Divinity: The Fates and the Afterlife
Chapter seven
A/N: Hello. I want to give a special thank you for sending me a message every now and then to tell me you are liking the story. It means a lot. Though, I must admit that sometimes I wonder if it was a good idea to continue with the trilogy, if you are liking it, please leave a message! I love to read from you.
*I do not own Sailor Moon just this plot and some of the characters.*
Minako walked into the studio and up to her office. Yes, despite everything, she shared an office with other assistants of other departments and for that, she could not complain much. The sound of her nude stilettos caught one of the receptionists' attention "Aino-san, Ohayo!" Minako smiled widely as she always did and waved her hand to greet the young girl behind the large and modern desk, "Good morning Yumi-san."
The girl tucked a strand of bright red hair behind her ear and looked at the stunning blonde coming her way. Yumi has been an intern at the T.V. station for about three months and since day one she fell in love with Minako's personality and style, constantly telling everyone how much she wanted to be like her when she had her age, a gesture Minako thought was the most adorable thing ever.
"Good morning!" Yumi smiled in return. Minako put her silver chrome travel mug on the desk and went to search for the check-in list to sign her arrival, "Do you happen to know if there are any messages left for my boss while I wasn't here?"
Yumi shook her head "Nobody called or came in while I was here," she widened her eyes and smiled, "I love what you're wearing today Aino-san!" Minako looked at her and smiled in return, she could wear a brown paper bag and she would still get a compliment from the young girl but deep inside she knew she looked good and that her little pale orange dress was one of her lucky ones. Since she saw that dress on a mannequin at a downtown boutique she knew she had to have it and despite the simplicity of her A-line skirt and her round collar, she knew that she could make something special every time she added some accessories.
Her hair was up in her usual style, but instead of her once famous red ribbon, she wore an antique gold barrel to hold the small pieces of hair behind her head. Her makeup was always simple and fresh looking, but today she wanted all of the attention on her vivid coral colored lips.
"Thank you Yumi, you look very good too… looks like you are going to a party."
Yumi smiled and nodded "Yeah, with my girlfriends—later tonight."
Minako smiled at the mention of the girls' friends and nodded "Good choice," she gave back the pen she used to sign and waved her hand, "I'll see you around Yumi-san." and made her way to the elevator, that would eventually take her to the office where her pile of errands and paperwork were waiting for her all over her desk. The moment she walked inside a heavy sigh escaped her lungs and turned on her computer, "Wow Minako-san, you look so fresh and fancy!" her co-worker greeted.
"Why, thank you!" Minako smiled and sat behind her desk "Has he…?" she pointed at the door where her boss was having a discussion with some people from the production team. She frowned when she heard one or two bad words at one of the men seated in front of him and tried to ignore his constant glare towards her; since their offices had glass walls she could practically see everything that happened over there thinking of it a curse. "How long has he been yelling like that?"
"When I got here and he was already yelling like a mad man." Sigama Aiko said from her desk, a girl with very pale skin and big green eyes, Minako like to call her 'golden girl' due to the golden hue of her hair. Despite having a lousy, obnoxious boss she was grateful she did have good co-workers, still, her life was not what she had in mind. Not when she was pursuing an acting career.
Minako watched her boss raise his voice again at the men standing in front of him with a perturbed look on their faces and thanked that for once she was not the one receiving all of his complaints. "Aino-san!" he yelled and peeked aside from one of the men covering his view "AINO-SAN!"
Minako sighed and turned to look at Aiko who had a terrified look on her face. The blonde stood up, brushed any invisible wrinkles off her dress and walked towards her boss' office, "Yes Saruto-san?"
Saruto, a man in his mid-forties with bushy brown hair and hooded dark eyes, turned his face to her. Minako could tell he barely had any sleep maybe due to his constant partying. In her time working there, she had known by many people in the station that he was not a married man and one he wasn't intended to be; he was a man proud of himself and because of that he always had this arrogant, macho man personality that made her cringe every time she had to be close and around him. She tried to come up with a good reason not to like the man, his personality, his raspy voice and his crooked teeth was a combo meant to be a disaster and be left alone. She could not really understand how a man with the power and money he had could have teeth like that; every time he opened his mouth to speak it was inevitable for her to look at those front teeth one on top of the other matching his poor attempt to be fashionable, because, she knew he wore those tight polo shirts just to show off the muscles he thought he had.
