"Who is here?" Darien was not in on the girls conversation from the arcade so he really had no idea why all of the girls wore equally showing shock and confusion on their faces. Truth be told Raye's face also held irritation considering her unwillingness to go along with the idea that she had a soulmate that she herself did not agree on.

"Our soulmates, its a long story but suffice it to say, Darien, that Raye and I agree that our soulmates are now here, as in on Earth but just a second ago while we were all standing here I checked out bonds and saw the golden chains from our hearts had dramatically increased in size. Compared to the one you have with Serena, seeing how close you too are standing, in size to the ones we have I can assure you that our guys are close. Back in tokyo they were about the size of Lita's bracelet she is wearing now. But now that we are so much closer the size is about the size of a rope. The one you and Serena have looks like a braided rope stretching from one heart to another. The further away, the smaller."

Mina was visibly shaken and it was amazing how anyone could speak so fast and hyperventilate and the same time.

Poor Amy looked terrified. Very rare was it for Amy to face the unknown and her mini super computer was no help with the forces of love. With evil, she could calculate weaknesses and devise strategies. With love, Amy was the one who had all the weaknesses and her short relationship with Greg left her unable to formulate a plan.

Lita was excited even if she was a bit scared, not that she would admit it, she did have a reputation of being the strongest scout to up hold. Being over 5'8 meant it was hard to find a guy who was tall enough to date, but standing at 5'10 meant there was little chance of finding a date that she was not going to tower over. High heels were out of the question.

As comprehension dawned on Darien's face, the collective group was all exchanging glances of uncertainty. Do we go to supper or hunt down the guys? Do we want to hunt down the guys? What if they don't like us? What if they already have girlfriends? or if you were Raye… What do I char b roil first?

Watching her scouts going through so much anxiety brought Princess Serenity to the forefront of Serena's mind. She knew if she did not assert some authority the girls would likely unravel into big heaping piles of estrogen. Or alert the fire marshall to a melted door or incinerated chair.

"Ladies how about we take a few minutes to collect ourselves before we go down to supper. We have a r.s.v.p for a table at 7:30 pm and we still have a few minutes. Darien would you please open your door for us?" Looking to her other half with a graceful smile on her lips, Darien had little choice about letting these emotional ladies into his sanctuary. How could such a man say no to that beautiful face when she demonstrated the very reason he loved her?

"Thank you sweetheart." Turning to her scouts she gestured for them to take a seat on the bed. One by one they filed in and set in a row on the edge of Darien's bed waiting for their princess's speech.

Taking a deep breath to steady her own nerves, Serena chose to stay standing to face her scouts with as much courage as she could bolster. It was not easy task dealing with 4 very different people all with equally different takes on the situation. She knew she needed to put out some fires and restore confidence all at the same time. A tough job for anyone but considering she knew these 4 better than she knew herself, Serena was not about to back down.

"I know that this is a lot to take in. I also understand that it is shocking to suddenly find yourselves so close to these unknown men. However, this does not mean we have to lose sight of the purpose of this trip, some rest and relaxation."

Leaning over to Lita, Raye whispers loud enough for everyone to hear, "when she acts like this I forget she is our dumpling head and all I see is Princess Serenity."

"I know, its a little unnerving, does she always choose to repress the princess in her or does she only come out when she is upset?" Lita chuckled back to Raye.

Biting her lip so the girls wouldn't see the grin creeping across her face, Serena continues her pep talk.

"I have two rules for the remainder of this trip. Number one, Mina you are not to check soul bonds but twice a day. I know that you want to find our soulmate. I want you too also, I cant wait for you girls to find that happiness. that being said, I refuse to be driven up a wall by Raye with you going crazy and obsessing over these guys."

Raye visibly sighed in relief as did Amy. Mina pouted a bit but she accepted the request.

Serena smiled as she saw some stress melt off the girls shoulders. Before continuing she glanced at Darien who gave her a crooked grin and a wink. I love that man. He doesn't have to say a word but I still feel his confidence in me.

