NAME: Towel (9/24/01 – 10/18/01)
E-MAIL: MoonTowel18@msn.com
TITLE: Papa-Kenji… Please No More
RATING: PG-13
NOTE: Breakdown time. Now it's time for the story to get a little more weirderrrrrrrrr. *Yawn, yawn,* I'm sleepyyyyyyy. Okay well read on while I think up some other stuff to put here. AHHHHHHHHHHHH, damn how long has it been? 3 weeks? Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhh! Yeah I was in the middle of right when Usagi meets… oh can't spoil the story, but it's someone special. Well anyway, from that point that's where I lost my train of thought and the story kinda vanished a little but it's BACK now. E-mailing me what'cha think! Warning: Strong language.
DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon 1992-2001. Naoko Takeuchi. Kondansha Ltd. And Toei Animation.
THANKS: Naoko
~~~~~~~~~~PAPA-KENJI… PLEASE NO MORE~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 4
Disgusted. Ugly. Horrible destroyed monster-looking girl. Usagi stood quivering glaring routinely at her reflection in the darkness of the small cramped boathouse bathroom. She knew she should have found somewhere else but she didn't want to. She didn't want to go back out there, she couldn't. No more. Couldn't take it anymore. So she looked at her insolvent self, a girl that looked damaged no longer healthy with worn puffy-red eyes, paling skin, and chapped lips. Those were the crucial things that stood out to her. The rest seem to be just there, abused enough perhaps so much not to notice.
And so she continued to stare standing there or her bruised legs looking at her reflection in the diffuse light of the cramped boathouse bathroom.
No more dreams… no monies.
Usagi prepared herself for this… was she ready? Could she really do it? Was she strong, brave enough to go through with this? To end this completely?
Still…
Visions of her just minutes ago, kissing a sleeping Shingo on the head after coming from the hospital stayed printed on her mind and how much he needed him so much. She felt ashamed and foolish for thinking about being so selfish as to take her own life when there was just so much more later on in her future. And as much as she felt tired and ready to give up now she just didn't want to see what could be ahead. Dead she would have no other options but to lay still in some coffin, shallow, but cut away from the world. Sounded pleasing.
Thinking vigilantly about what she was doing Usagi closed her eyes and began to sniffle as she collected herself together no longer in her fearsome panic to demolish her life. She dropped the bottle of random pills she'd found in the medicine cabinet, she dropped the bottle of liquid detergent, all just clanking down against the floor as if disappearing giving her another chance.
Wiping her eyes she looked back at the dead-girl reflecting in the mirror and couldn't believe herself. Couldn't believe what she was about to do. Take all those pills and guzzle them down with liquid detergent. How stupid she felt! Ashamed and stupid! And weak! She was too afraid to do anything else. It was hard for her to keep positive and believe but she knew, it was just important. Her mother taught her too much about strength for Usagi to deny everything and end it so dishonorably. She could also image the horror on Shingo's face when he would wake up and find his only family now lying there on this cold stone floor, her eyes bugged out, her hair thin and dry, her… dead. She could see Shingo counting it off with his fingers, mother, father, now and my sister.
Usagi trembled asking God why did she want this as she dropped to the floor roughly on her butt. She just sat there in the cramped room eyes over her face praying and asking God to stop all this. To relieve her of everything. Demanding to know how'd she deserve this. What did she do that was so wrong to make all this happen to her?
Usagi pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged herself soundlessly sobbing.
Even though this is happening I have to stay stronger and beat this, her thoughts structured. Even though I no longer have any money I have to keep trying. I HAVE to beat this time in my life. I have to learn the lesson behind with this horrible price. I won't give up, not for anyone! I have to keep my faith.
As much as she tried to stone that into her brain… there as the smallest doubt. And the restless girl then placed her thoughts on finding a way to earn some money without getting involved with the police tabling themselves to finding her. Now more than ever she was determined to take care of her and Shingo. Whatever it takes…
Mamoru's nightstand phone went ablaze and the man shoot up his head from under his covers giving it a frowning look in the gloom of is tiny apartment bedroom. Good thing he wasn't sleep yet his thoughts still on that strange girl he met earlier last night by that house.
Mamoru gave the phone a look in the dark moonlit room then flopped his head back on the bed, using his right hand he stretched over and retrieved the phone…
"Hello," he croaked.
"It's me Setsuna!" Setsuna's charming voiced went about on the other end almost not the least bit caring to interrupt the detective's sleep. "I know it's late… well early but I think we have another led. You remember our juvenile friend Makoto? Well she was visited at the hospital; someone says it was the girl you're looking for… Usagi and of course Makoto's troubled sister."
At that Mamoru sat up. "Usagi, she was there?" he asked wide-awake.
"That's what we got. We also got Makoto's sister in for questing and one of the doctors working with the Makoto girl. Just wanted to let you know if you want to come down here and help me out with getting these people to talk after we leave the hospital. It's going to be pretty late with all the rounds we're making but we'll be taking them to the station soon enough Probably by daybreak."
Mamoru looked at his clock. Ten minutes after tweleve in the morning. He'd stayed up later/earlier than that working nearly every night. It didn't matter that today was the one-day he was able to get a full night of sleep; it didn't matter at all.
"I'm on my way," he informed Setsuna jumping out of bed.
With her head low Usagi walked down the horrid streets toward no particular destination. She just had to get out of the wobbly boathouse and do something radical, like steal. She just didn't know where exactly or how. She was in that part of the city anyway, the "troubled" area. So it wouldn't be so hard for her to find something, some way to acquire some money quickly.
Usagi's only thoughts were on escape. Getting away from everything. She felt like she was going to do this. She was going to make it happen. All her dreams were going to come true; it just took passion and work to get there. She'd always enjoyed working in the school theatre, she'd always enjoyed singing her heart out, she wanted to be a star plain and simple and was dedicated to making that come true.
Perhaps…
Usagi stopped walking and began to go weak at her knees barbered with a sudden flush of stressful depression that wouldn't allow her to continue her small stepping as a beautiful sea-green haired woman came brushing pass her stopped and turned toward the shaken blond.
The woman threw her hands on her hips and turned spike fully toward Usagi demanding to know what was the matter out of nowhere to Usagi's blunt senses. With her arms wrapped around herself feeling cold and fearful of her surroundings Usagi turned wearily toward the woman wondering what did she mean and was immediately took-back by the woman's skimpy appearance. Shyly Usagi looked away and choked out a "nothing" as meek as the small trampled mouse she was.
The sea-green hair woman chuckled a little brushing her beautiful wavy hair over her shoulders and giving her head a toss throwing back her bangs something that caught Usagi as someone professional. "Can't get a date huh? Well there's no wonder. Look at you. You look awful."
Usagi blinked. "I… I look awful?"
"Yeah," the woman reached over touching Usagi enduringly on the cheek that felt a shiver of coldness rip below her spine like a soft tingle. The woman pulled off Usagi's sweat jacket revealing the blond's pale fleshy shoulders under a plain tight night-blue tank top. The woman scoffed at this look giving Usagi a scrunched up look. "And THIS is how you make money girl? With that? No wonder you look messed up and broke."
Usagi shook her puzzled head. "I'm… I'm sorry but I'm confused here. What do you mean? I don't understand."
The woman smiled at Usagi rolling her eyes. "Here," she threw the sweat jacket into a startled Usagi's face. "You must be new. Follow me," and so the woman swished her hips in led while a naive Usagi followed giving the fact that she needed money and that it was stupid of her to follow this insane stranger. But she did so…
What do I have to lose? Usagi wondered. If I want to make it… I… I have to do whatever I have to do…
If only she knew…
Usagi's eyes seem to never look away from the woman who absently, from out of nowhere, led the teenage blond through the block in no particular direction that Usagi could find herself taking note of. All Usagi knew was that there was money somewhere and she was going to trust this stranger to get apart of it.
Not watching a step of where she was going Usagi bumped into a large man passing her by and thought nothing about it until the man turned sharply and grabbed Usagi roughly around the waist. Immediately, after all her forcing violations the blond instinctively screamed at the top of her lungs for the large man to release her as she batted and swatted at his face until she felt his overwrought muscles allow her to slip from his arms where she hurriedly went seeking defense along side the strange woman who in turn told the man to get lost with a snap of her fingers.
"What the hell?" the man protested eyeing Usagi who cowered in the ideal warmth of her sweat jacket her lips quivering and her eyes already burning with fire.
"Didn't you hear me the first time!?" the strange woman demanded to know. "I said beat it! You got that!?"
The man frown his monstrous face on the two then gazed at the stranger, saw there was no chance and made an attempt to warn the two. "Aye f*** you babe!" he spat flicking the two off then trampled down the sidewalk talking under his breath.
"You'll never get that lucky asshole!" the sea-green haired woman hollered back watching him disappear with a disregarding wave of his hand. The woman traditionally threw her hands on her hips forgetting a second about the small girl hovering around her as if for protection. "What the hell is your problem?"
Usagi felt sick wondering why was she yelling at her. Usagi didn't do anything wrong and what was going on!? Where was this stranger leading her and why was she following her like it was nothing? Why was her mind telling her no yet her body was telling her yes?
Usagi choked on her words and the trite woman rubbed the blond's head. "I keep forgetting you're just a kid," she spoke compassionately. "When a man grabs you like that you got to aim girl not cry and scream and shout unless you're somewhere alone." The woman rubbed a hand through her hair looking up for a second then back down at Usagi. "So what's your name anyway?"
The blond contemplated on whether she should tell her but decided there was no point in holding it back. "Usagi."
"Humph, Michiru. Nice to meet you."
"Umm… likewise."
Why am I so afraid of her? Usagi's thoughts went about looking into Michiru's eyes. She's so… strange and mysterious. I'm scared of her but I can somehow trust her.
Michiru brushed a hand around Usagi's neck and cheek then commented on how cute Usagi was. "You're young. Should be a nice investment."
"Investment?" Usagi frowned.
"Yeah now come on." Michiru started leading again until Usagi came staggering into her path looking up at Michiru with sad fearful eyes and asked again…
"Investment?"
"Yes," Michiru pressed. "You're on the streets to make money right? You're new. You're cute. Might as well make you the best offer now before you let those other turn you into just another street trash."
Usagi wasn't believing what she was hearing and was trying desperately to see it as another thing but the single factor keep coming back. Michiru was a prostitute and was leading Usagi into doing the same thinking Usagi was fresh untouched meat and should be invested for the…
A gasping Usagi stepped back from Michiru shaking her head wildly feeling choked like she'd just signed a contract to hell. Usagi didn't know much but she knew enough. Michiru didn't understand. She wasn't trying… she wasn't trying to work like this. Usagi simply figured Michiru HAD money, or friends with money. Enough…
I'm so stupid! Usagi scowled herself. I'm actually this ignorant?
Michiru looked at her nails. "Don't try to deny it girl. I've never seen you before, you're new, and you're an investment so let's go."
"You've got to be kidding me. I'm no ones investment! I'm just a kid!"
Michiru rolled her eyes. "Does anybody care?"
Usagi wanted to cry but was to tired and shocked and dead inside to cry.
Michiru breezed pass the shattered blond and turned eyeing her up and down turning up her lip. "Let's go… hoe."
Usagi threw a hand over her hair and stumbled forth almost to her knees.
"Listen you might as well get used to it now because that's what everybody out there is going to call you." Michiru tilted her head and went about again, "so let's go… hoe" in severe meat stripping echoing terror to Usagi's tender ears.
The blond started breathing heavily holding her chest. She wanted to throw up but didn't want to think about… the THINGS those types of people do. To think about them horrified her. It… everything was making her go insane. INSANE! INSANE! INSANE! INSANE! INSANE!
Out one trap and into another! Why was this happening!? Why was all this happeningggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg!? She should have known better than to go back out on the streets, especially this late, especially after the homeless man incident. Now this…!
Make it stop! Make it stop! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!
STOP ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
"No… never," Usagi fizzled. "I won't allow anymore pain. No more pain."
Suddenly Usagi reached out with a wolf's howl and tried desperately to rip at the eyes of Michiru who backed up quickly and threw a fist into Usagi's stomach able to dodge the blond's many swings. A group of other woman at the corner turned to look laughing. Michiru on the other hand seen it all before, she knew Usagi would seep right into the gang. There was always that first realization denial with the new girls and this was expected and all Michiru did was watch as Usagi hit the sidewalk on her knees gripping her bubbled stomach as if she was going to vomit feeling the wind blown out of her.
Michiru check her nails again everything with her so nonchalant. "I wish you'd stop acting childish and just come on here."
Through her golden bangs Usagi looked up fierce fully at the demon woman who drew her into her ever so enchanting dark spell.
"Listen, I get paid more for finding new girls that look suited and you do. I'm not letting you just leave you know. Try that mess again and you won't have any money to worry about spreading those sticks of your overs. Stop gripping and come on, god."
"Why are you doing this to me?" Usagi asked feeling herself becoming better. "Why won't you just leave me alone?"
"Becauseeeeeeee you nitwit! You don't WANT me to let you go. You're on the streets to make money and I'm trying to help!"
Usagi shook her head. "No, not make money like that."
Michiru folded her arms then demanded "like what?"
There was no answer because Usagi didn't know.
"Like I thought," Michiru pranced bending to help Usagi up who threw Michiru's hands from off her commanding she not touch her. Michiru pulled away willingly holding her palms up. "Listen you need money anyway it goes right?"
