Rei Hino, Crystal Tokyo's Head Galactical Diplomat, Princess of Mars and Head Priestess of the Hikawa Shrine in Juban, woke up at dawn, as the first rays of sun fell into her room. After sitting up and stretching she immediately took her mobile phone from the night stand beside her, checking for any news regarding her Boyfriend.

She smiled as she saw that he had sent her a message over the holonet. It was only a text message but it made her happy and she smiled when she opened it.

SunTzu wrote her that he and the girls were good and that they won the battle. He met General Antilles in person and even could see him in action. Looks like he was fanboying a bit over the other pilots and she found it to be adorably cute.

Unfortunately, her boyfriend wrote, they still had to scout forward and patrol the surrounding sectors and he didn't know if he could make it by tomorrow.

Rei frowned, it would be too bad if he couldn't make it to the Azabu-Juban Summer Fair, one of the yearly highlights for her and the other Inner Senshi and the day in the year were they would celebrate their friendship. Especially for Usagi it was so important to have everyone she deeply cared for around her, she would be heartbroken if Haruka, SunTzu and Michiru couldn't show up. On the other side, was it really time to celebrate? Especially when two of the Outers and the declared Guardian of the Senshi were somewhere on the other side of the galaxy fighting a war?

The Priestess and Diplomat sighed, it were crazy times, and forced herself to read the rest of the text message.

SunTzu closed with a I love you and Rei Do had to smile, these words from him still made her heart beat faster.

But the smile faded quickly as her gaze fell on the bag on a chair in her bed room inside the Shrine's living quarters.

If SunTzu doesn't show up, why did I buy this new Kimono then? And booked an appointment with Koan? Ughhh… I hate all this, why we just can't have a normal life?

Thinking about everything she had to somehow manage today didn't made her mood any brighter and with an annoyed look she draw her blanket away and got up, if she got going now, she could at least get some meditating in before she had to take care of everything else.

Light years after light years away from Tokyo, SunTzu just climbed out of AICA's cockpit. The Pilot and the Artificial Intelligence of his modified A-Wing just finished another Recon Mission along Haruka and Michiru in their starfighter, an modified Tie-Aggressor, called the Voyager.

The Guardian of Guardians took off his pilot helmet and stroke through his hair.

Hopefully they were to be relieved soon or they wouldn't make it in time to the Festival in the part of the City the Inner Senshi had most of their adventures in their youth in.

With fast steps Haruka, the short haired half English blonde, just walked away.

"What's the matter with her?" A curious SunTzu asked the blonde pilot's girlfriend, the teal haired Michiru, a half French and half Japanese woman.

"She's upset because she probably can't make it to the summer festival and still has to tell Usagi about that."

"This seems to be quite important for all of you."

"It is. The Inner Senshi and the Neo-Queen annually celebrate their friendship on this day. Over the years we Outers and some more people close to us joined as well. It's kind like a family gathering."

"I see. Sounds great."

"It is, you'll love it. If we can make it." Michiru sighed. "Usagi will be heartbroken if we can't make it."

In the Royal Palace of Crystal Tokyo, more specific in it's tall Crystal Tower, a man, at the end of his thirties, with complete white hair just was done donning his equally white Admiral's Uniform, decorated with gold seams and lots of medals and ribbons. Artemis already had a small session on the treadmill of the Palace's gym behind him and was scheduled in the Military Headquarter in half an hour, enough time to have breakfast in the mess as well.

His wife, the black haired Luna, a gracile and dignity exuding beauty around the same age he was, dressed in a black dressing gown, was walking in on him, as he was fixing his uniform, looking into a huge freestanding mirror in their bedroom.

Their daughter, the grey haired Diana, nine years old, was on a table in the living room playing with her puppets.

"Artemis. About the pilots again. I expect you to call the fleet again and make sure that they will be back in time tomorrow. I don't want to be the one to tell Usagi they won't make it."

"Luna, Darling. I already tried but they are on a combat mission. You know how things are, fleet needs anyone they get. We should be lucky that not the whole Taskforce is out there."

"I don't care. I'm gonna ruin the Noryo Matsuri for Usagi. You are their superior, if they're not going to make it you tell it to the Neo Queen."

Artemis sighed as he smoothed his uniform pants a last time. As if it was in his responsibility if they would be ordered back home.

"Oh, and by the way. I have to see Usagi for the planning tomorrow. Can you bring Diana to School? She also needs breakfast before. And no sweets!" The black haired woman said and left for the bath room to get ready.

The Admiral that thought he could have a quiet breakfast in the mess and maybe even find time to read the newspaper walked over to the living room where his daughter was still playing.

"Come on and get ready, Sweetheart. Let's have some sweet pastry for breakfast before school." He told the beaming girl and tousled her hair.

In the Meiou household, Doctor Setsuna Meiou, the oldest of the Senshi, although just for a few years when it came to biological age, just came home from her Nightshift as senior physician of the department of emergency medicine at one of Tokyo's larger hospitals.

