NAME: Towel (10/18/01)
E-MAIL: MoonTowel18@msn.com
TITLE: Papa-Kenji… Please No More
RATING: PG-13
NOTE: This is part B of the pervious chapter. This is the shortest chapter, which hits the climax of the story meant to be a teaser(
DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon 1992-2001. Naoko Takeuchi. Kondansha Ltd. And Toei Animation.
THANKS: Naoko
~~~~~~~~~~PAPA-KENJI… PLEASE NO MORE~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 5
Haruka and Usagi stood quietly together over-looking the ocean from over the thick railing bars that hung along the top jetty. Foamy white ocean waves clasping against the ancient boulders below like a sad song. Seagull birds tweeting through the air in screams like the scavengers they were against the blazing setting orange lights cased crossed the antediluvian sky.
The sun, Usagi thought to herself. How beautiful. Makes me become willed with hope once more and again. But also of danger. It's setting makes me realize with each glow that I have to go back into the other world. The other world… the world of darkness. Dark streets. The heavy repellent world…
Usagi's thoughts then turned back toward Haruka. She wanted to know what was on Haruka's brain. Wondering why Haruka peeled her from out of the boathouse just to come talk to her up on the cliff side but once there… Haruka manipulated to saying absolutely nothing. Haruka just looked, looked out at the glittering ocean her long tan ponytail fanning like a cat's tail in the salty ocean breeze. Her eyes, stern and forward as she leaned in a world all to herself. Or was it all to herself? Was there a tiny part of her that was there with Usagi wanting to break down some terrible news not sure how.
The jail thing, Usagi figured.
The blond had it all mapped out. She knew it was time for Haruka to let her and her brother go. To end it all. To kick them out of her boathouse and out of her life. The subtle good times were over and as much as Usagi wanted out of that hole she didn't exactly have anywhere else to go at the present time. She needed to stay there.
But the anticipation…
The weight of Haruka's silence was like cutting through meat and bone.
Usagi's cold ashy pale hands gripped the top of the bar over-looking the sea and she leaned back a little almost childishly trying to get Haruka's attention. Trying to make the woman realize that she was still there waiting for whatever she had to tell her without Usagi having to ask. She was afraid of asking and was afraid of what Haruka had to tell her. She had the nerve to just forget it all and take her brother and just leave with no questions asked. But maybe it would all prove to be wrong.
When Haruka wasn't responding Usagi stopped and rested her chin on the cold bar and gave Haruka a side-look. A curious side-look in wonderment.
Usagi knew it was her fault. Her fault all this happened. Her fault Makoto was going through heavy surgery and probably somewhere in critical condition. Usagi knew the whole thing was her fault. But she knew it wasn't her fault her mother died, and it wasn't her fault her father abused her. But it was her fault for not telling anyone and letting what shouldn't have been… been. She couldn't even estimate the onus Shingo was carrying on his tiny shoulders over all that has happened in the pass days. It was too incredible for them both. But Usagi could understand, understand Haruka's hatred for taking her sister away from her to where now she wasn't able to go to the hospital again maybe without the risk of being arrested.
Then there was Doctor Mizuno…
Arrested for questioning…
What did she tell them? And why was all this happening to her? Why was this happening to ANYBODY!?
Usagi wondered on and off how was Doctor Mizuno doing. Was she angry? Hurt? Revengeful? Was this arrest somehow inflicting on her up and rising career? Unless Usagi risked her life to go ask there was no way her and Doctor Mizuno could get in contact with one another.
It wasn't until Usagi started to give up heading down hill to the boathouse to get ready for what the night had to offer before Haruka spoke up stopping Usagi in her tracks floating among her river of blond hair turning.
Haruka continued to stare out into the ocean with a stifled laugh.
"It's funny," Haruka chuckled lightly.
"What's funny?" Usagi asked as gently as she could not to override Haruka and her emotions like before.
"That all this is happening."
Usagi held her heart.
Haruka continued. "I mean it was BAD before but now all THIS," she chuckled again. "It's ridiculous. I mean come on. I'm alone again. I haven't been arrested nearly three years and suddenly you come somewhere into my life and I'm starting all over again."
"I –" Usagi tried to utter but Haruka held up a hand.
"Just… just don't even say it. I don't want to hear you say it anymore because I'm tired of it."
"Oh," Usagi's eyes floated toward the dirt. But she was sorry. Sorry for everything and why couldn't she be able to express that? Why was Haruka making her hold it back? Was it really because Usagi said it so often it became painful and pathetic?
"As much as I want to boot you on out I can't right now," Haruka continued resting her hand back on the bar still looking out at the ocean. "I just can't. Not now. I feel like with you here, and Shingo, I have another little sister and even a brother. Of course neither of you can replace Makoto but you know; it brings out that sister motherly side of me. That good feeling. And seeing that you two need so much help," Haruka looked with a grin toward Usagi. A teary grin. "You know, I have something to live for, to fight for, I have a reason to keep going."
"But Makoto's coming back soon enough," Usagi tried to appear believing. "Then me and Shingo will be out of your hair and everything will be like normal for you too."
Haruka's grin faded and she shook her head eyeing Usagi austerely. "You just don't get it do you?"
