Ice King by Amethyst Serenity
AN: There are no excuses for my lateness. My life's been crappy for months and I'm depressed about it. Sorry. Hey, at least the chapter's on the long side. I was going to make it longer but I've kept you all waiting long enough. Special thank yous go to my buds Aridemarcus and Deny who tirelessly listen to my whining AND my wacko ideas for this story. Thank you to everyone who reads and/or reviews, including Brightstar, K. Wyse (your wish will soon come true), Tina Blair, Larissa, Lady Sunlight, lil- popcorngurl, Adrial, SailorKittyMoon, Silent Seishin, Heather, angelicwings, kaolla su, kathy, babe_galanime, serenity_90, zoe, loulou, =), Chichibusa, Fellow, fireangel621, dizzy4, huffy, soo jin, Sakura-chan, Mystical Angel, ditxo, Mystic-fan55, Eo, Tina E. Telford, Lady Tristana Rogue, Angel Queen2, Serena, Saturnpyroprincess, Celestial DreamBlaze (yep, it's all based on lust so far but Mamoru gets to see more of her character in this chapter), Mindy/Usagi, StarChild, gibs, zilla girl, SaiyanPrincess4, CrystallineLily, Summer, Jupitergreen12, moon princezz, bewiebe, Sphynxx6, Usagi Usako Chiba, Destiny's Darkness, Kachie-chan, Hatami, Cherry, Mercury Guardian and bewiebe (as a silly American, I reserve the right to mock myself and my country. Freedom of speech, baby. BTW, you might want to get a sense of humor).
Disclaimer: Why do I even bother writing a sentence here? Doesn't that one word explain it all?
Chapter 3: Gossip
"To conclude our ten pound tour of the *entire* city, we're heading towards the Crown Fruit Parlor, the hangout from heaven!" a golden voice extravagantly declared. "It has the best ice cream, arcade games, *and*, best of all, the hottest guys! Not that I really notice anymore because my baby is the *King* of cuties..."
"Um, don't you mean ten cent tour?" Ami quietly interrupted (in a vain attempt to stop pointless information from overloading her brain). Nervously, she hugged a shopping bag to her chest, covering her pale yellow, slightly sheer, floral peasant blouse, and tugged her bronzed miniskirt down a little. Although the bluish-haired girl adored her new look (largely due to the enthusiasm of her new friends), she was far more comfortable in her normal, spinsterish long-sleeved white shirt and dark gray, pleated, calf-length skirt. Plus, her black Mary Janes had been nicely broken in, unlike her tawny, suede ankle boots. She looked enviously at the white sneakers on her two companions.
"Didn't I just say that?" was the reply. Sky blue eyes blinked in bewildered innocence.
"Honestly, Mina-chan, I love you like a sister but you are out-of-this- world spacey sometimes," Usagi, Ami's new best friend, commented, casting a fondly exasperated glance at the girl who could have been her twin.
"Venus! I'm definitely from Venus!"
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Usagi groaned. Ami watched the two with wide, silvery-blue eyes and speculated on the sanity of her companions.
"Yep, women are from Venus!" Minako Aino proclaimed, cocking her head to the side and winking. Then, with a puzzled expression, she added "Or was it Mercury?"
As Usagi fought the urge to roll her eyes, Ami broke into helpless giggles. Flipping her lemon-gold, French braid over her shoulder, Minako grinned and adjusted her silver-tinted, oval-shaped sunglasses. Her silky, form- fitting turquoise tank top and sleek, black satin cargo pants fluttered slightly in the breeze. She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun, letting its rays skim over her tanned golden skin. It felt so good to go out, to act like a *normal* girl and not a budding model-actress (a megastar-in-the-making or so her agent Artie claimed). She hadn't taken any personal time in ages (aside from dates with Motoki, a higher priority than breathing in her opinion) but things were definitely going to be different with Usa-chan around!
Burdened with their shopping bags, the three girls laughingly swept through the doors of the Crown Fruit Parlor. Several boys eyed them appreciatively but no one recognized Minako without her signature red bow and flowing hairstyle. Immediately heading towards an empty booth in the corner, Minako grinned and decided to braid her hair more often. Plopping down on the vivid red vinyl seats and scattering their bags around them, the girls sighed with relief as they got off their feet. As Minako waved to get the attention of a brunette waitress, Ami and Usagi watched the crowd, smiling at the noise and flashing lights from the arcade games (which included a few that Usagi was itching to play). A few customers smiled and preened a bit to catch their attention but Ami only blushed and Usagi didn't notice them at all. Ever faithful to her stomach, she was far more interested in their heavenly-looking milkshakes and sundaes.
"Have I missed anything, girls?"
"Well, we've gone by the park, the movie theaters, the skating rink, the pool, the video store, that club- our parental units would *totally* kill you for showing it to me-, the bookstore, the mall with wicked cool shoes, manga, jewelry and to-die-for clothes.. I'd say we covered almost everything. And if Dad goes postal over the money I spent today, you are *so* going down with me!"
"No prob. I'll give you the dinero and Uncle Kenji won't know."
"But Mina-chan, I can't pay you back anytime soon."
"Forget about the money. Just hanging out with my favorite cousin is enough payment," Minako breezily dismissed with a wave of her hand. Usagi laughed and conceded, knowing that it was impossible to refuse her cousin's careless generosity. Minako hid a formidable, tempered-steel will beneath her usual ditzy exterior. Ami smiled wistfully at the affectionate, trusting camaraderie between the two girls.
"Um, we haven't dropped by the public library," she whispered.
"The *library*?" the two blondes chorused in unison with complete and utter bafflement on their faces, as if they never heard of such a place. In fact, they wouldn't have associated the word "library" with anything remotely fun in a million years. Then, Usagi glanced at Ami. The crestfallen girl's shoulders were hunched and slumped in anticipation of mockery and rejection.
