Disclaimer: If it wasn't stated before then let it be known to all that I
do not own Sailor Moon or any of the characters except those that are
created in this fic by moi!
AN: This is the next installation of Dangerous. I know in the last chapter I didn't get very in depth with Usagi's job but that's what I'm going to do in this chapter. So enjoy!
Dedicated to my editor, Hikaru and all the people who reviewed this fic. ^_^ THANK YOU!!!
Usagi reached over calmly and removed her headphones, and the bubbles in the tub tickle her nose as she sunk deeper into the tub. 'This make it all worth while,' she thought, as she dunked her head under the water for a few seconds before she resurfaced. Usagi absolutely loved her tub. It wasn't a modern design, but a more classic one. The tub was supported by four legs, and the knobs where gold and silver. This was her ultimate luxury, which the bareness of the rest of her bathroom proved. The room contained only the bare necessities: shower, sink, towel rack, soap dishes, toilet… and her other necessary toiletries. Well, all that and the scented candles and bath salts she had brought back with her from her trip to Italy.
Usagi was completely at peace…
…which meant, of course, that the peace had to be shattered.
Her phone was ringing insistently, an annoying sound she would usually ignore, but she knew she had to get out of her tub eventually.
'Oh well…' she thought, 'My fingers are starting to look like prunes anyway.'
As she got out of the tub she grabbed a towel off the rack and wrapped it securely around her body. She winced slightly as she looked at herself. 'I really need to get bigger towels… I've developed out of these.' She shook her head at the thought and wrapped another towel Indian style around her hair. She had bought these towels before she had… developed, and they only covered the bare minimum of her skin.
She blew out the candles and walked to the phone, noting that the blasted thing had already rung about twenty-five times already. She snatched the phone from the base and tried to be polite as she answered the person on the other line…
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?!" …tried being the operative word.
"What is it about me?" the person on the line inquired curiously. Usagi stared at the phone in confusion.
This was completely unexpected.
"Excuse me?" Usagi was truly bewildered as to that question.
She knew of course who the person was; she just didn't know why they were asking a question like that.
"You know," the voice continued, "every time I have a conversation lately someone has either been ignoring me or yelling at me."
A fake sniffle was heard, "if I didn't know any better I'd think you didn't love me anymore."
'Really' Usagi thought, more than a little upset about having cut her soaking short, 'I could've stayed in my nice bath… but instead I'm listening to this crap!' "Is there something you'd like, Boss?" Usagi said in the usual revoltingly sweet voice she reserved for when she really didn't want to fight with her Boss. Truthfully, she usually didn't mind fighting with her Boss, it was generally fun, but this time Usagi didn't want to start anything. She was relaxed and calm and she'd like to retain that feeling for as long as she possibly could, at least before she went to work.
"Yes my dear. I need you to get that cute little butt of yours into this office. NOW!!" Her voice went from pleasant to demanding in less than 0.5 seconds. Usagi winced as she held the phone arms length away from her delicate ears. After all the abuse they had taken from cackling villains, villainess', Rei and Luna, Usagi should have technically been deaf in at least one ear by now. She switched the phone to her uninjured ear. She walked into her bedroom, sat down on her bed, and started to dry her hair with the towel in her other hand.
"What are you talking about?" Usagi was genuinely confused. What had she done now!
"What am I talking about she asks?" That was obviously a rhetorical question. And Usagi wasn't stupid enough to answer or say anything until she after she found out what she did.
"What time are you supposed to be here, Ren?" there was no scream or demand, just a simple question.
"You and I both know that there isn't a set time but," she said even more perplexed and slightly apprehensive as to whether or not this was going to end in a screech, "I'm usually there at ten. Why?"
"Do you know what time it is?" the Boss inquired way too nicely for her liking.
She sheepishly answered. "No."
"IT'S 10:45!!!!" The Boss practically bellowed in her ear, and Usagi dropped the phone in shock.
"WHAT!" Usagi shrieked. She hadn't realized it was that late! 'Wait a minute' she thought suddenly ' Marc was supposed to pick me up at nine!' Okay now she was pissed! Usagi picked up the phone from off the floor and composed her voice into a more professional tone.
