|Chapter One|

Makoto couldn't help but feel the nervousness wash over her; this was the first time she had ever thought of going up into the woods with random people she had never met before. Crossing her fingers, she was hoping there was nothing wrong with anyone. Mentally going through the check list, she had checked every five minutes on the drive she had her communicator and transformation pen. Due to the luck of being a senshi, she knew there could be danger even outside of Tokyo. Hoping for the best and peaceful vacation, her stomach continued to flitter.

Being careful to dress nicely, Makoto didn't overly do it. Having looked at the weather for the next week she placed on a pair of khaki shorts adorned with a soft green tank top with little white stars covering it to give a girlie effect. If her eyes hadn't deceived her, it brought out the forest colour of her bright gems. Having pulled her long auburn tresses back into a classic high pony tail, Makoto felt relieved at the sight of the university in Satan City. It looked normal, a bit more technologically advanced but normal.

Breath, Makoto, she said to herself nervously as she parked her car. Pulling out the invitation, Makoto moved up the white stone steps to the circular shaped building, surrounded by glass windows. Once she moved through the doors, she was greeted by a fresh scent and looked to see in the student foyer an old tree twisting its branches up to reach the light in the center. Amazed by the idea of design, Makoto looked at the map while continuing on her way. She crossed her fingers and hoped she didn't come off as some weirdo...or they weren't either. Following the campus map in the direction she needed, Makoto frowned when she glanced in the direction. Leaking from the door way was a bustle of giggling girls in uniforms 'oooh'ing and 'awww'ing in the general direction. Shuttering at the thought, Makoto stood near the back for a moment looking over most of their heads into the brightened class room. Surrounded she could see two men sitting on top of desks in what looked like a 'cool' fashion. Frowning, she decided to get a better look.

Slithering through the crowd, Makoto felt her temper fair at the glares she received while pushing forward. She could see them getting closer as she narrowed her eyes while moving through the crowd. So many people in one spot gazing at men made sickened her. She remembered those days for sure while Minako, Rei, and Usagi joined in about idols. After being tricked once too many, she built up her senses and gained composure as she grew to not 'worship' the opposite sex. Being a powerful woman, she decided to be herself instead of changing to fit into what society wanted her to look like. Hair always done, dressed up, heels, make up, and looking weak. Weakness was something Makoto detested and loved to recently join in on sparring contests at Rei's temple to show those men who was boss. Still, she had yet to be beaten and would giggle over the shocked faces with Rei afterwards.

Finally close enough, Makoto's eyes landed on the guy closest. He leaned back lazily, his strong bulging muscular arms supporting him like stone pillars. The top few buttons of his shirt were undone to expose the tense skin underneath covering an extreme amount of muscle. Makoto had to admit, he wasn't too bad looking with his ebony hair spike up softly as his dark brown orbs stared and smiled with each glance to the women around him. He looked more like a natural flirt by the way his body language played but she had yet to hear him speak. Also, he looked more of the relaxed friend playing off the series aura of the man next to him. Makoto was as more surprised to see the second man standing in a more serious demeanor. His lavender hair flowed lazily around him framing his semi-tanned face bringing out the color of his bright blue eyes. He looked a bit more bulky than his friend, if they even were friends.

The sound of drooling, obnoxious girls was starting to drive her crazy as the suffocation started to set in. Finally, it looked as if they were going to answer the questions as the first one stood on his feet and gave a long stretch.

"Not to worry, ladies, we will be back next semester," he said cockily, his voice almost sending a giggle through her. She thought someone of his stature and looks would have a deeper voice. He sounded somewhat like a child. There were more complaints about them leaving as questions bubbled up. Makoto lodged herself against the wall next to the window looking out with her arms lazily folded across her stomach.

"Is there anyone else going, sempai?" asked one of the high pitched girls as a silence came over the room waiting for an answer. Makoto grinned, feeling happy to burst the bubbles and thoughts of all these girls in the room. Luckily, she found she was able to beat the guy speaking to the punch.

"I am," she spoke clearly and heard the rustle as heads turned quickly in her direction. Continuing the gaze out the window, she waiting while the tension built for a moment before turning to look at the awaiting eyes. Almost immediately, she heard the gasps and then regret as the frosted looks took over most of the girls staring at her adoringly. At high schools she felt that same admiration especially from being known as a great sports player. Idolized, she knew how to see the looks as a lot of the girls had a crush on her due to the manly qualities she held. Still she was getting confession letters in college from girls that followed from high school. The room erupted once again in questions directed at her as the girls turned their attention away from the guys.

