Anyway, I'm hanging in there. Still working from home, and behind on many, many projects. I want to thank everyone who reviewed for your kind words. They really helped me out during a dark time.
A want to take a moment to thank emkyrialynch for beta reading. I appreciate you more than you know. Thank you.
Okay, and without further ado…
Sailor Moon X by Starling Sinclair
Chapter 27: Cat Wine
June 10, 2020
XXX
Usagi felt haunted. Everywhere she turned she found Mamoru. He was at the izakaya she favored near her house and the conbini she randomly wandered into on her way home one afternoon. He was dropping Ami off at Rei's shrine on his motorcycle or just leaving for lunch with Motoki after their work meeting in the park. She nearly ran into him outside the pop-up Hunter x Hunter cafe in Ikebukuro and then at the Don Qui in Shinjuku while shopping for cat litter because he was always at the Don Qui near her house. He was as bad as the youmas–popping up where she least expected it.
And each time she saw him, it tore at her soul. No bruise or cracked rib from youma battles hurt as much as the sadness in his eyes. So she did everything to avoid running into him. She spent time with Minako, learning to fight better, stuffing her face with dumplings with Makoto, or drinking herself into a stupor at her apartment with Luna.
Sleep was no relief either; he starred in all her dreams. Sometimes, he was falling in a youma attack. Others, they were in high school, and he was helping her study and calling her Odango. Once, she was a princess and he was a prince, dancing at a ball beneath a glowing blue moon. More often, they were tangled together. His dream lips would leave a searing trail across her collarbone and woke her like a teenage boy needing new underwear. She sighed at her ceiling realizing that she missed more than just his companionship.
On Tuesday morning, she woke up with a headache, a grumpy cat, an empty bottle of wine, and only a half-eaten nigiri in her fridge. She sat balled up in front of her refrigerator, holding back the tears, pretty sure she'd sunk to a new low. Gods, she missed Mamoru.
Thankfully, Luna was kind enough not to say anything. Ami, however, was not. The Bluenette barged into her apartment in a very un-Ami like way and filled Usagi's fridge with healthy food choices and a tray of sashimi from freaking Tsukiji market for Luna.
"This has gone on long enough," Ami said. "I hate that both of my best friends are miserable for no reason!"
Ami bustled about the room shoving the laundry all over the entire apartment into laundry baskets until she and Usagi both had places to sit. Then she hand-washed dishes before serving up the small breakfast with the coffee she brought.
"I'm just a danger to him," Usagi said.
"Bullshit."
"Look at Crown!"
Ami took a deep breath and looked at the cat as if Luna could provide some insight into the arcade's rash of bad luck.
"Mamoru is not a building, and he's capable of handling himself," Ami said. "You are not protecting him from anything he couldn't handle."
"Being a Senshi does give you an edge…" Luna started but the doctor cut her off.
"Mamoru isn't someone to underestimate," Ami said. "And not knowing the situation isn't helping either of you. At least if he knew what was at risk, he could make the choice for himself, though, I think you'd be surprised by what he could offer."
Usagi poked at the egg white omelet on her plastic, pink bunny plate. He certainly offered better breakfasts.
"I've known him longer than I've known any of you, and I trust him with my life," Ami said, sincerity ringing in her voice.
Luna's ears perked up. "You aren't insinuating that you've told him your identity, are you?"
"And so what if I have?" the doctor asked, waving hands in the air. "It's my choice to make!"
The silence in the apartment was thick, like the congealing eggs on Usagi's plate.
"We should go, or we'll be late," the blonde said, bringing her plate to the trash to empty it before placing it in the sink.
Without any further conversation, the trio left for training that morning.
XXX
The training was uneventful, and the day was passing quickly. Usagi walked home, her brain wondering over what Ami had said that morning. Her secret was hers to tell. Did she want to tell Mamoru? Would that change anything? She decided it was all too heavy and walked into the liquor store to buy shochu. While staring at the booze selection, she thought that there was nothing sadder than sitting in her apartment drinking alone. She should bring Luna something home too. Catnip perhaps?
After purchasing her drink, she walked across the street and into the ritzy pet store that had popped up a few months ago: Pet Perfuma. The place was best described as shiny–full of glass cages and silver shelves of high-end products. She walked past a wall of strange little critters that were absolutely adorable (like cotton-candy-colored guinea pigs), but she had no time for a pet. Plus, the backyard graveyard of goldfish at her parent's house also made her a circumspect caretaker. She meandered over to the cat treat section.