Once she stopped mentally criticizing the man in front of her, Minako made her way next to his desk and felt his eyes sweeping her up and down like a scanner, "Aino-san," he said huskily and wet his lips like a hungry beast, "There is a man coming today, Hikoya Kenji. As soon as he gets here, bring him to my office."
"Yes Saruto-san,"
"You left early yesterday, why is that?" he frowned and looked down at his phone. Minako arched her brow and pursed her lips slightly in evident discomfort, "Hatsuno-san said I could go, he said it was fine with you."
Saruto looked up at her and frowned, "I never said such thing."
"You did say there was not much work for me to—"
Saruto turned to the men standing in front of him and waved his hand, "We will continue with this once Hikoya-san gets here." all five men nodded and turned to leave, Saruto then turned his full attention to the blonde standing on his side, "Since when you order yourself around?" his bushy brows knitted together, "Or listen to others for that matter?"
"What?" Minako blinked surprised.
"I know you've been taking decisions without consulting me."
"Decisions? I haven't done—"
Saruto wet his lips again, like a child at a candy store savoring every piece of sweets available to him, "I am the only one who can tell you when to go—and when to stay."
Minako took a deep breath and nodded her head in defeat "I understand…"
"Remember who's the one that pays you…"
"Yes, Saruto-san…"
The man frowned and waved his hand dismissively at her, "Bring me my coffee…HOT, I don't want that lame attempt you've been bringing me lately." he shook his head with annoyance, "What is wrong with all of you today?! Why are you so slow?" he turned to look at her and narrowed his eyes "Why are you still standing there, my coffee, NOW!"
Minako took another breath and turned on her heel, as she left his office she went straight to the restroom and leaned on the sink, trying to suppress the tears that were threatening to mess her perfectly done makeup, "Asshole." she muttered and looked at her reflection in the mirror, wishing she had brought her phone with her so she could call any of the girls to blow off some steam like they always did when something was making their day miserable. She huffed with disgust and annoyance as she realized it was just the beginning of what appeared to be a long day to go before she could see the girls and have a decent drink. The more she thought about it the more she remembered Artemis' advice "No man should treat you that way, resign." but even when the feline had all reason in the world, her boss still had one point: his money paid her bills.
After the coffee incident and many more lustful glances, she finally went back to her desk and began working on her pending tasks. As she restarted her computer, her phone rang two times indicating she had received a text; she went to look for it desperately and noticed it was from Makoto.
"Still looking for a roomie… what do you say?"
Minako smiled at her phone and just when she was about to call her, her intercom rang "Aino-san, there is a man called Kenji Hikoya waiting in the reception, he says he has an appointment with Saruto-san."
"Yes, I'll be right there."
Minako sighed softly and stood up again, turned her monitor off and went to greet this Hikoya man her boss wanted so much to see. The way he mentioned how he should be treated and how immediate he should be brought to his office impressed her, he must be important she thought, Saruto never gave any special treatment to anyone, this was a first. As she stepped out of the elevator, she made her way to the lobby and bowed her head respectfully, "Hikoya-san?"
Hikoya Kenji turned to look at her and nodded "Yes?"
Minako widened her eyes and could not help to blush. The man was the complete opposite of what she thought he would look like, slightly taller than her, he had a nice built body, copper colored hair and olive green eyes. His teeth, unlike Sarutos' were near perfect and so his sense of fashion, as she took a quick look to his professional, yet casual attire of blue shirt, gray blazer, and jeans.
"I'm Aino Minako, Saruto Tarou's assistant."
"Tarou's assistant eh?" he looked at her up and down and smiled softly, "Who would have thought?"
"I beg your pardon?" Minako frowned, confused. The man chuckled and shook his head, "Don't mind me, I was said I had an appointment with him today but we never agreed the time."
"It's alright, not a problem." Minako tilted her head and turned on her heel, "Right this way please," she winked her eye at a very surprised Yumi as they made their way to the elevator. She pushed the button that would lead them to their floor and waited in silence as the elevator slowly marked number by number as they moved up. "So…" the man started, "How long have you been Tarou's assistant?"
