ONLY LOVE CAN CONQUER HATE
By SailorJane & Anonymous
CHAPTER 23
Raye Hino, now Sailor Mars, knew exactly what she was going to see when she walked into the apartment. Through the doorway, there wasn’t much to see, except that Lita had stopped dead in her tracks with Mina and Hotaru staring off on her right.
“OH MY GOD!” A voice screamed.
Raye knew who’s voice it was. Still, she walked in very slowly like it was no big deal. The three scouts were standing like statues. Mina covered up Hotaru’s eyes without moving another muscle, or even blinking. As her pumps amplified the floorboards of the apartment, Raye kept her head down playing out this upcoming scene in her head. She walked behind Mina, Hotaru, finally Lita, and stood to her left. Raising her eyes, Raye finally saw what she had been imagining this whole time.
Amy Mizuno was standing naked before Sailor Jupiter, like a deer caught in headlights, and Serena Tsukino was cowering on the couch, trying to cover up her private parts. Raye didn’t expect Amy and her secret lover to be transformed. Just as she had done with Mercury a few times, or for that matter she and Venus had done countless times, Sailor Moon and Mercury’s uniforms had been thrown off for more intimacy. They were still wearing their tiaras, chokers, gloves, and their boots. She also did not expect a pile of sex toys on the small table next to the couch. A shopping bag was below the furnature and there was even a double-dildo on the couch; looked like it was just used.
The scene was as still as a painting. No one made a sound, although Hotaru eventually mumbled for Mina to take her hand off of her eyes. Eventually, Mina’s hand fell to her side and Saturn joined her fellow soldiers in silently staring at their two naked friends standing before them. Serena’s eyes were scanning her friends looking like she had disgraced all of them, whimpering like a scared puppy. Amy on the other hand stared at Lita. The tall girl’s jaw was dropped. Raye could only imagine the distressing shock the scouts of water and thunder were feeling. Amy was probably analyzing the moment, like a computer, determining which actions or explanations would produce the best outcomes. Obviously this was a huge blow for Lita seeing her lover naked with another woman, let alone her own princess. Raye wasn’t counting on her to be so cavalier about it as Mina had been when she found out Raye and Amy were together. Undoubtedly, this was an improper time for this love triangle to coalesce. Sailor Mars decided to finally break the tension and speak up:
“You know,” Raye spoke easily, “You could have just taken some of my toys with you.” She chuckled at her own joke.
Sailor Mars only noticed Jupiter turning her head slowly towards her in disgust.
“I mean,” Raye continued smiling at Amy, “How much did that all end up costing you?”
“Raye!” Mina scolded her.
A moment of thought passed before Sailor Mars looked to her girlfriend in confusion. Why was Minako suddenly the strict member of the group?
“Lita,” Amy finally moved closer to the girl she had wronged. The two distant lovers did not lose eye contact. Amy was terrified, “I-“
Lita started backing up from Amy. The muscle-girl slowly shook her head waved one of her hands but as if to say “No,” but she didn’t say a word. Maybe she just wanted this to all go away. Raye, Mina and Hotaru turned to follow her footsteps with their eyes. Amy moved closer to her, waving her arms in apology. She sighed and opened her mouth hoping to say something comforting. Sailor Jupiter turned and gradually ran for the door. The sound of her footsteps stabbed Amy’s chest.
“Lita,” Amy screamed. She advanced to the door only to be waved back by Venus. The blonde shook her head silently and turned around again. Sailor Saturn headed for the door and followed Jupiter outside. Now that her ex-girlfriend was outside, Mercury started pacing back and forth, pulling her hair in distress.
“OH MY GOD!” Serena screamed for the second time. She allowed her legs to drop to the floor, still sitting on the couch. She started tugging at her own hair; her breasts were now in full display. “What are you guys doing here?”
What a stupid question, Raye thought to herself. This soap-opera scene was starting to piss her off. She maintained her composure ad she answered the princess, folding her arms with disdain: “You don’t answer your phone.”
Sailor Moon buried her head in her gloved hand.
“Shit!” Amy whispered looking up at the ceiling. Taciturn overtook the room. Amy looked to Mina. The blonde looked very distressed, but it couldn’t have been from the shocking revelation that had just materialized. Something else was on Sailor Venus’ mind aside from the awkward reunion. Amy began to think back to the nightmare that woke her in the middle of the night. She finally approached her blonde friend with questions that needed answering. “Mina,” she hesitated, “What’s going on?”
Mina turned to her girlfriend who looked right back at her with an attitude. The raven-hair gestured for her to explain. The Soldier of love closed her eyes and prepared herself. She sighed harder than Amy had heard in a while. Her eyes met Amy’s:
“There was an attack at the Outers’ house,” Mina explained looking down to the floor. She grabbed one of Amy’s hands. The brain of the scouts could tell her leader needed some consolation. “Sailor Uranus, Sailor Neptune,” She shuttered before continuing, “And Sailor Pluto were wounded in the fight. They blew up the house.” Mina looked into Amy’s eyes already widened in shock, “The three of them are MIA.”
Amy blinked a couple times. She couldn’t believe the news.
“Oh God!” Serena got up holding her hands to her lips, “Are they… dead?”
Mina let go of Amy, who stood her ground, and walked to her blonde twin, “I dunno, we didn't find them.”