Her adoptive daughter and the youngest of the Senshi, Hotaru Meiou, born Tomoe, was already awake and prepare to learn for her written exam to graduate as Galactic Alliance Starfighter Pilots.

"Good Morning Setsuna-Mama, how was your shift?"

"Good Morning my dear. Thank God it was a quiet night, just the usual cases of accidents that happen in a metropolis. Learning already I see."

"Yeah, I was getting ready too. I'm awake since six already, AICA shot me a message that they were done with their patrol and i decided to get up."

"Hm, did she tell you where they are? I'm worrying they can't make it in time to the festival."

"I really hope they can make it. Imagine how upset Haruka will be if she can't be there."

"Yeah. She'll probably be insufferable for days. Anyways, I'm going to jog before getting some sleep in, wanna join me?"

The black haired teenager took a glance at her books about physics, g-forces and technical data of starfighters.

"Yeah, I'm in."

Haruka knew most of the stuff anyway already and even though it was not exactly leisure time, she'd love to spend some time with her adoptive mother, lately they didn't see each other that much.

SunTzu and Michiru walked back from Mon Mothma's main hangar to their quarters, Haruka was long gone.

"Hey SunTzu, there's something I was wondering about."

"Hum?" The German or more specific, Bavarian Pilot replied as he casually walked along his female wingman, hands locked behind his head.

"I haven't heard anything about you looking for your past or getting your memories back from before. It's like you gave up searching for your past."

SunTzu thought about it for a moment.

"Now that I think about it, you're right. Guess life is too busy right now to be on the search for my past." A wide grin appeared on his face. "Besides, I don't think my old life was any better than what I have right now. Apart from the war, tho. But hey, I have one of the greatest woman in the universe as girlfriend, dope ass friends, fly the most sophisticated Starfighter that ever existed, that actually made me rich also. Like really, what do I want more?"

"I understand but aren't you, like curious who you were before?"

"Can't say I'm not. But what I learned from these almost six months is that I guess I have to be patient with this. There are some people that seem to know more about me, King and Queen included, but won't tell me. So I guess I'll just do me in the meantime and make the best of the situation. In due time I'll hopefully get my answers."

"That's… a pretty relaxed way to see this. And a bit off from the hotshot that you usually are."

"What can I say, maybe I have adopted some Jedi-like traits like patience, at least in some matters."

The two friends laughed and continued their way through the mile long Star Destroyer.

In the Military Wing of the Palace of Crystal Tokyo Major Ami Urawa, Crystal Tokyo's head of Intelligence, and Captain Makoto Kino, Commanding Officer of the Special Forces, were already in a small meeting room. They were waiting for Admiral Artemis, the Commanding Officer of Taskforce Sol, the Kingdom's Expeditionary Forces in Space, the Head of the Royal Guard Captain Motoki Furuhata and the Supreme Commander of all Forces of the Kingdom, King Endymion also known as Mamoru Chiba, the Queen's husband. Today's topic would be the safety of the Queen, their guardians and their other companions on tomorrow's Festival. Regarding Safety it was a nightmare that the young Queen and her Royal Court would all be in a gathering, but the two close Friends and fellow Sailor Senshi had worked out a concept that would provide some discrete but always available security.

While they were waiting, they were talking about the festival and that even their husbands, usually shy of hordes of people and celebrating, we're looking forward to tomorrow.

"Did Kenji tell you? He called Ryu up to make sure that they both will show up in Yukata?" The blue haired Intelligence Officer asked her tall, well-trained brunette friend.

"I was already at home when he called Ryu up. I had to really control myself so I don't laugh out loud. But it was also cute as hell, like two school boys." Makoto answered with a smile, and then shook her head in amusement. "And I have to admit I'm looking forward to tomorrow too. I really hope we all can just have a nice day."

"And night, I'll bet some of your boys and girls are coming over for drinking as well." Ami responded, meaning the men and women of the three Commando Teams, which were commanded by Makoto.

"Of course, Mama has to have a drink with her kids." The tall girl joked and both women laughed.

Princess Serenity III., Crown Princess of Crystal Tokyo, called Chibiusa by almost everybody close to her was up earlier than usual in her summer break from school and private teaching. Her father, reigning King Endymion, wanted to see her in summer school but her mother, the Neo-Queen and Ruler of the Kingdom, Serenity II. interfered and safed her daughter from learning all through her summer holidays. Chibiusa wasn't bad in school or stupid, and there were enough geniuses, like her best friend Hotaru and her close friends Setsuna and Ami that could help her with learning anytime. Right now the Princess, in her best looking pink Princess dress, decent make up, her bright pink hair styled in the usual Odangos and long braids and wearing her Princess Tiara was at the landing spot inside the Royal Court.

