Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and company are created by Takeuchi Naoko, owned by TOEI animation and a plethora of other production and distribution companies, and I actually have no legal right to use any of these characters whatsoever. But please don't sue me; I have no money to give you anyway. BTW, "Romeo and Juliet" was copyrighted by William Shakespeare several centuries ago. And no, I do not have written permission from the author to quote the play . . . but I do anyway. My apologies. Rating: PG (Mild violence, two instances of swearing, both in the first scene of the first act.) indicates thought. _underscored text_ indicates emphasis I realize that sometimes Shakespeare's prose is full of obscure cultural references and outdated phrases, so I've added footnotes where appropriate. I'm sorry, but I couldn't number the footnotes because this is a text document. A footnote is indicated by a star (*) and the corresponding information is found at the end of the story. There aren't many of them, and because I've specifically referenced each one they should not be hard to look up. My apologies for not being able to number the footnotes. Continuity: This story is set after episode 187 but before episode 188 of Sailor Stars. The Three Lights and Usagi and her friends are getting along fine without knowing each other's secret identities. However, Aluminum Siren has just discovered Usagi's identity as Sailor Moon. As a fair warning, this story is rather silly. I do not know if a Japanese high school would ever do a production of "Romeo and Juliet," but for the sake of this story, I've taken a little creative license. And I realize that Usagi and company would probably be quoting Shakespeare in Japanese and not in old English, but once again I have taken artistic license and kept Shakespeare's writing the way it was meant to be . . . except in the parts where I alter it to fit the story! ^_^ Also, there are some parts where certain scenes are paraphrased or passages shortened, for the sake of keeping this story under a reasonable length. Japanese terms used in this text: Odango = dumpling, the nickname that Seiya uses for Usagi Nani = What? Ano = Um or Uh Kawaii neko = cute cat Suteki = good-looking Ne = "Hey," an attention-getter Sugoi = Great! or Super! Moshi-moshi = a greeting when one answers the phone Ja ne = informal goodbye Ohayou = Hello Minna-san = everybody Baka = fool or idiot Masaka = Impossible! Uranus-tachi = collectively refers to all of the Outer Senshi Without further adieu . . . Romeo and Minako Written By Kotetsu Two aliens, both alike in dignity, In fair Juuban High, where we lay our scene, From recent grudge break to new mutiny, Where civil words make civil minds unclean. From forth the fatal consolation of these two friends A pair of star-crossed lovers change their life; Whose misadventured piteous overthrows Doth with their love bury their friends' strife. The fearful passage of their serendipitous love, And the continuance of their enemy's rage, Which, but their Star Seed's end, naught could remove Is now the two-hour's (or more or less) traffic of this page; The which if you with patient mind attend, What here shall miss, our toil will strive to end. ACT ONE *****(Scene One: Early, before school, Juuban High)***** "Mercutio is clever, charismatic, outgoing, and a leader," Taiki explained slowly. "In short, the perfect part for a guy like you. Every girl in the audience will be swooning when you give that speech about Queen Mab. And there won't be a dry eye in the theater during your death at the hands of the villainous Tybalt." Seiya blinked with confusion. "So . . . why shouldn't I be Romeo again?" Taiki grit his teeth but managed to conceal all other visible signs of his annoyance. "I just think that you would make a better Mercutio, that's all." "But I should be Romeo!" exclaimed Seiya dramatically. "The tragic romantic fool, right? Isn't that what you've accused me of being these past couple of weeks? Aren't I perfect for the part?! Odango will---" "Odango will certainly _not_ get the part of Juliet. She won't even by trying out. Seiya, don't delude yourself. You could coach her to play softball, but playing the lead in a Shakespearean tragedy is an entirely different---" "You're plotting something, aren't you, by cerebral friend?" Taiki winced. "I don't know what you're talking about. All I'm saying is that you should audition for the role of Mercutio, and not for the role of Romeo." Seiya was carefully scrutinizing his friend, almost squinting. "It was your idea to have the drama department produce Romeo and Juliet, wasn't it? And we all know that you're probably going to be the director, right?" His eyes narrowed. "Since when did you care about the drama department in this puny little Earthling-filled high school?" "Um . . . I don't know what you're talking about." Seiya shrugged. "Geez, and all this time I thought you were just being nice and giving me a chance to play Romeo with my Odango." Taiki swiftly glanced over his shoulder, making sure the hallway was still deserted. He knew that he only had a few moments before the first students started arriving at the school, so he had to act quickly. Realizing that he had no other choice, he gracefully dropped onto one knee and clasped Seiya's hand. Seiya's jaw dropped. "NANI?!" "Please, please, please do not audition for the part of Romeo!" begged Taiki as he implored Seiya with his mournful violet eyes. "W-Why not? What are you up to?" "Okay, I'll tell you. I'll even let you in on a share of the profits. Just please promise not to audition for the role of Romeo!" "I knew it! You made a bet with someone, didn't you? And it involves money, too!" Seiya pulled his hand away from Taiki and pumped his fists victoriously in the air. "I knew it! I knew it! Mister Studious-Goody-Too-Shoes has a gambling fetish! I always knew that someday you would do something stupid like this!" "_It's not a gambling fetish!_" growled Taiki as he stood up. "It's a stupid mistake, and I regret it! But at the time my judgement was a bit impaired, and I wasn't about to let her get the best of me--" "HER?! Who goaded you into the bet?!" Taiki sighed and pressed his fingers to the bridge of his nose, where he could feel a headache forming. "Miss Mizuno. Damn her black heart! Damn that manipulative vixen! How was I supposed to know that orange juice would have such an effect of my body chemistry? I didn't even know what 'slurred speech' _was_ until she so kindly pointed it out . . . By the way, you and I should remember to stay away from anything with excessive amounts of citric acid." "Oh, man, you made a bet against Ami? What was it about?" Taiki leaned over and whispered his secret to Seiya, who nearly gave himself a hernia when he doubled over laughing hysterically a moment later. * * * Yaten was waiting less-than-patiently in the still-empty classroom when the other two Lights entered. He leaned back in his chair, tapped a paperback copy of 'Romeo and Juliet' against his desk, and glared daggers in Taiki's direction. "This? You chose _this_ for the drama department? And you'll be the director?" "So, then, you finished reading it?" asked Taiki as he sat down at his desk. Seiya sat down and commenced staring at the blackboard, afraid that the moment he glanced in Taiki's direction he would begin to laugh uncontrollably. "They'll hate it," whined Yaten. "Everybody dies in the end. And the language is old-fashioned and difficult to follow. Granted, I loved it, but I don't think the ignorant masses will be so appreciative." "I considered that when I chose it," explained Taiki. "And I realized that I needed a truly magnificent cast to portray the romance and tragedy in the story. Only the most talented actors and actresses can make the audience understand Shakespeare's story, even if they don't understand Shakespeare's language." "And just where do you expect to find such talent in this school?" Taiki rose from his seat, marched over to Yaten's desk, yanked the script from his hands, flipped to the desired page, and thrust the open book in front of Yaten's face, his index finger marking his desired line. "Read," demanded Taiki. Yaten looked perturbed for a moment, then shrugged his shoulders and sighed. "Whatever you say, Mr. Director," he said. " 'If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a gentle kiss.' " Seiya turned away from the blackboard and clapped. "Sugoi!" "Bravo, bravo, well done," agreed Taiki. "Oh, shit," muttered Yaten, as he suddenly realized where this all was leading. "Yaten, if you audition for the part of Romeo, you'll be a shoe- in," stated Taiki matter-of-factly. "Really, if you let anybody else take the role of Romeo, it will be an injustice to Shakespeare's work," elaborated Seiya. Yaten pouted. "Romeo is childish, immature, brash, and uncouth. Wouldn't he be a better part for Seiya to play?" Seiya stood up with a flourish and pointed as his chest proudly. "I'm going to be Mercutio!" he declared. Taiki leaned forward so that he towered over the sitting Yaten. "It will be challenging to portray a character so utterly different from your own sensibilities. But you've never been one to back down from a challenge, right?" Yaten cowered. "Not if it's a boring and stupid challenge!" Taiki leaned further forward as his eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you calling my choice for the drama production boring and stupid? Are you accusing Shakespeare of being boring and stupid? Are you saying that landing one of the most coveted roles in the role of stage theater is boring and stupid?!" Yaten shrank back in his seat. "I never said-----" "I would just agree with him, if I were you," laughed Seiya. "After all, he is twice your height." Yaten shot Seiya a murderous glare. "Thanks a lot, pal." Then he turned his face upwards to meet the threatening Taiki squarely in the eye. "I'll do it, but I had better have a damn good Juliet alongside me." Taiki popped backwards and clapped happily, giggling with glee. In Yaten's eyes, he was even scarier than he had been moments before. "A 'damn good' Juliet? Oh, that can be arranged," giggled Taiki. *****(Scene Two: Early, before school, deserted courtyard at Juuban High)***** (Enter Mizuno Ami, Kino Makoto, Aino Minako, and Tsukino Usagi. The four have assembled to discuss strategies dealing with Galaxia and the Sailor Animates.) Makoto: Minako, on my word, we'll not carry coals.* Minako: No, for then we should be colliers.** Makoto: I mean, and we be in choler, we'll draw.*** Ami: Aye, while you live, draw your neck out of collar. Usagi: I strike quickly, being moved. Minako: But thou art not quickly moved to strike. Usagi: A dog of the house of Galaxia moves me. Ami: To move is to stir, and to be valiant is to stand. Therefore, if thou art moved, thou run'st away. Usagi: A dog of that house shall move me to stand. I will take the wall of any Animate or phage of Galaxia's. "We know you'll always be there for us, Usagi," sighed Makoto. "But we're still worried. Aluminum Siren and Lead Crow have already infiltrated our school at least once. We have to be prepared for action at any moment. And with Chibi-Chibi and the Three Lights to protect, things might get . . . difficult." "Minna-san, you worry to much!" insisted Usagi. "We've got the Sailor Starlights and Uranus and Neptune and Pluto and Saturn on our side! We can afford to try to live like normal teenagers, if just for a little bit!" "I agree," said Ami quietly. There was a moment of silence. "EEEEEEEH?????" came the shocked response from the other three girls. Ami's bright blue eyes were shining with something indescribable. "We're in our first year of high school, and we ought to be having fun! If we worry too much about Galaxia, we'll kill ourselves with paranoia and stress. In fact, I vote we go inside right now and check the bulletin boards to see what fun activities we can participate in." Minako's left eye was twitching slightly. "Like, you mean . . . computer club, right?" Ami turned toward Minako and smiled dazzlingly. "I don't think that you'd have much fun in computer club, Minako. But I was thinking of an activity that we could all do together. So that we'd always have strength in numbers if . . . something happened." "Why don't you guys all join the gardening club?" suggested Makoto enthusiastically. "Ano, I'm not very good at growing things . . . I once had a flower in a pot in my room, but I kept forgetting to water it and it wilted and died . . ." Usagi sighed. "Luna said that I had a black thumb." "Let's go inside before it gets to crowded, and see what activities are posted," suggested Ami, quite reasonably. Nobody even suspected that it was all a carefully laid trap. Just as Ami had expected, as soon as they entered the building, Minako's eyes immediately fell upon the colorful poster hung on the wall. "AAAAAAAAAACK!" she screamed, nearly shattering glass. "ROMEO AND JULIET! OMIGOD! IT'S SOOOOOOOOO ROMANTIC!" "NANI?!" squealed Makoto and Usagi. "It's perfect!" exclaimed Minako. "I, Aino Minako, the most beautiful and talented singer and volley-ball player and future idol, am also an incredibly talented actress! Only a true goddess of love and beauty will suit the role of Juliet!" She swooned dramatically. "Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?" "What's a 'romeo'?" asked Usagi, scratching her head. "It would be nice if we were all involved in the production," said Ami. "I can work on engineering the light and sound, Makoto can sew costumes, Minako can act, and Usagi . . ." Usagi blinked, confused. "What can I do?" Makoto grimaced. "Usagi, have you ever heard of William Shakespeare?" "Yummy . . . Shake and Bake . . . " Ignoring everything going on around her, Minako began kissing her own hands erotically. " 'Saints have hands that holy pilgrims' hands do touch, / And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.' " She suddenly turned her face heaven-ward, and twinkling stars shone in her eyes. "Playing the role of Juliet is my first step on the road to stardom!" Ami turned toward Makoto and shrugged resignedly. "We'll figure out something for Usagi to do." Minako had already pulled out a pen and was roaming the hallways, searching the walls for the audition sheet. "Where do I sign up for the role of Juliet?" she asked the empty hallway as she wandered away from her friends. The first students began straggling into Juuban High, and time passed quickly until classes began. Thus the day passed as normal. And the day after that. And the next day after that, except that after school the drama club held the auditions for the roles in "Romeo and Juliet." And the next morning . . . . . . The results of the auditions were posted. "AAAAAAARGH! NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kou Yaten's anguished cry reverberated through the crowded hallways of Juuban High School as he read the posting. He sank to his knees despondently, as Seiya gripped