by Haruka

Setsuna turned off the car engine and regarded Zoisite with a smile. "I had a wonderful time. Thank you so much for coming out with me."
"I should be thanking you. I never had such a fun date before," Zoisite remarked, then realized what she'd said and blushed deeply. Setsuna didn't lose her smile, however, and gave Zoisite's hand a quick squeeze.
"Let's go inside," she suggested. Zoisite nodded and they got out of the car.
"Someone's still up," Setsuna observed. "I just saw the curtains move." She opened the front door and they both went inside. They spoke in hushed tones until reaching the living room entrance, and then they stopped in surprise. With the exception of Haruka, all the scouts and the mooncats were seated there. They all wore expressions that would befit a homicide jury.
"Gee, you didn't have to wait up," Zoisite joked.
Not one of the serious faces relaxed.
"Do you know what time it is?" Raye demanded.
"Time to go to bed?" Setsuna ventured.
"It's two a.m.!" Mina declared.
Lita folded her arms. "You're late."
"Late?" Zoisite frowned. "Late for what?"
"Curfew, of course!" Serena exclaimed. "Didn't we agree that eleven o'clock was the absolute limit if any of us went out?"
"Did we?" Zoisite turned to Setsuna in confusion.
She shrugged. "When we first moved in, we agreed there should be a curfew for the girls, but--"
"But nothing, Setsuna," Luna interrupted. "You wanted to be one of the girls, remember?"
Setsuna sighed. "All right. I'm sorry that we're late."
"Not good enough," Artemis said firmly. "You broke the rules, you'll have to be punished."
"What?!" Setsuna gasped.
"Now wait a second here--!" Zoisite began.
"It is the decision of those assembled that you both be confined to your room tomorrow," Luna concluded. "Your meals will be brought to you."
Setsuna and Zoisite both wanted to protest, but neither knew what to say. They looked at each other resignedly.
"Fine," Zoisite said to the others.
"Anything you say," Setsuna added wearily. "May we go to bed, now?"
"Of course," Artemis replied.
The two older girls went upstairs while the remaining scouts relaxed. "I knew as soon as I saw them in the car _not_ kissing goodnight that things hadn't changed," Mina said with regret. "We had no choice."
"The rest is up to them now." Raye shrugged. "We've done all we can do."
"If they aren't able to confess their love after a solid twenty-four hours together, we may as well give up." Serena sighed.

