An Unavoidable Fate

by MetaSigma

You know how they never really specify when and how the earth is covered in the 21st century with ice? Well now you will... Part 7 now up

2. Revelation of a Year

(Ok, this is the second part of an incredibly long ass fanfic. Originally I had planned this part to last an actual year in character time, but after thinking about how long that would have taken me, page wise and time wise, I decided to nix that idea and go with the Urawa angle. It actually works pretty well. Enjoy!)

An Unavoidable Fate...Revelation of a Year

Shane looked at Jessie and sighed, "Jessie, I hate to say this, but I think you might have been going a little over the deep end in that dream."
"Shane! I'm not kidding! It felt so...real!"

"Dreams can sometimes feel real. It may have been that your subconscious was giving you the motivation for doing the right thing by giving you something that would make you do what you did."

"But Shane...it felt more than real. It was like...I was able to control myself."

"A lucid dream. It's rare to have a lucid dream. Usually when humans find out they can control what they do in a dream state, they usually wake up after only a few seconds. Some people have been known to be able to control themselves in a dream for a few minutes, but it's only in rare cases. Lucid dreaming is possible, but it's very improbable."

Jessie sighed, "You may be right. I was really pondering whether I should've apologized to you that night. It was the only thing that kept playing through my mind. Really Shane...I'm sorry for slapping you."

Shane removed the ice from Jessie's cheek and looked at it a little, "The swelling has stopped, so you should be Ok." Shane looked down at his watch and finished in his calm manner, "It's nearly time we head out for practice. Don't want to worry sensei. If he does show tonight anyways."

Jessie giggled a little and nodded. She got back to her feet slowly and went to fetch her practice equipment from her room. She packed her things and returned to the living room where Shane was ready to head out the door. "One more thing Shane," she said as they left the house, "Thanks for saving me...again." She beamed a smile at him and Shane nodded back to her.

"No problem young maiden."

Jessie giggled at the sound of Shane trying to sound flirty with her and blushed a little.

* * * * * * * * * * *

Located somewhere in the distant future...

"Sir, we've found a small transmission being sent. It might be those two you're after," a communications officer reported.

"Hmmm...I felt something small too. A slight tremor in the force. It must be that training Jedi trying to do something."

"We have slightly narrowed where the transmission was coming from sir. Would you like to see?"

The commanding officer shook his head, "No, continue on with your investigation. Just make sure you find out where those two are hiding, and soon."

The communications officer saluted, "Yes sir!" and walked off back to his post.

"What are you planning little Jedi? A plan of some sort?" The man simply smiled prideful and said, "Just keep giving off those tremors, and soon I'll do what I did to the rest of your friends and family. Eliminate you."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Back in the present just after katana practice...

"It's good to know sensei was not hurt, just a little sick that day," Jessie breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh? You sound rather relieved," Shane said, "Could it be you have a crush on him?"

Jessie blushed up and put her hands on her cheeks. Touching her left cheek made her squeak in pain and she remembered about her bruise. "Wha-what are you talking about?" she said hesitantly.

Shane saw an opening and took it, "It's clearly written all over your face. You have a crush on sensei!"

She blushed harder and turned away from him, "N-no I don't Shane! Really I don't!"

"Oh? Well then why were blushing every time he called your name?"

"Uhh...it might have looked that way, but it was actually just this bruise healing!"

Shane laughed and said, "Jessie, that's a horrid lie, and you know it." Jessie lowered her head in embarrassment and Shane finished, "but don't worry about it. I won't tell anyone."

Jessie looked up at him and said still with a little blush on her, "Thank you."

Shane nodded and looked back ahead. The night was slowly creeping upon the city, and Jessie seemed to huddle a little closer to Shane, as the sky grew darker still. "Some thing the matter?" Shane looked at her as she was nearly clinging to his arm.

"Uhh...no...just...a little chilly," she feigned a smile trying to cover her fear.

"It's ok if you tell me you're a little scared still. I understand. It's hard to return to a normal routine after what you went through a few days ago."

Jessie nodded slightly and looked about cautiously. They continued down the street until Shane stopped and looked around. 9 guys with katanas, each covering their face to protect their identity, now surrounded him and Jessie. One of them took a step forward and said, "We heard what you did to our friend Urasaki, and now we're going to kill you for hurting him!"

"So since he can't take defeat like a man he's gotta fight dirty?" Shane made a slight laugh and said, "What a pussy if he sends others to fight his own battles."

"What did you call him?!" the supposed leader of the group said.

"A pussy, as in, a wimp, no...a baka!"

The supposed leader closed his eyes and yelled, "That's it! Everyone! Kill him!" The leader came at Shane with a katana and screamed slashing at him. Shane moved out of the way and got Jessie out of the way quickly as well. Then spun around and kicked the katana from his attacker's hand. "My sacred blade!"

Shane laughed and kicked the attacker in the stomach, "Sacred blade? Hell looks more like a cheap five hundred yen piece of crap to me."

The other 8 stood in a state of awe at how fast Shane had dropped their leader to his knees. One more kick and the leader fell to the ground knocked out. One of the guys looked at another and said, "What do we do?! He just floored him with 2 kicks!"

The other one said, "I don't know about you, but I'm outta here! I'm not gonna get my ass kicked!" The other 8 attackers dispersed quickly in fear and Jessie looked on in shock at how strong Shane was. The kicks he did looked like he's been training in the martial arts for years.

"Shane! Where...how...when?! Did you learn those moves!?"

Shane turned around and looked at Jessie replying, "Those? As long as I can remember. I guess I'm just a natural in the way of the arts. That's probably why I can wield a blade so well. It just comes natural to me I guess.

"Is there anyway you can teach me some of those moves?"

"Well..."

Jessie turned her eyes all kawaii and pleaded, "Please Shane!? I would be SO grateful!"

Shane's right eye started to twitch when he saw the kawaii eyes and he replied, "Well, I...I guess I could try."

Jessie jumped up into the air yelling, "Yippee!"

Shane had a sweat drop fall from his face and he thought, "Of course maybe I should've thought it over before I teach her how to do some things."

Two days later in school...

"And that class is how we prove a sine to cosine ratio. Any questions?" The class wrote down the notes diligently and said nothing. "Good, now here is your homework for the day. I want you to do pages 103 to 107 in the arithmetic reading assignment. A number of moans were let out and Shane made a simple smile to show he wasn't afraid of a few pages of homework.

Makoto looked at Shane and asked, "Don't even dread homework?"

Shane shook his head, "Course not. If you just do it then there is nothing to moan about."

Makoto sighed and looked at her assignment book for the day. "With all this homework I'll never be able to make it cooking club today. Damn."

"Cooking club?"

"Hai, didn't you know Shane-chan? There are clubs at this school."

Shane thought for a second, and replied, "Well isn't the just dandy. Principal never told me about any clubs. Of course there is only one I'd be interested in, if it existed."

"Oh?" Makoto wondered, "What would that be?"

"Basketball."

"Basketball?"

"A man's sport. You use not only your athletic skill, but also your mental prowess to trick your defender into letting you score."

Makoto put a hand behind her head and gave a sad, but forced smile replying, "Sorry Shane-chan, there isn't a basketball club."

Shane sighed and shook his head, "Sad. Just sad. Ahh well, I'll just practice up after school a bit. I need to work on my moves. Can't get rusty over the school year!"

"You know...Shane..." Makoto blushed, "I...uhh...enjoy playing basketball as well. Do you think...we could play sometime?"

Shane raised an eyebrow, "Well, I guess, but don't get discouraged if you get your ass kicked. That's all I can say, I don't take it easy on anybody."

Makoto shot back with a confident, prideful smile, "And what makes you think you'll even score on me?"

Shane grinned showing his prideful side as well, "Well now. I smell a challenge already!" Both of them laughed as the final bell for school rang. "Oh crap...I forgot."

"Forgot?"

"Yeah, I told Jessie I'ld teach her some martial arts moves. Damn...there goes practicing my jump shot today."

"You know martial arts?"

"Oh yeah, lots of them, karate, kung fu, judo, a radical form of tai chi, jujitsu, all kinds of things. I've mixed them up, modified them to fit my style and added a few moves of my own."

Makoto could feel her heart pounding madly. Here was the perfect guy for her. He was interested in a lot of the same things as her, and at the same time had so much more that she hardly knew about, but felt like he might be the one for her. She put her hands to her face and blushed saying loudly, "Oh I'm such a foolish girl for thinking like that!"

The students still in the classroom looked over at her confused and she put a hand behind her head grinning embarrassed. Shane looked at her funny and shook his head, "Strange girl."

Makoto watched as Shane exited the room and sighed a puff from her mouth, "That wasn't a good thing to do."

"Mako-chan!" a familiar genki voice called from in front of her.

"U-Usagi-chan!" Makoto was taken by surprise.

Usagi lowered one eye and said slyly, "It appears your face is a bit flush. Did you say something to Shane-chan?"

Makoto blushed again and started to sweat a little. "Uhh...U-Usagi-chan! What...are you talking about?"

Usagi gave a slight grin and said, "Mako-chan's in love! Mako-chan's in love!"

Makoto laughed and said, "Usagi-chan, you're a goof."

Usagi laughed and they left the room together.

A few hours later...

"Come on Jessie! Settle down! You'll never get it down if you keep trying to do more than I've taught you!" Shane said angered as Jessie slipped and fell again. Jessie started crying and Shane growled out, "Get up! Either you fight through the pain and do what I tell you to do or you'll end up in more pain than before!"

"Why are you being so mean to me?!"

Shane clinched his teeth and said calming down, "Jessie, listen...you can't keep doing those advanced tricks if you don't know the basics. It's like life. You have to know certain things before others can be taught to you. Do you understand?"

Jessie sniffled a little and nodded to Shane, "Yes, I guess I do."

Shane helped her back up and told her, "Ok, now do it like I taught you, DON'T add anything to it, just do what I said."

Jessie nodded and took her basic fighting stance. "Ok," she thought, "I have to get this right. I have to make this look good." She concentrated for a second and began. "Stance position change to kick up, move foot back down stomp. Other leg, spin kick to stance position again!" Jessie looked around and noticed she was still standing. "I did it! Yes!" She jumped up and down happily.

Shane was smiling and nodded with his arms crossed. "There ya go. Don't worry about adding cool looking stuff. Work on the move and then you can add things. Now...do that same move 100 more times."

Jessie stopped dead frozen and looked over at Shane, "100...mo-more times?!"

Shane nodded, "Yes, 100 you're lucky. Usually I'd make you do it 500 more times, but I think you need to build up your strength before I take you that far."

Jessie's face turned a little blue and she thought for a second, "How about you do 500 of them then?! If you think you have the strength then?!"

Shane laughed, "500 is a warm-up for me. I can do about 2000 of em."

Jessie's eyes bugged out of her head, "2-2000?"

Shane nodded, "Yep. Now how about getting your 100 done?"

Jessie moaned and fell onto her butt with her legs facing opposite directions. "It's too hard to do one let alone 100!"

Shane rolled his eyes, "Do you think I was able to do 2000 over the course of one night? Took me a while before I could do that many. Things take time. Time and practice make you better."

Jessie sighed, "I don't know if doing this was the right thing. I guess I wanted to run before I knew how to walk. All I'm doing is something that looked cool."

Shane put a hand on her shoulder, "I'm going to tell you something. I wouldn't have taught you anything if I didn't think you couldn't do it. You have great potential, and you have something within you that even you don't know about yet. I just have to...bring it out of you."

"I have potential?" Jessie looked at Shane.

"A lot of it, more than you'll ever know, but it won't just come out, you have to train to bring it out. Which means your going to be doing a lot of reps, and drills of the same thing over, and over," Shane stretched out his arms and finished, "That's all we'll do for today. As much as you have to practice, it's best that you don't overdo it. That only leads to trouble and disruption of the rhythm."

Jessie nodded and wiped the sweat off her brow. "So when will the next lesson be?"

"We'll practice again tomorrow and then on Monday after katana lessons."

"What?! Are you crazy?! I'll be exhausted!"

"Jessie, you'll be fine if you keep telling yourself you're not going to be tired. Mind over matter in this case."

Jessie moaned and closed her eyes sighing, "Come on, at least give me a few hours to relax?"

Shane shook his head, "No, tomorrow and Monday after katana lessons. It'll help build your endurance to keep working for a longer period of time."