As she scanned the bags of delights for cats, her eyes eventually landed on a green bottle before growing wide. Catnip wine? That was a thing? Oh hell yes. She would not be drinking alone tonight!
She grabbed the bottle, happier than she'd been in what seemed like an eternity, when she stopped dead in her tracks. Standing behind the counter, talking some poor girl into boxing up one of those strange little animals, was Nephrite. She ducked behind another aisle and hoped he hadn't seen her.
Shit. She'd walked into another Dark Kingdom trap. Because of course, she had. She looked longingly at the bottle in her hand. If she bought it, then she'd give herself away, and the place would vanish in the dead of the night and set up somewhere else and get away with whatever evil scheme they had. Which left only one option.
"Goodbye cat wine." She shoved the bottle back on the shelf and with one eye on her enemy, snuck out of the pet store. She was so preoccupied with watching out for Nephrite, she didn't even see him as she barrelled into a strong chest in a black shirt.
His hands gripped her shoulders, steadying her as she felt the sparks and the nostalgia all the way down to her toes. She didn't need to look up to know who she'd run into.
"Hey, Usa, are you okay?" His voice washed over her like a glass of champagne–warm and tingly. Only then did she allow herself to look up. His eyes were full of concern, though there were shadows beneath them telling her he hadn't been sleeping well either. God did she miss him.
"Yeah, I'm fine," she said, not pulling away or brushing his hands off her shoulder. He looked at her skeptically, and she searched for the lie that had started coming so easily. "I was just buying something for Luna, but the guy in there is creepy and I didn't want to deal with him today."
She briefly wondered if she had said something wrong when it clicked that Mamoru was entering his protective mode. That mode she'd seen whenever someone would bug her at the arcade. The day that Kaito had dumped her. He was always her protector. Too bad she needed protection from things scarier than creepy pet store clerks.
"Would you like me to go get it for you?" he asked.
She'd be lying if she said the thought of asking Mamo-chan to go into a store to buy cat wine wasn't appealing, but she wasn't going to send the love of her life into a Dark Kingdom trap, even if she was fairly sure the cat wine was fine.
"Nah, she'll be fine. I promise I have food for her." She finally disengaged, stepping out of his grip. She needed to get home and make a plan. At least she'd have something to do tonight.
Mamoru opened his mouth as if to say something when she interrupted. "I'll see you around?"
He blinked as she noticed hope creeping into his eyes. "Yeah, see you around."
She left him staring at the pet store, probably trying to figure out exactly who was creeping on her, and then she walked home.
XXX
Usagi was surprised that Ami volunteered for backup on the pet shop mission. They were to meet at the shop and wait on the roof until closing. Since the other option was to drink sadly at home, Usagi decided to be early for once in her life.
That's why she was completely surprised when she found Tuxedo Kamen sitting on the roof as if waiting for someone. He looked dashing in the moonlight, one leg propped on the building's ledge as he looked over at the street, his cape fluttering in a soft breeze.
She felt guilty for the slight pitter-patter of her heart as if somehow thinking of him as anything more than an ally was a betrayal to Mamoru. Then she remembered, she was single. And lonely. So. Very. Lonely.
"Hi," she greeted as she walked up to him.
"Oh, hi, Sailor Moon." He seemed surprised she was there as if he'd been expecting someone else. Oh well. She would make the most of it.
She smiled her most flirtatious smile. "Guess you had the same idea as me."
"Oh? And what's that?"
"A classic stakeout."
He smirked at her. "Great minds, I see."
She walked a little closer than she probably should have. "Yes, great minds."
"So, what brings you out so early?" he asked.
She sighed. "Honestly? It was better than getting drunk alone at my apartment."
He frowned at her as she continued. What harm was it in telling her sorrows to this stranger? She flopped down onto the ledge, sitting on her hands and looking out over the rooftop.
"Turns out that being a superhero is shit for your love life."
He seemed to relax and nod understandingly. "Did your boyfriend leave you?" he asked softly.
"Nope. I am a walking magnet for evil, and I couldn't handle if anything happened to him," she said honestly. "Like, today for example. I went into this place to get some cat wine and stumbled across an evil plot. Like really? I can't even go to the store without running into a monster."
"Did you say cat wine?"
"Yeah, so I wouldn't be drinking alone."
He chuckled. "That sounds like something my girlfri…" She quirked her head at him as he trailed off. "...ex would say." There was a noticeable shift in his demeanor and sorrow she recognized.
Gently she placed a hand on his forearm. "Ex?"
He sighed, defeated. "Yeah."
