Monday Morning

Kunzite and Mina POV

Okay, so he talks again. I even saw him smile at me last night when I was admiring his car. Granted I did squeal like a girl standing first in line for a big sale at the mall when he walked me over to that sexy dreamsicle Camaro. Maybe things will be easier today. Maybe I can be around him and not feel so awkward. We still have 24 more days of being forced together. Well, maybe forced is a strong word. I do still think he is handsome. He is a perfect gentleman. I know I love Kunzite from the moon and now that I have been around him again… I am falling, and hard. He doesn't speak to me for 4 days and all I do is think ab out him, crave him. UGH!

Mina stops her monologue to turn to the mirror. Giving herself one final inspection to ensure that she looked good, she went to sit on her bed until Kunzite showed up to take her to school.

Five minutes later, the doorbell rang.

"I'm coming!" Mina called as she jumped up and ran to the door. Taking a deep breath and pasting a big smile on her face, she opened the door.

"Hey Kunzite! You made…. oomph" Mina couldn't get much more out because as soon as Kunzite saw they were alone, he attacked. Not literally, but either way she couldn't breath and was pretty defenseless.

She is dressed in her school uniform, but why did they have to make those things so damn sexy! A bow over the chest on her top? Like I need a reason to draw my attention there. And what is up with the short skirt? There should be a law against girls showing off legs like that in school. How are guys supposed to pay attention when they could be staring at how MY WOMAN is dressed? She is Mine!

Kunzite grabbed her around the waist and roughly pulled her against him as he devoured her mouth. Hard and passionate, he explored every inch of her mouth after he roughly pushed in with his tongue. Mina and Kunzite were both groaning and panting for breath but neither was willing to stop. Walking Mina backwards, Kunzite shut the door with his foot and picked her up by her waist without breaking contact with their lips. He put his other hand behind her head to tilt it to just the right angle to better enjoy her tongue and probe every inch of her glorious mouth.

"Kunzite." She whispers as he pulls back to admire the effects of his kiss on her. Red puffy lips and pink splashed across her neck and cheeks was his reward from his assault. The desire glazed in her eyes encouraged his advances. Not satisfied with standing in the entry, he decides its time to move.

He carried her to the couch and laid her down and continued his assault on her lips as he covers her body with his own. She squeaked in delight as shes felt his warmth cover her. Finally, after his desire was sated slightly, he moved to her neck and kissed every inch of skin that was showing. Wanting to tease her desire even further over the edge, he slid his tongue across the skin showing just above her neckline, enjoying the salty/sweet taste that is hers alone.

With his hands he moved them from her waist and slowly slid them under her top to rest on her stomach. She gasped in surprise but her desire caused her to reciprocate his invasion of personal space. She took her hands and slid them down his chest and reached for the hem of his shirt. Finding the end, Mina slid her hands under his shirt and walked her fingers across his chiseled chest until she flattened them on his stomach and slid them around to hold on to his hips.

Once Kunzite felt Mina touching his body, he grew braver and allowed his hands to travel up her flat stomach. Their eyes were glued to one another, both admiring their similar expressions of lust and passion. Moving his mouth back to her lips, he softly and sweetly kissed her until she moaned and then he renewed his passionate attack by crushing her lips under his. Mina fought back by sweeping her tongue across Kunzite's lips to gain entrance to his mouth.

Entangled in their war for dominance in their kisses, Kunzite continued traveling his hands up until he was just below her bra. Mina was too far gone the the throws of passion to allow him to stop. Arching her back, she invited him to continue his exploration and so he he slid both hands up to her lacy bra and covered her breasts, massaging them while her groans increased in volume. Her nipples were hard and she enjoyed every stimulating touch across their surface. Finally, when Mina was becoming rather loud, Kunzite stopped and pulled his hands away and lifted his head back to look into her eyes. Mina eyes were glowing with passion and was instantly upset that Kunzite had stopped.

"What… why did you stop?" Mina asked as she tried to regain her breath.

"Mina," Kunzite purred. "We are not married in this time, I will not take you like this. No matter how much we want to. It isn't proper."

Using her sailor strength, she hooked Kunzite's leg, lifter her hips and flipped him on his back on the couch. Sitting up, Mina straddled his waist and looked him in the eyes, keeping her hands under his shirt.

Wiggling into position, Kunzite groaned and fought to keep control over himself as Mina aligned her hips over his. "You're telling me that what I am feeling right now between us isn't enough for you to do something about it?" Mina asked askance at his attitude. Slowly she begins to grind her hips into his, feeling his arousal and clearly showing her willingness. Using her hands and torture weapons, she slid them up and down his stomach before catching his waistband in her thumbs and rubbing them back and forth under the material at his waist..

Grunting in frustration, Kunzite grabbed her waist to keep her still and responded. "Mina, I love you with everything I am, with everything I have. But I will not take advantage of an innocent young lady. We knew each other 1,000 years ago. And I will know you again. But not until we are married." Kunzite finished with conviction, fully aware of the painful tension in his pants.