his slight shoulders in a stooping bear hug. "Congratulations, Romeo!" laughed Seiya maliciously. "Yoooo-hoooo! My Rome-oooooo!" called Aino Minako from the other side of the hallway. She blew the slumped Yaten a kiss as she skipped away, eager to go gloat to her friends how she had just landed the role of Juliet. *****(Scene Three: Backstage, after school)***** That day after school had ended, Yaten found Seiya behind the theater stage, digging through a box of props. "I've been looking all over for you," grumbled Yaten impatiently. "Taiki's waiting for us. Let's go home." "I found one!" exclaimed Seiya triumphantly as he pulled his treasure from a tangle of lamps, phones, books, and sections of a disassembled chandelier. "What are you doing?" asked Yaten, far more annoyed than curious. Seiya examined the blunt-pointed fencing foil, running his fingers along its length. "These are just too cool . . ." "Oh, so you're excited about using your sword? Do you have any idea about the Freudian implications inherent----" Suddenly Seiya whirled around and pointed the tip of his sword at Yaten's chest. " 'Thou! Why, thou wilt quarrel with a man that hath a hair more or a hair less in his beard than thou hast. Thou wilt quarrel with a man for cracking nuts, having no other reason but because thou hast emerald eyes. What eye but such an eye would spy out such a quarrel? Thy head is as full of quarrels as an egg is full of meat; and yet thy head hath been beaten as addle as an egg for quarreling. Thou hast quarreled with a man for coughing in the street, because he hath wakened thy dog that hath lain asleep in the sun. Didst thou not fall out with a tailor for wearing his new doublet before Easter? With another for tying his new shoes with old riband?' " "Congratulations," said Yaten dryly. "You've already begun memorizing your lines." Seiya flicked the sword away from Yaten's chest, and bowed with a flourish. "Thank you, thank you. But I still think that you have an attitude problem." "What's your point?" "I suspect that you won't be very nice to the lovely Aino Minako during rehearsal tomorrow." "Since when was I very nice to anyone?" "Touché." Seiya shrugged. "I just think you're discounting the poor girl before she gets a chance to prove herself." Yaten snorted. "You've got it all wrong! I'm afraid that she's TOO suited to play the role of Juliet." Seiya blinked, confused "Huh?" "Juliet is a vain, shallow girl who falls in love with some random pretty-boy that she meets for only one night at a party. She knows nothing about the _real_ Romeo, except that he is handsome and a smooth-talking romantic. After only one night flirting with him, she commands him to marry her tomorrow." "Do you really think that Minako is like that?" Yaten made a face. "She _thinks_ she's in love with us. Because we're handsome, and we're idols. The stupid girl doesn't know the difference between love and infatuation. She doesn't understand that real love requires a deep and intimate understanding between two like souls. I don't think she's ever really been in love before. She just thinks she has known true love. That's why I think she'll make a perfect Juliet. Too perfect. I'm afraid of how she'll start acting toward me when we're not rehearsing. I don't think that distinguishing fantasy from reality is her strong point . . . I don't want her to get any wrong ideas." Seiya narrowed his eyes. "You do think too highly of yourself." Yaten sighed impatiently and turned away from Seiya. "I'm leaving now. You can come, if you want. If not, Taiki and I will drive home anyway, and you'll have to walk." As Yaten walked away, Seiya made no move to follow. Instead, he remarked softly to Yaten's receding figure, "You didn't hear what Taiki told me about her audition. She sent shivers down the backs of every member of the drama club. Even when just reading Juliet's lines, she sounded as if she had really been in love before." *****(Scene Four: The next day, after school. Rehearsal has begun in the school auditorium)***** Minako showed up for rehearsal the next afternoon with Artemis in his customary wicker basket. The theatre was buzzing with activity. Actors wandered around the stage, rehearsing their lines and posing dramatically. Sitting downstage with his feet dangling in the orchestra pit, Seiya practiced his lines to the rapt one-woman audience sitting beside him, Tsukino Usagi. Makoto was desperately trying to chase down the student that portrayed Benvolio, waving a bolt of cloth and pair of scissors over her head, shouting, "Wait! I have to get your measurements!" Standing at center stage and craning their necks, Ami and her friends from the computer club examined the light fixtures overhead. Set-builders bustled around backstage. Hammers thudded and power-saws whirred. Standing just behind the thick velvet curtain that normally enclosed the stage, Minako clutched her whicker basket nervously. "Artemis, this is a pretty big production, isn't it?" Artemis poked his head out of the basket and observed the scene with his large blue eyes. "Hai, this must be a pretty big deal for the drama club." "I'm so nervous," sighed Minako. "My Romeo hasn't even looked in my direction since yesterday. What if he thinks I'm no good?" "Then he must be very stupid," stated Artemis vehemently. Minako giggled. "So, I must prove to Yaten just how romantic I can be!" "Aino-san, who on Earth are you talking to?" Minako whirled around and emitted one of her patented shrieks. Kou Yaten was standing right behind her, a profoundly bored expression on his face. "Uh, Yaten! Um, didn't see you there! Um, nobody! I was talking to myself!" Yaten raised an eyebrow. "You're a strange girl. If you were talking to your cat, why not just admit it?" "Meow?" mewed Artemis innocently. Minako's jaw dropped. "T-t-talking to my cat!?" She giggled, high-pitched and nervous. "Now why would I do something silly like that? It's not like cats talk back, do they?" Yaten reached into the wicker basket and began scratching Artemis behind the ears. His lips curved into a small, quirky smile. "It's not so strange to talk to cats. Cats are better listeners than most people anyway. And it's a blessing if they don't talk back." Artemis purred, and looked as if he were on the verge of orgasm. "Kawaii neko . . ." sighed Yaten as he pulled his hand away from Artemis. He turned toward Minako. "I didn't know you had a cat." "His name is Artemis." "Artemis was the Greek goddess of the moon, the virgin huntress who swore never to marry and never to grow old. Are you aware that you gave your male cat a very female name?" Minako shrugged. "I didn't name him." Yaten shook his head. "You're strange. But you must have good taste, to end up with such a cat. Cats aren't exactly the most loyal creatures in the world. They only stay with an owner if the owner is . . . ah, worthy." Minako's cheeks flushed. "Was that a compliment?" she asked coyly as she batted her eyelashes. Yaten smacked his forehead with his hand. "Ye Gods!" he cried out in exasperation. Then he stormed off, leaving Minako startled, wide-eyed, and blinking with confusion. "What? What? Was it something I said?" she asked Artemis. "Oh, Minako, you'll never learn," her cat sighed. Minako was about to start off after Yaten and apologize when she heard Taiki bellowing at the top of his lungs, "CAST ON STAGE NOW!" Finally, rehearsal had begun. Minako threw down the wicker basket, ignoring Artemis' sudden cry of pain and outrage, and hurried onto the stage. The rest of the cast assembled around her, but Yaten and Seiya had carefully placed themselves so that there were quite a few people between them and Minako. Taiki marched back and forth in front of the orchestra pit, tapping a rolled-up copy of the script in one hand. He frowned as he examined his troops, who nervously shuffled back and forth and murmured among themselves. At first everybody had been excited to have a celebrity as the director, but rumors that Taiki was a legendary stickler for perfection had quickly spread. Now, as the nervous cast quivered under his icy glare, it seemed as if everyone's worst suspicions had been confirmed. "Tonight," Taiki began, "We will block act one in its entirety. Tomorrow, act two. And so forth. By the time we are finished blocking, I expect all lines to be memorized. Did everybody remember to bring a pencil?" "Hai, hai," murmured the actors. "We begin now," declared Taiki. "CLEAR STAGE! PROULOUGE, NOW!" Minako hurried backstage, where Makoto, Ami, and Usagi were already waiting for her. "Guys, I'm soooo nervous!" she whispered as she approached them. Strangely, Ami was smiling smugly. "Taiki sure is acting like a slave-driver. He has half the cast scared to death." Makoto sighed dramatically. "Did you see the guy playing Benvolio? Suteki! Her looks just like my old sempai." "Ne, Ami-chan," asked Usagi, tapping Ami on the shoulder. "Why is Taiki being so serious about this?" "People only take things seriously when something important is at stake. In this case, I think that Taiki has something to prove. Or he may have something to lose." Usagi stared at Ami for a moment, then shrugged. "Whatever." The four girls whispered excitedly in the darkness behind the curtains until Minako suddenly gasped. "Hush, you guys! It's Yaten's entrance!" She peeked around the curtain and watched, rapt and silent. The Lord and Lady Montague were just exiting the stage when Yaten entered. " 'Good morrow, cousin,' " greeted Benvolio, who was standing just a few feet away from where Minako watched. " 'Is the day so young?' " sighed Yaten, looking thoroughly forlorn and miserable. " 'But new struck at nine,' " replied Benvolio cheerfully. " 'Ay, me! Sad hours seem long. Was that my father that went hence so fast?' " " 'It was. What sadness lengthens Romeo's hours?' " " 'Not having that which makes them short.' " " 'In love?' " " 'Out--' " " 'Of love?' " " 'Out of her favor where I am in love.' " " 'Alas that love, so gentle in his view, Should be so tyrannous and rough in proof!' " " 'Alas that love, whose view is muffled still, Should without eyes see pathways to his will! Where shall we dine? Oh, me! What fray was here? Yet tell me not, for I have heard it all. Here's much to do with hate, but more with love. Why then, O brawling love, O loving hate, O anything, of nothing first created! Oh heavy lightness, serious vanity, Misshapen chaos of well-seeming forms, Feather of lead, bright smoke, cold fire, sick health, Still-waking sleep, that is not what it is! This love feel I, That feel no love in this. Dost thou not laugh?' " " 'No, coz, I rather weep.' " "Sugoi," sighed Minako from behind the curtain. The other three girls had gathered around her and were watching also. "Ami, what are they saying?" asked Usagi "Romeo is in love with a woman named Rosaline, who won't even give him the time of day. He's so infatuated with her that he starts babbling nonsense to his cousin Benvolio. But Benvolio knows that Romeo isn't really in love, and that he'll get over Rosaline. So Benvolio makes fun of Romeo." "Listening to Yaten, you'd think he really was in love with somebody," observed Makoto. "He must miss her terribly, whoever that person is." "Hey, Luna said that he was in love with some lady!" Usagi suddenly remembered. Minako's cheeks felt flushed and hot. "She must be very lucky, whoever she is," Minako whispered quietly to herself. "Who, Yaten? In love with somebody? Don't make me laugh." Four heads snapped around in sudden surprise. "Seiya!" the girls gasped. Seiya plopped down next to Usagi and rested his head in his hands. "He's just acting, Odango. Our poor little Yaten has never fallen in love before. He's never found anybody _good_ enough for him. And still, he considers himself an expert in the field." "Like somebody else that we know?" teased Makoto. Seiya laughed and winked at her. "Wisdom comes from experience," he said. Usagi pouted. "Yeah, right. You don't know how to win a girl's heart." "Odango, what are you saying?" asked Seiya, pretending to be hurt. The two continued to giggle and flirt, but Minako had stopped paying attention to them. She fell still and silent, watching the action onstage. Yaten, as Romeo, continued to mope and sigh over the lovely Rosaline, while Benvolio egged him on. Finally, Romeo and Benvolio exited, and it was time for Scene Two to begin. Excusing herself, Minako left her post by the curtain and worked her way backstage to the opposite end of the theater, preparing for her entrance. Scene Two passed quickly as Minako waited in the dark behind the other end of the curtain. Romeo and Benvolio met a servant from the house of Capulet, carrying an invitation to the dinner party at the Capulet's mansion. Benvolio told Romeo that he should go to the feast, hoping that Romeo would meet and fall in love with someone other than Rosaline. Then the three exited upstage of Minako, and Scene Three began. Lady Capulet and the Nurse were onstage, looking for Juliet. " 'Nurse, where's my daughter? Call her forth to me,' " demanded Lady Capulet. " 'Now, by my maidenhead at twelve years old, I bade her come,'" responded the Nurse. " 'What, lamb! What, ladybird! God forbid, where's this girl? What, Juliet!' " Taking a deep breath, clutching her script in her sweaty hands, Minako strode onto the stage. " 'How now? Who calls?' " she demurred sweetly. " 'Your mother,' " the nurse chided her. " 'Madam, I am here. What is your will?' " Minako addressed the Lady Capulet. On the edge of her peripheral vision, she caught site of her friends silently clapping and cheering her on. She could also see Taiki as he sat in the front row of the auditorium seats, watching intently and pausing every now and then to make a note to himself on his script. Minako finished Scene Three, in which she actually had very few lines. The Lady Capulet and the Nurse spent most of the scene gushing about the handsome Paris, her wealthy suitor that would be at the feast that night. The scene was relatively short, and before Minako knew it she had exited the stage and it was time for Scene Four. The moment that Seiya stepped onstage at the start of Scene Four, Minako knew that he had been perfectly cast. Swaggering and laughing cheerily, he launched into the Queen Mab speech with enthusiasm. " 'I dreamt a dream tonight,' " sighed Romeo wistfully. " 'And so did I,' " responded Mercutio. " 'Well, what was yours?' " " 'That dreamers often lie.' " " 'In bed asleep, while they do dream things true.' " " 'O, then I see Queen Mab hath been with you. She is the fairies' midwife, and she comes In shape no bigger than an agate stone On the forefinger of an alderman, Drawn with a team of little atomies Over men's noses as they lie asleep; Her wagon spokes made of long spinners'* legs, The cover, of the wings of grasshoppers; Her traces, of the smallest spider web; Her collars, of the moonshine's wat'ry beams; Her whip, of cricket's bone; the lash, of film; Her wagoner, a small gray-coated gnat, Not half so big a round little worm Pricked from the lazy finger of a maid; Her chariot is an empty hazelnut, Made by the joiner squirrel or old grub, Time out o'mind the fairies' coach-makers. And in this state she gallops night by night Through lover's brains, and they dream of love; On courtier's knees, that dream of curtsies straight; O'er lawyer's fingers, who straight dream of fees; O'er ladies' lips, who straight on kisses dream; Which oft the angry Mab with blisters plagues, Because their breath the sweetmeats tainted are. Sometimes she gallops o'er a courtier's nose, And then he dreams of smelling out a suit;** And sometimes comes she with a tithe pig's tail Tickling a parson's nose as 'a lies asleep; Then he dreams of another benefice.