"Stop it."

"Stop what?" Hideki smirked and threw another piece of popcorn.

"Heh stop it!" Ami laughed and swatted it out of the way. "You're getting popcorn all over the place."

"What's that you say? We should take a break? I agree!" he leaned over and closed Ami's book.

"That's not what I said." she smiled, removing her glasses.

"Nonsense." he came and sat beside her on the floor.

Ami began to get a little nervous, as she always did when Hideki got close to her. It wasn't that she didn't like him because she did, a lot, but not only did she not want anything to come between her and her studies, but she also felt it was somewhat wrong to be happy after what had happened to Usagi. With him that close she was too flustered to say anything, so instead they sat there, sneaking momentary glances at one another.

"I saw you yesterday, during one of your tutoring sessions with that girl."

"Oh did you?" she was hoping to forget her meeting with Makoto.

"Was everything ok? You didn't look so good."

"It was just a long day, that's all." she smiled faintly.

"Sorry I brought it up, just wanted to make sure you're ok." he smiled and placed his hand on hers.

"Thank you Hideki." she blushed. Normally she'd pull her hand away gently, but she didn't this time.

Again they sat in silence for a moment. Suddenly Hideki quickly leaned over and kissed her cheek. Ami's eyes widened and her face turned bright pink. She turned to him in shock.

"W-w-why did you do that?"

"Heh Ami I already tried to kiss you once, if you didn't think I was going to try it again, you're not as smart as you think you are." he grinned and rose to his feet, grabbing his books and bag. "See you tomorrow smart girl." Hideki winked and left Ami's house. She sat there, still blushing, holding her face.

Meanwhile Makoto was sitting in a booth at the local cafe, sipping her hot chocolate and looking out the window at the people passing by. The day was a bit bleak. The sky was gray and cloudy and the wind picked up quite a bit that day. It was nice to be inside, relaxing and watching the world pass by. Makoto began to drift off, resting her head on her hand. Her eyes began to gaze around the cafe, watching the atmosphere. There were couples and groups of friends and a young man sitting alone reading the paper.

Naturally her gazed stopped on him, for he was very good looking. His hair was dark brown with light brown highlights and his eyes were a light, almost translucent green. He wore a deep red pin-stripe suit with matching red glasses. Though his look was a tad odd, he wore it well. He sat reading his newspaper and drinking his coffee. He seemed entranced in what he was reading until he looked up momentarily to see the young girl staring at him. Makoto quickly turned away, very embarrassed. He smiled slyly and went back to his paper. She didn't stare at him again after that, for fear of getting caught again.

"Can't I have just a little?" Artimis walked in circles around Mina's legs.

"Not until we get home." she smiled, trying not to trip over him.

"But it'll be cold when we get home." he whined.

"Oh fine." she reached into the brown paper bag she was holding and knelt down, holding a french fry in her hand.

Artimis pranced over and nibbled it out of her hand. She giggled and patted his head, giving him another. A heavy wind blew, tossing her hair around, blowing the scarf off her neck and into the trees.

"Darnit!" she scooped up Artimis in her other arm and ran off in that direction. She searched the trees, bushes and the ground around that area, but with no luck. She sighed and looked down at her dear companion who smiled.

"Well at least it wasn't my fault this time."

"Just for that," she smirked "I get the rest of your french fries."

The two playfully squabbled and walked away toward home, leaving her scarf behind. Surely someone would find it and make good use of it...which they did....later that night when it was safer for the time being to walk the streets.

"And what is this you have brought me?" he held the red piece of cloth on his hand.

"Her scarf my lord."

"What a lovely gift you've brought..." he held it to his face and inhaled, taking in the scent. "Thank you..."

"My pleasure my lord..."