Minako looked at him then back at the elevator doors "Two years,"
"Ah… that's a long time," he studied her figure and could not help to notice her beautiful face, "And how come you ended up working behind cameras instead of being in front of them?"
Minako blushed "I…" she trailed off and thanked the sound of the elevator indicating they were at their floor "We're here." With a steady and secure pace, she walked towards her boss' office and knocked the door two times, as he always requested. "Saruto san, your appointment is here."
Saruto nodded, stood up and extended his hand to the man walking in "Hikoya san! Good to see you again, come in, come in!" Hikoya shook the man's hand and turned to Minako, who was offering something to drink "Nothing at the moment, thank you." Minako nodded and looked at Saruto, who was waving his hand dismissing her from his office in his usual careless manner. The man seating in front of Saruto followed Minako with his eyes until she finally sat on her desk.
Back in their office, Aiko bit her pen and turned to Minako, "Hey Aino-san… who's that man with Saruto?" she asked with tremendous curiosity. Minako bit her pen and turned to the golden girl, "I really don't know where he comes from but he had an appointment with him… he must be a very wealthy or important person because he is being unusually nice to him," she frowned "Why?"
Aiko blushed "He's gorgeous."
Minako fixed her gaze on the copper haired man's back and blushed lightly, "He's alright."
"Alright?! He's perfect!" Aiko widened her eyes, her reaction causing Minako to let out a soft chuckle "He does dress very well, unlike—you know…" she pointed the tip of her pencil to her boss. Aiko giggled, nodding her head she rolled on her chair closer to Minako and narrowed her eyes, "Are you currently dating someone Aino-san?"
Minako shook her head, "I was, not anymore."
"Oh, I'm sorry…"
Minako turned to the younger girl and smiled, "It's alright; we were just not on the same frequency."
Aiko frowned and pouted her lips, "If that man is just 'alright' to you, then what type of man do you like then?"
Minako stopped typing on her computer and froze when this girl asked a question she did not ask herself in a very long time, "What type of man?" she repeated to herself. Aiko nodded and smiled dreamily, "Yes, you know—what do you look for in a man?"
Minako sighed softly and shook her head, "It's complicated,"
"Why?"
The blonde leaned her back on her chair and looked over her desk at her boss to make sure he was still busy with his guest and then back at the girl, "Because what I want it is very hard to find."
Aiko tilted her head "Like what?"
"I want to find someone I can trust." Minako said in a serious tone, "One that can protect me, one that has no personal issues—no self-discovery kind of crap, or any emotional ballast or betrayals. I want to be with someone who understands me." the blonde lowered her gaze; thinking her confession might be too serious even for her but she wasn't lying. Minako had the image of a girl who didn't have to look too much to get any man she wanted and that was a truth, it was not hard for her to catch a man's attention but in reality she was a girl who really believed in love and one who was still in search for it.
Many have thought she had a long list of failed romances but the truth was that she was still looking for the man who could really accept her heart and protect it, the same way Allan did once. Hard to admit, she was still looking for the man that could make her forget Allan, something not even Ace with all his gorgeousness and tenacity could not achieve. As she walked down memory lane in her mind and remembered many encounters with both men, the shadow of another man came to haunt her once more, bringing her back to reality.
Minako took a deep breath and did her usual routine of masking her feelings when someone touched a sensitive spot in her mind and heart and she smiled widely, as she waved her hand and talked in a very high pitch tone "And of course he has to be tall and handsome—that is a must!"
Aiko giggled and nodded, "Totally!"
"Aino-san!"
Minako turned and saw her boss moving his hand and calling for her again, Aiko sighed and rolled her way back to her desk, "Maybe his Majesty decided to have another coffee or something," Minako half smiled and scoffed, "Majesty? He's no King to me."
"Huh?" Aiko arched her brow, taking the blonde off guard "Um, It's just a saying…" Minako sighed and for the millionth time that day and walked back to his office, "Yes, Saruto-san?"
"You can keep in touch with me via her—ah, there you are," Saruto said "Aino-san, Hikoya-san here is helping us get a very important interview with some very important people; he will be in touch with you to help him in everything he needs." he looked at her, "And bring me another coffee, the first one you brought me was cold and bland."
Minako pressed her lips together and nodded "Anything else?"
