SMAG
Chapter 3 - DJ Love Is In
Beryl was sitting on the throne with blazing eyes. She looked down on Jedeite. "You have failed miserably! It is but a little girl!"
Jedeite stepped forward. "With all do respect, she is very powerful...and smart!"
"But we will be more powerful! You aren't fit for my army if you can't hack it." Beryl raised her hand and Jedeite started to cry out protests, but she ignored them. Energy flowed from her hand and he disappeared. "Now, who thinks they can do any better?"
Out of the shadows another general appeared with short-ish black hair and light silver eyes. His face did not look harsh like the other generals. "I will, my lady."
Beryl nodded. "Go now, Nephrite."
~*~*~
April and Megami were in April's room reading teen magazines. They had the stereo turned up with their favorite CD in. April hadn't got much sleep the last few nights. She had been torn between her attraction to Gemini Knight and her budding relationship with Ryo. She looked almost as bad as Meg had the other day when she had got that nasty charm.
Meg looked over at her with a worried expression. "Are you feeling okay? You look as sick as I did the other day."
"Yeah, that's it. I'll be okay in a day or two," April lied. She couldn't tell her friend her problem without revealing her other identity. She wished she could though, but it was like that movie she saw once. *It's for me to know, and them to find out.* She sighed inwardly.
"Hey, look at this, that DJ Love from the local radio station is coming here," Meg pointed to a page in one of their new magazines. "It's the new one, with the sorta love advice show. He helps you with your love probs."
April snapped out of it at that. "Love advice? When's he coming?"
"This Saturday!"
"I guess we better plan on being there." She wondered how she'd make it until then without falling apart.
~*~*~
The next day after school, April said good bye to Meg at the ice cream parlor after walking her home. She turned and started heading towards her street. But, before she did she was going to stop by at the drug store to find something to help her sleep better plus she had to refill her asthma medication. The pharmacist recommended some herbs and rang them up.
She turned to go with her bag when she once again, just as a week earlier, ran into an expanse of black clothed chest. She dropped her bag and she felt the bow on her uniform get slightly lighter. Ryo's arms went around her to stop her from toppling backward. She reveled in them until her mind reminded her why she was in here. "Excuse me." She said softly.
She moved away and bent to pick up her bag. She turned and saw that he had bent to pick up her broach that had fallen off. He was studying it intently. She reached over and took it from him. He gave her a weird look before straightening up.
"You don't look so good, gettin sick?" He asked with concern.
"I'm fine," she placed her broach back on her bow. Then she clutched her bag to her. "I'll see you later."
She turned to leave and he took her arm. He looked like he wanted to say something, then changed his mind. "You don't have to act cool around me."
"I'm not."
"Hai, you were all, 'excuse me'...'see ya around.' " He glanced at the clerk and took her outside, completely forgetting why he went in there in the first place. April looked at him fully for the first time since they had bumped into each other a second ago. He didn't look well either. He pulled her to the side. "If you have regrets about us...dating or what not, just say so."
"No! Never," she shook her head. "By the way, you look sick, too. You came in to get medicine obviously. You can go back in, I won't keep you. You shouldn't even be out."
"Look who's talking. And, it's nothing that a cold shower and a good night's rest won't fix."
"Cold shower?" She blinked...and then it dawned on her and she blushed scarlet. "Did I...?" He nodded and she looked away, now thoroughly embarrassed.
"And, now, I'm sure I won't have a problem sleeping tonight." She didn't see him glance at the broach.
"That's good..." She still had her face turned to the side.
He chuckled. "Your eyes won't melt if you look at me." He took her by the chin and turned her face his way. "So, what's in the bag?"
"Nothing."
"Then that clerk just ripped you off," he took it and started to open it.
"Hey, that ain't none of your business." She started trying to grab for it, but he simply held it out of reach of her short height. "Well, that's not fair." She planted her tiny hands on her small hips.
"It never is with a tall boyfriend."
"Hmm...but I know how to even it up." She started tickling him a bit, but when that didn't work she reached up and put her hands on his shoulders. She pulled him towards her and planted a deep kiss on his lips. As soon as the arm drooped, though, she snatched the bag back and looked up at him with a smug smile.
"Hey, that's a personal foul or something," he grinned down at her.
