Matchmaker Madness!
Chapter 5
"How about…. this one?" Mamoru asked holding up a blue shirt.
"I get dibs on that one!" shouted Jadeite grabbing the shirt and running off to the change room.
Mamoru sweat dropped, "Well ok…. Everyone else get something?"
The other three generals nodded also sweat dropping at Jadeites behaviour. They never guessed him to be such an energetic shopper.
"He'd fit in well with Minako don't you think?" asked Nephrite.
"Now I know why she always used to ask him to help her pick out what to wear…" Kunzite murmured.
Jadeite strutted out a few minutes later wearing the shirt. "Its perfect! It offsets my eye color so well…"
Zoicite leaned over towards Mamoru, Kunzite and Nephrite, "You don't suppose he spent a little too much time locked up in a stone do you?" he whispered.
Jadeite whacked Zoicite on the side of the head, "I heard that. Some people just have no appreciation for fashion." He walked briskly back to the change rooms.
"I've got appreciation for it. I just prefer to see girls being so enthusiastic about it. Not Jadeite," Zoicite mumbled rubbing his head.
"Well we're pretty much done here. So I guess its shoes next huh?" Mamoru asked.
Jadeite came out of the changing rooms about that point. "Shoes! Yeah!"
Kunzite coughed slightly to keep himself from laughing. "Prince perhaps we should forego shoes. It is late."
Nephrite and Zoicite nodded in agreement. Though they just didn't want to be stuck in the shoe department with Jadeite.
Mamoru also nodded in agreement, "Your right. Shoes can wait."
Back at Mamoru's apartment they placed all the bags into a corner in the living room. They went about trying to set up sleeping arrangements for everyone.
"I get the couch!" called Jadeite.
"I don't think so," Kunzite said sitting on the couch before anyone could argue.
"Alright then I get the recliner!" Jadeite shouted again.
"Too late," murmured Nephrite from the recliner.
"Ummm… alright then I get the uh… floor?"
"Sorry it's taken." Zoicite joked.
"Awww.. Come on share!"
"Alright you can have half the floor."
"YAY!!!" Jadeite exclaimed.
"But you better stay on your half." Zoicite murmured slightly freaked out by Jadeites latest behaviour.
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A ringing noise woke me from my sleep. I stared over at the alarm clock for a moment before my brain registered it. My hand reached out and turned it off. It was six in the morning. The time I usually got up for school days.. or any other day really. I never use to set the alarm clock though. I could always get up at exactly 5:58 every morning on my own. However, recently I had to make sure I had it set every night because I'd been staying up too late for it to be physically possible to wake up naturally at that hour anymore.
I stretched my arm and rolled out of bed before my eyes would decide to close and let the darkness drift me back to sleep again.
"Three hours of sleep." I mumbled going to the bathroom. All this late night stuff was really starting to wear me out.
I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. I still didn't look all that great from the night before. Well maybe the others wouldn't notice if I kept a book in front of my face for the day. I went along with the usual morning rituals of brushing teeth, brushing hair and just getting ready for the day in general.
Before I left for school I picked up a small stack of papers and placed them neatly into my school bag. It was the research I had done online for the biology project. That's what had kept me up until three in the morning but I would have been up that late anyhow. The only difference was this time I had something that distracted myself from my thoughts.
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"Here Zoicite put these on," Mamoru handed Zoicite a small box.
"Colored contacts?" He questioned.
The two were in the living room. The other three generals had left to go do things. Zoicite had figured Mamoru had told them to go look for shoes or something. Though he wouldn't have been surprised if they had taken off to watch three certain girls.
"Yeah they'll make your eyes look blue."
Zoicite stared at the box reading over the directions on the back. "No way. I am not sticking something in my eye that is so gross," he suddenly exclaimed.
"Well we have to change something so you're not so easily recognized."
"I am not sticking something in my eyes." He answered stubbornly.
"Fine that's alright," Mamoru pulled out a pair of scissors, "It's probably better if we cut your hair anyhow."
Zoicite jumped away a few feet, "DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING MY HAIR!!!"
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"So Ami your coming to the dance this Friday right?" asked Minako.
"I guess," was my answer.
We were walking down the hallway to get out of school. Ahead of us Usagi and Makoto were talking about something else.
"But you got to come!" she almost yelled.
I know Minako can be overenthusiastic when it comes to these sorts of things but sometimes I think that much energy output must be tiring. "Yeah I will probably go. After all I hear the Three Lights are playing the music."
Minako stared at me, "What? They're playing!"
My eyebrows rose with curiosity. I had thought Minako would be excited by that kind of news but instead she seemed horrified by it. "I thought you of all people would know that."
She ran up ahead grabbing Usagi and Makoto by the arms, "We've got something to do Ami. I'll see you tomorrow!" she called dragging the other two off.
I watched as they ran into Rei outside. Lucky for Rei, Minako already had her hands full. Minako said something and Rei followed as she continued to drag the other two with her.
My eyebrows rose again, I swear Minako puts out more energy that she takes in, a phenomenon that science would probably never be able to explain. I smiled at my luck though. I was meeting Taiki at the library in a few minutes and I didn't need to have to explain why I had to go to the library on this particular day. Not to mention there was always the slim, very slim, chance that they might actually want to come along! I almost giggled at that thought. That would be the day.
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"Minako what's going on?" Usagi asked in a somewhat strangled voice.
