USAGI'S VERY IMPORTANT MISSION
A/N: Thank you so much for all of your kind and warm responses to the last chapter. Truth be told, I was a little worried because it been so long since I had updated and I hope that the entire story meshes well together. This chapter was quite long so I actually cut it into two parts and saved the other half for chapter 7 which is coming very very soon. Without further adieu, here is Chapter 6.
Chapter 6--
As Mamoru had predicted, Motoki loved his birthday present as he always loved every single one he received. Although Usagi had apologized numerous times for purchasing him a bakery made cake and not baking one herself, he assured her every time that he appreciated the gift. As a result, Usagi glowed with glee.
"I did try to bake you a cake," Usagi began to tell him. "But that didn't...turn out so well." She decided it was probably best to leave out all the details.
Motoki smiled. "It's totally fine Usagi. Thanks for giving baking a try anyway." He patted her head and gave her a quick wink and turned to Mamoru to thank him for the season tickets to watch his favorite team.
Usagi bubbled with cheer. How could Motoki not know that he had her wrapped around his finger whenever he smiled or winked at her? As far as she was concerned, she welcomed every single smile and wink.
The ringing of the telephone forced Motoki to interrupt his conversation with Mamoru to answer the call.
"Hello?" Motoki's face instantly lit up within seconds of picking up the telephone. "Reika!"
Usagi's face instantly melted and all signs of cheerfulness withered away.
"I've missed you too!" Motoki exclaimed into the receiver.
Usagi cleared her throat. "Excuse me for a moment." She mentioned to no one in particular as she headed towards the back exit for some fresh air, her shoulders sagging.
Just as Usagi stepped out, Ami, Makoto, and Rei stepped in. "Wow, great job decorating the arcade." Makoto commented as she allowed her eyes to roam around the streamer and balloon filled arcade. In honor of Motoki's birthday, the arcade was closed off to the public to allow for a celebration.
"Hm, I don't see Usagi." Ami said as she scanned the room for a girl with two odangos on her head.
"She just stepped out." Mamoru replied seeing as Motoki was still occupied with the telephone.
Rei slyly surveyed the room for a certain looking blonde that she wasn't too fond of. A few other blondes were present, but thankfully, not the one she was looking for. She sighed with relief and joy when the girl was nowhere to be found. Remembering the events of yesterday quite vividly, Rei sucked in her breath and gathered her courage. "Mamoru!" Rei exclaimed as she sauntered up behind him. "I never imagined I'd run into you here."
He slowly and stiffly turned around, taking some time before finally looking her in the eye. He seemed, to say the least, uncomfortable.
Makoto rolled her eyes. "Geez Rei, of course he'd be here. He's Motoki's best friend!"
Rei shot Makoto a look that meant you better leave now. "Ok, ok!" Makoto mouthed, backing away and beginning to make her way to the refreshments table.
Rei redirected her attention to Mamoru, remembering very well the deal she had made with herself about not giving up. I won't go down without a fight! If Mamoru didn't see how special she was, she would simply make him see how special she was. "Um, well...it was a shame that you couldn't come out last night since you were too busy." Rei eyed him suspiciously and sure enough, a look of guilt washed over his face.
"I apologize greatly, and I do hope you had fun with the guy who replaced me." He gave her a forced smile.
Rei returned the smile, a knot forming in her stomach. "Yeah." She mumbled knowing full well what had transpired yesterday instead of a date. "But hey, it's your reading break on thursday and friday right? You have no classes, correct?" She asked, her goal to win Mamoru clear in her mind.
Mamoru's eyes widened in surprise. "How...how did you know?" He looked left and right, no doubt for an excuse to leave.
"Well, I feel guilty that you couldn't make it last night so I made reservations again at the same restaurant." She gave him a bright smile and batted her eyelashes.
"Erhm, I--" Mamoru began.
"--No need to thank me. It was my pleasure! So the reservations are for seven on friday night." Rei interrupted, not intending to allow him any room to back out. "And it'll be my treat. You deserve a reward for studying so hard." She added.
