1 A/N: Matte!! Before anyone could sue me, I just wanna say my part.
Chichiri: Ano… Zackire, don't you think you are exaggerating a little too much?
A/N: he...he… Was I that obvious?
All the characters: **nods** hai…
A/N: yare..yare.. I just wanna say that I don't own Sailormoon or Fushigi Yuugi. OK let's get back to the story, ne?
2
3 Chapter 3
"Hey everyone!" Tasuki seated himself at the dining table. Everyone present greeted him back.
"Is it me or is there two empty seats here?" Tasuki voiced out as he scanned the seats.
"For once its not you, Tasuki. Nuriko and Usagi were unable to wake up this morning," Miaka swallowed down a dumpling.
"Again? Yesterday they were out cold. The day before they had eye-bags and the day before that, they looked like pandas. Wonder what the hell they have been doing!" Tasuki exclaimed. As soon as the words left his mouth, a big mouth mask appeared and literally stuck itself onto Tasuki's mouth.
"Thank you, Chichiri," Tamahome laughed.
"No problem, no da." Chichiri turned and smiled sweetly at the fire breathing Tasuki. "I hope that will teach you a lesson for having a foul dictionary." At that comment, everyone laughed. Almost everyone.
If anyone were to glance Hotohori features, one might say he is dead. His expression had been very blank when he saw Usagi's seat was empty. Even though his face is blank, his eyes tell a different story. His normal sea green eyes had turned to a dark green at the mention of Usagi's absence.
He had noticed that since the third day she arrived, she had been looking very tired and haggard. The first day she had been toying with her food. The second, she had been nodding off to sleep while eating and might have pitched forward if he hadn't caught her in time. The third was even better, she really did pitched forward and kissed the food. Every time he had questioned her about it, she just smiled, kissed him on the cheeks and reassured him that nothing was amiss.
Come to think of it, Nuriko had almost the same behavior as Usagi's these past few mornings. He had dark rings that beats all the pandas in the kingdom and even sleepwalk to the dining table. His guts nagged that Nuriko and Usagi had been doing something behind his back. Well its time that he find out what they have been doing.
Juuban District
"Nani?!" Makoto gasp, surprise.
Luna nodded and looked at the inner senshi seriously. "I am not kidding. Usagi had disappeared. When I entered her room this morning, she was not there. After searching the entire house not only was Usagi missing, her brooch also went missing."
"That is strange. You sure you have checked the kitchen and the arcade?" Minako asked, still could not able to grasp that Usagi had really disappeared.
"Perhaps she went to the library. I mean she do love to go there this year," Amy voiced out. Catching her friends' groans and exasperated, Amy hid under her book.
"This is not the time to joke. This case is very serious. What if we have a sudden youma attack? Even with your star powers, without Usagi the youma can still crawl," Luna stated out forcefully. Artemis watched as Luna paced on the straw mat dojo. It is true, without Eternal Cosmos Moon, the balance of powers will be altered and evil may overturn the world.
"Have the outer senshi been notified about this?" Artemis looked questioningly at Luna.
"We are here, Artemis," everyone jumped at the unexpected voice.
"Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Hotaru!" Minako gasped.
"We came as fast as we could. So is it true that Usagi really disappeared?" Michiru asked once she had seated. Seeing Luna's grim expression, Michiru presumed that Usagi indeed had disappeared.
Silence etched in the room. Everyone was thinking of Usagi's sudden disappeared. Minako and Amy still couldn't get over the fact that their 'little sister' was gone. Michiru, Hotaru and Haruka mourned over their queen's disappearance. Rei and Setsuna were the only ones who didn't look surprised at the news.
Luna's head suddenly shot up as she remembered something. "I almost forgot! I found this feather on Usagi's bed this morning. It may give us a clue," Everyone looked at the shiny fiery red feather.
Rei stared wide eyes at the feather. It seemed so familiar. Rei cursed her faulty memory as she tries once again to remember where had she seen the feather.
Suddenly a voice spoke, "Its Suzaku" Everyone looked at Setsuna who was looking very calm and had her eyes closed.
Opening her eyes, Setsuna looked at her puzzled friends and explained "The feather belongs to one of the four gods called Suzaku."
Konan Empire
Hotohori smiled as Usagi snuggled deeper into him. Shaking her shoulders softly, Hotohori once again tries to wake up the sleeping beauty. Seeing no reaction from her, Hotohori gave up and sat at the side of the bed, gazing at the sleeping beauty.
Her hair was free from their usual restraint and now splayed across the bed. Her hair caught the few strayed sunlight in the room, which in turn created a halo around her. Her hands tucked under her chin as she curled herself up into a ball. Her lips parted a little and Hotohori was tempted to kiss her.
