Mel's phone rang early the next morning. Mel groaned and reached over Makoto and answered the phone. Her tone groggy. "Yea."
The line was quiet for a second then Minako began to speak. "I'm soooo sorry Mel I know I woke you up I was kinda hoping Mako-chan would answer the phone."
"Hold on Mina-chan. Hey angel." Mel rubbed Makoto's arm softly. "Wake up phone's fer you."
Makoto stretched and sat up taking the phone from Mel. Once Makoto had the phone Mel rolled over so she was flat on her stomach and went back to sleep. "Yea"
"Mako-chan I'm sorry Mel woke you."
"You called her to talk to me so talk Mina-chan." Makoto looked at the clock. It read 7:30 am. "Why aren't you in school Mina-chan?"
"I am I'm calling you from my cell. You think you and Mel can come up here for like lunch"
"Um ok why?"
"I sorta promised some people they could have Mel's autograph. Don't worry I got Haruka-chan and Michiru-chan coming up too."
"So why do I have to be there?"
"Because you're her better half. Someone has to keep her in line. Besides I wanna see you."
"Mina-chan you saw me yesterday. But I'll come just in case there's trouble ok."
Minako chuckled softly. "Ok Mako-chan. So we'll see you two round 1:30 then."
"Yea Mina-chan. These people had better already have your autograph Miss Aino idol exstrdonair."
"Y-yea they do Mako-chan I jus gave it to um before I called you. I really do wish you guys would come back to school. We miss hanging with you at study group."
Makoto sighed softly. "Well we can probably squeeze a few morning classes in but we would have to done no later than 3:30 because I'm sure Ahriman and Blaze wanna be outta there before 5. I mean working from 9am to 5pm is seven hours so I'm sure they'll be board with being there. We'll talk to the dean when we get there ok after we hang with you at lunch."
"Sounds like a plan to me Mako-chan. But um ask Mel-chan if we can have study group at her place. I've never seen her look so I dunno weak before."
"I'm sure she won't mind but I'll talk to her about it later her lazy ass went back to sleep. Let me wake her up and we'll head down there and talk with the dean before we go hang with you ok." Makoto looked at the clock. "Its only 8:15 right now so I'll wake her ass up and we'll be down there ok."
"Ok Mako-chan see ya then. Ja na"
"Ja Mina-chan." Makoto hung the phone up and looked at Mel sleeping next to her. Mel's arm rested in Makoto's lap. Makoto smiled down at Mel. She was asleep on her stomach, her head turned towards Makoto. She spoke softly as she brushed the hair from off Mel's right cheek. "You look so peaceful when you're asleep. I just wish you didn't have to fight your inner demons when you were awake."
Mel moaned slightly and buried her face in the pillow. All the muscles in Mel's back tensed. Makoto put her hand on Mel's shoulder blade and Mel relaxed and looked peaceful once again. After a few minutes Mel opened her left eye. Her tone groggy. "Why you still up angel?"
Makoto smiled. "Because you look so peaceful when you're asleep. You look so cute and childish." Makoto looked down at her sleepy lover. "Aishiteru."
A soft smile formed on Mel's lips. "I love you too angel." Mel sat up and pulled Makoto into her arms. "I look childish huh." Mel chuckled. "Only cute asleep huh?"
Makoto chuckled. "Naw your always cute ai. We need to get up though Minako made us an appointment to see the dean."
Mel groaned. "It's really not the best idea angel. I mean half the people there know we're Senshi."
Makoto smiled. "Yea so that means they won't give you anymore shit. Now get up and dressed lets go."
Mel sighed. "Fine but Minako owes me a few."
The two girls sat in the deans office listening to her complain about the damage that was caused during the fight. Finally Mel stood up with clenched fists. "Oi ya know wha I've about 'ad it with your shit. Next time we'll let the fuckin' yoma destroy the campus and kill all of ya ok." Mel shook her head and walked out of the office. Makoto close behind her. When they got outside the administrative building Mel started to vent her anger. "Never again will I risk my life fer any non Senshi. Fuck um all."
Makoto cut Mel off. "You don't mean that do you?"
Mel spun around and looked at Makoto. "You better believe I mean it. Not even a thank you for saving her ass just a bill for the damages. Well fuck her. Never again will I worry about any non Senshi."
Makoto frowned. "Mel that's not right. We're supposed to protect the planet and the people."
