10
The young, beautiful redheaded woman checked her cellphone, before putting it back inside her purse and taking a dark blue ruched sweater dress, inspecting it. The tag with the price on it was inside the reasonable limits, and it looked nice. Maybe a little short...
"Oh, I like that one!" came a female voice right behind her, and she turned her face around, smiling at the almost drooling face of her petite, silvery haired friend. "I bet it'd look so good on you!" Yaten encouraged, smiling widely.
She titled her head to a side, frowning lightly. "You think?" she asked, a bit unsure. "Maybe in another color..."
"Nonsense!" Yaten exclaimed, shaking her head. "It's perfect. It brings out your eyes and compliments your hair..."
"Really?" she asked, again, unsure.
The petite woman frowned, crossing her arms over her chest in a -completely fake- offended manner. "Who's the fashion expert here?"
"You're right, I'm sorry," Kakyuu said, smiling now, and giggling softly.
"Now stop checking on your cell every five minutes, and go try it on," Yaten instructed.
"I'm not checking on it every five minutes..."
"Ok, ten. Same thing," the silvery haired woman corrected herself, shaking her shoulder. "The kids are fine!" she then exclaimed. "They're probably having a blast on that festival..."
"I know, I know," Kakyuu agreed, nodding her head. "Is just that... there's so many people on those festivals, anything could happen..."
"Sweet Stars, you're worst than Seiya!" Yaten complained, rolling her eyes. "Look, they're with Shinju, right? And you know she'll call if anything goes wrong. But nothing's gonna happen! Just relax!" she exclaimed again. "And the best part is," she continued, as she pushed the red headed woman into the changing rooms, "they'll be so worn out afterwards, they'll be sleeping like sweet little angels in no time, and you'll be able to enjoy your friendly dinner with that hot neighbor of yours," she teased, ironically accentuating the word 'friendly'.
Kakyuu blushed at that. "It really is just a friendly dinner..."
"Sure it is," Yaten said, guiding her Princess inside the small, nicely illuminated cubicle. "I've heard that one before," she added, before closing the curtains.
A satisfied smile coming to her lips when no answer reached her, indicating Kakyuu had opted for just trying the dress on instead. And she stood there, hands on her hips and patiently waiting, when her cellphone got her attention.
She fished for it inside her handbag and looked at the small device. Her friend's name was flashing in the small screen, and she opened it up, reading the text.
'911! The mall in 10', was all the message said, and she tilted her head to a side curiously, wondering what -or maybe who- could cause the 911 meeting. As if on cue, her cell rang, and she smiled, answering the call right away.
"Did you get Makoto's message?" came Minako's voice from the other side of the line.
"Yeah, just got it," Yaten answered. "I'm actually at the mall right now, with Kakyuu."
"Oh! Is she going out on a date?" the blonde asked, obviously excited. But then again, anything that had something to do with dating made the blonde dance and jump like an excited little school girl...
Yaten smiled again. "Something like that... So, about Makoto. Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Oh yeah," Minako said, giggling almost maliciously. "She got herself a hot date! But fear not! The Goddess of love and beauty is on the rescue!"
"She text me too, you know," Yaten put in, rolling her lime green eyes.
"Yeah, yeah... you know what I mean," the blonde said. "So, where are you?"
"Credere."
"Ok, I'll see you in 5!"
And with that, the line went dead, and the petite woman shook her head, amused. Sometimes, that woman gave a whole new meaning to the word blonde...
But she meant well, and she was actually pretty good giving fashion tips, always knowing exactly how to bring out the best on each and every single one of their friends. And she worked wonders when it came to makeup and hair. The blonde had a gift!
Yaten was pretty good with fashion herself, both because she worked with magazines and designers, and that forced her to always know all the tendencies and collections for the season, and because she actually liked dresses and shoes. And she could be a bit conceited at times... But she actually liked to look good, there was no crime in there, was it?
Knowing this, their friends always called them up on an emergency shopping spree whenever they needed advice. All but Ami, of course. The fashion duo actually had to force the petite genius into the mall -and into all kinds of outfits and shoes-, with Ami blushing and whimpering and being all embarrassed until they would find her the perfect outfit whenever the blue haired woman had a date, or some other important event.