She didn't answer the question. Once she had completely dragged them halfway across the schoolyard where Seiya and Yaten were she dropped her hold on her friend's arms and pointed a finger accusingly at Seiya, "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Seiya asked.
Yaten eyed the scene cautiously. Minako seemed mad and her friends were… well they looked a bit confused.
"Are you playing at the dance on Friday?"
"Yeah we are," stated Yaten. "It was Taiki's idea," he said before walking away. He had work to do and well he didn't really want to know what all this was about.
Seiya nodded and spoke once Yaten was out of ear shot, "Its true. The principal asked Taiki if we would and he said we would. It can't be changed."
"So what are we going to do now?" Rei asked somewhat annoyed.
"Hey its not ruined yet," Makoto perked up.
"How so?" asked Usagi.
"Well you're not playing the entire night, right?" Makoto asked Seiya.
"No… there's some other band playing as well."
Minako nodded, "That's right. A group called Eclipse isn't it?"
"Yeah that's the group. Suppose to be a garage band or something that's just finally getting a chance to play. Or so I was told," Seiya answered.
"Hey wait a minute. Where's Taiki? Isn't he usually with you too?" asked Rei.
Seiya gave a slight shrug, "He said he had something to do."
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I took a seat at a table that was located close to the science section of the library. I pulled out some materials from my book bag and placed them on the table. My eyes searched the library. It didn't seem Taiki was here yet.
Not wanting to seem as if I was waiting for him to get started I moved from my seat and walked to the shelves of the science section. Idly I looked over the titles of the books, tracing my finger along their spines while I walked down the aisle. Now and then picking one of the books up and placing it in my other arm.
Finishing my small quest of book searching, I returned to the table and placed the five or six titles on the tabletop. My eyes took another quick glance about the library, still no Taiki.
I might have started to wonder where he was if someone else hadn't caught my eyes. He had an oddly familiar feeling to him though I don't know why. The golden red curls of his hair would have fallen past his shoulders if they hadn't been swept up into a ponytail near the nape of his neck.
That hairstyle reminded me of Zoicite except this person's eyes were a warm blue not green. It couldn't be him. My heart sank at that thought and I shook my head trying to figure out what I was thinking. I didn't care that it wasn't him. He was dead… he died the day he turned against the Moon Kingdom and he wasn't coming back.
I gave a slight sigh, and pulled open one of the books to read. It would never be Zoicite. Besides I just couldn't picture him wearing jeans and a green t-shirt like that pretty boy reading the book was. It just wasn't his thing.
A hand touched my shoulder and I jumped. Looking up I saw Taiki and smiled. "Hey I was starting to wonder where you were."
He smiled in return taking the seat beside me, "Yeah sorry I had to talk to a teacher about something."
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Across the library blue eyes hid behind a book watching a girl.
He had entered the library to get away from Mamoru and his 'we should cut your hair' attitude. Although he was against it he put the colored contacts in. Zoicite wanted to see this study date Makoto had mentioned the night before. What better place for a study date to take place at than in a library?
He watched her. "My snowflake.. my Ami.." he whispered quietly so only he could hear. She left her book bag beside a table and moved out among the aisles of the library. 'She always had to go looking right away. As if the books themselves called to her in a voice only she could hear or understand..' his thoughts mused.
When she came back she seemed to be looking around for something. He frowned slightly, coming out of his musings, hoping she wasn't waiting for someone. He wanted Makoto to be wrong. He hid himself further behind the book when she looked his way.
She had stared at him for a short moment and he wondered if she recognized him. Part of Zoicite wished she would, another part hoped she wouldn't.
Glancing back at her he saw that she had started reading one of the books. "Either she doesn't recognize me or she's trying to ignore me. Maybe I should go over and say hi," he whispered to himself.
He was about to get up and walk over to his past love when someone else beat him to her. Zoicite's eyes narrowed at the hand the guy placed on Ami's shoulder causing the girl to jump. And then the worst thing that could possibly happen happened. Ami looked up and smiled at him. His Ami was smiling at some guy…. Was this the study date Makoto spoke of? It had to be. What else could it be?
His heart sank. Had his presumption that Ami would still be available been too premature? It seemed that way. "Its no wonder the Senshi told us to stay away. She already has someone…" he murmured getting up and walking out of the library.
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I stretched my arms upward, leaning back in my chair in the process. I was still at the library with Taiki.
I have to admit when I saw that guy I was looking at earlier had left I felt a little disappointed. Though I guess it doesn't matter. After all what are the chances I'll see him again?
My hand slipped over my mouth as it opened in a yawn. Taiki and I really hadn't spoken that much once we'd gotten started working. Most of what we had to do was research anyhow. I suppose we could have done this part of the assignment separately but I found I preferred it this way.
You know it was just nice to have someone to study with for once and actually get some work done. It kind of reminded me of the Silver Millennium in a way. Well… maybe not all of it. On Mercury it was like this but on the Moon… well those supposed study sessions were a lot like the ones we had at the shrine. I looked off into the air for a moment forgetting the work I was doing as my mind wandered off on its own.
"We've been at this for a while… maybe its time to stop. You look tired," Taiki's voice broke into my thoughts.
I looked up, "No I'm fine. Besides it hasn't really been that long. We've only been here for," I lifted my arm up to look at my watch. Was that time right? "Three hours?"
