Hi everyone.
Look, look...it's chapter ten. Now I know that some of you really want
to see what will happen based on where I left it last time. (Aren't my
cliffhangers evil?) Let me know what you think. This chapter is a
hard one to write...so any feedback (even by email) would really be
great. It's one hurdle per chapter from here on out. Wish me luck.
Oh, disclaimers are still in place and permission is needed to use one
of the characters that floated out of my crazy head.
Thanks for reading
~December
Chapter 10: Same Spirit, Different Package
The Present
She couldn't believe she was doing this. She had never been to a jail in her
life. Sure, she'd been threatened with juvenile disciplinary action...and she'd
been kicked out of schools for fighting, but she'd never actually stepped foot in
a jail until today. And she was doing this all because her friend baffled her.
"People told me you were dangerous too. Would you rather I listened to them?"
That statement had bothered Makoto since she heard it. At first she was insulted
that Usagi could even compare the gang leader that HURT her to someone who had
protected her since they met. Then she thought that it was different in her case.
Just because people can be close-minded doesn't mean they are wrong. But what
Usagi said and did yesterday made Makoto want to meet this woman...who garnered so
much loyalty from Usagi and Mamoru both.
They, the senshi minsus Setsuna, of course, had entered the Arcade looking for Usagi.
No one had heard from her all day, and rarely a Sunday passed when that happened. Out
of concern...and maybe a little overprotectiveness, they went on a Usagi search. The
arcade was stop number three.
As they entered they saw ChibiUsa up at the counter with Motoki. Taking it as a good
sign that ChibiUsa was around, they looked around the arcade...until they spotted Usagi
with Mamoru.
Now, normally, this would have invited no comment at all, but, in light of his past...
some among them had changed their minds about him.
Michiru frowned and looked very disapproving. Ami's eyes narrowed. Rei looked angry.
And Haruka...Haruka actually growled. Makoto had wanted to protect Usagi as much as the
next senshi, but she wasn't sure if confronting the pair was the best way to do this. Yet,
she led the charge over to the table, having long ago accepted her role as brawn not brain.
If Ami, Rei, and Michiru saw a problem, there must be a problem; and therefore, she must go
defend her princess.
When they reached the table, the two were so deeply engaged in conversation that they didn't
notice them at first. They heard Usagi say, "There is something else we need to talk about,"
and sigh...before Haruka started in.
"What do you think you are doing?"
At this statement, both Usagi and Mamoru turned toward the senshi. Mamoru's eyes got a shuttered look
to them, but Usagi just looked up as if nothing was wrong. "I'm talking with my fiance. I'll
catch up with you later."
Of course that satisfied no one. "What she means, Odango-atama, is why are you here with HIM?"
At that Usagi raised one eyebrow slightly. "Um...I going to marry him and I haven't seen him
in at least a week."
Ami tried to clarify what Rei didn't make clear, "What Rei is wondering...what we all are
wondering is if it is safe for you to be with him...given his past and your refusal to accept
that that gang leader attacked you."
Mamoru looked as if he wanted to say something, but Usagi never gave him the chance. "How dare
you!" she said quietly. "How many times has he saved me? How many times has he been there
when I needed him? How many times has he HELPED us? Besides the fact you know nothing about
Tierreny-san, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation, why do you STILL not trust my
Mamo-chan?"
"None of that matters if he's dangerous. Come with us princess." Michiru was trying to be gentle
...but this caused Usagi to explode. But not in the way we were used to.
She didn't cry. She didn't wail. She didn't scream. She stared her protectors all down and said in a very
quiet and almost regal tone, "I am not leaving. All of you, however, should. When I'm ready to
be around you, I'll find you. Go now." Her eyes narrowed, "Don't make me make that an order."
It got everyone to back off. None of them had ever seen her like that. The group left pretty quickly after that,
Haruka and Rei, in particular, still very angry. For her part, Makoto was...a little hurt...and very intrigued. Who
was this Tierreny-san, and what had she done to make both Mamoru and Usagi so loyal to her?
That was why Makoto stood outside of a jail cell that afternoon. She was going to meet this woman
herself.
As the guard banged on the bars, Makoto noticed what the woman was wearing. That black leather just
seemed to make her look even scarier than Makoto expected. 'What have I gotten myself into?' she
thought as the prisoner turned around.