"Right, well rule number 2, Mina when you find these guys you are not to tell the others."

Every girl had sharply intaken a breath, but Mina was looking downright indignant at her best friend's second rule. "What? I am the love goddess. How can I ignore what is right in front of me?"

Pressing on, Serena explained. "I am not telling the love goddess to ignore her powers or her gifts. The second part of rule is this. If the girls want to know who their intended beau is they can ask you, and then you can tell them. But otherwise you must respect their wishes. I know you mean well but this is still their choice."

Even Amy was smiling a bit after this last declaration. Darien smiled in the shadows watching his favorite girls sharing a hug, but not too tightly, they didn't want wrinkles in their outfits after all.

Since everyone was calm again Serena turned to walk as gracefully as possible towards Darien who held the door open for her. Somewhere along the 6 feet she had to travel Serena stumbled and fell into Darien's arms, to her extreme displeasure. If Lita had an egg, Serena's face would have been much faster at frying one than a hot skillet.

"There's our dumpling head." Raye called from behind.

The girls could not help but laugh, and it was only sweeter when Serena turned from Darien's arms to growl at her friends before stomping out the door for added measure.

Chuckling to himself Darien followed the embarrassed princess down the hall. When she recognized his laugh, Darien quickly coughed to contain his mirth and walked up to where Serena had stopped to extend his arm and escort her to supper.

Lagging behind the couple, Lita leans over the Raye to whisper, "I was actually getting worried back there, just before Serena tripped, over nothing I might add, I thought I was looking at Princess Serenity holding court in the moon palace."

"I know, its strange how the older Serena has become the more refined and graceful she has become. I really thought we were seeing things the first time I saw Serena reveal herself as the princess. I was shocked and a little disappointed but now, well, I can't really tell one from the other." Amy has never been one to criticize Serena, correct sure, because iit was really hard for everyone to accept the whining, tear-stained cheeks of Serena Tsukino to belong to the moon princess.

"I don't know about you guys but it can't be too much longer before we see Serena becoming Neo Queen Serenity. She is 17 now and we have a fairly good estimate of when Crystal Tokyo was formed, shortly after her wedding. Didn't she say she wanted to be married after high school?" Lita whispered back to the girls.

"I don't know Lita, dumpling head still has a long way to go in my book. Dont get me wrong, she has her moments, but I still see her slurping down milkshakes ever week. I'm pretty sure that is not queen behavior if you ask me." Raye retorted. All the girls silently laughed as the followed Darien and Serena to the elevators.

When Amy's mother gave the girls the tickets to the Seagaia Ocean Dome, the polynesian-themed indoor beach and waterpark, the girls were thrilled to discover it came complete with hotel and accomodations at a fine dining restaurant every evening. Dr. Mizuno, Amy's mom, received the package after buy lottery tickets in the hotel. The money was used for the children's cancer treatment center there in Tokyo. Unfortunately for Dr. Mizuno, her schedule did not allow her time off but after hearing from Amy about Serena's struggle with school and boys (a white lie told to protect Serena's identity), Dr. Mizuno was happy to pass along the passes knowing Amy and her friends would enjoy themselves immensely.

The Hotel was beautiful with the lush palm trees and vibrant green vegetation surrounding the property. The girls were really pleased when they discovered their rooms had a view of the ocean. Standing over 30 stories tall, the Sheraton Grande Ocean Resort was very elegant and well above the girl's expectations. Grateful to not have to catch a cab, everyone was eager to enjoy the different cuisines the hotel offered. With so many restaurants to choose from within the resort, the girls decided to stay traditional on their first night and choose the Japanese inspired restaurant, the Fukami. Labeled as smart casual on their directory in the rooms, the girls were excited to dress their best and enjoy their first night free from the stresses of school and scouts.

Making their way through the lobby, 6 sets of eyes took in the beauty of the indoor palm trees and tropical plants that created paths through the ground floor of the hotel. As the sun had already set, the rope lights were turned on and the florescent lights dimmed giving the impression that you were walking outside in a garden. With The high ceilings it was impossible to remember you were inside because the twinkling lights over head appeared like stars. It was only because of the carpet underfoot and the regulated temperature that took away from the ambiance.

