xxxXxxx

Jacket

xxxXxxx

God forbid it, but there was morbid fascination when it came to that particular piece of clothing that he wore nearly every day of the week. Usagi truly believed that Chiba Mamoru took perverse pleasure in wearing that horrendous jacket.

Her crystal blue eyes travelled his handsome frame and she shivered.

Before the Baka, Usagi never really saw any man wear colored coats before in such a shocking color. Now she knew why. Only the legally blind could get away with wearing that shade.

What color was it anyway?

Puke green?

Grass green?!

Frog green?!?

"Ooooh, that one! Frog green! Definitely that one," She squealed out loud, almost jumping from her seat in happy revelation.

Usagi hopped away from her Sailor V game, not really caring that her pixel heroin was currently bawling over a game over sign. Her destination was set, and she fully intended to get there. No force on earth could detain Usagi from her goal when her obstinate heart was set on it.

He was sleeping. Motoki had explained to Usagi when she first entered the arcade and pointed inquiringly to the slumbering Mamoru, that the Baka had to stay up all night to study and no caffeine in the world kept him awake after that.

She watched him sleep, her eyes devouring the boyish charm he emitted as he nods of to dream land. She saw Motoki look at her with suspicion, fully intending to stop whatever mischief she might have in mind, but Usagi fixed him with puppy dog-kamisama-ain't-I-angelic eyes and Motoki convinced himself Usagi was truly not up to no good.

He was partially right.

The girl sidled closer to the object of her intense scrutiny and whispered to the sleeping man beside her. "You know, Baka," she begun quietly, "I might just call you Froggie after this. Your jacket is disgusting. You realize it's the perfect shade of frog green do you? Very rare color, that." She shuddered for emphasis. "You are the only one I know brave enough to put it on."

She waited with baited breath, like the rabbit that she was, conscious of the fact that she was in the company of a predator. If Mamoru was awake, she'd be minced meat by now. But all that the raven haired man did was snore inaudibly. Boosted by his heavy sleep, she continued on. "Know what, I've got a good mind to start shredding it, too…Except, I think I know why you wear it…"

She pressed her lips close to his ear.

"You're looking for a princess to give you that magic kiss, aren't you? And your jacket is her clue that you aren't really human, but a frog." She splayed her hand in mock defense. "Good grief, Baka. Must you go so much into character?"

Mamoru mumbled in his sleep. And Usagi braved on.

"I'm no princess, Baka…But, well, my kiss is true. So if you don't mind, stop searching for that ornery princess and just settle for good old me, 'kay?"

Usagi secretly kissed the tips of her fingertips and gently placed it on Mamoru's lips. Then she scooted back like crazy to her game and with a beating heart started playing, trying her best not to stare at the man whose form was still slumped in slumber.

After a few minutes, Mamoru did wake up from his dream of the princess asking for her Silver Crystal. With tired eyes, he raked his hair, glad for once to not wake up in sweat like he always did when dreaming about her. He signalled to Motoki and his friend came hurrying with a cup of steaming black coffee. The two exchanged pleasantries, and Motoki did not volunteer Mamoru the information of Usagi seating close to him while he had slept. The towheaded man wasn't sure what Usagi was up to, and it's nice to not have his ears ringing due to their shouting match every once in a while.

As for Mamoru…

After giving a golden haired imp a secret glance as she played on, he stood up, getting ready for another study session. He felt energized, as if awaken from some heavy spell. "Coffee," he figured. "It's finally doing its magic…"

He stood up, and with out any conscious thought, shed off his jacket and he slung it on his arm. He casually looked in the direction of his Odango and went to the arcade doors, happy to have at least caught a glimpse of the blonde.

Usagi, after he left, simply sat in bliss, not really playing.

Her kiss had worked. The frog had been purged, and left the Crown Arcade as a prince…