****To Go, Please.****
Hello all! This is chap. 5 and it's a little darker so I'm rating it PG13. Brief disturbing scene, but it gets brighter at the end, don't worry! First part's kinda BLAH, but it was necessary so deal with it. :D l8a!
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Chapter 5: "To My Aid"
Rating: PG13
E-mail: adrial_06@yahoo.com
In that instant my body froze up as if I had unleashed a shine-aqua illusion internally. I was completely helpless, caught, literally, red-handed, and shaking with utter mortification.
I barely heard him ask the question, and if I had any clue as to how to reply I couldn't have voiced it. My lips were pursed together and I just stood there...staring.
After what seemed like hours, he repeated the question and cracked the ice sculpture that was my body.
Heat flowed to my face and my head pounded mercilessly.
'Oh my gosh--he has no shirt on.'
'No time for staring, Baka!'
I felt my lips thaw and knew I had to respond or he'd probably call the police.
"Uh-I...the thing is-no-you see, it was just a-I didn't mean...what I mean is-" I handle humiliation like Usagi handles pop quizzes.
I was about to turn and flee to the ends of the earth but at that moment the Gods decided to shed their light on the scene. Better late than never, ne?
"Ami-chan! You baka, heh heh heh," Makoto rushed to my aid, "I told you not to drink all those wine coolers." She *tsked* motherly, and I managed to glare daggers at her.
"Sorry about that, er, Zach, is it? Yeah, didn't mean to disturb your sleep. I'll just take my friend," She tugged my arm and pretended to be helping me stand, "And we'll be on our way."
"Come on, Ames, let's go get you some bread, OK, and maybe some nice hot coffee-UH, NO! Not *coffee* how about some...let's go!" I didn't have time to resist as she slung me around and down the porch steps.
Humiliation couldn't begin to describe it.
With another fierce tug, I was dragged off by Makoto, past the chalk message, through the steel gates, and down the sidewalk, all the while hanging on her arm like a rag doll.
She screeched to a halt as we rounded the corner of his street. The remaining three were staring at their toes, obviously trying not to look at me. I wasn't sure whether to hug Makoto fiercely and thank her a million times over, or freeze her into a Jovian ice sculpture.
For a long tense moment we all stood silent. Within my brain, my emotions were having a field day. Humilation and anger threatened to exceed their maximum capacities. My eyes were closed tight, and I leaned against the wall of the building we were standing in front of.
In my stupor, I heaved my body from its resting position and began to walk back to the temple.
I don't remember the rest of them following or if they even said anything at all. I kept my unblinking gaze on the road before me and just walked.
My emotions brewed and bubbled turbulently, and had they not been so intensely mind-numbing, I might have acted on them.
Instantly--or so it seemed--I stood in front of my futon in Rei's room and collapsed on to it with a dull 'Thump'.
Without thinking, I grabbed a thick pillow, buried my head deep within it and let out a piercing scream/groan that lasted for at least ten seconds before I sucked in a large gulp of air and began breathing heavily.
"A-Ami-chan? I know it doesn't help anything, but I am *so* sorry. I never should have given you that dare." Usagi's words were thick with regret and sympathy, but in my current state I couldn't register her genuine concern.
I remained silent and after they all voiced their apologies, the light flicked off, and I heard them crawl into their beds. Our party was over.
For a while, I desperately fought tears and slipped away into a dreamless state of sleep.
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Reluctantly, my eyes cracked open only to snap shut again against the burning light of the sun flooding the room.
'Last night was a dream. I was only dreaming. Only a dream. Only a dream.'
I pulled the covers off of my body and crept off the bed and into the bathroom. My hands felt grimy and dirty and when I turned on the faucet to cleanse them I silently wondered where the pinkish-red gunk beneath my finger nails had accumulated from.
I raised one hand to my face, and the dull scent of chalk wafted to my nose.
"Ugh, this can *not* be happening to me." I gripped the sink and stared at my jeans and sweat-shirt. It hadn't been a dream. It was never a dream.
I harshly scrubbed my hands until they were free of filth and reached for my tooth brush.
Five minutes later, I emerged slightly refreshed and smelled breakfast cooking. All three futons were empty and I could hear muffled voices through the thin walls.
I changed into my pajama pants feeling the need to be in comfy clothing at the moment.
'This is going to be a bad day.'
Padding across the hallway, I followed my nose to the kitchen where Makoto was standing by the stove stirring what would undoubtedly be our breakfast. Rei, Usagi, and Minako were gulping down orange juice and muffins at the kitchen table.
Everyone froze when they saw me and waited for me to speak.
"Good morning, Minna-chan," I pulled out a seat and plopped down in it, reaching for a glass of juice.
'This is what I'll do. I'll just pretend it didn't happen and everything will be OK.'
