Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Mercury Mask ❯ "Golden Innocence" ( Chapter 11 )

A/N1: So, I know I should really get back to rewriting chapter nine...and chapter five, but...how can I when I'm getting to the good parts. You know... all the ones stored in my mind? Like, I've been planning this scene in the garden near the end of this for months.... Okay peeps, I know I'm becoming obsessed with the cheerleading thing and I'm not even a cheerleader. So, it's weird, might be a little boring till the uh…ball? I guess that's what I'll call it. A few things in Italics are foreign languages; email me for translations if you want them.

A/N2: I'm changing the rating to PG-13 'cos of some weird things/language, and because I know I have/had a younger audience, as in my bro and some other little ones (Hiya Yosh, you stalker you!)...just so ya know! Now if Buri-chan (Miss Granger) reads this she'll be telling me I'm a lesbian, of course, she'll be the first to ever accuse me (I'm not a lesbian) when she shouldn't be accusing cos she's been accused several times...even though she isn't so don't get the wrong idea! I also already have chapter 12 finished, it just needs to be revised.

Disclaimer: (I have borrowed Grog the caveman from Chibi Double E!) Mande-chan- *grunt* no own Sailor Moon *grunt* or moosic in fic. *grunt* No own knights eeder.

Claimer: I do own my characters, thoughts and this fic is copyrighted, I just put this out for your pleasure. I don't think I have ever mentioned this but I didn't create the Sailor Knights a college girl by the name of Serriena did, but I do have permission to use them. In fact she corrected a misuse of Ken in the first chapter...it was changed to a line by Antonio. OMG this A/N is like a page long!

Mercury Mask

Episode XI

"Golden Innocence"

Saturday morning the scouts (if I could refer to them as anything else I would) found out what the [Children's] Olympics meant to this world. The entire city seemed to be plastered with color. School and neighborhood festivals were happening everywhere. Many covered with merchandise for favorite teams. Few of the scouts had said they'd do anything, with the exception of the girls participating in Stage Night, and Amy and Michelle competing in swimming. But Ken had agreed, after much begging from Amanda, to be on their team in the X-Sports competition.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"O-o-o-h, please tell me why you scored so bad! It's really pathetic when I score higher than you on something that you're supposed to be better at than me..." Amanda said from inside her room.

"Isn't it obvious, I did what everybody but you did, I killed the hostage," JJ said, feeling a little stupid about talking to a door.

"Yeah...well...the maneuvers that hologram does are pretty evasive, you have to be flexible..." Amanda said thoughtfully.

"Having your hologram hostage be someone I knew made it even harder."

"Mine was you, and I still managed to pull 110 percent..." she said opening the door.

"Yeah, well, you can pull all that dance stuff you learned--"

"Are you ready to go?" Amanda asked coldly, interrupting him.

"Yeah, I've been waiting for you,"

"Don't blame me! I have to wear this, I have cheerleading practice right after the meeting!"

"You could change when you get there..."

"Oh, shut up and come on!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You know, I just noticed, you're not very princess-like for being a princess," Ken said awkwardly to Amanda as they walked down a very long corridor to a conference-type room.

"Gee, thanks, Ken…" she replied sarcastically.

"No, I mean, you're sort of tomboyish--"

"EXCUSE ME? TOMBOYISH?" Amanda motioned to her short red and black cheerleader skirt. "Tomboyish? I think you need to open your eyes, 'cause once you do you're gonna get a big surprise, as in your girlfriend."

"Will you not rhyme? That gets annoying, especially when you're in that ridiculous outfit," JJ said looking her up and down, the tight white top that had "JAPAN" in red glitter looked cute on her, and would've probably looked better had she not been flat-chested, and the short skirt…well we won't go there.

"Awesome like wow! Totally freak me out! I mean right on, Japan sure is number one!!!" Amanda yelled, apparently to the knowledge to Marcus who came bounding out of the room where everyone was yelling, "Go Dragons!"

Once they were inside a lot of people started to cheer and shout. Amanda smiled and tried to calm the fifty-some teenagers and kids in the room.

Papers were passed about as well as something that looked like a palm computer. "Amanda?" JJ stared at her rather seriously, "You wouldn't happen to be in the Miss Olympics contest, would you?"

Amanda pressed the down scroll button on her computer, made a very weird face, a mixture of hate, fear, and disgust, and then sank out of her chair.

"Itsy bitsy, teeny weenie, yellow polka dot bikini…"Marcus sang from across the table.

"I'm gonna kill her, I mean literally, would it be considered assassination if it's not planned even though she's famous? I'm thinking really awful painful curse point blank. Just walk up to her, and, whoosh, just like--Oh I don't care as long as it's not that!" Amanda ranted from underneath the table.

"Oh come on, you're guaranteed the title, I'm a judge--" JJ said consolingly looking underneath the table.

"NO, I won't do it, especially if you're a judge," she said turning red and hiding her face in her hands.

"Not like I haven't seen you in a swimsuit, Amanda."

"It's not fair to the other 24 girls if you're a judge…"

"As if you care about that, anyway…I suppose being so tomboyish you wouldn't be able to win…OW!" Amanda kicked him in the shin.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Hey! Amanda!" Serena yelled across the gym at C.T.I.S. "You coming?"

"You're early Serena, you'll have to wait until we're done," Amanda yelled back.

"Hey Serena!" Marcus yelled picking Amanda up and helping her onto on his shoulders.

"One more! For Thursday night guys! 'White, Red, and Black' 'Kay?"

The squad fell into formation and started chanting together.

"Hey crowd! You ready? (Yeah!)

"When I say 'red' you say 'white'!

"Red! (White!) Red! (White!)

"When I say 'and' you say 'black'

"And (Black!), And (Black!)

"When I say 'let's' you say 'go'

"Let's (go!) Let's (go!)

"When I say Japan you say Dragons!

"Japan! (Dragons!) Japan (Dragons!)

"Now let's try it one more time!

"Red! (White!) and (Black!) Let's (go!) Japan (Dragons!)

"Japan (Dragons!) GO FIGHT WIN!!!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Thursday night? Why then, I mean, you could be eliminated Monday for all you know," Serena said as they headed for the arcade, which was still Crown despite the fact they were nearly 1,000 years in the future.

