Title: Heaven, Hell, and Somewhere in Between
Authors: Stara and Nataku
Rating: R (Did you know this is the highest we can go now? Yes, all you
hentai lovers will have to turn to us to fufill your "needs". *get odd looks
on their face* *shudder*)
Genre: Romance/Alternate Reality
Disclaimer: We own Jack Squat. That should clear everything. (*a man in the
audience stands up* "I'm Jack Squat...you own me?" *both blink and look at
one another*)
Author Notes: This chapter is dedicated to the people who lost their lives
on September 11th. May we never forget them...
Hm...well, we read your reviews (believe it or not) and many times
too..(Probably we reread them every other day or so...sad isn't it?) So we
want you to know that we hear you! ^_^ From now on we are going to apply a
personal message to each and ever one of you people who review. (Yeah, you
get your name in our story. All the more reason to review, right? *look
hopeful*
Chapter 6: Office Romance: Dues and Don'ts
"Say, do you think that guy's straight?"
Kunzite whipped his head around, his ears perked up.
"Nah, look how long his hair is. And those boots! Ah! I would KILL for shoes like that! They're so in season! He must really know his clothes!"
"You're right, my gaydar is so off today!"
Kunzite's eyes grew wide and he ended up stumbling into a person in front of him. These Earthlings were strange...
Curses. He wasn't sure HOW he had gotten talked into this, but
for some odd reason unknown to him, he was at the mall.
He glanced at his shopping list that Mamoru had provided him with. "Okay, first thing: normal clothes- hey! I like my clothes!"
He turned the shopping list over. "In Rome, do as the Romans do."
He gulped before taking a step into the store in front of him- a place he had feared most of his
childhood. The Gap.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If you have ever been at a Youth Group meeting, that was all girls, and then suddenly a hoarde of shirtless guys ran through the room screaming 'vagina' at the top of their lungs, you still would not be as surprised as Usagi Tsukino was at that moment.
She stood there for a moment, staring at him disbelievingly, her eyes wide and jaw hanging slightly open.
Mr. Chiba beckoned her into his office. "Good morn....ing...." he stopped, letting his eyes travel over her slender form.
Mamoru shook his head. She looked familiar...now where had he seen her before? Oh well. Not to worry. If things went according to plan with this new business deal, he would get to know her.....get to know her VERY well.....
She blinked, looking over at him to see if there was any recognition in his eyes, before shaking her head and walking forward. 'He will pay..' she silently seethed while putting on a pasted smile. "I hope that your advertising can do something for my new line." she handed him her
portfolio. She new the designs were weak, the lack of sex was killing her.
Mamoru took the folder, but instead of browsing through it, he set it to the side and folded his hands in front of him and winked at her. "Tell me about yourself, Miss Tsukino..." He had not failed to notice that oh-so-short skirt she was sporting....
Closing her eyes, she clenched her fists at her side. What sick game was he playing?! Then it hit her. Hard. He didn't recognize her AT ALL. Not much of a surprise there, she had looked like a train wreck at that bakery. And now he was...he was...hitting on her? She smiled. Oh, yes.
Revenge could be sweet. "Not much to know. I lived in Europe for a long time, but I moved here a couple months ago. I've hit it pretty big, but I still need a good advertising company. What about yourself?" She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear
Mamoru leaned back in his chair and tilted his head down, looking up at her from the corner of his eyes. Yes, quite a nice view indeed.... He cleared his throat. "I am Mamoru Chiba, founder of Chiba Industries of Advertising. I know every hot spot in this city. You know...if
you wanted, I could show you around some time."
She crossed her legs seductively, trying to be obvious in her motives, and licked her lips offhandishly. "That sounds like fun. I don't get out much between work and school and I'm sure you know how to show a girl a good time." she winked.
He ran his eyes up and down her legs, surprised at her reaction. Most chicks would have knocked him into next week for taking such liberties. Oh yeah. She was easy.
"Well, I would most certainly like to take you up on that some time. Now, let me take a look at your sketches."
Hmm..this would be harder than she thought. She stood up as he opened her sketches and walked behind his chair, leaning over and pointing to various things and explaining them. "I was thinking this should be in silk..."
He put on his glasses and flipped through the designs in the folder. Good God, she SUCKED! But....ooh, was she leaning over him now? He looked up, pleased to see that he had a nice view.
"My dear, what ARE your credentials?"
She felt her face go slightly read at such a blunt statement. She knew her sketches were awful, but did he have to be so rude about it?! "If you don't want my business I'm sure that I can find another company with-"
Hmm. Time for a tactful move. "But Miss Tsukino, why would you consider another advertising agency when you've found the right one here?" Okay, so it wasn't tact; it was strategy. But it was working. "I'm curious," he started, "as to what kind of work you've done before so that we can steer you in the right direction." He finished with a smile. So this one was different. She was a woman, but she wasn't going to be pushed around.
She smiled again. "This is my first job. I went into a coma when I was seventeen so I haven't had much experience. Things just sort of flow onto the paper when I'm in the right MOOD." She emphasized the last word slightly, but not too much and then turned the page to a dazzling outfit. "I made this one a month ago."
He frowned. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that." He flipped through some more. "I see what you mean. Look at some of these earlier sketches. They're fantastic! But I will be honest with you, as we progress, they seem to get....a bit dull. Is there any reason why for this
transition?"
She bit her bottom lip and sighed heavily. "Yes, it's lack of inspiration really. I haven't had much time to do anything between work and school, as I said before, so finding inspiration is difficult." She moved back to her chair across from him. "I'll just have to wait for the right
guy...I mean SUBJECT!" she corrected herself quickly.
Mamoru propped his head up with his elbow. "Perhaps you will find something here that will....inspire you," he said, allowing a small grin to cross his lips. "Well, Miss Tsukino, if you beleive you've found the right company, we are pleased to be working with you." He held out his hand for a handshake.
Naru pulled her head from around the corner of the offic and raised an eyebrow. "I've never seen him offer a handshake before.." she whispered.
She clasped his hand and shook it firmly, keeping eye contact, to assure him that he would not have complete control of this deal. "I look forward too working for you too." she picked up her portfolio and stuffed her sketches wrecklessly inside of it. She use could them as toilet
paper, they were shit anyway.
"Miss Tsukino, are you hungry? There is this wonderful little coffee shop just down the street from here, and I didn't get a chance to have breakfast this morning."
Smiling wickedly she nodded graciously. "Oh, I'd love to. I swear I have the oddest hankering for a blueberry muffin..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Minako just stood there staring at him. He looked so damn familiar! Taking a sip of her latte she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sauntered up to him confidently. He was looking into the Gap as if slightly defeated and she poked him to get his attention. "Excuse me, but do I know you?"
Kunzite blinked in surprise. There were too many bright lights around, and the music playing in the background was far too cheery for such a grim place.... "Actually, I'm looking for...." he glanced at his list. Oh right. Excuse me. I'm an angel from Heaven whose not supposed to BE HERE in the first place, but I need some clothes so that I can pass as a normal human being among the masses in Tokyo. He looked around and spoted a pair of jeans in the far corner. Thinking that the young blonde in front of him was an employee, "Those," he said, pointing.
What the poor saint failed to recognize was the sign behind them that read "Women's Jeans".
She dropped her latte on the floor, her eyes going wide. "No...it can't be..." She backed up slowly towards the door of the Gap her eyes closed as she did so. "It's not him, it's not him, it's not him.." she repeated to herself stopping and trying to regain control of her breathing.
Kunzite blinked. "Is there a problem? If there is, that's fine, I can just find this stuff myself..." He stumbled. Being in crowded places, especially during the daytime, disoriented him.
"Please tell me that your name isn't Kunzite. Just please tell me that!" She opened her eyes looking at him, ready to flee if she needed too.
Kunzite's blood ran cold. H-had he been found out? No. Better to deny it and keep a low profile.
"N-no," he stammered. "My name's Malachite." He caught sight of her trembling hands and the shattered remains of a coffee cup on the floor. She looked so scared, so very frightened..."Miss? are you alright?"
