The Exiles

By: Starsea

Rating: PG-13


Chapter Seven: The Cracks Between Us

My fingertips are holding onto
The cracks in our foundations,
And I know that I should let go,
But I can’t.
And every time we fight, I know it’s not right,
Every time that you’re upset, I just smile,
I know I should forget, but I can’t.

Kate Nash, “Foundations”


Mamoru had a bad feeling as soon as his phone rang. When he picked 
it up and heard Ken’s voice, the feeling only worsened.

“We’re coming over.”

“We? Who’s ‘we’?”

“Hi-kun and me, of course. You’re at Isa-kun’s, right?”

“Yes, why-”

“He needs sorting out.”

“Would you mind telling me what’s going on?” Mamoru demanded.

“Not on the phone. You’ll find out when we get there. Ja.”

Mamoru stared at his phone. He knew that tone in Ken’s voice and it 
always meant trouble. Back at Harvard, that tone had meant a bar 
fight, or climbing onto the roof, or disappearing for the weekend 
and coming back with tales of overnight jail cells.

“Bad news?” asked Xavier, who was lying on the floor and rapidly 
making his way through the new Final Fantasy installment for the 
Playstation.

“Ken-kun’s on his way over here because he says Isamu-kun needs 
‘sorting out’.”

Xavier groaned and dropped his head to the floor. “Just what we 
need.”

“My thoughts exactly. You go and warn him, I’ll guard the door.”

Xavier jumped up and went into Isamu’s bedroom. Mamoru sat back, 
discovered he was holding his breath, and consciously let it go. 
The door bell sounded within fifteen minutes, three sharp rings 
that seemed to pierce his ears. Mamoru got up and was surprised 
to see Isamu appear and walk in front of him.

“Don’t worry,” he said calmly. “I’ll get it.”

“But Ken-kun-”

“If we confront him head on, the explosion might not be so bad,” 
Isamu said, heading towards the front door as the bell rang again. 
Mamoru stood for a moment, helpless, then sat back down and gazed at 
his hands. He heard a brief angry outburst from Ken, then a quiet 
reply from Isamu. A tense silence and then heavy, determined 
footsteps coming closer and closer. Mamoru looked up. Ken looked 
just as furious as he'd sounded.

“Do you know what he’s doing?” he demanded, launching straight into 
his tirade without giving Mamoru a chance to reply. “He’s going out 
with Aino-san when he’s really in love with Hino-san!”

Mamoru looked at Isamu, who had just emerged from the hallway. “Is 
this true?”

Isamu shrugged. “You already knew I was going out with Aino-san.”

“Not that, the part about Rei-san.”

“Might I respectfully suggest that you and Ken-kun mind your own 
business?”

“Don’t you dare speak to him like that!” Ken shouted, stepping 
forward, his body leaning, primed for a fight. “Your business *is* 
his business, you’re his guard!”

“But this doesn’t affect my ability to guard him. It’s part of my 
private life... and I am allowed to have one of those, ne? Hi-kun 
thinks so.”

Mamoru hadn’t noticed Takehiko until then: he was standing against 
the wall, arms folded, watching the situation with a resigned 
expression. “Yes, Isa-kun, you are,” he said in response to the 
appeal. 

Ken gaped at him.

“How can you let him lead Aino-san on like this?”

“*Are* you leading her on?” Mamoru asked Isamu, seeing that this was 
the heart of the matter. Xavier was watching the scene from the 
doorway of Isamu’s bedroom, face pale, shoulders hunched with 
tension as he looked from Isamu to Ken.

Isamu sighed as if this was all very tedious. “I haven’t given her 
any indication that it’s serious.”

“But you haven’t actually told her this is for fun,” Mamoru pursued.

“I don’t see why I need to. She’s a big girl, she can handle 
herself.”

“You may not see the need, but it’s still the decent thing to do,” 
Mamoru said, feeling Ken’s anger suddenly kindle inside his own 
chest. “Ken-kun is right in one thing... your feelings for Rei-san 
are your own affair but you should behave honourably towards Minako-san.”

“Honourably?” Isamu threw back his head and laughed. “A *monk* 
couldn’t treat her more honourably!”

Ken took one step forward and then stopped, his face red with anger. 
He turned back to Takehiko. “How can you let this happen?” he asked, 
painfully bewildered. “Don’t you care?”

“Why should he care?” Mamoru asked quietly, also watching Takehiko.

Isamu turned, his eyes alight with glee. “Oh, that’s right, you don’t 
know...” he said softly. Xavier suddenly moved, coming into 
the room, facing his cousin dead on. He knew that look on his 
cousin's face and it always meant trouble.

“Don’t! Whatever you're thinking of, don't!”

“But our master has asked the question and it should be answered,” 
said Isamu innocently. “I don’t see why I should be the only one 
who's interrogated about my relationships... past or present.”

“If you’re talking about Venus and Kunzite, I am already aware of 
what happened,” Mamoru said coolly.

Silence flooded the room. Ken and Xavier looked stunned. Isamu 
blinked and his mouth tightened. Takehiko looked up and their eyes 
met. There was shock and pain on his face. “Shujin,” he said, his 
voice low, “you knew?”

“Not at the time,” Mamoru explained. “After I asked you to go with 
Isamu-kun to meet Minako-san and Rei-san... Artemis visited me.”

Isamu snorted. “Figures.”

Mamoru ignored him. “He told me that... you and Minako-san were 
involved in the past life. And Usako knows but she didn’t want to 
say anything in front of the others.”

“You and VENUS?!” Ken yelled.

Xavier looked dazed. “An affair...? When? How?”

“Much the same way Endymion had an affair with Princess Serenity,” 
Takehiko answered, looking at them. “Venus had to guard her, I had 
to guard him.”

“Yes, it sounds very nice and simple when you put it like that,” 
Isamu remarked.

“We had met briefly before the Princess came to Earth,” Takehiko 
said, his voice as calm as if he were discussing two strangers, “but 
our affair didn’t begin until after they had met. And it ended 
before we were turned.”

Ken shook his head. Xavier sank down onto the sofa, staring into 
space. “And you never told any of us,” he said, his voice soft, 
marvelling at the willpower of that decision.

“Well, no.” Takehiko shrugged. “Because it doesn’t matter.”

“Of course it matters!” Ken exploded. “You *loved* her-”

“Back then. We are not the same people. At least, I am not the 
same man,” Takehiko added, his eyes darkening, and Mamoru saw a 
flicker of pain in his eyes. Then it was gone and Takehiko pushed 
himself away from the wall. “Just because we were involved in the 
past, that is no reason to assume it will happen again.”

“Mamoru-kun and Usagi-chan are involved,” Xavier pointed out.

“They were able to overcome the karma of their relationship, and I 
am happy for them, but the price was almost too high. The world 
almost ended. Again.” Takehiko sat down on the sofa beside Mamoru. 
“I would prefer to avoid a repeat of what happened to Kunzite and 
Venus, if possible.”

Mamoru nodded, thinking. Put like that, it sounded so simple and 
reasonable, and yet something wasn’t right. He could feel it. 
Something was out of place, but he couldn’t see what it was and he 
didn’t know Takehiko well enough to hazard any kind of guess. He 
wished Usagi were here: she had a gift for seeing what was wrong 
with someone (unless it was ChibiUsa). “Of course,” he said, 
realising that Takehiko was waiting for an answer. “I can understand 
that, Takehiko-san, I just...”