Saruto leaned his back on his chair and waved his hand dismissively. Minako turned on her heel and went to get the awful man another cup of coffee but this time, she would make sure it would make his throat burn as hell.
o.o.o.o
Meanwhile, at the other side of the city at a pretty hill, Rei was doing some of her daily chores to maintain the temple looking clean and polished. The beautiful Miko wiped the sweat off her forehead and walked back to the temple to feed her long time trusted friends. "Phobos, Deimos…" she called her crows as she poured a mixture of seeds and grains into a large feeder on the ground and waited for them to come down to eat. She crouched in front of them and sighed softly, "I'm so sorry I've been distant lately… but you too saw it too—right? I didn't imagine it." she closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she remembered the dark reflection of the flames, "Why can't I take it out of my mind?" she whispered.
''Omne quod est in me"
(Everything belongs to me)
"What does that mean?" the Miko breathed while rubbing her temples "Who was that?"
"Rei."
"Rei!"
Rei opened her violet eyes and realized she was no longer alone but with a very concerned Yuiichiro kneeling next to her; she widened her eyes and looked up at him "What?"
"What are you doing here?"
"I…" she trailed off and looked at her crows still eating "Phobos…Deimos…" she mumbled and turned to see his hand on her shoulder, and immediately moved away and stood up "What are you doing here?" she asked frowned and stood up as well, "Are you alright? It's like you've seen a ghost."
Rei turned to look at him and shook her head, still startled "No,"
"What were you doing on the ground?" Yuiichiro tilted his head as he tried to ignore her piercing gaze penetrating his soul and sighed when he got no response from the Miko, "Are you alright? Are you ill?"
"Since when do you care?"
"Since always."
Rei lowered her gaze and shook her head, "It doesn't seem that way," she looked at him and frowned "I still cannot believe how hypocrite you can be with all of this."
"Me, hypocrite?"
"Yes."
Yuiichiro scoffed and took a step closer to her, one for once she did not take back "Who's the one pretending to be happy and together?"
"You know I do that for my grandfather's sake." Rei said angrily, "Who's the one crying and cursing under her breath and then go out and give love charms to girls who have come to seek your guidance?" Yuuichiru took another step forward.
"That has nothing to do with this." Rei's frown became deeper. "Of course it does." Yuuichiro took another step closer "When are you going to stop pretending being something you are not?"
Rei's eyes widened big "What?"
"Something we are not because you don't want us to be… what do you want me to do Rei? What else can I do to make you forgive me!?"
"Do you want to know?" Rei arched her brow defiantly.
"Yes."
"Leave this place,"
Yuiichiro shook his head "What?"
"Leave the shrine." Rei arched a brow, "Forget we were even together, forget I even exist."
"You know I can't do that."
"Why not?"
"I was trained by your grandfather, I promised to be here to look after you, I promised him to look after the temple."
"I don't need you here… can't you understand?"
"I won't leave the temple Rei." Yuiichiro said in a more determinant tone, "And I won't stop fighting for you." he looked around and then back at her with a secure gaze. His brown eyes searched for sympathy and a trace of love in hers but got nothing in return to his words, "Your friends will understand and if I have to talk to them to—"
Rei narrowed her eyes, "My friends are not interested in whatever you have to say." she crossed her arms "Even if I decided to forgive you, nothing will ever be the same because you broke the trust we used to have as a couple, you broke a promise…" she shook her head "If I ever forgive you but I guess I inherited my father's bitter character so I don't think that will ever happen." Yuiichiro stared at her back as she slowly walked away from him and sighed heavily. The young man closed his caramel colored eyes and went back to that night he wished never happened.
Both had finished their respective training and she had taken full responsibility for the shrine days after her grandfather fell ill. Since that day things became a little hard for both of them now that Rei had to take control of everything that happened at the temple, the kitchen, the cleaning chores and of course her grandfather.
Yuiichiro admitted that she had too many things on her plate and that she had too many liabilities to attend but at that time he didn't want to accept it. They were just starting to live their life and somehow all of the things they wanted to do had to be paused because of the load of work they always had upon their shoulders so because of that, he turned to the one thing that would make him feel better.