"M-M-Malachite?" she stuttered dumbly, blinking once and looking up at him. "THANK YOU!" she wrapped her arms arounnd him, hugging him to her tightly. She pulled away, a huge smile on her face. "You won't believe how relieved I am to hear that! You look so much like him, I was sure..." she trailed off before shaking her head. "Sorry I bothered you. Name's Aino Minako, resident future super star!" she winked and the energy only Minako possessed radiated
from her. She looked at the jeans he had pointed to. "Those are women's jeans, ya know..."
Kunzite turned bright red. "Err...I KNEW that. I-"
"Never fear, though, Minako Aino, expert shopper is here!" She placed her hands on her hips and winked triumphantly before, to his distress, running up and down the aisles, grabbing random clothing items and stuffing them in his arms.
"Miss Aino!" he cried. "I didn't plan on spending THIS much!"
She stopped. "Oh, that's okay. My boyfriend will pay for everything!" She smiled. "He's rich."
"Nevertheless, I must protest- AH!"
She giggled as she grabbed him and shoved him and the clothes into the nearest changing room. Kunzite sighed and slipped out of his shirt, but caught the collar of it on his head and stumbled backwards. "Miss Aino-"
Minako laughed to herself as she heard him struggling in the dressing room.
"Don't be silly, call me Minako. We're friends now afterall." She called out
cheerily. Yes, shopping was so much fun, though she was getting the oddest
suspicion that he was gay. She shrugged. "I've always wanted a gay, guy best
friend." sShe giggled while flipping through some of the swimsuits. One
caught her eye and she held it up triumphantly. "Hell, yeah! A speedo!!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mamoru nodded. "Yes, I was just about to suggest..." Waist. A. Gosh-darn
cottin-pickin. Second. There was too much of a taunt in her voice, an almost
gleeful snicker. And then it hit him like a ton of bricks.
SHE WAS THE MUFFIN GIRL!!!
Okay, wait, that just sounded stupid.
SHE WAS THE GIRL FROM THE BAKERY!!! Oh, now everything made sense! The
inability to place her in his mind, the confounding respect...
He stopped in mid-sentence. Did she recognize him? No. He was safe-for the
time being. But how long would it be before she did? Okay. Calm down. He had
to be subtle...
She raised an eyebrow at his response. She was sure he would've caught on by
now as to who she was. She blinked. Maybe it wasn't him? No, he had the same
strong build, the same sexy voice, and the same deep, blue eyes. She could
get lost in those eyes...She closed her own eyes, trying to shake her head
free of thoughts that she could probably get arrested for. She licked her
lips unconsciously while inwardly berating herself. 'Gods, could I be more
desperate?!' She heard him cough and she realized she'd been standing there
awhile. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, unaware that her eyes were
darker with some carnal emotion.
Mamoru's eyes traced the path of her tongue as Usagi unconsciously licked
her lips, some of his more primitive (yet frequently reoccuring) instincts
beginning to surface. His flesh became hot and burning to the touch, and he
found himself breaking out into a sweat. Not now, Mamory, nnot here...
He tried to speak, but his voice refused to cooperate. He coughed, trying to
clear it, causing a startled and embarassed look to form on her face. Her
smooth, fair face, unblemish and slightly pink from her embarassment...
Mamoru had to stop himself from reaching out to caress her cheek. If the
twitching of his muscles in his arms hadn't told him this, the pounding in
his chest would have.
For the first time in his life, Mamoru Chiba was afraid.
She suddenly became aware of how close they were standing. Watching him
closely she saw his arm twitch and sweat appear on his forehead as some
foreign emotion filled his eyes. What was it...fear? No, he could fear
nothing, much less her. Despite the control she was famous for using, she
felt herself slowly leaning forward, her lips slightly puckered. She felt
his warm breath on her lips and her hands lifted up, getting ready to wrap
around his neck...
"Mr. Chiba?" Naru knocked on the office door. Usagi quickoly pulled away,
her hands falling limply at her sides as she turned to glare at her best
friend. "There's a woman named Rei here to see you, she said you should
recognize her from where you used to live..." Naru nervously looked about
the office, avoiding the stare of her best friend.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Beryl cast a frantic glance behind her and drew in a deep breath before
strolling towards the two doors in her pristine, white, nurse's uniform. If
she looked and acted the part, she just might be able to pull this off...
Life on Earth was hell. No, it was worse than hell. It was like one of those
boring field trips to a stupid museum that nobody cares about but just went
on to get out of class, on a hot bus filled with screaming kids and a bus
driver with a death wish. Okay, so that was basically her entire elementary
school career. But Earth STILL sucked!
Suddenly, she was jolted out of her sad and pathetic life memories by an
ear-piercing scream. Beryl looked up, momentarily afraid she had been found
out, to see a girl with raven-colored hair waving her arms and two squaking
crows perched upon her shoulders...
The girl's eyes widened at the scream and she froze, a drop of sweat
appearing on her forehead. The girl in front of her continued to scream as
tears filled her eyes and she ran away. Rei blinked, her hands falling to
her sides.
"She didn't even pay me!" she noted angrily, shoving her hands into her
empty pockets. She had been sure that being a psychic was going to make her
a fortune, since they seemed to be so popular here on Earth, but NO! She
shook her head and rubbed her temples annoyedly. Her demon abilities
actually gave her ssome psychic tendencies and so she thought it would be a
good career choice. Humans are fickle though, so of course they wouldn't go
to someone who actually was the real deal. 'I guess they don't like the
future I tell, even if it is true...' Ugh, this really sucked. She was so
poor she had to grow her own friggin food! "Excuse me, can I help you?" she
looked over at Beryl, who had been staring for quite awhile. "Oh, you're a
customer?" she ran over to the red-head before stopping short and letting
her eyes go wide.
"Beryl?! What the hell are you doing here?!!!!"
Beryl's voice was just as, if not higher. "What are YOU doing here, Rei?" A
million different possibilities ran through her head. Why was Rei here? Was
this even the-the same Rei she had known? and just why the hell was it
always so damn easy to spot Beryl incognito?! She put a lot of work into her
disguises, dammit!
"Nope, I asked you first." the failing-psychic said,
placing her hands on her hips. She was Lucifer's main representative in
dimplomatic deals with Heaven and so she knew the red-headed saint rather
well. She often wondered how Beryl had gotten into heaven, but then again,
she didn't really care.
"Well, if you must know...I'm on vacation! Yes, vacation!" Beryl lied.
"A vacation? On Earth?" Rei laughed, the crows that had been
perched on her shoulders swooping off at the sudden movements and flying
skyward. "Nice try Beryl, but everyone knows that Earth is worse than Hell."
Beryl sniffed, trying not to let any sign of weakness show. "Well, HINO REI," she said, stressing the girl's name and looking around her to let people know that this was the name of the crazy solicitator, "you haven't told ME what you're doing here. And I should be quite curious to
find out."
"Well, if you MUST know BERYL, who happens to be PRACTICING AS A NURSE WITHOUT A LISCENSE, I'm on a mission here for Lucifer." she sighed heavily to show she wasn't very pleased about it. "And I'm sure you were sent here to find out exactly what it is, right?"
Beryl ran up to her and covered her mouth. "SHH!" She looked
around before lowering her voice even more. "If you must know, I'm posing as
a candy striper."
Rei blinked. "A candy stripper? What the hell is that?" She
laughed. "Do guys eat candy off of you Beryl? I always heard you were a
whore, but I never thought.."
Beryl sweatdropped and had to resist the urge to backhand Rei
across the face. "NO, you little imp!" she hissed. "It's the person who acts
all scarily cheerful and brings mail and crap to the patients and stuff!"
"Oooooh!" she grinned. "So you're the one that comes in
while the patients are sleeping and annoys the hell out of them with her
cheerful deposition." she patted the girl on the shoulder. "Suit you
perfectly."
The red head looked upward and rolled her eyes at God.
Turning her attention back to Rei, she sighed and raised both eyebrows in
the process. "So...have you killed any of these Earthlings yet?" It was all she
could do to hide the hope in her voice.
Rei shook her head. "I've been tempted quite a few times
though..." she grinned evilly. "I have given some rather annoying ones some
interesting future predictions. Anyways, that's besides the point. I told
you why I was here, so spill it."
Beryl folded her arms. "You didn't tell me much, only that
you were on a mission for Lucifer. I'm here by accident. I was helping
someone else out, and I accidentally, through no fault whatsoever of my own
fell through the transportal." She raised her palms to the sky.
