Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters from this fan fiction, they all belong to the creators of Sailor Moon.
A/N: The words in italic are the flashbacks.
Take A Chance On Me
Chapter 4
-A White Rose-
A crimson rose was placed upon a very well crafted tombstone by the guardian of Mercury. One tear slid down her cheek and quickly fell down her face onto the ground. Etched deeply into the tombstone is the name Saeko Mizuno.
"You're so smart Ami and I know you will make a great doctor someday." A gentle smile graced the features of her mother as she spoke in her soft voice, "I spend so much time at the hospital, I haven't gotten the chance to tell you how very important you are to me."
Ami returned the smile and added a response, "I know how very hard you work to support us and that is why I study as hard as I do in school. I believe that with every excellent grade I receive on assignments I gain one step closer to becoming just as great a doctor as you."
After the rush of memories stopped, Ami finished wiping the tears off her face and squared her shoulders.
"I know it's been a couple of weeks since I last spoke to you." She paused and then continued, "I have met someone who I think you would approve of." A smile flickered across her face as she said, "I have been talking to her for a couple of weeks now and she is very understanding but oddly quiet like me."
A gust of wind rustled Ami's new haircut, but she paid no attention to it. "I need to get back to the University, I am taking up another advance biology course. I love you so much mom." As she walked away from the grave, a weight was slowly lifting off her shoulders as her heavy footsteps began to lighten. It has been a long time since Ami felt warm and almost whole again.
Across town in a laboratory, Setsuna was working feverishly over the particles of the monster that last attacked a person in the city. It was a gentle knock on the closed door that finally broke her concentration. She moved towards the door gracefully and was shocked to see the person staring in front of her, but she allowed the woman with the aqua locks to enter.
"What brings you by my lab Michiru? Is it Hotaru? Is everything okay?" A worried expression was plastered onto the beautiful face of the time senshi.
"Sets, calm down. Everything is okay back home, I was just wondering how is everything coming along on your end? Since you have been spending so much time with the young senshi of ice, I haven't had much of a chance to talk to you."
An eyebrow shot up on Setsuna's face as she thought, 'So this is the true reason why you have come, Michiru. It must be Haruka's doing by any means.'
"Yes, it was part of our plan to get close to the inner senshi of ice, am I correct?"
Michiru hesitated for a moment to answer, but she chose her words with upmost care. "Yes you are correct, but let's not forget that we have an enemy who is threatening the fate of this world."
An amused glance thrown at the senshi of water before the response, "Heaven forbid I have any fun while completing this mission."
The water senshi did not answer back just yet, but she walked towards a vase that held a single white rose. She lifted it gently and smelled it's scent.
"This is very beautiful, Sets. I guess I do not have to wonder who it is from by chance."
"Yes, if you have assumed it is from Ami." The secretive smile that spreaded itself across the lips of the time senshi was not stopped by the presence of the other person in the room.
It was a beautiful day at the teahouse and it was filled with many customers. Ami and Setsuna were already sitting at a table and drinking tea. A silence floated around the pair but it wasn't filled with coldness, however, it was a warm and embracing peace.
"How are your studies coming along?" Inquiring garnet eyes were watching the piercing blue pair gaze at the birds in a tree.
Ami's attention was drawn back to the person sitting in front of her wearing business attire. "I am on top of everything and I must say that I am pleased with the way my project is coming along."
It was just a normal day they have where they sit and talk about random things to pass the time before work or school intervened.
"You look troubled." Setsuna traced the worried lines that were formed under the deep scrutiny Ami was giving to the cup of tea in front of her.
Since the attacks on people have increased and no leads have followed, the sailor senshi have taken to be on constant vigil for any and every thing.
"It's nothing, really." Taking a moment to glance down at her watch, Ami frowned for a moment after she realized class would start in 10 minutes. She rose out of her seat hurriedly and took one look at Setsuna before saying, "I have to get to class, we will talk later, okay?"
