Chapter 396
"I need your help Ayeka Mizuno," Hotaru said.
"My help huh?" Ayeka asked. "Are you sure we want it. I mean in the past."
"In the past we both wanted the same thing, however with that behind us I would think we would have fewer problems," Hotaru said.
"Yeah you're right, we do get along now," Ayeka said.
"Ai will feel my wrath though with her telepathic tricks. That is not somewhere she should be venturing," Hotaru said.
"I'll bet," Ayeka said. "So what can I do for you?"
"I need to prepare for this dance, you helped me before. So I need it again. I need the perfect dress that will thrill and enchant my date," Hotaru said.
"Ah..I see," Ayeka said. "Well that seems like something we can work with. You know the other girls might be of better help."
"The other girls are not of the right mind set."
"That's true," Ayeka said. "Tell you what, we'll go find Michiru, she knows Greg pretty well. She can help out too."
"Hmm...yes I guess that works."
"You're supposed to be excited you know."
"And yet I am not. Strange isn't it?"
"Do you do this just to try and spook me?"
"Of course," Hotaru said. "What other gain could I get from it?"
Hotaru grinned.
"All those things they say about you. They're right," Ayeka said.
Hotaru laughed.
"You laughed? Don't kill me!" Ayeka said.
"No, I never laugh before killing someone," Hotaru said and stared. "I gaze into their eyes so that we will remember me for all eternity. It also allows me to focus on them and then...well..it's the end."
"So quit starring already," Ayeka said.
Hotaru blinked and sat back.
"I see I've done quite a number on you."
"Hardly," Ayeka said. "I adapt quickly."
"We'll see," Hotaru said standing. "Shall we go?"
"If it will break this tension, you bet," Ayeka said.
Hotaru grinned again.
"Stop doing that.." Ayeka snapped.
"Oh..come now..you're afraid of me..that's pathetic," Hotaru said.
"It is not, you're spooky," Ayeka said.
"Yes, but I can also be incredibly cute," she said smiling and clutching her hands in front of her.
"Why'd you slip that in there."
"Keeps you off balance, I am unpredictable too."
Ayeka sighed.
Amy starred at her dresser and the quite large picture of Taiki on it.
"It won't be long now," She said. "Once again you'll hold me in your arms and we'll glide across the dance floor..how wonderful. This is what live is lived for. I wonder..will you like my dress? Sure you will. I shouldn't worry so much."
She smiled.
"I feel so wonderful!" she shouted and practically fell out of her seat.
"It's been like this for days," Greg said. "She's lost it."
"Yeah. I guess we're supposed to be feel happy for her," "Lisa" said.
"But I'm worried."
"I know."
"Of course..Taiki.....I'd love to dance again," Amy said. "You can lead."
She was overcome by a daydream and starred into Taiki's eyes. He smiled at her.
"Try and keep up," he said. Her room became a luxurious dance hall. She followed his movements across the floor. Happily smiling and enjoying the moment. She glanced over at the wall where her friends all stood.
"Wow..Amy's even more graceful then ever," Lita said.
"Yeah, what a pair they are, such a cute couple, I'm jealous," Serena said.
"She has all the luck," Mina said. "I wish I had it this good."
"Me too..." Raye said.
Amy spun in Taiki's arms.
"Do you feel what I feel?" he asked.
"Yes," Amy said.
"Then act on it."
"Of course," Amy said and leaned forward hoping to kiss him.
Taiki fell away, the dance fall way, and she careened towards the floor.
She let out a small yell before being stopped inches from the ground. She looked up. Her two brothers were holding her back.
"You all right Amy?" Greg asked.
"Of course.." Amy said straightening her dress. "No problems here."
Her brothers left.
"You know the last time she was here she was under the control of an evil force," Greg said.
"I already checked, this is all her, I think...though I know what you mean?"
"Lisa" said.
"I would gladly fall on the ground if it meant spending more time with you Taiki," Amy said dreamily starring at his picture.
"Love has it's sacrifices, I would make them," She said. "Anything you want...that's all right, I..forgive you.."
She spun out of her chair and started to twirl around again stumbling and falling onto her bed.
"She's acting like Serena," Greg said.
"Time to evacuate the planet."
"You think Mike will like this Artemas?" Mina asked holding up a dress.
