Lita's New Year's Cookie Scramble Chapter 2 The Calm Before the Scramble, a sailor moon fanfic

Lita's New Year's Cookie Scramble
By Douglas Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl

This story and our other Sailor Moon stories reside at our Shoujo Fiction .com domain. Comments are welcomed and encouraged.

Chapter 2 - The Calm Before the Scramble

Raye Hino, Shinto priestess of the Cherry Hill Temple, gazed over the trays of cookies laid out before her in the temple's kitchen. Row upon row of chocolate chip, peanut butter, walnut, oatmeal, crème, and other assorted cookies as well as other confections sat waiting to be sold. The raven-haired teen turned to the chef.

"Lita, you really went all out for us. I can't tell you how much I... we appreciate this..." Raye frowned a little. "Or were you anticipating Serena eating a lot of them?"

"Don't worry, Raye." The brunette grinned and held up a large jar filled with loose cookies. "THESE are for us."

"Good planning," Raye commented. "You better go hide them, Lita."

"Hide what?" asked a voice. The duo turned and saw Reenie stroll into the kitchen followed by her floating companion.

"Hi," Lita called, "Where's Serena?"

"You know Serena. She smelled ice cream..." The youngster shrugged and dropped the second bag she had been carrying to the floor, "So what were you gonna hide?"

"The cookies that Lita made for us to share," Raye replied. "I don't want Serena snarfing them down while you're selling them too; it'd look bad." Reenie started to giggle but stopped while nervously looking around for her fourteen year old "cousin".

"Good idea!" Reenie remarked then asked, "Lita, can I help you hide 'em?"

"Sure you can, Reenie," Lita remarked with a grin.

"Oh, they look so yummy!"

"This is the batch that you helped me with," the tall teen replied with a big grin pointing to the jar. "Let's go get these put away and you can drop your bag in Raye's room." She cast a look at the second bag on the floor. "Is that Serena's?" The little girl nodded.

"She made you carry it?" Raye asked in a disgusted tone of voice. Annoying or not, Reenie was still just a little kid.

"No, I offered..." With that, the younger girl hefted the bag. "Come on, Lita, let's go hide those before her royal piggy-ness finds them."

- - - - -

The pink-haired girl followed Lita into Raye's bedroom. "Now where would be a good place to hide 'em from our fearless leader?" Lita wondered rhetorically. She then regarded Reenie. The little girl was wearing a set of jeans and what looked suspiciously like one of Serena's sweaters. "Is that Serena's?" Lita asked.

"Nuh huh..." Puffy pink pigtails flopped back and forth, as Reenie shook her head. "Darien got it for me." She frowned. "It's a little big," she admitted. "I think he actually got it for Serena and then forgot he broke up with her." Her frown deepened. "How he could forget something like that..." Not that she thought Darien should be dating her ditzy cousin but Serena didn't deserve his callous treatment of her either.

"So he gave it to you?" Reenie nodded, which made Lita wonder silently, 'Why does he buy her stuff? Serena can't be right... Can she?' The teenager sighed and shook her head. Luna Ball, who had been floating behind the little girl, silently guided over to the bed and landed on a set of red and white robes.

"Are these the robes we're gonna wear?" the youngster asked instead.

"Yeah..." came the muffled response from the teen who had her head poked into Raye's closet.

"Good, I'm gonna get ready," Reenie announced and grabbed a set of robes that looked as if they'd fit.

"Kiddo, hold on... We don't start until eight. You got lots of time."

"I wanna make sure Serena knows I'm helping," the seven year old declared from under the top white portion of the robe. "Boy, these things gots lotsa room." The teenager looked and grinned. The set of robes that Reenie was attempting to put on were meant for Serena.

'I won't spoil her fun,' Lita decided and once again started for a good place to stash the sweet treats.

- - - - -

"Hi gang!" Mina chirped brightly as she bounced into the kitchen where Raye was standing guard over the cookies. Meanwhile, Serena was grumbling to herself about the unfairness of it all. The meatball-headed blonde hadn't been allowed a single cookie.

"Okay, Raye, Mina's here. I wanna cookie!" Serena declared.

"Amy's NOT here and you'd horde the lot," Raye reported then turned toward the new arrival. "Hi Mina, you seem pumped."