*** And sometimes she driveth o'er a soldier's neck, And then dreams he of cutting foreign throats, Of breaches, ambuscadoes, Spanish blades, Of healths* five fathom deep; and then anon Drums in his ear, at which he starts and wakes, And thus being frightened, swears a prayer or two And sleeps again . . . ' " though Minako as she watched from backstage. Finally, Romeo managed to hush Mercutio (who by now had become quite carried away with himself), and Scene Four ended. The party began in Scene Five. Minako talked softly and socialized with the extras upstage while Romeo and company crashed the party downstage from her. It took every ounce of her will power not to blush and swoon when Romeo spotted her from downstage and exclaimed, " 'Did my heart love till now? Forswear it, sight! For I ne'er saw true beauty till this night.' " Minako handed her wine glass to one of the extras and wandered downstage, trying to act as if she had no clue what was going to happen next. Innocently, she stood at center stage, and managed to gasp in surprise when Yaten suddenly appeared next to her and clasped her hand. " 'If I profane with my unworthiest hand This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand To smooth that rough touch with a gentle kiss.' " Having said that, Yaten brought her hand toward his mouth and kissed it, gently. His lips felt warm and smooth on her skin. From that point onward, Minako really stopped acting. The flushed cheeks, wide eyes, and thumping heart were all manifestations of some very real emotions. " 'Good pilgrim,' " she managed, " 'You do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this; For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss.' " " 'Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?' " " 'Ay, pilgrim, lips that they must use in prayer.' " " 'Oh then, dear saint, let lips do what hands do! They pray; grant thou, lest faith turn to despair.' " " 'Saints do not move, though grant for prayers' sake.' " " 'Then move not while my prayer's effect I take. Thus from my lips, by thine my sin is purged.' " Yaten pulled her toward him, and she stumbled as little as she moved into his embrace. Minako closed her eyes as he bent toward her, wrapping one arm around her waist and intertwining the fingers of his other hand with her fingers. She held her breath and parted her lips, feeling the warmth of his skin as his lips came closer to hers . . . Yaten pecked her slightly on the cheek, then pulled away from her. Minako's arms flopped limply to her side. she thought. But she stood still and listless, still a little flushed, just as if she really was the Juliet who had just been kissed by a handsome stranger. " 'Then my lips the sin that they have took,' " she panted breathlessly. " 'Sin from my lips? O trespass sweetly urged! Give me my sin again.' " Once again, Yaten pulled Minako into his warm embrace, but this time she was not surprised when he kissed her quickly on the other cheek. She knew that to the audience and the other actors onstage it must look as if they truly were kissing on the lips . . . If only that were really the case! " 'You kiss by th' book,' " she muttered dryly as he pulled away again. Then the Nurse interrupted their romantic interlude, and Romeo fled from the party. Within moments, the scene was over, and the tired and exhausted actors were assembling onstage for the director's comments. Taiki stood in front of his assembled troops, pouring over the notes he had written in his script. "Scene One, line 106 - Lord Montague, that's your cue to move downstage and closer to Benvolio. Line 120 - Lady Montague, you should sound more worried. Not very convincing there . . ." The comments went on, as the actors frowned and nodded and marked up their scripts. The techies and props people watched from backstage, whispering among themselves. Taiki went on for several minutes, then seemed to finish with his notes as he closed his script and sighed. Finally, he surveyed the cast assembled before him and smiled slightly. "Good job, all," he said. The cast and crew took this as their dismissal, and the rehearsal ended. *****(Scene Five: The Three Light's Apartment, later that night.)***** Yaten wandered into the kitchen, delicately sniffing the air. "Am I suffering from severe stress-induced hallucinations, or is somebody cooking something?" Taiki straightened up, for he had been bending over a pot of boiling spaghetti. "Tonight is a celebration," he said explained. "Thus, we deviate from our normal diet of microwavable cups of noodles," added Seiya, who was already sitting at the kitchen table, clutching a fork in one hand and a knife in the other. "You don't eat this stuff with chopsticks?" asked Yaten as he took a seat next to Seiya. "Nah, this isn't Japanese. These are Italian noodles. And those crazy Europeans insist on eating their food with utensils that most other countries consider to be murder weapons," said Taiki as he sampled a spoonful of bubbling tomato sauce. "Dare I ask why we're celebrating?" Seiya raised his fork in a gesture of triumph. "For our swoon- inducing Romeo!" "For our lovely, blushing Juliet!" Taiki enthused as he removed the tomato sauce from the stovetop. "For our handsome and dashing Mercutio!" continued Seiya. "For Queen Mab!" "For Rosaline!" "For the Montagues and the Capulets!" "For the passionate kisses our blushing pilgrim bestowed upon the virgin saint!" Yaten laughed softly and shook his head. "Come on, you guys. It's not like we actually kissed or anything." Seiya's fork came crashing down onto the table. Taiki started and nearly dropped the pot of spaghetti he was carrying to the sink. Both of the Lights stared at Yaten with slack jaws and bulging eyes. "You . . ." gasped Seiya. " . . . didn't . . ." breathed Taiki as he dumped the spaghetti in the drainer, his eyes never leaving the dumbfounded Yaten. " . . . really . . ." " . . . kiss . . ." " . . . Minako . . ." Taiki suddenly threw down the empty pot, grabbed the huge metal stirring spoon from where he had left it next to the stove, covered the distance between himself and Yaten in three giant strides of his long legs, and whacked Yaten soundly over the head with the spoon. "No! NO! BAD ROMEO!" he roared. "OW! WHAT'D YOU DO THAT FOR?!" yelped Yaten. "I just kissed her on the cheek!!! What's so bad about that?!" Taiki towered over the tiny Yaten like a roiling black thundercloud. "Would ROMEO just kiss Juliet on the cheek? Would ROMEO only pretend to give Juliet a real kiss?! Would ROMEO---" "I'm NOT ROMEO!" Yaten quivered, but stood his ground. "I am Kou Yaten, and I am not just about to kiss somebody on the lips if they're almost a total stranger to me!" "I don't care who you are or how you feel about kissing, on my stage YOU ARE ROMEO AND YOU WILL GIVE JULIET A KISS ON THE LIPS AND YOU WILL ENJOY IT SO HELP YOU GOD!!!!" With that, Taiki whacked Yaten once more with the spoon, and stormed out of the kitchen, grumbling something about "prissy prima-donna actors." The kitchen was silent. Seiya stared at Yaten with his jaw hanging open, and Yaten rubbed the sore spot on his head and stared at the fingers of his other hand resting on the table. Finally, Seiya broke the silence. "Hey, Yaten, didn't I always tell you not to pick a fight with somebody who was twice your height?" Yaten raised his eyes to meet Seiya's, and he smiled gratefully. "Uh, thanks." Seiya twirled his fork around in his fingers. "So o o o o o," he drawled, "Other than the fact that you didn't want to really kiss her, what did you think of Minako tonight?" "Just as I suspected," sighed Yaten. "She was good. Too good. At the end of scene five, she seemed as though she was about to grab ME and kiss ME." "Infatuation?" "Of course. But then again, you would know. You seem to be the resident expert in that area." Seiya made no response, and Yaten fell silent for a moment. Then, he gathered up his courage and blurted out, "Seiya, tell me honestly - what is up with Taiki and this stupid play?" "Huh?" was Seiya's intelligent response. "I mean, he's taking this whole thing way too seriously. It's not like him at all. Is there something going on here that I don't know about?" "Hmmmmmm . . ." Seiya frowned and studied his twirling fork. "I wish I knew." "You're a terrible liar." Seiya suddenly stood up and wandered over to the sink. "So, uh, do you still want some spaghetti?" "Nah," replied Yaten as he pushed his chair away from the table and also stood up. "I don't think my stomach can handle any substantial food tonight." "Suit yourself," said Seiya as he began dishing spaghetti onto a plate. "But you're missing out on an authentic Italian meal." "I'm going out," announced Yaten as he left the kitchen. "I'll be back before long, I promise." "Where are you going?" called out Seiya after him. "Dunno," admitted Yaten as he left the apartment, leaving behind a dumbfounded Seiya. Yaten wandered the streets of Tokyo, breathing the chilly night air slowly in and out of his dry, raw throat. He kept his head bowed low and let his scruffy, mussed bangs obscure his face so that so passer-by would recognize him. He walked in no particular direction, occasionally turning right and left, not really paying attention to where he was headed or what he was passing along the way. It felt good just to walk, to stop thinking, to stop concentrating on anything at all. His head still smarted where Taiki had whacked him, and he suspected that he would have a nice swollen bump in the morning. Damn that stupid Taiki! Since when did he care about a stupid high school drama production anyway? Something was amiss . . . Something was not right in Yaten's world. Yaten was so busy mentally grumbling about his miserable life that he didn't even realize that he had wandered into a telephone booth until he heard soft "shhhk" of his hand sliding his phone card into the card slot. Trusting his hands to do the thinking for him, he dialed the first number that came to his mind and waited patiently while the phone on the other end of the line rang once, twice, three times. After the third ring, there was a click and a cheerful voice greeted him. "Moshi-moshi?" "It's Yaten." "Yaten-kun! Hi! Why are you calling? Is something wrong?" For a moment, Aino Minako sounded worried. "Is everything alright?" "As a matter of fact, no. I was wondering if you could meet me somewhere private tomorrow, preferably early in the morning? We need to talk." "T-Talk? About what?" "If I could talk about it now, I wouldn't ask you to meet me tomorrow, would I?" "Oh, right." Minako giggled nervously. "Um, how about the back entrance to the school, one hour before the bell?" "Sounds great." "Ja ne." "Bye-bye." Yaten hung up the phone, sighed, and shook his head. Why did something as insignificant as a school play have to end up causing so many problems? *****(Scene Six: The back entrance to Juuban High, one hour before the bell. Kou Yaten is waiting impatiently underneath the shade of a large tree, tapping his foot and glancing at his watch.)***** Minako came bounding across the school yard, hair and skirt bouncing as she ran. "I'm sorry I'm late!" she called out as she approached Yaten. Yaten frowned and placed his hands on his hips. Minako skidded to a halt in front of him, frightened by the scowling look on his face. "So, what's gotten you so upset?" she asked him, deciding to get down to business quickly so that she wouldn't have to endure his angry expression a moment longer than was absolutely necessary. Yaten cocked his head, still scowling, scrutinizing her. "Last night," he began, "I got a bit of a tongue-lashing from Taiki about the last scene that we did together." "Uh, what?" asked Minako, unsure where Yaten was going or why he looked so angry at her. "It seems that he wants me to really kiss you on the lips," stated Yaten matter-of-factly. "Nani?!" "Yup, he says it's only what Romeo would do." "So, why did you call me out he---" Minako never finished her sentence, because at that moment Yaten lunged forward, grabbed her around the waist, and pulled her body towards his own, and kissed her lips with a rough, wet smack. Minako gasped and struggled slightly, but only for a moment. Then Yaten rudely pushed her away, and she spun away from him, flailing her arms to stabilize her balance. Yaten stumbled backward and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, while Minako struggled to get her heart beat and breathing back to some kind of normal rhythm. The two stood several feet away from each other, avoiding each other's eyes, neither wanting to break the calm, morning silence. Finally, Yaten muttered, "That wasn't so bad. No, I guess not." "You're not a bad kisser yourself," chirped Minako cheerfully. Yaten turned his face toward hers, and smiled warmly. "Hey, I meant to tell you, but I forgot - you were really good last night." Minako brought her hand to her mouth and stared at Yaten, wide- eyed and flushing. When Yaten blinked in sudden confusion, she nearly doubled over with laughter. "What? What's so funny?!" Yaten asked Minako, who was laughing heartily as tears streamed from her eyes. Minako shook with laughter while Yaten watched her curiously for a few minutes, then managed to calm herself down enough to answer his question. "Yaten," she giggled as she wiped tears from her eyes, "Do you have any idea what you just said?" " 'You were really good last night.' What's so--- . . . Oh . . . Oh my . . ." Realization dawned on his face, and he clapped a hand over his mouth as his shoulders began to shake with laughter. "I - I didn't mean - I meant you were acting well -- " Minako waived a hand in front of her face. "I know what you meant. And by the way, you were very good last night too." The two stared at each other silently for a moment, then the schoolyard burst into a symphony of chaotic, hysterical laughter. When the pair of jesters had once again managed to calm themselves down, Yaten decided to continue with the other business that he meant to bring before Minako. "Listen, Minako," he began, "I've got a bit of a problem and I was wondering if you could help me with it." "YOU"RE asking ME for help? Then it must be some pretty big problem. Is the world coming to an end?" "Maybe. I dunno. I'm pretty sure that Taiki and Seiya are keeping a secret from me, and it's probably something important, too. So I need you to help me do some sleuthing." "Um . . . Why me?" Yaten sighed impatiently. "Because two heads are better than one. Because nobody will suspect you. Because I know that you're perfectly capable of being conniving and manipulative. Because you've got good judgement." "I've got good judgement?!" "The cat proves it." "Oh." Yaten held out his hand. "So, are we agreed?" Minako reached out her hand to clasp his, then hesitated. "Ne, Yaten-kun . . . I would be a lot more willing to help you . . . If you decided that we needed to schedule regular kissing practices every morning." When Yaten turned pink and flustered and was about to open his mouth and say something very nasty, Minako quickly waved her hand in front of her face and giggled cheerily. "I was joking, I was joking, I was joking!" she gasped between giggles. "That wasn't very funny," pouted Yaten. "Maybe not for you. But yes, I think that we have a deal," said Minako as she enthusiastically shook Yaten's hand. *****(Scene Seven: Ginga TV Production Studio. Sailor Lead Crow is going through her files, looking for those who potentially hold a Star Seed.)