"You can show me the library tomorrow. Kay, Ami-chan?" Usagi gently stated, ignoring the other blonde's incredulous, fishmouth expression. When Ami answered her with a sweet, shy smile, Minako suddenly saw Usagi's sensitivity to the feelings of their new friend. It was just so *Usagi* to notice! She winked at Ami.
"Good, my work is done. Now, on to *serious* business!"
"Serious business?" Ami queried, faintly alarmed at Minako's determined face. Usagi sighed, too used to her cousin's overly dramatic antics.
"Gossip!" Minako pronounced with the dignified air of an ancient sage dispensing wisdom.
"Gossip?" Ami blankly repeated.
"Ami dear, it's what all girls do with their friends. If you don't know *that*, you simply must hang out with us more often!"
"Yeah, it'll be great. And we can go shopping next time too! We can get a makeover at a cosmetics counter, maybe some perfume- Oh, you have to sleep over sometime so we can watch movies and do our nails," Usagi happily rambled. Ami kept nodding her head in surprised but eager agreement.
"Hold your cheetahs, Usa!" Minako interrupted. Ami was totally confused until Usagi grinned and mouthed the word "horses" at her. Then, she covered her mouth to hide her giggles. Oblivious, Minako continued with her little speech. "Time to dish the dirt, ladies. Played tonsil hockey lately? Found any hotties in your classes? I want to know *everything*!"
"Er, I've been in school for only one day, Mina-chan," Usagi murmured, avoiding direct eye contact with her irrepressible cousin. She resolutely shooed away any thoughts of a dark, sexy, arrogant, delicious enough to eat... jerk with images of his tragically trendy, lethally manicured stalker. On the other hand, a shell-shocked Ami was shooting for the world's greatest resemblance to a tomato.
"You two don't have boyfriends!" Minako loudly pronounced, smacking a fist against the table to emphasize her point. "I, the Goddess of Love, will not rest until you are dating your dream boys!"
"Self-proclaimed love goddess, you mean," Usagi sourly added, grimacing and rolling her eyes. As snickers (and more than a few interested faces) circulated around the arcade, Ami seriously thought about hiding under the table. Minako's sky blue eyes glowed with a zealot's excitement over her new mission in life.
"Okay, Ami, what's your perfect guy like?"
"Ah... er... I don't know?" the poor girl stammered.
"C'mon, Ames, you must have *some* idea," Minako interrogated. Taking out a notepad from a bag, she started scribbling notes. A tongue-tied Ami frantically looked around for help.
"Someone smart because she studies a lot," Usagi blithely volunteered.
"Smart, check. Hmmm, a guy who's shy, sensitive, well mannered but cute in a dreamy sort of way might do for our Ames. A real gentleman. I'm thinking Urawa, Arima, Kaoru, Sasame, Tsukishiro or Winner," Minako voiced, tapping her mouth with the tip of an orange ballpoint pen.
"I don't like guys," Ami blurted out. Minako and Usagi's eyes widened in surprise.
"You *like* girls? That's a bit harder to match up but I love a challenge!"
"No, no, I don't like girls. I mean I do but not *that* way! Well heck, I just. I mean. I don't get along with boys," Ami lamely babbled.
"What do you mean by not getting along?"
"They tease me and pick on me all the time. Even the most intelligent guy in our year does it. He's nice to everyone else *but* me and I don't understand why! And he's *so* obnoxious but I never did anything to him," Ami confided. Her silvery blue eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"What's the name of that *slimeball* so I can dislike him too? Nobody gets away with picking on my friends!" Usagi fiercely muttered, hugging Ami.
"His name doesn't matter. but thank you," Ami whispered with a watery smile.
"Most guys in our school are idiots so don't let their teasing bother you. They're just too stupid to see how great you are," Minako counseled. However, she made a note to find out the identity of the top male sophomore student. Judging by Ami's reaction, he sounded... promising. Usagi shuddered at Minako's thoughtful countenance.
"Mina-chan, you haven't talked about *your* love life at all. What's new with Motoki?" she hastily inserted, trying to save Ami (and herself) from premature death by embarrassment.
"Oh no, Usa-chan, *you're* not getting off the hook that easily," Minako countered. "You've already got a date with Tatsuya next weekend."
"Tatsuya? Who's Tatsuya? It'll be a cold day in Africa when I go on a blind date!"
"Then, dress warmly because you're going next Saturday. Tatsuya is my sweetie's kid brother. He's in your year, gorgeous, sociable and a bit flirty but a nice boy. Plus, Motoki will rearrange his anatomy if he pulls anything on you."
"Minako!"
"Usa-chan, you *know* I'll win in the end. Why not give in gracefully?"
"Fine, fine. I'll go but I won't like it," Usagi warned with a feeling of impending doom about the blind date. Winking at Ami, Minako bestowed a beatific smile on her cousin. As Ami giggled at Usagi's answering pout, the brunette waitress came up for their orders. While Ami asked for a soda and salad, Minako ordered a strawberry milkshake with fries and Usagi settled for a deluxe chocolate sundae. Looking down at the table, Usagi nervously toyed with her napkin.
"Mina-chan, what's Belle's problem? She accused me of attacking her boyfriend and she was pretty horrible to Ami."
"Stay away from B if you can. I don't know what's wrong with her but she's insane, petty *and* vicious. Unfortunately, she's popular because she's a Britney clone and her daddy's rich. Hey, she has a guy? Who'd be desperate enough to go out with her?"
"Well, he was tall, dark-haired and blue-eyed but he looked pretty upset with her."
"Ooooh, Chiba. B wants him *very* bad but he despises her. He's our resident heartbreaker with his bad boy looks and Porsche but he gives freezer-burn to people."
"Freezer burn?"
"Yep, he's called the Ice King and he's like the school god 'cos of his indifferent attitude to everybody. He doesn't have time for *anything* besides studying but my Motoki is his friend so he must be a decent guy."
Before Minako's finely honed love-senses picked up on Usagi's interest in Chiba, the waitress returned with their orders. Hungry from their shopping exertions, Ami and Minako attacked their food with relish. However, Usagi only picked at her sundae, thinking the so-called Ice King had been anything *but* indifferent to her.