Jessie pouted and tried to give Shane a look in such that she could get him to rethink his decision. The chance of that failed as Jessie was the one to back down from her serious look. Jessie made a slight growl and nodded reluctantly. "Fine...tomorrow and Monday after practice."

Shane smiled and replied, "Good, now that that's settled, I think I'll call it a night."

A week later...

The school bell rang as class had finally gotten over for the day. Shane packed his things as usual and looked around for his hat. Students had to wear the regular attire, but Shane had a hat that he would always wear to school. Teachers wondered why he would constantly wear the hat and even warned him a few times that he was not allowed to wear it during class. He adhered to the rules with no quarrels, but teachers would remind him every now and then just to make sure. Usually he would pack the hat in his bag, but for some reason it wasn't in his bag today. "That's weird," he thought. "Lets see, wore it for lunch, put it...in my bag. Hmm...the only thing I can think of is that I must have dropped it somewhere. Or!" He perked up and wasn't happy with that thought. "Someone stole it!"

Makoto looked at Shane a little puzzled and asked in her somewhat eccentric tone, "Shane are you Ok? Or did you zip your zipper somewhere that might hurt again?"

Shane looked at her and said, "Makoto, that was neither clever, nor funny." Shane kept looking around and scratched his head. "Ok, now I'm a little pissed."

"What's wrong?"

"I can't seem to find my hat."

Makoto shrugged trying to show she didn't know what to do, but she was thinking, "I can't believe he didn't know I took it from his bag! This is gonna be fun to taunt him with!"

Shane looked at Makoto and something inside of him made a slight accusation. He thought for a second and made a slight laugh. "Mako-chan," Shane said with a hint of knowing something.

Makoto looked at him blankly, "Hai?"

"You perchance...wouldn't happen to...HAVE my hat now would you?"

Makoto shook her head but feeling a little pressured at how quick he might have guessed it was she. "Of course not. Why would I?"

Shane moved around slowly until he was at her bag, "Oh...only because you want something from me. Something that you badly want to test against me."

Makoto was a little more fidgety, but replied, "Shane, that's...absurd. You don't have anything I want right now."

Shane slowly slipped his hand into her bag and quickly grabbed his hat out of its hiding place. "Really, then tell me, how did my hat end up in your bag?"

Makoto sighed and said, "Alright, I did take your hat, only cause I wanted to play you in a game of basketball!"

Shane laughed, "You took my hat for a game of basketball? Are you sure you've never been committed to an asylum?!"

Makoto lowered her brows to a displeased position and replied, "Well I've been trying to get you to play me, but you're so busy with other `things' I had to find someway to get your attention."

Shane positioned the hat on his head and said, "One way NOT to get my attention is to steal or mess with my hat. That REALLY pisses me off."

Makoto nodded and asked, "Well, when can we play some one on one?"

"I've been playing every single night at a club around 9."

Makoto face faulted and started choking yelling at him, "AND YOU NEVER TOLD ME!!?"

Shane got her hands off his neck and replied, "Well for one, you never asked, and two, I've been playing with a bunch of other guys every night."

"Are you saying that you need to get better to beat me?"
Shane made his prideful smile and replied, "To beat you? Hell, you'd be lucky if I didn't embarrass you!"

Makoto returned the prideful look and said, "Then how about tonight, you and me, one on one!"

Shane turned his cap around backwards and said, "Come to the club and we'll see whose better!"

"Just where is this club anyways?"

"It's off Odiba. Nice complex really. Oh, and make sure you mention my name. Or they won't let you in."

"Why?"

"Private club. I only got in cause the folks I'm staying with have a membership to that club."

"Sugoi!"

Shane shrugged, "It's actually good. Lets me get ready for leagues back in the States when I return home."

"You play in leagues?"

"Hell yeah. I love challenges. Most of the guys I play against though are bigger and stronger than me, so I have to improvise a lot." Shane looked at his watch and said, "Well, I better get outta here, I have things to do! See you at the club later!"

Makoto nodded and blushed a little, "Ok."

Usagi walked back into the room and looked around, "Mako-chan...Mako-chan." She spied her friend in a sort of daze again and moaned saying, "Mako-chan needs to get a boyfriend."

Club Noriko...

"Come on big man, you want a piece of me?!" Shane taunted dribbling the ball.

The man replied, "Just bring it."

Shane laughed and passed the ball away cutting toward the basket and receiving the ball right before he laid a perfect lay-up into the basket. "Gotta watch that cut!" one of the other players said.

"I am! He's fast though!" the man Shane had just passed said.

"Next time just grab his shirt!" another guy said laughing.

"Come on now guys, if you're gonna get beat, at least take it like a man!" Shane laughed.

"Whatever man. Let's just keep playing."

The game continued on until one of the guys looked over and whistled. "Wow! Look at the cuties over there!"

Shane looked over and noticed Makoto had brought a few friends with her. "Oh! Mako-chan! Glad you came!"

One of the guys looked over at Shane, "Shane-san, you know these girls?"
"Hai, well, I know one of them anyways."

"You should hook me up!"

Shane laughed and said, "Don't even think about it Jiro-san. They're all still in high school. WAY beyond your age."

"When it comes to love man...age makes no difference."

"It does when it comes to teenagers man! Trust me I know!" Shane walked over to Makoto and wiped a little sweat onto his tank top. "Glad you could make it," he said.

"You think I'ld miss a chance like this?" Makoto said.

"Course not. Now then, who might these young lasses be?"

"These are my friends, Tsukino Usagi, Mizuno Ami, Aino Minako, and Hino Rei."

"I guess I've seen you two in class before, just never talked with you," Shane pointed to Minako and Usagi.

"Excuse me for a second, I've got to get my shoes on," Makoto said stepping off to the side.

"So how do you like Japan?" Ami asked.

"It's pretty cool. Doesn't feel much different than the States, except I have to speak in a whole other language. (AN: Again I reiterate that this could be considered a translation of Jap so people can understand what they are saying. Only conversations between Jessie and Shane are in actual English.) That's kinda difficult sometimes.

"Hey! Shane! You gonna talk all day? Or are you here to play some basketball?!" Jiro yelled at him.

"Hold on Jiro! I'm nearly done!"

Makoto stood back up now fully ready to play basketball. "All right Shane, let's get it on!"

"We'll have to wait a bit, but you're more than welcome to join in our game we have going Mako-chan."

Makoto smiled and said, "Might as well."

"K, you can sit in for me for a bit."

Makoto nodded and walked over to the side of the court where the rest of the men were. "So who is on my team?"

Everyone looked a little confused and Jiro asked, "Hey Shane? What's up with this?"
"I'm gonna take a little breather Jiro! Makoto is my replacement."

Jiro looked a little surprised and nodded. Makoto stepped into place guarding a guy about a good foot taller than her. The guy tried not to laugh, but Makoto looked at him somewhat angered and asked, "What's so funny?"

The guy shook his head and replied, "Nothing!"

Makoto turned around folding her arms and said, "Is it because I'm guarding you?"

The guy shook his head, "No, it's nothing! Really!"

"Hey! Akira! Quit acting like that and just play the damn game!" Shane said with a somewhat angry grin.

Akira blushed lightly, and replied, "Sorry Makoto, I've never guarded a girl before. It felt a little weird to me. It's nothing against you."

Makoto waved her hand down, "It's not a problem. So who all is on my team?"

The guy guarding Makoto pointed around and said as he pointed to each guy, "Jiro, Tetsuki, Asuka, and Yuki."

Makoto nodded and checked the ball up at the three-point line. Akira checked it back and said, "Don't think that just cause you're a girl I'm gonna go easy on you!"

Makoto made a Vegeta look grin and replied, "Anything but your best would make me feel dishonored!" She passed the ball, and the game continued on.

Shane watched for a second before taking a gulp of water and said, "So, Usagi, why did you and the gals come with Mako-chan? Don't you have homework to do?"

Usagi replied with a beaming smile, "I got my homework done already!"

"Are you sure you didn't just copy Jessie's work?" Shane said with a hint of sly curiosity.

"Ehh..." Usagi felt like she had been trapped or maybe surprised at his remark. "Of course not! Do you take me for some stupid girl?"

Rei interjected, "Well you are usually pretty klutzy Usagi-chan, so in a way he's not to far off the mark."

Usagi jumped back, "And what about you Rei-chan?! You have a mouth that's too big to keep shut with duct tape even!"

Rei and Usagi growled at each other and kept trading insults until they heard Shane's laughter overpower them. "Uhh...Shane-chan?" Ami asked a little worried, but more along the lines of confused.

"You two...you fight my little brother and me!" Shane kept laughing.

Usagi and Rei blushed and Usagi put a hand behind her head a little embarrassed by her argument. "So what's your actual family like?" Ami asked curious.

"I have a little brother, and a little sister. I'm the oldest child in the family, but more or less the odd ball of sorts. I'm the only one who is interested at all in anime, let alone Japan."

"You're an anime otaku?!" Usagi seemed surprised.

"Well, not an otaku, but I do enjoy a good anime series." Shane replied.

"Do you have a lot of mangas?!"

"A good stack of them, that I brought with me."

Usagi's eyes turned all kawaii and she asked, "Can I come over sometime and read them?!"

Shane's right eye began to twitch and he replied, "We'll see Usagi-chan. We'll see."

"Maybe if you spent less time on manga, and more on studying maybe you're grades wouldn't be so crappy," Rei said sighing.

"Rei-chan!"

"She's right though Usagi-chan, if you did do more studying and less manga reading then your grades would improve!" Ami interjected.

"Studying! Come on Ami-chan! We're still young! We have our whole lives ahead of us!" Minako said.

"But if you don't study now, then you're future won't be very bright!" Ami said defending her position.

"Ami, you have to learn not to get so defensive about school. It might be something really important for you, but for others it might not be," Shane said.

Ami seemed upset at his half-assed reply to her position and said, "But all they're doing is throwing away a truly great gift!"

"Ami," Shane put his hands up and doing a gesture of pushing them to the floor, "is the world supposed to be exactly as you see it?"

"Of course not! That would defeat the purpose of being free individual beings!"

"Then there are going to be some people that don't care about school as much as you. You don't have to get all defensive about it and take it as an insult."

"But-!"

"Ami...trust me, if you think Usagi is bad, then try a whole school full of kids that would rather spend their time smoking weed, or drinking than learning."

"It's that bad in America?" Usagi was curiously shocked.

"Well, just where I'm from. I can't speak for the entire country, but from the school I came from, yeah. I mean all the kids are pretty cool, but they think that something will just come to them suddenly and they'll be fine. They don't really have a whole...complete grasp on just how hard it is really get to the point where they can achieve their dream."

"What about you Shane-chan?" Usagi asked.

"Ehh? Me? What about me?"

"What's your dream?"

"My dream?" He gave a slight smile and shook his head, "himitsu."

Usagi smiled, "Wakarimasu."

Shane looked over to game going on and took one more drink of water. "Well guys, it's been nice meeting you, but now I have to get back into that game before I get a cold streak."

The game stopped for a second as Shane re-entered the game and traded out with Akira who looked like he needed a breather. Sweat was dripping profusely from his head, and he shook his head telling Shane, "Better watch out man, she's quick as lightning!"

Shane raised an eyebrow and said, "Well then! I guess it's going to be a lot better when I topple her defense!"

Akira laughed and said, "Good luck man!"

Makoto gave a slight huff showing she too was a little fatigued. Shane looked at her and said, "Ready to feel the burn of getting schooled?"

Makoto smiled competitively and replied, "Bring it on little man."

Shane took the ball up top and checked it to Makoto. Makoto checked it back and before she knew what happened Shane was already breaking down the lane. He kicked the ball out to an open man as he drew 3 guys to him, and got an assist as his teammate swished the ball perfectly through the hoop. "Come on Makoto! Akira said you're quick as lightning! You looked more like molasses on that one!"

Makoto ran back up court and stood on the left wing. Shane stayed with her as she tried to get him into a pick, so she could get an easy two. Jiro put a pick on Shane and Makoto got open right under the basket. The ball handler threw her a quick pass and she put it up for 2 quick points. "Come on Shane! Where was the defense on that one?!"