At first, it started with a glass of liquor a day just to neutralize whatever drama and turmoil might be happening that day but as time passed, and as things turned a little more extenuating, he added a few more glasses per day until he didn't mind drinking whatever alcohol was available at the temple. The night when everything went downhill, Rei and Yuiichiro have had a very intense discussion about his new habits and her lack of time, both asked for patience, both asked for space and space was something Yuiichiro took very seriously. Without a care in the world and in the middle of their argument, he left Rei talking and went to have a walk that after a couple of hours of wandering around Azabu ended at a local bar where he met and brought back to the shrine a new friend.
Rei had just left her grandfather sleeping in his room and went straight to hers to change her clothes and take a quick shower to help her sleep at night. After the intense fight, she needed more than tea and meditation to feel better; she needed to know where he was and if he was alright. She wanted to find a solution to their hectic life and work things out, she loved him, she was sure of that—until she opened the door of his room, hoping to find him there to work things out.
Her violet eyes widened at the sight of her lover almost devouring a woman on his bed. She stood there, looking at them panting and moaning with a blank stare and felt her heart stopped beating, her throat dried as she watched the couple give in to whatever emotion was happening right in front of her eyes.
Rei could not even answer to this day what she was thinking when she stayed and looked at them for that long. By the time Yuiichiro realized what he was doing, he stopped and turned to the door where he saw her, staring at him with teary eyes and a broken expression. Her face looked tense, much as she was fighting her urge to cry; it was a mix of everything, anger, hurt and disappointment.
He had disappointed her.
He pushed the girl away and stood up half naked, half conscious and tried to reach for the raven haired girl, who in response shook her head and slit the door closed again. The next morning, Rei removed all of his belongings from her room and burned everything that they both once shared. Things were never the same after that, no matter how many times he asked for forgiveness, no matter how much he pleads and cries.
Yuiichiro sighed while walking back to the temple and stood outside the prayer room where Rei was preparing the fire for this afternoon's praying session "We need to talk about this." he said softly. Rei turned to look at him and shook her head, "I don't want to think about it, I am disgusted." she closed her eyes and frowned "I know we had difficult times but it wasn't my fault, you shouldn't…" she trailed off and turned her back at him "I need to do this—so would you please leave me alone?"
Yuiichiro looked at her and with a silent nod he turned and closed the door. Rei turned over her shoulder and sighed heavily, "The worst thing of it all is that I still care for you… maybe that is why it still hurts the way it does."
The priestess walked back to the igniting fire and brought her hands together and started to chant an initiation prayer, her lips mumbled softly the prayer she knew by heart like she always did and suddenly an eerie, now familiar feeling captured her attention. Her violet eyes opened slowly and stared at the intense blazing, mad fire in front of her.
She could not disguise her malaise, her body felt heavy and her head clouded. The smell of smoke, so thick and heavy clogged down her throat making it hard for her to breathe with ease; she stood up and backed several steps from the hearth as she felt goosebumps running down her spine and stood away from the reflection in the fire.
The same shadow appeared once again, Rei could see more clearly it was one of a man holding a sword. She could feel his presence, one of a strong soldier or a warrior but still, she couldn't describe any of his characteristics as she did not recognize anything from this figure or garments. There was nothing she could actually tell but just the very strong energy coming from it and, it's voice.
"Mea sunt enim omnia in mundo"
"Who are you?!" Rei spoke to the fire and frowned defiantly, "What do you want?!"
"Vindicta"
"Vindictas mihi, volo volo ... sanguis mortui"
Rei felt chills down her spine and prepared to attack whatever was communicating with her. As senshi she had seen too many things and have fought too many enemies, she had the power to manipulate fire and burn everything to a crisp but she was sure she never felt this kind of fear and unease, this was something she had never felt before and Rei could not explain it which made it even scarier.
The priestess was about to throw one of her blessed charms into the fire when she saw the shadow that appeared a few minutes ago, was now gone and the suffocating feeling on her throat, the dizziness and heaviness disappeared leaving her alone and mortified.
With much determination, Rei blessed and carved some prayers on white candles and put them around the hearth; whatever it was appearing before her, she was not going to let it cross to this world. She had to do it now more than ever, for the sake of her friends and mostly, for the sake of her princess.
