We have a winner
Started by: Yuri-chan
Started: March 2nd 2000
Players: Kagestu, Yuri, Riona, Michiru, Dunican, Kunzite, Darien, Zoisite,Guardian, Berly & Minako.

Kagestu starred out the window of the plain out to the blue water below. He had one an ice sculpture contest and gotten tickets to Hawaii. He decided to invite some of his allies to come along, because he hardly knew any of them.

Yuri hummed happily to herself as she listen to some music on her head phones. The whole idea of going to Hawaii was like a dream to her still.

Darien was chatting into a cell phone and tapping out a piece, while making agreeing noises to the person on the other end. This wasn't a vacation to him. His editor had gotten some strange notions in his skull, and as always, it was 'Dare' to the rescue.

Kunzite, leaned back in his first class seat, sipping some champagne and enjoying the nice peace and quiet. Vacation... what a delicious word that was. No disguises save a blonde wash for his hair, no energy-gathering, just surf and sun and fun for three whole days. Let others deal with the trainees. He was taking a break.

Riona gazed down at the tropical blue water. It was beautiful. She leaned her chin and gazed out at the seemingly endless blue sea. She grinned and listened to Darien on his phone. She got up and turned around so she could look at him in the seat behind her. "What are you doing?? It's called a vacation! You don't talk to editors on a vacation. It just not done."

Dunican turned the page of the book he was reading. His eyes grow heavy and when his head tilted forward he snapped awake. *So tired.* he thought and looked over to Minako who was sitting next to him, seeing what she was doing.

Minako had her nose pressed against the window, her eyes wide with excitement. Unlike Dunican she was bounding with energy, having been cooped up a few hours too many. "Oooo look Dunican there's surfers!" she said, tugging on his shirt sleeve. ,p>Michiru walked out of the changing room in a very low cut two piece. "So, anyone want to rub sun tan lotion on my back. I heard you can really get a bad burn out here." she said with a seductive smile.

Wrinkling his nose, Zoisite wandered along the edge of the shore of Sunset Beach, working his way towards Shark's Cove. Perhaps the best part of all of this was that few others. Save the locals came out this way. Just another houli... Scooping up a sand dollar in one small hand, he peered curiously at the creature, a faint grin worked delicate features, lightly kissed by the sun's raise to counter his pale flesh. Glancing towards the blue depths of the ocean, he nodded to himself, watching the skies... who needed an airplane when you could teleport?

Sandra leaned back in her seat and shook her head at Michiru, *She'll just screw a few guys and gals. Unlike me who'll do the same, but make a tidy profit and collect a good share of energy while I'm at it.* She glanced at Kitsune, *Not to mention possibly figure out why my best General took a vacation while the Senshi are about.*

Jeremy leaned back, his mind was relaxed in a restful state, but alert in case of trouble. As Michiru's voice echoed through the plane cabin he sighed silently, a majority of the Senshi were here just to accompany their comrade. How exactly Jeremy had gotten chosen, his identity as Guardian a secret to his knowledge, he did not know.

He glanced at the individual seated beside him briefly and spoke calmly, glancing back at Michiru, "Perhaps you should save your sultry activities until we land." He turned his attention back forward, glad to have regained his control after having slipped some in one individuals presence a few weeks before.

Riona frowned. It was clear that Darien wasn't going to answer her. She turned back around in her seat and watched Michiru come out in a really skimpy bathing suit. *I've seen Kleenexes that cover more skin that that!* She thought to herself. She shook her head and looked over to Jeremy who was across the isle from her. "So what's going to be the first thing your going to do?" She asked him.

"Miss, will you please take your seat? The plane will be landing shortly." A young stewardess walked up to Michiru and started leading her back towards her seat.

Jeremy glanced over at Riona speaking steadily, "Find someplace isolated outdoors and get some exercise."

Riona gapped. "You've got to be kidding!" She shook her head. "Okay, first you're going to go to your room and get changed into you're trunks, then you're coming swimming with me." She leaned back in her seat while still looking over at Jeremy. "Do what you want at school, but on vacation, you're going to have fun!"

