Chapter 358

The sun was shining draping brightness over Tokyo, and the high school sitting in the Juuban District of the city.

"Are they kidding?" Mike said. The entire contingent of scouts was standing at the front of the newly renamed "Sailor Scout High School" staring at a large stone statue sitting in the school's central plaza. It was of five figures, vaguely resembling the original scouts.

"It looks like nothing you," Rick observed.

"Who cares, we have a statue," Serena, Mina, Lita, and Raye said happily. Amy just blushed.

"Well..when are they going to finish it?" Haruka asked. "And add us?"

"Don't tell me you care Haruka," Michiru said.

"Well..no, but as long as they're doing something they might as well get it right," Haruka said.

"Are you forgetting the omission of a select group from this whole equation," Mike said.

"No, when have you ever done anything to earn a statue?" Haruka asked.

"I know there was at least one time!" Mike said.

"Yeah!" the Guardians said.

"Prove it," Haruka said with a smile.

"They're should be at least a statue of you D.V," Ayeka said.

"Uh..no..that's okay," D.V. said.

"Yeah, it could be up on the roof watching over everyone and being generally intimidating," Mike muttered.

"I like statues," Serena said brushing up against it.

"Now that's going a little too far," Lita said.

"Yeah. What are you? A cat?" Raye muttered.

"I still can't get over this group," Sai said watching from nearby.

"Me neither," Akiro said.

"They're sweet," Ai said.

Soon afterward in the auditorium.

"Welcome all of you, many of you are returning, and we of course have many new students, who will be here for the inaugural year at Sailor Scout High," Principal Oksua said from a podium. Much to Serena's happiness, the school's new logo a crescent moon, was carved into the podium.

"Booo!" the guys all said.

"What?" Oksua muttered.

"They should have named it scout high school to represent the brave soldiers who fight on the other side of the gender circle!" Mike said.

"Gender circle?" the rest of the class replied.

"I'm speaking biologically here," Mike said.

"In what way?" Amy said bolting up.

"All I'm saying is..that the Guardian Scouts deserve their credit too."

"Fine, the equipment shed is now named the Guardian Scout equipment shed, are you happy?" Oksua asked.

Mike looked at the other guys.

"We'll take it," he said.

Oksua sighed.

"Well welcome back all of you," Setsuna said. "I see some new faces, though none that are that new."

"How is it we always get the transfer students anyway?" Melvin asked.

"What? Don't you like us around?" Sai asked.

"No it's a theoretical question," Melvin said.

"Melvin, it's just the way things work, deal with it," Molly said sitting next to him.

"All right," Melvin said. "It's just weird that's all."

"Well anyway," Setsuna said. "I hope we can have a good year together free of incident."

"We can always hope huh," Mike said. The class started laughing.

"Well said," Setsuna said. "But there's no need to jinx ourselves."

"Miss Meio, is class always conducted like this?" Sai asked.

Setsuna blushed slightly.

"Well..we uh play it a little loose," Setsuna said.

"Oh, all right," Sai said. "I was just wondering."

"Welcome to class 1," Urawa Ryo grumbled from behind him.

"This seems like its going to be fun," Akiro said.

"Lets get started," Setsuna said. She turned towards the board and then spun back.

"Well Mike, don't you have anything to say?"

"What?" Mike asked.

"You know, to try and stall me or at the very least, attract attention,"Setsuna said.

"No, I'm good," Mike said.

"Should have expected that," Setsuna said and began to write on the board.

An hour later.

"HAH HAHAH HAHHAAHHA!" the third year science teacher laughed.

"What's he laughing about?" Greg asked.

"I hear it's just a habit," Amy said.

"Oh..."

"Cheerful person," Hotaru said. "However, I fear he may be unbalanced."

"I wouldn't worry about that," Michiru said. "We have experience with such cases."

"Yes, we do," Hotaru said.

"Now!" the science teacher shouted startling several students. "Let's talk about science! More specifically physics! Take this for instance!"

He quickly produced a ball from behind his back and threw it at Patterson. The class all gasped. Patterson grabbed it out of the air.

"Want it back?" he said.

