Chapter 291
The sun rose over Tokyo yet again. It was peaceful, it had been that way for several weeks. Queen Galaxia had been defeated, and the sailor scouts had settled back into their normal lives.
"Today's the big day," Raye said happily.
"Yep, our first tour," Mina said excitedly clutching her hands together and jumping up and down.
"Compose yourself Mina," Raye said.
"Why should I? I'm excited!" Mina shouted.
Raye sighed.
"Uh..Mina..about...the tour. Well..your outfit has got to go?" Raye asked.
"What?" Mina asked.
"You know the wide dress with all the things sticking out of it," Raye said.
"That's my idol dress! It defines me as an idol," Mina said.
"You're singing defines you as an idol, not your clothes," Raye said.
"Then what's the problem?" Mina asked.
"Yaten doesn't want you to be an eyesore," Raye said.
"Yaten likes my dress."
"He does not. Listen Mina, we're supposed to be wearing identical dresses, remember?" Raye asked.
"Fine..then get yourself a dress like mine.." Mina said.
"MINA!" Raye snapped. "Listen, the three lights will tell you the same thing I did! The dress has got to go."
"Fine! But I'll remember this," Mina said. "Can't you see, the country is crying out for idols who dress like I want to, and you force me to deny them."
Raye sighed.
A limousine pulled up outside Raye's temple. The three lights got out.
"You think they're ready to go?" Taiki asked.
"I doubt it," Seiya said.
"They're never ready," Yaten said.
The three began to head up the steps.
"This tour will be very important," Seiya said. "Those idiotic big crushers began their own tour two days ahead of us and already their sales are rising."
"If we're to retain our number one position we must beat them now," Taiki said.
"So far Raye and Mina have been nothing but a positive thing," Yaten said. "However, this is their first tour."
"They'll do fine," Seiya said.
"You're just jealous!" came Mina's shout from the temple above.
"Grow up Mina!" Raye shouted back.
The three lights glanced at each other and sighed.
"If they make it to the stage in one piece," Seiya muttered.
"Seiya!" Came a shout from below. Seiya turned. Lita vaulted up the steps of the temple toward him.
"Were you going to leave without saying good bye?" She asked.
"I planned on swinging by the school on our way out, you know it's been busy lately," Seiya said.
"I know," Lita said blushing. "You're working very hard. I'll be waiting when you come back."
"Jeez...it's not like he's going to war or something," Yaten muttered to Taiki.
"Lita! We'll be late for class if we wait any longer!" came Amy's shout from the street below.
"You're right," Lita said. "Bye Seiya," She said and gave her boyfriend a hug. She then dashed down the steps.
"Amy!" Taiki called down the steps.
"Yes Taiki!" Amy called with a smile.
"I'll be thinking of you!" Taiki called.
Amy nodded.
"Good luck Taiki!" she said. The two girls headed off.
"FOR THE LAST TIME I'M NOT JEALOUS!" Raye shouted.
There was a crash from above.
The three lights sighed again.
"Why couldn't Amy and Lita be our idol singers?" the
three muttered.
Elsewhere, D.V. Patterson was slowly walking down the sidewalk, deep in thought. He approached the school and stopped as he heard a sound in the brush nearby. He listened more closely, and then moved into the brush curious as to where the sound was coming from. He found the source in one of the wooded courtyard areas enclosed by a fence near the school. He approached the fence slowly and hid behind the brush around it. Standing in the courtyard was a girl wearing in a Juuban School Uniform, but he didn't recognize her. Her hair was dark black and cut short, curving around the back of her neck. A pony tail was braided and trailed down on her back. Her eyes were jet black and narrowed as she focused on her task. In her hands was a wooden bokken sword. Her shoes and socks sat nearby on the grass. She took up a fighting stance and then with concentration took up a fighting stance. She lunged forward letting out a cry as she did so. She drew back and took up the position again. Patterson's eyes widened.
She's well skilled. He thought and observed her in action some more. Her form was well done, as she flew forward swinging the sword in various directions. He watched intently getting caught up in the fluid motions of her body. She spun on her heel and swung her sword forward, straight at the part of the fence he was standing behind. The speed of the movement surprised him. He instinctively jumped to the side to avoid it. He was surprised when the girl vaulted over the fence and turned to face him. He spun. She stared at him, the sword tightly held in her hands. She relaxed, her eyes widened.