"Boss, I am sincerely sorry for my lack of punctuality." She was going to get that playboy ass for this! Uninterrupted, she continued in her formal tone.
"Could I ask one thing of you?" Confused by the change in tone but nonetheless accepting she uttered a 'yes' and waited for Ren to speak again.
"Is Marc there?" Usagi wanted to know if he was already there because she didn't want to have to go looking around the city for him if she could help it.
"Yes. I believe he's downstairs." 'Why would she ask a question like that?' she vaguely wondered. Changing the subject she said,
"Listen Ren, when are you getting here?!"
Usagi walked over to the walk-in closet and looked around, taking in all the different clothes that cluttered the room-sized closet.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes." She hung up and with the cordless still in hand, walked around the room as she looked for the right outfit. She had to remember to look professional, but at the same time fit in and still be able to do her job. As she glanced into a corner, her eyes lit up as they fell onto the perfect outfit. She'd definitely fit in, in that outfit. She walked over and pulled the outfit off of its hanger with a smirk.
'Yes, this'll do just fine' She thought holding it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~
L.E., the Living End, was a retro nightclub in downtown Manhattan. In every corner in the club was a shrine to an era, the 70's, 80's and early 90's, but the largest corner was dedicated to the 60's. None of the people who wait in-line outside knew why the club was like that and were dressed in outfits ranging with for each time period. They just knew it was one of the best nightclubs in the city. Many of the people who waited scowled when Ren drove up on her Harley, and parked the motorcycle right outside of the club. She took off her helmet and lightly shook her hair, and watched as some of the scowls turned to leers as she got off the bike and unto the sidewalk. As she stood there she glowered at all the unwanted attention she was getting and unconsciously tugged at her outfit. With her black snake skin pants, with matching thigh length boots and a black tight halter top that ended a couple of inches beneath her bust, underneath her huge leather jacket, with her ever present sunglasses. She walked past the swarm of people aching to get inside, big hoop earrings dangling on her ears and lifted her shades to wink at the bouncer at the door. He smiled at her as he removed the velvet rope that barred entry and waited for her to walk past it. She did and once on the other side she reached up and gave him a little kiss on the cheek and watched as he blushed a bright red.
She just giggled and said, "What's up, Bubba?" Bubba was shaped like a giant brown teddy bear, but he could be very intimidating when he needed to be. He was one of the first people Ren had met when she started to work there. He was a lot like Makoto… his size usually turned people off from getting to know him, and was the reason that most people didn't know he was married with a three-year-old daughter, and had a fierce love for his mother. He even had a tattoo on his bicep of a heart with 'mama' written inside.
"Nothing much. How about you? " He asked with his usual grin, she could see a little mischief in those chocolate brown eyes. "I hear you pissed the Boss off… again."
She laughed at his comment. It was common knowledge that she was always getting yelled at for something, sort of like being sent to the principal's office. 'Don't they know I dropped out so I wouldn't have to deal with this anymore?' she wondered, and rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Yeah. Well…when am I not in trouble?" she questioned, and flashed him with her own playful grin.
He just laughed and asked her how her day had been.
"Next question!"
"O.K." he said patiently. If Bubba was one thing, it was patient. 'I guess it comes with the job,' she thought.
"What about…" he was interrupted by a rude voice, "Hey! Talk on your own time! We want in the club!" Bubba sighed and turned to Ren and gave her an apologetic look and walked straight to the voice to 'deal' with the person. Deciding that their conversation was over so Ren turned around and was about to enter the club before she heard him call out.