The ball went back down court and Shane positioned himself on the block where lay-ups were shot. He kept his position on Makoto and got a pass inside. He saw a cutter and made a quick fake turn around shot instead hitting the cutter for a quick lay-up. The game continued like this for nearly 2 hours with Makoto and Shane being the best match-up on the court. Guys were switching in every so often, but Shane and Makoto stayed on and kept going like it was a mere warm-up to them. Back and forth each of them showed why they were so evenly matched; a block here, a quick cutter pass for a lay-up there. It was turning into the Shane and Makoto show. Around 11 as the game was winding down, Makoto intercepted a pass and dashed down the court for a fast break. She ran down the right wing for a quick lay-up and noticed she had a free basket. She slowed a step under the basket and as she was putting the ball up, she was suddenly stuffed, and saw Shane was already at half court running a
fast break of his own. At the free throw line he jumped and flew through the air putting in a spectacular lay-up with the ball going through one of his legs before putting it into the basket. Shane landed on his feet and ran back down the court preventing a quick outlet pass to Makoto. Makoto was in shock at how fast he had exploded on her. There was no one close enough to stuffing her at any point, and out of nowhere Shane not only stuffs her, he makes a monstrous basket. "Hey Makoto, your jaw's on he ground," Shane laughed.

Makoto's friends also looked on in complete shock. "H-h-h-how...did he just do that?!" Minako stuttered.

Jiro shook his head, "I forgot to tell you about that Makoto. He's got a quick spurt that's impossible to defend or do anything against. Don't worry, he's done that a few times to everyone."

Makoto still stood in place in shock. "He moved...just like lightning!" Makoto thought stunned.

Shane waved a hand in front of Makoto. "Hello? Mako-chan! You in there?" Shane shook her a bit roughly and she broke out of her trance.

"How did...you do that?!" Makoto asked.

"Do what? I just ran you down, it's not that hard."

"B-b-b-b-but you ran more than half a court in less than a second!"

"Hell, I was waiting for you to catch me! You have the same speed I do!"

Makoto shook her head disagreeing, "I don't have THAT much speed!"

Shane scratched his head and replied, "Really? I could've sworn you were holding back on playing me. Like I was with you all night."

"I was holding back, but I don't have THAT kinda burst! That was like a time warp speed!"

Jiro and the rest of the guys were already heading out of the gym and said their good-byes to Makoto, Shane, and the rest of the girls. "Same time tomorrow man?!" Shane asked.

Jiro nodded, "Hai. We still have some work to do before leagues begin!"

Shane nodded and waved back to Jiro, "Jaamataashita!"

"Leagues?" Usagi said curious.

"Hai. Summer basketball leagues. We're good, but we still have to practice."

"Practice?! Hell, why don't you just do what you did all the time?!" Makoto laughed a little.

"I can't. I've worked hard just to be able to do it once or twice a game. It takes a TREMENDOUS amount of energy out of me just to do it once."

"Great drawback for great power eh?"

"Oh yeah, besides, a human body can only do so much," Shane laughed.

"I know what you mean," Usagi sighed to the ground.

"Huh?" Shane looked puzzled.
Usagi put a hand behind her head and said, "N-nothing! I was just agreeing with you!" She laughed and Shane raised an eyebrow inquisitively.

"Anyways," Shane continued drinking some water and checking the time, "It's 11:15 and we have school in the morning. We better get outta here and get some sleep."

"Thank God it's only a half day tomorrow. I really would rather be on the court than in the books."

Ami jumped in again, "Mako-chan! You shouldn't be so lax about school! The chances that you'll succeed without schooling is nearly 1 in 435,782!"

Shane rolled his eyes and said, "Oh shit, Ami! Enough! We get the picture!"

"But-!"

"Shush! Enough! As in be quiet! Oy! You sound like a teacher yourself!"

Ami blushed and looked at the ground. "Shane!" Rei attacked him with words, "Now look what you've done! You made Ami-chan sad! Apologize!"

"For the love of Mike!" Shane put his hand to his head and shook it slowly.

"It's Ok Ami-chan," Makoto said trying to stand up for Shane, "He's just a little agitated I guess. I mean he has been working out for the past 2 hours!"

"That's not it Mako-chan, I'm just saying that Ami needs to chill out a little when it comes to school. I don't think she understands quite yet that everyone has a different approach to it. It's cool though, I'm sorry I said you were acting like a teacher Ami-chan. No hard feeling?"

Ami nodded and smiled lightly, "Hai, no hard feelings."

Shane yawned and said, "Well, I'm outta here guys. Catch you later!" He began his homeward trek but stopped after a few steps and said, "Oh, Mako-chan, if you want to come back tomorrow as well, that's fine with me. We could use someone as strong on both sides of the ball as you. Allow pressure to be taken off of me as well."

Makoto blushed a little and said, "You're just joking Shane! I didn't play THAT well!"

"I'm not kidding Mako-chan, you played pretty well today. Not often do I see anyone that can stick on me that well. Catch you later. Ja." Shane walked out of the building leaving Makoto to talk with her friends.

Three days later...

School once again had ended and thus another fresh after school adventure began for Shane. It was Monday, which meant today was a full schedule. First and foremost, Shane had to train Jessie right after school so he could get a little breather in for what came next. Katana practice. After katana practice, came dinner at home with his family. After dinner and little break for homework, it would be about 8, which meant Shane would head off to the club. Sometimes his guardians would come, but they usually went during the day on their days off from work. "Shane-chan?" Makoto said a little embarrassed to ask.

"Hai?"

"Uhh...I was wondering, do you have any, time off this weekend?"

"It depends on how much homework is assigned. Just kidding, I'm usually relaxing on the weekends, exception basketball at night. What's going on?"

Makoto blushed a little and said turning her head away a little, "Uhh...I was going to say, how about you, me, and my friends go do something fun?"

Shane shrugged, "Sounds good to me, what did you have in mind?"

Makoto put her hand behind her head in classic anime style and said with a slight laugh, "I was thinking we could head to the flower gardens on the other side of town."

"Flower gardens? Hmmm...sounds interesting enough. I'll just have to Ok it with my guardians, but I'm sure they won't mind."

"Soo desu!"

Shane blinked at how happy Makoto seemed about this and asked, "Is there something else you wanted to ask me? You seem a little fidgety."

Makoto blushed again and laughed, "No! Of course not! Hahahaha! I'll see you at the club later!" Shane nodded and headed out of the room in his smooth, but fast paced step. "This is great!" Makoto thought, "I'll make him the perfect lunch so I can win his heart over!"

Seeing how eager Makoto was, Minako walked over to Makoto and said, "Mako-chan! What did you and Shane talk about?!" She gave her a big cheesy grin.

"M-Minako-chan! N-nothing! We just decided that this weekend all of us should get together and get to know each other better!"

"Mako-chan," Minako bent over to Makoto's shoulder and put her index and middle fingers on it saying, "this wouldn't happen to be a way to try and win Shane's heart now would it?" Minako said walking the two fingers across her shoulder as she spoke.

"Minako-chan! T-that's absurd!" Makoto put her hands to her face and shook her head blushing madly.

"So why are you blushing so hard?" Minako teased her knowing she had the upper hand.

"Uhh...my lunch didn't agree with me too well, and the taste is rather spicy still!" Minako raised an eyebrow, and Makoto nodded saying, "Really!"

Later that night at the club...

"You seem to be getting more into a rhythm Shane!" Makoto said running back down the court after grabbing a rebound.

Shane was guarding her and said, "What can I say? I have to step up against you, so I might as well, make it worth the effort!" Makoto passed the ball off and cut toward the basket. Shane stayed with her leaving the give n' go out of the question. The ball was passed around a few more times and someone took a shot. The ball bounced off the rim and Shane and Makoto were under the basket fighting for the rebound. Both of them jumped up, but only one of them came down fine. Shane fell back the ground and instantly a crack was heard. "SHIT!!!" Shane screamed falling to the ground in pain.

"Shane!" Makoto was right by side, "What's wrong?! What happened?!"

Shane was closing his eyes trying not to cry in pain, "My...leg...it feels...broken!"

Tetsuki, who was training to be a doctor, rushed over and did a few checks of his leg. "Appears his left femur is broken. Although I can't be completely sure if that's all he broke considering I don't have a more precise instrument. We should take him to the hospital where I'm stationed at for an X-Ray to see if it's just his femur."

"Why don't we quit for tonight and head to the hospital with them?" Jiro suggested.

"No..." Shane grit his teeth replying through the pain, "You guys have to keep practicing. Leagues...will start soon. You have...to be ready...for them."

"Ok buddy, enough talking, I'm taking you to my car and we're going to the hospital!" Tetsuki said bracing Shane and helping him to his feet.

Shane hopped on one foot, braced by Tetsuki to keep his balance, out of the gym. Makoto looked worried, but shook her head saying, "Come on! You guys wanna lose? Get it together! He'll be fine!"

"But-!"

Makoto looked over and silenced everyone with her straight look of seriousness. "Do you think he'ld want you guys to lose? He played his heart out everyday for you guys. He won't let you guys stop just for him! He inspired you to be better! Now you guys have to show him you got better! If you're going to do anything, do it for him! Do it for the fact that he was willing to do whatever it took for you guys to succeed!"

Asuka stepped forward and said in his deep, semi-frog sounding voice "She's right. We came here everyday thinking that he would be the one to carry us, but we were the ones carrying ourselves. He was simply a catalyst to ignite the potential in us. Akira, you could hardly make a pass when we first started practicing, now you're making passes that guys in the NBA would be envious of. Yuki, you had a poor baseline jumper. Shane trusted you and showed you how to improve, and every practice session you get better and better. Every one of us feeds off his energy, his energy on the court isn't gone though. It's inside of us, fueling our spirits with the will that we can do this.

Akira nodded his head, "Asuka's right. Leagues start in a few weeks. Shane might be out for a while, but he's given us the courage to play like we know we can!"

The rest of the guys there started getting pumped up cheering like they knew that they could do whatever they put their minds to. Makoto smiled and nodded, "I'm sure that Shane wouldn't mind me taking his place, and I'm sure you guys won't mind either."

Yuki nodded, "I'm sure Shane would love it if you stepped in for him. You're just as good as he it seems."

Makoto blushed slightly and put her hand behind her head, "Well I'm not THAT good!" Everyone laughed and got back on the court in high spirits that whatever happened, they had the ability in themselves to lead. Makoto was proud to be on a team that at the same time had the ability to take it upon themselves to do what was right, while at the same time understanding that what got them there wasn't just one person, but a sort of team effort.

The next day in school...

Jessie walked into the classroom and looked over at all the classmates crowding around Shane, and Makoto's desk. She looked intrigued and tilted her head slightly before heading over to see what the commotion was about. The girls in the class were all a little bigger than her, so she had to wiggle her way to the front of the crowd to see. When she got to the front, kids where signing a cast that Shane was wearing down his entire left leg. "Shane!" Jessie seemed shocked, "what happened to your leg?!"

Shane noticed Jessie and said through a gritty smile, "I kinda broke my entire left leg last night playing basketball."
"Are you Ok?!" Jessie asked a little frantic.

"Of course, it's not that painful, just limits my mobility pretty much." Another kid signed the cast and smiled at Shane's handsome face.

"I hope you feel better soon!" she said moving off with a giggle in her voice.

"Wow, suddenly you've become Mr. Popular," Jessie said giggling.

Shane shrugged, "What can I say? I'm a great guy."

Makoto laughed, "Don't let it overtake you though. Last thing we need is a zealous Shane doing anything to get attention!"

Shane laughed and said, "Very funny Makoto, but I don't think that'll ever happen to me."

"Hey Shane," Jessie wondered, "What will you do now that you can't teach me martial arts, and take katana lessons?"

"For one Jessie, I can still teach you martial arts, that shouldn't be too hard, I'll have to do some adjustment for a while, but that's fine. Katana lessons...as for those, the only thing I can do is drop out of the class. I'll call up sensei after school and give him the bad news. You should've seen him too; when I nearly beat him after class yesterday he was astounded. Now he'll be crushed to lose such a promising student I think."

Another kid signed the cast and Shane nodded a thank you to him. Usagi arrived in the room, along with Minako, and they wondered what was going on as well. They stopped a student and asked, "What's going on with the crowd?"

"Didn't you hear? Shane broke his entire left leg! People are signing the cast to try and make him feel better," the student replied.

"He broke his entire leg?!" Minako seemed surprised.

Usagi walked over and slowly the crowd thinned to the point where she could see. Sure enough the left leg was covered in a cast all the way up to the groin. "Are you Ok Shane-chan?" Usagi asked a little concerned.

"Don't worry about me Usagi-chan, I heal fast," Shane said winking at her.

"So how long did Tetsuki say you would be in a cast for?" Makoto asked.

"He said that it might be 3 to 4 months before I'm fully able to use my leg again. I really broke it good coming down."