Their 911 services, as it has come to be known, included romantic vacations, gala events -where Setsuna would, most of the times, provide the dress-, and of course, dates. They had shopped for pretty much everything one could think of; from beauty products that turned Rei's skin so soft and smooth it made her the object of any top model's envy, to a hair conditioner that made Ami's hair as soft as silk, shining in all its blue glory. The perfect stiletto sandals for Taiki to wear without adding more inches to her already tall figure, but still high enough for her to naturally swing her hips, accentuating her curves in all the right places; a white swimsuit for Setsuna, perfectly contrasting with her olive colored skin, to make her look sophisticated and sexy when she went on a small vacations to the Bahamas; the coolest, low rise slate skinny jeans and fitting, black leather vest for Seiya to sport on one of her company's parties that made her look like a rock goddess; and even the sexiest, cutest little babydoll with matching panties for one little Moon rabbit to wear on a small getaway weekend with her fiancé, making one particular earth Prince go wild...
Not that any of them knew the details of that last one, but still... the outcome was pretty obvious, and what they had aimed for to begin with.
They have even managed to get a thing or two for the earthen Prince once or twice, and Yaten was, currently and unofficially, Kaito's fashion adviser whenever he had a promotional show. Not that he was particularly fond of that, but when it came to fashion and making him look good for the media and his lady fans, Yaten was the one to trust on.
Little Hotaru was their newest, latest 'client'; she was in that age where school dances and parties were on, and though the little firefly had pretty good taste -probably taking after Michiru, after living with the violinist for such a long time-, she did come to them asking for advice every now and then.
There were only two people that would never, ever, called them up on a 911. Haruka, and Michiru.
Michiru didn't need their help. At all. Being elegant and sophisticated came naturally to the violinist. She definitively had the looks going for her, and her sense of fashion was impeccable. And then, of course, there was the whole break up thing and Michiru practically drowning in her career, so Yaten hadn't seen much of the aquamarine haired violinist in the past few years. Though that seemed to be changing lately...
And Haruka... Going to the mall gave the tall blonde the hives, and whenever she absolutely had to wear a dress, she just went to Setsuna. And, well, she did dress well. She always knew exactly what to put on and look great; didn't matter if it was a suit and tie, or a sexy little miniskirt. That woman truly was a walking chameleon.
But that didn't mean Yaten didn't try to force the racer into an outfit and some make up every now and then. It was actually rather fun watching her go ballistic over a simple, harmless little lipstick. And because, deep down, the racer had such a soft heart -and taking a page from Hotaru's book-, the silvery haired woman knew exactly how to make Haruka shut her mouth and wear an outfit -or give her a ride whenever she needed one.
She smiled at that. Haruka was one of her favorite puppy eyed look victims. But her all time number one favorite was, undeniably and unquestionably, Seiya.
"What are you smiling at?" came Kakyuu's amused voice right behind her, making her spin around.
"Nothing," Yaten answered, smiling innocently. "See? I was right!" she then said, checking her Princess up and down.
Kakyuu never really used the 911 service. Of course, they would go out shopping every now and then, but never for any major event. Ever since coming to live on earth, the red Princess had been completely dedicated to the kids. Except for the occasional get together and a night out clubbing with their friends every now and then, Kakyuu barely got to go out. Not that there were no offers and suitors. On the contrary. But the Princess never took them up on their offers, choosing to stay home instead.
Yaten understood her grieve for her lost lover, and the need to be there for the kids. But she knew Kakyuu's heart had healed, and she deserved a chance to be happy. And after Taiki's detailed research and Seiya's wholeheartedly consent, the three of them agreed to it; it was time for Kakyuu to get out more, and the new neighbor was a perfectly decent guy to deserve a chance.
Whether it would work out in the end or not, it really was beyond their control. But Yaten was damned sure she was going to do everything she possibly could to give her Princess a chance to be happy. And, she had her two favorite accomplices working with her on that particular task. With Taiki's brains and her well placed words, Seiya's overprotective tendencies and her disposition to send any loser wanting to take advantage of Kakyuu -or any of them, really...- to the intensive care unit of some hospital, and Yaten's own sensitivity acting as a quite handy wild card, vultures really didn't have any chance. No loser posing as a player, looking for a one night stand and some fun would get anywhere near the red headed Princess.
"Looks perfect, you're taking it," Yaten said, smiling to her friend and Princess.
"I am?"
"Oh, yes, definitively," came Minako's cheerful voice, as they both turn to look at the blonde. "You look amazing! And if you play your cards right, you might even get lucky!"
"Minako!" Kakyuu exclaimed, blushing furiously.
"What?"