"Do you really wanna know what's in my bag?? Are you afraid it's birth control or something?" She coyly pulled out only the asthma medication. "I just needed a refill."
"I was only giving you a hard time," he gave her a quick peck on the forehead. She looked up at him then, studying him it seemed. Then she put the medication away and smiled.
"I gotta go," April smiled and turned to go. Ryo put a hand on her shoulder to halt her, she looked back at him questioningly.
"Friday night, do you wanna..." He let it hang.
She nodded. "Sure."
She continued down the street. Ryo watched her walk away with a strange half-smile on his face. He stood leaning against the wall of the alley twirling a pink rose between his fingertips.
~*~*~
Saturday afternoon, Megami and April were in the park with a crowd of other lovesick girls waiting for DJ Love. April chewed her nails thinking about her encounter with Ryo. Oh well, her problems with Ryo and Gemini Knight were why she was here to get advice. Hopefully, this DJ Love person could help her. Her pink odangos were ringed with little white buds, with the ends of her hair ponytails a bit wavy. She had on a flowery sundress with sandals. Megami's blonde hair was pulled back in a blue bow. She wore jeans and a blue shirt.
Finally, the music that usually heralded DJ Love's segment on the radio played over the loud speakers. Everyone in the crowd started to cheer. A tall man walked onto the stage, and he was young. Surprising since he was supposed to be so wise. His black hair was spiked up in the latest style and he wore sunglasses. He smiled to the crowd and took his seat.
"Okay, today I wanted to answer your love advice, personally! Don't you give better advice when you know more about the person? Am I right?" He smiled. "Now, I'll try and do as many as I can...but I can't do everyone, I'd be sitting here for weeks probably." He chuckled and the crowd laughed, too. "Plus, everyone that I talk to gets this cute little pin that says, 'DJ Love saved me!'."
April looked at her lap. She sure hoped he was as good as all that. She also hoped Ryo would not find out about this little advice clinic... How would she explain that she was torn between him and some mysterious man that saves her from daemons and kisses her at night...Then she would be forced to tell him about being Sailor Moon! Because if she did not...the stuff about some strange guy fighting daemons and then kissing her in the middle of the night just sounded strange.... She sweat dropped.
People were chosen from the crowd for DJ Love to help. Some cried while he comforted them and some raged while he calmed them. One guy (yes a guy!) got up there and asked if he should propose to his girlfriend, and then turned around to really propose in front of everyone. Then DJ Love's eyes moved in their direction and stuck on Megami all of a sudden. He pointed to her and waved her up.
Megami glanced at April. "Come up there with me, you don't have to sit beside me...but be there...maybe he'll be nice enough to do you afterwards." Her eyes pleaded with April.
"Okay..." They stood and moved up to the stage. April stood to the side while Megami sat by the DJ.
"Who's your friend? Is...she your-" DJ Love began with a worried look.
"No...NO!" Megami waved her arms and for some reason he looked a bit relieved. "She's here for a little support, she's my bestest bud."
"Oh, I'll do her right after you if she needs it." He removed his sunglasses to smile at Megami. "I can't believe someone like you would need help with love, though."
Meg looked at him as if she did not know if that was a compliment or insult. "Well, that's sorta my problem...I want to attract a date..."
April looked off to the side. She saw the couple that just got engaged walking towards the gate. The man looked exhausted...maybe it was all the excitement. But, then she saw other previous contestants that suddenly looked like they have not slept in weeks. Something was wrong here, and as if to prove it Luna was suddenly there beside her. She kneeled down beside the cat, sure that no one would hear them over the din of the crowd, they would think she was just baby talking the kitty.
"Luna, I'm getting a bad feeling about this thing," April said.
"Good, you're developing an awareness of situations quickly," Luna purred with delight. "But...down to business...you're right. And like the charms at the carnival, I think those pins are to blame."
"Me too...and Megami is about to receive one."
"Intercept it before she can put it on."
April nodded and turned to watch Megami.
"How about tonight at seven o'clock," DJ Love was telling Megami. "And once other guys see you out with me they'll realize what a prize you are."
April's eyes bugged. Meg was going out on a date with the guy giving out the evil objects?! She just about fainted. Meg stood up and DJ Love handed her a pin. She turned and smiled at April as she walked over.
"Wow, what luck! Your turn," Meg beamed. She fumbled with the pin.