"Fine. At Least you are talking to me again." She ground out as she removed her hands and crossed her arms further drawing attention to the very thing Kunzite was just admiring.

"I didn't talk to you because I believe you didn't care for me anymore. The last thing that I remember before Beryl attacked me was holding you in my arms, sleeping after our night together. Then I wake to a time when my wife is younger, innocent and unaware of my affections. Not only that, but you hated to sight of me because of what part of my soul did to you!" Kunzite finished his passionate speech just short of yelling at Mina.

"Then what is this? Do you still believe that you have no affect on me? Is what we just shared not enough for you to realize how much I want you? You have always been my soul mate, will always be my soul mate no matter how angry I get at you or how much I wish to deny it. And believe me, I wanted to deny it when I feared that some evil general was coming back into my life. I'm Sorry! I was scared. But I NEVER stopped loving you, on the moon or in this life!" Mina was so angry that her heaving chest was only furthering Kunzite's frustration and lack of satisfaction.

"Where does this leave us? We may not be married but I cannot deny my love for you Kunzite." Mina whispered and lowered her arms back to his stomach. Kunzite recognized the gesture as defeat but he wanted to finish this conversation. She wiggled again causing him to stop his response to gain composure over himself.

"Mina, someday I will marry you again. When we are ready and have found a way in this life together, we will be together again. (Mina raised her eyes with hope shining out at Kunzite) Until then, I believe I can call you my 'girlfriend' and you can call me your 'boyfriend'." Kunzite smiled softly at his love.

"I thought we were rather more than that." She answered softly in return.

"You are my life, my heart. But I didn't think it is necessary to say that in front of everyone. Maybe I should get you a ring so everyone will know you're mine." Kunzite raised his eyebrows in challenge.

"Ha Ha. (Mina was smiling enough to light the room) Fine, boyfriend we should get to school before Artemis walks in here. He is sleeping on my bed you know."

Knock Knock Knock

"Ugh, what is it?" Mina calls from her bed, all the while trying to hold on to her dream as it slipped further and further away to the more she woke.

"Mina. Mina! MINA!" Artemis is pawing at Mina's blanket covering her face trying to wake her up.

"Go away Artemis. I'm sleeping."

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Mina pulled the covers away to stare at the clock after hearing the pattern on her door.

"Mina, look what time it is it is time to get up for school. You're going to be late!"

"AHHHHH! Why didn't you wake me earlier!"

"I tried…." Artemis jumps off the blanket just before Mina leaps out of bed. "Someone was sleeping. Now. Answer the door!"

Mina ran to her closet and snatched her robe from her door and covered her tank top and sleeping shorts. She finally made it to the door after stubbing her toe on the couch in the living room. Hopping on one foot she opened the door to see Kunzite looking at her in confusion since she is obviously not ready for school.

"Did I get the time wrong?" Don't look Kunzite. She is unnecessarily drawing attention to herself wit that bouncing. "I was supposed to pick you up 30 minutes before school started." Kunzite was trying very hard to understand why she was looking at him and blushing with her mouth hanging open. He was also trying hard to not draw her attention to the fact that he was able to see down her shirt since the robe was not closed all the way. He didn't want to seem ungentlemanly so he avoided the view and gave her a questioning look.

"Well, I umm…. you know… slept in late….. and umm… forgot alarm…. need get dressed…. 10 minutes." And with that, Mina turned and sprinted into her bedroom to start throwing on her uniform. In record time she was in the bathroom taking care of essentials and fixing her hair with a little gloss on the lips for a bit of added glamour.

Back to her room once more, she grabbed her bag, communicator and Venus wand and ran back to a surprised Kunzite who was still standing by the door. OHMYGOSH! I was dreaming about HIM! And here he is in front of me! How am I supposed to think straight when I am wondering if those lips really feel as soft as they did in that dream? His hands? OHMYGOSH! Raye is going to kill me!

"Let's go! Early fish gets the worm!" Kunzite was still puzzled, but her cuteness was extremely endearing so he followed her out the door and led her down the elevator to his awaiting Camaro.

Climbing in the front seat, Mina was able to catch her breath and put away her scout stuff in her bag. I can't believe I am late getting ready. And after that dream, OHMYGOSH! I so don't trust him but I am dreaming about trying to get into his pants! Thank Aphrodite he can't read minds! And he still isn't hardly saying a word to me…. At least I have my dreams. Ten minutes later than scheduled, the pulled into oncoming traffic and made their way to Juuban High.

Standing outside her house with her messenger bag slung over her shoulder was Amy, ready and waiting for Zoisite to pull up and take her to school. She was up early, but when was she not. Every Morning since First grade, she was up two hours early to eat a sensible breakfast and study before school, rechecking her homework to ensure top marks.

