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Hey all! I'm back! Sorry for the looong wait on this puppy, but life (and
fanfiction.net) went crazy, and I had no time (or ability) to write this
and post it. But I really wanted to get this out to you guys. Fourteen
reviews for one chapter is phenomenal, and I wanted thank you by getting
this out ASAP. In fact, I'm doing this when I should be working on my
summer assignments and correspondence course. ::glares menacingly at
teachers:: So, here it is! Enjoy!!
Disclaimer: I've got the whole world in my hand I've got the whole world in my hand I've got the whole world Except for the copy right to sailor moon!
Ye-aaaah! ::jazz hands::
--------------~
Just across town, in plush bathroom that was roughly the size of the Big Island of Hawaii, Minako Starre, model of the century and the cause of Zachary's problems and Ami's headache, sat and stared at herself in the mirror, a small frown sitting oddly upon her normally beaming features.
"What's wrong with me lately?" She demanded of her reflection, "Why am I letting Zachary get to me?"
In all honesty, she really was perplexed. Suicide just wasn't her *thing*. She considered herself a cheerful and extremely exuberant person, and as such her actions of the previous evening were completely at odds with everything she stood for. It wasn't like any of her critics were going to believe _that_, however. She had already heard the dismissal of her near-death experience as a staged and poorly played melodrama designed to give her career a boost by playing on people's sympathies.
Minako was unable to hold back an extremely unladylike snort. As *if*! Though even she admitted that she had a tendency to be a teensy bit melodramatic, it wasn't like she'd go and stage a legitimate near-death experience as a publicity stunt. If she were going to do something for attention, it would most likely involve tight jeans and a small halter, not mass amounts of alcohol and sleeping pills. And anyway, it wasn't like her career actually _needed_ boosting. Her own megawatt smile and shapely figure coupled with large blue eyes and waves of shimmering blonde hair made sure that she stayed at the top.
Goddesses did not need to resort to desperate measures to continue to make a living.
Determinedly wiping any troubled expression off her face, she swept her hair over her shoulder and struck a pose, million-dollar smile flashing brightly. "Eat your heart out Pamela Anderson! Perfection like mine does not need any assistance whatsoever." She enthused, dancing around a little. She sidled closer to the mirror and kissed it, giggling, "My ego probably doesn't need any help either!"
"I'll agree to that, Ms. Starre," A deep voice rumbled flatly from the direction of the doorway.
Minako "eep-ed" and whirled around, a mild blush dancing on her cheeks as she realized she'd been observed during one of her self pep-talks. The fact that she knew the identity of this intruder did nothing to improve her mental state; it worsened it. "Koujirou Hayashi!" She accused.
"The same."
The man, now identified as one Koujirou Hayashi, was leaning against the doorframe to *her* bathroom, arms crossed casually across his chest, his usual "smirk of superiority" (as Minako had dubbed it some years prior) gracing features.
When Minako's mind wandered to how good he looked in his business suit her flush deepened. When she looked into his silver-gray eyes and realized he had noticed her appraisal, she reddened still further.
His smirk widened. "Sorry to interrupt you in a rare moment of humility, Ms. Starre, but if you would like my assistance, I'm pretty sure we could get that ego of yours back down to a size that will fit in a normal bathroom."
Sternly refusing to let him bait her, Minako took a deep breath, let it out to a count of ten, repeated the process until she was calm (about eight times), then replied: "How kind of you to offer, Mr. Hayashi, but it seems a completely unnecessary gesture on your part, as you have been determinedly doing your damnedest to destroy my self-respect for years."
Which was true. Koujirou had been making a living out of harassing her ever since they had met at the party of a mutual friend, some seven years ago. Minako honestly could not understand why Nickolas and Lauren seemed to enjoy his company. Sure he *was* handsome. And rich. And intelligent. And generous. But he had this *arrogance*! The way he carried himself, and his expectation that all the women in the world would (and did) fall fainting at his feet-OoooooO! she couldn't even think about it without getting angry. Her eyes blazed.
Koujirou raised one eyebrow delicately. "The offer of assistance was merely a formality, I assure you Ms. Starre. If you were to decline, I would feel that I should continue my noble efforts, if not for your sake, then for the poor people that have to deal with you."
Minako sucked in another breath. 'Calm. Must be calm.' She hated this man. Hated the fact that she never seemed able to win against him on any front. Hated the fact that she now owed him, of all people, her life. Why did it have to be *him* of all people who had found her half-dead in that alley? She was honestly surprised he had taken her to the emergency room instead of letting her just die. But then, he probably couldn't pass up the chance to have even more to harass her about.
She gritted her teeth and tried to speak in an even tone. "I'm going to let that one, and the fact that you, sir, have entered not only my home, but my bathroom unannounced go for now, because I am grateful to you for saving me last night. That, and the fact I'm quite curious as to *why* you are here. Now explain yourself or go, I'm expecting company." She tried her best to imitate his haughty expression (though she never could seem to get her eyebrow to lift right).
