Roubando o Seu Coração
Chapter 4: Cakes and Hair Cuts
Sorry this took so long to get out. I've been bugged down with school and now that finals are a few weeks away, it's taking me longer to write my chapters, sorry. I really don't have much to say, other than thanks for the reviews!
Once again, sorry for all the mistakes. . . English is and will always be my worst subject. Heh, but that's no excuse. . . Just wondering, if anyone has any time or just likes to correct things, send me a review or email me and I'll be happy to send in my story for corrections. . . Yes, I am bribing you.
I was looking over my first chapter and noticed I put Makoto as being 5'7.....I don't know what I was on that day I typed that, but she's taller than that, heh......wow that was a HUGE mistake on my part and I plan on changing it......so she's actually 6' feet even. Sorry about that!
Disclaimer: All I own is the story plot. . .I'm not creative enough to make up the Sailor Scouts, 'sigh'
"-means talking
'-means thoughts
italics means memories or a flashback
The window was ajar, letting the cool breeze pass through and ruffle up Makoto's hair. Her bed was the closest to the window and currently she was looking out of it, up at the stars. Her hair was down from her usual ponytail, reaching clear past her shoulders. She casted a side-wise glance at the sleeping form next to her. Usagi was sleeping peacefully, all the covers on her side. Makoto couldn't help but smile at the image of Usagi wrapped in two layers of blankets.
She looked down at the floor next, where Minako was sleeping on an air mattress. The room they were staying in only had two beds, so four of them shared the beds, and the other one got the floor all to herself. Of course Minako said it was only fair for her to get the floor, and all arguments ceased. She had taken off her red bow to sleep and her gorgeous blonde hair fell around her in puddles.
Her eyes shifted to the bed across from hers and saw the sleeping form of Ami, and next to her was Rei, who was sitting up with her eyes closed.
Rei felt Makoto staring at her, but decided not to do anything about it. She refocused on her thoughts, calming herself down for the mission the next morning. She thought about meditating, but the thought brought a painful lurch in her heart. 'Oh Gramps. . . why did you have to leave me?'
Her grandpa had owned a temple when she was younger, and when she moved there permanently, around the age of nine, he taught her everything he knew. She was training to become a miko at the shrine before her gramps had passed away. Aside from her friends, who she thought of as sisters, he was the only real family she had after her parents. . .
Rei pushed aside that memory, not wanting to remember her past. After her grandpa had passed away, she joined her friends and became a full-fledged thief. She never returned to the temple, but promised herself that one day she would. She rather enjoyed the life of a thief. They never killed anyone and usually only stole artifacts or money. Finally getting annoyed at Makoto for staring at her for so long, Rei opened her eyes to glare at Makoto. "Sorry, Mako dearest, but there are a lot of admirers on my list, you'll just have to wait."
Makoto grinned devilishly. "Oh? So you have a list now? Couldn't keep track of them, right?"
Rei narrowed her eyes. "If I add you to my list, will you stop staring?"
Laughing softly, Makoto shook her head. "I'm already on your list, silly. Now stop changing the subject and come out with it."
Rei's eyes flashed dangerously before she replied. "There's nothing wrong. What makes you think there is?"
Makoto brushed the subject off. "I already told you to quite changing the subject. Now spill, before I go over there and force you to tell me." She grinned lazily.
"If it wasn't for that smile, Mako, I'd say that was a threat." Rei also smiled at Makoto.
"It was. And you of all people know I'd be happy to carry it out." This time she used a warning tone.
"Nothings wrong. Just thinking, is that a crime now too?" Rei's voice was laced with anger and sarcasm as she responded.
"Hold your temper, I never meant to offend you. Besides, you wouldn't want to wake up sweet Usagi, now would you?" Makoto raised an eyebrow.
Rei almost cringed. "No, you're right. Wouldn't want to wake up Miss Meatball head and make her wail until my ears start bleeding from the noise."
"Thought so." Makoto smiled and found her way over to Rei's bed. "Scoot."
Rei grumbled but moved over so Makoto could slip in. "What do you want for breakfast?"
"Nani?!" Rei nearly fell out of her bed, surprised by the sudden change of topic.
Makoto shrugged her shoulders. "I figured I'd ask you what you wanted ahead of time so I could get a head start on what to cook for breakfast."
