Two Pretty Wings

Mamoru sauntered into the arcade, away from the wind, and away from the dark streets barely lit by the streetlamps. "Motoki, why is this place open so late?"

"Oh, hello, Mr. Trickster. Pop says that we have to be open later during the Christmas season, so we are. I don't question orders."

"What's with 'Mr. Trickster'? Who have I tricked," he wondered, sitting down at the counter and reaching out for his customary mug of coffee.

"Usagi, that's who. What was all that about 'having a musical day', huh? She's a bit spooked. I think that you should find a different way to impress her."

"And ruin all the fun? I don't think so. Besides, girls want romance so, I'm trying to give it to her."

Motoki made a gagging noise and hit his head against the wall. "I never thought that I would hear those words from your mouth, Mr. You really are trying to make me sick, aren't you? Oh, eww and gross! I just got some really disturbing images of you trying to be amorous," Motoki moaned and burst into a stream of curses and complaints about the disturbing images now haunting his imagination.

"Well I can't help it if your dirty mind twists my words and intentions. You should probably see a psychiatrist for that. Although," he said after a pause, "I'm not sure if adding another medication to your list would help," he teased.

"Oh, shut up," Motoki growled, smacking Mamoru on the head with a cardboard box. "You know very well that the pills I take are to help with the migraines that you and Usagi give me practically every day."

"Anyway. What do you think of my idea in general? Think it will work?"

"I don't know why, but I think it's rather cute. It may be a trifle high-school-ish, but it might just work." Motoki was thrown off guard for a minute. He had never seen Mamoru let his guard down or be so eager about anything; even his literature exam where he wrote a sonnet to Usagi's eyelashes. Strangely enough, Mamoru got the best grade in the class for that exam. Motoki, however, was thoroughly disgusted. It was like he was seeing a side of Mamoru that he never thought existed. It was a little exciting, to be honest.

Usagi was bringing out a new and improved Mamoru. There was a little girl back in second grade that tried to be friends with Mamoru, but he ignored her once he knew that she had a crush on him. Motoki was sad for Mamoru and his lack of friends, but he was glad that at least he had a chance to get closer to Mamoru. Mamoru needed friends in order to grow up. Motoki wasn't about to tell him that Usagi was already in love with him; that would ruin all the fun. And where would Christmas be without fun? "In any case," Motoki advised, "I think that you should try to speak civilly with her tomorrow. Maybe that will get you on her good side and make her more open to the possibility of a," and here Motoki made a face, "deeper relationship with you. You know, holding hands and that kind of thing."

Mamoru took a sip of coffee, glaring at Motoki over the edge of his mug.

"What? It would be really…," Motoki paused to swallow some repulsive images forming in his brain, "...cute. Just, don't do it around here. I don't think I can handle it."

"Whatever. Can you give her the next present tomorrow?"

"I guess so. Maybe one time you could hand it to her yourself and throw her off her guard. Then when it comes time to reveal who you are, it will come as quite a shock."

"I'm sure it will be either way," Mamoru mumbled to himself, a sour look on his face.

Around two o'clock, Mamoru dropped off his books at his apartment and headed over to the arcade to drop off his present and wait around for Usagi to show. At two forty-five, he was getting antsy. He began to pace back and forth between the rows of video games, stopping every time the doors opened to look up and see if it was Usagi.

Motoki, ignoring Mamoru's frantic behavior, leaned on the counter with a little box under his hand and stirred a cold mug of hot chocolate with a coffee straw. A little later he drummed his fingers over the box and twisted the little ribbon around his finger, waiting and praying that Usagi would show up and put Mamoru out of his misery.

At exactly one minute till three, Usagi could be seen putting her small hand to the handle of the door and pushing it open. At exactly three o'clock, she could be seen with a puzzled look on her face, sitting down at the counter, and picking up the little box that Motoki held out to her. At first, Usagi was a little surprised that there should be a second box waiting for her. Then she thought that maybe her Secret Santa was trying to make up for the last present. Luna had thoroughly enjoyed her new tennis-ball, but it wasn't much of a Christmas present.

Before Usagi could open her new present, however, Mamoru plunked himself down in the seat next to hers, waiting for her to make her move.

"What are you doing, Mamoru," Usagi asked, puzzled.

"I want to know what's in that box that's making you look so excited," he answered brazenly.

"Oh, really? Well, maybe I should just open it at home," she retorted, "Then I would have all the pleasure of your disappointed face, and I would get to see what is in the box."

"Oh, don't do that , Usagi," Motoki whined. "I want to know what it is too! Will you please open it here? Please?"

"Well...since you asked so nicely, Motoki, I suppose I could open it here." Usagi pulled the ribbon and carefully lifted the lid. Inside the box was a little velvet cushion. On top of the cushion lay a pair of glass wings that reflected the light in each facet. Usagi gingerly picked up the wings and turned them over and over in her hands, admiring their glow and weight. She replaced them on the cushion soon afterwards for fear of smudging their beauty.

"I almost forgot the card," Motoki said, sliding it towards her.

Usagi opened the envelope and found a green card in the shape of a pine tree. The note said: I don't think that two turtledoves would have been a good idea. You do have a cat, after all. Maybe you would like their wings for your Christmas tree though. I can take you higher than wings. Have a spirit-lifting day. Your Secret Santa.

Mamoru waited for Usagi to look up, her eyes filled with confusion and hope. Instead, she replaced the card, grabbed her things, and left; not one word was uttered. He looked at Motoki, hoping he would have an answer. Motoki shrugged and, with a puzzled look on his face, returned to his previous task of wiping down the already immaculate counter-top.

Usagi walked home as fast as she could, pushing her chattering thoughts out of her head. She gave a rapid greeting to her mother and ran upstairs to her room, locking the door after her. She removed her shoes and slowly pulled the box out of her coat pocket, lifting the lid and gazing at the shining wings.

Who the heck was this person? It was most certainly not one of the girls. Those notes were too suggestive of romance to be the girls. Maybe it was Mamoru trying to be silly and throw her off her guard to trick her. Or maybe it was Motoki. Usagi slammed the lid shut tightly at that thought and closed her eyes. Sweet Motoki. He was more of an older-brother type, not the romantic lover that she had long been dreaming of. But what if it was him?

Usagi sighed and placed the box next to the empty one from the day before on her dresser. Life was indeed a confusing matter.

Author's Notes: I hope this chapter satisfied you---I tried to make it longer than the last one. The chapters shall get longer as they go on. I shall have the next one up within the next day and a half unless I get struck with writer's block. Please let me know what you think. I feel a little off about this chapter, so I would really appreciate some reviews. Thanks!

Egyptian Princess