Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Hearts in time ❯ Beach Blanket Battles ( Chapter 10 )

Hearts in Time part ten: Beach Blanket battles
By
Lance the Flamesniper

Seven o'clock came too early for Lance Jayd's preference. Not that he'd been asleep. More like he'd been looking through his limited amount of wardrobe to see if he and anything that looked even remotely Swimsuit-like. After two hours of fretting, hunting and silently inventing new curses to throw at Chronos should they ever meet, seven o'clock arrived along with that soul teasing song, and a fire red Ferrari testarosa. The driver was as he expected, the speed queen Amara Ten'ou. In addition to the three women he expected he also found himself met with a woman about Raye's height with long hair and piercing violet-black eyes.

"Hi! You must be Lance. I'm Hotaru," The young women gushed as she offered her hand.

"A pleasure to meet you Hotaru," Lance replied as he tried to shake off what was becoming a common problem with him: Deja vu.

"Are you ready for a day of fun in the sun?" Setsuna asked a smile that was one hundred percent uncharacteristic mischief gracing her face and causing her magenta orbs to sparkle.

"I don't have a swimsuit," Lance admitted. And how do I tell you that I kissed another woman...and a Sailor Scout no less!

"That won't be a problem dear," Setsuna replied. "I had one made just for you, I just hope I got the measurements right."

Lance couldn't help but smile at this wonderful woman. "I guess we'll find out soon enough."

The car ride was uneventful yet fast. Though, Michelle could help but smile at the way Amara kept looking the rearview mirror at the couple in the crowded back seat. They were sitting close together both smiling, whispering and.. giggling? That caused Michelle to pause as the noise repeated itself. It was a sound she'd never heard from Setsuna before. It sounded very soft and musical.

We may not know a lot about him, but I can tell he's good for Setsuna...she's good for him too I think. Thought the senshi of the seas as they arrived at the beach.

"Earth to the two lovebirds..." Amara hissed as the excessive sappiness of the situation finally annoyed her. "We're there."

******
Setsuna could help but feel nervous as she waited for Lance to come out of the change room. What if she got the measurements wrong? What if he didn't like the colors she'd chosen? She tried to pretend that she also didn't know what was in the Gym bag, even though the length of the bag made it perfect for concealing that katana of his. Her mind flashed back to turning into Sailor Pluto, sparing with that man then kissing him. It was enough to make her have to fight off a blush. She would give just about anything to feel those lips on hers again, no matter who she was when it happened. Just then the man in question walked out of the change room.

"Well what do you think?" Lance replied as he did a slow turn.

Setsuna couldn't help but stare at the trim form before her. It was clear that she'd got the measurements right for the dark green trunks and the black trim on the sides added a little flair to the design, as if she could actually focus on that as she drank in the handsome man before her. "You look simply divine!"

"That coming from the most beauteous woman in the world is a dear compliment," Lance replied. "But now shouldn't you get into your suit?"

She started to balk at the notion. She was the clothing designer, not a model but then she realized why he asked. Dammit Suna, he thinks your sexy enough to model so why not give it a try and besides who would wear clothes that the designer herself wouldn't? She knew also that she'd made enough swimsuits for herself to wear one as well even though the one she made for herself wasn't one she's planned to add to the collection. A wicked smile played at the corners of her lips. "I was waiting for you to get ready first." With that she walked into the change room.

A few moments later Setsuna stepped back out of the room a towel slung across her shoulders. "I'm ready!"

Lance turned toward her voice and his jaw dropped. Her swimsuit consisted of a pair of bikini panties matched with a string top and a sleeveless fishnet shirt over it. The whole ensemble was black and showed off her figure nicely. Lance could only one response.

"Wow!"

With a blush and a satisfied smile Setsuna offered her arm to Lance who accepted it and headed to the shoot.

******

For Matt and Wraith this had to be heaven. They'd been relaxing on the beach surrounded by Lita, Mina and their three swimsuit clad friends. They'd supposedly been gathered by some fashion designer to do test shots of all these suits.

Unknown to them Amy had been using her compact computer to take readings on both men. She couldn't help but smile at her two friends. It was clear that Lita and Mina were both very taken with the two men, who according to her computer seemed normal enough. Just then she spotted Setsuna, the other outers and, walking steadily at Setsuna's side, a man that could only be Lance Jayd. Amy turned the computer's scanner on him and found him giving out similar reading to her previous two subjects. With a sigh, she made a note to keep her compact recording throughout the day in case anything went wrong.

