Chapter 127

Mina walked down the street happily. Even though I'll never marry him, I still want tobe near Mister Sakaki. She thought as she neared the kindergarten classroom. I wonder what he wants to see me about. She thought. She was surprised to see Lita heading towards her from the other direction.

"Hello Mina..."

"Hello Lita..."

"Mina..what are you doing here?" Lita asked.

"I'd like to know that myself, I mean...about you," Mina said.

"Mister Sakaki asked to see me."

"So he asked to see both of us."

"That's not how I interpreted it," Mina said.

"How did you interpret it?" Lita asked.

"Uh...um..that's unimportant," Mina said.

The two walked in.

"Oh hey girls," Mister Sakaki said.

"Hello,:" the two said in unison and scowled at each other.

"Both of you have been a great help to me this year," Sakaki said.

"Equally?" Mina asked.

"Yes..equally," Sakaki said.

"Doubtful," Lita said.

"I agree," Mina said.

"And well..my kindergarten is having a fund raiser, you know to get some more things for the kids, and I was hoping you girls would want to help out," Sakaki said.

"Of course we would," the two said.

"Uh..that's great," Sakaki said. "Say are you two all right, you seem distracted."

"We're fine," the two said.

"You also are talking in unison much too often."

"It's a habit," The two said.

"I see...oh well..so what do you think you could do for the fundraiser?"

"Glad you asked," Mina said.

"So am I," Lita said.

The two glowered at each other again.

This is odd. Sakaki thought.

Meanwhile Steve was sitting in his garage putting the finishing touches on a rocket.

"Now..it's true...that these usually never work," he said to himself. "But it could be that the other guys are around so much that it may be their bad luck. So..I'm keeping this one a secret until I see how it works. Then I'll show them," he said. "As soon...as I unglue my finger from the wing..."

"I've been trying to calculate a pattern on my computer," Amy said.

"You're Mercury computer?" Greg asked.

"No, whatever's disrupting the communicators is also limiting it's use. I'm using my regular one."

"Oh, right..anything?"

"Nothing that's any help. And that's the thing, why is it that there is any communicator disruption?" Amy asked.

"Well...maybe whatever's doing this is causing it, I mean...that seems a good guess but maybe, what's causing this is out there," Greg said.

"Out there?" Amy asked.

"Sure. I mean how else are the communicators always out of order? Maybe it's like chemical reactions in which the amount of let's say energy is building into it forms enough of itself to transform someone."

"It could be it. What if the energy was in the air...say in molecules, if the molecules were blown toghether, by a wind current or something, they might at random intervals cause the transformation."

"Yeah."

"Of course, there's still the question of why certain people and some of the forms that were taken were quite familiar," Amy said.

"That I don't know yet," Greg said.

"Well..we shouldn't dwell on it, we've got a test tommorow."

"Right..time to hit the books," Greg said.

"Why do you think they call it hitting the books?"

"Hmm..maybe somebody was studying to hard and he hit the books in anger."

"Maybe, but unlikely, of course then again...Greg, have you ever hit a book.."

"In frustration? Sure, several times."

"Hmm..I didn't used to. Now I do."

"It's probably the stress."

"Probably."

"So Mister Sakaki's having a fund raiser and you're going to be in it," Serena said.

"Yep, can you guess what I'm going to do?" Mina asked.

"What are you going to do Mina?"

"Sing," Mina said and giggled.

"Sing?"

"Yep."

"Why?"

"Why not. The kids'll love it."

"But you can't sing," Serena said.

"You've just never heard me sing."

"True, but I always thought that was because you couldn't sing."

"I have a lovely voice," Mina said.

"So you're going to sing to them. It's nice that you're participating, but am I wrong in guessing that it's not just about the kids?"

"I love kids. And the fact that they happen to be students where Mister Sakaki is is an added bonus."

"Not the other way around?"

"Serena, you know me."

"Yes, I do know you Mina, and that's why I'm wondering," Serena said.

"Why do you care?"

"Because I'm a curious girl, and I'm wondering if you still have a crush on Mister Sakaki."