"You never cease to amaze me," Rei said, a small smile appearing on her face. "I really don't care what you make. Surprise me."
"Well, I could make this dish I've been experimenting with. I'm pretty sure you'd like it. . ." Makoto started to name different recipes and how she added bits and pieces of each one to the one she'd make, but Rei wasn't really paying attention. She heard faint voices and concentrated on them and found out that one of the voices was Artemis'. The other voice was definitely female, and Rei couldn't help but feel like she knew the voice from somewhere, but she just couldn't put a finger on who it could be.
Suddenly Rei stopped Makoto from talking by placing a delicate finger on Makoto's lips. Makoto stopped talking in surprise, but got a little angry at Rei for interrupting her speech. She was about to tell Rei off when the raven-haired woman motioned for her to be quiet and follow her.
Makoto nodded her head and they slipped out of the bed as quietly as possible, tip-toeing past the sleeping Minako on the floor. Rei stopped at the door and put her ear against it, straining to hear something. Makoto got the impression of being six again and waking up and "spying" on her parents. The memory brought a sad smile upon her beautiful features. The women slipped out of the room with practiced stealth. Reaching the stairs, they squatted down behind some plant decorations and listened.
"What are we doing, Hino?" Makoto tried to whisper it, but her curiosity got the best of her, and it ended up sounding like a strained shout.
"Keep your voice down, Mako-chan! Do you want them to hear us?" Rei hissed, her eyes flickering with anger as she looked at the green-eyed brunette. But as soon as it appeared, it simmered down as she snapped her eyes back to the arguing figures down below. Makoto craned her neck to get a closer look at the white-haired man. He looked vaguely familiar and she strained her eyes to look closer at his face.
Rei looked at the female with raven hair and red eyes. She had seen those eyes before, but for the second time that night, she couldn't place a finger on who that female was. Suddenly she heard Makoto gasp, and Rei looked over to her friend who was pointing a finger at the man. "That's. . . that's Artemis!"
Rei nearly smacked Makoto on the head for being so stupid. Instead, she scoffed. "Of course that's him! Who else would that be?"
"Well, unless I'm going insane, I could have sworn Artemis had blonde hair, not WHITE!"
Rei paled a little, feeling somewhat unnerved that she had missed that fact. She could have sworn his hair was blonde when she glanced at him a second ago. She smiled weakly at Makoto before listening to the conversation.
". . .that's ridicules! They would have recognized you anywise!"
"They haven't before!"
"Oh, let's stop arguing over something so stupid. Do you think we were wrong for not telling them again?"
Artemis shrugged at the female. "I don't know Luna. Do you think it would have made any difference one way or another?"
The woman dubbed Luna responded with a sigh. "We could have prepared them better. . ."
Rei suddenly felt everything shift and she felt sick to her stomach. The room was spinning and she could vaguely make out what someone was saying to her. Suddenly, everything stopped and Rei could see again. She was squatting behind a plant and listening to people whisper in hushed voices. 'What the hell just happened?'
"What the hell are we doing Hino?" Rei heard Makoto ask from behind her.
Rei spun around, having the feeling of deja-vu. Before she could even think of something to say, her mouth snapped opened and said, "We're getting info, that's what we're doing!"
Rei panicked as her eyes went back to the couple arguing. She couldn't control herself! It was her of course, her voice and body, but someone was controlling her! Rei started to mutter curses that would probably have out done even sailors. After a few seconds, her mind blocked out her thoughts and she was forced to listen to the man and woman down below.
"Do you think we were wrong for not telling them?"
"I don't know Luna. We haven't even told them the whole story. They are getting suspicious if you ask me."
"Oh, Artemis! They are going to hate us for sure after this!"
Rei stared at the couple with wide eyes. 'Artemis!?' And this Luna woman was the same woman they were supposed to meet that morning. 'What the hell is going on! Dammit, I want to know where the hell this is going!' Her mind blocked out her thoughts again and she was forced to stare back down.
They started to discuss other things in hushed voices when the two, big oak doors opened up and Rei saw a figure walking up to the other two. The woman had silvery hair that was styled on top of her head in the form of two buns. Streams of hair came out of the two buns, reaching a little past her knees.
She glided up to the now silent couple as if her feet never touched the ground. "I think it is time to wake up the girls."