Mel cut Makoto off. "We protect the plant and the queen that's it. They wanna be ungrateful and bill us for saving their lives. Shit if they want our help they should pay us for it we shouldn't be held responsible fer what the fuckin yoma did. She should be happy I can control myself as a Senshi. Ya know she has sum fuckin nerve giving us a bill."
The dean spoke softly cutting Mel off. "You're right I had no right to give you guys a bill. I am very sorry. You saved my son's life and I owe you a lot."
Mel cut the dean off. "That asshole was your son. Now I know why nothing happened to him. You know damn well he's the one who started the fight. He just better pray I don't run into again cuz I'll really kick his fuckin ass and you tell him that."
Makoto stepped between Mel and the dean. "Cool it Mel. You know that was a bad idea telling her he was your son. I was there and he did start that fight. You know Mel could have killed him with her bare hands. Be grateful she was holding back."
The dean hung her head. "I am. Believe me I am. That's why I agreed to allow you and Miss Chase to return to school. I've already told Jake to leave you and your friends alone or he'll be the one out for a week."
Makoto looked at the dean. "We'll consider it. But we promised our friends we would have lunch with them. We'll see you before we leave ok." The dean nodded and the two girls walked off to find their friends.
Minako was the first to see Makoto and Mel. She ran and jumped into Mel's arms hugging her tightly. Just as Minako jumped into Mel's arms what sounded like a gun shot rang out. Mel turned her back to the noise and pushed Makoto down as Minako slowly slipped out of Mel's arms. Minako looked at Mel. Mel had a stunned look on her face. Minako pulled out cell phone and called the police while Makoto ran over to Mel. When she got to her Mel looked at her and went to say something, but Makoto put her finger to Mel's lips. She looked down at Mel's chest and saw there was no red on the white shirt in the front. Makoto ran her hand gently down Mel's back and when she looked at her hand it was red. Mel swallowed hard then slowly fell to her knees just as the police got there. The paramedics took Mel to the hospital. Makoto had to stay and talk with the officers. "All I know is we came up here to have lunch with our friends. Minako jumped into Mel's arm's like she always does and the shot rang out and Mel pushed me down and turned her back to the noise because she was still holding Minako. Can I please go now?"
"Yea Miss Kino you can go. If we need anymore information we'll come see you at the hospital ok."
Makoto hopped into Mel's Cobra and pealed out of the parking lot and sped off to the hospital. When she got there she was met by Dr. Mizuno and Setsuna. "How is she Meiou-san?"
Setsuna smiled softly. "Mako-chan we've know each other long enough you can call me Setsuna-chan. Mel will be fine. She's lucky her back was as scared as it is. It's the only thing that stopped the bullet from doing any real damage. You can go see her if you want. She's in room 27B."
Makoto bowed respectively. "Arigotu Setsuna-san." Makoto then walked off to go see Mel. When she got there Mel was sitting up in the bed getting dressed. "Mel what in the hell are you doing?"
"I'm fine angel I'm goin home. You know damn well I hate hospitals and doctors." Mel pulled her shirt on and winced slightly. Mel looked at Makoto and smiled softly.
Makoto shook her head. "I don't know what to do with you. If you say your ok I can't stop you." Mel smirked. "You're right you can't stop me. Let's just go home ok angel." Mel sighed and sat down on the bed.
Makoto walked over to her. "Are you ok ai?"
Mel nodded. "Yea I'm fine just stood up to fast."
"No you're dizzy and light headed because you're fighting the pain killer I gave you. You have no idea how lucky you are to be alive Melanie. If your back wasn't as scared up as it is you might not be sitting there right now. If you insist on leaving you must let me or Ami check up on you at least two times a day to make sure the wound isn't getting infected and to give you something for the pain."
"Y'all know I don't like doctors."
"It's that or I'll have to security cuff you to the bed. So what will it be?"
"Gah! Fine you guys can check up on me. Can I go now?"
Setsuna smiled. "Yes Melanie you can go. And watch out for Minako she said something about giving you a hug."
Mel's eyes got wide. "She best not be trying to for a few weeks."
Makoto chuckled. "I'm sure she knows to take it easy on you ai. Let's go home though."
The two girl's walked into the waiting room and Usagi went running towards Mel. Makoto grabbed Usagi in mid jump and shook her head no. "Usagi-chan go easy on Mel ok. She was hit in the back and she's sorta drugged right now so you'll probably knock the poor girl over. Give her a few days before you go jumping her ok."