***** Lead Crow: Oh, mickle is the powerful grace that lies In athletes, artists, and students and their shining Star Seeds; For not so brilliant that on the Earth doth live But to the Earth some special good doth give; Nor aught so good, but strained from that fair use, Revolts from true birth, stumbling on abuse. Virtue turns itself vice, being misapplied, For when Star Seeds are removed, the phages are dignified. (Enter Sailor Aluminum Siren) Aluminum Siren: Good morrow, Lead Crow. Lead Crow: What early tongue so sweet saluteth me? Young girl, it argues a distempered head So soon to bid good morrow to thy bed. Thou art aroused with some distemp'rature; Or if not so, then here I hit it right - Our Aluminum Siren hath not been in bed tonight. Aluminum Siren: That last is true. The sweeter rest was mine. Lead Crow: God pardon sin! Wast thou taking a Star Seed without me? Aluminum Siren shook her head, smiling sweetly. "No. But I've found a really shiny Star Seed, and I just know that it's a real one. This time I'm sure of it. But I have to take my time, don't I? I need a really good plan to catch this one." Lead Crow shuffled the papers on her desk. "So, you're sitting my next operation out?" "It won't work, Crow-sama. I've found the real Star Seed." "And . . . you're sure about this." "Yes, I'm sure," said Aluminum Siren as she turned around and began to leave Lead Crow's office. "I didn't think that you would listen to me. You'll probably go ahead with the operation anyway. But please don't think that I'm being mean when I tell you that it won't work." Crow sighed with resignation as Siren's receding footsteps echoed behind her. No, she didn't believe that Siren had found a real Star Seed. But she couldn't stand to burst the poor girl's bubble. Studying her target one last time, making sure she had a clear mental picture of the victim in her head, Crow filed away the rest of her papers and began silently plotting the steps in her next attack. ACT TWO *****(Scene One: The auditorium, shortly before rehearsal begins, later that day.)***** "No, I haven't seen him around anywhere." Taiki rolled his eyes in exasperation. "It's just like Seiya to run off and disappear into oblivion at a time like this. And Mercutio's in the first scene, too" he growled. "Where the heck is he? We can't start the rehearsal without him!" Minako shook her head, blond locks flying around her face. "I really don't have a clue. I haven't seen him since last period." The two were standing backstage, almost shouting at each other to be heard over the din of pounding hammer, whirring saws, spinning drills, and anguished cries of techies who managed to spill paint on their clothing. Most of the cast was already mingling in the auditorium, waiting for rehearsal to begin. But somebody was still missing . . . "Hey, Hey!" called out Makoto as she ran toward Minako and Taiki. "Has anybody seen Usagi yet? She said that she was bringing snacks!" Makoto skidded to a halt in front of the other two, panting and out of breath. "Well, have you seen her?" she asked again. "Usagi is missing, too?" murmured Minako worriedly. "What do you mean, is somebody else AWOL?" "Our handsome and dashing Mercutio," sighed Taiki, "Is also unaccounted for." Makoto looked puzzled for moment, then something clicked inside her head, and her eyes widened with shock. "Oh . . . BOTH of them? At the same time?" "Scandalous, isn't it?" giggled Minako. "Oh, Usagi, you lucky dog . . ." "I'll kill him," said Taiki suddenly. The other two girls cowered a bit, because he sounded as if he really meant it. "Aw, it's no big deal," insisted Yaten, who suddenly appeared among the group. "If our suspicions are correct, then it should be easy to find Seiya." "What are you talking about?" asked Minako, cocking her head. Yaten grinned mischievously, and made dramatic sweeping gestures with his hands. " 'Seiya! Humors! Passion! Madman! Lover! The ape is dead, and I must conjure him.' " "Hmmmm, never thought of him as an ape before," mused Taiki. Yaten continued, " 'I conjure thee by Odango's bright eyes, By her high forehead and her scarlet lip, By her fine foot, straight leg, and quivering thigh, And the demesnes** that there adjacent lie, That in they likeness thou appear to us!' " "Did somebody call me?" asked Seiya as he and Usagi popped up behind Yaten. "SEIYA!!!! USAGI!!!!" Four startled cries pierced the din of the bustling auditorium. "Ohayou!" laughed Usagi cheerfully as she waved at her friends. She and Seiya were both balancing piles of large white boxes in their arms. "Where on Earth where you two?" asked Makoto. "Getting snacks, like I promised," answered Usagi. She set down her pile of boxes, opened the top one, and displayed the treasures inside. "Ta-da! Donuts!" "Donuts?!" "It's a Western treat," explained Seiya. "Donuts really amount to nothing more than deep fat-fried air coated in sugar and frosting, but who cares? They taste good!" Taiki whirled upon Seiya. "And you went with her to get the donuts?" "Yes. What, am I late or something?" "Is that all that you two did? Just pick up the donuts?" "Yes . . ." "Oh," the Makoto, Minako, Yaten, and Taiki sighed in unison. The two Lights looked relieved, but Makoto and Minako's faces fell as if they were disappointed. Usagi and Seiya exchanged confused looks, then shrugged. "If I were you guys, I would start eating before Odango devours them all," suggested Seiya as Usagi reached into the open box and stuffed two whole donuts into her mouth. "You can help yourselves," said Taiki as he dismissed the donuts with a wave of his hand. "I have to go yell at the techies. They had better have a good reason for us not having a balcony yet." "What a slave-driver," grumbled Seiya as Taiki left. Then he snatched a donut from the path of Usagi's searching hands and bit into it, chewing angrily. "He must have a good reason to care so much about this play," observed Minako as she helped herself to a powdered donut. Seiya stopped chewing. "Maybe he's just naturally anal-retentive," suggested Makoto helpfully. "Anal-what?!" gasped Usagi as she choked on a mouthful of half- chewed pastry. Seiya coughed and cleared his throat. The he turned and addressed Yaten. "Um, at least you and Taiki are on speaking terms again, right?" "Oh, yeah. I told him this morning how I fixed the . . . ah, problem." Only Makoto noticed that Minako suddenly blushed, but wisely decided to say nothing. "Anyway," Minako continued smoothly, "It does puzzle me how much Taiki has involved himself in this play. It isn't like him, is it, Seiya-kun?" Seiya coughed again, nearly choking on a piece of donut. Usagi paused in the middle of her fifth donut and turned toward Seiya. "Are you alright?" she asked, worried. "I'm fine," he said quickly. But it was a lie. The other four clustered around the donut boxes were all staring at him intently. Usagi's eyes shone with concern, but Makoto was intently observing him as if she were on the verge of deducing something brilliant and he were the final clue; Yaten shot him a quirky, triumphant half-smile; and Minako had the expression of a cat who had just cornered a quivering, terrified mouse. "Seiya, do you have something you want to tell us?" asked Makoto. There was nothing malicious in her tone. She sounded merely curious, maybe a little bit concerned, but far removed from the shark-like expressions of glee on Minako's and Yaten's faces that accompanied her innocent question. "What? About Taiki? I'm confused as any of you guys." "Oh," sighed Minako, feigning disappointment. "So he hasn't told you anything?" Seiya shook his head, wondering how long he could last under Minako's penetrating stare. "I don't know anything!" he insisted. "Seiya . . ." came a soft voice from beside him. Seiya turned and found himself face-to-face with Usagi's watery, mournful eyes. "Seiya, is you know a secret, you should tell us," she pleaded with him. "Please don't lie to me! I can tell when you're lying, and I wanted to be able to trust you!" "Odango . . ." he breathed softly as he reached out to comfort her. But Usagi shrank from his touch, her huge, shining eyes never leaving his face. It was Usagi's grief-stricken expression of betrayal that drove Seiya to his decision. He would never betray Taiki's confidence, but he could at least drop a hint . . . enough to get Usagi's confidence back. He turned once again to face Yaten and Minako, and shook his head with defeat. "I honestly don't know what's going on with Taiki," he lied, "but I suspect this has something to do with your friend Ami. Why don't you ask her?" *****(Scene Two: The catwalk above the stage, moments later. Yaten and Minako are crawling among the catwalk, congratulating themselves and searching for Ami.)***** "Oh, man, that was so perfect!" Minako gasped between giggles for about the hundredth time. "Honestly, Minako, did you really expect Usagi to do something like that?" "No! It came as a complete surprise. But, it was just too perfect!" Then Minako burst into a fresh peal of giggles, clutching the railings along the catwalk to keep herself from plummeting to death. Crawling beside her, Yaten chuckled softly. "I should have known this would have something to do with Ami. Oh, man, whatever it is, I will probably tease Taiki about this for the rest of his life." "You're cruel." "You were the one who made it all possible. I knew that you could be conniving and manipulative." "Really? You think that was conniving and manipulative?" Yaten fluttered his eyelashes and gave a high-pitched giggle, perfectly imitating Minako. " 'It does puzzle me how much Taiki has involved himself in this play. It isn't like him, is it, Seiya-kun?' " "I did not sound like that!" Minako retorted indignantly. "No, you were far more saccharine." Minako pouted. "I was right. You are cruel." Yaten made no response, and the two crawled along in silence. Finally, they spotted Ami on the opposite end of the catwalk. She was crawling on her hands and knees, dragging a trail of extension cords behind her, searching for the perfect spot to hang a rather large and heavy-looking spotlight. Minako waved enthusiastically. "He-e-e-e-ey! Ami-chan!" Ami started with surprise and gasped when she saw Minako and Yaten approaching her. "Hey, aren't you two supposed to be down below with the rest of the cast?" "They haven't even started the rehearsal yet," explained Minako. "We're not even in the first scene of the second act anyway," added Yaten. Ami cocked her head. "What are you doing here?" "I came to ask you some questions," stated Minako, who by now was almost face-to-face with the blue-haired girl. "Minako, since when were you so curious about light fixtures?" "Don't play dumb," snapped Yaten irritably, his previous good humor seemingly vanished. Ami looked from one to the other, an unreadable expression on her face. "This is about Taiki, isn't it?" "BINGO!" exclaimed Minako cheerfully. "And since you're my friend, you'll tell me everything that you know, right?" "What I know . . ." began Ami softly. "I really can't tell you everything, you realize that, don't you? That would jeopardize the whole operation. Ne, Yaten-kun, you know that Taiki is already enrolled in a few courses over at Tokyo University?" "Yeah, I know that," said Yaten. "Every Tuesday and Thursday, Psychology 101 and Calculus and Astronomy. It used to wreak havoc with out concerts and rehearsals." "Well, I was taking some classes at the university, too. And we both happen to be enrolled in the same psychology class this term." "That's great!" said Minako. But she didn't really know why it was great; it just sounded great. "And the term is almost over," continued Ami, "And our final grades depend upon an independent study that is due the week after the final performance of this play. So far, Taiki and I have been neck- and-neck competing for the top grade in the class; we're tied right now. But the sensei grades everything on a curve, and only one project will get the highest score in the class. So whomever turns in the better study will get the best mark in the class." "And you and Taiki are competing for the best study!" deduced Minako. Quite brilliantly, she thought. But then again, she hadn't expected Ami to keep any secrets from her. "So, what's your thesis?" asked Yaten, getting to the heart of the matter. "I can't say," replied Ami softly. "Why not?!" gasped Minako. And had been so close to solving the mystery, too! "I told you, it would jeopardize the whole operation." "What operation? Hey . . . this goes beyond the highest grade in the psych class, doesn't it?" accused Yaten. "What are you two playing at?" "Nothing. Nothing. Nothing that concerns you. Please, Minako- chan, Yaten-kun, just trust me on this one. Now you'd better get back down on the stage before our esteemed director wrings both of your necks." Minako and Yaten exchanged puzzled glances. Had the plot just thickened, or had Ami just fed them a red herring? *****(Scene Three: On the stage, moments later)***** "CAST ON STAGE, NOW!" The familiar bellow brought the entire cast hurriedly to the stage while the technical crew (who had been laying microphone wires) scurried out of the way. Minako and Yaten shuffled into place along with the rest of the actors, this time standing at each other's side. Minako pursed her lips and mulled over the tantalizing hints that Ami had dropped. Minako's imagination brimmed with tantalizing possibilities, some of them not very healthy or normal for a high-school girl. Yaten was furrowing his brow, also mentally combing through all of the clues he had gathered. He grit his teeth in frustration. He just _hated_ being left out of whatever sordid little secret that the other two Lights shared. His growing suspicion was that it somehow involved him and the play, or else the other two would have no reason to keep it from him. Once again, Taiki marched in front of the assembled troops, exuding an air of authority equal to that of a military sergeant. "Tonight's rehearsal will be especially difficult," he began, "On account of the fact that we must rehearse the balcony scene, but do not yet have a balcony. I'm sure that you two--" and his gaze fell on Minako and Yaten "-can improvise." "Hai, hai," they said in unison, nodding quickly. "We begin now. Clear the stage!" The cast hurried back behind the thick velvet curtains, and rehearsal began. Taiki perched himself on the edge of the orchestra pit and watched silently as the action unfolded. Scene One passed quickly, being less than 45 lines total. It was soon time for the balcony scene in Scene Two, which was what Minako had been looking forward to since she was first cast as Juliet. Instead of Juliet standing on the balcony and Romeo climbing it, the two merely stood side-by side, acting out the dialogue as if they had met and began exchanging romantic vows on a level surface. " 'Thou knowest the mask of night is on my face,' " began Minako, " 'Else would a maiden blush bepaint my cheek For that which thou hast heard me speak tonight. Fain would I dwell on form - fain, fain deny What I have spoke; but farewell compliment!