AN. Sorry for updating so late! I've been visiting my parents for a bit so I barely have computer access. I felt bad about it so I decided to post half of Chapter 3 after some quick (and sloppy) editing. It still needs work but oh well. The second part's got the big stuff. Hm, I wrote the story like it's all happening in a week but I should spread things out more, huh? I forgot to ask: Tell me if I screw up the Japanese or if you don't understand it.
On your comments: Thanks for the reviews and suggestions! My Motoki's heavily PGSM-based. In my biased opinion, it's his most developed incarnation. He also has a crazy obsession with turtles, keeping one as a pet, named Kamekichi. So I tossed a bit of that in for fun. And sorry if Minako creeps you guys out or seems schizo. But I really like her this way.
Raya Light, you noticed my biggest weakness. Of all the BSSM characters I have the worst grasp on Makoto so I'll work on that. And Sailor Sol, so glad to meet another "Serenity"fan (er, the movie, not Usagi's past self)! "Firefly"ismy favorite TV show (though I'm loving "Grey's Anatomy"). So you have to watch it! And please, ramble all you want in the comments. The more you say, the more I know what you guys are taking from the story. Miss Jessica Rabbit: My own style? Really? Cool! I just thought I was just being random. And was it clear in Chapter 2 that Mamoru knew about Usagi's wish for a normal life? I'll expand on his point of view later anyways.
Memory
by moonangel
Chapter 3a
"Ow!"
"Oh! Gomen-nasai!" Mizuno Ami gasped as she heard the cry of pain from poor soul that had crashed into her as she was headed towards the Crown Arcade for another senshi meeting.
She doubted that they would make any progress on the issue of Usagi's memory loss, given their track record. Still, it was nice that they were meeting up as often as they could. Soon school would start again and they would have less time for each other. They had all the time in the world now that they had no more youma to fight. So Ami was enjoying being able to catch up on her reading. Normally it was easy for her to maneuver through a crowded sidewalk with her face buried in a book. But as she looked up her eyes were greeted with the sight of the one person in Tokyo who would we oblivious enough to run into her.
Her heart stopped. Oh shi- Eek, did she almost utter a swear word? Ami blushed in mute dismay. It was very improper of her, though it was a complete shock to see the old friend she had intended to avoid at all costs. Minako might have insisted that it was fine approaching Usagi but Ami felt it was best to error on the side of caution.
Gulping, she slowly stood up, placing her book gently back into her schoolbag. Her companion only stared blankly at her from her spot on the ground, probably trying to gather her bearings. The dazed girl was rubbing her head, wincing in pain. Bending over the girl, Ami awkwardly patted her shoulder and worriedly asked, "Um, are you okay? Are you injured? Do you need help getting up? I'm deeply sorry for crashing into you! I shouldn't have been reading without looking where I was g-"
"What's 2 plus 2?"
"Pardon?" Ami inquired blankly staring down into curious blue eyes. Had the poor girl hit her head too hard? Of all people for that to happen to…
"Oh wait, you should be asking me that, huh? And hey, I actually know the answer... Okay! Yeah, I think I'm good. No brain damage just yet!"
What on earth was she talking about? Despite her bewilderment, Ami managed a faint smile. "Um, good for you?"
Smiling brightly, the chipper schoolgirl hopped up off the ground and giggled, "Oh, and don't worry about it. It was totally my fault and I'm majorly sorry! Crashing into people is kind of becoming a daily routine for me, sad as that sounds. And it always seems to happen right around this block these days. At least this time it was someone friendly. You seem neat. What's your name? I'm Tsukino Usagi."
Neat?
Taken aback by the girl's enthusiasm, Ami smiled shyly. She had forgotten how, er, entertaining it was to be around Usagi. The girl just had such a peculiar, guilelesscharm about her.
"Oh, I'm- " she began, in response to Usagi's question. Then she froze. "I'm, um, I- I should go."
Usagi was puzzled by her sudden change of mood. Why did everyone who ran into her these days always leave in such a hurry? Everyone? Well, all two of them had! Did she suddenly have cooties or something? Pouting in disappointment, she asked, "Why? We just met!"
