A/N: Have you ever read one of those Marvel comics that came out in the 90s and saw the "Meanwhile..." box? Those always made me laugh. Anyways, this chapter is happening at the same time as the last one, hence the "Meanwhile..." comment. Sorry, I'm done being a nerd. One more thing, this starts after the conversation Haruka, Michiru, Usagi and Makoto had last chapter.

I love the reviews. You guys should see me in here grinning because I'm not the only person who had a heart break over the story that torments me at night lol. I'm all like "YES! YES! YESSS! THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS THINKING WHEN I MADE THAT UP! *fist pump*" Then I laugh at myself and feel silly for letting my thoughts control me that much. And is no one upset about the obvious intimacy Rei and Yuuko have? Like, sex for Minako doesn't really mean anything, but for Rei, sex, and a date, and letting that person bandage you when you're all beat up and useless, and sleeping together sans sex, and fingers in hair... Haha the power of straight sex to distract... *claims cool points that I tried to get a few chapters ago*

Honulicious: in order for love to prosper, someone must get hurt. Sad to say, it gets a lot worse. I'm trying to figure out an at least semi-happy end, but my muse wants everyone bleeding and dead and hurting. (And we can totally pretend that there was a condom. I can't imagine putting him and her together THAT intimately. I just didn't feel like writing it cuz it's so unsexy lol.) I want my OTP back together, but the things I have to do to my characters... just ugh. And I didn't really think about Mina getting anyone else anything with her money, but she totally does. It makes Kei too significant if she doesn't. Let's say she pays for half of Ami's college, all of Makoto's and buys Mamoru and Usagi a small condo. Better? You'll see what she does for Rei later. *wink*

Da Pyro's Love: omg thank you SOO MUCH! I felt the same way getting the ideas, and it's even harder to write them, then I have to edit and UGH! You get to read it once; it haunts my mind for DAYS. Fair warning: it gets worse before it gets better. But yeah, everyone is gonna feel like bull crap and I'm gonna make them all suffer for being stupid. Pay back is coming, but that hurt more to write than anything I ever wrote before in my life. Again, fair warning.

xXMiMiXx: I'm sorry about the straight sex. I was so reluctant to write it you have no idea. I hated that. I just needed it to happen. Plot device and all. But there weren't many details though... I tried to keep it rated R and not X lol. And you can kill Kei in your mind. I'm going to give him the emotional equivalent to being hang-drawn and quartered eventually.

yuki yami: Ugh I know. I hate my own self for it. (Blame Minako... It's not my fault! lol) And I'm glad you don't hate Yuuko. She's my baby and I'm so mean to her... but aside from R/M she's my favorite character in this fic, so a big part of me wants everyone to love her. And you can hate Kei. He's a little bitch, especially to Rei.

the-fanofanime: thank you so much! There is a lot more to come, I assure you.

Fireandlove: haha don't worry about it. Thanks for noticing it and saying something. And just kissing and making up is no fun! I have to make them cry, and bleed, and hurt and THEN kiss and make up. But after that there will be more crying and bleeding of course.

Disclaimer: see pervious chapter.

"Yasushi, have you seen Setsuna Meioh?"

The short man turned and his eyes fell on the father of Arai Kei. "I'm sorry I cannot help you, Hideki-san, but I haven't seen her in quiet a while."

The older man smiled. "But she was here, though, right?"

"Yes, but she could have left. Kei's gone and Minako has gone with him. Why are you looking for her?"

Hideki smiled again. "She's my girlfriend."

Yasushi looked down. Of course she would be interested in someone like Hideki. She'd be crazy to like him instead. "Oh. Well, I haven't seen her, and I have a lot to take care of so if you'll excuse me-"

"Of course."

Yasushi walked away and Hideki frowned. Where on Earth could Setsuna have gone?

He turned and was about to leave when he saw her. He smiled. She was beautiful.

Her hair looked like it had the day they had gone on their date. Her dress was longer than the other one he had seen her in, and was a dark green that seemed black in the dark, but brought out the strange coloring of her hair in the light. It was strapless and revealing, showing her bust and back. There were two slits along each leg. She wore long gloves the same color as the dress, and a pearl earring, necklace and bracelet set. It took all of the man's will power not to snatch her from the room and see what was under that dress and if the curtains matched the drapes.

He shook his head to clear it and approached the woman.

"You look even more lovely tonight than you did when I first saw you."

Setsuna frowned at the man. "Why are you here?"

He smiled dazzlingly at her. "You know my ties with Kei. That's why I am here."

"I meant why are you talking to me. I thought I made myself clear when I said I didn't want to see you again."