It was to her complete surprise when an amazingly good looking, no hot, wait can a car that is ice blue look hot? Sexy, sexy is good, a sexy McLaren pulls up to take her to school.

Amy! You are an educated, academically accomplished young woman. This is no time to daydream ab out a car or who is driving it. Aww… but look how sweet he is, walking around and opening my door for me. I could get used to this. Focus, breath, move your feet Amy! Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot, aww look at the cute smile he is giving me, FOCUS. My focus needs more focus…. Left foot, right foot. left foot.

"Good morning Amy." Zoisite's eyes twinkled in the morning light as he smiled at Amy. She continued her nervous monologue walking ever so slowly towards his waiting car. However, not many feet separate her door from his so all too soon she was forced to look up and say, "Hello Zoisite." A faint blush blossomed on both of their cheeks but neither noticed for as soon as their eyes met they looked away to hide their nervousness.

Amy smiled softly before ducking her head and sliding into the front seat. Zoisite quietly closed the door and walked around to get behind the wheel. Cars tend to reflect their owners so Amy was not surprised with the gentle hum of the engine or the sleek curves. What did surprise her was how graceful and gentle and 'sleek' she found Zoisite. Lost in their own reflections, they pulled away from her home and made their way to school.

Raye was still running around trying to get all of her things ready and in her bag for school. Sleeping in late, followed by her required meditation time by the sacred fire and a hasty breakfast left little time to get ready before Jadeite was to show up. She wanted to make an impression, aloof but desirable. Not scatterbrained and quickly thrown together. Now, she didn't really have much control in the matter as she was just happy making sure her effects were sorted before she left the temple to meet the girls at school.

VROOMMM

"Great! He's here and I am still trying to find my communicator! I'm acting like that dumpling head!" Raye kept up a continuous string of complaints until she finally had her bag in order, trying to ignore the sound of Jadeite revving the engine on his Ferrari.

One last glance in the mirror to smooth her raven locks and settle her bag on her shoulders, she left out of her room and softly closed the paper door to exit the residential quarters at the temple. Jadeite left the engine humming as he saw Raye coming and lept from the car to run to her. Stopping just in front of her path she huffed out a 'morning' and was going to walk around until he took her bag from her shoulder and extended his arm.

"Milady, may I walk you to the car?" Hoping his charm and good looks would not be wasted, his blonde hair artfully gelled into relaxed curls around his face and his clothes accenting his sculpted muscles under his long sleeved form fitting shirt, he gave her his best smile.

"I suppose it would only be proper since you are acting as my valet today." Raye reasoned so as to not feel guilty for enjoying his tingling touch as her arm threaded through his.

Strutting a little too noticeable, Raye arched her brows at Jadeite and he calmed his ego so as to not scare the lady away. Jadeite shut her door and climbed in on his side while sliding Raye her caffeine fix. Once in the car, Jadeite enjoyed himself immensely hearing Raye scream 'JADEITE!" as he raced into the traffic and swerved through the unsuspecting motorist sharing the road. Lucky for him, she did not spill her treasured latte.

"I thought you wanted a tour of Tokyo before I take you to Juuban high?" Jadeite chuckled as Raye continued to scream his name while he raced through town.

Lita was unusually chipper as she took her cinnamon rolls from the oven, knowing that Nephrite had a thing for the delicious spice. She drizzle the glaze over the rolls and crusted the top with crushed candied walnuts before turning off the oven. Just as the coffee pot was finishing its brew, the door was rapped upon and Lita hastily took off her apron and opened the door for Nephrite.

"Mmmm, are those your famous cinnamon rolls I smell?" Nephrite closed his eyes as he took a deep breath, filling his lungs with the intoxicating smell.

"Yes, well I figured you might not eat as well here as you did back on the Moon when I cooked. So, thought you might want to eat here instead of catching breakfast on the way like we planned." She smiled appreciating the salivating look he was sending towards the kitchen. It wasn't like she was trying to entice him but rather she felt it to be good social graces to be hospitable. Yeah, that's what it was etiquette not flirting through baking. Just being polite is all. Right?

"This is much better, but you know what would make this perfect?" Nephrite asked, teasing Lita.

"No, what's that." Not really sure what he was planning.

"Here, I'll show you." Quickly, he grabbed her around the waist and crushed her lips under his before pulling back and smiling down at her. She was dazed, shocked from the unwarranted kiss.

SMACK!

Lita slapped Nephrite for his untoward advances, dropped him on his butt by sweeping his legs out from under him and went to the kitchen as graceful as a princess to finish bento boxes for the girl's lunches.

"Lita! What was that for?" Nephrite hollered from the floor.

"That was for kissing me without asking Jerk! You may look like my boyfriend but you are not him!" He finally stood to face her retreating form.

"I AM your boyfriend." He said chasing her to the kitchen. "I am the same Nephrite I was and excuse me for thinking a kiss from a beautiful woman was worth any disdain you could conjure against me. Just so you know. it was totally worth it." He grinned wickedly at her as she glared at him across the counter separating her living room from the kitchen.