"Guess I'm not the only one who could use a drink. Damn, I should have brought my shochu with me."
"I don't think drinking prior to battle is the wisest idea."
"Uh, liquid courage? Oh come on, you've never needed a shot to ovary up against one of those monsters?"
He quirked his eyebrow at her expression; she smiled smugly, taking his silence as confirmation. Glancing over the ledge, she watched the open sign of the pet store go out.
Where was Mercury? Taking out her phone, she sent a quick text to the doctor senshi.
Moon chewed her lip. "My back-up is late."
"Well, I had hoped for some help tonight," Kamen said, holding out his hand. "Shall we, Sailor Moon?"
XXX
Tuxedo Kamen was either very good at picking locks or this place didn't lock their windows. Moon wasn't quite sure which. Quietly and swiftly, they slipped through a window near the rows of dog food dropping down softly onto the tile floor.
The place smelled overwhelmingly like a perfume counter after a long day of holiday shopping –a mix of smells that may have been lovely on their own but were nauseating together. It was also unbearably hot, amplifying just how choking the odors were. Sailor Moon tried not to gag at the smells and was quite grateful she hadn't indulged in anything that could have come back up at this moment.
In the distance, she could hear the clicking of heels or maybe claws against the tile. Moon and Kamen exchanged a glance before he took the lead, slinking like a shadow against the rows of dog food.
As they approached the end cap, she noticed a slightly askew displace. Sure enough, her purchase was still wedged between two bags of kibble.
"Ooo! My cat wine is still here!"
"Shhh!"
It was too late, though. The youma, a big, blue, lizard-like beast, was lounging on the counter like it was a chaise lounge suddenly propped itself up on its forearms. Well, that explained the heat.
"Who's there?" the monster called out.
Slowly, it dropped off the counter and walked over to the clear cages, inspecting the animals inside. Tuxedo Kamen put his arm across Moon like a mother protecting a child, keeping her still and quiet.
"Did one of you grow up too much?"
They watched through the slits between bags of kibble as the youma inspected each cage, sometimes tapping on the glass, sometimes opening the cage and petting the creature.
"Oh my god," Moon whispered. "Are those baby youma?"
The youma's tail twitched. Moon held her breath. Watching. Waiting. On edge.
Kamen pushed her away as the monster's tail smashed through the shelving. Kibble and rubble went flying. Moon stumbled, falling on the ground but managing to tumble so she was on her feet. She was really getting a knack for this fighting thing.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? A couple of pests I see," the youma said as it stepped through the hole in the shelving.
"There's only one pest here," Moon countered. "And in the name of the Moon, I'll punish you."
"One you say? Maybe you should check your math skills."
Several of the little animals from the cages hopped around the youma's feet like locusts. Their cute and technicolor guinea pig appearance morphing into terrifying technicolor monsters.
"Shit."
"Sailor Moon, move!" Tuxedo Kamen yelled at her. She didn't hesitate and ran out of the way as he sent a powerful blast down the aisle. Several of the smaller monsters were destroyed, but she wasn't the only one to heed the masked hero's warning.
Moon found herself staring down the main aisle of the pet store right into the youma's eyes. It lifted its hand and the cage doors of the remaining closed cages swung open. The creatures jumped out, morphing mid-fall into their nasty beastie form.
Her mind raced as she tried to figure out what to do. Her main powers were healing and amplification –which meant she needed to get beside Tuxedo Kamen. She knew together they would easily take this youma down but divided, she was in trouble. Back-up would have been really nice about then.
She turned to double back. Hopefully, Kamen's attack would have cleared a path. However, she wasn't quick enough. The youma's scaly tail wrapped around her like a snake, lifting her off the ground and squeezing. She felt the air being squeezed from her longs and her joints cracking.
"Sailor Moon!"
Her eyes found his, as she struggled with the grotesque fluff monsters, frantically trying to figure out a way to help her. Damn it, this was bad!
"Foolish human," the monster taunted. "You're outnumbered and outmatched. Master Nephrite will be so thrilled when I deliver your corpse to him."
"You're the foolish one… lizard… thing," Moon grunted out. Lizard. Her mind grasped as some little fact she'd found repulsive as a child, something about lizards and tails and defense mechanisms.
Summoning forth strength she didn't realize she possessed, she grabbed her tiara and hurled it at the base of the youma's tail. The appendage severed, and Moon hit the ground with a gasp. The tail fell off her, wiggling on the ground and sputtering blue blood. The blue bitch yowled in pain, and the sheep-dog-gone-wrong creatures took a particular, hungry interest in their master.
