Here's Chapter six, but I also have some explaining to do about Chapter Four AND five. I noticed as I went through that the only part on it was the intro and Naru's portion, then the ending to Four, then five skipped the rest of running into Naru and all of what was in Makoto's apartment. Let me tell you, there's WAY more than that, but it didn't want to upload on here until I HTMLed it. It's on there now, so if you want to see some added stuff go back and read them before reading this. Sorry about the trouble!
~*~*~
The next few days went by as a whirlwind. I divided my time between Shinozaki and being a senshi with a strange new enemy not related to the generals, though everyone was confused as to who they were and why they would appear at the start of us being pregnant. Of course, that was something we didn't want to think of. It just usually happened anyways.
Within days we had settled everything as far as my living for the next few days. I was going to be at a place I had inherited from my parents not far from here, but I would be alone. Anyone was allowed to come and see me once a week, but the rest of the time was for me. How they were going to manage was beyond me. I was just glad the arrangements were made and I didn't have to worry about having someone else think for me constantly.
Currently, I was with Ami and Rei, who were shopping with me for the next few months. Life was going to be interesting, and certainly more than I would ever experience again. Rei pulled out a nice, comfortable-looking green sundress.
"What about this one?" She asked.
I smiled. She was trying to prepare me in every way. I had to admit, Rei had been the most wonderful person while I was going through this. Then again, she had also managed to have time away from everyone while she was at the castle with the generals. I knew Nephrite though. He wouldn't give me a moments rest.
"I like that, grab it."
Rei nodded and Ami pulled out a nice set of pants and a shirt. Eventually we had everything I could possibly need, and we headed out of the store. We packed everything into the car and headed off. Today was going to be my last day at home, but I was going to settle everything in my new home until then. We drove and finally came upon the location where I would be for the next days. It was a nice little house. Hardly more than a small cottage. I pulled out the key that I had stored for the longest time, and unlocked the door, opening it.
Everything was exactly as it had been the past years. There was a bit more dust than before, but it could be expected from a place that had been abandoned for a good six years or so. All the furniture was still in the exact same place, all the objects and pictures still where they had once been. I smiled and set my things down. Then I motioned for Rei and Ami to come with me and explore how things were. As we walked around, all the things were still in good condition, and the entire place was peaceful. It was going to be heaven being here alone for the next months. I looked over at Rei and smiled. I could be myself here.
We quickly settled everything in and headed back to everyone else. The last few hours were to be spent in a sleepover with my best friends, and only with them. We were staying at my apartment, and Yuuichirou was watching Sakura. It was just going to be us again. Upon arriving back at the apartment, Minako was already over there preparing some of the simpler dishes. Heaven help us if she had started the baking.
I grinned in spite of myself as I took a bite out of some celery. "Thank goodness there wasn't any baking while I was gone. My entire house might have been burned down." I teased.
Minako stuck her tongue out at me, then continued making the veggie plate. I laughed and relaxed on the couch. My last night in my house.
"Minna! Where are you guys!" Usagi's voice called out.
"In here!" Ami called, walking into the living room and looking at the movies. I smiled and joined her. Then Usagi appeared and we all examined my collection of videos. I pulled out a few and we all starting picking out movies. I heard Minako squealing and Artemis, who I hadn't noticed before, came running out to Luna.
"She's fighting with Rei over who should do the cooking." Artemis remarked.
I rolled my eyes and went into the kitchen, crossing my arms as the two of them bickered over who would bake. Rei noticed and stopped, soon followed by Minako.
"The last I remembered, neither of you were perfect bakers, so how about I do the baking, and you guys do everything else?" I asked, giving them a stern look of warning. They always knew I was the cook, and they certainly weren't going to try and imitate me in MY kitchen.
Rei and Minako immediately complied with my orders and went about doing the rest of the usual things for our food. I prepared all of the baking, which was a batch of cookies, a cake, and some hot sandwiches. By the time I was halfway done, the others in our group had filtered in and were around the table as we always managed to be. I smiled in spite of myself.
"We need to do this every time one of us gets pregnant from now on. This is far to entertaining not to do this. Besides, what's the fun in letting kids interfere with a girls' night of chaos?" I announced.
Rei nodded. "That's right, we'll always do this no matter what, and we'll be sailors to the end of time, raising a family or no."
We all had glasses of something or another at this point, and we raised them in unison.
"Sailors to the end of time!" Ami announced.
The lot of us playfully clinked our glasses together, the drank up. Everything in the kitchen finished and we all made our way to the living room, starting the marathon that would end with truth or dare. I sat watching the movie in between Rei and Usagi, but I couldn't help looking around occassionally at our group, thinking of the different things we had been through together. Some of it seemed a bit surreal, but others were all the more realistic. I grinned to myself and relaxed on the back of the couch. This was everything that made life worth living for.
~~~^_^~~~
~Nephrite~
"Makoto, are you sure you'll be okay on your own out there?" I asked as she headed out to the car she had.
I received a flat look in response and sighed. I knew she would be alright, but I wasn't sure that she would miss me. Which I didn't particularly like at that moment. Shinozaki arrived at that moment and ran over to her. Makoto smiled and kissed him lightly, hugging him for a moment, then releasing him. She went over and hugged me gently.
"I'll be okay, don't either of you worry, and don't visit me too often. Only when you really miss me. I'll miss you both, and if I get too lonely I CAN call you. I'll see you all in a few months." Makoto said gently.
I looked over at Shinozaki, who also seemed to be a bit annoyed at the current situation. He gave a shrug and I nodded. There was nothing either of us could do to change Makoto's mind. She was simply stubborn that way.
Shinozaki stayed silent for a moment, then spoke. "So, when do we start alternating weeks to visit her?"
I laughed, shaking my head. "I don't know, whenever works I suppose. Of course, only one person can visit her per day, so that means we have to beat everyone else. Which results in waking up at dawn. . ."
"I get the first day!" Shinozaki exclaimed. Rei suddenly gave him a solidly stern warning look from where she was.
"Absolutely not! I refuse to let some male be the first to see her! One of us will see her first. And it's only one person every other day. Though it should be once a week with how you guys are." Rei scolded.
Damn, this was going to be harder to get anything accomplished than I thought.
~~~^_^~~~
~Makoto~
I entered the house and grinned, placing what I had left for today on the floor in the bedroom. I opened the curtains and looked outside. The air was beautiful with a perfect view of the lake. I grinned in spite of myself, then examined my current outfit. A long skirt, a nice shirt, and sandals. It was time to change.
Quickly, I opened one of the drawers and took out a pair of jeans, a loose shirt, and sneakers. I dressed, then headed out to enjoy the surroundings. Life was going to be beautiful.
~~~
Well, it appears Makoto will be getting some time to herself. Or so we hope. Guess we have to wait until next chappie to find out, huh? Until then, Ja ne!