Bonjour, its RR here with the Second chapter of Lessons In Life. Honestly, I was a little saddened that I only received four reviews from the last chapter HOWEVER they were great reviews, so that makes me feel better. Five, I guess, counting EightOfSwords, but seeing as I get my reviews via the bus, it doesn't show up on the stats. Oh well. Actually, I started this chapter right after I posted the first one, so, some changes suggested that I may make, won't show up in this chapter. Either way, I think that this chapter is a lot better than the first (not to mention longer), hope ya'll agree. In response to the lover-ly reviews I did get:
princess-nav- Arigato! You were my first reviewer, and I hope I didn't take too long in updating. Schools a drag.
SilentAngel101- Thanks, it's nice to be compared to Sword-chan (after I met her, I developed some writer's self esteem problems, lol). I'm really glad you think so, "brilliant" is a lovely word, merci. I realize that there hasn't been any romance this far, but this chapter should take care of that. As to the whole, sounding like you're friend, well, if she's anything like me, she's not just slightly strange, but completely crazy. Not to say that she's anything like me, lol. Anyway, I've done the same, watching the lines on the road pass by from the comfortable height of a yellow limousine…
Alicia Blade- I'm honored that you reviewed me, Sword-chan has told me about you! Like I said to Silent Angel, the romance starts here. I'm not sure what I'll do with the names. I just have a preference on names- I like "Serena" over "Usagi" and "Ami Mizuno" over "Amy Anderson" (it just sounds very harsh, Amy Anderson), and I don't like either "Makoto" or "Mamoru" that much either. I don't know why, that's just how I function. Oh well.
Poisonmoon- Hopefully you continued to this chapter! With your review, I wasn't sure if the amounts of hostility would turn you away, the last thing I want to do is lose a reader. As for the hostility, on my defense, I used it to set up the fact that Serena and Darien don't get along at all, which will be a very big contrast to the Moon/Mask relationship in this chapter, as you'll read. Also, I wrote the chapter at about 3 AM over Spring Break. Some spontaneity is to be expected. I do think that I had a little too much OOC in the first chapter, but I can also say that, I have, honestly, not seen an episode of Sailor Moon since the 7th grade. Much of what I write is going off of the 4 year obsession I had with Sailor Moon, and the bits of refreshing I've done by reading fanfiction. I think this chapter will be a little truer to the characters we all know and love.
Red-Rose18 – Merci beaucoup! Here's your update! I'm working on the lines…
Sailormoonhannah- WOW. Thanks! Finally updated, I'm glad you think so!
EightofSwords- Well, you've already read this, although I have made some changes. Thanks for reminding me of the fact that Lita does not wear a pink hair ribbon. I really need to go back and watch a few episodes... Oh, and I double spaced like you said. The doubled length of the story makes me feel better.
Disclaimer: If I owned Sailor Moon, I'd be out making money rather than sitting at home writing fanfiction and avoiding biology homework.
Lessons In Life
Chapter Two- Like Melted Candle Wax
a.k.a Nitrogenous Bases
It really was a stunning night. The sky was clear, revealing a full set of sparkling stars and a happily grinning crescent moon. Warm air gently caressed Sailor Moon's arms, and a slight breeze made her long golden locks flutter. Almost like something out of a romance novel.
A romance novel that included being attacked by a hideous youma who was ready to rip Sailor Moon's head off. Sailor Moon dropped and rolled as the youma shot a dangerous looking piece of clothing her way, and the got back up again to face it.
It's not so much a youma as it is a tacky postcard gone seriously wrong, Sailor Moon thought as the beast came lumbering her way. The thing was large- no, more than large- obesely huge, more so than a human could ever be. It green in color with really sharp, but well manicured nails, and wore very tight, very revealing clothing, which were almost covered by the large rolls of fat that made up her body. The youma was like a melted wax from a candle that was dripping down and piling up. If it hadn't been well… a youma, Sailor Moon would have expected it to be pictured on one of those postcards people buy at major tourist attractions- the ones with the very large ladies in bathing suits, lounging on the beach. Blech.
"Sailor Moon watch out!"