"Uh, Ami-chan? Are you feeling alright?" Minako's gentle eyes gazed at me quizzically.
"Of course I am, silly. Why wouldn't I be?" My smile was transparent and obviously fake because they still eyed me curiously.
"Rei, could you pass me a muffin, please?" I held out my hand to her but didn't feel the warmth of a blueberry muffin in my palm.
"Ami-chan, I know what you're doing, and bottling it all up is not going to change anything," Rei stared at me intently.
'Why does she have to be psychic?'
I managed a sunny smile and replied, "I honestly don't know what you're talking about, Rei."
"Ami-chan, come on. We know you're upset, and we want to help, even because we know we're to blame," Usagi said.
"Usagi, what do you mean *we*? It was YOUR stupid dare!" Rei glared at her over her OJ.
"You guys, come on. I'm not angry with anyone. Usagi couldn't have known it would have turned out like that, and I have to deal with the humiliation on my own. Right now I am choosing to *ignore* it. Now, dear friends, after all you have done for me in the past 10 hours all I am asking for is a MUFFIN. IS THAT TOO MUCH?!" Unbeknownst to myself, my words had escalated in volume and by the time I reached 'MUFFIN' I was steaming red and gripping the edges of the table.
Rei obligingly fulfilled my request, and I roughly tore it up, placing a few pieces in my mouth but leaving most on the table.
With a loud 'CLUNK' my head fell to the table, and I covered it with my arms.
Minako reached over and began rubbing my back comfortingly, and I just lay there, silent.
Eventually, I rose and thanked them for worrying about me. I accepted their profuse apologies and said I needed to go home to think some more. Gathering my things, I hugged them all goodbye and descended Hiwaka's steps hurriedly.
My shaking hands fumbled with my keys to unlock the door, and I tore into my apartment. I ripped off my book bag and plopped on the couch. After a few comforting hours of soap operas--which I never watch--I climbed into my bed. Somehow watching the over dramatic display of emotions on "All My Children" eased the raging storm of feelings swirling in my head.
Groggily, I flipped over in my bed and curled deeper into the cave of warmth I had created in my sleep. A blanket of soft pinkish-orange light fell across my bedroom indicating the sun's retreat beneath the horizon.
I longed to sleep for another hour or so and would have had my stomach not voiced its protests of emptiness rather rambunctiously. I let out a tired yawn and stretched my arms above my head eyeing my pajama bottoms.
'I walked home like this?!' In my self-pity party in front of the T.V. I had failed to notice my powder blue PJ's.
Sighing, I flipped on the light and combed out the mangled mop of blue that was my hair. My ears registered the distant sounds of water running and pots clinking.
'Mom's home.'
I grabbed a sweatshirt--now aware of the mild chill permeating throughout our apartment--and slipped it on while walking towards the kitchen.
"Hey, Mom, you're home early tonight, ne?" I sat on a stool at our counter and folded my arms, smiling at her.
"Hai, my patient canceled on me so I have the night off. How was your sleep-over, sweet-heart?" She untied her apron and wiped a colony of suds off of her cheek.
My insides deflated as I remembered the events of the previous night. I forced a grin and swallowed the pang of remorse.
"It was--eventful, to say the least, but fun, too."
I stood up and curiously sniffed at a pot on the stove. My mother wasn't exactly Martha Stewart, but at least she tried.
"I promise it's edible, dear--just some curry and rice."
She chuckled slightly and wrapped me in a one-armed hug.
"I think I'm going to eat and then go for a walk, Mom. That OK?" I spooned a generous amount of food on my plate and retrieved some chopsticks.
"Sure, hon, just be back before it's too late. The last thing I need is to see my daughter on the missing persons list."
I knew she was only joking, but she failed to hide the brief flash of worry that crossed over her eyes.
"Mom, don't worry. I'm a big girl now." She patted my head softly and kissed my cheek, exiting the room.
I practically inhaled my meal and paused to wonder if Usagi could have finished that quickly. 'I do NOT think I want to challenge Usagi, The Human Garbage Disposal, to an eating contest.'
After changing into a pair of light flared blue-jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, I said bye to my mother and grabbed my jacket and shoes before trudging out the door.
By the time I emerged from our building the sky was splashed with hues of corn-flower blue and a shadow of the sun's 12 hour stay in the sky lingered beneath a thick cluster of slightly gray clouds. By my fifth step the street lights flickered to life.
Not really following any particular path, I rounded a corner and headed in the direction of the college. Half-way there, I decided to visit the library and check out a book on Sir Isac Newton for my physics exam. Three more weeks and five exams remained until winter break arrived.
I could see the stone steps that would lead me into a vast sea of literature but stopped dead in my tracks at the eerie silence that filled the air.
My hand automatically reached for my henshin pen, and my senses were alert, ready to do battle with any youma lurking about.