The look in Haruka's eyes spared a twitch through Usagi's body and voice. "Get… get what?"
"Get the fact that my sister is dead-"
"NO!" Usagi covered her ears. "Don't say stuff like that! I don't want to hear it!"
Haruka charged toward Usagi and peeled her hands away from her ears with a might jerk which felt like Usagi's wrist were practically going to split and Usagi felt Haruka's dark shadow over her and could feel her hot steamy aura of air radiate destruction on her pale skin.
Usagi was afraid to open her eyes and look at Haruka. Afraid, afraid, afraid, afraid…
"It's your fault so you have to hear it!" Haruka shrieked tears soothing down her cheeks. "It's your fault so you have to hear this! Hear how much I hate you and how much I wish you'd never came into my life and how much I wish you were dead because you're useless and trashy!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Usagi screamed her own tears. She didn't want to hear those awful things. Those awful awful things. How she was nobody, a useless nobody. Why was the world turning against her now? Why was she suddenly a victim of the horrors of… somebody who was… nobody?
With a prodigious cry and a tug Usagi released her wrist from Haruka's grasp and pushed Haruka from her path and flew off toward the boathouse prepared to say good-night to Shingo and fire her way toward the club.
"I'll show her," Usagi told herself aloud wiping her tear-felt eyes as she went streaming along. "I'll show her that I can take care of myself and my brother."
________________________________________________________
Opening his front door Mamoru sighed with exhaustion and immediately dropped his keys on the front table, then let his bag loose from his shoulders and started walking through the house pulling off his coat and tie toward the answering machine where he pushed the call up button.
"YOU HAVE NO MESSAGES," it responded.
"Great, great, great-great-great," he mumbled his way into the kitchen where he hit the refrigerator for a glass of orange juice. On second thought he decided to drink it straight from the cartoon leaning against the rumbling pastel cold machine.
Another fight with Motoki, he's mind conjured out the argument that took place not hours ago. Why do he and Setsuna really think I'm obsessed over that missing girl?
Mamoru dropped the empty cartoon of orange juice into the trash and wiped his mouth on his sleeve then moved over to the counter leaning against it just watching the cordless phone that rested silently on the cutting board where'd he'd left it last night.
Mamoru just looked at the phone hope, wishing it would ring and Motoki would be on the other side. The two could apologize and make up and everything would be back to normal.
But the phone just sat there…
Mamoru closed his eyes for a second remembering the argument right after Haruka was somehow set free.
Mamoru had removed the picture from his pocket in his office along with Motoki and Setsuna. At his desk he looked at the picture of the girl, blond buns and pigtails. That mysterious girl he seems so drawn to figure out who she was and what happened to her. Someone was innocent and pure- looking as her murdered somewhere made him shiver.
Motoki placed his tired hands on his hips throwing his eyes around in a circle from within is sockets. "Herrrrrrrrreeeeeeee we go again," he drawled.
Mamoru didn't really hear him.
"I know," Setsuna agreed. "Him and that girl. Makes me wonder if he's turning straight." Setsuna smiled at herself.
"Tch! Please," Motoki scorned. "That's really lame Setsuna."
"Well, well," she held up her hands as if protecting herself from Motoki's glare. The tall woman turned toward the door. "I'll let you take your anger out on Mamoru just leave me on out of it."
Setsuna exited with the door blinds rattling in her retreat.
"I just can't figure out-"
"Shut up about that damn picture!" Motoki cried with a snatch for the photo. This time Mamoru didn't dance to retrieve it. He simply looked at Motoki and demanded calmly for the blond to hand the picture over.
This time Motoki wasn't playing. "What's wrong with you!? All of a sudden you've been acting like a zombie everything this damn picture is around and- !"
"Give it back!" Mamoru launched to his feet his voice raising. "You play too much give me the photograph."
"No!" Motoki held the photograph close to his chest. "I'm getting rid of this piece of crap before I have to send you to some physiologies."
Motoki headed for the door.
"NO!" Mamoru crossed over his desk ramming himself into Motoki's back against the door. The two men squashed against the door while Mamoru wrestled to take the photograph from Motoki's unforgiving hands.
"Get off me!" Motoki cried trying to push Mamoru from behind him but Mamoru refused as he reached and clawed his way through Motoki's arms into the hold of the photograph. "Take it!" Motoki pushed Mamoru off him. "Take the damn thing and shove it Mamoru." With a flicking off Motoki stepped out slamming the door rattling the blinds until they toppled to the floor of Mamoru's office.
With the picture tight in his hands Mamoru just watched Motoki leave feeling weird inside. Feeling as if… as much as he wanted to go after Motoki and apologize, he just couldn't. Everything felt better once he looked back at the picture. That same hypnotizing picture, that beautiful innocent girl…
Mamoru shook the water from his face and moved from his leaning on the sink. He rubbed his tired eyes and glanced back at the phone. Silence still.
"Feel like I'm loosing my mind," he told himself out loud then made a shift to take the photo out of his pocket but stopped. "No… not now."
I need a drink, Mamoru noted to himself. A drink to get my mind off things. Off that picture and off Motoki. Maybe after a drink I could confront Motoki… put things back in place.