"But," she continued sadly, "I'm at a loss of how to get
home. You wouldn't beleive this but the only way to get back up is through
Tokyo Cath-" she stopped suddenly and covered her mouth, having said too
much.
"The Cathedral?" she raised an eyebrow curiously but shook
her head. "I care not, heaven holds nothing for me. I miss Hell more than
anything. I would be miserable up there, more miserable than I am here.
But.." she trailed off looking at Beryl curiously. "You must tell me who
else
is with you. I know there's someone else! More than one person actually...I
see five others. Who are they?"
Beryl's jaw fell open. "What? Where are you getting this
from?!" She rushed forward. "Tell me, tell me!"
She rolled her eyes at the girl's stupidity. "I'm psychic,
remember?"
But Beryl was too concerned with this new information to
catch the sarcasm. She bit nervously on one of her fingers. "There's more?"
she half-whispered to herself before shaking her head. Suddenly, she grabbed
Rei by the collar of her kimono and shook her. "Who are they? Can you see
them? TELL ME!!!!!!"
"Calm down Beryl!" she said pushing the woman off of her and
brushing off her robes. "Since I'm a demon I have slight psychic abilities,
but I can mostly only see shadows..." she closed her eyes for a minute and
concentrated before opening them once more. "I see a man searching for
you...his name hasn't come to me, but he has silver hair. The other four are
just going about their day, not thinking of you, but they have seen one
another and know of eachother's presence."
"...Most of them anyway..."
Beryl's jaw, if humanly or heavenly possible, stretched even
lower. "Oh my God..." she murmered. "The- they've all been sent....and that
can only mean one thing." She gulped. That the problem was bigger than any of
them had imagined....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's a women named Rei here to see you. She says you should recognize her from where you used to live..."
Mamoru cleared his throat and looked at his secretary, the tiniest hint of a blush on his cheeks. "Errm....uh, send her in...I guess." He turned around, and looked surprised to see Usagi there, as though he'd forgotten. "You must excuse me, Miss Tsukino," he said almost cooly, trying to brush off the nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Naru nodded and quickly scuttled out the door. She wasn't quite sure what she had interrupted in there, but she knew her friend wasn't happy with her...
Back in the office Usagi, regaining her composure and returning to the fighting nature she was known for, looked up at him defiantly. "I thought you were taking me out for breakfast." she smiled smugly, placing her hands on her hips.
Mamoru, still a bit shaken and in desparate need of coffee, half agreed with this idea. But then the feeling of him losing control of his own self, his thoughts, and his speech came flooding back to him and he shook his head and pretended to gather some papers from his desk. "I'm quite sorry, Miss Tsukino, but I will have to take you up on that some other time," he said rather sharply, regaining his composure. "In fact, I...." he let his voice trail off as he looked up and saw Rei standing there...
"In fact nothing. YOU offered to take ME to breakfast." she held out her hand expectantly. "I want Naru to have the rest of the day off, since you deprive me of company, and enough money for both of us to go out for breakfast, since you were going to pay before."
Rei looked at the scene before her amusedly, and laughed inwardly at the obvious discomfort Endym-Mamoru was experiencing while near this girl. He never acted nervous around women, in fact, he was very confident around them. She rolled her eyes. 'The pure one obviously has that affect on men..' she thought annoyedly, hoping that Serenit-Usagi, wouldn't recognize her.
Mamoru shrugged. "Fine, fine, whatever suits your fancy." His eyes darted from Rei to Usagi, then slowly down her hips...God, he had to get her out of here fast! He darted over to his desk and pressed a button on the intercom. "Miss Naru? You may take the rest of the day off, and use the company account to purchase breakfast for both yourself and Miss Tsukino." He released the button and smoothed down his suit, trying to defer the way he felt inside. "Good morning, Miss....REI?!"
Usagi nearly leaped with joy at how easy it had been to get what she wanted, but as she heard him call out the name she quickly spun around, her eyes meeting with demon's. "Rei? What are you doing here?!"
Rei cursed. Obviously, she was not going to have such luck. "Um..I came here to see En-Mamoru. I am looking for a good advertizing company to help me with a 'project'." she stressed the word hoping that Usagi would pick up on the hint that she couldn't go into detail.
"Oh." she blinked. "Okay, well, I'll be leaving now!" she hurried out of the room before the scenario got more awkward.
Mamoru tensed up. Leave, leave, leave!!!! He walked over to his desk and almost fell into his chair, his energy quickly fading. His ears perked up at the mention of the word "advertising", for he was a business man, and the idea of money was candy for him.
Mamoru stared down at his desk until he was certain Usagi was no longer in the room. "Rei?"
Rei looked up at him and smiled seductively, leaning against his desk and stretching to reveal her perfectly flat stomach. "Hey Endymion, miss me?"
Mamoru rolled his eyes. "Don't give me that crap about a project. What are you really here for?"
She laughed. "You could say I had a vision and am very powerful in psychic abilities or..." she picked up his 'little black book and began to flip through it absently. "...you could say I ran into a friend of yours."
Mamoru raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" He leaned back into his chair. "Tell me about it."
"Does the name Beryl ring a bell?" she mouthed the word 'wow' as she saw the amount of numbers he had in it already. She could do better though.
Mamoru snatched it out of her hand. "Give me that," he snapped, opening the book to look at it himself and smiling faintly. Oh yeah. He was good. He shook his head quickly. "Beryl? No....never heard of her....why?"
"Are you sure? Because she seems to know you." she laughed, all women knew him. "The poor girl ran into me near the Cherry Hill Temple while I was giving someone a reading, don't ask, and she told me the whole story. Well, about her falling off of some platform and being stuck on Earth. She told me you were here, but she wouldn't tell me why."
He almost grimaced. Damn! Beryl, the stupid blabbermouth! His mind searched for a plausible excuse. "Ooooh...," he said slowly. "THAT Beryl."
"Yes, that Beryl. I also happen to know that there are four more of you here, possibly for the same reason, possibly not. She did not tell me this though, I saw it in a vision. I have a feeling that you don't know about all of them though..." she paused. "Well, you do now!"
Mamoru spent about a half a second processing this new information before the only logical conclusion arrived to him. "Oh my God!" he cried out. "The wicked witches of the north, west, east, and south!"
He blinked. "I mean, the four saints!"
She nodded. "Exactly." Flipping through some of Usagi's sketches she whistled at one of the earlier ones and her eyes popped into hearts. "I want that one!" she exclaimed, trying to distract her from the inevitable question that she knew was to come.
Mamoru folded his hands and stared at his desk, as though it were quite interesting. Two more had come.... "Rei...why are you here?"
"Well, uh..." she stuttered, trying to figure out how much to tell him. "I got sent in here on a quest by Lucifer. It's really stupid, I don't even get to blow up anyone. I have to watch someone to make sure they stay safe!" she slammed her hand down on the desk angrily. "That's your guy's fucking job!"
Mamoru leaned back away from the desk. "W-what are you talking about?"
"He's making me act as some sort of 'guardien angel' and I'm not even allowed to corrupt people while I'm here." she shook her head angrily. "I'm sorry your mistress got tired of you Lucifer, but seriously, I do not want to be her babysitter!"
He frowned, but wisely chose to say nothing until Rei was finished venting. His words might very well cost him his life. When it appeared as though she had calmed down, he stood up and looked her square in the eye. "You need something from me."
"Not particularly, not yet anyway. Actually, I didn't come here to see you I came to see U-" she stopped and yawned, pretending that it had been natural as she realized she was saying too much. "You were just an added bonus. I was hoping you would give me a bit more info. on why you're here exactly."
Mamoru folded his arms across his chest. "I'm not quite sure why I'm here. I was told that Lucifer was planning some sort of assasination, and I was to stop it." He shrugged, not really caring if he gave away vital information- it wasn't as if he cared about the well-being of Heaven or his mission...or anyone for that matter. "But I'm here, and I sure as hell wasn't going to waste all of this..." he indicated with his outstretched arms the office room and building "just to go and 'save the day'. I think I've gotten a fairly good deal."
Rei blinked a few times, processing this new information. "I know there's a connection somewhere..." she shook her head. "I'm too confused to think straight though. My charge is always keeping me on my toes. You have great taste in women, though." she winked. "That girl is pretty cute, maybe I should join the other side? I've tried everything else." she waited for the thought of her and Usagi together to set in his mind, her seductive smile returning to her face.
