Chapter 128
It was another sunny day in Tokyo. As it usually was.
"So..football season's heating up isn't it?" Lita asked.
"Yep, it's going to be a heck of year," Steve said.
"By the way..what's your favorite team?"
Steve paused.
"Um...ah..gee..what's that..." He said.
"What?" Lita asked.
"What?" Steve asked.
"You said what's that?"
"I did?"
"Yes."
"Well what is it?"
"What's what?"
"You missed it..sorry.."
"Ehh.." Lita said.
"So..school's tough isn't it?"
"Yeah, I guess," Lita said unsurely.
The door opened.
"Oh..hey.." Sergeant Nelson said walking in.
"You know what Lita..we just did this raid downtown.found this idiot with fifty crates full of drugs..says he must have picked up the wrong boxes at the airport!" Sergeant Nelson said and started laughing.
Lita laughed too.
"Oh. and another thing..here you go," Nelson said handing Lita two tickets. "Opening game of the football season..don't worry..my seats are across the field."
"Oh.thanks dad," Lita said. "That reminds me..Steve was going to tell me what his favorite team was."
"He was?" Sergeant Nelson said.
"Um..actually I was a little worried about it," Steve said.
"As you should be. A dispute over favorite teams could break a relationship," Nelson said. "Heck five girls dumped me in high school..just because I liked the Barracudas."
"I don't blame them," Lita said. "The Barracudas have and always will come up short when it counts."
Dang, the Barracudas are my team too. Steve thought.
"Lita, you have to cut us guys some slack," her father said. "We have a right to like any team we want. But you girls always hold it against us."
"Only the girls you dated," Lita said. "It's not like that at all. I wouldn't dump Steve over a football team."
"You wouldn't," Steve said.
"No, our relationship is built on more than that,:" Lita said.
"Oh..you mean like hockey and pro wrestling too.." Steve said.
"Um...sort of .." Lita said.
"You can like whatever team you want, I won't hold it against you," Lita said.
"Well then I like the Barracudas," Steve said.
"Don't joke with me, I'm being serious," Lita said.
"No..I mean it," Steve said.
"The Barracudas?" Lita muttered.
"Quality ball team," Sergeant Nelson said.
"Steve, I said I wouldn't dump you over this and I won't...but that doesn't mean I won't start laughing," Lita said and burst in hysterics.
Steve sighed.
"Don't worry kid..she doesn't know what she's talking about," Sergeant Nelson
said.
Meanwhile at Raye's temple. Raye stood at the grave of her family and prayed for a minute silently. Rick stood back aways..
"It's at times like this I'm glad I don't have to say a prayer for you," Raye said.
Me too.. Rick thought.
"It's been a few months, I guess..I've taken it well," Raye said.
"Yes you have," Rick said.
"I guess it helped to be able to say good bye, you know.."
"Yeah..I know.."
"Rick..can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Well..I've wondered why I've been able to handle myself. The loss of one's parents at an early age and then this..well..it's supposed to affect me....and yet it hasn't. I mean they say I should be pessimistic and scornful. All I see is a temper, but not much of one," Raye said.
"That's your opinion," Rick said.
"What?"
"Um..right..that's the opinion."
"Oh..so am I wrong to be the way I am."
"Well..you're more grounded then the others.." Rick said. But not by much. "That comes from the experience.. Heck I'm no good at this. Raye...haven't you asked your friends?"
"They wouldn't tell me the truth. I think considering the circumstances, you have to."
"Oh. I see," Rick said. "Well...being honest..I just think you learned to deal with it."
"But I don't know how I did. I mean..even before I went to the afterlife to get you. I seemed to have no problem. I worked hard, did what to be done and still had my very attractive personality."
"Are you baiting me to disagree?"
"No..I'm just telling the absolute truth," Raye said. "Why?"
"Nothing, nothing," Rick said.
"I guess the big question is. Why am I so happy?"
"Oh..hmm...that's going to take me a minute to think through," Rick said.
Elsewhere.
"Hey Lita, where you going?" Serena said running into her friend on the sidewalk.
"Oh..just over to Steve's."
"Date?"
"Serena, you know we don't really go on dates," Lita said.
"I know..you and your low standards," Serena said.
"What?"
"Well..I mean...what happened to you Lita..this guy's a great friend and all, but you need a romantic evening of ballroom dancing if you ask me."
"Well Serena, it's not easy to classify trips to sporting events as seperate from dates to another guy. No one would understand and I won't give up Steve, he's too fun to be with at these things."