Drawn to her lips like Odysseus drawn to the sirens, Hotohori brought his lips down to hers. At first, he grazed her lips, savoring the taste. But it was not enough to feed his need. Tipping her chin downwards, Hotohori pursed his lips to hers and deepened the kiss.
Hotohori smiled against when he felt her hands crawl upwards and wound themselves around his neck. He was about to pull away when he felt her tongue stroke his. Hotohori groaned and cupped the sides of her face, holding her still for his tender assault.
The kiss turned so hot and consuming that Hotohori knew, he was in danger in loosing control. His mouth slanted over hers again and again, his tongue stroking, penetrating and taking. Suzaku! He couldn't have enough of her.
Hotohori would have gone further had he not heard the soft whimper. The sensual sound nearly pushed all reason aside. Mustering all of his discipline, Hotohori reluctantly pulled away.
Hotohori's smile widened as he took in the beautiful picture before him. Usagi's lips were dewy and swollen from his tender assault. Hotohori' smile widened into a grin when he saw the hazy look in her eyes. "Good Morning, sweetheart."
Usagi's dewy lips tipped upwards into a smile as she returned the greeting. Stretching her slumberous muscles, Usagi got off from the bed and headed to the washing basin. Splashing the crystal clear water to her face, Usagi patted her face dry with the towel next to the basin.
Turning around, Usagi gave a cocky grin to Hotohori. "I guess I miss breakfast huh?"
Hotohori watched Usagi giving him her a cocky grin. Taking his own sweet time answering, Hotohori decided to gaze at her beauty before answering her. Hotohori looked at the baggy knee length shirt and raise his gaze to her shoulders. One of them was uncovered, giving him an ample view of her flawless shoulders. Raising his eyes to her face, Hotohori took in the beautiful sun goddess before him. Her golden-silvery hair was hanging loosely around her ankles. Wanting to be by her side again, Hotohori stood up, walked towards her and took her in his arms.
"Yes you miss breakfast again," Hotohori nuzzled her neck. Suddenly remembering his purpose here, Hotohori looked into her eyes.
"Usagi, would you mind explaining what you have been doing these past few days that made you this exhausted?"
Usagi smiled as Hotohori lovingly. Oh how she wanted to tell him. God knows that she hate to lie and especially to him. Thinking that what she will be doing is for the best, Usagi patted his chest. "You will find out soon, Sai-chan."
Usagi giggled when she saw the scowl on his face. "Forget it Sai- chan. That scowl of yours cannot intimidate and change my mind. I am not telling you anything," Usagi stepped out of his embrace and crossed her arm to indicate that she meant what she said.
"Are you sure?" Hotohori saw Usagi nods her head. A sly smile formed on his face. "Not even when I do this?" Hotohori began ticking Usagi's side.
After what seems like an eternity, Usagi finally escaped from her sweet torment. Still laughing wiped the tears that had formed from excess laughter as she run to a corner of the room. Waving her arms in front of her, in futile attempts to stop her tormentor, Usagi stated out, still laughing, "You are not playing fair Sai-chan! You will find out soon. So stop pestering me. You just have to trust me in this. Onegai?"
Hotohori felt his resistance melt when he looked at Usagi. Her lips parted a little and quivered slightly. Her eyes had became crystal clear and now looking back at him with pure innocence in her eyes. Hotohori sighed. She is giving one of her special puppy eyed looks. "Alright, you win."
At the mention of her victory, Usagi gasp and immediately hugged him. "Arigato Sai-chan"
"Chest up, shoulders up. Eyes focused as if you are going for the kill and walk!" Usagi instructed as she watched Nuriko once again walk in his male strides.
Shaking her head, Usagi stopped Nuriko. "Ie, Nuriko-chan. Walk as if you are a stalker. Your eyes must not mirror any emotions and try to look dangerous. You will look drop dead gorgeous like that."
Nuriko listened at her instruction and nods. Taking a deep breath, Nuriko once again tried to walk manly. When he had reached his finish line, he heard Usagi shriek and cringed guiltily. Instead of hearing her instructing him, Usagi threw herself at him.
"You did it Nuriko!! Sugoi! You did it!!" Usagi exclaimed excitedly.
Nuriko's breath was caught when he looked at her face. Happiness and joy radiates from her face. A sudden wave of emotion washed over him and he hugged her in return. It's amazing that even the simplest comments and action can actually bring such joy from her.
Once Nuriko had released her from his breathless hug, Usagi pulled Nuriko's arm and led him to her chamber. "Since you have finished and achieved you're his task, its time for you to look like a man."
Nuriko looked at Usagi questioningly as he sat on a chair. Look like a man? What's wrong with his features? He is happy the way he is dressed. Well the kimono is a little bit too big for him. Other than that, he felt contented.