Zoisite closed the bedroom door and leaned back against it. "I don't believe this. If it wasn't so bizarre, and I weren't the victim, I'd be laughing."
"What do you mean?" Setsuna asked as she took off her jacket.
"That if I wanted treatment like this, I could have stayed with Malachite." Zoisite dropped onto her bed, pouting prettily. Setsuna smiled to herself, wanting to kiss the protruding lip.
"They're right, though, I did set myself up for this," she admitted. "I'm sorry you had to get caught in it, too."
Zoisite's pout turned into a resigned smile. "Oh, I guess it's not so bad. We'll get to sleep in, no breakfast responsibilities or chores to do." She grinned over at Setsuna. "And if I have to spend a day in a jail, at least I've got a terrific cellmate."
"Thanks, I feel the same way," Setsuna said earnestly. She headed for the connecting bathroom, unzipping her dress as she went. Zoisite's gaze traveled down Setsuna's smooth back to the rim of her slip just before the bathroom door closed, cutting off her view. She heaved an internal sigh and changed into her own nightgown.
"I hope you don't regret going out after all this," Setsuna remarked when she came out of the bathroom wearing a dark red silk negligee. Zoisite's breath caught in her throat. She had seen the beautiful eighteen- year-old in the negligee before during her stay, and it always had the same effect on her. She could only be grateful she wasn't a man, so the effect wasn't evident to Setsuna as well.
"Uh, regret it?" she finally managed to say. "No, not at all. I loved every minute of it. And like I said, being confined for a day isn't such a bad deal." She watched Setsuna pick up her hairbrush and impulsively said, "Let me do it!"
Setsuna looked at her in surprise, but nodded and handed her the hairbrush, then sat on the edge of the bed. Zoisite knelt behind her and carefully unwound the bun from the back of Setsuna's head. She then began to brush the calf-long hair with slow, deliberate strokes.
Setsuna closed her eyes and reveled in the feeling. Zoisite's brushwork was gentle, but firm--just the right balance to have the same effect as a body massage. It was no wonder the younger girl was so adept with long hair, her own waist-length butterscotch locks were like so much eye candy. She could never get close to Zoisite without aching to touch it; to play with the two tendrils she left loose, to take it out of the ponytail and brush it as Zoisite now brushed hers. To bury her fingers in it and urge the pretty girl forward to kiss her ....
She felt the brush go still, and turned her head to look over her shoulder. Zoisite was staring at her with an unreadable expression. She seemed to want to say or do something, but either wasn't sure what she wanted or couldn't bring herself to try it.
"Setsuna," she whispered.
The older girl's magenta eyes widened as she recognized the longing in Zoisite's tone. It mirrored her own need so exactly that she knew then she'd waited long enough. Turning so as to face Zoisite, she leaned forward and softly kissed her lips. Her heart soared when the other girl not only returned her gesture, but did so with such passion that she knew Zoisite had been struggling with this as long as she had. She wrapped her arms around Zoisite and held her close.
"I can't believe it," Zoisite was murmuring, her voice thick with emotion. "You feel the same way. I didn't dare hope ...."
"Oh sweetie, I've wanted this ever since I first spoke to you on the college campus." Setsuna kissed her forehead, then both cheeks, taking Zoisite's face in her hands gently. "By the time I could admit it to myself, all hell had broken loose with Malachite and I didn't want to take advantage of you."
"Take advantage?" Zoisite laughed lightly. "That's ironic. I was afraid you might be on the rebound from Malachite, and also that you couldn't see me as anything but a kid."
"How could I think of you as a kid?" Setsuna smiled. "With everything you've been through, you may have more world-wise maturity than I do."
"Let's just call it a draw." Zoisite kissed her and the two of them embraced, sinking slowly down to lie on the bed. Neither noticed the flash of light outside their window.

There was a soft knock on Malachite's bedroom door, and with it, Graham's voice, "Master Malachite? Are you awake, sir?"
The blonde blinked sleepily and drew himself up on one elbow. "Not especially," he answered. "This better be good, Graham."
"Master Nephrite is here to see you. He says it's urgent."
Malachite sat straight up, instantly alert. "Send him up," he instructed, and jumped out of bed. By the time Nephrite made it up the stairs, he had his robe on and was waiting by the bedroom door. "What's happened?" he demanded.
"You'll see," Nephrite said. "Let's go inside. You'll want to close the door."
"Just a second." Malachite hurriedly got Graham posted as a guard and then led Nephrite into his sitting room. "All right, show me."
Nephrite opened his briefcase and brought out a fistful of photographs. He spread them out over the coffee table and Malachite felt a cold stab in his chest.
"They've done it," Nephrite said. "They slept together."
That fact was all too obvious from the incriminating pictures. Malachite stared at shot after shot of Setsuna and Zoisite, first clothed and kissing, then in bed together, nightgowns abandoned. Overwhelming love and desire was evident in their faces--this was more than just a casual fling. They had pledged themselves to each other with not just their bodies, but their souls. Here was the beginning of a life-long commitment.
Or so they thought.
"Thank you for your help, Nephrite," he monotoned. "Your job is done."
"What are you going to do now?" Nephrite asked.
"Anticipating the worst, I have stand-by arrangements prepared." Malachite met his eyes, and the hatred in them frightened even Nephrite. "It will soon be over for Setsuna and Zoisite."

