M & M's
Chapter Nine: Aoshi Shinimori
Thoughts/Translations
Two Years Later
"The top five students to cater the Shinimori Architectural Firms Charity dinner are as follows," the entire class halted their actions and faced their professor, Madame Angelou. "Su-chefs, Ryo Takamori, Andres Remy, Kaitlin Jensen, and Mercedes Alba." Makoto's face fell, su-chefs were always second year students, and apparently she hadn't been good enough. "And finally the head chef, Makoto Kino." The class of 30 turned to face her, emerald eyes wide with surprise. "Congratulations Mako, you've earned it." Her professor smiled.
"Merci beaucoup Mdm. Angelou!" Mako beamed,"I won't let you down!"
As soon as Mako returned home she picked up her communicator and called Pluto. "Sets? Can you please send me home for the weekend? I have some news I want to share with you all."
The senshi of time smiled softly, "Of course Mako, and congratulations."
An instant later Makoto sat in her living room; she picked up the phone and dialed the girls. She stood up and grabbed her coat and headed to the temple where the girls were all going to meet up at in five minutes.
She turned the corner and bumped into a figure, instinctively arms wrapped around her waist, preventing her from falling.
"Whoa there, are you okay?" An all too familiar voice questioned, ocean blue met jungle green, "Mako?"
She produced a smile as she stepped out of his embrace, missing the feel of his arms around her.
"Hey there Mamoru,"
"When did you get back?"
"About two minutes ago. Sets brought me back for the weekend."
"Haven't seen or heard from you in a while."
"I know, I've been busy." She checked her watch, "In fact, I'm running late, I'll see you around." She started to leave, but Mamo stopped her.
"Please Mako, can I see you tonight? For dinner?" he paused as she hesitated, "The Starlight Tower at 8 o'clock?" his eyes pleaded with her to say yes.
Mako couldn't bring herself to say no, so she slowly nodded, "Alright."
Mamo's face lit up, "Great!" he kissed her hand, "I'll see you tonight."
Mako sighed, shaking her head as he walked away with an extra bounce in his step. She continued on her walk to the temple.
Once she got to the temple she was swamp in a series of bone crushing hugs. Mako laughed, tears of happiness gathering in her eyes, "I missed you guys too, and I came back this weekend cause I have some awesome news!" Mako proceeded to tell them about the position she had been offered catering the Shinimori firms charity ball.
"Mako that's wonderful!" Ami exclaimed, the other girls nodded in agreement.
"Mako you need to come home more often!" Usagi finally exclaimed, "You've come home what three times in the past two years?"
"I know and I'm sorry, it's just hard for me to come back," she stared out the window, "It hurts to come back." She whispered.
"Aw, Mako, stop thinking about Mamo-baka, we've got you for the weekend, and we plan on having one hell of a sleepover. Even the outers are coming!" Mina exclaimed happily.
Mako smiled, "Thanks you guys, but I can't make it tonight." The four girls turned to stare at her curiously. "While I was on my way over, I ran into Mamoru, and he asked me out, and I couldn't find it in me to say no. And I know that you guys are going to say that I'm stupid for agreeing, but I need to do this, I need closure, I need to know that I'm over him."
The girls all looked at her supportively, "Well if that's what you think you need to do, we understand." Ami hugged her gently.
"Thanks Aims."
"But there are some things that you should know about Mamo…" Rei's voice trailed off.
"What things?"
"He's back with Anne."
Mako smoothed down her lilac gown, her jade bracelets jingling harmoniously on her slender wrist. She approached the reservation desk, "Excuse me, I'm meeting someone here."
The host smiled at her, "The name Madame?" he asked with a French accent.
"Son nom est Monsieur Chiba, Mamoru Chiba." She replied. (His name is Mr. Chiba, Mamoru Chiba)
"Vous parlez français?" (You speak French?)
"Oui, un peu. J'ai habite a Paris pendant les duex annees." (Yes, a little. I've lived in Paris for the past two years)
"Ah oui la ville de l'amour." Mako smiled in response, "Ah oui, Monsieur Chiba? Redressez de cette façon." (Ah, the city of love, oh yes, Mr. Chiba? Right this way) He led her to the table where Mamoru was already sitting, looking devastatingly handsome in his charcoal Armani suit.
"Mako you look amazing." He stood up kissing her cheek tenderly.