"Sure am. There are lots of cute hunks out there just waiting for the 'Goddess of Love' to come into their life." She struck a pose.

"Goddess of Love?" Serena asked trying to hold back a snicker. Raye looked ill.

"Yeah, me!" the beribboned blonde squealed. "After all, I am Sailor Venus." She winked and blew a kiss.

"Oh brother," Raye remarked, rolling her eyes.

- - - - -

Sometime later, Amy Anderson trotted up the steps leading to the Cherry Hill Temple. The fourteen year old had opted for an aquamarine-colored dress and because it was cold, a set of white legwarmers. For a bit more color, she added a small yellow sash around her waist. She was carrying her biology textbook, which she hoped to study, to stay nine chapters ahead when Ms. Haruna's class began after the break. Knowing her friends, it was unlikely that she'd get the chance to study it. Nevertheless, it was always best to be prepared.

The warm glow of lanterns ahead pushed back thoughts of school and the encroaching darkness of that cold December night. The teen could hear voices calling to each other and as she mounted the last step, she paused looking about her. The temple grounds were scattered with various stalls in the final stages of construction. The stall operators were rushing about, making sure things were set, and that their booths had the best decorations to attract patrons.

Friends and rivals called back and forth across the open area of the ground. Amy paused for a moment and drew in a deep breath through her nose. She smelled roasting chestnuts, cotton candy, popcorn, and other wonderful smells that made her stomach growl. It reminded her that she had not had time to eat supper.

She spotted her friend Raye Hino, and was about to call out to the shrine maiden, but then thought better of it. Raye looked more than a little frazzled dealing with some vendors.

Instead of interfering, the blue-haired teen made her way inconspicuously to the building containing the temple's private living quarters. Once inside, she could hear Serena and Mina laughing over something. Following the sounds of the two giggling blondes, Amy quickly found the pair in Raye's room.

"Hey Ames!" Serena greeted. Serena was dressed in cream-colored slacks and a pink blouse. Her long golden hair was held up with white heart-shaped ribbons.

"Hi-ee!" Mina sang. She was wearing a red dress with white frill. Amy tried hard not to giggle; Mina looked as if she was ready for a children's birthday party.

"So," the blond princess asked, "Where have you been hiding?"

The Scout of Mercury blinked. "What do you mean? I just arrived, Serena."

"Huh?!" Serena demanded. Mina looked mildly worried and inched away from her friend.

"I just got here." Her friend looked puzzled. "Yes, Serena, you got here before I did." 'It was bound to happen eventually by sheer chance.' "Please don't make an issue of it." 'There's still plenty of time before...' Amy frowned, tapped her bottom lip, and then asked, "I see... You believed that I was here already?"

"Raye..." Serena declared in a tightly controlled voice, "That fire breath told me that you were ALREADY here!"

"Come on now, girlfriend," Mina interjected in a conciliatory tone, "I bet she was just having a little fun. Give her a break."

"A little fun!" Serena thundered and then nodded, "She majorly razzed me about being late. I'm gonna go tell her that you just got here."

"I wouldn't recommend it," Amy cautioned, "When I was coming in, Raye appeared quite busy."

"Raye's the one that's been majorly chomping at the bit wanting to get things done. We're all set! Lita's here, those yummy looking cookies are here. Can't she stop worrying?" Before either teen could stop their meatball-headed friend, Serena left the room.

"Oh my... Seems I've inadvertently stirred the proverbial pot," Amy remarked as she dumped her stuff into a corner.

"Don't worry, Amy," Mina said, "Raye just wants everything to go off perfectly tonight. She's been pushing Serena's buttons over getting ready for days." The ribbon-wearing blonde considered for a moment. "Of course, Serena asked Raye if she wanted Serena to go home..."

"What did she say?"

"Raye changed the subject," Mina admitted.

Amy winced. 'Sometimes I wish they'd just grow up.' "So," she asked as she settled onto a cushion on the floor, "Where's Lita?"

"Her and Reenie are setting up our booth."

"Oh Reenie came too. Maybe that's what is aggravating Serena."

Mina shook her head. "I don't think so... Should we go try and save Raye from Serena?"

The teen considered. She looked over at her textbook and then shook her head. 'That can wait.' "Let's go see how Lita's doing."