"I have a crush on most handsome men. Can we move on?"

"Move on to what?"

"You know what we usually talk about."

"What do we usually talk about?"

"You know...stuff."

"Stuff? Hmm...you're right," Serena said and paused. "Mina.."

"Yes Serena?" Mina asked.

"Why I am the skeptical one here?"

"I don't know Serena. It is pretty odd for you to be so rational, but then again, this could mean I have surpassed you in irrationality to a point at which relatively you're rational compared to me..uh..hypothetically."

"Oh...is that good or bad?"

"Hmm...I have to chose my words carefully here," she said and paused. "Serena, how about we pull out a comic book and read it to break us out of whatever zone we're in."

"Excellent suggestion," Serena said and did just that.

"Hey..all right, this is the one where the handsome Shinohara follows the beautfiul Miyumi into the garden," Mina said.

"Will Shinohara ever get her?" Serena asked.

"Sure he will..he's the perfect man.." Mina said.

"And she's perfect, like we are." Serena said.

"Yes, this book was based on us I think."

"How?" Serena asked.

"I meant spiritually," Mina said.

"Oh."

And in Mike's room.

"Now..in ancient Rome, Caesar had to have some way to get people to come to the palace right?" Mike began.

"Right," Rick said.

"So, what would be the best way to do it?"

"Cell phone?"

"No you're just being trouble."

"I usually am at this hour," Rick said.

"I can see that," Mike said. "But listen...he used pages."

"I see..he.."

"No he didn't write down who he wanted on a piece of paper and then throw it out a window hoping he'd find it, don't use that joke with me, it's already harmed society enough," Mike said.

"What?" Rick asked in surprise.

"Never mind, now how do people call other people now?"

"Cell phones."

"Right..and cell phones and other non cell phones, but the same idea,"Mike said.

"So..what is it that this is all about?" Rick asked.

"Think about what would happen if Caesar had a cell phone," Mike said.

"Nothing, because he couldn't call anyone," Rick said.

"Oh..you've heard this one..sorry..." Mike said.

"That's it?" Rick said.

"Thanks to you..yeah, I spent seven hours on that one."

"Sorry.." Rick said and instinctively ducked as a phone reciever flew over his head and smashed into the floor.

"That was the joke!" Mike shouted.

"Ehh." Rick said.

"So are you going to cook for them?" Raye asked.

"No I do that all the time anyway," Lita said. "I thought I'd make stuffed bears."

"Stuffed bears. Why?"

"Cause they're cute."

"Oh. I didn't know you made them."

"Well...I learned how and I know a store nearby who would donate the materials."

"Tell me Lita, do you like Mister Sakaki?"

"I know where you're going with this Raye, and I like him as a friend, so I want to help him and his kids out."

"Fair enough," Raye said. "It's nothing more."

"Even if it was, it doesn't matter."

"Maybe, I was just thinking, back when the guys were away, we were just too eager to let go, I mean...it was easier for me to keep control.."

"Was it?" Lita muttered.

"I think so, and well...maybe we're rushing things, I mean, what's happened between me and Rick will keep us toghether as friends probably forever. But as a whole, we spend this time chasing after guys, and then we find some, and...doesn't it take some the fun out of it."

"Sure it does Raye. Are these the guys we're going to marry. Probably not. You know the strange thing is that because they're all friends, and we're all friends, and then you add that we're all scouts, it makes things more complex. I sort of see it like if we decided to stop dating, which is a little hard to say is even happening right now...it wouldn't change things."

"You're right. They say you can't go back to being friends after being in a relationship, but right now..I don't think there is much of a relationship, it's just a bunch of really good friends going about their lives...and does that confuse you as much as it does me?"

"I wonder about it," Lita said.

"But you know something else..I realized when he was away...that I think I love Rick."

"Really love?"

"Yeah, because even with Chad next door and my instincts telling me to look around, I just couldn't do it."

"That's good Raye, I'm happy for you."

"But do you think he feels the same. Now?"

"Don't know," Lita said. "Only he knows the truth."

"Like guys ever really know. They're too busy blowing things up," Rick said.

