Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction / Sailor Moon Fan Fiction / Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ SeeDs, Ronins, and Scouts ❯ The Joys of Shopping ( Chapter 11 )

Ronin Warriors, Sailor Moon, and Final Fantasy VIII do not belong to me. They belong to Sunrise Inc., Toei Animation, and Squaresoft respectively. PLEASE DON'T SUE ME!!!!!!!! Only the plot of the story and any new characters, such as Blaze Fields and Axel Jones belongs to me.

I would like to give special thanks to the individuals that left reviews for the story. As for the individuals that read the story but didn't leave any feedback, I still have love for you. Well, on with the story!

"The Joys of Shopping"

Chapter Eleven

Monday, February 7, 2006, Koji Mansion in Deling City:

The Ronins and Scouts woke up around 10:00 a.m. to a very delicious aroma coming from the kitchen. Everyone slowly made his or her way down the stairs. Once they arrived at their destination, they spotted Mia placing the last pancake onto the stack. They also saw a layout of waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage links, and fresh fruits on the table. Kento and Serena's stomachs growled the loudest and their friends groaned.

"Good morning guys," Mia smiled. "How did you guys sleep?"

"I feel a lot better today than I did this past weekend," Mina replied.

"I could have gotten more sleep if `someone' wasn't snoring so loudly next door...Serena," Raye murmured. The girls chuckled lightly as they sat at the table.

Serena looked in Raye's direction. "Hey! I can't help that I snore when I'm really, really tired," she whined.

"Hmm....I guess that could explain why Kento and Rowen were snoring as well," Sage added. His roommate looked at him with a sheepish smile while Kento glared at the blond.

"Whatever," Kento muttered under his breath.

"Some of us aren't morning people like you are Sage," Rowen mumbled as he sat at the table.

"Well, I had to go to the forest to clear my head for a while," Sage admitted as he passed the pancakes to Cai.

"Did you and others eat breakfast already Mia?" Amy asked as she picked a yellow apple.

"Yes we did. If you guys need anything else, just let me know," Mia said as she headed to the living room.

"Okay," the others murmured.

Everyone ate in silence for about thirty minutes. Lita, Cai, Mina, and Ryo stayed behind to wash the dishes, while the others went to get ready for the day. About an hour later, the Ronins and the Scouts entered the living room.

"So what exactly are we gonna do right now?" Mina asked her comrades.

"I don't know. I guess we could just go to the mall, spar, or go to the movies to kill some time," Kento suggested.

"Besides, Mia told me that she made reservations tonight at Julia's Blue Note Café," Rowen added.

"In addition to that, you guys have to dress up," Mia added as she, Anubis, and Yuli entered the living room. The Ronins groaned at the idea of dressing up while the girls chuckled lightly at them. "Yes, that means no jeans and sneakers of the sort. I'm serious about this because this restaurant is very fancy."

"Okay, okay Mia," Ryo muttered.

"Besides, I think that you guys will look even more handsome when you dress up," Serena commented.

"Oh, but I'm not finished yet," Mia interjected. She looked at the girls. "As for you guys, you cannot wear any dressy pants, jeans, or sneakers. You either have to wear skirts and a dressy top or a dress. It's your choice." The guys smirked before chuckling at Lita and Amy's protest.

"I really don't like wearing dresses or skirts as a matter of fact," Lita complained.

"I just really feel more comfortable wearing dress pants rather than wearing skirts or dresses," Amy replied.

"I truly agree with you both. I don't like to wear skirts or dresses myself, especially in my current condition, but I'm willing to do this," Mia explained.

Anubis draped his arm around Mia's shoulder. "I still think that you would look beautiful regardless of what you wear." The girls smiled as the pregnant woman blushed before smiling.

"Don't worry about it guys," Mina said casually. She grabbed both Amy and Lita's hand and looked at her friends. "Look, I'll pick something out nice for the both of you, but you both have to cooperate with me."

"Okay," Lita agreed reluctantly, "but you better not have me to try on anything that will make me look sleazy."

"I guess it won't hurt to go through with this," Amy agreed. "Besides, it may be some fun."