"Minako, if you don't mind my asking, why did you give up volleyball? You captained the team all the way to the championships," Ami bravely ventured.
"Oh, those were good times but, once I got serious with my honey, I was doing way too much. My grades started dive-bombing and I had to give something up. So, I dropped volleyball and cut back on the modeling & cheerleading, instead of losing Motoki. It was a no-brainer and the best decision I ever made!"
"For the sake of my sanity, don't start your 'Motoki is the greatest thing since sliced bread' speech," Usagi moaned. Ami giggled at the bubbly blonde's instantly dejected expression. Popping the last french fry into her mouth, Minako recovered quickly and checked her watch.
"Oh crap, look at the time! Artie's going to kill me!" she shouted. Grabbing her bags, she turned to Usagi. "You'll be okay getting home from here, right?"
"I'll think I can manage since home's about ten minutes away, Mom," Usagi joked.
"Kay! Bye Ames! Later, coz!" Minako yelled with a bright smile and wave of her hand. As she zipped out of the arcade, she grabbed the attention of their waitress. "Unazuki, put their food on my tab! Gotta jet!"
"Minako's always running around. I'm surprised she was able to spend so much time with us," Usagi remarked. Slightly dazed from the blonde's whirlwind exit, Ami nearly fed her salad to the floor. Usagi hid a grin. "Ami-chan, you didn't tell us the name of the most intelligent dirtbag in our year."
"He's not important. Really, he's not. I don't want to get you into more trouble because of me," Ami softly stated, lowering her eyes to her plate.
"Aww, what are friends for if not making trouble? Anyway, you should tell me who he is so I can stay away from him!" Usagi cleverly added. Ami was silent for a minute.
"Zack. His name is Zack."
"Okay, I'll avoid guys named Zack! Just to make you feel better, Ami-chan, I promise not to spit at him or anything like that *unless* he's being a jerk to you."
"Thanks, Usagi. You know, I've never met anyone like you in my entire life."
"Hope that's a good thing! Of course, I've never met anybody like me either, unless you count Minako which I don't 'cos we're family."
"It's a *very* good thing."
"Cool! We're going to be great friends, Ami-chan!"
"I hope so, Usagi."
"Nope, you have to call me Usa or Usa-chan if you want to be friends," Usagi scolded, wagging her finger at Ami in mock reproach.
"Okay, Usa... chan," Ami replied with a tiny smile. Usagi grinned at her. In friendly silence, the two girls continued to eat. As Ami finished her salad, she marveled at Usagi's rapturous, childlike enjoyment of her food. "Well, I've had a lovely time but I have to get home before my mom worries. I hope we can get together again."
"Remember, Ami-chan, we're meeting after school tomorrow for the library thing!"
"Sounds great! See you later, Usa-chan!"
Mumbling bye through a mouthful of chocolatey goodness, Usagi grinned and dug into her sundae before it melted. As Ami disappeared through the doors, a certain dark-haired head peeked out of a secluded booth in the back and noticed Usagi. Unfortunately for the little bunny, someone else approached her first.
"Well, if it isn't the Blonde Ditz Junior? Or should I say Ms. Piggy? Did your babysitter leave you alone? She needs to come back and clean up after you."
Usagi's cheeks flushed with annoyance and her back stiffened at the taunts but she concentrated on her food. Reminding herself that Minako wanted her to avoid trouble, she bit back the retort "Well, if it isn't the Fashion Victim?" Her slender hand gripped her spoon in a painfully tight grip. Stalking up to Usagi's table, the waspish redhead tried to intimidate her by invading her personal space. Deceptively calm, the blonde ignored her and ate some more ice cream.
"Hey Airhead, I'm talking to you! Don't you have the IQ to realize you're being insulted, moron?" B snapped, slamming her hand down on the table. The plates jumped and made a crashing noise with the force of the impact.
"Excuse me but I'm eating right now. Could you be slightly civilized and let me finish my meal?" Usagi responded, not looking at B. Infuriated with the younger girl's reaction, the blonde-streaked redhead snarled. The beige-tinted claws on her right hand reached out to pull out chunks of honey hair. Intuitively sensing danger, Usagi leaned backwards just in time to save her precious pigtails. "*What* are you doing? Are you mental?"
"Listen up, you stupid *freak*. Stay away from my man," B spat, towering over the seated blonde and shaking a clenched fist. The petite girl blinked at the raw venom in B's voice. Why was a feared, popular and wealthy junior princess worried about a lowly sophomore peasant? Was it because of her relationship to Minako? (Usa-chan really has *no* clue. Isn't she adorable?)
"I'd be happy to stay away from any of your friends. Now, please leave me alone."
"No one makes *me* look bad," B hissed. Snatching Minako's abandoned milkshake, she hurled it at the other girl. In horrified fascination, Usagi watched as the strawberry liquid arched through the air to thoroughly soak her shirtfront. Stunned, she glanced down at her ruined clothes. Holding back tears, Usagi futilely dabbed at the mess with napkins. Setting the cup down, B haughtily smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. "Messing with me means big trouble, little girl. Now, you're a match for your loser nerd friend."
"You... you *harpy*! How dare you insult my friends?!" Usagi finally exploded. Bursting out of her seat, she straightened to her full height, clenched her fists and glared directly at B. Her crystal blue eyes and rosy, luminous face were ablaze with virtuous outrage. A halo of sunlight crowned her golden head, making B into a pale, insipid candle flame next to her ethereal radiance. Several bystanders in the Crown Fruit Parlor became instantly infatuated with the younger girl (and her clingy, wet shirt might have helped). Oblivious to the mood of the crowd, B smugly flipped her hair over her shoulder, tilted her nose up and sneered at the delicate sophomore. Incensed beyond belief, Usagi seized her beloved sundae and dumped it on B's frizzy, flame-tinted hair.