There was a knock on the door. Lita opened it. There stood Steve with ash on his face.

"Oh hey Lita...I was in the neighborhood thought I'd say hello."

Lita and Raye started laughing.

"Oh..my face..right..heh.." Steve said.

"It's funny on different levels too," Raye said and the two continued to laugh.

"Oh...okay..." Steve said.

Two days passed and the fundraiser was being held. Mina and Lita had shown up at the various booths. Lita was carefully creating stuffed bears for young children and the parents who came by.

"You're quite good at that," Mister Sakaki said.

"I guess," Lita said. "So how are things going."

"Better than expected," Sakaki said. "Thanks to people like you we're bringing in some money."

"Well I'm glad to hear it."

"I'll come back around soon..keep it up," Sakaki said and walked off.

"Well this is some operation," Steve said.

"Oh..hey Steve..want a bear?"

"Fraid not, I'd appreciate the thought, but the guys would just tear me apart."

"I'll make you one later in secret if you want."

"That's okay," Steve said.

Lita finished making a bear and handed it to another child. Her parents left some money on the table and headed off.

"Well..you know that ain't bad work there," Steve said.

"I've been getting a lot of compliments," Lita said proudly.

"Kinda strange."

"What is?"

"Well you're one tough girl, can handle herself in a fight, yet your good at all this woman stuff."

Lita glanced at the sky and sighed.

"Woman stuff," she muttered.

"Oh come on, it's not that sexist," Steve said. "I mean..how good would I be at cooking or making a bear?"

"Just what do you do well anyway?" Lita asked.

"Uh...beat people up essentially."

"And yet I can do that just as well..so that can't be man stuff can it?"

"Oh..listen..I'm going to go now.."

"Wise choice. Remember Steve, you can always stop digging your own grave."

"Heh...well..I use a small shovel anyway..heh heh," Steve said.

"Small shovel?" Lita asked.

"Is that you're boyfriend?" a little kid asked as she handed her a bear.

"Yes," Lita said.

"Kind of a loser isn't he?" the kid said.

Lita glanced at the kid. The kid just grinned back.

"So glad you could come out to see me today," Mina said looking at a small group of kids sitting around her relatively unvisited part of the fundraiser fair. She was wearing a dress that was supposed to look idol like and had a futuristic theme.

"Are you an alien?" one of the kids asked.

"Yes..I'm from the planet of Venus. The planet of Love," Mina said.

"Eww...so there's a lot of kissing and stuff," another kid said.

"Maybe she's got cooties," a third kid said and the group ran off.

"Ehh..." Mina said.

"How's it going Mina?" Sakaki asked.

"Well...badly..." Mina said.

"Don't they like your singing?"

"No one's heard me sing, they all leave before I get the chance."

"Oh.."

"Guess I'm better at talking with kids then this sort of thing," Mina said.

"Stick to your day job," Raye said sliding up.

"Raye, you're input is not needed," Mina said.

"Oh, but I insist," Raye said.

"Who's this?" Sakaki asked.

"Raye Hino, at your service," Raye said. "And I mean anytime, ahem..I mean...I like to be helpful."

Mina glanced at her.

"Perhaps I could help Mina attract some customers."

"How?" Sakaki asked.

"Oh..I guess you haven't heard of me then."

"Of course he hasn't," Mina said. "You're only a well known singer among high school students."

"Well..it's more than you've got," Raye said. "Shut up, I'm trying to help you."

"See maybe I could sing a number to warm them up and then Mina could have a shot. I'm sure that would draw some more interest," Raye said.

"Or maybe it won't," Mina said.

"Guess it can't hurt," Sakaki said.

"By the way Mina, where'd you get that outift."

"I've been saving it for a special occasion."

"Like you're wedding?" Raye muttered.

"I would get married in this dress," Mina replied.

"And what would the groom be wearing?"

"Whatever he wanted."

"Well..It probably won't come up."

"What do you mean by that?"

"I mean...that..oh never mind."

"Raye..listen..I don't want you singing now..I can do fine."

"Okay, okay..fine..I was just here for a few minutes anyway. Rick's waiting for me at the temple."