“Yes?”

/I feel like you’re not telling me everything. Like I’m missing 
something important./

“You’re really okay with those two going out?” Mamoru nodded at 
Isamu. “After what he said?”

“Isa-kun knows the rules,” Takehiko said, also looking at Isamu. “He 
knows what I expect of him.”

“So you’ve discussed this?” Ken said in disbelief.

“Of course,” Takehiko answered, as if this were obvious. “He asked 
me after their first date.”

“If you hadn’t felt the need to come and tell me how to behave, Ken-
kun, we wouldn’t have had to tell you,” Isamu said, his voice 
soothing but his eyes still glittering with amusement.

Ken swore at him. “Go ahead and pretend, but you're being a shit and 
you know it! And that'll reflect on all of us, and on Mamoru-kun! 
Especially when they find out who we are!”

“*If* they find out,” Isamu corrected him. “We don’t have to tell 
them.”

“That’s your opinion,” Ken retorted.

Isamu’s eyes narrowed. “You’d better not have done anything stupid.”

Ken snorted. “Pot. Kettle. Black.”

Isamu jumped to his feet. “Say that again,” he said, his voice 
dangerously soft.

Ken smirked, an expression that Mamoru recognised all too well. 
“Pot... ketttle... black.”

Isamu leapt at him and Mamoru threw himself between them, wincing as 
a fist thumped into his ribs. “Stop it!” he yelled. 

“For God’s sake, Hi-kun, do something!” Xavier cried.

Takehiko had been looking at his clasped hands. He lifted his head 
and stared at Ken and Isamu as if he didn’t recognise them. Then his 
expression changed and he moved so swiftly that Mamoru didn't really 
see what happened. One moment, he was holding Ken and Isamu apart 
and having his ribs bruised; the next, he was standing alone in the 
middle of the room and Ken was on the sofa, while Isamu was somehow 
against the wall. And Takehiko was standing next to him, so close 
that they were almost touching, somehow managing to glare at both of 
his men at the same time.

“Idiots,” he said, his voice cold. “If you fight over something as 
small as this, what are you going to do when a bigger threat comes? 
Ken-kun, picking fights doesn’t solve anything, you should know that 
by now. Isa-kun...” His eyebrows were drawn together and Mamoru was 
suddenly reminded of Kunzite, the Kunzite he’d faced as an enemy. 
For the first time since they'd met, Takehiko looked like that man: 
ruthless and implacable. “Since you’ve forced me to say something, 
I’ll say this: either treat her as a proper girlfriend or leave her 
alone. Either way, you’ll upset Hino-san, which is your main objective, 
I have no doubt. You don’t change.”

A dull red crept across Isamu’s cheeks. He looked resentful but 
Mamoru knew that he wouldn’t say anything. Takehiko had cowed him 
too effectively for that. Ken sat up and moved his shoulders around, 
not at all resentful. “Man, Hi-kun, talk about a death grip,” he 
said. “I thought you were going to break something for a second 
there.”

Takehiko’s expression changed and he looked like himself again. 
“There’s only one person who can break your bones, Ken-kun, and 
that’s you,” he said, and Mamoru shuddered, unaware until then how 
tense he’d been.

A door slammed and Mamoru realised that Isamu was gone. Ken twisted 
round, puzzled. “Where’s he going now?”

“Probably to see Aino-san and carry out his instructions,” Takehiko 
said, sitting down again. “He’s very... thorough like that.”

Xavier bit his lip, looking worried again. Mamoru looked at 
Takehiko. “What do you mean ‘thorough’? He won’t... do anything, 
will he?”

“He won’t harm her, if that’s what you mean,” Takehiko answered with 
a grim smile. “I made him promise and he knows I’ll hold him to 
that. No, he’s gone to act like a proper boyfriend. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” Xavier repeated, looking relieved.

Ken snorted. “About time,” he said, and then caught sight of the new 
game. “Hey... you didn’t tell me you’d got that.”

Xavier rolled his eyes. “You know I’m part of the tester group.”

Ken stood up, his eyes alight with excitement. “Can I have a go?”

“You really are a glutton for punishment.”

“Hey, I’m getting better!”

“Yeah, at dying...”

Bickering amiably about Ken’s dire gaming skills, they both sat down 
and began to play a new game together. Mamoru stared at them. It 
amazed him that they could play a computer game after what had just 
happened. Didn’t they understand? /No,/ he thought suddenly. /They 
don’t get it. They may have known about Venus but they don’t 
actually remember that much or this would mean more to them. They’re 
more upset about what’s going to happen now than what happened back 
then. But Takehiko-san.../ He glanced at his other guard, who was 
looking at his hands again.

“You shouldn’t let the past hold you back,” he said quietly, sitting 
beside him.

Takehiko blinked and looked at him. “That’s easy for you to say,” he 
said, his tone equally low. “You’ve faced your fate and won.”

“You don’t know that a relationship would be disastrous for you and 
Minako-san,” Mamoru argued.

Takehiko shrugged. “Statistically, you have to agree that it’s more 
likely to have disastrous consequences than happy ones.”

“Statistics,” Mamoru repeated in disbelief. “You can’t rely on 
statistics. According to statistics, Usako should be dead by now and 
I should be ruling the world with Beryl.” He was aware, just too 
late, that saying her name to Takehiko was extremely tactless, but the 
other man smiled, a strange sad smile.

“And that is what makes you and the Princess special, shujin,” he 
said softly. “But I am not you and she is not Usagi-san, even though 
they may look very alike.”

And suddenly Mamoru knew why Takehiko had looked at Usagi with soft 
eyes and treated her so gently. He started to say something, stopped 
and then put a hand on Takehiko’s arm. “If you’re so worried about the 
future, why don’t you ask Setsuna-san?”

“Oh, use your head,” Takehiko said with a roll of his eyes, and 
Mamoru felt strangely warm. It was the first time that Takehiko had 
been so informal with him. “Even if she could tell me the 
possibilities, she wouldn’t. Just telling me would alter what was 
going to happen. Nobody is ever told what would have happened. Don’t 
you know that?” His eyes met Mamoru’s. “I really think that it’s 
better to err on the side of caution in these matters, considering 
what happened before, don’t you?”

“But what about how you feel?” Mamoru urged.

“What about it?” Takehiko said, staring at him. “As I said before, 
that’s not important. That’s not why I’m here. I’m here to protect 
you, Mamoru-san... and to protect them,” he added, glancing at Ken 
and Xavier, who were engrossed in the game. “I’m here to make sure 
that the past doesn’t repeat itself.”

“Even if that means Minako-san going out with Isamu-kun?” Mamoru 
demanded.

“Yes,” Takehiko said simply.

Mamoru stared at him, frustrated to boiling point. He knew that 
Takehiko was wrong, so wrong, but he didn’t know how to explain or 
express it. This was Usagi’s territory, and without her he was 
completely lost.

“Ah, Hi-kun, I’m stuck!” Ken moaned. “Help me!”

“Cheat!” Xavier taunted, voice high with triumph. “Cheat, cheat!”

“It’s not cheating, I’m asking for *help*!”

“If you do it with someone else’s help, that’s cheating!”

