Hey Everyone! I hope you all like this. If it is even the slightest bit crappy, please let me know. I like my readers to be honest with me. Some things might sting a little, but it helps my writing in the long run. Well, that's enough from me; on with the chapter. Enjoy!
This chapter is dedicated to Kitsune; without her helpful ideas, this chapter would probably still be suspended on the first page. Thanks a lot sis! ..
Disclaimer: See chapter one. Also, Mr. Sulie and Ms. Megami are my own creations.
Authors Note: Blah Blah Blah Indicates a character's thoughts.
Chapter 6
Interesting Athletics
It was another beautiful spring day in Tokyo. The sun was shining through the trees while a slight breeze carried the sweet aroma of the surrounding flowers to the senses. The chipper birds sang their songs of peace and joy as a concerned protector absorbed his current situation and the present atmosphere. Peace and joy? Darien thought sitting on the grass looking at the site where the battle had occurred. "There won't be any peace or joy to speak of if the evil that is threatening it isn't dealt with. There has to be a way to find out more about this 'Negaverse' that Jedite spoke of."
Darien linked his fingers behind his head, leaned back, and stared at the canopy of trees hovering above him. With a deep, relaxing breath, he said, "Trying to answer all the questions right now won't accomplish anything. The only thing that'll accomplish is a massive headache. I'll just have to wait and see how the next battle goes. Who knows, maybe that idiot, Jedite, will give us all the answers we're looking for." Darien finished with a chuckle.
He sighed and closed his eyes. Answers will come sooner or later, hopefully sooner rather than later though. Whether sooner or later, the Sailor Scouts, Neo Knight, and Tuxedo Mask will defeat this evil. Speaking of the Sailor Scouts, I wonder who they are? Sailor Moon was kinda cute. With that last delightful thought, Darien drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
DING! DING! DING!
The bell echoed throughout the halls as the classroom doors swung open and the hungry students filed out. India met up with the other girls and they walked out the double doors to "their" cherry blossom tree.
Once everyone settled down and began eating their lunch, Lita asked, "Hey India?"
India froze with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich touching her lips. She lowered her sandwich and said, "What's up, Lita?"
"Did your teacher say anything about volunteering for a dance?"
"No he didn't. What's the dance for and where's it going to be at?" India asked intrigued.
"Get this…" Serena led, "it's at the Millennium Palace."
"What!" India responded shocked.
The girls giggled and Serena said, "That's how we all reacted."
India regained her composure and said, "Sorry about that. Just hearing anything about any kind of millennium palace after Friday's events caught me off guard."
"Tell me about it." Mina mumbled.
Amy, not wanting to leave India out, asked, "Would you like to know all the details that Miss H. told us?"
India smiled and replied, "Of course!" As Amy began, India started eating her sandwich, listening intently to everything Amy said.
When Amy finished explaining everything, India ate the last bite of her sandwich, took a drink of her coke, and said, "Well, it seems that this is going to be a big thing. Perfect too. I've wanted to go to the Millennium Palace since it opened. You guys are helping right? It should be fun and quite interesting with Raye helping out. I don't shelter a doubt that she will."
"Oh please!" Serena exclaimed, receiving everyone's questioning expressions. "We know she is going to do it. Even if it is only to torture and boss me around."
"Serena, you know that's not right. She'll do it to help."
"I know that Mina. I was just kidding." Serena said with a smile.
"Well, to get back to the subject, yes we are India. Since your teacher didn't say anything to you about the dance and the need for volunteers, would you like for us to tell Miss H. to put your name down with ours?"
"Yes, please do Lita. Thanks so much." India answered with a smile.
While the rest of the girls finished eating their lunches and chatted, Serena looked up at the cherry blossoms lingering above her.
"Serenity, trust in your heart. Your heart holds all the answers you seek." There's that voice from my dream again. I don't know whom the voice belongs to, but at the same time I do. She stared intently at the cherry blossoms thinking back to her dream the night before.
Serena found herself standing in a garden with several different flowers and plants looking at a beautiful palace. She left the garden and wandered through a set of open stain-glassed doors. She walked around as if she knew the place well, but at the same time it was as if an invisible rope was leading her. Taking in all the gorgeous sights around her, she walked into a spacious ballroom.
She was halfway in the room when she noticed a painting on the wall. She walked over to look at it closer and froze. There was a woman standing on a cliff looking at the Earth with two pigtails being blown away from her head. That picture…it's so familiar…and yet…mystifying. Serena thought.