"We'll talk later!" she nodded and walked inside, instantly hearing the moans of disappointment from the outside that were being drowned out by the deafening music inside. As soon as she walked in her jacket was taken but her shades were still at hand. She never took them off. Even in the dark club, she refused to remove them. She walked through the dancing, sweating, spinning bodies all over the place and could practically feel the sexual tension that vibrated off the dancers. Stopping for a moment she heard the most annoyingly familiar voice and she glanced at one of the stages of the club. She sneered in disgust at what she saw. There on the platform dancing like the idiot that he was ,was Marc, though she should say gyrating in one of the cages with five random girls he had probably picked off the street. She thought dryly that it was about time someone caged him, and then thought with no small amount of repulsion that he'd probably enjoy it. Somehow she must have caught his eye and she watched as he winked at her. 'He has the audacity to wink at me!' she thought incredulously. Had it been a year ago she would have stuck her tongue out but instead she just huffed, then proceeded to angrily march straight to the back of the club and entered the door with 'Personnel Only' printed in bold letters. As she strided down the hallway, her heels clicked anxiously on the marble floor as she quickened her pace to the elevator at the end. Once inside she pressed the button and waited anxiously for the elevator to come while she thought.
Most people didn't know that L.E. wasn't just a nightclub, and most could never imagine that the club was just a front for the real operation. L.E. was a private organization often hired by the governments of the world to exterminate their more 'abnormal' criminals. The organization was originally founded by a group of strong mercenaries who found out that they could make a living off of the gratitude they received after saving people's lives; they joined together and L.E. was created. That was centuries ago, and now L.E. had branches all over the world, the most recent being the branch in Indonesia and the office in New York. All of the branches were disguised as other establishments: some were restaurants, others businesses and hotels. Most were usually places that attracted those who were more inclined to only come out at night. That was Ren's job, to fight the evils of the world, literally, and protect the unknowing populace.
This wasn't just her job she realized suddenly. Her life would always be meant to protect others. 'It doesn't matter if I change my name or not…' the thought was slightly terrifying ' because Destiny will always see to it that I fulfill my fate.' That thought massively disturbed her. Who was Destiny to decide what she did and how she did it? She had shown Destiny who was boss when she left Tokyo. She was the master of her fate, her future and no unknown entity was going to have a say otherwise.
The ding of the elevator brought Ren out of her ponderings and she walked into the elevator. She pressed the button for the second floor and started to hum to take her mind off of her previous thoughts. It was an American pop she'd heard while skimming the radio. It was hard not to her the latest song by one of the country's countless blonde pop princesses. She thought vaguely she should dye her hair. She was so focused on distracting herself that she only dimly heard the elevator doors when they opened. She exited the elevator still humming, and treaded down another hallway, this one lined with doors. She walked directly to the large door at the end and put her hand on the knob.
She knocked once and opened the door quietly. A woman with brown hair and glasses perched on her nose sat at the desk in the middle of the room, talking on the phone. The brunette beckoned Ren inside, and Ren gently closed the door behind her before lounging in one of the large comfy chairs. The office in itself was very neat, all except the woman's desk. Papers were thrown all over the large mahogany desk and Ren could've swore she saw something move from under there…
"Yes.. Of course." She spoke into the phone with an irritated tone. It was obvious who ever she was talking to was not on her list of favorite people. "We have all the preparations made," She continued, probably restraining herself from adding an expletive word on the end. The normally cheerful woman's face was screwed into a mixture between a glower and grimace, a look only this woman could pull off so comically. Ren fought to keep from grinning, an attempt that was all but lost when the woman's eyes almost bulged out of her head. Ren choked on her laughter and received a malicious glare that promised pain if she even so much as grinned.
Ren swallowed her humor and made her face into the picture of innocence. The look wasn't hard to achieve, for all the good the disguise did, she was still Usagi inside, and innocence was her specialty. Looking into the eyes of the woman with wide-eyed guiltlessness, she watched as the woman just shook her head at Ren's antics and reluctantly went back to her conversation on the phone. They stayed like this for about ten more minutes with Ren barely containing her laughter and the brunette barely suppressing her temper with whoever was on the phone.
"Yes…Yes…Yes!" okay she had to get off the phone before she broke it in anger…again! "I am so sorry, but I have an important meeting I have to attend," she said winking at Ren, telling her just how sorry she was to leave the exchange with this person.
" No. I'm sorry; this meeting can't wait, so this issue is just going to have to wait until the next time we speak. Goodbye." She didn't wait for a reply before she slammed the phone on the receiver and sank into her chair with a sigh of relief.