Nuriko heard Usagi giggled behind him. Before he knew what is going to happen, he felt the hair ties that held his hair in place were untied, letting his hair cascade down to the waist. "Usagi… what are you trying to do?"
Nuriko winced when he felt a playful tap on his back. The next thing he knew, he felt Usagi combing his hair and heard her say, "Don't ask any question. Just sit back and relax."
Usagi giggled softly as she carefully snipped off a lock of purple hair. Measuring carefully, Usagi recalled the hairstyle she had seen in one of a hairstyle magazine for men and snipped off another lock of hair.
Nuriko heard a 'snip' and felt his hair go lighter. His eyes widened in shock as a thought slowly registered through his mind. "Usagi! You are not going to cut my hair!" Nuriko turned and gripped Usagi's hand.
Usagi grimaced in pain. "If you want to look like a guy, you have to sacrifice your hair," Usagi softly reasoned out.
"Forget it!" Nuriko snapped as he tried to stand up.
"Oh no you don't! I am going to cut your hair and that is final!" Usagi snapped back.
Nuriko was about to protest again until he saw the determined look on Usagi. After a week with her, Nuriko knew that the blond rabbit would not back out once she had out her mind on something. Sighing, Nuriko gave up and let the rabbit have her way.
"Daijoubu, Nuriko-chan. I just need to trim your hair," Usagi reassured. Only a snort was Nuriko's reply.
"It's done!" Usagi clapped her hands together. Pulling Nuriko towards the dresser, Usagi wait for Nuriko's reaction at his new image.
Nuriko was speechless. The definition of trimming had brought a new meaning as he stared at himself in the mirror. His hair had been tied up in a very high ponytail. He noted that strange band that had been holding his hair together was an inch long and could be stretched.
Usagi smiled as she watched Nuriko tentatively touched his bangs that she had trimmed off. The bangs hang loosely at his eyes and even touching his nose. The hairstyle had nicely brought out the manly contours of his face.
"So how do you like it?" Usagi grinned.
Nuriko was still in awe when the question was asked. Turning to face the person who had given a miracle to him, Nuriko immediately gave Usagi a bear hug.
"Nuriko… I can't breathe…" Usagi squeaked.
"Gomen," immediately Nuriko released the blue Usagi.
"I suppose that hug meant you like it?" Usagi teasingly asked.
"Well if you think that one was a hit off, wait till you see what I had installed for you," Usagi turned around and began walking to her wardrobe.
---------Ten Minutes Later----------
"Ah hah! Here it is!" Nuriko head her say. Turning around, he saw Usagi walking towards him, holding a large bundle in her arms.
"I had been making these clothes for you ever since you wanted to become more manly. I know it looks weird, but these are the clothes that some of the people at my world are wearing," Usagi explained. 'Except that these clothes are filled with a little tinge of Eternal Cosmos Moon power' she added silently.
Nuriko looked at the strange clothes skeptically. "You want me to wear those?" Nuriko pointed at the clothes that Usagi had laid out.
"Yes," Usagi replied.
"Sorry but I ain't going to put myself in those clothes. The hairdo was one thing but the clothes are out of my boundaries," Nuriko shook his head.
"Don't tell me that we are at it again… You are either going to wear those clothes yourself or else I will help force you in," Usagi looked at Nuriko in the eyes with her arms crossed. God knows that her threat is an empty one. There is no way is she going to help a guy wear clothes.
"I don't mind you forcing me into those clothes. Actually I am more than happy to let you wear those clothes on me," Nuriko smiled slyly. Suzaku! Where had that came from? Nuriko pushed that thought away when he noticed Usagi blushed hotly.
"Why you… Just get behind the screen and wear those clothes," Usagi shoved the clothes into Nuriko's arms and pushed him behind the covers. All the while Usagi was blushing.
After a long while of muttered curses and grunts, Nuriko finally came out. Expecting to find a very angry Nuriko with thorn clothes, Usagi turned around. Her mouth hang loosely from her jaw as Usagi stared bluntly at the well built purple haired man who was wearing a white body fitting long sleeve shirt, a pair of black leather pants, a matching black leather boots with a midnight over coat.
"I know I look stupid," Nuriko muttered as he absentmindedly shuffled his feet.
Snapping her mouth shut, Usagi remarked happily, "Sugoi! You really looked like the mixture of Aoshi and Kenshee Himura!"
Usagi now tugged and pulled the blushing Nuriko to the dresser that had five pairs of look alike elbow-length fingerless gloves. "Since you already look hot and dangerous, I might as well complete the picture with these gloves."
Usagi tugged the black leather gloves rightly. Stepping back, Usagi once again looked at her masterpiece. Nuriko now really looked like a dangerous assassin.
"Ano… Usagi-chan must I really wear this clothes? Especially this tight glove?" Nuriko asked as he tugged at his gloves.