***
When the guard banged on her cell, again, Irony sighed. Visitor after visitor after visitor...it
was not helping her stress level. As she turned around she said, "If that person is member of the
International press core, would you please tell them whatever the hell they want to hear and make
them leave?! I'm entitled to a little peace, you know-" Of course, seeing who was on the other
side of the bars stopped her tirade.
This young woman was no one Irony knew. She looked about Tsukino-san's age, maybe older. She was
pretty tall for an Asian woman. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail...and she wore pink
rose earrings. But what most surprised Irony were the emotions in the woman's eyes. Fear, curiosity,
and determination. 'Who was this person and why did they come to see me?'
"Who are you?"
The young woman started...but only slightly. If Irony hadn't been staring at her, she wouldn't
have noticed the slight jump. The woman suddenly began to speak quickly...in Japanese. This,
of course, meant Irony understood next to nothing of what the woman said, but a few things stood
out. In particular "Usagi-chan".
After the woman finally stopped talking, Irony smiled. "I don't speak Japanese very well at all,
so I missed almost everything you said, but...Are you a friend of Tsukino-san?"
The young woman looked confused for a moment. Then she looked like she was in deep concentration.
'I guess her English is as good as my Japanese.' After about five minutes, the woman seemed to
have reasoned out what Irony asked, because she nodded.
Irony smiled at the young woman, "My name is Alanis," she said, pointing to herself. "What is
your name?"
"Makoto." The young woman answered.
"So Makoto-san, why are you here to see me?" After saying that, Irony remember the statement that
Dare made about his bunny's protectors...and thought the worst. "Is Tsukino-san okay? I told that
damn laywer of mine that people would get hurt behind this. But no. Everyone wants to help me.
Hey, it's my job to PROTECT not to be protected! She is a lot more fragile that I am, and I will
personally and seriously harm anyone who has hurt her or Dare or anyone else in my family. Damnit!"
With that Irony made a fist and punched the cell wall next to her.
***
Watching the gang leader, that is, Alanis-san punch the wall after saying a lot of English, made
Makoto pause for a second. Sure, the English language was still a huge struggle for her. While
French was beginning to make more sense, she had given up on English as a lost cause. Even with
her lack of understanding about the language, she could tell the woman on the other side of the
bars was geniunely worried about Usagi...and geniunely willing to protect her. At that moment,
this very different woman a world away from her didn't seem all that different after all. 'Maybe
we should have listened to Usagi-chan when she defended this woman. If she's anything like me at
all, the last thing she would do is to hurt Usagi."
Makoto took a deep breath, "Gomen nasai. Usagi-chan...fine. I..." Makoto motioned with her arms
and fell back on a language she knew a little better than English to make her point, "Vous
comprendez?"
The woman on the other side of the bars smiled, "Oui. Je comprends. Merci." She put both of
her arms through the bars as if to give Makoto a hug. Makoto was surprised at first, but then
stepped into the make-shift hug, being careful of the bars. And when she started to cry, the
woman on the other side comforted her with, "Je sais. Je sais. Je comprends."
***
For the second time in less than 24 hours, Mamoru walked back into the Crown arcade. He was
nervous, but that was a given. The last time he responded to a "we need to talk" phone message
from Motoki, the results weren't pretty. After that last conversation with his best friend,
Mamoru felt that he was forced to chose...and he did, although the choice was a painful one. The
last thing he needed was another ultimatum from his best friend...and his only good friend outside of
the Green. (Not counting Fiore...but counting Fiore was problematic.)
He saw Motoki sitting in a booth, so Mamoru went over and sat down next to him. After a few minutes
of silence Motoki said, "I'm sorry. For a lot of things." The young blond raked his fingers
through his hair. Then he laughed, but it didn't sound happy, "I was so busy worrying about you and
being sure that I knew best that I didn't listen to you. It's one of the few times I haven't...
listened to you, that it. So I'm going to ask the question I should have asked at first. Tell
me about Alanis Tierreny. I believe you called her Irony?"
Mamoru blinked in surprise at first. Then he looked at his friend. 'Is this an olive branch? Is
he really ready to listen to my story about some of the people dearest to me...and not judge?'
