Disclaimer: Don't own, don't ask
Author's notes: Writing this was like constipation (sorry for being so graphic) but yeah, I think I'm back on tracks now, ideas are flowing out quite smoothly. Please keep the reviews coming, they are my thrills and encouragements.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chapter 5: Day Two – On his white horse
"Ahhh! I can't believe this, there's a reunion today." Usagi cried out aloud as she scanned over the invitation repeatedly.
"What reunion?" Mamoru leaned over her shoulder, she had just washed her hair and it was not dry yet, it smelt wonderful, like wild berries.
"These people from my high school, I went to a private boarding school, because my parents were always busy…" she explain, "It was a competitive school, most of the students from my class got into college. But these girls there were…really really snobbish. I only had a few friends, but they didn't end up in the same college as me…"
She thought back to Ami, who got accepted to med school, and Rei, who is currently studying music in Vienna, Makoto was accepted, but decided to start her own bakery instead while Mina as outstanding as she is has signed up with a big record company and is under training for her debut. She sighed, her friends were all extremely exceptional, and they were all at the peak of their lives, she was bleak in comparison, and worst of all she's gonna have to face those bossy selfish ex-classmates today ALONE!
Mamoru read her havoc expressions carefully. "Don't go then, if you don't want to."
"I can't…Naru would be alone then, she's invited too according to the invitation and I didn't even realize that she came on the trip; we've…drifted apart since I got more involved with my circle of friends, but I'll always see her as one of my best friend…she stuck by me through the worst. She sort of holds a grudge that I became closer to the others though…I hope she is over it now." Usagi smiled softly at the thought of her long time friend.
"You really care for them don't you…" Mamoru whispered, studying her faraway expression.
"Yeah, course they care for me." Usagi smiled back brightly, forcing on a brave mask.
"So exactly how bad are these girls?"
"Well…I wasn't the best student…a part of the worst ones actually…I don't score very well in exams and it sort of lowers the class average, not by THAT much. They hated me since I also do badly in sports…" She winced at bad memories. "Then there was this guy…Seiya…" Usagi paused and blinked, Mamoru realized that she was forcing down tears.
"Seiya was the most…good natured person, he was a year above me and excelled in everything he ever did. He was…amazing, every girl in the school liked him. He became my mentor in first year and we were friends ever since. He was really nice to me, but not for the reason most of those girls had guessed." She lowered her head now, wiping away the moist in her eyes.
"It was because his brother liked me," Mamoru frowned at this, something clicked. "Seiya is Saek's older brother."
"I embarrassed myself by declaring my crush…I liked him, who could help it…haha. I wrote a letter and gave it to him on the school veranda. One of the girls saw us, she heard the entire conversation, how Seiya rejected me politely and returned the letter unopened." Usagi was staring at her feet now.
"What did she do?" Mamoru questioned, he had a pretty good idea already.
"I threw the ripped up letter away in defeat and she picked it up, sticky taped it together and displayed it to the whole school on the notice board. It had my signature on it, signed with the infamous bunny ears I so often use even on my badly scored exam papers. Everybody in the class knew about it, even the teachers knew."
"I was the laughing stock for awhile, thanks to the elaborated story that the girl had pinned right next to the displayed letter. I got rounded up by four girls one afternoon, they did the usual…you know, but I was saved by Makoto." Usagi laughed carelessly, yet Mamoru knew that it was painful memory for her, he didn't want her to linger on it, so he nodded.
"Saek had came at the right time, he comforted me and I found out that Seiya was right, his brother did like me and he was a wonderful person." She puffed. "So yeah, there's my story, sorry for boring you, but my point is that these girls are gonna give me a hard time, especially when even Saek is not on my side anymore."
Mamoru thought over her words, he was going to get to Saek before it's too late, despite his dislike of the man; he was the solution to Usagi's problem at the moment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Usagi walked into the dinning, the ship's only other large facility besides the multipurpose entertainment hall downstairs. She was alone, although dressed in her best classy clothes that Mamoru could manage to pick out.
Truthfully, she felt two inches tall as she spotted the small group of girls rounding the table. As she expected, Naru had arrived already, and was looking around anxiously for Usagi. A boy stood next to Naru, he was not very tall or attractive but had some really stunning green eyes, recognition snapped as she realized that it was Umino – the class nerd. At this very moment, Umino's arms circled around Naru's waist in comfort. Usagi gasped in surprise.
"Naru!" She cried out. "You didn't tell me!"
Naru turned around and beamed brightly when she spotted Usagi. "I know you'd come! You totally disappeared on me Usa-Chan!"
Usagi was relieved, Naru didn't appear grudging at all, in fact she seemed overjoyed to see her. "I missed you Naru…" they laughed and chatted just like the old friends they are while Naru updated on her newfound relationship with Umino the super nerd.
"Look who's here girls." A tall skinny blonde with fake boobs crossed her arms and spoke with a high mocking tone.
"Welcome to the reunion my dear Usagi-Chan!" The second fake blonde added.