"That's not was I was going for..." Yaten mumbled. And then she frowned, turning to Kakyuu. "No funny business until after the third date. Rule number two, remember? You can't break the rules," she said, looking all serious. "And if he dares trying, he's dead."
The redheaded smiled at that, tilting her head to a side. "I thought the rules only applied to those actually living with you."
"Gee, a little overprotective, don't you think?" Minako said at the same time.
She raised her hand, making the blonde quiet without even looking at her, as her lime green eyes looked straight into red ones. "No, the rules apply to you too," she stated, firmly.
"Since when?" Kakyuu asked, obviously amused.
"Since right now," Yaten insisted. "We'll just add a few changes to rule number three."
"And then I'm the one who's worst than Seiya," Kakyuu pointed out, smiling.
"Hey, that's insulting!" the petite woman exclaimed, frowning now. But then she shook her head, forcing her Princess into the changing room again. "Now hurry, we have one Amazon to help out."
Kakyuu laughed at that, closing the curtains and getting into her clothes as the two women waited for her. When she came out, they went to pay for the dress and walked out of the shop, Kakyuu carrying her bag while Minako led the way to the spot where they were supposed to meet with Makoto.
"So," the blonde said, looking at the fireball Princess. "Where are you going?" she asked, excitedly. But when Kakyuu simply blinked at her, she rolled her baby blue eyes. "Your date! Where is he taking you? And who is he?"
"It's not a date," Kakyuu said, blushing.
"Yes, it is," Yaten argued, smiling. "He's her neighbor, and he's making her dinner."
"A man who cooks?" the blonde asked, smiling widely. "Oh, I'm liking him already!"
"It's not a date!" the Princess insisted. "It's just a friendly dinner."
"Yeah, right. Heard that one before," Minako said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head, when she spotted a brunette woman sitting on a table by the cafe area, nervously playing with a napkin. "Makoto, hi!" she exclaimed, walking up to her friend before -a very blushed- Kakyuu could say anything.
"Hi, guys!" the brunette greeted them, smiling widely. "Thanks for coming on such a short notice..."
"No problem!" Minako exclaimed, waving her hand, while sitting down next to Makoto. "That's what we're here for!"
"So, what's the occasion?" Yaten asked, taking a seat.
"You know how people always say the love of your life can be around the corner?" Makoto asked, smiling. "I always knew that was true, but never so literally!"
"So, it's a guy," Minako said, nodding her head. "Is he hot?"
"Would I call you if he was anything less?" Makoto asked, frowning. "He ran into me this morning, and then offered a cup of coffee to ask for forgiveness..."
"Classic," the blonde said, smiling approvingly.
"I know, right?" the brunette agreed, smiling as well. "He asked me out tonight, but I can't 'cause I have to work. So then he said what kind of boss wouldn't give me a night off, and then I told him I'm my own boss, and..."
"Don't you need to breath?" Kakyuu pointed out, interrupting her, and arching an amused eyebrow.
"Sorry," Makoto said, blushing lightly. "I'm just really excited!"
"But you said no to the date..." Minako said, frowning.
"Yeah, but when I told him about the bar, he said he'll be coming by tonight," the brunette said, smiling widely again. "So I need to look good! I need something that says I'm a sexy, strong, independent woman," she said. "But available!" she then added. "You know, caring and affectionate but not needy and clingy. Fun and approachable, and by no means desperate..."
"That's a really long message you want to send, there," Yaten said, tilting her head to a side, in an amused manner.
"It is," Minako agreed, nodding her head. "But it can be done," she soon added, standing up. "Alright, troop, let's roll! We have work to do!"
"Troop?" Kakyuu repeated, frowning lightly.
Yaten smiled at that, standing up as well. "Yeah... she's a woman on a mission."
The blonde led the way into a boutique, searching through all the clothes. And it didn't take long for Kakyuu to realize Yaten was not exaggerating. Minako really was a woman on a mission; literally inspecting each and every single item in the store, until she finally came up with two.
"You know, you guys should come tonight," came Makoto's voice from behind the curtain, as she tried the handed items on.
"I can't. I have a boyfriend, remember?" Minako pointed out. "And I kinda like him, and I really don't think he'd appreciate me going out hunting for some other guy."
"But you wouldn't be hunting," the brunette argued. "You'd be there for intel and strategy," she said, opening the curtains for her friends to check on the off the shoulder, black tee, perfectly hugging her curves in all the right places and reaching all the way down to her hips. "Ok, what you think of this one?"