Usagi nodded. "Gomen nasai Mel I had no idea you were hit in the back. We all thought it was your arm or summin. Please forgive me."
"Don't apologize odongo. You didn't know." Mel smiled weakly at the young blonde.
Makoto set her friend down and smiled at her. And draped her arm over Mel's and Usagi's shoulders. "Shall we ladies." The three of them laughed and walked over by the others and then out of the hospital.
Setsuna stood there next to Dr. Mizuno and watched the group of girls leave. Dr. Mizuno looked at Setsuna and smiled softly. "According to Ami, Makoto is engaged to Melanie. And you seem to know that group of girls quiet well. How do you feel about the whole thing?"
Setsuna spoke in her typical mysterious tone. "Its not my place to pass judgment on them my two room mates are lovers and yes I do know that group of girls well. Them along with myself and two room mates are all very close friends. But if you ask me there isn't anyone else in the universe I'd rather see Makoto with. Mel spoils her and treats her like a queen. Makoto has had enough heartache to span two lifetimes. If she's happy then I'm happy." Setsuna chuckled slightly. "Though I must speak to Makoto about keeping me out of the loop on her being engaged to Melanie."
Dr. Mizuno smiled softly. "Very well said Setsuna. If she's happy that's all that counts."
There was a knock on Mel's door early that next morning. Mel slowly got out of bed. "Who is it?"
"The police ma'am. We have a few questions for you."
Mel opened her door just enough to see the two officers and then invited them in. "You guys wanna cup of coffee or summin?"
"Oh no thank you ma'am. Can you tell us if there was anyone that would wanna shoot you?"
"Just Jake Stevens. My first day there he started a fight with me and lost pretty bad. I got in trouble though because he's the dean's son and can do no wrong. I'm only saying him cuz before I left that day he told me that things weren't over."
"Ok ma'am thank you. We'll keep in touch." The two cops then left. Mel yawned then went back to bed.
A few hours later Makoto woke up and saw Mel sleeping on her stomach with her face away from her's. Makoto smiled softly and rolled over and put her arm on Mel's back below the bandages. She kissed Mel's shoulder blade softly and sighed. "I love you so much. I've almost lost you twice now. I don't know what I'd do with out you."
Mel spoke softly. "You haven't lost me yet angel and I don't plan on leaving you anytime soon."
Makoto smiled softly and traced shapes on Mel's back with her fingernail softly. "Yet is the word I'm afraid of ai."
Mel sighed softly. "Don't be angel. I'm a demon remember. It'll take more then a bullet to the back to get rid of me."
Makoto smiled softly. "If you say so ai. You think you can handle going to class today or would you rather stay home?"
"I'm fine angel really so please don't worry so much. Let's get to class before we're late."
The two girls walked onto campus and Minako came running towards them. "Mel-chan what are you doing here!" she shrieked.
Mel chuckled. "Look Mina-chan I'm fine. I've never been the bed rest type."
Ami walked over shaking her head. "All I have to say is you better stay out of any yoma fights till at least till next week. I don't wanna see you in my hospital again for a while ok."
Mel laughed. "Gomen Ami-chan but I can't stay out of Senshi fights. School fights I can manage but not a Senshi fight."
Ami glared at Mel. "You suck you know that."
"You say that like it's a bad thing."
Makoto blushed heavily. "Shut up already Mel yeesh!"
Makoto's sudden out burst made the group of girls laugh. Minako smiled softly at her friends and looked at Mel. "Arigotu Mel-chan I owe you one for what you did yesterday."
"Doo itashimashite Mina-chan. You don't owe me anything."
The day went with out incident up till lunch hour. The group of Senshi was sitting in the shade of a large weeping willow. Mel had her blazer folded up and lying on it like a pillow asleep while the others ate. Every now and then Makoto would look over at Mel. Mel was on her back with her arm over her eyes. Minako chucked at the look on Makoto's face. Ami looked over at the open campus behind her and saw Sailor Mars running towards them. "Guys you gotta transform there's a huge winged yoma comin this way."
Mel woke up and looked at Sailor Mars. "Whoa slow down Mars what does it look like?"
"It has like feathered wings and almost looks like a griffin."
