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moths-in-the-attic · 12 years ago

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'Tis the Season by Andrea Readwolf and Kate Butler

The Nightmare Before Christmas

"What do you buy a Sailor Senshi?"

Four young men sat in a large booth at the Ice Cream Shop, all sipping coffee and furrowing their respective brows. Christmas was in four days and each of them needed to do but one thing to make the holiday as bright as ever.

Buy a gift for the object of their affections.

"Why us?" muttered Ken, running a hand through his auburn hair. "Why--out of all the guys in Tokyo--are we four in love with Sailor Senshi?"

No one answered, and a dead silence descended on the booth.

"Well," Greg finally said in a hopeful tone, "we have to think of something!"

"And what," asked Andrew in a rather cynical voice, "is your great plan, genius?"

They all looked expectantly at Greg, who flushed noticeably.

"I never said that I had a plan," he protested. "I just said that we all have to think of something."

The last young man let out a long sigh. "Let's--like--look at it this way..." Chad suggested, folding his hands and resting them on the table, which was a gesture very alien to him. "We have Greg, the genius, who dates the Senshi of Water."

The youngest member of the group nodded expectantly.

"We have yours truly, who is--like--madly in love with the Senshi of Fire. "We have Ken, over here, who -- though he doesn't date the Senshi of Nature, is beyond in love with her..."

The brunette looked at his coffee mug, a bit embarrassed, but didn't say anything.

"And we have Andrew, a young and bitter man scarred from his recent loss of long time babe, Rita, but yet willing to try his luck with the sensual Senshi of Love, Mina."

The blonde lowered his brown eyes in relative annoyance.

"And it's clear what was must do."

The others stared at him, and Chad smiled sheepishly, white teeth gleaming.

Clearing his throat, Andrew slammed his fist on the table. "Are you going to tell us or WHAT?" he demanded in an angry tone, warranting strange looks from several of the other patrons of the parlor.

"Of course, Andy," grinned Chad, chestnut eyes gleaming with mischief. "We're going to observe the girls and meet back here—same time, same place--tomorrow to share the results and go on a shopping spree."

Silence once again ensued while everyone digested the idea that had been set before them.

Ken snorted. "You're starting to sound like Lita," he observed with a roll of his eyes. "Talking about shopping and trying to make everyone happy."

"But," cut in Greg, "it does sound like a really good idea."

Considering this, all four sat in relative silence, the only sound coming from the booth being the soft sipping of coffee and the occasional clink of a spoon hitting a saucer.

Standing, Andrew placed a couple dollars beside his empty cup and took his coat. "Well, I guess I'll see you all tomorrow, right?"

"Tomorrow," repeated Greg, also rising. "And good luck."

"I think we all need it," sighed Ken. "A whole LOT of it."

****

Giggling, Mina ran up to the counter of the Crown Game center. "Give me five dollars in tokens, Andy!" she announced with a smile on her face. "I'm feeling lucky today."

The radiance in her eyes, noted the man as he smiled sheepishly at her, could melt even the coldest of hearts. "And why's that?" he inquired while making change. "Some new boyfriend I don't know about?"

Her smile turned from childish to enigmatic as he said this. "Nah," she admitted, letting out a long sigh. "I'm still secretly hoping for this one guy..." She shrugged. "And, besides, it's almost Christmas." The happy-go-lucky grin was back, and her blue eyes filled with stars.

"Well, I'm glad for you, then," he smiled, basking in the delightful warmth of heart that she gave off. "You can be so cu--" Catching himself, he fumbled for the last token, which didn't want to make it into his sweaty palm. "Uh...what I meant was...uh..." Stuttering, he handed over the coins. "Do you have your shopping done?" he spat out, trying to save at least some face in her eyes. Already, a pale blush was creeping up the back of his neck as he smiled in embarrassment.

"Yeah, pretty much..."

Leaning up against the counter, she let a few soft, golden tresses fall haphazardly about her face. "But you'd never guess how hard Serena is to shop for!"