It took him a moment, but her last words finally sank in, and he turned pale. "Hino Rei!" he yelled after her. "You're just sick, you know that!"
Mamoru thought about this. "Interesting, but sick."
She laughed again. "That is why I'm in Hell, right?" Yawning she grabbed a fifty off his desk. "I have to go now, but thanks for the money Endy. We must do this again sometime." she sashayed out the door
"Oh, and Rei?" he called out to her retreating form. She turned and fixed
her placid eyes on him. "Just so you know..." He held up his black book.
"Your number's in here," he sang, grining like the cheshire cat. The
priestess winked before turning around the corner and leaving his office.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Where did you get that weird clothing you're wearing?" The blond inquired
innocently, checking her watch and leaning against one of the changing room
stalls.
Kunzite frowned as he slipped out of his attire to try on the shirts Minako
had picked out for him. He had encountered this before. What was wrong with
a perfectly normal toga and tunic? Certainly it was more appropriate than
the "rags" he had seen the youth wearing around Tokyo.
"Thrift shop," he said, opening the door to reveal himself clad in somewhat
forfitting jeans and a white polo t-shirt. He carelessly ran a hand through
his hair, and asked modestly, "How do I look? are these jeans too tight?
And," he paused, listening to the store's background music, "How come those
people just can't get enough?"
"You look fabulous in them!" she gave him a thumbs up sign and laughed at
him comment. "Who knows, American music never made any sense to me, but I do
know that you are SO getting that outfit!!" she pulled the tags off of the
jeans and the shirt. "You can wear this our instead of that 'thing' you
walked in wearing." Before he could object she grabbed the rest of the
clothes that she thought he had looked good in and walked up to the
register. Dollar signs appeared in the cashier's eyes as she rung up the
clothes and the tags.
"That'll be four thousand dollars, please." Minako pulled the platinum card
out of her pocket non-chalantly and handed it over. The woman could harrrdly
hide her glee as she gave back the card and bagged the clothes. "Please,
come back soon!"
"Are you read Kunz-" she stopped herself, surprised that the name had
slipped out so easily. "I mean Malachite..." she shook her head at herself.
"I'm sorry, you just look so much like him that it's scary. He died in a car
crash three years ago. I'm over it, I just miss him; he was more of a best
friend than anything..." she sighed before putting on her famous smile, the
one she his all her feelings behind. Kunzite used to say that it was the
most realistic fake-smile he'd ever seen. She had laughed it off, you needed
a real-looking fake smile when you were famous. Not that she was yet, but
she would be.
Kunzite gasped and stumbled backwards, falling onto the check out counter of
another line and bumping cashiere. 'N-no...stop it Kunzite....it's...it's
not....'
Her smile shrank slightly as she saw his reaction. "Oh, please don't be
upset with me. I won't bring him up again, I promise!" she sighed and began
mumbling to herself in some odd language. Her and the girls had made it up
when they had lived on Earth together. They drove the guys crazy by making
jokes about them and laughing. She wasn't sure how she remembered it still,
it just seemed to spill out of her lips as she chided herself for brining up
her ex.
"Stop it, Mina-chan," he rasped.
She looked up, her eyes locking with his. "Sorry..." she trailed off, not
understanding what she saw in his eyes.
Kunzite shut his eyes tightly, breathing even more rapidly. Mental images
were flashing through his mind, like a screneshow with a broken projector.
It was wild, like a worst nightmare...the colorful, happy images of himself,
his old friends....and her. Her many smiles, her platinum locks, her
dazzling eyes....and images of the rain. The flashing light, the tree, the
car...
"Mi- Minako....Minako Aino...."
"That's right, I'm here Malachite. Don't worry." she placed a hand on his
arm, trying to comfort him in whatever it was that was causing his to shiver
violently. She set the shopping bags on the ground and wrapped her arms
around him fully, whispering words of comfort to him.
His first instinct was to recoil, but his body refused to cooperate. All he
could do now was stand there in her embrace as the mental horror unfolded...
"Mina-chan," he pulled back, panting. He rubbed his eyes furiously and
focused all of his energy towards regaining his composure. Slowly, his
heartrate returned to normal and he stopped shaking. But it was too late. He
had remembered.
His first instinct was to recoil, but his body refused to cooperate. All he
could do now was stand there in her embrace as the mental horror unfolded...
"Mina-chan," he pulled back, panting. He rubbed his eyes furiously and
focused all of his energy towards regaining his composure. Slowly, his
heartrate returned to normal and he stopped shaking. But it was too late. He
had remembered.
She pulled away slightly and looked up at him. "Are you okay Malachite? I
was worried about you for a minute there. What happened?" she asked, a hint
of anxiety mixed in with her seemingly calm voice.
It was all so overwhelming for him now. The sight of her before his very
eyes...but...but she didn't know. She didn't recognize him... "I-I'm okay
now..." he stuttered, looking at the ground. "I must have...had a spasm or
seizure or something..." he prayed she was still as unfamiliar with medical
jargon as she had always been.
"Thank you," he smiled weakly. He could't tell her now...it wouldn't be
right... That was past, and had been for years.
EvilUsaPuella: She nodded, trying to understand. If only Ami was here, then
she could've askedd her what caused seizures and how to prevent them from
recurring. "Why don't we go for lunch, that way you can sit down and rest
while, just in case it happens again? My treat!" she smiled widly, trying to
cheer him up a bit, as she picked up the bags once more.
He started to call her to tell her that she'd already done enough, but she
was already on her way out of the store and he had to walk quickly to keep
up with her, despite the shaking in his legs. "Mis- Mina, I can't let you do
this; you've already done too much for me," he protested.
"Oh, don't be silly Malachite. We can even look in the Classified's to find
you an apartment while we're there. I told you I was the welcoming
commity..." she stopped short and her eyes went wide. There standing in
front of her was a brunette who looked all too familiar...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So many evil complaints about a chapter not being out last week. WE'RE
SORRY!! WE TRIED! But to make it up to you our chapter this week is
unbelievably long...and filled with loads of stuff. We even have a steamy
scene between Usagi and Mamoru...well, not really, but they're in the same
room!!! *laugh nervously* Anyways, we'll have our chapters in on time as
best as we can, so try and be nice!
Chapter 6 Comments:
*CrystallineLily: You have a laptop?! That would make my life soooo much
easier! You see, my father works nights and is in bed all day (our computer
is in his room) so I have to hand write the chapters with Nataku everyday in
between classes. They're all above honors classes too and we don't even sit
near eachother, so passing the notebook is near impossible during the day.
Sorry it wasn't out when you wanted it to be. A day off on Monday and my
being sick on Tuesday prevented us from working on it.
*Aylee the Dragon: *laughs* We almost didn't censor out the words and stuff,
but...er...*halo appears over head* we're kind of self conscious about that
kind of stuff. Plus, our paranoid and spying parents would behead us with a
dirty pen knife if they caught us writing some of this crap. But thanks for
the positive review!
*Princess Death: Thanks for being polite about your complaint! Sorry, lots
of bad e-mails and deaththreats have put me in a rather bad mood..(I almost
thought of killing off some of the characters just to make you people mad)
No, but, we are REALLY REALLY REALLY sorry about not having the chapter out.
I felt so guilty about it though that I put out "Meet the Females" to give
you guys SOMETHING to read. We would've done the actual chapter, but Nata
was away all weekend. (Her family stole her) Sorry again, and we hope this
makes up for it. ^_~
*Flying Onions: Again, gomen nasai, minna-san! *bow* We needed something to
keep you guys amused! Plus...umm....we thought that it was a helpful insider
that let you actually take a step back and see the big picture with all the
females- you know, manipulative, smart, pretty, *flips hair* and can you
BELIEVE Minako is a GOLD DIGGER?! *sweatdrops*
*Lynn: YOU ROCK!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! *hugs* YOU ARE SO AWESOME AND COOL!!!
Thank you so incredibly much for the good review! :)
And one last big thank you to the five of you and everyone else who has
reviewed our story before. We wake up in the morning, see a review, and
suddenly our whole day is brighter! Thanks!!