"Ah...yes..I should have thrown it at someone it would have bounced off of, I can't very well talk about rebounds now. However we can talk about one of the fundamental laws of physics which says that a body in motion continues in motion unless stopped," the teacher said.

"This is going to be a fun year," Patterson said.

"Ya think?" Ayeka asked from beside him.

The teacher began laughing again.

Elsewhere.

"It is fortunate you are here for English class, because I am an English teacher."

"Not another one of these," Yaten said.

"These are the best ones though," Mina said.

"If you don't want to learn anything," Yaten said.

Mina frowned.

"They're fun though."

"Learning isn't usually fun," Yaten said.

"Oh that doesn't mean it can't be," Mina said. "Right Mike?"

"Sure," Mike said. "Because if learning isn't fun, then it's just plain wrong."

"You are positively.." Yaten began.

"What is going on back there?" the teacher asked.

"Intellectual discussion," Mike said.

"Oh...why do I doubt that?" the teacher asked. "All three of you can spend some time with me after school."

"No..wait.." Mike said. "It was all me sir."

"What?"

"Really, I was bothering them. They were telling me to stop," Mike said.

"Very well, then you will stay after."

"No problem, I like this room, well decorated."

"They told me about you," The teacher muttered.

In another room.

"All right, now this is history. And I'd like to remind you all that history is a many faceted subject filled with nooks and crannies of knowledge," the teacher said.

"Are all the teachers in this school insane?" Sai remarked.

"As far as I can tell," Akiro said.

"Largely this semester we will be dealing with the subjects of war and it's effect on territory," the teacher said. The males in the classroom all started grinning and realizing what they liked about the class.

"And for the ladies, family life in each century," the teacher said. The males all sighed.

"Hah," Lita said.

The rest of girls stuck their tongues out.

"Yeah, but when it's not wooden huts, it wooden huts being burned," Steve said.

The guys cheered.

"Ah..and also, for everyone to enjoy, the bubonic plague," the teacher said.

Everyone sighed.

"What's to know about that, aside from the fact it killed millions of people?" Seiya said.

"It's a nationally recognized character builder," Rick said.

"The human race is too fascinated with the subject of it's own mortality," Hotaru said.

"An interesting opinion you have there miss Tomoe," the teacher said. "Perhaps you're wondering why that is.."

"No, I know why, I know many things. I am merely expressing my disagreement with the idea."

"Ah, I see," the teacher said. "Not a death fan are you?"

"I have to live with death every day, I have no interest in becoming a fan," Hotaru said.

"Oh come on, the death fan club is free," Akiro said.

"This has gotten decidedly morbid," Lita said.

"We had better get started," the teacher said. "Before everything collapses in on itself."

And at lunch, the table had grown especially large.

"How does learning take place in this school?" Sai asked. "The teachers are as bad as the students."

"And thus we achieve symmetry," Mina said.

"Yes, but I've never attended so many out of whack classes. Who are these people?" Sai asked.

"Welcome to our lives," the rest of the scouts said.

"I should have stayed a villain," Sai said.

"Your heart was never in it," Ai said with a smile.

"How'd you get your emotions back anyway?" Sai asked.

"Video game," Ai said.

"It has that effect on people," Akiro said.

"So true," Hotaru said. "Unfortunately the effects vary in length."

"I think I'm cured for some reason," Ai said.

"The miracles of technology huh Amy," Lita said.

"It's a very strange phenomenon though,"Amy said.

"So what's new," Serena said. "Anyone have any food they're not eating?"

The scouts all looked at her.

"Like you're surprised," she said and kept eating.

"That reminds me, Mike, it was nice of you to take the rap for us," Mina said.

"Sure no problem," Mike said. "I have so much free time it's no big deal."

"You're just trying to sneak into Mina's heart," Yaten said. "With petty tricks."

"No Yaten, he's always been like that," Mina said.

Yaten grumbled.

"Don't worry Yaten, you can beat that chump," Seiya said.

"You're enjoying this aren't you?" Yaten asked.

"Every minute!" Seiya said.

"Us too!" the other scouts said.

"I'm done," Yaten muttered and left the table.

"Hmm..maybe I should go after him," Seiya said.

"And say what?" Taiki asked.

"Point taken," Seiya said.

"I think he might really be disturbed by all this," Amy said.

