A/N: This was inspired by the prompt "Mamoru having to help Usagi undress after an injury." This was an experiment for me in switching prespective, and leaving things unsaid. Heads up that it gets a little steamy, but nothing graphic. One shot. Enjoy and review!
Standard disclosure: I do not own Sailor Moon. Sailor Moon and all characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi.
"Sailor Moon, watch out!"
"Behind you!"
Jupiter's and Mercury's warnings came just half a second too late. With a thundering crack, the youma snapped its whip-like arm around Sailor Moon's ribs. She cried out in pain as was hurled into the air before being flung mercilessly to the pavement, landing with a sickening crunch.
"Venus Crescent--" The senshi was cut off by another crack of the youma's whip, knocking her off her feet and hurdling backward into a tree.
"Okay, now youre really starting to piss me off!" Jupiter called forth her attack. "Sparkling Wide Pressure!"
A crackling orb of green electricity blasted out of her hands toward the youma, landing square in its leather-vested chest. It fell to the ground, prone, recovering from the hit.
Mercury raced to Sailor Moon. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" She used her super computer to analyze the fallen senshi, noting the damage to her left side. Two ribs appeared to be cracked and she would definitely have a ghastly bruise for a while. Spying the blood slowly staining the Moon guardian's fuku, she assumed there were a few good cuts as well.
"I'm fine," dismissed the blonde.
Mercury stood and extended an arm to Moon, helping her to her feet.
"Besides, we have more important things to worry about right now," she said, determination settling in her features.
Both senshi returned their attention to the youma, now back on its feet and obviously ready for more.
"Saddle up, little pony," it hollered, hoisting its arm-whip in the air. And with a screeching "yee-haw!" it curled its whip into a lasso and flung it around Sailor Moon once again.
"Sailor Moon!" Mercury watched in horror as her leader was forced to the ground once again, landing on her injured side, and began to be reeled in toward the youma.
Flash
A single rose sailed through the air, slicing through the youma's whip like butter. Sailor Moon was released by the rope only to be recaptured an instant later by the protecting arms of Tuxedo Mask.
"Tuxedo Mask," she breathed, eyes glistening with adoration for her dependable savior.
Fitting her snugly to his chest, Tuxedo Mask bounded away from the youma, setting Sailor Moon safely on her feet behind her fellow senshi.
The youma, still stunned by the sudden turn of events, was left wide open for Mars's attack.
"Fire soul!" A barage of fire sprang from the senshi's gloved hands and pummeled the youma, leaving it singed and staggering.
"Now, Sailor Moon!" commanded Tuexdo Mask.
"Right," she agreed with a nod. She removed her tiara and, with a spin, flung it at the youma as she cried, "Moon Tiara Action!"
In a flash of light, the youma was destroyed, disintegrating into dust before disappearing into the midnight breeze.
With the threat eliminated, the senshi relaxed and congregated around Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask.
"Jeez, that one just did not want to die," Venus complaned, picking a few stray twigs from her golden locks. "And now I have to wash my hair again," she whined.
"We sure showed him though," Mars quipped, offering Jupiter a high five.
"Hell yeah, we did!"
"Uh, guys..." Mercury tried to interject, but the rest of the senshi were too hyped, still buzzing with adrenaline from the recent battle.
"I can't believe Sailor Moon still totally wasted him after taking a beating like that," Jupiter continued.
"Guys..."
"Oh my god, yeah, good thing Tuxy Boy finally bothered to show up, or she would have been toast!" Venus chimed in.
"Guys!!"
Three pairs of eyes turned to stare at Mercury, bewildered by such a blaring outburst from the usually soft-spoken girl
She motioned to Sailor Moon, currently only standing with the support of Tuxedo Mask. The formally dressed man was known for his speedy disappearnces the second a battle was over, so his remaining presence signaled to the senshi that Sailor Moon's condition was serious.
"Sailor Moon?" Sailor Mercury probed. "Can you walk? Do you want to go to the hospital?" She began rerunning scans of Moon's injuries on her computer.