She walked out of the room and went straight to hers and opened the windows; as she looked at the sun setting behind buildings the priestess took a deep cleansing breath to free her lungs from the toxic smoke. Deep in her mind, she wondered if what happened was a reflection of her feelings and her troubled mind. It made sense at some point, she was still mourning a breakup in a very difficult way, for the sake of her grandfather and for her own sake too. She couldn't deal with Yuiichiro, she couldn't deal with the truth but most importantly, she could not deal with her failed romance.
Deep inside, she knew it was something she bowed to avoid; love was not something she had in her mind since her father abandoned her. Love could come in many other ways and she educated herself to believe so and to live that way; being a wife and a mother was not part of her plan and since her father went away, she dedicated her life to be by her grandfather's side and follow his steps as head priestess to this shrine.
The more Rei saw those visions popping up in the fire, the more she wanted it to be a reflection of her pain and anger towards her own self. As the sun slowly went down and the sky glittered with millions of tiny stars her eyes were fixed on the star she knew was Mars, her planet, and real name; she closed her eyes and let hazy visions of her past slowly catch up with her present, making her wonder if her true nature as soldier was slowly coming through her.
o.o.o.o.o.o
Surrounded by the crisp sounds of glass, plates and indistinctive chatter, Mamoru looked through his phone as he waited for Usagi to join him for dinner. He had finished his day at the hospital sooner than expected and was just checking in with the nurses on the night shift about the patients he was responsible for. As he scrolled down on the screen, not really minding the loud conversation the couple sitting behind him was having with such intensity when he felt a whisper in his ear,
"Vindictas mihi, volo volo ... sanguis mortui"
"What?" Mamoru widened his blue eyes and looked up with surprise, turning both sides to see who might that have been. He could swear somebody whispered the strange words in his ear, words he could not even decipher and wondered if it had been the couple behind him. Sighing softly, he looked at his watch that now marked eight o' clock and looked up to a very hurried Usagi walking towards his table, "Sorry... sorry!"
Mamoru stood up and helped his bride to be with the bags she was carrying with her and pushed her chair once she sat down; leaning over, he gave her a soft kiss on the lips and went to take his seat across from her on the table. "There are some things that never change..." he said softly and took a sip of his glass of ice cold water.
Usagi looked at him with a suppressed smile, knowing exactly what he meant "Just because you are always so terribly in time for everything, doesn't mean I haven't changed." she turned to find a waiter and asked for something to drink. "It's called punctuality Usa," Mamoru muttered as he finished reading his messages and put his phone back in his black slacks' pocket.
"Well—I had last minute tasks to finish by the end of today." Usagi said softly and blew her bangs, "It's not like I didn't want to see you sooner, I also had to pick some things I ordered for the wedding," she smiled softly, "I've come up with a good idea for the centerpieces, you know I don't want nothing too fancy but—what do you think of having white tulips on crystal vases and candles floating in water?"
"Sounds like something that would look nice on a table," Mamoru said softly and smiled, "What happened to your paper lantern idea?"
"Well... I was flipping through the pages of a magazine while I was at lunch and saw the idea and I think it would look more lovely if—" she widened her eyes when she heard the woman behind Mamoru squeal and laugh very loudly. Mamoru rolled his eyes, "I know—but this was the only table available when I got here."
"See? That's what happens when you get to places on time." Usagi said softly as she looked for something in her purse, Mamoru arched his brow, "What? If I had not got here by the time I did, there wouldn't any tables available." Usagi looked up with wide eyes when she heard the woman repeat the same squealing and laughing, surprised she could go even louder, "Is she drunk or something?"
Mamoru shrugged his shoulders, "Most likely," he opened his menu and began reading his options in silence, startling Usagi, "Mamo-chan? Are you okay?"
Mamoru looked at her and frowned, "Yes, why?"
"I don't know..." Usagi tilted her head to the side, "You are acting strange... somehow."
Mamoru shook his head in reassurance and smiled as he reached for her hand across the table, "No, I just had a long day at work—and you know how I feel in crowded places."
"Ah, that." Usagi pursed her lips, "I didn't know this place was going to be this full on a weeknight." she tugged his hand slightly, "I'm sorry Mamo-chan."
"It's okay Usa, don't worry. The important thing is that you are here with me, listening to the couple behind us talk about their friend Marcie, who by the way has gained like a hundred pounds."