Feeling someone else was in the room, she turned and saw a figure standing in front of her. It was a woman with hair similar to her own wearing a very eloquent, beautiful, and regal dress. However, her face was masked by a shadow. You are…
Then a soothing and comforting voice was heard. "Serenity, trust in your heart. Your heart holds all the answers you seek."
I hate dreams like that. It's gets to a really crucial part and then you wake up. What's the point in even having that dream? Still…I can't help but feel like whoever that person was that what she said is the key to figuring everything out. "Serenity, trust in your heart. Your heart holds all the answers you seek." I know you, but who are you?
Not wanting to get the girls wondering about her absence of speech, Serena jumped right into the conversation first chance she got.
Amy took a deep breath and said, "Man that sushi hit the spot."
Serena raised her arms up in the air, stretched, took a deep, gratifying breath and said, "I'm so glad that I always bring my lunch."
"Please!" Mina exclaimed. "Serena, we all know that if Lita didn't bring extra food everyday, you would die of starvation."
Serena glared while Lita, Mina, Amy, and India burst out laughing. The bell chose that moment to ring.
Amy smiled and said, "Let's go guys. Got to get back to class. Remember, after Miss H. talks with us, we have gym class?"
"We remember. How could we forget?" Serena groaned. Gym! "I hate gym." She finished with an exasperated sigh.
"Cheer up Serena. Look at it this way, at least today is the day both our classes combine for gym."
Serena smiled and replied, "You're right, India. At least we all get to suffer together." Serena smiled brightly knowing that it would be a lot more entertaining with everyone together and that the teacher wouldn't split them up.
"Yep! Today is kickball day too. My favorite sport. I can't wait." Lita commented with a pleasing grin.
The five friends vacated "their" spot and made their way to the doors of the school. Following other students inside, the friends walked down the hallway laughing, talking, and giggling about anything and everything. Being lost in their own little world, the girls were oblivious to the hoard of chattering students walking around them. The group fell silent, however, when three very attractive boys came into view.
Lita, Mina, and Amy swallowed when Neph, Mal, and Zoy smiled at them. India asked, "Who are they?"
Serena quickly replied, "Oh, they are new here. They registered this morning." Serena then told India everything they had said about themselves.
"Wow! They are kinda cute." Not as cute as Andrew though. "But I'm already taken."India stated, mentally scolding herself for that thought.
"That's what I said too. They are quite easy on the eyes." But not like Darien. "But I'm taken also." Serena replied, mentally slapping herself.
"There's the understatement of the year." India smiled.
Serena laughed and said, "Tell me about it. Guess we better get. Don't want to get detention."
India giggled. "Right. Raye wouldn't believe that we all had detention together. See you in a little bit." India waved to the rest of the girls and walked to her class.
The rest of the girls and the new guys walked into class and sat down right as the bell rang. After Miss Haruna got the class somewhat settled, she asked, "So, has anyone decided if they would like to help out and volunteer for this dance? If you'd like to, stand up and let me take down your names."
With that comment, Serena, Amy, Lita, Mina, Zoy, Neph, Mal, and a few other students stood.
Lita looked at Neph and asked, "You really interested in doing this?"
Neph smiled. "Yes. I've always been interested in helping whenever I could."
"Same here." Lita said smiling. This is gonna be fun. Hope we get paired up to work together.
Lita blushed and tried to focus on Miss Haruna. When she was done writing all the names down, Miss Haruna told the students to take their seats.
Lita raised her hand and asked, "Miss H?"
Miss Haruna raised her head to look at Lita and replied, "Hmm?"
"My friend, India Present, would like to be added to your list as well. Her teacher didn't say anything at all about the dance to her class."
"Alright Lita." Miss Haruna lowered her head back to her list and started writing. After a few seconds, she said, "She's added."
"Thanks Miss H." Lita said with a smile.
"No problem. Okay, now that that's all done, time for gym class. Have fun and don't hurt each other."
With that comment, everyone in the class got up and left. On the way there, India joined up with the rest of the girls. "Hey all!"
"Hey India! Did your teacher mention the dance?" Mina asked.
"No. I guess the old fool completely forgot about it."
"Oh well. Miss H. added you to her list just in case."
"That's great, Lita." India replied with a smile and looked across the hall at the three new guys that Lita, Amy, and Mina kept glancing at. Hmm…that's weird. I get the feeling that something is wrong, but, at the same time, it's like everything is right. Oh well! No need to worry about it. India shook her head and continued chatting with the others.
