by Haruka

"Hey, you look nice, Setsuna," Lita observed as she flipped a pancake on the griddle.
Setsuna smiled and adjusted the sleeve of her blazer. "Thanks, Lita. So do you."
"Maybe, but I'll be looking nice in the same outfit tomorrow," Lita replied. "You're the only one of us who doesn't have to wear a uniform."
"Good morning!" Mina walked in and put Artemis down near his food dish. "Mmm, those pancakes smell great!"
"They sure do," Setsuna agreed. "But Lita, you don't have to cook every meal for us. That isn't fair."
"I won't be. I mean, you'll have to pack your own lunches, and anyone who misses dinner because of club meetings will have to fend for themselves. Plus, I'm hoping there'll be times when I get invited out for dinner." She grinned. "So basically I'll make the meals when I can, because I like to. If I can't, you're on your own."
Setsuna smiled. "You won't get an argument from me. Cooking isn't my field of expertise."
"Hello, everyone." Amy walked in and took a seat at the kitchen table, where she began leafing through a binder. "I hope it doesn't take me long to catch up to my class."
"Catch up?" Mina grinned. "You're probably already ahead of everyone."
"This will be the first time seven of us will be in the same school," Lita remarked. "In this area, they have the Junior High and High School classes all in the same building, right, Setsuna?"
The older girl nodded. "That's what the Headmaster told me."
"And the college is right across the street," Amy added. "Maybe you can join us for lunches outside sometimes."
"I'd like that, but I don't know what my schedule will be like yet," Setsuna said. "I'll know more by tonight."
Raye came in, sniffing the air appreciatively. "I could get used to this!"
"They're almost ready," Lita said. "Did you see the others up there, Raye?"
"Haruka and Michiru are up and around," she answered. "But I'll bet you anything that Serena is still in bed."
"She'll have to get up soon," Setsuna said mischievously. "I re-set my alarm when I got up. She'll have to get out of bed to turn it off."
At that moment, Serena appeared in the doorway, holding Setsuna's clock and looking half-asleep. "I hate you," she mumbled.
"Want some pancakes?" Setsuna asked her.
Serena brightened. "Pancakes ...?"

"I want to talk to you."
Haruka and Michiru looked down at Luna, who gazed back at them seriously.
"Sure, Luna," Haruka answered. "You don't mind if we keep getting ready, do you? We're running late."
"Go ahead," Luna told her, and jumped onto a chair. She watched Michiru finish brushing her beautiful wavy hair while Haruka tied her necktie. Both girls wore their High School class uniforms, but Haruka had typically chosen the boys' suit version. Luna drew a deep breath and decided not to mince words.
"I came by to say goodnight to you as I was going to bed and I saw your sleeping arrangements."
Both girls hesitated for a moment. Michiru slowly put the brush down, a soft blush rising in her cheeks. Haruka briskly finished with her tie, then turned to face Luna. "What's your point?" she challenged.
Luna wasn't about to be intimidated. "As long as it doesn't interfere with scout business, what you do behind closed doors is not my concern. But in the future, kindly make sure they are closed. It wasn't last night, and I'd rather the other girls not see what I did."
"We don't want them to see, either, Luna," Michiru said quietly. "We're not exhibitionists."
"We're also not ashamed of what we do," Haruka said forcefully. "We're in love."
"I know that," Luna said gently. "I also know that what you did privately before you joined the other scouts is a mystery to me, and should remain as such. But what you have to realize, Haruka, is that you and Michiru are now part of a household. It's not just the two of you alone anymore, and you must remember that."
"All right," Haruka said, her tone considerably more subdued. "We'll be more careful."
"Thank you," Luna said earnestly. "Now you'd better hurry downstairs before Serena finishes off your pancakes."
Haruka grinned, knowing Luna had forgiven them. "Is that what that delicious smell is? I wouldn't want to miss that."
"Then let's go." Michiru took Haruka's hand and smiled at the mooncat. "Thanks for the warning, Luna. "I guess we needed it."
"Thank _you_ for understanding that I'm not objecting to what you do--just whom may see you do it." Luna jumped onto Haruka's shoulder and hitched a ride downstairs.