"Okay, okay, you've been warned."
"Why do care anyway?"
"Oh.it's just a hobby of mine figuring out who's relationship will crash and burn first."
"You can't be serious."
"No, it's actually quite challenging, when you measure Mina's desires as well as Mike's overall undesirableness..then there's your situation..and..well..it's hard to see."
"And where do you figure into this little equation?"
"I'm set for life," Serena said.
"Are you?" Lita asked.
"Yep."
"We'll see."
"Say...could I just tag along for a minute or so..just to see what you two actually talk about."
"Fine.." Lita said. "If you're quiet."
"Oh..sure.."
Minutes later.
"Oh..hey Lita, hey Serena..." Steve said. "Come on in."
"Nice place you got here," Serena said.
"Uh..thanks.." Steve said.
"Hey..I've seen that picture somewhere before," Serena said pointing at the wall.
"It's a Van Gogh," Steve said.
"Van Gogh? Sounds like a sport utility vehicle," Serena said.
"Van Gogh was a great painter Serena," Lita said.
"Never heard of him," Serena said.
"Ya like the painting," Steve's father said emerging from another room. "The Police still haven't figured out who took it from the museum..heh heh.."
"Dad..stop telling that lie, you picked this copy up at a tag sale," Steve said.
"It was not a tag sale," his father said. "It was a yard sale...there was no tags involved."
"Oh.." Steve said.
"So...Lita..don't like the Barracudas do ya?"
"Um..well no.." Lita said.
"Couldn't agree with you more, Steve's an idiot to like them. They have no backfield!"
"That doesn't matter," Steve said.
"Oh..I do believe it does. Now..the Dragons..well..let's see...could it be our fourth straight championship.." his father said.
"You like the dragons?" Lita asked. "They're my favorite."
"Are they? Well..looks like your girlfriend's actually got some good sense after all."
"As if I didn't before?" Lita muttered. Serena grinned.
"Oh..well..sorry..it's just that we figured any girl that dated Steve must have several screws loose."
"Dad! I'm big enough to beat you in a fight now!" Steve said.
"Bring it on!" his father said.
"Uh...please not now," Lita said. "Besides you might wreck your beautiful furniture."
"Aw..come on Lita..let them go.." Serena said.
"Why are our roles reversed here?" Lita said.
"Don't know.." Serena said.
"I've figured it out I think," Rick said.
"Took you long enough," Raye said.
"Well..this is deep thought. Raye...I remember you're first year in junior high," Rick said. "Even then I had a bit of an eye on you..and..then..you were angry..very very very hot tempered..and you were distant. But...then you changed."
"That's true," Raye said. "I just didn't realize it. The past few years have been a bit of an eventful period."
"Right..but..you know what I think did it. You met Serena and Amy then didn't you?"
"Well..yeah..and I became a Sailor Scout."
"Uh huh..and that changed things didn't it?"
"I guess now that you mention it, it did."
"See? I think you weren't doing to well all those years, but then..you met the others and things changed, you began to be friends, so I've heard and gradually grew closer. Then you're demeanor improved."
"Are you just guessing?" Raye asked.
"Well I've had the full background story," Rick said.
"I see."
"But Raye, I never realized it until right now...all of us....but especially you girls..had various problems...some that you don't even know about..but when you became friends..it became so much easier to deal with. I mean I've heard the stories. Lita got into fights. Amy was lonely with all her genius. Serena..well..Serena hasn't improved, but she's happy."
"And we suspect that Mina..well..we don't know what it was..but she's always seemed a bit weird," Raye said.
"Yep...see..where us guys..we're just weird...and still are...but we also are less trouble..then we were..though not by much. Heck even take Michiru and Haruka, they seem to be doing better."
"That's right. You know you're very insightful when you try."
"I've been called other things.." Rick said.
"I can only guess," Raye said.
"The Dragons, sure you won three years in a row, but you lost half your starting line and besides, my team has been more consistent for the past decade," Steve said.
"And it doesn't have one championship to show for it," Lita said.
"Yeah," Mr. Carlin said.
"Uh..maybe I should just go," Serena said.
"No stay..we always like to have women around the house," Mr. Carlin said.
"Uh..well..I'm not really a football person," Serena said.
"That's okay, you can be the neutral moderator type," Mr. Carlin said.
"For what?" Serena said.
"We are having a sports discussion, it's always good to have a moderator," Mr. Carlin said.
"He's right," Steve said.
"But why?" Serena asked.
"Well if we told you it would start to bend you from being neutral," Lita said.
