Chapter 227

"Invisible monsters, just what are they talking about?" Urawa muttered.

"What do you mean?" Amy said sitting across from her.

"I don't get all this stuff. I mean..how do we know the sailor scouts didn't trash the hallway?"

"Urawa, you didn't see them in the cafeteria did you?"

"No, that's true, but I just can't believe some invisible monster showed up."

"But what about Miss Meio's injuries."

"To be honest, I think she's a little insane herself."

Amy grinned slightly. Far from it. She thought.

"I just don't know," Urawa said. "It's all suspicious."

"Why is it suspicious?" Amy asked.

"Tables being destroyed for no reason. Numerous attacks on the school. Just why it is happening?"

"Who knows why these things happen," Amy said.

"The sailor scouts do I bet."

"Why?"

"Well there always there to stop these quote unquote evil forces. Have you ever heard of a police force capable of stopping every criminal?"

"No, but.."

"Exactly, I surmise the only way these scouts could somehow stop every enemy that exists and stop their every move is if their in on it."

"It does make some logical sense," Amy said. "But..have you thought maybe the scouts are targeted themselves?"

"That's always possible I guess, still, it's suspicious."

"It seems like you've done some research on the subject," Amy said.

"Not really, but I keep track of it when it's in the paper. Can I ask you something honestly?"

"Uh huh," Amy said somewhat nervously.

"Just how does your brother get all his stuff? That equipment he has, his commission in the army, top security clearance?"

"Well his uncle, or former uncle is a general, and he has been of service."

"Doing what?"

"I don't know, it is top secret."

"You must know something."

"No..I don't."

"Hmm..well that's suspicious in itself."

"Urawa, why can't we talk about something else."

"Sure..sure..sorry," Urawa said.

"Misao and I talked again today," Ken said. Lita listened intently as she sat on her bed.

"That's good. Are you going to be friends again?"

"She says that she has to be sure it doesn't mess up her relationship with her new boyfriend."

"There's another guy already?"

"She says that she was attracted to him, but she hadn't talked to him till she broke up with me."

"Well that's relatively mature," Lita said.

"That's what I thought," Ken said. "So..she just wants to square things, explain it. You know."

"That's good," Lita said. "She's a nice girl from what you say."

"We're really much better just talking."

"Hmm..that's good," Lita said.

"Guess now we're even huh?"

"Even?"

"Sure...you were just coming off a relationship and I guess I helped you out."

"Ken, you've helped me out more than that. I still owe you. You also helped me when I broke up with Steve."

"Yeah..I guess we're good for helping each other when we break up."

"I don't know if we're a good influence or a bad influence on each other," Lita said.

"Me neither," Ken said.

"It's a good thing we're not seeing each other, because if we broke up who'd we go to for advice," Lita said.

'Yeah..that'd be annoying," Ken said.

"Of course then I guess we just couldn't break up, because we wouldn't know who to go talk to.." Lita said.

"Guess we'd be stuck," Ken said.

The two looked at each other.

"No..of course not," the two said both looked away. They turned back and stared.

"We don't know what might happen," Lita said.

"You're right..we can't...what if it didn't work out?" Ken said.

"Of course we have been able to be friends with others after a relationship before."

"Yeah..but that's not to say we could pull this off."

"Still...we have been friends for a few years," Lita said.

"Pretty good friends."

"Yeah.," Lita said. "They say it isn't a good idea though."

"Some people do. I mean..the chances of it working.."

"Low.."

"It goes against my better judgement."

"Mine too. Uh..still I could use an excuse to see you in that outfit everyday," Ken said glancing at Lita's Chinese silken dress.

"There's more to me then the outfit," Lita said.

"Yes..that's right..and that makes it twice as good."

"Oh...good point..."

"You know..beautiful girl who also is great to talk to."

"Right..I see what you mean.." Lita said. "You're not too bad looking yourself.."

"Oh..I guess."

"Trust me."

"We're going to do this aren't we?"

"I think we're committed."

"So...where do you want to go?"

"Good question, I usually have a list ready," Lita said. "Why don't you pick?"

"I'm not good at picking," Ken said.

"Oh...you should be..you seem to be good at stuff."

"Uh..maybe this won't work."

"No..no..it will..follow me," she said bounding off the bed and hurrying out. Ken followed quickly.

And in the gym of Juuban High School.

"Let's do it Rick," Raye said holding a microphone in front of her face.

"You two jokers ready?" Rick asked turning to Steve and Mike. The two gave a thumbs up.

"All right then. Let's go," Rick said and the group started up. Raye waited and then began singing the lyrics to a fast rock song they had just developed.

Mina stuck her head in the door of the gym and watched, as well as listening.

The song went on and then came to a quick stop.

"Okay..I was off at the end sorry," Mike said. "I know what I did wrong though."

"No problem," Rick said. "I think I missed a note here and there too."

"I was perfect," Steve said.

The two glanced at him. He grinned slightly.