"Are you going to eat or not? I don't want this food to waste you know." Lita was still huffing from her kiss and trying desperately to tell her heart to calm down. You were not supposed to like that!

"Oh, I want it." He replied with a suggestive wiggle of his eyebrows.

"You are impossible Neph."

"You don't mean that Lita. I'll be a good boy from now on I promise." That innocent puppy dog look doing nothing to calm her fears of seduction, but it did finally allow Lita to laugh at his antics. At Least this won't b e boring, what ever this is.

"Lets eat and then we can go catch up with everybody. We still have to plan our trip to the mall this afternoon." Lita poured two cups of coffee with cream and sugar while Nephrite loaded plates with ooey gooey cinnamon heaven, hoping he was forgiven for now.

Darien was finally able to pull away from the Tsukino residence after having had breakfast and coffee with the entire Tsukino family. Sure he loved feeling like he was a part of a nice big family. Growing up without one was hard. He didn't even have memories of a family after losing his at six years old from the car crash that killed his parents. So breakfast with Serena and Sammy was nice. Ikuku was very welcoming and instantly steered him to the table as Serena was still working on her mile long hair in her room. Kenji, however was just downright scowling at Darien, picturing this guy to be

stealing away his little bunny.

As Sammy chattered away about his friends at school and getting to go to Hotaru's house after school, Ikuku piled steaming blueberry pancakes on everyone's plates and refilled Darien and Kenji's cups with coffee. Serena finally came down the stairs and skipped into the parlor beaming brighter than the sun itself to see her handsome prince sipping coffee with her family. Kenji was still staring daggers at Darien over his newspaper but was distracted when Serena planted a kiss on his cheek. Distraction wasn't enough when Serena leaned around to quickly put a butterfly kiss on Darien's lips as he smiled into her heart-shaped face.

"Kenji, do you need some syrup?" Ikuku asked at his elbow, giving the young couple a break from the growl that was growing in his throat. When he didn't answer she leaned over and blocked his view, pouring syrup on his pancakes and kissed him on the cheek. The tension was broken when he looked up to see everyone eating his wife's delicious cooking.

Sammy was oblivious, so after shoveling in his food he ran and grabbed his bag hoping to catch Hotaru on the way to school to plan their study session and talk video games. Serena finished in record time and was walking out the door shortly after her brother, leading Darien as he thanked her mother over his shoulder.

"You know Kenji, we really are lucky to have such a wonderful family." Ikuku smiled knowingly as she watched Darien grab Serena around her waist to give her a proper kiss before leading her to his car. Ikuku turned from the window to see Kenji was looking back at his paper with a smile on his face and so she turned her attention to clearing the table and take her wash to the laundry room.

"Darien, do you think that the girls will be okay?" Serena asked once they were safely in the Porsche, driving down the road.

"Sure why not?"

"Well, the guys are picking up the girls and they are all very interested in the girls, who really aren't interested in them just yet."

"I think you're over thinking things Sere. There is nothing wrong with a guy giving a girl a ride to school." Darien replied.

"Humph, shows you what you know…" She said before remembering who she was with. Little did he know how she spent many months wishing he would take her to school and she knew exactly what she would have thought of it.

Afterwards she forgot her friend's problems in light of her prince charming driving her to school in his car. She was more than happy to talk about happier things with her boyfriend. Darien left the top up on his Porsche as the early morning air was still a bit crisp.

He was the happiest man alive as he listened to his princess ramble on about school and tests and the dance on Saturday and what the girls would wear and what the guys would think of what the girls would wear and where they would find the ideal dress at the mall and how much it would cost and how good the guys would look dressed up and how they would all need to get pictures taken together and how much she loved her mom's pancakes and how she loved seeing the roses the other day and how annoying little brothers can be and how her mom hid her dad's shotgun and how was Rini doing…. on and on until they were finally pulling into the parking lot.

I am so happy she has found her happy spot again. Even if it means getting along with the guys again, I will do anything to see to her happiness.

Pulling into a space near the back away from all the other cars, Darien and Serena continued to idly chat until they watched the impressive display of equally showy cars pull in beside him. Each car, polished and shining in the sun, was a sight to behold as all 5 were lined up next to each other. But every eye in the parking lot was riveted on the people who got out of the car as 5 handsome men opened their door and walked over to allow 5 gorgeous women to exit the cars and stand together, making an entrance as one group. It was definitely a scene from a hollywood film. There really

should be a law about that many good looking people, with amazing cars, being allowed to be together at the same time.

It really made everyone else feel like they were the cheap fill in actors standing back from the stars. Really, there should have been some paparazzi hidden out in the bushes to capture glamour.