Takehiko smiled. “Duty calls,” he said to Mamoru confidentially, and 
moved to sit between the two. Mamoru rubbed his forehead for a 
moment. He could see that trying to convince Takehiko that he was 
wrong about Minako was impossible at the moment, especially since 
his own thoughts on the subject were muddled at best. He needed to 
talk to Usagi about this, soon if possible. All he had to do was 
figure out how to explain what had happened and why he needed her 
help.

Nothing too difficult, then.

* * *

“Well, you can’t say I didn’t warn you, Minako-chan,” Rei said, 
stirring her tea with a maddening air of superiority. “I told you to 
be careful.”

“Except he hasn’t attacked me or tried to do any of the things you 
warned me about,” Minako retorted. “He hasn’t done *anything*. And 
I’m going to call him right now so that we can talk about it.”

“Do you really think it’s wise to confront him head-on?” Ami asked. 
“It might just make him defensive.”

“In my experience, it’s very difficult to intimidate Minami-san,” 
Rei remarked. She suddenly felt everyone’s eyes on her and she could 
have kicked herself.

“And how would you know, Rei-chan?” Usagi asked, blinking.

“Yes,” said Minako, in a much sharper voice, “how would you?”

Rei put her spoon down, irritated at how she’d let that slip. “I 
just... I tried to find out something about him the first time he 
was at the shrine. I told him that I knew he was hiding something 
and that I’d find out, but even when I threatened him, he wasn’t 
bothered.”

Minako’s eyes widened. “You... so that’s it. That’s why he hasn’t 
done anything. Because you threatened to barbecue him!”

“The conversation wasn’t about you!” Rei snapped.

“It didn’t have to be if you were threatening him about putting a 
foot wrong!” Minako stood up, her cheeks flushing. “Honestly, Rei-
chan... I know he’s a man, but even for you, that’s cold!”

At that moment, the bell rang and they all turned to see Isamu walk 
into the arcade. Minako’s blush deepened and her eyes lit up.

“Isamu-kun!”

“I was hoping you’d be here,” he said, walking towards her, every 
cell in his body aware of Rei’s presence and the way she was glaring 
at him.

Minako lowered her eyelashes. “Oh really?” she said. “And why would 
you be looking for me?”

“Because,” he said, taking her hands and drawing her closer. “You 
know why.”

“No,” she answered, tossing her head and pretending to be offended, 
“I don’t. Actually, I was just saying how cold you’ve been to me. I 
was thinking you don’t want to be with me anymore.”

“Oh... you know that’s not true.” Isamu slipped an arm around her 
back and he heard someone breathe in sharply. A queer sort of 
triumph bloomed in his chest. “Maybe I haven’t been as forward as 
you’d like,” he continued, putting his lips very close to Minako’s 
ear so she could feel his breath on her neck, “but I just wanted to 
make sure I didn’t scare you away.”

“Maybe I’m not as easily scared as you think,” she murmured, her 
eyes soft, inviting.

“Obviously not,” he agreed, resting his forehead against hers. 
“So... will you forgive me?”

She hummed for a moment or two, keeping him waiting, but they both 
knew what answer she’d give. “Yes,” she said with a giggle. “As long 
as you *promise* to be kinder now. Or I’ll fly away!”

“Not if I hold you tight, you won’t,” he threatened, wrapping his 
arms tight around her. Minako giggled again and wrapped her arms 
around his neck in retaliation. Isamu realised that she expected him 
to seal the promise with a kiss. He hadn’t intended to go that far, 
but with everyone watching – with *her* watching – he couldn’t back 
out now. Triumphant and miserable at the same time, he lowered his 
head and pressed a firm, but chase kiss upon Minako’s waiting lips. 
It was easier than he’d thought it would be. But then she was very 
pretty, and very eager for him to love her.

Rei curled her fingers tight around the spoon so that the metal cut 
into her skin. She wanted to tear her eyes away, to look out of the 
window, to look at anything except Isamu kissing Minako like the 
perfect boyfriend. She couldn’t stand it. Hadn’t Minako just been 
complaining about the way Isamu treated her? But all he’d had to do 
was look sorry and touch her and she’d melted like ice cream, 
forgiven him immediately. Just as Rei’s mother had always forgiven 
her father, no matter what he’d done. Rei felt her lips draw tight 
over her teeth in a scowl. She’d never let a man treat her like 
that. And she wouldn’t let any of her friends be treated like that, 
either.

“So you think that’s enough?” she said harshly. “A few kisses, some 
soft words, and all is forgiven?”

Isamu drew back, judging that the kiss had lasted long enough. “I 
don’t see that it’s any of your business,” he said, looking at her 
over Minako’s head while he stroked the fall of golden hair. “If 
Minako-san wants to forgive me, it’s her choice.” He looked down at 
Minako. “Besides, I came here with an invitation.”

“An invitation?” Minako’s eyes sparkled. “Where?”

“To my parents’ house. I want them to meet you.” Isamu smiled at 
her, thinking how easy this was. No fights, no arguments. Just 
acceptance.

“Oh!” Minako put her hands over her mouth. “Your parents! But are 
you sure that’s okay? I mean...” She looked down, one foot tracing 
patterns on the floor. “We haven’t known each other that long.”

Makoto and Ami were watching this display with some shock, not 
because of Isamu’s actions, but because of Minako’s. They were used 
to her changing moods, but they’d never seen her so submissive with 
a man, especially when she’d been so angry and determined with 
Takehiko. It was as if she’d become a completely different person.

“It’s fine,” Isamu replied with an indulgent smile. “We’re all 
having dinner next weekend. Let’s go and pick out a dress for you.”

“You’re buying me a dress?!”

“And shoes and accessories... whatever you need. I want you to 
dazzle them.”

“You mean normally she isn’t dazzling?” Rei demanded, knowing that 
she was being mean but too angry at his attitude to care.

“Oh, Rei-chan,” Minako said with a sigh. “Isamu-san’s parents are 
important people. I have to look my best, that’s what he’s saying. 
Anyway, I’m not going to complain if he’s taking me shopping!” She 
beamed up at Isamu and Rei felt something twist inside her, old and 
bitter and knowing. 

/You have no idea,/ she thought. /You don’t know how this ends. But 
I do. And I won’t let it happen to you, Minako-chan, even if you end 
up hating me./

Usagi had been watching all this with mixed feelings. She was happy 
for Minako and yet something wasn’t right. Usagi thought back to 
when Takehiko and Ken had been there, hardly thirty minutes ago. She 
thought of the way the air had thickened between Takehiko and Minako, 
shimmered with heat. There was nothing like that here. It wasn’t 
right. Her mobile phone buzzed and she was relieved to see that it 
was a message from Mamoru.

/Maybe he can explain why I feel bad about this.../

“Let’s go shopping now!” Minako said, tugging on Isamu’s arm. “Come 
on, the shops are still open, we might find something!”

“But I haven’t got my wallet,” Isamu teased.

“So, we’ll reserve it and come back tomorrow! Oh please...” Minako 
made her eyes big and clasped her hands under her chin like a little 
girl.

“Okay, fine. See you later, girls,” Isamu added as Minako grabbed 
her coat and then his hand, tugging him out of the arcade. The girls 
waved at him and sat in silence for a moment.

“Well,” Ami said eventually, “that was... interesting.”

