danger Motoki got up and prepared to defend her honor. Using the very little self defense techniques he knew Motoki rushed Zoicite. The dark general saw the attacking young man and with one thrust sent a blast of pink crystal shards at him.

"Zoi!" Zoicite yelled.

Motoki could not withstand the force of the blast and was knocked to the ground. The arcade manager was out cold and did not move a single muscle. Seeing his only opposition out of the way Zoicite held his black crystal over Reika's head and called for the rainbow crystal to come to him.

"Rainbow crystal I command you to come forth!" Zoicite called out.

The black crystal began to glow and the rainbow crystal inside Reika's body began to react to its power. Crying out in pain Reika grabbed at her midsection holding on for dear life. Within a matter of mere moments a faint glow surrounded Reika and began to get very bright as the blue crystal inside her body came to the waiting hand of Zoicite.

With the crystal out of her body Reika soon underwent the transformation from human being to youma. When the glow surrounding her body had diminished Reika stood before her new master as a warrior for the Dark Kingdom. Her skin was green and her eyes were dark and sinister. What were once auburn tresses burned with the colors of the flame in red and yellow streaks swept to one side of her head. On her body she wore a skintight black strapless leotard and a ring of silver around her neck. On her feet she wore a pair of black boots that stopped halfway up her legs. She was no longer Reika, Motoki's girlfriend and aspiring zoologist, she was Rikoukeidaa one of the seven shadows of the Dark Kingdom.

Turning to his latest youma Zoicite gave Rikoukeidaa her orders.

"We shall wait for the arrival or either Tuxedo Mask or the Senshi and we will play up their sympathies. Once we have them we'll get their crystals and that's when you make your move and destroy them." Zoicite commanded.

"Yes master." Rikoukeidaa replied.

********

Sailor Moon, Sailor Jupiter, and Luna used the moon rod to lead them to where the rainbow crystal was located. Getting closer to the crystal the moon rod began glowing brighter leading them to a small neighborhood park. Upon reaching the park Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter saw a disturbing sight. There lying on the ground knocked out was Motoki and standing over him was the effeminate dark general Zoicite and his latest shadow warrior the woman who up until recently was Reika.

"You creep you hurt someone I care for!" Jupiter yelled at Zoicite.

"Protector of love and justice I am the Senshi of the Moon Sailor Moon." Sailor Moon began.

"Guardian of Jupiter I am the Senshi of Thunder Sailor Jupiter." Jupiter added.

"And in the name of the moon…" Sailor Moon said

"And Jupiter…" Jupiter responded

"We shall punish you." They finished together.

Zoicite looked at the Senshi in a way that said he was glad to see them and thought they were both crazy at the exact same time. With a slight malicious chuckle Zoicite gave Rikoukeidaa his orders.

"Rikoukeidaa destroy those pesky Senshi." Zoicite ordered.

"Yes master." Rikoukeidaa replied.

With that Rikoukeidaa began to power up her Ki for her attack. When her Ki had reached its peak Rikoukeidaa sent a blast of dark energy directly at the two Senshi. Thinking the Senshi were gone Rikoukeidaa was stunned to see both Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter standing after the dust had settled. Sailor Moon had used her advanced speed to place herself between Jupiter and the oncoming blast.

After seeing the Senshi survive the attack from his shadow warrior Zoicite decided to take what he thought would be the only sensible course of action available to him. Zoicite began to leave the scene of the battle but before he could something knocked into forcing the rainbow crystal out of his hands. Imbedded in the ground by Zoicite's feet was a single red rose the calling card of Tuxedo Mask.

Sailor Moon saw Tuxedo Mask standing atop one of the benches in the park and got a huge smile upon her face. Jupiter saw the look upon her friend's face and began to wonder if she was giving up on Motoki. The look on Sailor Moon's face told the taller Senshi she had it bad for the dapper defender.

"Hey what about Motoki?" Jupiter asked her.

"I've decided to concentrate solely on Tuxedo Mask now." Sailor Moon said.

Rikoukeidaa began to get impatient and prepared for another attack. Pulling out a large mason jar Rikoukeidaa unscrewed the top and threw its contents out at Sailor Moon. The strange substance that was inside the jar quickly turned into several large bugs that began to attach themselves to Sailor Moon.

"Yuck, get these things off of me." Sailor Moon complained.

Jupiter heard Sailor Moon's request and prepared to send a thunder blast directly at Sailor Moon. The Thunder Senshi somehow knew Sailor Moon could withstand one of her blasts.

"Time for a little bug zapping action!" Jupiter said.

With that she crossed her arms and drew in all the electrical energy in the air to the lightning rod on her tiara to power up her attack.

"Supreme Thunder!" Jupiter called out as she released the electrical energy at Sailor Moon.

The bolt of lightning traveled towards Sailor Moon but before it could reach her Rikoukeidaa tossed her mason jar at the lightning capturing it inside.

"What! How can that be!" Jupiter yelled in complaint at what she saw.

Jupiter's shock didn't last for very long. Mere moments after Rikoukeidaa trapped Jupiter's attack inside her mason jar a very familiar voice rang out through the small park.

"Mercury Bubbles Blast!" the voice called out.