The Princess was waiting impatiently for the arrival of her boyfriend, the white haired Helios. At the present the young man was an Officer Cadet on the Flagship of the Earth Space Defence Force, a Majestic-Class Cruiser called the Selene. While basically under control of the United Nations the ESDF were supported from and worked closely together with Taskforce Sol.

For the special occasion of the Festival the young Cadet received an official royal decree to be off duty for the next three days.

Chibiusa's mouth formed into a beaming smile as she saw the shuttle he was on closing in on the landing spot.

A few minutes earlier the Princess's Father, King Endymion of Crystal Tokyo, born Mamoru Chiba on this timeline, left the Crystal Tower, the place of residence for the Royal Family and their Guardians, the Sailor Senshi and the Family of Luna and Artemis. Clothed in his black and blue uniform and armor and a black cape with red liner he walked up to the western main building of the palace, where the Military Wing of the palace, the headquarter of the kingdom's armed forces and it's Intelligence Service.

While walking over to the building he was joined by his close friend and the head of the Royal Guard, Captain Motoki Furuhata. The two had been friends since their time together in college.

"I know I'm saying this every year but since this year things are even a bit more dangerous than usual I'm strongly discouraging the Queen's trip to the Festival." The Captain, in his formal Guards Uniform said to his friend.

"You say this every year. And every year, latest at evening you and Reika actually enjoy yourself to the fullest. And yes, I do know it's more dangerous this year but let's not forget, we have way more effective safety mechanisms. I'm also pretty sure that Makoto will deploy a few of the Commandos undercover to watch over us as well. And after all, you know Usagi. She won't listen to any objections anyway." The King laughed with a shrug and his Captain chimed in into the laugh.

Mamoru was right, no way the Queen would pass on the festival with her Senshi.

On Coruscant, inside the rebuilt Imperial Palace, the name it couldn't shake although it's official Name was Presidential Palace nowadays, the female Mon Calamari Jedi Master Cilghal knocked on a door on one of the offices of high ranking Galactic Alliance Intelligence Service Members.

A call to enter was to be heard and the Jedi Master, that was specialized in Jedi Healing Methods opened the door and stepped in.

Inside Agent Ada Wong, a handsome middle aged woman of asian descent, was sitting on her desk table.

"Ah Master, glad that you could make it that fast from the temple."

The black haired woman smiled and motioned the Jedi Master to sit down. When the Mon Calamari was sitting she continued and without any more digression came to the point she told the Master the reason for her wish to meet with her.

"I wanted to talk with you about the latest development regarding SunTzu's military career. The Neo-Queen and her husband were the ones who asked me to talk about his promotion with you. I know it has been some time since you've seen the Lieutenant but from my side his premature promotion is also more then justified and I approved it as well.

"This is delighting to hear, SunTzu certainly found his place within the Crystal Kingdom. But, Promotion or not, maybe you could arrange that we both visit the Lieutenant soon."

"Of course Master. How full is your schedule the next few days? Right now the Lieutenant is on a Combat and Patrol Mission with the Second Fleet, directly under General Antilles, but I assume he will be relieved soon. Crystal Tokyo already asked for his and his two companions presence back on earth."


While her husband and her daughter had left the quarters, Neo Queen Serenity II., Ruler of Crystal Tokyo and one of the most powerful beings in the Galaxy, had stayed in them.

She still was in her Pyjamas, a short pink one, and she wore her usual hair style for her long blonde hair, with two Odangos and long braids, just like her teenage daughter.

She was sitting on the large sofa in the central living room of the Royal Quarters and yawned, she'd prefer to go back to bed but there was a reason she was awake so early already. She couldn't wait till tomorrow, for the Azabu-juban Summer Festival, where the celebration of the Senshi's friendship always started and then escalated it's way up through Tokyo's rakish night life.

A knock on the door made her jolt up.

"Come in please." She said and the door opened, revealing her friend and the First of the Senshi, the blonde beauty Minako.

"Good Morning Usagi. How are you?"

"Good morning Minako. I'm tired. If it wouldn't be for tomorrow I'd be sleeping again."

"I feel you girl. It's way too early to be outside of bed. But your first Senshi has the perfect planning for tomorrow. All I'm gonna say is Hot Girl Summer!"

Somewhere on the eastern border from the Galactic Core to the Core Worlds Michiru, Haruka and SunTzu were back out on Patrol.

General Antilles had split up his forces and while most of his flotilla, Including the Elegos A'Kla was guarding Lettow the Mon Mothma and some of the smaller ships were patrolling the nearby systems, waiting for relieve in the Lettow System to continue their offensive operation. Rogue Squadron already had been ordered to another flashpoint as not only attacks were coming from out the core but also on different positions all over the galaxy.

Haruka still was pissed and kept quiet most of the flight and SunTzu could see that Michiru's mood dropped immensely as well.

Apparently even the teal haired Senshi now gave up hope on making it to Crystal Tokyo until tomorrow.

The patrol lasted hours and when they came back it would already have been early night in Crystal Tokyo.