"There's something wrong with this picture," Raye complained as she sat squished between Mina and Amy in the backseat of Setsuna's car. "Why should Haruka and Michi get to go to school by themselves when we have to get smooshed in here?"
"Because the eight of us won't fit on Haruka's motorcycle," Lita said dryly from the front seat, wincing as Serena shifted on her lap.
"But Haruka has a car, too," Serena whined. "We could have split up into two cars if she wasn't so stubborn about taking the cycle."
"I don't believe it," Amy remarked. "Raye and Serena actually agreed on something. Is someone recording this for posterity?"
"Sarcasm doesn't become you, Amy," Raye muttered.
"Come on, you guys," Mina said. "It's bad enough being uncomfortable without having you complain about it."
"Mina, Serena, what did you do with Artemis and Luna?" Setsuna asked suddenly. "Weren't they insisting on coming?"
Serena and Mina glanced at each other, then opened up their bulging bookbags. The mooncats popped their heads out and sneezed.
"It's hard to breathe in there," Luna grumbled.
"Well, you could always stay in my locker," Serena said cheerfully.
"Ha ha," Luna responded in a deadpan tone.
"How are you doing, Artemis?" Mina asked.
"I'll be all right so long as you leave the zipper open," he said.
"I don't know why you two had to come when you could have been comfortable at home," Lita said. "It's not like we're in danger anymore."
"We're your guardians," Luna replied. "We have to be nearby."
"But we're not staying in any lockers," Artemis said firmly. "We need to be able to come and go as we please. We'll avoid detection, don't worry."
"You two have been looking after yourselves--and the scouts--for a long time," Setsuna remarked. "I'm sure everyone knows not to question your judgement."
"The same could be said for you, Setsuna," Luna told her. "You'll be alone over at the college, and although we'll be able to sense if there's any trouble, we trust you can handle yourself until help arrives."
"Don't borrow trouble, Luna," Raye said. "So far as we and everyone else is concerned, we're just normal students."
Luna sighed. "Perhaps I am being overly-cautious. I'll make a deal with you all. Artemis and I won't worry unless there's a reason for it, all right?"
"Deal!" the six girls answered in unison.

Zoisite slipped gracefully out from behind the wheel of her stepbrother's white sports car and shut the door. Malachite was going to go ballistic when he found she'd pilfered the keys, but it only served him right. He'd been altogether too bossy, arrogant, and just plain impossible ever since their parents died. Not that he'd been any kind of prize when they were alive. He was the favoured one--even with her own mother, and it showed in their will. Malachite got everything, including total control over the family fortune and custody of his one-year-younger stepsister.
A tendril of honey-coloured hair escaped from its long, thick ponytail and blew into Zoisite's beautiful face. She brushed it away as her seductive green eyes surveyed her kingdom, otherwise known as Tokyo Regional High. Despite being seventeen years old and due to numerous circumstances, she was only in her first year of high school. Students from all grades knew of and flocked to her, eager for dates, hoping to be noticed, or just happy to be hangers-on lackeys. Kids were always asking for her advice, whether it be on fashion, their love lives, or a theme for the next school dance. Certainly not all of these people were worth her time, but she threw them enough crumbs of attention that they kept coming back.
School was the one place where Zoisite felt in control. Not even Malachite could take that away from her.
"Zoisite!" A girl from her grade came dashing across campus, waving wildly. Zoisite searched her memory for the girl's name and remembered just as she reached her.
"Good morning, Tina," she said, shifting the books in her arms awkwardly.
"Here, let me take those for you!" Tina gathered Zoisite's books into her already-loaded arms. Her eyes sparkled at the older girl eagerly. "Did you hear the news?"
"I just got here, Tina."
"Oh yeah. Well, there are a bunch of new girls starting school today, all of them from the same house. No one knows if it's a group home or a boarding house or what. Most of them are in junior high level, but a couple of them are in our grade."
The roar of a motorcycle cut through the air and a moment later it was parked, its two riders removing their helmets. One of them had tousled short gold hair and was wearing the boys' school uniform. The girl with him had lovely sea-green hair and carried a violin.
"That must be them!" Tina declared. "No other students bring motorcycles!"
"You said the new students were girls," Zoisite said impatiently. "That one is obviously a boy."
"I don't get it." Tina watched them thoughtfully. "My source in the general office said they were all girls."
"Next time get your information straight before you trouble me with it." Zoisite stole another glance at the green-haired girl across the parking lot before striding toward the front entrance, leaving Tina to catch up.