Few people, if any, noticed the young man as he slipped out from between two palm trees in the solitude garden and began walking towards the main terminal of the Honolulu International Airport. A lei dangled from one hand, the white flowers delicately tinged with blue and purple at their edges. Ignoring the tourists for the most part, he moved in and out of the crowds with ease. Even Beryl-hime wouldn't have guessed that Zoisite liked the islands. Maui wasn't bad, but Oahu was his favorite... unfortunately, it was as well of most of the visitors to Hawaii. Everyone wanted to see Waikiki, the Arizona Memorial, the Dole pineapple fields, or Honolulu itself. He preferred the more remote locations like Sacred Falls, Wahiawa, or just some little no name strip of land where no one else could find him. Leaning against one of the empty chairs, he read over the arrivals list one last time, waiting for those from what passed as home to begin disembarking. With any luck, Nephrite didn't come, and Kunzite did.

Michiru gave Jeremy a scowlful look. "Is it that bad I want to make sure I don't get skin cancer before I'm 20!" She shot back at him and sat down. "Riona, you've got to do something about your boyfriend's attitude. It really sucks!"

Dunican looked over Minako's shoulder and smiled. "I always wanted to try that," he said.

Jeremy shook his head, before countering in his own way. He knew enough to know how to argue, his strong point was though that he could keep his voice calm and monotone, showing no emotion, while others got riled, "The undertone you placed in your voice was hinting at far more than your skin's protection. Not to mention that if that was your only concern than you could simply do it yourself, human arms are capable if you actually try of reaching the entire back." He kept his face straight ahead, although his lone good eye slid to Riona, saying nothing of her order, *What good is fun when you must prepare? Although there are merits to swimming, I'll simply adjust my plans and work on my water training. I can stay out till the others go in after sunset and then work on the night aquatic exercises I prepped.*

Riona sighed, completely ignoring Michiru. "Jeremy, since you don't answer me, I'm going to take that as, 'Yes Riona, I'd love to go swimming with you.'" She sat back in her seat and looked out the window and saw that there was no longer just water outside, there was land below the plane and they seemed to be getting lower.

"Attention," A femine voice came on over the speakers, "The captain would like to inform you that we will be landing shortly. Please make sure that your tray tables are in the upright and locked position, and that your seat belts are on."

Darien snapped shut the phone and shoved it into its little pocket on his satchel, the computer following suit, then the whole lot was wedged into a corner. "Did you say something?" he asked, blinking at Riona, then his gaze was caught. His faintly distracted look was replaced by a beautiful smile. "Beautiful, that happens to be the most exquisite suit I've ever seen you wear. Want me to rub some suntan lotion on you when we land?"

Michiru snuggled closer to Darien and purred softly. "sure, I was hoping you would." she said and smiled. "And thanks. I got this right before we left. I thought you'd like it."

Settling down in one of the expansive windows as he waited for the plane to finish its taxi and let off the passengers, Zoisite's fingertips wound through the string of flowers held captive within them. Lifting the delicate blooms to his lips, he inhaled their scent briefly, a vague mix of ocean breezes, burning sands, and tropical waters. Interesting to say the least and containing a spot of his own energy to keep them fresh for a time.

Watching the massive plane slowly halt, is heart leapt in both strange fear and nervousness. What would Kunzite think finding him here? Would he suspect the length that Zoisite went to with his spying, including bribing youma and the like to learn of the king's movements? Would he be angry? Happy? Sad? Coldly indifferent? Shaking off the shiver that wound up his spine with icy fingers, Zoisite waited.

Jeremy descended the plane and coolly slipped his sunglasses on, flexing his gloved hand, it yearned to feel sunlight, but it could not. The damage done was to complete. He caught glance of one of the other students and ignored it, *We must not be the only ones.*

With confidence he stepped forward to pick up his baggage, some of the tourists giving him funny looks at the his gloved hand, long-sleeved shirt, and pants, hardly the dress most wore to Hawaii.