The two Senshi wordlessly had left their Starfighter and walked off, before SunTzu even was out of AICA's cockpit.

Before the pilot left his starfighter he checked if he had gotten any messages in the meantime.

"I'll save you the time. Three messages from Rei, all asking if you can make it until tomorrow. Want to answer." The highly developed Artificial Intelligence of his ship told him."

SunTzu sighed, he already learned how important tomorrow seemed to be for the Senshi.

"Please write back, that unfortunately I can't say anything yet."

SunTzu left the Cockpit and made his way to their shared quarters. Even he started to feel bad to probably not be able to make it tomorrow.

He arrived at their room and this time he made sure to knock first and wait.

Michiru told him to come in.

The two lovers were on Michiru's bed and embraced each other, a sad atmosphere in the air.

SunTzu prepared to say something to lighten up their mood, although he couldn't think of anything more than a generic exhortation to hold on.

Just as he opened his mouth there was another knock on the door.

Haruka looked a moment in pure annoyance at the door before she began to speak.

"It's open."

General Wedge Antilles entered and the two lovers immediately jumped down from the bunk bed and all three pilots stood at attention within a second.

"General, Sir!"

"At ease guys. Listen, I got news for you. I need for one last patrol but then you're free to leave for home. Sheesh, even GAIS wants to see you at home again. That gathering of you seems to be pretty important."

"Sir? Are you sure?" Haruka asked, not believing what she was hearing.

"Of course Pilot. I just need your snub's sensors one last time in a neighboring system. But if everything goes well you're back in two hours."

The two Senshi's looked at each other and began to beam and SunTzu chimed in with a smile before they turned back to Wedge.

"Thank you Sir! We'll be leaving immediately."

The pilots packed their stuff and left the quarters almost instantly.

Ten minutes later they were out of the hangar and left for a hyperspace jump that just lasted a few minutes.

While in Hyperspace the two Senshi were audible over the comm.

"As far as I know how our luck goes we'll jump right into an enemy fleet. I could bet."

"Ah, c'mon Haruka. Don't be so negative. Just this small Patrol and we're on our way. You'll see, everything will be just fine."

"Even then we really have to haul ass to make it in time."

"You and SunTzu will have to do flying. A fine Mademoiselle like me needs her sleep."

SunTzu smiled as he listened to the conversation. Thank god the pilots could get some sleep in Hyperspace he thought and yawned.

Two hours later, the trio had completely patrolled and scanned the whole stellar system and thankfully everything was peaceful and quiet. They were completely exhausted after two patrols in a row.

The two Starfighters made the small jump back to the Mon Mothma and landed a last time on the modified Imperial-II-Class Star Destroyer. While they were away, the rest of the Flotilla under Antilles's command had arrived.

They landed to report in and stretch their legs a last time before their way home.

After giving the data card with the data of the mission to a waiting Lieutenant, some of the other Pilots and the ground crew came to say their goodbyes and soon after General Antilles and the Captain of the Star Destroyer, a man named Raech, arrived in the hangar and walked over to the three earthlings.

"Guess you guys are good to go then. What can i say? If you guys ever need a new commander hit me up. It would be my pleasure." Wedge said and he and the Captain saluted.

The three pilots reciprocated the salute.

"It has been our pleasure, Sir. We were honored to see you fly." Michiru told the General.

"With pilots like you, we can win this thing. And now I kept you back long enough. You guys are dismissed. Have a pleasant flight home."

Five minutes later the two Starfighers were in Hyperspace heading towards the Corellian Run and home.

They wouldn't arrive at earth before the next day and probably be late but they would make it at all to the Festivities.

"Did anyone tell Crystal Tokyo we're heading back actually?" SunTzu asked.

"Oh… I knew we forgot about something." Haruka replied.

"Don't act like you wouldn't mind a big surprise entrance." Michiru chimed in with a mocking tone.

"Poor Bunhead, she will probably still be sad that we won't make it on time."

"We could sent a message." SunTzu replied to Haruka's concern.

"No, it's okay Mate. We just hurry and try to get there as fast as we can."

"See SunTzu, like I said. She totally wants that big surprise entrance. God, Haruka. After over a decade with always trying to surprise Usagi with your company it gets a bit stall." Michiru said, most of her annoyance just played to mock her girlfriend.


It was wide after midnight and Rei went to bed in a rather blue mood. SunTzu had answered her but only stating the he didn't knew if he could make it. She had to sleep to be decently fit for tomorrow and he probably was still busy.

Too bad, she thought, tomorrow would be the only day of the year, where Usagi and Mamoru could be themselves for a few hours without the weight of the universe on their shoulders and she really would have him around on their celebration.

Ami and Artemis had even contacted Fleet Command about the whereabouts of their three pilots in the evening but they still had been listed as on patrol aboard a ship of the Second Fleet.

Missing her boyfriend and cursing this goddamn war the Senshi of Fire and Passion fell asleep.