Amanda laughed. "Apparently, you don't know the story of what happened last year. Last year we placed second overall, we were clearly the best constructed team but when it comes to adding up points, senior athletes, those 14 and older, earn more points for placing higher in events. You don't have too many senior athletes on your team. Last year, we had Adam, JJ, and Marcus. Adam turned 19 over the summer and can't participate this year. But now it's my turn! And had I been a senior athlete last year, we would've won hands down! HA!" she finished punching something in the air.

"You ever heard of egotism?" Serena said to her own surprise.

"Being patriotic and spirited and supporting is not egotistical!" Amanda said in protest. "Everyone supports their team! Even ask Madeleine! Madeleine!!!"

Madeleine had been standing outside of the arcade when Amanda called to her. "Salut Amanda!" she yelled in reply. Amanda ran up to her. "Ca va?" Madeleine asked.

"Oui, ca va bien, merci, et toi?"

"Oui, ca va bien, merci, et vous Mademoiselle Tsukino?"

"Uh..." Serena started.

Amanda nudged her in the side with a small giggle.

"Uh...You know, I'm not too good with French."

"You ain't speakin' English too good either," Amanda said jokingly. "Elle est ca va, merci, elle ne parler pas français très bien."

"Oui, je comprends," Madeleine and Amanda giggled.

"So about the team thing?" Serena started.

"Oh, yeah, Madeleine, what team do you cheer for when you're on the sidelines?"

"France--that ees a stupid question, Amanda," Madeleine replied.

"See, Madeleine is from France and cheers on her own country!" Amanda said rather matter-o-factly. The sliding glass doors opened at the Crown. Amanda immediately spotted JJ working at the counter in back. At the moment, though, he was talking to her. (She's so ebil!) Amanda sort of nonchalantly walked up behind Chenille and stood there for a moment with a look of disgust on her face.

Chenille finally noticed her and looked down with the same expression of disgust, "Oh, look, JJ-dear, it's a small child that has lost her mommy," she said in very sarcastically sweet voice.

"Alright, that's it--I'm gonna kick your ass right here and now!" Amanda said throwing down her pompons and holding up two fists.

A voice yelled from an open door in back, "Amanda, as much as I love you, I don't allow killing in my arcade." Serena recognized the voice as Andrew's and laughed.

"I'd recognize that laugh anywhere--" Andrew said coming trough the door with a smile at Serena.

"Aw, c'mon Mr. Furuhata, I just want to hurt her," Amanda said glaring at Chenille.

"Dad, maybe you should let her, I mean, Chenille takes one step outta here Amanda's probably gonna follow her anyway."

"Oh, so now you're takin' the little brat's side? I'm outta here," Chenille said with a wave and a slight wink at JJ. Amanda was practically trembling with rage.

"Whoa," JJ said putting his hands on her shoulders, "Simmer down before you hurt somebody--you have a serious anger problem this week."

"A what?" Andrew asked.

"Long story--"

"So I'm a little temperamental! Big deal! Grrr...." Amanda said watching Andrew eyeing Serena who was just kind of standing there staring. Amanda hopped up on the counter and watched them for a minute. JJ watched with her.

"This has gotta be weird, I mean, didn't Serena have a crush major on my dad in junior high?" JJ whispered in Amanda's ear. Amanda nodded.

"I suppose you don't really need the introduction, but Serena, this is JJ's father, Andrew Furuhata--"

"Yeah, yeah, I know..." Serena said a little distantly. Amanda smiled.

"So, I see you've made friends with my son, Serena," Andrew said trying to pick up the papers that Amanda was sitting on.

"Oh, yeah, him--JJ," Serena said quite awkwardly, fully realizing how incredibly strange it was to be friends with your junior-high crush's son who is the same age as you.

Amanda and JJ went to the far corner of the arcade where the vending machines were. JJ bought her a soda and said, "So, you're going out to dinner with us tonight, right?"

"Huh? Oh, yeah, the dinner, it's at some ritzy place? Like, I gotta wear a dress sort of ritzy?"

"Yeah, but the only person going to mind you wearing a dress is you," he said with a glance at her. Amanda blushed a little at the compliment. "Would you really have fought Chenille?"

"If you wanted me to I would,"

"Would you try to win?"

"If me winning would make you happy, then yes, I would." They were silent for a moment.

"You know, uh, I'm sorry about the eye...I sort of flew off the handle..."

"S'okay, it's not like I get hit by a pretty girl every day," JJ replied rather sweetly with a little tug on her ponytail.

"Hardy-har-har, if you keep giving me compliments like that I'm gonna have to hit you again!" She said playfully.

"So now if I tell you you're pretty, I'm gonna get smacked?"

"Yup," Amanda said proudly starting to walk back to the counter.

JJ slid his arms around her before she could get away. He bent down and whispered in her ear, "Bella principessa..."

"Juzo..." Amanda said warningly turning red, she pushed his arms away and went to the counter where Serena and Andrew were still chatting nervously. "C'mon Serena, we gotta get back to he palace!" Amanda said grabbing Serena's wrist and heading for the doors, she was now avoiding JJ's eyes.

"Ciao, bella principessa!" JJ yelled after her.

"What was that?" Serena asked when they were about a block away from the arcade.

"Hn.... It's an inside joke," Amanda said with a small smile.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Oh, man, I hate this! This is the only bad thing about becoming a senior athlete...this stupid dinner! Not that I mind the ball..." Amanda finished thoughtfully.

"Oh stop ranting will you?" asked Piper, as she handed Amanda her dress. Amanda was sitting on her bed with just a bra and underwear on (A/N: I'm quite opposed to girls that are flat-chested wearing bras but oh well). Amanda took the dress and held it for a moment. She sighed and slid it over her head. She stood up and straightened it out while looking in her mirror.

"What if there's dancing?" Amanda asked.

"Well, then you shouldn't worry, you're a great dancer!" Piper said encouragingly, brushing Amanda's hair.

"What if I have to sit by people I don't know? And they're older than me?"

"Do you go to C.T.I.S. or what? You know how to make new friends and start a conversation! And, c'mon, what are you five? 'Oh, what if they're older than me!?'" Piper said twisting Amanda's hair and clipping it up.

"Yeah, but what if I have to sit next to JJ?"

Piper stared at Amanda's reflection with a puzzled expression. "What's you two's status anyway?"

"Friends, but I feel like he wants to be more than that..."

"DUH! GET A CLUE!!! The guy loves you Amanda! Give him a break, let him know you feel the same way!" Piper said exasperatedly.

"What if I don't feel the same way? I hate it when people jump to conclusions!" Amanda said grabbing a tube of lip gloss from her vanity.