"Jeune amour," (young love) the host sighed romantically, "Madame Chiba vous et votre mari faites un beau couple." (Mrs. Chiba you and your husband are a beautiful couple)
"Nous ne sommes pas maries, nous sommes amis." (We're not married, we're simply friends) She replied as she blushed softly.
"Alors il est un imbecile pour vous sont exquis." (Then he is an idiot because you are exquisite)
"Merci beaucoup Monsieur." (Thank you very much) She blushed even more.
"Votre serveur sera Masaki, il sera avec vous ont son peu. Ayez une soiree merveilleuse." (Your server tonight is Masaki, he'll be with you in a moment, have a wonderful evening.) He bowed winked at Makoto and left.
"What was that all about?" Mamo questioned as he poured Mako a glass of champagne.
"Nothing, just talking about Paris," Mako replied taking a sip of her bubbly alcoholic beverage.
"So what brings you back to Japan after two long years?"
Mako smiled, "I came to tell the girls that I just got the most amazing opportunity. My professor selected me to be the Head Chef for the Shinimori Architectural Firms annual charity ball. This honor's never gone to a second year student before." Mako beamed, "I'm so excited, yet unbelievably nervous… what if I mess up? What if he doesn't like what I make?"
Mamo smiled at her taking her hand in his, "Mako, you're the best cook I've ever had the pleasure of encountering, I'm sure whatever you make will impress everyone at the ball."
Mako had to fight the blush that was traveling to her cheeks, as well as the warmth that was spreading through her body from Mamo's touch. She slowly pulled her hand away, "So, how have you been?" she questioned; avoiding the intense look he was giving her.
"It's been lonely without you, the group just isn't the same now that you're gone," he paused, "I'm not the same without you." At this Mako's attention snapped back to him, "Mako, I'm an idiot who didn't know what I had when you were with me." He took her hand once more, "Please forgive me, let me back into your life, please." His eyes began to water, as he pleaded with her for another chance.
Mako stared at his heartbroken expression and knew that she too had been miserable being away from him, but the girls had kept her informed of Mamoru's actions while she had been gone, who he had been dating and what he had been doing. She knew that he was back with Anne, and she didn't want to end up with a broken heart as she had two years ago.
"I don't know Mamo, you really hurt me, I know you don't mean to intentionally hurt me," she silenced him when he tried to speak, "But you've already unintentionally inflicted pain on me, and that, I'm not going to lie to you, ripped my heart out. I'm just barely putting my heart back together; do you know I've been on one date since you and I were together? And it's not just because I'm busy or far away, it's taken me this long to get over you. You have no idea how hard it was for me to move on."
Mamo's face softened, as his heart broke, 'over you' the words echoed in his head, "Mako I'm so sorry."
"I know you are, Mamoru." She pulled her hand away once more, "But I don't think I could survive that kind of pain again."
That's when it hit him, how much he really hurt her, "Why didn't you say anything when I called you that day?"
"Because, I wanted you to stay cause you wanted to be with me, not because you didn't want to hurt me. Only weak women bribe their boyfriends to stay with tears."
"I would have stayed if I had known how you felt, I was confused as to how I felt about you. If you had given me any sort of hint that you felt strongly about me I would have stayed."
He watched as her green eyes narrowed, "So now it's my fault that you left? My fault you couldn't figure out who you loved? Why can't you take responsibility for your own actions Mamo? Why can't you just admit that you didn't love me?"
"Because I did love you." He blurted out before he could stop himself.
"What?"
Mamo took a deep breath, knowing that he couldn't take back the words he had just spoken, "I did love you, I just didn't realize it till after I had lost you. Then I found out you were leaving, and we got into that huge fight."
"But at my going away party, you didn't even come in, you wouldn't even look at me, and you didn't even show up at the airport to say goodbye."
"I know, and those are actions I've regretted for the past two years."
"If you really felt that way, why didn't you come after me?"
"I didn't know you wanted me too."
She laughed softly yet somewhat bitterly, "What woman doesn't want the man she loves to come after her?"
Mamo moved around the table and sat next to her, "Please Mako, give me another chance, I know I don't deserve it, and I know I hurt you, but please let me spend the rest of my life making it up to you."
Mako couldn't say no to him and she cursed herself for her weakness. She smiled, and caressed his cheek, "Come on, let's get out of here."
Mako and Mamo fell to the bed, lost in lust and the need for one another. Why did I deny him for so long? Mako questioned herself as he trailed kisses down her neck. His fingers entwining with hers, pinning her arms above her head.