"Ouch...there goes all your hard work."

Shane shrugged, "It's not as bad as I think. I still think the team has a chance at winning."

Makoto thought for a second and remembered, "Oh! I was going to ask you, now that you're not able to play in leagues. Can I have your spot?"

"Hell, you were my first pick to start with!"

"So is that a yes?"

"Of course. I need someone to lead the team. You've got the skills of a leader, just haven't fully developed them it appears, but I'll help you out as well, so that should smooth things out."

"One other thing Shane?" Jessie asked, "How are you going to be able to walk?!"

Shane put his hand behind his head and laughed saying, "Well, I guess I'm at the mercy of this wheelchair for a few weeks."

Jessie face-faulted a la anime and said, "Anata wa baka..."

Shane laughed and the bell for class rang.

Later that night during training...

"Good...you're getting it down rather well, now you need to do it quicker. You're still a little slow on the first move, and that'll cost you if someone whom knows the same things will be able to catch and counter quickly," Shane said to Jessie.

Jessie was sweaty from practicing and nodded, "Ok."

"Good. Now I'm going to teach you something new. It's called a thrush fist."

"Thrush fist?"

"Yes. It's a weird move, but if you actually have to use it then you're in a jam."

"Why?"

"Ok, I'll show you." Shane wheeled himself over and pushed himself out of the chair to the ground.

Jessie grew frantic and said, "Shane! What are you doing?!"
"I'm teaching you how to do the thrush fist."

"B-but...you're in no condition to teach me!"

"Hell, I've taught people with WAY worse injuries than this! This is nothing for me."

"Aren't you afraid that I might hurt you?"

"Hell no. I don't think you're quite capable of doing that yet. To another person, maybe, but to me, no way." Shane flipped over onto his back and said, "Ok, now I want you to subdue my arms to the ground near the sides of my head. That's where they are at their weakest stage. If you have your arms positioned like that you're as good as dead. Which isn't a good thing, but this little maneuver will not only break you free, but will put your opponent in a position that's VERY uncomfortable."

Jessie seemed reluctant to pin him, but Shane kept pestering her to the point where she sighed and nodded. "Ok, but don't blame me if I hurt you!"

Shane smiled and said pinned in the proper fashion, "Don't worry about it." As quick as he said this Jessie was on her chest with her arms being pulled behind her back in opposite directions and her shoulder feeling like it was about to be pulled out.

"SHANE THAT HURTS! Ouch! Stop please!" After a second Shane let the grip go and Jessie looked like she was about to cry.

"I warned you Jessie. Are you Ok?"

Her eyes were a little teary, but she nodded, "Yeah...I'm fine."

"Now I'm going to teach you how to do that. Get on me again like you did before." Jessie pinned him once more and Shane started, "First, throw your body up like a wave from your feet first until it comes out of your arms." Shane made his body wave breaking free from Jessie's grip. "Usually this will work, but if you were being pinned by, say, a massive machine that was applying nearly 50 psi on your arms, well then you're screwed that way. After you break free with the wave, take either leg and kick it into your opponent on the opposite side of your leg. So if I used my right leg, like I did, I'll be kicking you in the left side of your body. This will allow you to grab whatever hand the side you kicked to become stunned for a split second. Grab it and use the same leg to push your opponent to his or her side and onto their chest. Quickly grab the other arm and use your shoulder to dig into their right shoulder while pulling in opposite directions on the arms. It's REALLY
painful, but is REALLY effective. That's one way to pull out someone's shoulder from its socket, and because you're being pinned to the ground it usually means you've been getting your ass kicked if you have use it."

"Why is it called a thrush fist?"

"I don't know...it was the first thing I could think of. I created that move after getting pinned one to many times by some bullies where I'm from. One would pin you, and have one or two other guys punch you around, or kick you."

"I'm sorry to hear about that."

Shane shook his head, "Hell, after I pulled out of the pin they were so surprised they were afraid that they'd never be able to keep me on the ground again. That was the only way they ever got me. If I was on my feet they didn't have a prayer. That's how it is with most fights, if they take you down then they have a MASSIVE advantage. So no matter WHAT, try to stay on your feet."

Jessie nodded and wiped some more sweat off her face. "So what am I going to be doing now?"

"We'll stop for tonight...you've been working for 3 hours every night now. Kinda surprising huh?"

Jessie nodded, "Yeah, it doesn't seem like that much time has passed!"

"And yet it has."

"Well, if that's all for tonight, then I'll catch you later!" Jessie grabbed her training things and waved one last good-bye to Shane.

Shane waved back to her with a smile and said, "See you later Jessie-chan!" After Jessie was out of sight Shane sighed and looked down at his left leg. Something suddenly popped into his mind and he thought, "Damn, I won't be able to go with Mako-chan to gardens. Not with my leg like this. I bet she'll understand though." Shane started to wheel himself off towards his guardian's house, but stopped for a second and looked around with a narrow eyed look. "What the?" He looked around some more and shook his head continuing his journey back.

"I guess he was rather powerful at that age," a voice thought, "but soon, we'll just have to see HOW powerful he is."

Saturday...

School only went a half-day on Saturdays, so Shane was rather relieved. Of course that still meant that he had to tell Makoto of his decision about the gardens. Because of his injury he had to leave a bit earlier than usual, but his guardians decided to give him a ride. Thus he was one of the first kids in class. It was only 7:30, so he still had an hour to relax before class would start. Today he had decided to bring his laptop to school, so he took his old US style backpack with him. It contained more room, and the teacher didn't seem to mind him having it. Shane pulled out his laptop and wiped a thin layer of dust off its black outer shell. He popped the case open and turned power onto the motherboard. The computer began its regular boot-up session, and Shane plugged a set of headphones into the speakers jack. He took the power cable and attached it to a plug-in near his desk, allowing it to run off electricity, instead of the batteries. The screen finished booting and
Shane took a deep sigh. He moved the touch pad mouse around a little and clicked open his folder containing all his fun things. He decided that a game of solitaire would suffice for now, and he'd hold off on the more...exotic games contained within the data of this laptop. The folder he used to access the game was still open, and he spied a folder named MetaSigma's photos. He gave a slight laugh and decided to take a look at them. There were nearly 100 photos in that folder alone, but the folder was divided into different sub-folders as well. "It has been nearly...2 years since I had something like that happen," Shane thought going over old photos of MetaSigma in battle. There was one photo that had Meta standing there with a girl on his back smiling and making a V sign with her fingers. "Wow...that's nearly...4 years old. I can't believe that I forgot about her. I guess I really have moved on."

Shane forgot about his solitaire game and combed through more of the photos remembering events of that time. More students had arrived, and Shane looked at the time on the taskbar. It claimed it was nearly 8:00. Shane sighed and looked over to see Jessie sitting at her desk doing some homework. Makoto entered the room a few minutes later in a bundle of smiles and a large basket of food around her left arm. "Hello Shane!" she said merrily.

A sudden welt grew in Shane's throat. When he saw just how happy Makoto was something told him to just go with them broken leg or not. "Uhh...hello...Mako-chan."

"What's that there?" she asked pointing to the laptop.

"This? Oh, heh...it's my laptop," Shane said killing the folder that was open, as well as all the other programs running.

"You have a laptop?! Do you know how expensive those things are?!"

Shane rolled his eyes, "Oh yeah! They are really expensive."

Makoto smiled again and asked, "So are you ready for later today? I packed a lunch for everyone coming, so don't worry about food!"

Shane gulped once more convinced that if he didn't say anything now, he wouldn't say anything later. "Uhh...Mako-chan?"

"Hai!"

"Uhh...I hate to bring you the bad news, but...well, I don't really want to go now that I have a broken leg."

"What?! Come on Shane-chan! You can't just bail on us cause you have a bum leg!"

"Well, I'm going to feel really weird being wheeled around like a little kid! I mean it's embarrassing!"

Makoto started to whine, "How can you be so rude to me! After all the effort I put into preparing this lunch and the preparations!"

"Mako-chan! Listen! I didn't say that I wouldn't EVER go, but I just can't in this condition."

Makoto stopped crying and her tomboyish actions retook hold on her. "I thought you were a warrior! Battling it out through thick and thin!"

Shane moaned and Jessie approached saying, "Come on Shane, it's better than being cooped up at home all day."

Makoto nodded, "She's right you know."

Shane made a slight growl showing his plan to not go backfiring. "Fine," he mumbled, "I'll go."

Jessie and Makoto smiled and said gleefully, "Thank you Shane-kun!"

Shane folded his arms and nodded a bit upset. There was another folder that Shane noticed on the laptop labeled the end of MetaSigma. "Huh?" Shane thought looking at the folder. He clicked it open and did some exploring in it as Makoto sat down beside him in her regular seat. He spied one of the pictures named `The death of MetaSigma'. Suddenly everything came back to him and he remembered why it was named that. It was the last time MetaSigma was to ever dawn the armour that would dub him a warrior of light.

Makoto looked over at the laptop and said confused, "The death of MetaSigma?"

Shane jumped a little and killed the folder quickly deleting it to the recycling bin. "Isn't that just a little rude looking at someone's private things?"

"Well excuse me. I was just curious," Makoto said with a face like she had pissed off Shane.

Shane did a little more looking into his personal folder and came across his anime pictures that he had stored long ago. "Wow, a hidden trove of things long forgotten!"

Makoto slowly peaked her head over to attempt to see what Shane was talking about and raised an eyebrow quite surprised at what he was talking about. "Sailor V?"

Shane groaned and shook his head, "You just don't get it do you."

"Get what? I don't see how pictures of Sailor V is considered personal, unless you had some kinda crush on her," Makoto said with a sly, deceptive grin.

Usagi and Minako entered the room and were talked to each other when Usagi said to Jessie, "Konnichiwa Jessie-chan!"

Jessie smiled and said, "Konnichiwa Usagi-chan, Minako-chan!"

Minako smiled and asked, "Are you ready for this afternoon?"

Jessie nodded and said, "We had a little confrontation about Shane not wanting to go earlier, but we got it worked out. He's coming with us."

Shane rolled his eyes at Makoto saying, "Personal crush? Hell, the girl didn't even exist! She's just merely an anime character. Makoto looked over and saw Minako and made a few short gasping breaths like she had just seen a ghost.

"Uhh...Shane, I think you should really not dis Sailor V. I mean after all she was a superhero."

Shane laughed, "Well she's just an anime character, I can say what I want about an anime character.

Minako walked over and looked at the folder of Sailor V pictures. Her face turned to that of red and she said stuttering on her words, "W-w-wow! I didn't think y-y-you'd even seen that a-anime be-before!"

Shane looked kinda confused and said slyly, "Don't tell me you liked that show too?"

Minako nodded embarrassed, "Hai."

"Huh. Well, Makoto thinks that since I have these pictures that I suddenly have some kind of crush on an imaginary character. I physically doubt I would have a crush on a girl that's so...unrealistic. I mean for one, I'm sorry to say this, but her breasts are a little...big for her age."

Minako's face turned a bit flush and her expression turned to one of anger, "Big for her...age?" Her eye began to twitch and Usagi grabbed her pulling her back before she exploded in a vicious rage of anger at Shane.

Makoto ran over to help restrain Minako who was fighting Usagi to break free. "That's the first time I've ever had a woman get pissed over my opinion of a make believe-character."
Minako was ever more furious than before and she fought so hard that Jessie had to help restrain her at the request of Usagi. "Minako-chan! It's ok! It's just his opinion of a make believe character!" Usagi said.

"Usagi-chan!" Minako whispered back to Usagi, "It's more than just an opinion!"

"Minako-chan! He's from America! Do you think he'd really know what happens in Japan?!"

Minako broke free and stood in place still with an anger look on her face. "Shane-chan. I want you to know that I respect your opinion of Sailor V. BUT for your information if you were to check old newspapers of nearly 3 years ago, you would find that Sailor V was an actual person."

Shane looked confused, "You mean this Sailor V character actually existed?"

"Hai."

"Well damn, I feel a little stupid."

Minako crossed her arms and said turning 90 degrees to her current position, "You should feel stupid."

"Don't need to get so defensive there Minako-chan. You act like you were this Sailor V character or something."

Minako's face turned bright red and she said a little discomfited, "Well she was someone I looked up too! I mean I do have to defend her character!"

Shane raised an eyebrow and said, "Right..." A few minutes later the bell rang for class and Shane secretly restored the deleted folder back to its original area.

Later in the day...