On well trained reflexes, the star struck Champion of Justice jumped up, amazingly, onto the cloth overhang of the nearby fashion store. She looked down to her companions: Sailor Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars, whose attentions were on the surrounding, slightly less powerful youmas who were accompanying the load of lard.
"I'm okay!" she shouted to her friends," Mercury, keep going!"
Sailor Moon jumped down and faced the youma again, while Mercury began to call out.
"Who were the two scientists who determined that DNA was genetic material?"
The over weight demon sent a flaming miniskirt flying in Sailor Moon's direction, she ducked and slammed the youma back with a roundhouse kick.
"Um… Hershey and Chase!"
"Right!"
Sailor Moon pumped her fist up to the moon in victory, then kicked one of the lesser youma's out of her way. Sailor Moon… or more commonly known to the waking world as Serena Tsukino, has a lot to deal with. Youmas, for example. They always seemed to attack the night before Serena had a big test. Like it even matters, she though grimly, I'll probably fail the test with or without the help of these Dark Kingdom dorks! That was another thing, the Dark Kingdom, and their search for the Silver Imperium Crystal. These guys were no good, so it was HER job to get the Crystal first, find the Moon Princess, save the world, yada yada yada… Not only that, but she still had to go to school, and deal with grades like D's, detentions, and, worst of all, Darien Shields. There should be like, special "Sorry, Had to save the world so I couldn't finish my homework or even get the recommended eight hours of sleep" late passes or something. Seriously, super heroes have to do it all!
"Next" Mercury yelled after taking out a youma," what are the components of nucleic acid?"
Sailor Moon jumped straight up from the ground to avoid an attack, and then came falling back down, only to have to spring up again.
"How am I supposed to know Mercury, geez?" she yelled to her bluenette friend, a.k.a. Ami Mizuno, Crossroads High School's resident genius. A fireball suddenly zoomed past her and hit the oncoming youma with amazing force. The youma, one of the many still remaining, almost instantly sunk into a pile of ashes.
"Thanks Mars!" Moon yelled. Mars was Serena's fiery (ha ha, get it?) friend Rei Hino.
"Just pay attention next time Sailor Moon!" the raven haired girl snapped. Sailor Moon pouted for a minute, but then turned back to the battle ahead. The street block was literally swarming with lesser youma, all being controlled by the fat one. Earlier, Ami had detected strange amounts of energy coming from the fashion clothing store in which the monsters had set up camp. When the Sailor Scouts came to check it out, they were ambushed by the energy sucking baddies.
"The answer was phosphate, deoxyribose sugar, and a nitrogenous base! Next question- what are the five nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA?"
The biggest of the youma, the one Sailor Moon had been forced to take care of, began to run towards her again.
"Um…eh… cytosine!"
It looked angry. Really angry.
"Thymine!"
Something was materializing in its chubby hand.
"G…Guanine!"
Sailor Moon's hand was straying towards her tiara. Surely it's been weakened enough…
"Uracil and uh…"
"Ur-a going to pay for this Sailor Moon!" the youma shrieked, and then hurled something at her with enough speed to break the sound barrier. Taken by surprise, Sailor Moon had no time to do anything but throw her arms up in defense. The object slammed into her and get going, taking her with it. It slammed her into one of the supporting poles of that same store's overhang, and wrapped around her, pinning her there defenselessly. The youma smiled, revealing dangerously sharp teeth. She was doomed.
"Guys? A little help here?" she screamed, but she could see that her friends were occupied with their own battles. Sailor Moon watched as Sailor Jupiter tore one of the youmas apart with a massive lightning bolt, and then cursed violently, Sailor Jupiter acting the same as she would when she was just Lita Kino.
"There's no help for you anymore, Sailor Moron," the youma sneered," So now, you may as well answer you're friend's question before I rip you into pieces the size of a nitrogenous base! Cytisine…Thymine…Guanine…Uracil… and…?"
Wow, is it just me or are the youma getting smarter?
She was trapped, and even if she did somehow manage to escape, she was still going to fail her biology test. Another object was starting to materialize in the thing's hands. Sailor Moon didn't even cry out at her impending doom.
"Adenine."