The moonlight spilled over her, and she felt something prickling in the back of her brain. A ghostly voice telling her she could use this power to her advantage. The Moon Stick appeared in her hand. She listened.
"Moon Twilight Flash!"
The moonlight reflected off the crescent of the wand, sending a blinding light through the room. When the light died down, glittering youma dust remained in piles. She'd taken out all the youma on her own.
Tuxedo Kamen dusted himself off, looking at her wide-eyed. "Good job, Sailor Moon."
She did have the decency to blush.
XXX
"Did you steal that cat wine?"
"Um, it's more like rewards for beating the monster! Like in a video game!"
She and Tuxedo Kamen were riding the high of battle, so he followed her as she jumped back to the rooftop they'd staked out earlier. There was an ease between them that she didn't share with her fellow Senshi. It was nice to enjoy the victory, even if it was a small one.
Sitting on the ledge they'd staked out at earlier was a bottle of champagne and a note. Moon narrowed her eyes. Had Ami plotted this?
"What does the note say?" Kamen asked.
I was held up at the hospital. Though it looks like you didn't need my help. Please accept this gift as my apology. Signed with a winky face and a Mercury symbol. Moon shook her head.
"Something to celebrate with!" Moon said, placing the bottle of catnip wine down.
"What, you're not celebrating with your cat tonight then?"
"Mysterious masked superheroes make for much better company."
Pointing the bottle out over the street, Moon popped the cork, which went flying. She giggled as the champagne poured over her fingers and did her best to lick up the bubbles flowing out of the bottle. He smiled, shaking his head.
Once the bubbles subsided, she took a big sip out of the bottle, then offered it to him.
"I don't have glasses unless you want to go raid the pet store for a broken pet dish," she teased.
He wrapped his hand around the neck of the bottle, just below hers. The heat of his hand radiated through their gloves and she swore she felt a little spark as she let the bottle go. He slowly brought the bottle to his lips, took a sip, then coughed as bubbles went up his nose.
Sailor Moon laughed jubilantly as she took the bottle back from him and indulged in another large swig just to show him up.
"I take it this isn't your first time drinking champagne straight from the bottle?"
"Nope! You learn to love the bubbles." She sat on the ledge, legs dangling over the side, and looked out over the city. He joined her.
"Can I ask you something?" Moon pried as she handed the bottle to him. He nodded and took a sip of the booze.
"Did you tell your girlfriend you were a superhero?"
He didn't hand the bottle back, instead waiting a moment, before taking another sip.
"I did not."
"Were you? Going to tell her?"
He handed the bottle back before answering. "I was going to tell her when we moved in together."
"Well, that's a terrible idea."
"Why?"
"That– that's something you should definitely discuss before you move in with someone."
"Well, what about you? Did you tell your boyfriend?"
She chewed her lip. "No. Not like it would matter. Knowing doesn't protect people from monsters."
She drained the last of the bottle. "Oh no, we're all out."
He placed his hand over hers; the warmth permeated the leather of their gloves.
"True. It doesn't mean that they are safe, but they can choose to stay or to leave. And I have a feeling that someone who loves you would want to risk it all for the chance to spend a lifetime with you."
She looked into his eyes, well at least what she could see that wasn't concealed by the mask. There was a soft haze around his face, obscuring his identity more than the flimsy little mask could. It was like looking through glasses that weren't your prescription. Yet, his face was so familiar. She blamed the booze and the loneliness, but then again she was never really one for restraint.
She kissed him.
His lips were soft and warm and will. And all she could think was Mamo-chan. They both pulled away after just a moment. She turned her face, looking out over the city, and he looked towards the stars.
"This is going to sound really weird, but, all that made me think of was my boyfriend."
"Not weird at all. I felt the same. All I could think of was her."
That made Moon smile. "Well, guess that means our hearts know what they want. And we don't have to worry about any strange work-related hook-ups."
Tuxedo Kamen laughed heartily at that, and her heart constricted with longing. What she wouldn't give to hear Mamo-chan's laugh again.
She stood up, dusted her fuku off, and walked relatively straight towards her bottle of cat wine. "I guess that leaves us with only one option."
"To get your cat drunk?"
She threw him her best scowl before saying, "To destroy the Dark Kingdom so we can get our love lives back, of course!"
He laughed, shaking his head, and she couldn't explain why it filled her with so much happiness. She was going to blame the bubbles.
Tipping his hat, he said, "Good night, Sailor Moon. Until next time."