Mamo felt her shiver as she moaned in ecstasy making him even harder. He smiled to himself, pleased that he could still satisfy her. "I've missed you so much Kirie, I was a fool to let you go."
Mako rolled over, so she was on top and she could feel him harden, knowing it would drive him crazy, she began to grind her hips against his. He looked at her, passion ablaze in her eyes, she wanted him and wanted him bad.
His hands began to unzip her dress as their lips met, tongues battling for dominance, he felt her pull away and was momentarily confused until her heard the phone ringing. He had a nagging feeling that he should answer it, but couldn't tear himself away from the Jovian goddess in his arms.
He moved his mouth to her ear, sucking the earlobe, "Let the machine get it." His sultry voice tinged with desire and lust. Mako smiled kissing him again, the phone call momentarily forgotten.
The answering machine clicked on, and as soon as Mamo head the voice on the line, he knew he should have answered the phone, "Hey Mamo baby, are you still coming over for our nightly examinations of one another? You're a little late, and I'm beginning to feel lonely." A sexy female voice pouted on the line, "Come over soon lover, I'll be waiting."
Immediately Mamo didn't feel the luxurious weight of Mako on him, she was standing, zipping up her dress, and putting on her shoes. She began to walk out the door, but Mamo grabbed her hand, she turned to glare at him "Yea, you've missed me alright, so much that you turned to Anne for comfort." She sneered retching her arm away from him. "Don't come after me Mamoru Chiba, stay out of my life."
"Mako wait!" he rushed out after her.
She stopped at the front door, "Not for you, not anymore." She whispered before leaving him alone.
About three seconds later, Mamo rushed out after her, his eyes locked with her teary green ones as the elevator doors closed.
"Sets, send me back to Paris." She whispered softly, and in a flurry of lights she was gone.
Mamo jumped down the 40 flights of stairs, landing skillfully as only Tuxedo Mask could, he waited as the elevator doors opened, only to find the space empty. He ran out into the streets where it had begun to rain. Why are you such an idiot Mamo? He thought to himself as he hung his head and went back inside.
When he got back he fell back into his bed, inhaling deeply he could still smell Mako all around. The pain in his heart was like nothing he had ever felt before, she wanted nothing more to do with him, and it was all his fault.
Mako crumpled to the floor of her Parisian apartment crying as if she had just lost her world, and in a sense she had. Mamoru was her heart and soul, and living without him killed her.
She was shaken out of her sobs when the doorbell rang, "Who is it?" she shakily called out.
"Mako it's us," Kaitlin's voice filtered in through the door, "We're supposed to go over the menu today remember?"
"Of course, just give me a second." Mako stood up and quickly changed out of her gown and wiped away any evidence she had been crying. She headed to the front door and let her four su-chefs in, "Alright guys, lets get started on this party!"
Two Months Later
Aoshi smiled at the group of employees and other important business people who had shown up to his company's annual charity function. This year's event was the best to date, and it was due mostly to the food, which was exquisite. He had gotten several rave reviews, most wondering which major chef had catered the event. Even he was shocked when his personal assistant announced that culinary students had catered the entire party, and that the head chef was even younger than he. When the dessert was served he knew he just had to meet the chef.
Mako looked out to the ballroom from the window on the kitchen door. She smiled as she watched couples dance twirling joyfully across the dance floor. Something tugged painfully at her heart as she remembered the way she and Mamo would dance.
Then out of the corner of her eye she noticed black hair and cerulean blue eyes, when those eyes fell on her, she gasped and ducked, retreating quickly to the back of the kitchen. She prayed that she had gone unnoticed, but her prayers weren't answered as she sensed him behind her.
"Excuse me Miss, but I just needed to thank and compliment the chef on such a wonderful meal."
Mako turned around realizing that the voice did not belong to Mamoru. Her breath stalled in her throat, standing before her was a man that could have been Mamoru Chiba's twin.
He smiled warmly at her, "The dessert was amazing, it's been a while since I've had a traditional anmitsu."
After shaking out of her stupor, she smiled, "Thank you, I figured since it was a Japanese company, I should bring a little taste of home to the mix. That and I was lucky enough that Mr. Shinimori gave me full control over what was to be served."
Aoshi smiled as her eyes lit up at the mention of cooking, she had a real joy for the art and it was obvious that she was great at it. "So you're originally from Japan?"