Next morning came and the Senshi and their closest friends got ready for the Summer Festival.

The first thing they always did before the group hit the festival at noon was a visit to the Hikawa Shrine where they would thank the gods for the last year and their friendship. Rei and her grandfather would lead the ceremony, consisting of a prayer and a traditional Shinto Cleaning Ritual.

After a tea at the shrine they would head for the center of Juban where stands and huts had been built for Vendors and restaurants to offer their goods on the streets.

Rei was wearing a Miko-Outfit and she, Phobos, Deimos and her grandfather were getting ready for the ceremony.

Setsuna and Hotaru were the first to arrive, shortly followed by Ami and Ryu, all women were dressed in classic and beautiful looking Kimonos.

Rei and the the Koronians, that doubled as guards for her and the shrine, were sweeping the shrine's main plaza and while the married couple went to say prayers to their ancients the two Meious walked up to Rei.

"Any word from Michiru and the others?" Hotaru asked her black haired friend.

Rei stopped to sweep, one could see she wasn't in the best of moods. And as often, instead of showing that she was sad that her boyfriend wasn't here, or at least gave her a notice that he wouldn't make it, she hid her sorrow in anger as she looked up from the floor with a frown on her face.

"Nope, not even a message that they can't make it. I even called Artemis up to ask for news when I got up, but he didn't know nothing as well. You know what? It's better for TopGun to not show up at all now, if he's not even able to let his girlfriend, or his Queen, know what's up."

"That's strange. Maybe they ran into some trouble. I mean, at least Michiru would have given us news."

"If they would be in trouble Artemis probably would have been informed." Setsuna stated, trying to ease up the other two women's worries.

"Probably they just had a few drinks too much yesterday and aren't even allowed to fly and now they're too afraid to tell us. You know how Haruka and SunTzu are." Rei stated angrily and continued sweeping while Hotaru looked at her adoptive mother, which just shrugged, although she didn't seemed to be quite pleased with the situation either.

At the same time SunTzu in AICA and the two Senshi in the Voyager were still rushing up the Corellian Run in hyperspace, the Travel back to Lettow and the major hyperspace lane had costed a lot of time.

The two women and SunTzu, supported by AICA each, took turns in taking guard of the flight while the other two were resting accordingly.

The trio hoped to join their friends at the Festival at the early afternoon.

After everyone, meaning all the Senshi, their partners and the Mau, had gathered at the shrine, they started the spiritual part of their come together. They would meet the rest of their friends at the Festival.

With two of them missing the mood of the event had been better before.

Usagi was upset and sad, she wouldn't have thought that her three friends wouldn't even excuse themselves, especially Haruka. She tried to talk herself into taking it easier as they were on a mission for the fleet and that it wasn't their problem at all.

Rei on the other side was still acting angry and couldn't hide her anger after the ceremony when everyone had tea and traditional sweets.

Koan had taken off from their little booth to do her make up after the Senshi of Passion had donned her new beautiful scarlet Kimono with white lotus blossoms depicted on it and a purple obi belt.

"From what you told me about him, he didn't strike me as someone that just went ghost." Koan said as she applied mascara on Rei's eyebrows.

"That's what upsets me the most, not telling me or Usagi or whomever that he won't be coming. I didn't expect that from Michiru and Haruka as well."

"You're not worried something happened to them? I mean they are on a mission aren't they?"

"Ami, Mamoru or Artemis would know already if something happened. So they're just not communicating with us basically. I'm so pissed with this."

"Don't be, I'm sure they'll have their reasons. Maybe some secret mission or so. Try to have a nice day Rei, it's Summer Festival."

"Maybe you're right. At least it makes for great reason to drink."

Not soon after the group of Senshi and their companions was ready to hit up the streets of Juban. Grandfather Hino, Diana and Nanako, stayed at the shrine and took care of it, while Phobos and Deimos joined the group as well.

Chibiusa, Usagi and Mamoru were, as every year, wearing face masks to not be identified as the Royal Family immediately. It was the usual protective measure they had to take for their privacy but they didn't mind. It was the one day of the year were they could just mingle with the others and just go out.

Royal Guard and Commandos had taken post undercover all over the place and Commando Team 2, mostly made up of former MARSOC- and Force Recon US Marines were on standby with LAAT/i Gunships if things got too dangerous.

The only ones that seemed thoroughly happy were Makoto and Minako.

Rei was still annoyed and Usagi looked kind of upset as well, they were walking next to each other a bit behind the rest of the group. Setsuna and Hotaru were a few meters behind them, rear guarding.

"I'm sorry that my jerk of boyfriend can't even tell you, that they won't show up." Rei told her close friend and monarch.

Usagi shook her head slightly and looked to her fellow Senshi, eyes giving away a certain sadness but she still managed to smile.