"Oh..." Serena said.
"I don't know if anything we've talked about will change my outlook on life," Raye said. "But..it helped answer some questions...you really are a great guy Rick..even if sometimes you don't seem that way."
"Oh.come now...I always seem that way."
"That's what you think."
"Hey..I would know..I've studied you girls very closely, I know what makes you tick."
"You do?"
"Yep, honestly, I'm more attractive then any other guy you know right?"
"Well..I guess."
"See..it's all research."
"O.kay," Raye said not sure whether he was joking or not.
"So you wanna go for dinner some place?"
"Sure I would. Where did you have in mind?"
"You're choice."
"Oh..okay..seems you've done your research well," Raye said.
"Hey, I know the girls love to be in control, especially you."
"That's..."
Rick stumbled forward.
"What is it?" Raye said.
"Bad news.." Rick said and began to glow.
"Uh oh," Raye said.
Rick then turned into a monster in front of her. His hair turned bright red and he stood up slowly. Seconds later he pulled out his power stick.
"Gotta do something," Raye said. But he'll probably be easier to beat as a scout.
She pulled out her power stick and the two were transformed in an instant.
Soon Sailor Mars was facing Guardian Uranus.
I don't want to hurt him. Mars said. He doesn't have any tough attacks. Maybe I can beat him with pure hand to hand combat. I'd prefer to. Just have to avoid his sword.
"Hmm..so at last we meet in combat, Sailor Mars," Guardian Uranus said readying his sword.
"You don't have to be so dramatic about it," Mars said.
"Ah, but I do..this is what you call a showdown...and I have desired to defeat you for years," Uranus said.
"You haven't known for me for years," Mars said.
"Ah..but the legends.."
"What legends.." Mars said.
"The stories passed down through my family through generations. The stories that said one day I would meet the champion of this world in combat, and defeat that champion. It is my destiny," Uranus said.
"Are you on something?" Mars said. "That evil must be affecting your mind."
"Of course it is! Defend yourself!" Uranus said and slid forward and stabbed his sword towards her head. She slipped under it and did a minature spin kick, he twisted back and took up a stance.
"Very good...but they didnt say it wouldn't be a challenge," Uranus said. "I have to wonder though. Just how good are you. You are not someone who trains everyday, someone who undergoes the mental and physical conditioning necessary for pure martial arts combat. Yet you choose to fight me that way. No fire?"
"I have no wish to hurt you," Mars said. "Besides, we are both warriors, what need do we have of magical powers or weapons for that matter. If you want to face me, do it as I face you."
"Hmm..I see.very well..what do I care?" Uranus said and stuck his sword on his belt.
That surprised me. Mars thought. The two faced off again.
"In hand to hand, I have some great skills," Uranus said. "Are you willing to face them?"
"I am," Mars said.
Uranus took one step forward and then bounced off his foot quickly leaping forward using his power. Mars' eyes widened and she flipped backward. Uranus skidded to a stop.
"I see you using your leaping ability," Mars said.
"That's fair game," Uranus said. "So what do you think of that attack. If you did not possess comparable ability you would have been hit."
"Very true," Mars said. "Well? Attack?"
"No..I think I'll let you attack," Uranus said.
The two stayed in their fighting stances.
"All right," Mars said and ran forward. She pushed her arms out in front of her, and charged. Uranus waited. Mars leapt into the air and flew at him. It was an obvious attack. Uranus stepped aside and sent a knee flying upward. It caught Mars in the chest and she had the wind knocked out of her as she barely landed on her hands and flipped upward.
"Yes that was the plan wasn't it?" Uranus said. "I would just step aside. You would flip around and attack. So..you have been learning new moves, but you're the one out of air."
Mars gasped. Uranus threw a chop at her. She ducked it, but he elbowed her in the stomach again she heaved, and coughed. He chopped her across the face and she fell back.
"Come on..that's hardly a reason to fall to the ground," Uranus and backed up several feet doing the honorable thing despite his evilness.
I could beat him so easily with my powers. But that could do too much damage. Mars thought. I know the others have said there's little effect, but I just can't risk it.
Mars stood up.
Uranus ran forward, stepped forward on his right foot, hopped and jumped off the left foot and leapt at her. She jumped up to meet him with a spin kick. He took the hit and barreled into her slamming her into the wall of her house. She slid to the ground. He stepped backward and rubbed his cheek.
"Dang that, was a hard hit..." he said. "But I am still standing," he said shaking his head back and forth to try and see straight.