*** Dost thou love me? I know thou will say 'Ay'; And I will take they word. Yet, if thou swear'st, Thou mayst prove false. At lover's perjuries, They say Jove laughs. O gentle Romeo, If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully. Or if thou thinkest I am too quickly won, I'll frown and be perverse and say thee nay, So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world. In truth, fair Montague, I am too fond, And therefore thou mayest think my havior* light; But trust me, gentleman, I'll prove more true Than those that have more cunning to be strange.** I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard'st, ere was I ware, My truelove passion. Therefore pardon me, And not impute this yielding to light love, Which the dark night hath so discovered.' " " 'Lady, by yonder blessed moon I vow, That tips with silver all these fruit-tree tops---' " " 'O, swear not by the moon, th' inconstant moon, That monthly changes in her circle orb, Lest that thy love prove likewise variable.' " " 'What shall I swear by?' " asked Romeo. " 'Do not swear at all; Or if thou wilt, swear by thy gracious self, Which is the God of my idolatry, And I'll believe thee.' " "Great," commented Taiki suddenly. "Now kiss." There was a moment of stunned silence from the two actors. The Yaten objected, "But it doesn't say in the script--" "Shakespeare's original script has little to no blocking in it. This happens to be the perfect place for a kiss, so why doesn't Romeo kiss Juliet?" "But aren't I supposed to be climbing the balcony?" "By now you're on the balcony with her. Come on, did you really expect me to leave you dangling in mid-air, clutching to a covering of fake ivy, for the entire scene?" Yaten had already opened his mouth and was about to argue against Taiki's remarks when the cast and crew assembled backstage suddenly started chanting, "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! KISS! KISS! KISS! KISS!" Yaten's eyes wandered back and forth between Taiki and Minako as he hesitated. Taiki's expression was, as usual, serious and unreadable. Minako, on the other hand, was blushing a bright red. Her breathing had quickened and heat radiated off her flushed cheeks. She had cast her eyes downward and was apparently completely absorbed in the fascinating study of her toes. Yaten couldn't tell if she was embarrassed, aroused, or both. So he bent forward and kissed her. On the lips, like Taiki told him to. He didn't want to go incur the wrath of the Spaghetti Tyrant for the second night in a row. Minako's body stiffened with shock, but her soft lips responded greedily to Yaten's blundering smack. He pulled away as quickly as he could, leaving Minako stunned, breathless, and staring at him with widened blue eyes the size of dinner plates. Suddenly he noticed the auditorium had gone eerily silent. Then, as one, the cast and crew slowly let out the breath that nobody realized they had been holding during the kiss. The theatre sighed with contentment . . . And, with a snap, Minako and Yaten were back in character. Taiki made no further interruptions, other than the occasional blocking direction or two, as the rest of the rehearsal proceeded. *****(Interlude Number One: After Rehearsal. The cast and crew are slowly filtering out of the auditorium)***** Taiki: Where the devil should this Yaten be? Will he come not home tonight? Seiya: Not to our dinner. I spoke with this man. Taiki: Why, that same pale hardhearted wench, that Minako, torments him so that he will sure run mad. The fool knowest not his own heart. Makoto: Minako, that co-star to our Yaten, hath sent a message to my friends. Usagi: They are together, on my life. Ami: They will sup together this eve. Seiya: Any man with eyes can see that this is a date. Taiki: Nay, they will puzzle over the secret that we are keeping, how they dare, being dared. Makoto: Alas, poor Minako, she is already dead: stabbed with a silver- haired singer's black eye; run through the ear with a love song; the very pin of her heart cleft with the blind bow-boy's butt-shaft;*** and is she a woman to encounter a mystery? Seiya: Why, what is Yaten? Taiki: More than our Prince of Cats. Usagi: The what? Ami: Yaten is the pox of such antic, lisping, affecting fantasticoes.* (All exit). *****(Scene Four: A noodle stand on a Tokyo street-corner.)***** "I have found sanity; for in this hemisphere, we eat our noodles with chopsticks," announced Yaten as he twiddled said chopsticks between his fingers. "Ne, Yaten-kun, what should I order?" "Whatever won't make you fat." "Ha, ha. Really funny. And what are you going to order?" "Nothing. I can't eat tonight." "There's a word for that . . . Oh, what do they call it . . . Anorexia. It's not good for you." "You're not my mother." "But don't you want the opportunity to use your wonderful chopsticks?" "I was just praising the fact that I live in a land of plain, simple, effective people who eat their noodles with chopsticks." "Oh." Minako furrowed her brow, deep in thought. The owner of stand, who had been growing increasingly impatient as the two teenagers bantered back and forth, tapped his foot and harumphed with annoyance. Taking his cue, Minako blurted out, "Pork ramen, please." Then she turned to face Yaten. "So, um, have you had any especially deep thoughts concerning the . . . hush-hush?" "The what?" "The hush-hush. Confidential. Private. You know, the secret." "Oh, come on, Minako. They already know that we're on to them. In fact, I think that it's Seiya who'll be receiving the blunt end of Taiki's spoon tonight." "Uh . . . what?" "Nothing. Never mind." Minako turned away from him and began tracing meaningless patterns into the greasy counter with the tip of her finger. "Isn't it simple, though? Taiki and Ami are competing for the top mark in their psychology class, and it all rests on this final study or whatever that they have to do. But that still begs a lot of questions - What are their respective theses? What do they have to do with the play? Why won't they tell us about it?" "You never tell the subject of a psychology experiment what you hope they'll do during the experiment," said Yaten darkly. "You don't think---" "It's only the obvious conclusion. But if the play is really just a giant psychology project to them, that still doesn't tell us what exactly it is that they're studying. And there's more. I think there's something else at stake here, more than just the top mark in some stupid class." "Why do you think that?" Yaten shrugged. "A hunch. I know Taiki pretty well, after all." Minako stopped her finger-doodling as a large bowl of steaming noodles was wordlessly plopped in front of her. She picked up her chopsticks, paused for a moment as she savored the aroma of the noodles and listened to the rumbling in her stomach, then dug in enthusiastically. "What else do you think is at stake?" she asked around a mouthful of hot noodles. "Dunno. But there are little things about this that bug me. Why the heck does Seiya know about this? And why is Taiki so obsessed with you and I kissing?" "Really? He's obsessed with us kissing?" "He went ballistic last night when I told him that we had just stage-kissed. I told you that this morning. And then there was tonight . . ." Minako slammed down her chopsticks. "Well, I'm not going to take this sitting down! I'm not going to be the guinea pig of insane psychology students without a fight!" "What are you going to do about it?" yawned Yaten. "You don't even know what you're fighting against yet." "Are you giving up?!" "Me? Never!" responded Yaten indignantly. "I'm not going to let Taiki or Seiya keep _anything_ secret from me!" "Then leave it to me, Aino Minako, to solve this mystery for the sake of myself and my Romeo!" proclaimed Minako proudly. "You're very sure of yourself, aren't you?" Minako suddenly leaned forward and clasped Yaten's hands. "I _have_ to solve this mystery," she said fervently. Yaten was taken aback by the look of fierce determination in her eyes. With her jaw set firmly and her eyes fixed steadily in his, her body tense and taught like a wound-up steel spring, she was suddenly a completely different person from the bouncing Minako or even the blushing Juliet that he was used to. "I have to save us from being guinea pigs. I have to protect you, Yaten. I promise that I will protect you. It's my job. It's what I do. And besides, you were the one who asked me to help you in the first place." I have to protect you. It's my job. It's what I do. Something about her words caused Yaten's stomach to twist in sickening knots. For some reason, everything that he and Taiki and Seiya had been cheerfully ignoring these past weeks in the happy company of their friends - Galaxia, the animates, the phages, the missing princess - came flooding back to his consciousness. Galaxia was coming to this planet. Galaxia was going to ruin this planet. Galaxia was going to split the earth, crumble the mountains, dry up the oceans, burn the forests, and steal every last Star Seed that shone on this world . . . But Yaten leaned forward toward the trembling, taught girl and said, "Don't worry so much about me, Minako. Don't worry at all. If something bad happens, I will protect you." Her small, grateful smile floated behind his eyelids even as he lay asleep and dreaming later that night. *****(Interlude Number Two: Begins at rehearsal, next day)***** The third night of rehearsal was by far the most traumatic; Mercutio's impending death inspired an unusual set of visitors. "So this is what you guys have been doing after school," commented Hino Rei as she dragged her companions (Tenou Haruka and Kaiou Michiru) around backstage. "Rei-chan! Haruka-san! Michiru-san! What are you doing here?!" squealed Usagi as she enthusiastically greeted the guests. "We heard that your drama department was tackling 'Romeo and Juliet,' " began Michiru. "And when he heard about the cast and crew, we just couldn't resist a sneak peek," finished Haruka. "But you should have come LAST night," complained Usagi. "You missed the balcony scene! It was soooo romantic!" "Sorry about that, but we had to come tonight," explained Michiru. "Why?" "Mercutio dies in Act Three," Haruka said flatly. Michiru giggled and elbowed her partner, who murmured "Gomen," but didn't look the least bit apologetic. Rehearsal that night went smoothly and without a hitch. Even Haruka grudgingly admitted to Michiru afterwards that Mercutio's death scene was particularly well-executed. Rei teased Usagi endlessly because she had caught her sobbing backstage as Seiya muttered his last words, " 'A plague a' both your houses!' " Day after day passed, and rehearsal after tiring rehearsal dragged on for hours. Makoto sewed furiously to complete the costumes in time; Ami finished rigging all the lighting and began work on the sound system; piece by piece, the set was finished; and the actors memorized their lines and worked on finishing touches like choreographing the duels. Romeo and Juliet's kisses gradually became less clumsy and more natural; if a bit quicker and shorter-lasting than passionate lovers tended toward. And the cast eventually learned to stop holding their breath every time such a kiss was called for. Minako kept pestering both Taiki and Ami, and even Seiya, but none of them would drop another clue of hint as to the nature of the secret shared between them. Minako even made several attempts to get her hands on Ami's notebooks, hoping to find clues there. But none of these attempts worked; most of the time, they earned her a scolding from Ami and derisive laughter from Yaten. As the production grew larger in scope, word began to spread, first throughout the school; then throughout the town. The drama club, led by an ambitious senior by the name of Kanzaki Yuri, plastered Juuban and the surrounding districts of Tokyo with posters announcing the play's premiere. "We're pouring most of this year's drama budget into this project," she explained to Taiki, "so I want to make sure that we make a heckuva lot of money off of it." The fact that the Three Lights were involved in the production became a valuable asset to Yuri's marketing campaign. The buzz surrounding the play became so great that Yuri convinced Taiki to perform on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings instead of just Friday and Saturday. As the rehearsal schedule winded up, Minako became increasingly frustrated as her attempts to discover the true motives behind the productions continuously amounted to naught. She met frequently with Yaten before and after rehearsals to discuss strategies and plans of attack, but her co-star seemed more interested in petting Artemis, practicing scenes with her, or chatting about school and life in general. And Minako would let him distract her from her true purpose, only realizing what had happened between them when it was already too late. Finally one night, after a long and pointless gossip session about the latest breakups of their favorite bands, Minako became angry at about all the time she had wasted making small talk with Yaten. Rehearsal was over, all the actors had left, and the two were sitting in their usual cove backstage. Artemis had curled up on Yaten's lap and he was busy scratching behind the cat's ears as he talked endlessly about everything except the great unsolved mystery surrounding the play. Minako became angry and yelled at him. "Don't you care anymore? Aren't you even the least bit curious about what they're keeping from us?!" Yaten chuckled derisively. "Sure, I care. It still bugs the heck out of me." "Then why don't you give me a little help here?" "Because I