Hideki joined her in frowning. "I come to this party for our mutual acquaintance, see a familiar face, and get attacked for saying hello."

Setsuna let her frown fall. Her expression was now unreadable. "I'm not attacking you, but I was serious about not seeing you again. Yasushi-kun told me that you were looking for me."

Hideki felt his frown deepen as his confusion set in. Yasushi-kun? "Listen, Setsuna-chan, I wanted to see you again and I knew you would be here. I had to come as well, so I asked around for you a little."

"I would appreciate it if you never take it upon yourself to find me again, Arai-san. And let me make this very clear, I am not your girlfriend, nor anyone elses. I do not date. Especially not people like you."

The man reached for Setsuna's hand but she moved it away. "You dated me just a few weeks ago-"

"That was research. I had to see what kind of man my client's boyfriend's father was."

Hideki looked much like his son had looked nearly an hour earlier - as though he was about to cry. "Maybe we got off on a bad start-"

"No, I am just uninterested. I do not like being a 'girlfriend' any more than I like having illicit rumors being spread about me. Please find someone else to bother with your presence, Arai-san. I have other matters to attend to."

Setsuna walked away from the man, leaving him in a much worse state than she had the last time they parted company.

"Yasushi, may I have a word?"

The short man excused himself from his colleagues and addressed the man speaking to him.

"Is there a problem, Hideki-san?"

"I would simply like to inquire on the relationship you have with my girlfriend."

Yasushi frowned. "Hideki-san, I have no idea what you're talking about. From what I've heard, you have no girlfriend to speak of, and the woman that I assume you're talking about wants nothing to do with you."

Hideki matched Yasushi's frown with his own. "We're just having a few issues is all. Now what is she to you?"

"I'm not sure whether you are stalking her or not, Hideki-san, but you should seriously seek some help. She doesn't want anything to do with you. That's not 'just a few issues.' You should get over yourself."

Hideki's hands balled into fists. "Don't forget who hired you-"

"I have no need to remember you. You cannot fire me, nor do you pay my salary. If anything you should watch how you address me. You don't want me to forget where to send your checks, do you?"

The older man's eyes widened. "You wouldn't! I'll tell Kei!"

Yasushi chuckled. "Isn't that impressive. Arai Hideki is going to tell his son on me. I'll be sure to let your 'girlfriend' know about that one. I'm sure she'll love to hear it."

Hideki felt his frown come back, full force. "Are you trying to blackmail me?"

"You were trying to blackmail me, but I'm not that low. I'm warning you. Do not cross me again, Hideki-san. Now I told you before, I have things to take care of. Excuse me."

Hideki tightened his jaw, refusing to gape at the retreating back of the man in case Setsuna was watching. Not only did he not get any answers, his money and reputation were now on the line.

"Setsuna-chan, may I have this dance?"

The woman smiled and took the hand offered to her. "Of course, Yasushi-kun."

Anyone watching the two move on the dance floor would say they made quite an amusing contrast. She was six feet with her heels on, and he was barely above five six. She was a beauty, appearing only twenty-nine, and he looked at least fourty on a good day. She was slim and lean, and he was barely holding on to the line between pudgy and fat. However, as they moved in tandem with the music, they didn't care much for appearances. They were happy.

"May I cut in?"

Mamoru turned to the voice asking the question and smiled. "Only if I may cut as well."

Haruka smiled in return and the two switched partners. Haruka met Usagi's eyes and grinned. "Follow me."

The two danced around the floor, stopping in a seemingly random location. "Haruka what's going-"

Haruka pointed at the dancing time mage and her partner. Usagi's grin matched the one on Haruka's face. "Usagi, I don't see much of you, and we've never really done this before, but I'm missing my partner in crime, and it would be a shame to miss such an occasion. Would you be my blond other half for the night?"

The camera the smaller woman produced was more then enough of an answer for her.

Hideki watched in extreme annoyance as his girlfriend, though she was yet to admit it, danced with his old friend. Used to be friend. He willed himself to relax and walked up to the couple.

He forced himself not to frown as he noticed Yasushi's face laying on the breasts he so desperately wanted to hold. "Excuse me, may I cut in?"

Yasushi didn't look up, recognizing the voice. "I don't think that's the best idea. Besides, I don't want to let go."

The man felt his frown appear, but relaxed when Setsuna met his eyes. "Yasushi-kun, let me speak with Arai-san for a moment, please?"

The shorter man reluctantly let go of Setsuna's waist and watched as she walked to the hall with Hideki. He sighed. He was going to go sit down when a blond haired man and woman approached him with wolfish grins. He gulped.

"Hideki-san, I would greatly appreciate it if you would leave me alone."

"Setsuna-chan, just give me a chance."