Asking her name, where she was from, and admiring how she looked were the first that Makoto heard as the bubble continued to rise. It actually felt good to be looked up to since her identity was still held a secret as to which suited soldier she was. Keeping the semi-cold composure, Makoto stayed leaning against the wall and gazed up across the crowd to see the shocked look from the cocky one. It surprised her for a moment to see the serious one giving a sly grin as if he knew her trick. Sending him a wink, she returned the grin and focused in on the new fans. Answering the basic questions was easy like her name, her hobbies, favorite color, favorite activities, whether she was in sports, etc.

"Where are you from?" asked one of the girls quickly and Makoto chuckled to herself.

"Tokyo," she replied as a gasp came over the girls before questioning resumed all about Tokyo, what school she went to, and more. Feeling the irritation growing, Makoto regretted getting all this attention as she absently mindedly answered like usual. At the comments of her height, the conversations grew into that of asking about stories of the Sailor Senshi that protected Tokyo and questions about them. Stories flew around but Makoto started to come to an end when she could see the bored look taking over the cocky guy.

"Are you dating anyone?" asked another girl quickly trying to keep the meeting going. Makoto knew she was going to have to ignore her sooner or later. Caught off guard, Makoto felt an arm slither around her waist and pull her into the nook under a shoulder but pressed against what felt like a warm brick wall.

"I forgot to mention ladies that this is my girlfriend," said a cocky voice next to her. If he wanted to play this way, then she was going to have fun. Crooning her gaze up and looking shyly through soft eyes Makoto played the coy, bashful card.

"But sempai, you said we would keep it a secret," came her sultry voice. Mentally adding a point to her score board, Makoto watched how he flustered quickly and a cheesy grin squiggled across his face. He was nervous and laughed as such almost making Makoto lose sight of her goal. Another uproar moved through the crowd with a mix of devastation and happiness for what looked like the 'perfect' couple.

"Sh-sh-shall we g-g-get this trip going?" he asked, showing his bashfulness. Makoto took control of the situation and moved into a serious tone.

"We need to have a private meeting, please excuse us everyone," she said, hearing the complaints as the girls finally left the room. Closing the door with a large sigh of relief, Makoto was happy for the silence that loomed around them as she gazed at the two surprised men. The first was still blushing and nervous looking at her. "I'm Makoto Kino from Tokyo University here for the summer camping trip."

Makoto produced the neatly folded yellow flyer to the lavender haired man, watching him look at it curiously before looking toward his blushing friend.

"I didn't think anyone would really want to go, Trunks. Tokyo is filled with a lot of city folk but it was polite gesture," he responded with another laugh. Makoto started to feel a bit unsure and weary, was this some sort of prank? Trunks pushed his lavender hair back and looked around the room.

"Well, I guess it's just the three of us then," he said. "I'm Trunks Briefs, and this is my friend Goten Son."

Makoto produced the polite gesture of greetings.

"Your fan clubs can't take a bit of nature?" she asked, only to receive their chuckles in return.

"Ya, they like to spend it on the beaches usually or in their home towns," said Goten, giving a long stretch and peering out the window while taking in the sunshine. This was a damper on things, but he knew him and Trunks would be able to train later but would have to schedule it around Makoto.

"How long do you plan on staying out?" asked Trunks, taking in Makoto's delicate features that she had happened to touch too much upon giving her more of a girlie edge than she had predicted. She had never given much thought to how long she would be staying but she knew nature was calling. Feeling how close it was made her want it more. Giving a shrug, she tossed her hand on her hip lazily.

"I'm not sure, maybe a couple months or so. I haven't decided if I'll be returning to Tokyo this semester or not," she said, her emeralds starting to dull at the thought of her decision she had to make in a year's time. Goten seemed curious but decided not to bother, wondering if the girl was tougher than she looked. Already he could tell she was a great actress and knew what it took to get attention placed on her.

"What supplies did you bring?" he asked, a bit of curiosity getting the best of him. Makoto pulled herself from her thoughts a produced another friendly smile.

"What I would need for the hike to find a good spot and set up, unless you have a particular spot you go to frequently?" she asked.

"We have a good spot, but I'm not sure how long it'll take to get there," said Goten, having a pack prepared in case someone had happened to join them. Taking this chance, the three decided to start on the journey together towards their destination for camping and getting to know each other a bit more along the way.

AN: To take a break from studying so much I decided to revamp this story and complete it. Reading through it I could tell there was something missing and it needed more elaboration. Hope you will like the new version