My steps were soft and steady, as I tried to remain calm and collected in case any pedestrians happened to appear and question the odd girl walking around like Jackie Chan.
Unfortunately, my eyes fell upon the ever-present Starbucks across the street, and I couldn't help but crane my neck to catch a glimpse of the person at the counter.
'I have to talk to him and explain last night, no matter how mortif-mmf' Hard hands grabbed my face and pulled me backwards roughly. I didn't have time to register what was even occurring before another pair of hands twisted my arms backward and dragged me away.
My lungs burned and with every attempt to scream or release my arms from the foreign hands that held them, shots of pain attacked my body.
I inhaled sharply when the hand covering my nose and mouth shifted and grabbed my neck loosely. Immediately, I wished he hadn't taken his hand from my nose as an indescribably disgusting and foreign stench filled my nostrils.
I kicked for a while until they anchored my legs, too.
"Now, now, pretty little girl, we don't want you to get hurt," His sinister voice filled my ears and I shook with fear.
"Let me go!" I writhed in their hold and he softly traced a line across my neck with a knife.
"Don't move, bitch, or you'll be feeling more than me inside you!" His words caused my adrenaline to pump in over-drive and I silently prayed for help, hoping that my telepathic message would reach the senshi in time.
His hands felt for my pant's zipper and I tried to kick away. I recognized the alley we were in from having transformed in it before, but transforming would be impossible with my henshin pen being currently tucked in my pocket out of reach.
I could hear the tell-tale sound of a 'ziiip' and tears trickled down my cheeks. A hand muffled my screams once again as he fingered the hem-line of my underwear. One of the two men felt around my shirt and lifted it up with his grimy hands. My insides churned and threatened to regurgitate a load of curry. Pure, utter disgust coursed through every nerve and fiber of my being. My back shivered as it came in contact with the icy coolness of a brick wall.
'Please, God, help me.'
I heard him undo his pants and he rubbed against me. I could feel hands on my chest and I writhed with all my might.
I stopped my futile attempts and tried to find an opening to attack. It came when the man had to shed his pants and released his hold slightly on my right leg. With all my might I jammed it into his exposed groin and grunted as it hit its intended target, and he moaned loudly in shock and pain.
I wasn't out of danger yet, and his partner griped my arms harder and cursed at me. He pinned my legs with his own. His towering form intimidated me, and I cowered back as he raised the knife to my neck again.
The victim of my knee rose and punched me viciously across my left cheek. The agonizing pain and torment sent me into mild shock, and I was close to fainting.
As I reached the brink of unconsciousness, I tasted blood in my mouth and let my head go limp. I could feel him advancing on me. 'Please...'
"Ah...that's better, now we'll let Myo-"
Fearing the worst, I felt his hands move and loud grunts. I thought for a moment that he had entered my body and I was too delirious to feel it.
When my arms were let go and my legs unpinned, I knew something had either gone terribly wrong or extremely right. I opened my clamped eyes and saw a mass of arms and legs, kicking and punching. I could make out the top of one of the heads through the blur of flailing body parts.
'Blonde.'
My arms were throbbing madly, but the pain on my face practically tripled that amount.
I stood, gaping at the scene before me. I knew I had to help somehow; my attackers were quickly gaining the upper hand. I forced my body to forget the throbbing pain and searched for a weapon. My eyes landed on a discarded load of garbage, and I rummaged for anything to use as a weapon. I retrieved a large metal box of some sort and advanced.
Armed, I thrust it at the man responsible for the throbbing of my face and with every ounce of strength, brought it down on his neck. His hold on Zach's arms was released and he wriggled out of his grasp to face the other man.
I slid down the wall of the alley where only minutes before I had been brutally assaulted and nearly raped. My hands numbly pulled up my fallen jeans and zipped them while Zach finished off the second man with mild difficulty.
Disheveled, panting, and bleeding slightly, Zach knelt by my side and reached for my arm. I stared at him for a moment, letting the river of salty tears steadily descend my cheeks and splatter on the ground.
He gently touched my unharmed cheek and I fell against his chest, sobbing out my pain. My lips formed 'thank you' a million times, but they came out muffled and broken.
My senses felt a burn within my heart, and before I could ponder it, he moved to stand, raising my with him.
"Ami, are you OK?" As he stood there dirty and lip bleeding, I gazed at him, taking in his presence and thanking God for answering my plea yet again. His left hand gripped his right shoulder, and his teeth gritted in pain. I gasped and touched it with my own. He merely shrugged and told me it was nothing.
I sniffled and wiped my face, careful of my bruised and bleeding cheek. When he asked if I was alright again, I nodded shakily. Swirls of black were invading my vision, and the pain of my cheek became unbearable.
"I-I'm fi-," Was all I got out before I fainted, going limp against his body.