"Shut up," Usagi replied quickly resting her left shoulder against the brick wall of an empty convenience store they'd stopped at with their scenario. The thing was about Usagi was that she was somehow, somewhere feeling… okay… feeling like it was quick, yes hard, but maybe not so bad, but definitely something not to be a hobby of.
Then there was that side telling Usagi she was better than that…
"Alright," Michiru continued. "Three days. Three days you try it out and see how the money comes. You still don't like it? I'll let you go. You're a runaway anyway like all the rest."
"I can't… I can't do something like that."
"Yesss, you can girl. It's not as bad as you think it is. It's NOTHING like you think it is-"
"Liar!" Usagi cried pronouncing her recovery from Michiru's attack. "It's awful and I've… I've had…" Usagi trailed off.
Michiru picked up on this immediately. Seen it and heard it all before. Usagi had been raped. Simple pick up. The way the blond spoke, looked, and eyed Michiru. Tell-tell signs of someone who's already been through a lot.
"One day," Michiru renounced.
"You can't control people like this," Usagi whined near tears.
"I'm not controlling you. I'm offering you a quick easy way out of the situation you're in now. Everything takes sacrifices. You have to use what you got to get what you want. You and every girl on these streets has trouble getting to where they want to be in life, some have forgotten where they want to be and this is now where they'll be forevermore. But those with dreams have had them temperately shattered by families, business, everything, you name it. Some of these girls have no choice. They HAVE to rebuild what they've lost as quickly as possible and the 9-5 jobs just aren't cutting it for them. I can see it in you're eyes Usagi. It makes sense doesn't it? You're at a lost and you need money desperately and fast. Sacrifice a few nights of your sanity and let someone else feel at ease… pleasure. From them you receive the same through their wallet until you're where you want to be in life, or at least back on the tracks. Then this job, depending on you and it's money flow, won't mean a thing."
And it did. It made complete sense to Usagi. Then again Michiru seemed to have a way with words toward Usagi. Had her spellbound instantly.
Michiru seeing the blond struggle to discuss what was going on in her head tried once more to assure Usagi as softly as she could that it was going to be alright placing her hands on Usagi's shoulders. "It's going to be fine kid. I won't let anything happen you don't want to happen."
Usagi's puzzled confused brain pushed forward into tears as she began to remember things, remember her mother, her father, Shingo, and Makoto. She started to remember all the bad things and the good things. The things that were driving her crazy. She wanted somebody to talk to. Somebody to take the pain away. Some kind of help.
Michiru lightly wrapped her arms around Usagi and began to rub her head. "I can't believe you got me doing this in the middle of the streets but I'll let you know you don't have to do anything you don't want to. I just don't want to see a runaway such as yourself getting into the wrong crowd."
It's happening all to fast, Usagi's mind raced. I take a simple walk to try to clear my head and earn some fast money and I step into some kind of prostitution ring. How are things like this happening to me? I don't understand. Why is God allowing these things to happen to me? I once was so… young… innocent and now I'm… corrupted…
Corrupted…
That idea stood out to her so badly because it felt so strong to her. She's been corrupted, violated, abused like no other from her own blood. What possibly could following Michiru do to change or make her feel better when the worst has already happened? There's nothing worst than a parent abusing their child. What else did the world have to offer that was just as painful? Corrupt…
No but! What would Shingo say? How would he react once he learned how she was going about her sadden nights trying to make sure that at such a tender age of fifteen that she had the two somewhat well financed and balanced enough to step out onto another high adventure toward another country. What would Haruka say?
Usagi thought about that one and realized Haruka AND her sister was forced into doing it. At the time they had no choice.
But do I have a choice? Usagi wondered. Can I be different and make a difference? Am I just another victim of this or can I beat this? Can I find something better…?
No… of course not. No ones going to hire a fifteen year old drop out basically which a mountain of emotional turmoil and a tarnished ardor. Someone as graved looking as myself. And someone as WANTED as myself. But there just HAS to be another way!
Please God show me the other way…!
But maybe… it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe if I… keep my eyes on my goal I could put aside those awful dirty feelings of this job. Maybe if I keep my eyes on the money and my goals and Shingo being happy I could ignore those random bed-sake nights.
Maybe I'm just fifteen but… but… if I can survive my father's abuse I can survive this. And I never know… maybe this was a sign from God. For me to specifically walk this street and run into this lady and this lady recommend me this job mistaken that I was new at it. A sign. I'd sacrifice everything for Shingo and his future and if it means my sanity, my off well being, my mind, spirit, and body then… why should it be so hard? Shingo was too important.
Usagi's thoughts droned out as she began to focus everything she had into becoming a robot. To not feel anything, feel the eyes on her, feel that short man that Michiru took her too inside some honey nightclub. Usagi just looked at the man on the other side of his desk who puffed on his blunt his baldhead shining under the florescent lights. Amongst him two large men dressed in black standing at his sides in his small cramped office. An office covered with bill murals, naked women, and a sinful conscious of lust.
Usagi didn't want to think. Didn't want to react to any of it. She just let her thin small body sat in the squeaky chair opposite the man while Michiru stood above her explaining everything to the man. To his business. To his investments.
And the man eyed Usagi with such a sinful infatuation. His mouth guttering with an eagerness to taste the blond and her innocence. He liked her immediately and just watched the blond, watched her avoid his disturbing stares but then boldly return them. From where no one could see under the desk the old man rubbed his stubby psychosis legs together in placated needs.
"Her name's Usagi," Michiru continued to explain. "But she's going to need a stage-"
"Princess," the old man shot up his eyes flashing at Usagi with acknowledgement and a splintered smile. "We'll call her Princess."
Usagi jolted but remained calm. She didn't quite know exactly what to expect as Michiru led her on but Usagi knew she'd have to be strong no matter what and so far she was proving herself of it not being able to break down and cry like she longed for ever since she stepped into the club. The awful club.
She remembered it. The millions of girls even her age stepping in and out of the club as her and Michiru came to see the own, the boss they called Grandpa Hino, the oldest man in the business. How those girls looked at Usagi and sneered at her being the somewhat new girl coming to join in on the action seeing Usagi simply as a target of jealousy and envy for her looks. Usagi the new girl who was going to steal away all the men, but no. Usagi didn't want to think about it like that. If everything would just blow up before her eyes then maybe I'd all be all right.
The men who came into the club watched her too. Watched her like meat and it felt horrifying to her bones.
The blond had to push it all aside, she told herself only three days, just three days and Michiru would protect me.
Michiru and Grandpa Hino discussed matters before Usagi until they decided to throw her immediately into the VIP. Calloused Usagi just listened and looked, she didn't think, she didn't cry, she didn't do anything.
Michiru had second thoughts. "We're going to throw her in there already? She's just started though."
Grandpa Hino shrugged his chubby shoulders remaining his stare on Usagi with delight. "She's ready," he smiled. "She's definitely ready."
Usagi didn't twitch.
"Give her a few and she'll get loose, works every time."
Michiru sighed. "I told her I'd keep her safe. If I throw her in there with those animals they'll-"
Grandpa Hino shouted his face turning red. A man whose experienced it all and wasn't taking anything from what he saw was just flesh. Even though Michiru was his agent and fundamental sidekick he was sometimes sicken at her maternal ways. To him this was a business. He ran it like a business and this business didn't have room for any motherly business. It only had room for peccadillo and that was all he was taking.
Michiru, tucking her hair behind her ears, eyed the floor and nodded. "Yes sir I'll give her the best drink."
Usagi didn't twitch.
"That's better," Grandpa Hino smiled calmly lacing his finger over his stomach as he relaxed in his chair. "I will expect a lot from you Princess…"
Usagi didn't twitch.
"Michiru here will keep a close eye on you. If one of my costumers wants you, you do what they want, bring ME the money and you know, we'll work it on out."
Still sating stoned a single tear slid down Usagi's right eye. A single tear that didn't erupt her boldness, her remaining focus, her darkness which allowed itself to be set free possibly explaining to Usagi that she wasn't able to do this.
No one commented on the tear, Grandpa Hino and Michiru seen it all before. They just knew some girls lasted and some didn't.
With a swoosh of his hand Grandpa Hino adjourned the meeting without paperwork and a soft quiet Michiru demanded that Usagi to come along with her.
And Usagi followed…
Followed Michiru through the up rising catwalk from Grandpa Hino's office that over looked down on the club where lights were flashing like fever and people were on the dance floor, touching, feeling, and moving ever so closely against one another. Then on the sofas and seats and cages surrounding the dance floor, those abiding actions between two strangers. The music blared a devil's tune that entrapped the whole crowd turning them into imps of the power of the sinful sex. They were mad, the smoking, the drinking, the interaction between another of unknown officiates and the sheer raw power radiating death and destructions of generations after generations.
Even though the sights were like a small piece of reality the club, the whole world, was still remaining in black and white.
The two women clanked their feet against the catwalk toward the wiry stairs that led down into ocean of sex with a turn. Usagi eyed the crowd once and saw enough. She didn't think: "oh god what am I doing? I'm going to be just like them." Her only thoughts were on Shingo and the money she would make. She made note that she was clever enough, that somehow she could slip pass what was before her eyes and do it her way. And she was clever enough she thought to know that Grandpa Hino wasn't getting a dime of her earnings and she'd blow his got damn head off if he tried. This was toying with her life and Usagi wasn't going to take any crap from anyone.
Michiru led Usagi down a small flight of stairs into a dim ruby colored wall enclosing before a door marked: "Dressing Room" and she stopped Usagi the music muffled bit by bit to their ears. Michiru pressed Usagi against one wall outside the dressing room and her eyes raced into Usagi's. Michiru was about to apologize. There was something different about Usagi to her and she wasn't going to let the blond… she just couldn't…
"Go," Michiru spoke.
Usagi frowned her eyes confused but didn't want to speak.
Michiru closed her eyes for a short moment then strictly this time with a point of her finger toward the exit she commanded for Usagi to go.
The exit wasn't toward the dressing room but toward the dance floor toward… the escape.
Usagi opened her mouth but Michiru shook her head. "Just go you idiot. Get out of here; you're not ready for this. This would kill you. Just get the hell out."
Huh? Usagi wondered. Was she… letting me go? Allowing me a second chance to make my decision?
Usagi looked sympathetically at the weary Michiru puzzled and confused but barely able to speak.
Releasing me… she's setting me free before I get in too deep. She's allowing me to leave. But… I can't just leave… can I?
Michiru scuffed a laugh. "What're retarded or something? I'm letting you go why are you still here you're suppose to run?"
"Run from what?" Usagi's voice finally was able to choke up.
Michiru narrowed her eyes on Usagi feeling as if she'd judged the girl all to wrong. Usually when Michiru felt like she making a mistake she'd let them go and they'd run immediately but Usagi, Usagi to her had already made her choice and was standing her ground. So but how… how could this young girl be like this?
"Run from all THIS!" Michiru emphasized with her arms out stressfully not understanding why Usagi didn't understand what was going on. Or why she ACTED like she didn't but knew all too well. "Don't you understand you nitwit!? This is hell!"
Usagi shook her head determined to remain strong and stand by her proposals. "No, this isn't hell. Hell is far worst than this… far far worst."
Michiru silenced for a minute her hands on her hips as she eyed the ground her sea green bangs cascading over her eyes. Michiru remembered hell. She remembered what was worst. The abuse from her mother's boyfriend. The neglect and disbelief from her mother. Even though Michiru was twenty-two now those pass things… those were the things of hell. The betrayal of family, which was hell. This place to her was merely an aftershock side effect. She'd been sucked into the business like water down the drain and had not a single regret, but she did have a fear when she invited new girls. Michiru had been around awhile now and knew some of the horrible things that went on. Not only the abusive rape but also the drug abuse that went on. She'd seen many girls' come and go. And many girls find the man they've been waiting for all their life there. But she'd also seen many girls be murdered, she'd discovered bodies behind the club, in the bathroom, she was there. She'd seen the bodies of drug abused women and men collapsed on one another ready to be burned in the fires of hell.
Michiru had seen a lot in her pass nine years. Started when she was fourteen, 4.0 grade student who got lost in the streets of ravaged downhill district Tokyo. And Usagi… Usagi reminded Michiru of herself. Soft but yet so powerful inside not willing to back down but willing to not give it all she got but just to get the damn job done. She saw it in Usagi's eyes; she'd practically saw the betrayal in Usagi. Usagi was doing this all for herself, she wasn't doing this so that she could get the jewelry and the cars and the condos. Usagi was doing this for a dream and it was just pathetic for Michiru to see someone as bright as her be thrown off her path and began dancing around the devil's throne.
"My dad," Usagi choked suddenly explaining to Michiru trying to push away the silence. "My dad… he used to do horrible things to me. I think… no I KNOW; I'm ready for this. Nothing could be worst and I need the money quick and now."
Michiru shook her head pitifully. "You are so obtuse. You're just a stupid little girl."
"I'm not a little girl!" Usagi hollered fist rose. She was sick of it! Sick and got damn tired of her appearances as a little girl! She was more than that. She felt like a solider, a warrior in battle with a goal against the world. She felt strong, not the best but was acknowledged that there was going to be many shocks along the way. Enough was enough to her. She'd seen, heard, and had done what was worst. She wasn't a girl… she was a woman… and more than that… a warrior…
"You know what?" Usagi shrugged taking steps toward the dressing room door. She stopped holding the knob and turned to Michiru. "Go to hell Michiru." Peeling her eyes from a devastated Michiru Usagi opened the door and entered the pink glowing dressing room.