"*Nobody* insults my friends," Usagi regally announced. Quickly gathering her bags, she stormed out of the arcade amidst applause and scattered declarations of undying love. B's mouth dropped open in numb disbelief as she felt the icy cold goop drip off her head, down her neck and onto her chest. Then, she incoherently screeched like a demented banshee on drugs. To add insult to injury, B slowly realized that most people were *snickering* at her predicament (at least those left with intact hearing). Before she could vow revenge on them all, an elegant, darkly handsome Chiba emerged from his booth. As he strolled out the door, he glanced at her and sarcastically complimented her on her new hairstyle. Pretending to get paper towels, the staff retired to the back room and collapsed of laughter. (B, rather traumatized, locked herself in the bathroom for several hours.)
Meanwhile, a morose Usagi was trudging home. After her initial fury passed, she had hyperventilated about committing social seppuku *twice* in one day. The meanest popular girl at Azabu High was most likely her mortal enemy for life. She'd be lucky if her life wasn't a living hell tomorrow! Plus, her mother will have a fit about her stained clothes. And what would Minako say to her once she heard about the latest debacle? (Actually, her cousin would have provided more ammunition to launch at B...) As she sunk into depression, a silver Porsche pulled up alongside her. The tinted passenger-side window slid down to reveal Chiba at the wheel. Usagi groaned. If she wasn't klutzing out on him, she was either babbling or looking like a strawberry milk-splattered circus freak before him. Life just wasn't fair.
"Hey, Odango, strawberry suits you," Chiba remarked, raising an eyebrow at her soggy shirt. Even in a total mess, she was a luscious temptation. Her clingy clothing delineated her slender, well-rounded curves and unveiled hints of a lacy bra. Behind his cool façade, he quietly salivated.
"Go away. Please, just go away."
"I'm hurt, Tsukino. All I wanted to do was offer you a ride home."
"Wha... what? How do you know my name?" Usagi stammered. Her cerulean eyes narrowed with suspicion. The dark-haired junior faked a look of wholesome innocence but couldn't pull it off.
"No tricks, Odango. After your little run-in with B, anyone at Azabu who doesn't know your name is a total loser, dead or a teacher. Besides, I'm a sucker for your damsel-in-distress routine."
"Are you trying to trick me?"
"C'mon, get in the car. This is my good deed for the year but I'm not going to wait all day for you," Chiba impatiently cajoled, scowling at the boys who were getting an eyeful of *his* girl.
"You swear?" Usagi questioned. He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I swear I'll be a good boy and we'll go straight home, Tsukino. Scout's honor. Now, get IN the bloody car! People are staring!"
Nibbling her lower lip, Usagi opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat. After she closed the door and fastened the seatbelt (with a bag resting between her wet clothes and the belt), the petite blonde glowered at him.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Directions, Odango. I need directions. Unless you want to go to *my* house which, of course, can easily be arranged," Chiba replied with a wicked little half-smile.
"Oh. Take a right at the second block and go straight. My house is in the middle of the fourth block on the left," Usagi disclosed, thinking that last sentence must have been her overactive imagination. Chiba fluidly guided the Porsche into traffic. "Why are you helping me? We don't even know each other."
"Because I can."
"That's not an answer."
"It's all you're getting, Tsukino. So, you're hanging with Aino the cheerleader and the little blue-haired brain?"
"Her *name* is Ami Mizuno and you'd better not be insulting her."
"Intelligence is a plus, not a minus, Odango."
"Um, okay. And don't call me that."
"Why not? A cute name for a cute girl. I don't see a problem," he playfully observed, shooting a sideways glance at her. The flustered blonde was turning an attractive crimson shade. He chuckled. "You're very loyal to your new friend."
"S-so? Anything wrong with that?"
"Absolutely nothing. It's a rare but admirable quality these days."
"*Why* do we keep running into each other?" she plaintively asked, wearing an adorably confused expression.
"Think of it as fate, Odango."
"Fate?"
"If you ran into me every day, I'd die a happy man."
"Don't say things like that when you couldn't possibly mean it," Usagi primly reprimanded.
"Who says I don't mean it?" Chiba smoothly answered with a slight grin. Rendered speechless, she gaped at him. The Porsche slowed to a stop. "You underestimate yourself, sweetheart. By the way, we're here."
Bewildered by his endearments, Usagi realized her new home, a sunny yellow house with a brown roof and red tulips in the front yard, was a few feet away. Before she could unfasten her seatbelt, Chiba leaned towards her. She gasped at his proximity but he reached past her to flick open her door lock (conveniently ignoring the electronic door controls on his side). His lean, muscled arm brushed against the softness of her chest. When he didn't move, Usagi turned her head to find his face less than a centimeter away from hers. If she moved the slightest bit, her lips would brush against him. A tingling, melting sensation pooled in the pit of her stomach and spread throughout her body. She couldn't breathe but she was aware of his scent, roses and rain, surrounding her. For a long, endless moment, she was lost in his brilliant sapphire eyes.
"You owe me one, Odango. And I'll collect on it soon," he silkily drawled. As his warm breath caressed her cheek, Usagi shivered in fear and anticipation but he only moved back to his side of the car. Vaguely disappointed, she somehow managed to unfasten her seatbelt and get out of the car without knowing what she was doing. Looking back at him, she nervously cleared her throat.
"Th-thank you for the ride, Chiba-san," Usagi murmured. Chiba turned the full force of his smile on her, a devastating attack that made her knees a little weak.
"My pleasure, Odango. Oh, and if you call me Mamoru, I *might* stop using my nickname for you. See you later."
In a stupor, Usagi stared at the silver Porsche until it disappeared from sight.
AN2: Oooo, contest! Name all the guys in Minako's list of dates for Ami (full name and anime/manga of origin) and I'll answer a question or two about the storyline of this fic.