Gentle beeps filled my ears, awaking me from a restless slumber. I inhaled sharply and stale air filled my lungs, tasting mildly of medicine and anesthetics.
'Hospital...I'm in the hospital. Why?'
Scene by scene, my attack came charging back at me, filling my vision, and I clamped my eyes shut, trying to block them out.
As they passed, I gazed at my surroundings. A stirring form near my bed drew my attention and I took in the sight of my mother. Stains of tears covered her cheeks and she held a wad of tissue in her hand.
My voice cracked as I spoke, "M-mom."
She bolted up from her half-sleeping state and rushed to my side.
"Oh, Ami, dear! I was so worried, are you OK? I'm so sorry, Ami-chan. I knew I shouldn't have let you go--oh, my precious baby girl," She fought the tears as they spilled over her lids and I shed my own.
Her hand gently brushed my good cheek.
"Mom...it was so horrible...th-they wouldn't let me go and I *tried*, Mom, I did--they just..wouldn't let me..go," I dissolved into tears in her arms, ignoring the throbbing in my face.
After a few minutes, my tears subsided and I was able to breathe evenly.
"Sweetie, it wasn't your fault, you couldn't have stopped them. If it hadn't been for that boy-"
'Zach.' I remembered him holding me...his bleeding lip and shoulder...and his eyes--so worried.
"Where is he? Where'd he go?" I twisted my head painfully and looked around the room. Empty.
"Don't worry, darling, he's alright. The doctor had to stitch up his lower lip, and bandage his shoulder--it was only twisted--but he'll be just fine." She stroked my hair.
"Can I see him? I need to see him, Mom."
"I'll send him in, Ami-chan. Are you sure you're up for visitors? You really need to rest after s-something like..." She wiped her eyes harshly.
"Mom, I'm OK, really," I lied. I wasn't okay. I was beaten, tired, terrified of what happened, and aching with the need to see Zach.
She gazed at me intensely for a moment.
"Alright, sweet-heart, but not for more than 10 minutes. I want you to get plenty of rest."
With one more long glance at me and a slight squeeze of my hand, she departed and seconds later his form filled the doorway.
"Ami..." He let my name linger in the air and slowly walked to my bedside.
"Zach...thank you--for saving me." My cheeks flushed and I looked away timidly.
"Ami, I-I couldn't have let them hurt you. I *wouldn't* let them hurt you," He grasped my hand, and I felt a wave of calm wash over me.
My eyes met his in an intense gaze.
"H-how did you know?"
"Well...actually, I had gotten off of work and was walking home. I felt something...I don't know, something tugged at my mind. I passed the library and heard a sound; it was like a grunt," He paused to wipe a tear from my face.
"Then I saw you...pinned down by two bastards against the wall," His eyes filled with fury and he turned from me.
"If I could have I would have killed their sorry asses for doing that to you, Ami. You didn't deserve that, no one deserves to go through that. I'm just sorry I didn't get there sooner," His gaze fell to my swollen cheek.
I grasped his hand tighter. "You got there, Zach, and that is what matters. I owe you everything for saving me from them."
"You owe me nothing. Knowing you're safe is enough for me," He smiled--a smile I instantly melted at.
Crimson drowned the regular coloring of my face and my heart sped up considerably.
"How's your shoulder doing?"
He fingered it slightly and flinched, "It hurts like hell, actually," His rich chuckle danced with my soft laughter in the air before dissolving into an uneasy silence.
"I better go now. You're probably dying to go to sleep."
As much as every nerve in my body begged for him to stay, I had to admit that I was fighting a losing battle against consciousness. "Yea..." I returned his grin as much as my throbbing cheek would allow.
"Um, just one more thing, Ami-chan." His tone was smug.
I nodded, urging him to go on.
"What kind of beans do you prefer?"
'Huh?' Instantly, I realized his meaning and gasped, feeling the ever-present flush flood my features.
His soft chuckle lingered in the air after he disappeared from the door frame.
The image of my message on his driveway floated in front of my eyes.
'YOU CAN GRIND MY BEANS ANYTIME, COFFEE BOY!'
'Ugh.'
I fell back on my bed but couldn't contain a stream of giggles caused by the mere stupidity of the words on his driveway and the feeling of having finally talked to him. Although, it only took a near-rape and a soft-ball sized lump on my face to get there.
"Godd-what if I have to break my leg for him to kiss me?"
"What was that, dear?" My mother had just re-entered my room.
"Nothing, Mom."
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La dee da! There ya go! I started this chapter and was extremely disappointed at the beginning, but I'm not gonna fix it b/c it had to be there. Hope ya liked it. Now that we have CONTACT I can finally get to the good parts! I bet you're DYING to know where the senshi were when she sent them that message, huh? Heh heh heh...stay tuned!