To the girls, this was heaven. Get picked up in sexy car? Check. Have handsome guy drive sexy car? Check. Have everyone's attention at school? Check. Handsome guy smiling at me and giving me all his attention? Double Check. Kiss sexy guy in front of sexy car before all student populace to make everyone jealous? Working on that one….

"Alright, as the goddess of love and all things fashion…"

"Mina…" Raye and Lita groaned.

"I say the guys pick us up here at 3:30 this afternoon and we all head to the mall to hunt down our dresses." Mina was bouncing in excitement at the upcoming shopping trip.

"Sounds good ladies, we will see you then." Zoisite answered.

"Great! We'll be waiting." Serena kissed Darien one last time and lead the way for the girls to follow while the guys stood together watching the girls walk away.

"Should it be allowed to look that good?" Nephrite asked.

"I know. How are they still single? I would expect guys to be following them everywhere they went." Zoisite answered.

"Maybe they just don't have someone they are interested in." Jadeite supplied hopefully.

"Or the guys at that school are too chicken. We need to see to it that none of the guys question who those girls are with."

Kunzite ground out. He was more than able to talk…. away from Mina.

"Ooh, someone is jealous…." Nephrite was quick to prod Kunzite's deeply hidden feelings.

"They need to be protected is all." Kunzite shot back.

"Either way gentlemen, we will make their day special on Saturday and this afternoon I suggest you use those large accounts of your to work their way into their good graces." Darien chuckled understanding their dilemma.

Beautiful gir? Check. Single? Check. Sexy? Check Check. Everyone checking out their girl? Check

and not happy about it!

Fulfills every heart's deepest wish of a woman? Check. Reciprocates feelings? Working on that one….

Once the girls were finally through the school gates and up the steps to the double doors, the guys went to their separate cars and pulled away to their own schedules for the day. Of course it does give a guy hope when he caught said girl glancing back at him once or twice.

"Good morning ladies. Aren't we looking well this morning." Ren calls from within the door of the school as the girls crossed the threshold entering the sacred halls of academia and food breaks (which is what Serena liked to focus on).

"Uh, hi Ren, Shin, Takashi." Mina answered for the girls. They were all shocked to see the three hottest and most eligible guys at Juuban High talking to them, to them! The girls wouldn't even suspect these guys knew their names much less talked to them.

"So, we saw those sports cars bringing you ladies to school this morning. Were those your boyfriend's?" Ren asked, hoping to imply his interest with a smoldering look as he stared at Raye.

"No, they were just friends." Amy softly replied, unaware of how awkward the girls were feeling since Amy was really only concerned with speaking the truth at the moment.

"So then that means that you would be free for Saturday's dance?" Shin asked, continuing his advance as the looked pointedly at Mina.

"Well, actually I already have a date for Saturday, sorry Shin." Mina replied. Kunzite talking or no she wasn't going with anyone else.

"And the guy in the porsche is my boyfriend." Serena added, taking pride in claiming herself as Darien's girl.

Raye and Lita shot Mina a Serena looks that clearly said, 'thanks for not speaking on our behalfs.' Amy was still oblivious to the intriguing looks of the young casanovas.

"So what about you Raye, do you want to go to the dance on Saturday with me?" Raye was having a hard time focusing on Ren's words when she was remembering holding Jadeite's arm at the temple.

"Sorry Ren, Takashi, Shin, we are already spoken for for Saturday. If you will excuse us we need to get to home room before last bell." Raye finally found her voice and led the girls away from the very disappointed guys who were staring at their retreating forms.

"Um, girls, those were the hottest guys on campus…. and we just turned them down." Lita said.

"Yeah ,well we already have plans Lita." Amy answered.

"But they are the hottest guys on campus…We have waited forever for them to notice us." Lita sounded sad but really she was thinking about her kiss this morning and was confused because she really didn't want to go with Shin, Ren or Takashi but she was extremely flattered they had asked.

"Great, we don't get asked to anything all through high school but now we have the generals and guys are throwing themselves at us?" Raye was still confused and still thinking about Jadeite. this time it was his golden locks and ocean blue eyes had her attention.

"Well, we did give our word. And this way we will still be a group." Amy added, glad she didn't have to think about how Zoisite stirred things in her heart she had never felt before, at least in this life. Gentle, quiet, listening..

"Lets get to class. I do not want detention if they guys are coming to pick us up. I put nothing past Mrs. H. You know how she gets when her love life is in the pits." Serena said. "Besides, who wants the attentions of guys who never noticed us before we were off the market."

"But some of us aren't off the market." Raye shot back.

Serena snorted at the denial and pointed out again that Mrs. H expected them before last bell.

After that last, quick reminder the girls all put on extra speed taking to the halls to get to their home room before that infamous final bell. No point getting detention thinking about cute guys at school when gorgeous guys with sexy cars would be awaiting their pleasure that afternoon with credit cards.

