Somehow Ryu managed that the girls stopped their fighting. And within minutes they were best friends again.
SunTzu was a little bit surprised but the three husbands of the married Senshi told him that this was absolutely normal.
"By the way, me and the guys were talking. Those earrings and the hundred roses qualify you for being the next one in line to cease the fighting. Welcome to this illustrious circle." Mamoru told him as they walked out to the terrace.
The girls were on the first floor and either moving into their rooms or showing each other the new swimsuits and bikinis they got. The volume of the sound coming from up there was pretty high.
The men were outside enjoying themselves in silence giving a stark contrast to the tumult coming from the first floor.
Almost one hour later the girls finally came down the stairs.
The look of them in their swim wear almost made up for the waiting.
"Are we ready to go now?" Mamoru asked the girls and they affirmed happily.
While the three married men went up to change into beach attire too, SunTzu stayed out at the terrace while most of the Senshi were in the kitchen.
Rei and Minako came out to SunTzu, arm in arm and giggling like crazy.
"Hey TopGun, Minako just told me she saw your Joystick from the cockpit of the shuttle." Rei laughed and Mina chimed in also, with hint of blush in her face. "Four days without civilization and you're back to being one with nature. I guess this trip was more than successful."
Rei mocked him some more, she seemed to be not angry at all anymore but rather enjoy that the girls were here also. And she also didn't mind that her best friend saw her boyfriend naked.
They laughed a bit more before they turned around and walked back towards the house.
"You're lucky bitch, you know that? I did like what I see." Minako told her best friend.
"Girl, let me tell you what we did yesterday. Let's have a Margarita and I fill you in on the details."
Why did I actually for a moment believe that this would get better after me and Rei started dating?
SunTzu finished his second beer and decided to head to the Kitchen too. Time for breakfast.
Before long the Senshi, Mau and their companions left for the beach on the other side of the small island, packed with everything one would need for a day at the beach.
And the day at the beach was great fun for everyone.
They played Frisbee, swam, got some sun in, ate water melon and all the other fun stuff people usually do at the beach.
A highlight was definitely the Volleyball Match were Minako was slaying the competition.
SunTzu rejected to play as Volleyball just was not his sport so he had been forced to do the job of referee, while Ryu gave the line judge because he already knew what would be going down.
After the Volleyball Match SunTzu had learned that a bunch of feeling unfair treated Senshi should actually have a hazard label for causing high blood pressure and headache.
Especially if Minako and Rei were in the same team.
Not that they didn't win in a high lead as Usagi and Chibiusa on the other team rather acted as handicap than help to Makoto and Mamoru, who tried their best to make up for it, but the other team made up of Minako, Rei, Ami and Kenji proofed to be way too strong for them.
To calm down Rei SunTzu took her for a long walk on the beach, which ended with her being carried through beach and shallow sea on his back as she was exhausted after yesterday and the volleyball game.
It was fine for SunTzu, as it was a way to spent some time in togetherness.
Halfway round the island, where they were sure that they wouldn't be seen they started a heavy make out session to make up for the lost time together.
They didn't go the whole way as they were afraid to get caught though.
In the late afternoon they went back to the Villa and prepared a large BBQ.
It was already dark when they finally had finished with the feasting.
They were all sitting on the terrace and talking with each other, except for Chibiusa who was on her phone with her friends.
"Hotaru says Hi." She told SunTzu. "She's off for a night exercise soon."
Rei was sitting on SunTzu's lap on one of the Sun loungers when Makoto and Usagi came out of the kitchen with two bottles of champagne and a tray with Champagner Glass and brought them to a table.
Makoto and Minako opened the bottles and poured everyone a glass and handed them out. Usagi wanted to toast to a special occasion.
Mamoru was standing now and Usagi hooked In under him.
"We have an announcement to make." He said into the round, both Royals seemed to be very happy.
Usagi continued.
"The Crystal Kingdom evaluated all possible candidates for becoming the assigned Senator to the Galactic Senate." She motion Rei to get up and the Senshi of Fire got up.
"And we are glad to announce that our favorited candidate made it." The Royal Couple raised their glasses.
"Congratulations Senator Hino."
Everybody except Rei toasted and took a sip and then began to cheer. Also SunTzu had stood up as well.
Rei's mouth immediately formed into a wide smile and her eyes began to sparkle.
"Really? I'm the designated Senator?"