"I'm not mad with him or Haruka and Michiru. They probably have their reasons why they didn't tell me they can't make it. I mean I okayed their mission at all. And I'm sure that they once again will accomplish their mission worthily. I'm just upset they couldn't be here. All of them. But then I have almost all of you here and this is so beautiful. And I didn't give up hope yet, that they somehow can manage to join us."

"This is something I always admired on you. You always manage to see the good sides and you never loose hope, Usagi." The two friends locked heads in a tender way and laid their hands around each other, walking linked in now.

"But I have to be honest. I'll give SunTzu so much shit for not coming. I didn't get this beautiful to not be drooled over by him." Rei said, only half joking.

The pilot trio woke up when their starships fell out of hyperspace near Mars.

They gave full speed on the sunlight engines and raced towards earth.

Twenty minutes later the group around the Senshi arrived at the streets of Juban, near the Arcades.

Minako run in front of the group turned around, raised her hand in the air and shouted:

"Hot Girl Summer! Wohooo!

Rei, still next to Usagi, whispered into the blonde's ear.

"At least she is keeping the spirit up!"

Both girls began to giggle.

Makoto walked up next to Minako and linked in with her.

"How's up for lunch shots?!"

The brunette asked into the group. People missing or not, the festivities were inaugurated.

While the group around the Senshi was in a overfilled public bus heading towards Juban Center the three pilots had landed in Crystal Tokyo.

Haruka overgave the Voyager to Karlena, the Devaronian Female, who was the head starfighter mechanic of the Taskforce.

"C'mon out of the cockpit, we gotta get going! Why are you even sitting in there Michiru" Haruka said afterwards to SunTzu and Michiru, both sitting in AICA's cockpit.

"We take AICA to the city it's faster. You two just have to squeeze inside somehow on the backseat." SunTzu answered back and motioned to the rear seat.

Haruka sighed and went on to climb into the seat, while Michiru got up again to make room for her lover.

Five minutes later and the realization that Haruka was a horrible backseat-pilot, nagging about each and everything until Michiru told her to shut up and apologized for her girlfriend, saying that Haruka was just excited.

"By they way, I'm delivering you guys and then head home to get changed." SunTzu told his wingmen.

"No time for that. We get ready at our place. Haruka for sure has a Yukata for you, don't you Love?"

Haruka sighed another time, but Michiru's tone made sure she wouldn't tolerate a no.

"Of course Babe. I do have a Yukata for the Kraut."

They landed on the roof of the luxurious apartment building the women lived in and said their short goodbyes to AICA, who flew back to Crystal Tokyo Air Base. Since they were running out of time,

The trio took the elevator down to their apartment and Michiru immediately took off to the bathroom while Haruka took SunTzu to find a fitting Yukata for him.

Half an hour later, the trio was almost ready and Michiru gave finishing touches to SunTzu dressed in a navy blue Yukata and fixed his belt.

When she was finished, Michiru, clothed in a yellow Kimono with red and pink blossoms on it and red belt as well as a red flower in her teal hair, lightly spanked the belt on SunTzu's stomach.

"There you go. All done." She mustered SunTzu from head to toe and then nodded approvingly. "Not bad, pilot. You should wear a Yukata more often."

Haruka, dressed in a Yukata with cream colored bottom and blue top was standing in the door, leaning against the frame with crossed arms, of the girl's dressing room, sporting a grin.

"I mean, since it's mine, that Yukata obviously would look better on me, but yeah. Not bad for a Gaijin like you."

A few minutes later they were inside a taxi heading from Hiro-o to Juban.

"Rei probably will kill me. Do you really think it was a good idea to not tell anyone that we are able to make it?"

"Sure. I mean it's us three, what would that whole celebration without us. Plus bun head likes surprises." Haruka replied, totally relaxed.

Michiru rolled her eyes.

"Haruka you and your egocentrism. SunTzu, you're literally toast. You know that, right?"

The trio arrived at the beginning of the closed street and Haruka paid the driver as SunTzu helped Michiru out of the cab. He also extended his hand to the blonde but only earned a frown in return as Haruka got out.

The three friends stand next to each other and looked onto the sea of humans in front of them, right behind the barricades that closed the street for car traffic.

"And how do we find the rest now?"

"Usually it helps to vaguely head to the huts serving alcohol and listen if you can hear Minako or Usagi." Michiru stated without any irony.

SunTzu turned his head to her, with a questioning look and the teal haired shrugged.

"Let's go then. Been a time till I got pissed as well. And with a bunch of hot girls around it's even better." Haruka said and the three of them walked into the hordes of people on the closed street.

Minako, Rei, Makoto, Usagi, Ryu, Reika and Kenji were at a hut outside of a cocktail bar and had champagne, cocktails and shots.

Koan was back to the hut of the store of the store of her and her sisters.

The rest were a few huts away, getting some candy and food for the girls.

The sun was shining on this late august day and it was pretty warm but not too hot.