They both laughed, but Andrew was thinking only about how hard SHE was to shop for. The Senshi of Love...the boyfriendless, sensual, gorgeous, sweet, innocent Soldier of Beauty, Mina. Andrew looked at her.

"What kind of stuff did you ask for?" Hoping the question didn't sound too nosy, he smiled like a friendly older brother would.

"Well, every day I ask God for a boyfriend!" Mina announced dramatically, smiling up at him, but a bit more wistfully than before. "And I ask, of course, for the most important thing of all."

"Which would be?"

"Love."

Taken aback, he cocked his head to look straight into her magnificent eyes. "Love?"

"Of course..." Sighing, she scooped the tokens into one of her palms. "It doesn't matter how much you belong, Andrew... You need love. I'm no exception."

As she walked off, Andrew rested his elbows on the counter and cupped his chin in his two hands. "Love..." he whispered to himself as the blonde goddess split the coins with some young children who were alone in the Arcade. "I can do that..."

****

Amy looked up from her math book to see Greg staring out the window. "You're quiet today," she observed, scooting a little closer to him on the couch. "What's wrong?"

"Hmm?" Looking away from the blue sky, he turned and almost bumped noses with a pretty little blue-haired water sprite. "I'm sorry, Ames... What did you just say?"

Shaking her head, Amy turned away and focused on the book. "Nothing," she sighed, turning the page. "I just said you were being rather quiet."

Greg sat in silence for a moment, staring at her as her deep blue eyes focused on the book in a certain determined manner. To think that, only an hour ago, he had nearly killed his three best friends because he hadn't come up with a gift for her yet. Well, he still hadn't, but that could easily be remedied with the right poking and prodding.

Sliding an arm slowly around her, he grinned and kissed her on the cheek. "Well, Water Sprite," he whispered into her ear. "What is your heart's desire?"

"To pass this next test," she replied, flipping the page. "That's what." Closing the book, Amy glanced lovingly at him.

"Aw, come on," he pried, a bit of annoyance rearing it's ugly head. "You've got to have some sort of wish!"

Laughing a little, she leaned into his embrace. "I don't know, Greg... It would be great to beat all the regional champs in a swim race."

Swimming! Of course! The water sprite loved swimming! "You're great," he smiled, taking in a deep breath and smelling the lilac of the shampoo she used. "You know that? Just great!" Kissing her on the cheek once again, he pulled her a bit closer. "Borderline perfect."

"I'm not even going to ask," she sighed, nesting as close as possible to him. "Not even going to ask."

****

"So, Lita..."

"Shh," the brunette teen hissed at her best friend, trying to push a few bangs out of her eyes and getting flour on her forehead in the process. "The cake will positively collapse if you're not careful," she whispered softly, kneading a bit of bread dough as she talking.

Ken laughed, wiping the flour off her face with a thoughtful gesture. "Sorry," he softly responded, so that 'the cake wouldn't collapse'. "I didn't know."

"You never know," she joked, placing the dough in another bowl and covering it with a towel. "Oh, well."

Fumbling with the apron tie, she freed herself of the pink clothing and winked at him. "What brings you over here?" she asked sweetly, making her way out of the kitchen and plopping down onto the couch. "After all, it's not like you..."

Feeling her bright green eyes on him, he laughed and joined her, sitting at the other end of the couch. "I just...in the spirit of Christmas... Besides, I..." Done with stammering, he trailed off.

She cocked her head to the side. "You...what?" she inquired, curiosity filling her voice. "Are you actually going to finish the sentence or what?"

After seeing the look on Lita's sweetly pale face, Ken had to clutch the arm of the couch in order to keep himself from leaning forward and kissing the breath out of her. "Uhh... I forgot what I was about to say," he lied, messaging the back of his neck while she smiled at him. "So, what are your plans for Christmas?"

Resting her cheek in her hand, she shrugged. "Alone again, I guess," she sighed. "So, what are you going to get me?"

"I don't know. What do you want?" This, he thought, couldn't be easier.

Sighing wistfully, she shook her head. "A family."

"WHAT?!" choked Ken, blinking at her. "What did you just say?"

"I want a family," she repeated. "I'm so lonely..."