"Looks like we have to do some shopping guys," Cai stated.

"Well, the Mall of Deling is located in the downtown area," Anubis offered.

"It's about fifteen minutes from my house. The mall is really nice," Mia commented.

"Man that mall has everything!" Yuli exclaimed. "There's a movie theater on the third level, an arcade room on the second level, and a Ferris wheel in the center court."

"I know exactly where that mall is. I'll lead you guys there," Kento stated as he stood up from the couch. The girls stood up and followed him out of the living room and headed towards the front door.

"I hate to burst your bubble Kento, but you might lead us out into the Monterosa Plateaus or near the D-District Prison," Rowen countered as Kento was reaching for his car keys. The guys snickered as they walked pass the two individuals.

"Not now you two," Raye groaned as she pushed the two individuals out the house.

"Well, let's make this quick and painless as possible," Lita murmured as Sage handed her her keys before grabbing his. Both individuals left the house.

Balamb Garden:

"That was so totally cool!" Selphie remarked as she looked from the Balamb News Bug. "Those Ronin Warriors were so cool. I hope that they won against that meanie Tampa...or whatever that bad guy's name was."

"I know what you mean," Zell agreed as he finished reading the same newspaper article. "Man that Sailor Moon character really rocks! If I was there, I would have done my Burning Rave combo on that witch Beryl." He did a few punches in the air for emphasis, then looked at Quistis. "Hey Quistis, do you think that the Ronin Warriors and Sailor Moon actually live in Balamb City?"

"I honestly don't know Zell. Right now, we need to check up on Mr. Leonhart and Mr. Almasy," Quistis said as she walked down the hall.

Zell, Selphie, and Quistis went to the infirmary to check on Squall and Seifer. Dr. Kadowaki looked up from her desk and smiled at the three visitors. Quistis and Selphie waved as they approached her desk.

"Hey doctor. Is it okay to see Seifer and Squall?" Selphie asked.

"I'm sorry you guys, but I just released them on Saturday morning. Squall stopped by early this morning to take off his head dressings. However, I haven't seen Seifer since he was released. I honestly don't know where either of them could be," Sarah Kadowaki explained.

"Well, thanks anyway Dr. Kadowaki," Quistis said.

Zell, Selphie, and Quistis left the infirmary and wondered about the whereabouts of Squall and Seifer. They decided to worry about that later and decided to grab a quick lunch. They were about to enter the cafeteria when the headmaster came over the intercom.

"Pardon this interruption. Could the following cadets please see me in my office immediately: Squall Leonhart, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmitt, and Quistis Trepe," Headmaster Kramer ordered.

"Looks like we'll have to eat lunch later," Zell stated.

"I know. We better go now," Selphie sighed. They turned back around and headed towards the Main Hall.

A lady in a gray dress suit also headed towards the elevator. The lady tucked a few olive green tresses behind her ear as she waited patiently for the elevator to return from the 3rd floor. Her ruby red eyes glanced down briefly at her black briefcase before glancing up at the elevator doors. She nervously glanced at her watch and sighed. The three SeeD cadets slowly walked up the steps and stood in front of the elevator.

The red-eyed female turned to the three cadets and smiled. "Excuse me. Are any of you heading to the Headmaster's office?"

"Yes we are. Did you need to see Headmaster Kramer?" Selphie inquired.

"Yes. It is very important that I must speak with him," the green-haired female responded as the elevator doors opened.

Quistis stepped in and swiped her card to gain access to the 3rd floor. "Well, we should be arriving there shortly."

"Thank you so much."

Seconds later, the metal doors opened and the two females left the mechanical pulley. The three cadets and the older female walked towards the Headmaster's office. The metal sliding door slid open and revealed Headmaster Cid Kramer skimming through a file. Squall Leonhart was leaning against the wall with his hands crossed over his chest. He looked up at the four incoming visitors and welcomed them.

The three cadets saluted the headmaster. "Sir, may I ask what's going on?" Zell asked.

