A Christmas with the Girl Next Door

A Sailormoon fiction by nishikaze

Chapter 3: A Night to Remember

Mamoru stood in front of the mirror and adjusted the tie of his tuxedo. It had been awhile since he had the opportunity to wear it, but it still fit his frame perfectly. He had never been overly muscular, but he was well built and lean. He had always felt he looked good in a tux. True, most men looked good in a tux, but his coloring added a bit of drama to the effect. Not every man had shiny black hair and midnight blue eyes. He adjusted the cufflinks and admired the effect.

He wasn't vain, not really, but he did want to look his best. He was nervous and that shocked him. He hadn't felt this nervous since high school. He fussed a bit more with his hair before stepping away from the mirror in disgust. Get a grip… She's just a girl, and not even your type.

Two minutes to the second before he was scheduled to meet Usagi, he picked up his coat and walked the short distance to her door. He rang the doorbell and waited impatiently for her to answer her bell. Luckily he wasn't forced to wait long because almost immediately after he rang the bell she opened the door.

Mamoru was lost from the moment he saw her.

The woman who stood in front of him took his breath away. A first he thought he had the wrong apartment, but one look into the clear, innocent blue eyes of the girl standing before him changed his mind. She had transformed, and the image she presented was staggering.

Her golden hair was impossibly long and she had tied it up in an odd, but oddly becoming hairstyle. Her hair had been carefully separated into two long ponytails flowing down the sides of her head from two small buns. The yellow waves fell to just below her knees, cascading like twin waterfalls. She had put on make-up, just enough to highlight her incredible eyes and soft, full lips. She wore a tiny ice-blue dress demure and alluring, both modest in cut and color, but clinging to her lush curves, highlighting her figure to its best advantage. The hemline fell to just below her knees giving him a good look at her slender calves and ankles. She wore a pair of high-healed, strappy sandals, on her feet and a pair of extravagant chandelier earrings were her only accessories.

His mouth watered and he was struck speechless. Nervously she asked, "Umm… How... how do I look?"

He tried to answer her, but it took several tries before he hoarsely answered, "May I please have a glass of water?" And a long cold shower?

She nodded and fetched the water, nervously wringing her hands as she watched him drink. He put the glass down and took her hands in his. "You take my breath away. You are going to knock their socks off."

Her answering smile was so blinding he had to gulp down more of the water and take a deep breath. I was right… This is going to be a night to remember.

When she picked up her coat and bag from the chair, he leapt into action relieving her of the coat and slipping it over her shoulders. He caught a whiff of her perfume as he stepped closer. It was a light, floral scent but it had a slight muskiness to it that made it sexy. He bit his lip to stifle the moan and the temptation to drink in her scent. He quickly stepped away.

"Shall we?" He smiled down at her.

"Yes, please," He offered her his arm and she took it.

He guided her down the hall to the elevator and when it opened they stepped inside. As they waited for the lift to take them down to the bottom floor Mamoru could help but notice that Usagi was stealing glances at him. When she turned her head slightly upwards he caught the hint of a blush staining her cheeks. "Usagi? Are you alright?"

She refused to meet his gaze. "I'm fine." She said quickly.

Mamoru let a teasing note flavor his voice. "Are you sure? You're awfully red… are you sure you're not over heated?"

Her blush burned brighter. "Yeah… I just… You look very nice."

Mamoru turned her towards him; he gave her a teasing grin. "Just nice?"

Her head snapped up and the blush hindered the effect of the sarcasm in her voice. "Please… You gotta know how good you look in a tux."

Mamoru hid his surprise, "You think I look good?" He tilted her chin up as his other hand hit the stop button. Usagi's eyes widened as Mamoru moved closer. "I've wanted to do this since you opened your door. I'm going to kiss you, Usagi… May I kiss you?" He didn't wait for an answer he just bent his head down and captured her lips with his own. He breathed in her gasp as his mouth brushed hers gently. She tasted amazing and he bent down for another, longer taste of her lips. She leaned into him and shyly kissed him back, her arms lifting up to rap around his neck, her fingers burying themselves into his hair. She tastes so sweet. He though as he remembered where he was and broke away from the kiss. He pushed the button to continue the elevator and it was only a moment before they reached the garage level of the building.