"Sure Mina, I think he'll enjoy it,"Artemas said. "But isn't it a little risque?"
"Nah..."
"I think it is."
"Look Artemas, my life is built around the utilization of being risque for my own personal gain."
"Yes, that's not saying that's the right way to be," Artemas said.
"Don't you have to run off and join yet another group of marauding cats..."
"Don't bring that up," Artemas said with embarrassment.
Mina grinned.
"You're such a fool Artemas."
"I was on a mission," Artemas said. "Besides, if you saw a large group of cats you'd investigate too."
"How about the first time."
"So I fell into a sewer..it happens."
"How did you ever get to be a cat guardian anyway?" Mina asked. "I mean was it a punishment? Come to think of it, Luna got assigned to Serena, so maybe it was. What'd you do, spill something on Queen Serenity's dress?"
"It's not like that at all," Artemas said. "It's a high honor to be chosen from among the animals to be granted magical powers."
"Were there angry mobs of cats on the moon too?" Mina asked with a grin.
"I'm leaving," Artemas muttered.
"Wait..Artemas..what do you think of these shoes?" Mina asked.
Artemas stuck his tongue out and leapt away.
"Hmm..perhaps insulting him wasn't the best way to get his honest opinion,"
Mina said. "Then again, what do I need him for? I look marvelous!"
At the Cherry Hill temple.
"Chad is that all you have?" Raye asked.
"Sure, I sold off all of my personal possessions," Chad said. "I mean I don't need them.I've got theology."
"Did you sell your car?" Motoki asked.
"Yeah," Chad said.
"Chad, you have to learn that theology only goes so far, that was a Porsche," Motoki said.
"What are you saying?" Raye said.
"I am saying that it was a Porsche, nothing else," Motoki said and headed off.
"You know I think he's right about that," Chad said. "Oh well..I can always buy another one."
"That's the spirit," Raye muttered. "Well come inside, I'll make you some tea."
"Thanks," Chad said. "You uh really don't have a problem with me living back here?"
"Of course not," Raye said. "We're very good friends aren't we.. Besides, I'm sure I'll enjoy watching the fights you and Motoki get into."
"Uh..right," Chad said. "So how are things with you?"
"I've got a dance coming up..it's going to be wonderful."
"Oh, those can be good I hear," Chad said.
"Thanks for the stirring endorsement," Raye said.
"I'm sure you'll enjoy it," Chad said. "I bet Rick is thrilled."
"Rick is not thrilled, in fact there isn't a guy in school who's happy about it. It's strange, but they'll change their minds."
"So...you and Rick are still..you know..together..I mean..big time.." Chad said.
"Why do you ask?"
"I'm curious and not because of any self interest."
"Subtlety is an art Chad," Raye said. "We're doing wonderfully, there's always bumps in the road, but we got by it."
"That's great, I really want you to be happy. By the way Alina's coming by later, you might want to meet her."
"Oh your girlfriend..wait a second..Alina? Do you mean Alina Kucera?"
"Sure thing, you know her?"
"I know of her. She's your girlfriend?"
"Oh yeah, she is, she's wonderful."
"Uh..you do know she dated Mike before right?"
"Of course I do," Chad said. "But that's okay, she's over him."
"She wanted to kill him last time I heard."
"Oh she still does, but I mean she's over wanting to love him,"
"Well that's progress for you," Raye said. "Chad..I want to show you something..wait here.."
He waited. Raye emerged in a new formal dress.
"How's this look?" She asked.
"Rick is a lucky man," Chad said.
"I knew it!" Raye said. "I look marvelous!"
"Uh..right." Chad said. "Yeah..I think so."
"Hmm...excellent," Raye said happily and began to laugh.
"This is odd," Chad said.
"No it isn't you haven't been around lately," Motoki said walking by with a pail full of water.
"Oh?"
"I have noticed in my morning walks how the girls in the Juuban District have become excited, invigorated, downright deranged over this shindig they're having.."
"You said shindig!"
"Yes I did," Motoki said.
"Motoki, you've really let yourself go man," Chad said.
"Sadly I think this area is doing something to me," Motoki said. "But that's all right, it allows me to focus more on preventing distraction. Anyway..Raye here fluctuates from her normal self to this...at random intervals, though I see you've triggered it."