Authors: Stara and Nataku
Rating: R (Did you know this is the highest we can go now? Yes, all you
hentai lovers will have to turn to us to fufill your "needs". *get odd looks
on their face* *shudder*)
Genre: Romance/Alternate Reality
Disclaimer: We own Jack Squat. That should clear everything. (*a man in the
audience stands up* "I'm Jack Squat...you own me?" *both blink and look at
one another*)
Author Notes: This chapter is dedicated to the people who lost their lives
on September 11th. May we never forget them...
Hm...well, we read your reviews (believe it or not) and many times
too..(Probably we reread them every other day or so...sad isn't it?) So we
want you to know that we hear you! ^_^ From now on we are going to apply a
personal message to each and ever one of you people who review. (Yeah, you
get your name in our story. All the more reason to review, right? *look
hopeful*
Chapter 6: Office Romance: Dues and Don'ts
"Say, do you think that guy's straight?"
Kunzite whipped his head around, his ears perked up.
"Nah, look how long his hair is. And those boots! Ah! I would KILL for shoes like that! They're so in season! He must really know his clothes!"
"You're right, my gaydar is so off today!"
Kunzite's eyes grew wide and he ended up stumbling into a person in front of him. These Earthlings were strange...
Curses. He wasn't sure HOW he had gotten talked into this, but
for some odd reason unknown to him, he was at the mall.
He glanced at his shopping list that Mamoru had provided him with. "Okay, first thing: normal clothes- hey! I like my clothes!"
He turned the shopping list over. "In Rome, do as the Romans do."
He gulped before taking a step into the store in front of him- a place he had feared most of his
childhood. The Gap.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
If you have ever been at a Youth Group meeting, that was all girls, and then suddenly a hoarde of shirtless guys ran through the room screaming 'vagina' at the top of their lungs, you still would not be as surprised as Usagi Tsukino was at that moment.
She stood there for a moment, staring at him disbelievingly, her eyes wide and jaw hanging slightly open.
Mr. Chiba beckoned her into his office. "Good morn....ing...." he stopped, letting his eyes travel over her slender form.
Mamoru shook his head. She looked familiar...now where had he seen her before? Oh well. Not to worry. If things went according to plan with this new business deal, he would get to know her.....get to know her VERY well.....
She blinked, looking over at him to see if there was any recognition in his eyes, before shaking her head and walking forward. 'He will pay..' she silently seethed while putting on a pasted smile. "I hope that your advertising can do something for my new line." she handed him her
portfolio. She new the designs were weak, the lack of sex was killing her.
Mamoru took the folder, but instead of browsing through it, he set it to the side and folded his hands in front of him and winked at her. "Tell me about yourself, Miss Tsukino..." He had not failed to notice that oh-so-short skirt she was sporting....
Closing her eyes, she clenched her fists at her side. What sick game was he playing?! Then it hit her. Hard. He didn't recognize her AT ALL. Not much of a surprise there, she had looked like a train wreck at that bakery. And now he was...he was...hitting on her? She smiled. Oh, yes.
Revenge could be sweet. "Not much to know. I lived in Europe for a long time, but I moved here a couple months ago. I've hit it pretty big, but I still need a good advertising company. What about yourself?" She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear
Mamoru leaned back in his chair and tilted his head down, looking up at her from the corner of his eyes. Yes, quite a nice view indeed.... He cleared his throat. "I am Mamoru Chiba, founder of Chiba Industries of Advertising. I know every hot spot in this city. You know...if
you wanted, I could show you around some time."
She crossed her legs seductively, trying to be obvious in her motives, and licked her lips offhandishly. "That sounds like fun. I don't get out much between work and school and I'm sure you know how to show a girl a good time." she winked.
He ran his eyes up and down her legs, surprised at her reaction. Most chicks would have knocked him into next week for taking such liberties. Oh yeah. She was easy.
"Well, I would most certainly like to take you up on that some time. Now, let me take a look at your sketches."
Hmm..this would be harder than she thought. She stood up as he opened her sketches and walked behind his chair, leaning over and pointing to various things and explaining them. "I was thinking this should be in silk..."
He put on his glasses and flipped through the designs in the folder. Good God, she SUCKED! But....ooh, was she leaning over him now? He looked up, pleased to see that he had a nice view.
"My dear, what ARE your credentials?"
She felt her face go slightly read at such a blunt statement. She knew her sketches were awful, but did he have to be so rude about it?! "If you don't want my business I'm sure that I can find another company with-"
Hmm. Time for a tactful move. "But Miss Tsukino, why would you consider another advertising agency when you've found the right one here?" Okay, so it wasn't tact; it was strategy. But it was working. "I'm curious," he started, "as to what kind of work you've done before so that we can steer you in the right direction." He finished with a smile. So this one was different. She was a woman, but she wasn't going to be pushed around.
She smiled again. "This is my first job. I went into a coma when I was seventeen so I haven't had much experience. Things just sort of flow onto the paper when I'm in the right MOOD." She emphasized the last word slightly, but not too much and then turned the page to a dazzling outfit. "I made this one a month ago."
He frowned. "I'm terribly sorry to hear that." He flipped through some more. "I see what you mean. Look at some of these earlier sketches. They're fantastic! But I will be honest with you, as we progress, they seem to get....a bit dull. Is there any reason why for this
transition?"
She bit her bottom lip and sighed heavily. "Yes, it's lack of inspiration really. I haven't had much time to do anything between work and school, as I said before, so finding inspiration is difficult." She moved back to her chair across from him. "I'll just have to wait for the right
guy...I mean SUBJECT!" she corrected herself quickly.
Mamoru propped his head up with his elbow. "Perhaps you will find something here that will....inspire you," he said, allowing a small grin to cross his lips. "Well, Miss Tsukino, if you beleive you've found the right company, we are pleased to be working with you." He held out his hand for a handshake.
Naru pulled her head from around the corner of the offic and raised an eyebrow. "I've never seen him offer a handshake before.." she whispered.
She clasped his hand and shook it firmly, keeping eye contact, to assure him that he would not have complete control of this deal. "I look forward too working for you too." she picked up her portfolio and stuffed her sketches wrecklessly inside of it. She use could them as toilet
paper, they were shit anyway.
"Miss Tsukino, are you hungry? There is this wonderful little coffee shop just down the street from here, and I didn't get a chance to have breakfast this morning."
Smiling wickedly she nodded graciously. "Oh, I'd love to. I swear I have the oddest hankering for a blueberry muffin..."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Minako just stood there staring at him. He looked so damn familiar! Taking a sip of her latte she tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and sauntered up to him confidently. He was looking into the Gap as if slightly defeated and she poked him to get his attention. "Excuse me, but do I know you?"
Kunzite blinked in surprise. There were too many bright lights around, and the music playing in the background was far too cheery for such a grim place.... "Actually, I'm looking for...." he glanced at his list. Oh right. Excuse me. I'm an angel from Heaven whose not supposed to BE HERE in the first place, but I need some clothes so that I can pass as a normal human being among the masses in Tokyo. He looked around and spoted a pair of jeans in the far corner. Thinking that the young blonde in front of him was an employee, "Those," he said, pointing.
What the poor saint failed to recognize was the sign behind them that read "Women's Jeans".
She dropped her latte on the floor, her eyes going wide. "No...it can't be..." She backed up slowly towards the door of the Gap her eyes closed as she did so. "It's not him, it's not him, it's not him.." she repeated to herself stopping and trying to regain control of her breathing.
Kunzite blinked. "Is there a problem? If there is, that's fine, I can just find this stuff myself..." He stumbled. Being in crowded places, especially during the daytime, disoriented him.
"Please tell me that your name isn't Kunzite. Just please tell me that!" She opened her eyes looking at him, ready to flee if she needed too.
Kunzite's blood ran cold. H-had he been found out? No. Better to deny it and keep a low profile.
"N-no," he stammered. "My name's Malachite." He caught sight of her trembling hands and the shattered remains of a coffee cup on the floor. She looked so scared, so very frightened..."Miss? are you alright?"
"M-M-Malachite?" she stuttered dumbly, blinking once and looking up at him. "THANK YOU!" she wrapped her arms arounnd him, hugging him to her tightly. She pulled away, a huge smile on her face. "You won't believe how relieved I am to hear that! You look so much like him, I was sure..." she trailed off before shaking her head. "Sorry I bothered you. Name's Aino Minako, resident future super star!" she winked and the energy only Minako possessed radiated
from her. She looked at the jeans he had pointed to. "Those are women's jeans, ya know..."