That was the wrong counter. Mars thought and stood again.
"I'm not that much better then you, I shouldn't be winning this big," Uranus said.
"Come on Uranus, we're not done,"Mars said.
"No..I'll just wait for you again," Uranus said.
Mars sighed and stepped forward, taking one step before the other, she advanced towards him.
"Hmm..this is a curious attack," Uranus said watching her carefully. Mars tensed her right fist and lunged forward. Uranus moved his hands to block as her right arm moved, but he was nailed in the head by a chop from her left hand. She grabbed his blocking right hand and flipped him over onto his back she then leapt upward and flipped forward and to take a fighting stance.
"Faked me out," Uranus muttered standing slowly. "That was nice...but..now you're getting me a bit angry."
"Because I'm giving you a good fight?" Mars asked.
"Well yeah," Uranus said and leapt forward and delievered a kick. Mars blocked and went with a chop. Uranus blocked it and tried his own chop. Mars blocked that and went for a knee. Uranus stepped back and thrust his two fists forward. Mars side stepped it and brought her left leg up to knee him. Uranus slid aside and rolled away, coming up quickly and jumping forward in a similar move to what Mars had done earlier. She leapt upward and pushed down slamming him into the ground. She stepped away and waited.
"You know.." Uranus muttered, slowly climbing off the ground. "That move doesn't really work."
"You've noticed that," Mars said.
"Wonder when it would?" Uranus said.
"Good question, but not one that concerns me at the moment," Mars said and slid forward. Uranus slid forward too and they sparred with kicks and punches each trying to land one. Spontaneously they slid backward and both tried spin kicks. Mars had worked on a variation to Uranus's since she wanted to be different and her's was higher as a result of this both legs connected before colliding and the two crashed to the ground.
"Ow.." Mars muttered.
The two both took a second to catch their breath, before standing up again.
"You know we can go for hours like this," Uranus said.
"Fine by me," Mars said.
"Really?"
"Yes."
"Okay!" Uranus said and lunged at her.
Meanwhile.
"Seven all pro defensive players and the second best quarterback in the league, as well as the best running back," Steve said.
"Eight all pro offensive players and the best quarterback and wide reciever combo," Lita replied.
"Not to mention the winningest coach in history," Mr. Carlin said.
"Hmm.." Serena said looking a them. "As they say Defense wins championships, and with seven all pro defensive players including the unmentioned potential breakout rookie player they picked up in the draft, the Barracudas have the potential to be the hardest to score on team in the league, and while they do have some offensive problems and a relatively weak backfield, you can look to them to keep the opposing quarterback from throwing the ball. With that kind of action, you can expect them not to need that much offense. Though the Dragon's will be strong, and if they can get their pass play going against teams like the Barracudas they could do well. But one also has to account for the aging frong line of the Dragon's who could get injured more easily. Plus with their perenial running back troubles, victory is not assured..."
The three looked at her in shock.
"Uh..can I go now?" Serena asked.
The three nodded still in shock. Serena dashed out.
"She learns quickly," Mr. Carlin said.
"No she doesn't..." Lita and Steve said.
"So..this is scary then?" Mr. Carlin asked.
"Very," they answered.
Mars and Uranus leapt at each other again. They each sparred vigorously trying to get the advantage. Both slid away quickly to plan their next move.
"Hmm...I wonder.." Mars thought and grabbed her power stick.
"And just what are you going to do with that," Uranus said.
"Heal you of course."
"No you don't!" Uranus said and bounced forward. Mars dived away.
"Mars Healing Power!" she shouted as he spun to face her. He sighed as he was covered in energy. He was healed, and then he fell to one knee and then two.
Mars sighed and held herself up against a tree.
"Takes a lot out of you don't it?" Rick muttered.
"Yeah," Mars said.
"You couldn't even beat me."
"Do you really care about that?" Mars asked.
"No..but it would have been interesting to find out," Rick said.
"Why?" Mars said returning to human form.
"Well..it's always good to know wheter you can beat your girlfriend in a fight or not. It's important for any long term plans you might have."
"Oh..I see.." Raye said. "You were taking me to dinner remember?"
"Right...let's go. But I'll get a rematch someday."
CHAPTER 119 CHAPTER 120 CHAPTER 121 CHAPTER 122 CHAPTER 123
CHAPTER 124 CHAPTER 125 CHAPTER 126 CHAPTER 127 CHAPTER 128
CHAPTER 129 CHAPTER 130 CHAPTER 131 CHAPTER 132 CHAPTER 133