"Amanda, stop playing stupid, the last few days it's been so obvious you're in love and don't know it that it's pathetic! I mean, I know Endymion watches over you, but when he notices you're in love, that's strange..."

"Who else thinks that?"

"Serenity, Serena, Darien, Marie, Julia, Marcus, Madeleine, me, Vennessa, Mario, need I go on?" Piper said with a wave of the hand.

"No," Amanda said putting on earrings. When she finished they left her room and went down to the lobby of the palace. Amanda grabbed her jacket. "I'll see you later Piper," Amanda said leaving.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Well, it went okay, except for the fact every time I got close to JJ he whispered, 'bella principessa,' in my ear. I was red for the entire thing!"

"Hee hee, did he kith you Mandy?" Sabrina said with a big smile.

"Who's been talking to her about my love life?" Amanda asked the three other girls: Julia, Piper, and Nell.

"Not like it's a secret, Manders. So did he?" Nell asked.

Amanda sighed in annoyance, "No, and nor do I want him to, I told you, I have no interest in JJ whatsoever except as a platonic friend!"

"What's platonic?" Julia asked.

"It means she only wants him as a close guy friend, but not a boyfriend," Piper explained with a look of doubt.

"Oh, for pities' sake! What do you want from me?!" Amanda yelled staring up at the ceiling as if she were talking to it.

"We want you to 'fess up! What's the deal? Why won't you tell us what's going on between you and JJ? You two have been on and off since we got home!" Piper said exasperatedly.

"What goes on between us, is no business of yours, no offense. As Sabrina would say, 'None a' yo bithness!'" Amanda opened her bedroom door and motioned for them to get out. Amanda followed them out and downstairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The stadium was filled to capacity and there was so much noise you couldn't hear yourself think! The pitch was completely empty. This wouldn't last long for the competitors would soon be entering the stadium for the Opening Ceremonies. The band was on their platform, feeling very unsure if they would sound good. Unfortunately just one of the C.T.I.S. or Kumichirou Private marching bands wasn't enough and they hadn't practiced.

"So this is it...my last year..." JJ sighed to Amanda at the entrance to the field. "You're lucky you can participate next year, I'm going to miss all of this."

"I'm not going to compete," Amanda said quietly. The tone in her voice seemed to imply that she was very serious and that it was final. JJ didn't try to contradict her.

"Team Japan--over here! Line up!" Someone yelled. Amanda stood at the very front of the procession to the right of JJ, and Marcus was to the left. As the Japanese National Anthem started, the procession started with it. You could tell wear all of the Japanese students from C.T.I.S. were sitting because they kept chanting "Super Guy! Super Girl! Super Star!!!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amanda walked through the park early that night. She had the suspicious feeling that she was being followed. All of a sudden she stopped next to a fountain and someone bumped into her.

"Chenille! What the hell is your problem?"

"What's my problem?!" she yelled, shoving Amanda. "You're my problem! If it weren't for you JJ and I would still be together!"

"JJ broke up with you-"

"Because of you!"

"JJ has no interest in me as a girlfriend, we're just friends--" Amanda had said this so many times trying to make it real.

"Tell that to him!" Chenille spat.

Amanda looked around meekly, feeling a bit threatened. "I've tried, and so far he has avoided my side of the subject. If it makes you feel any better I don't feel that way about him--I only care for him as a platonic friend."

"Well then, little Miss Honest, why is it that every time I make a move on him you go all ballistic!?"

"Because you usually put me down in the process!" Amanda said, standing up for herself.

"You obviously have a problem with us kissing," Chenille said nastily.

"You were not exactly kissing, you were kissing, but he wasn't. He was supposed to meet me in that exact spot that day at noon and stood me up." Chenille remained quiet for minute, he had spent the day with her and not Amanda--maybe he did care.

"What happened to our friendship Chenille?" Amanda asked quietly.

"Hey you two! Are you actually carrying on a conversation?" JJ asked coming up to greet. He seemed a bit out of breath.

"More like an argument," Amanda sighed.

"You know you're not so supposed to be fighting unless it's for a competition..."

"It is a competition! And you're the judge! You have to choose between us!" Chenille cried, wanting to put an end to this.

"Ch-choose between you?" If you've watched Tenchi Muyo you know exactly what JJ looked like at this point.

"Yes! You have to choose one of us to be your girlfriend!"

Amanda started shaking her head, "Nuh-uh! I never said I wanted to be anybody's girlfriend, and this is way unfair to JJ, you shouldn't put him under that much pressure. And anyway I have never thought of JJ as anything closer than my best friend up until now."

"Why not?" JJ asked curiously.

"Well, okay, maybe a little in the past week, but you're my best friend and if we tried to go out and it didn't work out then I'm afraid that our relationship as friends will be ruined." By this time Amanda was sitting on the edge of the fountain thinking seriously about the subject.

"'Love is a leap,'" JJ quoted. "You can either take it with the chance of getting hurt or leave it and have the chance of realizing that you made a mistake. 'Time heals all wounds,'" JJ quoted again.

"Please--I'm gonna be sick..." Chenille said sarcastically.

"Chenille, that is why I broke up with you, if you don't like my friends you obviously can't like me!"

Amanda sighed and stood up. She started to walk back towards where she had come from.

"Where do you think you're going?" Chenille asked snottily.

"Home, I'm tired after all of the preliminaries today," Amanda said.

"I'll walk you home," JJ said giving Chenille a cold glance.

The forgotten question now came back to Chenille, "So you choose her?"

"If walking my best friend home is what you make it out to be, then yes!" he yelled back.

JJ and Amanda walked off together and Amanda smiled with that certain uneasiness she had felt yesterday when they had been left alone together.

"Oh, I was looking for you earlier when I ran into you and Chenille. My wants to know if you wanted to join us for dinner," JJ asked. "But if you're tired, I'll just walk you--"

"I was only saying that to get out of the conversation. I'd love to," she said with a smile.

They walked on, not really realizing that they were holding hands.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Is that you JJ? Did you remember to invite Amanda to dinner?" Rita yelled from the kitchen.

"Yes he did Mrs. Furuhata," Amanda replied

"We're going up to my room until dinner,"

"Okay hon'" she replied.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You've been busy," Amanda commented looking at the drawings pinned to walls. For a teenage guys room it was uncannily clean with the exception for paper, pencils, paint, paintbrushes and a few canvases scattered about.