She nodded, "Hai, born and raised, I just came here to go to ICI, the International Culinary Institute." She looked him over more closely. Although he did look heartbreakingly like Mamoru, he was a bit taller, his hair more slate and his eyes a paler blue. When she realized he had caught her staring she blushed which Aoshi found oh-so-cute. "I'm sorry, you just look eerily like a friend I have back home… So are you an architect for the Shinimori firm?" she quickly changed the subject.
"Yea," he smiled, amused yet relieved she didn't know who he was, "You could say that."
"I really should find Mr. Shinimori and thank him for giving me this opportunity, and for the freedom to prepare what I wished. Do you know where he is? Or where I can find him?"
"He's actually hiding from the crowd, trying to gather the courage to ask the beautiful woman in front of him not only for her name but also out to dinner." He replied a slight blush forming on his cheeks.
Her eyes grew wide, "Wow, you know all that?"
He couldn't help but laugh at her naïveté, before he had a chance to respond, his personal assistant came in, "Mr. Shinimori, it's time to thank the guest for coming."
Aoshi nodded, "Thanks Keita, I'll be right out." Keita bowed before leaving, Aoshi turned to face Makoto who was putting everything together, and blushing profusely. "So," he smiled, "Do I get a name?"
Mako felt her cheeks flush, this whole time she had been talking to Aoshi Shinimori himself! He was a lot younger and a lot hotter than she had anticipated "Ki-Kino, Makoto." She finally managed to stutter.
His smile grew, "Makoto Kino," he liked the way her name rolled off his tongue, "So may I take you out sometime?"
"Mako!" Kaitlin called out rushing up to her, "One of the waiters dropped a tray of desserts, and now we're 30 short, we need your help making more!" Mako looked at Aoshi apologetically as Kaitlin dragged her away, yet inside she sighed a sigh of relief. She didn't think she was quite ready to date again, and much less Mamoru's dopple-ganger.
She looked back to see Aoshi being shooed out by Keita to thanks the guest. Kaitlin finally stopped pulling on her once they reached the center of the kitchen, "I'm sorry to pull you away from such a hottie, but we really need help."
"Actually I should be thanking you, he asked me out and I didn't know how to turn him down."
"Why would you turn down a hottie like Aoshi Shinimori?! He's one of the worlds most eligible bachelors!"
Mako smiled at the shocked expression on the American's face, "Because," she pulled a locket from under her uniform and opened it up, "He looks too much like my old boyfriend." She showed Kaitlin the picture of her and Mamo together.
"Geez Mako! You just have gorgeous men falling all over you! I need to figure out your secret… and go to Japan," she paused, "Are all Japanese men this hot?"
Mako giggled, "Oh yea," she turned to the table and the rest of her friends, "Come on guys, we've got 30 more anmitsu's to make!"
Alright another chapter done! Can't believe how fast I'm getting these out. Anywho, I'm borrowing Aoshi Shinimori from Rurouni Kenshin simply because he looks like he could be Mamo's twin. For those of you who know RK, I am warning you now, Aoshi will be extremely Out Of Character!!!
Anmitsu is a traditional Japanese dessert that is yummy! If you ever get the chance to try it I highly recommend it! I don't own any of the SM or RK characters, I do own everyone else though...
Thank you's:
Raven Kino: Mamo is a baka, a very big one at that... but then again most guys are when it comes to a beautiful woman and love... (no offense to the guys out there!)
Clemen: Of course there's going to be someone in Paris for Mako, can't have a hottie like her staying single for long!
Babymar-Mar: LOL, it's no inconvenience, you should write if you feel inspired to, not because someone pressured you into doing it. You can't be a truely good writer unless you write for yourself and nobody else. .
Elara2: Aww... I'm sorry I didn't mean to make anyone cry! But I suppose that it means that I'm actually touching people with my writing! Thanks for recommending me to your friend!
Moongoddess86: Thanks for the sweet review! It's nice to see a new reviewer!
Thunder-Heart: Wow you're the second person to tell me that they felt like crying! I'm moving people to tears with my work, it makes me feel good yet bad at the same time!
Cris: I think it's probably not a good thing that I feel so happy to have made people so sad with my writing... although it means I'm reaching them... I think... :) Thanks for the continued reviews and support!
Reading Recommendation for the day: Ah! My Sempai by Monou Hakkai...a RK/SM crossover where we learn just who Mako's mysterious sempai is, although this chapter should be an indication of who she's paired with...
One love,
Athena Kyle