Closing his eyes, he sighed. Easier said, he thought, than done.

****

Wrapping an arm around Raye and playfully kissing the back of her neck, Chad grinned. "What do you want for Christmas, my pet?" he whispered into her ears.

Opening her violet eyes and staring at the mystical fire before her, the Senshi of Fire shook her head. "What in the world?" she demanded loudly, wrenching free of his grasp and glaring at him in complete anger. "I am TRYING to read this fire, you dim-wit!"

Laughing, he pulled the scrunchie from her hair. "Oh, really?" he kidded, running his hands through her silken hair. "I thought you were getting a tan."

"Ha ha." She wrinkled her nose at him and stood, smoothing the red-and-cream temple robes as she went. "What do you want?" she asked, slipping on her shoes and walking out of the fire room, the two inches of snow proving to be dangerous for the wooden sandals.

"Your eternal love," he responded, slipping a bit on an icy patch.

Turning on him, she jabbed a finger at his chest. "I've had a really long week, buster," she spat. "I don't want to deal with you, or your silly riddles, or your endless joking, or..." She was cut off by his lips softly brushing over hers.

"What do you love more than life itself?" he softly whispered while she was still a bit stunned.

Looking at her boyfriend, the temple maiden shook her head, a little bit annoyed and a lot in love. "What do you REALLY want, Chad?" she inquired with sarcasm. "There's got to be a catch here."

Giving her one last hug, Chad shrugged and started off for his room, a bit of a mysterious smile on his face. "Never mind, dear," he sighed, winking at her. Never mind."

****

"So, who had luck with the mission?"

Four young men, much like they had done the day before, sat in the same old booth, drinking decaf coffee. The sun had not come out of the clouds, and the wary skies threatened to storm down on them as they talked about the perfect gifts for their girlfriends.

"Love," muttered Andrew. "How am I supposed to buy her love?" Stirring his coffee, he shook his head of blonde hair.

Chad screwed his face into a grievous expression. "Well...that's far more a clue than I got..." he muttered. "All she said is that there's got to be a catch."

The auburn-haired young man sighed and sipped his drink. "Yeah? I have to buy Lita a family!"

The others turned to him, all surprised.

"A FAMILY?" repeated Greg, pushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear. "What does she mean by that?"

Chad snickered, but remained silence otherwise.

"She's lonely," Ken responded, crossing his arms and resting them on the table. "And she wants a family."

"And my little water sprite wants to be a great swimmer..." the youngest member of the group added, his voice filled with defeat. "But Michiru's out of town and can't race her..."

They all looked at one another--four pairs of brown eyes surveying each other whilst they all thought on the subject. Ken spoke first.

"Maybe all Lita needs is a pet," he suggested in an extremely thoughtful tone. "After all, I can't very well give her a family."

The shaggy-haired musician snickered again. "I remember the time I gave Raye rope to keep her hair out of the fire and then saw her with Haruka..." He grinned evilly. "Maybe all I need is to give her a ribbon..."

"A ribbon?" asked a confused Andrew, scratching his head. "And maybe the kind of love Mina wants is to be treated like a queen..."

Greg steepled his fingers. "So," he commented after a slight pause, "do we all have plans?"

"I guess," sighed Ken.

"Enough of one," Andrew nodded.

Making a face, Chad leaned back in the booth. "No, but I'll think of something."

All four stood and put their respective payment on the table, walking to the door in relative silence.

Outside, snow was beginning to fall in little puffy flakes. Smiling, Greg looked at his three best friends and shrugged. "Merry Christmas?" he asked, almost as a suggestion.

The blonde smiled back. "Merry Christmas," he responded.

"Yeah," agreed Ken with a nod.

Chad was the last to respond. "And a happy New Year," he finally offered after a long moment of reflective silence. "A very happy New Year."

****

"What's this?" asked the innocent voice of Mina as Andrew handed her a large orange box.

From his spot on her front porch, Andrew winked and grinned knowingly. "Take what's in this box," he told her. "And meet me at Crown tonight."