Ren couldn't hold her laughter in anymore and started giggling hysterically. The expression of utter relief on her Boss's face when she slammed the phone and the way she had glared at it menacingly afterwards… Ren continued laughing for a few minutes and looked up to see the woman hovering over her and smiling softly.
" So, Ren, how was the assignment" as usual it was business first and Ren slipped into the routine with ease.
"It went as well as could be expected. I found the bad guys, they went puff," she made the hand gestures to prove her point," and I'm still alive!" she said with apparent mirth in her tone. She desperately wanted to get this over with.
"Well Agent it would seem you've earned this then." A very thick envelope was handed to Ren and she took it with a look of near glee on her face. " Your next assignment is also enclosed in the envelope." Looking inside she saw a large wad of cash and a note tucked between it. She softly murmured a thank you and looked at her superior expectantly. Taking the hint her Boss walked behind her desk and picked up the aforementioned phone. Taking out a pair of tweezers from her top draw she turned the phone upside down and pulled out a tiny chip. Abhorrence was clearly written on her face as she crushed the chip in her hand and disposed of it.
Now that they had some privacy they were able to drop protocol and a smile stretched across the older woman's lovely face as she removed her glasses to reveal lovely gray eyes. Ren gave her own brilliant smile and stood up to give her a hug, Usagi style. The woman returned the embrace with the same vigor as Ren put into it. She pulled away slightly and looked closely at Ren. Breaking away completely from the hug she circled Ren with a critical look on her face. Ren fidgeted under her gaze and averted her eyes, only a few people could make her hard earned confidence seep out of her and this woman was one of them. She felt her chin being lifted. Her shaded eyes met the observant face of her boss.
" Change."
This wasn't a request, it was a command. A command that for once, Ren didn't mind obeying. In a flash of silver light Ren's hair grew as her features became slightly less mature, though still beautiful, and her height shortened slightly. Removing her shades, the startlingly clear azure eyes were finally revealed and Usagi stood before her boss.
"Now Usa-chan…" Usagi wasn't upset by the endearment, but rather seemed pleased. "What am I going to do with you? " she questioned shaking her head. Usagi could almost see her 'tsking' in a minute or two. "I mean, you show up late and dressed like that." Usagi head began its descend only to stop as she raised her head and she saw the amusement dancing in her Boss's eyes. She was about to comment on that but was beaten to it.
"What would my brother say if he saw you dressed like this?"
Usagi took that as her cue. Smiling innocently she replied, "Oh Daddy?" She brushed aside her outgrown bangs and waved her hand dismissively before she continued.
"He'd just lock me in my room until I was 45 and blame my aunt for being such a bad example!" she exclaimed simply and watched, with no small amount of delight, as her Boss's face become flushed in realization that she was right! If Kenji saw Usagi like this, somehow it'd be her fault. Well that was a depressing thought.
" Well, dear niece," she tapped Usagi's nose as Usagi giggled, " I guess he won't ever find out!" Seeing the beginnings of a depression, Usagi, in her usual charming way changed the subject. Talking about her father usually left them both depressed and Usagi didn't want any stressed moments while she was with her aunt. " So…" she started, " Keiko-obaa-chan, What have you been up to lately?"
AN: This is the chapter where Usagi's job is explained in depth and no fight but I promise a fight in the next chapter! I've got it planned but haven't written it out yet. And if you haven't read my one parter " Prelude to Dangerous" I suggest you do! I don't plan on extending it but if popular demand demands it then who am I to deny you beautiful people? The 'Prelude' explains some of the things that lead up to Dangerous and I think either the next chapter or the one after that will be a flashback that will explain everything. It depends on the feedback I get. SO YOU DECIDE!
Do you want to see what Ren does to Marc OR Do you want to know why she's working a L.E.?
YOUR CHOICE!!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you want more REVIEW!!!!