Taiki nodded. The edges of his mouth twitched into a small smile, "It really has been that long Mizuno-san."
"I'm pretty much done with my research. I can finish up the rest later tonight. How far did you get?"
"Pretty close to being done. We should be able to finish this by tomorrow," he stated starting to gather up his things.
"So should we meet here the same time tomorrow," I asked gathering my own books as well.
"No."
I looked at him blinking with confusion, "No?"
"We can walk here together. We do go to the same school after all," he spoke logically.
Smiling, I nodded, "Alright that sounds fine."
We both got up and walked to the doors of the library together. It was such a short distance to the doors. I wished the trek were much longer, maybe even never ending. Part of it was I wanted to stay with Taiki. The other was I really didn't feel like going home.
"See you tomorrow at school, Mizuno-san," Taiki said walking away.
I watched him go down the street. When he was gone I sighed slightly but then I smiled. I'd be seeing him tomorrow so why be sad about a momentary departure? Turning the other direction I headed home.
The walk home itself was fairly uneventful. When I got home however I noticed the message thing was blinking on the phone. Pushing a button on the machine it started.
"Hi you've reached the Mizuno residence please leave your name and number after the beep and we'll try to get back to you as soon as we can," my voice said then there was a long loud beep.
"Ami honey I'm sorry but I won't be home for dinner tonight. I got held up at work. There has been some sort of accident downtown and a lot of hospital staff has been called in to handle it. I'll see you later tonight. Bye." That had been my mother's voice. Not making it home again. Not a surprise.
"Hey Ami. Its Mamoru I guess you must be busy but can you call me back? Thanks."
I looked at the phone curiously. I hadn't expected to hear from Mamoru. He probably needed an idea for Usagis Christmas gift or something. Either way it didn't sound too urgent. Picking up the phone from the cradle I dialed his number and waited.
"Moshi moshi?" someone asked answering the phone. It sounded like a male voice, a very familiar one at that, but it wasn't Mamoru's.
"Is Mamoru-san home?" I asked not knowing what else to say.
"Yeah can I tell him whose calling?"
"Mizuno Ami."
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Zoicite stared down at the phone. He knew he had known that voice! His Ami was calling him! No wait she had called Mamoru. Darn it fate was so cruel. "Sure just a minute I'll call him." He turned his head towards the kitchen where he had last seen Mamoru go. "Hey Mamoru phone!"
Mamoru came out of the kitchen a moment later, a glob of peanut butter on his cheek. Various other noises started coming from the kitchen. "Thanks… could you hold them off in the kitchen before they destroy it?" He asked taking the phone.
"They started a food fight again huh?" Zoicite asked amused.
Mamoru nodded then started talking into the phone, "Moshi moshi?"
"Mamoru. You called earlier. I'm sorry you seem to have company over maybe I'll call back later…" Ami's voice could be heard.
"No that's ok. I did call you first after all. I kind of have a favor to ask you."
Then suddenly from the kitchen Jadeite's voice could be heard, "NOOO! Don't! Peanut butter is so hard to wash out of hair!"
"You started this. Now you'll pay the consequences!" shouted a very enthusiastic sounding Kunzite.
"Umm.. Mamoru is everything alright over there?" Ami asked.
"Yeah everything is fine. Don't worry just some very loud friends over for a… study session is all."
"Well ok. So what's this favor you need?" Her voice sounded a bit unsure about Mamoru's explanation about his friends but then she wasn't saying anything more about it.
"One of my friends is new in town. I just met him really. He's a pen pal and I was wondering if you could show him around Tokyo tonight. I don't really have time but I thought you might be able to."
"What about one of the other girls haven't you asked one of them?" She asked curiously.
"No offense to the others but I'm afraid they might scare him off. You know how boy crazy they can be." Mamoru was praying she'd buy that.
"Well… I suppose…maybe.." she was pausing between words and Mamoru had the suspicion she might be trying to search for a reason why she couldn't do this.
"I know I can trust you to show him more than the arcade and the mall," he said trying to add more to the reason of why it had to be Ami who did this.
"I guess… that's true.. alright I'll show him around but.. does it have to be tonight?"
Again Mamoru could see her trying to get out of it, only now she was trying to put it off. No it would have to be tonight for certain. If she had waited until tomorrow to have called him back it wouldn't have mattered but now she was possibly avoiding it. There was only one way to be certain that she would rather do it tonight than on another day. "I suppose I could have him come and pick you up when you get out at school tomorrow.." he suggested over the phone. Though he couldn't see her he had an idea of what she might be thinking. The girls would be there and whenever there was a guy and Ami together it was followed by friendly teasing. He would never do something like that to her intentionally though, she was after all a friend. The last thing he really wanted to do was embarrass her.
"You know.. I'm sure tonight really would be ok.. about what time were you thinking?" she answered after a brief hesitation.
Mamoru smiled, "How about now?"
There was a pause of silence over the phone, "This instant?"
"Sure! Why not? Just come by and you can meet him here. You don't want to stay out too late on a school night now and if you come now it'll be over sooner." He grinned knowing she would see the logical side of it.
With a slight sigh she resigned herself, "Alright I'll be there in about half an hour."
Mamoru's grin grew even wider at the response, "Thanks Ami-san! I know you'll like him. You two have a lot in common you know.."