She nervously chewed on her lower lip, contorting her face into an expression that he could only identify as adorable. "Andy..." she whispered, more to herself than to him.

"See you tonight, then," he replied, kissing her on the forehead.

As he left, she opened the box to reveal a gorgeous orange and gold ball gown. "What in the world?" she breathed, looking out to where his car had just been parked.

****

The tiny municipal pool was virtually empty when Greg walked in, a delighted grin across his face. "Hello, miss," he greeted the young woman at the counter. "I was wondering if you rent the pool out at all."

Choking on her diet soda, the clerk looked at him with wide eyes. "Excuse me?" she managed, still trying to keep the Pepsi from going up her nose. "What did you just ask?"

"It's three days before Christmas," he clarified, still managing to smile, "and I really would like to rent this place out for the evening."

Looking at the young, raven-haired man with wide eyes, the young pool clerk gritted her teeth. "Well, since there aren't any events tonight, I suppose that you can rent it out." Typing on the computer, she faked a smile. "Two-hundred and fifty dollars, please."

Greg paid the woman and folded his hands charmingly. "Please see to it that no one's here at nine tonight."

"For that much money," she responded casually, "you can have the stars in the sky for all I care."

Pulling out the form, the clerk handed him a pen. "Sign at the two 'x's and initial in the three blue boxes."

Doing just that, Greg smiled and left.

****

Picking up the littlest brown kitten of the litter, Ken smiled sweetly and patted its head.

"You picked the cutest of the bunch," the pet store owner said warmly, looking at the cat with a smile. "We all affectionately call that one Flora."

Chuckling as the cat played with a string on his coat, the auburn haired teen looked at the store owner. "Flora, eh? Well, she's absolutely perfect for Lita!" he announced, stroking the little animal.

"Girlfriend's Christmas gift, right?" inquired the man, ringing up the purchase on the register.

Blushing, Ken put the kitten in the complimentary cat carrier. "Sort of," he gulped, a bit rattled. "She's just my best friend and..."

"That'll be twenty dollars," the owner interrupted, printing out the receipt and handing Ken a 'cat care' booklet. "Give her a good home, okay?"

Giving the owner his money, the younger man smiled politely and looked lovingly at little Flora. "Don't worry," he assured him. "You don't know Lita, but I do... This cat will be the most spoiled, doted-upon kitten that will ever walk the Earth."

The owner smiled back at Ken. "Well, that's good news," he responded. "Very good news."

****

"How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..." Chad ripped up another sheet of paper and pounded his fist on the desk. "How I HATE poetry?!" he sarcastically announced. "Let me rip up the sheets! One, two..." Taking a mental tally, he slumped back against the hard wooden chair. "Twenty-seven..."

Footfalls on the hardwood floor alerted him. "Chad?" came Raye's voice, unusually soft and considerate. "What are you doing?"

Stashing the red ribbon he had bought for her in his back pocket, the brunette man whirled around in his seat to see his Soldier of Fire, clad in a nightshirt, standing in the doorway. "Nothing Raye," he sighed, rubbing his temples idly. "I'm just having problems with something I'm trying to write."

She sat down on the edge of his bed, a bit uneasy. "Well, I'm a songwriter," she volunteered, throwing her raven tresses behind her shoulders. "I could help you word it right..."

Sitting down next to her, he smiled sadly. "When I imagined this in my head," he admitted, "this wasn't how it went..."

Confused, Raye raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" she requested.

"What I was trying to write," Chad continued, "was a confession...about how I feel about you..."

Pulling her soft hair into his hands, the young man took out the shimmering red ribbon and tied back her hair with it, taking caution so he would not to hurt her.

"I know that I've said it before," he whispered, sliding one of his arms around her slender waist, "but Raye Hino, I love you."

Gasping, her purple eyes filled with surprised tears, but she didn't interrupt.

"I loved you that first moment I saw you," he continued, pulling her closer. "And I loved you even more on the day I figured out you were Sailor Mars."

Hearing another surprised gasp from his beloved, Chad waited a moment before continuing.