"Hai! Nuriko-chan, can you promise me something?" Usagi looked at Nuriko seriously.
"Promise you what?" Nuriko looked at Usagi, puzzled.
"Whatever happen, wear these clothes that I had made for you. Especially the gloves," Usagi blurted out.
"What? I have to wear them! But these gloves, they are ugly. They have a picture of a phoenix and crescent moon studs on the knuckles," Nuriko pouted as he pointed at the diamond shape which one end was drawn from the wrist all the way to the elbow. Inside the diamond shape was a picture of a red phoenix. One every single knuckle had a crescent moon stud on it. In short it resembles the Moon Kingdom and Suzaku.
"Nuriko…"Usagi called out, irritated.
"Ok… I promise." Nuriko breathed.
"Arigato!" Usagi hugged Nuriko, feeling relieved that her hardwork of staying up every night and placing a protecting spell on the clothes was not wasted.
"I think it's about time we had dinner, ne Nuriko?" Usagi gave a sheepish smile at Nuriko once she stepped out of his embrace.
"Anyone want to bet that Usagi and Nuriko would be late again?" a chibi Tamahome shouted as he walked up and down beside the dining table.
"Tamahome! How could you do such a thing?" Miaka shouted, anger was evident in her eyes.
"But Miaka… it is true. They are always late," a chibi Tamahome cowered at the sight of the angry miko.
"I want to bet that they won't arrive till 20 minutes later," Miaka suddenly smiled. Everyone who had been watching the pair fell off their chairs except Hotohori who just sweat-dropped.
"Sorry for being late mina chan!" everyone turned their gazes towards the direction of the voice.
"Usagi! Oh Ok wait! What have you done to my friend?" Tasuki shook Usagi.
"Tasuki-chan. Can't you see that I am the real Usagi," Usagi pouted once she knocked Tasuki on the head.
'Sumi masen, Usagi! You were always late for dinner lately. So I thought you were an imposter," Tasuki grinned lopsidedly as he scratched his head.
"Whatever. I was just explaining that I was late because I had some matters to attend to my friend over here," Usagi tugged the sleeves of her 'friend' beside her.
All eyes were now focused on the purple haired man. Everyone felt the strange aura that radiated from Usagi's 'friend'. Tasuki shuddered when the cold eyes looked up and scanned everyone in the room through his bangs.
"Ohayo!" the greeting came out as a barely audible whisper but everyone heard it.
Hotohori's eyes sharpen to a deathly glare as she watched Usagi's friend sat down right across his Usagi. His first thought when he saw Usagi tugging the sleeves of the purple haired man was to ripped the man to pieces. But that god he didn't. He knew how very upset Usagi would be if any of her friends were to be harmed.
Nuriko watched the scene before him through his bangs and nearly burst out laughing. The ever strong and big mouth Tasuki was actually afraid of him. Thank god he was looking at Tasuki carefully, otherwise he would have missed the shudder. Nuriko's hearing suddenly sharpened when he heard comments passing around the table.
'Oh well, I suppose this guy is better than that cross-dresser," Tasuki muttered out.
"Why is that Tasuki?" Miaka asked as she popped another dumpling into her half filled mouth.
"At least this guy here is quieter. Is it would have been Nuriko, she or he might I say will go Hotohori-sama or Tamahome," Tasuki chirped as he mimicked Nuriko's voice. Everyone at the table laughed except for a certain purple head.
"Consider yourself lucky, Tasuki. I wonder what he'll do if it had been you in Hotohori's place," Tamahome laughed.
Chichiri laughed at the stupid exchange. As he was about to sip anther cup of tea, a purple head caught his attention. Some how when the purple head entered, Chichiri had thought he looked familiar but who? Staring at the guy again, Chichiri's eyes widened as he saw a vein began to swell at the guy's temples. Oh no! Can it be…?
"…And Nuriko sways his hips like a lady. But in reality he looks like a bowlegged duck!" Tasuki roared with laughter.
"What did you say?!" a deadly voice asked. Tasuki turned and saw a very angry pair of eyes glaring at him.
Tasuki's eyes widened in surprise and fear as he realized who Usagi's friend was. "Nuriko!" Tasuki whispered before he went flying through the air.
"Nuriko!" everyone except Usagi exclaimed in unison as they stared at the brand new and manly Nuriko. Usagi could only sigh.
A/N: Muahahahahaha…… at last this chapter is done!! Don't look at me I want to have a nice holiday after this. So what did you guys think of this cool and new Nuriko? I had a very bad headache trying to fit which hairstyle suits him and I had the answer when I watched Samurai X…lol… A mixture of Kenshin's hairstyle, Aoshi's clothes and attitude and Sanosuke's bandaged hand..lol.. Muahahahhaha…
Chichiri: Ano… Zackire, don't you think you are exaggerating a little too much?