Mamoru headed to his room still contemplating and thinking.
A drink. One drink then everything would be better. No more stress. I could get a better night sleep now. Maybe I should just really give this case up and concentrate a little more on Motoki than before and not… that girl.
One thing Mamoru hated was fighting with Mamoru and the always-coming hush between them. It aggravated Mamoru more than anything when he was always in need of someone to talk to there be Motoki. Today it was a drink to help him push aside everything to allow himself some room to sort.
______________________________________________________
With a sweaty wet face and his black hair matted to his face the man under the warm sheets next to Usagi looked over her and smiled. She ignored the smile and ignored him even more when he asked was it as good to him as it was for her.
"Shut up, I asked you not to speak," Usagi snapped and turned from his face rolling her body over opposite of the stranger.
"Hey sorry," the man reached the touch her warm shoulders but she pushed him away.
"It's over. Hand over what you owe and get on your way."
The man looked shocked at Usagi's bare sweaty back that faced him while the rest of her body was wrapped in the sheet hugged up to her chest.
The man swallowed goaded and angry. Somehow he felt like he was the puppet here. Like when he first saw… "Princess" he could give everything to her and now… she wasn't even giving him the time of day. He really didn't have anything else to say, nothing seem to come out of his mouth. All he could do was crawl naked out of bed, reach into his wallet and toss the bills on the bed where he once laid, got dressed, and left the club private room with no questions.
Usagi sighed and turned to collect counting as she fingered through the bills. It was the agreed amount even though she was hoping he'd fall asleep like the man from last night. Fall asleep so she could raid him clean and dry.
"God how disgusting he was," Usagi groaned sating up in the bed prepared to shower and head back out. So far this would be her first shower of the night and she hoped her only one. It took her a lot of drinks to allow that man to get with her and Michiru was right, that was the best way to handle it. Unfortunately now Usagi felt like she needed more drinks if she wanted to continue which she didn't but…
Remembering Michiru's teaching routine Usagi forcefully pulled all the sheets and coverings off the bed stuffing them down the suite of the room that led to the basement laundry room. While fresh new sheets were stored in a cupboard behind the door. Felt kind of stupid to her but it was better for her to work in the private quarters of the club than out on the streets even with the labor involved cleaning the beds and air and making sure to shower.
Taking a few towels and soap from the closet Usagi dressed lightly and moved her way through the access back hallways that led to the dressing room to shower and prepare to hit the floor again.
_____________________________________________________
Usagi looked at her new look in the mirror and gasped. What she saw was no longer her but… a princess. A beautiful young woman. A long see-through but elegant lingerie gown flowing with a moonlight shade of peril white. Complete with ribbons and bows all over and a revealing chest area which Hotaru laced with sparkling glitter after putting on Usagi's make-up and doing her hair which she tied the sea of gold into a bun complete with a tiara.
Usagi sparkled.
Hotaru looked her over. "You're a princess right? Well…"
"I love it," Usagi grinned her elbows quiescently on her thighs rubbing the silk of her gown. "You think I could walk around alright in this dress? With these heels?"
"You made it to the vanity didn't you?"
"Yeah but on the dance floor," Usagi countered not being able to take her eyes off her reflection. She hadn't felt so beautiful in so long. Beautiful and graceful and… useful. Haruka… Haruka was so wrong. I am worthy. I am somebody. I'm useful. Usagi confined in herself.
"I'm beautiful," Usagi cheered smiling like the sunrise. "I'm beautiful!"
The girls among the dressing room turned curious to look.
"You'll be like that until you get your next catch. Then it's back to sweat, dirt, and just… man stuff," Hotaru commented tabbing a little eye shadow on herself over Usagi in the glowing mirror.
The two busted into giggles. "Man stuff?" Usagi repeated with a laugh.
"Yeah, you're too young to know the true meaning."
Usagi gave her a worried playful look; picking up on it Hotaru giggled and whispered into Usagi's ear what she meant. From there… laughter.
A friend, Usagi thought. Someone who's able to make me smile again. To laugh. And make me… feel beautiful. I miss my old friends from school and Hotaru; she just filled in that space with her heart. She's so sweet.
"You ready to go upstairs?"
Usagi shook her head. "Looking like this I want Michiru to see and point me in the right direction."
Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Girl please. Michiru is nothing but another hoe trying to be someone's housewife. Of course she can sniff out the richest man to sleep with and try to make him take her home."
Usagi looked puzzled up at Hotaru. "Well isn't that what-"
"No," Hotaru shot an unyielding finger onto Usagi's pink lips stopping her quickly for her upcoming remark. Something she might believe in but wasn't true at all. "No, that's not what this job is all about and just leave it at that."
As much as Usagi wanted to ask Hotaru what she meant she held herself far back from it feeling, the draining obscurity that seemed to wipe over the two.
Hotaru smacked her lips together. "Well I guess I better be heading out. Got two babies to feed."
"Of… of course yes," Usagi murmured still confused at Hotaru's holding back as the dark-haired girl went out the room. Once it was clear Usagi turned back to the mirror. "I thought that was what it was about. Everyone here trying to find their dreams and become-" She shook her head. "How stupid of me. Believing something like that."