"I will tell you all very shortly," Headmaster Kramer stated. He glanced over Quistis' shoulder and saw the green-haired female. "Well it's good to see you again Ms. Trista Meiou. Could I speak with my cadets first before I address your matters?"

"Sure," Trista replied before she turned around and left the office.

"Now, getting back to the matter at hand," the headmaster murmured before he leaned on his desk. "Quistis, may I ask where's Ms. Rinoa Heartilly is right now?"

"Sir, she's currently in the library looking at some books," the blue-eyed female responded.

"Good. I need for you to brief Mr. Leonhart about the progress of the Timber Mission," the headmaster replied. He looked at Squall. "As soon as you're feeling better, I need for you, Ms. Heartilly, and the others to take the transcontinental train from Balamb City to Galbadia Garden, located on the western continent. The headmaster there needs our assistance with one of their missions."

"Sir, did he tell you what kind of mission?" Squall asked.

Headmaster Cid looked at the dark brown-haired male as he stood up from the desk. "Headmaster Martine didn't tell me anything about this mission. He will tell you once you arrive at Galbadia Garden. Are there any more questions? If not, you're dismissed."

The four SeeDs saluted the headmaster and left his office. Trista then walked up to the door and waited for the metal port to slide open. She walked inside the office and sat in one of the chairs.

"Good morning Mr. Kramer. How are you doing today sir?" Trista questioned.

"I'm doing fine. May I ask how did that mission near the Shumi Village go?"

"The mission was a total success. The Shumians and other inhabitants were truly grateful for the SeeDs' spectacular work. They will be returning back to Balamb Garden on tomorrow," Trista explained. "However, I do need help once more. There's another mission that I truly need their assistance. This mission is quite lengthy and tedious."

"How many SeeD members will you need?"

"I will only need the service from five. This mission will take place at the Lunarian Space Station (LSS)," Trista explained as she pulled out some papers from her briefcase. "The scientists have been picking up some peculiar readings for the past month. Also some of the astronauts have sent photographs and information to the Lunar Base near Esthar. The astronauts have witnessed some monsters destroying some of the space pods and damaging parts of the space station. In addition, there have been some instances that these monsters have boarded the station." She handed the papers to the headmaster.

Headmaster Kramer looked at the information as he sat in his chair. He placed the stack of papers on his desk and laced his fingers together. "So how long will this mission last?"

"This mission will go on for about two years. This is just an estimated time. It really depends on how long will it take for the SeeDs to destroy all the monsters and assist some of the technicians in the process of reconstructing the LSS. Will you consider this Mr. Kramer?"

The headmaster leaned back in his chair and thought over the situation for several moments. He glanced at the papers again, then looked at Trista. "I'm assuming that the five chosen SeeDs would go to the Lunar Base to be deployed to the space station." Trista nodded in response. "When would the five SeeD members leave for this mission?"

"I would like for the chosen SeeD members to leave next Monday."

Headmaster Cid looked at Trista and gave his response. "I am willing to release the SeeDs' services unto you. So who are the chosen members to leave for this mission?"

Ms. Meiou smiled as she leaned forward. "I need the following SeeD members:........"

Deling City:

MSG Axel Jones and SFC Blaze Fields arrived back to Deling City after a five-hour transcontinental train ride from Shumi Village. Both were somewhat tired from the difference in time changes. They went their separate ways and dropped off their luggage at their homes. Since they had time left before they returned to the Deling City Police Department (D.C.P.D.) on Wednesday, Blaze called Axel and suggested that they could look around the Mall of Deling.

"Well, I don't have anything to do later on. I guess I could go," Axel replied. "Do you want me to come and pick you up?"

"That's fine with me," Blaze answered nonchalantly.

"I'll be there in ten minutes," Axel said.

Mall of Deling:

"Do you want for me to stay with you guys?" Amy asked as she finished purchasing her wardrobe for tonight. She walked up to her other two comrades.

"It's really up to you Amy. We've only been shopping for about an hour," Lita murmured as they walked through the mall.

"Did you see a bookstore or a record store since we've been here?" Mina asked.