"Yes, everything spoke for you, it was the only logical decision."
SunTzu hugged Rei now.
"I told you. Congratulations my Love." He whispered into her ear. Rei still couldn't believe it but now the girls including Usagi and Chibiusa were swarming her and hugged her. SunTzu made room for them and walked over to Mamoru.
"She earned that. But first we have to make sure that we get that seat in the senat." The two men clinged glasses and drank another sip.
"Don't worry, if anyone got this, then it's Rei." SunTzu replied honestly.
"You're right. She has that mentality to get what she wants. She always had." The King remarked.
They thoroughly celebrated Rei's new promotion and it was after midnight when they started a campfire at the beach. It was a beautiful night, the moon and the stars were shining brightly on the night sky and every now and then there was even a falling star visible.
Mamoru had brought an acoustic guitar and they sat at the fire, singing and drinking.
Rei was sitting on a blanket in midst of Minako and SunTzu and the blonde had her head grasped around her shoulder, while Rei held hands with her and SunTzu.
Rei was incredibly happy and proud. Getting a seat in the Senat was almost sure for the Solar System, as the small Taskforce from Earth already had made their name in the Alliance Forces and the planet had quite a few, partly famous, supporters like the Chief of State Lady Leia Organa herself.
And what better there was than to celebrate with the people you love. The only thing that would have made things better were if the Outers had been here as well.
Nonetheless, it had been great here, she still had to tell the others about what she found out regarding the Transformation in the Cosmic Form. Also the time she spent with SunTzu here has been a dream.
She grasped his hand stronger and looked into his eyes as Mamoru began to play Blowing in the Wind and everyone joined in singing.
The first to leave where Chibiusa, Kenji and Makoto, soon followed by Ami and Ryu.
When Minako decided to leave too, Rei and SunTzu got up also but before going to bed they decided to take another walk on the beach. The moon lighted up the night enough that it wasn't too dark.
"And if it get's too dark I think I can help out." Rei told.
The couple strolled hand in hand over the beach. Both were pretty drunk but enjoyed the walk as they constantly joked and teased each other.
Halfway around the island they were playing catch and SunTzu was running away from Rei, playing with her as he stopped and jumped away again.
Suddenly she jumped onto him and the two of them landed in the sun, Rei on top of SunTzu.
"Gotchuuu… and now I want my price."
She leaned down and kissed him, the kiss becoming more and more lustful and ending in her nibbling on his lips.
This time they didn't care if anyone could catch them.
The next day was spent pretty quiet as most of them were exhausted from yesterday and they would travel home again at night. They spent a few nice hours at the beach though and especially SunTzu and Rei enjoyed their last few hours on the island.
Rei also told her fellow Senshi what she seemed to found out about the Cosmic Transformation.
At night the Lambda Shuttle came to pick them up for home, SunTzu had told AICA to stay at the base and rather do another flight with Hotaru, her exams were soon coming up and the extra hours would help after the break.
As they boarded Mamoru looked at the burned palm tree on the beach and asked SunTzu and Rei if they knew what happened there.
"A lightning strike!" Both of them shouted out at the same time.
That night SunRei as they were dubbed by their friends now slept at the Crystal Palace.
The next morning they were woken up by a loud banging on their door.
As it was her room, Rei put on a robe and opened the door yawning.
"Minako, what the hell? Why are you banging on this door like crazy?"
"Sorry, but I need to borrow your boyfriend and his starfighter. I messed something up in my schedule and need to get to the university as fast as I can."
Rei, turned around and yelled to SunTzu.
"Get up Topper Harley, the Goddess of Love needs a taxi."
A few minutes later a dozy looking SunTzu and a hounded looking Minako were waiting for AICA at the palace's landing spot.
Beside thinking about how nice and comfortable sleeping on Rei's chest was and how nice sleeping out could have been SunTzu also thought that it wasn't exactly fair that nobody ever asked for purpose or the cost-value ratio of playing Taxi Driver with AICA for the Senshi. Perks of Royality probably.
Minutes later they landed in front of the University Minako attended, just in time.
Minako rewarded SunTzu with a peck on his cheek and stormed into the medial faculty building.
SunTzu wasn't back in the for a minute when Ami called.
She urgently needed to get to the Interpol office in the National Police Agency Building in Tokyo but the streets were blocked with traffic.