The dressing room door busted open. Usagi turned and there was Michiru.
"So what's up protégé. Ready to go?"
Usagi didn't say anything…
______________________________________________________
There he is, Usagi's mind spotted as if in a dream.
There she is, Mamoru's mind spotted as if in a dream.
The two, together, the dance floor vanished away and there were… clouds. A heaven, a dream. He stood there before her like a prince. Delicate and waiting. She was drawn into him, consuming his essences as she felt this oddness wash over her. This need to be by him.
And him… the same.
"Who are you?" she asked him.
"Who are you?" he asked her.
The two just stared in the clouds until… Usagi blinked and there was Michiru.
"Who are you looking at?" Michiru asked following Usagi's eyes across the vibrating dance floor spotting a familiar face. Michiru gritted her teeth seeing how as her and Usagi were heading to VIP Usagi stopped to spot Mamoru enter the club. "Him…" Michiru frowned. "Keep away from him Usagi."
But Usagi was imperceptible the young man's eyes as he looked up at her standing mid-way up the wiry steps toward VIP. He watched her, her familiarity, her senses, and her beauty.
Michiru pulled snapping Usagi from her thoughts. "I said keep away from him. Don't look at him," she warned into Usagi's confused face.
"But-"
"He doesn't like women anyway," Michiru pressed. "He's just here to cause trouble."
"Tr… trouble."
"YES! Now let's go," Michiru tugged Usagi up the rest of the steps Usagi struggling with all her might to follow and keep her eyes on the man. The man who made a desperate dash their way across the crowded large club dance floor. He pushed his way through the crowd with every step echoing to Usagi's heart.
The feelings…
"I have to talk to him!" Usagi insisted as Michiru dragged her through the carpeted hall toward the VIP. "I have to talk-!"
Michiru stopped abruptly and turned furiously toward Usagi eyeing her eyes with a dangerous passion. "Didn't I tell you? You CAN'T talk to him!"
"Why?"
Michiru sighed. "He's… he doesn't want you. Not like that anyway."
"I don't care about the money. I just have to talk to him. Not sleep with him."
"No, no, no, no," Michiru shook her head.
"Why can't I talk to him!?" Usagi demanded.
"Because he's some broke down officer! He has like this husband already or something and he's just going to use you when he knows better than to be here. Look," Michiru rubbed a tired hand through her wavy sea-green hair. "He's… he's like just not the one to mess with. No one messes with him. He's a cop and you just don't get mixed up-"
"I don't want to sleep with him Michiru!" Usagi plead. "There's this feeling in me about him! Like… like he can HELP me!"
"Usagi you're a runaway remember? The police ARE looking for you! Remember what you told me? If you go… you WILL be sleeping with the enemy. Somewhere in jail."
"I… not this time…"
Michiru screamed for Usagi to stop but Usagi was long gone. Down, down, down the same wicked wiry steps toward him… that stranger who she spotted was there… below the steps looking up pleasantly at her. He'd just made it to the landing of the steps with one foot forward before she came.
Her… a princess, he thought.
Without words together they led each other out onto the dance floor where he held her and up from the balcony Michiru watched and watched and found her imaging herself ripping off Usagi's pitiful little head.
Usagi and him looked at each other eye to eye as they sprung in a circle unrelenting to the blaring music.
Touch me! She screamed in her head. Touch me!
He held her closer and Usagi closed her eyes craning her head back as it felt so good. He was holding her. Taking away everything that pain and she wanted to taste him so hungrily. He stood out from them all and she wanted him in her. Apart of her.
Him the same. This feeling. This weirdness. The sudden change from dreams to reality. Even though Motoki was in his heart this one night, this one woman to help him release all the tension it felt so reasonable. So needy.
Neither were thinking what so ever.
Usagi rubbed her hand against his cheek pushing her body up close to his. Wanting him desperately but he wouldn't kiss her just yet and it angered her and she tried harder to make him, make him.
"Are you afraid?" she asked him softly.
"Never."
"Then touch me. The right way."
"I can't."
"You can… and you will."
Michiru watched the two whirl around in dance. Stupid girl, she thought. He knows you're a target and now is going to lead you away to take you on in girl. I just don't understand how you let something other than your mind take control of you so quickly. Then again… you've lost your mind long ago.
"I can make you feel better," Usagi whispered fiercely into his ear. "I got something that would take it all away. All that strain from your body."
"Like what?"
"Like me. You want to see?"
"Of course. I got the perfect place."
"Let's go…"
Michiru watched Usagi leave out the building with Mamoru, the officer, in arms.
"Good-bye sweetie," she mumbled to herself softly. "This is the point when all hope is lost. It's not going to be better any longer. Only worst…" Michiru then turned heading for VIP keeping her simple dream alive. A dream to find the perfect man and get out this hell alive…
The two didn't think. They just did what they had felt to do. After all this time of feeling weird Usagi did whatever she had to do and Mamoru… what does he think? Is he really realizing that "Princess" is actually Usagi and luring her into a trap? Or is he really… somehow enticed by her? And what the HELL was Mamoru doing in a straight discreet prostituting club? Saying he needed a drink… tch! Yeah whatever. Bye.