AN3: Ages-
Minako Aino- 17
Mamoru Chiba- 17
Belle Fonce- 17
Motoki Andrew Furuhata- 17, almost 18
Ami Mizuno- 15
Usagi Tsukino- 16
AN: There are no excuses for my lateness. My life's been crappy for months and I'm depressed about it. Sorry. Hey, at least the chapter's on the long side. I was going to make it longer but I've kept you all waiting long enough. Special thank yous go to my buds Aridemarcus and Deny who tirelessly listen to my whining AND my wacko ideas for this story. Thank you to everyone who reads and/or reviews, including Brightstar, K. Wyse (your wish will soon come true), Tina Blair, Larissa, Lady Sunlight, lil- popcorngurl, Adrial, SailorKittyMoon, Silent Seishin, Heather, angelicwings, kaolla su, kathy, babe_galanime, serenity_90, zoe, loulou, =), Chichibusa, Fellow, fireangel621, dizzy4, huffy, soo jin, Sakura-chan, Mystical Angel, ditxo, Mystic-fan55, Eo, Tina E. Telford, Lady Tristana Rogue, Angel Queen2, Serena, Saturnpyroprincess, Celestial DreamBlaze (yep, it's all based on lust so far but Mamoru gets to see more of her character in this chapter), Mindy/Usagi, StarChild, gibs, zilla girl, SaiyanPrincess4, CrystallineLily, Summer, Jupitergreen12, moon princezz, bewiebe, Sphynxx6, Usagi Usako Chiba, Destiny's Darkness, Kachie-chan, Hatami, Cherry, Mercury Guardian and bewiebe (as a silly American, I reserve the right to mock myself and my country. Freedom of speech, baby. BTW, you might want to get a sense of humor).
Disclaimer: Why do I even bother writing a sentence here? Doesn't that one word explain it all?
Chapter 3: Gossip
"To conclude our ten pound tour of the *entire* city, we're heading towards the Crown Fruit Parlor, the hangout from heaven!" a golden voice extravagantly declared. "It has the best ice cream, arcade games, *and*, best of all, the hottest guys! Not that I really notice anymore because my baby is the *King* of cuties..."
"Um, don't you mean ten cent tour?" Ami quietly interrupted (in a vain attempt to stop pointless information from overloading her brain). Nervously, she hugged a shopping bag to her chest, covering her pale yellow, slightly sheer, floral peasant blouse, and tugged her bronzed miniskirt down a little. Although the bluish-haired girl adored her new look (largely due to the enthusiasm of her new friends), she was far more comfortable in her normal, spinsterish long-sleeved white shirt and dark gray, pleated, calf-length skirt. Plus, her black Mary Janes had been nicely broken in, unlike her tawny, suede ankle boots. She looked enviously at the white sneakers on her two companions.
"Didn't I just say that?" was the reply. Sky blue eyes blinked in bewildered innocence.
"Honestly, Mina-chan, I love you like a sister but you are out-of-this- world spacey sometimes," Usagi, Ami's new best friend, commented, casting a fondly exasperated glance at the girl who could have been her twin.
"Venus! I'm definitely from Venus!"
"I'm almost afraid to ask," Usagi groaned. Ami watched the two with wide, silvery-blue eyes and speculated on the sanity of her companions.
"Yep, women are from Venus!" Minako Aino proclaimed, cocking her head to the side and winking. Then, with a puzzled expression, she added "Or was it Mercury?"
As Usagi fought the urge to roll her eyes, Ami broke into helpless giggles. Flipping her lemon-gold, French braid over her shoulder, Minako grinned and adjusted her silver-tinted, oval-shaped sunglasses. Her silky, form- fitting turquoise tank top and sleek, black satin cargo pants fluttered slightly in the breeze. She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the sun, letting its rays skim over her tanned golden skin. It felt so good to go out, to act like a *normal* girl and not a budding model-actress (a megastar-in-the-making or so her agent Artie claimed). She hadn't taken any personal time in ages (aside from dates with Motoki, a higher priority than breathing in her opinion) but things were definitely going to be different with Usa-chan around!
Burdened with their shopping bags, the three girls laughingly swept through the doors of the Crown Fruit Parlor. Several boys eyed them appreciatively but no one recognized Minako without her signature red bow and flowing hairstyle. Immediately heading towards an empty booth in the corner, Minako grinned and decided to braid her hair more often. Plopping down on the vivid red vinyl seats and scattering their bags around them, the girls sighed with relief as they got off their feet. As Minako waved to get the attention of a brunette waitress, Ami and Usagi watched the crowd, smiling at the noise and flashing lights from the arcade games (which included a few that Usagi was itching to play). A few customers smiled and preened a bit to catch their attention but Ami only blushed and Usagi didn't notice them at all. Ever faithful to her stomach, she was far more interested in their heavenly-looking milkshakes and sundaes.
"Have I missed anything, girls?"
"Well, we've gone by the park, the movie theaters, the skating rink, the pool, the video store, that club- our parental units would *totally* kill you for showing it to me-, the bookstore, the mall with wicked cool shoes, manga, jewelry and to-die-for clothes.. I'd say we covered almost everything. And if Dad goes postal over the money I spent today, you are *so* going down with me!"
"No prob. I'll give you the dinero and Uncle Kenji won't know."
"But Mina-chan, I can't pay you back anytime soon."
"Forget about the money. Just hanging out with my favorite cousin is enough payment," Minako breezily dismissed with a wave of her hand. Usagi laughed and conceded, knowing that it was impossible to refuse her cousin's careless generosity. Minako hid a formidable, tempered-steel will beneath her usual ditzy exterior. Ami smiled wistfully at the affectionate, trusting camaraderie between the two girls.
"Um, we haven't dropped by the public library," she whispered.
"The *library*?" the two blondes chorused in unison with complete and utter bafflement on their faces, as if they never heard of such a place. In fact, they wouldn't have associated the word "library" with anything remotely fun in a million years. Then, Usagi glanced at Ami. The crestfallen girl's shoulders were hunched and slumped in anticipation of mockery and rejection.
"You can show me the library tomorrow. Kay, Ami-chan?" Usagi gently stated, ignoring the other blonde's incredulous, fishmouth expression. When Ami answered her with a sweet, shy smile, Minako suddenly saw Usagi's sensitivity to the feelings of their new friend. It was just so *Usagi* to notice! She winked at Ami.