"Sure he is," Mina said. "But that's okay."

"Why?" Everyone else asked.

"Ah...glad you asked," Mina said. "You see, because Yaten has yet to show me his true inner self, the stuff I'm been grabbing at and trying to draw out for so long, he keeps hiding from me, from all of us, and I figure by doing this competition he'll be forced to let himself show."

"Wait a second, so you're just using Mike?" Raye asked.

"No of course not," Mina said. "Look, that's serious, I'm not convinced the real Yaten's any better then the real Mike, that's still a competition, but I hope in the process to see what the real Yaten is like, so I can compare."

"Sounds like a plan to me," Mike said.

"So all this is to draw Yaten out of his shell?" Taiki asked. "How do you plan on doing that considering all you're doing is making him mad at the absurdity of the thing."

"Because you don't understand Yaten the way I do," Mina said.

"You've spent a month with him, we spent years," Taiki said.

"Yes, but you didn't date him,"Mina said.

"She's got you there," Seiya said.

"So what difference does it make, at least at this level?" Taiki asked.

"A lot," Mina said. "See..Yaten's a complicated guy."

"That no one understands but his woman!" Steve and Mike chimed in.

"Actually yes," Mina said.

"Shut up guys," Raye said.

"But we're just talking about Yaten," Steve and Mike said.

Most of the table sighed.

"I should have killed you first, then changed sides," Sai said.

"They always realize that too late," Mike said.

"Agreed," Ayeka said and sighed.

"ANYWAY," Mina said. "I'm sure I know what I'm doing. Come on, why would you guys think that I'm just acting irrationally?"

"Well.." most of the table said.

"You are dating Mike," Rick finally said.

"But Mike's cute," Mina said. "Plus he's got plenty of good attributes."

"Like what?" everyone asked.

Mike gave a victory sign.

"Kiss me Mike," Mina said.

"What?" Mike said.

"Do it, show them," Mina said.

"Here?"

"Sure, it's the perfect place."

"You're not seriously.." Raye began.

Mike reached across the table and planted a kiss on Mina's lip they held it. The entire cafeteria turned and watched in shock.

The two broke from their embrace and sat back down.

"WHOO!" Mina said and fell out of her chair.

"Anyone else want some of this action?" Mike asked.

"I'm decidedly curious," Hotaru said.

Everyone turned and looked at her. She returned their gaze. She looked at all of them.

"What? Is not the pursuit of knowledge why we are here?"

The cafeteria all continued to stare before simultaneously beginning to laugh.

"Just what is going on with those kids?" Principal Oksua said watching from outside the room.

"Hasn't it always been like this?" Setsuna asked.

"Sure, at junior high school," Oksua said.

Setsuna grinned.

"Just what do you teach them anyway?" Oksua muttered.

"Oh so now it's my fault?" Setsuna asked.

"I didn't say that, I was just wondering."

"You want my syllabus?" Setsuna asked.

"No, I don't care," Oksua said wandering out. "And to think that among them is everyone's favorite heroes, the scouts, bah! The world can have them. They're nothing but trouble."

Setsuna grinned.

"I mean the bah too!" Oksua shouted and headed around the corner.

That afternoon.

"I'm so glad you could all be here," Mike said to assembled group of male students. "Today we unveil the brand newly renamed Guardian Scout Equipment shed!"

He unveiled a sign which had been hastily nailed to the door. On it was the sign was the words "Guardian Scout Equipment Shed as well as a strange looking logo.

"What's that?" Rick whispered.

"The Guardian Scout's logo," Mike said.

"We don't have a logo," Rick said.

"We do now."

"And we also have something else," Steve said.

"Ah..yes," Mike said. "I also unveil this statue that will stand guard over the equipment shed."

A small clay statue, hastily molded in an art class that day was unveiled, about a foot high featuring mini versions of the five Guardian Scouts.

"Aren't you forgetting someone?" Seiya snapped.

"Sorry, originals only," Mike said.

"We'll just see about that," Seiya said.

"Could you have made it bigger?" Rick asked.

"Hey, clay ain't cheap you know," Steve said.

"Well this..is wonderful," Greg observed.

"A fitting tribute to the glory of the Guardian Scouts," Taiki muttered.