- - - - -

Lita inspected the last of their booth's decorations with smug satisfaction. She then turned to her small helper and held back a giggle. Reenie was dressed (or more aptly draped) in Serena's shrine robes. Neither Serena nor Reenie had discovered that the child was wearing them.

Reenie carefully wrote out prices for the cookies with a large colored marker on a three-foot square sheet of white cardboard. "How's it coming, kiddo?" she asked her young assistant.

"Okay," the little girl replied and smiled up at Lita. She held up the product of her labor for the teenager's approval and smiled once again when the tall brunette presented her a thumbs-up sign. 'She sure looks different from this afternoon.' Lita was dressed in a rather cool looking black outfit.

Reenie glanced towards the price list and then frowned. "Y'know... We're selling these way too cheap."

"Why?"

"'Cause they're so super yummy!" The child's stomach growled in agreement.

Lita grinned and then rumpled the little girl's hair. "Thanks, Reenie. I always liked baking, but if we overprice them, we'd never sell anything and this money's going to the temple." 'That's why Raye is so stressed.' She covered her mouth as she yawned. "Sorry..." 'Maybe Serena and Amy can take the first shift so I can catch a snooze.' She glanced at her watch. 'About a half hour before things get going.' She gazed about one more time. Satisfied, she crouched down. "Hey... Wanted to ask you, how'd you con Serena into letting you wear jeans and a sweater?"

The teenager watched with interest as the youngster blushed for a moment. "You don't have to tell me, Reenie, if you don't wanna."

"Oh..." The little girl absently drew a bunny head in pink on the price list, then admitted, "I have my PJs on underneath. Please don't tell the others... I sorta said I might catch cold so..."

"Did she find out you were gone?"

"Auntie Ellen and Uncle Ken caught on the way home." Lita winced. "Serena was pretty good, but Auntie was really mad." The seven year old blushed then and looked around. "I didn't think I'd get to come." 'Serena didn't have to be so nice. Maybe Lita was right.' "Auntie said I gots to be on my bestest behavior... or else!"

She frowned then as her friend laughed. Before Reenie could say anything, Amy's voice called out, "Hi, you two!"

"Hey Amy! Mina, did Serena find the 'goods'?" Lita wondered with a grin.

"No, not yet," Mina answered.

"Hi Amy! Mina!" Reenie greeted. "See!" She held up the price list.

"Very good, Reenie," the blue-haired girl complimented and then glowered at Mina who giggled.

"Mina, where's Serena?" Reenie asked.

"Talking with Raye," Mina replied and then wondered, "So, are we all set?"

"Yep, Amy if you wanna cookie, I made us a batch. They're hidden in Raye's room." She winked.

The genius girl blinked. "Was that really necessary?"

"Oh yeah... Once Serena gets a hold of 'em, they'll be all gone in five seconds," Lita predicted with a grin.

"Yeah, she's such a pig," Reenie agreed and then clapped her hands over her mouth and looked wildly around. 'Sorry Serena.'

"Don't worry, kiddo. You're safe," Lita commented dryly, "Serena isn't here yet."

"Hope not. I promised her and Auntie I'd be good," Reenie squeaked. "When do you think things will really get going?"

"Oh, fairly soon, some booths are operating already," Amy observed. She then continued, "Well, I should change into my robes too."

"We got about half an hour. Let's go chill for a bit," Lita suggested with another yawn.

- - - - -

Raye Hino swept through the Cherry Hill Temple grounds inspecting the various stalls that were setup and making last-minute changes. Some booths were being run by the temple itself, such as the cookie stall and the booth where Raye would be selling charms. Others were being run by others who were renting space and/or donating some proceeds to the temple. That didn't stop Raye from worrying however -- she had to protect the Cherry Hill Temple's image after all.

Of course, a bigger concern was her grandfather... and Serena. One issue with Serena though seemed to be solved -- Reenie was acting more subdued. The raven-haired teen had wondered about the youngster's demure behavior but quickly shrugged it off. As long as they weren't arguing, Raye didn't care. When they did, Raye would just have to duct tape Serena into silence. 'At least,' Raye thought as she headed towards her own booth, 'Chad isn't following me around like a puppy dog.' The elder Hino was keeping his acolyte busy with jobs and helping to make sure everything was ready for the bell ringing ceremony.