"Bye," Mina muttered. Several minutes later she felt strange, and gasped for air.

"Ahh..what's ..ah..geez.." Mina muttered and then she began to transform. She disapeared behind the curtain of her stage and then fumbled for her power stick.

"Venus Planet Power!" She shouted as both transformations overcame her. Then she became evil and Sailor Venus simultaneously. She emerged from the curtain.

"Hey! It's Sailor Venus!" someone shouted.

"What's she doing?" Lita wondered looking.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" Venus shouted and blew the stage apart.

"Is this some sort of stunt?" Sakaki said.

"I doubt it..everyone get out of here!" Lita shouted.

"Are you serious?" Sakaki said.

"Yes, hurry!" Lita said. Soon the people were runnng out of the area.

"Ah..come on, isn't anyone going to fight me?" Venus asked.

"Don't worry..Venus...you'll have your fight," Jupiter said stepping forward.

Venus grinned.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!"

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"

The two attacks hit and exploded.

"Well..this won't get us anywhere," Venus said.

"No it won't!" Jupiter said and ran at her calling on her superstrength.

"Nope," Venus said and jumped to the side and did a tumbling pass along the ground. She flipped up and turned.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she shouted. Jupiter side stepped it. Venus leapt up into the air and bounced off the roof of a booth, she then did another flip and went into a drop kick. Jupiter moved aside and waited for Venus to hit the ground. Venus did and then shifted her weight and flipped backward.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she shouted at close range. Jupiter was surprised and hit by the attack and thrown back several feet.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she shouted again before Jupiter could get to her feet. Jupiter was thrown back even father and she struggled to get up.

"Now for a little more action," Venus said. "Venus Love Chain Encircle!" she shouted. Jupiter dived out of the way and was clipped on the leg as she went.

She winced but landed carefully and whirled.

She has speed, but if I just get in a good punch. Jupiter thought.

"I know what you're thinking," Venus said.

I doubt she does. Jupiter thought.

"Yeah...see...you're not going to hit me with any of your attacks, I'm much too fast and agile. So the only way to get me is to somehow tackle me or something, and once again I'm too fast and agile. I on the other hand..." she said and jumped into the air. She flipped off a roof.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she shouted and then flipped forward and landed on another roof.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she shotued again. Jupiter narrowly avoided both attacks.

Jupiter sighed and leapt onto one of the roofs of the booths.

"Oh I see..." Venus said.

"Venus Crescent Beam Smash!" she shouted and fired her attack. Jupiter jumped to the side of it.

Venus launched her attack again. Jupiter jumped aside.

"Interesting how you just keeping jumping from booth to booth. You'll run out eventually."

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!" Jupiter shouted and launched an attack at Venus. She flipped out of the way. Jupiter leaped forward and caught Venus off guard.

Got her overconfident and tired. Juptier thought happily, as the two crashed through another booth. Jupiter lifted Venus up and threw her across the courtyard.

"Come on..get up.." Jupiter said as Venus slowly stood up.

"Jupiter Thunder Crash!"

Venus narrowly avoided it. Jupiter raced forward and barreled into Venus knocking her back several feet.

"This is unfair," Venus moaned and gasped for air.

"Is not," Jupiter said. "Not my fault you got tired using all those attacks."

She threw Venus back across the courtyard.

"Furthermore you're evil self has destroyed what others worked hard to do, and so I cannot forgive you evil Venus!" Jupiter said. "Jupiter Thunder Crash!"

She hit Venus head on and knocked her skidding along the ground.

"Jupiter Healing Power!" she shouted. Venus soon recovered and turned back into human Mina.

"Hey..Mina..you okay?" Jupiter asked.

"I think you actually enjoyed that,"Mina said.

"A little," Jupiter said returning to human form.

"More than a little," Mina said.

"Well look at all the damage you did."

"It wasn't my fault."

"I know, you would never want to hurt Mr. Sakaki."

"Yeah," Mina said.

"Still this doesn't do much to advance your singing career," Lita said. "Of course nothing could I guess."

"You've never heard me sing."