"Don't worry Mamoru-san I'll be coming.. I'm on my way already."
"Well I'll see you when you get here then."
"Yeah.. bye Mamoru-san." There was a soft click on the other end of the line before Mamoru got a chance to say goodbye.
He hung up the phone just in time for a glob of jam to hit him in the face. He looked up to see all four of the generals tangled up in front of him. Kunzite was fighting with Jadeite over a very large container of peanut butter. Nephrite and Zoicite were scooping jam out of a jar with their hands and it was splattering everywhere.
Mamoru stood, "Ok you four. The peanut butter and jam war is over. We have to clean this mess up before Ami gets here."
"The peanut butter and jam war," Jadeite repeated cracking up.
Zoicite perked up at Ami's name, "She's coming," he murmured suddenly getting up and cleaning like mad.
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I placed the phone back down in the cradle and gave out a slight sigh. Mamoru was afraid the other girls would go boy crazy and scare away his friend. What did that say about his friend? I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions but that probably meant it was some jock. Then again if he was a friend of Mamoru maybe he wasn't like that. Besides not all jocks were the stereotypical muscle guys without brains. A lot of them were but not all of them.
I made my way to my room. I had a half hour to get to Mamoru's. That would give me just enough time to change out of my school uniform and head over there. I hadn't eaten yet but I could probably get a sandwich from the fridge to eat along the way.
Looking through my closet I pulled out a blue tank top, half-length jean skirt and a jean jacket. Not that the jacket was really required. Though it was December it was still as warm as ever outside. I just wore it along with most of my tank tops because I still wasn't comfortable wearing a sleeveless top yet. Even if Minako insisted they looked awesome on me.
After changing I neatly folded up my school uniform and put it away. Quickly I went to the kitchen and took a sandwich from one of the pre prepared lunches for the week. I'd have to make a replacement sandwich when I got back later but at least this would keep my stomach from growling.
Making sure all the lights were off, I locked the door and then was off.
Outside it was dark even though it wasn't all that late. Only about quarter after seven. Walking down the street I was weary of the darkened shadows that loomed everywhere only disappearing with the few recurring streetlights that lined the street. I unwrapped the sandwich as I went and began to chew on it, one little bite at a time.
By the time Mamoru's place came into my line of view I had finished the sandwich. I stopped walking for a moment just so I could put the wrapper in my jacket pocket. When I looked back up I froze.
Six feet tall and humanoid in shape stood an ugly red monster, five inch claws extending from its hands and a scaly body. It stared down at me like I was a side of beef.
It made an eerie howling sound that broke me out of my motionlessness. It jumped at me and I turned and ran. I felt a small rush of air go down my back as a set of claws missed my back.
It jumped over me and landed in front of me blocking my way. I skidded to a stop falling backwards in the process.
"Are you the one?" its screechy voice sounded.
I didn't answer. I just scrambled to my feet, turned the other way and tried to run again. At the same time I gripped at my wrist communicator to try and activate it.
It jumped in front of me again, a claw going at my wrist and ripping the communicator away. The communicator landed on the ground. I could hear the gears break as the youma stepped on it.
Then the monster made some sort of noise that I think was suppose to be a laugh. Though it sounded more like the combination of someone hitting the wrong note on a violin and a dying cat. "Are you the one?" it asked again.
"I… I don't know.." I answered not knowing what to do. I should reach for my transformation stick; I know that, but what if it hit that out of my hands too?
It stared down at me again for a moment causing me to take a couple steps backwards. Growling its strangely pure white eyes seemed to glow red, "You know I haven't eaten yet.." it spoke in the same screechy voice.
That was it for me. I had to chance it. My hand went for my pocket and I pulled out the transformation stick, "Mercury Crystal Power!" I called to the air. Within moments I was Sailor Mercury. I looked at the creature again but it didn't seem impressed what I had done.
It smirked, "That's alright. I like my meat tenderized." It ran at me.
I jumped out of the way but it was in front of me again. Before I could blink I was slammed into a wall. I heard a screech of delight before everything went black.
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Zoicite looked up at the clock, "You're sure she said half an hour, right?"
"Yeah why?" asked Mamoru.
"Its been thirty five minutes," stated Zoicite.
"Give the girl a break Zoicite. So she's a little late," Jadeite chimed in.
"I don't know it is a little odd for her," Mamoru thought out loud, "Though it is only five minutes."
"Maybe something is wrong," suggested Kunzite.
Nephrite nodded. He was looking at the stars through the balcony window, "Something is wrong. The stars are silent. They are watching something."
A strange screech sounded through the air.
In a flash Mamoru had transformed into Tuxedo Kamen and had jumped out the balcony window.
AN: Ok took me long enough right? Yeah.. my beta reader for this story and friend thought so too. Thanks for the help with this chapter Lily! There were a couple of things I definitely overlooked. Actually it helped me come up with some new interesting ideas for the next chapter. Don't worry that one won't take forever to come out! I'm halfway done writing it.
Ok so here's the usual speal of review and flame this story if you want to. Also a few of you may not have noticed but I started another SM fic. I posted it up on Christmas day. So while your all waiting for me to hurry up and get chapter six of this story out.. why not check out 'What Never Happened'. From the few reviews I've gotten so far it's a good one.
Enjoy the read and write up a review! I promise not to take so long with posting up the next chapter!