"Well yes, er, technically. But I'm not actually supposed to- um, I have, uh… an appointment! So, uh, I need to go. Now."
Ami winced. Nervousness never brought out the most articulate side of her. Luckily, Usagi didn't seem to mind. Reassured that she wasn't annoying the girl, Usagi grinned.
"Okay, then maybe we'll see each other later? I come by here a lot so promise me you'll stop by sometime soon, 'kay?"
Giving the girl a hesitant look, Ami slowly nodded, unable to deny her of this.
"Okay."
"Great! See you!"
Ami smiled weakly as she watched Usagi turn towards her intended destination. Then she froze, staring up at the store's sign.
The Crown Arcade.
'I come by here a lot.'
Damn.
-----
"Minna, we're idiots."
"Hey!" Rei retorted automatically.
"Weird. I'm used to hearing, 'Minako, you're an idiot.' But this one's new," Minako mused, noisily slurping a milkshake.
Makoto just nodded indifferently, chomping merrily away at her cheeseburger. She hadn't exactly been the happiest of the three when Ami had frantically made the girls to relocate their Crown Arcade meeting to a popular diner a few blocks down. But she got over her misery of a Motoki-free day when their meals came.
Ami sighed in exasperation at her friends' responses. It probably wasn't a good idea to start a senshi meeting off with such a blunt statement but she had been kicking herself all morning for her own stupidity. Deciding to start over, she explained slowly, "Remember where we said we should always meet outside of the shrine, where we were just about to meet ten minutes ago?"
Makoto nodded, wiping some ketchup off her face, "Yeah, of course. The Crown Arcade, home of Tokyo's best oily food, the occasional free milkshake and Furuhata Motoki. What's wrong with that?"
Ami groaned, "Usagi-chan's what's wrong with that! Did anyone consider the fact that we'd run into her? I was there not half an hour ago to get some reading done before the meeting. And gee, look who I ran into!"
"Um… Usagi?" Minako guessed, uncertainly.
Makoto and Rei shared a surprised look. Makoto asked eagerly, "You saw Usagi? How is she? Did she recognize you?"
Ami paused and smiled slightly in remembrance. "No recognition, unfortunately. But she's the same as ever, if the fact that she literally crashed into me says anything."
Minako nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I swear, Crown's starting to become biggest klutz out point in Tokyo. Maybe after one crash too many Usagi cursed it with her klutziness."
Rei groaned, "Minako, that is by far the dumbest thing I have ever heard and in no way could that ever resemble logic."
Makoto ignored the two and, surprisingly, stayed on topic.
"You know, it is kind of stupid for us to go there when think about it. It's like Usagi's home away from home. Do you think we should stop going there for a while?" she asked, looking slightly disturbed by this thought. She wasn't sure what bugged her more, avoiding Usagi or not being able to see Motoki every day.
Minako tossed a glance at Rei before tentatively venturing to explain. "Well, it would be horrible to cut off ties with Motoki just because of Usagi. I think it would be okay for us to befriend her."
Minako shrank into her seat as Ami's shrewd eyes regarded her thoughtfully.
"You purposefully set our meeting at the Crown Arcade," Ami stated, not even bothering to question her assumption. She clearly didn't expect a rebuttal as she cast a disapproving look towards her friend.
Minako flashed her a feeble smile and Rei just shrugged, taking a delicate sip of her soda.
Her brow crinkled in thought, Ami continued, "Is that wise considering the effect we might have on her locked memories?"
Rei hazarded a glance to Minako, who nodded in agreement. Turning her steady gaze on her other two friends, she stated, "Minako and I discussed this and have come the conclusion that we should keep an eye on Usagi, maybe even befriend her when we feel the time is right. As her guardians I don't think we'll ever be fully satisfied with leaving her alone. And as her friends I'd like to think we are smart enough to know what is and what isn't good for her. I'm not saying that we shouldn't be cautious about approaching her considering how little we know about her current state. But I think it's safe to say we won't do her any harm by doing so. Also, I think it would be best for her to have her friends back and to eventually remember. For her and Mamoru-san."
Minako nodded supportively and looked towards the others expectantly.
