by Sailor Earth
*Author's Notes*
Hey guys, I'm sorry for my long absense - I've been so stressed out with exams and universities prospectuses that my writing just had to be put on hold. But I desperately wanted to get something written for you before I go on holiday. And this is it. I know it's not much, and I'm truly sorry for stopping at such an inapropriate point, but I have no more time, I really have to sleep now! So I'll see you in three weeks, when I get back from my holiday. I look forward to reading any comments or reviews you may write! Bye! P.S. Aurora Isis Tomoe - I seem to remember you asking for lots of Ami/Zoi, so I was just getting to them when I had to stop! :( However, it DOES mean that I'll have the next chapter all about them! Yay!
*Chapter Eleven - Learning*
"It's hard but I'll summon up my courage and transform
Moon Prism Power Makeup!
The pretty soldier of love and justice will punish you in place of the moon!"
Translated from Tsukini Kawatte Oshioki Yo
"Excuse me," he whispered, before closing his eyes, a look of extreme concentration on his face. His usual scent of roses intensified, power surging through his veins, and in a split-second his clothes transformed into his Tuxedo Kamen ensemble of a white mask, a tuxedo, and a silver-black cape. I sighed because, trust me, he looked incredibly hot!
I heard that thought! he muttered, or at least I thought he did, but then was unsure because I didn't see his lips move. That's right, his voice came again, You're reading my thoughts, just like I read yours. However, I had little time to muse over this newly-aquired skill, because it seem Minako was impatient to get on with the training.
"There's a really neat little trick Luna wants me to show you!" she enthused, "She says you can use your tiara to throw in defence, and when you've got the hang of throwing it, I'll show you how to power it up to make it a weapon. First off, just practice throwing it, kind like a frisbee." So I drew the tiara from my forehead, and held it out, only to find that it magically transformed into a flat disc. I threw it to Mamoru, who caught with ease. Well, that's not so hard! I thought to myself.
"Seems like you're a natural!" Minako exclaimed, "OK come here, and I'll show you how focus your power into it." Standing behind me, she reached her gloved hands around so that they covered my own hands as they held the tiara. "Concentrate on the tiara, focus your mind on it, Usagi-chan," she instructed, "I'll concentrate, too, to help you." I did as she said, best I could, and although I didn't expect much to happen, I felt a tingling warmth rushing through my arms, flowing through my fingertips and into the tiara. I took a deep breathe. Although physically, I was doing very little, this task still seemed to require a lot of energy. When I felt I could concentrate no more, Minako pulled away, yelling, "Quick, throw it!" So I did, and it forcefully hit a nearby tree, slicing deep into it, before reveberating back into my hands again. Minako cheered. Kunzite let out a low whistle of admiration.
"Well done, Usagi-chan!" his voice was soft and deep. I smiled shyly, a little embarassed at the attention, since I didn't really feel I'd done an awful lot.
"Why don't you give it another ago, this time without Minako's help," Mamoru interupted. So I did. But this time, the tiara didn't even dent the bark. It just fell to the ground with a pathetic clunk. It would be fair to say that I felt more than a little dissapointed. But Mamoru seemed to think I'd done great.
"Yeah, whatever, like that will do a lot when I'm in trouble!" I muttered, my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"You'll improve!" Minako assured me, "And besides, you still haven't learnt 'The Speech' yet!"
"'The Speech'?!" I asked. Minako smiled enigmatically.
"Watch and learn... Kunzite, you be the enemy so I can show Usagi-chan what to do." Kunzite snorted.
"Haha, good one Mina-chan, like she actually wants to hear your dumb speech!" he teased. Minako pouted. Then, leaping up on to a tree branch, she struck a comical pose, her fingers forming a V-sign in front of her eyes. She pointed an accusing finger at Kunzite, looked him straight in the eye, and began.
"Stop right there! I'm the Goddess of Love, Sailor Venus! I stand for love and justice, and in the name of Venus, I'll punish you for the many injustices you have caused!" When she'd finished Kunzite promptly leapt up towards her and tackled her to the ground.
"Too slow, honey," he laughed, "Mamoru, show Usagi how it's actually done."
"Well, if you're sure you want your ass licked, then I'll just go right ahead!" Mamoru warned. Kunzite said nothing, so Mamoru continued, "Hey you! Yeah, I'm talking to you, stoneface! How dare you go pushing innocent young girls around. They should be treated with respect, not wrestled to the ground! You'll pay for what you've done to that girl! Tuxedo La Smoking Bomber!" As he uttered those last words, he conjured a great ball of smoking, and fired it towards Kunzite, who dived out the way just in time, freeing Minako so that she could make her escape. "And that is how it is done, Usako!" Mamoru concluded.
"But what is the point?" I asked.
"Why, it is too distract them so that when you attack they aren't prepared. Although I didn't attack Kunzite at the end of my speech, so he had a chance to fight back. It also helps if you are waiting for the other senshi to arrive at the battle, and you need to buy some time," Minako explained.
Later that evening, Minako asked me to have dinner with her, Ami, Makoto and Rei. She told me that Makoto would be cooking. Remembering the yummy food I'd seen at Makoto's stall in the village, I glady agreed. Inside, their cottage was a lot like Mamoru's, but slightly larger. Unlike Mamoru's, they also had a dining table in their downstairs room. Makoto was standing at the small stove, cooking, whilst Minako helped. I sat down on one of the chairs, and soon Ami joined me.
"You look deep in thought, Usagi-chan," she told me. I guess it wasn't really a question as such, but I knew she was trying to find out what I was thinking. I had, in fact, I had been trying to let my 'chat' with Mamoru sink in. He loved me. He'd told me so himself. But it felt new and strange, and I didn't know how I was supposed to act around him anymore. Then I remembered seeing Ami and Zoisite so happy under the tree that morning. Perhaps Ami could help, afterall. What did I have to lose? I wondered. Nothing. So I asked,
"Ami-chan, what's it like to be in love?"