"I guess I should feel honored," she said.
"Honored?" Patterson stammered.
"Of course, your name is D.V. Patterson is it not?"
Patterson's eyes widened for a second.
"Well..yes..I..uh.." Patterson began.
"I don't mind you watching me," the girl said. "You might learn something. Then again...you might not," she said and vaulted back over the fence. Patterson followed her, he couldn't help staring.
"I'm going to be late," she said putting on her socks and shoes and hurrying off.
Patterson gulped slightly and then headed towards the school building.
She's amazing. He thought.
And up in Setsuna Meio's classroom.
"No..no..no..the future is and always will be science," Melvin said
"I agree," Urawa Ryo said. "There is always the need for scientific research."
"I wouldn't be so quick to jump on that bandwagon. There's more to existence then analysis and numbers," Michiru said.
"I..uh...don't know.." Greg said. "There's so much out there."
"Science! Trust us!" Melvin and Urawa said.
"When did you get let back into Greg's circle of friends anyway Urawa?" Michiru asked.
"I..redeemed myself," Urawa said.
It was at this point that Patterson walked in and moved to his desk.
"Ah..Patterson...here's your argument for science," Melvin said.
"What?" Patterson muttered.
"Greg is trying to find a career for himself. Melvin and Urawa here believe the only answer is the sciences, which can be enriching I guess, but...there is more to life than that isn't there?" Michiru asked.
"Absolutely," Patterson said. "Like...speed, grace...fighting skill......beauty..."
"WHAT?" the rest of the class shouted.
"Eh?" Patterson said. "I...well..right?"
"Did you just say beauty?" Haruka asked from the front of the room.
"He did," Hotaru said blankly.
"Patterson.." Michiru said sliding onto his desk and grinning. "Something we should know about?"
"Nothing..I..uh...I've just been hanging around the girls so long..and..." Patterson said.
The rest of the class, excepting Hotaru, moved in on him grinning.
"WHAT?" he snapped.
"Jeez..what's all this?" Amy asked walking into the room followed by Lita.
"Nothing!" Patterson said.
"Too late," Michiru said. "You can't hide it forever."
"What can't he hide?" Lita asked.
"Uh..if we knew that, would there be any point in him hiding it?" Melvin asked.
"No, but that's not the point," Lita said.
"D.V. is something wrong?" Amy asked.
"No, I just decide to give an honest answer, and now I get an inquisition," Patterson snapped. "You'd think you could accept me for what I am and leave it...."
The door opened and the dark haired girl walked in. Patterson trailed off. The class all turned to look at the new arrival.
"Oh..hi...my name's Ayeka Mizuno, I'm a transfer student," the girl said and moved to an open seat.
Michiru took the time to glance at Patterson. His gaze was fixated on Ayeka. She grinned.
"So that's it," she said.
"Snap out of it," she whispered. Patterson broke his stare.
"You should be more careful, can't let on that your human can you?" She said and headed away from his desk. Principal Oksua walked into the room and moved to the front.
"All right, as you know Miss Meio is out sick, so I'm stuck filling in for her for the time being, until we can find a substitute," Oksua said. "I'll call the role."
"I wonder where Serena is?" Amy said to Lita.
Lita just grinned.
And several blocks away in a relatively large house.
"SERENA!" Luna the cat shouted. Serena eyes snapped open.
"LATE! I KNOW! SCHOOL!" Serena said and dashed into her closet. She raced out of it again seconds later in her uniform and dashed down the stairs.
"I didn't expect her to get dressed that fast," Luna muttered.
Serena dashed out the door.
"I thought I had outgrown this!" she shouted to herself.
"I see we have a new student here today," Principal Oksua said. "That's good, considering how many students were given a special leave to go on tour," he said snidely. Rick, Mike, Steve, Mina, Raye, Seiya, Taiki, and Yaten were all granted time off from school, leaving the class with eight less students.
"Ayeka Mizuno, welcome to Juuban High. This school can be a weird place, but we do manage some manner of education," Oksua said.
"Yes sir, when the school isn't being attacked, of course sir," Ayeka said.
The class all fell out of their seats in surprise.
"You're not mocking me Miss Mizuno are you?" Oksua asked.
"No sir, never," Ayeka said.
"Good," Oksua said. "Because I've taken enough of that already, now where's Tsukino?"
"Late," the class replied.
Oksua sighed.