COMMENTS PLEASE!
adrial_06@yahoo.com
Hello all! This is chap. 5 and it's a little darker so I'm rating it PG13. Brief disturbing scene, but it gets brighter at the end, don't worry! First part's kinda BLAH, but it was necessary so deal with it. :D l8a!
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Chapter 5: "To My Aid"
Rating: PG13
E-mail: adrial_06@yahoo.com
In that instant my body froze up as if I had unleashed a shine-aqua illusion internally. I was completely helpless, caught, literally, red-handed, and shaking with utter mortification.
I barely heard him ask the question, and if I had any clue as to how to reply I couldn't have voiced it. My lips were pursed together and I just stood there...staring.
After what seemed like hours, he repeated the question and cracked the ice sculpture that was my body.
Heat flowed to my face and my head pounded mercilessly.
'Oh my gosh--he has no shirt on.'
'No time for staring, Baka!'
I felt my lips thaw and knew I had to respond or he'd probably call the police.
"Uh-I...the thing is-no-you see, it was just a-I didn't mean...what I mean is-" I handle humiliation like Usagi handles pop quizzes.
I was about to turn and flee to the ends of the earth but at that moment the Gods decided to shed their light on the scene. Better late than never, ne?
"Ami-chan! You baka, heh heh heh," Makoto rushed to my aid, "I told you not to drink all those wine coolers." She *tsked* motherly, and I managed to glare daggers at her.
"Sorry about that, er, Zach, is it? Yeah, didn't mean to disturb your sleep. I'll just take my friend," She tugged my arm and pretended to be helping me stand, "And we'll be on our way."
"Come on, Ames, let's go get you some bread, OK, and maybe some nice hot coffee-UH, NO! Not *coffee* how about some...let's go!" I didn't have time to resist as she slung me around and down the porch steps.
Humiliation couldn't begin to describe it.
With another fierce tug, I was dragged off by Makoto, past the chalk message, through the steel gates, and down the sidewalk, all the while hanging on her arm like a rag doll.
She screeched to a halt as we rounded the corner of his street. The remaining three were staring at their toes, obviously trying not to look at me. I wasn't sure whether to hug Makoto fiercely and thank her a million times over, or freeze her into a Jovian ice sculpture.
For a long tense moment we all stood silent. Within my brain, my emotions were having a field day. Humilation and anger threatened to exceed their maximum capacities. My eyes were closed tight, and I leaned against the wall of the building we were standing in front of.
In my stupor, I heaved my body from its resting position and began to walk back to the temple.
I don't remember the rest of them following or if they even said anything at all. I kept my unblinking gaze on the road before me and just walked.
My emotions brewed and bubbled turbulently, and had they not been so intensely mind-numbing, I might have acted on them.
Instantly--or so it seemed--I stood in front of my futon in Rei's room and collapsed on to it with a dull 'Thump'.
Without thinking, I grabbed a thick pillow, buried my head deep within it and let out a piercing scream/groan that lasted for at least ten seconds before I sucked in a large gulp of air and began breathing heavily.
"A-Ami-chan? I know it doesn't help anything, but I am *so* sorry. I never should have given you that dare." Usagi's words were thick with regret and sympathy, but in my current state I couldn't register her genuine concern.
I remained silent and after they all voiced their apologies, the light flicked off, and I heard them crawl into their beds. Our party was over.
For a while, I desperately fought tears and slipped away into a dreamless state of sleep.
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Reluctantly, my eyes cracked open only to snap shut again against the burning light of the sun flooding the room.
'Last night was a dream. I was only dreaming. Only a dream. Only a dream.'
I pulled the covers off of my body and crept off the bed and into the bathroom. My hands felt grimy and dirty and when I turned on the faucet to cleanse them I silently wondered where the pinkish-red gunk beneath my finger nails had accumulated from.
I raised one hand to my face, and the dull scent of chalk wafted to my nose.
"Ugh, this can *not* be happening to me." I gripped the sink and stared at my jeans and sweat-shirt. It hadn't been a dream. It was never a dream.
I harshly scrubbed my hands until they were free of filth and reached for my tooth brush.
Five minutes later, I emerged slightly refreshed and smelled breakfast cooking. All three futons were empty and I could hear muffled voices through the thin walls.
I changed into my pajama pants feeling the need to be in comfy clothing at the moment.
'This is going to be a bad day.'
Padding across the hallway, I followed my nose to the kitchen where Makoto was standing by the stove stirring what would undoubtedly be our breakfast. Rei, Usagi, and Minako were gulping down orange juice and muffins at the kitchen table.
Everyone froze when they saw me and waited for me to speak.
"Good morning, Minna-chan," I pulled out a seat and plopped down in it, reaching for a glass of juice.
'This is what I'll do. I'll just pretend it didn't happen and everything will be OK.'