"It's a nice school, isn't it?" Amy remarked dreamily as she and her friends walked through the front doors.
"No school is nice," Serena mumbled.
"I hope they have a good sports program," Mina said.
"We're supposed to go to the general office for our schedules." Raye looked around. "Wherever that is."
"Hey, there are Haruka and Michi!" Lita waved and bellowed, "Hi guys! We finally caught up with you!"
The two looked up from the printed cards they'd been studying and smiled at their friends. "We just got our schedules," Michiru said. "Right over there," she added, indicating a nearby counter behind which was a bustling office. The girls stormed the counter and rejoined their friends once they had their schedules in hand.
"Oh no!" Serena cried. "Math first! What a way to start the day!"
"At least you'll get it out of the way, Serena," Mina soothed her. "I have to dread it until mid-afternoon."
"You shouldn't think of it like that," Amy scolded. "Math is important! And it's so easy!"
"Maybe for you!" six voices answered in unison.
"I can't believe we only have two classes together," Haruka groaned as she checked Michiru's schedule.
"Luckily for you, one of them is Japanese." Michi smiled. "We're going to pull your grade up this year."
"How? Are you going to take my tests for me?"
Michi nudged her, but Haruka was grinning.
"Gym first!" Raye said indignantly. "Who came up with that stupid idea?! I don't want to go straight from sleeping peacefully to doing calisthenics!"
"I have gym third." Mina sighed. "I can't wait."
"I'll be in your class!" Serena said happily. "You'll take it easy on me in the organized games, right, Mina?"
"How about I just teach you how to play better?"
"Been there, tried that." Raye smirked. "She's hopeless."
Lita covered Serena's mouth before she could respond. "We'd better get a move on. We still have to find lockers before we can go to our first class."

Setsuna stood in the middle of a busy corridor in Tokyo University. She was completely, totally lost. Why didn't they stock maps by the front entrance for newcomers, she wondered.
"May I be of some assistance?"
She looked up to find herself staring into the palest blue eyes attached to the most beautiful young man she'd ever seen. He had long, straight, snow-white hair and perfectly smooth pale skin. There was an air of authority about him, and he even wore a long cape, of all things. A charming smile touched his lips as he looked at her.
"You seem to be lost," he said.
"I was just thinking the same thing," she answered with a rueful smile.
"Come." He offered his arm. "I'll guide you to the guidance office."
A little forward, but no alternative help was forthcoming. Taking his arm, she allowed him to make a path for them through the milling crowd.
"What is your name, lovely lost maiden?" he inquired.
"Setsuna," she answered. "And as I'm sure you can tell, this is my first day."
"I had no idea," he joked, then gave her another smile. "My name is Malachite. Is this your first year or are you transferring from another college?"
"First year," she said. "I'm studying sewing and business. I'm going to be a designer."
"I'm studying business and finance," he told her. "I inherited a tidy sum after my parents' death and need to know what to do with it. This is my first year as well, so we may have some of the same professors."
"I'm sorry about your parents," Setsuna said. "Was it very long ago that you lost them?"
"A few months," he replied. "They left me a fortune and a chronic headache called my stepsister."
Setsuna tried not to smile. "She can't be that bad."
"Yes, she can, but I can handle her." He came to a stop outside a closed door. "This is the office, you can pick up your schedule here."
"Thank you for showing me the way," she said earnestly. "I was all set to go in the opposite direction."
"Then perhaps I should wait and take you to your first class," he said.
"No, I don't want you to be late," she protested.
"It doesn't matter," he assured her. "They won't dare start without me, and besides, we may be in the same class. Now go get your schedule and we'll see where you need to be first."
Setsuna decided not to protest further. Malachite may be pushy and a little arrogant, but at least he was offering friendship. And a friend was just what she needed her first day of college.