"You really don't have to--" Mamoru started again, but once more he was interrupted by a determined girl with long black hair.
"I insist, Mamoru. Now, it's so gentleman-like of you to want to pay for the date, but I said I would pay and so I'm going to stick to my word." She gave him one last killer smile. "My, I'm quite thirsty." She quickly began to head to the refreshments table and with one last look over her shoulder she said, "See you on friday at seven."
Mamoru greatly attempted to suppress a groan.
--
Usagi leaned back against the brick wall near the back exit. She let her hands hang limply by her side as her head lolled back and rested against the brick. Everything was going so perfectly until Reika called. Witnessing Motoki's excitement and smile upon hearing Reika's voice sliced Usagi right in the heart. What made Reika so appealing? Did she know that Motoki was Tuxedo Kamen? Had he revealed his secret to her? Surely, Reika would not, could not understand such depths of his duty the way she, Usagi could. She knew what it was like to have the world's fate thrown upon her shoulders. She understood the magnitude of her actions and the dire consequences if she failed to win against her enemies. Surely, Reika's understanding of heroism or experience could not compare to that. So why did Motoki choose her? Why doesn't Tuxedo Kamen want to become allies with the Senshi? It baffled her beyond anything and yet, she was still willing to continue to try and solve the mystery.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Usagi. Would things be different if...if, Motoki knew my identity? If the fact that she was Sailor Moon was revealed to him, would he treat her differently? Would he see her as a different person, a more responsible, courageous person? Would Tuxedo Kamen treat Sailor Moon any differently? Clearly, there were risks that accompanied this and she knew well in her mind that once it was done, there was no going back. Their relationship would change forever. It was possible that Tuxedo Kamen would betray her and choose to reveal her identity to an enemy. But somehow, she knew deep down that he would do no such thing. She inhaled deeply and made her decision. Ok, I'm going to do it. I'm going to tell Motoki the truth.
--
"Odango, there you are!" Mamoru said with relief as soon as Usagi walked in through the back door. Since Rei was her friend, he was hoping to ask for her assistance in finding a way to boycott the date with Rei. Instead, Usagi looked about wildly in all directions looking for Motoki.
"Have you seen Motoki?" She asked, turning around and standing on her tiptoes to see over the people's heads.
"He should be around somewhere, but listen, I need your help for something." Mamoru began although Usagi was still preoccupied with searching for Motoki.
"Mamoru, I brought you a drink, I th--" Rei came up behind Mamoru, but stopped cold, her face freezing as soon as she caught sight of Usagi.
Hearing Rei's voice, Usagi instantly whirled around to greet her friend. "Rei! I haven't seen you--" Usagi ceased speaking as soon as her eyes landed on Rei's shocked, nearly petrified face. She held a cup in each hand, both sets of knuckles turning white.
A look of concern instantly overtook Usagi's features upon seeing her friend's condition. "Rei, are you alright? You're so pale." When Rei didn't answer, Usagi let out a nervous laugh. "Look, I know the haircut is really different, but I didn't think it was that bad."
Suddenly, the two drinks Rei were holding in her hands crashed to the floor, spilling red punch on the arcade tiles and unfortunately, on someone else's shoes. "Hey! My shoes!" The woman exclaimed furiously as she stalked off to the bathroom.
"I'll go and find a mop." Mamoru quickly volunteered, relieved to put distance between himself and Rei.
Usagi could hear Rei's shaky breathing, as if she was struggling to find oxygen. "Rei," Usagi began again. "Are you feeling ok?"
Rei swallowed hard and in a hoarse voice, she choked out, "You!"
Usagi furrowed her eyebrows in confusion and pointed her finger at herself. "Me?"
Usagi could tell that Rei was fighting to stay calm. "It was you the entire time." Rei said, shaking her head in disbelief.
That only served to make Usagi even more confused. "What are you talking about?" Usagi asked, becoming aware of the glances they were receiving.