Sailor Moon drew in a sharp breath as something flew past her. The youma was suddenly on the ground, squealing in pain and trying to pull out the red rose that had lodged itself into on of its eyes (AN: eww…). Red Rose. Turning as much as she could under her restrictive circumstances, Sailor Moon saw him standing there, almost blending in with the shadows. He was staring at her from behind his dashing white mask.
"Tuxedo Mask."
"Sailor Moon."
The two stared at each other for what seemed like hours. Sailor Moon heard her heart pounding in her ears, and was really glad that it was dark, so that her gorgeous savior couldn't see her blush.
"GRAHHHHH! You little punk, look what you did to my eye! YOU'LL PAY!" the youma roared, the injured but now flower free eye bleeding profusely. Well, Sailor Moon though, wistfully, so much for that romantic moment.
"Sailor Moon, dust it!" Tuxedo Mask said urgently in his smooth, sultry voice. She complied, but then realized that she had a slight problem.
"Um… Tuxedo Mask, I'd love to, but I'm kind of…stuck."
"Mask-" Jupiter yelled, at last noticing his presence," You get Sailor Moon free, I'll keep the youma busy!"
The tuxedo clad mystery nodded and, of all things, took off his black top hat, revealing a mess of dark hair. Then, with a smug grin, he made the action of reaching into his hat, like a magician. However, instead of some fluffy white rabbit, he pulled out a rather dangerous looking dagger. Sailor Moon regarded the steel blade and rose engraved hilt with a mixture of shock and wonder- it was perhaps the most conventional weapon she had ever seen in her life as a superhero- everyone she knew either spouted elemental energy out from their bodies or procured canes and red roses. Tuxedo Mask stepped to the back of the pole, so that he could cut the ensnared Scout free. She could feel his hands hovering only inches away from her back, and drawing nearer every second.
Suddenly, they stopped. Tuxedo Mask hesitated, and then circled around to the front of the pole, where Sailor Moon was waiting, confused. He looked at her, and then what was holding her, before turning his head away. It was dark, but Sailor Moon could tell that he was… blushing! He held his head in one of his hands, not facing her, and mumbled something incomprehensible.
"What?"
Tuxedo Mask turned back to face her, but wouldn't look directly at her.
"I c-can't cut you free."
"Um…why not?" she asked, impatiently watching the masked man. He turned even redder with her last question, but was finally able to splutter out," S-Sailor Moon, you're wearing a bra!"
Sailor Moon's jaw dropped, and for a moment, she was pretty sure it was going to dislocate itself. She stared at him, speechless. Suddenly, a torrent of words came from the girl whose face was now looking redder than Fruit Punch Kool-Aid (OH YEA!).
"Well yea, Tuxedo Mask, I-I mean, I may not be very big, b-but I still wear-"
Tuxedo Masked turned, if possible, a deeper crimson shade," No, no – I mean, not wearing, euh, of course you're wearing but I mean – it's a bra that's got you trapped! To the pole, and I can't…"
Sailor Moon didn't noticed the masked man trail off, her attention was pulled away by a shriek coming from the battlefield. One of the youma had sent a shoe flying towards Sailor Mercury – she had dodged, but it hit the large glass display window behind her. The small glass shards exploded out everywhere, and didn't fail to leave Mercury scathed.
"Sailor Mercury," she screamed to her injured companion," Hold on, I'm coming!" The blonde scout then snapped at Tuxedo Mask, who was still trying to regain his cool demeanor," Look, Tuxedo, I'd love to sit here and talk about you lingerie phobia, but my friends are kinda getting their butts kicked so…" she started to flail violently against the bra that held her up to the pole," GET ME OUTTA HERE!"
With one quick swipe, she was free. Tuxedo Mask held the bra in one hand, then suddenly dropped it as if it had bit him. –Seeing who it came from- Sailor Moon thought –It probably wouldn't surprise me if it did.- The man turned back to Sailor Moon, but she was already gone, flinging herself back into the battle again. He looked at the piece of underwear one last time, then shook his head and followed the golden streamers he adored so much.