After a minute or so, the girls entered the slightly crowded Girls' Locker Room. The atmosphere was loud with chatter and giggling about the upcoming kickball game and the guys.
Mina, of course, was the first to finish dressing. She stood waiting for her friends to finish, but was losing patience with their sluggish pace. "Come on, girls! Hurry up and change or else we'll look like slow, lazy slobs in front of all the guys!"
Knowing that that would be the worse thing to do in front of the new guys, the rest of the girls quickened their outfit switches and were soon ready to play kickball.
The small group walked into the large gym and stood near the door that lead out to the fields where they would be playing kickball. Within a few minutes, everyone finished changing and was standing around the door, chattering, waiting for the coaches to arrive.
"This is going to be great!" Lita exclaimed happily. Mina, however, was the only one to acknowledge her agreement, for the rest of the girls were looking either at Zoy, Neph, Mal, or the approaching coaches.
Within moments, the two P.E. teachers were standing in front of the group of students. After a few seconds of stretched silence, Mr. Sulie said, "Okay, as you all know today we're playing kickball. Usually, we would split the guys and girls and have two separate games, but today we're trying something new."
"Today, we will be playing guys against girls." Ms. Megami finished with a smirk.
As soon as the news registered in their brains, the guys whooped happily and all the girls blushed scarlet red, of course excluding Lita and Mina, who were smiling broadly.
Following the guys' joyous outburst, the two smiling coaches said, "Now, let's head out!"
Obediently, the combined classes jostled and pushed their way through the doors and out to the vacant baseball field. Once everyone adjusted to the slightly cooler temperature due to his or her clothing and they had gathered around home plate, Mr. Sulie spoke once again. "Now, split up, males on the field and females behind the fence." The students quickly did as they were told.
"Sulie, we got a small problem. There are two more girls than boys. We gotta have one girl go over with the boys." Ms. Megami called.
All together, the girls glanced at each other and whispers were heard around the group as they all dreaded that they would be the one picked to join the boys' team. Ms. Megami then began weaving her way in and out of the newly formed smaller groups of girls and paused before the group of scouts.
Lita and Mina stood happily smiling at the possibility of playing with the guys, Serena and India stood nervously, afraid at the idea of being the only female on an all male team. Amy, however, stood with her head hung low, always being the embarrassed one, blushing a deep scarlet. Ms. Megami smirked and said, "Mizuno, you go over with the boys."
Instantly, the blue haired girl's head shot straight up, with her jaw dropped in surprise, trying to find a way to get out of it. Yet, she knew that it was better not to contradict her superior and went along with her decision. With a slightly frightened glance to her friends, Amy walked slowly and stiffly to the group of guys, receiving pity glances from all the girls, and unconsciously stood beside Zoy.
Zoy looked over at Amy and smirked. "Amy, don't look so scared. We aren't gonna bite you."
Amy looked up at him with a weak smile and replied, "I know that. It's just that I'm not very athletic and I don't want to make a fool of myself or make your team lose."
Zoy chuckled at her words. "What's so funny?"
"Nothing." Zoy said continuing to chuckle.
"Then why are you laughing?"
"I'm not. Amy, don't worry about making a fool out of yourself. Kickball is all about fun. You can't have fun if you don't relax. And what's with this 'your team' stuff? You're apart of this team too. It's ourteam, alright?"
Amy erased her weak smile and replaced it with the fullest, most sincere smile she could muster. "Okay. I'll try my best, general, sir!" She finished with a fake salute then turned her attention to the coaches who were explaining the rules.
Zoy, on the other hand, stood facing the coaches, but wasn't hearing a word they said. General? That's right. I am a general for the Negaverse! I can't be nice to anyone. Then why was I nice to Amy? It's part of your cover; you had to be nice to her. But why did I feel like everything in the world was right when she smiled at me? I better avoid this girl or she could prove to be a serious complication. Problem is, I can't stop thinking about her and I can't stop looking at her.
"Zoy? Zoy? Zoy, you in there?" Amy asked while waving her hand in front of his face.
Zoy shook his head and said, "Huh?"
"You were out in space. Is everything all right?" Amy asked with a concerned look on her face.
Zoy smiled and said, "Yeah. No need to worry."
Amy smiled and said, "Good! 'Cause, like you said, 'kickball is all about fun. You can't have fun unless you relax.' So relax and come play some kickball with the rest of us."