April took it from her. "Nah, I changed my mind. Here, let me-oh! I broke the clasp...I'm so sorry, it doesn't matter anyhow since you'll get to go on a date with him." She threw the pin into a trash bin as they walked out.
"Yeah, I'll be the envy of all the girls at school!"
As they leave through the gates to the park, April spotted Ryo across the street. Caught red handed, they happened to be standing under a big banner advertising DJ Love. She pulled Meg to the side with her before he can see her. They stopped just around the corner. Meg looked at her.
"What was that?" Meg asked.
"Ryo," April panted. "I don't want him to know I needed love advice...or I'd have to explain why. Look to see if he spotted me."
Meg peeked around the corner. "Uh-oh, he's coming this way." Her friend started walking away. "I better stay out of this, so I'll just go get ready for tonight."
April's mouth dropped open. Her bestest bud was abandoning her! She was standing like that with her hands on her hips when Ryo finally rounded the corner. He smirked. He was wearing his usual jeans and blue shirt that was half open under the heat of the day.
"You can catch bugs like that, y'know," He said.
She started and spun around. "Hi, Ryo."
"You must not have seen me a second ago, cause I know you wouldn't intentionally avoid me, right?" He moved a step nearer to her.
She smiled. "Of course not, I was just waiting here for you to catch up." Okay, that even sounded lame to her. She toyed with her sundress.
"Oh, okay," He stepped closer. "You gonna tell me why you were in the park at DJ Love's show?"
She bit her lip. "Just because I was in the park didn't mean I was there for that!" Good one.
"But I saw you on stage with Megami." He stepped closer.
Grrr, he had her. "I was just there for Megami. What were you doing there?" Good, turn the tables and change the subject.
"Megami told me the other day when I ran into her that you two were gonna attend DJ Love's show there. I wanted to see why you would want to talk to him," He stepped even closer and he was almost on top of her. She looked up at him and gulped. Oh gawd, she was in for it.
"I'm pregnant!" She slapped herself in the forehead. "Noo....ummm... I'm sleep walking."
She closed her eyes and lifted her arms like a zombie. She turned and started to walk into the street and oncoming traffic. Ryo grabbed her first and dragged her back up onto the sidewalk. He pulled her against him and she gasped. Her eyes flew open and she looked up at him with big eyes.
"I know you're still a virgin," Ryo looked at her with steely eyes. She opened her mouth but he covered it with a hand. "That wasn't an insult, I know you are too good of a girl to be like that. And, you told me yourself that you were saving yourself until you were married... unless you up and got married without me."
April was not sure if that was a joke so she continued to stare up at him with big emerald eyes.
"I just want a simple answer," Ryo's voice grew softer. "Please."
Then she remembered that not everyone there had a 'problem'. She gulped. "I just wanted some advice from him...about us," Okay...make this good. "We really don't know each other that much...before a couple weeks ago, we barely saw each other. B-but then, all of a sudden we're like all over each other....well, not literally all over each other...but we probly would be given half a chance." She groaned, she had told the truth pretty much, but she was babbling a bit. She took a deep breath and continued. "I just wanted to know if people could really just suddenly be sooo..." She let it hang.
"In love?" He held her face in his hands. One day when she found out everything like he had the other day, he would have to tell her that her eyes were so expressive so that knowing her like he did, he could read her like a book and knew that she was lieing about why she had been there. He already knew, but wanted to make her sweat. She would hurt him for it later, but it was funny now. Considering he was both men that she was torn between and needed advice on. He chuckled inwardly. He dipped his head and kissed her.
She moaned and reached up to play with his wind ravaged hair. She thought she liked blonde hair, both her men had it. "Yeah...something like that." She smiled. "Am I off the hook now that you drug that out of me?"
"First you gotta say you'll have dinner with me tonight," He tightened his arms around her.
"We just went out last night."
"You sick of me already?"
"No... okay, I will."
He had to do this to her. "I'll come get you at seven."
Her heart skipped a beat. "No! I mean...I have something planned then...can we go at five? Please?"
"Sure thing...I'll see you then," He gave her another kiss before releasing her. She smiled and ran off. He was not sure if what he should think about this little test. Happy that she had kept her night job a secret and her knowledge of Gemini Knight to herself. Or a bit sad that she had lied to him. He shook his head. He would just be happy she loved him... in both his guises. He turned and walked away whistling.