Rei was steadily sipping her second Dry Martini, standing on a bar table outside, and watched Makoto and Minako, who were in way better mood than she was, down a round of shots with the rest, except Usagi, on another table.

Next to her Usagi was drinking Champagne through a straw to not have to remove her mask and scanned the crowd, apparently searching for someone.

Minako came over to her two friends, two full shot glasses in her hands.

"C'mon Bitches, down this. Maybe this will cheer you up a bit."

"I'll pass, thanks." Usagi said and got back to searching for someone in the crowd.

Minako's smile vanished halfway but she didn't give up yet completely yet. Maybe she could at least get her best friend and long past lover's spirit up.

"This means a tequila for you and one more for me then, Rei."

"Just put mine on the table. I'll drink it soon. Maybe getting completely wasted will help me forget my anger."

"C'mon Rei, you really should try to have some fun. I'm they're just busy. I'm sure they rather would be here as well." Minako told her raven haired friend.

Suddenly Bunny began to wave and yell.

"Here! We're over here!"

The two Senshi looked over to their leader in surprise.

"Girls, look it's them! It's them! Hey, we're over here!"

Minako and Rei looked over to where Usagi was waving at.

"Hey, that's them! Rei look, they made it!"

Minako called and also began to wave at the trio cleaving themselves a way through the crowd.

Rei just wheezed and downed her Martini, turning herself around again. Without glancing back a single time she walked over to the bar to get another Martini.

"You guys come rather late." Usagi stated as the pilot trio finally had made the way through the masses of people, her sparkling eyes giving away her joy, as the face mask covering her mouth, hid her wide smile.

"You know Haruka needs her big surprise entrance for her ego." Michiru replied with a smile.

"Hey, it wasn't my fault we were thousands of light years away."

The two Outers leaned in and Usagi hugged both of them tightly at once.

"Sorry, we couldn't get here before. They kept us pretty busy the last few days."

Usagi gently put her hand on the two Outers cheeks before she briefly did the same with SunTzu.

The Neo-Queen leaned in to SunTzu and pulled his head down to her mouth.

"I'm glad you're here as well, but I think someone wants an apology." She whispered into SunTzu's ear and motioned over to Rei with her head."

SunTzu straightened up and walked over to the table were Rei was literally showing him the cold shoulder.

SunTzu walked over to his girlfriend, admitting that here outfit was beautiful once more.

She didn't even glanced back at him still, even as he was standing right behind her.

Oh boy, here we go…

Somewhat nervous he tapped her shoulder, next to her was Minako in an orange kimono with multicolored blossoms on it, was looking up to him, smiling.

What SunTzu didn't see were the rolling eyes of Rei.

For a second she turned around, looked him angrily into the eyes and turned around again.

She took the shot glass of Tequila still in front of her.

"Let's toast to us Minako." Rei said in a riled voice and raised the glass.

Behind her SunTzu began to speak but his girlfriend wouldn't even listen and toasted with Minako, who was in a tight spot between the two.

"Listen Rei, I'm sorry. We were flying till the night and immediately left when we could. I thought you were sleeping anyway and didn't want to wake you up. I was sleeping in hyperspace most of the time because I was so done."

Rei downed the Tequila and took a long breather afterwards as the sharp drink produced warmness down her throat.

Keep talking TopGun, you won't come so easily out of this one.

"Rei, please… if you would at least listen to me. I rushed trough half the galaxy for you."

Fuck this…

Suddenly she turned around, pulled SunTzu down to her and agressivly bit his lip.

After a second the bite changed into a passionate kiss, which SunTzu reciprocated.

A long moment later, and after making the four Senshi besides them smile, the couple ended their kiss.

"Don't think it's over with this Mister." Rei told SunTzu as she mustered his outfit from head to toe.

SunTzu leaned in, until his mouth was next to his Rei's ear.

"You can punish me all you want later but first let me marvel at you In this kimono some more."

"You better drool a bit, I got myself pretty just for you." She whispered back.

"I'll mark that in as another point why I love you so much. You're the baddest."

"What can I say, it's Hot Girl Summer." Rei replied, in a normal voice and a smug grin now.

"Hot Girl Summer!" Minako behind her chimed in and motioned over to the bar to prepare another round of shots.

Soon after the rest arrived back at the tables, fully packed with street food, snacks and candy for everybody. Everybody greeted the three late arrivals.

SunTzu's and Michiru's stomach began to growl when they saw the food.

Except for a few energy bars they haven't eaten since last night.

"Dig in Guys, there's more than enough for everyone Mamoru said and held a paper plate with Takoyaki towards the pilots.

Chibiusa, Hotaru and Helios were eating candied apples Helios had treatened them too. Apart from being head over heels in love with Chibiusa, which everyone could see he, the young man also was close friends with Hotaru. They were talking about their exams, as Helios would have them almost at the same time as Hotaru and after that both of them would be officially Lieutenants.