“Oh Mina,” Serena cried and wrapped her arms around her. Venus consoled her, rubbing her gloved hands across her naked back. The princess did her best to fight her tears. Raye looked off to the wall shaking her head in annoyance. Serena started getting hysterical, “I shouldn’t have left! I shouldn’t-“
Amy turned around to hold her girlfriend but Venus was between them.
“No no no,” Venus whispered, “You could have been burned too Serena. You had to leave.”
Serena felt overwhelmed by all that had happened in the past few minutes, she completely forgot that she was naked. Amy did not forget and decided to grab her uniform and make herself decent.
“I don’t know,” Mars finally spoke up, “I could’ve used Mercury’s water when we were in that burning building.” She looked right at Amy.
The bluenette was holding her leotard as she shot a quick glance at Mars, but then focused on dressing herself.
“Certainly would’ve been more useful than you sitting around here fucking the princess,” Raye was starting to sound agitated.
“All right Raye!” Amy scolded her friend now fully dressed as Sailor Mercury.
“All Right Raye?” Raye unfolded her arms and began to verbally assault her fellow soldier at a considerable volume, “Don’t fucking ‘All Right’ me! We just spent ten hours in the air following an intense search for our fallen soldiers, and we come here to find you two plowing each other with a double-dildo?”
Amy sighed. By now both the blondes were looking at Raye. Serena in particular didn’t like the way Raye was yelling at her girlfriend. However, Serena still felt guilty.
“Have you been doing this all day?” Raye got in Amy’s face, “Is that why you couldn’t pick up the fucking phone?”
“The phone doesn’t work in this apartment Raye,” Amy spoke up.
“You couldn’t spend an hour to maybe take a break,” The scout of fire would not let up, “Maybe go grab some Starbucks and check your God damned messages?”
“The phone didn’t have batteries,” Serena tried to interject.
Mars continued, paying no attention to her princess: “Maybe prepare yourselves in case God forbid Tiberius was coming after you? I mean Jesus Christ, Lita thought you two were dying in here.” She then shook her body in a comical fashion, “Oh! And what about Lita, huh Amy?”
“Raye, please,” Amy was getting defensive.
“I really,” Raye raised her hands, “Really want to hear you explain to your GIRLFRIEND, and by girlfriend I mean the girlfriend you left back in Tokyo who spent the night before staring at a picture of you, why she caught you naked on a bed with Sailor Moon.”
“Raye,” Mercury became more aggressive getting in her fellow soldier’s face.
“You’re all alone with your beloved princess.” Raye was getting sarcastic, “Now’s the perfect time to seduce her. Don’t even worry about your dumbass friends who are trying to PROTECT YOU TWO!”
“Shut up Raye!” Amy screamed.
“Guys stop it,” Mina failed to interject. Serena just stood back watching her two friends at each other’s throats.
“That scream earlier,” Raye explained, “That orgasmic scream, I knew exactly what it was while the others were shitting their pants. Remember when I made you scream like that Amy?”
Serena’s jaw dropped hearing this conversation. Mina closed her eyes rubbing her forehead.
“So that’s what this is all about?” Amy raised her arms in anger, “You ARE jealous! Fine, yes I had sex with Sailor Moon and I liked it!”
“Amy,” Serena pleaded.
Mercury teeth were in plain view the entire time she spoke, “It was the most euphoric feeling I ever felt in my life. And yes, it did feel better than all those times you screwed me because Mina wasn’t around.”
Raye’s jaw became tense, here eyes widened.
“You’re such a hypocrite,” Amy belted out, “You didn’t beat yourself up at all for taking MY virginity when you thought YOUR girlfriend was gone!”
With fire in her eyes, Sailor Mars slapped Mercury with more force and speed than she had done with Sailor Moon. Mercury bend over to the side holding her face and yelped in pain.
“AMY!” Serena ran towards the two of them.
The princess’ gloved fist slammed into the side of Mars’ face. She let out a huge wail of pain and held onto her face. She then got in-between her girlfriend and her rival.
Venus stood hesitant, but yelled out “Serena!” She didn’t like seeing her princess strike her girlfriend, but she knew hitting Sailor Moon would only escalate the conflict.
“That’s MY girlfriend!” Serena screamed with Amy standing up behind her, “Don’t touch her-“
“Serena,” Amy tried to calm her down.
“Fuck Tiberius,” Raye looked to the blonde and shouted at the top of her lungs, “I’LL BURN YOU MYSELF!”
Sailor Mars ignited her palm with a flame. Like a pitcher, she threw her arm in the direction of Sailor Moon’s face. Ready for her blow, Sailor Moon deflected the fireball. They were lucky the flames did not burn any other part of the apartment. Sailor Mercury suddenly abandoned her vow of logic and tranquility seeing her girlfriend being attacked by Mars. Those long repressed instincts took over her body. Amy pushed her princess out of the way. With ice accumulating in the palm of her hand, the blue-haired scout threw a punch at her fellow dark-haired soldier. Mars tried to block the punch, but her face still caught the blow.