~*~*~
At half past six, Ryo returned April home. He dipped her and gave her a kiss. Then they sat on the steps for a few minutes and he toyed with her pink hair that was once again out of its odangos. For their date she had pulled the top back into a heart-shaped bun and curled the bottom half. He wound his finger in one of her curls. They had decided that to make her feel not quite so rushed and in love with a stranger that they would get to know each other...tell each other more about themselves; and they had not stopped all night.
"How long have you had Luna?" Ryo asked.
"About as long as we've been going out," April looked at her watch. "I need to go soon..." She looked up at him. "Have you had any others?"
"Pets?" He toyed with the curl a bit more. She gave him a look that said 'you know what I mean' and he smiled. "You're my first serious."
She blinked up at him and smiled slowly. He prodded her and she shook her head. He tugged her close and gave her a kiss. "I'll let you go." He stood and walked towards his car. She sat watching him leave...from behind. (What a view!)
Then her father came around the corner and through the front gate as Ryo was leaving. The two guys nodded to each other as they passed. Mr. Tsukino looked at his daughter afterwards. "Was that your boyfriend?"
She blushed and nodded.
"Very nice looking, invite him to supper soon. I think I've seen him around before, good kid." With that her father walked in.
April sprung up and ran down the street towards the restaurant that Megami was going to be with DJ Love. She wheezed a bit when she got there, but ignored it. She searched the area until she saw her friend. She spotted them in the corner. She sighed and crouched down to watch. They were sitting way too close for her liking.
Then he leaned over to say something in Megami's ear. April strained to read his lips, but she was interrupted by a commotion outside. With a sigh, she turned around to check it out. Her eyes rolled heavenward, just the timing. Another monster. She jumped up and ran around the corner to transform. When she came back out she gasped, the monster had Megami!
"Stop right there!" Sailor Moon yelled at the monster.
It turned its face her way. "You want to be next?" It cackled. Its voice was like grating rocks.
"No, I'm here to stop you! I'm the pretty sailor suited fighter, Sailor Moon!"
It dropped Megami and the others that hung from its tentacles to come at Sailor Moon. She dodged out of the way with a cry of alarm. She kept up with the tentacles, but it was getting tedious. She had to do something. Then she heard her name being called, "Sailor Moon!" She turned as she dodged tentacles. She twisted her ankle and fell down onto the street.
"Oh lord," Gemini Knight rushed towards her. Before he got there, a tentacle snaked towards her and lifted her off the ground.
Something slashed the tentacle and the monster screamed in pain. He catched Sailor Moon before she hit the street again. They both turn to see a small senshi with shoulder-length violet hair and flashing blue eyes. She held a glaive in her hands with a drop of blood on the blade.
"Who are you?" Sailor Moon called out. "Thank you for saving me."
"You're most welcome, fellow senshi. I am Sailor Saturn." The girl bowed her head slightly. "I'll take care of the monster, you take care of your ankle, Sailor Moon."
Gemini Knight nodded. He started to carry her off, she put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "I want to watch her." He stopped and turned her so she could see better.
Sailor Saturn lunged at the monster in a flurry of slashes from the glaive. Soon, the monster was minus the tentacles and plus some gashes. Saturn went in for one last lunge to impale it. The monster screamed and disappeared.
Sailor Moon pointed towards her friend Megami and Gemini Knight carried her over. He gently set her on the ground. She knelt beside her friend. She looked up as someone cast another shadow near her. She looked up to see DJ Love.
"You get away from her," Sailor Moon said. "I know who you work for."
He changed into his general uniform. "I'm Nephrite...but I mean your friend no harm."
"Like I trust you..."
Gemini Knight put a hand to her shoulder and she looked up. He nodded and picked her up again. He carried her to the sidewalk. She looked up at him puzzled.
"You didn't see the way he watched your friend... I believe him... he cares for her," Gemini Knight said. "I know that look that was in his eyes." He was looking down at her with his stunning green eyes and she got the feeling he was giving her that same look.
Sailor Moon sighed. "Okay... I'll leave it... but only because I'm starting to trust you... I don't know why."
He chuckled. "Will you be okay getting home?"
She nodded and he set her down. He gave her a quick kiss before leaving. She hobbled into an alley and powered down, then made her way home.