Her voice was gentle, but still held an authority in it. The raven-haired woman bowed and walked towards her. "Your majesty, let them rest. They had a tiring day today, with all the training they have been going through."
"Maybe I have been slacking lately. Letting one such as yourself speak to a queen like this is looked down upon in other planets." Instead of sternness, the queen's voice was laced with amusement.
"Well, you were never one to shun those under you, nor abide by the galaxies laws. But alas, you are the queen of the Silver Alliance who makes most, if not all, laws."
The two women laughed at that. "I dare say I make all the laws. The kings and queens of the other planets must vote for it too."
"But of course. Speaking of the kings and queens, how are they?"
Before the queen could answer, the man cut her off. "Ladies, please. As much as I know you love to gossip, let us stick to the main reason we are here. Yes?"
"Oh, Artemis! I always thought you were laid back compared to Luna here. Apparently she has rubbed off on you." Her eyes glistened with mischievous.
Luna blushed and Artemis gave a wicked grin. "Why would you say that?"
"Because I have seen you two in each others company for the past four years. There's bond to be some attraction between you two since then."
"Nonsense! Now you are sounding like your daughter!"
"Oh, Luna! Do not lie to her. You are just as madly in love with me as I am with you, let's not hide it anymore."
Luna turned beat red this time. "Stop teasing, Artemis. Selenity, you know it is strictly professional between Artemis and me."
Artemis smiled. "She is in denial you know."
Luna gave his arm a smack and he laughed at her antics. Rei looked over to the queen and froze. She was looking straight at her, smiling and Rei gasped. She slowly backed up and hit her head on something hard. She cursed as her head began to pound and the last thing Rei saw was Makoto kneeling beside her asking her something.
Rei gasped as she sat up from her bed. Her head was pounding and her body felt like it had been hit by a bus, not that she knew how that felt, she just figured it would be like that. 'Was that a dream? What the hell happened?'
Rei glanced around, she was in her bed and everyone else was in theirs. . . Rei did a double take. 'Where's Makoto!' She heard some shuffling around to her left and turned her attention there. Makoto was making her way towards her and she was holding a white towel.
"Glad to finally see you awake. How's your head?"
Rei cringed. "I feel like someone hit it with a bat. Mind telling me what happened?"
Makoto shrugged, sitting down on the small space on Rei's bed. She handed Rei the towel. "Here, put this on your forehead. You were burning up a few minutes ago."
Rei nodded and took the cold towel from her hands and placed it on her forehead. She hadn't noticed until Makoto mentioned it that she was burning up. She took the covers off of herself and placed them on top of the sleeping Ami. "So, what happened?" She asked after she had scooted up against the headboard and was leaning against it.
"Well, I was paying attention to what Artemis and that Luna woman were saying when you started to wobble around. You fell backwards and hit your head on the floor so I quietly dragged you back to your bed before they heard us. You kept muttering things and your whole body felt really hot when I touched it to drag you back. You've been asleep for a good hour now. That's about it."
"That's it?" Rei looked at Makoto, searching her eyes for something.
"Yea. Other than Artemis and Luna are hiding something from us and his hair is really white and not blonde. Oh, and there is something going on between those two, you know, some hidden passion or love. . . Minako is going to be disappointed when she finds out Artemis has a thing for Luna. Of course, they didn't do anything, if that's what you are thinking. . . it's just that they have this. . . oh, I don't really know what I'm talking about, just that they have a thing going on!"
Rei looked at Makoto like she had gone crazy. She had gone into one of her moods, what Rei liked to call her sappy-love-I-can-tell-when-someone-likes-someone-else-mood. "You totally lost me, but that's not the point. I'm surprised you didn't say he looked like your past boyfriend."
Makoto gave her a wicked grin. She was used to Rei's sarcasm, she usually played it off. "Oh, hon. I think you bumped your head a little too hard, because I did say he looked like one of my past boyfriends."
Rei smiled. "But of course you did. You never pass a chance to say that."
Makoto sighed. "Guess your right. But hey, I'm kinda tired, so I'm gonna go and sleep. See you tomorrow morning." She got up and smiled at Rei before turning around and heading towards her bed. She was stopped by Rei grabbing her wrist. She turned around and put her free hand on her hip. "What's wrong Rei?"
Rei let go of her wrist but didn't look up, instead, she chose to stare out the window. "So, you didn't see a queen talking to those two, did you," she said rather than asked.