"I had to something while you were gone," JJ trying to pick up what was scattered on the floor.

"You make it sound as if I'm the only thing in your life besides your art..." Amanda said looking out the window.

"What if you are?" he asked teasingly pulling on her braid.

She was silent for a moment. She was looking at a particular sketch of someone walking off in the distance. There was a very sad mood to the drawing. "Have you applied to any universities yet?" Amanda asked quietly.

"No, I should, but I have to finish up some work for a portfolio,"

"Oh, I see. Why don't you just paint some of these sketches, most of them are very good," Amanda said looking at one of Piper laughing.

"No they aren't, none of them are good enough to paint," JJ said wondering why Amanda wasn't being her critical self about his art like usual.

"That one must be good enough to paint. You have started it,"

JJ smiled at the unfinished painting of Amanda on his easel, it must have been a sketch he did several months ago. He sat down at the stool in front of it and studied it.

"It's a pity it's of no great likeness to me, you usually do much better when you sketch me," Amanda said cheerily.

That's the Amanda I know, JJ thought. he didn't mind the criticism, but she was wrong in this case. "That's kind of funny, because you told me I had never done a better sketch the day I did it."

Amanda blushed, she had, hadn't she?

"You've grown up, that's all. One summer can change people," JJ commented, trying not to sound so obvious as to what he was getting at. Amanda sighed, she had matured...a little. But that was all she would admit to herself.

"You never know what you have until it's gone," JJ said.

"Why is that?" Amanda asked curiously thinking he meant the quote to be philosophical about age rather than the sentimental meaning it had to him.

"It's how I felt when you left last spring. Now you come back--and I realize exactly how I feel about you,"

"Juzo, I love you a lot as a friend as a friend I do not want to discuss this in your bedroom!" Amanda hissed.

"Dinner!" Rita yelled up the stairs at them. Amanda scurried out of JJ's room and downstairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Dinner was a quiet affair, as well as when JJ had walked her home. Andrew had commented to his son that it wasn't wrong to be in that position where you're friends but want to be "friendlier." (A great line from The Princess Diaries [not the book, the movie])

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The week was going by so fast. It was Thursday already and only a few competitions remained. The football game was in five hours. Now it was time for the soccer championship though. Amanda was trying to concentrate as the referee brought the ball to the center after they had scored. She was playing goalie, and defending their goal from the Eagles. The score was 2-1 and they were winning. There was three minutes left and this was a kickoff. The ref blew his whistle and the Eagles were off. The passed the half circle line (curse me I should know what it's called I play soccer!) Piper was defending number 21 well and as soon as he passed the ball Marcus was on number 33. JJ stuck to his plan since he was captain and he stayed on the other side of the field. Two minutes left. Number 33 shot and Amanda knocked it out-of-bounds.

The flag boy signaled a corner kick.

"Corner kick for the Eagles,"

A minute-and-a-half left. Number 33 raised his hand and kicked the ball in to number 54 and he shot. Amanda got in front of it, it hit her fingers with a great force. "Goal!!!" The announcer yelled. They had scored with a minute left. The score was 2-2, they were tied.

"You okay Amanda?" Piper yelled from the 18-yard line.

Amanda tried to signal to her time-out and Piper finally got the message. And signaled JJ.

"Timeout! Player injured!" he yelled at the referee. The ref stopped his watch looking impatient.

"It appears the Urawa, number 10, is injured. Timeout for the Dragons." The announcer said.

"You have five minutes," he said.

"Huddle!" he yelled to the players on the field. Nell was on the sidelines waiting to see what had happened. She had an icepack ready for whatever it was.

"What's wrong?" he asked Amanda.

"I think I dislocated and relocated my finger," she said wincing when he took her hand. (Believe me when I say this hurts, I did it playing goalie, and it is possible.)

"Can you play?" he asked seriously.

"Not as goalie, but I have an idea. First I need ice though..." Nell finally got to go on the field.

Nell cupped Amanda's hand around the icepack and used medical tape to secure it.

"Okay this is what we do," Amanda took off her goalie shirt (she has her jersey on) and handed it to Piper. Piper looked panicked.

"It appears the Dragons are switching goalies. Meiou will now be goalie for the Dragons."

"Don't worry, the ball will never get on this side of the field. Katarina (a midfielder), for the sake of correct number of positions you have to play defense which means Marcus, you're playing midfield. I'm taking Marcus's place."

"I can't believe you're going to try this, you've never done it right at practice," JJ started.

"Good, then you know what I'm up to, and that means you can take the ball down the field and set me up. Marcus, JJ is going to force a corner kick. You're going to take it, toe jam it to JJ, he'll head it and I'll scissors kick it in."

"Are you sure?" JJ asked.

"Time's up!" the ref yelled at them.

"Time up is over for the Dragons"

"Positive," Amanda confirmed as she took her position next to JJ at the half line.

The ref blew his whistle and JJ kicked the ball to Amanda and she kicked it back. Up the field they went, past the forwards and the midfield.

JJ forced a defender to follow him to the end line. And quickly the defender accidentally kicked the ball out of bounds.

"Corner kick for the Dragons"

Marcus took the ball to the corner and signaled. He quickly prayed that his aim would be good today. He kicked the ball with his toes going underneath it and low and behold it went straight for JJ, who headed it in front of the goal. Amanda jumped, prayed and swung her leg forward making contact with the ball. The goalie never saw it coming, it happened so fast.

There was a great gasp from the crowd as Marcus, Amanda, and JJ looked at each other during the three blows of the whistle that the referee gave.

"GOAL!!! Dragons win!! Japan Dragons 3, U.S.A. Eagles 2!!!!" The announcer yelled. One entire side of the stands erupted in cheers. The three's amazed expressions turned to smiles.

"YES!!!!" JJ yelled. Marcus ran over to them and flung Amanda on his shoulders like in cheerleading.

"We won!!" Amanda squealed in excitement. The other team looked a little disappointed as they lined up to hive-five each other. Amanda was still on Marcus's shoulders and had to lean down to slap the other team's hands. The goalie of their team said to Amanda, "That's okay, we have three more championships, the Tournament, and the X-sports competition left against you, and we'll win all of them..." Amanda knew he was referring to that night.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amanda sighed backstage of the Miss Olympic stage. She had made it this far. Chenille was glaring at her. Amanda was wearing a cute bikini, she didn't like it, but she had to admit it did look cute on her.