SunTzu flew back to the palace, picked up Ami and was on the way back to Tokyo when Makoto called.
"Good Morning, let me guess. You need a ride?"
"How did you know? Yeah, I'm at the palace but I urgently need to get to Okinawa for a meeting with the Special Forces Commander there but my Shuttle is down and I can't make it in time with a helicopter."
"I get it. Just let me deliver Ami first."
Half an hour later he had delivered Makoto as well, the Commando Captain would take a commercial plane back to Tokyo in the noon, if the shuttle still would not be available.
Time for breakfast. Or rather lunch.
He called up Rei, the newly designated Senator just left her office in Crysta Tokyo and wanted to go to the Shrine.
"If you could fly me to the shrine i could pack lunch with you in my schedule."
Sure thing, then I have at least shuttled all of the Inner Senshi around today.
They met in the dinning hall for lunch. Although SunTzu was a bit annoyed that he hadn't done anything else today than flying people around he was glad that Rei and him found some time.
They had finished their lunch and were about to leave when Hotaru and Chibiusa appeared.
"SunTzu, I need your help. I need to get to the Selene. And Hotaru has to learn so she can't fly me."
"Mind if I fly my girlfriend home first your Mylady?"
"No, it's cool. But I'll be waiting for you at the landing spot already."
SunTzu dropped Rei at the stairs near the shrine and after a loving goodbye kiss from Rei, SunTzu rushed AICA back to the palace, collected Chibiusa and flew her to the Majestic-Cruiser that was orbiting earth.
The pilot even made sure that the pink-haired Princess got some entertainment as he played a bit of tag with the B-Wing Squadron of the Selene. The squadrons and accompanying Corvettes of the Selene and Earth Space Defense Force were named after the Continents and the B-Wing-Squadron was called America.
When he landed, Helios was already waiting for his Princess and Chibiusa thanked SunTzu and dismissed him, telling him to get here in the evening before she and Helios left the Hangar arm in arm.
The pilot landed back at the hangar on earth.
"Hopefully we get some rest now. I'll have ground crew check you before we have to leave for space again." The pilot told to the AI of his starfighter.
He went to the Flight Center and was told to immediately report to Stinger Jordan.
SunTzu sighed, thanked the Sergeant on Duty for the info and went up to the office of Commander Jordan.
The chewing-out he got was relatively mild after SunTzu told the Flight Chief that he was just flying Senshi around. A small call in Luna's office confirmed SunTzu's story and he was dismissed.
Thank God Luna is always on my side. At least someone in this court seems to be normal. Being able to transform into a talking cat aside.
At least he was free now and after telling some of the Ground Crew Guys that they could check on AICA now he went for the palace.
He walked over to Luna's office and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
SunTzu opened the door and saw that the Head Administrator of the Royal Court was sitting on her desk and busy over some papers, she even was wearing glasses.
"SunTzu, what can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to say thanks. You saved me for a very angry Flight Chief."
The black haired woman smiled.
"Of course, it's the minimum I can do when the Senshi misapply you as mean of transportation. But i have to admit there is something you could do for me in return. Don't worry, you don't have to fly somewhere."
"Sure, glad if I can help."
"Could you pick up Diana from School? Artemis and me are too busy and Setsuna is working at the hospital."
"Okay, just let me know where I need to go."
"I'll give you the Adress, it's over in Juban."
SunTzu took a car at the motor pool and was off to Juban.
Luna had called the school that someone would pick her daughter up and the girl was waiting with some friends near her school's entrance.
Proudly she told her friends that the uncle that picked her up was a starfighter pilot, which her friends of course found totally cool.
I guess those kids wouldn't find it so cool, if they'd know that I mostly played sky taxi today.
At least the traffic was better by now and soon he had delivered Diana to her mother.
As he entered Luna's office again, Hotaru was in there as well.
She needed help with her learning.
What kind of trainer he would be if he wouldn't help his fosterling.
He took time to help her and it was time to pick up Chibiusa again, when he was done. He allowed himself a cigarette and a coffee before he went back to the Airbase and boarded AICA another time.
The Princess had the usual down phase because she had to say goodbye to Helios again but she was very glad and happy that she had the chance to see him. She even thanked SunTzu again.
I'd be happy over a five star rating.
Chibiusa got out at the palace and waved after him as he ascended again and headed to the Airbase.