The time guardian realized she would not get straight answers out of Ami and so she smiled and nodded politely. Ami rushed out of the teahouse and walked towards her motorcycle. But a sudden thought occured to Ami and she stopped in her tracks to walk back into the place she just left. Setsuna was still sipping on her tea and was looking very intense. The ice senshi took this moment to drop the rose in front of the woman before her.
"I meant to give this to you earlier today, but I couldn't really strike up the nerve to do so. You have been very patient and kind towards me and I do not want you to think I have not noticed." Before Setsuna could respond to Ami's kind words she was cut off. "We'll finish this conversation over dinner." A smile was all that Setsuna could squeeze in the converation before the blue haired rogue left and hopped on the motorcyle to take off.
The dinner date between the pair really had brought them closer emotionally, but it was the little things that kept Ami from fully revealing the rest of herself to Setsuna. They spent the evening listening to smooth jazz while contemplating different equations and taking on Ami's favorite topic the tv show Grey's Anatomy. It's strange, if anyone else was just viewing the scene it would have shown two normal people enjoying the company of each other. But no one else could ever realize the underlying pressure of keeping a secret was what made their relationship most difficult to ever develop fully.
"Setsuna have you listened to anything I have just said to you?" An exasperated Michiru looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Hours have passed by and the four inner senshis have yet to figure out who are leading the attacks in the city. The semshi of strength was pacing back and forward while the goddess of love was lounging near the balcony. Everyone was at the usual hang out spot at Rei's, but unlike the normal meetings there were no new schemes that could stop the growing problem.
Slamming her fist hard into her other hand, Makoto looked every bit as the guardian of Jupiter her lightening quick decisions on difficult matters. "I say we should hit them with what we got and pound one them senseless until they squeal."
"And while we're at it, we could pound every criminal until they explain why they did what they did. And we can terrorize my teacher for giving me such a heavy load of homework." The words of Minako was heavily dripped in sarcasm as she raised herself from the lounging position to stare at the others.
"You guys, we have to take this problem into account by means of tactful decision-making." Minako looked into the face of each inner senshi and was dumbstruck. "Why are all of you staring at me with your mouth open and large?"
Shaking her long black hair from side to side, Rei responded. "I just cannot believe such a brilliant idea can come from a blonde." And then she looked at Usagi who was chasing Luna around in circles and continued, "I was just about to say maybe it is hope out there for blondes, but I take it back before it is ever said by me."
Three pairs of eyes now watched as Usagi chased Luna and everyone started to laugh over the scene. Usagi tured red when she realized everyone was now paying her chase on Luna with rapt attention.
"Heyyy you guys, I was just trying to grab my homework from Luna."
The black cat jumped quickly behind Makoto before pointedly stating, "Actually if I read this paper correctly, it said it is the work of a Jun Hisakawa."
"Usagi-chan, you should know better than to borrow the work of other people. How will you ever learn if you keep doing this type of thing?" The scolding voice of Makoto nearly undid the blonde haired princess who looked to be on the verge of tears.
"Gomen Mako." A solemn Usagi looked down at the ground as she apologized, which gave her the look of a thoroughly chastised child.
The senshi with emerald eyes wrapped an arm loosely around the shoulders of the future queen. "It's okay, I know all these attacks have been stressful but we'll figure it out together. But first, you have reminded us that we need to pay attention to the present events and that includes homework."
As if on cue, a knock on the door alerted the sailor senshi of a visitor. Rei quickly left her seat to answer the door and was quite surprised to see Ami standing in front of her.
A soft yet firm voice broke the silence and stare of the senshi of fire by the question, "May I come in?"
To Be Continued...
A/N: Thanks to everyone who have reviewed my story so far: Silvara rivana, Aleric, minako366, and RaginFireDesire. I hope to see more reviews next time so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Enjoy the update and let me know what you think of the story so far. Ciao!