“Very,” Makoto agreed.

“Did you see the way she fawned over him?” Rei said in disgust. “She 
let him walk all over her!”

“Everybody deserves a second chance, Rei-chan! Besides, he wants her 
to meet his parents... he must be serious about her.” Makoto leaned 
her head against her palm, looking wistful.

“Yes, there’s no better way to show how much she means to him,” Ami 
agreed.

“Precisely!” Rei snapped. “He knew exactly what to say to reassure 
her.”

Makoto rolled her eyes. “Man, that guy can’t do anything right as 
far as you’re concerned. Whatever he does, he’s got an ulterior 
motive.”

“Because that’s the kind of person he is, why can’t you see that?!”

“All I see is a guy who cares enough about Minako-chan to introduce 
her to his parents,” Makoto said angrily. “Where’s the evil 
intention in that, Rei-chan, huh? You almost act like you’re 
jealous!”

Rei went white. “Me? Jealous?”

“You *are* acting like you’re jealous,” Ami said quietly. “But of 
who? Minako-chan or Minami-san? That’s what I’m wondering.”

“I’m not jealous,” Rei retorted, sipping her tea so that she 
wouldn’t have to look at anyone. “I’m worried about Minako-chan. I 
know Minami-san, I know his type. And I won’t allow him to hurt her 
or use her.”

Usagi stood up and began to gather her things.

“Where are you going?” Ami asked, surprised.

“Mamo-chan asked if I could meet him. He says he wants my help. He 
needs me to help him figure something out,” Usagi said proudly.

Even Makoto and Rei stopped fighting at that. “You?” they said, 
staring at her.

Usagi put her fists on her hips and glared. “Yes! Me! I’m not 
stupid, you know.”

“No, of course not,” Ami agreed hastily. “It’s just that... I don’t 
see why Mamoru-san would need your help figuring out an assignment.”

“Who says it’s an assignment?” Usagi replied with a smile. “I’ll see 
you all tomorrow. Ja ne!” And she skipped out, leaving them all 
mystified.

“What was that about...?” Makoto said, staring after her.

“I think the world is ending,” Rei muttered. “Minako-chan is happy 
with a boy and Mamoru-san is asking Usagi-chan for *help*.”

Ami looked troubled. “But Crystal Tokyo doesn’t happen for another 
four years.”

Makoto and Rei stared at her. “I don't think Rei-chan meant the world 
was literally ending, Ami-chan,” Makoto pointed out.

Ami went slightly pink. "I knew that."

Rei sniffed. “Besides, Crystal Tokyo isn't the end of the world. 
Just a new one. The sooner Minako-chan has to take up her duties and 
forget about Isamu-san the better.”

“Even the founding of a new civilisation wouldn't make Minako-chan 
forget about a boy,” Ami said with a pained smile. “The only things 
that have ever made her do that are a new threat... or another boy.”

“Then we’ll have to find another boy.”

“You’re right, the world *is ending!” Makoto laughed. “You’re 
turning matchmaker.”

Rei scowled at her. “It’s a temporary measure. Just until she’s 
stopped drooling over him.”

“Rei-chan, interfering in other people’s relationships is never a 
good idea,” Ami said, frowning. “We tried that with Usagi-chan and 
Mamoru-san both in the past life and the present, and it turned out 
badly.”

“Fine, don’t help me, I’ll do it on my own,” Rei said, folding her 
arms.

“Why can’t you just let Minako-chan be happy?”

“Believe me, I’ll be saving her a lot of future unhappiness.”

The look on Rei’s face told Ami and Makoto there was no point in 
arguing with her, but they both knew no good would come of this.

* * *

Minako held the dress against her body, turning this way and that. 
"Do you think it's too short?" she questioned, tipping her head to 
one side.

"Probably, all the other dresses you've chosen have been," Isamu 
answered calmly, leaning against the wall.

They were in a small boutique called Yummy Cherry in the Aoyama 
district, so expensive that the clothes in the windows had no tags 
on them. Price wasn't advertised anywhere that Minako could see, 
which meant they assumed you could pay whatever they asked, or why 
would you be in here?

She bit her lip. "But I have nice legs..."

"My mother isn't going to care about your legs. Neither is my 
father, if he's got any sense. But don't worry... Xavier's going to 
be here soon, he's better at this sort of thing. Nicer." His mouth 
twisted on the word. He could see Takehiko looking at him. /Be 
gentle with her./ Why was it so difficult? But it was almost like 
she invited him to be cruel, with that pleading for reassurance.

"Xavier-san?" She looked at him, surprised. "You mean your cousin?"

"Technically he's my cousin, but he's practically my brother," Isamu 
corrected. "And he's much better at this: wearing the right clothes, 
creating the right impression. He *cares* about this stuff. He 
thinks it makes a difference."

"But it does make a difference!" Minako said, outraged. "Clothes are 
very important."

Isamu rolled his eyes. "Please. They're just a shell."

"God, you sound just like Rei-chan," Minako muttered.

He shrugged. "Maybe that's because she's right?"

"I'd like to hear you say that to her face!"

"All right, I will. Satisfied?" His eyes were narrow, waiting for 
her to make another mistake. She turned around, her eyes suddenly 
stinging. The shop music throbbed in her ears and head.

"Ah... the happy couple," said Xavier, arriving to see Isamu glaring 
at the wall and Minako staring into the mirror. "Hope I'm not 
interrupting?"

He couldn't fault Minako. She turned around with a wide, welcoming 
smile. "Xavier-san? I've heard so much about you."

"Likewise," he said, bowing, wondering why Isamu couldn't appreciate 
all this sunshine. "Pleasure to meet you. I thought Isa was going to 
keep you hidden forever." He could feel a glare from Isamu as he 
said this, but ignored it.

Minako blushed prettily. "Well, I'm coming to dinner, so he can't 
hide me any longer."

"Oh... that's good," Xavier said, suddenly feeling ill. Not for the 
first time in the past few weeks, he wanted to punch his cousin in 
the kidneys.

"Isamu-kun said you could help me with deciding what to wear," 
Minako went on. "Apparently everything I've chosen so far is too 
short."

"Depends on the neckline and the cut of the sleeves," Xavier said, 
taking the outfits she'd hung up and examining them one by one. "Put 
on the daisy combo, that might be good."

She beamed and whisked the curtains closed. Xavier turned and 
pinched his cousin viciously on the arm. "Are you mad inviting her 
to dinner?" he said between gritted teeth. "Yumi-mama will tear her 
apart."

"Are you saying she's not good enough?" Isamu asked loudly, raising 
his eyebrows.

"No, Isa, I'll leave that up to you, you're doing such a good job of 
it," Xavier answered, turning as Minako emerged. "Magnifique! 
Minako-san, you look charming, don't try on anything else, that is 
your outfit."

Minako twirled, looking down at herself as the skirt flared around 
her legs. "You don't think the daisies are childish?"

"No, they're perfect for you," Xavier said firmly, ignoring Isamu 
with all his might. "Get dressed and Isa will buy that for you 
straight away. Won't you, Isa?"

"Of course," Isamu agreed.

"But I thought you said you didn't have your wallet," Minako 
objected.

Isamu smiled and took the wallet out of his inside pocket. "Anything 
for my Minako-chan."