SELENE T ~_^
P.S. Someone please tell me if I spelled aunt right in Japanese or not. I want to be as correct as I possibly can! Thanx! ^_^
AN: This is the next installation of Dangerous. I know in the last chapter I didn't get very in depth with Usagi's job but that's what I'm going to do in this chapter. So enjoy!
Dedicated to my editor, Hikaru and all the people who reviewed this fic. ^_^ THANK YOU!!!
Usagi reached over calmly and removed her headphones, and the bubbles in the tub tickle her nose as she sunk deeper into the tub. 'This make it all worth while,' she thought, as she dunked her head under the water for a few seconds before she resurfaced. Usagi absolutely loved her tub. It wasn't a modern design, but a more classic one. The tub was supported by four legs, and the knobs where gold and silver. This was her ultimate luxury, which the bareness of the rest of her bathroom proved. The room contained only the bare necessities: shower, sink, towel rack, soap dishes, toilet… and her other necessary toiletries. Well, all that and the scented candles and bath salts she had brought back with her from her trip to Italy.
Usagi was completely at peace…
…which meant, of course, that the peace had to be shattered.
Her phone was ringing insistently, an annoying sound she would usually ignore, but she knew she had to get out of her tub eventually.
'Oh well…' she thought, 'My fingers are starting to look like prunes anyway.'
As she got out of the tub she grabbed a towel off the rack and wrapped it securely around her body. She winced slightly as she looked at herself. 'I really need to get bigger towels… I've developed out of these.' She shook her head at the thought and wrapped another towel Indian style around her hair. She had bought these towels before she had… developed, and they only covered the bare minimum of her skin.
She blew out the candles and walked to the phone, noting that the blasted thing had already rung about twenty-five times already. She snatched the phone from the base and tried to be polite as she answered the person on the other line…
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT?!" …tried being the operative word.
"What is it about me?" the person on the line inquired curiously. Usagi stared at the phone in confusion.
This was completely unexpected.
"Excuse me?" Usagi was truly bewildered as to that question.
She knew of course who the person was; she just didn't know why they were asking a question like that.
"You know," the voice continued, "every time I have a conversation lately someone has either been ignoring me or yelling at me."
A fake sniffle was heard, "if I didn't know any better I'd think you didn't love me anymore."
'Really' Usagi thought, more than a little upset about having cut her soaking short, 'I could've stayed in my nice bath… but instead I'm listening to this crap!' "Is there something you'd like, Boss?" Usagi said in the usual revoltingly sweet voice she reserved for when she really didn't want to fight with her Boss. Truthfully, she usually didn't mind fighting with her Boss, it was generally fun, but this time Usagi didn't want to start anything. She was relaxed and calm and she'd like to retain that feeling for as long as she possibly could, at least before she went to work.
"Yes my dear. I need you to get that cute little butt of yours into this office. NOW!!" Her voice went from pleasant to demanding in less than 0.5 seconds. Usagi winced as she held the phone arms length away from her delicate ears. After all the abuse they had taken from cackling villains, villainess', Rei and Luna, Usagi should have technically been deaf in at least one ear by now. She switched the phone to her uninjured ear. She walked into her bedroom, sat down on her bed, and started to dry her hair with the towel in her other hand.
"What are you talking about?" Usagi was genuinely confused. What had she done now!
"What am I talking about she asks?" That was obviously a rhetorical question. And Usagi wasn't stupid enough to answer or say anything until she after she found out what she did.
"What time are you supposed to be here, Ren?" there was no scream or demand, just a simple question.
"You and I both know that there isn't a set time but," she said even more perplexed and slightly apprehensive as to whether or not this was going to end in a screech, "I'm usually there at ten. Why?"
"Do you know what time it is?" the Boss inquired way too nicely for her liking.
She sheepishly answered. "No."
"IT'S 10:45!!!!" The Boss practically bellowed in her ear, and Usagi dropped the phone in shock.
"WHAT!" Usagi shrieked. She hadn't realized it was that late! 'Wait a minute' she thought suddenly ' Marc was supposed to pick me up at nine!' Okay now she was pissed! Usagi picked up the phone from off the floor and composed her voice into a more professional tone.