Kunzite turned bright red. "Err...I KNEW that. I-"
"Never fear, though, Minako Aino, expert shopper is here!" She placed her hands on her hips and winked triumphantly before, to his distress, running up and down the aisles, grabbing random clothing items and stuffing them in his arms.
"Miss Aino!" he cried. "I didn't plan on spending THIS much!"
She stopped. "Oh, that's okay. My boyfriend will pay for everything!" She smiled. "He's rich."
"Nevertheless, I must protest- AH!"
She giggled as she grabbed him and shoved him and the clothes into the nearest changing room. Kunzite sighed and slipped out of his shirt, but caught the collar of it on his head and stumbled backwards. "Miss Aino-"
Minako laughed to herself as she heard him struggling in the dressing room.
"Don't be silly, call me Minako. We're friends now afterall." She called out
cheerily. Yes, shopping was so much fun, though she was getting the oddest
suspicion that he was gay. She shrugged. "I've always wanted a gay, guy best
friend." sShe giggled while flipping through some of the swimsuits. One
caught her eye and she held it up triumphantly. "Hell, yeah! A speedo!!"
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mamoru nodded. "Yes, I was just about to suggest..." Waist. A. Gosh-darn
cottin-pickin. Second. There was too much of a taunt in her voice, an almost
gleeful snicker. And then it hit him like a ton of bricks.
SHE WAS THE MUFFIN GIRL!!!
Okay, wait, that just sounded stupid.
SHE WAS THE GIRL FROM THE BAKERY!!! Oh, now everything made sense! The
inability to place her in his mind, the confounding respect...
He stopped in mid-sentence. Did she recognize him? No. He was safe-for the
time being. But how long would it be before she did? Okay. Calm down. He had
to be subtle...
She raised an eyebrow at his response. She was sure he would've caught on by
now as to who she was. She blinked. Maybe it wasn't him? No, he had the same
strong build, the same sexy voice, and the same deep, blue eyes. She could
get lost in those eyes...She closed her own eyes, trying to shake her head
free of thoughts that she could probably get arrested for. She licked her
lips unconsciously while inwardly berating herself. 'Gods, could I be more
desperate?!' She heard him cough and she realized she'd been standing there
awhile. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, unaware that her eyes were
darker with some carnal emotion.
Mamoru's eyes traced the path of her tongue as Usagi unconsciously licked
her lips, some of his more primitive (yet frequently reoccuring) instincts
beginning to surface. His flesh became hot and burning to the touch, and he
found himself breaking out into a sweat. Not now, Mamory, nnot here...
He tried to speak, but his voice refused to cooperate. He coughed, trying to
clear it, causing a startled and embarassed look to form on her face. Her
smooth, fair face, unblemish and slightly pink from her embarassment...
Mamoru had to stop himself from reaching out to caress her cheek. If the
twitching of his muscles in his arms hadn't told him this, the pounding in
his chest would have.
For the first time in his life, Mamoru Chiba was afraid.
She suddenly became aware of how close they were standing. Watching him
closely she saw his arm twitch and sweat appear on his forehead as some
foreign emotion filled his eyes. What was it...fear? No, he could fear
nothing, much less her. Despite the control she was famous for using, she
felt herself slowly leaning forward, her lips slightly puckered. She felt
his warm breath on her lips and her hands lifted up, getting ready to wrap
around his neck...
"Mr. Chiba?" Naru knocked on the office door. Usagi quickoly pulled away,
her hands falling limply at her sides as she turned to glare at her best
friend. "There's a woman named Rei here to see you, she said you should
recognize her from where you used to live..." Naru nervously looked about
the office, avoiding the stare of her best friend.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Beryl cast a frantic glance behind her and drew in a deep breath before
strolling towards the two doors in her pristine, white, nurse's uniform. If
she looked and acted the part, she just might be able to pull this off...
Life on Earth was hell. No, it was worse than hell. It was like one of those
boring field trips to a stupid museum that nobody cares about but just went
on to get out of class, on a hot bus filled with screaming kids and a bus
driver with a death wish. Okay, so that was basically her entire elementary
school career. But Earth STILL sucked!
Suddenly, she was jolted out of her sad and pathetic life memories by an
ear-piercing scream. Beryl looked up, momentarily afraid she had been found
out, to see a girl with raven-colored hair waving her arms and two squaking
crows perched upon her shoulders...
The girl's eyes widened at the scream and she froze, a drop of sweat
appearing on her forehead. The girl in front of her continued to scream as
tears filled her eyes and she ran away. Rei blinked, her hands falling to
her sides.
"She didn't even pay me!" she noted angrily, shoving her hands into her
empty pockets. She had been sure that being a psychic was going to make her
a fortune, since they seemed to be so popular here on Earth, but NO! She
shook her head and rubbed her temples annoyedly. Her demon abilities
actually gave her ssome psychic tendencies and so she thought it would be a
good career choice. Humans are fickle though, so of course they wouldn't go
to someone who actually was the real deal. 'I guess they don't like the
future I tell, even if it is true...' Ugh, this really sucked. She was so
poor she had to grow her own friggin food! "Excuse me, can I help you?" she
looked over at Beryl, who had been staring for quite awhile. "Oh, you're a
customer?" she ran over to the red-head before stopping short and letting
her eyes go wide.
"Beryl?! What the hell are you doing here?!!!!"
Beryl's voice was just as, if not higher. "What are YOU doing here, Rei?" A
million different possibilities ran through her head. Why was Rei here? Was
this even the-the same Rei she had known? and just why the hell was it
always so damn easy to spot Beryl incognito?! She put a lot of work into her
disguises, dammit!
"Nope, I asked you first." the failing-psychic said,
placing her hands on her hips. She was Lucifer's main representative in
dimplomatic deals with Heaven and so she knew the red-headed saint rather
well. She often wondered how Beryl had gotten into heaven, but then again,
she didn't really care.
"Well, if you must know...I'm on vacation! Yes, vacation!" Beryl lied.
"A vacation? On Earth?" Rei laughed, the crows that had been
perched on her shoulders swooping off at the sudden movements and flying
skyward. "Nice try Beryl, but everyone knows that Earth is worse than Hell."
Beryl sniffed, trying not to let any sign of weakness show. "Well, HINO REI," she said, stressing the girl's name and looking around her to let people know that this was the name of the crazy solicitator, "you haven't told ME what you're doing here. And I should be quite curious to
find out."
"Well, if you MUST know BERYL, who happens to be PRACTICING AS A NURSE WITHOUT A LISCENSE, I'm on a mission here for Lucifer." she sighed heavily to show she wasn't very pleased about it. "And I'm sure you were sent here to find out exactly what it is, right?"
Beryl ran up to her and covered her mouth. "SHH!" She looked
around before lowering her voice even more. "If you must know, I'm posing as
a candy striper."
Rei blinked. "A candy stripper? What the hell is that?" She
laughed. "Do guys eat candy off of you Beryl? I always heard you were a
whore, but I never thought.."
Beryl sweatdropped and had to resist the urge to backhand Rei
across the face. "NO, you little imp!" she hissed. "It's the person who acts
all scarily cheerful and brings mail and crap to the patients and stuff!"
"Oooooh!" she grinned. "So you're the one that comes in
while the patients are sleeping and annoys the hell out of them with her
cheerful deposition." she patted the girl on the shoulder. "Suit you
perfectly."
The red head looked upward and rolled her eyes at God.
Turning her attention back to Rei, she sighed and raised both eyebrows in
the process. "So...have you killed any of these Earthlings yet?" It was all she
could do to hide the hope in her voice.
Rei shook her head. "I've been tempted quite a few times
though..." she grinned evilly. "I have given some rather annoying ones some
interesting future predictions. Anyways, that's besides the point. I told
you why I was here, so spill it."
Beryl folded her arms. "You didn't tell me much, only that
you were on a mission for Lucifer. I'm here by accident. I was helping
someone else out, and I accidentally, through no fault whatsoever of my own
fell through the transportal." She raised her palms to the sky.