"Marking the figure, showing a little skin, and not screaming 'I want to get laid'," Yaten noted, putting a hand under her chin and nodding her head. "I like it."
"I do want to get laid," Makoto said, tilting her head to a side. "After a reasonable couple of dates, of course," she then added, smiling cheekily. "I mean, I don't want to seem like a whore in heat or anything..."
"Which you are," Minako put in, teasingly.
"Only with the very selective few I choose to have sex with," the brunette said, hands on her hips and striking a pose. "Always remember," she said, looking into Kakyuu's red eyes, "guys like a lady in the table, and a horny slut in the sheets!"
"Don't listen to the whore in heat," Yaten advised, rolling her eyes. "And she can't tonight," she then added, looking at Makoto. "She has a date."
"It's not a date!" Kakyuu exclaimed, insisting.
"Yes, it is," both Yaten and Minako said at the same time.
"Oh, that's so great!" Makoto exclaimed, clapping her hands, excitedly, before the blonde forced her into the changing room again. "You can come with him, then!" she said from behind the curtains.
"No can do," Yaten said. "He's making her dinner."
Makoto's frowning face popped under the curtains at that. "Really?" she asked, sounding unsure. "What is he making? Is he any good? You know, one single mistake could ruin the recipe, and the entire date, and you don't want..."
"You want to discuss recipes?" Minako interrupted her, rolling her eyes. "Seriously?"
The brunette giggled, blushing lightly, embarrassed, as her face disappeared behind the curtains again. "Ok, how about you, Yaten?" came her voice again.
"I'm not really in the mood today..." the silvery haired woman said, tilting her head to a side.
"Why the hell not?" Minako asked, frowning. "You broke up with that Shou guy ages ago, and this ridiculously prolonged abstinence of yours is just..." she rolled her eyes again, growling. "I really think you should get back into the game already!" the blonde finally exclaimed.
Yaten let out a sigh then. "It's not that easy, ok?" she said, shaking her shoulders. "That whole casual sex thing is just too weird for me. And I'm not even interested on dating right now."
"How can you not be interested on dating?" came Makoto's question, as she looked at her curiously, popping her head from under the curtains again. "Don't you want to find someone?"
"It's not that simple," the petite silvery haired woman insisted.
"Yes it is," Minako argued. "You go out, find someone you like, and then you give him a chance."
"How's that dress going?" Yaten asked, opening up the curtains and completely changing the subject.
Makoto frowned at that, looking down on herself. She turned around then, looking at herself on the mirror. "I'm not sure," she answered, as she accommodated the black cotton fabric of the scoop neck dress over her breasts. "It kind of makes my boobs look small..."
"Honey, only a surgeon could do that," Minako pointed out, shaking her head.
"Great," Makoto said, rolling her eyes. "Now I'm the whore in heat with huge boobs."
"You know you are," Yaten teased.
The brunette smiled at that, innocently battling her eyelashes. "Wanna come and save me from the horny, handsome, charming, flirty men?" she asked her. "Maybe get one for yourself while you're at it?" she added, as she started rocking her hips back and forth, mockingly.
They burst out laughing at Makoto's antics, as the brunette kept on mimicking around the small changing room.
"Sweet Stars! Stop that!" Yaten exclaimed in between laughs.
"Oh, come on!" the brunette complained, laughing too. "Don't you want a little action?" she asked, shaking her hips again. "Even Kakyuu is getting some!"
"I'm not!" the red headed exclaimed, blushing furiously.
"Stop that! Seriously!" Yaten demanded, trying to calm herself down. "And I already told you, I'm not really interested on finding a guy right now, ok?"
"Why? Is there someone else you're interested in?" Minako asked, in that annoying knowing all, teasing tone of hers.
And before the petite woman had a moment to even answer that, her blushing face did it for her. And Minako's wide, million dollar smile only made her blush more.
"There is!" she exclaimed, doing a little jump, happily.
"There is?" Kakyuu asked, arching a curious eyebrow.
"No!" Yaten denied, looking at her Princess for a moment before turning to the bouncing blonde and putting her hands on her shoulders, stopping her.
"Yes, there is!" Minako insisted, clapping her hands. "Look at you, you're all blushed! You're so hooked up!"
"So, who is he?" Makoto asked, as excited as her blonde friend, though a bit less ecstatic.
"No one!" Yaten exclaimed. "There's no guy. Honestly!"
"So it's a woman, then?" Minako asked, as if it was the most obvious question.
And judging by Yaten's deeply blushing face, apparently, it was...