Suddenly a nasty fight had broken out between two Sailor Scouts. The two fighters stood close to each other in fighting stance, Mars ignoring the pain from Mercury’s punch. She dropped low swooping her leg attempting to trip her blue-haired rival. Unfortunately, Mercury was well versed in her friend’s fighting choreography and jumped to evade. While in the air, Mercury kicked her right leg towards Mars’ head. Only the waving black hair caught Mercury’s boot, missing Mars’ head by a centimeter. Mercury’s leg was intercepted once Mars’ left hand spun around. Her bicep tensed up pulling Mercury off balance, causing her to fall on her back. A large thud echoed throughout the apartment with Mercury grunting in pain. Mars took her time to regain fighting stance, but it didn’t take long for Mercury to jump back into a fighting stance like a gymnast. Another ice-covered fist whacked Mars right in the chest, in her left breast to be precise. Sailor Mars let out a loud painful scream.
Sailor Moon got up by this point and tried to back up her girlfriend but Raye seemed capable of fighting off both of them. No more flames, ice, or martial art moves were involved. They all fought like school girls. Raye pulled Amy’s hair, Serena tried to punch the fire-scouts arm to let go, Amy kicked her leg hoping to knock her over. They were all yelling in anger. It was a stereotypical cat-fight.
Sailor Venus could barely believe what she was seeing. It took a long time for this fight to sink in. Her own team-mates, her own friends, fighting each other? She saw her team, her responsibility slipping from her fingers. Mina couldn’t allow this and finally acted.
“Stop it!” Sailor Venus got in the middle of all three of them holding their chests. None of the fighters wanted to hurt Mina, but they still wouldn’t let up. “Raye stop!”
The physical violence seemed to calm down but the verbal abuse did not. Raye and Amy were yelling obscenities at each other; Sailor Moon less so. Venus was yelling as the peacemaker. It got to the point where it was all inaudible noise.
Finally Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Saturn ran back in the apartment. Jupiter held onto Mercury and tried to calm her down, but to no avail.
“Amy stop!” Jupiter yelled out holding her up like a doll.
Mercury and Mars looked like they were about to enter an MMA match with Jupiter and Venus holding back their respected girlfriends.
“Fucking cunt!” Was the last audible scream out of Amy before another voice drowned them all out:
“STOP FIGHTING!”
The deafening scream came from Sailor Saturn who stood in the middle of the room between them all. And just as she commanded, all five sailor scouts quieted down and looked to the youngest member standing strong. Jupiter put Mercury down.
“What is wrong with you all?” Her voice wasn’t quite as loud as it was before, but she was still yelling. “We’re a team!”
The five original Sailor Scouts stared at Sailor Saturn like she was their new leader. She was almost frightening to them. They all recognized that she had suffered the most from this tragic turn of events. Mina in particular was relieved that Sailor Saturn had stopped the fighting.
Hotaru shook her head and allowed herself to calm down. She still spoke with strength, “I lost everything! I lost my home, I lost my parents, my whole life!” She looked to Sailor Mercury and then to Sailor Moon. She spoke very calmly, “You’re the only family I have left.”
Lita walked up to Hotaru and hugged her. The black-hair sighed in relief.
Amy looked at the two of them together. They seemed like more than just friends consoling one another. There was something about their unity similar to Raye and Mina, or maybe even she and Serena.
“I’m sorry Raye,” Sailor Moon looked to her friend in an honest friendly tone.
Raye slowly turned to see her princess, standing naked before her. Amy was right next to her and looked her way as well.
“I’m sorry too,” Mercury’s apology seemed slightly less genuine.
Venus put her hand on Raye’s shoulder. The fire scout’s response was curt: “Whatever.” She then walked away. She headed for the open door, but did not exit the building. She just stood looking at the dark Seattle street. Raye sighed in pain grabbing her breast.
Mercury now turned her attention back to Jupiter, the other wounded soul of this encounter. While the water scout brushed off her minor injuries quite easily, she knew she couldn’t heal Lita’s wounded heart. Amy began to organize her conversation points explaining the situation between her and Serena. Seeing the two of them together in the act was not something the blunette had in mind, but she would have had to tell her at some point. Hurting Lita was the one thing Amy never wanted, but it was inevitable at this point.
“Lita,” Amy spoke up, “I – I think we need to talk-“
The ex-girlfriend, with a small tear in her eye, waved her hand still holding on to Hotaru with the other, “N-not now. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Lita…” Amy whined.
“We’ve got other things to worry about right now,” Lita looked back to Hotaru as if to provide an example.
All Amy wanted to do was get this over with. But she was the one who had done wrong and needed to abide by Lita’s wishes. She nodded in agreement.
“Serena,” Venus finally looked to her princess.
“Yes Mina?” The odango-hair responded.
“As much as I’d love to stare at your beautiful boobs all night, could you put your clothes back on?”
Everyone finally turned around reminded that Sailor Moon was in fact naked. Sailor Moon herself looked down and quickly covered herself up. Amy picked up Sailor Moon’s uniform and helped her dress up.
“Maybe we should de-transform?” Sailor Moon suggested.
“No,” Venus commanded.
Moon and Mercury both looked at Venus as the princess’ garb was back in place.
“I want everyone to stay transformed,” Venus explained, “I want everyone to be ready-“
She stopped mid-sentence when a neighbor came to the door. He looked like a carbon copy of The Dude from The Big Lebowski, complete with a bathrobe, sunglasses and a white Russian drink in hand. All six Sailor Scouts turned to see him. Fortunately, Sailor Moon was now fully clothed. The Dude moved his sunglasses down his nose to get a better look at the six beauties that were inside.