Taking her by the arm he guided her to his car and opened the door for her, helping her inside. Sliding in next to her, he started the car without a word. Hazarding a glance at her he took in the red tinge to her cheeks. She turned toward him and looked as if she wanted to ask something but just could think of the words to say. His gut told him to let it go but the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. "Is there something wrong?"

She colored even more but she was able to answer, "I'm just not used to all of this."

Confused, Mamoru's brow furrowed, "Used to what?"

She sighed, "The attention… Most all of the guys I know treat me like I'm their little sister or their girl-buddy. They take one look at my fabulous friends and I become invisible. That's the real reason I didn't want to go tonight. And then here you are telling me I look wonderful and you want to kiss me. You aren't treating like a sister. I'm… I'm a little over-whelmed, by it all I guess."

"You know… Did it ever occur to you that your friends might be so exceptional for a reason?"

Her brow furrowed as she turned and looked at him, "I don't understand what you mean."

He just smiled at her and didn't answer.

The party was held in the conference room of a Western-style hotel and the rooms were decorated in a classic western-style Christmas motif. It wasn't a large party, only about 100 people, but Mamoru, sensing Usagi's nervousness gave her hand, tucked into his elbow a reassuring squeeze as he lead her into the party.

The atmosphere in the room took his breath away. Whoever decorated for the event definitely deserved their pay. The room was bright and open with a large bay window to the side that offered an amazing view of downtown Shinjuku. There was a thick, deep burgundy carpet on the floor and the walls had several large European paintings gracing the cream colored paper. Small white Christmas lights rapped around long garlands of evergreen boughs decorated many of the surfaces in the room, including a large, western style fireplace where a cheerful fire blazed. There was a huge Christmas tree in the corner dripping with decorations in gold and burgundy, and the entire room smelled of evergreen and spice.

Mamoru stopped dead just inside the room and he heard Usagi gasp in awe. Mamoru bent down and mumbled into her ear, "Yeah… If this doesn't get you into the mood…"

She smiled up at him, her eyes reflecting the lights of the room, "Actually, I think it might be even more festive if they turned the overhead lights down and just kept the fire and the Christmas lights."

He smiled down at her, "You know… I think your right."

"Usagi-chan! Usagi-chan… It's about time you got here. I thought for a moment that you were going to stand me up." A tall dark-haired man approached the couple, a glass of Champaign in his hand, his smile wide and inviting. "Oh my God you brought a date! Usagi-chan…" He shook a finger at her, causing her to blush. "The world is coming to an end." His expression was playful when he spoke to Usagi, but Mamoru could see the challenge in his eyes when he turned to him. "I'm Seiya Kou, Usagi-chan's agent… and you are…?"

"Chiba Mamoru," They bowed politely, even though Mamoru knew instinctively the man was not happy about him being Usagi's date. There was some animal and very male challenge in the other man's eyes. Interesting.

"Mamoru-kun is my neighbor," Kun? Mamoru's spirits brightened. He wasn't sure, but he got the feeling that Usagi was aware of Seiya's attraction and didn't feel the same. "We met a few days ago. I wasn't going to come, but Mamoru-kun gave me the courage to… Isn't that nice of him?"

For a moment Mamoru thought Seiya looked positively murderous, but a heartbeat later and the expression was gone. He smiled serenely at Usagi, "Yes, it was nice of him." All business he continued, "Now Usagi I know you've been dreading this but I do need you to meet Umino-san. He wants to produce an anime based on you're Pretty Sailor Soldier, manga. I think I've almost convinced him of letting you work with the writers, giving you a measure of creative control over the series and… Oh, there he is now."

As Seiya flagged down the producer, Mamoru bent down and reassured Usagi, who was clenching her hands in apprehension. "It's OK… I'll be right here with you. All you'll have to do is smile, and you'll charm this guy." She rewarded him with a smile so bright, Mamoru almost have to shield his eyes.

Umino was a short man with glasses and slightly shy, but he took to Usagi instantly, just as Mamoru knew she would. It was her self effacing attitude and her friendly manor coupled with her megawatt smile. By the end of the evening Mamoru knew Usagi would have the young producer eating out of her hand.

Mamoru watched Usagi converse with Umino, seeing her visibly relax by degrees as she warmed up to the man. Mamoru didn't know much about what animating her manga would entail but he stayed at Usagi's side anyway to provide moral support.