Ami exchanged a puzzled glance with Makoto.
"Who?"
-----
Baka!
Usagi whacked herself on the head as she walked through the Crown Arcade doors. Why had she let that girl go without finding out her name? 'That was the stupidest thing ever,' she thought as she plopped down on her usual stool. Somehow she hadn't noticed that she never got a name out of the shy girl when she let her go. Too bad. That girl seemed so sweet! Pretty shy, though. She kept fiddling with her feather blue sweater and staring down at her shoes when she was talking. It was so kawaii! Something about her bashful manner made Usagi feel almost protective of her.
Wait. Protective? Since when was clumsy Tsukino Usagi capable of protecting anything? The last time she'd tried she'd ended up with an empty fish tank and a plump cat. Sigh, poor Mr. Bubbles, he never got to see the light of day. Oh well. This was such a weird week for her. Maybe she was maturing. Heh, that was a funny thought. Anywho, that girl had just been so nice. It would be the worst thing ever if she couldn't see her again!
"He's probably not coming today."
Huh?
Usagi looked up, surprised to see Furuhata Motoki hovering over her with a sympathetic smile, holding out a milkshake. Oooh, food. Wait, why was he acting all apologetic? A free milkshake was cause enough for a parade!
"Uh, Nii-chan, what's with the look?" Usagi asked, eagerly seizing the milkshake and taking a large slurp of yummy chocolate goodness.
"Mamoru's not coming today."
Usagi choked, spraying milkshake at the poor boy.
Motoki leaped back with a squeak. "Geez, what is it with you two? Did you guys just decide that I look good with milkshake splattered all over me? Or is this 'Torture the Motoki' week?"
"Gosh, I'm sooo sorry, Motoki-onii-chan!" Usagi squealed guiltily, wondering why her friend had referred to her as "you guys". Maybe he needed a vacation. She grabbed a handful of napkins and started patting him with them but he quickly brushed away her hands.
"No, it's alright. Don't worry. I'm starting to get used to this," Motoki said ruefully, swatting her hands away. "Anyways, my apron took the brunt of it so I'm fine."
After casually tossing his dirty apron in the sink, he reached behind the counter and proudly pulled out a clean apron with large words written in messy, bold letters saying, "Kiss the Arcade Guy." Usagi raised an eyebrow. Ten bucks said he brought that one from home.
"But, as I was saying, if you're looking for Mamoru today I doubt you'll see him. He comes here often but he hasn't shown up since that odd exit he made when you were last here," Motoki explained while tying his new apron around his waist. Then he froze in horror. "I wonder if he's avoiding me! That is highly suspicious behavior considering he's a regular here. I bet he knew that I was aiming that milkshake at him. That sly little gopher-"
"'Gopher'?"
"- I bet he's planning his revenge on me right now. And I always wondered what he could be thinking when he stares off into space all the time. I used think he was contemplating the meaning of life or quantum physics but I bet that -"
"Do you mean 'sly dog'? Weasel?"
"Yes! That dog has been plotting my demise since the moment he met me!"
'And I thought I was crazy.'
Putting a soothing hand on Motoki's arm, Usagi gently prodded, "Uh, Motoki-onii-chan? Do you think maybe you need a little sleep? That doesn't really sound like the guy you said he was."
Motoki sniffed, "You're right. I think I'm just getting a bit paranoid after all these milkshake attacks. First the world ends and now this."
Milkshake attacks? Usagi patted Motoki's back in sympathy. Poor guy. Was everyone in Tokyo going crazy? 'Not just me, huh?' Usagi thought wryly. 'Well that settles it! I can't let myself get this crazy. I need relief! I need answers!... And I might want to give Motoki a little space today. But yeah, first with the answers!
'Hm, I'll need to find out where the heck he is first.'
"Ne, Motoki-san, can I ask a favor?"
-----
Rei and Minako stared at their friends in shock. Minako was the first to attempt to speak.
"Uh, Mamoru-san? Remember? He-who-chases-monsters-in-a-tux-and-cape-throwing-around-flowers."