Riona left the plane and smiled to the stewardess, "Bye!" She waved and got a crown of tropical flowers placed on her head by a lady at the entrance of the air terminal. She hurried down the ramp and grabbed her luggage. While walking away from the terminal she spotted Jeremy. "Hey! Wait up!" She attempted to run after him, but moved much slower with all the bags. She pulled up behind Jeremy and waved down a cab. "Share ya, a cab?"

Minako bounced through the terminal, tugging her rolly-bag behind her. " Ooo let's get a cab quick Dunican, if we want to get onto the beach!" she squealed, adjusting the flower crown she had received apron there arrival.

Jeremy glanced over his shoulder as the cab pulled up. Before the driver could even get out of the vehicle he tossed his single suitcase into the trunk and turned for Riona's luggage, "It does have its economic pluses."

Riona grinned and handed Jeremy her bag. She got in the cab and Jeremy sat down beside her. "Uh..." She pulled out a piece of paper with the name of the hotel that the entire group would be staying at. "Ugh, I can't pronouce this. Here." She reached over the seat and handed the paper to the driver and he nodded.

"Ah, yes. Okay." He put the paper on the dash and pulled the car away from the air terminal.

Riona sat back as the car started to drive. "So, I was told that the hotel is near the beach, and has a pool. Where do you want to go? The pool, or the beach?"

Jeremy closed his eye, leaning his head back. The choice was simple, he practiced non-stop at the pool at his home for underwater, but the ocean while not much different, in the right spots would add real danger to his training, *Danger always makes a training session all that more effective.* "The beach would be acceptable."

"Yes I do," Darien whispered, looking deep into Michiru's eyes, then noticed that most of the people were leaving the plane. He stood up grabbed his computer case with one hand and Michiru's hand in the other. "Opps, time to debark. Do you know any English? I can mangle a few lines but that's all."

Kunzite wandered through the busy airport, a satchel slug over one shoulder, waving off any attempts to attack his attention until he was more comfortable with the language. The English he knew was several centuries out of date, and he didn't want to come off as being suspicious. He was briefly cornered by a trio of women who insisted on decorating him with flower garlands before letting him exist the building. Once outside he looked around and headed off in a random direction, enjoying the warmth and colors.

Dunican followed Minako. He smiled at her excitement about going to the beach in this tropical paradise. "I can't wait to go out and try to surf," he said and smiled to her.

Zoisite blinked in puzzlement as Kunzite walked by him and out into the afternoon. His confused expression quickly shifted to one of faint hurt. Rising off of the chair he had been perched in, he dropped the lei of flowers to the ground, leaving them forgotten. Dodging behind a few people to an relatively empty corridor, he vanished, cherry blossoms swirling in his wake. Reappearing near his small place at Sunset Beach, he perched on the railing. There was little joy in the rippling aqua waters of the cove this evening. Closing his eyes, his head tilted back to let the sunlight warm his usual cool flesh. There was a chance he had overestimated the ice king's reaction to him. At least Nephrite wasn't here to tease him. Eyes slitting open to the silvery rose within a vase inside the mostly bare apartment, he shook his head and closed his eyes again. Some distraction might do him good this evening. There was supposed to be a luau tonight at the Royal Hawaiian Regency. Plenty of foolish mortals for any of his energy needs, and who knew... there might some handsome men there. Dropping off of the railing, he padded barefoot into the cool, dark room and towards the shower. Tossing a light shirt of sapphire shades and a pair of black jeans atop them, he slipping into the washroom to bathe for this evening.

Michiru smiled and nodded slowly. "I know a little. We're required to take it." Darien smiled and gave her a kiss. "Let's go grab our stuff, pour on the lotion and hit the beaches, unless you want to do something else first."

The forgotten flowers stirred before vanishing, and the casual figure leaning against a sun-warmed wall brought the flowers up to his nose and inhaled their fragrance. Then with a chuckle, he vanished. In the cool darkness of Zoisite's apartment, Kunzite reappeared and shook his head slightly. Then walking quietly to the bedroom, he titled his head to the side and looked the room over. Then closing his eyes, he raised his hands as a soft rain of petals fell from the ceiling.

