AN: Sorry for the shot update this week. This isn't really a chapter, but more of an interlude. Summer has been exceptionally busy for me, and I've fallen behind on all my projects. (I'm participating in the Senshi/Shitennou reverse bang, and that project has taken some of my writing time. But the story is going to be amazing!) I didn't want to miss an update, and I had this little snippet tucked away for a rainy day. Hopefully, I'll be back in two weeks with a big update! My next chapter is monstrously long for some reason.

I want to say thank you to everyone who reads and reviews. Reviews are the highlight of my day. I treasure each and everyone one of them.

A super special thanks to Smokingbomber for beta reading and to my husband for encouraging and being the best support a gal could ask for.

XXX

Sailor Moon X by Starling Sinclair

Interlude: Usagi Konmari's Her Apartment

7/2/2019

Sadly, a youma attack meant an abrupt return to port. The boat's medics spent all night checking and doublechecking vitals, but they weren't equipped for such a large number of patients. Minako, Rei, and Makoto found a small booth near an active bar to discuss Makoto's new position on the team, while Usagi snuck back to her room with Mamoru. Much to Usagi's dismay - as if she'd actually been sleeping, the ship reached port at roughly four in the morning.

Minako graciously called practice off for the rest of the weekend since their mini-vacation had been ruined; they could at least still enjoy the time. Makoto would join them the following week for training, and Usagi was expected to be there too.

As the weekend drew to a close, Usagi found herself at home and with spare time on her hands. This meant she could focus on more important things.

From her perch on the kitchen sink, Luna observed as Usagi piled all her clothes on her bed. The cat twitched with a pang of disgust as the blonde mixed her clean clothes, very dirty clothes, and eh-probably-have-a-few-more-wears clothes all together in the pile.

"What, pray tell, are you doing?" Luna asked.

"I'm feeling inspired!" Usagi said. "I binged half of Tidying Up with Marie Kondo with Mamoru this weekend!"

"I'm not entirely sure you're speaking Japanese because I only understand half the words coming out of your mouth," Luna said.

Usagi tied the bottom of her pigtails into her buns to prevent herself from tripping on her hair. "Konmari, Luna. I'm going to Konmari."

"I'm not sure that's a verb, Usagi."

"I'm working less, and I need something to do. So it seems the perfect time to tidy!"

"You could, you know, train for battle," Luna added.

"What you don't seem to understand is that tidying up your space can tidy up your soul," Usagi lectured as she tied on an apron. "And a better soul is the key to a better warrior."

"And this wouldn't have anything to do with Mamoru teasing you for having a messy apartment?"

"My soul, Luna. My. Soul."

Usagi looked exasperated as she surveyed the pile of clothing now on her bed. Shirts, skirts, dresses, pants, socks, aprons. Every piece of wearable clothing was piled there, and it was nearly over her head. She gathered her resolve and dragged her laundry hamper closer, then set out several bags to pack up unwanted clothes. With a nod, she reached a hand out to the pile, then paused.

"That's a really big pile," she commented, hand hovering, fingers twitching towards a potential first item.

"That's the point," Luna said.

"Are you just going to sit there and watch, or are you going to help me?" Usagi asked indignantly.

"I don't see how. I can't exactly tell you what sparks joy," said Luna.

Usagi gasped. "I knew it! You did understand me! You lying...cat."

Luna gave her a strange look.

"It seemed like bitch wasn't really appropriate since you're a cat."

Luna scowled. "Maybe I should spend the day somewhere else."

"No! Don't leave me alone! I need someone to go through this journey with me!"

Luna rolled her eyes, but sat back down.

Usagi took a deep breath, taking the top article of clothing. It was a summer top, white and sleeveless. She'd gotten it for only 300 yen.

"Ooo, this one was a good sale," Usagi noted, pleased all over again. "Yup. That definitely sparks joy." She tossed it on the floor.

"Wait, you aren't going to put it away?" Luna asked.

"Following the process exactly is important Luna!"

Luna sighed.

Next, she picked up a blue skirt. "Ooo! I love this skirt! It has pockets!"

And so it continued for several hours until all of Usagi's clothes were sorted into the clean-I-think pile on the floor, definitely dirty laundry hamper (plus the surrounding area since the hamper was too small), and the single, small donation bag.

Usagi smiled proudly.

Luna pawed the donation bag. "Really, you could only find… seven things to donate?"

"What can I say, Luna? I surround myself with joy," she answered, flopping down on the bed. Usagi picked up the remote and clicked on the Amazon streaming app.

"Now what are you doing?" Luna said. "Your place is still a mess! Aren't you going to at least put away all the clean clothes?"

"I need a reward first. And Mamoru fixed it so I can watch his Game of Thrones," she said, snuggling into the comforter on her bed.

Luna stood there agape, then shook her head.

It wasn't long before Usagi had fallen asleep. Tidying was, after all, hard work. Seeing the sleeping Senshi of the Moon, surrounded by more articles of clothing then she could possibly wear, Luna smiled.

She curled up next to the sleeping woman and stole the remote. Luna was at least three episodes ahead, and Usagi wouldn't notice if someone watched them before her.