"Do you know what I wanted to do with my life, before all this? I was going to be a priest...a priest.." Oksua said. "But yet here I am."
"Unfortunate, unrealized dreams are a tragedy," Hotaru said.
"So they are Miss Tomoe," Oksua said. "Anyway, let's start class before anything else goes wrong."
The door swung open smashed into the wall shattered and fell off it's hinges. Serena staggered in, tripped, rolled forward and stood up.
Oksua stared at her.
"Well..." Serena said with a grin. "I think that was quite an entrance don't you?"
The class began to clap. Oksua sighed.
"Take a seat Serena," he said.
"Yes sir," She said and quickly.
Later that afternoon at the crown restaurant. Serena, Amy, and Lita sat on one side of a booth staring. D.V. nervously sat on the other side. Greg sat beside him observing everything somewhat tensely.
"You'll crack, we know it," the three girls said.
"There's nothing going on," Patterson said.
"Liar," the three said.
"Come on Patterson, this is true love, it shouldn't be run from," Lita said.
"Yes, accept it and then pursue it," Serena said.
"That is one way to put it," Amy said. "Besides she seems like a nice girl for you."
"We just met, I'm intrigued by her fighting skill," Patterson said.
"I can understand that, she does wield a strong bokken," Lita said.
"That's just an excuse," Serena said leaning across the table. "You sir D.V. Patterson are in love with that girl."
"How would I know? I've never felt love like that before," Patterson said. "Speaking scientifically of course."
"I think it's too late for logical thought," Greg muttered.
"Take it from us, you're hooked on her," The three girls said. "We saw you."
"It's nothing..." Patterson said. "I've never met a girl that good with a sword before."
"Then get to know her," The girls said.
Patterson sighed.
"So..you cornered him," came a voice. The five looked to see Haruka and Michiru walk up.
"Why is everyone focused on me all the sudden," Patterson muttered. "You all have interesting lives too! There's no need to focus on my life so much. I'm not that special!"
"Ahh..but this is a new stage in your development," Michiru said sliding into the booth. Greg slid down. Patterson did also so Haruka could sit.
"Now..listen..D.V. this is nothing to fear," Michiru said.
"I've been over this," Patterson said. "Look the simple fact that in two and a half years that I have not had the romantic inclinations that you all had is no reason for this to be treated as some special event. I'm sure we all have better things to do than.."
"Yes that's true," Michiru said interrupting. "However, this is a historical event."
"I must admit I'm curious as to whether we'll see you married someday myself," Haruka said.
"MARRIED?" Patterson stammered. "I'm leaving," he said and vaulted over the table and walked out.
"Maybe we pushed him a little too hard," Michiru said.
The others nodded.
"He's got it bad," Greg said. The girls all glanced at him.
"Well doesn't he?" Greg replied.
They all nodded.
Patterson had since made his exit as quickly as possible. He rounded a corner and found himself face to face with Hotaru Tomoe.
"It is interesting," she said staring at him. "That it is only now that you choose to become what you truly are," She said. "I wonder why," she added. "You will have to tell me what all this feels like sometime. I wish to know."
"Uh..tell you what what feels like?" Patterson asked.
"Being human," Hotaru said and walked passed him.
Patterson sighed.
Miles away.
"Guys I was thinking of painting a large star on my face," Mike said lounging around in a dressing room.
"Were you thinking about us beating you up afterwards?" Steve replied.
"No, but now that you mention it, I really hadn't thought this through," Mike said.
"Mike, be serious, your antics can be saved for after the show," Rick said.
"Yeah, yeah, but it's Mike you know, I gotta be Mike," Mike said.
"Just be less Mike then usual," Rick said. "You think you can do that?"
"Minimize the Mike? Hmm..worth a try," Mike said.
"I can't believe we're here," Steve said. "The big time. Our album's about to go gold, and here we are..."
"Yeah, amazing ain't it?" Rick asked.
"Especially considering that it's us," Mike said.
The other two glanced at him.
"You ruined the moment," They muttered.
The door opened and Chad walked in.
"Say..Rick...do we have a budget for smashing guitars on stage?" he asked.
"No," Rick muttered. "Haven't we been over this before?"
"Uh..no that was drums," Chad said.
Rick sighed.
"Have you girls settled the dress situation yet?" Yaten asked as a train sped through the countryside carrying the three lights to their tour destination.