Left behind just looking Michiru watched and couldn't believe her eyes. Why was this little girl not realizing-?
"No," Michiru shook her head menacingly and followed marching in stormy steps. She entered the dressing room right behind Usagi who was already stripping down her clothes and slammed the door shut behind her jangling the mirrors tracing around the walls.
Usagi looked up like a bug at Michiru and other girls within the dressing room watched intensively. Another fight they figured. Michiru, the queen of good hearts but the spirit of good battles. The woman who held it down while the "Queen Bitch" higher in "power" was away on another seductive vacation.
"Listen here you little willow," Michiru pranced throwing her finger into Usagi's face her teeth gritting with frustration. As much as Michiru often battled with girls she didn't want to fight Usagi, she wanted Usagi to understand and the only way she knew how was to goad her slightly with attitude. To make Usagi see this wasn't really that kind of place to have dreams. That she'd lied because she saw Usagi as being vulnerable. This wasn't a place for someone as Usagi to have dreams because… all those with dreams never got to them and it was Michiru's fault for inviting the majority of them. She'd lied to all of them just like she lied to Usagi. No one ever leaves the ring without getting killed. For Michiru to have another guilty but unregretable conscious just shouldn't be the highlight of her year.
"What now?" Usagi asked throwing the sleeve of her tank top back onto her pale shoulders.
Michiru shoot a glance at several girls watching and ignored them turning back to Usagi. "Usagi you CAN'T do this. I lied. I lied about everything, girls with dreams come here and they die Usagi. They die."
She'd hoped Usagi got that but the blond stood her ground her head held high.
"Damnit are you listening," Michiru pressed. "Do I have to f***ing knock you out you idiot! People DIE here! If not mentally then physically! You can't allow yourself to be here! GO! Go find your dreams cause you won't find them here!"
"Michiru shut the f*** up babbling to that girl, damnit," a soft voice spoke into bravely where others feared to tread. Usagi and Michiru watched as a rather tall dark haired girl came stepping out from behind an open locker door slamming it shut then puffed her palms at her shortly cut neck-length black hair. "You're always being such a bitch. Don't make up excuses because the new girl looks like a killer to those dogs upstairs."
"Hotaru," Michiru grated her teeth lowly. Michiru's rival.
Hotaru, yet another victim, a once careless girl who was invited to join the club when a friend suggested they run away together. Hotaru unfortunately lost her friend years ago to what the club HAD to offer and remained just the same. Tall, boldly beautiful and exotic, the tempest of every men's desire… the Mistress. A black cloaked wave of a web and still only eighteen.
Hotaru walked toward one of the vanity mirrors giving Usagi a look up and down and took her place sitting combing at her hair dressed in black a see-through spidery outfit.
Hotaru looked at Michiru and Usagi through her mirror as she brushed her finely cut hair. To her Michiru was of course the flunk but also her rival which was an exciting thing to Hotaru.
"Why can't you just stay out of other peoples' business Hotaru?" Michiru's voice boomed.
"What business," Hotaru responded indifferently. "You're the one who came busting in here announcing all that bull so don't even."
Usagi was kind of struck between the two as she listened and watched.
Michiru wasn't in the mood to argue but she was in the mood to give up. She felt like there was nothing else she could really do. Usagi had to learn it all the hard way. The very, very, very, very, hard way. That is, if she survived.
Her eyes rolling from Hotaru back to Usagi. Michiru looked her deep in the eyes and told the solid blond that she was giving up. Told Usagi to look through the racks, find her an outfit, and get ready while Michiru herself was going upstairs to get Usagi a drink.
"If you're really going to do this," Michiru spoke delicately. "You're going to need something that would drone you on out. Something that won't make you think… just act."
Slipping off her tank top Usagi nodded and Michiru started to exit giving Usagi on last look from the door. One last pathetic look. "Silly bitch…" Michiru mouthed leaving outside the dressing room.
The door shut, thinking she'd heard her Usagi looked… empty.
"Well, well, well, so Lucy-Loose-Legs has finally left the building," Hotaru joked admiring her nails.
A roar of giggles evade around the dressing room. Usagi barely heard it as she made her way to the row after row after row of skimpy clothing on racks. She idly looked through them confused and not sure of what she wanted to try on. What would look appealing and comfortable to her and her… company? One that could possibly bring her a lot of money-
"Try this one."
Usagi looked up and there stood Hotaru at the end of the third row of racks holding up a navy blue loose mini skirt and a top which was nothing but a long scarf to Usagi.
When Hotaru saw that Usagi was comfortable with her presence she moved in closer watching the blond resist to avoid her eyes while she stood there among the racks in her panties and bra. Usagi HATED being the new person in any situation. All the adjusting, finding the people you do enjoy being with and those you don't. Getting comfortable with your atmosphere. It was painful but she didn't care. Three days and it was all over.
Trusting Hotaru's suggestion but hating the outfit all together Usagi agreed.
"Okay then drop them," Hotaru commanded nodding her head to what little dressing Usagi was wearing.
Usagi giggled nervously. "You've got to be kidding me. I have to wear something-"
"No you're not. So drop them," Hotaru cut in.
And as uneasy as ever Usagi giving Hotaru a drawing look began to strip of her clothing before the dark haired girl who watched Usagi sizing up her young body. To Hotaru it was okay, better than others and would prove to be a moneymaker.
Usagi naked and feeling cold with her arms wrapped around her chest and her legs pinched closed tight together took the skirt from Hotaru first and slipped it on quickly feeling embarrassed that she had nothing under it and the skirt was so short riding up her poor thin thighs. Hotaru then helped Usagi with the top, which she wrapped around Usagi's breast tight like a Christmas present ending it with a bow before Usagi's chest.
The blond felt like a clown and Hotaru looked her over.
"Shoes, shoes, shoes, shoes," Hotaru, pondered ideally. Once the idea struck she went dashing to the shoes rack leaving Usagi along feeling like an idiot.
"It's my first night and I'm already looking like a tramp. Why couldn't I've worn what she was wearing something," she looked down at her outfit, "not so… breezy."
"Here," Hotaru threw a pair of glittery red boots at Usagi's feet. "Zip them up and let's roll."
"Huh?" Usagi asked starting to place on the boots standing, she didn't want to sit placing the heavy boots on afraid of… the chills. And it was a struggle just standing in the boots which made her up a few inches higher.
Holding on to the top of the rack Usagi skirmished to maintain her balance while Hotaru swooped up her under clothes and what else Usagi left on one of the vanities and stuffed them into an empty locker.
"Time for the make up," Hotaru cheered and Usagi, happy to finally be able to sit, smiled flakily. Her bare butt slamming roughly into the wood chair before one mirror where she looked and all she could see was a stranger. A girl that was all grown up now and wasn't really her. As best she could Usagi tried not to look at her image and tried to think about Shingo, and tried to think about blaming all this on her father. The whole damn thing was his fault.
I wouldn't be here if he hadn't been so injudicious as to…. She thought. No way was it mom's fault. She couldn't control the fact that she died in the crash. It was his fault. HIS FAULT! HIS FAULT! HIS FAULT!
"I HOPE YOU DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" she suddenly screamed at her reflection her eyes burning and her face flustered with fire.
The dressing room grew silent and the girls watched Usagi's outburst giving her weird looks but the blond remained wheezing angry at herself at EVERYTHING staring at her reflection imaging blood, imaging death.
Feeling not the least bit embarrassed Usagi looked away from the mirror and threw her elbows on the vanity top while her palms held her soggy sweaty forehead.
Don't cry, she told herself. Don't. Don't. Don't cry. I know you want to but don't cry. You can't cry. Think about Shingo; think about our future. Just don't cry.
Hotaru stepped up a minute later demanding that Usagi try to keep her personal issues outside the club and began to use a wet towel (ME ME ME ME() to dabble at all the dirt over Usagi's body and face.
"We'll worry about washing your hair some other time, right now you need to get out there. Besides those hounds rarely care about the hair and you got some pretty hair regardless," Hotaru commented.
"Th – thanks," groaned Usagi.
About time Michiru came back with a glass of alcohol Hotaru had finished glitterizing Usagi. Usagi's hair was done back up into her buns and pigtails that Hotaru failed to do so Usagi done it herself while Hotaru finished her make up making Usagi look somewhat-
Michiru looked Usagi over. "Now Michiru, why do all the new girls under your make-up guidance look like fraught smuts?"
"At least their not one like you," Hotaru countered dabbing a little more blush on Usagi's pale cheeks.
"Please girl. You're the only one here who'll sleep with a guy with or without any money."
"I resent that," Hotaru scowled pausing to giving Michiru a dirty look. "Besides I'm not the slut who gave it up to that old bag Hino to get somewhere on top. Bet you didn't have much room to open that big mouth of yours from under his desk."
Michiru didn't reject… it was all true.
"Uh-huh, like I thought," Hotaru smiled into Usagi's face with a wink. "There."
Usagi half smiled trying to keep it from Michiru who'd obviously seen it and looked away into the ceiling sighing. "So are we going to get this girl ready or what?"
"Didn't I say I was done!?" Hotaru spat giving Usagi's bangs another bouncy brush.
"Well then stop!"
"I am stopping see!?" Hotaru threw the brush on the vanity and eyed up at Michiru warningly. "Happy?"
"Yes," Michiru said dryly pushing Hotaru out of the way. Michiru brought herself down to Usagi's sitting level holding up the glass of alcohol. She wasn't going to try and convince Usagi anymore. Just let her figure it out on her own. But if only she'd seen it before then all the lies wouldn't have had to be told and Usagi would be free.
Michiru did notice Usagi was nervous. "It's going to be alright. Here, drink this," she handed Usagi the glass. "It will calm you down and loosen you up some. But don't worry I'm going to be with you the whole time just don't… don't leave from my sight okay?"
Usagi nodded holding the cold glass.
"But what do I do? To get the money?"
"Dance!" Hotaru jumped in.
"Shut up you little witch," Michiru spat.
Hotaru started to attack but didn't bother. Assuming she didn't have to take Michiru's crap, with her nose in the air Hotaru turned and started to go upstairs to make that money.
Michiru took the glass from Usagi and sat it on the vanity and took Usagi's hand leading her to an area of the dressing room where full-length mirrors went around the walls.
"Here let me show you," Michiru insisted placing Usagi before her. Michiru took Usagi's hands as they both looked into the mirror and held Usagi slowly caressingly moving her hips and stomach soothingly against Usagi hoping Usagi would get the beat and follow. Slowly Usagi began to follow suit with Michiru's rhythmic moving. "Just sway with it girl. Think about being at home, dancing naked in the mirror. All that freedom with nobody to see you. Just go with it. Let it all out and move your body. Tease them lace your hand across your chest, thumb your lips, feel sexy, feel untouchable, feel powerful like you have them under your control."
Michiru moved away and Usagi looked even more nervous. "You got it?" Michiru asked.
"I… I – I think so."
"Good now drink down that glass and let's move it. Practice a little. You got seven minutes to be ready."
Usagi swallowed. She drunk down the alcohol choking the whole way taking each gulp at a time. She wasn't affected immediately.
"Body must not be getting it yet," Michiru noted. "It'll take time, let's go."
The two made tracks. A nervous Usagi feeling like she was about to leap out of her skin as they made their way to the VIP. Inside the isolated room filed with red dim lights with matching walls, Chinese lanterns, and a small fountain Usagi stepped in subsequently. Only about nine men and four girls at their company. They eyed Usagi like meat and she felt so ashamed as they looked licking their lips and opening their legs out to her flashing money anxious and ready. Several others were busy with the other working girls that were showing off their chest and servicing to the men as a tease. And the room smelled awful, heavy liquor, smoke, and sex. Usagi near vomiting struggled to keep focus it didn't last when-
WHACK! A sharp palm smacked her bottom from under her skirt painfully aching and she turned to look at the trespasser with Michiru at her side.
"Let's have it baby!" the drunk man went about goofily. The fool. "Let's give it on UP!"
"Do you got some got (god)-damn money?" Michiru demanding angrily. The man just looked. "Well shut the fu** up before I kick your ass!"
"Ooooooooooo!" the man made a face rearing up. "Sexy! Sexy!"
"Shut up you dumb ass!" Michiru rolled her eyes telling Usagi not to mind them and to remember that if a man touches you before paying then they don't have any money and shouldn't be bothered with.
Usagi remembered that all to well trying to avoid the urge to rub her behind. It felt like spikes.
Up against a sofa Michiru led Usagi where one middle-age Japanese man dressed in a business suit sat with two girls who quickly removed themselves from off him at Michiru's wake.
"Princess, meet the Doctor our local regular. Doctor meet Princess," Michiru introduced. The doctor was always the first one to try the new girls…
"Nice to meet you your highness," Doctor took Usagi's right hand and planted a kiss.
"How… ho – how could I be of any service to you?" Usagi asked meekly.
Usagi's eyes suddenly snapped open and she gasped at the heavy snoring figure resting next to her under the warm sheets. Sunlight was spewing through the hotel room into her eyes and Usagi remembered everything. Every single detail of her first night. The doctor invited her to his hotel instead of one of the private rooms in the club and the two did business simple as that. Usagi doing whatever he asked and was privileged to have been able to have not done much at all. The whole time she didn't think or feel, she just felt… she just let go with the help of Michiru's drink. She didn't speak as she brought himself onto her, she didn't say anything, when he asked to say his name her mouth was dry. After having her sick father on her abusively what did it matter? It was his pleasure not hers and she demanded for him to stay protected as he was being pleased. As sick as it was Usagi found some sense of relief in what happened. She felt no longer afraid but stronger. No longer a little girl but someone able to make their own decisions now.