E-MAIL: MoonTowel18@msn.com
TITLE: Papa-Kenji… Please No More
RATING: PG-13
NOTE: This is part B of the pervious chapter. This is the shortest chapter, which hits the climax of the story meant to be a teaser(
DISCLAIMER: Sailor Moon 1992-2001. Naoko Takeuchi. Kondansha Ltd. And Toei Animation.
THANKS: Naoko
~~~~~~~~~~PAPA-KENJI… PLEASE NO MORE~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER 5
Haruka and Usagi stood quietly together over-looking the ocean from over the thick railing bars that hung along the top jetty. Foamy white ocean waves clasping against the ancient boulders below like a sad song. Seagull birds tweeting through the air in screams like the scavengers they were against the blazing setting orange lights cased crossed the antediluvian sky.
The sun, Usagi thought to herself. How beautiful. Makes me become willed with hope once more and again. But also of danger. It's setting makes me realize with each glow that I have to go back into the other world. The other world… the world of darkness. Dark streets. The heavy repellent world…
Usagi's thoughts then turned back toward Haruka. She wanted to know what was on Haruka's brain. Wondering why Haruka peeled her from out of the boathouse just to come talk to her up on the cliff side but once there… Haruka manipulated to saying absolutely nothing. Haruka just looked, looked out at the glittering ocean her long tan ponytail fanning like a cat's tail in the salty ocean breeze. Her eyes, stern and forward as she leaned in a world all to herself. Or was it all to herself? Was there a tiny part of her that was there with Usagi wanting to break down some terrible news not sure how.
The jail thing, Usagi figured.
The blond had it all mapped out. She knew it was time for Haruka to let her and her brother go. To end it all. To kick them out of her boathouse and out of her life. The subtle good times were over and as much as Usagi wanted out of that hole she didn't exactly have anywhere else to go at the present time. She needed to stay there.
But the anticipation…
The weight of Haruka's silence was like cutting through meat and bone.
Usagi's cold ashy pale hands gripped the top of the bar over-looking the sea and she leaned back a little almost childishly trying to get Haruka's attention. Trying to make the woman realize that she was still there waiting for whatever she had to tell her without Usagi having to ask. She was afraid of asking and was afraid of what Haruka had to tell her. She had the nerve to just forget it all and take her brother and just leave with no questions asked. But maybe it would all prove to be wrong.
When Haruka wasn't responding Usagi stopped and rested her chin on the cold bar and gave Haruka a side-look. A curious side-look in wonderment.
Usagi knew it was her fault. Her fault all this happened. Her fault Makoto was going through heavy surgery and probably somewhere in critical condition. Usagi knew the whole thing was her fault. But she knew it wasn't her fault her mother died, and it wasn't her fault her father abused her. But it was her fault for not telling anyone and letting what shouldn't have been… been. She couldn't even estimate the onus Shingo was carrying on his tiny shoulders over all that has happened in the pass days. It was too incredible for them both. But Usagi could understand, understand Haruka's hatred for taking her sister away from her to where now she wasn't able to go to the hospital again maybe without the risk of being arrested.
Then there was Doctor Mizuno…
Arrested for questioning…
What did she tell them? And why was all this happening to her? Why was this happening to ANYBODY!?
Usagi wondered on and off how was Doctor Mizuno doing. Was she angry? Hurt? Revengeful? Was this arrest somehow inflicting on her up and rising career? Unless Usagi risked her life to go ask there was no way her and Doctor Mizuno could get in contact with one another.
It wasn't until Usagi started to give up heading down hill to the boathouse to get ready for what the night had to offer before Haruka spoke up stopping Usagi in her tracks floating among her river of blond hair turning.
Haruka continued to stare out into the ocean with a stifled laugh.
"It's funny," Haruka chuckled lightly.
"What's funny?" Usagi asked as gently as she could not to override Haruka and her emotions like before.
"That all this is happening."
Usagi held her heart.
Haruka continued. "I mean it was BAD before but now all THIS," she chuckled again. "It's ridiculous. I mean come on. I'm alone again. I haven't been arrested nearly three years and suddenly you come somewhere into my life and I'm starting all over again."
"I –" Usagi tried to utter but Haruka held up a hand.
"Just… just don't even say it. I don't want to hear you say it anymore because I'm tired of it."
"Oh," Usagi's eyes floated toward the dirt. But she was sorry. Sorry for everything and why couldn't she be able to express that? Why was Haruka making her hold it back? Was it really because Usagi said it so often it became painful and pathetic?
"As much as I want to boot you on out I can't right now," Haruka continued resting her hand back on the bar still looking out at the ocean. "I just can't. Not now. I feel like with you here, and Shingo, I have another little sister and even a brother. Of course neither of you can replace Makoto but you know; it brings out that sister motherly side of me. That good feeling. And seeing that you two need so much help," Haruka looked with a grin toward Usagi. A teary grin. "You know, I have something to live for, to fight for, I have a reason to keep going."
"But Makoto's coming back soon enough," Usagi tried to appear believing. "Then me and Shingo will be out of your hair and everything will be like normal for you too."
Haruka's grin faded and she shook her head eyeing Usagi austerely. "You just don't get it do you?"