“Um,” the man finally spoke up in voice one would expect from The Dude, “Is everything… like… okay? … Man?”
“Yes everything’s fine sorry,” Amy moved closer.
“I heard like,” The dude was starting to smile liking what he saw, “Uh… yelling and uh… you know… like… you know what I’m trying to say?” The Dude took a drink of his White Russian.
“Yes,” Amy said.
“We’re rehearsing for a Cosplay event,” Raye spoke up, nearest to the door. She closed her eyes refusing to believe she actually suggested that. The other scouts nodded and verbally agreed.
The Dude left a smudge of his drink on his moustache, slurping it up, “Ah Cosplay,” He said leaning in the doorway, “That must be exhausting.”
There was silence for a minute.
“Well uh…” The Dude continued, “You want me to like uh… you know… stick around and… like… you know give notes and stuff?” He smiled at the girls.
Mercury stared at the man, but she was too distressed to be polite. She looked to her girlfriend, “Mars?”
Sailor Mars quickly shut the door in The Dude’s face. She began to walk away until she heard the man from outside:
“Hey uh… your… uh luggage is still out here… ma’am!”
Mars shut her eyes in annoyance and opened the door.
The dude had the bags in his hands walking through the door, “I’ll just put these… by the entrance.” He leaned the bags against the wall, and still had his glass in his hand.
“Thank you,” Amy smiled.
“Now get out!” Raye pushed him out the doorway.
The dude did not say anything but watched the door slam in his face again. A few seconds later, her spoke up from outside, “Okay, I’ll just uh… you know maybe come back later… with my notepad and…”
Mars walked towards the group.
“So,” Venus spoke up rubbing her hands together with a smile on her face, “Who’s up for pizza?”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The apartment wasn’t big enough to have a real dining room, but there was a sizable round table big enough for all six of them to sit across and eat. Like King Arthur, there was no head at this table; all were equal. Sailor Moon sat with her arms folded, pouting like a little girl. She was banned from eating anymore pizza, or she would have eating everything. Next to her was Sailor Mercury, using a knife and fork to avoid getting her gloves greasy. Venus sat next to her, followed by Mars. The Scout of Love thought it was best to separate the two who had just been fighting. Likewise with Sailor Jupiter, seated next to Mars. Saturn was seated beside Jupiter, who sat beside Sailor Moon. Jupiter had actually decided to sit as far away from Mercury as possible, but sitting across from each other meant they made eye contact way too often. It was becoming uncomfortable.
While waiting for the pizza to come, and sitting down to eat, Venus had explained everything that happened. Saturn became very emotional at one point, but Jupiter comforted her. Nothing was said about this, but Mercury knew something was developing between these two. Venus had continued laying out her plan, though there wasn’t much to say. She simply wanted everyone to stay transformed so they could be prepared for anything. The Outer Scouts had been caught off guard and paid the price. The Inner Senshi had not been prepared for this either. They were all together now, and the biggest priority was protecting The Princess. The subject of being spotted in their Sailor uniforms was discussed, but Venus and Mercury concluded that Seattle was far removed enough to avoid being noticed, and the cosplay excuse seemed to be a viable option. They would eventually have to go outside; a solution to being spotted would have to be worked out. Sleeping would have to be done in shifts. Two of the scouts had to stay awake to guard the Princess. Mars and Venus had gotten a decent amount of sleep on the plane, so they would stand guard this night while Jupiter and Saturn got some shut-eye. Some minor other details were discussed, but by the time they were finishing the pizza, the conversation had halted to a silence.
Suddenly, the tension began to grown again. Mercury felt anger in Jupiter’s eyes. The tallest girl spent most of her time looking to Saturn, but the two distant lovers couldn’t help but catch a glimpse of one another. She gave a few fleeting glances at Sailor Moon, who felt guilt looking over at her soldier of thunder.
Venus sighed and decided to take a page out of Luna’s wisdom:
“All right look,” Venus said putting down her soda and raising her fingers, “I know I’m not the greatest psycho in the world-“
“Psychologist,” Mars corrected with a mouthful of pizza.
“Whatever,” Venus barely acknowledged her, “I think that we should all go around the table and express how we’re feeling right now. It’ll help clear our ears.”
“Heads,” Mars corrected her.
Venus was about to repeat her previous response to Raye’s correction, but instead she chuckled, “Heh heh… heads.”
Mercury looked uncomfortable. She knew she was going to have to explain herself now.
Mina looked to her girlfriend, “All right Raye, why don’t you start?”
Mars looked at the blonde for a second. A smile ran across Mina’s face hoping the priestess would have some wise words of wisdom. But Raye was not in the mood so she quickly stuffed another piece of pizza in her mouth, “Can’t talk eating!” She could barely make out.
After a roll of the eyes, Mina looked to Jupiter, “Okay howabout you Lita? What’s on your mind?”
Uh oh, Amy thought. She was about to hear from Jupiter now, and she hadn’t even explained her reasons yet. Mercury was terrified to hear what her ex-girlfriend was about to say. Serena also looked nervous.
Jupiter looked up to Venus. She had barely eaten at all, obviously troubled. The Goddess of Love nodded her head.
“Wait,” Mars took a sip of her drink and put it down leaning back in her chair, “I want to hear this. This outta be good!”
Mina gave her girlfriend another scolding look.