Minako went bright red and giggled prettily. She danced forward and 
placed a daring peck on his cheek, right next to his mouth. "Be out 
in a sec," she said softly, then flew back into the cubicle and shut 
the curtains.

Xavier turned away, feeling cold and faint, as if he were going to 
vomit. He was no stranger to unhealthy relationships, but it was a 
new experience to see one from the outside, to be the one urging 
caution. The balance of power was so unequal that he felt like 
telling Minako to run, get out before it all exploded in her face. 
He began to understand why Takehiko had warned her and also why 
Minako resented that warning so much.

"What do you think?" Isamu said with a satisified smile. "Pretty, 
isn't she?"

"She's beautiful," Xavier answered. "I just wish you could 
appreciate that."

Isamu raised his eyebrows. "I do appreciate it. I appreciate someone 
who doesn't fight, doesn't doubt, doesn't look at me with constant 
suspicion." His eyes looked ancient for a moment, lifetimes of 
frustration leaking through like ink. "I appreciate all that very 
much, Xavier, as you should know."

"Yes, I know. And I also know that you don't appreciate her 
enough." He pointed at the closed curtains. "This is a new start, 
Isa! Forget about what happened before, this is what you could have. 
Light... life... laughter. You should try and appreciate *that*. You 
should really try."

Isamu looked at him, his face blank, his eyes unreadable. "So ka," 
he said.

"Okay, I'm ready!" Minako declared, flinging back the curtains like 
she was on stage. "Let's get going. We still have to get the shoes 
and maybe some jewellery, ne, Isamu-kun?"

Isamu nodded and took the clothes from her. "I'll go and pay," he 
said and walked off.

"Is he okay?" Minako asked, staring after him.

Xavier smiled at her. "He's got a lot on his mind."

* * *

It was good to leave the city centre, good to sit on the metro and 
see the buildings peel back to reveal some green haze on the edge, 
good to leave the station and walk down the darkening streets 
towards the place that was home, his own place. Even if he did share 
it with someone else, it was still his.

Takehiko tried not to think about what had happened. He tried not to 
think about Mamoru's anxious questions and the disbelief in his eyes 
when he heard that Isamu was going out with Minako. It brought on a 
surge of hope, a thought of /Maybe I could.../ which had no use in 
his life. He tried not to think of Isamu's shame at being made to 
see what he was doing. But the image of Mamoru caught between Isamu 
and Ken was printed on the back of his eyelids. It was too familiar.

/Is it happening again? Is history repeating itself without us 
realising?/

He got his mobile out and phoned Setsuna's number, hating himself 
for being so weak. She answered on the third ring.

"Waiting by the phone?" he joked, needing to take the edge off the 
rising panic inside him.

"I only answer if I know it won't be a waste of my time," she 
replied, her amused tone belying the stern words. "What's wrong?"

"Would you tell me if it was happening again?" he said without 
preamble. "If you could see us drifting... if you could see the evil 
waiting to overtake us, would you tell me?"

"Yes."

The answer was so quick, so sure, that he had to swallow back an 
unexpected lump, making his "thank you" rather huskier than usual.

"What's wrong, Takehiko-kun?" He heard a small creak and knew that 
she was sitting down, ready to listen to him. "You're scared, aren't 
you? Why? What happened?"

Takehiko turned and leaned his back against the wall. He looked up 
at the sky, but there were no stars. Tokyo's light pollution made it 
almost impossible to see anything in space, even out here in the 
suburbs. "Sometimes I think we'll tear ourselves apart without any 
outside help," he said softly. "Today... Ken-kun and Isa-kun got 
into a fight. Not one of their normal fights, it was bad. It was 
about Aino-san. And Mamoru-san got in the middle, tried to stop 
them..." He closed his eyes, seeing it so easily, the colours sharp 
with fear and anger. "It was just like before."

"Of course you're going to encounter the same problems, Takehiko-
kun," Setsuna said calmly. "That doesn't mean the ending will be the 
same. You're different. They're different. If they fight over the 
girls, they fight. But hopefully, they're old enough to make up."

"Mm. Maybe I shouldn't have let them meet..."

There was a soft snort of disbelief over the phone. "And what would 
you have done instead? Kept them under house arrest? We already 
talked about this, and we both agreed that it was better for them to 
meet sooner rather than later. Much less suspicious that way."

"Why do I get the feeling that means you've had an idea about a 
lovely little get together?"

Setsuna smiled at the dry tone: Takehiko was obviously feeling 
better. "Such cynicism! But I was thinking about hanami. A nice, 
friendly picnic. What do you think? Would the boys be happy to 
attend that?"

"As long as you understand that "nice" and "friendly" will not be on 
the menu if Isa-kun and Hino-san are there."

"If Isamu-san is going out with Minako-chan, then they shouldn't 
need to speak to each other," Setsuna pointed out.

Takehiko was about to ask how she'd heard, but then he remembered 
who she was and decided it was a pointless question. "Theoretically, 
yes, but I wouldn't put too much faith in that theory."

"You could try," Setsuna retorted, chuckling. "You weren't reborn 
just so you could spend this life being miserable."

Takehiko smirked. "Everyone's gotta have a hobby."

Setsuna laughed out loud and shook her head. "Then find another one. 
Let me know what they think about the hanami idea. And *try* to stop 
worrying."

"I will. Thanks." He hung up and stared at the phone for a moment. 
Despite himself, despite everything, he did feel lighter. Better.

/There you go,/ said the voice with a certain satisfaction. /Nothing 
to worry about./

"No," Takehiko muttered. "Nothing at all..."

He went inside. At his "tadaima", Ken stepped into the hallway. He 
was wearing the uniform for his new job, but since that was only an 
apron with the Crown insignia over vaguely smart clothes, he didn't 
look uncomfortable. He turned around once.

"Whaddya think? Do I look like a professional employee or what?"

"It's not really how you look, it's how you work. And how much time 
you spend practising on those machines," Takehiko added, taking off 
his shoes and putting on his house slippers.

"I'm not going to practise! That much..."

"Ken-kun, the whole reason you took this job is because you wanted 
more practise." Takehiko walked into the living room and began to 
take out his text books. He could sense Ken watching him. "What is 
it?"

"Why didn't you tell me that you'd discussed Aino-san with Isa-
kun?" Ken folded his arms. "I thought you were going to back me up, 
Hi-kun. And you just stood there. Then you made me look like an 
idiot."

Takehiko stared at the books in front of him. "I did, didn't I? I'm 
sorry..."

"You're always sorry! You've been sorry for so long, I don't think 
you know how to be anything else!" Ken slammed the living room door 
behind him. "Why didn't you tell me that you'd given your approval? 
Given your approval!" He laughed. "Why did he even have to ask you?"

"He didn't," Takehiko said simply. "But he remembered about our 
relationship... and he was rather angry that I hadn't told him."

"No shit. I wonder why?" Ken glared at him but his anger stuttered 
at the sadness on Takehiko's face. "Why do you keep all these 
secrets from us, Hi-kun? You can't protect us by keeping us 
ignorant. I thought that was why we rebelled in the first place, 
because we were ignorant?!"

Takehiko put his hands over his face and rubbed his eyes. "Yes... 
you're probably right. But I thought it would be better for 
everyone... I didn't see why I had to tell everyone about it."