Chapter 5
"How about…. this one?" Mamoru asked holding up a blue shirt.
"I get dibs on that one!" shouted Jadeite grabbing the shirt and running off to the change room.
Mamoru sweat dropped, "Well ok…. Everyone else get something?"
The other three generals nodded also sweat dropping at Jadeites behaviour. They never guessed him to be such an energetic shopper.
"He'd fit in well with Minako don't you think?" asked Nephrite.
"Now I know why she always used to ask him to help her pick out what to wear…" Kunzite murmured.
Jadeite strutted out a few minutes later wearing the shirt. "Its perfect! It offsets my eye color so well…"
Zoicite leaned over towards Mamoru, Kunzite and Nephrite, "You don't suppose he spent a little too much time locked up in a stone do you?" he whispered.
Jadeite whacked Zoicite on the side of the head, "I heard that. Some people just have no appreciation for fashion." He walked briskly back to the change rooms.
"I've got appreciation for it. I just prefer to see girls being so enthusiastic about it. Not Jadeite," Zoicite mumbled rubbing his head.
"Well we're pretty much done here. So I guess its shoes next huh?" Mamoru asked.
Jadeite came out of the changing rooms about that point. "Shoes! Yeah!"
Kunzite coughed slightly to keep himself from laughing. "Prince perhaps we should forego shoes. It is late."
Nephrite and Zoicite nodded in agreement. Though they just didn't want to be stuck in the shoe department with Jadeite.
Mamoru also nodded in agreement, "Your right. Shoes can wait."
Back at Mamoru's apartment they placed all the bags into a corner in the living room. They went about trying to set up sleeping arrangements for everyone.
"I get the couch!" called Jadeite.
"I don't think so," Kunzite said sitting on the couch before anyone could argue.
"Alright then I get the recliner!" Jadeite shouted again.
"Too late," murmured Nephrite from the recliner.
"Ummm… alright then I get the uh… floor?"
"Sorry it's taken." Zoicite joked.
"Awww.. Come on share!"
"Alright you can have half the floor."
"YAY!!!" Jadeite exclaimed.
"But you better stay on your half." Zoicite murmured slightly freaked out by Jadeites latest behaviour.
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A ringing noise woke me from my sleep. I stared over at the alarm clock for a moment before my brain registered it. My hand reached out and turned it off. It was six in the morning. The time I usually got up for school days.. or any other day really. I never use to set the alarm clock though. I could always get up at exactly 5:58 every morning on my own. However, recently I had to make sure I had it set every night because I'd been staying up too late for it to be physically possible to wake up naturally at that hour anymore.
I stretched my arm and rolled out of bed before my eyes would decide to close and let the darkness drift me back to sleep again.
"Three hours of sleep." I mumbled going to the bathroom. All this late night stuff was really starting to wear me out.
I looked at myself in the bathroom mirror. I still didn't look all that great from the night before. Well maybe the others wouldn't notice if I kept a book in front of my face for the day. I went along with the usual morning rituals of brushing teeth, brushing hair and just getting ready for the day in general.
Before I left for school I picked up a small stack of papers and placed them neatly into my school bag. It was the research I had done online for the biology project. That's what had kept me up until three in the morning but I would have been up that late anyhow. The only difference was this time I had something that distracted myself from my thoughts.
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"Here Zoicite put these on," Mamoru handed Zoicite a small box.
"Colored contacts?" He questioned.
The two were in the living room. The other three generals had left to go do things. Zoicite had figured Mamoru had told them to go look for shoes or something. Though he wouldn't have been surprised if they had taken off to watch three certain girls.
"Yeah they'll make your eyes look blue."
Zoicite stared at the box reading over the directions on the back. "No way. I am not sticking something in my eye that is so gross," he suddenly exclaimed.
"Well we have to change something so you're not so easily recognized."
"I am not sticking something in my eyes." He answered stubbornly.
"Fine that's alright," Mamoru pulled out a pair of scissors, "It's probably better if we cut your hair anyhow."
Zoicite jumped away a few feet, "DON"T EVEN THINK ABOUT TOUCHING MY HAIR!!!"
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"So Ami your coming to the dance this Friday right?" asked Minako.
"I guess," was my answer.
We were walking down the hallway to get out of school. Ahead of us Usagi and Makoto were talking about something else.
"But you got to come!" she almost yelled.
I know Minako can be overenthusiastic when it comes to these sorts of things but sometimes I think that much energy output must be tiring. "Yeah I will probably go. After all I hear the Three Lights are playing the music."
Minako stared at me, "What? They're playing!"
My eyebrows rose with curiosity. I had thought Minako would be excited by that kind of news but instead she seemed horrified by it. "I thought you of all people would know that."
She ran up ahead grabbing Usagi and Makoto by the arms, "We've got something to do Ami. I'll see you tomorrow!" she called dragging the other two off.
I watched as they ran into Rei outside. Lucky for Rei, Minako already had her hands full. Minako said something and Rei followed as she continued to drag the other two with her.
My eyebrows rose again, I swear Minako puts out more energy that she takes in, a phenomenon that science would probably never be able to explain. I smiled at my luck though. I was meeting Taiki at the library in a few minutes and I didn't need to have to explain why I had to go to the library on this particular day. Not to mention there was always the slim, very slim, chance that they might actually want to come along! I almost giggled at that thought. That would be the day.