Usagi chuckled, "Oh my god—really?"
Mamoru widened his eyes and nodded, "How is she ever going to fit in that tight lace dress now?! Usa... the party is in two weeks!" he said in a high pitch voice, mimicking the dramatic tone of the woman sitting behind him. Usagi gasped and covered her mouth, playing along. "Oh no!"
Mamoru waved his hand dramatically, "I know! His date is going to freak!"
Usagi burst in laughter, she loved their moments together and how despite him being uncomfortable in places like these he made the best out of their outings. They did this very often, they would always be overdramatic about silly things like their visits to the supermarket, and how they would joke around making funny voices or dancing awkwardly to the corny music playing in the background whenever they were in an empty aisle. She adored how Mamoru could be so relaxed and funny when they were alone; she loved how they complimented each other's craziness and added their particular pinch of weirdness to whatever they were doing. They often finished each other sentences, they pranked each other, they could joke about everything and then have deep meaningful conversations that could go on for hours.
This was a side only Usagi got to see and enjoy from Chiba Mamoru and it was like she always said: very damn special.
"Oh my god! Two weeks! What is Marcie going to do now?!" Usagi exclaimed loud enough for the couple turn to look at them with a strange glare. Usagi blinked and froze in her seat, making Mamoru chuckle "They caught you, didn't they?" Usagi nodded and saw Mamoru burst into laughter, "Ah dammit, now we won't know what will happen to the dress... or Marcie for that matter."
Usagi hit the table with her palm while giggling, "Oh shoot! I ruined it!"
Mamoru smiled and nodded, "Boo."
Usagi smiled softly, silently admiring her future husband's handsome face. There was something that made Usagi's heart flutter, even more, when she saw him wearing a more serious or formal clothing for work; usually a crisp fitted shirt, slacks, and the occasional sleek tie. He has never been too much a fan of bright colors like she is, and usually, goes for neutral to dark tones which only enhanced the mysterious aura to his persona. His hair still kept that same medium length hairstyle but with a more updated look with his side parted bangs a little longer with an undercut. Still, the way his silky midnight hair fell casually over his deep blue eyes made Usagi want to run her hands through his mane and comb it back. How the man got to be more beautiful and enigmatic with time was still a mystery to her. She looked around and caught more than a few women staring at him almost gaping and smiled widely when she looked back at him, staring back at her with loving eyes. She was used to the attention he constantly got and maybe that was a reason why he preferred to be in less crowded places. She had come to realize over the years that he never took himself too seriously and did not like it when others brought his good looks into a conversation because he felt disparaged, it made him feel like a toy. It was a constant problem he had since he was a boy, he was always the pretty kid rather than the smart kid and that got him on his nerves because he tried to make his way in life and tried to achieve things by being smart and not pretty. Mamoru could not see what everyone else claimed they did in him and even when he learned how to ignore it most of the time, it still bothered him. Usagi understood him since it happened to her too on a regular basis, not to his extent, but she had to admit that it was overwhelming and uncomfortable.
Her fingers reached for his as she stretched her arm across the table, "How was your day?" she asked in a more, loving and calm tone. Mamoru intertwined his fingers with hers and smiled tiredly, "It was alright—there is this patient I am worried about and I was in a meeting almost all afternoon with the board and other doctors."
"Why? Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Mamoru sighed softly and leaned forward, "There is a child that has been hospitalized for more than a week now due to a disease, doctors have not been able yet to find. The family is becoming desperate and the doctor responsible has asked others to help him study the case and look for possible causes by running a series of tests—which is where I come in."
Usagi blinked with admiration, there was no doubt that Mamoru was very smart but just how he has managed to accomplish so many things at his young age still amazed her. He got a grant to study at one of the best medicine faculties abroad and finished his studies with honors, he studied a specialization, and again, finished with honors and now had an amazing job at the hospital; all his hard work has finally paid off and she couldn't be happier for him. "And you are worried because it looks bad?" she asked with deep concern, every time children were involved in critical situations she always felt hopeless.
"Well, it is serious but I am looking into his family's health background and see if we can find a link to what's happening to him—now." Mamoru said softly and frowned as he looked around, "Are the menus just for our amusement or how does this place work?"