Makoto, Usagi, Minako, Ami, Jessie, and Shane rode the bus towards the gardens with all of the girls in chatter and Shane further studying the folders he had long thought he had deleted. "Yeah, Mamo-chan looked SO kawaii! I never thought he'd wear something like that!" Usagi laughed.

"A tutu? He must've been out of his mind to do such a thing!" Minako said laughing as well.

The bus halted to a stop and onboard came a young long black haired girl. She had eyes like the night, which seemed to draw Shane in for a second before he shook his head. "The hell is wrong with me?" he thought going back to his work.

The girl walked over and waved to Usagi and the others saying, "Konnichiwa minaa!"

"Rei-chan!" Usagi said smiling, "Glad you could make it!"

Rei nodded and replied, "Hai. So I take it we're going to meet up with Mamo-san at the gardens as usual?"

Usagi nodded, "Hai. He'll be there like usual."

Rei looked behind Usagi to where Shane was sitting and pointed, "What happened to you Shane-chan?"

Shane didn't respond for a few seconds and looked up saying, "I broke my leg."

"Ouch...how?"

"Playing basketball. I won't be able to play in leagues now that I'm injured. It's going to take nearly 4 months for this whole thing to heal."

"Damn...it was kinda cool watching you whiz by everyone."

Shane shrugged and said smiling, "That's life for you. It threw me a curve that I didn't hit, but it's cool. Ironically it freed up time to look at things that I had forgotten I had."

"That's your laptop?"

"Hai. I've had it for only about a year, but I transferred some files onto it and more or less forgot about em." Shane looked back to the screen and went back to exploring the reaches of his computer. The rest of the girls went back to their girlish habits and chattered away.

The flower gardens...

The group of garden frolickers stepped off the bus, and Shane was taken out via the handicap exit located in the back midsection of the bus. He really hated feeling helpless, but what could he do about a broken leg? Not too much other then take the comfort of knowing you were chauffeured around like you were a big star. Shane, however, wasn't too fond of being wheeled around like a little baby. He liked his own freedom. It was the best part about him he thought. "Well now that I've arrived at my destination, I'll attempt to have fun," Shane thought and gave a slight sigh. Usagi waved down a rather tall, maybe 6'5 or 6'6 guy who looked like he was still in college. He had on a pink button-up shirt and wore basic khaki pants. He had black hair and dark eyes similar to Rei's, but a little bit lighter. Shane was wheeled over to this stranger that Usagi seemed to hang off of, and was introduced by Usagi.

"Shane-chan, this my Mamo-chan!" Usagi said in her giddy voice.

"Chiba Mamoru, Yorosiku." Mamoru extended a hand out to shake.

Shane looked at the hand and raised one eyebrow before replying, "Shane Jones, I'm from the US. Yorosiku." Shane shook his hand and both he and Mamoru felt a slight twinge of power from the handshake. Mamoru felt that he had felt that power before, but only when he was around Usagi. It was like Shane was emanating the power of the Silver Crystal from his body, but that was completely absurd. Usagi was wearing the Silver Crystal around her neck in the way of a necklace ever since Galaxia had destroyed her brooch.

Shane's twinge was different in the fact that he couldn't tell what kind of power this guy had. It didn't feel evil, but at the same time it didn't have the strong, warm feeling that the power of light portrayed. He simply decided to ignore it figuring that it was not of his concern what this...Mamoru did. "Well, how about we head inside and check out the beautiful flowers that they have at this time of year," Makoto said wheeling Shane in quickly.

Mamoru looked a little confused before Usagi said, "I think Mako-chan has a crush on Shane."

Minako nodded and confirmed, "It sure seems like it with the way she acts around him."

Ami sighed and said, "True, but unfortunately I have a feeling that this will end as every other person she claims is like her last boyfriend."

Everyone made slight depressing nods and Usagi said, "Let's not keep the love flower waiting everyone!" The rest of the group went in after Makoto and Shane talking.

About an hour later...

Everyone gathered on small hill that lined the outside part of the garden. Most of the gardens were indoors allowing for year round visiting, but during the winter months the outdoor portion was closed. Makoto of course had cooked, and brought enough food to feed a small Indian tribe for nearly a week, but that was how much food she supposedly brought when on an outing with her friends. "So, Mamoru-san, what do you plan on majoring in college?"

"Right now I'm trying to major in economics, and with a minor in Ei."

Shane raised an eyebrow. "Really? Well then...(At this point Shane starts talking in English) why don't we talk in English from now on to help you out a little?"

Usagi blinked confused, "Mamo-chan...what did he just say? (Usagi doesn't understand English so Mamoru tells her in Japanese what Shane said in English)

"Shane-san said that he and I should talk in Ei instead of Nihan to help me apply my skills of Ei."

"Aahhh! Wakarimasu! Wakarimasu!" Usagi said with a slight laugh.

"And from what I hear (Shane's speaking in Japanese again) Ami-chan can speak Eigo pretty well."

Ami made a slight blush and said, "Hai."

(Shane's speaking English here again) "Well then Ami, how about we talk in English as well, to help you apply what you've learned as well?"

Ami made a slight nod, "Ok."

"Now then...I'm hungry! Ayla say eat lots! Party! Buuuuuurp!" Everyone looked at Shane kinda funny and he replied, "From a video game. Harmless quoting."

Everyone did a face fault and Shane put his hand behind his head laughing a little. "You're an idiot Shane," Jessie shook her head.

Shane stuck out his tongue playfully at Jessie and replied, "Just to you Jessie."

She laughed a little and pounced on him knocking him out of the wheel chair pinning him like she had been taught. Shane quickly did the thrush fist making Jessie whine to be let free. Shane released his grip on her and dragged himself back to the wheelchair pulling his body back to the seat. "You Ok Jessie?" Usagi asked a little surprised at her sudden burst of attack on Shane.

"Hai, Usagi-chan, just practicing."

"Remember not to pin me next time Jessie," Shane said with a taunting smile.

Jessie smiled back and replied, "Next time you won't be so lucky."

Everyone else was confused at what he and she were talking about. Finally Minako asked, "What are you two talking about, and why did you attack Shane, Jessie?"

"Hmmm? Oh, just part of my training. Shane is teaching me some martial arts and what not," Jessie replied.

"Anytime, day or night, pending life threatening injury, she has the right to try and get me with moves. Thus far she keeps getting beat, but she's improving," Shane finished.

"I for one wouldn't train against someone who was injured like you Shane. I wouldn't want to hurt them worse than they already are," Makoto said putting a few of the fried shrimps in her mouth.

Shane made a slight forced laugh, "You wouldn't have a prayer against me sparing Mako-chan."

Makoto gulped the shrimp and said, "Well when you get better then we'll have to see!"

"To hell with later. I want to beat you now."

"You can't beat me with a broken leg!"

"How do you know? Have you ever seen me spar?"

"Well, no...but-!"

"Come on Mako-chan. I promise I won't put you in to many harsh positions."

"Shane-chan! You can't fight Mako-chan!" Usagi said, "You might get hurt!"

"For once I agree with Usagi-chan," Rei nodded, "I don't think you want to have anything more happen to yourself till you're fully healed."

"What's that supposed to mean!?" Usagi snapped back at Rei.

"What does what mean!? I agree with you that it would be bad for Shane to spar with her!"

"But you were a mean little devil and said you for once agreed with me!"

"That's because 99% of the time you are completely wrong!"

"Rei-chan!!" Usagi screamed.

Mamoru put his hand on Usagi's shoulder and she looked up at his face. It was rather fierce looking, but calm at the same time, showing her that she should just back off. Usagi sat back down a little red in the face still, but quit her fighting. "They are right though Shane. It would be unwise for you to spar with Makoto."

Shane sighed and shook his head, "Fine, but I don't think that it's going to be even CLOSE to fair once I'm fully well, and I'm not really worried about injury to myself. I've suffered enough broken bones that it really doesn't hurt all that much anymore."

"Then why were you crying like a little baby at the club when you did break your leg?" Makoto asked.

"I didn't cry like a baby! I did gripe in pain a little though."

Makoto did a 90-degree turn with her arms crossed and said, "Sure."

Shane did a little move with his eyes that made him look a little funny and he replied, "You know you are really talking a lot of trash for someone who doesn't want to spar with me! Back up that mouth woman!"

Makoto jolted and said a bit upset, "Hey! That was totally uncalled for! You should treat girls with more respect!"

Shane shook his head, "To hell with that. They have to earn respect. It isn't just something that you hand out on a platter or something!"

"Nani?!"

"To hell with this...I'm wheeling myself to someplace to be alone for a while. I don't need this kind of treatment." Shane wheeled himself away toward the fountain that stood as a sort of centerpiece to the exterior gardens. He went beyond the fountain and out of sight.

"I didn't know he was more of a jerk than he looked like!" Makoto said snorting a little.

Mamoru got up with a sort of needent to be answered face and said, "I'm going to talk to him."

"Mamo-chan?"

"It might be best if I talk to him."

Usagi looked at his eyes for a second and nodded, "Ok. Don't be away for too long."

Mamoru put his hands in his pockets and walked off toward where Shane had disappeared. Shane sat looking out across the southern part of the exterior gardens and sighed still with an angered look on his face. (Talking in English here) "I hate being treated like I'm hurt. I hate sympathy for pain. Why don't they understand that? I want to be treated like nothing is wrong!"

"So what happens if something goes wrong?" a voice said behind Shane.

Shane turned around and sighed, "Mamoru-san...I don't think anything would go wrong to begin with."

"Are you forgetting Murphy's Law?"

"Anything that can go wrong will at the worst possible moment. Yes...I've seen that Law in action before. It's not something that I really enjoy thinking about, but I do know the possibilities of what might happen."

"You know all they are doing is looking out for you. Can't you see that?"

"Of course!" Shane snapped back and shook his head. "Sorry about that outburst. I guess that feeling helpless kinda made me feel inferior."

"But you know you're not inferior."

"I know...but...still...I just hate being waited upon hand and foot. It feels...to damn royal like."

Mamoru made a slight laugh, "In a way you're just like me."

Shane looked over at Mamoru again and raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

Mamoru nodded slightly, "I hate being waited upon. I prefer to take action on my own."

Shane made a slight smile, "Then I assume that you have been through something similar to what I'm going through?"

"You better believe it. I hate being waited on hand and foot. I'd rather be doing something on my own rather than having someone do it for me."

"Well, it just depends on what you're being waited upon for. Me...if someone offers to cook for me. I'll accept that no sweat, but something like this. Not sparing with me just cause I'm injured. I feel like my honor has been stabbed in the gut."

"Well, you know that's just how you perceive it, but that's not how it really is. Honor has nothing to do with how your body is feeling. It's kinda the same thing here. Being given help if you were in bed critically wounded is not dishonoring you. Honor is what you do when you ARE healthy. If you fought bravely and were injured then you were not dishonored, but you were full of honor fighting for what you believe is correct."

"Hmm...makes sense."

"Come on. I know how bad you want to be well, but putting strain on your body will only delay you from healing. Once you are well, you'll be able to spar no problem I'm sure. Just...relax and let us help you till then."

Shane sighed and nodded, "I understand, and I guess I'll be more open minded to getting help."

"There you go. Now how about we head back and finish lunch?"

"You...go ahead. I want to sit here for another minute and look at the garden a little more."

Mamoru nodded and walked back toward the picnic area. As soon as Mamoru was out of sight, Shane sighed and looked at the sky searching it for something. He must've not found it, because he simply shook his head and started to wheel himself back toward the picnic area. (AN: I for one have tried to use a wheelchair and it does take a little bit of practice to use. Of course the one I practiced on might have been a little loose.)

Monday...

With the weekend over, everything was going back to normal. Shane was back in school, but during the entire day he seemed pre-occupied. Makoto poked him once or twice to see what was up, but he simply acted like he didn't feel her poke. "Shane-chan?" Makoto whispered to him.

Shane simply sighed and said, "Hmmm..." still with his chin resting on his arched fist.

"Dame desu ka?" Makoto poked him again. Shane didn't reply to her questions and continued showing his blank, completely out of it stare.

"Shane-san!" sensei said pounding his desk.

Shane jolted out of his trance and looked like a soldier at attention. Everyone suddenly appeared with really big, confused eyes and all were looking at Shane. Shane blinked a few times and looked around before saying trying to cover his own butt, "Sorry, I just bit my tongue really hard." He made a slight smile embarrassed and the rest of the class, including the teacher, face-faulted.