"Actually, I did. I wanted to get a new book and I also wanted to get either a jazz or instrumental CD," Amy confessed. Suddenly, her silvery-blue watch-bracelet beeped. "Now who could this be?"

The three girls exchanged a questioning look and walked over to a secluded corner. Each girl checked over her shoulder and Amy pressed the green button. A holographic image of Rowen and Sage appeared before them.

"Hey ladies. How's it going?" Rowen asked.

"Pretty good so far. What about with you guys? Any luck finding something nice?" Mina asked.

Both males held up their bags and smiled. "Actually, we've just finished. I honestly don't know about Cai, Ryo, and Kento though," Sage answered.

"Did you guys already eat lunch yet?" Rowen inquired.

"No we haven't," Lita answered. "Where are you guys right now?"

"We're passing Spiegel's,....Cheri's Boutique, Gap Suit City, and a few shoe stores. Where are you guys at?" Sage questioned the three females.

"We're standing near Deling's Arts and Craft Shop," Amy responded after looking at the store behind her.

"Well, look for us. We'll approach you guys from the right. See you then," Rowen stated.

Amy easily pressed a small, red button on her watch-bracelet to end the conversation. She and her other comrades sat and waited a few moments until Sage and Rowen arrived. Mina spotted the two males and waved to them.

"So where are we gonna get something to eat from?" Lita asked once the guys reached them.

"I saw the Galbadia's Kitchen, Ruby Dragon Bar and Grill, and Cloud's SubStation," Rowen commented.

"I think we'll eat from the Original Cheesecake Company. The place isn't too far from here," Mina suggested. She sighed dreamily as she thought about a thick slice of cheesecake. Rowen, Sage, and Amy chuckled lightly at their comrade.

Lita snapped her fingers in front of her best friend before she started drooling on the floor. "Mina! Mina!"

"Oh guys.... I'm so sorry about that," Mina murmured as she blushed lightly.

"We'll go that cheesecake place then," Sage answered. "We may see the others there."

The group of five walked towards the Food Court and spotted their friends. They left their bags with their friends and quickly ordered their food. Ten minutes later, Amy and her friends sat at the table with Ryo, Kento and the others.

"So did you buy everything you needed?" Raye asked the newcomers.

"Everyone has their wardrobes except me," Lita sighed.

"Don't worry Lita. I'm not gonna give up yet. I'll still help you find the perfect dress," Mina promised. She looked at the others at the table. "If you guys want to go back to Mia's, you can."

"I'll stay here with you guys," Sage told Mina and Lita.

"I really don't think that's necessary," Lita lightly protested as Mina nodded in agreement.

"Sure it is. I think I may be of some assistance," Sage responded before he took a sip of his drink.

"Well, if you insist Sage," Mina sighed as she picked up her sandwich.

Lita fished around in her purse for her car keys. When she found the small metal items, she handed them to Amy. "I'm leaving you as the designated driver," she stated.

"Good choice Lita," Raye acknowledged before smirking. She jerked her thumb in Serena's direction. "I don't think Meatball Head here would drive us back safely to Mia's place."

Serena stopped eating her cheesecake and looked at the raven-haired female. "I fail to believe my driving is bad," she retorted. "Besides, if you don't like my driving, then don't get in the car with me." She narrowed her eyes at her `friend'. "Lastly, stop callin' me MEATBALL HEAD!!" Everyone else groaned while the two individuals bickered.

Kento stood up and looked at the others. "Well, I'm about to leave right now. If anyone's leaving with me, they need to come on now," Kento stated as he walked to the trash can.

"I guess we're gonna leave with Kento. I'll see you later at Mia's," Amy replied as she and the two females left the table. Cai, Ryo, and Rowen also left the table.

"Well, let's go ahead and find that dress!" Mina said eagerly.

Sage, Lita, and Mina left the Food Court and headed towards Spiegel's. As soon as they reached Spiegel's, Lita spotted a couple walking from the north. The couple also entered the store.

`Why do they seem so familiar to me?' Lita pondered quietly to herself.

Sage sensed something wrong and glanced over his shoulder. "Lita, are you okay?"

