A Working Model
Ryo Angel
PG-13

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I wrapped my arms around my knees, my entire body tense with emotion. I hate myself when this happens. They've been dead for almost 5 months and yet little things like a rose can bring it all back. A white rose with a pink center. Those were Mother's favorite. They were also at their funeral. It's my fault that they died. It was MY fault!

Pulling the razor from my backpack, I stared at the sharp edge; it would be so easy to end this...

"Sis?" a male voice called to me from downstairs. Biting my lip, I slowly put the blade down. Not now. He needs me now...

Mamoru looked up as a shadow fell across his book and he saw his muse standing before him wearing cut-off shorts and a tank top. White wrappings were twisted around her forearms and legs and her blonde hair were placed in a style that reminded him strangely of...

"Odangos?"

Serena narrowed her eyes. "Baka," she muttered, causing Mamoru to twitch his mouth into what looked like a smile.

"They're cute." Mamoru shut his book and left it on his towel as he stood. Walking a circle around Serena, he nodded thoughtfully. "Almost what I have in mind." Facing her, he smirked as she scowled at him. "You could back out any time."

She shook her head. "It's fine." Rubbing one arm, she stared at him. "I didn't know it was going to be so public."

Mamoru cocked his head as he pondered her quiet statement.

"Oh?" Blinking a few times, he finally understood what she mean and slowly drew out, "Oh." Shaking his head, he continued, "No, you don't get naked for this one." He tossed his head towards the bag on top of his towel, "Your dress is in there. You're going to be an angel today."

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Serena drew her feet up to her chest and stared out at the sea, a distant look on her face. The wind was blowing just right and her blonde locks billowing out behind her. This was the last pose of the day and a soft smile appeared on her face as she watched the sun set slowly down on the horizon. Someday, she'll be at the edge of that horizon where heaven meets earth, sailing the open sea, without a care in the world. The wind will blow through her hair and down below...

A painful look appeared in her eyes and her little smile disappeared. Tears were about to form and she quickly steeled her heart. No use crying over what was already done. The far off look came back into her eyes and her lips smiled no more.

Mamoru frowned as he watched the subtle changes in her eyes. As always, he had yet to find the perfect way to portray them. But the distant look on her face, with its melancholy sadness and the sun setting down in the background only served to make her more unbearably beautiful. She was a fallen angel; wanting nothing more than to turn back time and be received at Heaven's doors once more.

He was almost sorry to break the silence as he finished the last stroke on his oil painting.

"We're done."

She was startled at the sound of his voice and he knew that her mind was elsewhere. But where? What caused her sadness? He usually didn't bother to interact with his models, but this one tugged at his forgotten emotions and he squashed the urge to go to her and offer her comfort. Instead, he started to pack up. He took out an envelope and handed it to her.

"Need a ride?"

"This is the second time you've offered."

Mamoru just stared at her and then nodded. "Right. Well then, see you around." Serena blinked as he shut his case and left.

After a few moments, Serena ran after him. "Hey! I never said I didn't need one!"

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He stared at the broken down boarding house in front of him.

"You live here?" The drive to her apartment was made in silence, save for the occasional indication of where to turn. When Mamoru drove through the neighborhood she directed him to, he thought she was trying to get him mugged.

She glared at him. "Yeah, what about it?"

He let out a deep breath and shook his head. "Nothing." He watched as she got out of the car, noticing how her muscles clenched in a defensive stance as she made her way up the stairs. He continue to stare until she made her way in, stopping only to give him a brief wave and then slam the door shut. With a sigh, he started his car again, wondering how she came to live here when he saw her getting picked up in a luxury car.

He was about to drive home when he looked at the time. With a groan, he quickly changed his plans. Taking out his cell-phone, he hit speed-dial.

"Hey, Andrew? You better be ready, I'm picking you up right now."

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Serena twirled around her room, smiling at the dress that Mamoru had given her. It clung to her upper body softly, revealing her arms and neck. It flared out at the waist and came to a rest at mid-thigh, baring her scars for the world to see.

"At least I can still wear boots," she sighed as she unwrapped her bandages around her arms and legs. As she ran her hands along the scars, she shuddered, reliving each sting. Among the scars was a small tattoo on the inside of her ankle. "Diamond," she whispered as her hands grazed over it. She closed her eyes, trapping her emotions before her tears fell. They had such glorious dreams...

The sound of her cell phone snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Hello?"

Seiya's voice drifted in, "You ready? I'm going to be there in about 10 minutes."

Serena glanced the clock. "Yeah, I'm ready." She turned off her phone and stripped herself, taking care to avoid the mirror. She quickly dressed and was out the door just as her phone rang again. "You said 10 minutes, Seiya."

"Yeah, I lied."

Before he could say anymore, she hung up on him. When she saw his car out front, she answered his smirk with a scowl.

"If you lived with me, you wouldn't have to have me rush you all the time," he said amiably.

Serena sighed as she clicked on her seat belt. "We've been over this, Seiya."

"I don't understand why not." He handed her an envelope as he put his car into drive. "You sleep over at my place more often than not, it's closer to school, and you don't have to live in fear of being raped or mugged!"

