The Bookstore, a crescent moon fanfic

Authoress' Notes: I've been wanting to post this for like… forever! Muwahahah. But something about it didn't seem right, so I didn't post it. But then, I realized that it would be such a waste… so I posted it anyway. . Oh well. I think its too cheesy… oh well. I guess I hope that you'll still like it… thankies!

DISCLAIMER: The great Iida-sensei and Takamura-sensei own them… which is why they are so perfect as is.

The Bookstore
By psychedelic aya

"I can't believe it! It's TODAY!"

Mahiru's shout echoed throughout the upper floor of the Moonshine Bar, and somehow, it also shook the lower level.

Akira's eyes went up a notch in surprise. "Ow! That was loud!" He exclaimed, as cursing the sensitivity of his dog ears. He put down the glass he was previously wiping on the top of the bar counter. "Was that Mahiru?"

Before anyone could answer his question, loud and quick footsteps could be heard descending the stairs. Whoever was going down was in a hurry, and it wasn't a surprise that there was a sudden shout of "Oh no!" continued by an unpleasant sound of someone rolling down the staircase.

Misoka didn't even look up as he continued polishing the tables. "That's the princess alright…"

Nozomu chuckled, seeing Mahiru sprawled on the floor. "Princess, you have to be more careful," He said, with a playful smile on his face. He held his hand out in a gesture to help her up.

Mahiru grinned sheepishly, and yet at the same time, she found herself blushing under Nozomu's smile. He always had that effect on her… and probably on other girls too. "Sorry," She muttered awkwardly, as grabbing his hand and standing up. When she was upright again, her previous enthusiasm returned. "Waaah! Its today! I have to go!"

Everyone's eyebrow quirked. Their eyes followed her as she suddenly made a rush to the door. "What's with today?" They questioned, as still looking at their princess as she struggled to wear shoes. And also, "Go where?"

From battling with her sandals, Mahiru exclaimed, "To the bookstore!" She gave no other explanation, but as usual, Misoka seemed to know.

"Ah," The Lunar fox said, as pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose—that frequent habit of his. "Today is the release of one of Murasaki-dono's new books."

Nozomu looked confused. "Murasaki-dono?"

"One of the most famous authors in writing novels. Her books especially appeal to girls." A small glance to Mahiru. "I heard her latest and most anticipated story comes out on bookstores today."

From near the door, Mahiru tapped her shoes and checked her outfit—a ritual she always did before she left. "And if I don't hurry, all of them will be sold out!" She exclaimed in a panic. Then, with a hurried grin, "Bye, everyone!"

But even before she could run out the door, Nozomu exclaimed, "Wait, Mahiru!" He ran a little after her, a grin suddenly forming in his lips. "You want me to take you there? It'll be faster if I drive you."

That made sense.

Mahiru's eyes shined. "Really?" She asked, like a little girl whose parents just agreed to buy her a new doll. "Much thanks, Nozomu!"

"Sure, I'll just go and get the keys—"

But as he was about to grab the car key from its hangar, Oboro's voice cut him off.

"I'm sorry, Nozomu, but you have to stay," He said, as descending the stairs with a yawn. "You and Misoka will help Katsura and I re-arrange the club."

There was disappointment in the vampire's eyes. "Re-arrange the club?"

"Yes. Don't you think its time for a new look?"

Geez. Old men and their fetishes.

Nozomu grumbled, but he knew Oboro's orders could never be disobeyed. With a melancholy look to Mahiru, "Sorry princess."

Mahiru looked disheartened, but she still pressed a smile. "That's alright! Thanks anyway, Nozomu!" And with that, she began running out the door again. "Don't worry, I'm taking Batty with me!"

The bat flapped above her in response.

Then, once more, "Bye everyone!"

But then again, "Wait, princess!" This time it was Oboro. Everyone looked to him in surprise, and also in expectance. There was a small grin in the elder's face. Then suddenly, "Mitsuru can take you."

There was a gasp from somewhere in the shadows, where the aforementioned was discreetly mopping the floor, hoping to be ignored. "What?! Me?" Mitsuru, as always, was against it. "But—"

Before he could even argue, Mahiru had already run to him and grabbed him, not wanting to cause anymore delays. "C'mon then, Mitsuru! We musn't waste time!" Then, in a murmur, "That book is waiting for me!"

And soon, with much persuasion and dragging, the two were outside (along with Batty, of course); and for a third time, there was a "Bye everyone!", then the door clicked shut.

Akira raised an eyebrow and gave a look to their leader. "You guys aren't really going to fix up, are you?"

Oboro yawned casually as he started ascending the stairs again.

"Of course not."

There was a scowl on Mitsuru's face as Mahiru dragged him across the street, in and out through the crowds passing by. His irritability was kinda expected, though; because after all, this was Mitsuru we were talking about.

But Mahiru, as usual, had that pretty smile on her face.

An annoyed eyebrow rose. 'Why must she be so damn persistent?' Mitsuru thought, hating the thought that he was being ordered around by this girl.

But oddly, he hadn't complained yet.

"Why can't we just fly?" He grumbled, not understanding what it was with these "public transportation devices" the princess was talking about. "It'll get us to that damn bookstore you're talking about faster."

'And in the same way, I'll be able to get the hell out of this mess sooner!'

There was a delighted smile on Mahiru's face. "I wouldn't want to trouble you," She replied, but it was clear that she was telling a lie. After all, he had already offered to take her there by flight (which was definitely not Mitsuru's style, by the way) and here she was, rejecting it.

He grumbled some more, seeing her stubbornness and odd determination to take a stupid bus or taxi.