"Good, my work is done. Now, on to *serious* business!"
"Serious business?" Ami queried, faintly alarmed at Minako's determined face. Usagi sighed, too used to her cousin's overly dramatic antics.
"Gossip!" Minako pronounced with the dignified air of an ancient sage dispensing wisdom.
"Gossip?" Ami blankly repeated.
"Ami dear, it's what all girls do with their friends. If you don't know *that*, you simply must hang out with us more often!"
"Yeah, it'll be great. And we can go shopping next time too! We can get a makeover at a cosmetics counter, maybe some perfume- Oh, you have to sleep over sometime so we can watch movies and do our nails," Usagi happily rambled. Ami kept nodding her head in surprised but eager agreement.
"Hold your cheetahs, Usa!" Minako interrupted. Ami was totally confused until Usagi grinned and mouthed the word "horses" at her. Then, she covered her mouth to hide her giggles. Oblivious, Minako continued with her little speech. "Time to dish the dirt, ladies. Played tonsil hockey lately? Found any hotties in your classes? I want to know *everything*!"
"Er, I've been in school for only one day, Mina-chan," Usagi murmured, avoiding direct eye contact with her irrepressible cousin. She resolutely shooed away any thoughts of a dark, sexy, arrogant, delicious enough to eat... jerk with images of his tragically trendy, lethally manicured stalker. On the other hand, a shell-shocked Ami was shooting for the world's greatest resemblance to a tomato.
"You two don't have boyfriends!" Minako loudly pronounced, smacking a fist against the table to emphasize her point. "I, the Goddess of Love, will not rest until you are dating your dream boys!"
"Self-proclaimed love goddess, you mean," Usagi sourly added, grimacing and rolling her eyes. As snickers (and more than a few interested faces) circulated around the arcade, Ami seriously thought about hiding under the table. Minako's sky blue eyes glowed with a zealot's excitement over her new mission in life.
"Okay, Ami, what's your perfect guy like?"
"Ah... er... I don't know?" the poor girl stammered.
"C'mon, Ames, you must have *some* idea," Minako interrogated. Taking out a notepad from a bag, she started scribbling notes. A tongue-tied Ami frantically looked around for help.
"Someone smart because she studies a lot," Usagi blithely volunteered.
"Smart, check. Hmmm, a guy who's shy, sensitive, well mannered but cute in a dreamy sort of way might do for our Ames. A real gentleman. I'm thinking Urawa, Arima, Kaoru, Sasame, Tsukishiro or Winner," Minako voiced, tapping her mouth with the tip of an orange ballpoint pen.
"I don't like guys," Ami blurted out. Minako and Usagi's eyes widened in surprise.
"You *like* girls? That's a bit harder to match up but I love a challenge!"
"No, no, I don't like girls. I mean I do but not *that* way! Well heck, I just. I mean. I don't get along with boys," Ami lamely babbled.
"What do you mean by not getting along?"
"They tease me and pick on me all the time. Even the most intelligent guy in our year does it. He's nice to everyone else *but* me and I don't understand why! And he's *so* obnoxious but I never did anything to him," Ami confided. Her silvery blue eyes glistened with unshed tears.
"What's the name of that *slimeball* so I can dislike him too? Nobody gets away with picking on my friends!" Usagi fiercely muttered, hugging Ami.
"His name doesn't matter. but thank you," Ami whispered with a watery smile.
"Most guys in our school are idiots so don't let their teasing bother you. They're just too stupid to see how great you are," Minako counseled. However, she made a note to find out the identity of the top male sophomore student. Judging by Ami's reaction, he sounded... promising. Usagi shuddered at Minako's thoughtful countenance.
"Mina-chan, you haven't talked about *your* love life at all. What's new with Motoki?" she hastily inserted, trying to save Ami (and herself) from premature death by embarrassment.
"Oh no, Usa-chan, *you're* not getting off the hook that easily," Minako countered. "You've already got a date with Tatsuya next weekend."
"Tatsuya? Who's Tatsuya? It'll be a cold day in Africa when I go on a blind date!"
"Then, dress warmly because you're going next Saturday. Tatsuya is my sweetie's kid brother. He's in your year, gorgeous, sociable and a bit flirty but a nice boy. Plus, Motoki will rearrange his anatomy if he pulls anything on you."
"Minako!"
"Usa-chan, you *know* I'll win in the end. Why not give in gracefully?"
"Fine, fine. I'll go but I won't like it," Usagi warned with a feeling of impending doom about the blind date. Winking at Ami, Minako bestowed a beatific smile on her cousin. As Ami giggled at Usagi's answering pout, the brunette waitress came up for their orders. While Ami asked for a soda and salad, Minako ordered a strawberry milkshake with fries and Usagi settled for a deluxe chocolate sundae. Looking down at the table, Usagi nervously toyed with her napkin.
"Mina-chan, what's Belle's problem? She accused me of attacking her boyfriend and she was pretty horrible to Ami."
"Stay away from B if you can. I don't know what's wrong with her but she's insane, petty *and* vicious. Unfortunately, she's popular because she's a Britney clone and her daddy's rich. Hey, she has a guy? Who'd be desperate enough to go out with her?"
"Well, he was tall, dark-haired and blue-eyed but he looked pretty upset with her."
"Ooooh, Chiba. B wants him *very* bad but he despises her. He's our resident heartbreaker with his bad boy looks and Porsche but he gives freezer-burn to people."
"Freezer burn?"
"Yep, he's called the Ice King and he's like the school god 'cos of his indifferent attitude to everybody. He doesn't have time for *anything* besides studying but my Motoki is his friend so he must be a decent guy."
Before Minako's finely honed love-senses picked up on Usagi's interest in Chiba, the waitress returned with their orders. Hungry from their shopping exertions, Ami and Minako attacked their food with relish. However, Usagi only picked at her sundae, thinking the so-called Ice King had been anything *but* indifferent to her.