think we've already exhausted all the possible courses of action available. Because at this point, it might be more fun just to wait it out on the sidelines and see what develops. Because you seem so hell-bent on solving this mystery for my sake that I should just be sitting back, twiddling my thumbs, and watching you struggle. But I think it's mostly because I would rather be enjoying myself when I talk with you." Minako gave up all hope of gaining anything constructive from her frequent conversations with Yaten. Nevertheless, from that point onward, the time the two spent together nearly doubled. "Even if I can't find out what the experiment is before it's show time," Minako said to him one evening, "I still hold true to my promise. I'll protect you if you're in danger." "Thanks, but I don't think it's likely I'll be in danger . . ." "Just trust me." "Don't worry. I do. I trust you." On the night of the first dress rehearsal, half of the male cast nearly quit on the spot. "Nobody told us we had to wear tights!" they exclaimed in horror. But the mounting excitement surrounding the play and the fame that it was sure to bring its stars convinced most of them to stay in the cast. The anticipation and electric energy that imbued the theater in those final days of preparation built to a fever pitch the night before the premiere. The cast and crew buzzed with excitement, some drama club members brought chocolate roses for everyone, and everyone exchanged congratulations with everyone else. Taiki pointed out that this was all premature, seeing as how the real test of everybody's preparedness would be tomorrow night, but nobody was really in the mood to listen to him. *****(Scene Five: The lobby of the theater, one hour before curtain, the first night of performance)***** Hotaru flipped through her program eagerly. "Look, Setsuna-san! They listed Tsukino Usagi as the official caterer!" "That's because she brought so many snacks to every rehearsal," explained Setsuna. "And since she was present for nearly every rehearsal, Taiki felt that she had to get into the program somehow. At least, that's what Ami told me last night," added Michiru. Haruka chose not to join in the happy banter between the other three. She surveyed the lobby with her sharp eyes, looking for anything or anyone suspicious. Sure, Hotaru looked giggly and cheerful as she exclaimed over the names of her friends involved in the production, but Haruka had not forgotten her chilling words from only moments before: "I feel it, near. Coming. An abomination . . . A Sailor Senshi without a Star Seed." Hotaru herself seemed to have forgotten that she had uttered those words such a short time ago. But Haruka had not forgotten, nor had Michiru. Michiru appeared relaxed, but Haruka knew that in reality every one of her nerves was on edge. But then again, the Outer Senshi had expected something like this to happen. That's why they brought Hotaru along in the first place. They had reached their own deductions about the targets of the Sailor Animates, based on their own experiences and the information passed to them by the Inner Senshi. A production such as this, bringing together a cast and crew positively brimming with talent, full of such bright, shining stars, was sure to attract the unwanted attention of the Animates. "Ohayou, Minna-san!" Usagi, Rei, Makoto, and Ami pushed through the already crowded lobby, slowly making their way toward the Outer Senshi as they called out and waved. Hotaru waved back enthusiastically, but the other three looked grim. The smile was quickly wiped off Usagi's face when she finally found herself next to Haruka and Michiru. "What's wrong?" she asked, reading the expressions on their faces effortlessly. "Hotaru felt the presence of an Animate," said Setsuna in a voice so soft that it was barely a whisper. Makoto narrowed her eyes. "Here? Tonight?" "Oh, no," gasped Ami, "They've some at such a bad time . . ." "Keep on your toes," commanded Haruka sternly. "Act natural, but don't let your guard down. We don't have a clue who they're after. It could be the Technical Director," she said, her gaze falling on Ami, "or the talented Seamstress," she continued, her gaze falling on Makoto, "or any of the actors, or one of the Three Lights." Makoto and Ami cringed, but Rei elbowed Usagi sharply. "Ne, ne, what about the official caterer?" she jeered. "Me, too? I'm a target too?!" gasped Usagi with horror. Her eyes began to water and her chin trembled. "Rei-chan, you have to protect me!" "Hey, I was being sarcastic! Don't start crying, Usagi-chan . . . Oh, no . . . Please don't cry . . . Please . . ." But Usagi was already screaming and crying, clutching at Rei's waist, drawing the attention of the entire crowd packed into the lobby. thought Rei grimly. *****(Scene Six: A different wing of the auditorium, inside the Green Room.** The room is small, but furnished with a makeup table, a chair and a sofa, a couple potted plants, and a lamp or two. In short, a rather generic and boring little room)***** "You brought her ROSES?!" "Well, it's only traditional for the leading lady to get a bouquet of red roses on the night of the premiere," pouted Yaten. Seiya stared at him with gaping mouths, but Taiki wore a pensive expression on his face. "So why don't Seiya and I get roses?" he asked, pretending to be hurt. Yaten stuck out his tongue. "Because you're keeping a secret from me." Then he clutched the bundle of roses to his chest. "I don't know why you're making such a big deal out of this," he grumbled. "Because you never do anything nice for ANYBODY!" exclaimed Seiya. Taiki turned to Seiya and explained quite reasonably, "Isn't it obvious? Yaten _likes_ Minako." "WHAT?!" gasped Yaten with horror, his cheeks flushing deep red. "Why on Earth would you get an idea like that?!" "Oh, I get it," laughed Seiya suddenly. "Infatuation!" "No, no, you've got it all wrong - she's infatuated with me - she keeps clinging to me - it's so annoying --" But Seiya kept laughing. "Wasn't it you who was complaining to me about her not being able to tell the difference between fantasy and reality?" "It appears as if the boundaries between reality and illusion have dissolved," observed Taiki quietly. A small smile danced across his lips. "For weeks, Yaten," Seiya continued, "You've spent most of your free time almost exclusively in her presence! Tell me that you haven't grown fond of her. Just look me in the eyes and lie to me, you pathetic, hopeless Romeo!" Then he nearly over doubled over laughing again. "THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" Yaten suddenly burst out, pointing an accusing finger at the other two Lights. "If you two hadn't kept secrets from me, if you hadn't driven me into her arms, if you hadn't _shut me out of you stupid little conspiracy,_ if you hadn't made me KISS HER ON THE LIPS AT EVERY GODDAMN REHEARSAL----" "Baka. We never forced you to fall in love with her." Taiki's voice was subdued, but firm and sharp as a steel sword. It sliced through Yaten's tirade and the littlest Light fell silent, slumping his shoulders a little, the bouquet of roses falling limply by his side, casting his eyes down towards his feet. For a moment, all was quiet. "Yaten . . ." began Seiya quietly, his voice inquiring and concerned. "Just go. Go away. The makeup girls will need to see you, Seiya. And I'm sure you have something better to do than stand here and make fun of me, Taiki. Go work on your silly psych project, go yell at the other cast members, go inspect the set, go do anything constructive. Just leave me alone." Yaten's eyes never left his feet, but the arrogant, commanding tone in his voice left no room for argument. It would have been easier for his friends to leave if the arrogance had been enough to mask the hurt in his voice . . . but they left nevertheless, leaving him in relative peace in the quiet room. He stood still for a few moments, catching his breath, pondering what had just happened between himself and his closest friends. He didn't want to admit it, but he felt a little sorry about yelling at them. But only a little. After all, they had brought it upon themselves. He wanted to see Minako. He wanted to give her a bouquet of a dozen red roses, and she would squeal with delight and hug him and chatter endlessly about how nervous she was and about all her friends in the audience . . . Yeah, that would cheer him up. "Yaten-kun! You look great!" The loud rustling of layers of heavy skirts and the banging sound that resulted as she slammed the door open announced Minako's arrival. thought Yaten. She ran toward him, laughing and waving with one hand, using the other hand to gather the thick crimson dress that was her costume for Juliet. She skidded to a stop in front of Yaten and swirled her skirts, giggling happily. "Do you like it? Makoto finally fixed the waist - so it all fits now!" "I already told you that you look great." "Yeah, but that was _last_ night. I want to hear it again, tonight, right before the performance!" "Okay. You look great." And Yaten wasn't lying. Minako was wearing a gown of velvet crimson, just a tad low-cut at the bodice, complete with puffy sleeves, golden braided decorations hung over her full skirts, and the most ridiculous-looking little slippers that she constantly complained pinched her feet. Her hair was braided down her back, and her full lips and eyelashes were accented with expertly-applied stage makeup. "Hey, who are those roses for?" she asked suddenly. "For you, of course. Who did you think they were for?" "For ME?!" she squealed, snatching the bouquet from his hands. "Oh my gosh, that is soooooo nice of you!" Yaten was dismayed to find that his cheeks were flushed and red. "Aw, don't worry about it." "Hey, have I told you yet tonight that you look great?" "No, but I was waiting for you to return the compliment." "Aso. You look great." "I hate wearing tights," Yaten grumbled. In all honesty, he felt just a tad ludicrous. The frilly-collared shirt with puffy sleeves, the breeches, the tights, and all the absurd layers of stage makeup made him feel a bit like a clown. But then again, Romeo himself was a bit of a clown, so in Yaten's mind it all worked out in the end. "Oh, there you are!" The banging of the door announced the arrival of another guest into the Green Room. Kanzaki Yuri came bounding into the tiny room, waving a program excitedly over her head. "Ohayou! I just wanted to say hello to my stars before the show started - hey, roses, that was really nice of somebody - gee, you two look great - it's a full house out there, can you believe how much publicity we're getting?! - Juuban High is going to have the most famous drama department in all of Tokyo, and I wanted to thank you both 'cause it's all thanks to you - and hey, did I interrupt anything?" Minako and Yaten, stunned by the entrance of the one-woman whirlwind, slowly shook their heads no. Yuri laughed cheerfully. "Well, that's okay then! Anyway, I just wanted to thank you both again. You two are great together onstage, I hope you know that." "Thanks," said Minako, blushing slightly. "Well, I gotta go. It's almost curtain; Taiki-san will yell at you if you're not backstage in a few in a few minutes. Ja ne." Yuri turned to leave, but a fourth person was blocking the doorway. "Are you Miss Kanzaki Yuri, the president of Juuban High Drama Club?" asked the tall, dusky-skinned, auburn-haired woman. "That's me!" giggled Yuri. "Good. I've been wanting to talk to you for a long time." The woman glanced over Yuri's shoulder and her eyes fell upon Yaten and Minako, who were standing quietly at the back of the room. "And who are these two?" the woman asked. "Oh! Forgive me for not introducing them, Miss. Kou Yaten and Aino Minako will be playing the parts of Romeo and Juliet tonight." The woman smiled. It was not a pleasant smile. "Perfect," she said. Then she turned her attention back to Yuri. "I've admired your skill and talent for quite some time, Miss Kanzaki. To take a lowly high school drama production and turn it into the talk of the town takes expert skill in advertising and marketing." "Aw, it's nothing," giggled Yuri. "I just knew the right people on the drama circuit to talk to, that's all." "Then you truly are a rising star in the theater world," sighed the woman happily. "Excuse me," interrupted Yaten suddenly, "But we really don't have time to do this here and now. Perhaps after the show?" Yuri shot him a murderous glare and Minako mouthed, "Yaten-kun! Don't be so rude!" But the woman in the doorway suddenly giggled. "You're absolutely right, young man. I don't have time for this small talk. I might as well get down to business." And then Lead Crow ripped off her street clothing, revealing the Sailor fuku underneath. It took a grand total of fifteen seconds for all hell to break loose, during which the following sequence of events occurred: "Masaka," gasped Yaten. "Yuri, look out!" screeched Minako as she dashed toward the bewildered girl. But Lead Crow had already brought her arms in front of her chest. "Now, please show me your Star Seed!" she commanded as her bracelets glowed. Yuri screamed as she was engulfed in golden light. Minako threw herself at the glowing, molten aura surrounding the other girl but was instantly repelled by an invisible force. Skirts flying, eyes wide with shock, she flew across the room and slammed into Yaten, knocking the boy into the nearest wall. The two collapsed into a corner of the room, dazed and thoroughly entangled in each other's limbs. The golden light dissipated, and Yuri slumped forward on her knees, her screams silenced. A yellow flower blossomed on her forehead, from which emerged her shining Star Seed. The Star Seed hung suspended in the air for a few moments, dazzling in its brilliance. And then . . . . .. It faded and turned black. "Oh, no, not again!" sighed Lead Crow unhappily. Then she turned toward Yaten and Minako, who were slowly managing to return themselves to a standing position. "Well, I hope you two have fun with the phage," she smirked. "After all, Romeo and Juliet are supposed to die together." The telephone booth appeared and then disappeared again, taking Sailor Lead Crow with it. Black ribbons erupted from the floor and engulfed Yuri's prone body. Yaten spat out a rosary of obscenities that made Minako's ears blush. All in the space of fifteen seconds. "Get out of here, while there's still time!" Minako pushed Yaten toward the open doorway as the black ribbons in the center of the room writhed threateningly. "Excuse me?! You're the one who's got to get out of here!" Yaten grabbed Minako roughly and thrust her toward the door. "No, you've got to escape!" "No, you've got to escape!" "Trust me, I'll be fine! I can fight!" "Oh, yeah, like how?!" "Just trust me!" But it was too late. The ribbons burst, revealing a white-haired, white-skinned, black-eyed creature wearing a very old-fashioned frilly blue overcoat, blue velvet pleated skirt, brown leather