Author's Note: I'm sooo sorry about the late updates. I had hoped to have this all up before my wedding…and failed. And then ffnet decided not to like me, so it wouldn't post my stories. :( My apologies on my tardiness.

Also, this story coincides with "The Rose Earrings", so you'll see some similarities in the plot...at least, somewhat. And just because I have posted this does not mean that I am giving up on the other. I just needed to write this one down as well--it had been swimming around in my head for months. I will update the two regularly!

The disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or any of the characters.

Avoidance

To say that the two adversaries were upset would have been an understatement. Rei always was a force to be reckoned with when she was angry… Usagi and Endymion, not knowing what had set their two friends against each other, decided that the best solution for the moment would be to make sure that the two stayed out of each other's way. …Mainly because there was no telling which one of them would still be left standing!

Usagi just couldn't get over it. I mean, yeah, Rei has a temper. But she'd never seen her friend act like this. She just couldn't understand it.

"Rei, talk to me," Usagi pleaded.

"There's nothing for me to tell you, Usagi. The guy is an absolute jerk! He actually accused you… well, nevermind that."

"Come on Rei, he probably said whatever upset you so much just out of anger. You two had worked yourselves into quite a bit of temper. It didn't look like either one of you was exactly calm at the moment."

"Oh, calm? Let's talk about you, missy! When you left dinner you were a basket of nerves. When you came back, you were a mess! And so was the Prince!"

Usagi just blushed. No use defending herself at this point.

"Ah hah! So it is true! You were getting it on in the garden!"

"Rei! We were kissing, not 'getting it on!' Besides, this was your master plan, after all! You said that we needed to get to know each other…so we were…"

"Uh huh," Rei smirked. "And just how well did the Prince 'get to know you'?"

Usagi threw a pillow at her. "Get your mind out of the gutter!"

"It's not my fault. You have leaves in your hair!" Rei said laughingly.

Glad to see her friend smiling again, she started to pick out the leaves from her golden hair.

"So, you want to tell me about what's got you so hot and bothered, or would you rather steam a little bit more?"

Rei sighed. "It's nothing. He said something that set me off, then I remarked back and set him off. You saw the result."

"I just don't want any bloodshed on the Palace grounds. You'll have to take it back to Mars if you want to kill him."

"I might just do that…"

"Come on Rei, he can't be all that bad."

Oh yes he can, Rei thought silently.

Meanwhile, Prince Endymion was just shaking his head. "You want to tell me what had you screaming at my fiancé's best friend?"

"I was not screaming at that brat."

Endymion let out a big sigh. So it was going to be like this…

"Alright, would you like to tell me what has the two of you 'discussing' so vigorously?"

"The Princess made some accusations."

"…And?"

"And I corrected some things for her."

"Oh yeah, I can see she was just hanging on your every word…" Endymion snorted.

"She's too young to understand."

"I think she understands just fine. I think that you found someone who doesn't bow down to your charm or agree on your every word. In fact, I have half a mind to go back to Earth and see if I can arrange a marriage for you two." Endymion grinned.

"Don't even joke about that!"

"Who's joking? Rei isn't your typical type of female—she doesn't cling on your every word, she isn't throwing herself at you, she doesn't think that you're a male god…"

"…So tell me again why she would make a good wife?"

"Because you've met your match buddy."

"She's only 16!"

"You're not much older. Besides, maybe if you marry each other you won't kill each other."

"You take one step toward Earth trying to arrange a marriage and I swear to God that they'll never find your body."

Endymion started laughing. "Alright, alright. No matchmaking for today."

"Usagi, I'm tired. I think that I'm just going to meditate and then get some sleep."

"Alright, it you're sure…" Usagi left her friend, hoping that everything would be alright.

Rei sat down on the floor, letting all of her anger roll off of her. It took a couple of minutes, but she was finally able to relax and concentrate on something other than Jadeite. Something was nagging the back of her mind though… She couldn't help but feel a small sense of foreboding. Something was happening…

Standing from her spot on the floor, she glanced into the fire. Concentrate! she told herself. She could almost see it…something was coming…

Rather melodramatic, yeah? The next chapter will be up soon. :)

Athena Kyle – Yet another chapter…if this actually posts, I'll have the next one soon! Too bad I couldn't finish before you. :)

thebodyfarm – Thanks for the review. And yes, I've noticed how rare these stories are these days. Hopefully you'll like this one.

Reijadeite – Thank you for the encouragement!

Phoenix – Glad you like the story so far!