"Hey at least we've got something!" Mike said.

The males all made noise.

"So this is it?" Sai asked wandering up. "How pathetic."

"Hey, we like it," Mike said.

"You have low standards," Sai said.

"Wanna go, right now?" Steve asked.

"All right," Sai said.

"What?"

"Sure. Let's go."

"All right."

"Wait for me, I like a good fight," Akiro said.

"Defenders of the Guardian Scout Equipment shed join with me," Mike said.

"No thanks," most of the guys muttered.

"I'm with you," Steve said.

"I have some measure of pride in this," Rick said.

"I resent the lack of full representation," Seiya said.

"All right then!"

And the two sides began to brawl.

"Are you mad at me Yaten?" Mina asked.

"Sort of," Yaten said. "I just don't like the way you're doing things."

"Yaten, why can't you let out the real you?"

"What?"

"This is what it's about really," Mina said. "Come on, I want to see you, not the shell you've put up."

"But what."

"Look Yaten, this is what it's all about. How can I date a guy who won't let me know what's inside. Mike is so open with me, but you keep it inside."

"Well..yeah, that's the way I am," Yaten said.

"Well change, please. That's all I want."

"Then you'll give up this foolish competition?"

"Well..that wouldn't be fair to Mike, I have to find someway to decide between you, but I want to see what you're really like. Come on..."

"Hmm..I'll think about it."

"Okay.." Mina said.

At the crown restaurant.

"Those silly guys, why do we put up with them?" Lita asked.

"My guy isn't silly," Amy said.

"Awfully friend their huh Amy?" Serena asked. Amy blushed.

"Guess we just love them," Raye said. "All of them."

"Yeah, you guys have it harder than me," Serena said. "Darrien makes it so simple, but they're all great. I know they all care."

"Yeah they do," Lita said. "Even if I can't decide which one I like more."

"You had better figure that out," Raye said.

"It takes time," Lita said.

"Don't I know it," Mina said sliding into a booth. "And look who I found."

Ayeka and Ai followed her.

"They were having a delightful conversation about their swashbuckling boyfriends," Mina said.

"I didn't know you had boyfriends," Serena said.

"Well Akiro and I are very close," Ai said. "I just haven't been able to feel it lately, but I feel better now, it's like a great burden has been lifted."

"And what do you mean me? Haven't you noticed the handsome dark haired warrior of love I've been going with?" Ayeka asked.

"Are you talking about Patterson?" everyone else asked.

Ayeka glared at them.

"Of course! Sure he's shy to admit it, but we're really an item."

"Some would beg to differ," a voice replied.

Everyone turned. Hotaru stood in a very aggressive stance.

"Ayeka Mizuno you have not earned the rightful title of girlfriend, to win it you must get through me," Hotaru said.

"What?" Everyone said.

"Wait a sec," Ayeka said hopping up. "You mean that you want him too? Even though you know he loves me!"

"He doesn't love you, he likes you for many many reasons, the same way he likes me for many many reasons. How could he know who he loves?" Hotaru asked.

"I'll tell you, someone he traveled through China to save that's who," Ayeka said.

"Ah yes," Hotaru said. "And all the while who was with him?"

"He just didn't have the heart to send you away."

"That's not how I saw it," Hotaru said.

The two stared at each other.

"If they go at it, they'll be significant damage," Lita said.

"The skies are turning red as we speak," Mina said.

"Let's get out of here before it gets worse," Serena said and they all slipped out.

"Young love and physical harm it causes," Raye said as they hurried out.

"It's just a sign that they're growing up,"Mina said.

"How?" the other's asked before starting to laugh.

"Twenty seven days," Setsuna said.

"That's what we have huh?" Haruka asked.

"Yes, then the enemy ship will enter our atmosphere," Setsuna said.

"Guess we should start getting ready then," Michiru said.

"You're right, all of the scouts must be ready for combat," Setsuna said.

"We'll see to that," Luna said.

"And I bet they're going to have to really cooperate to win this one," Artemas said.

"I fear this may be one of our toughest battles. I do not know or how, but I am afraid of what will happen," Setsuna said.

And they looked to the stars and the danger that lurked beyond them.

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