"'Bout time," Sailor Jupiter grunted as Moon ran by, headed towards the main youma and a very sore looking Mars were trying to keep contained, with little success. There was a gash down Mars' left arm and a large, ugly looking bruise that was starting to form on one of her legs. In fact, none of her companions looked too good. Jupiter had some nasty looking burn marks on once gloved hands, and the baubles that had held up her hair and either been pulled out or broken, leaving her hair down to swirl into her face. Mercury had a cut right above her right eyebrow, along with the injuries sustained from the shattering glass. Sailor Moon herself could feel several bruised ribs from where the bra had wrapped around her so tightly.
"Sorry Jupiter," Sailor Moon called back," You'll have to thank Bra-Man for the delay!" Sailor Jupiter gave Tuxedo Mask a strange look as he ran past, an unvoiced question that caused him to blush behind his mask. Jupiter rolled her eyes, then finished off the last youma minion.
"HEY YOU!"
The grotesque youma turned at Sailor Moon's shrill call. The blonde was drawn up to her full five feet two inches, and had her fists proudly planted on her hips.
"You evil villain," she yelled," You took advantage of the hearts of teenagers everywhere, and tried to mold their self images until they were as gross as you and you're style!"
The youma rolled its bulging eyes.
"In the name of the Moon," she continued," and good fashion taste, I, S-"
Sailor Moon was cut off as a thong was sent flying in her direction. She jumped and watched the underwear ram into one of the small trees that lined the street, snapping it in half with a sickening snap. –That coulda been me…- Sailor Moon came down and, at the worst possible time of all, pulled a classic Serena Tsukino klutz-out – as her foot touched the ground again, it slid, and she landed brutally on her behind. –Ow... – she thought, biting her lip told hold back tears – I'm gonna feel that in the morning.-
A white gloved hand came into her view, and snaked around her waist. Tuxedo Mask gently helped her back up to her feet, and ever so briefly, held her there up next to him, as if he had forgotten that they were in the middle of a heated battle with a with a wicked youma. Sailor Moon drew in a breath, both shocked and content as she felt her heart turn into melted candle wax – warm, soft, and squishy.
"Dust it," he breathed softly into her ear. He released her, almost reluctantly, from his hold. Sailor Moon stood there for a second, feeling awash with emotions both new and old. –Definitely worthy of a diary entry…- Slowly, she raised her hand to her tiara, and took it off of her forehead, staring at the youma with newly found anger.
"How rude of you to interrupt me!" she yelled. "Like I was saying, In the name of the Moon, I, Sailor Moon, Punish you!"
"MOON- TIARA- MAGIC!" she yelled. The Moon scout hurled the now glowing disk. It struck the youma with an explosion of energy and fat.
"WE'LL GET YOU SAILOR MOON," the youma shrieked, starting to dissolve," AND YOU'RE PRETTY BOY TOO!" The cry suddenly ceased. Sailor Moon knocked over the pile of dust with a boot–clad foot.
"I think it's safe to say that's the last we'll be seeing of her," Tuxedo Mask said from behind," Good job Sailor Moon!"
Sailor Moon nodded, her face burning red, for the zillionth time that night. Her insides churned in nervous pleasure at his complement," Well, you helped out a ton too… I would have never escaped that horrible bra without you!"
Now it was his turn to change colors. The rest of the Sailor Scouts came up, looked exhausted and battered, but relatively pleased.
"Yea, good job Sailor Moon, you only managed to go klutz-o once," Sailor Jupiter added, distractedly running a hand through her loose hair, unused to the feeling.
"Of course, that was at the most vital part of the battle."
That comment came courtesy of Sailor Mars, who, receiving a reproachful glance from Sailor Moon, added," But you did a decent job."
"We still need to work a little on your biology though," Mercury said, sounding almost like a teacher herself. Sailor Moon slumped," Don't remind me…" It was already past midnight, and the test was tomorrow. The prospects didn't seem that great.
A warm chuckle came from Tuxedo Mask, who placed a hand on her head between her two odangoes.
"What? What?" She asked curiously, spinning around to face the much taller man. She came up to about his chest, so she was forced to look up into his eyes. They were dark, like night, but with that same translucent shine like that which came from the soft glow of the moon. He smiled, an action that made her insides twist violently.
"Nothing," he whispered," You just remind me of someone else I know."
"I hope that's a good thing."