"Raye!" Raye paused, turning towards the calling voice. "Hey Raye!" She found Serena coming towards her at a gallop.

"What is it, Serena?" the raven-haired girl demanded.

"Ames is here."

Raye sighed, glanced at her watch, and then nodded. "Good..." She looked serious for a moment. "You didn't scarf all the cookies yet, did you?"

Serena, who had come to a stop in front of Raye, put her hands on her hips, and demanded, "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means, Meatball Head, did you eat all the cookies that we're planning on selling to the guests? Our temple needs this money."

"No," the blonde huffed tartly, "Jeez, Raye, if you don't want me here, just say so!"

"Of course, I want you here, Serena," the priestess lied. "Now go tell the others that I'll be right there. I just need to check on Gramps and Chad." The teen watched her golden-haired friend scamper off before sighing softly.

"Trouble?" asked a male voice. Raye pivoted and came face to face with Darien.

"Just being Serena's friend is hard sometimes."

"I know what you mean, Raye," the young man commented, his eyes trailing after the retreating blonde.

"You're still in love with her, aren't you?" She snorted when he shook his head. "Well, don't be surprised when she grows out of loving you. She has a fragile heart." She cocked her head to the side. "Personally, I would've nailed your scrawny hide to the wall for what you did but Serena's just too good-hearted for that."

"Just like you're too good-hearted to tell her the truth?" Darien quipped. Raye whirled and marched away, her nose in the air. He chuckled softly to himself, "Some things never change."

- - - - -

Lita walked into the private quarter's kitchen and snapped sharply, "Serena, get your pigtails away from those cookies!" The meatball-headed blonde yelped and scuffled away from the inviting pile of cookie trays. "Honestly," the teen declared as she walked over to her other friends, "I told you that I'd make us a batch... actually REENIE AND I made this batch especially for you guys to share."

"But, what's the diff?" Serena protested looking between the neatly spaced cookies on the counter waiting on plastic wrap covered trays to be taken to the booth and the container of loose cookies in Lita's hands. "I mean we couldn't we just like exchange them?"

"The 'diff', Meatball Head," Raye began tartly, "Is that if you eat any of the ones we're trying to sell, I'll break every one of your fingers..." Her eyes narrowed as she added, "One at a time... princess or not."

Serena pouted and whined, "Why are you being so mean?!"

"Raye's just joking," Reenie offered. 'I hope...' It wouldn't pay to get Serena ticked enough to stalk off back home. That would mean her grounding would start immediately.

"Here Raye..." the tallest of the girls said by way of a subject change, "Have a cookie and relax or you're gonna blow a gasket. How can you make everyone good luck charms and stuff while you have a vein pulsing on your forehead ready to explode?"

Raye grabbed one and nibbled it, trying to relax. "Sorry, Lita, it's just... I don't want anything to give the temple a bad image. I just hope Grandpa..." 'And Serena...' "Will behave."

"I thought Chad was with him," Mina remarked as Lita offered the container to Amy who carefully blocked it so Serena couldn't make a grab for it.

"He is," Raye complained, "But... Well... he's Chad."

"Yeah, you're hunka-hunka-burnin'-love," Serena stage-whispered, which caused the shrine maiden to blush brightly and the other girls to laugh.

"You better take a couple more, Ames," Lita recommended to her friend who had only taken one, "When Serena gets her hands on these, there won't be even crumbs left."

"Yeah, she's..." the pink-haired youngster began and then trailed off. "I mean she's not that bad... most of the time."

"What?" the blonde in question demanded as she trained her big blue eyes onto the seven year old.

"I just mean you're a bottomless pit sometimes," Reenie tried again, "Sorta like... What did 'Google Glasses' call you... a 'black hole'?" She pressed her lips together, hoping to prevent any further speech. Serena looked ready to erupt like a volcano.

"She does have a point," Mina pointed out as she copped her share of cookies. "Relax, girlfriend, I don't think I could eat as much as you do and still keep that thin."

Next, Lita held the container towards Reenie who shook her head. "What's wrong? You helped make them, have a go."

"I already snuck a couple when you weren't looking," Reenie stated before turning her attention back to Serena who was still fuming.