Mercury was very annoyed by Raye’s insensitive comment. She was beginning to think her first girlfriend was actually enjoying this dramatic love triangle. However, she was more interested in what her thunder-wielding girlfriend was about to say. Her eyes looked back to Jupiter.
“Uh,” Jupiter spoke up, “No… Pass.” She looked down at her plate.
Amy sighed.
“Come on Lita,” Mina tried to reach her hand out for Lita’s. The brunette did not comply, “I think you need to speak up. I’m sure you have a lot to get off your breasts.”
“Chest,” Raye spoke up.
“I thought you were eating?” Mina scolded her.
Jupiter’s eyes slowly looked around the table. They glanced over Sailor Mercury, who she could have sworn was trembling. The Scout of Water still looked cute to her, but there was now a dishonesty behind the bluenette. That was a turn-off. Jupiter’s eyes moved to Sailor Moon. She looked nervous as well. The blonde closed her eyes, smiled in an over-the-top fashion and waved. She looked disingenuous. In fact, Jupiter actually felt disdain for her princess, as if she blamed her for stealing her girlfriend. But finally Jupiter looked to Sailor Saturn. The youngest scout looked at her with the most genuine eyes. Her hand held the muscular girl’s with the most genuine touch. Behind that tortured face, slightly hidden by her flowing black hair, Hotaru had gorgeous eyes, an angelic face, soft lips, a slender body. She now appeared to be the most beautiful, honest member of the team. Maybe this young girl, fast becoming a grown woman, was to be her lover. Jupiter took a quick look back at Amy, feeling the girl had lost some of her beauty.
“You want me to express my feelings?” Lita spoke up with strength in her voice. She did not take her eyes off of Amy, “I’m pissed off!”
Amy closed her eyes preparing to take Lita’s abuse. She reached for Serena’s hand and squeezed it. The blonde looked over to her genius girlfriend as Lita continued:
“That fucking Tiberius!” Jupiter’s right fist slammed the table. This caused Mercury’s eyes to open wide and Sailor Moon to turn her gaze back to the brunette. “I wish I was ripping his head off right this second!” She was leaving three second spaces between sentences. “I wish I could have electrocuted all those bastards!” Jupiter’s left hand held onto Hotaru while her right hand held up it’s index finger for all to see, “That creep attacked my friends. Sent Amara, Michelle and Trista to who knows where. And…” She looked at her young friend, “Look what he did to Hotaru!” Jupiter hugged Saturn who returned the affection.
Amy began to feel more sadness for poor Hotaru. The two scouts held onto each other for a good few seconds.
“Hotaru’s been through so much in her life,” Jupiter kept her arm around her but looked back to the table, “And for her to lose her family, her home, have to deal with this shit.” She looked back to Mina, “I’m pissed off because I’d rather be back in Tokyo finding these assholes and sending them six feet under.” She then let go of Hotaru and picked up her semi-eaten slice of pizza, “Instead of coming here and finding my girlfriend and my princess sharing sex toys.” She took a big bite out of her pizza and practically inhaled it.
Burn, Amy thought.
Mars smiled looking over Mercury. Venus looked to her as well, a look of concern, though she was glad the 500 pound elephant in the room was finally being addressed. Saturn actually looked at Sailor Moon, her own concerns in mind. Sailor Moon looked to her girlfriend. Mercury just closed her eyes again.
After an uncomfortable moment, with Jupiter sipping her soda. Mercury finally opened her eyes and softly spoke out, “Lita-“ Her voice was soft. She had a very hard time trying to decide how to explain herself “I’m sorry.” Mercury now spoke up with her full voice, “I’m truly, justly, swear to truth so help me God sorry! I didn’t want you to find out this way. I wanted to be honest with you and tell you in person but… I’m in love with Serena. I’ve been in love with her since before we met. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m SORRY!” She dropped her head to the table. Serena picked her up and ran her hand across her cheek. Her love and healing energy helped Amy to feel lighter.
Jupiter shook her head. She was about to speak until she leaned back and pulled her hair slightly. Hotaru pulled one of the taller girl’s hands away and held it lovingly. This scene was a visual torture for Lita. She loved this girl. She had loved her for years. The idea of Sailor Moon and Mercury as a couple never even entered Jupiter’s mind. Why was this happening now when her dream had finally become a reality? Amy still seemed genuinely upset. Maybe she did care for her still. However, Lita began to think back to the close physical friendship Amy and Serena shared all these years.
Speaking slowly, Jupiter sighed, “This explains so much.” Lita was having a really hard time expressing herself. If she did, she felt she’s start screaming and yelling. Suddenly, her mind turned to the priestess sitting next to her: “Did you know about this?” Lita asked Raye, who simply stared at her in silence.
“We both did,” Mina explained.
Sailor Moon looked to her blonde twin surprised to hear this.
“Well,” Jupiter spoke up and looked to Sailor Moon. She hesitated with her mouth open. Serena looked back to the brunette, “I mean what about Darien… I mean, I know the guy’s been out of commission and everything, but technically you and him are still together. You’re supposed to rule together.” She looked right at Sailor Moon, “Hell, you have a child together!” Then she looked at Hotaru trying to get her support, “Rini will never be born if she’s with Mercury!”
With her eyes straying from concentration, Serena began to contemplate the dangers of neglecting her relationship with Tuxedo Mask.