Lita snapped out of her musings and looked at Sage. "Huh? Oh, I'm all right. I was just thinking," she murmured.

"Okay," he murmured before he followed Mina.

Spiegel's:

Axel and Blaze entered the store. Blaze headed towards one of the clothing racks when she spotted a small group of teenagers looking at dresses. She stared at the three individuals as they continued to pick out a wardrobe.

`Why does it seem that I know them?' Blaze thought to herself.

"Blaze, are you okay?" her friend asked.

Blazed blinked and looked at her friend. "I'm sorry about that Axel. Were you asking me a question?"

Axel chuckled lightly at her perplexed expression. "It's not nice to stare at people," he teased. He looked at the three individuals. "However, in all seriousness, I feel as though I know those three." Before Blaze could elaborate further about the matter, they overheard the three individuals' conversation.

"Hey Lita, check this one out," the female with the orange t-shirt said as she held up a chic black dress.

"Mina, are you absolutely sure that this won't make me look sleazy?" the dark, honey-blonde female questioned while eyeing the dress skeptically.

"I promise that this won't make you look sleazy," Mina commented.

"Besides," the blond-haired male added, "I'll let you know if you're wearing the right dress." He smiled at Lita's shocked expression.

"SAGE!!" Lita gasped as she tried to hide her blush.

Mina chuckled lightly as she watched her best friend sported a rosy tint across her cheeks and nose. "You go and try that dress on while I find another one."

Blaze watched as Lita walked into the dressing room and entered one of the stalls. "I'm going to talk to the other two," she whispered. She looked at Axel. "Are you coming with me or are you going to browse in some other stores?"

"I'll go with you. I'm quite curious to talk with them myself," Axel smiled as they slowly approached the two teenagers.

Mina picked up another stylish dress and looked at it. Out the corner of her eye, she spotted an auburn-haired female walk over to the same dress rack and browsed through a couple of dresses. The female asked her companion's opinion about some of the dresses. The dark blond-haired male murmured a few compliments about the clothing.

"Any luck Mina?" Sage asked.

"Hold on just a second," Mina replied as she continued examining the dress. "Hey Sage." She looked over her right shoulder and spotted him thumbing through a magazine. "Do you think that Lita will like this one?" she asked her comrade.

He looked up from the page and glanced at the article of clothing in Mina's hand. "Well, I will say that it's a beautiful dress. I really can't judge until Lita tries it on."

"I think that it is classy and elegant," the auburn-haired female next to her commented.

Sage and Mina both glanced at the person who spoke and smiled. "Thanks," Mina whispered.

"Okay guys," Lita began as she stepped out of the dressing room with the chic dress on. The dress was a v-neck, sleeveless dress. The hemline was cut asymmetrically and began at her left knee and fell just at her right calf. "What do you think?" She turned around so that everyone could see the back as well.

"It looks nice on you," Sage commented. "I never knew that you had curves under those baggy clothes you wear." Lita blushed lightly and looked at Mina.

"I really think that the dress shows off your figure," Mina added.

"Same here," the auburn-haired female and her companion murmured.

"Thank you guys," Lita said as Mina handed her the other dress. She glanced at the two new individuals standing next to her two best friends. `Those two are the ones that I saw when we first entered this store,' she thought to herself.

"I didn't introduce myself," the auburn-haired female apologized before continuing. "I'm Blaze Fields and this is my friend Axel Jones."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Mina Aino and these are my friends, Lita Kino and Sage Date," Mina replied.

"Did either of you happen to attend Dollet High?" Sage questioned Blaze and Axel.

"I graduated with the class of 2004," Axel responded. "I noticed that your name sounded familiar."

"I went to Timber High and graduated with the class of 2004," Blaze responded. Lita and Mina looked at her.

"That's where Lita and I attended," Mina gasped.

"So that's why it seemed like I've heard your name before," Lita concluded. She looked at Sage and Mina. "Well, I'm going to try on this other dress. I want to hear more of your opinions once I come out the dressing room." She walked back into the dressing room and entered her stall.