It was her question, not her ridiculous expression, that made Koujirou pause. What exactly was her going to tell her? He certainly couldn't say that he had been torn up with worry about her. True as it was, he had the feeling she wouldn't be as flattered as most women would have been. In fact, she'd probably laugh, say something mocking, then throw him out on his ear. Not an attractive concept.
No, he was just going to have to make something up. He had a talent for talking out of his ass, anyway. He could be embarrassed about what came out later. He usually was when he reviewed any of his conversations with Minako. Something about her just brought out his worst.
"You mean what drew me here, besides your obvious charms? Ok, ok." He held up his hands in defense. "Truth is I wanted to find out--"
He was cut off by the doorbell. He took a tiny breath and exhaled quickly. Saved.
Minako sighed heavily, pulled her robe tighter, and moved to answer the door, her body brushing his lightly as he was still blocking the doorway.
"Excuse me."
Blue eyes met gray, and he was riveted long after she had disappeared down the hallway.
-----------~
Zachary stood on Minako's doorstep holding a bouquet of roses and mentally rehearsing his plan. It was a masterpiece of beauty and simplicity. It had hit with startling clarity about 2:00 this morning. He had been trying to figure out a way to keep her on without endangering his bachelorhood, and round about his sixth shot of tequila had realized that that would be impossible. He loved her and it was obviously the right thing to do. So today, he, Zachary Anderson was going to take the plunge. He was going to do it. He was going to ask her to be his wife.
He could see her face light up when she flung open the door.
"Zachary!" She beamed, making a bee-line for the roses, and after making sure that they were of the thornless variety, threw herself into his arms. "What on Earth are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working right now?"
Zach smiled softly down at the blonde in his arms. "It's a Saturday, love, I get off at 2:00."
She nuzzled closer. "Oh, that's right."
"Can I come in, baby? There's something really important I need to talk to you about."
Minako peeked up at him through her lashes, wondering what could be so serious as to warrant that tone. "Oh, of course, come on in." She took his hand. "Mr. Hayashi was just leaving, weren't you?"
Zachary noted for the first time the large silver-haired male standing forgotten at the foot of the stair case. He cocked a brow. "Friend of yours?"
Minako shook her head a firm negative. "Brief acquaintance. He was the one who saved my life yesterday."
Zach ran his eyes over the sturdy, stone-cold features on the man's expressionless face; he was giving nothing away.
Zachary extended a hand. "I guess I owe you a 'thank you', then, for saving my baby's life." They shook firmly.
Koujirou turned to Minako, said his farewells, and left, feeling Zachary's eyes boring into his back the whole time.
---------------~
Whoo! So, there it is! Chapter 2! I'm so excited. Yes, I know there are a few problems with it (especially near the end) but it's done. Let me know what you think, k? I like reviews. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Preview for next chapter:
He could feel a headache coming on, and for the first time, felt some sympathy for his secretary. He paused. His secretary!
Disclaimer: I've got the whole world in my hand I've got the whole world in my hand I've got the whole world Except for the copy right to sailor moon!
Ye-aaaah! ::jazz hands::
--------------~
Just across town, in plush bathroom that was roughly the size of the Big Island of Hawaii, Minako Starre, model of the century and the cause of Zachary's problems and Ami's headache, sat and stared at herself in the mirror, a small frown sitting oddly upon her normally beaming features.
"What's wrong with me lately?" She demanded of her reflection, "Why am I letting Zachary get to me?"
In all honesty, she really was perplexed. Suicide just wasn't her *thing*. She considered herself a cheerful and extremely exuberant person, and as such her actions of the previous evening were completely at odds with everything she stood for. It wasn't like any of her critics were going to believe _that_, however. She had already heard the dismissal of her near-death experience as a staged and poorly played melodrama designed to give her career a boost by playing on people's sympathies.
Minako was unable to hold back an extremely unladylike snort. As *if*! Though even she admitted that she had a tendency to be a teensy bit melodramatic, it wasn't like she'd go and stage a legitimate near-death experience as a publicity stunt. If she were going to do something for attention, it would most likely involve tight jeans and a small halter, not mass amounts of alcohol and sleeping pills. And anyway, it wasn't like her career actually _needed_ boosting. Her own megawatt smile and shapely figure coupled with large blue eyes and waves of shimmering blonde hair made sure that she stayed at the top.
Goddesses did not need to resort to desperate measures to continue to make a living.
Determinedly wiping any troubled expression off her face, she swept her hair over her shoulder and struck a pose, million-dollar smile flashing brightly. "Eat your heart out Pamela Anderson! Perfection like mine does not need any assistance whatsoever." She enthused, dancing around a little. She sidled closer to the mirror and kissed it, giggling, "My ego probably doesn't need any help either!"
"I'll agree to that, Ms. Starre," A deep voice rumbled flatly from the direction of the doorway.
Minako "eep-ed" and whirled around, a mild blush dancing on her cheeks as she realized she'd been observed during one of her self pep-talks. The fact that she knew the identity of this intruder did nothing to improve her mental state; it worsened it. "Koujirou Hayashi!" She accused.
"The same."
The man, now identified as one Koujirou Hayashi, was leaning against the doorframe to *her* bathroom, arms crossed casually across his chest, his usual "smirk of superiority" (as Minako had dubbed it some years prior) gracing features.