Quiet and carefully Usagi slipped her naked long body out of bed and immediate shuffled on her clothes she had worn from the club as best she could and quickly went into the doctor's wallet. The two estimated the payment right before the actual service but Usagi wasn't having it. She wanted more and the blond stifled out what bills the doctor had and two credit cards along the way. She then went into his hotel closet where he kept his jacket and took that to wear among the streets over her outfit that early morning. Covering herself as best she could she made her way to the door stopped and turned to look at the sleeping man spread wide on the bed and wondered…
What if his family figures out? What would his wife do? And what if my own father did something like this? Those nights where he DIDN'T come home. How awful it might have been for him without a wife anymore. No, but that was still not a single excuse for him to target me.
Flustered with dissatisfaction Usagi concluded that the man worked poorly in bed and exited for the man to wake up in surprise. Him reporting anything to Hino or coming after Usagi himself seemed unlegislated to her even though she tried to drunken him out to his death with constant drinks. Ultimately it was something she wasn't going to worry about. It was early morning and a battered worn make-up face Usagi worked her way through the elegant carpeting of the hotel toward the elevator striding as fast as she could with a frown on her face trying to just run, run away from everything and not think about it all. Not think about her past and to move on. She hoped quickly into the elevator just as it was about to close with one of the bellboys at rescues Usagi thanked him and entered quietly with a smile along with an older woman and an older man who stood in one corner of the elevator eyeing her with loath.
Through the corners of her eyes she saw the woman whisper into the man's ear as they went about explaining the indecency of who Usagi was soon to be… a prostitute.
Did Usagi care?
Nope. All she thought about was the two credit cards and bills she kept in the pockets of the man's coat, her hands whisking around through them with joy realizing everything wasn't so bad after all.
Ding.
First floor…
The bellboy stepped out first trailing Usagi who turned around and stuck a finger at the old woman and man who gasped with a dainty: "Oh my word…"
Usagi cheerfully rampaging her easy quick fast success in her pockets managed to skip her way through the front hotel lobby and out onto the streets of Tokyo heading for the club to gather up her clothes then head to the boathouse.
Usagi didn't find Michiru or Hotaru as she'd wanted to. The club was empty of course but of a few girls who did some work rounds while it was close. Usagi walked happily across the dance floor to the opposite side down into the dressing room, which was empty. She quickly made a change pulling her jeans, tank top, underclothes, and sweat jacket out of her locker. Wiped the make up from her face, let her hair down back out of its buns and pigtails, which were already ravaged and then sighed looking at her in the mirror.
"It was that easy," she told her reflection. "That easy and fast."
Suddenly the door of the dressing room opened up and in peeked another working girl. Usagi turned in surprise.
"Hey Princess the boss wants to see you," the girl informed.
"Tell him I'm not here," Usagi replied starting toward the girl with dangerous steps.
"But he saw you come in through the monitor so he-"
"Didn't I just say tell him I'm not here," Usagi grated her teeth into the girl's face.
The girl swallowed and nodded keeping the door open for Usagi who dashed out going back into the streets.
Usagi's good mood faded when she got back to the boathouse that early morning. Shingo was up, had been waiting all night for her since she left for the hospital and was munching on a bowl of cereal while watching cartoons on Haruka's portable TV. Haruka herself was still at the hospital and two of the gang girls were still asleep who Usagi ordered to watch Shingo.
"Usagi!" Shingo greeted cheerfully flopping off his stool running to give his sister a hug that stood nimbly at the boathouse door. Usagi gave him a small hug back but her mind seemed far off because for once, once she saw Shingo she felt guilty and felt… sick. "Jeez you stink," Shingo commented. "Where'd you sleep last night? A dumpster?"
Usagi laughed deprecatingly pulling her brother from off her telling him she was going to go shower.
"Ummm, okay, glad you're back."
"Thanks," she rubbed his head.
Shingo jumped back on his stool and got back to his cereal and cartoons.
Forcing herself to walk Usagi moved through the cramp boathouse to the small bathroom holding the walls and once there she closed the door behind her, her head spinning and her stomach flip-flopping inside her. She clicked the dim light above the mirror and looked at her reflected. She felt like a monster once again. And it would have all been so easy for her if she weren't doing this for Shingo. Out there it was easy, easy even for her first day to let the work just drive her, but once she got back to her brother's heart it became a battle between emotions. The easy feelings were gone and the guilty ones were back. The dark ones. The insane ones.
Reaching into her sweat jacket pockets Usagi tossed all the bills and the two credit cards onto the sink and covered her tired hands over her eyes slowly moving them through the racking of her hair. Looking at her inhuman self.
Sure, the money was fast and easy, and she needed it but the whole emotional ups and down process behind it involving Shingo resulting in just one night. Was she strong and willing enough to handle this? At least for two more days? Could she work loose at nights but come home remorseful at daybreak to see her brother's innocent face. The innocence he held but she didn't… no… both their innocence was gone. Shingo killed their father and Usagi, in order to take care of him, was reduced to being someone's bitch prostituting and shuffling around someone else's, Grandpa Hino's, money. Grandpa Hino, the man in charge, the supposing pimp.
No, Usagi wasn't playing that game. He was more of an investment to her than she was to him. He got her the easy jobs where she wouldn't have to walk the streets where the men came to her all in one and different attributes, he was getting nothing in return and that was plain and simple.
Usagi was about to vomit. Her stomach seemed to punch in until she flushed out the burning sensation into the toilet. The strewing speedy acid liquid going throughout her into space and down into the toilet like an exorcism. She held her hair back with each heaving pounce. Like she was relieving herself of a dispatching massive of demons who'd turned her life upside down with one walk on the streets, with one conversation, with one parent's death… her mother's.
Stopping at a coughing choke the blond held her aching throat feeling finished. No more demons. Yeah right, they were still there.
The toilet flushed and Usagi lifted up back at her reflection and began gathering up her collection wrapping them up and placing it in the corner near the soap dish on the sink. Feeling sick and in need of sleep she began to strip herself of her clothing as she ran the shower water even though wanting to take a bath. Once inside the shower she felt somewhat clean. All those nasty feelings, that stranger's touches, they seemed to wash away bit by bit. The sweat, the heat, everything, she tried to wash it all way. To clean herself. Scrubbing herself hard until her skin felt raw. Wash the smells out of her hair. Wash! Wash! Wash! Wash! Wash! Wash it all away; be free of it.
It was an hour before Usagi felt like she was a clean good girl and she stepped out of the shower and was immediately rushed with a knock on the door.
"Usagi!" Shingo's small voice exploded in panic.
The girl wrapped a towel around her and opened the door wet dripping and her skin aching like fire. Shingo stood there before the door shaking his hands as she pointed toward the front of the boathouse where he once was and stuttering as he explained…
"Us – Usagi Haruka has been arrested!"
"Wha – what?"
The two kids pushed their way toward the portable TV Usagi's bare cold wet body chilling itself like ice with each step. They peered into the tiny TV where a dark haired woman stood outside the Tokyo Police Department with her microphone in hand and behind her was Haruka being led handcuffed by a dark-haired officer up the stairs and into the station.
"… The young lady hasn't did anything proven YET so the police department expects but her and a local doctor, which name we won't reveal, has been placed under arrest for questioning in the case of two missing children the actual arrest made just an hour ago…"
The screened flashed and once again there was Shingo and Usagi's once happy faces, which sent chills up both their spines.
"… From the incident a few nights ago involving the murder of their father. Now these two arrested here may be involved with this case and the questioning should prove to be vigorous by the officers unless set out on bail. The police department has reason to believe that one of the missing children were at the hospital last night in the company of these two women. The doctor herself under some unknown circumstances aided one of the children from arrest.
"Now reports aren't clear on the case of the children and their deceased murdered father. The police are still looking into the case of whether this was a murder and kidnap or that ONE of the actual children murdered their father. Apparently now with the notation that one of the children appeared at the hospital last night that the idea of kidnap might not be the case after all…"
I didn't! I didn't! I didn't! I didn't! Usagi's head screamed. I didn't! I didn't! I didn't! I didn't!
"What're we going to do?" Shingo asked frighten looking at a deranged Usagi who held her hands cupped over her ears steadily walking backwards shaking her head. "What's wrong!?"
"I didn't!" she chanted this time out loud. "I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't."
"Didn't what!? What's wrong with you!?"
"I DIDN'TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!" Usagi flew from the room. The walls were closing in on her. Closing suffocating her. Choking her. Depriving her of her sanity. One trap after another. One insane stunt after another. One life to pay after another.
"What's going on?" one of the gang girls asked waking up from her sleep as Usagi struggled to put on her clothes in the room with her. Usagi couldn't speak. She was going insane. "Usagi what's going on!? Who was yelling!?"
"Haruka's been arrested!" Shingo chirped up walking into the room just as his sister was dressed.
The girl shot out of one of the bunks. "Arrested? What? What for?"
Shingo shrugged.
"I have to go get her," Usagi managed to speak through her panic brushing her hair with hard long hair-pulling strokes. "I have to go save her."
"No, no, no, no, waittttttttt a minute," the girl stepped before her. "You can't go you're on the loose girlfriend."
"I HAVE TO GO SAVE HERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Usagi then roared with fire screaming, screaming, all that horrible screaming.
SW-WACK!
The pain. The shocking pain echoing through her cheeks sent a signal. A fire to her brain. She… she was getting a whole again. She was regaining some sense of herself again. That trepidation, that demon who told her to get out of control, who told her to go insane suddenly tucked itself back into the corners of her brain and Usagi just looked at her, the girl who'd slapped her redden cheek trying to make the pain go away, trying to make the demons disperse.
Usagi and the girl just looked at each other. And looked. The girl didn't look angry she looked afraid of Usagi. Afraid of those… eyes. Those same eyes. Those wild insane eyes.
"Oh my god," Usagi moaned eyes wide like wildfire. "I'm losing my mind." Her hands trembling violently before her face.
She began to crumble to the floor but the girl caught her holding her shoulders. "No you're not. You're just stressed you've been through a lot. Go to sleep and let me handle this."
"But-"
"Goooooo, to sleep," the girl pressed foremost the shaken blond toward the bunk she previously was resting in. She settled Usagi in comfortable and Usagi told her…
"In the bathroom, take two of those credit cards do whatever you can with them."
The girl nodded. "Okay. I'll do it only if you stay here and rest. Go to sleep."
Usagi swallowed. "Sleep, okay."
"Shingo go bring your sister a glass of water."
Shingo scurried out the room quickly feeling ailing of those eyes Usagi had planted in his mind. Those awful eyes. As he poured the glass of water for his sister he nearly dropped the glass because of the intensely of those eyes playing through his brain.
Shingo was too afraid to give Usagi the glass of water, all he could do was leave it near to her on the floor while she picked it up herself without question.
Mamoru looked around throwing his hand through his hair exhausted at Haruka's constant cursing and unwillingness to cooperate. What did it TAKE for him to make the girl shut her trap about everything else and tell him what he wanted to know? It's been nearly an hour since they investigated the hospital and took the girl and a doctor under arrest. Mamoru could barely deal with it any longer. Time and time again it was always the same thing when it came to her arrest.
Tired Mamoru looked one more time at Haruka in the confessional small isolated room with a desk and two chairs and a nasty glowing pale light. "Please, please, please, please," he begged. "Tell me someth-"
"Kiss my ass," she spat before he could finish.
"Got damnit!" Mamoru shot up, lifted the heavy wood chair and tossed it into a corner.
Haruka just looked.
Heaving his fist clinched at his side Mamoru started to acquire back his cool. He couldn't lose it. Not now.
"Alright," he sighed rubbing down his tie. "I won't ask you anyyyyyyyyy more questions. I'll just be leaving right out of your way."
Mamoru stepped toward the door, opened, looked back at her. "See, I'm leaving. Oneeeeeeeee step at a time."
Haruka just looked.
"SAY SOMETHING DAMNIT!" Mamoru roared again.
"STOP YELLING AT ME YOU CLOD!"
Mamoru shook his finger at her. "See that's a good one right there. Calling me a clod."
"Go to hell."
Mamoru slammed the door shut and outside out of Haruka's sight began to grind his joints in frustration this teeth flaking in mid-grind.
"Coffee?" Motoki offered outside the door from nowhere.
"Yeah," Mamoru took the cup and gulped it down in one swallow tossing the empty paper cup behind him as Setsuna's exotic body came streaming toward them.
"What a day, what a day," she sung the three of them eyeing one another outside the confessional. "The girl's about to be set free."
"Free?" Mamoru narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, someone came up with the cash or something. Still didn't get anything out of her?"
"Not a thing," Motoki replied for Mamoru slowly massaging his tense shoulders. "This case is getting really ridicules. I mean the chief told us not to get on it but why are we three still like trying?"
"I don't know," Setsuna answered. "We should be thinking about other things shouldn't we?"
There was a pause.
"Well I'm going to figure this out if it kills me," Mamoru said darkly giving the floor a cold eye. "Even if it kills me alright."