The two hands that only moments before were holding cups of punch were now clenched tightly into fists as Rei shut her eyes momentarily. When she opened them, she looked fiercely at Usagi, a cold look that placed a pang of fear into Usagi's gut. In a hushed, strained tone Rei said, "You knew my feelings for Mamoru this entire time, but you still went behind my back."
Usagi's mouth opened in surprise and she brought her hands up in a surrendering gesture. "Rei, no, no. Don't get the wrong idea."
Before she could continue, Rei cut in, her voice still dangerously low. "What am I supposed to think when you get into his car with him to go to his apartment? Or when you're at a grocery store with him at night shopping together?"
Usagi gulped. Rei was really scary right now. How did she know that Usagi had gone to Mamoru's apartment or that they were at the grocery store together? Actually, Usagi should have expected that Rei knew everything Mamoru did every single minute of the day. She pretty much stalked him.
"Now just listen to me Rei," Usagi began very calmly so as not to provoke her tempered friend any more. "I assure you that whatever you saw or whatever you heard is not what you think."
"Then what is it? Explain it to me Usagi. Explain why you would spend so much time with Mamoru and not even tell me if you had nothing to hide." Rei asked quietly although there were dangerous sparks in her eyes.
Usagi eyes quickly looked around, glad to see that no one else was near enough to hear their conversation. With a calm tone, she replied, "I promise you that I had no intention of stealing Mamoru away from you. I simply enlisted his help so I could..." Usagi swallowed hard and mumbled, "hetto no mo ruhbout mutoki."
Rei arched an eyebrow. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch the last of your sentence."
Usagi cleared her throat and looked anywhere but Rei's face. "So I could get to know more about Motoki."
Rei's violet eyes bore into Usagi as she considered her explanation. Her eyebrows creased a couple times before finally asking, "So you have no feelings for Mamoru whatsoever?"
Usagi scowled. "Me, have feelings for Mamoru? Come on, Rei."
Rei nodded and seemed to be accepting of Usagi's denial. "Yeah...but then why were you at the grocery store together?"
Usagi pointed at the cake that was displayed on the counter. "Mamoru's his best friend. He knows Motoki's favorite flavors and what have you so he was simply helping me pick out Motoki's birthday present."
Rei nodded again, but then her eyes narrowed briefly. "So then why were you up in his apartment?" Rei raised an accusatory eyebrow.
For some reason, Usagi felt a blush rising in her cheeks. "Same reason! I was trying to figure out what to get for Motoki's birthday and also to find out more about him." As shameful as that sounded, Usagi knew she had to dispel from Rei's mind any notions that she and Mamoru were having a secret rendez-vous.
"And you had to do that in his apartment? You couldn't find out more about Motoki somewhere else?" Rei asked, still fiery.
"Listen Rei," Usagi said with a nervous laugh. "I assure you that nothing happened between Mamoru and I. You can even ask him! It was purely innocent, me asking for advice on how to win Motoki."
Rei seemed to contemplate the situation, her eyes falling to the tile floor. A few minutes of silence passed by and Usagi thought she could no longer bear it. She took hold of her friend's hand which caused a slight surprised expression to surface on Rei's face. "Rei, please." Usagi pleaded as she gathered her courage and looked into her friend's eyes. "Please trust me on this. Nothing happened between Mamoru and I." Rei took a few moments to look at Usagi whose hand clutched onto hers, her eyes begging for understanding.
"I believe you." Rei breathed.
Usagi's features were overcome with relief. "Thanks Rei."
Rei cleared her throat. "So you're still trying to steal Motoki away from his girlfriend, huh?"
Usagi frantically looked around to see if anyone was within earshot. "Shh!" She said with a finger to her lips. "What if someone hears you?"
A smile cracked onto Rei's face. "I knew it."
Usagi scowled. "Well when you say it like that, it doesn't sound so good."
Rei shrugged. "Well I'm just saying it like it is."