Ken dropped into the armchair opposite, which creaked in protest. 
"Because you're ashamed of what happened? You were in love with her. 
It might have ended badly, but it was genuine, right?" He leaned 
forward and picked up the sketch he'd seen the night Artemis had 
visited. "This is her, isn't it? Your memory of her."

Takehiko stared at the drawing, his eyes dark with longing. "That's 
what she used to be like," he said.

"How can you draw her like this, how can you look like that and say 
it doesn't matter?" Ken demanded, slapping the paper on the coffee 
table.

"What matters is that the past doesn't repeat itself," Takehiko said 
steadily, taking the paper and slipping it into one of his folders. 

Ken sank back. He saw Motoki's face again and swallowed. "Yeah. I 
guess you're right. That's why I'm doing this, after all." He tugged 
at his apron as he said 'this'. "This is..." He gestured, unable to 
find words in Japanese and switched to English. "This is my 
atonement for my sins."

Takehiko studied him with a slight smile. "You remember more of the 
Dark Kingdom than Isa-kun or Xavier-kun."

"Isa-kun didn't do much, though, did he? Except..." Ken's voice 
trailed off.

"Fall in love with Hino-san and get killed by her," Takehiko 
finished off, opening a book.

Ken tipped the chair back on two legs and stared at the ceiling, 
frowning. "Maybe him going out with her *isn't* a good idea," he 
muttered.

"Not the best," Takehiko agreed.

"Is that why you're okay with him going out with Aino-san? Because 
he might *die* otherwise?" Ken hadn't thought of it like that, 
Isamu's passion leading to his death. But of course, that was how it 
had happened last time, and he vaguely remembered telling Jadeite 
that he shouldn't be so obsessed with the priestess.

Takehiko rolled his eyes. "No. We're all on the same side now, even 
if she doesn't see it that way. But their relationship was 
never..." He stopped, weighing his words. "It's always been unequal, 
Ken-kun. Even the first time. The people of the moon looked down 
upon us. We were barbarians to them. And I remember that Jadeite did 
make an impression on Mars, but... she'd sworn to remain chaste."

Ken whistled. "Damn. That really sucks."

Takehiko sighed and drank some of his toddy. "Yes... it meant there 
was no hope. Not that time... not the next time..."

"Not this time?" Ken followed, raising his eyebrows.

A silent shrug. "Maybe. Maybe not. We're on new ground. The same 
side, the same planet. Certainly Isa-kun doesn't seem intimidated by 
her... but I'm not sure whether he remembers that she killed him."

Ken snorted. "Knowing him, even if he did remember, it would just 
turn him on. He's always said he loves a challenge."

"A woman who doesn't like men is certainly a challenge," Takehiko 
agreed.

"Wait, you don't think she's gay, do you?" Ken questioned, suddenly 
anxious. "Because then it really *would* be hopeless."

"From the way she reacted to him, I'd say not, but I don't know her 
very well. Maybe you should ask Kino-san the next time you see 
her," Takehiko added with a mischievous smile.

Ken almost fell backwards. He could feel his cheeks turning red and 
tried to appear cool. "Makoto-san? Why would I ask her?"

"Isa-kun said you liked her shortbread."

"That - that doesn't mean-!" Ken turned even redder. "It was good 
shortbread. And why would that mean I ask her about Hino-san's 
sexuality?!"

"It's better than a chat up line?" Takehiko suggested, his smile 
widening at Ken's embarrassment. Ken slammed the chair back on its 
feet and stood up.

"I'm going to bed."

"Okay, goodnight. And Ken-kun..."

Ken hesitated at the doorway, wondering if he should turn around and 
risk more embarrassment. He didn't turn. "Hai?" 

"Ganbatte."

Ken nodded and almost slipped on the corridor rug in his haste to 
get to the bathroom. Now all he could think about was seeing Makoto 
again and whether she'd speak to him. Probably not: Rei would be 
doing her best to convince everyone they were sketchy. Lying on his 
back, he crossed his arms behind his head. If Takehiko thought Isamu 
could break free of the past where Rei was concerned, why was he so 
convinced that having a relationship with Minako was a bad idea? It 
came back to that idea that he was somehow worse than them, that he 
deserved to suffer more than them. Frustrated, Ken punched his 
pillow. Maybe Mamoru could get through to him on that, because 
nobody else would.

He didn't sleep well that night. Images of the Dark Kingdom flashed 
before his eyes, pieces of glass stained with blood: Jadeite's body 
turning to ashes - Zoisite stalking Mars - the look of contempt in 
Kunzite's eyes as he dismissed them, the way it made his skin sting 
with cold - the sickening mixture of fascination and terror as he 
kneeled before his Queen - the darkness - green eyes - a wedding 
dress - a thunderbolt splitting - tearing him apart - right down the 
centre -

"No!"

He woke in a cold sweat. He didn't want to think about that. He 
didn't want to remember his death. You weren't supposed to remember 
anything, he'd read about it. Every time you were reincarnated, 
according to Buddhist doctrine, you were wiped clean of the memories 
of your former life, so you could start again. In the River of Lethe 
(except that was Greek mythology, not Buddhist, but he liked the 
idea too much to give it away). Unless that former life couldn't be 
erased. Unless the experiences were so deeply ingrained that you 
couldn't wash them away. Nobody was sure how it really worked. Oh, 
except Neo-Queen Serenity, but since she was nearly a thousand years 
in the future, he couldn't ask *her*. And yes, Usagi was technically 
the same person, but as Ken had seen right away the first time he 
met her, there was a HUGE difference between 'technically the same' 
and 'exactly the same'.

"Well," he muttered, "no point in regretting. Just have to keep 
going, boy." He pushed himself to his feet and stumbled into the 
kitchen, finding that Takehiko had made pancakes and brought out the 
maple syrup for him. Maple syrup was not easy to find, even in a 
city as big as Tokyo, and when you did find it, the price was 
usually exorbitant. And Takehiko disliked pancakes. Ken wanted to 
say thank you, but he knew his friend wouldn't accept it, so he 
smothered the pancakes in the syrup and ate all of them. Takehiko, 
as usual, was nibbling on some pickled cucumbers, a legacy of his 
upbringing. Despite living in Japan for nearly fifty years, Helga 
had always made sure to give him a Norwegian breakfast, which meant 
a lot of fish, cucumbers (pickled and fresh), beetroot and nutbread 
with jam. Ken could never quite get over smoked salmon and smoked 
herring for breakfast, but he had developed a secret craving for the 
nutbread and the jams. It was a shame he couldn't linger.

"I'd better get going. We're examining the girls today."

"The pregnant ones or the sick ones?"

Ken grinned. "The pregnant ones."

"When you say examine... do you mean..."

"Fully examine!" He stuffed everything into a backpack that was 
already overflowing, his heartbeat already quicker with 
anticipation. "Of course, someone'll throw up or faint, they always 
do."

Takehiko didn't think it was surprising that some people might faint 
or throw up if they had to examine the womb of a pregnant cow, just 
that some of these people thought they could be successful vets. Not 
everyone would get a position in Tokyo; some would be posted out in 
the country or to the other islands. They would need to treat all 
types of animals. At least that wouldn't bother Ken, Takehiko 
thought, watching his friend charge out of the door to catch his 
train. He loved all kinds of creatures. He'd even be happy if he had 
to go to a completely different country. In fact, he was probably 
hoping for that. Even after living here for six years, Ken still 
wasn't quite comfortable with the neon lights and crowded streets of 
Tokyo. But after fifteen years of growing up in British Columbia, 
how could he be comfortable?