E-MAIL: MoonTowel18@msn.com
TITLE: Papa-Kenji… Please No More
RATING: PG-13
NOTE: Breakdown time. Now it's time for the story to get a little more weirderrrrrrrrr. *Yawn, yawn,* I'm sleepyyyyyyy. Okay well read on while I think up some other stuff to put here. AHHHHHHHHHHHH, damn how long has it been? 3 weeks? Uh-ohhhhhhhhhhhh! Yeah I was in the middle of right when Usagi meets… oh can't spoil the story, but it's someone special. Well anyway, from that point that's where I lost my train of thought and the story kinda vanished a little but it's BACK now. E-mailing me what'cha think! Warning: Strong language.
DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon 1992-2001. Naoko Takeuchi. Kondansha Ltd. And Toei Animation.
THANKS: Naoko
~~~~~~~~~~PAPA-KENJI… PLEASE NO MORE~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 4
Disgusted. Ugly. Horrible destroyed monster-looking girl. Usagi stood quivering glaring routinely at her reflection in the darkness of the small cramped boathouse bathroom. She knew she should have found somewhere else but she didn't want to. She didn't want to go back out there, she couldn't. No more. Couldn't take it anymore. So she looked at her insolvent self, a girl that looked damaged no longer healthy with worn puffy-red eyes, paling skin, and chapped lips. Those were the crucial things that stood out to her. The rest seem to be just there, abused enough perhaps so much not to notice.
And so she continued to stare standing there or her bruised legs looking at her reflection in the diffuse light of the cramped boathouse bathroom.
No more dreams… no monies.
Usagi prepared herself for this… was she ready? Could she really do it? Was she strong, brave enough to go through with this? To end this completely?
Still…
Visions of her just minutes ago, kissing a sleeping Shingo on the head after coming from the hospital stayed printed on her mind and how much he needed him so much. She felt ashamed and foolish for thinking about being so selfish as to take her own life when there was just so much more later on in her future. And as much as she felt tired and ready to give up now she just didn't want to see what could be ahead. Dead she would have no other options but to lay still in some coffin, shallow, but cut away from the world. Sounded pleasing.
Thinking vigilantly about what she was doing Usagi closed her eyes and began to sniffle as she collected herself together no longer in her fearsome panic to demolish her life. She dropped the bottle of random pills she'd found in the medicine cabinet, she dropped the bottle of liquid detergent, all just clanking down against the floor as if disappearing giving her another chance.
Wiping her eyes she looked back at the dead-girl reflecting in the mirror and couldn't believe herself. Couldn't believe what she was about to do. Take all those pills and guzzle them down with liquid detergent. How stupid she felt! Ashamed and stupid! And weak! She was too afraid to do anything else. It was hard for her to keep positive and believe but she knew, it was just important. Her mother taught her too much about strength for Usagi to deny everything and end it so dishonorably. She could also image the horror on Shingo's face when he would wake up and find his only family now lying there on this cold stone floor, her eyes bugged out, her hair thin and dry, her… dead. She could see Shingo counting it off with his fingers, mother, father, now and my sister.
Usagi trembled asking God why did she want this as she dropped to the floor roughly on her butt. She just sat there in the cramped room eyes over her face praying and asking God to stop all this. To relieve her of everything. Demanding to know how'd she deserve this. What did she do that was so wrong to make all this happen to her?
Usagi pulled her knees up to her chest and hugged herself soundlessly sobbing.
Even though this is happening I have to stay stronger and beat this, her thoughts structured. Even though I no longer have any money I have to keep trying. I HAVE to beat this time in my life. I have to learn the lesson behind with this horrible price. I won't give up, not for anyone! I have to keep my faith.
As much as she tried to stone that into her brain… there as the smallest doubt. And the restless girl then placed her thoughts on finding a way to earn some money without getting involved with the police tabling themselves to finding her. Now more than ever she was determined to take care of her and Shingo. Whatever it takes…
Mamoru's nightstand phone went ablaze and the man shoot up his head from under his covers giving it a frowning look in the gloom of is tiny apartment bedroom. Good thing he wasn't sleep yet his thoughts still on that strange girl he met earlier last night by that house.
Mamoru gave the phone a look in the dark moonlit room then flopped his head back on the bed, using his right hand he stretched over and retrieved the phone…
"Hello," he croaked.
"It's me Setsuna!" Setsuna's charming voiced went about on the other end almost not the least bit caring to interrupt the detective's sleep. "I know it's late… well early but I think we have another led. You remember our juvenile friend Makoto? Well she was visited at the hospital; someone says it was the girl you're looking for… Usagi and of course Makoto's troubled sister."
At that Mamoru sat up. "Usagi, she was there?" he asked wide-awake.
"That's what we got. We also got Makoto's sister in for questing and one of the doctors working with the Makoto girl. Just wanted to let you know if you want to come down here and help me out with getting these people to talk after we leave the hospital. It's going to be pretty late with all the rounds we're making but we'll be taking them to the station soon enough Probably by daybreak."
Mamoru looked at his clock. Ten minutes after tweleve in the morning. He'd stayed up later/earlier than that working nearly every night. It didn't matter that today was the one-day he was able to get a full night of sleep; it didn't matter at all.
"I'm on my way," he informed Setsuna jumping out of bed.
With her head low Usagi walked down the horrid streets toward no particular destination. She just had to get out of the wobbly boathouse and do something radical, like steal. She just didn't know where exactly or how. She was in that part of the city anyway, the "troubled" area. So it wouldn't be so hard for her to find something, some way to acquire some money quickly.
Usagi's only thoughts were on escape. Getting away from everything. She felt like she was going to do this. She was going to make it happen. All her dreams were going to come true; it just took passion and work to get there. She'd always enjoyed working in the school theatre, she'd always enjoyed singing her heart out, she wanted to be a star plain and simple and was dedicated to making that come true.
Perhaps…
Usagi stopped walking and began to go weak at her knees barbered with a sudden flush of stressful depression that wouldn't allow her to continue her small stepping as a beautiful sea-green haired woman came brushing pass her stopped and turned toward the shaken blond.
The woman threw her hands on her hips and turned spike fully toward Usagi demanding to know what was the matter out of nowhere to Usagi's blunt senses. With her arms wrapped around herself feeling cold and fearful of her surroundings Usagi turned wearily toward the woman wondering what did she mean and was immediately took-back by the woman's skimpy appearance. Shyly Usagi looked away and choked out a "nothing" as meek as the small trampled mouse she was.
The sea-green hair woman chuckled a little brushing her beautiful wavy hair over her shoulders and giving her head a toss throwing back her bangs something that caught Usagi as someone professional. "Can't get a date huh? Well there's no wonder. Look at you. You look awful."
Usagi blinked. "I… I look awful?"
"Yeah," the woman reached over touching Usagi enduringly on the cheek that felt a shiver of coldness rip below her spine like a soft tingle. The woman pulled off Usagi's sweat jacket revealing the blond's pale fleshy shoulders under a plain tight night-blue tank top. The woman scoffed at this look giving Usagi a scrunched up look. "And THIS is how you make money girl? With that? No wonder you look messed up and broke."
Usagi shook her puzzled head. "I'm… I'm sorry but I'm confused here. What do you mean? I don't understand."
The woman smiled at Usagi rolling her eyes. "Here," she threw the sweat jacket into a startled Usagi's face. "You must be new. Follow me," and so the woman swished her hips in led while a naive Usagi followed giving the fact that she needed money and that it was stupid of her to follow this insane stranger. But she did so…
What do I have to lose? Usagi wondered. If I want to make it… I… I have to do whatever I have to do…
If only she knew…
Usagi's eyes seem to never look away from the woman who absently, from out of nowhere, led the teenage blond through the block in no particular direction that Usagi could find herself taking note of. All Usagi knew was that there was money somewhere and she was going to trust this stranger to get apart of it.
Not watching a step of where she was going Usagi bumped into a large man passing her by and thought nothing about it until the man turned sharply and grabbed Usagi roughly around the waist. Immediately, after all her forcing violations the blond instinctively screamed at the top of her lungs for the large man to release her as she batted and swatted at his face until she felt his overwrought muscles allow her to slip from his arms where she hurriedly went seeking defense along side the strange woman who in turn told the man to get lost with a snap of her fingers.
"What the hell?" the man protested eyeing Usagi who cowered in the ideal warmth of her sweat jacket her lips quivering and her eyes already burning with fire.
"Didn't you hear me the first time!?" the strange woman demanded to know. "I said beat it! You got that!?"
The man frown his monstrous face on the two then gazed at the stranger, saw there was no chance and made an attempt to warn the two. "Aye f*** you babe!" he spat flicking the two off then trampled down the sidewalk talking under his breath.
"You'll never get that lucky asshole!" the sea-green haired woman hollered back watching him disappear with a disregarding wave of his hand. The woman traditionally threw her hands on her hips forgetting a second about the small girl hovering around her as if for protection. "What the hell is your problem?"
Usagi felt sick wondering why was she yelling at her. Usagi didn't do anything wrong and what was going on!? Where was this stranger leading her and why was she following her like it was nothing? Why was her mind telling her no yet her body was telling her yes?
Usagi choked on her words and the trite woman rubbed the blond's head. "I keep forgetting you're just a kid," she spoke compassionately. "When a man grabs you like that you got to aim girl not cry and scream and shout unless you're somewhere alone." The woman rubbed a hand through her hair looking up for a second then back down at Usagi. "So what's your name anyway?"
The blond contemplated on whether she should tell her but decided there was no point in holding it back. "Usagi."
"Humph, Michiru. Nice to meet you."
"Umm… likewise."
Why am I so afraid of her? Usagi's thoughts went about looking into Michiru's eyes. She's so… strange and mysterious. I'm scared of her but I can somehow trust her.
Michiru brushed a hand around Usagi's neck and cheek then commented on how cute Usagi was. "You're young. Should be a nice investment."
"Investment?" Usagi frowned.
"Yeah now come on." Michiru started leading again until Usagi came staggering into her path looking up at Michiru with sad fearful eyes and asked again…
"Investment?"
"Yes," Michiru pressed. "You're on the streets to make money right? You're new. You're cute. Might as well make you the best offer now before you let those other turn you into just another street trash."
Usagi wasn't believing what she was hearing and was trying desperately to see it as another thing but the single factor keep coming back. Michiru was a prostitute and was leading Usagi into doing the same thinking Usagi was fresh untouched meat and should be invested for the…
A gasping Usagi stepped back from Michiru shaking her head wildly feeling choked like she'd just signed a contract to hell. Usagi didn't know much but she knew enough. Michiru didn't understand. She wasn't trying… she wasn't trying to work like this. Usagi simply figured Michiru HAD money, or friends with money. Enough…
I'm so stupid! Usagi scowled herself. I'm actually this ignorant?
Michiru looked at her nails. "Don't try to deny it girl. I've never seen you before, you're new, and you're an investment so let's go."
"You've got to be kidding me. I'm no ones investment! I'm just a kid!"
Michiru rolled her eyes. "Does anybody care?"
Usagi wanted to cry but was to tired and shocked and dead inside to cry.
Michiru breezed pass the shattered blond and turned eyeing her up and down turning up her lip. "Let's go… hoe."
Usagi threw a hand over her hair and stumbled forth almost to her knees.
"Listen you might as well get used to it now because that's what everybody out there is going to call you." Michiru tilted her head and went about again, "so let's go… hoe" in severe meat stripping echoing terror to Usagi's tender ears.
The blond started breathing heavily holding her chest. She wanted to throw up but didn't want to think about… the THINGS those types of people do. To think about them horrified her. It… everything was making her go insane. INSANE! INSANE! INSANE! INSANE! INSANE!
Out one trap and into another! Why was this happening!? Why was all this happeningggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggg!? She should have known better than to go back out on the streets, especially this late, especially after the homeless man incident. Now this…!
Make it stop! Make it stop! STOP IT! STOP IT! STOP IT!
STOP ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!
"No… never," Usagi fizzled. "I won't allow anymore pain. No more pain."
Suddenly Usagi reached out with a wolf's howl and tried desperately to rip at the eyes of Michiru who backed up quickly and threw a fist into Usagi's stomach able to dodge the blond's many swings. A group of other woman at the corner turned to look laughing. Michiru on the other hand seen it all before, she knew Usagi would seep right into the gang. There was always that first realization denial with the new girls and this was expected and all Michiru did was watch as Usagi hit the sidewalk on her knees gripping her bubbled stomach as if she was going to vomit feeling the wind blown out of her.
Michiru check her nails again everything with her so nonchalant. "I wish you'd stop acting childish and just come on here."
Through her golden bangs Usagi looked up fierce fully at the demon woman who drew her into her ever so enchanting dark spell.
"Listen, I get paid more for finding new girls that look suited and you do. I'm not letting you just leave you know. Try that mess again and you won't have any money to worry about spreading those sticks of your overs. Stop gripping and come on, god."
"Why are you doing this to me?" Usagi asked feeling herself becoming better. "Why won't you just leave me alone?"
"Becauseeeeeeee you nitwit! You don't WANT me to let you go. You're on the streets to make money and I'm trying to help!"
Usagi shook her head. "No, not make money like that."
Michiru folded her arms then demanded "like what?"
There was no answer because Usagi didn't know.
"Like I thought," Michiru pranced bending to help Usagi up who threw Michiru's hands from off her commanding she not touch her. Michiru pulled away willingly holding her palms up. "Listen you need money anyway it goes right?"