He hadn't even landed when AICA put a phone call through. It was Setsuna.
"SunTzu, I need to ask you a favor. There's a patient here that is i direst need of a new heart. We have a donor in the Sapporo Region but no capability on our own to get it in time. I was thinking maybe you and AICA could help us out. The patient is a young mother and if she's not getting a new heart within the next six hours she will decease."
"I'm on my way, where do I need to go first?"
"Pick me up at the hospital, I'll be waiting at the landing place. And thank you SunTzu."
SunTzu gave thrust on the engines and AICA rose again.
At least this one was for a real cause.
Eighty six minutes later he landed at the hospital again and Setsuna, still wearing her doctor's coat unstrapped, the cooled container with the donor's heart in her arms.
"You saved a life today. Thank you." Setsuna said as AICA opened the canopy and SunTzu got out.
"I'm glad I could help. I hope the patient will make it without complications."
SunTzu helped her to climb down as she made sure to be careful with the container.
An OP Team was already on standby and took the organ from her.
As the OP Team rushed away, Setsuna turned around and granted SunTzu a warm smile as he closed the canopy.
She hold up a hand for a goodbye and he replied with a two finger salute.
As soon as he was airborne again he told AICA to start a call.
"Hey SunTzu, what's up?"
"Yo Mako, you're still on Oki?"
"Almost at the airport, they couldn't fix the Lambda yet unfortunately."
"I see. Wait outside the airport, I'm Oscar Mike."
He shot up in the sky and gave all AICA had into the thrusters.
Another flight more or less didn't make a change by now. And also someone had to take care that the Kino-Household had dinner on time.
As the sun went down he landed at the palace and a grateful Makoto said her goodbye. She was delighted to be home in time.
SunTzu went to the dining hall for dinner.
To his surprise a lonely Haruka was there, having dinner.
SunTzu put her tray next to her and sat down.
"Hey Haruka, where's your better half?"
"Michiru's in Vienna for a concert. It's actually perfect timing that you're coming. I need to ask you a big favor. I don't know if you heard yet but me, Michiru and Odegana will each get promoted to Captain tomorrow night in a ceremony, this means Michiru has to be back in time. But there's a problem, she's lecturing tomorrow at the University of Music and Performing Arts tomorrow morning and without a spaceship she can't make it in time. Thing is the Voyager is in maintenance, something wrong with the Ion Engine. Could you and AICA pick her up? I'll make sure the trip is authorized."
SunTzu smiled for a moment, at least he was flying, wasn't he.
"Sure thing, just let me know when and where."
As Rei was staying at the temple tonight SunTzu decided to sleep on base.
Rei was pretty occupied with working in the temple and the Diplomatic Service the next day she told him, when they talked on the phone before the Pilot went to sleep.
"How about lunch tomorrow? I could fit that in."
"I'm sorry, but I already have a lunch date with a teal haired violinist tomorrow."
"Is that so? I thought Michiru is somewhere in Europe."
"She is, Vienna to be precise, but as she needs to be home by early afternoon and the Voyager is at maintenance my Sky Uber Service prolongs till tomorrow."
"I see. Guess I should be jealous now but I just use the extra time to charm some Senators instead." She told him with irony in her voice.
"I do see you at the commendation ceremony tomorrow evening, don't I?"
"Sure, I'll let you know when I'm off at the office and maybe we can even have a coffee together before."
It was point noon when SunTzu landed AICA near the famous Hotel Sacher in a picturesque part of Vienna, near the State Opera House where Michiru gave a concert yesterday.
Nonchalant he left AICA and went into the Hotel, wearing the Taskforce's uniform.
The hotel knew that he would pick up Miss Kaiou and a page left him immediately into the Hotel's even more famous Cafe, where Michiru was having a Vienna White Coffee and a piece of the world famous Sacher torte in a secluded side room.
Michiru was wearing a dotted Chanel Dress and the matching hair bow.
She smiled when she saw SunTzu entering the room.
He walked up to her, bowed down and took her hand for a hand kiss.
"Küss die Hand, Gnädigste. I heard you need a lift home."
She acted playfully as if the hand kiss made her weak and then looked to him.
"Good day my dear SunTzu. At least my wingman cares about my schedule. Not like my girlfriend which was probably enjoying her morning with a long motor bike tour."
"I don't know about that but she made sure I'll get you way ahead in time before the ceremony so you don't have to rush. She said you'd hate that."