Zoisite stifled a yawn, but couldn't keep the bored look off her face as the girl seated beside her chattered away. Art class wasn't a bad way to begin a school day, since it didn't require much brainpower, but it was too messy for her taste. Besides, the teacher had hated her ever since she told her to go inhale paint fumes and die.
Some people are so touchy.
Just when she was about to tell the same thing to her talkative neighbor, she saw the new girl enter the room; the one with the sea-green hair. The girl went over to the teacher and showed the woman her schedule.
Zoisite turned abruptly to the girl beside her. "Go away," she said bluntly.
The girl clammed up and blinked at her. She lowered her gaze, gathered her books and changed seats.
By then the new girl had finished with the teacher and was looking for a place to sit. Zoisite smiled and waved her over. The girl approached, looking relieved.
"Thank you," she said as she sat down. "I didn't see any other empty seats."
"My pleasure," Zoisite said. "I saw you in the parking lot earlier with that boy, getting off the motorcycle."
"Oh, that wasn't a boy," the beautiful newcomer said. "That was Haruka, my girlfriend. By the way, I'm Michiru."
Zoisite digested the stab of disappointment at hearing Michiru was unavailable, recovering enough to answer her. "I'm Zoisite. It's nice to meet you."
Michiru smiled and shook her hand. "You have such lovely hair. You must take good care of it."
Zoisite's hand flew to her ponytail. "Yes, thank you, I do. Looking good is important to me."
"To me, as well," Michiru agreed. "I feel better when I look nice, and I love seeing the look of admiration in Haruka's eyes, as well."
"I could have sworn she was a boy," Zoisite remarked. "Why does she encourage mistakes like that by wearing a boy's uniform?"
"She's comfortable that way. She's very boyish, and has been as long as I've known her. She likes to race, and is very athletic."
"What about you?" Zoisite asked. "Do you like sports?"
"I love to swim, but that's about it for sports," Michiru answered. "You?"
"I gave in to public demand and joined the track team," Zoisite replied. "I'm good at sprinting and jumping, like hurdles and high jump. I have quick reflexes, too."
"Haruka will be trying out for the track team. Maybe you'll be practicing together." Michiru sighed. "I still can't decide if I want to join the swim team or not. I also draw and paint, and I'm especially devoted to the violin, so--"
"Michiru!" the teacher interrupted. "The bell rang a full minute ago!"
Michi blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, ma'am."
"As it's your first day, I'll overlook it," the teacher told her. "Besides, Zoisite no doubt encouraged you. She rarely notices the bell herself."
"Except when it lets me out of here," Zoisite murmured. Michi giggled softly, covering her mouth, then looked toward the teacher for the day's instructions.
Too bad she's involved, Zoisite mused as she studied Michi's profile. We'd look gorgeous together.