The look in Haruka's eyes spared a twitch through Usagi's body and voice. "Get… get what?"
"Get the fact that my sister is dead-"
"NO!" Usagi covered her ears. "Don't say stuff like that! I don't want to hear it!"
Haruka charged toward Usagi and peeled her hands away from her ears with a might jerk which felt like Usagi's wrist were practically going to split and Usagi felt Haruka's dark shadow over her and could feel her hot steamy aura of air radiate destruction on her pale skin.
Usagi was afraid to open her eyes and look at Haruka. Afraid, afraid, afraid, afraid…
"It's your fault so you have to hear it!" Haruka shrieked tears soothing down her cheeks. "It's your fault so you have to hear this! Hear how much I hate you and how much I wish you'd never came into my life and how much I wish you were dead because you're useless and trashy!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Usagi screamed her own tears. She didn't want to hear those awful things. Those awful awful things. How she was nobody, a useless nobody. Why was the world turning against her now? Why was she suddenly a victim of the horrors of… somebody who was… nobody?
With a prodigious cry and a tug Usagi released her wrist from Haruka's grasp and pushed Haruka from her path and flew off toward the boathouse prepared to say good-night to Shingo and fire her way toward the club.
"I'll show her," Usagi told herself aloud wiping her tear-felt eyes as she went streaming along. "I'll show her that I can take care of myself and my brother."
________________________________________________________
Opening his front door Mamoru sighed with exhaustion and immediately dropped his keys on the front table, then let his bag loose from his shoulders and started walking through the house pulling off his coat and tie toward the answering machine where he pushed the call up button.
"YOU HAVE NO MESSAGES," it responded.
"Great, great, great-great-great," he mumbled his way into the kitchen where he hit the refrigerator for a glass of orange juice. On second thought he decided to drink it straight from the cartoon leaning against the rumbling pastel cold machine.
Another fight with Motoki, he's mind conjured out the argument that took place not hours ago. Why do he and Setsuna really think I'm obsessed over that missing girl?
Mamoru dropped the empty cartoon of orange juice into the trash and wiped his mouth on his sleeve then moved over to the counter leaning against it just watching the cordless phone that rested silently on the cutting board where'd he'd left it last night.
Mamoru just looked at the phone hope, wishing it would ring and Motoki would be on the other side. The two could apologize and make up and everything would be back to normal.
But the phone just sat there…
Mamoru closed his eyes for a second remembering the argument right after Haruka was somehow set free.
Mamoru had removed the picture from his pocket in his office along with Motoki and Setsuna. At his desk he looked at the picture of the girl, blond buns and pigtails. That mysterious girl he seems so drawn to figure out who she was and what happened to her. Someone was innocent and pure- looking as her murdered somewhere made him shiver.
Motoki placed his tired hands on his hips throwing his eyes around in a circle from within is sockets. "Herrrrrrrrreeeeeeee we go again," he drawled.
Mamoru didn't really hear him.
"I know," Setsuna agreed. "Him and that girl. Makes me wonder if he's turning straight." Setsuna smiled at herself.
"Tch! Please," Motoki scorned. "That's really lame Setsuna."
"Well, well," she held up her hands as if protecting herself from Motoki's glare. The tall woman turned toward the door. "I'll let you take your anger out on Mamoru just leave me on out of it."
Setsuna exited with the door blinds rattling in her retreat.
"I just can't figure out-"
"Shut up about that damn picture!" Motoki cried with a snatch for the photo. This time Mamoru didn't dance to retrieve it. He simply looked at Motoki and demanded calmly for the blond to hand the picture over.
This time Motoki wasn't playing. "What's wrong with you!? All of a sudden you've been acting like a zombie everything this damn picture is around and- !"
"Give it back!" Mamoru launched to his feet his voice raising. "You play too much give me the photograph."
"No!" Motoki held the photograph close to his chest. "I'm getting rid of this piece of crap before I have to send you to some physiologies."
Motoki headed for the door.
"NO!" Mamoru crossed over his desk ramming himself into Motoki's back against the door. The two men squashed against the door while Mamoru wrestled to take the photograph from Motoki's unforgiving hands.
"Get off me!" Motoki cried trying to push Mamoru from behind him but Mamoru refused as he reached and clawed his way through Motoki's arms into the hold of the photograph. "Take it!" Motoki pushed Mamoru off him. "Take the damn thing and shove it Mamoru." With a flicking off Motoki stepped out slamming the door rattling the blinds until they toppled to the floor of Mamoru's office.
With the picture tight in his hands Mamoru just watched Motoki leave feeling weird inside. Feeling as if… as much as he wanted to go after Motoki and apologize, he just couldn't. Everything felt better once he looked back at the picture. That same hypnotizing picture, that beautiful innocent girl…
Mamoru shook the water from his face and moved from his leaning on the sink. He rubbed his tired eyes and glanced back at the phone. Silence still.
"Feel like I'm loosing my mind," he told himself out loud then made a shift to take the photo out of his pocket but stopped. "No… not now."
I need a drink, Mamoru noted to himself. A drink to get my mind off things. Off that picture and off Motoki. Maybe after a drink I could confront Motoki… put things back in place.
