It's been forever, I know! I just can't seem to get this story out, as much as I really want to do it for you guys. So, here's a little bit of it. Hoping to not get hung up on it anymore. Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself with that.

The water was warm and the sand warmer. The beach was crowded and the sun beat down on them all, causing temperatures to rise in more ways than one. On their own large blanket with umbrella, a group of friends sat and took in the sights around them.

"There are so many good looking people here," Minako said happily as she looked around at the various crowds. "No shortage of eye candy, no sir."

"Don't let Rei-chan hear you say that," Usagi teased with a smile. She turned to her boyfriend, a dark haired young man a year older than her. "Mamo-chan, will you put lotion on my back?"

A man of few words, Mamoru smiled and took the bottle from his girlfriend. "Of course, Usako." The blond smiled and happily turned her back to him and moments later she felt his warm hands and cool lotion on her back.

"Don't let me hear what," asked a deep but feminine voice. Minako turned just as a soda can was dangled in front of her nose and smiled.

"Thanks, Rei," Minako said happily, popping the tab and taking a drink.

"Minako is checking out other people," Usagi answered when she realized Minako wouldn't herself. Her sister glared at her.

The raven haired beauty huffed as she sat beside Minako, the bag she had been holding off to the side. "That's nothing new."

"It doesn't bother you she looks at other people," Usagi asked, surprised.

"Of course not," Rei answered. She rummaged inside the bag and handed a package of pocky to Usagi.

"What's wrong with looking," Minako asked. "Besides, I already have the top of the line. Why would I want something of lesser quality?" She turned to Rei and smiled before leaning over and pecking her on the cheek. Rei smirked, glad her slightly darker complexion hid the blush forming on her cheeks. Mostly.

Sitting with the group, her ears in the conversation but her eyes in a book, sat a mousy blue-haired girl. The umbrella was mostly for her sake, as she was pale and no amount of sunscreen would keep her freckled skin from burning. She was much like Mamoru in the regard of she wasn't much of a talker and enjoyed reading more than gossiping. To anyone outside looking in, it would seem as though the bluenette wasn't enjoying herself. But Ami knew this had been the most fun she had had in a great while. Even if she didn't enjoy being out in public much.

"Hey, Ami-chan, you're being awfully quiet," Minako said, peeking around Usagi at their childhood friend. Then groaned. "Dammit, Usagi, take that book from her!"

Ami startled at that and jerked her head up to look at the blond who had spoken, her book clutched to her chest. "Why?"

"Because you're not having fun," Minako sighed. She reached over Usagi's lap, making a grab for Ami's book.

"I am, too, having fun," Ami said, pulling away from Minako's grasping fingers. Minako laid outstretched across Usagi's lap, glaring at her oldest friend, fingers still wiggling.

Rei swatted at the blond's thigh a second package of pocky. "Leave the girl alone," she scolded.

"But I told her no books," Minako grumped, sitting up and crossing her arms. She continued to glare at Ami.

"You said no school books," Ami responded. "This isn't a school book!"

"You're cheating, Mizuno-sensei!"

"So your father was alright with us staying at his summer home, Rei-san," Mamoru asked, hoping to avoid a fight. Minako could be a bit over bearing at times.

Rei realized this and went along with it. She smirked as she answered, "He's more than fine. He's hoping I'll meet a boy."

"Fat chance," Minako laughed. She turned her attention to the lavender eyed beauty, throwing her arms around Rei's neck. The force of the hug caused Rei to topple over and Minako went with her, kissing the raven haired woman over and over.

"Minako... Dammit, Minako, get off me!"

"Never!"

Usagi laughed and Mamoru chuckled. Ami blushed. She had had a boyfriend before, her first year of college actually, but never had they done something so... public. Ami would rarely admit to herself, let alone anyone else, that she was sometimes jealous of couples who could be so openly affectionate with one another. It had been something she had struggled with while she had dated. Holding hands had been difficult but kissing...

Ami looked over at the couple rolling around in the sand, shook her head and went back to her book.

Ami tuned out the mostly mindless gossip after Minako decided to finally get off her girlfriend to go back to people watching. It was the blond's squeal that made her look up from the book.

"Oh, now he is hot!"

Minako pointed towards a young man who appeared to be a few years older than they were now. His skin tan and his arms were covered in tattoos, with a few in other places on his body as well, a few peeking out from the waistband of his swim trunks. From what could be seen beneath his black beanie, he had brown hair and long sideburns. He needed a shave, Ami thought, but he wasn't unattractive. His eyes were hidden beneath dark sunglasses. He carried a folded towel over one arm and a medium sized cooler in the other hand. His skin was a little pink and one could tell he had been there a while.

"Aw, it looks like he's leaving," Minako whined.

"Which is something we should do," Rei commented. "We've been here all day."

"But we're having fun," Minako whined. "What else could we do?"

A shadow crossed over the group and five pairs of eyes looked up to see the tattooed young man smiling down at them. "Hi!" He raised his glasses from his face, revealing dark blue eyes.

Minako's eyes lidded and she smiled up at him. "Hello, yourself," she said, her voice husky. Rei groaned with an eye roll. Usagi giggled.

The man laughed and squatted before them. "The name's Shinozaki. Are you ladies doing anything later?"

Minako smiled and shook her head. "We were just discussing that before you came over."

Shinozaki chuckled. "Well, if you're looking for a party, I happen to be hosting one in a few hours. You're more than welcome to come to it." His dark eyes glanced around the small group with a smile. "All of you."

"Well," Minako said with a hair flip, "Where is the party? We can't just go to any party."

"Minako-chan," Usagi hissed.

Shinozaki laughed. "It's okay." He lifted his left arm and pointed toward a small seaside cliff. The girls and Mamoru all followed his hand to see a modern home sitting perched atop a cliff and surrounded by palm trees and jutting rocks. The greenery around the house looked lush even from where the group sat.

"It's there," Shinozaki said.

Minako's eyes widened in appreciation. "Looks very nice," she said, the others nodding in agreement. Then she turned to him and smiled. "We'll be there!"

Shinozaki gave a large smile. "Excellent!"