"I am not interested in you."

"What is it that you dislike about me?"

"There is nothing that I particularly dislike, but I don't like you."

Hideki frowned yet again. He was convinced this night alone would give him wrinkles. "Setsuna-chan, you don't know me. How do you know that you don't like me?"

"On the contrary. I know all about you. You left your son to be raised by your best friend because you were afraid to do it and didn't know how to be a single father. Instead of parenting, you party and leave your responsibilities on someone else. You don't even acknowledge that you're the boys father. Instead, you changed your name, dyed your hair, and created a false paper trail making it almost impossible for anyone to find out that you're really his father.

"You use the money from the son that you don't claim to fund your habits and your lifestyle, but you couldn't even show up on time to his birthday party. You're a heart breaker and notorious for one night stands.

"Not only that, but you're a spoiled brat who wants to have everything his way and will do anything to get it. I'm sorry to burst your bubble, Hideki-kun, but I'm not something or someone you can wrap your hands around and call yours. I cannot be brought, I cannot be swayed, and I have made my mind up about this matter. Now stop stalking me."

Setsuna turned and was about to re-enter the party, but a sturdy grip on her wrist stopped her.

"Look, you're right. You're right about everything. I just didn't know how to raise Kei by myself after my wife died. I tried to look for a new wife, but no one was good enough to be in my son's life. I didn't have the time, effort, or ability to explain, so I just dumped them and moved on with my life. I wanted to be there for Kei, I really did, but I wasn't sure how to do that. Yasushi is better at dealing with kids than I am, and he helped him to deal with the music business, so I left all of that to him while I looked for a new wife.

"You're the only person to ever impress me, Setsuna-chan." His hand cupped her cheek. "I want to make you my wife, and Kei's mother."

Setsuna scoffed. "You've got to be kidding me. I wouldn't want to be that brat's mother if it would save my life. And I already told you, I don't do the girlfriend role. What makes you think I want to be your wife?"

"Setsuna-chan," the man's hand came up from Setsuna's wrist and cupped her other cheek, as he whispered his next words. She was fighting not to get lost in his eyes, and failing miserably. "I could be everything you've ever dreamed of, and even more."

He brought his lips down to hers, and she locked her knees, lest they give out from under her.

"What are your intentions with Setsuna?"

"Have you had sex yet?"

"How do you know her?"

"Have you had sex yet?"

"How long have you known her?"

"Have you had sex yet?"

Usagi frowned and looked at her friend. "Don't you have anything else to ask?"

Haruka grinned. "Of course, but he has to answer that question first."

Usagi rolled her eyes and let her gaze fall back on the man they were interrogating. "Speak up. We don't want to hold you here all night, but we will if we have to."

"Yeah. Answer my question."

Yasushi looked from one blond to the other as he was questioned. He felt like he was in a detective movie with two bad cops. "I'm sorry, I think you'd do better to ask Setsuna about those things."

Haruka nodded. "You must have had sex then. Was she dusty?"

Usagi laughed out loud. "Seriously, Haruka?"

The older blond shrugged. "Did you see any cobwebs? Spiders? Anything else that would show signs of neglect and age?"

Usagi clapped her hands trying to control her hysteria. "Haruka, shut up!"

The man blinked. Setsuna wasn't old, was she?

Usagi managed to compose herself and looked into the man's eyes. "Ignore her. She and Sets have a bitter friendship. I still want to know what your intentions are for my friend."

Yasushi swallowed. "I really don't have any. I'm just going with her flow, honestly. You'd have to ask her what she wants."

Haruka frowned. "There wasn't even one speck of dust? No bats flying around?"

Usagi chuckled. "Shut up. You don't even know if they had sex."

"Last time I check, Sets didn't let anyone touch those boobs of hers, and he was totally face to tit a second ago."

Yasushi blushed. Usagi grinned.

Haruka raised a quizzical eyebrow toward the embarrassed man. "How do they feel? I've been trying to touch those things for ages."

Hideki pulled away from Setsuna's lips and let his hands fall to the sides of her neck.

Slap.

Hideki grabbed the reddening side of his face, turning his hurt gaze on the woman in front of him. "What was that for?"

Setsuna's face was as unreadable as ever. "What was that kiss for?"

"It just felt right."

"You have no idea how right it felt to slap you."

Hideki gaped for a while, then chuckled. He grabbed her hands. "I think I may love you, Setsuna-chan."

Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "Now it's my turn to tell you that you don't know a thing about me."

The man nodded. "You're right. I don't. Can that change?"

"No it cannot. Did I not tell you not to kiss me?"

"You may have said something like that before."

"When I say something, I mean it, Hideki-kun."