School was gratefully over. The girls really enjoyed the attention they received after arriving in style but it became a bit of a bother when the rest of the student body wouldn't stop asking questions. How do you explain that your once dead boyfriend from 1,000 years ago is now alive and has plenty of yen to shower them with, despite NOT being in a relationship together. It was common knowledge by lunch that Serena, Lita, Mina, Amy and Raye had all snagged hot boyfriends with money to spare. So hoping to get picked up by a cute guy was out the window. Not that they were thinking about anyone but their own beau that is, not that they would admit it.

"Did you see Molly's eyes when she saw us walking over to the guys cars this afternoon?" Serena asked.

"She didn't believe we really did come to school with them. Melvin was hyperventilating. The poor guy kept saying 'no fair' over and over again." Mina laughed.

"Don't pick on Melvin. He is a really smart student and doesn't have time to save for a car. I think its sweet that Melvin and Molly are so attached. I don't think it's fair that we make fun of him." Amy added.

"Sure, sure. But I was actually having a harder time wondering if Molly recognized Nephrite as Maxfield Stanton." Lita had been thinking about it all day. Molly watched Nephrite die in her arms and here he was driving her around in a Lamborghini?

"I don't think you need to worry about Molly." Serena herself had already considered the situation when the generals had first come back into their lives. Well, maybe not at first but over the course of the next couple of days she thought about the generals and each of the lives they had with Beryl in this time. It could have been a problem but Serena really didn't think it was. "Do you remember when we defeated Beryl? We all lost our memories and I really think that everyone else did too. It was like a reset on a Sailor V game. I don't think we need to worry about it. Besides, if it is a problem, Luna can

intervene and help block those memories."

"Wow dumpling head. You really have grown up." Raye gave her friend a shocked face before smirking.

"Thanks Raye." Serena accepted gracefully. then she stuck her tongue out, blew a raspberry and swept away from the girls with all the grace of a princess towards the double doors to meet up with the guys.

"At least our Serena is in there somewhere. It shocks me how much she has changed in the last few years." Lita mused as she followed after her friend and leader.

"Yeah but she still eats like a linebacker….all those calories..." Amy added the girls were keeping pace a few steps behind Serena.

Together they descended the stairs and were pleasantly surprised to find each man at the door of each passenger-side door of their car, awaiting them in line. It was quite a show really so it was no surprise when a crowd of admiring girls and envious guys were standing to the side drooling at the show.

Loaded up, buckled in, the group drove a way to the mall for the next several hours. Piles of yen waiting, to buy dresses (need to have options) and shoes (can't have enough shoes) for Saturday night.

They guys were tired. After the first 2 hours, they were bored. It was fun watching from chairs in the dressing rooms as the girls would twirl and admire various styles, cuts and colors. They really did get an eyeful of their lovely ladies. But the fun soon wore off in the face of 4 girls who could not make up their mind and were really enjoying liberally using their credit cards. Each guy had an arm full of shopping bags.

Serena took much less time. Settling immediately for a baby pink dress that shimmered in the light, stopping just above the knees. Soon after Serena was finished, she found Darien and they made their way to the fountain by the food court to share a milkshake and people watch as Serena occupied his lap.

After 3 hours in the mall, the generals finally grumbled loud enough to catch the attention of the shop crazed girls. They found Serena with Darien and were very happy to take the girls home to nurse their wallets and their pride for not having lasted longer shopping.

They guys dropped the girls off at home with the promise of picking them up for school again in the morning. Despite the long hours and numb butts from sitting in dressing rooms, the guys were all very happy to have spent so much time with their ladies and to have actually seen them smile without reservation. Money and attention does change a girl.

Tuesday was very similar. Pick the girls up. Make every small moment an opportunity for making memories. Open and close car doors. Smile and stay close. Listen and don't push (unless your name is Nephrite). Talk and encourage (unless your name is Kunzite). Keep feelings to a minimum (unless you name is Jadeite). Discuss all things medical (only if your name is Zoisite).

The girls would then spend the rest of the day fending off new admires and turning conversations away from nosy girls looking for gossip and to take apart of the new found popularity status. Eventually, as the week wore on and everyone saw that they guys were becoming a fixed thing, the girls experienced less awkward situations and Serena had fewer detentions now that she was on time.

Sundays and Wednesdays were official training days since everyone had more free time then. Two hours twice a week was basically just enough to keep everyone from getting rusty. Who wants to train when there were more fun ways to spend their time?

They guys still had plenty of chores to do for the girls but after taking them shopping, their attitudes were much less frosty and less determined to be rude. It may not have looked like love but Darien was shocked, Serena was pleased, to see a somewhat easy friendship and routine starting to form, tentative as it was.

Friday night found the girls at Raye's for their weekly scout meeting. Since in the past, no one had dates, they choose that night to meet so they could stay late or even stay over. Now that Serena had Darien, she would occasionally call the meetings short but mostly she was fine going out on Saturday night. It was a first that all the girls had a guy to talk about or even consider to ask them out for supper, not that it would be a date of course.