knee-high boot, and, of course, a blue sailor collar. "SAILOR SHAKESPEARE!" screeched the creature, brandishing a rather sharp-looking sword above its head as it moved to block the doorway. Yaten's fresh round of swearing caused Minako's ears to blush yet again. * * * The Sailor Senshi had already taken their seats in the theater when Hotaru suddenly gasped, "They're here!" It was the cue that they had been waiting for. In unison, Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Hotaru, Usagi, Ami, Rei, and Makoto threw down their programs, bolted from their seats, and dashed up the aisles of the theater, nearly knocking over a few startled ushers in the process. "Backstage, everybody!" shouted Usagi over the noise generated by the excited chatter of the crowd in the auditorium. The other girls were already clutching their henshin wands in one hand. * * * "Not good, not good," sighed Seiya unhappily as he shook his head despondently. "You just HAD to get him all riled up before the performance--" "If I remember correctly, it was you who called him pathetic and hopeless," said Taiki. "But you're right, now is not a good time for hard feelings between us." "Look, I just don't want to start this thing off on the wrong foot. We should go talk to him, at least for a little bit." "But not right now. I think he wants his moment alone with Minako right now." "We don't have much time before curtain. He can have plenty of time alone with Minako later. I won't tease him about it anymore, I promise." "So what you're really saying is that you want to apologize." "Yes," grumbled Seiya. "As much as I hate to admit it, yes." Taiki jerked his head in the direction of the Green Room. "After you, my handsome, dashing, and oh-so-diplomatic Mercutio." It was as the two were approaching the Green Room that they saw the brilliant flash of golden light. The pair didn't even hesitate. They knew what to do. "Fighter Star Power, MAKE UP!" "Maker Star Power, MAKE UP!" * * * Minako dodged again as the phage thrust at her with its sword. Sailor Shakespeare cried out in shock and anger as the force of her thrust missed Minako completely and sword was embedded in the soft cushions of the sofa. As the phage cursed and worked the sword free, Yaten dashed from the other corner of the room (where the phage's last attack had separated him from Minako) and threw himself in front of her. "Get out of here!" Minako shrilled at Yaten's back. "No way in hell!" Minako suddenly wanted to strangle the stupid boy. The phage was lightning quick, and strong. She didn't know how much longer she could keep dodging the phage's sword in the cramped little room, weighed down with her layers of velvety skirts. And without transforming into Sailor Venus, she certainly had no way of incapacitating the creature. But as long as stupid Yaten was in the room, _she couldn't transform in front of him!_ "Baka!" she cried out, pushing Yaten away from herself. "Just trust me! I can take care of this creature! I said that I would protect you, didn't I?!" Yaten whirled to face her, snarling with anger. "Just forget about it! Forget about your stupid promise to protect me! This is a real monster, Minako-chan, and you're in WAAAAY over your head!" "HAVE AT THEE, COWARDS!" laughed Sailor Shakespeare maniacally as she brought her sword crashing down between the two, cleaving the chair behind them neatly in half. Minako and Yaten spun away from the danger zone, but Minako only had a moment to collect her bearings before the phage lunged at her again. She managed to dodge the sword, but the sharp claws of the creature's free hand ensnared themselves in her braided hair. Minako screamed as the phage yanked her backwards, pulling her hair until most of her neck was stretched and exposed. "_Yamete!_" she shrieked as the phage raised its sword triumphantly, and then brought it swinging downward toward her slender neck--- There was a loud crash, a sudden shower of glass, and the phage abruptly yanked her claws out of Minako's tangled braid (taking a few large chunks of golden-blond hair with her). Minako lost her balance and fell, instinctively rolling away from the creature. Halting her tumble in the middle of the room, Minako stood up in one smooth motion, and clapped her hand to her mouth in dismayed shock when she saw what had distracted the phage's attention. Kou Yaten leapt away from the phage, still clutching the shattered remains of the lamp in his hands. "I'm here, come and get me!" he taunted the creature, which was momentarily preoccupied with picking bits of colored glass out of its hair. "That was an antique Tiffany lamp!" gasped Minako with dismay. "You're still here? For God's sake, Minako, RUN AWAY!!!" "Do you bit your thumb at me, sir?" challenged Sailor Shakespeare. "I do bite my thumb," Yaten replied. "Come and get me, if you're fast enough." "No, don't!!!" Minako cried out. But the phage didn't listen. With a roar, Sailor Shakespeare launched herself at the boy, who met her attack by parrying with the lamp-stand. The phage backed up and lunged herself forward again, this time with more power. Yaten managed to parry her thrust once again, but the force of her blow pushed him backwards a few steps. Laughing triumphantly, moving so fast that Yaten had no real time to react, the creature backed up and thrust, backed up and thrust, each time pushing the foolish boy closer to the opposite corner of the room. Soon Yaten was boxed into the corner. With one powerful blow, the lamp-stand was knocked out of his hand. The phage leered at him, savoring her moment of triumph. "Thou, wretched boy, that didst consort her here, shall with her hence,***" laughed Sailor Shakespeare as she pulled back her sword, preparing for the final blow. Yaten stuck his chin up defiantly. "I'll not be killed by the likes of you," he spat at her contemptuously. He reached for something tucked into his shirt . . . . . . It would beseech the reader to consider the fact that if Kou Yaten had at that moment managed to yell "Healer Star Power, MAKE UP!" things would have gotten very interesting very quickly. Fortunately, he never got the chance to do so. It was at that moment that Aino Minako grabbed the large potted plant near her feet, swung it by its thick leafy branches, and smashed it on top of Sailor Shakespeare's head. There was an explosion of ceramics and dirt. The pot shattered, and the phage slumped down instantly. Yaten's jaw dropped. Standing over the motionless creature, covered in dirt and crumbled flecks of clay pottery, clutching the uprooted plant in one hand, and using the other hand wipe her unbraided, tangled hair from her face, Aino Minako said triumphantly: "Well, that oughtta keep her out of our hair until Sailor Moon shows up." Yaten stood motionless, staring at Minako in shock. Her chest heaved, her cheeks flushed, and her unruly golden hairs floated around her head like and aura. Like a halo. The room was still and quiet as the two exhausted actors simply stared at each other, both too shaken to actually say anything. Thankfully, Sailor Moon's voice cut through the silence like a knife. "For interrupting the play that these hard-working students have labored over for months, I cannot forgive you! For love and justice, the pretty soldier in a sailor suit, Sailor Moon---" "-Sailor Mercury---" "---Sailor Mars---" "---Sailor Jupiter---" "---Sailor Uranus---" "---Sailor Neptune---" "---Sailor Pluto---" "---Sailor Saturn---" "---Sailor Star Fighter---" "---and Sailor Star Maker---" "---in the name of the Moon, we will punish you!" "It's too late, guys," said Minako. "We already defeated the phage." The eleven Sailor Senshi who had managed to cram themselves into the Green Room stood in silent shock. "Um . . . Now, Sailor Moon!" cried out Sailor Mars, for lack of anything else to say. "Hai," responded Sailor Moon as she pulled out her Moon Tier. A few moments later, Kanzaki Yuri was groggily sitting upright, rubbing a sore spot on her scalp. "Ooooh, did something fall and bump me on the head?" she asked. *****(Scene Seven: The final scene of "Romeo and Juliet.")***** There wasn't a dry eye in the audience. Watching quietly from behind the curtain, Yaten pondered upon the hectic events of the past couple hours as on stage Paris laid flowers on Juliet's grave. Of course, after the Sailor Senshi had left the Green Room and the curious cast and crew had flooded in, things quickly became very chaotic. Yuri's friend, the vice-president of the drama club, screeched about the ruined lamp, sofa, and chairs. The makeup girls berated Minako for messing up her hair and face so badly. Makoto informed a very distressed Taiki that yes, she could fix Juliet's dress, but not in the next five minutes, so they would have to start the play with Minako wearing a different dress. Between the comings and goings of the cast and crew members and the frantic preparations for the upcoming first scene, Yaten barely had time to whisper out of the side of his mouth in Taiki's general direction, "What took you guys so long?!" "We had a little run-in with Uranus-tachi in the hallway," Taiki whispered back. "It took all of Sailor Moon's . . . ah, diplomatic graces . . . to convince the other Senshi to let us fight with them." "So what you mean is that she almost started crying." "Oh yeah." Seiya suddenly grabbed Yaten in a ferocious bear hug, nearly crushing the littlest Light. "I'm just glad that you're safe," he whispered into Yaten's ear. Then he abruptly let go, and Yaten fell out of his arms, gasping for air. "Are you trying to kill me?!" "No, I just wanted to apologize for calling you pathetic and hopeless." "Apology accepted, you uncouth buffoon." "It's good to see that a near-death experience hasn't changed your attitude at all," replied Seiya cheerfully. Somehow everything had managed to work out, and by the time the curtain rose, the little mishap in the Green Room was virtually forgotten. The next couple of hours passed quickly, and finally it looked as if it was time for the grand finale. After Paris was done mourning, Yaten made his entrance, followed by his servant Balthasar. " 'Give me the mattock and that wrenching iron,' " Romeo ordered his servant. " 'Hold, take this letter. Early in the morning See thou deliver it to my lord and father. Give me the light. Upon thy life I charge thee, Whate'er thou hearest or seest, stand all aloof And do not interrupt me in my course. Why I descend into this bed of death Is partly to behold my lady's face, But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger A precious ring - a ring that I must use In dear employment.* Therefore hence, be gone.' " " 'I will be gone sir, and not trouble you,' " Balthasar replied obediently. " 'So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that. Live, and be prosperous; and farewell, good fellow.' " Then Romeo turned toward the tomb, where Juliet lay still and silent, her hands folded neatly on her stomach, her hair arranged in cascading waves around her pale oval face, her lips slightly parted, as if she were waiting for a handsome prince to kiss her and awake her from a deep sleep. For staging purposes, the tomb was just slightly to the left of the graveyard. Paris still lurked among the tombstones, watching Romeo suspiciously. Romeo addressed the tomb: " 'Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death, Gorged with the dearest morsel on the earth, Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open, And in despite I'll cram thee with more food.' " Paris finally stepped forward and confronted Romeo. " 'Stop they unhallowed toil, vile Montague!' " he commanded imperiously. " 'Good gentle youth, tempt not a desp'rate man,' " Romeo warned him. " 'I do defy thy conjurations. And apprehend thee for a felon here,' " responded Paris, brave and defiant. " 'Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!' " The two dueled, and Paris was slain. As he lay dying, Paris asked to be laid in Juliet's tomb. So Romeo, finally recognizing the man as Juliet's former suitor, entered the tomb dragging Paris' body with him. Laying down the dead boy, Romeo stood over Juliet's prone body and clasped her white hand in his. " 'O my love, my wife! Death, that hath sucked the honey of thy breath, Hath had no power yet upon they beauty. Thou art not conquered. Beauty's ensign** yet Is crimson in they lips and in they cheeks, And death's pale flag is not advanced there. Ah, dear Juliet, Why art thou yet so fair? Shall I believe That unsubstantial Death is amorous, And that the lean abhorred monster keeps Thee there in dark to be his paramour? For fear of that I will stay with thee And never from this pallet of dim night Depart again. Here, here will I remain With worms that are thy chambermaids. O, here Will I set upon my everlasting rest And shake the yoke of inauspicious stars From this world-wearied flesh. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! And, lips, O you The doors of breath, seal with a righteous kiss A dateless*** bargain to engrossing death!' " Romeo bent down and kissed Juliet, softly and firmly, on her parted lips. The audience echoed with sniffles and quiet sobs. Then Romeo knelt down by Juliet's body and brought a small vial of poison to his lips. " 'Come, bitter conduct; come, unsavory guide! Thou desperate pilot1*, now at once run on The dashing rocks thy seasick weary bark! Here's to my love!' " And Romeo drank the poison. " 'Thy drugs are quick. Thus with a kiss I die,' " Romeo gasped as he slumped over and lay dead next to Juliet. Then Juliet stirred, waking from her death-like sleep. " 'Where is my Romeo?' " Juliet asked curiously, slowly turning her head as she scanned the stage and the tomb around her. Then her eyes fell upon the dead body at her feet. Juliet shivered. Juliet trembled. Juliet let out a cry of despair and pulled her dead lover into her quivering embrace, resting his limp head on her warm lap. " 'What's here? A cup, closed in my truelove's hand? Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end. O churl!