Before Usagi, before Irony, Mamoru just would have closed up and not shared a thing. But because
of two women...one who loves him and one who raised him, Mamoru didn't retreat behind the safe
walls anymore. He took a chance. "I first met Irony when she and two of her closest friends saved
me from a fight I was losing pretty badly-"
***Crystal Toyko***
The older woman smiled as she tasted the piece of pie in front of her, "Mmmmm. This is good!
Where did you learn to make sweet potato pie?"
"Give me a little credit, Lana-chan. You talked about this dessert enough. At some point you
knew I was going to go looking for a recipe."
The older woman laughed, "Well, Lady Jupiter, you are definitely the best cook I've ever met! And
the only person who has ever lived that has gotten me to eat raw fish!"
The other woman in the room shook her finger at speaker. "Now, now. No need to be formal. It was
fun....Besides, it's about time I paid you back for those extra English lessons, ne?"
The older woman snorted, "Of course you are grateful. With all the bad language I taught you, you'd
be right at home on a US Marine base."
"See! You gave me access to cute men in uniform."
As the two laughed, a third person stepped into the kitchen. She smiled as two people who were
very important to her still seemed to be getting along very well. She turned around and left
quietly, wanting the two other women to have some more time together.
- to be continued -
Okay, Usagi and Makoto may seem way out of character here. Usagi's is on purpose. I posit that
this experience with Irony is helping her to grow up and grow into ruling. One doesn't go from
Usagi to Neo-Queen Serenity overnight. Makoto is another story. Although she is my favorite scout
she is very hard to write...most complex people are. All I can say is that I'm working on it, and
any feedback is appreciated.
Oh, and about the French. I figured since she is into cooking, Makoto should be able to pick up
some French...since so many famous chefs and styles of cooking are French. So, my little knowledge
of French appears in this story:
Je sais = I know
Je comprends = I understand
Vous comprendez = Do you understand? (formal)
Oui = Yes.
Merci = Thank you.
Any mistake in the French is totally my fault. If you know the correct French, please let me know.
Merci.
The next chapter...is a bail hearing. I don't know if they happen in Japan or not, but this is
scene is important to the story...so we'll pretend that they do.
'Til then.
Look, look...it's chapter ten. Now I know that some of you really want
to see what will happen based on where I left it last time. (Aren't my
cliffhangers evil?) Let me know what you think. This chapter is a
hard one to write...so any feedback (even by email) would really be
great. It's one hurdle per chapter from here on out. Wish me luck.
Oh, disclaimers are still in place and permission is needed to use one
of the characters that floated out of my crazy head.
Thanks for reading
~December
Chapter 10: Same Spirit, Different Package
The Present
She couldn't believe she was doing this. She had never been to a jail in her
life. Sure, she'd been threatened with juvenile disciplinary action...and she'd
been kicked out of schools for fighting, but she'd never actually stepped foot in
a jail until today. And she was doing this all because her friend baffled her.
"People told me you were dangerous too. Would you rather I listened to them?"
That statement had bothered Makoto since she heard it. At first she was insulted
that Usagi could even compare the gang leader that HURT her to someone who had
protected her since they met. Then she thought that it was different in her case.
Just because people can be close-minded doesn't mean they are wrong. But what
Usagi said and did yesterday made Makoto want to meet this woman...who garnered so
much loyalty from Usagi and Mamoru both.
They, the senshi minsus Setsuna, of course, had entered the Arcade looking for Usagi.
No one had heard from her all day, and rarely a Sunday passed when that happened. Out
of concern...and maybe a little overprotectiveness, they went on a Usagi search. The
arcade was stop number three.
As they entered they saw ChibiUsa up at the counter with Motoki. Taking it as a good
sign that ChibiUsa was around, they looked around the arcade...until they spotted Usagi
with Mamoru.
Now, normally, this would have invited no comment at all, but, in light of his past...
some among them had changed their minds about him.
Michiru frowned and looked very disapproving. Ami's eyes narrowed. Rei looked angry.
And Haruka...Haruka actually growled. Makoto had wanted to protect Usagi as much as the
next senshi, but she wasn't sure if confronting the pair was the best way to do this. Yet,
she led the charge over to the table, having long ago accepted her role as brawn not brain.
If Ami, Rei, and Michiru saw a problem, there must be a problem; and therefore, she must go
defend her princess.