"Shane-san, are you feeling Ok?" the sensei asked.

"H-hai, Roshi-san. Just...a little tired you could say. Gomen."

Roshi nodded and said, "Go ahead and see the nurse if you start to feel sick."

Shane nodded, "Hai...Roshi-san."

The teacher turned back around and Makoto poked Shane slightly seeing if he would respond. "Shane-san?" she whispered.

Shane looked over at her, "Hai?" he replied in a whispered tone.

She looked at his eyes for a few seconds and shook her head, "Never mind." Shane blinked a few times and shrugged slightly taking notes down again. The rest of the school day went smooth and finally school was out for the day. Shane got all his possessions he would need for homework and put his cap on signaling he was heading out the door. Makoto stopped him for a second and asked him, "Sh-Shane-san...uhh...I meant to ask you if you had fun on Saturday."(And from now on they are going to call him Shane-san instead of Shane-chan. It's more appropriate) Makoto was dearly embarrassed by the look in her face, but she felt determined to get her answer out of him.

Shane made a slight nod. "The food was good, I had a good time."

"Really?! Would you considering going somewhere else anytime soon?!"

Shane made a slight cringe back at how fast Makoto had gotten right in his face with her expression. "M-Mako-chan! Settle down there! No need to get that close!"

Makoto put her hand behind her head and made a slight laugh, "Gomen. I guess I just was too eager for your reply on the food."

"I guess!"

Usagi walked up to the both of them and asked, "Are you two having a little cozy conversation?"

Shane gave Usagi a confused blank stare and Makoto seemed urgent to shut Usagi up by saying, "U-Usagi-chan! What are you talking about?! I merely asked him if he liked the food is all!"

Usagi shifted her eyes a little and said nudging Makoto lightly, "Right Mako-chan, and what you really were asking is my food something you would like to enjoy on a regular basis!"

Makoto's expression grew extremely embarrassed and she laughed loudly saying with a slap on Usagi's back, "Usagi-chan! That's the funniest thing I've ever heard!"

Shane shook his head and headed out the door to the classroom leaving the two girls to talk amongst each other. Usagi looked at Makoto and said, "Mako-chan, I know you like him. It's too apparent on your face to deny."

Makoto blushed and said, "Usagi-chan...he just..."

"Reminds you of an old boyfriend," Usagi said monotonously.

"No! It's actually different. He seems like the kind of guy I've waited my whole life for! He's nice, handsome, smart, well spoken, athletic, but at the same time has such a soft side to him."

"Mako-chan, that sounds a lot like the last guy you said you liked."

Makoto looked caught a little and said, "I guess you're right, BUT I'm sure he's different than any other guy!"

"Then ask him out Mako-chan."

Makoto suddenly shivered at the thought and said blushing madly red, "U-Usagi-chan! We're still in High School!"

Usagi rolled her eyes and said, "Mako-chan, you're only young once, make the most of your life! I know one day you'll be like Mamo-chan and I!" Usagi suddenly fell into her own world and began to swoon over her boyfriend.

Makoto made a slight confused laugh and left the classroom while Usagi seemed in a love-drooling stupor. Makoto ran into Ami on the way down the hall and of course Ami was reading a book. The only thing about it was that it was a book on romance and not the usual textbook that was accustomed to being in Ami's hand wherever she went. "Ami-chan? What are you reading a book on romance for?"

Ami looked up and blushed a little saying, "Urawa-kun is coming into town in a few days...and uhh...I thought," Ami trailed off a little embarrassed.

Makoto laughed a little and said, "I understand Ami-chan. I hope you two have a good time together. Just don't stay out too late."

Ami became defensive in a scared sort of way and quickly said, "M-Mako-chan! That's not what I'm thinking about! We're just...friends still!"

Makoto nodded and gave a slight nudge to Ami, "Right Ami, you can't stop thinking about him. Quit holding back your feelings for him so much. I know you care a lot about him."

Ami blushed a little more and said, "Well...of course I care about him. He's my friend, like you."

Makoto face-faulted and said, "Ami-chan, that's not what I mean by care. I mean you care for him deeper than usual. You're in love with him."

Usagi overheard the last part and said, "Nani!? Ami-chan's in love?!"

Ami made a slight squeak and said, "Mako-chan! He's my friend! That's all we are!"

Makoto and Usagi crossed their arms and nodded saying, "Right Ami-chan."

"Really!"

"And that book?" Makoto pointed.

"K-kore wa?! Uhh..."

"Ami-chan...who are you in love with," Usagi wanted to know.

"You guys! All I said was that Urawa-kun was coming into town for a few days."

"Ahhh! Your boyfriend is coming to see you!" Usagi chimed.

"Usagi-chan! He-he's not my boyfriend!"

Usagi laughed in her forced, squeak tone and said, "Ami-chan! Don't act like it's wrong to have a boyfriend! We're old enough to have boyfriends!"

"I don't have time for him to be my boyfriend Usagi-chan! I have to work on my studies!"

"Come on Ami-chan! Tell him how you feel! I know you love him! You want him to be your boyfriend! I can just tell by how hard you're trying not to blush Ami-chan!" Usagi said.

"She's right Ami-chan," Makoto had to back up Usagi, "you are trying not to blush and that usually means that you're trying to cover up how you're feeling."

"Gomen, but I have to get home and get my studying done." Ami rushed down the hall in a hurry.

"And what about you Mako-chan," Usagi suddenly looked over to her friend.

"Ehh? What...about me?"

"You're in love with Shane-san!"

Makoto blushed and put her hand behind her head laughing, "U-Usagi-chan you're such a comedian sometimes!"

"Ha ha ha. Don't try to cover it by denying it. I don't blame you. He is rather cute," Usagi said with a slight giggle.

Makoto still looked embarrassed and nodded agreeing with her, "That is true."

Later that night...

Ami finished her homework and looked over at the picture of Urawa-kun sitting on her dresser that he had given her a year ago. It had been nearly a year since she had seen Urawa. She was indeed curious to see how much he had changed, but at the same time she was hoping that he hadn't changed at all. She sighed and said in a light voice, "Urawa-kun, if only I could tell you how I really felt about you. I'm just afraid that if I told you my true feelings...that you might not return them back to me. You said it yourself last time I saw you...that girls at your school had asked you out, and you agreed to just date them, and never take it beyond that. Did you keep your promise? Did you lie to me?" Ami suddenly became conscious of her doubts and shook her head, "Iie, Urawa-kun would never lie to me. We're friends...good friends...best...friends." For some reason the word best just didn't sound right to her. It sounded distant to her, distant in that she wanted it to be replaced
with something closer than best. She looked over at her clock and noticed that it was nearly 10:00pm. Urawa would be in Tokyo around 6pm on Wednesday. It was written down on a piece of paper on her dresser and encased with a little heart around the writing. Her phone rang and she picked it up answering, "Moshi moshi?"

"Ami-chan! This is Shane. I need to crosscheck some answers with you if I could.

The other end was silent for a second before Ami replied, "Hai."

"Great, can we meet at the park near your house?"

Ami's heart skipped a beat for a slight second. The park near her house was the one where she and Urawa had been alone for the first time. It wasn't long before Urawa was forced to fight Ami, but that was nearly 3 ago. It was special to her in the sense that it could've been considered that it was where she had begun to fall in love with him in that park. "The park near my house?"

"Hai. They have some good lighting and I could use some fresh air."

"Uhh...could we go somewhere else other than that park please?" Ami asked.

"Ami-chan?"

"Wouldn't it just be better if you came over instead?"

"Are you sure Ami? I mean it is rather late. What would your parents think with having a guy over this late?"

Ami's face turned a little red and she asked a little angered by his question, "Are you implying something?!"

"Iie Ami, I'm just asking you if your parents would be fine with me coming over at this hour. I mean considering I've never met your parents, don't you think they'd be weary of having a complete stranger, let alone a guy they've never met, into their house with their daughter?"

Ami was becoming quite upset with his incursions and said angered, "I can't believe you would say something like that! You sound as if you are over here to do things...other than check homework!"

"Ami settle down! I'm only looking at this in cautious way!"

"Cautious?! You sounded more like you were hoping to do something other than check homework!"

Shane groaned and said, "Ami look, I don't care where we meet, can I just check my damn homework?!"

"Yes!"

Silence proceeded her reply and Shane asked becoming impatient, "Well?"
"Well what?!"
Shane sighed and growled a little before saying, "Where are we going to meet?!"

"Come over to my house! We'll just take care of everything over here!"

"Thank you," Shane said calming his voice down, "I'll be over there in a bit."

Ami put the receiver back on the charger and felt awful. She was completely overwhelmed by her emotions. It was like hearing Shane's voice almost reminded her of Urawa. She missed Urawa. It was like part of her was gone when she was without him. She curled up onto the floor and cried whispering through her sobs, "I want to see him. I miss him..." she cried for what only seemed like a few minutes when she heard a knock on her bedroom door. She wiped her eyes and tried to put on her best smile replying, "Come in."

Ami's mother opened the door and asked, "Ami, do you know someone named Shane?"

Ami nodded, "Hai, he's from my school. He just wants to check some answers for class tomorrow."

"Ok dear."

A few seconds later Shane wheeled himself into Ami's room and said, "Ami...I'm sorry about what I said on the phone. I'm just not used to heading over to a girl's house this late. In the States parents are rather...paranoid about a guy coming over to `check his homework' at this hour."

Ami shook her head, "It's Ok, I'm sorry I snapped at you like that."

"Ahh, no problem. I should've expected it for what I said. It's cool." Ami smiled and nodded a little. Shane looked at her closer and asked, "Ami-chan...have you been...crying?"

Ami looked away a little and said, "Uhh...iie, I just had something in my eye."

"Ami, you don't have your tear glands swell up that large when you get something in your eye, and both glands don't swell if only one eye has something." Ami looked like her eyes were about to rain tears again and Shane changed his look to one of concern, "Ami-chan, are you feeling Ok? Please, talk to me. I want you to be happy."

"I want you to be happy..." those words rang through her mind. Urawa said those same words to her last time they met. Ami was far from feeling happy though. She was scared. Scared of what might have happened in the course of a year. She turned away completely and sobbed.

"Ami-chan?" Shane asked unsure of what to do.

"I'm...I'm sorry Shane-san. I...I'm just...scared," sobs came out between her words and Shane slowly wheeled himself over to her side.

"Ami, please...talk to me, I'm your friend. I don't want you to be sad. I want you to be happy. You have such a beautiful smile that is wasted when you cry."

Ami looked into Shane's eyes and for a second seemed to think they were Urawa's. "Urawa?" she seemed hopeful.

"Urawa? Ami...is there something about this Urawa that's making you so emotional?" Shane asked.

Ami shook her head and saw clearly it was only Shane. She lowered her head and said, "Urawa...is my friend."

"Would you give me a little better explanation of this Urawa? Who is he exactly? I mean other than a friend." Ami didn't want to tell Shane anything. It was like exposing a sore that had been hurting for a long time now. Shane pointed her chin gracefully to his face and said softly, "Ami-chan...listen, from what I can see, and I might be completely away from the truth, but what it sounds like from the way you say his name. You're in love with him."

Ami's face blushed and she closed her eyes again exposing a few more tears into plain sight. "Shane-san, I'm scared...I'm scared about what he might have done. That he might have lied to me."

Shane had no clue as to what she was talking about and said, "Ami, what are you so afraid of? What are you afraid Urawa did?"

"Urawa...I'm afraid he broke the promise he made me last year."

"Promise? Who is Urawa, Ami?"

Ami sniffled once more and nodded, "Gomen Shane-san. Urawa was someone I met a few years ago. It was back in a time when the world was in danger. Have you ever heard of Sailor Moon and the Sailor Senshi?"

Shane shook his head, "No, are they related to Sailor V at all?"

"Not really, but I'll continue. Urawa was a new student at my junior high school. He wanted to become as smart as I was, but what I didn't know was that he had the ability to see into the future."

"A psychic."

Ami nodded and continued wiping another tear from her eye, "Yes. One night he was walking home and someone named Zoisite was after him. I'm not sure why, but Sailor Moon arrived on the scene and told me to get Urawa away from where Zoisite was. So I helped him to the park near my house. From there Urawa woke back up, and we talked for a bit. The moon was full; it was quiet and almost...romantic feeling. It was there that I started to...like him, and from there it went. Only a few weeks later he had to move so it was short lived, but he felt so...enchanted to me. It was then that I realized that I fell in love with him. Every year now he comes and visits me, just to see how I'm doing. Last year we both were entering high school, and some of the girls he had gone to junior high with finally asked him out. He told me the last time he was here that it was nothing more than dating. He wasn't interested in being a couple with any of them, but...but..." Ami started to expel water
from her eyes again and put her head onto Shane's lap.