"Yaten do you really hate my puffy dress?" Mina asked.
"It's just not appropriate for what we're doing," Yaten said. "It's not a bad dress, I guess..but it just wouldn't work."
"I see," Mina said. "I guess I still have a lot to learn."
"Yes you do," Yaten said.
"I told her you would want it to be a little more low key," Raye said.
"Yes, well, to be honest, I don't care what you two wear as long as it's not puffy," Yaten said.
"Oh..there's still possibilities there," Mina said.
"Forget it, I'll choose the dresses," Raye said.
"Why you?" Mina asked. "I have better fashion sense."
"You do not," Raye said.
"Sure do," Mina said. "The traditional look went out..well..a hundred years ago."
"I work in a shrine! I'm supposed to wear those clothes."
"Yes, but just all in all we're talking amateur."
"You dare call me an amateur!" Raye said with her eyes narrowing.
"Oh..geez..." Yaten muttered and moved to another
car.
That night at Tokyo University.
"My, my, you're working late," Furuhata Sagara said poking her head into an office door. Darrien stood staring at a computer typing away.
"Well..I..have a lot to make up," Darrien said.
"That you do.." Sagara said. "I'm just glad you're all right. You are all right..right?"
"Yes Furi, I've managed," Darrien said. " it was an ordeal, but here I am."
"If you need my help, just ask."
"I think I should get back on my feet on my own," Darrien said. "Though without the American training I guess I've fallen behind."
"There was nothing you could do," Furi said.
"That just makes it worse, I didn't have a choice, destiny just threw me another curve."
"Are you saying destiny has done this to you before?"
"More then you think," Darrien said.
"You wanna talk about it?" Furi asked.
"Sorry, I can't," Darrien said.
"Can't or won't?"
"Both," Darrien said.
"Fine then, just trying to help.." Furi said. "I'll just let you toil away like this."
She headed for the door.
"Furi.." Darrien said.
"Maybe...you could give me some help...with the work I mean," Darrien said.
Furi turned and smiled.
"Just because he's kidnaped by Queen Galaxia and thrown behind in his work schedule is no reason for him to shut me out," Serena muttered.
"He hasn't shut you out Serena, he took you to dinner yesterday," Lita said.
"I know, but he didn't talk much, his mind was on other things," Serena said. "I mean I don't doubt he loves me and all that, he's just too busy..that's no fair. I didn't kidnap him."
"Maybe you should take him somewhere nice and ..."
"Lita...I don't need this," Serena muttered. She stopped and turned.
"What I do need is that.." she said and hurried inside a store.
"Cherry pie,...wonderful," Lita muttered and
followed her. "Food, the ultimate solution," she added.
"So Greg, you are looking to find a career?" Amy asked.
"Sure, I mean I should start thinking about it shouldn't I?" Greg asked.
Amy nodded.
"It's good to start exploring your options. Do you have any idea what you want to do?"
"None," Greg said.
"None?"
"I just haven't thought about it."
"Hmm...there must be something."
"I've been busy working and fighting, I really don't know.." Greg said.
"Well we can change that, I'll help you if you want," Amy said.
"Sure, thanks," Greg said.
The two glanced at the war room door.
"I wonder what he's doing in there?" Amy asked.
"Probably what he's always doing, fiddling with his computers," Greg said.
"Let's find out," Amy said.
They moved to the door and buzzed.
Patterson started slightly, but recovered. He removed the display from his view screen, and opened the doors.
"You really should come out and talk more," Amy said.
"I went through enough earlier today," Patterson muttered.
"Yes, I guess that's true, but can you really blame us?" Amy asked.
"I don't know," Patterson said.
"Anyway what are you up to?" Amy asked.
"I was just finishing," Patterson said.
"I see," Amy said. "Well....I guess we shouldn't bother you," She added with a suspicious grin.
"I'm not bothered," Patterson said.
"I know," Amy said.
The two headed out.
Patterson sighed and turned back to his screen. He punched up
a button. Ayeka Mizuno's school file appeared, complete with
picture. Patterson resumed staring at it.
Elsewhere...in a wooded area miles away from Tokyo a figure stood there staring. The figure was armored, a cape blowing in the breeze behind them. The figure looked around.
"So...this is Earth," the figure said in a decidedly feminine voice. "I guess I'd better get going. No one has taken over this planet before, so it will be a historic event when I do just that."