Mamoru headed to his room still contemplating and thinking.
A drink. One drink then everything would be better. No more stress. I could get a better night sleep now. Maybe I should just really give this case up and concentrate a little more on Motoki than before and not… that girl.
One thing Mamoru hated was fighting with Mamoru and the always-coming hush between them. It aggravated Mamoru more than anything when he was always in need of someone to talk to there be Motoki. Today it was a drink to help him push aside everything to allow himself some room to sort.
______________________________________________________
With a sweaty wet face and his black hair matted to his face the man under the warm sheets next to Usagi looked over her and smiled. She ignored the smile and ignored him even more when he asked was it as good to him as it was for her.
"Shut up, I asked you not to speak," Usagi snapped and turned from his face rolling her body over opposite of the stranger.
"Hey sorry," the man reached the touch her warm shoulders but she pushed him away.
"It's over. Hand over what you owe and get on your way."
The man looked shocked at Usagi's bare sweaty back that faced him while the rest of her body was wrapped in the sheet hugged up to her chest.
The man swallowed goaded and angry. Somehow he felt like he was the puppet here. Like when he first saw… "Princess" he could give everything to her and now… she wasn't even giving him the time of day. He really didn't have anything else to say, nothing seem to come out of his mouth. All he could do was crawl naked out of bed, reach into his wallet and toss the bills on the bed where he once laid, got dressed, and left the club private room with no questions.
Usagi sighed and turned to collect counting as she fingered through the bills. It was the agreed amount even though she was hoping he'd fall asleep like the man from last night. Fall asleep so she could raid him clean and dry.
"God how disgusting he was," Usagi groaned sating up in the bed prepared to shower and head back out. So far this would be her first shower of the night and she hoped her only one. It took her a lot of drinks to allow that man to get with her and Michiru was right, that was the best way to handle it. Unfortunately now Usagi felt like she needed more drinks if she wanted to continue which she didn't but…
Remembering Michiru's teaching routine Usagi forcefully pulled all the sheets and coverings off the bed stuffing them down the suite of the room that led to the basement laundry room. While fresh new sheets were stored in a cupboard behind the door. Felt kind of stupid to her but it was better for her to work in the private quarters of the club than out on the streets even with the labor involved cleaning the beds and air and making sure to shower.
Taking a few towels and soap from the closet Usagi dressed lightly and moved her way through the access back hallways that led to the dressing room to shower and prepare to hit the floor again.
_____________________________________________________
Usagi looked at her new look in the mirror and gasped. What she saw was no longer her but… a princess. A beautiful young woman. A long see-through but elegant lingerie gown flowing with a moonlight shade of peril white. Complete with ribbons and bows all over and a revealing chest area which Hotaru laced with sparkling glitter after putting on Usagi's make-up and doing her hair which she tied the sea of gold into a bun complete with a tiara.
Usagi sparkled.
Hotaru looked her over. "You're a princess right? Well…"
"I love it," Usagi grinned her elbows quiescently on her thighs rubbing the silk of her gown. "You think I could walk around alright in this dress? With these heels?"
"You made it to the vanity didn't you?"
"Yeah but on the dance floor," Usagi countered not being able to take her eyes off her reflection. She hadn't felt so beautiful in so long. Beautiful and graceful and… useful. Haruka… Haruka was so wrong. I am worthy. I am somebody. I'm useful. Usagi confined in herself.
"I'm beautiful," Usagi cheered smiling like the sunrise. "I'm beautiful!"
The girls among the dressing room turned curious to look.
"You'll be like that until you get your next catch. Then it's back to sweat, dirt, and just… man stuff," Hotaru commented tabbing a little eye shadow on herself over Usagi in the glowing mirror.
The two busted into giggles. "Man stuff?" Usagi repeated with a laugh.
"Yeah, you're too young to know the true meaning."
Usagi gave her a worried playful look; picking up on it Hotaru giggled and whispered into Usagi's ear what she meant. From there… laughter.
A friend, Usagi thought. Someone who's able to make me smile again. To laugh. And make me… feel beautiful. I miss my old friends from school and Hotaru; she just filled in that space with her heart. She's so sweet.
"You ready to go upstairs?"
Usagi shook her head. "Looking like this I want Michiru to see and point me in the right direction."
Hotaru rolled her eyes. "Girl please. Michiru is nothing but another hoe trying to be someone's housewife. Of course she can sniff out the richest man to sleep with and try to make him take her home."
Usagi looked puzzled up at Hotaru. "Well isn't that what-"
"No," Hotaru shot an unyielding finger onto Usagi's pink lips stopping her quickly for her upcoming remark. Something she might believe in but wasn't true at all. "No, that's not what this job is all about and just leave it at that."
As much as Usagi wanted to ask Hotaru what she meant she held herself far back from it feeling, the draining obscurity that seemed to wipe over the two.
Hotaru smacked her lips together. "Well I guess I better be heading out. Got two babies to feed."
"Of… of course yes," Usagi murmured still confused at Hotaru's holding back as the dark-haired girl went out the room. Once it was clear Usagi turned back to the mirror. "I thought that was what it was about. Everyone here trying to find their dreams and become-" She shook her head. "How stupid of me. Believing something like that."