"Um, queen? No. . .not that I can recall. Why? Did you?"
"No, of course not. That's why I brought it up."
Sarcasm. Rei's witty comments never left her, even when she was in a serious mood. Makoto wished that sometimes she wouldn't use it so much. It was hard to tell if Rei was just joking or being serious. "Maybe you imagined it when you hit your head?"
"Probably. Funny, she looked like someone I know, I just can't place my finger on who. Oh well, I'll let you go to sleep. Thanks for helping me, Mako." Rei gave her a genuine smile.
"No problem, Hino. Night."
"Oh my gosh! Minako, what did you do to your hair?!"
"You like? I cut it because I needed a new look!"
Usagi walked around Minako and her newly cut hair. It was a bit past her waist and she twirled around to show Usagi. "Oh! I like it! It was getting too long."
Minako smiled. "You're one to talk! Look at your hair!"
"What's wrong with my hair?!"
"If you grow it out any further, you're going to be disaster prone. I can see it now, Usagi can't walk because she'll be too busy stepping on her hair!" Rei walked down the stairs and sat down near Minako.
"You took the words right out of my mouth, Rei!"
"You guys are meanies!" Bellowed Usagi at the top of her lungs.
"Rei, have you thought about cutting your hair?"
Rei eyed Minako suspiciously. "Why? What are you scheming?"
"Oh, nothing!" Minako said innocently. "It's just that, since we're going into a mission, we need to change our appearances. You know, so they won't recognize us."
"But they don't know us."
"Well, yes. But if they are smart and look us up they might find out who we are."
"Highly doubt it." Rei crossed her arms.
"Fine, if you blow our cover, I'm pointing fingers."
"You know, Rei, she does have a point." Ami walked in carrying two books in her arms. She sat herself down next to Usagi. "We do need to change our appearances once again."
Minako smiled and nodded her head up and down enthusiastically. "Uhuh, listen to Ami, she knows a lot."
Rei narrowed her eyes. "Fine, but no funny business."
Minako shrieked and gave Rei a hug. "Oh, this is going to be so much fun!"
Minako scrambled upstairs while Rei took her time in pushing her chair in and walking slowly. Makoto walked in balancing three plates full of pancakes and set them down on the table. "Okay, let me go get the rest."
"Oh Mako, you shouldn't have!" Usagi grabbed the blueberry pancakes and started to cut them up and stuff them in her mouth.
Ami took a plate of pancakes and started to eat them as well, sipping on her coffee and reading her book as she ate. "These are wonderful, Mako!" She said after she stopped reading and actually payed attention to what she was eating. She closed her book and ate quietly.
Rei took her stack of pancakes and started to head upstairs. "Where are you going, Hino?"
"Minako had this brilliant idea of cutting my hair," Rei rolled her eyes. "At least I'm going to enjoy something while I'm up there." She signaled to the pancakes.
"I'll bring her stack later then. She might get distracted while eating her pancakes and cut your hair wrong." Makoto grinned.
"Yes, I think that would be wise," Rei said while walking up the stairs and heading to the bathroom. Minako was there finishing up cleaning the floor of her hair.
"Okay, go ahead and sit down."
Rei sighed and took a seat, placing her pancakes on her lap. Minako wrapped a towel around Rei's shoulders. "I'd say lean back so I could wet your hair, but your hair is so long it already reaches the facets."
"I'd like it to stay like that."
"Don't worry. I won't cut it that short. Now close your eyes and just relax."
Rei snorted but didn't say anything. She felt her hair getting wet and soon Minako was combing her hair. She heard Minako hum to herself as she started to cut her hair. After what felt like a few minutes, but was actually an hour, Minako stepped back and smiled. "All done."
Rei stifled a yawn. "All ready? And I was beginning to enjoy you playing with my hair."
Minako laughed. "What can I say? I've got magical hands." She winked at Rei as she brushed a few straw strands of hair out of her face. "Well, go on. I want to see if you like it or not."
Rei hesitated for only a moment and looked into the mirror. She backed up a few steps and turned her body around, looking at her back. Her hair was a bit shorter than Minako's newly cut hair, coming a few inches below her waist. She smiled. "I actually like it better."
Minako beamed. "Good! You can pay me by giving me those delicious looking pancakes."