It was Raye who saved her. "Serena," the raven-haired teen announced out of left field, "I think you should date another guy."

"EH?!" the group asked in unison.

"First, Darien dumps Serena and ever since, he's been acting like a complete dweeb to her." Before anyone could comment, the fiery teen got a thoughtful look on her face and continued, "I wonder if... Nah!"

"What?!" Serena and Reenie demanded.

"Well... You don't think it's the enemy again."

"The Negaverse?" Reenie asked puzzled, "Why would they wanna have Darien dump me... er Serena?" She glanced nervously towards Serena but the blonde was paying attention to Raye. 'Close one.'

"I never thought of that..." Serena admitted thoughtfully. "Well, I don't think so. I mean he majorly doesn't wanna be around me. It doesn't seem like when Queen Beryl..." She shrugged and looked longingly at Lita who took the hint and handed the jar with the remaining cookies over to her ravenous friend. "What about you, Lita?"

"I had a few out of there before heading over. I didn't eat a lot of supper." The brunette yawned. "What say Amy and Serena take the first round, I wanna crash for a bit."

"Sure," Mina agreed, "Me and you can do second shift. Besides, I wanna wander about." 'And scope for guys.' "I'll come wake you."

"What about me?!" Reenie questioned.

"You're staying put in Raye's room, young lady," Serena mumbled around a mouthful of cookies. She swallowed. "Mom didn't say that you could run around the temple all by yourself." Her brow wrinkled as she regarded Reenie. 'Those robes look big on her...'

"But..." Reenie trailed off and then surprised everyone by squeaking, "Yes, ma'am."

Serena grabbed the remaining cookies and stood. "Well, Ames, if we're up first, shouldn't we get our robes on?" Amy nodded, grabbed a few more cookies from Serena -- a rather daring feat -- and stood up. "Reenie, you majorly need to give me my robe back."

"Huh?" the youngster asked looking down at herself.

"You wanted to help out so much that you snagged mine."

"No wonder it was so big," Reenie commented and then asked, "I mean can't I come help you?" She gave the teenager a pleading look.

Serena considered and then agreed. "Sure, come on kiddo, you can help me and Amy."

- - - - -

"All right, Chad," Grandfather Hino commented as his young apprentice slumped to the ground beside him, "It looks like we're finally ready." Hard panting was his only response. "My boy, you've been with us for some time and still you are out of shape. You have to stop mooning over Raye."

"I don't!"

The old priest laughed and patted the younger man on the back. "Don't think I don't see it. I might be a little long in the tooth but I see the signs."

"You do?"

"Of course, what's not to like about a very attractive figure? Then too, they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder." He prodded the younger man to a standing position. "Go find my granddaughter and tell her that I said you were to help her."

"She won't like that, Grandpa," Chad pointed out, although he was already moving. The elder Hino just chuckled and waved the young man away. He knew she agreed that she wouldn't date until she was sixteen.

- - - - -

The festivities were well underway at the Cherry Hill Temple when Molly Baker came to the top of the stairs. She looked around and gave a low whistle. "Wow! Things sure are swinging here..." She started picking her way through the crowd of people wanting to see the different stalls. There were games and food, charms and fortunetellers. 'It looks like some wild bizarre,' the young teenager thought.

Molly briefly considered wandering around the booths on her own but then dismissed the idea. 'Serena would kill me!' The fourteen year old sighed and started hunting for her best friend. 'At least Melvin ain't around.' One could only take their class nerd for so long, even if Molly had a crush on him. 'Something I constantly question,' she mused as she squeezed herself between two women who could've passed for sumo wrestlers. 'Maybe they are...' She glanced over her shoulder in mild wonder.

"Hey!" the voice complained as the redhead walked into its owner.

Molly turned and felt herself blushing as she took in the hunky form of Darien Shields. "Sorry," she remarked, "What are ya doin' here?"

"Same thing you are."

"Oh so you're going out with Serena again?"

"No..."

Molly pushed passed him purposefully treading on his foot. "Well, I'm here to see Serena," the redhead shot over her shoulder.

Darien watched the rapidly retreating form of Molly Baker with annoyance. His expression turned to surprise as he heard one of his friends comment, "You keep your face like that, and it'll stick." Darien turned and saw Andrew staying there, along with his little sister.