After Umino was finally pulled away by a woman who looked to be his wife, Mamoru took Usagi's hand, "Now that wasn't so bad… now was it?" He smiled down at her, bending at the waist as he formally kissed the back of her hand, "I think its time for a dance," and he pulled the giggling Usagi out on to the dance floor.

Mamoru basked in the evil glare originating from Seiya as he and Usagi enjoyed a dance. Never before had he felt so giddy, like nothing in the world could possibly be wrong. He had a beautiful woman in his arms who was smiling up at him in adoration and he felt a little drunk, though he hadn't had a drop of alcohol and he couldn't stop smiling if his life depended on it.

When the song ended the two moved off the dance floor and while Mamoru went to get drinks Usagi slipped off to the ladies room. It was while Mamoru waited for their refreshments that a husky voice in his ear and a smooth hand on his elbow broke his bubble of contentment, "Hello sexy. Waiting for me?"

Mamoru turned toward the brazen woman. She was tall, all leg, and the red dress she wore was practically painted on her. Her long auburn hair brushed the backs of her thighs and her eyes were a sharp, vivid green. He perfume was a heavy musky scent, suffocating, like the woman. Mamoru stepped back from her and gave her a tight smile. "I'm sorry… Do I know you?"

"No we've never met. I'm sure you wouldn't have forgotten me so easily if we had. My name is Beryl and you are…?"

"Here with someone." He removed her hand from his arm.

Her crimson lips pouted, "Don't be like that… I just wanted to talk."

Yeah, right Lady and I'm the emperor. Now usually Mamoru might have gotten a kick and a complement out of the attention she was paying him, but there was something oily about her that made him uncomfortable. His eyes scanned the room quickly for Usagi and finding her just leaving the ladies' powder room he made his way over to her with their drinks.

"Excuse me…" He didn't feel even the slightest bit rude by leaving her in the dust.

Mamoru wasn't the only one to see Usagi leaving the ladies room; he watched as that Seiya guy targeted her, lying in wait like a lion ready to pounce or a snake…

He didn't even want to begin to analyze his jealous reaction to the other man sniffing around Usagi, shit…it's like the God Damn animal planet in here and she's the main attraction. If I keep this up I'm gonna start beating my chest like a Damn ape-man.

Seiya reached her first and was about to speak when Mamoru interrupted, "Oh Usagi, there you are. Here's that drink I promised you." He handed her the glass of Champaign and she smiled, that brilliant smile he felt all the way down to his toes. You know… I might actually like a bit of chest beating. I wonder if anyone would notice if I were to flip her over my shoulder and cart her off to my cave.

Seiya interrupted, "Usagi-chan I would like to speak to you about Umino and the contract."

Usagi smiled and Mamoru felt a rush of pleasure when she looked at him and said, "Oh Seiya-kun… It's a party. I've done my duty; can I please have a little fun now? I promise to get straight back to work first thing Monday, but right now I want to enjoy the party." She rapped both her arms around Mamoru's and smiled up at him.

Oh Damn… Mamoru felt something inside him fall and he felt, quite simply, tipsy but not drunk. I am pathetic. She apologized again to Seiya, who looked as if he were about ready to flay him alive, and turned to pull Mamoru back onto the dance floor. It was then that her heel caught on the edge of a carpet and she tripped. Mamoru, seeing her start to stumble quickly yanked her back but her light weight had him overcompensating. Instead of righting her he tripped himself, pulling her down on top of him. Mamoru let out a whoosh of air as he landed flat on his back on the side of the dance floor with Usagi sprawled out on top of him and the two, now empty Champaign glasses rolling across the floor next to them.

For a moment all he saw were stars and then her eyes, filling with tears and her face turn red from embarrassment. "ohmygosh…" She blurted out, "I am so sorry are you ok?"

Mamoru laughed. He laughed hard and long until most of the people in the room were staring at the two of them or trying to ignore them. He laughed as he had never laughed before, lying there, on the floor of a fancy party with a beautiful girl draped over him drenched in Champaign, making a huge scene.

Her tears dried up and she began to laugh with him.

It was then that he knew. He knew why all those amazing people flocked to her, he knew what made her so special… and he knew.

He had, quite literarily, fallen in love.

Well? I'm so sorry it took so very long but life got in the way. I hope it lived up to your expectations, dear readers. Please let me know what you think.

Next time: Usagi's point of view in "The Dragon and Prince Charming."