Zoy smiled to the best of his ability and said, "All right." He turned his attention from Amy to the pitcher and watched as Melvin threw the first pitch. Amy, why do you have this effect on me?
What Zoy happened to overlook was the piercing looks that Mal and Neph sent him. When their looks weren't getting through to him, they looked at each other and thought the same thing. Uh-oh! We've got a problem! Neph and Mal were going to go and say something to Zoy, when Melvin threw his first pitch. They decided it could wait till later and dove, head first, into the co-ed game of kickball.
As it turns out, Lita was the first up to kick. Melvin threw the ball, which Lita missed because she caught Neph's eye. She smiled at him and then realized that she missed the ball. The girls stood shocked that she missed it, while Neph laughed.
"You call that a kick? Guess we won't have to take it easy on these poor girls after all team!" Neph finished with a challenging grin on his face. The other boys laughed while the girls glared daggers at Neph.
"Take it easy on us, huh? We'll make you eat those words, Neph." Lita said accepting his challenge.
"Now that's what I'm talking about. Let's play!" Ms. Megami exclaimed.
Melvin threw the ball and Lita mumbled, "Try and catch this one Neph." She then kicked the ball with all her might and it flew into the air. Up, up, up, and outside the invisible home run lines. All the girls cheered and all the guys stared in disbelief as Lita rounded the bases.
As Lita passed second base, where Neph was, she said, "Try and catch that one." With a wink, she continued to third and then home plate.
After the girls calmed down, Mina walked up to the plate. Mal, not being able to help himself, called, "Oh, look team! It's a blonde. Better watch it. She might end up kicking herself instead of the ball." Mal smiled as the boys laughed.
Mina glared at Mal and saw that he held the same challenging grin as Neph and decided to join in the fun. "Oh really? Well then, let's see you try this on for size." Melvin pitched and Mina connected. The ball skyrocketed and flew right above Mal and right out of the home run lines.
The girls cheered loud at a two to zip lead while the guys glared at Mal and Neph disapprovingly. Mina began rounding the bases and when she came to third, where Mal stood unhappily, she said, "Blonde huh? Try and catch up with that." She winked and made a big scene about touching home plate.
Before anyone knew what happened, the girls had three outs and the teams swapped places. First up to kick was Melvin. Molly pitched and he took a chance to steal for second, where Lita tagged him out.
Next up was Neph. "Catch this one, Lita." Neph smirked as Molly pitched the ball. He kicked the ball high in the air and started to run toward first, still smirking. He was halfway there when he heard, "Nice try!" Neph froze and looked toward second base, where Lita stood waving, the ball in hand. Neph walked off smiling.
Neph walked past Mal, who was standing by the plate, ready to kick, gave him a high five, and said, "Good luck pal."
Mal smiled in return and looked toward Mina, who was on third. "Watch and learn how it's done." Mal turned his attention to Molly. She pitched and he kicked. Mal ran to first and turned toward second when he stopped dead. He stood starring at Mina, who was standing next to Lita on second, and saw that she had the ball.
Mina smiled and said, "Nice lesson teach. Next time you might want to kick it higher and farther than the pitchers mound." Mal walked off the field smiling as well.
He walked behind the fence to stand next to Neph and Zoy. Zoy smiled and said, "I always said that your mouths get you in trouble. When will you listen?" He then started to laugh.
"Oh don't worry about that, Zoy."
"Neph's right. Our mouths might get us in trouble, but getting them back is gonna be fun." Mal said. The two friends stood smirking, thinking of ways to pay the girls' back until they had to switch again.
The game continued till Mr. Sulie blew his whistle and said, "That's it for today folks. Go inside, change, and meet back inside the gym to find out which team won."
The large group of students obeyed and walked back toward the school, chattering about the game. They entered the doors to the gym and the group spilt into two. Guys went to their locker room and the girls went the opposite direction to theirs. After about 10 minutes, everyone was assembled in the gym waiting to hear the results.
"Is everyone here?" Ms. Megami asked.
No one answered so Mr. Sulie continued. "All right then. The results from today's co-ed kickball game were Guys: 2 and Gals: 8. The females are the champions." The girls burst into loud cheers of victory while the guys stood glaring at Neph and Mal, who wore bright smiles.
Once the girls got their yells of joy out of their system, Ms. Megami said, "Okay, today's P.E. class is over. Go back to your homerooms and enjoy the rest of the day."