The five finalists went on stage. For the first time they were able to see the judges. Amanda had been doubtful about this, but was a little relieved that it was just JJ she knew well. The second guy was from America, she knew that much about him. And there was one girl, she was from Russia and couldn't speak Japanese well, as Amanda remembered, but she could understand it very well.

Amanda smiled as they went to each of them asking them questions. Chenille seemed to always give the perfect answer. Finally they came to the last question. "What do you care most about in the world?"

"Promoting world peace, of course," Chenille answered sweetly.

JJ was trying not to snicker, there was world peace, just not universal peace.

Amanda was last in the line. She was trembling, she hated being on stage ever since she made a fool of herself last year. "I-I care most about my--" Amanda paused, she was going to say 'friends' but JJ was giving her that smile, that smile that he gave when he knew she was lying to herself. "My dancing," she answered quietly.

The judges thanked them for coming, but the winner would not be announced until the awards ceremony Saturday.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amanda smiled from the sideline of the football stadium. She was smiling because they were winning by a touchdown and a field goal. The score was 24-14. There was ten seconds left until halftime. The cheerleading squads would be performing for their finals then. The other squad that made it to finals, they were from England, had performed earlier that day.

The buzzer sounded halftime and the football teams went to their respective sidelines. The Eagle cheerleaders went out onto the field where a few men were putting tape down on the ground. As soon as they were down the cheerleaders took their places and the music started.

U.G.L.Y you ain't got no alibi you ugly! eh eh you ugly!

Amanda sighed as they did their routine, they were good. If it had been last year, Japan surely would have lost. They were better this year and stood a chance, though.

The Eagles finished and it was their turn. They did their best, and hoped they would win. Serena was sitting on the hill at one end of the stadium. You see, there are four sides to this stadium, two held bleachers for fans of their respective team. And then there was the concession stand and bathrooms at one end and the other end was the hill that led up to a fence. It was getting late, and cold despite the fact that Nell and Ursula had been playing with the weather.

"A pretty girl shouldn't be sitting up here all by herself on a cold night like this," Darien said wrapping his arms around her from behind. She scooted back into his lap and they enjoyed the rest of the game sitting just like that. Happy and perfect.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

When the football game ended (31-21, Dragons), the judges of the cheerleading contest came onto the field. One of them had a microphone with them.

"We have the winning cheerleading squad to announce. There were three great teams this year, and two of you were so close.... So in second place is--the Eagles!" She said handing the trophy to a slightly dejected looking Chenille.

"And our first place winners for the first time in five years...The Japan Dragons!" She said...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Ken was laughing over the change that had come over Amanda between the night before and that morning. it was now Friday morning. They were standing in the middle of a blocked off street. They were getting ready for the biking part of the X-sports competition.

The entire team had to make it to the finish line first. Amanda was all revved up for this, especially because their starter was Adam, one of the senior athletes from the year before.

"Mount your bikes," he said. "Get ready--GO!" and they took off. JJ was navigating, they were on the east side of Crystal Tokyo and that's all they knew. JJ wouldn't have told anyone about his slight power of psychometry for anything, this was the only reason he was navigator. he steered them in the correct direction but it took nearly an hour to get near the palace at the very center of the city.

They could here the announcers now. "The Eagles are beginning to land, they're less than a mile away. But wait! Is that Team Japan? Yes, it is! They're dead tied with Team U.S.A.!"

All three of them sped up and now they were on the same street as the Eagles. All six of them crossed the finish line at nearly the same time. It was a photo finish, and Ken was in just three inches ahead of the Eagles last biker. They weren't celebrating yet, though. There was still the boarding pipe competition, a street blading competition, and a downhill competition.

"Good luck, Ken," Amanda said cheerily when his name was called for the skateboarding part. A 9.6! They were half way there.

JJ smiled and gave Amanda a thumbs up as a bell signaled him to begin the street section. A 9.8!!! Oh, please, did we make it? Amanda thought. If they weren't one of the top two they didn't get to compete in the downhill. They were number one!!!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amanda lined up on the start line. She was next to someone she was actually friends with. His name was Chris, he was a black guy from Chicago and attended the same school as Chenille. Chenille had introduced them once, while Amanda and she were friends.

"Urawa is the only girl out here today. The judges seem doubtful if she'll be able to win. She is much lighter than Parker giving her a disadvantage on this course. Luckily, it's aerodynamics that are important here,"

Two red lights flashed and then a green one, and they were heading down the hill. Amanda was falling behind. Ballet had helped strengthen her legs though and she skated as fast as she could. Chris fell and Amanda stopped and helped him up, it was the right thing to do. But as soon as her hand let go of his she sped off, giving her a good lead. He was right behind her, and the finish line was ten meters away. She broke the tape...she won...Japan had taken all firsts this year! JJ was not quite celebrating yet, and he kept telling Amanda not to, there was one last thing to be won. The Tournament would take place in half an hour.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I want you to use this," Amanda said quietly handing over the beautiful sword that had come out of her necklace.

"This is yours, though," JJ countered not wanting to take something that she had inadvertently created.

"No, it's not. At least that's what Maige said. She told me I would know who to give it to, and I'm giving it to you," Amanda said handing the hilt to him. "Maybe it will bring you good luck."

"Maybe," he replied with a smile.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

(And now for a section about one of my favorite characters! Mr. Peanut Gallery!)

Marcus stood at the line of the archery field. There were eleven other guys there, they were all his friends. He pulled back on the bowstring and aimed. Then her let go. His arrow hit just on the edge of the bull's eye. "Damn," he thought.

He was a little happier to find out it was the best that anybody had done in that round.

There were two people in the last round and they both aimed at the same target.

"Good luck Super Star!" Amanda called to him. This put him at ease a bit.

Mario (the other knight) took the first aim. He hit dead center. "Tough break," Mario said sadly looking at Marcus. Amanda and JJ were counting on him to win this, they would break a world record for the most gold medals ever won at an Olympic competition.

Marcus took his mark.

"Unless he's Robin Hood, Konokko doesn't stand a chance"

He pulled back on the bowstring. He aimed. Then he remembered something funny JJ had said about Zen Archery...he closed his eyes, and then let the arrow fly. There was a crack of wood and the stadium as silent. He had won, he knew the rules said that a tie always goes to the second to shoot.

