Hi to the readers of this story. I liked the whole Aphrodite idea that someone suggested and decided to go with that. This story is not a priority of mine so I have been adding stuff over a few months. Yes I am still working on my others. I just find it hard to find time for them. This is what I have come up with so far for this story. I hope it's how you wanted. I tried to keep it like the first chapter but found it difficult. Please enjoy.

Italics Thinking

Chapter 2: An Answer to Prayer

Authors POV

Two eyes looked out upon the lone solitary figure that walked along the footpath past the lake in Juuban Park. Dressed in a long coat to keep out the late autumn chill she walked aimlessly following the path. She was staring at everything, but at the same time looking at nothing. Her long blonde hair was being tossed about in the slight autumn breeze. She didn't seem to care because she was caught up in her own thoughts. As the solitary figure passed the watchful eyes her shoulders dropped just a little like she had lost some hope in whatever she was thinking about. This only caused the watcher to have more concern for the girl.

Aphrodite's POV

Aino Minako, I had heard her crying out for help from me. Who am I? Why I am the one and only Goddess of love. I hate to see one of my own struggling to make a match. It was true that this Tsukino Usagi and Chiba Mamoru needed a lot of help. I actually owe Selene a little favor. She had helped me out a few millennia ago. So in a way I could actually accomplish a few goals of mine at the same time. The fates where having a field day with Usagi and Mamoru it is true. They knew that this couple was extremely important to the fate of the Earth if not the whole universe. So they threw everything they had at them. Why? To test them, to prepare them for their future. Why else? It was making my job as Goddess of love extremely difficult. Nearly the whole of the other world was fighting against me. Placing bets and making a game out of this whole thing. It was my turn to team up. I had a few friends on my side. Selene for one. I think it would be best if we worked incognito to start with though. I had been listening to Minako's thoughts for a while now. I think it is time for me to start making some of my own suggestions.

Minako's POV

Everyone knows two heads are better than one. I know I'm not the best for coming up with ideas that will always work. So I am going to need a partner in crime, so to speak. Now who on earth am I to get onto my side? Who would help me get these two together? I haven't been friends with Usagi and Mamoru as long as some of the others have. I don't know that much about them I just know that they should be together.

Well let me see… Not Rei! She is smart when it comes to love and all of those things but, she's still got a crush on Mamoru not matter how hard she tries to pretend that she doesn't. Those feelings might cloud her judgment. Not Ami! Even though she is brainy she still thinks love is too illogical.

"What about Makoto"

I'm not too sure how much help she'll be to me. She has already had her heart broken once and is still tender in things that have to do with the matter of the heart.

"But she loves Usagi and she wants to help her out whatever way she can"

She does want what's best for Usagi though. I just have to convince her that Mamoru is perfect for her. She seems like my only logical options besides Andrew. I don't want to have to explain my reasons to Andrew. He'll ask too many questions. I just know I'll say something that I'm not supposed to say with regards to senshi business. I guess for now I will have to stick with Makoto. Now all I need is some sort of plan. How on earth can I trap them to admit their true feelings for one another? I guess I should talk it over with Makoto first. I hope she has enough for dinner for two people I'm starving.

Authors POV

So Minako turned and started towards Makoto's apartment building. She was at least continent with herself that she would somehow find an ally in Makoto. As Minako walked apartment building she began to form plans in her mind.

Now Makoto was not the Goddess of love but she did have a strong women's intuition. For a while she had been thinking that there was something going on between Usagi and Mamoru, more than the fighting that they showed on the surface. She had been watching Usagi critically this afternoon at the arcade. She noticed how her mood changed when Mamoru arrived. She saw how she tried to hide from him but at the same time she tried to get a good look at him while she thought no one else was watching her. She noticed how Minako had been watching both of them very quietly. She noticed how from that point on Minako had been deep in thought. There was no evil gleam in her eyes of smirk on her lips like every other time when she was cooking up pranks and schemes. Makoto saw how soon after Minako had walked off on her own quiet and reserved. Something that was completely opposite to the Minako she had known so far. Yes something was up and Makoto wanted to be a part of it. So as she prepared her meal for the night she began to think about things.

Makoto's POV

I wonder what Minako would think about Usagi and Mamoru as a couple. I think they would be perfect together. Usagi is so naïve sometimes about the evils of this world. Mamoru on the other hand it is world wise and strong enough to protect her from the evil in it. We girls can't be there for her all the time, I think Mamoru would live up to his name and be an appropriate protector for our little rabbit.

Authors POV

Makoto's musings where cut short by a knock at the door. "Now who on earth could that be" she said to herself aloud before yelling out "coming" to the mystery person behind the door. Makoto almost got the surprise of her life seeing Minako on the other side of the door

"Hi," Minako said a little shyly, "Umm you wouldn't have enough dinner for the two of us? I want to talk to you about something and it might take some time."

"I always cook too much for myself, your very welcome to join me, I was about to dish it up. If you help me set the table it will be ready in no time"

Soon they were seated sitting opposite each other pausing before they ate hands together they both shouted the traditional Japanese saying before meals "Itadakimasu!!!" They then both started eating their food. Makoto was the first to talk curiosity getting the better of her.

"So, aah, what is this important something that you had to talk to me about?"

"Well you know that I have the ability to see things about people, like who has feelings for whom and who should be together and stuff like that" Minako started with her intentions straight out. "No use wasting my time with small talk"

"Yeah, sure! Who exactly are we talking about here?" Makoto's interest was piqued.

"I know this may sound a little weird from outward appearances but I know that Usagi and Mamoru are meant to be together"

"I so was thinking that just today." Interjected Makoto "I'm so glad you confirmed it to me Mina"

"Well to me it seams like everything is getting in the way of them getting them together. I want to help them along a bit. First before anything else happens they both need to admit to themselves that they have feelings for each other. Then we can begin by trying to bring them together."

"That makes sense to me but how exactly are we going to do this"

"Well for the time being it was going to be just me and you. I thought I could work on Usagi and you could work on Mamoru because you have more of a friendship with him than I do"

"Yeah he's kind of a sempai of mine. We do Karate together. I suppose I could get him aside after class and ask for some private lessons or something and try to ask him about Usa".

"That's a great Idea. I could get Usagi aside and go do some girly things with her try to get some gossip going and get her to open up to me. Well that's settled I guess but we still have some major planning to do."

"Yeah it's getting a little late for you to walk home tonight do you want to stay here tonight. I can pull out the couch and we can stay up talking a bit. You could borrow some of my clothes and stuff to sleep in."

"Yeah can I give my parents a call, tell them I won't be home?

"Sure the phone is in the hall. Finished your meal? I'll start the dishes while you go and call"

"Thanks for that" Minako replied as she walked around the corner to the hall.

Please keep the ideas flowing if you want me to continue

Until next time

Jaina-Rei