Zoisite opened her eyes and smiled. It hadn't just been a beautiful dream, she thought as she gazed at Setsuna's face in slumber, so close to her own. The memory of their first night together played in her mind and she felt warmth spread through her. Setsuna had been as tender and gentle as anyone could wish for in a first lover. And _passionate_. After the first time, any lingering traces of restraint disappeared completely. She and Setsuna both took the initiative in turn, proving that their relationship would be equal on all levels. She loved it when Setsuna poised over her, the long green hair falling around them like a curtain, enclosing them in their own private world ....
Setsuna stirred and opened her eyes. "Good morning." She smiled.
"It sure is," Zoisite said, brushing a lock of hair from Setsuna's face. "I can hardly believe this is happening, I'm so happy."
"So am I." Setsuna slipped her arms around Zoisite and the younger girl nestled into her. "You know, I didn't even want to tell you that I was Sailor Pluto at first? I thought it might turn you off somehow, and I'd never have a chance again."
"You were wrong," Zoisite murmured. "It only made me want you all the more."
Setsuna sighed contentedly. "Now I can finally understand what Haruka and Michiru have been feeling all this time. I just wish it hadn't taken so long for me to work up the nerve to tell you."
"I was no better," Zoisite answered, her hand making lazy circles on Setsuna's stomach. "But what does it matter? We're together now." She tipped her face up to meet the older girl's eyes. "I love you, Setsuna."
"I love you, too, darling." Setsuna kissed her deeply and Zoisite pressed against her.
A knock on the door broke the kiss off abruptly. "Who is it?" Setsuna called out.
"Michiru and Amy," Michi replied. "We have your breakfasts."
"Thank you, just leave them out there, okay?" Setsuna started to get up, reaching for her robe. "Oh, Michi?" she said as an afterthought. "How is Haruka doing?"
"She's somewhat better, the antibiotics are working. I want her to stay in bed again today, though."
Zoisite winked at Setsuna. "Sounds like a good idea to me!"
"To me, as well," Amy answered innocently. "Although she may have to tie her down."
Zoisite mouthed, "Ooo, kinky!" to Setsuna, causing her to laugh out loud.
"Did you say something, Set?" Michi asked.
"N-No," Setsuna replied, still shaking with mirth. "You two go eat."
"Okay," Amy said uncertainly, and their footsteps receded down the hall. Setsuna snatched up a pillow and playfully threw it at Zoisite.
"You little minx! Making me laugh like that!"
"The look on your face was priceless!" Zoisite grinned. She and Setsuna brought the trays inside and she sniffed the waffles appreciatively. "As prison food goes, this is outstanding!"
"Do you realize how lucky we are?" Setsuna asked as she closed the door. "We have a perfect excuse to stay shut up in this room all day and have total privacy."
"I know." Zoisite's eyes were sparkling. "And I warn you, I'm already planning on ways to make you scream with pleasure."
"I have a few plans of my own." Setsuna sat down and touched Zoisite's cheek softly. "But let's keep the screaming to a minimum," she suggested impishly, "or our privacy won't last very long."
"Good point." Zoisite hugged her. "Now let's eat so we can build up lots of stamina!"
Setsuna couldn't help but laugh once more.

