Here is Chapter 2 of Miko's Grand Adventure. I hope you enjoy it, please R & R.
Author's Notes – 'Denotes People's Thoughts' I'd like to take a moment and thank all of the wonderful reviewers….Thanks, I hope you continue to enjoy this tale.
Once more for the record, I hold no rights to anything Sailor Moon except Miko ;)
Miko's Grand Adventure
Chapter 2 - Let The Adventure Begin
Motoki stood poised outside the doors of the Arcade. He was hitting the panic button in his mind, 'I cannot do this...kami...I cannot go through with this.' Turning to glance at Mamoru, he blanched.
"I can't do it." Simple words fell from his lips sounding like a plea to the gods. Mamoru just stared balefully at him.
"Of course you can, you look fantastic. Get in there and knock them dead, ganbatte ne'. Mamoru smiled with a look of sympathy. Hiding his glee, he tried his best to convince his friend. "I think I see the girls in there. Minako-chan awaits you, so get a move on."
Miko thought for a moment, 'Minako is in there, what if I goof up and they recognize me? A little late for those thoughts eh," He truly hated the sarcastic side of his mind that picked the worst times possible to add its opinion.
He glanced at himself one last time in the glass. The pale green sundress he wore looked nice with the brown sandals, and he carried a brown clutch to match. Mamoru had put a tube of lipstick inside with a comb and breath mints. His long blonde hair seemed to be behaving, his makeup was still in place and all in all he looked pretty nice.
Taking a deep resigned breath, he walked forward until the door slid open, pasting a friendly smile on his face he strolled into the arcade. Waiting for Mamoru to lead him, he almost forgot and strolled right up to the counter.
"Hey Miko, looks like today is your cousin's day off, I am sorry I did not realize that Motoki wouldn't be here. He is sure going to be upset at missing you being in town." Mamoru spoke just loud enough that any one close by overheard. Glancing around surreptitiously he noticed the five girls in their usual booth staring open mouthed at Miko.
"Hey the girls are here, follow my lead." Mamoru whispered at Motoki as he picked up his hand and began to stroll towards the booth the girls sat in.
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Usagi, Minako, Rei, Ami and Makoto sat in a booth discussing senshi business when they heard the doors chime. Glancing up to see that someone was arriving, to the girls' utter amazement, Mamoru walked in with a blonde-haired woman that looked vaguely familiar.
Five pairs of eyes all darted to the table as they realized that Mamoru-san was bringing the woman their way.
Mamoru smiled to see the girls all darting glances towards him and his companion as they wandered closer, and at least one jealous gaze. Upon arriving, with Miko next to him, he finally spoke. "Hey girls, where is Motoki today?"
Rei found her voice, "He must be off today, who's your friend Mamoru-san?" She glanced expectantly at Mamoru waiting for an introduction. The four other girls all nodded at her question.
"Oh yeah, this is Miko-chan, believe it or not this is Motoki's cousin from Nagasaki." Mamoru smiled and glanced at his companion before continuing.
"Miko, these are some of Motoki's best customers. The brunette is Makoto-chan, next to her is Ami-chan, the black haired girl is Rei-chan and next to her is Minako-chan and last but not least Odango-atama...eto...Usagi-chan."
Usagi blushing cherry red, glanced up at Miko as she apologized. "I am sorry Mamoru-baka takes some getting used to."
Miko forgetting his real identity glanced at Mamoru, "She knows you quite well." Realizing his mistake immediately, he blushed and chuckled nervously.
Rei caught on to their familiarity with each other. "So how do you two know each other?" Mamoru stuck speechless did not know how to answer that. Luckily, for once in his life Miko was ready.
"We use to date, eh Mamo-chan? You handsome devil," He set his hand on Mamoru's chest and tried to giggle.
Four pair of eyes stared in fascination while one pair was gleefully bright. "You dated Mamoru-Baka?" The disbelief in Usagi's voice was unmistakable.
"Why yes Usagi-chan I did..." Miko in his element played the role to the hilt. "He was quite the romantic you see...dinner, flowers...a real charmer."
The girls fascinated by Miko were eagerly listening to her flattering chatter. When she paused for a breath Makoto spoke up.
"Miko would you like to join us? I can scoot over," Makoto pushed Ami playfully over and slid over to make room for the new girl. Miko nodded enthusiastically and slid into the booth.
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Reika recently returned from Africa strolled into the Arcade looking for Motoki. Glancing around she noticed some new person behind the counter and Mamoru and all those young girls that hung out here to see Motoki. 'Where is Motoki? Wait who is the new girl, she looks familiar?'
Walking over she approached the noisy group, studying the new girl. 'Who is that? Kami she looks familiar, I know I know her but who is it?'
"Hello Mamoru-kun, have you seen Motoki today?" A woman's voice surprised everyone into silence. Mamoru turned around slowly, not believing the bad timing.
"Reika ...aren't you supposed to be in Africa?" Mamoru felt ice water drop into his belly knowing that Reika could ruin his plan in mere seconds. "Hey Reika have you met Motoki's cousin Miko?"
Reika took in the sudden quiet and Mamoru's odd tone. She glanced at the new girl. 'Motoki has no cousins?' She glanced closer and her eyes widened. 'Kami...Motoki...Kami' "No I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Motoki's cousin. Miko may I speak privately with you for a moment, it concerns Motoki-san?"