Soon, they waited under a little shed which had the sign, "BUS STOP". Mitsuru glared at it, as if it were to be the cause of the upcoming apocalypse of the earth.

It didn't take long for a bus to turn from the corner, smoke trailing from its behind until it came to a complete stop in front of them.

She inhaled a little smoke, and so before pulling him, she coughed repeatedly. Then, "C'mon, Mitsuru!" Mahiru urged, as doing that annoying clingy habit of hers and dragging her companion into the vehicle.

After rolling his eyes and grumbling a bit more, Mitsuru gave in.

Entering the bus was like entering a new dimension—something that was terribly far from paradise. It was stinky, humid, and tight; but the people were assorted: some looked bored and unanimated, others like hoodlums or thugs, and maybe the worse one was the gay-looking flirt that winked at Mitsuru.

Swirling black eyes found its way to glare at the so-called princess he was supposed to protect.

"We should've flown," Mitsuru grumbled to Mahiru's ear as they pushed their way to the back of the bus, where a single seat was waiting for them.

"Oh hush!" Mahiru chided him, as taking the seat while watching her companion stand beside her, looking as angry to the world as ever. Then, out of curiosity, "Don't you ever smile?"

Mitsuru's nose twitched as a putrid smell reached him. "Oh, damn. With a reeking world like this, what's there to smile about?"

There was a small giggle; but still, "Well…"

But before she could answer, the bus suddenly stopped. A large "BANG!" was heard from behind, and smoke was seen outside the window screens.

"What was that?" Immediately, in a gist of panic, Mahiru took hold of Mitsuru's arm.

As usual, he remained calm. "Looks like the engine's busted." A sigh in relief. 'Now can we fly?'

Mahiru didn't look too pleased. Then, without letting of his arms, "Maybe we should've flown…"

'Oh, so now she says it! Damn girl!' He glared at her. Long and hard. "You know what?" A short pause. The glare deepened. "I hate you."

She gave a wry grin paired with an expression of pure sarcasm. "Geez, I love you too, Mitsuru."

There was silence for a moment; it took a few seconds before both of them could realize the depth of the words—no matter if it was only meant as a light expression of friendship.

The people started moving out, the conductor bowing repeatedly to everyone in apology.

"W-whatever." Mitsuru's glare disappeared, but his indifferent look remained. And so, without even looking at Mahiru, "C-c'mon. Let's go."

Suddenly, she felt like smiling. "Yeah."

The road outside was crowded, as always. As was Tokyo's forest park.

"I bet that book has already sold out," Mahiru thought sadly, her head hung low in grief. Then, in a shout of despair, "AAAH! WHY AM I SO UNLUCKY???!"

Dozens of people who were passing by turned to look at the poor little highschool girl shouting by the water fountain. Seeing she was with this rude-looking boy, they thought out loud, "I wonder what he did to her…"

Of course, if Mitsuru had heard any word they'd uttered, all of them would be six feet under by now.

But since he heard nothing, instead, he rolled his eyes. "And so, pray tell: whose fault is this anyway?!" He was wondering why they hadn't flown yet, and he was getting impatient with the princess. For one thing, "I want to get this damn thing over with and go back to the bar." He grumbled in complaint. "I'd rather be wiping all those filthy glasses than baby-sitting you…"

Mahiru pouted at him. "You're not making me feel any better, you know!" She crossed her arms. "I'm mourning here and you're no help!"

"Help???" He repeated the word as if it were a curse. "It's just a damn book! And besides, I've been offering to take you there for the past hour! But what are you doing?! Friggin' nothing! You're bloody sitting there like that stupid book will come from the sky and hit you in the head or something!!!"

"Well, its not my fault I want to rest for a while! I'm not all macho like you, you know! We've been walking for the past thirty minutes!"

"I didn't ask you to walk! I said we could fly, didn't I!?"

"But I don't want to fly!"

"What?! You want to swim?!"

"Of course not!"

"Then that's your frickin' problem!"

Mahiru opened her mouth to retort, but her breath held as her eyes caught a delicious looking ice cream cart passing by. The usual chimes of ice cream kicked in to her ears—and in the hot, summer day, it had a psychological effect to everyone. Even the background music was screaming, "EAT ME!"

And so, without even a second thought, she ignored Mitsuru and ran to the vendor.

Mitsuru found himself screaming to an empty space.

'Damn princess!'

There she was, looking all innocent like, buying some ice cream. She chatted with the vendor a little, her eyes scanning for the perfect flavor; carefully, critically. Then, when she found what she wanted, her dainty finger pointed to it and she would grin a happy grin. Then the vendor would grin back, and get her the ice cream, and probably give her an extra scoop.

Mitsuru sighed—but at the same time, he glared—while staring at her. Why did she have to be so friggin' nice?

Mahiru licked her ice cream, mouthing some thanks to the seller. Then, unexpectedly, when she turned around, "Mitsuru? Do you want some ice cream?"

He was taken aback, because he had been staring at her, and he didn't expect for her to meet his eyes so quickly. But so, trying to regain his usual cold composure, "No, woman. Ice cream is pathetic."

The innocent vendor, who was quietly listening to their conversation, decided that maybe he should help his customers out. And so, with a smile, "Sir, if you want, I can give you a free sample."

Mitsuru glared at him. But then, "Free sample?"

The vendor thought he was getting through. "Yes!"

"Of anything?"

"Yes!"

Mahiru thought that her companion was finally agreeing to, but then again, she thought, something was fishy. The glint in Mitsuru's eyes didn't mean any good…

And so, without another thought, Mitsuru approached the ice cream cart and started to point. "I want that one."