Do you think we've made any progress at all?" Serena put her chin in her hands and studied the plate of cookies on the kitchen table longingly.
"After dinner, Serena," Lita told her as she tossed a salad. "And no, I don't think we have."
"Lita's right," Raye said, sneaking a cucumber slice from the salad. "When I took their lunch up, it was just like what Amy said happened at breakfast. They wanted the trays left outside the door."
"You'd almost think they were sulking," Mina remarked.
"I wouldn't have thought Setsuna was the type," Amy mused. "Zoisite, yes, but not Setsuna."
"According to Michi, Haruka suggested we knock their heads together," Lita said dryly. "I'm seriously considering it."
"Maybe we were wrong about them," Serena said, her hand inching toward the cookies. "Maybe neither of them wants a girlfriend."
Raye slapped Serena's hand. "Don't be ridiculous!"
Alan and Ann appeared in the room. "Hi everyone!"
"Hi guys, how are you?" Mina asked.
"A little tired, after being out dancing all night," Alan admitted with a grin.
"It was fun!" Ann enthused. "Setsuna and Zoisite were there, but I guess you already know that."
"What do you mean?" Amy asked.
Ann looked surprised. "Didn't they tell you? We tracked Nephrite there, and the reason he was there was because he trailed them."
"How do you know that?" Raye frowned.
"He took their picture," Alan explained. "When you think about it, things start to make sense. Nephrite's been by the house a lot since Zoisite left, and when he's not there he's calling all the time."
"We figure Malachite is having Nephrite keep tabs on Zoisite for him," Ann concluded.
The girls looked at each other. "Why didn't they tell us?" Mina wondered aloud.
"We didn't give them much of a chance," Lita remarked. "We landed all over them as soon as they came in."
"That's Mina's fault," Serena accused. "It was her plan we followed!"
"Hey, when it comes to love, I know what I'm doing!" Mina retorted.
"Then why hasn't it worked?" Raye muttered.
"Wait, I'm confused," Ann said. "Whose love are you talking about?"
"Setsuna and Zoisite's," Lita answered. "We figured they were in love, but now we aren't sure."
"I think your first instincts were right," Alan told them frankly.
Amy shook her head. "I don't know, Alan. They can't seem to be able to tell each other, despite our efforts to bring them together."
"We even arranged to confine them to their room today, but so far there's been no sign of them acting differently toward each other." Raye sighed.
Alan and Ann exchanged a look, and seemed to come to an unspoken agreement. "We'll check on them," Ann said. "Kind of scope out the mood."
"They aren't supposed to have visitors," Mina said. "How could we explain letting you up?"
"You won't have to," Alan replied. "We'll just pop in as if dropping by unexpectedly."
"In their bedroom?" Serena said doubtfully.
"Zoisite knows we tend to pop in just about anywhere." Ann winked. "Don't worry, they won't suspect we're on a spy mission."
"They're right, guys," Lita said. "At least we'll know for sure one way or the other."
"Bye for now!" Alan took Ann's hand and the two of them vanished.

Setsuna arched her back, moaning softly as Zoisite suckled her right breast. The younger girl's fingers played lightly between her legs, sending waves of erotic pleasure through her loins. Zoisite was making endearing little mewling sounds but Setsuna could barely hear her over her own groans of ecstacy.
"Hi th--oops!"
Setsuna and Zoisite's heads both snapped up to see Alan and Ann staring wide-eyed at them.
"AAAAAAHHHHHH!" the naked girls screamed, scrambling to cover themselves with the sheet.
"We're sorry! We're sorry!" Alan said desperately, covering his face with his hands.
"What are you two doing in here?!" Zoisite demanded, her face bright red.
"We ... we--" Ann stopped, taking in the sight of Setsuna and Zoisite huddled together in a shared bed. She nudged Alan, who peeked out from behind his fingers, then lowered his hands sheepishly.
"We should have knocked," he admitted.
"You aren't kidding!" Zoisite snapped.
Despite her fury, the tree sprites were starting to grin. "Boy, do you ever have your friends fooled!" Ann remarked.
"What are you talking about?" Setsuna asked.
"They've been trying to make you two admit you love each other," Alan said. "Even going so far as to confine you here today."
"But they don't think it's working," Ann added.
Setsuna and Zoisite relaxed. They exchanged a knowing smile. "So they sent you two up to check on the situation, right?" Setsuna asked.
"We offered," Alan said. "But we didn't know we'd interrupt anything private."
"We're sorry," Ann said earnestly.
Zoisite sighed and smiled. "Oh, come here, you guys."
They sat down on the bed and she hugged them both. "Knowing how the two of you feel about love and intimacy, I can forgive you for popping in uninvited. Besides," she cast Setsuna a tender glance, "I'm so happy I'd forgive anyone for anything."
"We're happy for you," Ann said. "For both of you."
"Thanks," Setsuna said. "And I'm sure our friends will be happy for us as well. But they'll have to wait until tomorrow to receive the good news."
"They'll be gratified to know their plan worked," Alan told them.
"Except that it didn't." Zoisite giggled. "We discovered our mutual feelings before our day of confinement even began!"
"We don't have to tell them that, though." Setsuna squeezed Zoisite's hand. "Let them think they brought us together. Not many people have such good friends that they'd go to such lengths to ensure their happiness. Let them feel like they had a part in it."
"Okay," Zoisite agreed and kissed her, while Alan and Ann beamed.
"I think we'll check out now and let you get back to your 'punishment'." Ann winked.
"We'll just tell the girls that we didn't notice anything out of the ordinary," Alan said. "That way you can surprise them tomorrow."
"Thanks, guys," Zoisite said gratefully.
The sprites disappeared, and the two girls turned to each other, grinning. "Now where were we ...?" Setsuna murmured, putting her arms around Zoisite and drawing her into a kiss.