"Seeing you with Haruka that one time made me go mad with jealousy, and seeing Haruka with Michiru made me lose my mind because you at least deserved better than a cheating jerk." Biting his lip to prevent his own tears from falling, Chad took one more deep breath. "Every single day that went by when you were with Darien made me sick to my stomach. The only thing that kept me going was the promise that--someday--you might be mine."

Raye stared at him for a long moment, unable to speak. Crystalline tears flowed down her soft cheeks as she cried out in joy. Then, passion overtook her and she wrapped her arms around his strong neck, plunging them into an incredibly fiery kiss.

He kissed her back, holding onto her while his own tears mixed with hers. When they stopped to breathe, she buried her head in his T- shirt.

"I love you, too," she sobbed. "I was so very scared before, but... Oh, Chad!"

Hugging her as tight as he humanly could, Chad smiled. "Merry Christmas..." he whispered, rocking her back and forth in his embrace. "A very merry Christmas."

****

The lights of the Crown Game Center were dimmed and soft music played as Mina entered through the automated doors and looked around.

Rose petals were strewn everywhere, and candles were set upon several of the arcade game. Feeling her breath catch within her throat as the blonde teen looked around. "What...what IS this?" she managed, hearing only the music and the click of her own high-heels on the petal-covered floor.

Someone touched her on the shoulder, forcing her to jump into the air and spin around. Her heels, however, did not have sufficient traction to make such a move, and her ball-gown-clad body landed hard on the tile floor.

"Mina, are you alright?" a shadowy figure gasped, holding out a hand to her. "I didn't think you'd fall..."

"Andy?" she gasped, seeing his face for the first time. And it was Andrew. Wearing a complete tuxedo and holding several tulips and a box of candy, he smiled at her as she stood.

"Merry Christmas, Mina."

Blue eyes wide in amazement, she looked around the Arcade, which had been transformed into a romantic ballroom. "Did...did you...for me..." she stammered, glancing at him in shock. "You couldn't have...you wouldn't have..."

Handing her a dozen red tulips and a box of chocolate-covered cherry cordials, he sighed wistfully and allowed himself to be lost in a sea of cerulean eyes. "Mina," he whispered, placing his now-free hands lightly on her supple hips, "I did this for you because I am falling madly in love with you."

Nearly dropping the gifts, her eyes went wide. "You're falling in love with me?" she gulped, staring into his walnut-colored eyes in amazement.

"I know," he sighed, staring at her, "that there's someone out there that you secretly wish for, but..." He shook his head slowly. "Since the moment I met you, you've been all I can think about. Despite Rita...despite the fact I hardly knew you... You've just always been on my mind, and I can't stand it any more."

Pushing her bangs out of her face and gazing longingly into her azure eyes, Andrew wet his parched lips. "Please say that you'll at least give me a try, Mina..."

"You did all this for me?" she inquired. "Because I said that the only thing I wanted for Christmas was love?" Seeing him nod sheepishly, she squealed in delight--a sound that would have been quite unbecoming of any other seventeen-year-old girl on the planet. "Andy," she giggled, "that guy that I talked about WAS you! I'm in love with you!" she announced loudly, pulling herself free of his arms to place the gifts on one of the machines.

"I'm so..." Tears welled up in her eyes. "No one has ever done something like this for me..." she whispered, letting him take her into his arms and lead a dance to a very romantic slow song. "And all I can really say is... Thank you..."

"Merry Christmas," he breathed as she leaned her head on his shoulder. "And may all your dreams come true."

"Too late," she responded, closing her blue eyes. "Far too late."

****

"What in Heaven's name..." Amy, struggling under the blindfold, made a face. "Greg," she scolded in annoyance, "you know I hate surprises!"

Smiling, he led her through the empty hallway of the pool, glad to have a chance just to be alone with her despite the cold snow outside. Her body, he noted as he squeezed her hand tighter, gave off a certain warmth that he didn't feel while with anyone else.

Entering the pool room, he hugged her around the waist. "Guess where you are right this minute!" he commanded, the echoes of his voice lifting right up to the skylights.