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"Minako what's going on?" Usagi asked in a somewhat strangled voice.
She didn't answer the question. Once she had completely dragged them halfway across the schoolyard where Seiya and Yaten were she dropped her hold on her friend's arms and pointed a finger accusingly at Seiya, "Is it true?"
"Is what true?" Seiya asked.
Yaten eyed the scene cautiously. Minako seemed mad and her friends were… well they looked a bit confused.
"Are you playing at the dance on Friday?"
"Yeah we are," stated Yaten. "It was Taiki's idea," he said before walking away. He had work to do and well he didn't really want to know what all this was about.
Seiya nodded and spoke once Yaten was out of ear shot, "Its true. The principal asked Taiki if we would and he said we would. It can't be changed."
"So what are we going to do now?" Rei asked somewhat annoyed.
"Hey its not ruined yet," Makoto perked up.
"How so?" asked Usagi.
"Well you're not playing the entire night, right?" Makoto asked Seiya.
"No… there's some other band playing as well."
Minako nodded, "That's right. A group called Eclipse isn't it?"
"Yeah that's the group. Suppose to be a garage band or something that's just finally getting a chance to play. Or so I was told," Seiya answered.
"Hey wait a minute. Where's Taiki? Isn't he usually with you too?" asked Rei.
Seiya gave a slight shrug, "He said he had something to do."
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I took a seat at a table that was located close to the science section of the library. I pulled out some materials from my book bag and placed them on the table. My eyes searched the library. It didn't seem Taiki was here yet.
Not wanting to seem as if I was waiting for him to get started I moved from my seat and walked to the shelves of the science section. Idly I looked over the titles of the books, tracing my finger along their spines while I walked down the aisle. Now and then picking one of the books up and placing it in my other arm.
Finishing my small quest of book searching, I returned to the table and placed the five or six titles on the tabletop. My eyes took another quick glance about the library, still no Taiki.
I might have started to wonder where he was if someone else hadn't caught my eyes. He had an oddly familiar feeling to him though I don't know why. The golden red curls of his hair would have fallen past his shoulders if they hadn't been swept up into a ponytail near the nape of his neck.
That hairstyle reminded me of Zoicite except this person's eyes were a warm blue not green. It couldn't be him. My heart sank at that thought and I shook my head trying to figure out what I was thinking. I didn't care that it wasn't him. He was dead… he died the day he turned against the Moon Kingdom and he wasn't coming back.
I gave a slight sigh, and pulled open one of the books to read. It would never be Zoicite. Besides I just couldn't picture him wearing jeans and a green t-shirt like that pretty boy reading the book was. It just wasn't his thing.
A hand touched my shoulder and I jumped. Looking up I saw Taiki and smiled. "Hey I was starting to wonder where you were."
He smiled in return taking the seat beside me, "Yeah sorry I had to talk to a teacher about something."
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Across the library blue eyes hid behind a book watching a girl.
He had entered the library to get away from Mamoru and his 'we should cut your hair' attitude. Although he was against it he put the colored contacts in. Zoicite wanted to see this study date Makoto had mentioned the night before. What better place for a study date to take place at than in a library?
He watched her. "My snowflake.. my Ami.." he whispered quietly so only he could hear. She left her book bag beside a table and moved out among the aisles of the library. 'She always had to go looking right away. As if the books themselves called to her in a voice only she could hear or understand..' his thoughts mused.
When she came back she seemed to be looking around for something. He frowned slightly, coming out of his musings, hoping she wasn't waiting for someone. He wanted Makoto to be wrong. He hid himself further behind the book when she looked his way.
She had stared at him for a short moment and he wondered if she recognized him. Part of Zoicite wished she would, another part hoped she wouldn't.
Glancing back at her he saw that she had started reading one of the books. "Either she doesn't recognize me or she's trying to ignore me. Maybe I should go over and say hi," he whispered to himself.
He was about to get up and walk over to his past love when someone else beat him to her. Zoicite's eyes narrowed at the hand the guy placed on Ami's shoulder causing the girl to jump. And then the worst thing that could possibly happen happened. Ami looked up and smiled at him. His Ami was smiling at some guy…. Was this the study date Makoto spoke of? It had to be. What else could it be?
His heart sank. Had his presumption that Ami would still be available been too premature? It seemed that way. "Its no wonder the Senshi told us to stay away. She already has someone…" he murmured getting up and walking out of the library.
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I stretched my arms upward, leaning back in my chair in the process. I was still at the library with Taiki.
I have to admit when I saw that guy I was looking at earlier had left I felt a little disappointed. Though I guess it doesn't matter. After all what are the chances I'll see him again?
My hand slipped over my mouth as it opened in a yawn. Taiki and I really hadn't spoken that much once we'd gotten started working. Most of what we had to do was research anyhow. I suppose we could have done this part of the assignment separately but I found I preferred it this way.
You know it was just nice to have someone to study with for once and actually get some work done. It kind of reminded me of the Silver Millennium in a way. Well… maybe not all of it. On Mercury it was like this but on the Moon… well those supposed study sessions were a lot like the ones we had at the shrine. I looked off into the air for a moment forgetting the work I was doing as my mind wandered off on its own.
"We've been at this for a while… maybe its time to stop. You look tired," Taiki's voice broke into my thoughts.
I looked up, "No I'm fine. Besides it hasn't really been that long. We've only been here for," I lifted my arm up to look at my watch. Was that time right? "Three hours?"