To Usagi, it was like an old nightmare coming true, she avoided these people at all cost. But today, there was no where to run.
"So where is your Saek Usagi? You didn't bring him huh? Or have you tried jumping Seiya again so Saek dumped you…" The two of them laughed, it was at least a relief that only the two of them got into this college, the tall blonde's name is Yuki and her follower Nomiko.
"You two still work for the circus shows huh." Naru raised her voice like she always does when defending Usagi, although she was usually such a sweet and submissive girl.
"We are only catching up Naru, after all we just found out that you bought the number one little nerd as your boyfriend, shouldn't your pal have bought hers as well." Nomiko sneered, a menacing look on her face.
"First of all, Umino is majoring in genetic engineering, even if he's a super nerd, he's a super smart one. And second of all, who said Usagi has to bring her boyfriend for your examination."
"She and Saek did!" Yuki exclaimed dramatically. "They vowed that they would still be together in two years if not forever, and asked us all to watch, do you remember Usagi?" Usagi remembered, it was the very reason why she feared coming, Saek had defended her against these girls during the prom, when one of them *accidentally* tipped some cocktail on her.
She remembered perfectly what he had said…
"We'll be together for a long time, just watch she will be happier than any of you miserable souls, so stop bossing Usagi around and bringing my brother into this!"
"So what if you back on your words Saek? We got a reunion planned in two years, if Usagi comes alone, then she would have to make some amendments don't you agree? How about…a formal apology for pestering and hording Seiya… on her knees?"
Yeah…on her knees they had requested, she was so dead.
"Yuki is already married you know Usagi? Not sure if you watch the news, but her husband was listed on the top 200 richest man in Japan." Nomiko sneered.
"Yeah 64 and bald…" Naru laughed humorlessly.
"Oh Nomiko, you are so modest, your own boyfriend is wonderful too, a dentist and all." Yuki added, ignoring Naru completely and turning to Usagi finally, her eyes shaded with dark purple eye shadows, lips glistening in the latest Chanel lipstick. The fur on her was definitely peeled off some poor near extinct animal.
"Yeah, I didn't bring my boyfriend, he's here…but busy today." Usagi clenched her teeth; she wasn't going to give in, even if she has to lie a little.
Nomiko and Yuki looked at each other, victory glimmering in their eyes. "Really…I didn't think Saek would miss this regardless of the situation, I thought he was very protective of his little rabbit." Yuki hissed, she was ready to get Usagi on her knees and apologize. She had really liked Seiya back in high school, she was the prettiest girl in the grade yet Seiya didn't spare her a glance, even his cute little brother went for this no good looser. She hated Usagi's guts, the girl was bad at everything, sure she was sort of pretty, but nothing in comparison to her own gorgeousness.
How could those guys be so blind, there was only one answer, and that's because Usagi was a snide tactful bitch and attention seeker, all pretentiously innocent and sweet to gain the attention.
"So you came alone Usagi…you remember our deal right? You won't back up on your words? I mean, half the school heard about it." Yuki arched a thin eyebrow.
Usagi pursed her lips. "I came alone, but I have a boyfriend, not Saek…we broke up."
"Ohhhh, you have a boyfriend! That's great, but where is he?"
"I didn't think he should've came since it's a school reunion."
"So he is on the ship huh? A college student too? How cute." Yuki snickered, then menacingly she stated "Unfortunately our deal was that you were still together with Saek…"
"No the exact words were, if I came alone…so not necessarily Saek." Usagi corrected, struggling.
"Whatever, you came alone anyway, anybody can claim that they have boyfriend, where's your proof honey? Now its redemption time sweetheart." Yuki and Nomiko walked up and closer to Usagi. Naru step in front of Usagi but was pushed to the side. "Its none of your business curls." Nomiko glared.
"Kneel and apologize Usagi, for all the man hoarding!" They were right in front of her face now, Yuki's hands on her shoulders, her nail digging into her skin. All the other people were watching, like they always do, these callous private school kids. The only few that ever helped her were not here and Naru was blocked aside by Nomiko. She sensed pressure on Yuki's hand forcing her down, and she struggled, unwilling to give in. Running was not an option; it meant that they had won, and that she was a wimp. Yet her knees were buckling, close to giving in. Swinging her arm, she combated Yuki's hand.
"I'll do it myself, get your claws off me." Usagi glared ice picks, if she had to do it, she would do it with dignity.
"I finally found you Usako!" A deep voice called from behind, the man came and hugged her.
Usagi turned around, tears forming in her eyes, it was Mamoru, like the prince in a fairytale just without the white horse.
"Muffin head…"
Mamoru pouted adorably, "Its Mamo-Chan you minx," he glanced at Usagi with intensity, ignoring all the gaping and drooling girls. "I looked for you everywhere, I told you I wanted to come, they wouldn't mind." He looked up and flashed the two girls a charismatic grin. "Would you girls?"