Taking in a deep breath, she furrowed her blue eyebrows in thought. "Well," she commented, sniffing the air, "it smells like chlorine and the air tastes like water..."

"Impressive."

"And...hmm..." Folding her hands together, she slipped off one of her shoes and pressed a dainty foot against the damp floor. "Wet tile..." she observed, chewing thoughtfully on her lip.

Greg smiled. He had known impulsively that Amy, his little water sprite, would make quite the science experiment out of the escapade. "Anything else?"

"Your voice," she responded. "It echoes."

"Can you sense it?" he asked, slowly pulling her a few steps nearer the deep end and glancing at the large thermometer to see how cold the water was. Not cold at all, he noted with a grin. "Can you sense the water?"

Nodding, Amy reached up to pull of the blindfold. "I've had enough of this," she informed him. "I just want to see what you've cooked up this time!"

Grabbing her hands away, he leaned toward her ear. "One more question, Ames," he whispered.

"What?"

"How well can you swim?"

"GREG!" Letting go of her hands and letting them find the edge of the blindfold, he gave her a split second to pull it off before seizing her around the waist and tossing her into the Juuban Community Pool, clothing included.

As soon as she came to the surface and spit out the water that had ended up in her mouth, Amy made a face. "Greg!" she chided. "That was very rude!"

Suddenly realizing her surroundings, she stopped treading water and dove deep, a half-smile upon her pale face. When she came up, her navy eyes stared straight at him. "How...how did you..."

"I rented the pool," he told her, taking off his shoes and sitting at the edge of the water. "All night. It's ours for the taking." Running a hand through his shaggy black hair, he shrugged. "You're my little water sprite," Greg informed her. "I had to do something special."

Her mouth dropped open as she looked doubtfully at him. "I don't believe you," she gasped, looking around the empty room as she clutched onto the edge and gazed up at him. "You rented the pool just for me? That must have cost a fortune, Greg..."

"Nothing," he replied, leaning forward, "is too good for my water sprite." Letting their lips meet for a short moment, he sighed. If only they could just share a secret, warm moment like this forever.

"Thank you..." she whispered to him. Then, with a sly grin, Amy grabbed his pant leg and pulled her boyfriend into the pool, laughing all the while.

****

A kitten mewed, and Lita yawned. Sitting up in her bed, the brunette teen looked at the clock with a wistful sigh.

Nine o'clock.

"My friends had dates tonight," she groaned.

Leaning back into the pillows, she screwed her face into a look of disgust. "And then, there's me... Alone three days before..."

The mew sounded again, and she jumped. The first time she'd heard it, Lita had been sure that her over-active imagination had been playing impolite tricks on her. This time... Sniffing the air, she quickly climbed out of bed. It smelled like cherry pie, which was impossible--she hadn't baked a cherry pie for three long weeks!

As she walked down the hall, she heard someone whistling a merry tune and heard the sound of chipper Christmas carols playing in the tape deck.

"What on Earth is that?" she asked herself, peeking cautiously into the next room.

There was Ken, clad in HER pink apron, dishing out cherry pie ala mode and whistling along to the sounds of the Chipmunks Christmas Tape -- the only Christmas carols, she noted, that were in the apartment. And, sitting on a chair and wearing an enormous green ribbon around its neck was a tiny brown kitten.

"Ken?" Lita inquired, walking fully into the room with a shocked smile across her face. "What is all this?"

Jumping into the air, he looked to his best friend and managed to smile, despite the blush that was creeping across his face. "I know that it's not Christmas yet, but... Merry Christmas?"

She grinned and sat down next to the kitten, patting it's fuzzy little head. "And who is this?" she asked sweetly, feeling a tear threaten to roll down her cheek.

"Flora," responded Ken, sitting down in the seat next to her. "I'm...I'm sorry that she woke you up, Lita. I brought her here...for you..."

Her green eyes grew wide. "For...ME?" she repeated, thoroughly surprised. "What is all this?"

Handing her a piece of pie and almost dropping it when one of her incredibly soft hands brush against his, he sighed. "Lita, I know this isn't incredibly appropriate, but... Well, you're my best friend, and... For a long time, I've really wondered if all we are is friends, and I'm sure you've wondered that before, and..."