"Boss, I am sincerely sorry for my lack of punctuality." She was going to get that playboy ass for this! Uninterrupted, she continued in her formal tone.
"Could I ask one thing of you?" Confused by the change in tone but nonetheless accepting she uttered a 'yes' and waited for Ren to speak again.
"Is Marc there?" Usagi wanted to know if he was already there because she didn't want to have to go looking around the city for him if she could help it.
"Yes. I believe he's downstairs." 'Why would she ask a question like that?' she vaguely wondered. Changing the subject she said,
"Listen Ren, when are you getting here?!"
Usagi walked over to the walk-in closet and looked around, taking in all the different clothes that cluttered the room-sized closet.
"I'll be there in fifteen minutes." She hung up and with the cordless still in hand, walked around the room as she looked for the right outfit. She had to remember to look professional, but at the same time fit in and still be able to do her job. As she glanced into a corner, her eyes lit up as they fell onto the perfect outfit. She'd definitely fit in, in that outfit. She walked over and pulled the outfit off of its hanger with a smirk.
'Yes, this'll do just fine' She thought holding it out.
~~~~~~~~~~~
L.E., the Living End, was a retro nightclub in downtown Manhattan. In every corner in the club was a shrine to an era, the 70's, 80's and early 90's, but the largest corner was dedicated to the 60's. None of the people who wait in-line outside knew why the club was like that and were dressed in outfits ranging with for each time period. They just knew it was one of the best nightclubs in the city. Many of the people who waited scowled when Ren drove up on her Harley, and parked the motorcycle right outside of the club. She took off her helmet and lightly shook her hair, and watched as some of the scowls turned to leers as she got off the bike and unto the sidewalk. As she stood there she glowered at all the unwanted attention she was getting and unconsciously tugged at her outfit. With her black snake skin pants, with matching thigh length boots and a black tight halter top that ended a couple of inches beneath her bust, underneath her huge leather jacket, with her ever present sunglasses. She walked past the swarm of people aching to get inside, big hoop earrings dangling on her ears and lifted her shades to wink at the bouncer at the door. He smiled at her as he removed the velvet rope that barred entry and waited for her to walk past it. She did and once on the other side she reached up and gave him a little kiss on the cheek and watched as he blushed a bright red.
She just giggled and said, "What's up, Bubba?" Bubba was shaped like a giant brown teddy bear, but he could be very intimidating when he needed to be. He was one of the first people Ren had met when she started to work there. He was a lot like Makoto… his size usually turned people off from getting to know him, and was the reason that most people didn't know he was married with a three-year-old daughter, and had a fierce love for his mother. He even had a tattoo on his bicep of a heart with 'mama' written inside.
"Nothing much. How about you? " He asked with his usual grin, she could see a little mischief in those chocolate brown eyes. "I hear you pissed the Boss off… again."
She laughed at his comment. It was common knowledge that she was always getting yelled at for something, sort of like being sent to the principal's office. 'Don't they know I dropped out so I wouldn't have to deal with this anymore?' she wondered, and rolled her eyes in exasperation.
"Yeah. Well…when am I not in trouble?" she questioned, and flashed him with her own playful grin.
He just laughed and asked her how her day had been.
"Next question!"
"O.K." he said patiently. If Bubba was one thing, it was patient. 'I guess it comes with the job,' she thought.
"What about…" he was interrupted by a rude voice, "Hey! Talk on your own time! We want in the club!" Bubba sighed and turned to Ren and gave her an apologetic look and walked straight to the voice to 'deal' with the person. Deciding that their conversation was over so Ren turned around and was about to enter the club before she heard him call out.