The park was filled with a thick fog stopping the female shadow from making any further attacks. With Rikoukeidaa unable to see anything another attack broke through the fog.

"Mars Fire Ignite!" the second voice called out.

A blast of fire shot through the fog and broke the mason jar. With the jar shattered by the immense heat of the attack Jupiter's power was returned to her and the bugs that had attached themselves to Sailor Moon's legs. Turning to the source of the attack Sailor Moon saw Mercury and Mars standing side by side in the fog.

"Sailor Moon now's your chance. Use the moon rod on the shadow." Mars called out.

"Right." Sailor Moon replied with a nod.

Pulling out the moon rod Sailor Moon began to focus her Ki and prepared to return Rikoukeidaa back to Reika. With her Ki at its peak Sailor Moon made her move.

"Moon Healing Activation!" Sailor Moon called out.

With that a bright light surrounded the female shadow causing her to scream out in pain. When the light had faded the shadow was once again Reika. The auburn haired college student fainted out of pure exhaustion and now lay on top of her boyfriend Motoki.

********

Tuxedo Mask had followed Zoicite to a secluded area of the park. The two warriors locked horns in a battle pitting energy against rose and cane. Each combatant had been able to get in some blows that were able to do some damage. Backing off for a moment Tuxedo Mask and Zoicite took some time to catch their breath. Taking advantage of the momentary break in the action Zoicite decided to put his overall plan into action.

"I give up. You win cape boy." Zoicite said, "I have the other crystals with me and will voluntarily hand them over to you."

Believing what the effeminate general had said Tuxedo Mask let down his guard for a moment and waited for the dark general to surrender the crystals he had. But it was not to be for Zoicite began to raise his Ki level to the point where it would overpower the tuxedo-clad warrior.

"Zoi!" Zoicite yelled out.

The blast of pink crystal energy rammed head on into Tuxedo Mask knocking the rainbow crystal out of his hands. Zoicite then took advantage of the situation and grabbed the crystal before leaving the scene of the crime in his usual shower of pink sakura petals.

"My princess I have failed you once again and have allowed my enemies to gain another crystal." Tuxedo Mask said with a heavy heart.

********

Four days had come and gone since the attack in the park and Motoki, Makoto, and Usagi were at Tokyo International Airport to see off Reika. The aspiring zoologist had accepted the study offer and would soon be on her way in Johannesburg in South Africa. And before she left the young couple was spending as much time together as they possibly could.

Usagi and Makoto watched as Motoki and Reika shared a tender moment with one another. Motoki was currently holding Reika's hands in his and gazing lovingly into her green eyes. This would be the last time the young couple would see each other for an entire year.

"I'm really going to miss you." Motoki said trying not to cry.

"I'm going to miss you too Motoki." Reika replied.

As the couple stood there taking in each other's looks an announcement came over the airport's public address system.

"South African Airlines flight two fifty-six to Johannesburg will now begin boarding in gate A fourteen. Once again South African Airlines flight two fifty-six to Johannesburg will now begin boarding in gate A fourteen." The announcer said.

"That's my flight. I guess I should get going." Reika said.

"Wait, I want to do one last thing before you go." Motoki told her.

"What's that?" Reika wondered.

Without telling her Motoki answered his girlfriend's question by pulling her in close for what would be their last kiss for a year.

As the couple kissed Makoto and Usagi both came to a decision. It was the same decision for both young women; they would both go after the other guy in their lives and let Motoki be.

"Well, it looks like Motoki has reached unavailable status. But I guess there's always Tuxedo Mask though." Usagi said.

"You never know Reika could meet someone in Africa." Makoto told her, "But as for me I'm turning my attention to Ryouga Hibiki."

When Motoki and Reika had finally broken their kiss the zoology student picked up her bag and headed to her gate. Fifteen minutes later Usagi and Makoto stood next to their friend as Reika's plane took off for South Africa her first destination in Africa.

********

Yeah I'm finally getting back into the swing of things and now that FF.net is mostly working again I am inspired to write again. Well Motoki is now a free man for the next twelve months. And it looks as though Usagi and Makoto are going to give up chasing after the arcade manager. Ryouga doesn't know how lucky he is and Mamoru well let's just say he is too busy with school, Rei, and the crystals to even have time to notice Sailor Moon has a thing for him. But don't worry he'll come around soon just like Ranma will come back into the stories soon too.

And now for a few thank yous to a few important individuals. First off I'd like to thank Hitoshi Doi for his Sailor Moon Encyclopedia. It is on his site where I get info on who ends up with each crystal. I'd also like to thank the geniuses behind the Rainbow Crystal Summary page. It is on this page where I get the names of the crystal carriers and the seven shadows they turn into. And finally a very hug thank you goes out to Sassy V owner of the Loves That Never Were site. She put up my story during the FF.net down time and with another place to find my story people could read it some place other than FF.net.

Five crystals down and two to go. Next up is the indigo crystal. The victim is small, balding, perverse, and a Hino. Yes it's grandpa's time to shine. And when a wandering young man is found sleeping on the shrine steps grandpa takes on a new student. It's Yuuichirou the acolyte for the first time anywhere and he idolizes Rei and her grandpa. But can he take on a converted grandpa. Find out in episode sixteen: Grandpa. Every author needs reviews good or bad so tell me what you think.