* * *

The day passed all too quickly for Ken. As he had predicted, someone 
ended up leaving the cowshed for 'some fresh air'. The lecturer 
wasn't fooled. He simply shook his head and made a note on his 
clipboard, then took them back to the class to compare and contrast 
the symptoms of gestation with mammals of similar size. Ken had to 
remind himself to leave early in order to catch a train into the 
city, since his campus was in the suburbs. Their flat was much more 
convenient for him than for Takehiko but Takehiko never made any 
reference to this. Ken was secretly glad: he'd have to ask his 
mother's family for rent money if Takehiko did decide to move on and 
that was the utter, complete, last resort. It wasn't that his 
relatives were poor. It was the knowledge that they'd take such 
satisfaction in his failure to make it as an independent adult that 
had kept him looking for a way to bring in more money. He took a 
deep breath before entering the arcade: /I will be a success. I 
will. I won't react to the looks, or the gaijin jokes. I won't get 
pushy. I won't let myself drown in guilt every time I look at 
Motoki-san./

An electronic bell announced his arrival in the arcade. Motoki 
lifted his head and smiled. "Ken-san, you're early."

"I wanted to make a good impression," Ken answered, passing behind 
the counter and going into the backroom to change. He was already 
having to fight a small sting of shame from just meeting Motoki's 
smile.

"Hey, the boss won't come by for another two hours, you're safe," 
Motoki assured him. "And it's the quiet time at the moment. When the 
schools finish, that's when it starts to fill up." He looked up at 
Ken and laughed. "But nobody'll want to cause trouble with you 
around."

"Trouble?" Ken was trying to tie the strings of his apron. "In a 
computer arcade?"

Motoki shrugged, pulling down a box of soft toys to refill the UFO 
machine. "We get rival groups coming in sometimes... rival gamer 
groups, I mean. It can be good business, we have a RPG night every 
month and they all play against each other, but most people come 
here to socialise and relax after school or work." He slit open the 
box and began to pull the toys out, separating them in groups.

"Sailor senshi?" Ken asked with a grin.

Motoki went a bit red. "They're popular with everyone."

"Even though they've disappeared off the radar?" Ken said, picking 
up a Sailor Jupiter doll. It was slightly bigger than the other 
dolls, reflecting the real Jupiter's height, but otherwise it was a 
generic plushie. Shiny plastic eyes, short stubby arms, fake hair.

Motoki shrugged. "Maybe they're just having normal lives among us."

"So you don't buy the theory they're aliens?" Ken asked, gathering 
up the Jupiters, Mercurys and Uranuses, and following him out onto 
the floor.

"No way." Motoki sounded very confident. "They're special but 
they're definitely human."

"So who's *your* favourite?" Ken teased as Motoki opened the plastic 
door and began to carefully scatter the dolls into the container.

"I don't really have one."

"Aww, come on! You must like one better than the others," Ken 
insisted, nudging him with an elbow. In the last two years of high 
school, you could almost catalogue guys by which senshi they 
preferred. Isamu had always preferred Mars, which seemed almost 
ominous now, while Xavier had never been able to pick just one, 
declaring that he loved them all. Ken had always prefered Jupiter 
for her courage and her figure; Takehiko had been bloody-minded and 
said he liked Sailor V best, though Isamu always insisted that 
didn't count because she wasn't around any more.

"I guess... Pluto," Motoki admitted with a blush.

"Pluto?" Ken repeated, trying not to stare. It was weird: he 
actually *knew* Pluto now and he would never have thought Motoki 
went for the serious, intense type...

"Yeah, she's sort of mysterious and... romantic," Motoki finished, 
stumbling over his words and turning even redder.

"Right... so is there a knack to these things or what?" Ken asked, 
dumping his own batch of dolls in without really looking where they 
went. It was a clumsy change of subject but he hoped Motoki would be 
too flustered to notice it that much.

"Well, all the dolls weigh the same, so it's just a question of 
timing your movements so it doesn't swing too hard," Motoki 
explained, shutting the door.

Ken almost asked if he could have a go, but remembered in time that 
wouldn't be a good idea on his first day, and settled for counting 
out the change in the till until the bell rang, announcing their 
first customer for the afternoon. He looked up and almost ducked 
behind the counter. It was Kino Makoto. She had stopped short on 
seeing him and there was a definite flush in her cheeks. For a 
moment, they both stared at each other, drinking each other in. It 
wasn't even that awkward, Ken thought, surprised. It was almost 
pleasant. Then he remembered that she was a customer and he 
straightened up, put on his best welcoming smile and said 
"Irasshaimase!"

Makoto laughed, shy and low, making him glad that the counter 
blocked her view of his lower body. "You sound so professional."

"Really? It's my first day, so I'm trying to do my best."

"That's right, I remember, you were here with Kitano-san that day... 
for the interview. So you got the job?" She was smiling properly 
now, pleased for him.

"It's a trial period but if I do everything right..."

"So you'll be around more? I mean, around here," Makoto corrected 
herself quickly.

"You'll get sick of the sight of me," he joked.

"I couldn't do that," she said immediately and then blushed bright 
red, looking down and away. Ken felt a big grin spread across his 
face.

"It's nice to know I'm wanted," he said, trying to flirt and 
reassure her that he wasn't offended or put off or any of those 
weird emotions Japanese men seemed to feel when girls actually 
expressed interest in them.

Makoto looked up. Her cheeks were still red but her eyes were 
softer. "Really?"

"Yeah... and I mean, if you wanted to see me more often, I wouldn't 
mind," Ken offered, trying not to stumble over the words, feeling 
his chest grow tight with hope and excitement. She hesitated and his 
heart seemed to trip and fall inside him. "There's no pressure," he 
said, grabbing a cloth and dusting the counter, even though it was 
spotless. "I won't make you..."

The bell rang again and a younger man came in behind them. He was a 
bit taller than Makoto, with corn-coloured hair and wide hazel eyes. 
"Makoto-san!" he said, his cheeks turning red. "Good to see you!"

Ken felt irritation whip through him, but he kept polishing, the 
polite host. Makoto looked just as surprised, though her cheeks 
didn't turn red. "Asanuma-kun," she said, and they both bowed. "It's 
been a while..."

"I'm meeting Mamoru-sempai here later, he's promised to show me 
around the K.O. campus," Asanuma told her proudly. "I've just taken 
the entrance exam."

"Oh, *you're* Asanuma-kun," Ken said, breaking into the conversation 
without thinking. Mamoru had mentioned this boy occasionally while 
they were rooming at Harvard and occasionally written him a postcard 
or an email.

Asanuma turned and looked at him, a little wary. "Yes. And who are 
you?"

"This is Ken West," Makoto said, making a good effort with his 
surname. "He's one of Mamoru-san's university friends, Asanuma-kun."

Asanuma's face cleared slightly. He bowed smartly. "Sempai's 
roommate from Harvard. I am so pleased to meet you at last."