"Shut up," Usagi replied quickly resting her left shoulder against the brick wall of an empty convenience store they'd stopped at with their scenario. The thing was about Usagi was that she was somehow, somewhere feeling… okay… feeling like it was quick, yes hard, but maybe not so bad, but definitely something not to be a hobby of.
Then there was that side telling Usagi she was better than that…
"Alright," Michiru continued. "Three days. Three days you try it out and see how the money comes. You still don't like it? I'll let you go. You're a runaway anyway like all the rest."
"I can't… I can't do something like that."
"Yesss, you can girl. It's not as bad as you think it is. It's NOTHING like you think it is-"
"Liar!" Usagi cried pronouncing her recovery from Michiru's attack. "It's awful and I've… I've had…" Usagi trailed off.
Michiru picked up on this immediately. Seen it and heard it all before. Usagi had been raped. Simple pick up. The way the blond spoke, looked, and eyed Michiru. Tell-tell signs of someone who's already been through a lot.
"One day," Michiru renounced.
"You can't control people like this," Usagi whined near tears.
"I'm not controlling you. I'm offering you a quick easy way out of the situation you're in now. Everything takes sacrifices. You have to use what you got to get what you want. You and every girl on these streets has trouble getting to where they want to be in life, some have forgotten where they want to be and this is now where they'll be forevermore. But those with dreams have had them temperately shattered by families, business, everything, you name it. Some of these girls have no choice. They HAVE to rebuild what they've lost as quickly as possible and the 9-5 jobs just aren't cutting it for them. I can see it in you're eyes Usagi. It makes sense doesn't it? You're at a lost and you need money desperately and fast. Sacrifice a few nights of your sanity and let someone else feel at ease… pleasure. From them you receive the same through their wallet until you're where you want to be in life, or at least back on the tracks. Then this job, depending on you and it's money flow, won't mean a thing."
And it did. It made complete sense to Usagi. Then again Michiru seemed to have a way with words toward Usagi. Had her spellbound instantly.
Michiru seeing the blond struggle to discuss what was going on in her head tried once more to assure Usagi as softly as she could that it was going to be alright placing her hands on Usagi's shoulders. "It's going to be fine kid. I won't let anything happen you don't want to happen."
Usagi's puzzled confused brain pushed forward into tears as she began to remember things, remember her mother, her father, Shingo, and Makoto. She started to remember all the bad things and the good things. The things that were driving her crazy. She wanted somebody to talk to. Somebody to take the pain away. Some kind of help.
Michiru lightly wrapped her arms around Usagi and began to rub her head. "I can't believe you got me doing this in the middle of the streets but I'll let you know you don't have to do anything you don't want to. I just don't want to see a runaway such as yourself getting into the wrong crowd."
It's happening all to fast, Usagi's mind raced. I take a simple walk to try to clear my head and earn some fast money and I step into some kind of prostitution ring. How are things like this happening to me? I don't understand. Why is God allowing these things to happen to me? I once was so… young… innocent and now I'm… corrupted…
Corrupted…
That idea stood out to her so badly because it felt so strong to her. She's been corrupted, violated, abused like no other from her own blood. What possibly could following Michiru do to change or make her feel better when the worst has already happened? There's nothing worst than a parent abusing their child. What else did the world have to offer that was just as painful? Corrupt…
No but! What would Shingo say? How would he react once he learned how she was going about her sadden nights trying to make sure that at such a tender age of fifteen that she had the two somewhat well financed and balanced enough to step out onto another high adventure toward another country. What would Haruka say?
Usagi thought about that one and realized Haruka AND her sister was forced into doing it. At the time they had no choice.
But do I have a choice? Usagi wondered. Can I be different and make a difference? Am I just another victim of this or can I beat this? Can I find something better…?
No… of course not. No ones going to hire a fifteen year old drop out basically which a mountain of emotional turmoil and a tarnished ardor. Someone as graved looking as myself. And someone as WANTED as myself. But there just HAS to be another way!
Please God show me the other way…!
But maybe… it wouldn't be so bad. Maybe if I… keep my eyes on my goal I could put aside those awful dirty feelings of this job. Maybe if I keep my eyes on the money and my goals and Shingo being happy I could ignore those random bed-sake nights.
Maybe I'm just fifteen but… but… if I can survive my father's abuse I can survive this. And I never know… maybe this was a sign from God. For me to specifically walk this street and run into this lady and this lady recommend me this job mistaken that I was new at it. A sign. I'd sacrifice everything for Shingo and his future and if it means my sanity, my off well being, my mind, spirit, and body then… why should it be so hard? Shingo was too important.
Usagi's thoughts droned out as she began to focus everything she had into becoming a robot. To not feel anything, feel the eyes on her, feel that short man that Michiru took her too inside some honey nightclub. Usagi just looked at the man on the other side of his desk who puffed on his blunt his baldhead shining under the florescent lights. Amongst him two large men dressed in black standing at his sides in his small cramped office. An office covered with bill murals, naked women, and a sinful conscious of lust.
Usagi didn't want to think. Didn't want to react to any of it. She just let her thin small body sat in the squeaky chair opposite the man while Michiru stood above her explaining everything to the man. To his business. To his investments.
And the man eyed Usagi with such a sinful infatuation. His mouth guttering with an eagerness to taste the blond and her innocence. He liked her immediately and just watched the blond, watched her avoid his disturbing stares but then boldly return them. From where no one could see under the desk the old man rubbed his stubby psychosis legs together in placated needs.
"Her name's Usagi," Michiru continued to explain. "But she's going to need a stage-"
"Princess," the old man shot up his eyes flashing at Usagi with acknowledgement and a splintered smile. "We'll call her Princess."
Usagi jolted but remained calm. She didn't quite know exactly what to expect as Michiru led her on but Usagi knew she'd have to be strong no matter what and so far she was proving herself of it not being able to break down and cry like she longed for ever since she stepped into the club. The awful club.
She remembered it. The millions of girls even her age stepping in and out of the club as her and Michiru came to see the own, the boss they called Grandpa Hino, the oldest man in the business. How those girls looked at Usagi and sneered at her being the somewhat new girl coming to join in on the action seeing Usagi simply as a target of jealousy and envy for her looks. Usagi the new girl who was going to steal away all the men, but no. Usagi didn't want to think about it like that. If everything would just blow up before her eyes then maybe I'd all be all right.
The men who came into the club watched her too. Watched her like meat and it felt horrifying to her bones.
The blond had to push it all aside, she told herself only three days, just three days and Michiru would protect me.
Michiru and Grandpa Hino discussed matters before Usagi until they decided to throw her immediately into the VIP. Calloused Usagi just listened and looked, she didn't think, she didn't cry, she didn't do anything.
Michiru had second thoughts. "We're going to throw her in there already? She's just started though."
Grandpa Hino shrugged his chubby shoulders remaining his stare on Usagi with delight. "She's ready," he smiled. "She's definitely ready."
Usagi didn't twitch.
"Give her a few and she'll get loose, works every time."
Michiru sighed. "I told her I'd keep her safe. If I throw her in there with those animals they'll-"
Grandpa Hino shouted his face turning red. A man whose experienced it all and wasn't taking anything from what he saw was just flesh. Even though Michiru was his agent and fundamental sidekick he was sometimes sicken at her maternal ways. To him this was a business. He ran it like a business and this business didn't have room for any motherly business. It only had room for peccadillo and that was all he was taking.
Michiru, tucking her hair behind her ears, eyed the floor and nodded. "Yes sir I'll give her the best drink."
Usagi didn't twitch.
"That's better," Grandpa Hino smiled calmly lacing his finger over his stomach as he relaxed in his chair. "I will expect a lot from you Princess…"
Usagi didn't twitch.
"Michiru here will keep a close eye on you. If one of my costumers wants you, you do what they want, bring ME the money and you know, we'll work it on out."
Still sating stoned a single tear slid down Usagi's right eye. A single tear that didn't erupt her boldness, her remaining focus, her darkness which allowed itself to be set free possibly explaining to Usagi that she wasn't able to do this.
No one commented on the tear, Grandpa Hino and Michiru seen it all before. They just knew some girls lasted and some didn't.
With a swoosh of his hand Grandpa Hino adjourned the meeting without paperwork and a soft quiet Michiru demanded that Usagi to come along with her.
And Usagi followed…
Followed Michiru through the up rising catwalk from Grandpa Hino's office that over looked down on the club where lights were flashing like fever and people were on the dance floor, touching, feeling, and moving ever so closely against one another. Then on the sofas and seats and cages surrounding the dance floor, those abiding actions between two strangers. The music blared a devil's tune that entrapped the whole crowd turning them into imps of the power of the sinful sex. They were mad, the smoking, the drinking, the interaction between another of unknown officiates and the sheer raw power radiating death and destructions of generations after generations.
Even though the sights were like a small piece of reality the club, the whole world, was still remaining in black and white.
The two women clanked their feet against the catwalk toward the wiry stairs that led down into ocean of sex with a turn. Usagi eyed the crowd once and saw enough. She didn't think: "oh god what am I doing? I'm going to be just like them." Her only thoughts were on Shingo and the money she would make. She made note that she was clever enough, that somehow she could slip pass what was before her eyes and do it her way. And she was clever enough she thought to know that Grandpa Hino wasn't getting a dime of her earnings and she'd blow his got damn head off if he tried. This was toying with her life and Usagi wasn't going to take any crap from anyone.
Michiru led Usagi down a small flight of stairs into a dim ruby colored wall enclosing before a door marked: "Dressing Room" and she stopped Usagi the music muffled bit by bit to their ears. Michiru pressed Usagi against one wall outside the dressing room and her eyes raced into Usagi's. Michiru was about to apologize. There was something different about Usagi to her and she wasn't going to let the blond… she just couldn't…
"Go," Michiru spoke.
Usagi frowned her eyes confused but didn't want to speak.
Michiru closed her eyes for a short moment then strictly this time with a point of her finger toward the exit she commanded for Usagi to go.
The exit wasn't toward the dressing room but toward the dance floor toward… the escape.
Usagi opened her mouth but Michiru shook her head. "Just go you idiot. Get out of here; you're not ready for this. This would kill you. Just get the hell out."
Huh? Usagi wondered. Was she… letting me go? Allowing me a second chance to make my decision?
Usagi looked sympathetically at the weary Michiru puzzled and confused but barely able to speak.
Releasing me… she's setting me free before I get in too deep. She's allowing me to leave. But… I can't just leave… can I?
Michiru scuffed a laugh. "What're retarded or something? I'm letting you go why are you still here you're suppose to run?"
"Run from what?" Usagi's voice finally was able to choke up.
Michiru narrowed her eyes on Usagi feeling as if she'd judged the girl all to wrong. Usually when Michiru felt like she making a mistake she'd let them go and they'd run immediately but Usagi, Usagi to her had already made her choice and was standing her ground. So but how… how could this young girl be like this?
"Run from all THIS!" Michiru emphasized with her arms out stressfully not understanding why Usagi didn't understand what was going on. Or why she ACTED like she didn't but knew all too well. "Don't you understand you nitwit!? This is hell!"
Usagi shook her head determined to remain strong and stand by her proposals. "No, this isn't hell. Hell is far worst than this… far far worst."
Michiru silenced for a minute her hands on her hips as she eyed the ground her sea green bangs cascading over her eyes. Michiru remembered hell. She remembered what was worst. The abuse from her mother's boyfriend. The neglect and disbelief from her mother. Even though Michiru was twenty-two now those pass things… those were the things of hell. The betrayal of family, which was hell. This place to her was merely an aftershock side effect. She'd been sucked into the business like water down the drain and had not a single regret, but she did have a fear when she invited new girls. Michiru had been around awhile now and knew some of the horrible things that went on. Not only the abusive rape but also the drug abuse that went on. She'd seen many girls' come and go. And many girls find the man they've been waiting for all their life there. But she'd also seen many girls be murdered, she'd discovered bodies behind the club, in the bathroom, she was there. She'd seen the bodies of drug abused women and men collapsed on one another ready to be burned in the fires of hell.
Michiru had seen a lot in her pass nine years. Started when she was fourteen, 4.0 grade student who got lost in the streets of ravaged downhill district Tokyo. And Usagi… Usagi reminded Michiru of herself. Soft but yet so powerful inside not willing to back down but willing to not give it all she got but just to get the damn job done. She saw it in Usagi's eyes; she'd practically saw the betrayal in Usagi. Usagi was doing this all for herself, she wasn't doing this so that she could get the jewelry and the cars and the condos. Usagi was doing this for a dream and it was just pathetic for Michiru to see someone as bright as her be thrown off her path and began dancing around the devil's throne.
"My dad," Usagi choked suddenly explaining to Michiru trying to push away the silence. "My dad… he used to do horrible things to me. I think… no I KNOW; I'm ready for this. Nothing could be worst and I need the money quick and now."
Michiru shook her head pitifully. "You are so obtuse. You're just a stupid little girl."
"I'm not a little girl!" Usagi hollered fist rose. She was sick of it! Sick and got damn tired of her appearances as a little girl! She was more than that. She felt like a solider, a warrior in battle with a goal against the world. She felt strong, not the best but was acknowledged that there was going to be many shocks along the way. Enough was enough to her. She'd seen, heard, and had done what was worst. She wasn't a girl… she was a woman… and more than that… a warrior…
"You know what?" Usagi shrugged taking steps toward the dressing room door. She stopped holding the knob and turned to Michiru. "Go to hell Michiru." Peeling her eyes from a devastated Michiru Usagi opened the door and entered the pink glowing dressing room.