"Uh, Ami-chan? Are you feeling alright?" Minako's gentle eyes gazed at me quizzically.
"Of course I am, silly. Why wouldn't I be?" My smile was transparent and obviously fake because they still eyed me curiously.
"Rei, could you pass me a muffin, please?" I held out my hand to her but didn't feel the warmth of a blueberry muffin in my palm.
"Ami-chan, I know what you're doing, and bottling it all up is not going to change anything," Rei stared at me intently.
'Why does she have to be psychic?'
I managed a sunny smile and replied, "I honestly don't know what you're talking about, Rei."
"Ami-chan, come on. We know you're upset, and we want to help, even because we know we're to blame," Usagi said.
"Usagi, what do you mean *we*? It was YOUR stupid dare!" Rei glared at her over her OJ.
"You guys, come on. I'm not angry with anyone. Usagi couldn't have known it would have turned out like that, and I have to deal with the humiliation on my own. Right now I am choosing to *ignore* it. Now, dear friends, after all you have done for me in the past 10 hours all I am asking for is a MUFFIN. IS THAT TOO MUCH?!" Unbeknownst to myself, my words had escalated in volume and by the time I reached 'MUFFIN' I was steaming red and gripping the edges of the table.
Rei obligingly fulfilled my request, and I roughly tore it up, placing a few pieces in my mouth but leaving most on the table.
With a loud 'CLUNK' my head fell to the table, and I covered it with my arms.
Minako reached over and began rubbing my back comfortingly, and I just lay there, silent.
Eventually, I rose and thanked them for worrying about me. I accepted their profuse apologies and said I needed to go home to think some more. Gathering my things, I hugged them all goodbye and descended Hiwaka's steps hurriedly.
My shaking hands fumbled with my keys to unlock the door, and I tore into my apartment. I ripped off my book bag and plopped on the couch. After a few comforting hours of soap operas--which I never watch--I climbed into my bed. Somehow watching the over dramatic display of emotions on "All My Children" eased the raging storm of feelings swirling in my head.
Groggily, I flipped over in my bed and curled deeper into the cave of warmth I had created in my sleep. A blanket of soft pinkish-orange light fell across my bedroom indicating the sun's retreat beneath the horizon.
I longed to sleep for another hour or so and would have had my stomach not voiced its protests of emptiness rather rambunctiously. I let out a tired yawn and stretched my arms above my head eyeing my pajama bottoms.
'I walked home like this?!' In my self-pity party in front of the T.V. I had failed to notice my powder blue PJ's.
Sighing, I flipped on the light and combed out the mangled mop of blue that was my hair. My ears registered the distant sounds of water running and pots clinking.
'Mom's home.'
I grabbed a sweatshirt--now aware of the mild chill permeating throughout our apartment--and slipped it on while walking towards the kitchen.
"Hey, Mom, you're home early tonight, ne?" I sat on a stool at our counter and folded my arms, smiling at her.
"Hai, my patient canceled on me so I have the night off. How was your sleep-over, sweet-heart?" She untied her apron and wiped a colony of suds off of her cheek.
My insides deflated as I remembered the events of the previous night. I forced a grin and swallowed the pang of remorse.
"It was--eventful, to say the least, but fun, too."
I stood up and curiously sniffed at a pot on the stove. My mother wasn't exactly Martha Stewart, but at least she tried.
"I promise it's edible, dear--just some curry and rice."
She chuckled slightly and wrapped me in a one-armed hug.
"I think I'm going to eat and then go for a walk, Mom. That OK?" I spooned a generous amount of food on my plate and retrieved some chopsticks.
"Sure, hon, just be back before it's too late. The last thing I need is to see my daughter on the missing persons list."
I knew she was only joking, but she failed to hide the brief flash of worry that crossed over her eyes.
"Mom, don't worry. I'm a big girl now." She patted my head softly and kissed my cheek, exiting the room.
I practically inhaled my meal and paused to wonder if Usagi could have finished that quickly. 'I do NOT think I want to challenge Usagi, The Human Garbage Disposal, to an eating contest.'
After changing into a pair of light flared blue-jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, I said bye to my mother and grabbed my jacket and shoes before trudging out the door.
By the time I emerged from our building the sky was splashed with hues of corn-flower blue and a shadow of the sun's 12 hour stay in the sky lingered beneath a thick cluster of slightly gray clouds. By my fifth step the street lights flickered to life.
Not really following any particular path, I rounded a corner and headed in the direction of the college. Half-way there, I decided to visit the library and check out a book on Sir Isac Newton for my physics exam. Three more weeks and five exams remained until winter break arrived.
I could see the stone steps that would lead me into a vast sea of literature but stopped dead in my tracks at the eerie silence that filled the air.
My hand automatically reached for my henshin pen, and my senses were alert, ready to do battle with any youma lurking about.