Usagi widened her eyes, realizing that in fact, no waiter has come to take their order "Um..." she turned to look for a waiter "You were right when you said it was crowded."
Mamoru raised his hand to catch a waiter's attention, "Well yes but—we've been here for a while now and nobody else has ever returned to ask even if we are doing okay,"
Usagi giggled, "Aren't you hangry today?"
"What?" Mamoru frowned confused. "You know—hangry." Usagi looked at him with a smirk on her face, "When you are both hungry and angry."
"I'm not angry—just annoyed." Mamoru mumbled, "This is what I don't understand about places like these..."
Usagi tried to contain her laughter, she found him adorable when he was all grumpy "Why is that Mamo-chan?" Mamoru groaned and leaned back, "Well they should be popular because they have good food or service."
"Actually," Usagi pointed out, "This place is popular because of the food." she said softly, still trying to fuel his grumpiness "Really?" Mamoru arched his brow, "Is this food invisible or something?"
Not able to keep holding her laughter any longer, she broke in a fit of sweet giggles startling her boyfriend, "What?"
"You are just too cute when you're grumpy," Usagi said between laughs, "Are you laughing at me?" Mamoru widened his eyes and threw the cloth napkin at her, in a playful gesture, "Don't make fun of me!"
"I'm not!" Usagi chuckled, "It's just that, your nose scrunches all cute—like a bunny."
Mamoru widened his eyes, "I am a bunny to you now?" the woman behind him began squealing and laughing loud again, Mamoru sigh with annoyance, "See what you're doing with those comments of yours?"
Usagi chuckled, "Want to leave?"
Mamoru widened his eyes as if he was offered the deal of his life, "Yes, please."
"Where?" Usagi chuckled, Mamoru stood up "Someplace where Marcie and her date can't find us." He extended his hand out to her and helped her get up while taking all the bags she brought with her, "How many stores did you leave out of business?"
Usagi smiled, "Like three—no, I'm joking. I found a few things I'm sure mama will love, she has this friend's birthday party coming and I'm sure she doesn't know what to wear."
Mamoru smiled and walked behind her as they made tier way to the exit, meanwhile feeling visually devoured by a couple of women at the bar. Once they were out, he let out a sigh of relief and loosened his deep gray tie; Usagi turned to him and smiled, "Better?"
"Much better, thank you."
The began walking down the sidewalk while holding hands, "So where are we going?"
"Somewhere we can get real food." Mamoru mumbled, Usagi chuckled "Yes, Your Royal Grumpiness."
Mamoru chuckled, "Hey!"
"Well, you are!" Usagi giggled as they walked pass through Azabu shopping area, "Ohh look! A new perfume shop!"
Mamoru frowned, "That's nice."
Usagi turned and gave him puppy eyes, "Can we go inside?"
"Um... you can go inside, I'll wait for you here."
"What are you going to do here all by yourself...?" Usagi frowned, Mamoru bit his lip "Oh, I don't know—eat, most likely."
Usagi chuckled, "Come on! We'll go eat something in a minute, let's just go take a quick look inside..."
"Usa, do you really need another perfume?" Mamoru crossed his arms, Usagi poked his arm "A girl always needs perfume."
"Yes, but this girl..." He poked her arm back, "Has way too many."
Usagi pouted her lips, "Fine, I won't buy for myself... but you know, it wouldn't be a bad idea if you bought one for yourself."
"What?" Mamoru widened his eyes, Usagi put her hands on her waist, "You have to vary it, you can't smell the same all the time Mamo-chan,"
"What's wrong with the way I smell?"
"Nothing but—"
"But?"
Usagi smiled, "I just edited this new advertising for a new men's cologne I know it would be perfect for you..."
"There it is... I knew there was a reason behind it all," Mamoru arched his brow, "Wait, you get convinced by your own designs?"
"That's how good I am." Usagi winked an eye at her boyfriend, "Come on! It'll be fun..."
Mamoru sighed and shook his head, he looked at her as she sprinted to the store like if there was no tomorrow, making him smile and think how it didn't matter how much time went by, she was still that curious, playful and beautiful girl that threw a crumbled test at his face. "Oh you crazy Bunny... how I love you," he said softly, as he followed her inside the store.