** Drunk all, and left no friendly drop To help me after? I will kiss they lips. Haply some poison yet doth hang on them To make me die with a restorative.' " A single tear streaked down Juliet's cheek as she bent forward and kissed Romeo, passionately and desperately, pressing down onto his lips with all the weight of her grief and sorrow. Slowly, she raised her head again. Then she pulled Romeo's dagger from his belt, and pointed it at her breast. " 'Oh, happy dagger! This is they sheath; there rust, and let me die.' " Juliet plunged the dagger into her chest and collapsed, dying. A mournful silence descended upon the theater, broken only by the soft weeping of the audience members. *****(Scene Eight: After the performance, backstage)***** The congratulations went all around, and the impromptu celebration initiated by the cast and crew lasted for nearly an hour after the curtain call (during which there was a standing ovation.) But finally, the tired and exhausted actors and crew members left the theater, promising Taiki that they would try to get at least some sleep before tomorrow night's performance. "Hey you guys, let's go get some ice cream to celebrate!" Usagi suggested cheerfully to those still left in the theater. Only herself, Taiki, Seiya, Ami, and Makoto were still hanging out in the back wings of the auditorium. Yaten and Minako had disappeared together some time ago, and everybody assumed that they were doing the same things they did together almost every night - eating dinner, practicing their lines, or gossiping. Taiki, Ami, and Makoto groaned. "Usagi, don't you want to get some sleep?" asked Makoto, yawning. But Seiya pumped his fist enthusiastically into the air. "Yeah! I'll go with you to get ice cream, Odango!" "Only two votes out of five?" sighed Usagi, dismayed. "I guess that we can't go, then." Seiya winked and nudged her. "I was _suggesting_ that you and I could go by ourselves," he explained. Usagi blushed and jumped away from him. "Um, I really should get some sleep before tomorrow night," she suddenly concluded. Taiki shook his head and laughed softly. "You'll never learn, will you, Seiya?" Then he jerked his head toward the exit. "C'mon you guys, let's get out of here." "Not so fast," came Minako's authoritative voice from behind them. Five heads snapped around to behold Yaten and Minako, both with arms crossed over their chests triumphantly. Artemis was perched on Minako's shoulder, and she was clutching a large, brown paper envelope to her chest. "I am proud to announce that I have solved the Mystery of the Psychology Project," announced Minako pompously. "The what?" asked Usagi and Makoto in unison. Simultaneously, Taiki and Ami winced as Seiya began to giggle softly. "This," began Yaten, indicating the envelope that Minako was clutching behind her crossed arms, "contains all of Taiki's and Ami's notes and research about their respective hypotheses regarding the Pirandello Principle." "The what?" Usagi and Makoto asked again. "H-how did you get that?!" Taiki sputtered indignantly. "Simple. I sent Artemis to break into your book bags during the performance tonight," answered Minako. Makoto scratched her head. "Um, could somebody clue me in here? I'm a bit lost." "Oh, Minako and I _would_ explain everything," snarled Yaten derisively, "but I think that's best left to our conspirators. Would you three mind coming clean with this?" "Are you angry?" asked Ami timidly. "Angry as hell," the two answered in flat-toned unison. Ami shook her head and sighed. "Then, I guess there's no choice. We'd best confess, Taiki-san." "Where do we start?" "At the beginning," suggested Seiya helpfully. "Fine, fine," Ami sighed again. "The beginning. Nearly a month ago, Taiki and I were engaged in an impromptu study session for an upcoming psych exam at the Crown Fruits Parlor. Somehow we got on the topic of the final grade in the class, an independent research project that we were already supposed to have started work on. The problem was that neither of us could settle upon a hypothesis to test." "At the time, we both happened to be reading a play written by an Italian author named Luigi Pirandello," continued Taiki. " 'Six Characters in Search of an Author,' it was called. Pirandello wrote the play to showcase the fact that works of fiction, whether on stage, on the silver screen, or in a novel, tend to blur our perceptions of what is real and what is fantastic. But especially on the stage to the lines between reality and illusion dissolve. In fact, it is argued in Pirandello's script that the job of the actors in a stage production is to bring reality, to bring life, to that which is not real. To _create_ reality from illusion. Thus, sometimes the boundaries between what is real and what is not are no longer taken into consideration." "Taiki and I jokingly referred to this as the Pirandello Principle. Like, we've studied how actors on television, in the movies, or on the stage sometimes identify with and become very involved in the characters that they portray." "But then we started arguing about how true the Pirandello Principle really was." "For example, if two actors are portraying the romantic leads in a movie, do the actors themselves fall in love with each other if their characters do also? Or, can love grow out of a situation like this? I say no; love forms from a deep and mutual bond between two like souls, and cannot truly grow from a set of happenstance circumstances like casting in a performance. But Taiki disagreed with me." "I was drinking a lot of orange juice at the time," murmured Taiki sheepishly. Then he continued, "I still maintain that the Pirandello Principle is, sadly, true to real life. It would be nice to believe that love comes from the bond between two like souls, or whatever, but that's often not the case. People fall in 'love' and marry for the most trivial of reasons - money, power, convenience, a couple fun dates between them, the bond that society demands must be formed from a kiss on the lips, or casting themselves as romantically involved characters in a performance. Members of the audience, as well as actors themselves, suspend the belief that they are living in a world of fantasy during a stage performance. If two characters love each other, then two actors will love each other." "So we decided to test the Pirandello Principle. Whomever's theories concerning it were proved correct at the end of the test would be able to turn in their research as their final project, and be virtually guaranteed the top mark in the psychology class." "But we didn't stop with just that." "We made it a bit more interesting, didn't we?" "Um, I was drinking a lot of orange juice at the time," Taiki repeated again. "I don't know why we did it, but we made a bet. Whomever's hypothesis was proven false would owe the winner five thousand yen." Makoto and Usagi clapped their hands over their mouths. "Ami- chan, gambling?! For shame!" exclaimed Usagi. Ami shrugged modestly. "I guess I was a little carried away at the moment. I find intellectual rivalries so . . . stimulating." She blushed, slightly embarrassed. "So, we chose a scenario to test our theories." "That was the play, in case you haven't made the connection yet, Usagi." "Oh!" gasped Usagi, suddenly understanding. "And we chose our test subjects. One, an arrogant but refined actor who had never known true love but claimed disdain for all falsified forms of it; the other, an outgoing but very infatuated actress who already had trouble distinguishing fantasy from reality in her everyday life. They made . . . quite an interesting combination," finished Taiki. "And, by the way, I had to explain everything to Seiya, because there was no other way for me to convince him not to audition for the role of Romeo." For a moment, the theater was quiet. Usagi and Makoto were staring at Ami as if they had never seen her before; Seiya, Taiki, and Ami were studying their feet and shuffling uncomfortably; and Yaten and Minako were red-cheeked and furiously glaring at the conspirators. Finally, Taiki broke the silence by laughing smugly. "Well, Miss Mizuno, now that the experiment is almost over, I think it's pretty clear who won our bet." "Huh? What do you mean?" she asked him. "Well, I mean, LOOK at those two! Haven't you been taking notes? The constant disappearances together, the intimate moments stolen between rehearsals, the bouquet of roses, the tears they shed during the final act tonight---" "You've got it all wrong," snapped Ami suddenly, whirling to face him. "You've been proven wrong! This had nothing to do with the stupid play! If anything, their behavior proves that outside factors contributed to the attraction. Look, if you two hadn't shut Yaten out of your lives, he wouldn't have had any reason to seek Minako's company in the first place! It's because of you that he---" "---Your interpretation of the situation is completely wrong. If they hadn't kissed on stage, if they hadn't killed themselves over each other at almost every rehearsal, if they hadn't---" "---If they hadn't shared a passion for the theater, if they hadn't found a common goal to work towards together, if they hadn't spent so much time together BETWEEN rehearsals, if they hadn't already possessed common interests and complimenting personalities, none of this would have happened! Don't you understand? This was meant to be from the beginning! All that the play did was speed up what was actually a natural process." "Ano," coughed Minako loudly. "Your guinea pigs would appreciate it if you remembered that they are still in you presence." "Yeah, show a little courtesy toward your _test subjects,_" grumbled Yaten. Ami and Taiki flushed, embarrassed. They backed away from each other, shuffling their feet. "Maybe we're both wrong," suggested Ami timidly. "Maybe we're both right," countered Taiki, in an equally soft voice. After a moment of contemplation, Ami's eyes lit up with sudden inspiration. One could almost see the light bulb click on above her head. "Hey, I've got it! We'll both turn in our projects!" "But . . . two opposing hypotheses can't both be right." "Who cares? In this case, because there were so many external factors contributing to the outcome, the results were corrupted anyway. So the outcome all depends upon one's interpretation. Either way, both studies will be among the best in the class. Only one will get the top mark from sensei, but both are virtually guaranteed to get an A." "And the person with the top mark owes the other five thousand yen?" "Sounds good to me!" "Deal?" "Deal!" Minako coughed again, drawing their attention. "Look, I'm glad that you two managed to resolve your academic differences, but let's get a few things straight here. One: I do not like being referred to as a subject, a result, or an outcome. Two: I resent the fact that you were both spying on Yaten and I for nearly a month. Three: If you two don't apologize by bringing me a triple fudge sundae for lunch every day for the next three weeks, I'm afraid that I will have to hate you both for the rest of my life." "No ice cream for me; I don't eat that crap," added Yaten. "But caviar would be nice. Russian caviar." "Deal," Ami and Taiki nodded in unison. "Great!" exclaimed Usagi. "So let's get out of here! If I hear one more word about the Pasta Principle or psychological experiments, my head will explode!" She started toward the exit. "Come on, you guys, let's go!" Everybody in the theater agreed that leaving was a very good idea. As the others followed Usagi out the nearest exit, Yaten and Minako walked a bit further back than the rest of the group. Yaten whispered to Minako: "Hey, I meant to thank you earlier, but . . . there was no time. So thanks. Um, for tonight. I mean, for sticking with me when that monster attacked us." "Hey, I only saved you life. It's what friends are for." "Don't get so uppity. I saved your life too, you know." Artemis leapt off Minako's shoulder and ran ahead of her, wisely deciding to leave the pair alone for a few moments. Minako smiled, softly, a little bit shyly, at Yaten. "Hey, I promised that I would protect you, didn't I? And by the way, I still hold by that promise. I'll always protect you, Yaten-kun." And in that moment, in the defiant set of her jaw and the determined blaze in her eyes, Yaten saw the steel-willed girl who had first made that promise to him at an anonymous little noodle stand on some dark street corner oh so long ago. And he realized, without any real surprise, that Aino Minako was a lot tougher than she looked. And he admired her for it. "Ne, Minako-chan," Yaten whispered into her ear, "Hypothetically, would it affect our relationship at all if I told you that I wasn't always a man?" Minako giggled flirtatiously. "Oh, so we have a relationship now?" "I brought you roses, I kissed you, I saved your life, and I drank a bottle of poison for you. Yes, I think that qualifies as a relationship." "You do know how to make a girl blush." "Well, you never answered my question," pouted Yaten as he held Minako's hand and the two stepped out into the cool night air. "Would it bother you if I wasn't a man twenty-four hours seven days a week?" Minako giggled happily. "I never knew you had such a sick sense of humor! I dunno; let me think about it. In the mean time, do you want to get some ramen noodles with me? I don't know about you, but I'm starving." "It would be my pleasure. After you, my guinea pig." "But of course, my Romeo." CURTAIN ----------------------------------------------------------------- Footnotes: * "Carry coals" = endure insults. ** Colliers = coal venders. This leads to a pun on choler = anger and collar = hangman's noose. *** Draw = draw swords * spinners = spiders ** suit = petitioner who may be willing to pay for the courtier's influence *** benefice = income, living. * Healths = toasts ** demesnes = domains *** compliment = formal courtesy * havior = behavior ** strange = aloof *** "Heart cleft by the blind bow-boy's butt-shaft" = a reference to cupid. * Fantasticoes = fops ** Green Room = Traditionally, the room where actors gather to meet audience members after a production. Also sometimes used for makeup, costuming, or whatever. *** Her = a reference to Minako. * Employment = business. ** Ensign = banner *** dateless = eternal * pilot = a reference to himself ** churl = rude fellow ----------------------------------------------------------------- Author's Notes: To justify myself, allow me to explain a few things. Kou Yaten and Aino Minako are probably my absolute favorite characters in the entire Sailor Moon canon. The anime hints at an attraction between the two, but never really satisfies romance-hungry fans. So I guess that leaves it up to us fanfic writers! I've always wanted to write a story about these two . . . Unfortunately, I'm not very good at writing pure romantic fiction. So I decided to approach this from a different angle. I did not intend for this story to be focused on a mushy romance between the two. I wanted to expose the bond that forms between them, if not necessarily the love. And as for casting the two as leads in a production of "Romeo and Juliet" . . . I dunno . . . I've always been a theater buff and a Shakespeare aficionado, both Minako and Yaten seemed to have talents in that particular area, and in my head at least, it just seemed to work. I'm really interested to know what you readers think about this. I've never tried anything like this before. Did you like it? Did you hate it? In either case, why do you feel this way? BTW, if you want to read a really amazing Yaten/Minako romantic fanfic, check out "Yaten's Love Song" by Jennifer Wand. It takes place after the anime series ends, and isn't bogged down with excessive dialouge in Old English. ^_^ This is my first ever Sailor Moon fanfic, so I'd really like some feedback! Email me at shmendrik6@aol.com Long live the Montagues and the Capulets! Much love, Kotetsu 5/5/2000