Taiki nodded. The edges of his mouth twitched into a small smile, "It really has been that long Mizuno-san."
"I'm pretty much done with my research. I can finish up the rest later tonight. How far did you get?"
"Pretty close to being done. We should be able to finish this by tomorrow," he stated starting to gather up his things.
"So should we meet here the same time tomorrow," I asked gathering my own books as well.
"No."
I looked at him blinking with confusion, "No?"
"We can walk here together. We do go to the same school after all," he spoke logically.
Smiling, I nodded, "Alright that sounds fine."
We both got up and walked to the doors of the library together. It was such a short distance to the doors. I wished the trek were much longer, maybe even never ending. Part of it was I wanted to stay with Taiki. The other was I really didn't feel like going home.
"See you tomorrow at school, Mizuno-san," Taiki said walking away.
I watched him go down the street. When he was gone I sighed slightly but then I smiled. I'd be seeing him tomorrow so why be sad about a momentary departure? Turning the other direction I headed home.
The walk home itself was fairly uneventful. When I got home however I noticed the message thing was blinking on the phone. Pushing a button on the machine it started.
"Hi you've reached the Mizuno residence please leave your name and number after the beep and we'll try to get back to you as soon as we can," my voice said then there was a long loud beep.
"Ami honey I'm sorry but I won't be home for dinner tonight. I got held up at work. There has been some sort of accident downtown and a lot of hospital staff has been called in to handle it. I'll see you later tonight. Bye." That had been my mother's voice. Not making it home again. Not a surprise.
"Hey Ami. Its Mamoru I guess you must be busy but can you call me back? Thanks."
I looked at the phone curiously. I hadn't expected to hear from Mamoru. He probably needed an idea for Usagis Christmas gift or something. Either way it didn't sound too urgent. Picking up the phone from the cradle I dialed his number and waited.
"Moshi moshi?" someone asked answering the phone. It sounded like a male voice, a very familiar one at that, but it wasn't Mamoru's.
"Is Mamoru-san home?" I asked not knowing what else to say.
"Yeah can I tell him whose calling?"
"Mizuno Ami."
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Zoicite stared down at the phone. He knew he had known that voice! His Ami was calling him! No wait she had called Mamoru. Darn it fate was so cruel. "Sure just a minute I'll call him." He turned his head towards the kitchen where he had last seen Mamoru go. "Hey Mamoru phone!"
Mamoru came out of the kitchen a moment later, a glob of peanut butter on his cheek. Various other noises started coming from the kitchen. "Thanks… could you hold them off in the kitchen before they destroy it?" He asked taking the phone.
"They started a food fight again huh?" Zoicite asked amused.
Mamoru nodded then started talking into the phone, "Moshi moshi?"
"Mamoru. You called earlier. I'm sorry you seem to have company over maybe I'll call back later…" Ami's voice could be heard.
"No that's ok. I did call you first after all. I kind of have a favor to ask you."
Then suddenly from the kitchen Jadeite's voice could be heard, "NOOO! Don't! Peanut butter is so hard to wash out of hair!"
"You started this. Now you'll pay the consequences!" shouted a very enthusiastic sounding Kunzite.
"Umm.. Mamoru is everything alright over there?" Ami asked.
"Yeah everything is fine. Don't worry just some very loud friends over for a… study session is all."
"Well ok. So what's this favor you need?" Her voice sounded a bit unsure about Mamoru's explanation about his friends but then she wasn't saying anything more about it.
"One of my friends is new in town. I just met him really. He's a pen pal and I was wondering if you could show him around Tokyo tonight. I don't really have time but I thought you might be able to."
"What about one of the other girls haven't you asked one of them?" She asked curiously.
"No offense to the others but I'm afraid they might scare him off. You know how boy crazy they can be." Mamoru was praying she'd buy that.
"Well… I suppose…maybe.." she was pausing between words and Mamoru had the suspicion she might be trying to search for a reason why she couldn't do this.
"I know I can trust you to show him more than the arcade and the mall," he said trying to add more to the reason of why it had to be Ami who did this.
"I guess… that's true.. alright I'll show him around but.. does it have to be tonight?"
Again Mamoru could see her trying to get out of it, only now she was trying to put it off. No it would have to be tonight for certain. If she had waited until tomorrow to have called him back it wouldn't have mattered but now she was possibly avoiding it. There was only one way to be certain that she would rather do it tonight than on another day. "I suppose I could have him come and pick you up when you get out at school tomorrow.." he suggested over the phone. Though he couldn't see her he had an idea of what she might be thinking. The girls would be there and whenever there was a guy and Ami together it was followed by friendly teasing. He would never do something like that to her intentionally though, she was after all a friend. The last thing he really wanted to do was embarrass her.
"You know.. I'm sure tonight really would be ok.. about what time were you thinking?" she answered after a brief hesitation.
Mamoru smiled, "How about now?"
There was a pause of silence over the phone, "This instant?"
"Sure! Why not? Just come by and you can meet him here. You don't want to stay out too late on a school night now and if you come now it'll be over sooner." He grinned knowing she would see the logical side of it.
With a slight sigh she resigned herself, "Alright I'll be there in about half an hour."
Mamoru's grin grew even wider at the response, "Thanks Ami-san! I know you'll like him. You two have a lot in common you know.."
