Author's Note: yup I am alive. I don't really have much in the way of time to write anymore but I do try, really. I'm continuing this story because I love it and although I don't know exactly where it is going. At least it is going somewhere.

Disclaimer: I, Niela, hereby swear that I do not own the rights to Sailor Moon nor any of its affiliations. I reserve the rights to characters that are of my own creation. And I am in no way, shape, or form receiving any compensation for this piece of literature. Be it money, grade, or other form of payment. There that said on with it.

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Makoto fidgeted nervously trying to concentrate on her homework but failing miserably. Her pencil tapped out a random irregular beat that had Rei grinding her teeth. Rei let out a growl of frustration getting closer to exploding angrily because of the irritant. Oblivious to the glare she was receiving from Rei, Makoto stopped tapping her pencil deciding instead to chew on the end of it.

Rei let go of the death grip she had on the table slowly calming down and focusing on her World History text again. An uncommon silence filled the room for what seemed like an eternity. Rei's eye twitched when the rhythmic tapping began anew. Growling lowly she began to plot Makoto's demise. Unknowingly, Makoto was saved by Usagi's guffaw at one of Rei's mangas.

"Usagi!" Rei exclaimed finding a new vent for her frustration.

Makoto ignored her friends' fighting only paying attention to duck under a random arm or leg. Makoto, furiously chewing on her pencil, glanced at Ami. Ami, cool under the pressure and all the stress, seemed unaware that her friends had begun to fight nor did she seem to notice when that fight led them out into the snow-dusted courtyard. Unfazed she continued reading.

"Typical." Makoto muttered.

"What's that?" Minako asked startling poor Makoto.

"Geh…" Makoto replied unable to form words.

Minako laughed, "you'll have to do better than that."

Makoto glanced at Ami again, "It's nothing, I gotta get going though." She replied, "I'll see you tomorrow."

Minako smirked, as Makoto left, an idea forming in her mind. In her mind thunder danced and she laughed evilly.

"Time to begin, Operation Winter Storm Romance!" Minako shouted pumping her fist into the air.

"Did you say something?" Ami asked looking around, "where'd everyone go?"

Minako face-faulted.

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Makoto trudged slowly down the winter streets. Her breath coming out in little puffs of smoke catching sight of it she laughed lightly. Her hands stuffed deep into her jacket pockets for warmth and her right hand curled tightly around her lighter. Stopping to lean against a building she pulled the lighter from her pocket absently flicking it, lighting the small flame and staring at it in a near trance. She let out a muttered curse shaking her hand when the lighter burned her. Spotting a vending machine ahead she walked over and viewed the contents of the machine critically before inserting her money and retrieving a pack of cigarettes(1). Stuffing them into her pocket she shook her head and continued her walk home.

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Reaching the top of the stairs in her apartment building she stopped to catch her breath.

"Ugh, I need to get a car." She growled.

"Or, you could always take the elevator." A humor filled voice from the hallway announced.

Makoto snickered and looked at the person, "Thanks Kurawa-san, but I'm not gonna get caught in that death trap."

Kuwara Umi nodded sagely, "hmm you'd rather cough your lungs up on the twentieth floor then?"

"Considering the alternative, yes." Makoto replied with a smile, "Good night Kurawa-san."

"Good night Kino-san."

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Makoto stood on her balcony leaning against the railing. Absently, she wondered why she was standing outside in the freezing weather. Lifting her cigarette to her mouth she sighed. That was the reason then. It seemed almost insane to be outside for such a small thing. She exhaled and studied the small roll of tobacco positioned between her index and middle fingers, such a stupid thing to have to freeze for. Ashing her cigarette in the small ash tray she let her mind wander.

How she'd gotten to this point in her life seemed so long and complicated. Gaining her friends was the best thing that had happened to her, even all the fighting as a senshi was fine. But now, she was fighting with her friend, one of her best friends in fact, and over something as small as this. Makoto sighed and put out the cigarette abandoning the cold to the warmth of her apartment.

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"Rei-chan, have you noticed anything odd about the way Mako-chan is acting?" Minako asked lightly.

Rei sighed and rubbed her temples, "Other than the fact that she is nearly driving me crazy with her nervous habits? No." she replied blandly.

"Well, I think that it has to do with Ami-chan." Minako stated.

Rei deciding to play along in the other girl's game asked, "what makes you think that Minako-chan?"

A grin split across Minako's face, "Well, since you asked…Mako-chan will always end up staring at Ami five minutes into the study session."

"Okay." Rei acknowledged, "anything else?"

"I think she's nervous because of Ami-chan." Minako said in conclusion.

"And we jumped to this conclusion how?" Rei inquired.

"Mako-chan will show up for our study sessions, attempt to study, fail and stare at Ami-chan, begin tapping her pencil and ignoring Ami-chan, then finally end with just staring at her." Minako finished with a smile.

Rei nodded, "that could be possible."

"Could be? Could BE! It is Rei-chan." Minako stated, "and I know just how to help." She laughed evilly.

Rei resumed rubbing her temples, "I'm not getting into this tonight Minako-chan, go home."

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Ami sat at her computer desk typing methodically, finding a small escape in the reality of cyberspace. Her delicate fingers produced line after line of intricate code. They flew across the keyboard at an almost inhuman speed. Programming was her tiny indulgence that she hadn't shared with any of her friends. She was almost sure that her friends would be shocked at her deviant behavior.

Frowning she reaffirmed her beliefs, "just because I create the hacking program, doesn't mean I'll use it." She nodded firmly.

Blinking tiredly Ami pushed away from the desk and stretched her arms over her head her back and shoulders cracking. With a slight yawn, Ami saved her work and shut down her computer. Turning to look at the time she was surprised to find that it was nearly midnight. Muttering to herself she stood and shuffled out of her room.

Light spilled out into the darkened kitchen when she opened the door of the refrigerator. She smiled lightly as she found the plate of sandwiches that Makoto had made for her. She had stated that if Ami was going to eat sandwiches she might as well eat good ones(2).

Ami laughed, "she is always out to prove she's the best cook." Taking a bite of the sandwich she shook her head, "I'm not going to contest that." She grabbed a can of soda and shut the refrigerator.

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1 About the only law against smoking in Japan is one prohibiting minors under the age of 20 from buying cigarettes or consuming them, but it is hardly observed and packs are readily available through the ubiquitous vending machines in the country. So, despite being underage it is easy to buy cigarettes without a penalty.

2 According to my sources sandwiches are Ami's favorite.

http/ -- this is where I got most of my information on smoking laws in Japan.

Right then, now it would be your turn to do something for me. Since I have graced you with this chapter the least you could do for me would be to I don't know say….review it?

Questions, comments, complaints I take 'em all. Thanks

-Niela