Rei laughed. "Fine with me, they're cold anywise. I'll just go get a new, steaming stack of pancakes downstairs."
"On second thought, you can have that one. I'll go downstairs and beg for a fresh stack." She rose and headed out the door. "By the way, I almost cut your hair too short when I couldn't help but notice those pancakes next to you. You got lucky I'm not like Usagi when it comes to food," she teased as she walked down the stairs.
Rei laughed. "No, but you've got your own thing you crave; men. I got lucky you didn't see any out the window."
Minako shrugged, a smile spreading across her face. "What do you want me to say? Every woman has her weakness, and you darling, are just as prone to it."
Rei rolled her eyes. "That may be so, but at least my weakness isn't men."
This time, it was Minako's time to roll her eyes. "Ah, don't you mean mens weakness is me? I can control myself when it comes to them." She walked past Rei and into the kitchen where Makoto was cleaning up. "I hope you saved me some pancakes."
Makoto grinned. "Only if you help me with a new disguise?"
"I'd never miss an opportunity like this, it's a deal." Minako took the last stack of pancakes and sat down next to Ami, who was reading one of her books. Rei was sitting across from Minako, Usagi was to her right, and Makoto sat down to the right of Minako.
Usagi was pretending to read the overview of the mission, but kept glancing at Rei instead. Minako watched the two, smiling when she saw Rei's eyebrow twitch from annoyance. Soon, she'd blow up on Usagi.
"What the hell's the big deal!? Stop starring at me!"
"Sorry, it's just that-" Usagi scrambled to think of something to say.
"I'll give you one minute to look at my hair, after the minute's up, I better see your eyes glued to that paper!"
"Why do you have to be so mean? I just want to look at your new hair."
"And since your minute is up, you've accomplished that. Now, eyes on something else!"
"Fine, I won't tell you what I think about it." Usagi stuck her tongue out.
"I could care less what you have to say," Rei bit back.
"Usagi, where's the disguise pen?" Minako asked, finishing her last bite of the pancake.
"Um, I'll go find it."
Rei rolled her eyes. "You don't know where it is, do you."
"I said I would go find it, didn't I?"
"Who knows how long that is going to take you!"
"Hey Rei, would you come and help me wash the dishes while Minako, Usagi and Ami look for the pen?"
Rei stopped yelling at Usagi and glanced up at Makoto. "Fine," she sighed, knowing her temper had gotten out of hand again.
"Come on, Usa. Let's go find that pen." Minako said, getting up and smiling at her.
The two swords clanged together as one man guarded against the other man's attack. As soon as the swords collided, they were torn apart and brought back together again. Nephrite groaned under the pressure Kunzite was putting against the swords. He pushed upwards hard enough to make Kunzite stagger back a little, but as soon as Kunzite got his balance, he brought his sword down again.
Nephrite gritted his teeth as his hands began to feel numb. As a last resort he kicked out, falling on the ground from the lost contact of Kunzite's sword. Kunzite had jumped back when he noticed Nephrite was going to try to trip him. He walked toward his friend, who was sprawled across the floor. "You cheated and failed miserably at it too."
Nephrite grinned. "It was just practice. No harm done." He got up and picked up his sword from the ground.
"But in a real situation, you would have been dead by now if you pulled that little stunt."
Nephrite shrugged. "If I'm correct, usually an enemy doesn't say 'just swords, no melee attack this time'. They don't usually agree on a way of fighting."
Kunzite shook his head. "You've been spending too much time with Jadeite. That was something he would have said."
Nephrite laughed and walked over to where his shirt was resting on a table. He grabbed it, tossing it on quickly and staring back at his friend. "I'm going to grab a drink, you want one?"
Kunzite raised his eyebrow. "Going to check out the new cook?"
Nephrite grinned. "Now whose spending too much time with Jadeite? Like I said, I'm getting a drink."
"I'll take whatever you're having. Just tell a servant to leave it in my room."
Nephrite nodded his head before heading to the kitchen. As he walked along the corridors, he noticed a new servant looking around. "Excuse me miss, but are you lost?"
The young woman whirled around, letting a small squeak escape her lips. Her blue eyes diverted to the ground as she bowed awkwardly. "Um, er. . . yes, I think I am. . . uh, your highness."