"Likewise," Ken said, returning the bow, though it wasn't quite 
true. He had forgotten about Mamoru's 'little brother' until this 
moment, when he was staring at Makoto with a slight but 
unmistakeable wistfulness in his eyes, and Ken found himself wishing 
that Asanuma had stayed in the background a little longer. "So," he 
said, trying to cover the resentment, "what would you two like to 
drink?"

"Coke, please," Asanuma answered, looking at Makoto again, as if he 
couldn't keep his eyes off her.

"I'll have a mint milkshake," she decided, and they both walked to a 
booth and sat down together. Ken stared at them for a moment and 
then turned away to make the milkshake. Let the kid wait a while for 
his Coke. He noticed his hands were trembling slightly as he whipped 
the milk and he made himself stop for a moment and breathe. He 
couldn't let his temper get the better of him, not now, not when he 
was so close... As long as that shrimp didn't get there first. He 
snapped the bottle top off the Coke in a second, poured it with a 
sure hand, nodded at the smooth head of dissolving foam. Both 
glasses on the tray, professional smile, carry the tray over and be 
friendly to both of them. "Here ya go," he said, placing the glasses 
down. "One Coke, one mint milkshake." He glanced at Makoto as he 
said this, meeting her eyes. Her lips parted as if to say something.

"Thanks," Asanuma said, taking his Coke, and the moment was gone.

/Next time you moan about my good luck, Xavier, I'm telling you 
about this,/ Ken thought, retreating to the counter. The bell rang 
again and again, and the arcade began to fill up with the schoolkids 
and the gangs. Ami and Usagi and Minako came in and waved to him, 
and he must have replied, but he didn't remember. He took notes and 
handed out change for the machines. He felt Motoki brush past.

"Ken-kun, you need to smile more!"

Ken looked at him and stretched his lips up, wondering if they would 
snap back like elastic. Motoki slapped him on the shoulder.

"That's it!"

It felt like the smile was stuck on with glue after that. His lips 
never relaxed, fixed in a rictus grin like a dying dog. He couldn't 
look at the table where Makoto was sitting with her friends and 
Asanuma, but it was constantly on his mind, every hair on his body 
seemed like it was straining in that direction, he could hear their 
conversation amongst all the others, above the bleeps and bangs of 
the games.

Was this what it was like for Isamu? No. At least Rei didn't like 
other men. Was this what it was like for Takehiko, constantly aware 
of what Minako was doing? He stared at the till. How was it possible 
to live like this?

"West-san?"

He stepped back so quickly that he almost slipped and ended up 
cracking his head on the wall. Makoto was standing there, looking 
anxious.

"For my drink," she said, holding out the change. "We're going to 
Rei-chan's shrine now for our revision group."

Ken saw that the other girls were waiting outside. Usagi was 
glancing down the street, obviously hoping to bump into Mamoru 
before being forced to face more exam revision.

"Oh... right. Thanks." Ken held out his palm and she dropped the 
change into it, but as he turned to ring up her bill, she grabbed 
his hand, her grip stronger than he would have thought.

"What you said before," she said in a rushed whisper, "I didn't 
think you were pressuring me. I've just never had... nobody's asked 
me out before."

"What? Are they blind?" He was aware that someone was looking at 
them, but he didn't care, his heart was alive again, burning bright 
in his chest. He could smell roses and see the pulse beat in her 
throat.

She laughed, short and breathless. "I don't know. I always thought 
that meant there was nothing to see."

"You're wrong," he said, slipping his fingers in between hers and 
gripping tight, feeling her jump at his touch. "God, you don't know 
how wrong."

"And you want to show me?" she challenged, her green eyes alight 
with something he didn't dare to analyse.

"Yes," he whispered, "if you'll let me."

"You don't know..." Her voice trailed off and she pulled her hand 
out of his grip suddenly. "Are you working here tomorrow?"

He nodded, his throat dry with anticipation. This was it. She was 
going to say yes, take me out, take me anywhere-

"I'll see you then."

The door slid behind her and the door rang. Ken stared at it, not 
quite sure what had just happened, but his heart was racing and he 
couldn't stop himself from grinning stupidly into thin air. He 
pressed the cash button on the till and almost flung the cash into 
the register, humming a tune.

"Eyes like pistachio, ice-cream girl, skin like vanilla, rocking my 
world..."

"Someone's happy," said Mamoru, leaning on the counter and smiling 
at him. "Good day?"

Ken smirked at him. "Tell you later. Your kid's over there, Asanuma-
kun, right?"

"Oh, you met?" Mamoru asked, watching as Ken prepared an espresso 
without being asked. It had always been Mamoru's drink of choice at 
Mass Hall; their room had reeked of roasted beans during exam time.

"Makoto-san introduced us," Ken said, his grin threatening to 
stretch even wider.

"Reaaaaaally?" Mamoru smirked. Ken grinned back at him and pushed 
the cup and saucer over.

"Your coffee, sir."

"You'd better tell me later," Mamoru warned, slapping his money down 
and taking the cup over to the table, where Asanuma had perked up 
like a puppy.

"Like I could keep it in," Ken laughed. The bell rang and another 
group of students walked in. 

"Irasshaimase!"

* * *

Rei hurried inside and grabbed the phone. She only had five minutes 
before the girls arrived and she had to make this quick. Her fingers 
jabbed at the numbers with complete accuracy and she gripped the 
receiver with both hands, praying that it would be picked up by the 
right person.

As usual, her prayers were answered.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Michiru-san? I need to see you and Haruka-san as soon as possible."

She could almost see Michiru blinking and taking this in. "Such 
impatience... this isn't like you, Rei-chan."

"I know, but this is important," Rei whispered. "I think Minako-chan 
is in danger but she doesn't believe me, and the other girls won't 
listen to me."

"In danger from whom?" Michiru asked, still calm, as if they were 
discussing a tea ceremony.

"From a man. His name is Miyami Isamu."

There was a long pause. Rei's grip tightened. "You know him, don't 
you?" she asked, hope leaping in her chest.

"Yes. We've met before," Michiru said briefly. "Is this a senshi 
matter?"

"No." /Not yet./ "Could you come to the shrine tomorrow, five 
o'clock?"

"Of course. See you then."

"Thank you," Rei breathed and hung up. Her hands clenched into fists 
and she smiled to herself.

/Just you wait, Isamu-san. You'll be sorry you ever came near my 
friend./


DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters and placed of Bishoujo 
Senshi Sailor Mon. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi. Worship her. I do 
own Isamu, Ken, Xavier and Takehiko. So make sure you ask before 
borrowing, or I'll set the fangirls on you.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: I know it has been a very long wait for all of you 
and I am very grateful for your patience and understanding. Once 
again, a big thank you to Dejana Talis, my beta reader, who took 
this on over the holidays at very short notice, you are a STAR. And 
thanks to Masked Maiden, AlizeP and Kihin Ranno for their 
encouragement and motivation (in Kihin's case, stalking me with 
sparkly eyes, Minako would have been proud).

tingeling: I'm really happy that you were able to get Nephrite's 
character. As for Minako and Isamu, 18 is not a magical age that 
means you stop acting stupidly or being confused about what you 
want. If only it were! Adonis will come up. ;)

Clio: The Sailor V manga is a lot of fun, I'm really happy that I've 
created a Minako fan! Your compliments on the characters mean a lot 
to me, I strive to make them as real as possible so it's good to 
know I'm doing my job.

See you all in 2009! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!


Starsea xxx