Chapter 3 - DJ Love Is In
Beryl was sitting on the throne with blazing eyes. She looked down on Jedeite. "You have failed miserably! It is but a little girl!"
Jedeite stepped forward. "With all do respect, she is very powerful...and smart!"
"But we will be more powerful! You aren't fit for my army if you can't hack it." Beryl raised her hand and Jedeite started to cry out protests, but she ignored them. Energy flowed from her hand and he disappeared. "Now, who thinks they can do any better?"
Out of the shadows another general appeared with short-ish black hair and light silver eyes. His face did not look harsh like the other generals. "I will, my lady."
Beryl nodded. "Go now, Nephrite."
~*~*~
April and Megami were in April's room reading teen magazines. They had the stereo turned up with their favorite CD in. April hadn't got much sleep the last few nights. She had been torn between her attraction to Gemini Knight and her budding relationship with Ryo. She looked almost as bad as Meg had the other day when she had got that nasty charm.
Meg looked over at her with a worried expression. "Are you feeling okay? You look as sick as I did the other day."
"Yeah, that's it. I'll be okay in a day or two," April lied. She couldn't tell her friend her problem without revealing her other identity. She wished she could though, but it was like that movie she saw once. *It's for me to know, and them to find out.* She sighed inwardly.
"Hey, look at this, that DJ Love from the local radio station is coming here," Meg pointed to a page in one of their new magazines. "It's the new one, with the sorta love advice show. He helps you with your love probs."
April snapped out of it at that. "Love advice? When's he coming?"
"This Saturday!"
"I guess we better plan on being there." She wondered how she'd make it until then without falling apart.
~*~*~
The next day after school, April said good bye to Meg at the ice cream parlor after walking her home. She turned and started heading towards her street. But, before she did she was going to stop by at the drug store to find something to help her sleep better plus she had to refill her asthma medication. The pharmacist recommended some herbs and rang them up.
She turned to go with her bag when she once again, just as a week earlier, ran into an expanse of black clothed chest. She dropped her bag and she felt the bow on her uniform get slightly lighter. Ryo's arms went around her to stop her from toppling backward. She reveled in them until her mind reminded her why she was in here. "Excuse me." She said softly.
She moved away and bent to pick up her bag. She turned and saw that he had bent to pick up her broach that had fallen off. He was studying it intently. She reached over and took it from him. He gave her a weird look before straightening up.
"You don't look so good, gettin sick?" He asked with concern.
"I'm fine," she placed her broach back on her bow. Then she clutched her bag to her. "I'll see you later."
She turned to leave and he took her arm. He looked like he wanted to say something, then changed his mind. "You don't have to act cool around me."
"I'm not."
"Hai, you were all, 'excuse me'...'see ya around.' " He glanced at the clerk and took her outside, completely forgetting why he went in there in the first place. April looked at him fully for the first time since they had bumped into each other a second ago. He didn't look well either. He pulled her to the side. "If you have regrets about us...dating or what not, just say so."
"No! Never," she shook her head. "By the way, you look sick, too. You came in to get medicine obviously. You can go back in, I won't keep you. You shouldn't even be out."
"Look who's talking. And, it's nothing that a cold shower and a good night's rest won't fix."
"Cold shower?" She blinked...and then it dawned on her and she blushed scarlet. "Did I...?" He nodded and she looked away, now thoroughly embarrassed.
"And, now, I'm sure I won't have a problem sleeping tonight." She didn't see him glance at the broach.
"That's good..." She still had her face turned to the side.
He chuckled. "Your eyes won't melt if you look at me." He took her by the chin and turned her face his way. "So, what's in the bag?"
"Nothing."
"Then that clerk just ripped you off," he took it and started to open it.
"Hey, that ain't none of your business." She started trying to grab for it, but he simply held it out of reach of her short height. "Well, that's not fair." She planted her tiny hands on her small hips.
"It never is with a tall boyfriend."
"Hmm...but I know how to even it up." She started tickling him a bit, but when that didn't work she reached up and put her hands on his shoulders. She pulled him towards her and planted a deep kiss on his lips. As soon as the arm drooped, though, she snatched the bag back and looked up at him with a smug smile.
"Hey, that's a personal foul or something," he grinned down at her.