After school, the guys dropped off the girls at the temple with the promise of picking them up later to take them home if they needed, which they insisted anyways. Making their way across the cobbled courtyard, their school shoes silent from the rubber soles, they crossed to the private sleeping quarters. As customary, each girl took off their shoes and slipped on the slippers they kept at Raye's and made himself at home.

Cherry Hill Temple was really a second home to the scouts. Three years of fighting, training, meeting and hanging out, made them feel like family. They dropped their bags off on Raye's bed and made their way to the kitchen. Raye and Amy prepared the green tea and collected cups on a platter. Lita over saw Mina's transfer of homemade goodies to a tray, no one trusted Mina to cook. Serena gathered utensils and napkins. If Serena was in charge of the food, it would never make it to Raye's room. Once everything was gathered and ready, the girls set off down the hall to settle around the low table on their cushions.

"A whole week of being driven to and from school. EEEEEE! This is awe - some!" Lita crashed in to the pillow behind her remember how amazing it was that Nephrite would show up every morning for breakfast and then take her to school.

Sure she never encouraged his advances but she also enjoyed the kiss he would give her just before she dropped him on his butt with a wrist lock each morning.

"Lita, you are going to make me go deaf!" Luna screeched at the lightening scout.

"I don't know Luna, you could give her a run for her money." Artemis grumbled.

Luna hissed in return and Artemis hid behind Mina to escape her claws the rest of the meeting.

"I have to say it was really nice. I was able to spend more time studying since it didn't' take so long to walk to school every morning" Amy blushed slightly as she kept her nose in her book. She didn't look up to see the looks the girls shared as they noticed they heat spreading across her cheeks.

"Mmm hmmm. And Jadeite is getting trained fairly easily to bring me a latte every morning. I wonder if we can get Trista to extend these punishments?" Raye was still trying to talk Jadeite into letting her drive the Ferrari but so far he was not budging.

"Don't forget that our training sessions are getting significantly better now that we have someone to beat up on. We never went as hard against each other as we do with these generals. I am still concerned about Trista's plan and not being ready when the time comes." Mina was hoping to turn the conversation to more scout like business so she too would not give away any blushes. It didn't help that every day Kunzite was distant and every night she was in his arms or on his lap or under his body or kissing in the back seat of his car (as was last night's dream).

"Serena?"

"Hmmm, yes Raye?"

"Are spacing out on us dumpling head?"

"No, well yes. I was just thinking about Darien." She smiled in return. Each girls were able to openly share their happiness as their dearest and closest friend was showing contentment. It had been a couple of weeks since she was really depressed. Luna had even mentions she was sleeping better after she and Artemis had returned to their homes.

"I am concerned about the next task but she said to make the most of the time with these relationships and we are all doing well. I am very proud of you all for cooperating so well. This Saturday is sure to be a blast and then Sunday we should push back training till the afternoon so we can all get some sleep. I know we will all be out late Saturday night and there is no point training if we sleep through it." Serena wisely commented.

"Sure, sure. We all know Serena has planned to monopolize Darien's time and attention Saturday. The better question is whether they will make it at all on Sunday?" Mina was grinning like a cheshire cat after her last comment.

OMPH. Serena hurled a pillow at the blonde's head and was satisfied to see her red bow become dislodged from its hold.

"I am proud of yo uscouts for actually training without Artemis and myself having to jump down your throats about it. You girls really have grown into responsible young ladies."

"Luna, are those tears in your eyes?" Amy asked.

"No! I just have a touch of allergies at the moment." She huffed in reply turning to Serena's pillow to wipe her face.

"I am so happy to have Nephrite." All the girls GASPED and looked at Lita. "No, no no. I mean I am happy to have Nephrite to spar with. I am the strongest scout and I need someone to go against that I can use my full strength. When we sparred in Kendo Wednesday, we broke both our katanas in our final blow. I actually felt really sore and it was amazing to feel myself being pushed like that." She quickly took a big drink of her green tea to try and hide her furiously blushing cheeks.

"Wow, I never thought I would say it, but I am glad to have Jadeite. He really does push my Karate, or maybe its my temper. Either way, I feel like it is really honing my skills to have someone to be so competitive with." Raye also took a big gulp of her tea but spluttered a bit. At least the cough hid her blush well.

"Yes, well. They guys have promised to be perfect gentlemen tomorrow. We will meet here at 5. Does that sound good?"

Everyone shook their head in affirmation to Mina's request. "Good. then we can take pictures by the Cherry trees since the are so beautiful and use the bench in Raye's tea garden for pictures also. Then supper and the dance and then we can go up to the bluff."

"The bluff?" Amy asked. Never having had a serious relationship before, Greg was really short term, she was unaware of the bluff.

"Yeah, Akemi in arts told me that there are bluffs overlooking the city that are beautiful at night to see the lights and the stars. But no one goes up there since most of us don't have cars. Since the guys do, I thought we could tell them to take us. We could have our own after party." Mina was looking really excited as the girls all perked up.