"Mmmmm! I've missed going to beaches," Lance sighed.

"Did you go to beaches a lot where you're from?" Setsuna asked.

"Once in a while. I kinda like the sea. It's as steady and sure as the flow of time," He replied mysteriously as a photographer approached.

"Ms Meioh! What a pleasant surprise! I wasn't expecting you to have a male model or a men's line of suits for that matter!" The photographer gushed.

"Uhm I'm not a model," Lance stammered as he caught his two friends laughing hysterically at his plight.

"Oh Come on Lance...it'll be fun. You'll see," Setsuna reassured.

"And of course YOU will be modeling that suit too right Ms. Meioh?" the cameraman asked.

"Err well..." Setsuna began.

"Come on Setsuna," Lance said with a teasing smile. "It'll be fun. You'll see."

*****
"I don't trust him," a breathy voice intoned, causing Raye to jump slightly.

"Amara! You startled me."

"Sorry. What's your take on him?" Amara asked.

"He's...strange. All three of them are, " Intoned Raye as she narrowed her eyes. "Do you think they're up to something?"

"I don't think. I know they are. And where Jayd's concerned it seems to have everything to do with Setsuna."

"I think everyone's noticed that," Raye replied as she watched Lance and his, for lack of a better term girlfriend strike slightly shaky poses for the camera.

"I think we need to keep an eye on those three," Amara concluded.

Raye nodded though silently she added. I hope we're wrong. Because if anyone deserves a happy ending, Setsuna does.

*****

The day went quickly with photographer taking only one roll of film for each girl, one roll of just the "male model" including a few of him in some Kendo stances with his Katana as well a roll of Lance and Setsuna together. Eventually Serena and Raye left, Raye doing so reluctantly. The remaining senshi and two of the three boyfriends decided then to play a little four-on-four volleyball leaving Lance and Setsuna to themselves.

"It's peaceful here," Setsuna sighed as she leaned on his shoulder.

"Indeed it is.... Setsuna, I have a confession to make," Lance replied looking sheepish.

"Oh?" the dark haired angel said as she looked at him in concern.

"I sorta got kissed by another woman?"

"I see. So I have competition. Who was it?"

Please Gods let me be forgiven. "Sailor Pluto."

Setsuna blinked, then laughed politely. "You must have done something pretty impressive to earn a kiss from any Senshi, let alone her."

"Y-you aren't mad?" Lance asked.

"Of course not! You and I might be dating but it's not like we're betrothed or anything."

"True, but I felt like a heel when it happened."

"I understand my darling. But I can't blame Sailor Pluto for wanting to kiss you," Setsuna replied as she leaned up and kissed Lance softly.

Lance's mind reeled. He'd been expecting to have to beg for forgiveness. Instead he was losing himself in a kiss that was both soft yet smoldering at the same time. Unfortunately he would not get a chance to really enjoy the moment....

*****

The sky suddenly turned black as the sea began to boil. For out the boiling water came not one but Three Youmas. The first looked as though at one point it had been a great white shark and still possessed the sharp teeth now paired with an impressive set of claws and well-muscled frame. The second was squid-like in appearance while the third had a human appearance save for the chitinous plates on its body and huge claws. The three monsters landed on the beach and immediately found their path blocked. Matt, Lance and Wraith were waiting on them, Lance with his Katana drawn and ready. Matt with his sword and Wraith with his whip at the ready.

"So which one do you want?" Lance asked casually.

"I'll take the Mahi Mahi," Wraith Drawled as he glared at the shark.

"I'll take the crab," Lance said quickly. "That leaves the Calamari to you Matt."

"Lovely. I hate Calamari," Matt growled.

Meanwhile Amy was busily taking readings from the three men. Suddenly they were putting out energy readings. It wasn't viewable with he human eye, but Lance Jayd seem to be glowing a deep red-violet, Matt was straight green and Wraith's signature was golden yellow. She recognized these colors. She turned her eyes to the three men. These colors their the same as the auras of Sailors Pluto, Jupiter and Venus! What's going on here!? Amy's mind screamed. She looked to the other scout only to realize that they could not help the men simply because it would blow their cover.

From the looks on their faces they hated it.