"I do. Well, who would ever thought that my musical and military career would interfere with each other." Michiru laughed. "But we're still good on time. Did you had lunch yet? I can imagine you wouldn't mind a Schnitzel, mon allemand préféré."
"Guess some stereotypes are true. And after all, when do I ever make it to Vienna."
After lunch, and god how good that Schnitzel was, SunTzu and Michiru left for Crystal Tokyo again. She played on her Stradivari for him on the flight as show of gratitude and they were even better in time than expected and landed at the palace ahead of schedule.
Haruka, informed in flight, was already waiting for them at the landing place.
SunTzu got out first and helped Michiru out of the cockpit before he took her luggage out of the storage compartments.
Haruka then walked up to Michiru. The teal-haired had a smug grin on her face.
"Oh, now that I'm back on home soil you're here but you can't manage to get me home my dear Haruka."
Haruka was caught completely off guard and her mouth stood open while she thought about what to say.
Michiru's smile got even bigger and she walked up to her girlfriend, closed her mouth with a finger and then kissed her.
"Just giving you a hard time Captain to be Tenoh."
SunTzu came up behind them with the luggage of the Violinist.
"Haruka, if you wouldn't mind, take my luggage please." She turned around and gave SunTzu a kiss on the check.
"Merci mon cher. I'll see you later. Drinks are on Haruka."
"Hey!" Haruka interjected but Michiru just put the handle of her suitcase into the blonde's hand.
"Let's go. I need to look good tonight."
SunTzu flew AICA back to her hangar.
"Thanks for keeping up with all the flying around the last two days AICA."
"No problem. It was okay, although I'd preferred some more action. But it was okay."
Why every female, natural or not was so damn hard to satisfy in this kingdom?
He said his goodbye, went to the flight center for the organizational stuff he had to take care off and then went home real quick to get ready and change his uniform.
Having packed his black Star Fighter Corps Uniform and all his ribbons and medals he took a taxi back to the palace.
SunTzu entered the Crystal Tower and went up to the Senshi's quarters.
Rei opened him the door in her Diplomatic Corps Uniform, smiling.
"Hello hottest Pilot in the Galaxy."
They embraced and shared a kiss.
"Hello my beautiful all-round talent. How are you?"
"I could say better after seeing you but since you had the cockiness to lunch with another woman I guess I'd say I'm mad and want a compensation." She said with faked anger.
"And how could I make up for it?" SunTzu asked with a grin.
"Well, I was thinking either a Diamond Watch or, what I actually would prefer, a proper cuddling session."
"Well then, I'll be at a jeweler." SunTzu said and turned around on his heel, which prompted Rei's eyes to widen and her face turn to absolute astonishment.
Quick as a flash he turned around again, grabbed Rei and threw her over his shoulder, carrying her to the bed.
She protested under laughs and playfully tried to struggle free.
SunTzu threw her on the bed and followed with a jump next to her, grinning stupidly.
They shared another kiss and he hugged her again.
The couple treated themselves to an hour of togetherness before they got ready for the reception.
Rei complemented his Starfighter Corps Uniform with her Diplomatic Corps Uniform and as always made sure he was looking fly.
They went to the ball room and sat down at the table for the Inner Senshi, Setsuna, Hotaru and Luna.
Haruka, Michiru and Odegana, the female Mirialanian Squadron Leader of the Taskforce's Z-95 Headhunter Squadron named Terra, would sit on the same table as the Royals and Admiral Artemis.
The three finally would get their official promotion to Captain, which was already been rumored for weeks but needed the approval from the Starfighter Corps' Headquarters first. And the bureaucratic mills of the Galactic Alliance Forces grinded slowly.
Piece by piece the attendants trickled in and got to their tables.
Hotaru sat down next to SunTzu, wearing an uniform as well, with the rankings of a Cadet. Most of the attendees wore an uniform or something formal, even Setsuna.
One of the main topics on the table was, how much SunTzu and AICA took care of the Senshi in the last two days with flying them around.
They were all very thankful and Rei looked at him full of pride. Not that he had much of a choice.
Before the ceremony started Artemis came over to greet the Senshi and he just was about to say something to SunTzu apparently as Luna cut him short.
"Honey, the rabbit on the moon is pounding rice cakes."
He looked at her surprised and nodded as she got up and lead him out the room.
