Disclaimer: I don't own anybody in the stories so please don't sue me… I'm just a pitiful fanfic writer…
Of Love and War
Chapter Eight
"Appearances"
As the ladies climbed the stairs, Makoto quietly refolded the paper and put it back in her pocket.
Ami noticed, but said nothing. Minako chattered at the others incessantly, but even Usagi and Rei were off
in their own world. Makoto silently reviewed Shinozaki's letter, Odd request. Stay away from a man who
talks about astronomy. He will definately have to explain that one. And I don't wear only pants anymore. Not
that he would know. I wish-. Oh, stop it. But I probably should ask someone for help choosing an outfit.
Group Conference would arouse suspicion. Can't ask Minako. Definitely not Minako. Ami?
Makoto glanced at Ami, "Ami-chan?" but there was no response.
"Ami-chan" Makoto tried again, tapping her friend on the shoulder.
"What? Oh, Mako-chan. What was it you wanted?"
"I need some help choosing a dress for the ball."
Usagi suddenly woke from her reverie, and piped up, "May I help?"
"If you wish." Makoto replied, a little surprised that Usagi was more awake then she appeared. However, Rei
and Minako remained undisturbed, one chattering and the other pretending to listen but not really bothering.
Ami suddenly realized, "It's nearly three. Unless you want your conference after dinner, we will have to begin
now." Makoto agreed and the three quickly met in Makoto's room. Makoto tried on every dress she had with
her and, although Ami and Usagi adored most of them, Makoto was unsatisfied. So, Usagi went into her
room for a moment to retrieve her dress options and as Ami went to do the same, she paused at the door.
"Mako-chan,"
"hmmm?"
"How well do you really know that knight?"
"Which knight?"
"The one who gave you that note."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Mako-chan, I'm not Minako, and that won't even work on her."
sigh "I know."
"We three, Usagi, you, and I, we need to talk, I think. That's why she wanted to join in."
"But how do we start?"
"When I get back, ask Usagi about that Lord Darien. That's a start."
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Shinozaki stared at the mirror, choosing shirts and then dismissing them again. I will be late to dinner unless
I decide soon. Hell, I'll ask Ryo. He quickly tugged on a random shirt and slipped into the corridor. Then he
walked the three paces to the next door and called, "Ryo-kun! I need to ask you something."
Ryo's voice replied, "Alright. Hold on a moment."
sigh "Holding."
Ryo then came to the door in the same disheveled state that Shinozaki appeared in, "Oh. Same trouble?"
"Hai."
"Fine, just give me an opinion first, since you're already here." Ryo sighed and stepped aside to let his friend
inside. After a few minutes, a general consensus had been reached in Ryo's search for a shirt. However, as
they added opinions (for Mamoru, Yuuichirou, and Motoki had joined them over the course of about five
minutes), it had become more difficult to decide. As the three newcomers left to retrieve their options from
their rooms, Ryo decided it was safe to have a short conversation on their female troubles.
"So, Shinozaki-kun,"
"Yes?"
"What's the real story about the girl."
"What do you mean? If you weren't listening I'm not going to repeat the-"
"I heard what you said. That doesn't mean I believe it."
"That's not my fault."
"But it is. You have certain facial expressions that you use when you're lying."
"Well, then. You know I wasn't lying."
"Opposite actually."
"Really?"
"Really."
Shinozaki kept his face passive while he thought franticly, Now what? What can I say that's not a lie but
won't become the basis for the worst episode of teasing I will ever be party to. Or worse, if they tell Mako
about the sketches... oh, shit.
Ryo watched him carefully, as Shinozaki opened his door. Ryo followed him in and waited for him to reply.
But he didn't. Shinozaki went to his closet and began picking out shirts in silence, thinking franticly.
Ryo decided to break the silence, "I didn't mean that I wanted a second public explanation. I want the truth for
myself. I told you about Lady Ami and I want the truth about Lady Makoto."
Shinozaki glanced back at Ryo, calculating the percentage of truth that might be acceptable, who realized this
and halted the calculations with simple reminder, "and I know when you are not telling the whole truth
because it is the same as lying."
Shinozaki sighed and began at the beginning.
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"Well," Usagi sighed, "Lord Darien-I was sure he said Mamoru before, but I could be mistaken, I suppose-
spotted me when I was wandering in the rose gardens-they are so beautiful, aren't they?- and joined me in
wandering through them. He was very charming and I... Well... He is... I don't know."
"You mean he is that man who I had to drag you away from that day when I had to go get you?" Makoto
gasped.
"Yes. But then again you were running from someone too, but you wouldn't talk about it."
"No I wasn't."
"You were too, don't lie. I'm telling you, so now you should return that courtesy."
"I'm sorry Usagi-chan. It's just difficult to talk about. I'm out of practice, and avoiding it entirely is easier."
Makoto sighed and took a deep breath, "I was running from Shinozaki. I was angry at him before I went,
shocked to find him there, and then I felt that I did not wish to see him, so I ran away. Who is he? He was my
best friend during childhood, my mother's best friend's child. Her god-child, even. We were inseparable.
Until... Until the day that he left for training. I haven't seen him from that day, eight years ago, until today. He
sent word, every year, that he had to do this or that and so he wouldn't be coming back this year during the
holidays, or he wouldn't be able to take his leave. That is my history with Shinozaki Miyake."
"But how do you feel about him?" Ami asked boldly.
"I don't know. He was as close as a brother to me then. But now? I don't know. He's different. I can tell. He
acts differently now."
"Do you think he could be a potential candidate for Jupiter Knight?"
"In skill? I will have to see. As he is, for being my friend? No. I have learned more discipline then that."
Just then, there was a loud knocking on the door and Rei announced, "If you don't hurry up, you're going to
be late! We have less then a half-an-hour left until dinner! Remember, we have lots of time to change into our
other gowns for the Ball!"
"Oh no! We still haven't chosen anything!" Ami cried.
"Ami, why don't you wear that ice blue gown that your wore for my birthday? You looked very nice in that!"
Usagi suggested.
"Very well..." Ami sighed, "but what about Mako-chan?"
Usagi thought for a moment, "How about that emerald gown you were going to wear for my, cancelled, engagement party?"
Makoto squirmed, "Well. I don't know. It's rather... noticeable."
"Mako-chan, that is the point of making oneself look nice." Ami pointed out.
"It's true, Mako-chan. Just wear that one." Usagi got up from her seat by the window and quickly went to her
own room to put on the pink dress that had been suggested to her earlier in the conversation.
Then, Ami quickly left after Usagi to get ready for dinner. When they had left, Makoto quickly set aside the
emerald gown, with it's bodice edges embroidered leaves of gold thread and full skirt of green silk, and
then returned to her closet to choose a dress for dinner. In the end, she chose a simple teal gown and, after
brushing her hair, she quickly went out into the hall where the others were waiting.
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AUTHOR NOTES-So, how do you like it so far? Comments, criticism, flames (less of those then the other two please) then REVIEW! Tell me how you like it (or don't like it)! Lightning Girl