"That's not helping you baka," Rei snorted, whacking a fry out of Minako's hand in annoyance. In retaliation, Minako impulsively stole a handful of fries from Rei's plate and defiantly crammed them into her mouth before choking when she realized they were spicy. Rei snorted in amusement, earning herself a watery eyed glare.
"Well, come on, if they're going to remember anything about the guy it's got to be that," Minako huffed.
"Damnit, where's Luna when you need her?"
"Off on another date with Artemis," Minako supplied, suddenly enthusiastic. "I think she's been kind of lonely without Usagi. But those two have gotten quite cozy lately. Yesterday they-"
"Hey, Braindead Barbie, can we get back to the subject here?" Makoto scolded her friend with a smirk, jerking Minako out of her rant. It was always fun watching Minako piss Rei off but Makoto wasn't feeling too thrilled about being left in the dark about senshi business. "Who's Mamoru?"
"Who's Barbie?"
"Minako!" Rei growled.
"Right. Mamoru-san. Um, remember the Prince of Earth?"
Ami stared at her blankly as she nibbled a fry, wondering if her friend had lost her mind. Slowly, she said, "Um, Minako-chan, there is no a prince of Earth."
Makoto tilted her head in confusion, asking, "Isn't that a video game?"
Rei groaned. "No," she retorted.
"A manga?"
"No!"
Minako and Ami shrank away from the fiery miko. Sometimes that girl was just too scary. Ami slowly hid behind her soda. Leaning over towards Makoto, Minako bravely informed her in a hushed voice, "I think you're thinking of 'Prince of Tennis.' "
"Hey, that's a good manga. I was totally hooked from page one!" Makoto whispered back eagerly.
"Oh, I know. Don't you just love Fuji? He's such a hottie!"
"Girls! Hello? There's an important discussion going on here!" Rei practically yelled, slamming her soda down on the table. Breathing deeply, and in a slightly calmer voice, she explained, "Mamoru is the prince of Earth from the past that fell in love with the Moon Princess and was reborn as Tuxedo Kamen, a masked protector of Tokyo who fought alongside the senshi."
Makoto and Minako exchanged a glance.
"Wow, that really does sound like the plot of a manga," Minako giggled.
"Yeah totally! He sounds dreamy," Makoto agreed excitedly.
"Minako! You actually know what I'm talking about and you still manage to sound like an idiot. How is that possible?" Rei groaned in frustration, wondering why she ever trusted the blonde with the responsibility of senshi leader. Turning towards Ami for help, her anger dissipated when she noticed the girl rapidly typing away on her mini computer. "Ami-chan?"
"I'm sending a wave to Luna. I think we might need her help," Ami informed her, not lifting her head from her computer as her fingers flew over the tiny keyboard.
Rei nearly collapsed back in her seat, letting out a long sigh of relief. At least one person was on her side here. She really wanted to hug the girl.
"Kami-sama, you really are a genius."
To be Continued…
I really hate those last two lines. I don't know why, maybe cuz it's such an abrupt ending. Well, I needed to cut this somewhere. Right before all the heavy stuff (which, don't worry, will involve plenty of Mamo-angsting). Heh, no way I'm posting all the good stuff with such half-hazard editing. I really need more computer time! Sniff.
AN. (prepare for totally random rambling) Have you guys heard of "Prince of Tennis"? All I know is that it's pretty popular and my friend loves Fuji so I figured it would fit my purpose.
I noticed I keep paralleling Usagi and Mamoru's actions a lot. I sort of intended to do it but I think I did it more times than I thought. Running into people, tuning out conversations, spraying milkshakes on Motoki… yep, they're made for each other.
I'll be honest. The "forget Mamoru" bit was something I just really wanted to throw in the mix. But I wouldn't have put it in the plotline if I didn't believe it fit or if I didn't find a way for it to enhance the story. That's how I usually come up with some of my better ideas, by tossing in random scenarios or going on odd tangents. Sooner or later I come up with something that just totally makes sense and becomes a huge plot-point for the story.
And, in case you PGSM fans might be wondering about it, I love the Motoki/Makoto pairing so I do let hints of it slip into this story. But don't expect anything. I don't plan on doing anything with it. At least not at this moment.