Tuxedo Mask pulled away, smiling even more," It's a very good thing." He tipped his top hat to her, and continued," I'll see you next time, Sailor Moon, until then…" Tuxedo Mask disappeared into the darkness of the night. As she turned back to her companions, who were all snickering uncontrollably, she swore she heard one last farewell.
"Good luck on the test…"
Even with the ring of the school bell urging them to leave, the students of the Biology 1 all exited, sallow and lethargic. All, that is, except for one very happy Serena Tsukino. The class had gotten the results of their Protein Synthesis test, and almost half the class had failed. Serena walked joyfully down the hall with Lita, trying to comfort her on the 74 she had received on her test.
"Really Lita, a C isn't bad, I've gotten much w-"
"Watch it Odango-Atama!"
She looked up into a pair of blue eyes, filled with mirth. By the tone of his voice, she ould tell that Darien was in a good mood too.
"You watch it, you diploid," she replied, defiantly placing her hands on her hips, feeling proud at her insult. Darien spied the now crumpled test in Serena's hand.
"Obviously you haven't paid attention in Biology, Tsukino, you're a diploid too…" Darien sighed, amused by the girl's silliness.
"I know that jerk, I have a good grade in Biology!"
"What, a D?" he joked. Before she could aim a punch in his direction, he ducked out of the way and started walking," Look, I don't have time for this, I'll see you later."
He walked a few feet, and then suddenly grabbed her wrist, and in her surprise, Serena dropped her test. Darien scooped it up," Ah, now, what's this Odango? Another failed test?"
"Nope."
Darien's eyes bulged as he looked at the score on the top of the paper.
"You got an EIGHTY-THREE?" he said, incredulous," But, but that's a passing grade!"
"Uh-huh! See Darien, I don't mess up at everything."
He handed the test back to her, at a momentary loss for words. Lita smiled, and put a finger to her chin, looking as thought she was pondering some great mystery," You know Serena… I think Darien owes you for all of those times he's called you stupid."
Serena nooded, grinning evily," I agree Lita. I think that Darien should take us to the arcade and treat us!"
Darien found his words again," Well, I think Darien should have a say in this!"
The two girls grabbed him by the arms and steered him out of the building, despite his protests.
L
-Mmmm… now this is Heaven- Serena thought, in a stae of bliss as she happily sipped on the mint chocolate chip milkshake that Darien had bought for her –The only thing that could make this better would be Tuxedo Mask…-
She looked around the arcade. Lita was playing one of the crane machines, trying to win a small Hatsuharu plushie (from Furuba!). Andrew was watching, leaning gently on the machine and cheering her on. Darien was sitting a few stools down from Serena at the counter, grumpily prodding the chocolate cake she had made him order. He was mad at her, for making him pay for him and Lita's drinks, but Serena didn't really care. Darien was a sourpuss most days anyway.
When it came to Darien, Serena couldn't find a happy median. She either hated him, or she liked him. Most of the time, they hated each other, today an example of one of those rare moments when they actually got along. Serena could never imagine truly being his friend, or, what's more, having to spend long periods of time with him after school, as Andrew did. More than a few minutes with Darien sent Serena into a rampage. –It's no wonder he doesn't have a girlfriend- she thought, finishing off the mint treat –He can be such a jerk!-
Like that stunt he had pulled with taking her test. Sure, it wasn't like she had gotten a bad grade on that test, but still, he could have at least asked, rather than just taking it.
-The test…- Serena bent down to unfasten her school and bag pull out the test again. She smiled as she admired it. Her eyes strayed to one of the questions, one that she had gotten right, and one that Serena knew she would never forget, not in her entire life.
17. Name the five nitrogenous bases found in DNA and RNA
And there, in her own loopy, girlish writing, the correct answer. Her eyes scanned the words, and she whispered, smiling fondly.
"Cytosine, Thymine, Guanine, Uracil… Adenine."
FIN.
L
So, what did you think? Did it turn out alright? I'm really pleased with it, it's a meaty chapter for me, and chock full of romance and humor. Yay! Please, leave a nice review- no flames, and remember, Quality and Quantity count! I'll try and update soon, well, as soon as I can.
RR
PS- Oh yea, and by the way, I got a 98 on my Protein Synthesis Test.