“No,” Hotaru looked at the table, “Rini will be born regardless of whether Serena and Amy are together.”
Everyone was surprised to hear Hotaru speak about Rini like that. The two of them had an intense friendship, and anytime the small lady’s future had been threatened, the Scout of Destruction became very emotional. Amy thought maybe Hotaru was trying to make an excuse for their forbidden love so Saturn and Jupiter could be together. Sailor Moon felt more comfortable hearing from the girl closest to Sailor Pluto. If there was any danger over Rini’s existence, Pluto would have mentioned it. But what did it mean? Was Rini going to end up being Amy’s daughter? How would that even be possible? Perhaps it was best not to think about it too much.
“Lita,” Sailor Moon looked to her friend, “The last thing I want to do is cause problems between us or break up this team. If you want to stay with Amy, I’ll stop. I’ll stay away.”
Mercury began to feel her heart being crushed. There was a look of pure shocking pain on her face. Hearing Jupiter break up with her was not easy to hear, but now the girl she longed for was about to break up with her? Amy wanted to speak up, but Lita beat her to it:
“No no no,” her hands waved in the negative, “Serena, Amy loves you. I can tell she loves you. Do you love her?”
Sailor Moon hesitated, and looked at her blue-haired girlfriend. The sad look in her teary eyes pleaded with the princess not to let her go, not to stay away. Once again, Sailor Moon was reminded just how much she loved this girl. Her pigtails turned in the air as she looked to Jupiter, who had a similar look of sadness and desperation. Serena had to follow her heart. “Yes,” was all Sailor Moon needed to say, even if it wasn’t at a considerable volume.
Jupiter sighed, “Then that’s the way it needs to be.”
While Amy was relieved to hear things were going the way she wanted, it saddened her to lose Lita as a lover. She hoped that their friendship would not die as a result.
“I made an oath,” Jupiter stood up, “To protect the Princess of the Moon.” Hotaru looked up to her special friend, “And that’s what I’m going to continue to do: Protect Sailor Moon.” She then looked to Amy, “Mercury too.” Then to Mina and Raye, “Everyone.” One last look down to Hotaru, “And avenge my friends.”
Jupiter stepped away from the table. Her gloved hand rubbed Hotaru’s soft cheek before pulled out her Sailor Pen and walked towards the bathroom without looking at anyone, “I’m done talking about this, I need to get some shut-eye.”
A flash of light and Sailor Jupiter was not Lita Kino.
“Lita,” Venus spoke up, “We need to stay transformed.”
“I’ll change back after a shower,” Lita was about to disappear in the bathroom.
“Lita!” Amy ran towards her.
“Amy, let her go,” Mina tried to stop her discretely. She held onto her arm, but Amy pulled away.
Raye raised her hand to her blonde girlfriend mouthing, ‘Let them work it out.’
Lita did in fact stop her back still to her ex-girlfriend. She felt a soft touch of Amy’s hand on her shoulder. A voice desperate for a happy ending addressed her:
“We’re still friends right?”
Amy was staring at the back of Lita’s pony-tailed brown hair. She just wanted to see her ex-girlfriend’s face, allow their eyes to conclude their ill-fated union and end amicably with a hug. The taller girl just stood there for maybe ten seconds. Not a single word was uttered, not a muscled moved… until Lita Kino walked straight into the bathroom disconnecting from Amy’s hand, and closing the door behind her. Amy now stared at a white door separating them. She stood there with her eyes closed and her head down. The sound of a chair moving and footsteps inching towards her preceded the touch of a familiar gloved hand on her shoulder. Mercury turned around to see Sailor Moon standing next to her. The two hugged sharing the same feeling of shame.
“Welp,” Sailor Mars said. She pulled the empty chair next to her closer and put her feet up, “You really fucked this up Amy!”
Mercury did not open her eyes, but Sailor Moon turned around, “Why are you so mean Raye?”
I haven’t heard that one before, Raye thought to herself, “No,” she continued, “And you’re not off the hook either meatball head.”
“Raye,” Mina held her girlfriend’s shoulder hoping she would stop.
“You could have at least,” Raye pushed Mina’s hand away without taking her eyes off of Serena, “Checked your God-damned messages and you may have had an easier time explaining this. Come on Amy, you’re supposed to be smarter than this. You shouldn’t have led Lita on like that. I think Serena’s stupidity is rubbing off on you-“
Just as Raye was finishing her sentence, Lita forcefully opened the door and pointed to Raye in a confrontational manner. “Raye!” She snarled, “I don’t need your bitchy jealous ass yelling at her for me!”
Everyone looked at Lita in astonishment. Amy and Serena backed away hoping Lita wouldn’t start yelling at them. Raye stared at Lita like she wanted to burn her alive, but she composed herself.
“You wanna help me?” Lita’s eyes were wide-eyed, “Then find out how we can kill these assholes who attacked our friends!”
Lita slammed the door behind her. Amy was actually relieved that her ex-girlfriend defended her.
“All right,” Mina was obviously very annoyed, raising her hands in the air, “Let’s all turn in for the night. We’re tired, we’re cranky and there’s no beer in the fridge!”
Raye stayed where she was pondering Lita’s tantrum. Hotaru got up and began cleaning up the table.
“Yeah,” Serena said slowly moving towards Mina, “I’m gonna go to bed.”