"Do you really wanna know what's in my bag?? Are you afraid it's birth control or something?" She coyly pulled out only the asthma medication. "I just needed a refill."
"I was only giving you a hard time," he gave her a quick peck on the forehead. She looked up at him then, studying him it seemed. Then she put the medication away and smiled.
"I gotta go," April smiled and turned to go. Ryo put a hand on her shoulder to halt her, she looked back at him questioningly.
"Friday night, do you wanna..." He let it hang.
She nodded. "Sure."
She continued down the street. Ryo watched her walk away with a strange half-smile on his face. He stood leaning against the wall of the alley twirling a pink rose between his fingertips.
~*~*~
Saturday afternoon, Megami and April were in the park with a crowd of other lovesick girls waiting for DJ Love. April chewed her nails thinking about her encounter with Ryo. Oh well, her problems with Ryo and Gemini Knight were why she was here to get advice. Hopefully, this DJ Love person could help her. Her pink odangos were ringed with little white buds, with the ends of her hair ponytails a bit wavy. She had on a flowery sundress with sandals. Megami's blonde hair was pulled back in a blue bow. She wore jeans and a blue shirt.
Finally, the music that usually heralded DJ Love's segment on the radio played over the loud speakers. Everyone in the crowd started to cheer. A tall man walked onto the stage, and he was young. Surprising since he was supposed to be so wise. His black hair was spiked up in the latest style and he wore sunglasses. He smiled to the crowd and took his seat.
"Okay, today I wanted to answer your love advice, personally! Don't you give better advice when you know more about the person? Am I right?" He smiled. "Now, I'll try and do as many as I can...but I can't do everyone, I'd be sitting here for weeks probably." He chuckled and the crowd laughed, too. "Plus, everyone that I talk to gets this cute little pin that says, 'DJ Love saved me!'."
April looked at her lap. She sure hoped he was as good as all that. She also hoped Ryo would not find out about this little advice clinic... How would she explain that she was torn between him and some mysterious man that saves her from daemons and kisses her at night...Then she would be forced to tell him about being Sailor Moon! Because if she did not...the stuff about some strange guy fighting daemons and then kissing her in the middle of the night just sounded strange.... She sweat dropped.
People were chosen from the crowd for DJ Love to help. Some cried while he comforted them and some raged while he calmed them. One guy (yes a guy!) got up there and asked if he should propose to his girlfriend, and then turned around to really propose in front of everyone. Then DJ Love's eyes moved in their direction and stuck on Megami all of a sudden. He pointed to her and waved her up.
Megami glanced at April. "Come up there with me, you don't have to sit beside me...but be there...maybe he'll be nice enough to do you afterwards." Her eyes pleaded with April.
"Okay..." They stood and moved up to the stage. April stood to the side while Megami sat by the DJ.
"Who's your friend? Is...she your-" DJ Love began with a worried look.
"No...NO!" Megami waved her arms and for some reason he looked a bit relieved. "She's here for a little support, she's my bestest bud."
"Oh, I'll do her right after you if she needs it." He removed his sunglasses to smile at Megami. "I can't believe someone like you would need help with love, though."
Meg looked at him as if she did not know if that was a compliment or insult. "Well, that's sorta my problem...I want to attract a date..."
April looked off to the side. She saw the couple that just got engaged walking towards the gate. The man looked exhausted...maybe it was all the excitement. But, then she saw other previous contestants that suddenly looked like they have not slept in weeks. Something was wrong here, and as if to prove it Luna was suddenly there beside her. She kneeled down beside the cat, sure that no one would hear them over the din of the crowd, they would think she was just baby talking the kitty.
"Luna, I'm getting a bad feeling about this thing," April said.
"Good, you're developing an awareness of situations quickly," Luna purred with delight. "But...down to business...you're right. And like the charms at the carnival, I think those pins are to blame."
"Me too...and Megami is about to receive one."
"Intercept it before she can put it on."
April nodded and turned to watch Megami.
"How about tonight at seven o'clock," DJ Love was telling Megami. "And once other guys see you out with me they'll realize what a prize you are."
April's eyes bugged. Meg was going out on a date with the guy giving out the evil objects?! She just about fainted. Meg stood up and DJ Love handed her a pin. She turned and smiled at April as she walked over.
"Wow, what luck! Your turn," Meg beamed. She fumbled with the pin.