"Please don't call me that. My name's Nephrite, and yours is?"
"Ah, Serena," the young brunette said sheepishly.
"Well Serena, where were you headed?"
"Well. . . I was taking a look around and got lost. I'm not really headed anywhere per say."
"Why don't you accompany me to the kitchen. I've got a little job for you to do."
She nodded her head and started to follow him.
"Is today your first day?"
"Um hmm. Is it that obvious?"
"Everyone gets lost once in awhile. Here we are, the kitchen." He opened the door and Usagi stepped in, looking around. He walked over to one of the refrigerators and grabbed three waters. He handed two to Usagi.
"I'm not that thirsty," she said, eying both bottles.
"No, I imagine not. One's for you, the other is for Kunzite. You don't mind taking it to him, do you?"
"Oh!" Usagi exclaimed, blushing from embarrassment. "No, I can do it. He's in the northern corridor, hai?"
"Hai. You know where it is?"
"I think so. I'll be going now. Thank you for helping me out." She smiled at him, taking the water bottles he had handed her.
"Anytime. See you around, Serena." He gave her a small nod of his head before watching her walk out of the kitchen.
"So, are you hear to check out the new chef?"
Nephrite grinned at the old lady. "But of course, Malinda. Where may I find her?"
"She's over there, baking a cake for a special occasion."
"Special occasion, huh? Let's see what this special occasion is. Thanks again Malinda." He walked over to where Malinda had pointed and heard soft humming. He walked around the corner and saw a red-haired, young woman pour a bater in a cake pan. She glanced up as she heard him approach.
"Hello, your majesty. May I help you?"
Nephrite blinked as the young woman stood up to her full height. She was taller than most women he met, but not as tall as he was. She had red, curly hair that was in a ponytail, but the thing that caught his attention the most were her emerald eyes. "Nephrite, call me Nephrite please."
"Okay, Lord Nephrite. My name's Lita."
"Just Nephrite, if you don't mind. May I ask you a question?"
Makoto nodded her head, a slight tinge of red appearing on her cheeks.
"Why are you baking a cake?"
"I thought you guys might like a little snack."
Nephrite smiled. "If that's your idea of snack, I'm afraid we will all turn fat by the end of the month."
"Oh, that wasn't my intention. If you'd like, I can save it for dessert."
"I didn't mean it like that. What kind of cake is it?"
"My special recipe. I haven't found a name for it yet." Makoto winked.
"Maybe I can help you with that. I'm the official taster here." He smiled, taking a seat next to her.
"Than you can be the first one to try it."
"I'm already liking you."
Makoto's smile wavered as his words sunk in. She had to admit, he was more handsome in real life than the picture Artemis showed them gave him credit for. And he seemed really sweet. "So you hang out in the kitchen a lot?"
His smile wavered also. "Yea, I like to cook. My friends make fun of me for it, saying a kitchen is no place for a man to be."
"That's stupid. A man needs to know how to cook. You need to learn how to take care of your body, working out doesn't cut it anymore. Plus, you never know when you might be stranded and there's no one to cook for you."
He smiled again. "That's what I said. And it's nice to cook for your lady once and awhile."
Makoto blushed again, averting her eyes from his gaze. She heard the oven beep and thanked the heavens for it. She got up and took the baked cake out of the oven and placed it in front of Nephrite. "I still need to frost it. Want to help me?"
"Sure." He watched as she walked around the kitchen, grabbing this and that and placed them near him. She told him what to get and where to place it and soon the cake was finished. He glanced at her and noticed a small smudge on her cheek. He reached out and using his thumb, he wiped it off.
"Uh, thanks." She nervously smiled at him. "I'll cut you a piece." She cut off a small piece and placed it on a plate. She got a fork and raised it to his mouth, her hand shaking a bit. He smiled, placing his hand on hers to steady it and guided the fork to his mouth. As soon as the cake touched his lips, his taste buds went crazy.
"This is the best cake I've ever tasted!" He exclaimed to her, grabbing another fork full and eating it.
She giggled. "I'm glad you liked it. But you helped me too, so you should congratulate yourself as well."
"Maybe I should hang around the kitchen more often."
Makoto nodded her head, feeling herself blush for the third time that day, just because of this man. 'This is going to be interesting,' she thought, grabbing a fork and tasting the cake for herself. 'Damn, I am good.'