The students followed the instructions and headed back to class. The group of scouts were talking about the game when Zoy, Neph, and Mal came up to them.
"Looks like you beat us this time, but you won't be as fortunate next time." Mal said to everyone, though he was looking right at Mina.
"Yeah next time we won't hold back."
Lita started to laugh. "'Hold back?' Oh please Neph! We let you guys get those two runs. We'll kick your butts next time just like we did this time. Count on it."
Neph smirked and said, "We'll see about that."
India, who was looking at where Amy and Zoy were, noticed they were talking. She smiled as an idea formed in her head.
Serena saw her smile and asked, "Hey India, what's the smile for?"
"Oh! Nothing. Just remembered something." India cleared her throat and said, "Guys we need to get to class. Hey! Are y'all busy after school?"
Neph, Zoy, and Mal were caught off guard by her question, at first. After a few seconds, they looked at each other and then Mal said, "Not really. We were just planning on going home. Why do you ask?"
"That's great. Would you like to come with me and the girls up to the Millennium Palace?"
With that said, Serena, Amy, Mina, and Lita all looked at her and were about to say 'what!' when Neph said, "Sure! What time you want us to be there?"
India thought about it a minute and then answered. "Is five okay? We have to go and get a friend who has been dying to go to the palace first."
Neph smiled. "That's great. So do we."
"All right then. See you there at five. I've got to get to class so I'll see you then. Bye!" India walked off toward her classroom with the other girls in close pursuit.
While the girls chased after India, Zoy and Mal stared at Neph. "What do you think you're doing?"
"Malachite's right. Are you insane?" Zoy questioned in a hushed voice.
Neph chuckled and replied, "I know exactly what I'm doing and I'm still sane."
"Then care to fill us in here, Nephlite?"
"Gladly Zoycite. Here's the plan. After school's over, we go and meet Jedite back in the Negaverse as planned. We fill him in about what we're doing and he comes with us."
"Great plan, except how are we going to get him to agree to come with us?" Malachite asked.
"Simple, we tell him we are getting information about our next area of attack. The way I figure it, the site of the Millennium Palace is the perfect place. We could do it while everyone is there volunteering to get it ready for the dance. Plus those pesky Sailor Brats won't think that we would attack teenagers so why come up to the palace?"
Malachite and Zoycite agreed and walked into class, laughing, and found their seats.
Meanwhile, the girls were asking India the same thing. "What are you doing?
"I agree with Amy. Are you crazy?"
India smiled and said, "No, Serena, I'm not crazy and I know what I'm doing, Amy."
"Okay then, will you tell us what you're up to?" Lita asked.
"I will, but not now. Let's meet under the 'tree' after school and I'll tell you everything on the way to Raye's."
"But…"
"Opps! Sorry Mina. We got to get to class. See ya after school. Bye!" India walked over to her classroom holding a proud smile thinking I am a genius!
The girls stood watching India walk away not happy with the thought of having to wait. They all turned and walked into the classroom trying to figure out what India was planning. The girls walked to their seats still thinking when Miss Haruna stood up and asked, "So how'd the kickball game go?"
Suddenly the girls burst into an uproar about it while the guys remained silent. "Yeah we beat them badly." Lita said smilingly.
"You beat us this time, but next time we will claim victory." Neph said.
Miss Haruna giggled and said, "Well I'm glad you all had fun. Now we get to talk about tonight's homework. Tonight I want you to think of what you could do to help get the dance ready, whether you volunteer or not. I want you to make a sketch of what it would be that you'd help out with."
The class stared at her in disbelief and wasn't about to asked her twice if she was serious. Miss Haruna continued talking about a few other little school announcements when the bell rang. "Remember! I want those sketches in the morning. Have a good evening!"
All the students gathered their things and left the classroom happy. Neph, Mal, and Zoy stopped the girls before they could go very far. Mal then asked, "See you at five at the Millennium Palace?"
"Yep, see you all then." Serena said.
They waved bye and continued to the "tree" to meet up with India. The guys, however, walked into the nearest guys' bathroom, made sure no one was in there, and then opened a black hole. They checked once more that no one was around then walked through the black hole and disappeared.
How'd you like it? I had fun with the kickball game. Did you think it was a little much? Before I forget, if there are any comments you don't want to put in a review, then feel free to e-mail me. Oh well, I'm off to write the next chapter.
Ja Ne
Duos Gurl