********

Lance jumped back as the crab-youma swung down at him with its claw. Logically he knew that he should have taken on the shark or the squid since their softer bodies would make for an easier win. The crab's chitin coverings made for decent battle armor and would prove a problem. However, Matt and Wraith weren't as skilled yet with their tools, if they'd tried to fight this youma it would have ended badly. With a sigh Lance glared at the beast.

"I'm going to make crab cakes out of you!" He yelled as he charged the monster. Lance's blade struck the monster with out mercy, making a firework of sparks as it slashed across its armor. He would beat this monster, even if it killed him.

*******

Setsuna was beside herself the other Men were holding their own. Matt using his natural agility to dodge and parry the Squid's tentacles while Wraith's whip left deep slashes in the shark's skin. But her eyes were locked on Lance's battle. The crab had just smashed him into a nearby rock face opening a series of small cuts on his side. Just then Setsuna felt a hand on her shoulder. She looked to find Amara staring at her intently. "Amara..."

"Don't do it Setsuna," Amara warned. "Don't blow our cover."

"But if we don't help him, he'll be killed!" Setsuna protested. "I could help him win this. I've helped him before."

"Setsuna I know how you feel," Lita said looking miserable.

"Then help me help them!"

"We can't. All we can do is have faith," Mina said. "I think they can do this."

With a sigh Setsuna made a decision. The time for secrets will come to an end...provided Lance lived through this.

*****

Lance gritted his teeth as he staggered to his feet. He was taking a beating and he knew it. Then he realized what he was doing wrong. Lance you idiot! Why are you attacking the armor? Aim for the joints fool! His mind screamed. With that in mind he steadied himself for a new attack plan. He set his legs, squared his back and waded in.

Matt had finally carved the tendrils off his opponent. He really hated squid, especially now that he found out about those suckers and how they can cut into skin. He pointed his blade at the monster as it began to crackle with lightning. "JUPITER THUNDER STRIKE!"

The Squid barely had a chance to scream as it was fried. It collapsed in a heap as Matt stepped back. "I hate Calamari."

******

Wraith dodged another slash of his opponent's claws. It seemed that all he'd done so far was aggravate the big beast. Regardless he lashed the monster again and again, each one opening a wound. Blast it! Fall down, damn you! Wraith's mind screamed.

It was rapidly becoming apparent to him that he quite simply was not cut out for this.

He struck again and again until the beast finally did stagger back. Time to finish this...

"Celestial BACKLASH!" He yelled as a bolt of power sliced through the shark monster. "I'm not cut out for this."

He and Matt then looked towards Lance, silently asking him if he wanted help. Wraith got irritated however when Lance shook his head no.

"What the Hell is wrong with him!?" Wraith yelled.

"He wants to do this on his own," Matt replied simply.

"But he can't fight that thing! It's too heavily armored. He'll be killed!"

"He's got a plan. I can tell by his stance. Have faith man."

"You're hopeless. We have to get him out of this place. Coming here was a bad choice."

*******

Lance pretended he couldn't hear his friend tearing down his decision to come here. Not just to the beach but to this world. This place was where he was meant to be. He hadn't had an attack since the night he sparred with Sailor Pluto that had to be a sign. Lance shook his head, pushing the thoughts away as his opponent closes in, swinging its claws like a pair of hammers. Lance blocked once, twice, three times in rapid succession using the momentum of the last block to spin kick the behemoth in at the neck joint. From there Lance pressed the attack each cut hitting one of the armor's joints. A slash to what would be the elbow followed by one to the neck joint then a quick backward leap.

The crab screamed as its armor began to crack. Blinded by pain and fueled by rage it charged Lance intent to trample him. Lance had other plans.

"CELESTIAL BLADE.... SLASH!" He roared as he released his attack. The Red violet energy sheered through the monster as Matt and Wraith immediately gathered around Lance.

"We have to go home man. That battle almost killed you," Wraith said.

"I can't Wraith, my destiny is here," Lance replied.

"Destiny? Man, what about choice?" Wraith countered. "Do you honestly mean to tell me you'd choose this?"

"Let me tell you something Wraith. Sometimes destiny makes choices for you, and sometimes choices make your destiny. I chose to come here. Destiny chose that I fight. That's all there is to it," Lance finished in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Excuse me," Setsuna cut in. "I'd like to speak to Lance alone please." Without waiting for his friend’s permission she took Lance by the arm and began walking him down the beach.

TBC
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