Although she was reluctant to talk with him at first, Rei wouldn't leave her boyfriend's side by now. Haruka had to persuade her that she and SunTzu needed to catch up on Minako and Makoto. It was only afternoon.

Finally she gave in and Haruka took SunTzu to a hut down the street where they served Shochu.

SunTzu was slightly tipsy when he came back. Rei, accompanied by Phobos and Deimos was already waiting for him, the women were drinking champagne now.

"Hey TopGun, the girls heard you were drinking Shochu. And now they want to have a round with you two. I guess it's their way to say they have taken you into their heart. Be advised though, being thougher than they look goes for them and spirits as well."

SunTzu shrugged after Rei told him this and lifted his arms and the two Koronians, dressed in Kimonos, the colors of their eyes, linked in.

"Princess Mars, if you'd excuse us three humble servants of ye for a moment." He said and implied a bow.

Rei was right, for being so slender and petite her two guardians were quite steadfast.

After having Shochu with the Phobos and Deimos things became a bit blurry. Once again.

They group had lots of fun and a good time on the day. The teenagers, Luna and Artemis left in the evening for the palace, and the adults went on, joined by Commando Team 1, Naru, Umino, the Ayakashi sisters and Motoki's sister Unazuki. Minako had booked a big private room in a Izakaya for all of them and they settled down, just as the night fell.

Dinner made everyone sober up a bit and SunTzu was sitting opposite of Setsuna, with Rei to his left, opposite to Michiru, while next to Rei and Michiru were the two blondes Minako and Haruka.

To SunTzu's right was Usagi, left to her husband and opposite of Ami, who was also next to Makoto.

After dinner drinking got heavier again and while Makoto and Haruka tried to settle it once and for all with drinking Shochu by the bottle the rest settled mostly for beer and Sake.

Drinks were plentiful for everyone though, even for the usually reserved Setsuna.

"Doc, isn't drinking harmful?"

"It definitely will be harmful for you SunTzu, if you come between me and my beer."

Everyone was in a great mood.

"Hey SunTzu, I have a surprise for you. That's why I'm glad you could make it, I wanted you to know it from me." Usagi said as she filled up SunTzu's glass.

"Paperwork should come in soon, but you're getting promoted to Captain as well." She raised her glass towards him. "And that's not all. Mamo and me decided to found a Royal Order for Knights of the Crown. And you will be the first one." A smiling Neo Queen clinged her glass with her Guardian of Guardians. "To you, first Knight of Crystal Tokyo."

SunTzu smiled, he was suprised and didn't expect that at all. Rei next to him, leaned in to him and kissed his cheek.

"My knight." She purred into his ear.

Hours went by and it was late when the first people left, the ever ambitious Ami with her husband being the first.

"Next Saturday is the ceremony, you better make sure you are on time this time Pilot." Usagi said and booped SunTzu's nose with a happy, drunk grin as they said their goodbyes. Guards in dark suits were already waiting for them to bring them to the palace.

When the Royals were gone, the rest got ready to leave as well.

Makoto, apparently the winner of the contest between her and Haruka could almost still walk upright while Haruka needed the helping hand of Michiru. Kenji and Makoto took a taxi home.

The most drunk was Mina though and the half British medical student won a piggy back ride on SunTzu's back.

Rei linked in with SunTzu and whispered soothing things to her drunken best friend.

To sober the two blondes up, the group, consisting of Setsuna, the three pilots, Minako and Rei decided to walk a bit outside, while the other attendants took taxis or the subway home already.

Apart from the fear Minako induced in SunTzu, that she might throw up on him, the blonde Idol was rather okay to handle. Haruka on the other side was a bit more wearisome, as she was easily distracted, mostly by skirts and kimonos.

Her defeat also lasted heavily on her and she stammered a lot about that she wanted a revenge.

Michiru needed the help of the ever patient Setsuna to bring her girlfriend forward at all.

After around a quarter of an hour being outside in the refreshing late summer night, the three Outer Senshi or rather Setsuna and Michiru decided to get a taxi to bring them home.

They said their goodbyes.

"I think the blonde you picked up won't be going home tonight. It's better she stays with us tonight. We could walk home from here, also. If that drunk chick on your back isn't too heavy to carry around, tho." Rei supposed to SunTzu. On his back a closed eyed Minako made small snoring sounds

"It's cool."

For a few minutes they walked silently through the now emptying streets of Juban, Minako sleeping peacefully on SunTzu's back and Rei linked up next to him.

"Rei, I'm sorry, I couldn't make it on time. I'd wish to have seen the ceremony at the shrine."

"I'd be lying if I would say I wasn't upset but I got it, it's not your fault you came so late."

"I'm glad we could make it at all. I wouldn't have want to miss you in that kimono." SunTzu looked at Rei with a grin.

Soon they arrived at SunTzu's apartment and SunTzu carried Minako over to his bed where he put her down and him and Rei bedded Minako to sleep off her intoxication.

The couple closed the door to the bedroom and silently went back to the living room.