(For those of you who didn't know, I used Marcus as an RPG character with my brother who is known as the Peanut Gallery because his opinion doesn't really count in my family. He dubbed Marcus Mr. Peanut Gallery because I kept adding in stupid comments while we played. Hence, he has my brother's other nickname Superstar, and Amanda mine, Super Girl!)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

There it was, the huge stage completely erected on the field at the huge stadium they had been at only hours ago. They were very prepared for the show. Amanda smiled as she helped add a few final touches to Raye, Mina, and Serena's dance routine. Serena had consented to singing with Raye after remembering their excursion with the Spice Girls and Luna Rock.

They had finally decided on a song by Mandy Moore called, "Stupid Cupid," which was quite cute to watch Raye perform. Amanda knew of three 'unknown songs' that were being performed and she couldn't wait to here them, mostly because she knew what they would be about. Stage Night, besides being a fundraiser for the excursions of the sorority and fraternity, was also the night that used to pay tribute to their presidents. Three songs were to be dedicated to each of them. Amanda knew that Rachel was singing a solo; Mario, Marcus, Chris, and JJ were singing something for her; and she also knew Madeleine, Piper, and Nell were singing something, all of this annoyed her because she didn't know what they were going sing. These songs were supposed to reflect her personality.

She knew two of the three songs being dedicated to JJ, the first was sort of funny because Marcus was trying to make an idiot of himself as a dare. At least it's not The Rocky Horror Show this year, Amanda thought. He was singing "You've Got a Friend in Me," you know, from Toy Story?

And she was singing something that was sweet, yet, more portrayed her. She had learned she could sing her feelings and no one would know that it was how she felt. She smiled as the three girls finished up. "Can we run through the blocking in 'I Won't Say'?" Serena asked, she wasn't sure if she had all of the movement down.

Amanda agreed that they needed to go through it once more. Amy pointed out that singing was much more fun if you got to act while singing. This thought was brought up by the fact that Serena was trying to give the perfect look at Amanda for one of the lines of the song. That all-knowing look would be perfect right about now, Amanda thought.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amanda put on her headset and made sure that everyone on the crew could hear her through his or her headsets. After everyone had confirmed that they could Amanda signed off until after the musical was over. She went into the girls' dressing room and put on the dress she was supposed to be wearing in the first scene. She looked undoubtedly cute in the American 1950's style dress. They had only rehearsed once with her as Sandy, she had done well, but they had all told her they wished for better even if she was better than Elizabeth.

Cues were beginning to be called as the crowd outside began to quiet.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"We know she can here us, this one is for you Mandi," Marcus said.

"Whoa whoa whoa!

"World here is me on tragedy...

"I always want what's out of reach

"She pulls black hair back and sighs, fuck that night out with the guys,

"I never get a word in with them anyway

"The telephone doesn't scare me anymore, you're home

"And I am here alone my dear, always stupidly sarcastic, my hyper-spastic Super Hero Girl!

"Ah Super Hero Girl!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amanda laughed when she watched her friend Rachel sing "SuperGirl" by Krystal and play piano at the same time. After that was one song from her favorite band, Shonen Knife. Nell, Piper, and Madeleine were having fun singing it too. Then it was her turn, she thought it was fun not having to sing choir-style. This was a lot more attitude than a normal song. She loved her ancient Greek-ish costume. The five girls were wearing something similar but ones that suited them. She felt completely warmed up to the fact that there were literally millions of people watching her and was quite composed, she had already sang one solo.

The stage was dark, then a spotlight came one and music started--

(Parentheses are the girls/scouts singing)

"If there's a prize for rotten judgment, I guess I've already one that.

"No man is worth the aggravation...

"That's ancient history--been there, done that!

"(Who'd ya think you're kiddin'? He's the Earth and Heaven to ya,)

"(Try to keep it hidden, honey we can see right through ya!

"Oh no!

"(Girl, you can't conceal it, we know how you're feelin'--who you're thinking of!)

"Oh...No chance, no way, I won't say it no, no

"(You swoon, you sigh, why deny it? Ah, ah)

"It's too cliché I won't say I'm in love...

"(Shoodoo, shoodoop, ooh...)

"I thought my heart had learned it's lesson

"It feels so good when you start out

"My head is screaming 'get a grip girl!' unless you're dying to cry your heart out!

"(You keep on denying who you are and how you're feelin')

"(Baby, we're not buyin', Hon, we saw ya hit the ceiling)

"Oh no--

"(Face it like a grown-up, when you gonna own up, that you got, got, got it bad!)

"No chance, no way, I won't say it no, no!

"(Give up! Give in! Check that grin you're in love!)

"This scene won't play, I won't say I'm in love!

"(You're doin' flips--read our lips, you're in love!)

"You're way off base, I won't say it!

"Get off my case! I won't say it!

"(Girl, don't be proud it's okay, you're in love)

"Oh, at least out loud, I won't say I'm in love...

"(Shalalalala--ah...)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Finally, the last act, and Amanda still had a trick up her sleeve. The last act was a medley of two songs. It was also JJ's only solo act except for "Alone at the Drive-in." The two songs were "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees and "Best Years of our Lives" by the Baha Men. He had other members of his little band performing with him, but he was singing solo, and Amanda was out to get him for the 'bella principessa' act he had pulled at the restaurant. Marcus had agreed to her plan and they were both ready to make the entire world laugh.

JJ started to play his guitar and sing in the microphone. This was where Amanda and Marcus's acting skills came in. The back of the stage had silhouette lighting, meaning you could only see the outline of the people in the background (i.e.-Amanda and Marcus). By what they were wearing you could tell that they were a prince and princess. JJ knew perfectly well that they were back there--that part had been planned.

"I thought love was only true in fairy tales,

"Meant for someone else but not for me.

"Love was out to get me, that's the way it seems,

"Disappointment haunted all my dreams--

"And then I saw her face,"

At this moment normal lighting came on in the background and you could tell the Amanda was not the princess--but none other than Mr. Peanut Gallery was! He kneeled so it gave the appearance that she was taller than him and that she was the prince! As soon as JJ heard the laughing, he knew what Amanda had done--

"And I'm a believer!

"Not a trace, of doubt in my mind!

"I'm in love, I'm a believer, I couldn't leave her if I tried.

"I thought love was more or less a given thing

"The more I gave the less I got--oh yeah!

"What's the use of trying? All you get is pain...

"When I wanted sunshine I got rain!

"And then I saw her face, and I'm a believer!

"Not a trace of doubt in my mind

"I'm in love, I'm a believer, I couldn't leave her if I tried!"