A/N: he...he… Was I that obvious?
All the characters: **nods** hai…
A/N: yare..yare.. I just wanna say that I don't own Sailormoon or Fushigi Yuugi. OK let's get back to the story, ne?
2
3 Chapter 3
"Hey everyone!" Tasuki seated himself at the dining table. Everyone present greeted him back.
"Is it me or is there two empty seats here?" Tasuki voiced out as he scanned the seats.
"For once its not you, Tasuki. Nuriko and Usagi were unable to wake up this morning," Miaka swallowed down a dumpling.
"Again? Yesterday they were out cold. The day before they had eye-bags and the day before that, they looked like pandas. Wonder what the hell they have been doing!" Tasuki exclaimed. As soon as the words left his mouth, a big mouth mask appeared and literally stuck itself onto Tasuki's mouth.
"Thank you, Chichiri," Tamahome laughed.
"No problem, no da." Chichiri turned and smiled sweetly at the fire breathing Tasuki. "I hope that will teach you a lesson for having a foul dictionary." At that comment, everyone laughed. Almost everyone.
If anyone were to glance Hotohori features, one might say he is dead. His expression had been very blank when he saw Usagi's seat was empty. Even though his face is blank, his eyes tell a different story. His normal sea green eyes had turned to a dark green at the mention of Usagi's absence.
He had noticed that since the third day she arrived, she had been looking very tired and haggard. The first day she had been toying with her food. The second, she had been nodding off to sleep while eating and might have pitched forward if he hadn't caught her in time. The third was even better, she really did pitched forward and kissed the food. Every time he had questioned her about it, she just smiled, kissed him on the cheeks and reassured him that nothing was amiss.
Come to think of it, Nuriko had almost the same behavior as Usagi's these past few mornings. He had dark rings that beats all the pandas in the kingdom and even sleepwalk to the dining table. His guts nagged that Nuriko and Usagi had been doing something behind his back. Well its time that he find out what they have been doing.
Juuban District
"Nani?!" Makoto gasp, surprise.
Luna nodded and looked at the inner senshi seriously. "I am not kidding. Usagi had disappeared. When I entered her room this morning, she was not there. After searching the entire house not only was Usagi missing, her brooch also went missing."
"That is strange. You sure you have checked the kitchen and the arcade?" Minako asked, still could not able to grasp that Usagi had really disappeared.
"Perhaps she went to the library. I mean she do love to go there this year," Amy voiced out. Catching her friends' groans and exasperated, Amy hid under her book.
"This is not the time to joke. This case is very serious. What if we have a sudden youma attack? Even with your star powers, without Usagi the youma can still crawl," Luna stated out forcefully. Artemis watched as Luna paced on the straw mat dojo. It is true, without Eternal Cosmos Moon, the balance of powers will be altered and evil may overturn the world.
"Have the outer senshi been notified about this?" Artemis looked questioningly at Luna.
"We are here, Artemis," everyone jumped at the unexpected voice.
"Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna, Hotaru!" Minako gasped.
"We came as fast as we could. So is it true that Usagi really disappeared?" Michiru asked once she had seated. Seeing Luna's grim expression, Michiru presumed that Usagi indeed had disappeared.
Silence etched in the room. Everyone was thinking of Usagi's sudden disappeared. Minako and Amy still couldn't get over the fact that their 'little sister' was gone. Michiru, Hotaru and Haruka mourned over their queen's disappearance. Rei and Setsuna were the only ones who didn't look surprised at the news.
Luna's head suddenly shot up as she remembered something. "I almost forgot! I found this feather on Usagi's bed this morning. It may give us a clue," Everyone looked at the shiny fiery red feather.
Rei stared wide eyes at the feather. It seemed so familiar. Rei cursed her faulty memory as she tries once again to remember where had she seen the feather.
Suddenly a voice spoke, "Its Suzaku" Everyone looked at Setsuna who was looking very calm and had her eyes closed.
Opening her eyes, Setsuna looked at her puzzled friends and explained "The feather belongs to one of the four gods called Suzaku."
Konan Empire
Hotohori smiled as Usagi snuggled deeper into him. Shaking her shoulders softly, Hotohori once again tries to wake up the sleeping beauty. Seeing no reaction from her, Hotohori gave up and sat at the side of the bed, gazing at the sleeping beauty.
Her hair was free from their usual restraint and now splayed across the bed. Her hair caught the few strayed sunlight in the room, which in turn created a halo around her. Her hands tucked under her chin as she curled herself up into a ball. Her lips parted a little and Hotohori was tempted to kiss her.