Before he could stop himself the words were out of his mouth. "What's your relationship with Yasushi?"

"Haruka! You don't ask a man what his girlfriend's breasts feel like!"

Haruka grinned. "I asked Mamoru-san about yours."

Usagi gasped. "You didn't! What did he say?"

Haruka's grin widened. She loved lying. "He told me to do this." Her hands reached out and took a fleshy globe in each hand, squeezing. She chuckled at Usagi's blush and pulled her hands back before either of their lovers could catch sight of her.

Usagi slapped her on the arm. "Mamo-chan wouldn't tell you to do that. Stop lying on him!"

The older blond pouted and grabbed her wounded arm. "You didn't have to hit me."

Usagi looked smug. "Fine, I'll just tell Michiru on you."

Haruka wasn't paying attention. "Where did he go?"

"I don't believe that is any of your business."

Hideki hang his head. "I know. I shouldn't have asked. He's a nice guy. I understand if you want to be with him."

Setsuna rolled her eyes. "You're pretty slow. I told you, I don't not want to be with anyone. Not you, not him, not a woman, not a man, no one. We work together and we shared a single dance. That is all."

The man raised an eyebrow. "You don't want to be with anyone at all? Don't you get lonely?"

Setsuna shrugged. "I prefer solitude. When I want company, my friends suffice."

"Male friends?"

Setsuna frowned. "What are you insinuating?"

Hideki let her hands go and put his own in his pockets. "Nothing. But you have to get horny. Everyone has needs, Setsuna-chan. Especially beautiful women."

"I do not see sex as a need. It is a desire and a carnal pleasure. I can do without it."

Hideki's other eyebrow joined the first on the top of his head. "You can't be serious. You must not have ever had sex."

The woman hid her emotions from her face. She was trying not to laugh at the man. "I am not a virgin, Hideki-kun."

He crossed his arms across his chest. "So you've only had bad sex."

"I've had pleasurable experiences before."

"But you can't have ever had an orgasm."

Setsuna felt her control slipping. "I am no stranger to orgasmic sex, Hideki-kun. I can just live without it."

Hideki was still unconvinced. "When was the last time you had sex?"

Setsuna thought back. Sometime before the War of 1812... Or was it before Columbus sailed... It had been a while. "That's not important, nor is it any of your business."

He looked at her pityingly. "You poor thing."

Setsuna frowned, her humor gone. "Do not patronize me."

"I wasn't. I really feel bad for you. Everyone has to enjoy sex, Setsuna-chan."

"I never said I didn't en-"

"You need to get laid, Setsuna-chan."

"I can't find him anywhere."

"Me either. He must have left. I wonder who he was."

"Now we might not ever find out."

Haruka smiled and tapped her camera. "No, Usagi. Minako probably knows."

Setsuna gaped. She felt like she was suddenly talking to Haruka. "That is none of your concern."

"I'm aware that it isn't, but that doesn't make it any less true. You're cranky, agitated, cold, uptight, angsty, and lonely. Sex would be good for you."

Setsuna made a mental note to kill Minako. This was why she didn't date. "Stop bothering yourself with the details of my sex life."

"You're a grown woman and are well aware of what you want and need in life. What you do behind closed doors is no business of mine, and I'd do good to butt out, right?"

The woman blinked. "Yes."

Hideki chuckled. "My late wife said those words to me. You really are just like Kei's mother. He'd do good to have your influence in his life, even without you dating me."

He pulled her gently against his body. "But don't get me wrong, I still want to marry you, Setsuna-chan."

He started to kiss her but her finger came up between them. "I'm not drunk enough to let you kiss me again, Hideki-kun."

The man smiled down at her. "You weren't drunk the first time I kissed you. I see no reason for circumstances to change." He moved her hand with his own and crashed his lips against hers.

"Morning, beautiful."

"Good morning, Arai-san."

Setsuna's fingers tangled in his hair for the thousandth time that morning as she pulled his face down to hers for a morning kiss. He was right last night. She did need to have sex.

A/N: Ugh. More (insinuated) straight sex. Where is this coming from? Why do I keep writing this? Those Arai guys are horrible influences.

Also, when I read over this, I realized that it didn't seem like there was enough time for Setsuna to have had a conversation with Yasushi before Hideki saw her, but he was thinking for quite a while about his conversation with Yasushi before he decided to leave the party.

This scene is going to become important later, even though it's pretty irrelevant right now.

AND A BIG SHOUT OUT TO ALL THE LEFTIES (like me) FOR NATIONAL LEFTIE DAY! Seriously, being "right" doesn't you're correct. Being "left" is cooler (and harder, so more props) anyways!