The special powers endowed upon the Sailor Senshi gifted them with the ability to heal faster than normal, so usually the girls could go home after a battle without any need for medical attention. Just one or two good nights' sleeps and they were back to a hundred percent. However, they bad been known to stop by the ER on occasion to have a bone set or a particularly deep cut stitched up.
Finally, the girl holding everyone's attention spoke. "No, I think I'm going to be okay. It just hurts." There was a sharp intake of breath as she attempted to hold her own weight before collapsing back into Tuxedo Mask's arms. "A lot."
"What do you think, Mercury?" the tuxedoed man asked the bluenette, his voice authoritative. "If you think she should go to the hospital, I'll escort her myself."
"It's not too serious," she relayed, reading the data on her visor. "She has two cracked ribs, a few surface level cuts, and probably quite a bit of bruising. The most the hospital would do is clean her wounds with antiseptic and maybe wrap her ribs before sending her home. So if she doesn't want to go to the hospital, she probably has all of those things in her own first aid kit."
"I'll take her home then," Tuxedo Mask declared definitively, the subject obviously not open to discussion.
Sailor Moon stared up at the masked man in wonder, a pink hue spreading across her cheeks and nose. "Tuxedo Mask...you don't have to--"
"Sailor Moon." She flinched at his repremanding tone and protested no further.
"You should go home and get your rest," he said to the other senshi. "I'm sure I will be seeing you again soon." And with that, Tuxedo Mask lifted Sailor Moon into his arms for the second time that night and disappeared with her into the midnight streets of Tokyo.
"Where are we?" Sailor Moon asked as the couple landed soundlessly onto a balcony of a high rise apartment building.
"My apartment," Tuxedo mask stated matter-of-factly.
She clenched her teeth to stifle a squeal, a foreign tightening in her stomach as she considered her situation. Here she was, in the middle of the night, practically helpless, standing in the doorway of a grown man's apartment. Sure, Tuxedo Mask had saved her life countless times, but she couldn't really trust him, could she? And sure, her hear fluttered uncontrollably in her chest every time she felt his muscled arms wrap protectively around her, but she didn't really know him, did she? She was in no position to defend herself should he prove to be less honorable than he appeared.
Who was she kidding. Like Tuxedo Mask would ever want to take advantage of her anyway.
"I thought you were taking me home," she protested, feigning her composure.
"Well, I don't exactly know where you live, do I?" he countered.
"But now I know where you live."
"Do you?" he challeneged. "What street are we on right now?" His eyes flickered dangerously in the moonlight and Sailor Moon suddenly felt small pressed against his broad chest.
"Uh..." she stammered, averting her gaze from his scrutinizing stare.
He snickered darkly. "That's what I thought."
Without setting her down, Tuxedo Mask slid open the glass door of the balcony, revealing a dark apartment inside.
It was minimally and masculinely furnished, with black leather sofas nestled around an industrial style coffee table, a single white blanket folded neatly across the back of the loveseat. Across from the seating area was a colassal flat screen television with a sleek and very expensive looking set of speakers on either side. The far wall was lined with row upon row of books, so many that Sailor Moon couldn't even begin to guess how many were in the collection. A high backed arm chair sait in the corner next to an end table topped with a lamp and a pair of reading glasses. Lightless hallways and thick, wooden doors extended to other unseen parts of the apartment. As she surveyed her surroundings, Sailor Moon couldn't help but notice the lack of pictures on the walls, trinkets or knick knacks in corners, or really anything that would suggest the dwelling belonged to anyone with even a glimmer of a personality.
"You...live here," she reiterated, struggling to believe that anyone could actually live in such a cold, boring place.
"Is it not up to your standards?" he teased.
This is strange, she thought to herself. Tuxedo Mask had always been perfectly romantic and intoxicatingly dreamy. But here, alone with him in his supposed apartment, he was much more mischevious, almost contentious, almoat reminding her of...