Drawn to her lips like Odysseus drawn to the sirens, Hotohori brought his lips down to hers. At first, he grazed her lips, savoring the taste. But it was not enough to feed his need. Tipping her chin downwards, Hotohori pursed his lips to hers and deepened the kiss.
Hotohori smiled against when he felt her hands crawl upwards and wound themselves around his neck. He was about to pull away when he felt her tongue stroke his. Hotohori groaned and cupped the sides of her face, holding her still for his tender assault.
The kiss turned so hot and consuming that Hotohori knew, he was in danger in loosing control. His mouth slanted over hers again and again, his tongue stroking, penetrating and taking. Suzaku! He couldn't have enough of her.
Hotohori would have gone further had he not heard the soft whimper. The sensual sound nearly pushed all reason aside. Mustering all of his discipline, Hotohori reluctantly pulled away.
Hotohori's smile widened as he took in the beautiful picture before him. Usagi's lips were dewy and swollen from his tender assault. Hotohori' smile widened into a grin when he saw the hazy look in her eyes. "Good Morning, sweetheart."
Usagi's dewy lips tipped upwards into a smile as she returned the greeting. Stretching her slumberous muscles, Usagi got off from the bed and headed to the washing basin. Splashing the crystal clear water to her face, Usagi patted her face dry with the towel next to the basin.
Turning around, Usagi gave a cocky grin to Hotohori. "I guess I miss breakfast huh?"
Hotohori watched Usagi giving him her a cocky grin. Taking his own sweet time answering, Hotohori decided to gaze at her beauty before answering her. Hotohori looked at the baggy knee length shirt and raise his gaze to her shoulders. One of them was uncovered, giving him an ample view of her flawless shoulders. Raising his eyes to her face, Hotohori took in the beautiful sun goddess before him. Her golden-silvery hair was hanging loosely around her ankles. Wanting to be by her side again, Hotohori stood up, walked towards her and took her in his arms.
"Yes you miss breakfast again," Hotohori nuzzled her neck. Suddenly remembering his purpose here, Hotohori looked into her eyes.
"Usagi, would you mind explaining what you have been doing these past few days that made you this exhausted?"
Usagi smiled as Hotohori lovingly. Oh how she wanted to tell him. God knows that she hate to lie and especially to him. Thinking that what she will be doing is for the best, Usagi patted his chest. "You will find out soon, Sai-chan."
Usagi giggled when she saw the scowl on his face. "Forget it Sai- chan. That scowl of yours cannot intimidate and change my mind. I am not telling you anything," Usagi stepped out of his embrace and crossed her arm to indicate that she meant what she said.
"Are you sure?" Hotohori saw Usagi nods her head. A sly smile formed on his face. "Not even when I do this?" Hotohori began ticking Usagi's side.
After what seems like an eternity, Usagi finally escaped from her sweet torment. Still laughing wiped the tears that had formed from excess laughter as she run to a corner of the room. Waving her arms in front of her, in futile attempts to stop her tormentor, Usagi stated out, still laughing, "You are not playing fair Sai-chan! You will find out soon. So stop pestering me. You just have to trust me in this. Onegai?"
Hotohori felt his resistance melt when he looked at Usagi. Her lips parted a little and quivered slightly. Her eyes had became crystal clear and now looking back at him with pure innocence in her eyes. Hotohori sighed. She is giving one of her special puppy eyed looks. "Alright, you win."
At the mention of her victory, Usagi gasp and immediately hugged him. "Arigato Sai-chan"
"Chest up, shoulders up. Eyes focused as if you are going for the kill and walk!" Usagi instructed as she watched Nuriko once again walk in his male strides.
Shaking her head, Usagi stopped Nuriko. "Ie, Nuriko-chan. Walk as if you are a stalker. Your eyes must not mirror any emotions and try to look dangerous. You will look drop dead gorgeous like that."
Nuriko listened at her instruction and nods. Taking a deep breath, Nuriko once again tried to walk manly. When he had reached his finish line, he heard Usagi shriek and cringed guiltily. Instead of hearing her instructing him, Usagi threw herself at him.
"You did it Nuriko!! Sugoi! You did it!!" Usagi exclaimed excitedly.
Nuriko's breath was caught when he looked at her face. Happiness and joy radiates from her face. A sudden wave of emotion washed over him and he hugged her in return. It's amazing that even the simplest comments and action can actually bring such joy from her.
Once Nuriko had released her from his breathless hug, Usagi pulled Nuriko's arm and led him to her chamber. "Since you have finished and achieved you're his task, its time for you to look like a man."
Nuriko looked at Usagi questioningly as he sat on a chair. Look like a man? What's wrong with his features? He is happy the way he is dressed. Well the kimono is a little bit too big for him. Other than that, he felt contented.