"Whoa," she interrupted him, chewing thoughtfully on a mouthful of pie. "You mean that this great pie, and this cute little cat is all because we're friends?"

"Kinda," he replied, putting down his fork to take her hand. "I know that you were hurt by Freddie, or...what-ever-his-name-was, because it doesn't matter to me and never will. But, Lita, I'm in love with you." He smiled shyly. "You're a great friend, and you're like a sister, but... But I'm sort of greedy. I want more than that."

The kitten mewed loudly and rubbed up against the young woman, diverting her attention momentarily as she picked Flora up and placed her on the floor. Lita then gulped.

"Why...why did you wait until now?" she stuttered, a bit confused. "I would have probably reacted the same way no matter when you came to me."

"Huh?" he inquired, lost in a sea of green eyes.

Gingerly letting go of his warm hand, Lita rested one hand on each of his shoulders and gently kissed him. The kiss was full of warmth and caring, and it was the most he could do to kiss her back, hands rising to her cheeks as the two bonded.

Flora mewed once again, and they pulled away from one another, laughing hysterically.

"Someone," commented Ken, running a hand through Lita's long brown ponytail, "has a rather large objection to the goings-on."

Leaning toward him, she winked a green eye. "Let her object."

****

"So," pried Mina, leaning across the table, "before Serena gets here --how did your Christmases go, girls?"

Raye, Amy, and Lita all smiled knowingly at one another, getting the same sort of grin from their blonde friend.

Breaking the ensuing silence, Raye leaned gingerly against the back of the booth and sipped her milkshake. "Well, I don't believe we let the Meatball Head talk us into this one," she sighed. "A group date? How fifth-grade is that?"

The others laughed, knowing that the stubborn temple maiden was just blowing off steam that really should have been focused toward nosy Mina.

The doors to the ice cream parlor opened, and four young men walked in as a group, followed closely by another young man and the rather loud Princess of the Moon.

"Come ON, guys," whined Serena, not straying too far from Darien's arm. "Did you get the girls or what?"

Rolling a pair of brown eyes, Ken whirled around and glared at her. "How many times to you want me to yell at you today?" he spat in annoyance. "That's none of your business!"

"But they're MY best friends AND fellow Silver Millennium Princesses!" she objected, pouting. "It is TOO my business!"

The other people in the shop turned to look at the golden-haired teen as she continued to rant and rave about what did--or did not-- happen three days before Christmas.

"Well, Happy New Year, ladies," greeted Darien warmly as he dragged Serena up to the table which the four other young men were hovering around. "I trust you've been well of late?"

They all nodded, and then groaned as a streak of blonde hair made its way around the table.

"So, Amy," giggled Serena. "What exactly DID go on at the Juuban Community Pool a few nights ago? Rumor has it that teenage giggles were heard for miles."

The blue-haired teen looked up at Greg, and they both blushed considerably.

"And, Raye..." The young woman wiggled her eyebrows scandalously. "What would happen if Grandpa knew what you were up to with Chad that fateful night?"

The two temple-dwellers paled considerably.

Moving onto the next target, Serena's grin grew even wider. "And how exactly DID Flora end up locked in the hall closet?"

Pounding her fist on the table, Lita turned to Ken and then turned quickly away.

"And, Mina..." Sighing wistfully, the Princess rested her elbows on the table. "Why was there wax on the 'Sailor V' game at Crown, hmm?"

Looking guiltily at Andrew, the blonde just shook her head.

Screwing her face into an adamant expression, Serena climbed from her knees to her feet and crossed her arms. "Well," she announced, "if I can't pry it out of you four... MY BEST FRIENDS, mind you..." Seeing navy, purple, green, and sky-blue eyes fall upon her, the girl grinned evilly. "I guess I'll just have to hear it from your guys!"

It was then that eight voices once again sounded the motif that had plagued one certain Princess since her days during the Moon Kingdom's glorious Silver Millennium.. "SERENA!" *End.*

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