Tuxedo Mask carried her inside and left her to stand on her own as he proceeded toward the seating area. He removed his top hat and coat, laying them on the coffee table and sofa, respectively, revealing thick, glossy ebony hair, a toned torso, and narrow waist. Sailor Moon felt her heart rate increase as she took in his more casual appearance. His mask, however, remained in place, effectively concealing his identity, but not his undeniable beauty. She felt her cheeks grow warm as she observed him removing his gloves and rolling up his sleeves, exposing long, tan forearms spanning up from his chiseled fingers.
What I wouldn't give to have those fingers touch me, she thought.
As if in answer to her secret musings, Tuxedo Mask extended an inviting hand toward Sailor Moon.
"Let's have a look," he directed, his voice gentle yet still full of authority.
She accepted his hand and allowed him to gingerly lead her to the leather loveseat.
"Lie down on your side," he instructed.
She obeyed. Lifting her arm away from her body with one hand, he leaned closer to her injured side and gently tested it with his fingertips. She sharply sucked air through her clenched teeth as his bare fingers brushed over her cuts and bruises.
"I can't get a good look. You're going to have to take off your fuku."
Sailor Moon blanched.
"Wh-what?" she stuttered. "You can't be serious!"
He remained cool. "I can't give you proper medical attention if I can't even see your wounds," he asserted. "Besides," he said, inching closer to breathe his words into her ear, "your little fuku doesn't leave much to the imagination."
Her previously pale face surged bright red with embarrassment at his titillating observstion and sheer proximity to her prone body.
"I...tha...wha..." She was unable to form coherent words at the moment.
He chuckled, pulling away. "Relax, Sailor Moon. I just want to apply an antisepctic, like Sailor Mercury suggested. And see if there's anything I can do for your pain."
She gulped. "Right."
"Just pull it down enough for me to see your ribs. There's a blanket behind you if you want to cover yourself. I'll go get my first aid kit." He retreated down the dim hallway, leaving Sailor Moon alone to undress.
With shaky hands, she slowly reached for the zipper in the back of her fuku. Consequently, raising her arm resulted in another searing pain tearing across her ribs and she gasped, clutching her side. This was going to be impossible with only one hand.
At that moment, Tuxedo Mask returned, kneeling next to her, concern coloring his usually stoic features. He placed his first aid kit on the coffe table and laid a kind hand on her shoulder.
"Sailor Moon? What is it?"
"I..." She swallowed and closed her eyes. "I can't do it by myself."
Without a word, Tuxedo Mask sat beside her on the loveseat and gently angled her body until her back faced him. He swiftly swept her lengthy pigtails over her shoulders, hands hovering at the base of her neck.
"May I?"
Shivers tickled down her spine and she nodded. "Sure," she managed to utter.
Careful not to jostle her unnecessarily, he gently tugged at the zipper, dragging it down across her ivory skin until it stopped at her skirt. It was all Sailor Moon could do to not shiver under his touch as he began to slowly peel her fuku away from her left side.
He stopped as the garment exposed her shoulder and, realizing the awkward situation of having to remove her arm from the sleeve, he thoughtfully grabbed the blanket and offered it to Sailor Moon. Incapable of meeting his gaze, she took hold of the plush, white fabric and held it modestly to her chest. Her fuku slid against her skin under the blanket as he continued to undress her, removing her arm. She mashed her lips together as her breast popped free from her uniform, unendingly grateful for the blanket that protected her from the deep azure eyes of her dream man. She gripped the blanket tighter and lowered herself back down onto her side.
Tuxedo Mask was determined to keep this strictly this professional, regardless of the way her supple skin tempted his caress. He had a duty to protect this girl with his life, and that extended to both her physical and emotional well-being. Meeting and holding her gaze, he cautioned her that he was about to re-examine her, trying to save her from as much anxiety as possible. She nodded, granting him permission, and he returned his attention to her side.