"What was that? What rice cake" SunTzu asked frowning?
The Senshi laughed.
"That was Luna's code that she urgently needs to talk to Artemis."
After an opening speech from King Endymion, the Neo Queen and Artemis ceremonially gave the new rank insignia to the three female pilots and congratulated them.
A banquet followed and after dessert the non Taskforce attendees left.
People mingled and the drinks started flowing.
SunTzu excused himself for a moment he wanted to smoke a cigarette.
Rei was in midst chatter with Minako and Ami so she stayed at the table.
SunTzu went up to the balcony and lighted his cigarette. He was alone up there and stood at the parapet looking into the night sky.
The ceremony somehow reminded SunTzu of Marvin and it stung a bit in him. Live had kept him busy ever since Marvin died and it treated him mostly well but this night made him reminisce how bad he felt after his friends death.
"Beautiful Night, isn't it?"
"Oh, my Queen. It is, yes." SunTzu turned around to Usagi in one of her white and gold robes.
"But you don't look like you're enjoying it much."
"I'm very happy for the three. But I have to think about Marvin tonight. God, it seems like his dead happened forever ago."
"I understand. Got a smoke for me?" SunTzu handed her a cigarette and lighted it for her.
"I didn't know that you smoke."
"Actually i don't but I could use one right now." She took a deep draw of the cigarette. "To be honest there's not one day I don't think about the casualties this war had brought for us. And that is just so far. And let's be honest, it's far from over."
She took another draw.
"I saw a lot of death and despair in my life already. Including my Sailor Senshi and it doesn't get it any easier. But Life is also beautiful and precious and we should live life in a righteous path that makes the sacrifices our comrades worthy. And I can tell you that Marvin would be proud of you."
SunTzu looked up in the sky again, filled with bright stars.
For a moment no one of them said a word and they finished their cigarettes
"The stars and the moon always seem to shine extra bright over the palace."
SunTzu said and Usagi forced a smile.
"Listen, there is something I want you to have. Artemis wanted to give you to it earlier but i wanted to give it to you personally."
From her hand she produced a small medal in form of a heart with a star that had the half moon inside, similarly to Sailor Moon's brooch, held by a purple ribbon.
"This is our new medal for the wounded." She paused for a second. "And the Dead. The Star Heart. After all you did for us and especially for my Senshi I thought you should be the first one to receive it."
She pinned the medal on his chest next to the others and put everything in the right order.
Then she hugged him.
"I'm sorry you had to endure so much already but we all wouldn't be here without you. Thank you so much."
"No, thank you for giving me a home, a purpose and friends. And introducing me to the woman I love." Both forced a smile. "Phew, i need a drink." SunTzu said.
"Yeah, a strong one." The Neo-Queen held up her arm. "Care to bring me back Lieutenant?"
"It would be my pleasure your Royal Highness."
They linked in and left the balcony.
As they came back to the ball room SunTzu lead the Neo-Queen back to her table, bowed down and went back to his own place.
It wasn't for long as the starfighter pilots all went to the table of Terra Squadron for a round of drinks and toasts to the newly appointed Captains.
Odegana, duteous as she was, was the first to leave after a few rounds and some of the pilots, foremost Ritz followed her.
Haruka, Michiru and SunTzu settled at the Senshi's table again where Artemis, Mamoru and Usagi were already sitting.
Makoto, Setsuna and Ami left soon after as did the Royals.
Haruka leaned over to SunTzu and told or rather ordered him over to the bar.
After a shot and a beer as a chaser they got back to table.
"Haruka, me and Michiru were talking about doing some music together? Mind if we start right now?"
Haruka looked at Rei.
"It's good for me. Hey Rei, mind if I order your boyfriend to accompany me to get completely pissed?"
"Mon dieu Haruka. I know how this will end." Michiru chimed in.
Haruka took her hand and kissed it gently.
"Don't worry, we'll take care of each other."
"That's what I'm fearing." The teal-haired woman thought for a moment. "Okay, on the other side i know how you are when you're on a roll and with you two around me and Minako can't make music in peace. At least try to not get arrested, s'il vous plait." Michiru shook her head. "Rei, you wanna join Minako and me? So I won't be alone when I have two give this two an alibi."
"I'm up for it. Let these two have their fun, We have ours."
Wait. Did Rei just encouraged Michiru to let Haruka and me go out for more drinking?