When they reached the table, the two were so deeply engaged in conversation that they didn't
notice them at first. They heard Usagi say, "There is something else we need to talk about,"
and sigh...before Haruka started in.
"What do you think you are doing?"
At this statement, both Usagi and Mamoru turned toward the senshi. Mamoru's eyes got a shuttered look
to them, but Usagi just looked up as if nothing was wrong. "I'm talking with my fiance. I'll
catch up with you later."
Of course that satisfied no one. "What she means, Odango-atama, is why are you here with HIM?"
At that Usagi raised one eyebrow slightly. "Um...I going to marry him and I haven't seen him
in at least a week."
Ami tried to clarify what Rei didn't make clear, "What Rei is wondering...what we all are
wondering is if it is safe for you to be with him...given his past and your refusal to accept
that that gang leader attacked you."
Mamoru looked as if he wanted to say something, but Usagi never gave him the chance. "How dare
you!" she said quietly. "How many times has he saved me? How many times has he been there
when I needed him? How many times has he HELPED us? Besides the fact you know nothing about
Tierreny-san, otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation, why do you STILL not trust my
Mamo-chan?"
"None of that matters if he's dangerous. Come with us princess." Michiru was trying to be gentle
...but this caused Usagi to explode. But not in the way we were used to.
She didn't cry. She didn't wail. She didn't scream. She stared her protectors all down and said in a very
quiet and almost regal tone, "I am not leaving. All of you, however, should. When I'm ready to
be around you, I'll find you. Go now." Her eyes narrowed, "Don't make me make that an order."
It got everyone to back off. None of them had ever seen her like that. The group left pretty quickly after that,
Haruka and Rei, in particular, still very angry. For her part, Makoto was...a little hurt...and very intrigued. Who
was this Tierreny-san, and what had she done to make both Mamoru and Usagi so loyal to her?
That was why Makoto stood outside of a jail cell that afternoon. She was going to meet this woman
herself.
As the guard banged on the bars, Makoto noticed what the woman was wearing. That black leather just
seemed to make her look even scarier than Makoto expected. 'What have I gotten myself into?' she
thought as the prisoner turned around.
***
When the guard banged on her cell, again, Irony sighed. Visitor after visitor after visitor...it
was not helping her stress level. As she turned around she said, "If that person is member of the
International press core, would you please tell them whatever the hell they want to hear and make
them leave?! I'm entitled to a little peace, you know-" Of course, seeing who was on the other
side of the bars stopped her tirade.
This young woman was no one Irony knew. She looked about Tsukino-san's age, maybe older. She was
pretty tall for an Asian woman. Her hair was pulled back into a high ponytail...and she wore pink
rose earrings. But what most surprised Irony were the emotions in the woman's eyes. Fear, curiosity,
and determination. 'Who was this person and why did they come to see me?'
"Who are you?"
The young woman started...but only slightly. If Irony hadn't been staring at her, she wouldn't
have noticed the slight jump. The woman suddenly began to speak quickly...in Japanese. This,
of course, meant Irony understood next to nothing of what the woman said, but a few things stood
out. In particular "Usagi-chan".
After the woman finally stopped talking, Irony smiled. "I don't speak Japanese very well at all,
so I missed almost everything you said, but...Are you a friend of Tsukino-san?"
The young woman looked confused for a moment. Then she looked like she was in deep concentration.
'I guess her English is as good as my Japanese.' After about five minutes, the woman seemed to
have reasoned out what Irony asked, because she nodded.
Irony smiled at the young woman, "My name is Alanis," she said, pointing to herself. "What is
your name?"
"Makoto." The young woman answered.
"So Makoto-san, why are you here to see me?" After saying that, Irony remember the statement that
Dare made about his bunny's protectors...and thought the worst. "Is Tsukino-san okay? I told that
damn laywer of mine that people would get hurt behind this. But no. Everyone wants to help me.
Hey, it's my job to PROTECT not to be protected! She is a lot more fragile that I am, and I will
personally and seriously harm anyone who has hurt her or Dare or anyone else in my family. Damnit!"
With that Irony made a fist and punched the cell wall next to her.