"Ahh, that must be why you didn't want to head to the park tonight. Wakarimasu."

"Hai...Urawa-kun is coming in a few days to visit me again. I'm just afraid that now he's been in high school for over a year, that he'll have forgotten his promise to me."

"Ami-chan, from what you told me about him, I don't think he'll break his promise to you. If I were in his shoes I would NEVER break my promise to someone as beautiful as you."

Ami smiled and blushed, "Thank you."

"If you want I'll be there with you when he comes, just incase you get scared."

Ami shook her head, "I don't think you'll have to worry about me. I guess I just needed some encouragement." Shane wiped another tear away from her cheek and seemed to stare into her shiny blue pupils.

He shook his head breaking the trance and said, "Oh! The homework! I almost forgot!" Shane looked over at the clock on Ami's dresser and saw it was nearing 11:30. "Damn, it's too late. I have to get home and get some sleep."

Shane gathered his things and began to exit the room when Ami grasped his hand, "Shane-san?"

Shane turned his head around, "Huh? What's up Ami?"

Ami blushed a little and said sounding a little embarrassed, "Thanks again...for talking with me. It really helped me through the doubts I was having."

Shane smiled with confidence and nodded, "No problem. I don't have all the answers, but I'm always here for you."

Ami sniffled and nodded walking with Shane to the entrance of the apartment complex. They said their good-byes in the lobby and Shane left the building for his house. Ami sniffled and thought, "Thanks for everything Shane-kun."

Wednesday morning...

Today was the big day for Ami. It was the day Urawa would visit her. Hopefully he had kept his promise to her, but Ami did as much as she could to act normally; given the circumstances of how she felt. She had trouble concentrating, which was weird for her, but still within the given circumstances. Every minute that passed seemed like an eternity to her. It was like the minutes were going slower just to make her prolong her curious intentions and make her more unnerved than before. Even though they were not in the same class, Shane could almost feel Ami's nerves growing thinner and thinner, and her brain getting more and more impulsive. It was normal teenage behavior for someone who wanted to see someone desperately, but in Ami's case, it was just downright weird! Eventually lunch came, and Shane wheeled himself over to Ami's homeroom to see how she was holding up. She was busy reading a book and eating a sandwich when Shane wheeled himself next to her. "Hey Ami," Shane said
in his clearer English voice.

"Hello, Shane...how are you?" Ami said in her somewhat broken, but legible English speaking voice.

"I'm doing fine. How about you? You holding up all right?"

Ami nodded, "I'm holding out pretty well."

"I could feel you getting a bit unnerved earlier, you sure you're going to be Ok without me there?"

Ami nodded and asked, "You could feel be unnerved earlier? Are you a psychic as well?"

"Not really. I just have heightened senses that can pick up certain things."

"Hontou desu ka?" Ami said returning to her native Japanese tongue.

"Hai."

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine when he comes."

"If you say so." The two of them talked for a while longer until the first bell for the beginning of next period rang. Shane waved to Ami and returned to his classroom where Makoto had something to ask him.

"Shane-chan?"

"Hai?"

"Usagi said she saw you and Ami talking during lunch. Do you...like Ami-chan? I'm not jealous, I'm just curious."

Shane laughed a little and shook his head, "Of course not, we're just talking about Urawa showing up today and a few other unimportant things."

"Oh! Speaking of Urawa, Usagi-chan wanted us to go to the station as well. You know, just to make sure he had a safe trip and everything."

"Sounds more like you're peeping into Ami's personal life more than anything."

Makoto blushed a little and laughed, "Of course not! We're all friends of Urawa actually! It's nice to see him once in a while!"

"All?"

"Me, Minako, Usagi, Rei, and Ami."

"Ahh, where did you meet Urawa at?"

"We met him when he first came to the junior high where we went about 3 years ago."

"Wakarimasu."

Makoto nodded, "So are you in or not?"

"You're not going to heed my warning I take it?"

"Warning?"

"About peeping into Ami's personal life?"

"I heed your warning, but we've already made up our minds. Jessie is coming along as well so she won't be training today."

Shane shook his head and said in English so Makoto couldn't understand, "You girls just can't keep your nose's out can you."

"Huh?"

Shane started talking in his Japanese tongue again, "Just talking to myself."

"So what are you planning on doing if you aren't coming with us to keep an eye on Ami-chan?"

"Usually what I do everyday after school. Homework and such."

"How about we come and pick you up after Urawa arrives and we'll all go out for pizza or something for dinner."
Shane shrugged, "I don't see a problem with that, as long as I have my homework done sure."
Makoto shook her head slightly; "You're just like Ami-chan when it comes to homework."

"Have to start discipline sometime. Might as well start at a young age."

Makoto laughed a little and nodded. "K, we'll pick you up around 6 or 6:30. Is that Ok?"

Shane nodded, "Hai. That should be fine."

Train Station after school...

Everyone did her best to keep Ami calm. Ami was now tripping something fierce, but still well within her control restraint. "Ami-chan! Settle down! He'll be here!"

Ami sighed and sat down on the bench. "Gomen, minna. I'm just a little more anxious to see him than I thought."

"You act like you were stark rave mad in love or something!" Jessie said.

Ami blushed and hid her face and said to under her breath, "I am in love with him."

"That's right! None of us did tell you who Urawa really is!" Minako said hitting her forehead with her hand.

"Urawa is someone we met back in Junior High," Usagi said.

"He's a really nice guy, and easy to talk to. He's also a psychic!"

"A psychic?" Jessie said.

"Hai. He can see into the future somewhat."

"Sweeeeeeeeet!"

The train came into naked eye sight and Ami stood up quickly. "He's...he's here," she thought.

"Relax Ami-chan! Everything will be fine!" Rei said putting her hand on her friend's shoulder.

The train began its slowing procedure and came to a complete stop a few seconds later. The door opened up and the regular crowd of people emptied out of the train. Finally, Urawa exited the train. He looked a little different than the last time he had visited. For one, he seemed to be growing something of a beard, or it looked like he hadn't shaved in nearly a whole month. He looked around for a few seconds and saw the usual crowd with another girl. Making a slight hum he moved over with his hands in his pockets trying not to notice Ami, and see how she would react. "Nice to see everyone again."

"Nice to see you again Urawa-kun!" Usagi said with her trademark smile.

"Urawa-kun..." Ami said smiling like nothing was wrong with her.

"Oh come on Ami, I know you've been DYING to see me."

Ami blushed a little and lowered her head smiling still and nodding little childish. "You're right...of course."

Urawa made a slight laugh and nodded, "Well, I'm not ALWAYS right when it comes to figuring you out." Urawa moved over towards her, "Hopefully we'll be able to change that soon." Urawa withdrew a rose from his pocket and handed it to her. She took it and turned away red as a crayon.

"Ami-chan's got a boyfriend!" Usagi said in her girlish voice.

"Oh wait, Usagi..." Urawa moved over to Usagi.

"I got," he said fishing around in his other pocket, "one for you too."

Usagi made a sudden sound of being caught and said putting her hand behind her head in textbook embarrassment, "A-arigato Urawa-chan!"

"Talk about a flirter," Jessie said in English.

"Eh?" Everyone but Ami looked at Jessie.

"Jessie-chan, what did you just say?" Usagi asked.

"Nothing, just talking to myself," Jessie said in the Japanese tongue once more.

"Whatever, so Urawa-chan! How have you been?!"

"Things are going good. School is rather fun. How about you Usagi-chan? Mamoru-san and you tie the knot yet?"

Usagi laughed again and said, "Well, not officially, but we have set a date."

"You better invite me."

"Of course!"

Jessie blinked, "Usagi's getting married?!"

Usagi looked over at Jessie and stuck her tongue out slightly, "Gomen nasai, Jessie-chan! I forgot you didn't know!"

Jessie squealed with delight, "When is it!"

"October 14th."

"That's only about a month from now!"

"That is rather close. When did Mamoru-san ask you?" Usagi whispered something into Urawa's ear and Urawa said, "Ahh, I understand."

"Hai."

Makoto checked her watch and said, "Oh! It's nearly 6!"

"So?" Rei said.

"I forgot. I told Shane we'd head over and see if he wanted to come out with us for some pizza when Urawa arrived."

"Why didn't he just come right away instead?"

"Oh he felt that all of us coming to meet Urawa was a little butting in on Ami's private life or something."

Rei shook her head, "Well, in a way, we are."

Ami blushed a little, "C-could we just head out now?" Ami smiled a little and tried to hide her embarrassment at the situation.

"Sure, we just have to head over to Shane's house to see if he's willing to come with us," Makoto said.

Usagi shrugged, "I guess."

Urawa said, "About Mamoru-san...why don't you invite him to come as well?"

Usagi nodded and smiled from ear to ear, "Hai!"

"We'll meet you at the place, Usagi-chan," Makoto said.

"You just make sure you come as well if Shane-chan decides not to Mako-chan."

Makoto made a slight choking sound and said, "U-Usagi-chan! What are you talking about?!"

"Don't you hide it from me Mako-chan. You have a crush on Shane-chan!"

Makoto laughed and tried to fend off Usagi's comment by retorting, "I don't know what you're talking about Usagi-chan!"

"Then why were you so paranoid when I told you that Shane-chan was talking with Ami-chan at lunch today?!"

Makoto made the choking sound again, "Uhh...I was just...curious was all! I mean he is my classmate and friend after all!"

Usagi made the sly eyes and crossed her arms responding, "Suuuure."

"Hey, if we are going to pick him up, then what are you two doing yapping about something that can discussed at another time?!" Rei said.

Makoto and Usagi dropped their heads and said, "Gomen nasai."

Urawa made a slight laugh and said, "It's nice to know you girls haven't changed a bit."

Shane's foreign exchange home...

Shane had already completed his homework and was going through even more files that had been locked away into his laptop years ago. Each file brought laughter, thought, and sorrow to his heart, but for some reason it unfazed his stoned expression on his face. Eventually he got to a file that contained no title other than 3 periods. When he tried to access the file, it asked for password clearance. Thinking he knew the password he input the ****** (Password protection feature) into the password slot and pushed enter. The text display responded by saying that he had input an incorrect password. A bit puzzled he thought maybe he had hit a stray key somewhere by accident, and re-entered the password where it required it once more. Again the text display of incorrect password appeared. This time he seemed more puzzled and thought what was so secret that the password for this file would be different from the rest he had opened. He tried a few more passwords and still nothing was
resolved. "That's funny...it might just be a recovered file that I don't need." Shane hit the delete key, but the file couldn't be deleted. "Uhh...that's really funny. Why can't I delete it? It isn't a necessary start-up or running dll file." He thought for a few more seconds and couldn't come up with a valid explanation. Eventually he shrugged and decided to shut the laptop down for a while. He wheeled himself over to his bed and sighed struggling to get from the wheel chair to the bed. After a brief grunt or two he relaxed and looked up at the ceiling wondering. "It's been nearly 2 years. I wonder if it's possible to forget how to be someone?" He laughed at his comment and thought, "Now what kind of dumbass question am I asking myself? You don't forget a part of you that huge." Shane looked over at the clock on his bed and saw it was about 6. "Huh...that Urawa kid should be arriving about now. That means Mako-chan and her friends will be over to pick me up. I'm not in the
mood for pizza though. I think I'll just take a little...nap." Shane yawned and fell asleep a few minutes later.

About 15 minutes later there was a knock on his bedroom door and a voice saying, "Shane? There are guests out here for you." After no reply was given, the mother opened the door and said, "Shane?" She spied him sleeping softly on the bed and smiled warmly. Quietly she walked over and put the covers over his body and kissed his forehead slightly. "Sleep well my little prince." She tiptoed out of the room and returned to the front door. "I'm sorry girls, but he's sleeping right now. The poor dear has been working SO hard lately. He says he wants to be back on his feet as soon as possible, and ends up working himself to the point of exhaustion."

Makoto nodded and said, "Thank you ma'am."

"Would you like me to give him a message if he wakes up?"

"Iie, that's not necessary. I'll just see him in school tomorrow."