"Nuriko! Nuriko!"
"What? What?" The purple-haired beauty turned, but not in time to avoid being bowled over by four young girls.
"Watch it, you monsters!" Nuriko warned, the affection in her tone softening the sting of her words.
Together, she and the girls made a colorful sight in their heap on the floor; Nuriko's traditional Chinese robe contained almost as many shades as the girls' wardrobe combination. But even with a full-blown stereo system, she could never hope to match their volume.
"All right, quiet down and tell me what's wrong!" she commanded.
"Is it true you're leaving soon?" piped up the girl in blue, her lower lip trembling.
The one in pink and yellow pulled on her sleeve. "You wouldn't desert us, would you?"
"Don't be absurd," Nuriko replied. "My trip will be a brief one; I should be returning in a couple of days, if all goes well."
"And if it doesn't?" asked the girl in green tentatively.
"Then I'll have to stay until I get the job done," Nuriko said softly, her voice tinged with regret. The girls exchanged a look of concern, then the one in red touched Nuriko's shoulder.
"You do what you have to do," she told her, meeting her eyes. Nuriko was about to respond when a husky voice called out her name. She and the girls looked over to where three figures stood shadowed in a doorway. The centre shadow spoke again.
"It's time to go."

Lita put down a plate of pancakes on the breakfast table and removed her apron. "Dig in, everybody!"
Not one of the scouts made a move for the pancakes. Even Serena ignored them as she pouted down at her lap. Lita frowned at the long faces and looked to Luna and Artemis for help.
"They're upset about Setsuna and Zoisite," Luna explained.
"Oh." Lita took her seat and glanced at the two vacant chairs that remained. "I guess they'll be down soon."
"Yeah," Mina said morosely, "and nothing will have changed."
"I know we tried," Raye remarked. "But it would have been nice to see some kind of encouraging results for all our work."
"I guess we were wrong about them after all." Michiru sighed. Haruka slipped an arm around her shoulders and leaned her forehead against Michi's temple.
"Don't fret, love. Not everyone can be made for each other, the way we are."
"Oh yeah? Who says?" demanded a voice from the doorway. All heads turned toward it and the scouts gasped. Setsuna and Zoisite grinned at them, their arms around each other in a manner that left no mistake about it.
Mina leaped into the air gleefully. "Yippee! We did it!"
"Yaaaay!" Serena clapped her hands, bouncing in her seat.
Setsuna raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean you did it?"
The cheering died down. "We have a confession to make," Michiru said sheepishly. "We all conspired to bring the two of you together."
"Sure took you long enough, too," Haruka remarked.
Zoisite smiled at Setsuna. "Gee, don't we have great friends? They know us better than we know ourselves."
"We're so lucky." Setsuna winked and hugged her.
"Congratulations, you two!" Lita beamed. "Not only do you make a great couple, but now everyone will finally eat the breakfast I made!"
"Yeah! Food!" Serena exclaimed, and everyone laughed. Setsuna and Zoisite sat down, sharing a loving smile that only Haruka and Michiru were fully able to understand.