Walking into the restaurant with 1 minute to spare the group was spotted by the hostess and was escorted to a round table in the corner. Instantly Lita was absorbed in reading the entire menu looking for inspiration and insight for her own recipes. Serena was trying to figure out how to order several different dishes but make it look like they were for someone else. Raye and Amy were enjoying the view of the restaurant and the chiefs.

Fukami is a Teppanyaki style restaurant where the chefs cook on a large hot plate and serve up individual portions for the patrons. However the girls were more interested in boy-watching and socializing than watching the cooking, except for Lita of course, so they had requested a table away from the chefs.

Given that all of the food was prepared by a chef either at your personal table burner or by one of the 4 chefs standing in a line against the wall, there was general a lot of activity in the restaurant. It is common for the chef to perform some pyrotechnics while preparing the supper.

One of the most common techniques is the flaming onion volcano. A large onion is sliced in half and then a one inch wide pass is made through the onion again so that you are left with a one inch thick piece of onion where you can push your finger through the middle to slide apart the various ring sizes. Once they rings are apart, the chef stacks them in pile ascending in pattern to resemble a volcano leaving an opening at the top. Once the volcano is assembled, they bang their instruments on the hot plate and dim the lights. Oil is then sprayed into the mouth of the volcano and lit with a lighter. Given the heat of the hot plate, the oil sizzles and the fire comes out as a torch that can reach over 2 feet high.

It may not last long but the entire restaurant is satisfied and responds accordingly with "oohs" and "aahhs".

Also to the delight of many patrons, the chefs can juggle their utensils and flip a shrimp tail into his shirt pocket, or he may even catch the egg shells in his hat after cracking them against his spatula by tossing the eggs in the air and having it land against the edge of the spatula, effectively splitting it in half. If you are brave enough to walk up to the chefs and stand at his side, you may be lucky to have a flattened shrimp piece flipped into your mouth. However, it is very common to make the ladies squeal and laugh by picking up a bottle of sauce and squeezing at thier blouse. They are tickled by a string shooting from the tip and everyone laughs at the cute but hilarious expressions of terror frozen on the faces of the unsuspecting ladies .

Darien and the girls most certainly enjoyed themselves being entertained the the chefs and eating all the different dishes they ordered. Lita was happy to learn a new way to fry rice and Serena was just happy to be eating so many different things. She did however turn down the sushi stating that fish should be cooked.

Before long, the night had expired and the girls made their way to their room to sleep away their trip exhaustion and prepare their boy-hunting schemes for the water park in the morning.

Despite Serena's earlier comment about not looking at the bonds but twice a day, Mina couldn't help but notice that she had only checked once and so was surprised to notice that the bonds were ever closer there in the hotel. Her suspicions and curiosity aroused Mina was sure to keep these thoughts to herself.

One way or another I, at least, will discover who my soul mate was. It has been too long since I have felt loved, truly loved. Another lifetime ago I knew what it was to b e held and adored. I would never tell the girls, but before these soulmates appeared we did not have soulmates. I could never seriously date someone when I knew it was 'perfect' and therefore could not give my heart to anyone b ut my soulmate. After having my love in the Silver Millennium I refuse to settle. I am not the goddess of love for nothing. I want a pure and loving relationship. And not just anyone will do! Mina smiled to herself as she contemplated how to divide and conquer the hotel and resort to find her love.

Walking back towards the rooms Amy was able to reflect on the last few weeks. Logic was always Amy's closest companion and one that she could never live without. It is good to take a break from academics. I don't want to get burned out. But I am really nervous meeting some guy that is supposed to be my soulmate. What if I am not what he expects? I may b e smart but I will never be as pretty as the other girls. And what of my blue hair? I love my hair, what if 'he' doesn't? I almost wish this trip was over so I wouldn't have to think ab out it. But then again I keep going back and forth on whether or not I should ask Mina for her advice or help. I want love, really I do. Its hard to not b e ab le to study my way into having something. If there was a book on how to win a guys heart then I would b e numb er one like I always am.