"Ok dear. Have a good evening." Shane's foster mother shut the door to the house and sighed a little. "I feel sorry for him. He so enjoys his mobility and with it gone, he's helpless. Hopefully he'll be back on his feet soon."

Her husband appeared in the room and said, "Don't worry dear, I have a feeling he'll be back on his feet sooner than we think."

Pizza place...

Usagi showed up hand in hand with Mamoru about 10 minutes after 7. "Urawa-san," Mamoru gave him a hearty handshake, "It's been a while since I've seen you."

Urawa nodded, "As with you, and I hear things are changing for you. You won't be alone at night anymore I hear."

Mamoru laughed, "Usako told you I take it?"

"Yeah, kind took me by surprise, but I really did expect it to happen."

"Then I guess we'll have to add you to the list of people coming to the wedding."

"Guess so."

Usagi looked around and asked, "Hey, where's Shane-chan?"

"I guess he was sleeping," Rei said.

"He's been working to get back to his feet I guess, trying to walk and whatnot. Talk about stingy. If I had a broken leg I'd make sure I had everyone waiting on me hand and foot," Minako said.

"So how about you Urawa-san? Have you decided to say anything Ami yet?" Mamoru asked.

"Ehh?" Urawa said with a hint of choke in his voice. "M-Mamoru-san. What are you talking about?"

"I guess not. We'll talk about it later."

Urawa blinked a few times and nodded unknowingly.

Urawa, Mamoru, and Usagi sat down and talk began amongst the group. Urawa discussed how life was at home, and how school was different than jr. high among other things. After about 45 minutes the pizza arrived and the talking slowed a little as everyone started to enjoy the tasty pizza. Around 9 Jessie decided she had better return to her house and get what homework she had done. Everyone waved good-bye and continued talking. Jessie left the pizza parlor and looked down in the opposite direction to where Shane's foster house was in the direction of. "Maybe...I should just stop in to say hi or something," she thought heading down the street without realizing she was already in the process of going towards Shane's house. She suddenly stopped and noticed that she was at the door of the house. "Wow, guess I wasn't really thinking about what I was doing," she made a slight giggle. Intrepidly she knocked on the door and awaited the answer. The door opened and Shane was the one who
had answered the door. "Oh! Shane! I thought you might be awake."

"Yeah. What brings you over?"

"Nothing much. Just thought I'd stop over. You missed meeting Urawa. He's SO handsome." Jessie swooned a little and Shane made a slight laugh.

"And you know he's hopelessly in love with Ami."

Jessie made a slight laugh breaking out of her swooning and said, "Uhh, yeah! I knew that!"

"Anyways, would you like to come in?"

Jessie blushed a little and nodded, "Sure."

Jessie removed her shoes at the door and walked over to the couch. Like a princess she sat down on it and was asked by Shane, "You want something to drink? Tea? Pop? Juice?"

"I'll have some tea thanks."

Shane wheeled himself into the kitchen and took out a tea bag with a cup of water. Heating the water for a minute or two he then moved the heated cup onto a saucer and placed the tea bag inside the cup. After wheeling himself back out into the living room he set the cup down on the glass table seated in front of Jessie. "Here you are young maiden," Shane said teasing her a little.

Jessie giggled a little as Shane wheeled himself into the kitchen once more and grabbed a pop out of the fridge. "So how was you little nap?" Jessie asked taking a slight sip of her tea and setting it back on the saucer.

Shane wheeled back into the living room and replied opening the pop and taking a sip. "Pretty good. It was kinda warped feeling for a bit, but pretty good."

"Warped?"

"Well, it was warped feeling in the sense that my body felt a little...weird. Like someone was trying to move me or some kind of telepathy or some crazy crap like that."

"Did you hear any external voices? Like in my dream?"

Shane shook his head. "No, but it kinda felt like someone might have been trying to talk to me or something like that."

* * * * * * * * * * *

In a distant location somewhere in the future...

"What are you doing?!" A rather large male rushed over and broke the trance the female was in.

"Master! I was just trying to contact-!"

"Are you crazy?! You can't cover up your tremors yet! Each time you try to send a projection in a dream it allows you to be traced! You want to get us killed or something?!"

The female's eyes started to shed tears and she put her head to the ground from her meditative position crying, "I'm so sorry...I didn't know!"

The larger male sighed and nodded trying to comfort her and lifting her head slowly, "It's ok little padawan. Just...don't do it unless I say so again."

The little padawan nodded and hugged her master saying in a slight sobbed voice, "I love you."

The master sighed and nodded, "I know...I know." Eventually the master released his hug and smiled at his pupil. "And besides, let me take care of him. I have to make sure he's ready."

The little padawan nodded and asked, "So what now?"

The master turned around and started off toward somewhere. "Come, it is time for more learning."

The padawan scampered to her feet and nodded running over and grabbing his hand happily. "Ok."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Somewhere else in the distant future...

"Sir!" the communications officer returned to the commander's room.

"Yes. I know. I felt another tremor in the force. The little Jedi is trying to communicate with someone else." The commander turned around and revealed his face to the communications officer. "Did you get a trace on where it was coming from?"

"We have narrowed the area down even further sir. It appears to be coming from the 5^th continent."

"Hmmm...that is still a great amount of land to cover."

"Yes sir!"

The light gleamed off the commander's face and he drew out a grave, evil smile from his mouth. "We will wait for now. Scan the 5^th continent continuously, and try to get a better lock on where that signature came from."

"Yes sir!" the communications officer exited the room and the commander turned his head back out the window. "Little padawan, it's only a matter of time before I find you and kill you, and your little wannabe Jedi master."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Shane's foster house in the present...

"Yeah, it was a lot of fun," Jessie said sighing with a smile. "Can you believe it? We've here over a month, but it doesn't even feel like it. The time has gone by so fast."

"I guess. Only 3 and a half more months to go and I'm on my feet once more."

"You mean till the cast comes off. It's going to take nearly 3 more months just to gain your full mobility back."

"Bah, I'll be back at full mobility the day this thing comes off. I promise you that."

Jessie nodded, "Just don't overdo it dear."

"Dear?"

Jessie laughed, "I'm sorry Shane, I just had to say that."

Shane laughed as well and replied, "Well, you never know!"

Jessie stopped laughing for a second and asked, "What's that supposed to mean?!"

"Ehh-!" Shane made the choking sound and replied, "N-nothing! I'm just saying that maybe at some point something might happen where...I don't know we end up falling in love or something like that. I don't know."

Jessie smiled, "I don't think that's a really bad thing. I mean...I can see myself with you for the rest of my life. Someone as big and strong, and handsome as you."

Shane laughed, "Don't start flirting too hard now! You'll make sensei jealous!"

Jessie eeped and blushed, "Oh yeah!"

"Anyways katana practice will be finished in another month. How are lessons going?"

Jessie kinda shrugged, "Ever since you left everyone kinda got bummed out. They were hoping for a rematch between you and sensei. Ever since you nearly beat him."

Shane made a slight laugh, "What would you say if I told you that I LET him beat me?"

Jessie laughed, "Ok Shane, that's VERY funny! As good as you are, I don't think that you're THAT able to beat someone who's been in the art of katana wielding for nearly 15 years."

Shane shrugged, "Well, you never know. I may just be a katana prodigy."

Jessie took another sip of her tea and shrugged, "Well, as much as I want to believe you, I just can't."

Shane nodded, "I see, since I haven't shown the walk its kind hard to back up the claim."

Jessie nodded, "Afraid so."

"What about you?"

"What about me?"

"Yeah, do you think you have the skill to beat him?"

Jessie blushed and shook her head frivolously, "No way. He'd smother me. I'm not even close to his level of skill."

Shane waved his hand once, "Bah, that's not even close to true. You have the potential. The skill is there, just not as you can see with your naked eye. It's still deep within you. I told you that when I started to train you. Remember?"

Jessie nodded, "Yes."

"And what did I tell you about that unknown power within you?"

"That it will take time to bring it out and develop it."

"Right. It was the same thing with me."

"Shane," Jessie blushed slightly and tilted her face toward the ground, "Can you like...discharge energy from your body or something like they do in cartoons?"

Shane laughed heartily and said, "That's just a LITTLE beyond human expectations. No actual human can do that I'm afraid."

"Then what about fortune tellers? They seem to discharge energy from their bodies when they want to manipulate things."

"Then I guess I don't have a clue as to what I'm talking about." Shane smiled and took another gulp of his pop.

Jessie looked at her watch and noticed the time, "Oh my! It's nearly 11! I have to get home and do my homework!"

"Should've done it instead of going down to the station and meeting Urawa!"

Jessie smirked at Shane and replied, "Or I could've left you house a lot earlier."

"Well, yeah, but then it wouldn't have been as much fun if you came by for a quick hi and bye."

They had a light laugh and Jessie stood up getting ready to leave. "Well, I'm outta here. Catch you in school tomorrow!" Jessie waved and headed out of the house.

Shane nodded and waved back. When Jessie was out of sight he sighed and wheeled himself back into the living room where he attempted to stand on his own power. He grunted and struggled to stay on his feet through the pain, but sat back down in the wheelchair quickly. "If only I hadn't left it in the states...I'm sure I could've just used the waters for a few hours and recovered from this annoying injury...but...then people might get suspicious of me. Damn." Shane sighed again and wheeled into his room for the night.

Ami's apartment...

Urawa of course would be staying with Ami for the time being. Ami's mother didn't mind and really thought well of Urawa considering his good-natured personality.

Urawa was set up in the guest room for the night and was a bit tired, but of course would talk to Ami for as long as she felt like talking. "So, we're finally alone to talk about...what's happened," Ami said blushing a little.

Urawa forced some air out of his mouth and nodded, "Yeah. I guess it's time to talk about what's happened this past year."

"So...did you break your promise?" Ami looked at him with intense, but vulnerable eyes.

Urawa looked at her eyes for a few seconds and replied, "Ami...I could never lie to you." As he said this, he turned his head away and felt almost embarrassed to say what he wanted to her.

Ami thought he had indeed broken his promise and looked sorrowed at his decision. "I...see. I guess it was hard for you to keep your promise. I mean a whole year is really hard isn't it?"

Urawa perked his head back up and said, "Ami-chan! I'm not ashamed of breaking my promise. I never did! I could never break my promises to you!"

Ami looked back at him and asked with her vulnerable eyes again, "Then why did you look away just now after what you said?"

"It's what I want to say. I guess saying it is harder than I think."

Ami tilted her head and replied, "Oh?"

"Ami-chan...from the first time I saw you many years ago...I felt...drawn toward you. Like destiny was telling me that I would meet you. We've become good friends...really good friends, but...that's all."

Hearing Urawa say this seemed to stir Ami up happily inside, but she waited to see if her swelling emotions were worth bursting on Urawa's statement. "That's...true Urawa-kun. We are really good friends. Best friends you could say."

Urawa nodded, "Yeah. Ami-chan...Ami...would you ever...want something...more than to be just...great friends?"

Ami's heart started to pound faster and she replied, "Well...only if...you want to..."

Urawa took a deep breath and asked, "Ami-chan...will you...be my girlfriend?"

Ami nodded happily and cried hugging Urawa tightly. "You don't know how happy that would me make me!"

Urawa was momentarily shocked by Ami's sudden outburst of emotion, but slowly raised his arms and returned the hug. "You know I wasn't kidding when I said I didn't break my promise."

Ami sniffled and wiped a few tears from her eyes. "I'm glad."

"I will tell you thought that the girls I go to school with are VERY flirtatious with me."

"So what exactly happened all year? I mean did you just date a few girls?"

"Well, I dated a few of them. Went to a few of the dances with them. Nothing else really."

Ami nodded, "I'm sorry about this."

Urawa wiped a few of the tears that still seemed to escape and shook his head slightly, "It's Ok Ami-chan. I understand."

Ami snuggled close next to him and said, "So how was your first year of high school?"

Urawa shrugged, "It wasn't as hard as I expected. I'm in the computer, and chess clubs at school. Kinda like you I guess." Urawa let out a light laugh.

"After school tomorrow I'd like you to meet my friend Shane if you could."

Urawa nodded, "Shouldn't be a problem. All I plan on doing is using what little time I have off is be with you, and check out the town a little since it's been a while." Urawa checked his watch and said, "Well Ami-chan, you and I better get some sleep. It's midnight, and I'm sure it wouldn't be good if you were falling asleep in class."

Ami was a little upset at how late it was but nodded, "Ok." She got up off the floor and walked over to the door, "Goodnight...my love," She whispered as she left the room.