This led to a short guitar solo that changed the pace and style of the music. It gave Amanda and Marcus just enough time to change costume, and now were dressed for a party, as well as the rest of performers who came onto the back of the stage to dance.

Trumpets started--

"I get such a thrill when you look in my eyes,

"My heart skips a beat girl, I feel so alive

"Please tell me baby, if all this is true

"Cause deep down inside all I wanted was you!"

Everyone else joined in for the chorus.

"Oh! Makes me wanna dance!

"Oh! It's a new romance!

"Oh! I look into your eyes!

"Oh! Best years of our lives!

Amanda smiled as she stood next to JJ and sang duet with him on the next verse.

"When we first met I could hardly believe,

"The things that could happen that we could achieve

"So let's be together for all of our time,

"We'll go out so thankful that you are still mine...

"Oh! Makes me wanna dance!

"Oh! It's a new romance!

"Oh! I look into your eyes!

"Oh! Best years of our lives!

The music came to an abrupt stop and many in the crowd thought something was wrong. The drummer hit his drumsticks together to set tempo again though...

"C'mon y'all! And then I saw her face! Now I'm a believer!

"Not a trace, of doubt in my mind!

"I'm in love!

"Ooh--

"I'm a believer, I couldn't leave her if I tried!

"Then I saw her fa-a-ace! Now I'm a believer!

"Not a trace, of doubt in my mind!

"One more time!

"I'm in lo-ove! I'm a believer! C'mon!

"IbelieveIbelieveIbelieveIbelieveIbelieveIbelieveIbelieveIbeliev eIbelieve!

"Hey! Y'all sing it with me! I believe! (I'm a believer) I believe! People in the back! I believe! (I'm a believer) I believe! I belie-e-eve!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"I believe we proved our merit tonight!" Amanda said happily.

"I can't believe you did that to JJ!" Serena said trying not to laugh.

"JJ can take a joke, any way he was one of the guys to help in that awful mess last year, so he deserved it."

Serena sighed; she hoped her matchmaking was not going to be wasted. "Good night Amanda," Serena said as she got out of the elevator.

"Wait, we passed your floo--" but the door shut in her face.

Serena snickered, she had a question, and she was going to ask it to Serenity.

Serena hadn't even knocked on the door when she heard a soft, "Come in,"

Serena slipped in, barely moving the door. She was in a smaller room; somehow she had just known it was the right room by seeing the door. It had a large desk pushed off to the back of it, near the quartz wall. There were a few bookshelves and an overstuffed armchair. Altogether the room was very cozy looking.

"So, you've found my hiding place, Serena," Serenity said with small smile. She had her feet propped up on her desk and was tossing a stress ball from one hand to the other. "Sit, if you like," Serenity said, nodding her head towards the chair.

Serena sat down and quite lost her confidence by intimidation. "I-I have a question…"

"If it's about your life in the future, you know I can't answer it," Serenity skeptically.

"Oh, it's not about me--actually I'm sort of trying to help a friend--"

"Amanda," Serenity added. Serena nodded.

"And see, I need to know why her mom hates JJ…"

Serenity chuckled to herself. "Mercury doesn't hate JJ, per say, she just dislikes him and is quite protective of Amanda."

"Oh, I see. Then why does she dislike him?"

Serenity's smile faded. "I can't say for sure, but what I think it is wasn't JJ's fault. Amanda caught pneumonia when she was little. JJ called her to see if she was going to be there--they were on the same team--not knowing that she was sick. Well, as independent as Amanda is, what do you think she did? She snuck out the day of the tournament and ended up spending a week in the hospital."

Serena was a bit shocked by the story. She had to press on though, "What about the--"

Serenity finished for her, "Locket. Well, that was from the same ordeal. It was a get-well gift from JJ. Thus the saying 'don't panic until the lock is missing.'"

"What?"

"Well, think about it logically…if you're locked in a one-door room and there's a lock, you can still get out. But if you're locked in and there is no lock, how could you possibly get out?"

Serena was a bit confused. Serenity laughed, "It came from a saying that I believe Piper started, 'Don't panic until her locket is missing.'"

"Oh, I see--"

"Now, Serena, since we're on the subject--what exactly are you hoping to accomplish--and why?" Serenity expressed this as if what she thought Serena was capable of was not much.

"W-well, I, uh, wanted to--" The full realization of weird this conversation was, was finally getting to Serena.

"Okay, your intentions are basically to get them together--" Serenity finished.

"Well, yeah, because--they're my friends." Serena stated decidedly.

"I was afraid that would be your reasoning--and I have faith in your intentions. Possibly my attempts were futile because of my lack of youth--someone Amanda's age could possibly get her to open up…JJ is really the only person she tells her feelings to and since this deals with him she obviously can't…"

"Exactly!" Serena said nodding.

"Well, since that is settled, I have something to ask you--rather, tell you," Serenity said quietly. "But first, you have to agree that when you leave this room, not a word of this conversation can be mentioned."

"I agree,"

"In the future there will be a question that will mean the difference between this world and another, if you say no to that question, this will be your future. It is a great and wonderful future for you Serena, but if you say yes...you will discover joys beyond what I have known, and if I could choose again, I would say yes. But it is up to you, and not me."

"How do you know that?"

"I know a lot--beyond what most people thought of me in junior high."

"Oh, well, I'll be going to bed then…. Good night," Serena said quietly, bowing and leaving.

"Good night Serena," Serenity said as Serena closed the door. "And good luck," she added after Serena had left.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Is nervousness contagious?" Amanda asked Rini in her bedroom.

"No, but if you don't control it, you're going to look horrible…" Rini said trying to curl little ringlets of hair near Amanda's ears.

"But what if--OW!" Amanda started but got touched by the hot iron. "That hurt!"

"Well, if you'd sit still I wouldn't have touched you…" Rini said calmly, taking the curling iron away from Amanda's head.

"Why does beauty have to be painful? Why can't we all just say 'to hell with beauty!'?" Amanda said rather annoyed.

"Because if we did, then no one would be married…" Rini said convincingly.

"Well, what if I don't want to get married?"

"You have to--you can't take the thrown of Mercury if you don't."

"Technically I don't have to take the crown if I don't want to,"

"Amanda! You're getting annoying! Do you want me to help you or not?" Rini asked angrily.

"I'm sorry," Amanda said meekly.

"It's okay, you're just nervous…" Rini said comfortingly, finishing up with a tiara.

