SailorStar9: This is Chapter 9 of this fic. (Sighs) Guys and girls, is it too hard for you to leave a review, instead of just putting this fic up on your favorited list and story alerts?

Disclaimers: I own nothing, except for the plot bunny.

Chapter 9: Rehearsal

"Now, for homeroom today, I would like to talk about this year's school arts festival." Chiharu-sensei announced. "And as a result of the voting you all did yesterday, our class will be doing a play. Now for the show title that you're all looking forward to…" she picked up a piece of chalk and wrote 'Sleeping Beauty' on the blackboard. "And for who gets what role, I would like to choose by amica drawing, so that everyone has a fair chance at getting each role." She picked up the rolled up chart. "So please come up to the front, according to your roll-call number and with something to write with. "And now," she announced, everyone having marked down their names. "I will reveal the assignments." Carefully she peeled off the cover paper at the top of the chart, displaying the various roles. "Let's see…" her finger trailed down the ladders. "The prince and the princess will be…"

"Huh?" Ami blinked, the rest of the class turning to her and Kai.

"I have this sword… and my courage. I promise that I will… dispel the curse from the princess." Kai recited his lines from the script.

"M-my," someone else faltered nearby. "I wonder… w-what this is?"

"You're practicing too?" Kai peered around the tree, spotting his play partner.

"Don't remind me." Ami sighed.

"So you were practicing here." Kai took a seat beside her. "I've never played the part of a princess or a prince in a play before. So I'm a little nervous. Say," he suddenly thought of something. How about we practice together? I think I have the most scenes with you, and I think it would be better than practicing alone."

Ami blinked for a moment and relented. "When?"

"It's all right?" Kai was surprised.

"I don't want to make a mistake either." Ami reminded.

"Then tomorrow!" Kai set the date. "Early morning at school."

"Are you always this early?" Kai was astonished, seeing Ami changing her shoes. "I mean, I came here a little early, but you're even earlier! Hey, it's great weather today. Want to practice outside?"

"Sure." Ami nodded.

Outside and under the birches, Kai walked Ami through her earlier scenes. Gingerly she fingered the plants under the tree. "My, I wonder what this is?"

"And there you approach the spinner," Kai coached, "And you touch it." Obediently she brushed the leaves, then affected a sudden shock and collapsed onto the grass. "Wow! You've already memorized all the lines!"

"Only because the princess doesn't have many lines." Ami reminded.

"Then we'll skip the part where the fairies come out." Kai leafed forward through the script, scanned the words quickly, then looked away. "Oh, what a beautiful princess. With my kiss, she is to be awoken - I swear to this sword. I will love this beautiful princess of the thorny forest for the rest of my life!" Pleased with himself, he dropped to his knees by her shoulder. "And now, the kiss."

"Morning!" Miwa called, breaking the tense moment.

"You're early." Kai turned to his best friend, Ami sitting up with a deep blush.

SailorStar9: Now that's done, read and review.