My steps were soft and steady, as I tried to remain calm and collected in case any pedestrians happened to appear and question the odd girl walking around like Jackie Chan.
Unfortunately, my eyes fell upon the ever-present Starbucks across the street, and I couldn't help but crane my neck to catch a glimpse of the person at the counter.
'I have to talk to him and explain last night, no matter how mortif-mmf' Hard hands grabbed my face and pulled me backwards roughly. I didn't have time to register what was even occurring before another pair of hands twisted my arms backward and dragged me away.
My lungs burned and with every attempt to scream or release my arms from the foreign hands that held them, shots of pain attacked my body.
I inhaled sharply when the hand covering my nose and mouth shifted and grabbed my neck loosely. Immediately, I wished he hadn't taken his hand from my nose as an indescribably disgusting and foreign stench filled my nostrils.
I kicked for a while until they anchored my legs, too.
"Now, now, pretty little girl, we don't want you to get hurt," His sinister voice filled my ears and I shook with fear.
"Let me go!" I writhed in their hold and he softly traced a line across my neck with a knife.
"Don't move, bitch, or you'll be feeling more than me inside you!" His words caused my adrenaline to pump in over-drive and I silently prayed for help, hoping that my telepathic message would reach the senshi in time.
His hands felt for my pant's zipper and I tried to kick away. I recognized the alley we were in from having transformed in it before, but transforming would be impossible with my henshin pen being currently tucked in my pocket out of reach.
I could hear the tell-tale sound of a 'ziiip' and tears trickled down my cheeks. A hand muffled my screams once again as he fingered the hem-line of my underwear. One of the two men felt around my shirt and lifted it up with his grimy hands. My insides churned and threatened to regurgitate a load of curry. Pure, utter disgust coursed through every nerve and fiber of my being. My back shivered as it came in contact with the icy coolness of a brick wall.
'Please, God, help me.'
I heard him undo his pants and he rubbed against me. I could feel hands on my chest and I writhed with all my might.
I stopped my futile attempts and tried to find an opening to attack. It came when the man had to shed his pants and released his hold slightly on my right leg. With all my might I jammed it into his exposed groin and grunted as it hit its intended target, and he moaned loudly in shock and pain.
I wasn't out of danger yet, and his partner griped my arms harder and cursed at me. He pinned my legs with his own. His towering form intimidated me, and I cowered back as he raised the knife to my neck again.
The victim of my knee rose and punched me viciously across my left cheek. The agonizing pain and torment sent me into mild shock, and I was close to fainting.
As I reached the brink of unconsciousness, I tasted blood in my mouth and let my head go limp. I could feel him advancing on me. 'Please...'
"Ah...that's better, now we'll let Myo-"
Fearing the worst, I felt his hands move and loud grunts. I thought for a moment that he had entered my body and I was too delirious to feel it.
When my arms were let go and my legs unpinned, I knew something had either gone terribly wrong or extremely right. I opened my clamped eyes and saw a mass of arms and legs, kicking and punching. I could make out the top of one of the heads through the blur of flailing body parts.
'Blonde.'
My arms were throbbing madly, but the pain on my face practically tripled that amount.
I stood, gaping at the scene before me. I knew I had to help somehow; my attackers were quickly gaining the upper hand. I forced my body to forget the throbbing pain and searched for a weapon. My eyes landed on a discarded load of garbage, and I rummaged for anything to use as a weapon. I retrieved a large metal box of some sort and advanced.
Armed, I thrust it at the man responsible for the throbbing of my face and with every ounce of strength, brought it down on his neck. His hold on Zach's arms was released and he wriggled out of his grasp to face the other man.
I slid down the wall of the alley where only minutes before I had been brutally assaulted and nearly raped. My hands numbly pulled up my fallen jeans and zipped them while Zach finished off the second man with mild difficulty.
Disheveled, panting, and bleeding slightly, Zach knelt by my side and reached for my arm. I stared at him for a moment, letting the river of salty tears steadily descend my cheeks and splatter on the ground.
He gently touched my unharmed cheek and I fell against his chest, sobbing out my pain. My lips formed 'thank you' a million times, but they came out muffled and broken.
My senses felt a burn within my heart, and before I could ponder it, he moved to stand, raising my with him.
"Ami, are you OK?" As he stood there dirty and lip bleeding, I gazed at him, taking in his presence and thanking God for answering my plea yet again. His left hand gripped his right shoulder, and his teeth gritted in pain. I gasped and touched it with my own. He merely shrugged and told me it was nothing.
I sniffled and wiped my face, careful of my bruised and bleeding cheek. When he asked if I was alright again, I nodded shakily. Swirls of black were invading my vision, and the pain of my cheek became unbearable.
"I-I'm fi-," Was all I got out before I fainted, going limp against his body.