Minako giggled at Dunican's comment. "And I can't wait to watch you wipe out," she said, waving down a cab. Throwing their luggage into the trunk, Minako quickly dragged Dunican into the cab, eager to get to the hotel. She relayed the necessary information easily to the driver in English, having lived in England for a while.

Stepping out of the washroom, Zoisite was wrapped in the confines of a warm terry cloth towel. The shower had helped to relax and cool his form. The one thing he did dislike about Hawaii was the constant humidity of the tropical island. At least the cool breezes off of the ocean helped that.

As his foot touched the first of the petals, he blinked down dumbly at it. Even with the window open to his garden in the backyard, this many wouldn't have come in. Turning his face upwards to the shower of petals falling down on his with the gentle kiss of snowflakes against his flesh, a giggle with a cross between surprise and amusement escaped him. Turning his eyes to Kunzite, they widen in surprise. Slender hands clutching the towel tighter about him as a drift of soaked hair fell down about his face, reaching his waist in length. "What are you doing here?" he asked, trying to keep the shock out of his voice.

Riona stepped out of her room in a crimson tankini with boy-leg bottoms. Over top was a white mesh hooded cover up. She carried her sandals in her hand as she walked down the hall towards the elevator. The elevator took her downstairs. She went outside and sat down on one of the lounge chairs just outside the doors, so she'd be sure to see Jeremy if he decided to come join her.

Kunzite dropped his arms, the fall of petals slowing to a stop, his eyes a soft glitter of silver in the twilight. "Apologizing," he replied, placing a hand over his heart and bowing, ghostly hair falling like rain over his face. "For being so callous towards you. And giving you something in return for the flowers. They are beautiful." He straightened and raised his head, his gaze locking with Zoisite's. "I hope I'm not intruding..."

Michiru smiled. "The beach sounds very inviting. I've been waiting every since we took off to hit the water. Maybe later we can go hang gliding." she said with a wink.

Shifting himself to be better covered by the towel, the clothing on the bed vanished, reforming about him with the speed of thought. Dropping the towel to the floor, his fingertips captured one of the last blossoms as it drifted lazily towards the floor. "Intruding? No... I just... well, didn't expect to see you here. I thought maybe Nephrite had found my hideout for a moment until I... ummm... realized it was you."

That same shiver of mingled fear and pleasure at being in the other's presence. Perhaps it was being the youngest and relatively newest of the kings, still put in awe by bother Nephrite and Kunzite. Stepping forward to stare up better the other man, his fingertips rose to entangle themselves in the starlit silken locks. "I was... just getting ready to go out. Care to see more of this tourist trap? The beaches are lovely."

Yuri stepped out onto the beach in a violet bikini, her long curly purple hair was down and she wore sunglasses. "This is so beautiful." She commented.

Kagestsu sipped his drink at a seating area of a beach side restaurant. It was so warm here, it was driving him crazy.

Jeremy stepped off the elevator. He could have easily locked himself in his room and avoid Riona, but that was not what he did. No mere girl would force him to hide in his room. No he came here to train, and train he would. All about people glanced at his strange outfit, blue jean shorts, tennis shoes, and a long sleeved, black shirt and black glove covering his left hand. He ignored them, heading straight for the beach, with a calm, business-like precision.

"Me too," Darein said with a grin. He grabbed Michiru by the waist and pulled her close. "And hang gliding, if that's what you want. I'll enjoy the lesson."

Kunzite sighed softly, his own hand rising to capture Zoisite's, the faint hint of cherry blossoms in the air causing a longing to return to him. He had promised himself that no one would get this close to him, but yet the littlest king had attracted him like no other in his long life. "Yes, I suppose that they are. Almost enough to wish that one could transplant the Dark Kingdom somewhere tropic and sunlit."