When Minako's mind wandered to how good he looked in his business suit her flush deepened. When she looked into his silver-gray eyes and realized he had noticed her appraisal, she reddened still further.
His smirk widened. "Sorry to interrupt you in a rare moment of humility, Ms. Starre, but if you would like my assistance, I'm pretty sure we could get that ego of yours back down to a size that will fit in a normal bathroom."
Sternly refusing to let him bait her, Minako took a deep breath, let it out to a count of ten, repeated the process until she was calm (about eight times), then replied: "How kind of you to offer, Mr. Hayashi, but it seems a completely unnecessary gesture on your part, as you have been determinedly doing your damnedest to destroy my self-respect for years."
Which was true. Koujirou had been making a living out of harassing her ever since they had met at the party of a mutual friend, some seven years ago. Minako honestly could not understand why Nickolas and Lauren seemed to enjoy his company. Sure he *was* handsome. And rich. And intelligent. And generous. But he had this *arrogance*! The way he carried himself, and his expectation that all the women in the world would (and did) fall fainting at his feet-OoooooO! she couldn't even think about it without getting angry. Her eyes blazed.
Koujirou raised one eyebrow delicately. "The offer of assistance was merely a formality, I assure you Ms. Starre. If you were to decline, I would feel that I should continue my noble efforts, if not for your sake, then for the poor people that have to deal with you."
Minako sucked in another breath. 'Calm. Must be calm.' She hated this man. Hated the fact that she never seemed able to win against him on any front. Hated the fact that she now owed him, of all people, her life. Why did it have to be *him* of all people who had found her half-dead in that alley? She was honestly surprised he had taken her to the emergency room instead of letting her just die. But then, he probably couldn't pass up the chance to have even more to harass her about.
She gritted her teeth and tried to speak in an even tone. "I'm going to let that one, and the fact that you, sir, have entered not only my home, but my bathroom unannounced go for now, because I am grateful to you for saving me last night. That, and the fact I'm quite curious as to *why* you are here. Now explain yourself or go, I'm expecting company." She tried her best to imitate his haughty expression (though she never could seem to get her eyebrow to lift right).
It was her question, not her ridiculous expression, that made Koujirou pause. What exactly was her going to tell her? He certainly couldn't say that he had been torn up with worry about her. True as it was, he had the feeling she wouldn't be as flattered as most women would have been. In fact, she'd probably laugh, say something mocking, then throw him out on his ear. Not an attractive concept.
No, he was just going to have to make something up. He had a talent for talking out of his ass, anyway. He could be embarrassed about what came out later. He usually was when he reviewed any of his conversations with Minako. Something about her just brought out his worst.
"You mean what drew me here, besides your obvious charms? Ok, ok." He held up his hands in defense. "Truth is I wanted to find out--"
He was cut off by the doorbell. He took a tiny breath and exhaled quickly. Saved.
Minako sighed heavily, pulled her robe tighter, and moved to answer the door, her body brushing his lightly as he was still blocking the doorway.
"Excuse me."
Blue eyes met gray, and he was riveted long after she had disappeared down the hallway.
-----------~
Zachary stood on Minako's doorstep holding a bouquet of roses and mentally rehearsing his plan. It was a masterpiece of beauty and simplicity. It had hit with startling clarity about 2:00 this morning. He had been trying to figure out a way to keep her on without endangering his bachelorhood, and round about his sixth shot of tequila had realized that that would be impossible. He loved her and it was obviously the right thing to do. So today, he, Zachary Anderson was going to take the plunge. He was going to do it. He was going to ask her to be his wife.
He could see her face light up when she flung open the door.
"Zachary!" She beamed, making a bee-line for the roses, and after making sure that they were of the thornless variety, threw herself into his arms. "What on Earth are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be working right now?"
Zach smiled softly down at the blonde in his arms. "It's a Saturday, love, I get off at 2:00."
She nuzzled closer. "Oh, that's right."
"Can I come in, baby? There's something really important I need to talk to you about."
Minako peeked up at him through her lashes, wondering what could be so serious as to warrant that tone. "Oh, of course, come on in." She took his hand. "Mr. Hayashi was just leaving, weren't you?"
Zachary noted for the first time the large silver-haired male standing forgotten at the foot of the stair case. He cocked a brow. "Friend of yours?"
Minako shook her head a firm negative. "Brief acquaintance. He was the one who saved my life yesterday."
Zach ran his eyes over the sturdy, stone-cold features on the man's expressionless face; he was giving nothing away.
Zachary extended a hand. "I guess I owe you a 'thank you', then, for saving my baby's life." They shook firmly.
Koujirou turned to Minako, said his farewells, and left, feeling Zachary's eyes boring into his back the whole time.
---------------~
Whoo! So, there it is! Chapter 2! I'm so excited. Yes, I know there are a few problems with it (especially near the end) but it's done. Let me know what you think, k? I like reviews. They make me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Preview for next chapter:
He could feel a headache coming on, and for the first time, felt some sympathy for his secretary. He paused. His secretary!