The four individuals decided to become acquainted with each other as Lita tried on the second dress. Sage and Mina exchanged their contact numbers with Axel and Blaze. They promised that they would keep in contact. Blaze and Axel left just before Lita appeared before Sage and Mina.

"What happened to Blaze and her friend?" Lita asked.

"They had to head back home," Mina answered. "They said they had to report something in to Deling City Police Department."

"Oh, okay then," Lita responded. "Well…what do you guys think about this one?" She stretched out her arms to allow her friends to see the front of the dress. The second dress was a black wrap dress with shoulder butterfly sleeves. The dress truly complimented her figure and fell softly around her calves. A small, beautiful emerald pin was found at the curve of her left hip.

"WOW!!" Mina gasped. "That is really beautiful Lita! I think that dress is definitely the one for you!"

"Thanks," Lita smiled. Her smiled faded once she saw her messy hair in a nearby mirror. She reached up and took the scrunchie off her high ponytail. The blonde tresses cascaded down near the small of her back (A.N. She got a few inches cut off her hair). "I'll fix my hair back later." She tucked a few strands behind her ear as she turned towards Sage. "So what do you think about the dress?"

Sage stood there and couldn't believe the sight before him. He knew that this dress was the one. He loved how the way the dress enhanced her figure. `She really should wear her hair down more often…' he thought to himself. He cleared his throat and tried to think of a response. "Um…wow. I really don't know what to say. I'm just speechless," he honestly confessed as he gently clasped her hand and twirled her around. After he saw every angle of her figure in the dress, he finally commented on her appearance. "You really look stunning in that dress Lita."

Lita smiled and gave him a small peck on the cheek. "Thanks Sage." She quickly went back to her dressing stall to change back into her jeans and t-shirt. She appeared a few moments later with both black dresses in hand.

"So you're going to purchase the second dress?" Mina inquired as they all headed to the cash register. Lita nodded her head and reached for her credit card in her purse. "Don't you think you may need to get shoes to wear with the dress?"

"Crap!" Lita swore under her breath as she picked up her bag and left the store. "Well, I guess we could look in one of the shoe stores real quick."

After thirty minutes of searching for a dress, Lita, Sage, and Mina quickly entered the Deling Shoe Warehouse. Lita browsed around the store for strappy heels or sandals. She wandered across a pair of beautiful, black, strappy sandals that had two-inch heels. She quickly paid for them and left the store.

"Well, that wasn't so bad now," Mina commented as they headed towards the parking lot.

"I guess so," Lita murmured as she looked at her watch-bracelet. "It's now 2:45 p.m."

"We only have about five hours before we're supposed to go and celebrate," Sage stated as he reached his vehicle and unlocked the doors. "I guess that we could just relax until it's time to go to Julia's."

"I hate to change the subject though, but I still can't shake that nagging feeling every since I've met Axel Jones and Blaze Fields," Lita revealed as she placed her bags in the trunk. "It's not a bad feeling. I've only met them today and I feel really close to them. I just felt that Blaze was someone very close to me, like a relative or something."

"You know what? I had the same feeling too while talking to Axel," Sage confessed as he sat in the driver's seat.

"Me too!" Mina interjected as she sat in the back passenger's seat.

"Well, let's head back to Mia's then," Lita yawned lightly as she sat down in the front passenger's seat. She propped her head against her hand as her elbow rested on the doorframe.

"Yeah, I'm truly beat," Mina murmured as she wiggled comfortably in her seat. She stifled a small yawn and closed her eyes. Sage shifted the gear in reverse to back out, then shifted to first as he left the parking lot.

Author's Note:

First, I must truly, truly apologize for not updating this story. I just wanted to let the readers know that I didn't forget about my story or that I lost interest and inspiration. I had to take a break for a while and focus on my studies in college. Now that it's the end of the fall semester, I can relax and focus more on updating this story. I know that this chapter may sound crappy, since there aren't any battles taking place. I'll try to make the future chapters more interesting. I just ask that you please leave reviews whether they're praises, suggestions, or flames. Please be on the lookout for the last two (or maybe more) chapters of this series!!!!