A soft chuckle wound out of Zoisite at that thought, working it way towards full out laughter. "Can you see Beryl-hime waking up with sunlight drifting through her dusty windows? That pale wench would have a heart attack at seeing Hawaii outside her window... if she has a heart that is."

Pushing their absent queen from his thoughts, Zoisite curled against Kunzite's frame, fingernails drifting down the other's chest. A whirlwind of sakura blossoms flowed about the two of them, teleporting them from the cool darkness of his bedroom to a deserted alleyway leading to the beach. "Care to work on that tan?" Zoisite asked coyly as if he didn't want to see more of the ice king uncovered.

Kunzite raised an arm and frowned down at the skin with exaggerated care, before looking up at the sun as if it wasn't strong enough for his purposes but will have to do for now. "I suppose I should before I become as white as a dead man," he said with an exaggerated sigh. "Then I'll have to get a whole new wardrobe and what will the accountants say when I charge up too much to my account?" With a flicker of energy, his clothing morphed into brief swimming trunks, a oversized tee-shirt and sandals.

Riona looked up as Jeremy exited the hotel. She watched him walk towards her then got up. She studied Jeremy's clothing through her red tinted glasses. "You know, if you're going to wear a long sleeved shirt to go swimming, at least make it white. Black does attract the heat you know. And do you know how heavy wet jeans can get?" She frowned then and sighed. "You're not going swimming... Are you?"

Michiru laid on the beach letting the waves lap up against her feet. "Feels nice. I think I'll move here and just forget about Tokyo." she said to herself softly. "Darien... what do you say. We just get out of Tokyo and move here..."

Zoisite glanced up and down Kunzite's frame, a soft whistle of appreciation being his best reply since his tongue felt as if someone had tied it and his stomach in knots. A suspicious glance was given around, almost daring anyone to look at the other man on pain of having their eyes ripped from their sockets. A slender arm wound itself possessively about Kunzite's waist. With a shimmer resembling a heat haze, Zoisite's own clothing shifted to a match of Kunzite's done in white with more covering trunks in a shade of green. He was nothing if not color coordinated. Sliding the ribbon out of his hair, locks of fire and sun caressed hair curled down about his too pretty face down to midback.

Wandering along at Kunzite's side, he probably could have been mistaken for a female, something that would have annoyed him to no end had he known. Glancing upwards at the sun as well, he frowned briefly. He preferred his 'Never Seeing the Sun' paleness. Considering complaining about this, he turned his gaze back up to the ice king. The upside was that Kunzite would have to shed at least that shirt to work on his tan. Seemed like thing could turn out good after all.

Darien leaned back on his legs and frowned slightly, pouring some lotion into his hand, then straddled her to massage the lotion into her back. "I don't know, dearheart," he said as he slowly spread the lotion across her satiny skin. "I suppose we could, but it will take a while for us to find a place and have all our stuff moved here. Then there's my job, and your parents, and finding money to live by. I really don't know..."

Kunzite's hand drifted up to tangle in Zoisite's flame-touched hair before coming to a rest on his shoulder, fingers playing with his cherry-scented locks. Kunzite glanced down at him, smiling slightly as he playfully bumped the other with his hip before leading them onto the warm sand. Finding a nice spot, Kunzite regretfully disentangled himself from the saurka's embarrass and pulled out a blanket and lotion from his bag. Spreading the blanket out, he sat down crossed legged, pulled off his shirt and poured a handful of lotion into his palm. He spread it across his arms then looked up at Zoisite, admiring the paleness of his skin. "Why don't you help me put this stuff on my back and then fetch an umbrella from that stand over there. I might look good with a tan, but paleness suits you. I for one don't want to spend tonight not being able to get to know you better because of a sunburn."

Michiru turned over with a pouty face. "Oh you just had to go and ruin my nice day dream didn't you?' she asked.

Jeremy glanced at Riona, and spoke calmly, "I have every intention of going swimming. As for my apparel, I assure you I am fully aware of the weight of wet jeans, that is the point. As for the shirt, black hides that which should not be seen efficiently."