***
Watching the gang leader, that is, Alanis-san punch the wall after saying a lot of English, made
Makoto pause for a second. Sure, the English language was still a huge struggle for her. While
French was beginning to make more sense, she had given up on English as a lost cause. Even with
her lack of understanding about the language, she could tell the woman on the other side of the
bars was geniunely worried about Usagi...and geniunely willing to protect her. At that moment,
this very different woman a world away from her didn't seem all that different after all. 'Maybe
we should have listened to Usagi-chan when she defended this woman. If she's anything like me at
all, the last thing she would do is to hurt Usagi."
Makoto took a deep breath, "Gomen nasai. Usagi-chan...fine. I..." Makoto motioned with her arms
and fell back on a language she knew a little better than English to make her point, "Vous
comprendez?"
The woman on the other side of the bars smiled, "Oui. Je comprends. Merci." She put both of
her arms through the bars as if to give Makoto a hug. Makoto was surprised at first, but then
stepped into the make-shift hug, being careful of the bars. And when she started to cry, the
woman on the other side comforted her with, "Je sais. Je sais. Je comprends."
***
For the second time in less than 24 hours, Mamoru walked back into the Crown arcade. He was
nervous, but that was a given. The last time he responded to a "we need to talk" phone message
from Motoki, the results weren't pretty. After that last conversation with his best friend,
Mamoru felt that he was forced to chose...and he did, although the choice was a painful one. The
last thing he needed was another ultimatum from his best friend...and his only good friend outside of
the Green. (Not counting Fiore...but counting Fiore was problematic.)
He saw Motoki sitting in a booth, so Mamoru went over and sat down next to him. After a few minutes
of silence Motoki said, "I'm sorry. For a lot of things." The young blond raked his fingers
through his hair. Then he laughed, but it didn't sound happy, "I was so busy worrying about you and
being sure that I knew best that I didn't listen to you. It's one of the few times I haven't...
listened to you, that it. So I'm going to ask the question I should have asked at first. Tell
me about Alanis Tierreny. I believe you called her Irony?"
Mamoru blinked in surprise at first. Then he looked at his friend. 'Is this an olive branch? Is
he really ready to listen to my story about some of the people dearest to me...and not judge?'
Before Usagi, before Irony, Mamoru just would have closed up and not shared a thing. But because
of two women...one who loves him and one who raised him, Mamoru didn't retreat behind the safe
walls anymore. He took a chance. "I first met Irony when she and two of her closest friends saved
me from a fight I was losing pretty badly-"
***Crystal Toyko***
The older woman smiled as she tasted the piece of pie in front of her, "Mmmmm. This is good!
Where did you learn to make sweet potato pie?"
"Give me a little credit, Lana-chan. You talked about this dessert enough. At some point you
knew I was going to go looking for a recipe."
The older woman laughed, "Well, Lady Jupiter, you are definitely the best cook I've ever met! And
the only person who has ever lived that has gotten me to eat raw fish!"
The other woman in the room shook her finger at speaker. "Now, now. No need to be formal. It was
fun....Besides, it's about time I paid you back for those extra English lessons, ne?"
The older woman snorted, "Of course you are grateful. With all the bad language I taught you, you'd
be right at home on a US Marine base."
"See! You gave me access to cute men in uniform."
As the two laughed, a third person stepped into the kitchen. She smiled as two people who were
very important to her still seemed to be getting along very well. She turned around and left
quietly, wanting the two other women to have some more time together.
- to be continued -
Okay, Usagi and Makoto may seem way out of character here. Usagi's is on purpose. I posit that
this experience with Irony is helping her to grow up and grow into ruling. One doesn't go from
Usagi to Neo-Queen Serenity overnight. Makoto is another story. Although she is my favorite scout
she is very hard to write...most complex people are. All I can say is that I'm working on it, and
any feedback is appreciated.
Oh, and about the French. I figured since she is into cooking, Makoto should be able to pick up
some French...since so many famous chefs and styles of cooking are French. So, my little knowledge
of French appears in this story:
Je sais = I know
Je comprends = I understand
Vous comprendez = Do you understand? (formal)
Oui = Yes.
Merci = Thank you.
Any mistake in the French is totally my fault. If you know the correct French, please let me know.
Merci.
The next chapter...is a bail hearing. I don't know if they happen in Japan or not, but this is
scene is important to the story...so we'll pretend that they do.
'Til then.