"Lita!" Serena exclaimed happily as she ran to join her at a table in home ec class. "I didn't know you were in this class with me!"
"Raye's in it, too," Lita remarked. "She's over there."
Serena glanced over to where Raye stood surrounded with admirers. She hadn't gone to the same school as Raye before, but had heard that the exotic psychic had been considered the most popular girl there. It looked as if she was planning to continue her reign in the new school.
"Too bad Amy and Mina aren't here, too," Serena said as she plunked herself into a chair.
"I think Amy's got gym this period," Lita answered. "And Mina's in social studies."
Raye strode over to the table, trailed by her ladies-in-waiting. One of them pulled out her chair for her and another placed her books on the table. "Thanks, guys," she said. "I'll talk to you later."
The girls returned to their own seats, and Serena shook her head. "I don't get it. Why would they follow _you_ around?"
"Because they enjoy my company!" Raye exploded. "Why else?!"
"Maybe you've put some kind of spell on them," Serena grumbled.
"Just the spell of my winning beauty and personality," Raye replied. "People recognize a good leader when they see one."
"Then how come you don't respect me as leader of the sailor scouts?"
"I said _good_ leaders are recognized ...."
"Hey!"
"Will you two can it, already?" Lita hissed. "Do you want everyone to hear you referring to us as the sailor scouts?"
"My thoughts exactly, Lita," Luna's muffled voice came from Serena's bookbag.
"Okay, okay." Serena waved a hand. "Class is about to start, anyway." She beamed at Lita. "And we're guaranteed high marks this year with primo cook Lita in our group!"
"Either that or Lita's marks will plummet." Luna sighed.

Haruka sat slumped at her desk, waiting for Michiru to arrive in Modern Japanese class. If she had to endure another torturous year of this subject, she was glad that Michi would be by her side for it. She'd had to politely refuse several girls and boys who'd wanted to sit beside her, but she was determined to hold Michi's seat. She just wondered what was taking so long. Michi was never late, yet she would be in a minute if she didn't show up fast.
A burst of giggles drew her attention to the doorway, and she saw Michi walk in with another girl, both of them laughing. The girl was incredibly attractive; tall and slender, with long, thick, honey-coloured hair tied in a loose ponytail. Haruka saw heads turn as the two went over to the teacher, but she couldn't tell which girl the kids were staring at.
As soon as Michiru turned, though, Haruka made sure she saw her by standing and waving. Michi smiled brightly and headed toward her. To Haruka's dismay, the pretty stranger followed.
"Hi," Michi said warmly. "Thanks for saving my seat."
"Did you think I wouldn't?" Haruka grinned. "But I only saved one--" she stopped suddenly as she saw the tall girl lower herself gracefully into the seat on Michi's other side. Haruka was sure someone else had been there a minute ago.
"Haruka, this is Zoisite," Michi said, sitting back so the two of them could see each other clearly. "She and I were in art class together."
"It's nice to meet you, Haruka," Zoisite purred. "Michi has told me a lot about you."
"She's on the track team," Michi told her.
Normally, meeting someone who could tell her about the team would have excited Haruka, but something about Zoisite made her feel more like potential competition than a teammate.
"Are you any good?" Haruka asked bluntly.
"I'm unbeatable. The rest of the team is average at best," Zoisite answered, cocking an eyebrow. "And yourself?"
"I'm the wind," Haruka replied, her gaze meeting Zoisite's challengingly.
Michiru sensed the tension on both sides of her and smiled reassuringly. "From the sound of it, you're as competitive as Haruka is, Zoisite," she said. "If you two work together, the team will be spectacular."
"I already am," Zoisite said matter-of-factly. "And Haruka isn't on the team yet."
"I will be," Haruka said with confidence. "By the end of the day."
The bell rang, and Zoisite ignored Haruka, opening her textbook. "I love this class. It's so incredibly easy."
Michiru covered her mouth and stole a glance at Haruka, who was scowling openly in Zoisite's direction. Michi gave an internal sigh. These two have clearly gotten off on the wrong foot, she thought. Hopefully they'll work it out once Haruka makes the team or their coach will have my sympathies.