The pretty blue-haired boy sang softly along to a rock ballad being played on a stereo in the neighboring room. He was in the kitchen, cutting up shrimp and removing the bones. As he worked, he would put one shrimp aside, popping the next into his mouth.
"You'll be punished for sure if they catch you doing that."
"I'll take my chances," he responded in a musical voice. "They know they can't put me in front of seafood and expect me to ignore it."
"I think that's why they put you here. So you'll have to discipline yourself to ignore it."
The blue-haired boy finally cast a glance over his shoulder to the muscular pink-haired young man behind him. "Now why would they want me to discipline myself when they so enjoy doing it for me?"
The muscular boy laughed. "Good point."
A third teenage boy with shoulder-length blonde hair entered the room. "Did you hear? Nuriko's been sent to the mainland."
"For what purpose?" The blue-haired boy frowned.
"Do you have to ask?" the blonde said softly. The blue-haired boy lowered his gaze, turning slowly back to the shrimp.
"Are you sure about this?" pressed the muscular one.
The blonde shrugged. "JunJun told me."
"I guess she'd know."
"What if Nuriko just disappears?" the blue-haired boy whispered. "Who could blame anyone in that position for getting while the getting's good?"
"Nuriko wouldn't leave us," the blonde said, sounding disgusted at the suggestion.
"Don't berate him for asking, he can't help being worried." The muscular boy placed a hand on the blue-haired one's shoulder. "Instead of imagining the worst, think about what will happen when Nuriko returns."
"Better yet," the blonde remarked dryly, "think about what will happen if you eat more shrimp than you serve."
The blue-haired boy paused, a shrimp having been on its way to his open mouth. He finally placed it on the serving platter. "I'm not that hungry, anyway," he murmured, blushing.

Zoisite sat down at the lunch table in the cafeteria and smiled as she watched Michiru feel Haruka's forehead. "I thought her fever was gone," she remarked.
"It is, I just wanted to make sure," Michiru said, ruffling Haruka's already-tousled hair.
Haruka blew her nose into a tissue. "I've still got lingering traces of this thing, but at least the worst is over."
"Yaaaaay, lunch!" Serena plopped into a chair and placed her tray in front of her. Raye gave it a skeptical look and sat down.
"Only three desserts, Serena?" she asked dryly.
"Yeah, I know." Serena frowned at the plates. "They should have had more choices."
"Hi guys!" Amy, Mina, and Lita joined them.
"How are you feeling, Haruka?" Raye asked.
"A lot better," the tomboy replied, wiping her reddened nose again. "But I'll sure be glad when I stop dripping like a faucet."
Michiru murmured something in her ear that caused Haruka's cheeks to suddenly match her nose in colour. "Michi!" she gasped with an embarrassed laugh, then hugged the green-haired girl, who giggled.
"I don't get it. What did she say?" Serena asked curiously.
Raye elbowed her. "Private joke, Meatball Head."
"Yeah, like you understand it any better than me," Serena muttered.
Zoisite was about to bite into her sandwich when a pair of lightly- scented hands covered her eyes. "Guess who?" teased a familiar voice.
"Setsuna!" Zoisite turned in her chair and beamed up at the beautiful college student. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't stay away from you, so I thought I'd join you for lunch." Setsuna pulled up a chair next to Zoisite's, then slipped an arm around her and kissed her. Audible gasps and groans of disappointment were heard from neighboring tables.
"I think Zoisite's followers have just realized they have no chance with her," Haruka remarked.
"Maybe that was the idea?" Michiru gave Setsuna a mischievous look. Setsuna met her gaze, eyes twinkling.
"Hey, I have to stake my claim, don't I?"
"No, you don't," Zoisite assured her. "There's no one else for me but you, and I'll tell that to anybody who thinks I'm available.
"What about at your school, Set?" Haruka asked slyly. "Anyone figured out that you and Malachite aren't a couple?"
"As a matter of fact, yes." Setsuna smiled at Zoisite and squeezed her hand. "Several people from college saw us at the nightclub together and today asked me about who my date had been."
"And what was your answer?" Zoisite asked softly.
Setsuna touched her cheek. "I said she was my beautiful, incredibly sexy girlfriend."
The scouts watched the new couple kiss again, and Lita shook her head, smiling. "Those two are worse than Michi and Haruka!"
"I don't know about that," Amy said, her face flaming. "I've just guessed what Michi whispered to Haruka earlier."

End of Scouting Out Life Chapter 12

Story contents (C) 1997 Tenou Haruka

Sailor Moon characters (C) Naoko Takeuchi

Fushigi Yuugi characters (C) Watase Yuu