"Minako, if you don't mind my asking, why did you give up volleyball? You captained the team all the way to the championships," Ami bravely ventured.
"Oh, those were good times but, once I got serious with my honey, I was doing way too much. My grades started dive-bombing and I had to give something up. So, I dropped volleyball and cut back on the modeling & cheerleading, instead of losing Motoki. It was a no-brainer and the best decision I ever made!"
"For the sake of my sanity, don't start your 'Motoki is the greatest thing since sliced bread' speech," Usagi moaned. Ami giggled at the bubbly blonde's instantly dejected expression. Popping the last french fry into her mouth, Minako recovered quickly and checked her watch.
"Oh crap, look at the time! Artie's going to kill me!" she shouted. Grabbing her bags, she turned to Usagi. "You'll be okay getting home from here, right?"
"I'll think I can manage since home's about ten minutes away, Mom," Usagi joked.
"Kay! Bye Ames! Later, coz!" Minako yelled with a bright smile and wave of her hand. As she zipped out of the arcade, she grabbed the attention of their waitress. "Unazuki, put their food on my tab! Gotta jet!"
"Minako's always running around. I'm surprised she was able to spend so much time with us," Usagi remarked. Slightly dazed from the blonde's whirlwind exit, Ami nearly fed her salad to the floor. Usagi hid a grin. "Ami-chan, you didn't tell us the name of the most intelligent dirtbag in our year."
"He's not important. Really, he's not. I don't want to get you into more trouble because of me," Ami softly stated, lowering her eyes to her plate.
"Aww, what are friends for if not making trouble? Anyway, you should tell me who he is so I can stay away from him!" Usagi cleverly added. Ami was silent for a minute.
"Zack. His name is Zack."
"Okay, I'll avoid guys named Zack! Just to make you feel better, Ami-chan, I promise not to spit at him or anything like that *unless* he's being a jerk to you."
"Thanks, Usagi. You know, I've never met anyone like you in my entire life."
"Hope that's a good thing! Of course, I've never met anybody like me either, unless you count Minako which I don't 'cos we're family."
"It's a *very* good thing."
"Cool! We're going to be great friends, Ami-chan!"
"I hope so, Usagi."
"Nope, you have to call me Usa or Usa-chan if you want to be friends," Usagi scolded, wagging her finger at Ami in mock reproach.
"Okay, Usa... chan," Ami replied with a tiny smile. Usagi grinned at her. In friendly silence, the two girls continued to eat. As Ami finished her salad, she marveled at Usagi's rapturous, childlike enjoyment of her food. "Well, I've had a lovely time but I have to get home before my mom worries. I hope we can get together again."
"Remember, Ami-chan, we're meeting after school tomorrow for the library thing!"
"Sounds great! See you later, Usa-chan!"
Mumbling bye through a mouthful of chocolatey goodness, Usagi grinned and dug into her sundae before it melted. As Ami disappeared through the doors, a certain dark-haired head peeked out of a secluded booth in the back and noticed Usagi. Unfortunately for the little bunny, someone else approached her first.
"Well, if it isn't the Blonde Ditz Junior? Or should I say Ms. Piggy? Did your babysitter leave you alone? She needs to come back and clean up after you."
Usagi's cheeks flushed with annoyance and her back stiffened at the taunts but she concentrated on her food. Reminding herself that Minako wanted her to avoid trouble, she bit back the retort "Well, if it isn't the Fashion Victim?" Her slender hand gripped her spoon in a painfully tight grip. Stalking up to Usagi's table, the waspish redhead tried to intimidate her by invading her personal space. Deceptively calm, the blonde ignored her and ate some more ice cream.
"Hey Airhead, I'm talking to you! Don't you have the IQ to realize you're being insulted, moron?" B snapped, slamming her hand down on the table. The plates jumped and made a crashing noise with the force of the impact.
"Excuse me but I'm eating right now. Could you be slightly civilized and let me finish my meal?" Usagi responded, not looking at B. Infuriated with the younger girl's reaction, the blonde-streaked redhead snarled. The beige-tinted claws on her right hand reached out to pull out chunks of honey hair. Intuitively sensing danger, Usagi leaned backwards just in time to save her precious pigtails. "*What* are you doing? Are you mental?"
"Listen up, you stupid *freak*. Stay away from my man," B spat, towering over the seated blonde and shaking a clenched fist. The petite girl blinked at the raw venom in B's voice. Why was a feared, popular and wealthy junior princess worried about a lowly sophomore peasant? Was it because of her relationship to Minako? (Usa-chan really has *no* clue. Isn't she adorable?)
"I'd be happy to stay away from any of your friends. Now, please leave me alone."
"No one makes *me* look bad," B hissed. Snatching Minako's abandoned milkshake, she hurled it at the other girl. In horrified fascination, Usagi watched as the strawberry liquid arched through the air to thoroughly soak her shirtfront. Stunned, she glanced down at her ruined clothes. Holding back tears, Usagi futilely dabbed at the mess with napkins. Setting the cup down, B haughtily smirked and crossed her arms over her chest. "Messing with me means big trouble, little girl. Now, you're a match for your loser nerd friend."
"You... you *harpy*! How dare you insult my friends?!" Usagi finally exploded. Bursting out of her seat, she straightened to her full height, clenched her fists and glared directly at B. Her crystal blue eyes and rosy, luminous face were ablaze with virtuous outrage. A halo of sunlight crowned her golden head, making B into a pale, insipid candle flame next to her ethereal radiance. Several bystanders in the Crown Fruit Parlor became instantly infatuated with the younger girl (and her clingy, wet shirt might have helped). Oblivious to the mood of the crowd, B smugly flipped her hair over her shoulder, tilted her nose up and sneered at the delicate sophomore. Incensed beyond belief, Usagi seized her beloved sundae and dumped it on B's frizzy, flame-tinted hair.