"Great! And I will make snacks to take with us. Oh! We should bring blankets so we can we can hang out!" Lita added.

"It is supposed to be a full moon so we will have plenty of light. I hate the dark." Serena still slept with a light on in her room.

"Well ladies, I need to get home and study now so I can have time free this weekend. I should get going." Amy stood together the used cups and plates which promptly urged the girls to help her. They each called the guys to take them home. Raye was really pouting since she didn't have a reason to see Jadeite. She was home after all. When they heard the cars pull up, they grabbed their bags, except Raye, and changed their shoes to walk together to their parking spots out front.

There were 5 cars and 5 guys at the bottom of the stairs. Amy commented that they must have all been together is why they all arrived at the same time.

Why is Jadeite here? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the view, but I didn't call him. Raye mused as she watched the other guys walk up to the girls and take their bags, leading down to their 'carriages'. Now he is walking towards me? Why is his left hand hidden behind his thigh? Smirking are we Jadeite?

Everyone waved bye and was gone in a blur of color, headed into the sun set. Jadeite made his way up to the vision of raven hair draped in burnt orange and soft pinks from the dying sun.

"Raye."

"Jadeite"

"You look beautiful in the setting sun."

"What, why are you doing here?"

"That's no way to take a compliment fire angel." Jadeite was definitely smirking now as he made his way to her at the top of the stairs.

"You still didn't answer my question Jed." Raye was trying really hard to maintain composure and appear unaffected.

"I thought a my woman deserved a flower to think of me by until I picked her up for our date tomorrow." Jadeite pulled the from behind his back a small bouquet of yellow and white camellias and slowly brought them before Raye's eyes.

OHMYGOSH! Does he really remember what those mean? Do I remember? YES! But he can't still feel that way, can he?

"I know it has been a while for you Raye, for us to be together, but for me it has only been weeks. I will earn your love again." Not one to beat around the bush, Jadeite jumped straight into the fire. He met her gaze as her schooled features began to fade into shock, and was that maybe, hope?

"Jadeite, I…"

"No, just listen. I gave these to you the second time I ever saw you. We met on Earth and when I went to see you on the Moon, I brought you these white and yellow flowers. I wanted to show you what you meant to me. I have loved you from the first moment I have met you. And I will love you forever." Raye was quickly losing her control. Her heart was racing and her breathing was accelerating as she stood at the top of the stairs with a man professing his love to her.

"Do you remember what these mean?" Jadeite whispered, hoping to not scare her away, afraid to break the trance she was in.

"Y.. Ye…. Yes."

With a small smile on his lips and a nod of his head, he took her hand from where it rested by her side and brought it up to his own hand with the flowers. Gently he eased her hand around the stems, never breaking her gaze.

"White camellias for 'waiting' and yellow camellias for 'longing'. Raye, I am longing for you but I will wait, and wait, and wait, as long as it takes for you to love me back." He released her hand and still she had not moved. Her mouth was slightly open and her back stiff. A soft breeze stirred her hair, tickling her nose and she was brought back to Earth. Finally, she looked down at the flowers in her hands, unable to say a word.

Jadeite moved, and instantly her eyes were on his again. He smiled so sweetly, it stilled her heart. He leaned forward, closing the gap and kissed her on her check. When he leaned back, hour mouth was closed but her eyes still held hope in their violet pools. Braver than he felt, he leaned forward again and kissed her other cheek, so soft it would not have disturbed a sleeping baby. Finally, when he leaned back she was coming to herself and she instantly set about hiding her emotions behind a smirk of her own. Knowing he was out of time with his fire angel, he backed up to the first step.

"Until tomorrow, fire angle." He flashed her a grin. Refusing to speak to him, she swiftly turned on her heel and swept across the yard to her room. Jadeite watched her until she was inside and turned and made his way to his car feeling happier than he had in weeks.

Unbeknownst to him, Raye ran from the door to her room to peer out her window. She was shocked, yes. But she was also happy to see him gaze in her direction after she had left. Once he was gone and she felt safe from his presence, she looked down in earnest at her flowers. Raye walked to the kitchen to retrieve a small vase and began filling it with water, her smile unbidden on her lips.

Raye's grandfather was an old man, but the ways of the world were not lost upon him. He knew his granddaughter was had a new friend but he was happy to see her showing some affection for him. "What do you have there Raye?"

"Um, just some flowers grandfather." Raye turned to go back to her room. Grandfather was smiling to himself knowing that this could be the sort of thing to finally bring her real joy. He knew well the code of Japanese flower giving. He also know how much a Ferrari cost….. But more importantly, he knew the sort of man that would be able to make his granddaughter speechless.

"Until tomorrow Raye." Grandfather whispered to no one. He turned and went to the sacred fire knowing Raye would not be thinking of her duties for a while that night.