Before Usagi could get another word in, Rei continued to speak. "So since you don't have feelings for Mamoru, you wouldn't mind if I went on a date with him, right?"
Usagi's face took on a look of surprise. "You're going on a date with Mamoru?"
Rei nodded triumphantly. "Yup. Friday evening at the Seafood Palace." A dreamy look entered her eyes as she dreamed of how the evening would turn out. "Nice haircut by the way. You had all us fooled there. I thought you were Mamoru's secret new woman. Boy, was I ever wrong. I'm glad I was though."
Usagi didn't quite know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult. "Well at least one of us is closer to attaining our dream guy." Usagi said with a sigh.
Rei lifted an eyebrow and gave Usagi a sympathetic look. "Things still not going well with Motoki?"
Usagi shook her head. "Just a few minutes ago, Reika called." She didn't say anything else, knowing there was no need to explain anymore.
"Aw, I'm sorry, Usagi." Rei said comfortingly. Then suddenly, her face lit up as if the greatest idea in the world had formed in her mind. "Usagi, I have the perfect solution!"
Usagi's eyes widened in response. "I'm not sure I want to ask."
Rei placed her hands on her hips. "Is that anyway to speak to a friend who wants to help you out? Since I'm going on a date with Mamoru on friday, why don't you and Motoki come along? It'll be a double date!" Rei squealed with happiness, so very proud that she had conjured up such a lovely idea.
Usagi opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
"It'll be the day where you and I both get what we want. I'll go and tell Motoki right now!" And with that, Rei twirled around and scampered off, too quick to be caught by Usagi before she could get away.
"Odango! I've been meaning to ask you something." Mamoru's voice came from behind her. He placed his hands on her shoulders and twirled her around to face him in a panic. A look of worry etched his face as he said, "Odango, I have a date with Rei on friday and--"
"I know, she told me." Usagi intercepted, smiling politely.
Mamoru continued. "Just listen, I need your help--"
"--just leave it all to me." Usagi replied before he finished.
Mamoru's shoulders sagged with relief. "Really?" He let out a long sigh. "Thanks Odango. You owe me anyway for the cake and stuff."
Usagi nodded. "Yup. Don't worry about it. I'll teach all about what Rei likes in a guy and what sort of things would capture Rei's heart so you guys can have the perfect date. You're right, I do owe you for making you answer all those questions about Motoki."
Mamoru froze for a moment as his face displayed a horrified expression. "Hold on a minute--"
"Usagi??" Makoto and Ami blurted out with shock in unison upon seeing Usagi's new look. "Is that you??" Makoto asked, refusing to believe her eyes.
Mamoru didn't try to suppress his groan this time.
"Hey you two!" Usagi said delightedly as the three engaged in a group hug.
As Mamoru slapped his forehead in exasperation and stalked off, the two girls oohed and ahhed over Usagi's new haircut.
--
"Ouch!" Usagi yelped as Rei pulled a curler out of her hair.
"Oh, calm down Usagi!" Rei exclaimed with frustration as she began to unroll another curler from Usagi's hair. "Just two more to go."
It was friday, an hour before the double date and Rei had invited Usagi over so they would have the chance to get ready together.
"Why'd you have to pick such a fancy restaurant, Rei?" Usagi asked, annoyed that she had to endure the pain of having her hair pulled at by Rei.
"So that we could dress up and show them how beautiful we are, Usagi! I can't believe you even had to ask." Rei replied with an equal amount of annoyance at Usagi's question.
"So Rei, you never told me how you got Motoki to agree to go on a double date." Usagi had to admit, she was impressed with how Rei was able to pull these things off.
"Never you mind, Usagi. Just be glad that I even did this for you. There." Rei said as she pulled out the last curler, relieved that Usagi's hair was finally done. "I wouldn't even think to curl your hair if you hadn't cut it." Rei estimated it would have probably taken a year to curl with all the hair that she used to have.