"But," she continued sadly, "I'm at a loss of how to get
home. You wouldn't beleive this but the only way to get back up is through
Tokyo Cath-" she stopped suddenly and covered her mouth, having said too
much.
"The Cathedral?" she raised an eyebrow curiously but shook
her head. "I care not, heaven holds nothing for me. I miss Hell more than
anything. I would be miserable up there, more miserable than I am here.
But.." she trailed off looking at Beryl curiously. "You must tell me who
else
is with you. I know there's someone else! More than one person actually...I
see five others. Who are they?"
Beryl's jaw fell open. "What? Where are you getting this
from?!" She rushed forward. "Tell me, tell me!"
She rolled her eyes at the girl's stupidity. "I'm psychic,
remember?"
But Beryl was too concerned with this new information to
catch the sarcasm. She bit nervously on one of her fingers. "There's more?"
she half-whispered to herself before shaking her head. Suddenly, she grabbed
Rei by the collar of her kimono and shook her. "Who are they? Can you see
them? TELL ME!!!!!!"
"Calm down Beryl!" she said pushing the woman off of her and
brushing off her robes. "Since I'm a demon I have slight psychic abilities,
but I can mostly only see shadows..." she closed her eyes for a minute and
concentrated before opening them once more. "I see a man searching for
you...his name hasn't come to me, but he has silver hair. The other four are
just going about their day, not thinking of you, but they have seen one
another and know of eachother's presence."
"...Most of them anyway..."
Beryl's jaw, if humanly or heavenly possible, stretched even
lower. "Oh my God..." she murmered. "The- they've all been sent....and that
can only mean one thing." She gulped. That the problem was bigger than any of
them had imagined....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"There's a women named Rei here to see you. She says you should recognize her from where you used to live..."
Mamoru cleared his throat and looked at his secretary, the tiniest hint of a blush on his cheeks. "Errm....uh, send her in...I guess." He turned around, and looked surprised to see Usagi there, as though he'd forgotten. "You must excuse me, Miss Tsukino," he said almost cooly, trying to brush off the nagging feeling in the pit of his stomach.
Naru nodded and quickly scuttled out the door. She wasn't quite sure what she had interrupted in there, but she knew her friend wasn't happy with her...
Back in the office Usagi, regaining her composure and returning to the fighting nature she was known for, looked up at him defiantly. "I thought you were taking me out for breakfast." she smiled smugly, placing her hands on her hips.
Mamoru, still a bit shaken and in desparate need of coffee, half agreed with this idea. But then the feeling of him losing control of his own self, his thoughts, and his speech came flooding back to him and he shook his head and pretended to gather some papers from his desk. "I'm quite sorry, Miss Tsukino, but I will have to take you up on that some other time," he said rather sharply, regaining his composure. "In fact, I...." he let his voice trail off as he looked up and saw Rei standing there...
"In fact nothing. YOU offered to take ME to breakfast." she held out her hand expectantly. "I want Naru to have the rest of the day off, since you deprive me of company, and enough money for both of us to go out for breakfast, since you were going to pay before."
Rei looked at the scene before her amusedly, and laughed inwardly at the obvious discomfort Endym-Mamoru was experiencing while near this girl. He never acted nervous around women, in fact, he was very confident around them. She rolled her eyes. 'The pure one obviously has that affect on men..' she thought annoyedly, hoping that Serenit-Usagi, wouldn't recognize her.
Mamoru shrugged. "Fine, fine, whatever suits your fancy." His eyes darted from Rei to Usagi, then slowly down her hips...God, he had to get her out of here fast! He darted over to his desk and pressed a button on the intercom. "Miss Naru? You may take the rest of the day off, and use the company account to purchase breakfast for both yourself and Miss Tsukino." He released the button and smoothed down his suit, trying to defer the way he felt inside. "Good morning, Miss....REI?!"
Usagi nearly leaped with joy at how easy it had been to get what she wanted, but as she heard him call out the name she quickly spun around, her eyes meeting with demon's. "Rei? What are you doing here?!"
Rei cursed. Obviously, she was not going to have such luck. "Um..I came here to see En-Mamoru. I am looking for a good advertizing company to help me with a 'project'." she stressed the word hoping that Usagi would pick up on the hint that she couldn't go into detail.
"Oh." she blinked. "Okay, well, I'll be leaving now!" she hurried out of the room before the scenario got more awkward.
Mamoru tensed up. Leave, leave, leave!!!! He walked over to his desk and almost fell into his chair, his energy quickly fading. His ears perked up at the mention of the word "advertising", for he was a business man, and the idea of money was candy for him.
Mamoru stared down at his desk until he was certain Usagi was no longer in the room. "Rei?"
Rei looked up at him and smiled seductively, leaning against his desk and stretching to reveal her perfectly flat stomach. "Hey Endymion, miss me?"
Mamoru rolled his eyes. "Don't give me that crap about a project. What are you really here for?"
She laughed. "You could say I had a vision and am very powerful in psychic abilities or..." she picked up his 'little black book and began to flip through it absently. "...you could say I ran into a friend of yours."
Mamoru raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" He leaned back into his chair. "Tell me about it."
"Does the name Beryl ring a bell?" she mouthed the word 'wow' as she saw the amount of numbers he had in it already. She could do better though.
Mamoru snatched it out of her hand. "Give me that," he snapped, opening the book to look at it himself and smiling faintly. Oh yeah. He was good. He shook his head quickly. "Beryl? No....never heard of her....why?"
"Are you sure? Because she seems to know you." she laughed, all women knew him. "The poor girl ran into me near the Cherry Hill Temple while I was giving someone a reading, don't ask, and she told me the whole story. Well, about her falling off of some platform and being stuck on Earth. She told me you were here, but she wouldn't tell me why."
He almost grimaced. Damn! Beryl, the stupid blabbermouth! His mind searched for a plausible excuse. "Ooooh...," he said slowly. "THAT Beryl."
"Yes, that Beryl. I also happen to know that there are four more of you here, possibly for the same reason, possibly not. She did not tell me this though, I saw it in a vision. I have a feeling that you don't know about all of them though..." she paused. "Well, you do now!"
Mamoru spent about a half a second processing this new information before the only logical conclusion arrived to him. "Oh my God!" he cried out. "The wicked witches of the north, west, east, and south!"
He blinked. "I mean, the four saints!"
She nodded. "Exactly." Flipping through some of Usagi's sketches she whistled at one of the earlier ones and her eyes popped into hearts. "I want that one!" she exclaimed, trying to distract her from the inevitable question that she knew was to come.
Mamoru folded his hands and stared at his desk, as though it were quite interesting. Two more had come.... "Rei...why are you here?"
"Well, uh..." she stuttered, trying to figure out how much to tell him. "I got sent in here on a quest by Lucifer. It's really stupid, I don't even get to blow up anyone. I have to watch someone to make sure they stay safe!" she slammed her hand down on the desk angrily. "That's your guy's fucking job!"
Mamoru leaned back away from the desk. "W-what are you talking about?"
"He's making me act as some sort of 'guardien angel' and I'm not even allowed to corrupt people while I'm here." she shook her head angrily. "I'm sorry your mistress got tired of you Lucifer, but seriously, I do not want to be her babysitter!"
He frowned, but wisely chose to say nothing until Rei was finished venting. His words might very well cost him his life. When it appeared as though she had calmed down, he stood up and looked her square in the eye. "You need something from me."
"Not particularly, not yet anyway. Actually, I didn't come here to see you I came to see U-" she stopped and yawned, pretending that it had been natural as she realized she was saying too much. "You were just an added bonus. I was hoping you would give me a bit more info. on why you're here exactly."
Mamoru folded his arms across his chest. "I'm not quite sure why I'm here. I was told that Lucifer was planning some sort of assasination, and I was to stop it." He shrugged, not really caring if he gave away vital information- it wasn't as if he cared about the well-being of Heaven or his mission...or anyone for that matter. "But I'm here, and I sure as hell wasn't going to waste all of this..." he indicated with his outstretched arms the office room and building "just to go and 'save the day'. I think I've gotten a fairly good deal."
Rei blinked a few times, processing this new information. "I know there's a connection somewhere..." she shook her head. "I'm too confused to think straight though. My charge is always keeping me on my toes. You have great taste in women, though." she winked. "That girl is pretty cute, maybe I should join the other side? I've tried everything else." she waited for the thought of her and Usagi together to set in his mind, her seductive smile returning to her face.