Nuriko heard Usagi giggled behind him. Before he knew what is going to happen, he felt the hair ties that held his hair in place were untied, letting his hair cascade down to the waist. "Usagi… what are you trying to do?"
Nuriko winced when he felt a playful tap on his back. The next thing he knew, he felt Usagi combing his hair and heard her say, "Don't ask any question. Just sit back and relax."
Usagi giggled softly as she carefully snipped off a lock of purple hair. Measuring carefully, Usagi recalled the hairstyle she had seen in one of a hairstyle magazine for men and snipped off another lock of hair.
Nuriko heard a 'snip' and felt his hair go lighter. His eyes widened in shock as a thought slowly registered through his mind. "Usagi! You are not going to cut my hair!" Nuriko turned and gripped Usagi's hand.
Usagi grimaced in pain. "If you want to look like a guy, you have to sacrifice your hair," Usagi softly reasoned out.
"Forget it!" Nuriko snapped as he tried to stand up.
"Oh no you don't! I am going to cut your hair and that is final!" Usagi snapped back.
Nuriko was about to protest again until he saw the determined look on Usagi. After a week with her, Nuriko knew that the blond rabbit would not back out once she had out her mind on something. Sighing, Nuriko gave up and let the rabbit have her way.
"Daijoubu, Nuriko-chan. I just need to trim your hair," Usagi reassured. Only a snort was Nuriko's reply.
"It's done!" Usagi clapped her hands together. Pulling Nuriko towards the dresser, Usagi wait for Nuriko's reaction at his new image.
Nuriko was speechless. The definition of trimming had brought a new meaning as he stared at himself in the mirror. His hair had been tied up in a very high ponytail. He noted that strange band that had been holding his hair together was an inch long and could be stretched.
Usagi smiled as she watched Nuriko tentatively touched his bangs that she had trimmed off. The bangs hang loosely at his eyes and even touching his nose. The hairstyle had nicely brought out the manly contours of his face.
"So how do you like it?" Usagi grinned.
Nuriko was still in awe when the question was asked. Turning to face the person who had given a miracle to him, Nuriko immediately gave Usagi a bear hug.
"Nuriko… I can't breathe…" Usagi squeaked.
"Gomen," immediately Nuriko released the blue Usagi.
"I suppose that hug meant you like it?" Usagi teasingly asked.
"Well if you think that one was a hit off, wait till you see what I had installed for you," Usagi turned around and began walking to her wardrobe.
---------Ten Minutes Later----------
"Ah hah! Here it is!" Nuriko head her say. Turning around, he saw Usagi walking towards him, holding a large bundle in her arms.
"I had been making these clothes for you ever since you wanted to become more manly. I know it looks weird, but these are the clothes that some of the people at my world are wearing," Usagi explained. 'Except that these clothes are filled with a little tinge of Eternal Cosmos Moon power' she added silently.
Nuriko looked at the strange clothes skeptically. "You want me to wear those?" Nuriko pointed at the clothes that Usagi had laid out.
"Yes," Usagi replied.
"Sorry but I ain't going to put myself in those clothes. The hairdo was one thing but the clothes are out of my boundaries," Nuriko shook his head.
"Don't tell me that we are at it again… You are either going to wear those clothes yourself or else I will help force you in," Usagi looked at Nuriko in the eyes with her arms crossed. God knows that her threat is an empty one. There is no way is she going to help a guy wear clothes.
"I don't mind you forcing me into those clothes. Actually I am more than happy to let you wear those clothes on me," Nuriko smiled slyly. Suzaku! Where had that came from? Nuriko pushed that thought away when he noticed Usagi blushed hotly.
"Why you… Just get behind the screen and wear those clothes," Usagi shoved the clothes into Nuriko's arms and pushed him behind the covers. All the while Usagi was blushing.
After a long while of muttered curses and grunts, Nuriko finally came out. Expecting to find a very angry Nuriko with thorn clothes, Usagi turned around. Her mouth hang loosely from her jaw as Usagi stared bluntly at the well built purple haired man who was wearing a white body fitting long sleeve shirt, a pair of black leather pants, a matching black leather boots with a midnight over coat.
"I know I look stupid," Nuriko muttered as he absentmindedly shuffled his feet.
Snapping her mouth shut, Usagi remarked happily, "Sugoi! You really looked like the mixture of Aoshi and Kenshee Himura!"
Usagi now tugged and pulled the blushing Nuriko to the dresser that had five pairs of look alike elbow-length fingerless gloves. "Since you already look hot and dangerous, I might as well complete the picture with these gloves."
Usagi tugged the black leather gloves rightly. Stepping back, Usagi once again looked at her masterpiece. Nuriko now really looked like a dangerous assassin.
"Ano… Usagi-chan must I really wear this clothes? Especially this tight glove?" Nuriko asked as he tugged at his gloves.