"Hmm.." Raye said her eyes narrowing. "I smell perfume."

"So?" Rick asked.

"She's here.." Raye said turning her head quickly. Mina pulled her head out of the doorway.

"She won't get away that easily!" Raye shouted and raced towards the door. Mina had already taken off as Raye slid out into the air.

"Come back here!" she shouted.

"Not when you put it that way," Mina said and dived over some hedges. Raye raced after her and soon gained ground. Mina leapt up grabbed a tree branch and swung forward trying to land on it intending to jump off another way. She slipped and fell, only managing to re grab the branch, slip and fall to the ground.

"Ehh.." she said. "That was stupid."

"I agree," Raye said hurrying up. "Now just what we're you doing spying on us?"

"Spying? Jeez..so I'm interested in how your band is doing. What's it called, Raye and her egos?" Mina snapped.

"You're in no position to talk, Miss "I can get by on pure talent alone"," Raye said.

"I never said that!" Mina replied.

"You didn't need too."

"Oh..that's what you think. You think I'm trying to do it the easy way? Well..for a while you'd be right, but I'm trying. Sure I don't have the experience you do, or the work ethic..yet...but I'm trying. I don't see what your problem is."

"My problem is that you think you're as good as I am."

"I never said that either."

"Before the concert you seemed to believe it."

"I was teasing, to help myself deal with the fact that I'll always be second best."

"What?" Raye said in surprise.

"That's right, if you keep up with all your doing, I'll never even get close to you."

Raye stopped a minute.

"You're kidding right? All these theatrics, you're just trying to get me to let you off easy," Raye said.

"No..I don't waste my theatrics on serious matters," Mina said.

"Oh.."

"That's right, where do you think I got the idea to try all this stuff out in the first place. It was seeing you standing on that stage and everyone clapping and shouting your name. I wanted that, even though I knew that I could never be as good as you, I'm too distracted, too scatter brained. I try to sing from the heart, but that's not enough, so I'll never be as good. But I'm still trying."

"I didn't know..it wasn't like you told anyone."

"It wasn't like I could just tell you could I? I thought when I went out there and sang a song you'd realize that I was at least trying. But you didn't even say one thing, you just resented it. Which I should have expected. It's either perfection or nothing with you isn't it? As long as someone doesn't try to do something you're an expert at," she said putting the words expert into quotes with her fingers, "it's okay, but the minute you delve into Raye's territory, it's dish out the criticism. You fault Serena for existing half the time, and now it's my turn, well..fine..I can take that. Every idol star needs a little animosity and disappointment, it enhances their final triumph," Mina said. "We'll see won't we!"

She then ran off leaving Raye speechless.

Darrien and Serena were sitting in a restaurant.

"Darrien..do you think I can handle coffee?" Serena asked.

"Coffee?" Darrien asked. "Why would you want any?"

"You know..to keep me going, to somehow overcome my chronic laziness."

"Hmm..this is a very important decision, I don't think I'm qualified, this could be a matter of national security."

"What? Why?" Serena asked.

"You high on coffee?" Darrien asked.

"So you don't think I can handle it?"

"I just don't want to be responsible for the consequences."

"That's an insult isn't it?"

"No."

"Now you're insulting my intelligence."

"I'm just joking around Serena."

"I'll have you know.." she stopped and yawned. "See? Look at this. I can't even snap at you without getting tired."

"Are you sure you're getting enough sleep?" Darrien asked.

"Darrien, I'll never get enough sleep," Serena said.

Darrien grinned slightly.

"Never mind that...we've got stuff to do."

"Like what?"

"I have to bring joy and happiness to this city, like I used to do."

"Explain what you mean by that."

"I'll be glad to. Let's go."

"Where?" Darrien asked.

"Wherever we're needed," Serena said.

"And where would that be?" Darrien asked.

"If I knew that I could tell you," Serena said.

"I'm putting you on notice that you're worrying me."

"And when am I not worrying you?" Serena asked.

"Hmm...I know I've got a list of those few times that happened. I make sure to date each entry."

"Now you're just being trouble," Serena said. "Do you like messing with my young innocent mind?"

"Sometimes it provides the motivation for me to go on living, yes, I'd say so," Darrien said.

"You didn't used to be this much of a jerk."

"Actually I did, remember?"

"Oh..yeah..why the heck did I find you attractive!"

"I believe it was my rose throwing alter ego that did it for you," Darrien said.

"Why can't you be him all the time?" Serena muttered.

"Why can't you be Sailor Moon all the time?" Darrien whispered back.

"Never mind that...I'm cute in all my forms," Serena said.

"Sure..sure..You're sailor scout outfit is just more revealing," he said with a grin.

"HAH!" Serena shouted.

"What?" Darrien said.

"I just did that to keep you off balance," She said walking up to his car. "You drive," she said.

"As opposed to who else?" Darrien asked.

"Hah..you learn quickly," Serena said.

"Learn what?" Darrien asked.

Serena grinned.

Elsewhere.