It took him a moment, but her last words finally sank in, and he turned pale. "Hino Rei!" he yelled after her. "You're just sick, you know that!"
Mamoru thought about this. "Interesting, but sick."
She laughed again. "That is why I'm in Hell, right?" Yawning she grabbed a fifty off his desk. "I have to go now, but thanks for the money Endy. We must do this again sometime." she sashayed out the door
"Oh, and Rei?" he called out to her retreating form. She turned and fixed
her placid eyes on him. "Just so you know..." He held up his black book.
"Your number's in here," he sang, grining like the cheshire cat. The
priestess winked before turning around the corner and leaving his office.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Where did you get that weird clothing you're wearing?" The blond inquired
innocently, checking her watch and leaning against one of the changing room
stalls.
Kunzite frowned as he slipped out of his attire to try on the shirts Minako
had picked out for him. He had encountered this before. What was wrong with
a perfectly normal toga and tunic? Certainly it was more appropriate than
the "rags" he had seen the youth wearing around Tokyo.
"Thrift shop," he said, opening the door to reveal himself clad in somewhat
forfitting jeans and a white polo t-shirt. He carelessly ran a hand through
his hair, and asked modestly, "How do I look? are these jeans too tight?
And," he paused, listening to the store's background music, "How come those
people just can't get enough?"
"You look fabulous in them!" she gave him a thumbs up sign and laughed at
him comment. "Who knows, American music never made any sense to me, but I do
know that you are SO getting that outfit!!" she pulled the tags off of the
jeans and the shirt. "You can wear this our instead of that 'thing' you
walked in wearing." Before he could object she grabbed the rest of the
clothes that she thought he had looked good in and walked up to the
register. Dollar signs appeared in the cashier's eyes as she rung up the
clothes and the tags.
"That'll be four thousand dollars, please." Minako pulled the platinum card
out of her pocket non-chalantly and handed it over. The woman could harrrdly
hide her glee as she gave back the card and bagged the clothes. "Please,
come back soon!"
"Are you read Kunz-" she stopped herself, surprised that the name had
slipped out so easily. "I mean Malachite..." she shook her head at herself.
"I'm sorry, you just look so much like him that it's scary. He died in a car
crash three years ago. I'm over it, I just miss him; he was more of a best
friend than anything..." she sighed before putting on her famous smile, the
one she his all her feelings behind. Kunzite used to say that it was the
most realistic fake-smile he'd ever seen. She had laughed it off, you needed
a real-looking fake smile when you were famous. Not that she was yet, but
she would be.
Kunzite gasped and stumbled backwards, falling onto the check out counter of
another line and bumping cashiere. 'N-no...stop it Kunzite....it's...it's
not....'
Her smile shrank slightly as she saw his reaction. "Oh, please don't be
upset with me. I won't bring him up again, I promise!" she sighed and began
mumbling to herself in some odd language. Her and the girls had made it up
when they had lived on Earth together. They drove the guys crazy by making
jokes about them and laughing. She wasn't sure how she remembered it still,
it just seemed to spill out of her lips as she chided herself for brining up
her ex.
"Stop it, Mina-chan," he rasped.
She looked up, her eyes locking with his. "Sorry..." she trailed off, not
understanding what she saw in his eyes.
Kunzite shut his eyes tightly, breathing even more rapidly. Mental images
were flashing through his mind, like a screneshow with a broken projector.
It was wild, like a worst nightmare...the colorful, happy images of himself,
his old friends....and her. Her many smiles, her platinum locks, her
dazzling eyes....and images of the rain. The flashing light, the tree, the
car...
"Mi- Minako....Minako Aino...."
"That's right, I'm here Malachite. Don't worry." she placed a hand on his
arm, trying to comfort him in whatever it was that was causing his to shiver
violently. She set the shopping bags on the ground and wrapped her arms
around him fully, whispering words of comfort to him.
His first instinct was to recoil, but his body refused to cooperate. All he
could do now was stand there in her embrace as the mental horror unfolded...
"Mina-chan," he pulled back, panting. He rubbed his eyes furiously and
focused all of his energy towards regaining his composure. Slowly, his
heartrate returned to normal and he stopped shaking. But it was too late. He
had remembered.
His first instinct was to recoil, but his body refused to cooperate. All he
could do now was stand there in her embrace as the mental horror unfolded...
"Mina-chan," he pulled back, panting. He rubbed his eyes furiously and
focused all of his energy towards regaining his composure. Slowly, his
heartrate returned to normal and he stopped shaking. But it was too late. He
had remembered.
She pulled away slightly and looked up at him. "Are you okay Malachite? I
was worried about you for a minute there. What happened?" she asked, a hint
of anxiety mixed in with her seemingly calm voice.
It was all so overwhelming for him now. The sight of her before his very
eyes...but...but she didn't know. She didn't recognize him... "I-I'm okay
now..." he stuttered, looking at the ground. "I must have...had a spasm or
seizure or something..." he prayed she was still as unfamiliar with medical
jargon as she had always been.
"Thank you," he smiled weakly. He could't tell her now...it wouldn't be
right... That was past, and had been for years.
EvilUsaPuella: She nodded, trying to understand. If only Ami was here, then
she could've askedd her what caused seizures and how to prevent them from
recurring. "Why don't we go for lunch, that way you can sit down and rest
while, just in case it happens again? My treat!" she smiled widly, trying to
cheer him up a bit, as she picked up the bags once more.
He started to call her to tell her that she'd already done enough, but she
was already on her way out of the store and he had to walk quickly to keep
up with her, despite the shaking in his legs. "Mis- Mina, I can't let you do
this; you've already done too much for me," he protested.
"Oh, don't be silly Malachite. We can even look in the Classified's to find
you an apartment while we're there. I told you I was the welcoming
commity..." she stopped short and her eyes went wide. There standing in
front of her was a brunette who looked all too familiar...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
So many evil complaints about a chapter not being out last week. WE'RE
SORRY!! WE TRIED! But to make it up to you our chapter this week is
unbelievably long...and filled with loads of stuff. We even have a steamy
scene between Usagi and Mamoru...well, not really, but they're in the same
room!!! *laugh nervously* Anyways, we'll have our chapters in on time as
best as we can, so try and be nice!
Chapter 6 Comments:
*CrystallineLily: You have a laptop?! That would make my life soooo much
easier! You see, my father works nights and is in bed all day (our computer
is in his room) so I have to hand write the chapters with Nataku everyday in
between classes. They're all above honors classes too and we don't even sit
near eachother, so passing the notebook is near impossible during the day.
Sorry it wasn't out when you wanted it to be. A day off on Monday and my
being sick on Tuesday prevented us from working on it.
*Aylee the Dragon: *laughs* We almost didn't censor out the words and stuff,
but...er...*halo appears over head* we're kind of self conscious about that
kind of stuff. Plus, our paranoid and spying parents would behead us with a
dirty pen knife if they caught us writing some of this crap. But thanks for
the positive review!
*Princess Death: Thanks for being polite about your complaint! Sorry, lots
of bad e-mails and deaththreats have put me in a rather bad mood..(I almost
thought of killing off some of the characters just to make you people mad)
No, but, we are REALLY REALLY REALLY sorry about not having the chapter out.
I felt so guilty about it though that I put out "Meet the Females" to give
you guys SOMETHING to read. We would've done the actual chapter, but Nata
was away all weekend. (Her family stole her) Sorry again, and we hope this
makes up for it. ^_~
*Flying Onions: Again, gomen nasai, minna-san! *bow* We needed something to
keep you guys amused! Plus...umm....we thought that it was a helpful insider
that let you actually take a step back and see the big picture with all the
females- you know, manipulative, smart, pretty, *flips hair* and can you
BELIEVE Minako is a GOLD DIGGER?! *sweatdrops*
*Lynn: YOU ROCK!!!!! WE LOVE YOU!!! *hugs* YOU ARE SO AWESOME AND COOL!!!
Thank you so incredibly much for the good review! :)
And one last big thank you to the five of you and everyone else who has
reviewed our story before. We wake up in the morning, see a review, and
suddenly our whole day is brighter! Thanks!!