Serena didn't answer him as she opened her letter. It was from the publishing company that her stories were published. As she scanned the letter, she exhaled a deep breath.

"Bad news?" Seiya asked when he heard her.

"They want me to go public," she said quietly.

He took in her tone and nodded. "So?" It was not meant as a callous remark and Serena didn't take it as one.

"It's one thing when it didn't affect me…"

She didn't finish her sentence, so Seiya finished it for her.

"And it's another for the public to put a face behind those stories." He made a sharp left. "Afraid they're going to figure out that your stories really aren't just stories?"

She didn't answer as he drove, eventually coming to a stop at the Moonlight Club. As she got out, she said quietly, "It's my life."

The door was shut and she walked into the club, not giving him a backwards glance. Seiya knew how much this affected her. She had written down the stories as an outlet, a way to put her demons to rest. When he first suggested that she get them published, she refused to speak to him for weeks, too angry at his attempted intrusion into her life. Eventually, she calmed down and without a word to him, had gotten them to a publishing company on her own.

"You're right," she had told him, "I need to let this go." He had read her novels and knew that the story she painted was only half of what she had experienced, but it was no less real. The memory of her parent's death was still very clear in her mind. And she had yet to let them go.

"Usagi," he sighed quietly as he finally put his car into drive and drove away. "If only you would let me comfort you..."

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The club was already packed when Serena came in. "Looks like a full house, tonight," she commented as she took up her position behind the counter.

Ann chuckled as she poured out the next round of drinks. "It's someone's party; they booked the entire club."

"Two Acid Cookies and Satan's Piss!" one customer shouted over the noise, slamming down some bills.

With a laugh, Serena got into her routine, mixing drinks and sliding them towards him. "Here ya go! Tabasco's on the tables!"

There were calls for a Good Night Kiss and J. R.'s Revenge. Then, as the alcohol level in the crowd grew higher, the drinks became more sexual.

"One sexual trance and a sexual harassment!"

"You want a lawsuit with that?" Serena giggled as she mixed the drinks, getting a bit more creative as she threw the bottles up with one hand and caught them with the other. She turned from him to another who had his back to her. "You want your drink now?"

"Yeah, can I get a... Serena?"

Serena blinked in shock when she met Mamoru's eyes. "What are you doing here?"

"Andrew's birthday party. You got an invite." He noticed the look of confusion on her face. "Or not... it was with your paycheck."

"Yeah, well, I don't exactly tear into my check the second I get to it, you know," she told him dryly. "You want a drink or what?"

"You work here?"

She quirked one eyebrow. "No shit, Sherlock."

He coughed to hide his slip. "I still want a Serena."

She narrowed her eyes suspiciously as she gathered the things needed. As she finished mixing the drink, Andrew made his way over, stumbling over his two feet and landing atop of Mamoru.

"You 'aven't danshed with me yet, Mamorooo."

Mamoru pushed Andrew up and said, "Get a grip, Drew. How many Kisses did they give you?"

Andrew pouted and cried, "Only 10, now gimme!"

Serena grimaced as she made her way to the other end of the bar to take their order, not noticing as Mamoru beckoned for her.

"Give me a Kiss-in-the-dark!" Andrew yelled loudly. "I also want a Kinky Orgasm!"

The demands grew even more sexual as Andrew downed more and more alcohol. "Oooo... I don't feel so good..."

Mamoru groaned as Andrew lurched forward and quickly moved him to one side, eliciting a loud yell from the man next to him as Andrew upended all the alcohol he had taken in. Taking this as a sign, he slung one of Andrew's arms around his neck and helped him out to the car, his Serena forgotten behind him.

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Serena collapsed on her bed, too exhausted to move. Alan had finally put a stop to the party when it became apparent that the birthday boy was gone and everyone else was too drunk to stay on their own two feet. Calling in a few of his friends, they soon cleared the club. Seiya had dropped her off a few minutes ago and she lay on her bed debating on a shower or bath when her phone suddenly rang. Groaning, she wondered whether or not she needed to answer it. With a sigh, she reached over and flipped it open.

"Make it quick!" She bit out impatiently

"Hello Bunny."

Eyes growing wide, Serena sat straight up. "Diamond?"

A/N - And the plot thickens! The alcohol names are real, I found them online and thought it'll be nice to incorporate them into the story... I also found it kind of funny Anyways, I hope you like this chapter. I AM LOOKING FOR AN EDITOR!!

As you guys can well see, I am in desperate need for one. And it's not just for this story. I'm hoping that someone can help me polish my stories over the winter break. Review this story and let me know if you're interested or if you know someone who WOULD be interested. Thanks a bunch!

Thanks a BUNCH for the reviews!

Endy's Girl, sereNendy, raye85, serenity11287, Dertupio, pheobesapphira, XxBlownKissesxX, jean, lilaznbunny, NightFire89, Jing2, RaieChibiKid, noelcorey

Edit: 12/06 - I went back and changed the name from Motoki to Seiya to avoid any further confusion between Andrew and Motoki... this actually makes it better. Thank you to Merralynne for the note.

Edit: 01/05/07 - Thanks to Arielle for editing!