"*Nobody* insults my friends," Usagi regally announced. Quickly gathering her bags, she stormed out of the arcade amidst applause and scattered declarations of undying love. B's mouth dropped open in numb disbelief as she felt the icy cold goop drip off her head, down her neck and onto her chest. Then, she incoherently screeched like a demented banshee on drugs. To add insult to injury, B slowly realized that most people were *snickering* at her predicament (at least those left with intact hearing). Before she could vow revenge on them all, an elegant, darkly handsome Chiba emerged from his booth. As he strolled out the door, he glanced at her and sarcastically complimented her on her new hairstyle. Pretending to get paper towels, the staff retired to the back room and collapsed of laughter. (B, rather traumatized, locked herself in the bathroom for several hours.)
Meanwhile, a morose Usagi was trudging home. After her initial fury passed, she had hyperventilated about committing social seppuku *twice* in one day. The meanest popular girl at Azabu High was most likely her mortal enemy for life. She'd be lucky if her life wasn't a living hell tomorrow! Plus, her mother will have a fit about her stained clothes. And what would Minako say to her once she heard about the latest debacle? (Actually, her cousin would have provided more ammunition to launch at B...) As she sunk into depression, a silver Porsche pulled up alongside her. The tinted passenger-side window slid down to reveal Chiba at the wheel. Usagi groaned. If she wasn't klutzing out on him, she was either babbling or looking like a strawberry milk-splattered circus freak before him. Life just wasn't fair.
"Hey, Odango, strawberry suits you," Chiba remarked, raising an eyebrow at her soggy shirt. Even in a total mess, she was a luscious temptation. Her clingy clothing delineated her slender, well-rounded curves and unveiled hints of a lacy bra. Behind his cool façade, he quietly salivated.
"Go away. Please, just go away."
"I'm hurt, Tsukino. All I wanted to do was offer you a ride home."
"Wha... what? How do you know my name?" Usagi stammered. Her cerulean eyes narrowed with suspicion. The dark-haired junior faked a look of wholesome innocence but couldn't pull it off.
"No tricks, Odango. After your little run-in with B, anyone at Azabu who doesn't know your name is a total loser, dead or a teacher. Besides, I'm a sucker for your damsel-in-distress routine."
"Are you trying to trick me?"
"C'mon, get in the car. This is my good deed for the year but I'm not going to wait all day for you," Chiba impatiently cajoled, scowling at the boys who were getting an eyeful of *his* girl.
"You swear?" Usagi questioned. He rolled his eyes and sighed.
"I swear I'll be a good boy and we'll go straight home, Tsukino. Scout's honor. Now, get IN the bloody car! People are staring!"
Nibbling her lower lip, Usagi opened the car door and slid into the passenger seat. After she closed the door and fastened the seatbelt (with a bag resting between her wet clothes and the belt), the petite blonde glowered at him.
"What are you waiting for?"
"Directions, Odango. I need directions. Unless you want to go to *my* house which, of course, can easily be arranged," Chiba replied with a wicked little half-smile.
"Oh. Take a right at the second block and go straight. My house is in the middle of the fourth block on the left," Usagi disclosed, thinking that last sentence must have been her overactive imagination. Chiba fluidly guided the Porsche into traffic. "Why are you helping me? We don't even know each other."
"Because I can."
"That's not an answer."
"It's all you're getting, Tsukino. So, you're hanging with Aino the cheerleader and the little blue-haired brain?"
"Her *name* is Ami Mizuno and you'd better not be insulting her."
"Intelligence is a plus, not a minus, Odango."
"Um, okay. And don't call me that."
"Why not? A cute name for a cute girl. I don't see a problem," he playfully observed, shooting a sideways glance at her. The flustered blonde was turning an attractive crimson shade. He chuckled. "You're very loyal to your new friend."
"S-so? Anything wrong with that?"
"Absolutely nothing. It's a rare but admirable quality these days."
"*Why* do we keep running into each other?" she plaintively asked, wearing an adorably confused expression.
"Think of it as fate, Odango."
"Fate?"
"If you ran into me every day, I'd die a happy man."
"Don't say things like that when you couldn't possibly mean it," Usagi primly reprimanded.
"Who says I don't mean it?" Chiba smoothly answered with a slight grin. Rendered speechless, she gaped at him. The Porsche slowed to a stop. "You underestimate yourself, sweetheart. By the way, we're here."
Bewildered by his endearments, Usagi realized her new home, a sunny yellow house with a brown roof and red tulips in the front yard, was a few feet away. Before she could unfasten her seatbelt, Chiba leaned towards her. She gasped at his proximity but he reached past her to flick open her door lock (conveniently ignoring the electronic door controls on his side). His lean, muscled arm brushed against the softness of her chest. When he didn't move, Usagi turned her head to find his face less than a centimeter away from hers. If she moved the slightest bit, her lips would brush against him. A tingling, melting sensation pooled in the pit of her stomach and spread throughout her body. She couldn't breathe but she was aware of his scent, roses and rain, surrounding her. For a long, endless moment, she was lost in his brilliant sapphire eyes.
"You owe me one, Odango. And I'll collect on it soon," he silkily drawled. As his warm breath caressed her cheek, Usagi shivered in fear and anticipation but he only moved back to his side of the car. Vaguely disappointed, she somehow managed to unfasten her seatbelt and get out of the car without knowing what she was doing. Looking back at him, she nervously cleared her throat.
"Th-thank you for the ride, Chiba-san," Usagi murmured. Chiba turned the full force of his smile on her, a devastating attack that made her knees a little weak.
"My pleasure, Odango. Oh, and if you call me Mamoru, I *might* stop using my nickname for you. See you later."
In a stupor, Usagi stared at the silver Porsche until it disappeared from sight.
AN2: Oooo, contest! Name all the guys in Minako's list of dates for Ami (full name and anime/manga of origin) and I'll answer a question or two about the storyline of this fic.
AN3: Ages-
Minako Aino- 17
Mamoru Chiba- 17
Belle Fonce- 17
Motoki Andrew Furuhata- 17, almost 18
Ami Mizuno- 15
Usagi Tsukino- 16