Miko looked up trying to hide the shock of seeing his one-time girlfriend, who had broken up with him, breaking his heart in the process, to stay in Africa. "Are you by chance, Reika? Motoki spoke fondly of you several times I will gladly speak with you." Miko slid out from the booth and stood slowly trying to hide the pain and shock.
"I'll be right back." He smiled softly at the girls and wandered off a distance leaving Reika to follow, which she did.
"Motoki, what are you thinking?" Reika whispered urgently trying to appear normal.
"Eto...I lost a bet with Mamoru and this was the result." He tried to keep his embarrassment at bay and just pretend it was fun. "You know if I can fool the girls then Mamoru will have to take my next dare."
Reika just shook her head, trying not to laugh and spoil his little deception. "Just be careful okay, those girls find out it's you and you will never live this down." Leaving it at that, she turned and headed back to the table leaving Miko scrambling to say what he needed, "Reika, wait, I need to need to...uh."
Reika turned back glancing expectantly at Miko. "Need to what?" She was impatient to return to the group and not eager to hear his pleading.
"I need to tell you...that I loved you enough to marry you and yes, you broke my heart but...but I have moved on and I cannot ever go back." Miko looked sadly at Reika and then put a fake smile on, brushed past his ex-girlfriend and returned to the group, leaving Reika surprised.
Strolling up to the group, Miko smiled prettily at the girls and Makoto signaled for Miko to sit once more. She grinned shyly and sat next to Makoto listening to the feminine chatter. Glancing up she saw Mamoru still standing idly by watching the proceedings.
"So you guys have boyfriends' or guys' you like or what?" Miko's question immediately piqued the girls' interest but before they could form an answer, Miko continued. "There is this guy back home, you know the type, strong silent and super good looking." Sighing, Motoki left off there hoping he had said enough to get them talking.
"You know there is this guy...ah...in my kendo class." Makoto winked blushing and grinning at everyone. The other four girls sat quietly until Minako spoke up.
"Well you know Usagi-chan likes..." All of a sudden a hand appeared over Minako's mouth, "...Mamabrrgrr". Usagi leaned close to whisper in her ear.
"He's standing right there, please stop." Usagi prayed that he had not figured that out. She glanced up to see Mamoru's speculative gleaming eyes studying her. Thinking fast Usagi tried to cover Minako's mistake, "What she meant to say is that I like hamburgers." Looking towards Mamoru, she prayed he bought the lame comment.
Miko fascinated by the girls was sure Minako had said Mamo-baka but he was not going to reveal that just yet. 'Could I use that? Does she really like him well there is one way to make sure.'
Miko stood slowly and stepped close to Mamoru setting his hand on Mamoru's chest he spoke softly. "Mamo-chan, do you think maybe we could go out again sometime." Glancing at him suggestively, he nearly ruined it by smiling when Mamoru's eyes widened in shock. Winking at Mamoru, he mouthed, "Play along."
Mamoru stunned speechless by Miko's actions nodded as he glanced surreptitiously at Usagi. His jaw nearly dropped open when he saw the jealousy and longing on her face. It was only there a second but he knew what he had seen. Nodding agreeably he kept a carefreeexpression on his face.
Miko giggled happily before sitting back down. Throwing Mamoru a knowing look, he just smiled.
Relaxing just a bit, he leaned back and studied Minako surreptitiously.
She sat next to Usagi giggling. 'Should I ask, will she tell me?' "Minako-chan is there anyone special that you like?" 'I hope that sounded innocent enough?' Miko waited anxiously hoping she would admit to liking him.
"Well there is this guy….." Minako blushed lightly and Miko stared in fascination. He wanted to ask more but that would be too outrageous.
"What about Motoki-chan?" Miko looked curiously at all of the girls, his eyes widening when he spotted Minako staring at the table silent while the other four girls all were giggling.
"Nah Miko-chan we all consider Motoki our oniisan, right girls?" Usagi elbowed her friend grinning happily enjoying the light carefree mood.
Minako stared at the table afraid to raise her eyes, giving away all the pent up emotion hiding there. Instead she simply nodded hoping no one was overly observant.
Miko surreptitiously watched Minako and upon seeing her staring at the table hope bloomed in his heart. He thought about how to help Minako open up. 'What should I do? I could tell her Motoki spoke fondly of her and that might help.' He smiled and put his plan into action.
"Anyone want to go shopping? I need to find a cute outfit for a date." Miko smiled and winked when he spotted Mamoru's eyes widening.
"Yeah I need stuff too!" Usagi brightened up at the thought of shopping. Rei and Makoto looked eager andAmi looked cautiously excited.
"It's okay Mamoru you can safely leave me in their care." He acknowledged the five girls, "right girls?" They all nodded looking to Mamoru for approval.
Mamoru eyed the group hesitantly, he didn't want Motoki found out and wondered what to do. Thinking for a moment he finally nodded his agreement but threw up his hand in appeal.
"But I want you guys to have her back here in two hours, is that clear?" He waited as they all nodded and then waved them on their way.
Here is an end to Chapter 2. I hope you have enjoyed it, please R & R and let me know what you think.