"Rick prepare to face the full force of Mars behind my love! My beauty is unconquerable!" she shouted.
"I gather you're glad to be home huh?" Motoki said and walked off.
"Oh..yeah..." Chad said.
"So..Chad..what about these earrings?" Raye asked.
"They shine.." Chad said.
"Like the moonlight on a calm garden pool?" Raye asked.
"Sure.." Chad said.
"How beautiful, I knew they would."
"Ah..well you do have an eye for these things."
"I know," Raye said giggling. "Now what about these shoes?"
"Well what do you think?" Chad asked with a smile.
At one of Tokyo's many clothing stores.
"Hmm..I want to move away from black," Hotaru said.
"You do?" Ayeka asked.
"Yes, I want pink."
"Pink?"
"Pink is cute."
"But it's not you."
"I am cute though."
"Right, Hotaru, but not in pink.." Ayeka said.
"I think I should be able to be cute in anything."
"Well in a perfect world, but there's such a thing as color balance. Pink isn't really a color for dark haired girls."
"Are you sure? I think it might work..I mean.."
"Hotaru let's not push our luck. There are always exceptions, but I know the basic rules to lets stick to them all right?"
"Fine...I don't want black though."
"How about blue."
"Red.."
"Red?"
"Red."
"No."
Hotaru sighed.
"What is wrong with red?" She asked.
"It's just not you," Ayeka said.
"You're not dating me, how would you know?"
"I feel like I am,"Ayeka muttered. "Look you brought me along for advice..you're a blue, black type of person."
"Green then.."
"Green?"
"Green..it's a color."
"I know that!" Ayeka said.
"What's all this about?" Michiru asked.
"Thank goodness you're finally here.." Ayeka said. "Hotaru's lost it."
"What's the problem?" Michiru asked.
"Perhaps you can be more understanding," Hotaru said. "I wish to move away from black for the dance. I would prefer not to have to deal with blue either. I wanted Pink, she didn't want me to have pink. I wanted Red, no red she says. Now I want Green."
"Well you can have a shade of green," Michiru said. "How about this..." She said holding up an aquamarine color.
"No..I want this.." Hotaru said holding up a forest green.
"Uh..well.." Michiru said.
"What?" Hotaru asked.
"Uh...that's uh..well.." Michiru struggled to find the words to put it nicely.
"It's just not you," She finally said.
Hotaru sighed. "Fine..then I will seek out a dress on my own."
"Wait that's not what we're saying," Ayeka said.
"We're trying to help," Michiru said.
"You're help is not helping," Hotaru said and walked off.
"You're not a dark green person are you?" Ayeka asked.
"Absolutely not," Michiru said. "I know my limits."
"Yeah..me too..." Ayeka said.
"Still..this might be hard for Hotaru to understand," Michiru said.
"So what do we do..try and explain it again?" Ayeka asked.
"We'd better find a way," Michiru said. "Before she makes a mistake."
"Wonderful...of the all the people in the universe, we end up as the fashion police."
"I know..let's just keep quiet about this," Michiru said.
"So that's your dress huh?" Lieutenant Nelson asked.
"Don't seem so disappointed," Lita snapped.
"I just don't care."
"No man seems to these days. You've all lost touch with romance."
"Nah..it's just all women are crazy," her father said.
"Oh..that's a really mature response..I can see I'm wasting my time."
"Honestly, it's very nice," Nelson said. "You should wear it to a tea party with all your stuffed animals. It'll be a nice formal occasion."
"Dad!" Lita shouted.
The doorbell rang.
"Ah she's here.." Lieutenant Nelson said.
"Who?" Lita asked.
"Didn't I tell you..I'm seeing someone.."
"NICE OF YOU TO MENTION THAT!" Lita shouted.
"She's wonderful," Nelson said and opened the door. In the doorway stood Shinobu Ozaki.
"Oh..dear..." Lita said.
"Hi," she said.
"My daughter Lita," Nelson said.
"Hello Lita," Ozaki said.
"Hi..." Lita said in shock.
"That's a beautiful dress,"Ozaki said.
"You think so?" Lita asked breaking out of her stupor.
"Oh yes, look at the trim, beautiful," Ozaki said. "What a lucky guy you've got."