"We'll talk later!" she nodded and walked inside, instantly hearing the moans of disappointment from the outside that were being drowned out by the deafening music inside. As soon as she walked in her jacket was taken but her shades were still at hand. She never took them off. Even in the dark club, she refused to remove them. She walked through the dancing, sweating, spinning bodies all over the place and could practically feel the sexual tension that vibrated off the dancers. Stopping for a moment she heard the most annoyingly familiar voice and she glanced at one of the stages of the club. She sneered in disgust at what she saw. There on the platform dancing like the idiot that he was ,was Marc, though she should say gyrating in one of the cages with five random girls he had probably picked off the street. She thought dryly that it was about time someone caged him, and then thought with no small amount of repulsion that he'd probably enjoy it. Somehow she must have caught his eye and she watched as he winked at her. 'He has the audacity to wink at me!' she thought incredulously. Had it been a year ago she would have stuck her tongue out but instead she just huffed, then proceeded to angrily march straight to the back of the club and entered the door with 'Personnel Only' printed in bold letters. As she strided down the hallway, her heels clicked anxiously on the marble floor as she quickened her pace to the elevator at the end. Once inside she pressed the button and waited anxiously for the elevator to come while she thought.
Most people didn't know that L.E. wasn't just a nightclub, and most could never imagine that the club was just a front for the real operation. L.E. was a private organization often hired by the governments of the world to exterminate their more 'abnormal' criminals. The organization was originally founded by a group of strong mercenaries who found out that they could make a living off of the gratitude they received after saving people's lives; they joined together and L.E. was created. That was centuries ago, and now L.E. had branches all over the world, the most recent being the branch in Indonesia and the office in New York. All of the branches were disguised as other establishments: some were restaurants, others businesses and hotels. Most were usually places that attracted those who were more inclined to only come out at night. That was Ren's job, to fight the evils of the world, literally, and protect the unknowing populace.
This wasn't just her job she realized suddenly. Her life would always be meant to protect others. 'It doesn't matter if I change my name or not…' the thought was slightly terrifying ' because Destiny will always see to it that I fulfill my fate.' That thought massively disturbed her. Who was Destiny to decide what she did and how she did it? She had shown Destiny who was boss when she left Tokyo. She was the master of her fate, her future and no unknown entity was going to have a say otherwise.
The ding of the elevator brought Ren out of her ponderings and she walked into the elevator. She pressed the button for the second floor and started to hum to take her mind off of her previous thoughts. It was an American pop she'd heard while skimming the radio. It was hard not to her the latest song by one of the country's countless blonde pop princesses. She thought vaguely she should dye her hair. She was so focused on distracting herself that she only dimly heard the elevator doors when they opened. She exited the elevator still humming, and treaded down another hallway, this one lined with doors. She walked directly to the large door at the end and put her hand on the knob.
She knocked once and opened the door quietly. A woman with brown hair and glasses perched on her nose sat at the desk in the middle of the room, talking on the phone. The brunette beckoned Ren inside, and Ren gently closed the door behind her before lounging in one of the large comfy chairs. The office in itself was very neat, all except the woman's desk. Papers were thrown all over the large mahogany desk and Ren could've swore she saw something move from under there…
"Yes.. Of course." She spoke into the phone with an irritated tone. It was obvious who ever she was talking to was not on her list of favorite people. "We have all the preparations made," She continued, probably restraining herself from adding an expletive word on the end. The normally cheerful woman's face was screwed into a mixture between a glower and grimace, a look only this woman could pull off so comically. Ren fought to keep from grinning, an attempt that was all but lost when the woman's eyes almost bulged out of her head. Ren choked on her laughter and received a malicious glare that promised pain if she even so much as grinned.
Ren swallowed her humor and made her face into the picture of innocence. The look wasn't hard to achieve, for all the good the disguise did, she was still Usagi inside, and innocence was her specialty. Looking into the eyes of the woman with wide-eyed guiltlessness, she watched as the woman just shook her head at Ren's antics and reluctantly went back to her conversation on the phone. They stayed like this for about ten more minutes with Ren barely containing her laughter and the brunette barely suppressing her temper with whoever was on the phone.
"Yes…Yes…Yes!" okay she had to get off the phone before she broke it in anger…again! "I am so sorry, but I have an important meeting I have to attend," she said winking at Ren, telling her just how sorry she was to leave the exchange with this person.
" No. I'm sorry; this meeting can't wait, so this issue is just going to have to wait until the next time we speak. Goodbye." She didn't wait for a reply before she slammed the phone on the receiver and sank into her chair with a sigh of relief.