"You know I am intrigued," Hotaru said.

"About what?" Greg asked.

"About you."

"Me?"

"I know very little about you."

"There's really not much to me," Greg said.

"I see, a relatively flat character in the eternal play of human existence," Hotaru said. "Is that it?"

"I don't think it goes that far," Greg said. "Though your description is quite elaborate."

"I try," Hotaru said. "So what do you do for fun?"

"Hmm..I usually just read, talk to my friends...not much more to it."

"You're right."

"What?"

"There isn't much to you."

"Uh..well.."

"If what you say is true," Hotaru said.

"I wouldn't say that though. I mean..I don't want to brag, I'm not going to, but intellectual people are useful," Greg said.

"True," Hotaru said.

"And that's what I'm trying to be."

"A mind looking to hire itself out so to speak," Hotaru said.

"Yeah."

"Fair enough," Hotaru said. "What do you read about?"

"All sorts of different things."

"I am willing to hear the spectrum."

"Ah..okay.." Greg said.

"It's been pretty peaceful around here," Haruka said sitting on a hill in a park just watching the sky.

"Well..Setsuna predicted that considering the energy involved in the whole time mess," Michiru said.

"How annoying that was," Haruka said. "To be so vulnerable."

"I know, but I wouldn't dwell on it."

"I try not to," Haruka said. "I wonder what Setsuna's up to this time."

"Who knows when she disappear like she does, we don't even know if the same Setsuna shows up each time," Michiru said.

"Wish we did."

"Why?"

"It would just make me feel more relaxed," Haruka said. "The more I know the better I feel."

"Except in school right?" Michiru asked.

"I have a respectable average," Haruka said with some embarrassment.

"I know," Michiru said with a grin. "But sometimes it's hard to come up with something to tease you about."

"So how about not teasing me?" Haruka asked.

"No..now that just wouldn't do would it?" Michiru said.

Haruka sighed.

"Do you think I should grow my hair long?" Haruka asked.

"What?" Michiru asked.

"I was just asking."

"Why would you want to?"

"You obviously don't agree."

"No..it's not that, I just thought you liked short hair."

"I do, but I just thought about a change," Haruka said.

"You could always dye it?" Michiru said with a grin.

"No..that's okay, just lengthening it would be fine."

"How about a nice pink?"

"Pink hair? Are you kidding me?" Haruka asked.

"What about blue?"

"No.."

"Brown?"

"No."

"Black?"

"Michiru," Haruka said.

"Okay..okay.." Michiru said. "Long hair would do one thing though."

"That is?"

"It would surprise the heck out of everyone, and maybe even be intimidating."

"You think?"

Michiru nodded.

"Then it's decided," Haruka said.

"What about just a touch of black on the front here.." Michiru said pointing.

"No.." Haruka said. "I'd like to see you dye your hair?"

"Why?"

"Just for fun."

"All right."

"You're kidding."

"No..you'll see. It'll take me some time to pick the right color, but then I'll surprise you."

Haruka grinned.

"Can't wait."

"So why do you think Raye canceled the rest of our practice?" Mike asked.

"No idea, she was upset about something," Rick said.

"Yeah..well I was getting tired anyway," Steve said.

"Hmm..I've got to get home and continue my epic story," Mike said.

"Not that thing," Rick said.

"Sure, I've almost finished it," Mike said.

"The world is not ready for your work Mike," Steve said.

"Yeah, there are still happy people on the planet," Rick said.

"Hah hah..we'll see gentlemen, I will prove that it can be done," Mike said.

"What can be done?" the two asked.

"That whatever happens next can be done," Mike said. "You'll see. My literary skill will set new trends in the book world."

"And none of them will be good," Rick said.

"Or at the very least useful," Steve said.

"I'm sure Shakespeare's friends said the same the thing to him when he was first starting out," Mike said.

"Believe what you want to," Steve said.

"Continue to exist in your little dreamland Mike," Rick said.

"Sometimes the only way to deal with reality is to create your own universe," Mike said.

"There must be some logic in there somewhere, but I can't find it," Rick said.

"I understand now," Steve said.

"You're kidding," Rick said.

"No, really..I mean it's not a good thing that I understand I think, but I am beginning to get the idea," Steve said. "It's beginning to make sense."

"Another lost soul has been cast into the abyss," Mike said with a grin.

"Hey..wait a sec," Rick said pulling the others to a stop. "Look," he said and pointed. The group looked. Lita and Ken were heading down a side street both dressed semi-formally.

"So they're friends so what?" Steve said.

"Going somewhere dressed like that?" Mike asked.

"I think they're hooked up," Rick said.

"I'll find out," Mike said and dashed across the street.

"Jealous?" Rick asked.

"No..Rick."

"I believe you. That's good."

Mike came bounding back across the street.

"They're together, wave hello," Mike said.

The three did. Lita and Ken waved back and headed on their way.

"That's good for her, even though it won't last," Steve said.

"What makes you think that?" Mike asked.