“Are you gonna shower after her?” Amy followed her. Serena was not exactly clean from their activities all day.
“In the morning,” was all Sailor Moon said. She put her arms around Venus, “Love ya Mina.”
“You too babe,” the princess’ twin returned the affection.
Raye turned around still in her chair watching her girlfriend and the princess enviously. Amy did not share the same resentment, having the love triangle still on her mind. Instead, she turned to Saturn who was picking up the plates.
“I’ll clean up Hotaru,” Amy took the paper plates from her and put them in the trash. Raye got up and lazily helped clear the table. “You need to rest.”
“You sure?” asked Saturn.
“Affirmative,” Mercury confirmed walking towards the couch. The various toys had already been put away. “Let me pull out the couch.”
“I can do it Amy,” Hotaru assured her walking towards the couch.
Sailor Moon kissed her girlfriend once on the lips, hugged Hotaru and made her way for the bedroom.
“Hotaru, I wouldn’t sleep there if I were you,” Mars teased again.
Mercury shook her head exacerbated.
Sailor Venus grabbed hold of her girlfriend lovingly from the back, “You need to relax Reiko.” She tried to kiss her neck.
“Eat me,” Rei responded coldly jerking her head away.
“Maybe I should,” Mina licked her girlfriend’s ear.
“I’m not in the mood Mina!”
Mercury held Saturn for a while. She used healing energy on her young friend hoping it would help her. “I’m so sorry Hotaru. I wish I could make you feel better.”
Saturn sighed into Amy’s shoulder being reminded of the tragic events the night before.
“I think,” Saturn replied in a soft voice, “I need to make Lita feel better right now.”
“Please do,” Amy held her tightly. She was afraid Hotaru would resent her for breaking Lita’s heart, but Hotaru didn’t seem so affected by it. Her mind was either focusing on her parents, or she was actually relieved that Lita was single again so the two of them could have a life together. As long as she was there to assuage her ex-girlfriend’s pain, Amy was happy. They finally broke the hug and Amy walked away. Hotaru pulled the sofa out of the couch.
“Good night Mina,” Amy hugged the blonde for only a second, “Are you two gonna be okay for the night. Do you want something to read?”
“I got my laptop,” Raye did not look at Amy walking towards her suitcase.
“Can we,” Mina asked, “Borrow some of your toys?”
Amy chuckled slightly.
“I wasn’t joking,” Mina reminded her.
Hotaru looked over to her leader hoping she was. After all, she and Sailor Jupiter would have to get some sleep.
“Good NIGHT AMY!” Raye yelled looking through her bag.
An uncomfortable sigh from the blue-haired genius forced Venus to rub her shoulder. “Go to bed Amy,” Mina whispered to her, “I’ll take care of everything.”
“Thank you Mina,” Amy held her hand.
“I’m really happy for you and Serena,” Was the last thing Venus said before Amy walked into the bedroom.
Back in their bedroom, closing the door behind her, Mercury found Sailor Moon lying on the bed, on her side, with her back to her. The blonde felt her girlfriend’s pressure on the bed. A white gloved hand ran across her body and hugged her. Serena felt Amy’s face rubbing against her neck. The blonde grabbed the bluenette’s hand.
“Are you okay?” Amy asked.
Sailor Moon was not okay. Three of her fellow soldiers were missing in action. She had gotten in a physical fight with one of her best friends. And she felt guilt for coming between Lita and Amy. However, all her anxiety was beginning to fade as she squeezed Mercury’s hand, feeling her healing energy. Sailor Moon turned her head to see her girlfriend’s angelic face, “As long as you’re with me.”
The two felt their lips gently press together.
“I’ll always be with you Serena,” Amy responded and continued to kiss her. Her hands began to make their way to Sailor Moon’s breast, until the blonde pulled her hand away. She broke the kiss.
“Amy can we just go to sleep tonight?”
A slight hesitation before Amy amicably agreed, “Okay.”
The two lovers, still in their sailor uniforms, eventually drifted off to sleep, comforted by their joined hands.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before she knew it, daylight had broken and Amy opened her eyes. The sun was peaking through the curtains of their bedroom. However, Sailor Moon was not beside her. Mercury jolted up, almost panicking for a second, until she remembered her girlfriend planned on showering the next morning. Amy looked at her clock: 8:13. It was still early, she didn’t expect her girlfriend to be up, but the jet lag and the appearance of their friends played tricks on them.
Amy got up and internally made a list of priorities for the day. She slipped on her robe from the closet, although she noticed Serena’s robe was still there. Amy did not read much into it. She quietly opened the door hoping not to wake anyone. The only one there awake was Sailor Mars. She was sitting on the rug meditating. No lights were on, although the sun was peaking trough the window. The sound of running water from the bathroom confirmed that the shower was running. Amy considered joining her girlfriend for a shower, but her attention turned to the fold-out couch.
Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Saturn were still sleeping. They were facing each other, Lita’s strong arms around the younger girl. They looked like a couple. Amy actually smiled seeing her ex-girlfriend with someone who could comfort her.
“Good morning Amy,” Raye spoke quietly without opening her eyes.
Amy turned back to see her friend, “Sorry,” she whispered, “I’m not disturbing you am I?”
Raye snorted, “I haven’t been able to meditate properly since I met Mina.”