Left behind just looking Michiru watched and couldn't believe her eyes. Why was this little girl not realizing-?
"No," Michiru shook her head menacingly and followed marching in stormy steps. She entered the dressing room right behind Usagi who was already stripping down her clothes and slammed the door shut behind her jangling the mirrors tracing around the walls.
Usagi looked up like a bug at Michiru and other girls within the dressing room watched intensively. Another fight they figured. Michiru, the queen of good hearts but the spirit of good battles. The woman who held it down while the "Queen Bitch" higher in "power" was away on another seductive vacation.
"Listen here you little willow," Michiru pranced throwing her finger into Usagi's face her teeth gritting with frustration. As much as Michiru often battled with girls she didn't want to fight Usagi, she wanted Usagi to understand and the only way she knew how was to goad her slightly with attitude. To make Usagi see this wasn't really that kind of place to have dreams. That she'd lied because she saw Usagi as being vulnerable. This wasn't a place for someone as Usagi to have dreams because… all those with dreams never got to them and it was Michiru's fault for inviting the majority of them. She'd lied to all of them just like she lied to Usagi. No one ever leaves the ring without getting killed. For Michiru to have another guilty but unregretable conscious just shouldn't be the highlight of her year.
"What now?" Usagi asked throwing the sleeve of her tank top back onto her pale shoulders.
Michiru shoot a glance at several girls watching and ignored them turning back to Usagi. "Usagi you CAN'T do this. I lied. I lied about everything, girls with dreams come here and they die Usagi. They die."
She'd hoped Usagi got that but the blond stood her ground her head held high.
"Damnit are you listening," Michiru pressed. "Do I have to f***ing knock you out you idiot! People DIE here! If not mentally then physically! You can't allow yourself to be here! GO! Go find your dreams cause you won't find them here!"
"Michiru shut the f*** up babbling to that girl, damnit," a soft voice spoke into bravely where others feared to tread. Usagi and Michiru watched as a rather tall dark haired girl came stepping out from behind an open locker door slamming it shut then puffed her palms at her shortly cut neck-length black hair. "You're always being such a bitch. Don't make up excuses because the new girl looks like a killer to those dogs upstairs."
"Hotaru," Michiru grated her teeth lowly. Michiru's rival.
Hotaru, yet another victim, a once careless girl who was invited to join the club when a friend suggested they run away together. Hotaru unfortunately lost her friend years ago to what the club HAD to offer and remained just the same. Tall, boldly beautiful and exotic, the tempest of every men's desire… the Mistress. A black cloaked wave of a web and still only eighteen.
Hotaru walked toward one of the vanity mirrors giving Usagi a look up and down and took her place sitting combing at her hair dressed in black a see-through spidery outfit.
Hotaru looked at Michiru and Usagi through her mirror as she brushed her finely cut hair. To her Michiru was of course the flunk but also her rival which was an exciting thing to Hotaru.
"Why can't you just stay out of other peoples' business Hotaru?" Michiru's voice boomed.
"What business," Hotaru responded indifferently. "You're the one who came busting in here announcing all that bull so don't even."
Usagi was kind of struck between the two as she listened and watched.
Michiru wasn't in the mood to argue but she was in the mood to give up. She felt like there was nothing else she could really do. Usagi had to learn it all the hard way. The very, very, very, very, hard way. That is, if she survived.
Her eyes rolling from Hotaru back to Usagi. Michiru looked her deep in the eyes and told the solid blond that she was giving up. Told Usagi to look through the racks, find her an outfit, and get ready while Michiru herself was going upstairs to get Usagi a drink.
"If you're really going to do this," Michiru spoke delicately. "You're going to need something that would drone you on out. Something that won't make you think… just act."
Slipping off her tank top Usagi nodded and Michiru started to exit giving Usagi on last look from the door. One last pathetic look. "Silly bitch…" Michiru mouthed leaving outside the dressing room.
The door shut, thinking she'd heard her Usagi looked… empty.
"Well, well, well, so Lucy-Loose-Legs has finally left the building," Hotaru joked admiring her nails.
A roar of giggles evade around the dressing room. Usagi barely heard it as she made her way to the row after row after row of skimpy clothing on racks. She idly looked through them confused and not sure of what she wanted to try on. What would look appealing and comfortable to her and her… company? One that could possibly bring her a lot of money-
"Try this one."
Usagi looked up and there stood Hotaru at the end of the third row of racks holding up a navy blue loose mini skirt and a top which was nothing but a long scarf to Usagi.
When Hotaru saw that Usagi was comfortable with her presence she moved in closer watching the blond resist to avoid her eyes while she stood there among the racks in her panties and bra. Usagi HATED being the new person in any situation. All the adjusting, finding the people you do enjoy being with and those you don't. Getting comfortable with your atmosphere. It was painful but she didn't care. Three days and it was all over.
Trusting Hotaru's suggestion but hating the outfit all together Usagi agreed.
"Okay then drop them," Hotaru commanded nodding her head to what little dressing Usagi was wearing.
Usagi giggled nervously. "You've got to be kidding me. I have to wear something-"
"No you're not. So drop them," Hotaru cut in.
And as uneasy as ever Usagi giving Hotaru a drawing look began to strip of her clothing before the dark haired girl who watched Usagi sizing up her young body. To Hotaru it was okay, better than others and would prove to be a moneymaker.
Usagi naked and feeling cold with her arms wrapped around her chest and her legs pinched closed tight together took the skirt from Hotaru first and slipped it on quickly feeling embarrassed that she had nothing under it and the skirt was so short riding up her poor thin thighs. Hotaru then helped Usagi with the top, which she wrapped around Usagi's breast tight like a Christmas present ending it with a bow before Usagi's chest.
The blond felt like a clown and Hotaru looked her over.
"Shoes, shoes, shoes, shoes," Hotaru, pondered ideally. Once the idea struck she went dashing to the shoes rack leaving Usagi along feeling like an idiot.
"It's my first night and I'm already looking like a tramp. Why couldn't I've worn what she was wearing something," she looked down at her outfit, "not so… breezy."
"Here," Hotaru threw a pair of glittery red boots at Usagi's feet. "Zip them up and let's roll."
"Huh?" Usagi asked starting to place on the boots standing, she didn't want to sit placing the heavy boots on afraid of… the chills. And it was a struggle just standing in the boots which made her up a few inches higher.
Holding on to the top of the rack Usagi skirmished to maintain her balance while Hotaru swooped up her under clothes and what else Usagi left on one of the vanities and stuffed them into an empty locker.
"Time for the make up," Hotaru cheered and Usagi, happy to finally be able to sit, smiled flakily. Her bare butt slamming roughly into the wood chair before one mirror where she looked and all she could see was a stranger. A girl that was all grown up now and wasn't really her. As best she could Usagi tried not to look at her image and tried to think about Shingo, and tried to think about blaming all this on her father. The whole damn thing was his fault.
I wouldn't be here if he hadn't been so injudicious as to…. She thought. No way was it mom's fault. She couldn't control the fact that she died in the crash. It was his fault. HIS FAULT! HIS FAULT! HIS FAULT!
"I HOPE YOU DIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!" she suddenly screamed at her reflection her eyes burning and her face flustered with fire.
The dressing room grew silent and the girls watched Usagi's outburst giving her weird looks but the blond remained wheezing angry at herself at EVERYTHING staring at her reflection imaging blood, imaging death.
Feeling not the least bit embarrassed Usagi looked away from the mirror and threw her elbows on the vanity top while her palms held her soggy sweaty forehead.
Don't cry, she told herself. Don't. Don't. Don't cry. I know you want to but don't cry. You can't cry. Think about Shingo; think about our future. Just don't cry.
Hotaru stepped up a minute later demanding that Usagi try to keep her personal issues outside the club and began to use a wet towel (ME ME ME ME() to dabble at all the dirt over Usagi's body and face.
"We'll worry about washing your hair some other time, right now you need to get out there. Besides those hounds rarely care about the hair and you got some pretty hair regardless," Hotaru commented.
"Th – thanks," groaned Usagi.
About time Michiru came back with a glass of alcohol Hotaru had finished glitterizing Usagi. Usagi's hair was done back up into her buns and pigtails that Hotaru failed to do so Usagi done it herself while Hotaru finished her make up making Usagi look somewhat-
Michiru looked Usagi over. "Now Michiru, why do all the new girls under your make-up guidance look like fraught smuts?"
"At least their not one like you," Hotaru countered dabbing a little more blush on Usagi's pale cheeks.
"Please girl. You're the only one here who'll sleep with a guy with or without any money."
"I resent that," Hotaru scowled pausing to giving Michiru a dirty look. "Besides I'm not the slut who gave it up to that old bag Hino to get somewhere on top. Bet you didn't have much room to open that big mouth of yours from under his desk."
Michiru didn't reject… it was all true.
"Uh-huh, like I thought," Hotaru smiled into Usagi's face with a wink. "There."
Usagi half smiled trying to keep it from Michiru who'd obviously seen it and looked away into the ceiling sighing. "So are we going to get this girl ready or what?"
"Didn't I say I was done!?" Hotaru spat giving Usagi's bangs another bouncy brush.
"Well then stop!"
"I am stopping see!?" Hotaru threw the brush on the vanity and eyed up at Michiru warningly. "Happy?"
"Yes," Michiru said dryly pushing Hotaru out of the way. Michiru brought herself down to Usagi's sitting level holding up the glass of alcohol. She wasn't going to try and convince Usagi anymore. Just let her figure it out on her own. But if only she'd seen it before then all the lies wouldn't have had to be told and Usagi would be free.
Michiru did notice Usagi was nervous. "It's going to be alright. Here, drink this," she handed Usagi the glass. "It will calm you down and loosen you up some. But don't worry I'm going to be with you the whole time just don't… don't leave from my sight okay?"
Usagi nodded holding the cold glass.
"But what do I do? To get the money?"
"Dance!" Hotaru jumped in.
"Shut up you little witch," Michiru spat.
Hotaru started to attack but didn't bother. Assuming she didn't have to take Michiru's crap, with her nose in the air Hotaru turned and started to go upstairs to make that money.
Michiru took the glass from Usagi and sat it on the vanity and took Usagi's hand leading her to an area of the dressing room where full-length mirrors went around the walls.
"Here let me show you," Michiru insisted placing Usagi before her. Michiru took Usagi's hands as they both looked into the mirror and held Usagi slowly caressingly moving her hips and stomach soothingly against Usagi hoping Usagi would get the beat and follow. Slowly Usagi began to follow suit with Michiru's rhythmic moving. "Just sway with it girl. Think about being at home, dancing naked in the mirror. All that freedom with nobody to see you. Just go with it. Let it all out and move your body. Tease them lace your hand across your chest, thumb your lips, feel sexy, feel untouchable, feel powerful like you have them under your control."
Michiru moved away and Usagi looked even more nervous. "You got it?" Michiru asked.
"I… I – I think so."
"Good now drink down that glass and let's move it. Practice a little. You got seven minutes to be ready."
Usagi swallowed. She drunk down the alcohol choking the whole way taking each gulp at a time. She wasn't affected immediately.
"Body must not be getting it yet," Michiru noted. "It'll take time, let's go."
The two made tracks. A nervous Usagi feeling like she was about to leap out of her skin as they made their way to the VIP. Inside the isolated room filed with red dim lights with matching walls, Chinese lanterns, and a small fountain Usagi stepped in subsequently. Only about nine men and four girls at their company. They eyed Usagi like meat and she felt so ashamed as they looked licking their lips and opening their legs out to her flashing money anxious and ready. Several others were busy with the other working girls that were showing off their chest and servicing to the men as a tease. And the room smelled awful, heavy liquor, smoke, and sex. Usagi near vomiting struggled to keep focus it didn't last when-
WHACK! A sharp palm smacked her bottom from under her skirt painfully aching and she turned to look at the trespasser with Michiru at her side.
"Let's have it baby!" the drunk man went about goofily. The fool. "Let's give it on UP!"
"Do you got some got (god)-damn money?" Michiru demanding angrily. The man just looked. "Well shut the fu** up before I kick your ass!"
"Ooooooooooo!" the man made a face rearing up. "Sexy! Sexy!"
"Shut up you dumb ass!" Michiru rolled her eyes telling Usagi not to mind them and to remember that if a man touches you before paying then they don't have any money and shouldn't be bothered with.
Usagi remembered that all to well trying to avoid the urge to rub her behind. It felt like spikes.
Up against a sofa Michiru led Usagi where one middle-age Japanese man dressed in a business suit sat with two girls who quickly removed themselves from off him at Michiru's wake.
"Princess, meet the Doctor our local regular. Doctor meet Princess," Michiru introduced. The doctor was always the first one to try the new girls…
"Nice to meet you your highness," Doctor took Usagi's right hand and planted a kiss.
"How… ho – how could I be of any service to you?" Usagi asked meekly.