"Oh, look, there's Lita," Amy said as she and Raye entered the school cafeteria together.
"Guess she's the first one here," Raye observed, and they made their way toward the table Lita was saving.
"Boy, am I glad you guys made it," Lita declared. "I thought I'd have to start beating up people who were getting insistent about sitting here!"
"Amy and I just got out of social studies." Raye made a face and sat down. "I hate it already."
"You always hate social studies," Amy said sensibly. "But I'll help you study, and it won't seem so bad."
"I was all alone in my math class," Lita said. "Mina and Serena may be a little late, since they're just getting out of gym."
"Here comes Haruka," Amy said.
The gold-haired girl approached with her tray and sat down. "How's it going, ladies?"
"Not bad," Lita replied. "But then, I don't have physics until last period of the day. That's when my morale takes a nosedive."
"I hate my schedule," Raye said frankly. "Having gym first was as bad as I expected. Then Lita and I got klutzy Serena in our home ec class. She managed to drop an entire carton of eggs and step on them. She wound up on her butt, as usual."
"How was your morning, Amy?" Lita asked.
"Fine, thank you," Amy replied. "I liked having gym mid- morning. It gave my backside a rest from the stiff chairs, and pumped me up for social studies. Plus, I'm twice as hungry as I usually am." She unwrapped a sandwich and took a big bite.
"The only thing I didn't like about having auto shop first was that Michi was in art class at the same time." Haruka grimaced. "She met someone named Zoisite there, and brought her into Modern Japanese with her."
Raye looked up. "Zoisite? I've heard that name more times today than I can count."
"Me too," Lita chimed in. "Who is she?"
"I believe she's the big-girl-on-campus," Amy said.
"Big is right." Haruka snorted. "At least in ego."
The other girls stared at her. They'd never heard Haruka speak in such a way about anyone.
"Hi everybody!" Mina greeted cheerfully. Serena smiled wearily as she trudged up behind her, perking up a bit when she eyed the array of food.
"You look like you had a good gym class," Raye remarked, making room for them.
Mina nodded vigorously. "It was wonderful! And the best news is that I can try out for the volleyball team after school!"
"Cool, we'll cheer you on," Lita told her.
"I'll be trying out for the track team after school, too," Haruka mentioned.
"Then we'll divide up and half of us will cheer you on," Serena said.
"What about Michi?" Amy asked. "Is she trying out for swimming?"
"She hasn't said, yet." Haruka shrugged. "At least not to me. Maybe she told Zoisite."
"Who is this Zoisite?" Mina asked curiously. "Everyone in gym class was buzzing about some meet she won last week. They say she can leap like a gazelle."
"Here comes Michi, you can ask her," Haruka said dryly.
"Hi!" Michiru smiled and took her seat beside Haruka. "Did you miss me?" she teased her girlfriend.
"I've been missing you all day," Haruka remarked without looking at her. Michi frowned.
"Hey, Michi, Haruka says you can tell us about some girl called Zoisite who's a big shot around here," Lita said. "What's the scoop?"
"I don't know about a scoop, but she's nice to talk to," Michi said, ignoring the responding snort from Haruka. "We were in art together, and--" she stopped and nodded at something in the distance. "There she is."
Everyone except Haruka turned to look.
"Oh, wow," Serena breathed. "She's beautiful!"
"She sure is," Mina agreed.
Raye shrugged. "If you like that type."
"She looks just like my old girlfriend," Lita murmured dreamily.
"Everybody looks like your old girlfriend!" Serena complained.
"Who are all those people hovering around her?" Raye asked.
"I believe I heard that there are always kids who want to do things for her," Amy answered.
"Sound familiar, Raye?" Serena asked impishly.
Raye blinked. "Me? But I don't--"
"Excuse me, Raye?" a blonde curly-haired girl interrupted her, holding a foil-wrapped package under her nose. "My name's Chrissy. I thought you might like a piece of my mom's homemade chocolate cake."
"Oh, uh, thanks." Raye accepted the package and the girl skipped off happily. "Don't say a word, Serena," Raye warned.
"I won't," Serena promised. "_If_ you give me the cake!"

End of Chapter 2.
Story contents (C) 1997 Tenou Haruka
Sailor Moon characters (C) Naoko Takeuchi