April took it from her. "Nah, I changed my mind. Here, let me-oh! I broke the clasp...I'm so sorry, it doesn't matter anyhow since you'll get to go on a date with him." She threw the pin into a trash bin as they walked out.
"Yeah, I'll be the envy of all the girls at school!"
As they leave through the gates to the park, April spotted Ryo across the street. Caught red handed, they happened to be standing under a big banner advertising DJ Love. She pulled Meg to the side with her before he can see her. They stopped just around the corner. Meg looked at her.
"What was that?" Meg asked.
"Ryo," April panted. "I don't want him to know I needed love advice...or I'd have to explain why. Look to see if he spotted me."
Meg peeked around the corner. "Uh-oh, he's coming this way." Her friend started walking away. "I better stay out of this, so I'll just go get ready for tonight."
April's mouth dropped open. Her bestest bud was abandoning her! She was standing like that with her hands on her hips when Ryo finally rounded the corner. He smirked. He was wearing his usual jeans and blue shirt that was half open under the heat of the day.
"You can catch bugs like that, y'know," He said.
She started and spun around. "Hi, Ryo."
"You must not have seen me a second ago, cause I know you wouldn't intentionally avoid me, right?" He moved a step nearer to her.
She smiled. "Of course not, I was just waiting here for you to catch up." Okay, that even sounded lame to her. She toyed with her sundress.
"Oh, okay," He stepped closer. "You gonna tell me why you were in the park at DJ Love's show?"
She bit her lip. "Just because I was in the park didn't mean I was there for that!" Good one.
"But I saw you on stage with Megami." He stepped closer.
Grrr, he had her. "I was just there for Megami. What were you doing there?" Good, turn the tables and change the subject.
"Megami told me the other day when I ran into her that you two were gonna attend DJ Love's show there. I wanted to see why you would want to talk to him," He stepped even closer and he was almost on top of her. She looked up at him and gulped. Oh gawd, she was in for it.
"I'm pregnant!" She slapped herself in the forehead. "Noo....ummm... I'm sleep walking."
She closed her eyes and lifted her arms like a zombie. She turned and started to walk into the street and oncoming traffic. Ryo grabbed her first and dragged her back up onto the sidewalk. He pulled her against him and she gasped. Her eyes flew open and she looked up at him with big eyes.
"I know you're still a virgin," Ryo looked at her with steely eyes. She opened her mouth but he covered it with a hand. "That wasn't an insult, I know you are too good of a girl to be like that. And, you told me yourself that you were saving yourself until you were married... unless you up and got married without me."
April was not sure if that was a joke so she continued to stare up at him with big emerald eyes.
"I just want a simple answer," Ryo's voice grew softer. "Please."
Then she remembered that not everyone there had a 'problem'. She gulped. "I just wanted some advice from him...about us," Okay...make this good. "We really don't know each other that much...before a couple weeks ago, we barely saw each other. B-but then, all of a sudden we're like all over each other....well, not literally all over each other...but we probly would be given half a chance." She groaned, she had told the truth pretty much, but she was babbling a bit. She took a deep breath and continued. "I just wanted to know if people could really just suddenly be sooo..." She let it hang.
"In love?" He held her face in his hands. One day when she found out everything like he had the other day, he would have to tell her that her eyes were so expressive so that knowing her like he did, he could read her like a book and knew that she was lieing about why she had been there. He already knew, but wanted to make her sweat. She would hurt him for it later, but it was funny now. Considering he was both men that she was torn between and needed advice on. He chuckled inwardly. He dipped his head and kissed her.
She moaned and reached up to play with his wind ravaged hair. She thought she liked blonde hair, both her men had it. "Yeah...something like that." She smiled. "Am I off the hook now that you drug that out of me?"
"First you gotta say you'll have dinner with me tonight," He tightened his arms around her.
"We just went out last night."
"You sick of me already?"
"No... okay, I will."
He had to do this to her. "I'll come get you at seven."
Her heart skipped a beat. "No! I mean...I have something planned then...can we go at five? Please?"
"Sure thing...I'll see you then," He gave her another kiss before releasing her. She smiled and ran off. He was not sure if what he should think about this little test. Happy that she had kept her night job a secret and her knowledge of Gemini Knight to herself. Or a bit sad that she had lied to him. He shook his head. He would just be happy she loved him... in both his guises. He turned and walked away whistling.