Gentle beeps filled my ears, awaking me from a restless slumber. I inhaled sharply and stale air filled my lungs, tasting mildly of medicine and anesthetics.
'Hospital...I'm in the hospital. Why?'
Scene by scene, my attack came charging back at me, filling my vision, and I clamped my eyes shut, trying to block them out.
As they passed, I gazed at my surroundings. A stirring form near my bed drew my attention and I took in the sight of my mother. Stains of tears covered her cheeks and she held a wad of tissue in her hand.
My voice cracked as I spoke, "M-mom."
She bolted up from her half-sleeping state and rushed to my side.
"Oh, Ami, dear! I was so worried, are you OK? I'm so sorry, Ami-chan. I knew I shouldn't have let you go--oh, my precious baby girl," She fought the tears as they spilled over her lids and I shed my own.
Her hand gently brushed my good cheek.
"Mom...it was so horrible...th-they wouldn't let me go and I *tried*, Mom, I did--they just..wouldn't let me..go," I dissolved into tears in her arms, ignoring the throbbing in my face.
After a few minutes, my tears subsided and I was able to breathe evenly.
"Sweetie, it wasn't your fault, you couldn't have stopped them. If it hadn't been for that boy-"
'Zach.' I remembered him holding me...his bleeding lip and shoulder...and his eyes--so worried.
"Where is he? Where'd he go?" I twisted my head painfully and looked around the room. Empty.
"Don't worry, darling, he's alright. The doctor had to stitch up his lower lip, and bandage his shoulder--it was only twisted--but he'll be just fine." She stroked my hair.
"Can I see him? I need to see him, Mom."
"I'll send him in, Ami-chan. Are you sure you're up for visitors? You really need to rest after s-something like..." She wiped her eyes harshly.
"Mom, I'm OK, really," I lied. I wasn't okay. I was beaten, tired, terrified of what happened, and aching with the need to see Zach.
She gazed at me intensely for a moment.
"Alright, sweet-heart, but not for more than 10 minutes. I want you to get plenty of rest."
With one more long glance at me and a slight squeeze of my hand, she departed and seconds later his form filled the doorway.
"Ami..." He let my name linger in the air and slowly walked to my bedside.
"Zach...thank you--for saving me." My cheeks flushed and I looked away timidly.
"Ami, I-I couldn't have let them hurt you. I *wouldn't* let them hurt you," He grasped my hand, and I felt a wave of calm wash over me.
My eyes met his in an intense gaze.
"H-how did you know?"
"Well...actually, I had gotten off of work and was walking home. I felt something...I don't know, something tugged at my mind. I passed the library and heard a sound; it was like a grunt," He paused to wipe a tear from my face.
"Then I saw you...pinned down by two bastards against the wall," His eyes filled with fury and he turned from me.
"If I could have I would have killed their sorry asses for doing that to you, Ami. You didn't deserve that, no one deserves to go through that. I'm just sorry I didn't get there sooner," His gaze fell to my swollen cheek.
I grasped his hand tighter. "You got there, Zach, and that is what matters. I owe you everything for saving me from them."
"You owe me nothing. Knowing you're safe is enough for me," He smiled--a smile I instantly melted at.
Crimson drowned the regular coloring of my face and my heart sped up considerably.
"How's your shoulder doing?"
He fingered it slightly and flinched, "It hurts like hell, actually," His rich chuckle danced with my soft laughter in the air before dissolving into an uneasy silence.
"I better go now. You're probably dying to go to sleep."
As much as every nerve in my body begged for him to stay, I had to admit that I was fighting a losing battle against consciousness. "Yea..." I returned his grin as much as my throbbing cheek would allow.
"Um, just one more thing, Ami-chan." His tone was smug.
I nodded, urging him to go on.
"What kind of beans do you prefer?"
'Huh?' Instantly, I realized his meaning and gasped, feeling the ever-present flush flood my features.
His soft chuckle lingered in the air after he disappeared from the door frame.
The image of my message on his driveway floated in front of my eyes.
'YOU CAN GRIND MY BEANS ANYTIME, COFFEE BOY!'
'Ugh.'
I fell back on my bed but couldn't contain a stream of giggles caused by the mere stupidity of the words on his driveway and the feeling of having finally talked to him. Although, it only took a near-rape and a soft-ball sized lump on my face to get there.
"Godd-what if I have to break my leg for him to kiss me?"
"What was that, dear?" My mother had just re-entered my room.
"Nothing, Mom."
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La dee da! There ya go! I started this chapter and was extremely disappointed at the beginning, but I'm not gonna fix it b/c it had to be there. Hope ya liked it. Now that we have CONTACT I can finally get to the good parts! I bet you're DYING to know where the senshi were when she sent them that message, huh? Heh heh heh...stay tuned!
COMMENTS PLEASE!
adrial_06@yahoo.com