"Oh..thank you," Lita said happily. "See dad, someone appreciates this!"
"Yeah, well you remember what I said," he said.
"So..uh..how did you two..uh..get together?" Lita asked.
"We worked together and felt something clicked," Ozaki said.
"That's right, we understand each other," her father said.
"Well enjoy yourselves," Lita said and hurried up the stairs.
All right this is a shock, but she liked my dress, so I'll refrain from
worrying about all this till after the dance.
"Serena...you look lovely.." Serena said staring into a mirror.
"Ah..narcissism, it was just a matter of time I guess," Luna said.
"It's nothing like that!" Serena said. "I'm just envisioning what Darrien will say when he sees you."
"Ah..right.." Luna muttered. "That makes it a worthy effort."
"Hmph, no one understands," Serena said. "Maybe it'll be a really great complement, invoking goddesses or something. Yes he just might say something like that..what a guy."
"Well as long as you've got that figured out you're all set then," Luna said.
"So what you been up to, aside from trying to destroy my ever so important dreams?"
"That's cruel," Luna said dismissively. "But if you must know I've been trying to find out some information about the villains around here."
"That's as far as you need to go. As far as I'm concerned there isn't a shred of evil in this city at least until after the dance. Serena..you've captured the sun's radiance. How beautiful."
She laughed.
Luna sighed. All of the girls are like this, and I'm fairly sure there is
nothing out worldly about it, which means they're just being teenagers. I guess
I can understand why they would want to throw away good judgement in exchange
for joy..but..still it worries me. Guess there's little I can do about it
though.
"Look Hotaru, we're sorry.." Ayeka said.
"We perhaps weren't considering some important issues," Michiru said.
"I want to look cute," Hotaru said. "How am I supposed to do that looking dangerous?"
"Are you sure Greg wants cute?" Ayeka asked.
"Well he certainly doesn't want dangerous does he?" Hotaru asked.
"That's true," The two said.
"But you don't look dangerous," Michiru said. "Look we just want to make things work out."
"Then how can I look cute?"
"Hmm...maroon..maybe.." Ayeka said.
"No..cyan.." Michiru said.
"Violet.."
"Violet..." Hotaru said. "Too close to blue."
"Blue's your color though," Ayeka said.
"White.." Hotaru said.
"White?" the other two asked.
"I don't know," Michiru said.
"You're telling me I'm not cute that's all there is to it!" Hotaru said.
"No..no..you're cute..we just have to find the right..shade of cuteness" Ayeka said.
"Right....right.." Michiru said.
"Pink.." Hotaru said.
"I'm not sure," Michiru said.
"Oh let her have the pink," Ayeka said.
"Are you sure?"
"Absolutely not, but if she wants the pink that much we might as well just let pink take over."
"All right...Hotaru you can have the pink," Michiru said.
"Thanks for your permission," Hotaru muttered.
Later.
"So how was your day?" Haruka asked.
"Oh it had it's moments," Michiru said. "You?"
"I can't complain," Haruka said.
"So the racing is working out?"
"Oh yes, all the drivers hate me, but they can't do a thing about it."
Haruka grinned.
"I've seen that grin before," Michiru said. "I wouldn't want to be them."
"They started it," Haruka said. "But it's never wise to start anything with me that they can't handle."
"So you're feeling better."
"Yeah, I am," Haruka said. "I've got something to live for now."
"And you didn't before?"
"Well..I did, but now I've got more."
"Oh.." Michiru said. "I would hate to think I was just a half-dozen eggs in your scheme of things."
"Absolutely not."
"Good," Michiru said leaning towards her. "We can't have that can we?"
Haruka smiled.
"Of course we can't," she said.
Michiru backed off.
"Nothing to live for..please.." she said and headed into another room.
"Your right," Haruka said. "But I realize that now."
"So the years of fighting we did just didn't click until now then?"
"Well..no..I mean..I just was in slump."
"A slump.." Michiru said. "Must have been one heck of a one. Well..all right. Just as long as you figured things out."
"I knew you'd understand."
And elsewhere standing atop a rooftop was none other then Evil Man.
"Yes..I can see the winds of destiny blowing through the sky, because I have good sight. Now has come the time for Evil Man to prove himself. It is time for the Evil Revolution to begin!"
And like most villains he began to laugh.
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