Darien laughed lightly and kissed her on the nose. "Sorry, dearheart, I'm a practical person. But if we're just daydreaming, why not? There' no harm in dreaming about it, is there?"

Riona frowned. *...That which should not be seen efficiently.* What was he talking about? Then she remembered the scars. It was perfectly obvious that they went down further than just the side of his face. The thing was that she didn't even see them anymore, they just didn't bother her. "Oh, well okay then." She walked beside him to the sandy beach and jumped at the heat of the sand. "Oh I left my towel up in my room. Be right back." She hurried back towards the hotel and towards the elevator.

Jeremy watched as Riona left and shook his head, *So confusing the opposite sex is.* His mind wandered briefly back to that Valentine's Day not to long ago before he stepped up and into the surf. He felt the water lap around his shoes and soak through, *Too bad the water's not colder.*

Michiru smiled up at Darien. "I could never leave school, you know that. Maybe in the future, but for now all we have are our dreams." she said and rolled back over on her stomach. "So, what else do you want to do while we're here?"

"There's a number of attractive options," Darien said with a smile. "Some of which I'm looking at right now."

Kunzite looked up at Zoisite and frowned lightly. Standing, he waved a hand in front of his face. "Hello? Earth to Neko-chan? Is anyone there?"

Minako rode the elevator down to the ground level, humming happily to herself. She was wearing a light purple bikini which was almost 2 times the size of Michiru's... which wasn't hard to accomplish. Just as the door slid open she saw Rinoa. "Hiye Rinoa, why are you coming back?" Minako asked, cocking her head to the side and shifting her beach bag to her other arm.

Michiru smiled and quickly kissed Darien on the nose before jumping up and running towards the water. "Come on Darien.." she cried with a wild laugh.

Riona looked up at Minako. "Oh, just getting my towel. I forgot it." She smiled and ran off to her room and quickly returned with a large beach towel portraying a penguin surfing. She grinned at Minako and pushed the button to the ground floor.

"Woah... cool beach towel..." Minako said, admiring it as they traveled down to the ground floor. It opened, and Minako walked with Rinoa out onto the beach area. She threw her stuff down next to hers, then looked over at the ocean. " Hey look... there's Jeremy... why don't ya go and talk to him?" Minako said in a playful voice, bouncing towards the water for a swim.

Dunican grabbed the surf board and ran out into the water. After he swam out a bit he sat on the board and waited. Then it came. A huge wave. Getting on the board Dunican positioned himself and road the wave. He nearly lost his balance several times but was able to stay up. Then he spotted Minako. "Hey Minako!!" he yelled but lost his balance and fell into the water. Several moments later he was on his back on the sandy beach coughing up sea water. "That was a trip," he coughed.

Finally coming out of his daze on just how he and Kunzite could get to know each other better, Zoisite leapt to his feet to complete the request with a speed that Nephrite would have envied Kunzite for getting out of him. Returning with an umbrella that he had somehow managed to find, he dropped down into the sun kissed sands. Pouring some of the warmed oil into his hands, his fingertips moved along the bared expanse of Kunzite's back, massaging the fluid into the tanned flesh. "Sorry, Kunzite-sama... got lost in my own thoughts..." Lowering his head to hide the blush that raged across his cheek, he continued with his massage. "What is a sunburn anyways?"

Darien yelped, falling half-sprawled into the sand. Then with a shake of his head and a low growl, he sprang to his feet and ran after Michiru. He stuck out his tongue at her as he past her by and waded into the water.

Kunzite eyes closed, savoring the feel of his hands moving across his skin. From somewhere distant he heard the saurka's question and replied in a dreamy voice, "A sunburn is a nasty red rash caused by the sun. It's very painful and sometimes can cause a person to feel really sick. I used to get them until I started tanning regularly."

Michiru laughed as she stood at the water's edge. "Just wondering if you would really go in or not." she said. She then turned and walked back towards her towel.

Minako blinked, peering curiously down at Dunican. Shrugging, she left him there on the sand, skipping off into the water. Once she was deep enough to dive, she slid under the water, still going farther out.

On to Part Two