Usagi's eyes suddenly snapped open and she gasped at the heavy snoring figure resting next to her under the warm sheets. Sunlight was spewing through the hotel room into her eyes and Usagi remembered everything. Every single detail of her first night. The doctor invited her to his hotel instead of one of the private rooms in the club and the two did business simple as that. Usagi doing whatever he asked and was privileged to have been able to have not done much at all. The whole time she didn't think or feel, she just felt… she just let go with the help of Michiru's drink. She didn't speak as she brought himself onto her, she didn't say anything, when he asked to say his name her mouth was dry. After having her sick father on her abusively what did it matter? It was his pleasure not hers and she demanded for him to stay protected as he was being pleased. As sick as it was Usagi found some sense of relief in what happened. She felt no longer afraid but stronger. No longer a little girl but someone able to make their own decisions now.
Quiet and carefully Usagi slipped her naked long body out of bed and immediate shuffled on her clothes she had worn from the club as best she could and quickly went into the doctor's wallet. The two estimated the payment right before the actual service but Usagi wasn't having it. She wanted more and the blond stifled out what bills the doctor had and two credit cards along the way. She then went into his hotel closet where he kept his jacket and took that to wear among the streets over her outfit that early morning. Covering herself as best she could she made her way to the door stopped and turned to look at the sleeping man spread wide on the bed and wondered…
What if his family figures out? What would his wife do? And what if my own father did something like this? Those nights where he DIDN'T come home. How awful it might have been for him without a wife anymore. No, but that was still not a single excuse for him to target me.
Flustered with dissatisfaction Usagi concluded that the man worked poorly in bed and exited for the man to wake up in surprise. Him reporting anything to Hino or coming after Usagi himself seemed unlegislated to her even though she tried to drunken him out to his death with constant drinks. Ultimately it was something she wasn't going to worry about. It was early morning and a battered worn make-up face Usagi worked her way through the elegant carpeting of the hotel toward the elevator striding as fast as she could with a frown on her face trying to just run, run away from everything and not think about it all. Not think about her past and to move on. She hoped quickly into the elevator just as it was about to close with one of the bellboys at rescues Usagi thanked him and entered quietly with a smile along with an older woman and an older man who stood in one corner of the elevator eyeing her with loath.
Through the corners of her eyes she saw the woman whisper into the man's ear as they went about explaining the indecency of who Usagi was soon to be… a prostitute.
Did Usagi care?
Nope. All she thought about was the two credit cards and bills she kept in the pockets of the man's coat, her hands whisking around through them with joy realizing everything wasn't so bad after all.
Ding.
First floor…
The bellboy stepped out first trailing Usagi who turned around and stuck a finger at the old woman and man who gasped with a dainty: "Oh my word…"
Usagi cheerfully rampaging her easy quick fast success in her pockets managed to skip her way through the front hotel lobby and out onto the streets of Tokyo heading for the club to gather up her clothes then head to the boathouse.
Usagi didn't find Michiru or Hotaru as she'd wanted to. The club was empty of course but of a few girls who did some work rounds while it was close. Usagi walked happily across the dance floor to the opposite side down into the dressing room, which was empty. She quickly made a change pulling her jeans, tank top, underclothes, and sweat jacket out of her locker. Wiped the make up from her face, let her hair down back out of its buns and pigtails, which were already ravaged and then sighed looking at her in the mirror.
"It was that easy," she told her reflection. "That easy and fast."
Suddenly the door of the dressing room opened up and in peeked another working girl. Usagi turned in surprise.
"Hey Princess the boss wants to see you," the girl informed.
"Tell him I'm not here," Usagi replied starting toward the girl with dangerous steps.
"But he saw you come in through the monitor so he-"
"Didn't I just say tell him I'm not here," Usagi grated her teeth into the girl's face.
The girl swallowed and nodded keeping the door open for Usagi who dashed out going back into the streets.
Usagi's good mood faded when she got back to the boathouse that early morning. Shingo was up, had been waiting all night for her since she left for the hospital and was munching on a bowl of cereal while watching cartoons on Haruka's portable TV. Haruka herself was still at the hospital and two of the gang girls were still asleep who Usagi ordered to watch Shingo.
"Usagi!" Shingo greeted cheerfully flopping off his stool running to give his sister a hug that stood nimbly at the boathouse door. Usagi gave him a small hug back but her mind seemed far off because for once, once she saw Shingo she felt guilty and felt… sick. "Jeez you stink," Shingo commented. "Where'd you sleep last night? A dumpster?"
Usagi laughed deprecatingly pulling her brother from off her telling him she was going to go shower.
"Ummm, okay, glad you're back."
"Thanks," she rubbed his head.
Shingo jumped back on his stool and got back to his cereal and cartoons.
Forcing herself to walk Usagi moved through the cramp boathouse to the small bathroom holding the walls and once there she closed the door behind her, her head spinning and her stomach flip-flopping inside her. She clicked the dim light above the mirror and looked at her reflected. She felt like a monster once again. And it would have all been so easy for her if she weren't doing this for Shingo. Out there it was easy, easy even for her first day to let the work just drive her, but once she got back to her brother's heart it became a battle between emotions. The easy feelings were gone and the guilty ones were back. The dark ones. The insane ones.
Reaching into her sweat jacket pockets Usagi tossed all the bills and the two credit cards onto the sink and covered her tired hands over her eyes slowly moving them through the racking of her hair. Looking at her inhuman self.
Sure, the money was fast and easy, and she needed it but the whole emotional ups and down process behind it involving Shingo resulting in just one night. Was she strong and willing enough to handle this? At least for two more days? Could she work loose at nights but come home remorseful at daybreak to see her brother's innocent face. The innocence he held but she didn't… no… both their innocence was gone. Shingo killed their father and Usagi, in order to take care of him, was reduced to being someone's bitch prostituting and shuffling around someone else's, Grandpa Hino's, money. Grandpa Hino, the man in charge, the supposing pimp.
No, Usagi wasn't playing that game. He was more of an investment to her than she was to him. He got her the easy jobs where she wouldn't have to walk the streets where the men came to her all in one and different attributes, he was getting nothing in return and that was plain and simple.
Usagi was about to vomit. Her stomach seemed to punch in until she flushed out the burning sensation into the toilet. The strewing speedy acid liquid going throughout her into space and down into the toilet like an exorcism. She held her hair back with each heaving pounce. Like she was relieving herself of a dispatching massive of demons who'd turned her life upside down with one walk on the streets, with one conversation, with one parent's death… her mother's.
Stopping at a coughing choke the blond held her aching throat feeling finished. No more demons. Yeah right, they were still there.
The toilet flushed and Usagi lifted up back at her reflection and began gathering up her collection wrapping them up and placing it in the corner near the soap dish on the sink. Feeling sick and in need of sleep she began to strip herself of her clothing as she ran the shower water even though wanting to take a bath. Once inside the shower she felt somewhat clean. All those nasty feelings, that stranger's touches, they seemed to wash away bit by bit. The sweat, the heat, everything, she tried to wash it all way. To clean herself. Scrubbing herself hard until her skin felt raw. Wash the smells out of her hair. Wash! Wash! Wash! Wash! Wash! Wash it all away; be free of it.
It was an hour before Usagi felt like she was a clean good girl and she stepped out of the shower and was immediately rushed with a knock on the door.
"Usagi!" Shingo's small voice exploded in panic.
The girl wrapped a towel around her and opened the door wet dripping and her skin aching like fire. Shingo stood there before the door shaking his hands as she pointed toward the front of the boathouse where he once was and stuttering as he explained…
"Us – Usagi Haruka has been arrested!"
"Wha – what?"
The two kids pushed their way toward the portable TV Usagi's bare cold wet body chilling itself like ice with each step. They peered into the tiny TV where a dark haired woman stood outside the Tokyo Police Department with her microphone in hand and behind her was Haruka being led handcuffed by a dark-haired officer up the stairs and into the station.
"… The young lady hasn't did anything proven YET so the police department expects but her and a local doctor, which name we won't reveal, has been placed under arrest for questioning in the case of two missing children the actual arrest made just an hour ago…"
The screened flashed and once again there was Shingo and Usagi's once happy faces, which sent chills up both their spines.
"… From the incident a few nights ago involving the murder of their father. Now these two arrested here may be involved with this case and the questioning should prove to be vigorous by the officers unless set out on bail. The police department has reason to believe that one of the missing children were at the hospital last night in the company of these two women. The doctor herself under some unknown circumstances aided one of the children from arrest.
"Now reports aren't clear on the case of the children and their deceased murdered father. The police are still looking into the case of whether this was a murder and kidnap or that ONE of the actual children murdered their father. Apparently now with the notation that one of the children appeared at the hospital last night that the idea of kidnap might not be the case after all…"
I didn't! I didn't! I didn't! I didn't! Usagi's head screamed. I didn't! I didn't! I didn't! I didn't!
"What're we going to do?" Shingo asked frighten looking at a deranged Usagi who held her hands cupped over her ears steadily walking backwards shaking her head. "What's wrong!?"
"I didn't!" she chanted this time out loud. "I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't. I didn't."
"Didn't what!? What's wrong with you!?"
"I DIDN'TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT!" Usagi flew from the room. The walls were closing in on her. Closing suffocating her. Choking her. Depriving her of her sanity. One trap after another. One insane stunt after another. One life to pay after another.
"What's going on?" one of the gang girls asked waking up from her sleep as Usagi struggled to put on her clothes in the room with her. Usagi couldn't speak. She was going insane. "Usagi what's going on!? Who was yelling!?"
"Haruka's been arrested!" Shingo chirped up walking into the room just as his sister was dressed.
The girl shot out of one of the bunks. "Arrested? What? What for?"
Shingo shrugged.
"I have to go get her," Usagi managed to speak through her panic brushing her hair with hard long hair-pulling strokes. "I have to go save her."
"No, no, no, no, waittttttttt a minute," the girl stepped before her. "You can't go you're on the loose girlfriend."
"I HAVE TO GO SAVE HERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!" Usagi then roared with fire screaming, screaming, all that horrible screaming.
SW-WACK!
The pain. The shocking pain echoing through her cheeks sent a signal. A fire to her brain. She… she was getting a whole again. She was regaining some sense of herself again. That trepidation, that demon who told her to get out of control, who told her to go insane suddenly tucked itself back into the corners of her brain and Usagi just looked at her, the girl who'd slapped her redden cheek trying to make the pain go away, trying to make the demons disperse.
Usagi and the girl just looked at each other. And looked. The girl didn't look angry she looked afraid of Usagi. Afraid of those… eyes. Those same eyes. Those wild insane eyes.
"Oh my god," Usagi moaned eyes wide like wildfire. "I'm losing my mind." Her hands trembling violently before her face.
She began to crumble to the floor but the girl caught her holding her shoulders. "No you're not. You're just stressed you've been through a lot. Go to sleep and let me handle this."
"But-"
"Goooooo, to sleep," the girl pressed foremost the shaken blond toward the bunk she previously was resting in. She settled Usagi in comfortable and Usagi told her…
"In the bathroom, take two of those credit cards do whatever you can with them."
The girl nodded. "Okay. I'll do it only if you stay here and rest. Go to sleep."
Usagi swallowed. "Sleep, okay."
"Shingo go bring your sister a glass of water."
Shingo scurried out the room quickly feeling ailing of those eyes Usagi had planted in his mind. Those awful eyes. As he poured the glass of water for his sister he nearly dropped the glass because of the intensely of those eyes playing through his brain.
Shingo was too afraid to give Usagi the glass of water, all he could do was leave it near to her on the floor while she picked it up herself without question.
Mamoru looked around throwing his hand through his hair exhausted at Haruka's constant cursing and unwillingness to cooperate. What did it TAKE for him to make the girl shut her trap about everything else and tell him what he wanted to know? It's been nearly an hour since they investigated the hospital and took the girl and a doctor under arrest. Mamoru could barely deal with it any longer. Time and time again it was always the same thing when it came to her arrest.
Tired Mamoru looked one more time at Haruka in the confessional small isolated room with a desk and two chairs and a nasty glowing pale light. "Please, please, please, please," he begged. "Tell me someth-"
"Kiss my ass," she spat before he could finish.
"Got damnit!" Mamoru shot up, lifted the heavy wood chair and tossed it into a corner.
Haruka just looked.
Heaving his fist clinched at his side Mamoru started to acquire back his cool. He couldn't lose it. Not now.
"Alright," he sighed rubbing down his tie. "I won't ask you anyyyyyyyyy more questions. I'll just be leaving right out of your way."
Mamoru stepped toward the door, opened, looked back at her. "See, I'm leaving. Oneeeeeeeee step at a time."
Haruka just looked.
"SAY SOMETHING DAMNIT!" Mamoru roared again.
"STOP YELLING AT ME YOU CLOD!"
Mamoru shook his finger at her. "See that's a good one right there. Calling me a clod."
"Go to hell."
Mamoru slammed the door shut and outside out of Haruka's sight began to grind his joints in frustration this teeth flaking in mid-grind.
"Coffee?" Motoki offered outside the door from nowhere.
"Yeah," Mamoru took the cup and gulped it down in one swallow tossing the empty paper cup behind him as Setsuna's exotic body came streaming toward them.
"What a day, what a day," she sung the three of them eyeing one another outside the confessional. "The girl's about to be set free."
"Free?" Mamoru narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, someone came up with the cash or something. Still didn't get anything out of her?"
"Not a thing," Motoki replied for Mamoru slowly massaging his tense shoulders. "This case is getting really ridicules. I mean the chief told us not to get on it but why are we three still like trying?"
"I don't know," Setsuna answered. "We should be thinking about other things shouldn't we?"
There was a pause.
"Well I'm going to figure this out if it kills me," Mamoru said darkly giving the floor a cold eye. "Even if it kills me alright."