Ren couldn't hold her laughter in anymore and started giggling hysterically. The expression of utter relief on her Boss's face when she slammed the phone and the way she had glared at it menacingly afterwards… Ren continued laughing for a few minutes and looked up to see the woman hovering over her and smiling softly.
" So, Ren, how was the assignment" as usual it was business first and Ren slipped into the routine with ease.
"It went as well as could be expected. I found the bad guys, they went puff," she made the hand gestures to prove her point," and I'm still alive!" she said with apparent mirth in her tone. She desperately wanted to get this over with.
"Well Agent it would seem you've earned this then." A very thick envelope was handed to Ren and she took it with a look of near glee on her face. " Your next assignment is also enclosed in the envelope." Looking inside she saw a large wad of cash and a note tucked between it. She softly murmured a thank you and looked at her superior expectantly. Taking the hint her Boss walked behind her desk and picked up the aforementioned phone. Taking out a pair of tweezers from her top draw she turned the phone upside down and pulled out a tiny chip. Abhorrence was clearly written on her face as she crushed the chip in her hand and disposed of it.
Now that they had some privacy they were able to drop protocol and a smile stretched across the older woman's lovely face as she removed her glasses to reveal lovely gray eyes. Ren gave her own brilliant smile and stood up to give her a hug, Usagi style. The woman returned the embrace with the same vigor as Ren put into it. She pulled away slightly and looked closely at Ren. Breaking away completely from the hug she circled Ren with a critical look on her face. Ren fidgeted under her gaze and averted her eyes, only a few people could make her hard earned confidence seep out of her and this woman was one of them. She felt her chin being lifted. Her shaded eyes met the observant face of her boss.
" Change."
This wasn't a request, it was a command. A command that for once, Ren didn't mind obeying. In a flash of silver light Ren's hair grew as her features became slightly less mature, though still beautiful, and her height shortened slightly. Removing her shades, the startlingly clear azure eyes were finally revealed and Usagi stood before her boss.
"Now Usa-chan…" Usagi wasn't upset by the endearment, but rather seemed pleased. "What am I going to do with you? " she questioned shaking her head. Usagi could almost see her 'tsking' in a minute or two. "I mean, you show up late and dressed like that." Usagi head began its descend only to stop as she raised her head and she saw the amusement dancing in her Boss's eyes. She was about to comment on that but was beaten to it.
"What would my brother say if he saw you dressed like this?"
Usagi took that as her cue. Smiling innocently she replied, "Oh Daddy?" She brushed aside her outgrown bangs and waved her hand dismissively before she continued.
"He'd just lock me in my room until I was 45 and blame my aunt for being such a bad example!" she exclaimed simply and watched, with no small amount of delight, as her Boss's face become flushed in realization that she was right! If Kenji saw Usagi like this, somehow it'd be her fault. Well that was a depressing thought.
" Well, dear niece," she tapped Usagi's nose as Usagi giggled, " I guess he won't ever find out!" Seeing the beginnings of a depression, Usagi, in her usual charming way changed the subject. Talking about her father usually left them both depressed and Usagi didn't want any stressed moments while she was with her aunt. " So…" she started, " Keiko-obaa-chan, What have you been up to lately?"
AN: This is the chapter where Usagi's job is explained in depth and no fight but I promise a fight in the next chapter! I've got it planned but haven't written it out yet. And if you haven't read my one parter " Prelude to Dangerous" I suggest you do! I don't plan on extending it but if popular demand demands it then who am I to deny you beautiful people? The 'Prelude' explains some of the things that lead up to Dangerous and I think either the next chapter or the one after that will be a flashback that will explain everything. It depends on the feedback I get. SO YOU DECIDE!
Do you want to see what Ren does to Marc OR Do you want to know why she's working a L.E.?
YOUR CHOICE!!
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you want more REVIEW!!!!
SELENE T ~_^
P.S. Someone please tell me if I spelled aunt right in Japanese or not. I want to be as correct as I possibly can! Thanx! ^_^