The priestess could feel the blunette sitting next to her. She finally opened her eyes and allowed her body to relax.
“Did they sleep okay?”
Raye looked to her friends on the bed, “I think so.”r32;
“Have they been…” Amy searched for the right vocabulary, “Getting close lately?”
“What do you care?” Raye hadn’t dropped her rude attitude.
Amy sighed, but she didn’t want to get in another argument. The sound of running water coming from the bathroom stopped. The bluenette thought about walking in and meeting her girlfriend.
“Okay,” Raye tried to be civil, “They were making out on the plane.”
“I see,” Amy replied. She looked to her friend and tried to hold her hand, “I still care about you Raye, I don’t want our friendship to combust as it did last night.” Raye seemed uncomfortable, “But you know I’ve been in love with Serena since the beginning. Can’t you be happy for me, like I was happy when you found Mina again?”
Raye let go of Amy’s hand and rubbed her eyes.
“I,” Amy stuttered, “I know you’re-“
“I don’t-“ Raye interrupted but hesistated hearing her friend trying to speak.
“Sorry,” Mercury gestured to her to continue, “Go ahead.”
“I don’t like the idea of you and Serena together. I’ve never been comfortable with it.”
“I know,” Amy added.
“I mean-“ Raye was trying to gather her thoughts. She looked up at the ceiling, “I don’t know if it’s just that need I have to compete with her over everything. It’s like,” She looked back to the blue-haired scout, “I wanted you to feel that passion for me instead of her.”
“I did feel passion for you Raye,” Amy explained, “You broke up with me remember?”
“I didn’t break up with you,” Raye was defensive.
“Y-You,” Ami closed her eyes and raised her hands, “You went back with Mina and I was left with nobody. I mean I appreciate all the affection the two of you nurtued me with over the years, but frankly it’s not the same as having my own girlfriend who I can share my life with.”
“Lita would-“ Raye looked over to the fold-out couch realizing the woman in question was sleeping beside them. Judging on the Scout of Thunder’s outburst last night, it was best not to bring this up in her presence. Raye got closer to Amy and whispered, “Lita would have done that for you.”
“Why are you,” Amy immediately followed up, “So insistent that Lita and I stay together?”
Raye didn’t know how to answer that and was left taciturn with her mouth open.
Suddenly, the door to the bathroom opened. Amy looked up to see her girlfriend.
“You talk about wanting to have a girlfriend of your own,” Raye started to speak again.
Amy didn’t really pay attention to her because a different Blonde walked out of the bathroom. Even though the naked girl coming out of the shower had her face hidden by a towel, Amy could tell it was not Serena’s body. Also, the orange-cuffed gloves, still on her arms, were a dead giveaway. Amy looked at Raye’s girlfriend in confusion. Mina eventually wrapped the towel around her torso. Her tiara and choker were still on, though her red bow was conspicuously absent. As she caught a glaze of Amy, sitting peacefully with Raye, she smiled and waved in a friendly gesture.
“Lita has never had a girlfriend as far as I can tell.” Raye continued. She briefly glanced at her girlfriend but then turned her attention back to the Mercurian. She was about to continue, but Amy stood up.
“Mina,” Amy kept her voice low, “Is Serena in there with you?”
The Goddess of Love dropped her smile. Her eyes vacillated. Just in case, Mina went back into the shower to confirm that no one else was there.
The Priestess stared through the open door of the shower and then back to Amy, “I thought she was still asleep?”
Mina walked out the bathroom confirming that she was showering by herself. Amy stared at her. Her face revealed no expression.
Pure silence.
Suddenly Sailor Mercury jumped up and ran for the bedroom. Her bathrobe practically fell off in mid-stride. She had hoped that Sailor Moon was still inside somewhere. Where else could she be? But there was no one to be found in the bedroom. The sheets were just as she had left them. Amy quickly ran for the closet, hoping her girlfriend was planning some kind of trick on them. Maybe she was about to jump out of the closet and scare them. But this wasn’t the case as Amy opened the closet. Suddenly she began to breath heavily.
“Amy,” Sailor Mars appeared in the doorway with Venus next to her, “Where’s Sailor Moon?”
Amy began to turn the bedroom upside down trying desperately to find her girlfriend. She looked under the bed. She checked the window to see if it had been opened. Everything was the way it was supposed to be. She ran back into the living room, her footsteps echoing throughout the apartment.
“Serena?” She cried.
She went back in the bathroom hoping she was in the shower. Amy was not thinking clearly, she was simply acting by instincts.
By now, Sailor Jupiter and Saturn woke up, the taller scout lifting her torso from the bed, “What’s going on?”
Mercury stood in the middle of he living room looking every possible direction. Everything was visible by now. There was no way another human-being could be in that apartment without being noticed. Now Amy was hyperventilating. Tears were beginning to escape from her eyes. She had the same look on her face Hotaru had when her house blew up.
Jupiter kicked the sheets clear off the bed and ran for her ex-girlfriend. Her strong hands held Amy’s cold body. “Amy?” Jupiter looked concerned, completely forgetting about the events from the previous night, “What’s wrong? What’s going on baby?”
Saturn sat up looking confused.
Sailor Saturn and Mars walked right up to Mercury. Everyone looked scared out of their minds.
“Where is she Amy?” Venus pleaded, “Where’s our Princess?”