Sailor Mercury was right; it was a nasty bruise. Blooms of blue and purple extended beneath her beautiful skin from the side of her breast to below where her skirt covered, out of eyesight. Her ribs were littered with shallow cuts already crusting over with dried blood. His chest panged with guilt at the sight of her marred, perfect complexion. If he had been there sooner, he could have prevented this. It was his job to protect her and he had failed. He glared at her wounds, willing them to leap from her skin and attach to his own, to make him suffer for his own mistakes instead of her, but they stayed scurely in place.
Sailor Moon observed his furrowed brow and mirrored his frown. "Is it that bad?"
"No, it's not that bad," he said flatly. He promptly turned to his kit on the table and retrieved a bottle of antiseptic and a few cotton balls. "This is going to sting. More than little," he cautioned.
Sailor Moon squeezed her eyes shut tightly and clutched the blanket in a vice grip, ready for the treatment.
The frigid liquid passed over her skin leaving behind an excruciating sensation of fire and ice, both burning intensely into her flesh before receding in a burst of painful tingles.
"Breathe, Sailor Moon."
She did as he instructed and released the air trapped in her lungs, gasping for fresh oxygen.
"That was the worst of it," he soothed. "Now I'm just going to place a few bandages over these cuts to keep them clean while they heal."
He took her lack of response as his cue to contiue and he finished his work quickly, noting her tiny flinches each time his fingers pressed into her bruises to smooth the adhesive. The bruising was probably the most painful portion of her injury, and unfortunatly, it covered an even larger area than what was currently exposed.
"Sailor Moon?"
"Yes?" She was practically panting.
"I want to try and help your pain, but I need to be able to see all of your bruises."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm going to have to pull your skirt down a bit."
Tuxedo Mask watched, supressing his amusement as a crimson blush flooded Sailor Moon's face.
"Wh-why? I mean, what are you going to do?" she demanded, her eyes as big as the moon outside the balcony doors.
"I'll show you once we get your skirt out of the way," her assured her, enjoying the panic written across her features. He couldn't deny that she was adorable and he silently vowed to keep his roaming thoughts to a minimum as he attempted to heal her.
Sailor Moon suddenly buried her face in the blanket, and her voice was muffled when she answered him. "Whatever. Just do it."
Cautiously so as not to alarm her, Tuxedo mask hooked his fingers around the edge of her fuku and stretched the fabric down and over her hip until her entire left cheek was exposed and the top of her skirt was settled on her upper thigh. He took only a brief look of appreciation at her graceful curves before settling both of his hands over the bulk of her bruises.
She squeaked and tensed beneath his touch. "You'll feel better in a moment," he murmured, before calling on his power.
This didn't always work, but on occasion, when he was able to focus properly, Tuxedo Mask had found that he was able to promote healing. It must be part of these mysterious powers he was still discovering, he had reasoned. His consciousness retreated deeper into his mind as he meditated, seeking the warm glow he had been able to find before. Surprisingly, the sun-like energy pulsated at the front of his mind, brighter, stronger, and more accessible than ever before. He called upon it and willed it to his hands, driving it into Sailor Moon's wounds.
She relaxed beneath his hands as a gentle warmth spread through her, like the kiss of the sun on a balmy summer afternoon. And he was right; she did feel better. Almost instantly. Surrendering to the pleasant sensation, a small moan escaped her lips as she sank deeper into the cushions.
Tuxedo Mask withdrew his hands and she immediately felt a loss, cold air settling where his soothing touch had been. He leaned back to examine her. The result was good, the aubergine spoltches had faded to a pale lavender and the circumference was greatly reduced. Satisfied with his work, he pulled her back to a seated position and took his time replacing her fuku, feeling less guilty about admiring her figure now that she wasn't quite so helpless as before.
"How are you feeling?" he asked as he replaced her zipper, fingers gliding along her vertebrae on his way up.
Sailor Moon couldn't be sure, but she could have sworn his fingers were lingering along her skin.
"Much better," she cooed. His hands once again stopped at the base of her neck and she shived involuntarily. He was definitely lingering now.
Something overcame Tuxedo Mask. Without thinking, he leaned into her, savoring her aroma, brushing his lips lightly against the side of her neck. "I'm glad," he murmured against her skin and she melted backward, fitting her back flush against his form.