~*~*~
At half past six, Ryo returned April home. He dipped her and gave her a kiss. Then they sat on the steps for a few minutes and he toyed with her pink hair that was once again out of its odangos. For their date she had pulled the top back into a heart-shaped bun and curled the bottom half. He wound his finger in one of her curls. They had decided that to make her feel not quite so rushed and in love with a stranger that they would get to know each other...tell each other more about themselves; and they had not stopped all night.
"How long have you had Luna?" Ryo asked.
"About as long as we've been going out," April looked at her watch. "I need to go soon..." She looked up at him. "Have you had any others?"
"Pets?" He toyed with the curl a bit more. She gave him a look that said 'you know what I mean' and he smiled. "You're my first serious."
She blinked up at him and smiled slowly. He prodded her and she shook her head. He tugged her close and gave her a kiss. "I'll let you go." He stood and walked towards his car. She sat watching him leave...from behind. (What a view!)
Then her father came around the corner and through the front gate as Ryo was leaving. The two guys nodded to each other as they passed. Mr. Tsukino looked at his daughter afterwards. "Was that your boyfriend?"
She blushed and nodded.
"Very nice looking, invite him to supper soon. I think I've seen him around before, good kid." With that her father walked in.
April sprung up and ran down the street towards the restaurant that Megami was going to be with DJ Love. She wheezed a bit when she got there, but ignored it. She searched the area until she saw her friend. She spotted them in the corner. She sighed and crouched down to watch. They were sitting way too close for her liking.
Then he leaned over to say something in Megami's ear. April strained to read his lips, but she was interrupted by a commotion outside. With a sigh, she turned around to check it out. Her eyes rolled heavenward, just the timing. Another monster. She jumped up and ran around the corner to transform. When she came back out she gasped, the monster had Megami!
"Stop right there!" Sailor Moon yelled at the monster.
It turned its face her way. "You want to be next?" It cackled. Its voice was like grating rocks.
"No, I'm here to stop you! I'm the pretty sailor suited fighter, Sailor Moon!"
It dropped Megami and the others that hung from its tentacles to come at Sailor Moon. She dodged out of the way with a cry of alarm. She kept up with the tentacles, but it was getting tedious. She had to do something. Then she heard her name being called, "Sailor Moon!" She turned as she dodged tentacles. She twisted her ankle and fell down onto the street.
"Oh lord," Gemini Knight rushed towards her. Before he got there, a tentacle snaked towards her and lifted her off the ground.
Something slashed the tentacle and the monster screamed in pain. He catched Sailor Moon before she hit the street again. They both turn to see a small senshi with shoulder-length violet hair and flashing blue eyes. She held a glaive in her hands with a drop of blood on the blade.
"Who are you?" Sailor Moon called out. "Thank you for saving me."
"You're most welcome, fellow senshi. I am Sailor Saturn." The girl bowed her head slightly. "I'll take care of the monster, you take care of your ankle, Sailor Moon."
Gemini Knight nodded. He started to carry her off, she put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. "I want to watch her." He stopped and turned her so she could see better.
Sailor Saturn lunged at the monster in a flurry of slashes from the glaive. Soon, the monster was minus the tentacles and plus some gashes. Saturn went in for one last lunge to impale it. The monster screamed and disappeared.
Sailor Moon pointed towards her friend Megami and Gemini Knight carried her over. He gently set her on the ground. She knelt beside her friend. She looked up as someone cast another shadow near her. She looked up to see DJ Love.
"You get away from her," Sailor Moon said. "I know who you work for."
He changed into his general uniform. "I'm Nephrite...but I mean your friend no harm."
"Like I trust you..."
Gemini Knight put a hand to her shoulder and she looked up. He nodded and picked her up again. He carried her to the sidewalk. She looked up at him puzzled.
"You didn't see the way he watched your friend... I believe him... he cares for her," Gemini Knight said. "I know that look that was in his eyes." He was looking down at her with his stunning green eyes and she got the feeling he was giving her that same look.
Sailor Moon sighed. "Okay... I'll leave it... but only because I'm starting to trust you... I don't know why."
He chuckled. "Will you be okay getting home?"
She nodded and he set her down. He gave her a quick kiss before leaving. She hobbled into an alley and powered down, then made her way home.