Usagi stood up from Rei's bed and moved to the full length mirror. As soon as her eyes rested upon the image in the mirror, Usagi's face shot into a look of astonishment. "Thanks Rei." Was all she could say as she was too preoccupied with admiring her hair.
Rei beamed with pride at her work, quite satisfied and impressed with her skill. "Time to put on our dresses!" Rei squealed excitedly. "Mamoru is going to eat his heart out."
Minutes later, the girls were fully dressed along with accessories.
Rei appeared fiery hot in a strapless satin red dress, the hem stopping right above her knees. The color succeeded in beautifying the lightness of her skin and the darkness of her hair. (see dress here: www. edressme. com/bg0301r.html remove the spaces)
Much to Usagi's chagrin, the girls had stopped at seventeen dress stores in search of the perfect dress for tonight and much to Usagi's annoyance, Rei had asked the same question every time she tried on a dress which was "Do you think Mamoru will like it?" Agonizingly, Rei had found her dress at the seventeenth store.
Usagi stepped in front of the mirror, looking like an angelic temptress in a white, one strap dress, its length also stopping above the knees. Its fitted waist accentuated Usagi's petite figure and the look was completed with drop earrings. (see dress here: www. edressme. com/5475.html remove the spaces)
"Our dates would be crazy not to drop dead when they lay eyes on us." Rei said, anticipating Mamoru's reaction. She quickly grabbed her purse and pulled Usagi's wrist, dragging her out the door. "Let's go Usagi!" She said as Usagi wailed something about having to use the toilet first.
A/N: I must admit, "shopping" for Rei and Usagi's dress was really fun. Too fun, actually that I really do want to order dresses for myself and I think I spent a lot more time on that website than I intended to. Anyway, I'm 3/4 finished the next chapter since it was originally supposed to be part of this chapter. It almost came to 6000 words and so I decided it was too long, but don't worry, you'll get the next chapter very very soon!! Probably in less than a day or so.
SmTwilight: Thank you very much for your compliments! I'm glad you think it's cute! I hope that you continue to like it and I appreciate that you took the time to review!
supersaiyanx: I know this chapter wasn't THAT long, but I have the next chapter coming up soon. I really appreciate that you like my story. Thanks for the kind words.
BrodySTFU: That's such a great compliment from you, I'm so flattered! I know what you mean when some stories have some bizarre situations. I do try and keep my stories believable, but that opinion may differ from one reader to another. I'm glad though, that you think it is! Thank you for reading!
markus777: You asked a good question! Sailor Moon's hairstyle is always the same as Usagi's so as of now in this story, Sailor Moon no longer has her odangos, BUT in the manga it mentions that when the Sailor scouts transform, a type of "magic" protects their identities and no one can attribute them to their civilian form. Even though Sailor Moon's hair is different, the other scouts cannot tell a difference because a "magic" protects the way she looks. Remember when Sailor Venus met the other sailor scouts for the first time? Then remember when Mina when not transformed met with the other girls when they weren't transformed? They didn't recognize each other. It's kind of like that. I hope I explained it so you understood, but if you didn't, please don't hesitate to ask again!
ninjett1: Aw, thank you for loving it! I appreciate the compliment and the review! It was so very kind of you.
bunnykim89: Thanks! And there's another chapter coming in less than a day or so!
Nandini709: It's no trouble at all to respond to reviews. It's the least I can do for you guys who read my stories and encourage me to do what I love. Well, in this chapter Rei finally gets a proper look at Usagi and thankfully, a girl fight was avoided. There will be more humorous and sensitive moments to come, I assure you.
Anonymous: I'm very glad you think it's humorous. Sometimes I think some people don't share my sense of humor, but I'm glad you think it's funny. I intend to continue to add humor to the story and it makes me happy that you like the way I've set up the characters. Thank you very much for reading and reviewing!
empty-spaces: Haha, I love clueless Rei too! I also love Usagi and Mamoru slowly becoming closer. There will be more Usagi and Mamoru getting closer moments to come! Thanks once again for reading my story.