"Well what are we waiting for let's transform and head this damn thing off before it gets here." Mel stood up and grabbed her blazer and put it on as she ran towards the campus entrance. As she ran she transformed. Makoto wasn't far behind Mel. Mars and the others took off after Jupiter and Super Nova. The Senshi intercepted the yoma in the center of town. When they got there Pulsar, Saturn and Chibi Moon were there. Pulsar and Saturn were standing in front of Chibi Moon. Pulsar charged the beast and injured its left wing before falling back.
Super Nova drew her sword as she ran to the aid of the three young Senshi. "Are ya three alright?"
"Yea Nova we are." Pulsar smiled at the rainbow haired Senshi.
Jupiter stood next to Super Nova with clenched fists. "What are you thinking about doing ai? I hate it when you get that look in you eye."
"Just thinking about 'ow to rush it." Super Nova took Jupiter in her arms and kissed her deeply pinching just the right nerves on her neck to knock her out. Super Nova laid Jupiter gently on the ground out of harms way. "Ya three stay with 'er ok. If she comes to after I rush the beast let 'er go ok." Pulsar nodded and the three young Senshi stood guard over Jupiter as Super Nova rushed the yoma. The other's got there just in time to see Super Nova's black dragon wings spring from her back as she ran at the yoma. Super Nova put her sword away and hovered about 10ft above the yoma. She called upon her strongest Senshi attack. Her voice was void of all emotion as she spoke "Supreme Nova." The sky went black and the space surrounding the yoma began to change colors rapidly. Then a bright white light surrounded the yoma and the Senshi were hit by a gust of hot air. When they looked at where the yoma was all they saw was a pile of ash.
Jupiter blinked a few times then jumped to her feet. Her eyes narrowed as she saw Super Nova standing there talking to Mars and Mercury. Jupiter ran at Super Nova and tackled her. "What the hell did you do that for Mel?" Jupiter was sitting on Super Nova's chest jus below her bow. Her knees pinned Super Nova's arms to the ground. Super Nova looked at Jupiter with her left eye closed.
"Jupiter get off her she's still hurt you know." Mercury yelled at the thunder Senshi.
Jupiter glared at the water Senshi and spoke harshly. "I don't give a shit if she's dying so stay out of this Mercury." Jupiter glared back down at Super Nova. "Well? You better start talkin before I kick your ass. That was wrong what you did."
Super Nova glared up at Jupiter and with all her might rolled over so their positions were reversed. "Ya only wish ya could kick my ass. But if you think ya can bring it." Super Nova eyes shown with hurt. Jupiter pushed Super Nova off of her and Super Nova grabbed a hold of Jupiter's bow that was on her chest. The two of them rolled around a few more times before standing up. "No powers or magick jus fists got it."
"Yea I got it. No swords either Mel."
Super Nova nodded and took her sword from its sheath and called Pulsar over and handed it to her. The back of Super Nova's fuku was already turning red from the two of them rolling on the ground. Super Nova and Jupiter both took a fighting stance. After waiting for the other to make the first move Jupiter charged at Super Nova. Nova flipped over Jupiter and put her in a choke hold and spoke softly so only Jupiter heard her. "Look I did it because I love you ok. You know damn well I won't 'it you so do ya still wanna keep this up?" Jupiter's arms fell to her sides and tears ran down her cheek. She felt Super Nova loosen her hold on her and leaned into Super Nova. She rested her head on her shoulder. Nova now held Jupiter in an embrace. She brought her left arm up and draped it across Jupiter's chest and resting it on Jupiter's left shoulder. Jupiter turned slightly in Nova's embrace. Nova's lips soon met her's in a soft passion filled kiss. Super Nova brushed the tears off of Jupiter's cheek's with her thumb. "Don't cry angel."
"I'm sorry ai. I shouldn't have acted the way I did." Jupiter turned so she was facing Super Nova and wrapped her arms around Super Nova's back. She rested her head against Super Nova's chest and sighed heavily. Super Nova winced in pain as Jupiter's arms passed over her wound. After a while Jupiter released her hold on Super Nova. When she looked at her gloves they were red in parts. "Mel you're bleeding."
Super Nova chuckled. "Yea I know. I was shot in the back yesterday ya know. Rolling around on the ground with ya really wasn't the best idea." Super Nova smiled softly. "Dunt even think about apologizing either angel."
Mercury walked over and looked at Super Nova's back. "We had better get you stitched back up before you lose any more blood."
Super Nova spoke softly. "Yea ok Mercury." She let go of Jupiter and the group of Senshi walked away.