"Don't worry Mamoru-san I'll be coming.. I'm on my way already."
"Well I'll see you when you get here then."
"Yeah.. bye Mamoru-san." There was a soft click on the other end of the line before Mamoru got a chance to say goodbye.
He hung up the phone just in time for a glob of jam to hit him in the face. He looked up to see all four of the generals tangled up in front of him. Kunzite was fighting with Jadeite over a very large container of peanut butter. Nephrite and Zoicite were scooping jam out of a jar with their hands and it was splattering everywhere.
Mamoru stood, "Ok you four. The peanut butter and jam war is over. We have to clean this mess up before Ami gets here."
"The peanut butter and jam war," Jadeite repeated cracking up.
Zoicite perked up at Ami's name, "She's coming," he murmured suddenly getting up and cleaning like mad.
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I placed the phone back down in the cradle and gave out a slight sigh. Mamoru was afraid the other girls would go boy crazy and scare away his friend. What did that say about his friend? I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions but that probably meant it was some jock. Then again if he was a friend of Mamoru maybe he wasn't like that. Besides not all jocks were the stereotypical muscle guys without brains. A lot of them were but not all of them.
I made my way to my room. I had a half hour to get to Mamoru's. That would give me just enough time to change out of my school uniform and head over there. I hadn't eaten yet but I could probably get a sandwich from the fridge to eat along the way.
Looking through my closet I pulled out a blue tank top, half-length jean skirt and a jean jacket. Not that the jacket was really required. Though it was December it was still as warm as ever outside. I just wore it along with most of my tank tops because I still wasn't comfortable wearing a sleeveless top yet. Even if Minako insisted they looked awesome on me.
After changing I neatly folded up my school uniform and put it away. Quickly I went to the kitchen and took a sandwich from one of the pre prepared lunches for the week. I'd have to make a replacement sandwich when I got back later but at least this would keep my stomach from growling.
Making sure all the lights were off, I locked the door and then was off.
Outside it was dark even though it wasn't all that late. Only about quarter after seven. Walking down the street I was weary of the darkened shadows that loomed everywhere only disappearing with the few recurring streetlights that lined the street. I unwrapped the sandwich as I went and began to chew on it, one little bite at a time.
By the time Mamoru's place came into my line of view I had finished the sandwich. I stopped walking for a moment just so I could put the wrapper in my jacket pocket. When I looked back up I froze.
Six feet tall and humanoid in shape stood an ugly red monster, five inch claws extending from its hands and a scaly body. It stared down at me like I was a side of beef.
It made an eerie howling sound that broke me out of my motionlessness. It jumped at me and I turned and ran. I felt a small rush of air go down my back as a set of claws missed my back.
It jumped over me and landed in front of me blocking my way. I skidded to a stop falling backwards in the process.
"Are you the one?" its screechy voice sounded.
I didn't answer. I just scrambled to my feet, turned the other way and tried to run again. At the same time I gripped at my wrist communicator to try and activate it.
It jumped in front of me again, a claw going at my wrist and ripping the communicator away. The communicator landed on the ground. I could hear the gears break as the youma stepped on it.
Then the monster made some sort of noise that I think was suppose to be a laugh. Though it sounded more like the combination of someone hitting the wrong note on a violin and a dying cat. "Are you the one?" it asked again.
"I… I don't know.." I answered not knowing what to do. I should reach for my transformation stick; I know that, but what if it hit that out of my hands too?
It stared down at me again for a moment causing me to take a couple steps backwards. Growling its strangely pure white eyes seemed to glow red, "You know I haven't eaten yet.." it spoke in the same screechy voice.
That was it for me. I had to chance it. My hand went for my pocket and I pulled out the transformation stick, "Mercury Crystal Power!" I called to the air. Within moments I was Sailor Mercury. I looked at the creature again but it didn't seem impressed what I had done.
It smirked, "That's alright. I like my meat tenderized." It ran at me.
I jumped out of the way but it was in front of me again. Before I could blink I was slammed into a wall. I heard a screech of delight before everything went black.
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Zoicite looked up at the clock, "You're sure she said half an hour, right?"
"Yeah why?" asked Mamoru.
"Its been thirty five minutes," stated Zoicite.
"Give the girl a break Zoicite. So she's a little late," Jadeite chimed in.
"I don't know it is a little odd for her," Mamoru thought out loud, "Though it is only five minutes."
"Maybe something is wrong," suggested Kunzite.
Nephrite nodded. He was looking at the stars through the balcony window, "Something is wrong. The stars are silent. They are watching something."
A strange screech sounded through the air.
In a flash Mamoru had transformed into Tuxedo Kamen and had jumped out the balcony window.
AN: Ok took me long enough right? Yeah.. my beta reader for this story and friend thought so too. Thanks for the help with this chapter Lily! There were a couple of things I definitely overlooked. Actually it helped me come up with some new interesting ideas for the next chapter. Don't worry that one won't take forever to come out! I'm halfway done writing it.
Ok so here's the usual speal of review and flame this story if you want to. Also a few of you may not have noticed but I started another SM fic. I posted it up on Christmas day. So while your all waiting for me to hurry up and get chapter six of this story out.. why not check out 'What Never Happened'. From the few reviews I've gotten so far it's a good one.
Enjoy the read and write up a review! I promise not to take so long with posting up the next chapter!