"Hey, you two."

"Hi Darien," Lizzy remarked, winked, and then slipped away from her brother.

"Girl trouble?" Andrew asked his friend.

"People keep thinking I'm going to date Serena or something and when I tell them I'm not, I get ridden roughshod over..." The young man before him gave a sympathetic smile. "Girls never really did make much sense, you know?"

"I work in an arcade," Andrew drawled. "I see all types of weirdness and nothing's as weird as a kid sister..." Any further commentary was cut off as a snowball smacked him in the face.

"I heard that!" Lizzy shouted at him.

- - - - -

"Miss, your kid sister is so cute!" the old woman gushed as she took her bag of cookies. Reenie tried hard not to grind her teeth. Instead, she plastered another smile onto her face and thought dark thoughts.

"Thanks. She's super nice," Serena remarked.

'Serena's being awful nice to me,' Reenie thought, 'Man... What is she up to now?'

"We hope you like the cookies." As the woman was leaving, Serena turned and whispered, "Jeez, would it kill you to say thank you to the lady? She's just saying that you're cute."

"Guess not..." the seven year old admitted. "It's just I'm not used to getting the kid sister bit when it comes to you."

"You could be Amy's kid sister," the blonde said a little disappointedly, "We could tell them that."

"I don't think that would be wise," Amy commented as she quickly sorted the money that the last customer had given her.

"Amy's right. That'd be majorly boring," the pink-haired girl remarked.

Before Serena could retort, a new customer appeared. Reenie took the order and both she and Amy watched as Serena made it up. Amy took the money and Serena thanked them. Just as it looked like they were about to continue their previous discussion, Molly appeared.

"Hiya gals, how's it going?"

"Excellent, business is quite brisk," Amy replied. "How are you this evening, Molly?"

"Okay, how about you guys?" she drawled.

"Great!" the meatball-headed blonde gushed happily, "Things are really swinging." She cocked her head. "Do I hear a band?"

Molly cocked her head as well. "I don't think so... Wanna go check it out?"

"Sorry, Mol, I can't," Serena declined. "I have to stay and help Ames."

"I can go!" Reenie offered.

"No way!" Serena vetoed.

"But Serena...!"

"Ree-nie..." the teenager growled.

"You're no fun," the pink-haired youngster complained, crossed her arms, and stuck her bottom lip out in a pout. She hoped Serena would lighten up as the evening progressed. Amy was silently praying that Serena would not get into a quarrel and was rather mystified when the heavens apparently answered her prayers.

"Okay, okay, squirt, I get the hint. Go get Mina and ask her if she'd come and help Amy. I'll take you around then to see the stuff with Molly and then you're being parked in Raye's room for the rest of the night." As the little girl ran off, grumbling under her breath the entire time, Serena turned back to her friends and found them both staring at her. "What?"

"Are you feeling okay, Serena?"

"Yeah, why?"

"You are exhibiting behavior that is not emblematic of your established norms."

"Huh?"

"She means you're actin' kinda weird," Molly translated.

"I'm trying very hard to be patient with her. She's just excited being around all this." 'I remember what it's like.'

- - - - -

Reenie came into the living room of the Cherry Hill Temple private quarters and was startled when Mina lifted her up and spun her about. "Guess what!"

"What?!" Reenie asked.

"I got a date!" The blonde giggled and let the youngster go, making Reenie stagger slightly as she regained her footing. "I was going by and I saw him and he saw me and... oh..." Mina dissolved into giggles. "Isn't that way super grand?"

"Um... Serena wants to know if you'll come help Amy."

Mina pouted, "Well, I guess I can meet Mr. Right in a little bit." The little girl wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

"She 'n' Molly 'n' me are gonna tour the stalls."

"I just hope they don't wake Lita up. She's still sleeping." Mina patted Reenie on top of the head and left.

'Weird,' Reenie thought and carefully made her way to Raye's room. There she pulled the shrine robes off and then crept over to make sure that she hadn't disturbed Lita. She smiled to herself. Yes, Lita was likely going to have a good nap. Given the size of the lump on the bed, Lita was under it in the fetal position dead to the world. Softly, the child ran from the room, not wishing to be left behind.

End of Chapter 2

Coming next in Chapter 3 - Venus: Champion of Youthful Love!