"I'll go with Haruka and SunTzu too!" Artemis announced.
"No, you're definitely not." Luna replied and Artemis smile dropped.
SunTzu and Rei had a cigarette and a pretty intense goodbye on the main palace's balcony before they parted and they took a taxi each.
Haruka sent the taxi to somewhere in Shinjuku and as SunTzu got out and looked at the bar they were heading too, he turned to Haruka.
"Sure that I can even go in there?"
"Course Mate, we're family by now."
The female bouncer first declined the Entrance to SunTzu until Haruka told her, that he was with her.
As they walked in Haruka went into the middle of the bar.
"Oi! This bitch just got promoted! Drinks are on me." She yelled and pointed on herself.
The bar wasn't that big but pretty full.
SunTzu was the only man in the bar and sat down at a secluded seat at the bar.
Haruka seemed to know most of the patrons.
Haruka ordered a round of shots for the whole bar and when that was done SunTzu ordered a beer and sat there quietly while Haruka showed off her new rank.
A muscular woman, taller than SunTzu, approached Him.
"Hey Army boy, can you drink?"
Haruka saw the woman approach SunTzu and walked over.
"Don't worry, me Mate is a Kraut. He actually can drink."
"Is that so?"
The woman started to order shots with SunTzu and things went blurry again real soon.
The next time SunTzu was halfway clear again it was already daylight and Haruka and him were walking arm over each other's shoulder down a street somewhere in Harajuku. They were already sobering up again as they had danced their asses of in that bar.
"Where we going Sis?"
"I know this place around here that has an authentic British breakfast. Full English is the best after a night like this."
And Haruka was right, the plate full with bacon, a sausage each, fried eggs, baked beans, fried mushroom, dried tomato and toast looked more than delicious in their current state and they pounced on their plates.
"Wasn't i right? That's the real deal."
"Yeah, this is awesome."
"Don't forget the tea. Will sober you up a bit. Although I don't know if we should." She looked at her watch. "Michiru and Rei will probably kill us."
"Yup, we're fucked. And they will make us suffer before. A lot."
They both shared a smile.
"Totally worth it!"
They finished their English breakfast and were sitting there, tea services in front of them.
"It could be worse tho, at least I'm not sleeping in a shower somewhere in the barracks."
"Which doesn't mean we won't be sleeping on the couch the next few days my dear personified war."
Personified War? I'm not that bad, am I?
They clinged their tea cups together.
Haruka looked at SunTzu's new Medal.
"We came a long bruv. And this bloody war just is getting started."
"Yup, I'm thinking the same. Things will get worse."
"At least we got each other." He locked eyes with the blonde. "Hey Haruka. Thanks for your friendship."
"No, thank you." She looked at SunTzu's Star Heart again. "Damn, this medal reminds me of Marvin."
"Me too Haruka, me too."
They clinged their cups again.
"To Marvin."
And they emptied their cups.
"Any idea how we get out of our upcoming trouble from our girlfriends?" SunTzu asked.
"Easy, Lieutenant. We'll go into the offensive. Michiru wrote me, she and Rei slept at Minako's place. Let's head there and try to cut our losses."
A taxi brought them to Minako's house and they rang the bell.
After ringing three times a overnighted Minako opened the door.
"I knew you'll come here somewhen. Do you guys have any idea how late or rather early it is?" She frowned but then opened the door completely and motioned them to enter.
"Come in. The girls are still sleeping so keep quiet."
She lead them inside her spacious looking house. SunTzu was very impressed and surprised. He knew Minako was quite successful with her music but he didn't expect her to be so rich that she could afford a place like this.
Minako lead them to the living room.
"You can crash on the couch."
Upstairs in Minako's bed Rei and Michiru were sleeping.
"We jammed or whatever you call that when you do that with a Violin the whole night and drank a few bottles of wine so right now I'm still way to drunk for all this. I'm going back to sleep again." The Senshi of Love said, shrugged and went up the stairs.
Haruka and SunTzu looked at each other and shrugged also. Time for some sleep.
They laid down on, one on the vertical part of the couch, the other on the horizontal. Their faces were next to each other.
Before falling asleep SunTzu turned around to Haruka.
"Hey Haruka, no matter what may still come in this war, I got your back."
Haruka smiled and stroke SunTzu's head.
"Same here. And now let's sleep."