But he heart cannot be studied or manipulated like figures and facts can be. If I do have a soul mate, then he would like me for me, right?

Darien was walking in the front of the pack as usual, with a sleepy Serena holding his hand while leaning her head against his shoulder. Serena was fed, safe, and in the company of her closest and best friends, her real family, that have been with her through everything. Nothing could steal this moment of contentment from her.

Guiltily, Lita was watching the way Serena trusted herself to Darien as she was almost asleep on her feet while he guided everyone back to their rooms. Lita always wanted a boyfriend. She had a few crushes but nothing ever really serious. It came as no surprise when any guy brave enough to stand next to her imposing height and strong demeanor that such a guy was generally a class A jerk. A few even laughed later and said it was a dare to come and flirt with her.

Lita certainly knew what it meant to be misunderstood and underappreciated. I really hope tomorrow I can get Mina alone. If she really can locate our soulmates then I want mine found immediately. A soulmate just has to b e perfect or otherwise he wouldn't be my soulmate right? I know I have a loving and generous heart. I just need for someone to see what I already know. I am a great catch and I will find someone to appreciate me.

I don't know how I get myself into these situations. In the first place, I really wanted to get away and enjoy some r&r. But now that we are here, it seems that drama really did hope on the airplane and decide to crash our vacation. Why here?

Why now? Why can't we have a peaceful girl trip (minus Darien, he so doesn't' count since Serena has him so whipped)?

Ugh! I will never admit this out loud but I wish Mina would let slip whom my soul mate is so I can judge for myself whether I like him or not. And if I don't well who would notice a pile of ashes? I should atleast get the chance to see if he is cute before I lose control of the situation. If I told blondie, she would squeal and have such a fit. Maybe I can listen in on Amy and Lita, surely they are curious. Maybe then I can get my answers and not have to barb eque anyone. Raye did something that was a cross between a grin and a grimace. A grinamace? Raye was just happy she didn't have to share

a bathroom with dumpling head. It is shocking really to see how much hair Serean can stop up a drain with in just one shower. Yuck, cleaning up after dumpling head. Yeah theres a vacation for you.

The next morning the girls were up and getting ready to leave out of the room. The GPS indicated a 6 minute walk from the hotel to the SeaGaia Ocean Dome so they were happy to stretch their legs. All the girls were sporting their bathing suit under their cute fringe Kimono cover ups. Of course no ensemble would be complete without matching blinged flip flops. Since everyone but Amy had relatively long hair (except Serena, she could almost walk on her hair), the girls decided to french braid each others hair in an effort to not be weighed down in the pools with the wet locks covering up the backs of the swimsuits. With so much effort gone in to look their best it was imperative to make the most of their hair while still keeping it tame and out of the way.

"You know I was just wondering, given that all five of us are here and we are all sporting our trademark colors on our Kimonos and bathing suits, do you think someone will be able to figure out our alter egos?" Amy mused aloud.

" I doubt it, stand near dumpling head long enough and she will display the superpowers of klutz queen." Raye choked she was laughing so hard. "Besides there are no dumplings on her head now that it has been french braided down her back. See, it barely meets her waist."

"Raye! That is unfair, take it back. You know I am much better at staying on my feet. I have gone a long time without an accident." Serena crossed her arms and looked down her nose at Raye, which was still up given that Serena was shorter that Raye so she settled for sticking her tongue out at pyro friend.

"A long time? Sure so last night doesn't count right?" Raye quickly fired back still laughing at her friends discomfort.

Darien just shook his head and kept walking towards the admission counter to turn their vouchers into arm bands for the day while the girls stood back and bickered near the gates.

While everyone was distracted Mina took the opportunity to open up to her powers. As she felt the power flow through her veins she quickly identified what she was looking for. Yes, the are here. But they are in the b oys changing area. I will just have to wait till later to find out ab out these mystery guys. Don't worry b oys, with Sailor V on the case your secrets will soon be mine!