The dressing room door busted open. Usagi turned and there was Michiru.
"So what's up protégé. Ready to go?"
Usagi didn't say anything…
______________________________________________________
There he is, Usagi's mind spotted as if in a dream.
There she is, Mamoru's mind spotted as if in a dream.
The two, together, the dance floor vanished away and there were… clouds. A heaven, a dream. He stood there before her like a prince. Delicate and waiting. She was drawn into him, consuming his essences as she felt this oddness wash over her. This need to be by him.
And him… the same.
"Who are you?" she asked him.
"Who are you?" he asked her.
The two just stared in the clouds until… Usagi blinked and there was Michiru.
"Who are you looking at?" Michiru asked following Usagi's eyes across the vibrating dance floor spotting a familiar face. Michiru gritted her teeth seeing how as her and Usagi were heading to VIP Usagi stopped to spot Mamoru enter the club. "Him…" Michiru frowned. "Keep away from him Usagi."
But Usagi was imperceptible the young man's eyes as he looked up at her standing mid-way up the wiry steps toward VIP. He watched her, her familiarity, her senses, and her beauty.
Michiru pulled snapping Usagi from her thoughts. "I said keep away from him. Don't look at him," she warned into Usagi's confused face.
"But-"
"He doesn't like women anyway," Michiru pressed. "He's just here to cause trouble."
"Tr… trouble."
"YES! Now let's go," Michiru tugged Usagi up the rest of the steps Usagi struggling with all her might to follow and keep her eyes on the man. The man who made a desperate dash their way across the crowded large club dance floor. He pushed his way through the crowd with every step echoing to Usagi's heart.
The feelings…
"I have to talk to him!" Usagi insisted as Michiru dragged her through the carpeted hall toward the VIP. "I have to talk-!"
Michiru stopped abruptly and turned furiously toward Usagi eyeing her eyes with a dangerous passion. "Didn't I tell you? You CAN'T talk to him!"
"Why?"
Michiru sighed. "He's… he doesn't want you. Not like that anyway."
"I don't care about the money. I just have to talk to him. Not sleep with him."
"No, no, no, no," Michiru shook her head.
"Why can't I talk to him!?" Usagi demanded.
"Because he's some broke down officer! He has like this husband already or something and he's just going to use you when he knows better than to be here. Look," Michiru rubbed a tired hand through her wavy sea-green hair. "He's… he's like just not the one to mess with. No one messes with him. He's a cop and you just don't get mixed up-"
"I don't want to sleep with him Michiru!" Usagi plead. "There's this feeling in me about him! Like… like he can HELP me!"
"Usagi you're a runaway remember? The police ARE looking for you! Remember what you told me? If you go… you WILL be sleeping with the enemy. Somewhere in jail."
"I… not this time…"
Michiru screamed for Usagi to stop but Usagi was long gone. Down, down, down the same wicked wiry steps toward him… that stranger who she spotted was there… below the steps looking up pleasantly at her. He'd just made it to the landing of the steps with one foot forward before she came.
Her… a princess, he thought.
Without words together they led each other out onto the dance floor where he held her and up from the balcony Michiru watched and watched and found her imaging herself ripping off Usagi's pitiful little head.
Usagi and him looked at each other eye to eye as they sprung in a circle unrelenting to the blaring music.
Touch me! She screamed in her head. Touch me!
He held her closer and Usagi closed her eyes craning her head back as it felt so good. He was holding her. Taking away everything that pain and she wanted to taste him so hungrily. He stood out from them all and she wanted him in her. Apart of her.
Him the same. This feeling. This weirdness. The sudden change from dreams to reality. Even though Motoki was in his heart this one night, this one woman to help him release all the tension it felt so reasonable. So needy.
Neither were thinking what so ever.
Usagi rubbed her hand against his cheek pushing her body up close to his. Wanting him desperately but he wouldn't kiss her just yet and it angered her and she tried harder to make him, make him.
"Are you afraid?" she asked him softly.
"Never."
"Then touch me. The right way."
"I can't."
"You can… and you will."
Michiru watched the two whirl around in dance. Stupid girl, she thought. He knows you're a target and now is going to lead you away to take you on in girl. I just don't understand how you let something other than your mind take control of you so quickly. Then again… you've lost your mind long ago.
"I can make you feel better," Usagi whispered fiercely into his ear. "I got something that would take it all away. All that strain from your body."
"Like what?"
"Like me. You want to see?"
"Of course. I got the perfect place."
"Let's go…"
Michiru watched Usagi leave out the building with Mamoru, the officer, in arms.
"Good-bye sweetie," she mumbled to herself softly. "This is the point when all hope is lost. It's not going to be better any longer. Only worst…" Michiru then turned heading for VIP keeping her simple dream alive. A dream to find the perfect man and get out this hell alive…
The two didn't think. They just did what they had felt to do. After all this time of feeling weird Usagi did whatever she had to do and Mamoru… what does he think? Is he really realizing that "Princess" is actually Usagi and luring her into a trap? Or is he really… somehow enticed by her? And what the HELL was Mamoru doing in a straight discreet prostituting club? Saying he needed a drink… tch! Yeah whatever. Bye.