"Tuxedo Mask..." she breathed.
He trailed butterfly kisses up and down her neck, paying extra attention to the sensitive spot below her ear, elliciting sighs and moans from the younge blonde.
Sailor Moon's blood coursed through her, spreading a new and exciting heat through all of her limbs. Her body became liquid in his hands, caressing down her arms and stretching across her stomach. It was thrilling, and potentially dangerous, to be this intimate with the mysterious man. She felt a tug behind her belly button as her general excitement seemed to be settling low, deep in her core. She arched her back as he sucked her neck.
Tuxedo Mask chucked. "Maybe we should have left this off," he teased, tugging at the skirt of her fuku.
That wrenched Sailor Moon back to realty and she sprang to her feet and stumbled, still dizzy from his intoxicating kisses, until she caught herself against the wall.
"We can't--I can't do this," she sputtered. She shook her head, trying to clear it. It was irresponsible for her to engage in this type of behavior with a man who could potentially be her enemy. What would Luna say!
Tuxedo Mask stood and advanced on her, a hunter stalking his prey.
"What can't we do?" His voice was low and seductive as he closed the space between them, pinning her in place, a hand to the wall on either side of her head as he lowered his face to hers. "I can't kiss you?"
Sailor Moon was frozen, her whole body one gigantic nerve ending, buzzing with excitement. She felt his hot breath on her lips and she licked them instinctively, preparing for his kiss. Instead, he swiftly ducked and planted his lips on the underside of her jaw. She groaned.
"I can't touch you?" He dropped his hands to her shoulders and ran them along her curves, over her breasts, down her stomach and latching around her hips. He squeezed her plump flesh and groaned himself, becoming more frustrated by the second. Something about this girl drove him mad. He had never had her alone like this and it was crumbling his composure. He wanted her to feel just how crazy she was making him.
Sailor Moon's knees gave out as he grabbed her and she would have fallen to the ground had it not been for his hold on her. She was more aroused than she had previously thought possible, desire pulsing between her hips as he pressed his firm body along hers, and she felt he was just as aroused as she was.
"What can I do, Sailor Moon?"
His deep blue eyes impored hers, burning with desire and...something else. His voice was pained, thick with a million questions she couldn't understand nor answer. He was begging her, neither of them quite sure of what.
Suddenly the moment had become too big for both them, the air heavy. He released her from his grip but held her gaze.
Finally, Sailor Moon broke the silence. "You can take me home," she whispered.
"I don't know where you live, remember?" he reiterated.
"Azabu-Juban Park is fine."
For the third time that night, Tuxedo mask cradled Sailor Moon to his chest, and plunged into the night.
"Thank you for taking care of me tonight."
Sailor Moon didn't know what to say to her masked protector as he stood before her in the park, staring broodingly in the opposite direction, black hair reflecting the glow of the lamp post above. He was gorgeous and the sight of him still sent her heart fluttering even after the intense and awkward exchange moments before. Something was disturbing him and she knew it went far deeper than what had transpired between them. She longed to reach out to him, to close the space between them, to bring him to her breast and kiss his hair, telling him everything would be alright.
"It's my job, isn't it?" It sounded more like a statement than a question, and his cold tongue cut her like a knife. She always resented the people she cared for being hurt because of her, risking their lives for her over and over again, when she felt completely inadequate and undeserving.
"I'm not asking you to do that," she confessed. "You don't have to do...this. Any of this. If you don't want to."
He met her gaze then, drawn in by the quiver in her voice. Once again, he cursed himself for causing her pain. Pain he could have easily prevented if he had better restraint.
"No, Sailor Moon," he objected. "I do have to do this. I have to protect you. I don't understand it, I admit, but I could never leave you."
She knew his declaration wasn't meant to be romantic, but she couldn't help the wave of giddiness that washed over her at his words.
Tuxedo Mask softened under her sincere stare, taking her hand and bringing it to his lips. He kissed her fingers gently once before he spoke again.
"I will always be there when you need me."