"Hai! Nuriko-chan, can you promise me something?" Usagi looked at Nuriko seriously.
"Promise you what?" Nuriko looked at Usagi, puzzled.
"Whatever happen, wear these clothes that I had made for you. Especially the gloves," Usagi blurted out.
"What? I have to wear them! But these gloves, they are ugly. They have a picture of a phoenix and crescent moon studs on the knuckles," Nuriko pouted as he pointed at the diamond shape which one end was drawn from the wrist all the way to the elbow. Inside the diamond shape was a picture of a red phoenix. One every single knuckle had a crescent moon stud on it. In short it resembles the Moon Kingdom and Suzaku.
"Nuriko…"Usagi called out, irritated.
"Ok… I promise." Nuriko breathed.
"Arigato!" Usagi hugged Nuriko, feeling relieved that her hardwork of staying up every night and placing a protecting spell on the clothes was not wasted.
"I think it's about time we had dinner, ne Nuriko?" Usagi gave a sheepish smile at Nuriko once she stepped out of his embrace.
"Anyone want to bet that Usagi and Nuriko would be late again?" a chibi Tamahome shouted as he walked up and down beside the dining table.
"Tamahome! How could you do such a thing?" Miaka shouted, anger was evident in her eyes.
"But Miaka… it is true. They are always late," a chibi Tamahome cowered at the sight of the angry miko.
"I want to bet that they won't arrive till 20 minutes later," Miaka suddenly smiled. Everyone who had been watching the pair fell off their chairs except Hotohori who just sweat-dropped.
"Sorry for being late mina chan!" everyone turned their gazes towards the direction of the voice.
"Usagi! Oh Ok wait! What have you done to my friend?" Tasuki shook Usagi.
"Tasuki-chan. Can't you see that I am the real Usagi," Usagi pouted once she knocked Tasuki on the head.
'Sumi masen, Usagi! You were always late for dinner lately. So I thought you were an imposter," Tasuki grinned lopsidedly as he scratched his head.
"Whatever. I was just explaining that I was late because I had some matters to attend to my friend over here," Usagi tugged the sleeves of her 'friend' beside her.
All eyes were now focused on the purple haired man. Everyone felt the strange aura that radiated from Usagi's 'friend'. Tasuki shuddered when the cold eyes looked up and scanned everyone in the room through his bangs.
"Ohayo!" the greeting came out as a barely audible whisper but everyone heard it.
Hotohori's eyes sharpen to a deathly glare as she watched Usagi's friend sat down right across his Usagi. His first thought when he saw Usagi tugging the sleeves of the purple haired man was to ripped the man to pieces. But that god he didn't. He knew how very upset Usagi would be if any of her friends were to be harmed.
Nuriko watched the scene before him through his bangs and nearly burst out laughing. The ever strong and big mouth Tasuki was actually afraid of him. Thank god he was looking at Tasuki carefully, otherwise he would have missed the shudder. Nuriko's hearing suddenly sharpened when he heard comments passing around the table.
'Oh well, I suppose this guy is better than that cross-dresser," Tasuki muttered out.
"Why is that Tasuki?" Miaka asked as she popped another dumpling into her half filled mouth.
"At least this guy here is quieter. Is it would have been Nuriko, she or he might I say will go Hotohori-sama or Tamahome," Tasuki chirped as he mimicked Nuriko's voice. Everyone at the table laughed except for a certain purple head.
"Consider yourself lucky, Tasuki. I wonder what he'll do if it had been you in Hotohori's place," Tamahome laughed.
Chichiri laughed at the stupid exchange. As he was about to sip anther cup of tea, a purple head caught his attention. Some how when the purple head entered, Chichiri had thought he looked familiar but who? Staring at the guy again, Chichiri's eyes widened as he saw a vein began to swell at the guy's temples. Oh no! Can it be…?
"…And Nuriko sways his hips like a lady. But in reality he looks like a bowlegged duck!" Tasuki roared with laughter.
"What did you say?!" a deadly voice asked. Tasuki turned and saw a very angry pair of eyes glaring at him.
Tasuki's eyes widened in surprise and fear as he realized who Usagi's friend was. "Nuriko!" Tasuki whispered before he went flying through the air.
"Nuriko!" everyone except Usagi exclaimed in unison as they stared at the brand new and manly Nuriko. Usagi could only sigh.
A/N: Muahahahahaha…… at last this chapter is done!! Don't look at me I want to have a nice holiday after this. So what did you guys think of this cool and new Nuriko? I had a very bad headache trying to fit which hairstyle suits him and I had the answer when I watched Samurai X…lol… A mixture of Kenshin's hairstyle, Aoshi's clothes and attitude and Sanosuke's bandaged hand..lol.. Muahahahhaha…