There was a knock at the door. "Who is it?" Amanda asked.

"Piper! Let me in! Oh, alahamora!" Piper sounded a bit frustrated as she unlocked the door herself and came in.

"What took you so long?" Amanda said getting up and taking the dress Piper was holding.

"Kami-sama--that stupid Dorothy wouldn't give it up! I had to sneak it out of the laundry room!" Piper said falling onto Amanda's bed.

"Here--" Rini said seeing Amanda's problem with reaching the zipper.

Amanda didn't smile as she looked at herself in the mirror. "Why don't you sit down an I'll put a little bit of make-up on you, okay?"

"Oh…Amanda, you look like a princess from a fairy tale!" the jealous Piper said. Amanda didn't want to look like she was from a fairy tale; she wanted to be a normal girl.

Piper had begged her to by the dress for the ball. It was a strapless lilac affair with a pretty overskirt of a silvery, shimmery, sheer lilac material. The skirt began just below her bust, and the overskirt split in the middle, very similar to that same dress Maige always wears…

There was another knock at the door and it began to crack open, but Piper jumped up to slam it and locked it just in time.

"What's the idea?" Somebody said from outside.

"Who is it?" Piper asked.

"JJ--"

"No boys allowed!" Piper said indignantly.

"Why?" JJ asked stupidly.

"You have to wait until she enters the ballroom…just like a princess!" Piper said fantasizing a little.

"I'm her escort, stupid…and I have her corsage," JJ said getting a bit frustrated.

Amanda buckled the buckle of her shoe and got up to open the door. Piper stopped her and smiled, "Have fun," she said, and then opened the door.

JJ stood in awe at the completely changed girl--rather young lady--in front of him. He smiled a little nervously and slid her corsage on her wrist.

"Oh, please don't ogle at me like that..." Amanda said quietly; a streak of crimson going across her face.

JJ looked away and offered his arm to her and she took it. They walked happily up to the Grand Ballroom...

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Amanda was enjoying herself immensely, mostly because o all the curious looks she was receiving. The only thing that was spoiling her time was the dark looks JJ kept giving everyone she danced with.

Suddenly there was a clinking of glasses and everyone turned their attention to the front of the room.

"Will the five final Miss Olympics contestants come forward? As well as the judges?" Serenity asked scanning the crowd of young people. Amanda smiled at her dance partner as she let go of his hand and made her way up to the front. Chenille turned up her nose at her as they stood in front of the crowd.

"We're sorry for the delay in results," JJ began with a glance towards the American boy. "We were delayed because of a dispute between judges."

"We have made our final choice though, and we would like to present the crown now," the American boy said. The Russian girl handed him an envelope, which he then opened. "Jenna Robinson," he said.

The girl next to Amanda with short blonde hair started jumping up and down, until they put the crown on her head and handed her a dozen roses. Flashes started going off as a few reporters started asking questions and taking pictures.

Amanda was a little disappointed, obviously. She had wanted to win, really, but would've like to prove she could have. Amanda congratulated the girl and then made her way to the stairs.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The gardens were all alit with fairy twinkle lights. It was so romantic; Amanda knew that there'd be plenty of couples out here sharing a wonderfully beautiful night together.

Amanda smiled sweetly as she examined the pretty white roses. She took off the tiara she was wearing and set it on the ground. She picked one of the beautiful thorn-less roses and put it in her hair. She was startled by someone touching her shoulder.

"Leaving the party already? They say it's bad luck to be out here alone," JJ said.

Amanda had tried her best not to be left alone with JJ after that Sunday. I think this situation is worse than being alone... Amanda thought.

"That rose looks pretty in your hair," JJ said desperately, fishing for a compliment that wasn't just 'you look beautiful.'"

"Does it? Let's get Madeleine and we can go searching for other pretty flowers," Amanda said, pulling her hand away and desperately trying to get out of this situation.

"Never mind Madeleine," JJ said softly, taking her hand again in a grasp from which she could not free it. Amanda had backed up against the tall rose hedge and was avoiding his eyes. She was making him look through those long lashes of hers, which only made this easier. He leaned down and kissed her.

When he pulled away he released her hand and she stood there, not opening her eyes, just, breathing quickly, blushing, and feeling as if the world were revolving around her alone. She finally recovered and turned to get away, but he held out his arm to stop her.

"Juzo, please," Amanda pleaded. "Please...You've already ruined it..."

"It has to be said, and I know you feel the same way and you just won't admit it."

"Can't we just be friends?" Amanda pleaded nearly in tears.

"Friends?" JJ laughed. "Your friendship isn't enough for me when what I crave is your love!"

The pause that occurred was so long and dreadful. Amanda didn't dare look at JJ, she felt bad enough already...

"Is there somebody else?" JJ asked very seriously.

"No! I don't care for anyone in that way..." Amanda said. But if I don't...why do I still feel his lips on mine?

She was on the verge of tears and waiting for those fateful words that would separate them forever. They never came.

"Mandi...don't you see that in just a few months we're going to be traveling to the ends of the Earth and won't see each except on summer and winter breaks? There's no doubt you'll be accepted to some prestigious dance academy in France or England and I'll be God knows where...I just have to know if you could ever love me in that way," JJ said quietly.

Amanda did realize this and it was another reason she couldn't fall in love with him. She sighed at his realization of it and took the hand of his that was stopping her from leaving.

He sort of wondered what she wanted, she had her fingers intertwined with his and seemed to want something to happen but was hesitating on what she wanted.

She finally spoke, "When you kissed me...I had never been kissed."

"You're lying," he said quietly.

"If I was I wouldn't have to fight with myself to decide if my first kiss is good or bad..." she said innocently.

JJ smiled and lifted her chin up with his free hand and kissed her again. Amanda was quite certain now...

"I do love you," Amanda said quietly.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sailor Pluto opened the time gates the next morning. She was patiently waiting for the scouts to say good-byes. Only Amanda and JJ had come to say good-bye though. Amanda smiled and presented Serena with a music box that was decorated with a beautiful yellow glass rose.

"Thank you, Serena," Amanda said handing it to her. " I owe you a lot. You're sure to see me again, so I can't really say good-bye. I'll just say see you again." She said with a smile.

"I have to say the same, wherever she goes I'm sure not to be far behind," JJ said with a smile at Amanda.

"Right," Lita said. "Good-byes are forever. We'll see each other again."

And in a few minutes they were all gone and Amanda and JJ were left alone on the hilltop.