"Of…of course not." Nomiko replied, He's so hot…omg omg omg… who is he? Yuki held a similar expression.
"What are you doing here?" Usagi whispered.
"Saving you from the dragons my princess." Mamoru whispered back, maintaining his smile, while Yuki watched with suspicion.
"Sorry, I didn't introduce myself, my name is Chiba Mamoru and I'm Usagi's boyfriend." He held out his hand, but none of the girls budged.
Instead Yuki crossed her arms "So you are Usagi's boyfriend huh? You are a college student?" Probably just a pretty face, doing some airy degree.
"Sure, I'm a postgrad from Cross Med, currently helping out as an assistant professor for neurology in your college."
"Oh Chiba! Now I remember, you came to our last lecture and you're the guy that appeared on times!" one the guys pointed out helpfully, Mamoru smiled and nodded.
Yuki and Nomiko looked frozen as they glanced back and forth at Usagi and Mamoru. No way, the airhead scored an alpha, impossible, what kind of common language would this man have with Miss ditz? I don't believe this, there's gotta be something wrong. Yuki calculated.
"How long have you guys been dating?" She questioned carefully.
"Three days." Mamoru answered with his crooked grin.
Yuki and Nomiko looked at each other and laughed at the response. "Three days…that's a pretty long time huh? She might as well have paid someone to come." Usagi flinched.
"You shouldn't underestimate these three days; I realized that you can find out a lot about a person in this amount of time." He turned and looked at Usagi with the most tender eyes "I found out that the girl I always thought I knew and teased was this sweet, loving creature. She has a heart of gold, kind and forgiving, yet also brave. She is modest, cares immensely about her friends and would make any sacrifices to keep them safe and happy. I don't think I've met one that's better." Usagi searched his eyes, all she found was honesty, he sure was a good actor, if he wasn't so intelligent in med, he could easily become an actor, especially with his looks.
As though to make it more convincing, Mamoru leaned in and kissed her full on the lips, short but imprinting. "I love you Usako…" He whispered almost as though for her to hear only, but she knew it was all just an act.
He didn't know what possessed him to say it, but it felt so right, his heart drummed quickly as he watched her reaction, her cornflower eyes widened, then some sort of understanding formed in them.
"Now let's go Usako, would you guys mind if I take her? I just really want to spend some time with her alone." He winked and motioned to Umino as well, who quickly took Naru by the hand and they head out of the dining hall.
"Wow, you didn't tell me about this Usa-chan!" Naru pointed to Mamoru in amazement when they got out of the hall.
"Shoo…Naru it's all an act!" Usagi whispered, looking around.
"What?!" Naru questioned, glancing at Mamoru in shock, who appeared forlorn with the response.
"I'll explain it all to you later, but he's not my boyfriend Naru." Usagi sighed, Naru nodded reluctantly before throwing Mamoru another glance, she was at first relieved that Mamoru came to the rescue, and then happy that Usagi had dumped Saek, who turned out to be a dickhead, but now completely worried about the messed up situation. There was something about this Chiba guy she liked though, he seemed honest enough at least. She knew that she had to ask Usagi in person when they are off the ship.
"Alright then Usa, I love you sweety, talk to you when we get home, it doesn't matter whether he is fake or not, there's something good about him besides that fact that he is totally gorgeous." She giggled quietly making Usagi blush and glance at Mamoru, who appeared to be preoccupied with watching the ocean view.
Umino leaned in then, having the last word apparently. "And protection Usagi, protection!" He said loudly while pushing his glasses. Usagi snorted in the attempt not to laugh out loud.
They left quickly, leaving the two in awkward silence.
"Protections Odango." Mamoru chuckled suddenly and Usagi reddened in response.
"Shut up Muffin head, and thanks for saving my ass today."
"Nicely put." He turned to look at her, the sun was setting already, casting a orange veil across the sky, bronzing his skin, making it gold like "It's amazing isn't it." He gestured towards to open sea, some seagulls cackled and squawked its way across the sky and then landed silently on the water. Seemingly serene but without warning drilled into the dark waters and raised havocs, when they came back up again, Usagi realized that most had caught sardines.
"Life is like the sardines sometimes…you live your happy peaceful lives, but suddenly, out of the blue, it all ends and changes." He mumbled.
Usagi furrowed her brows as she read the dark tones on Mamoru's face. "Life is not always so pessimistic Muffin head, watch!" One of the seagulls had caught a Sardine, but it slipped out of its mouth and quickly swam away. "Sometimes things get better, and you learn from your mistakes."
"Sometimes there's nothing to learn, and it happens again coz fate is a bitch." The seagull dipped again and caught another sardine, no body knew if it was the same one.
Usagi sighed, these short three days had opened her eyes to this man in front of her, he was what every women wanted and what every men wants to be, yet he was one of the most depressed person she's ever met. This is not the first time she has noticed Mamoru like this, it seems like all his usual actions are facades. He was this vulnerable lonely boy on the inside, fearful of the pain and struggles of the world, as though he'd seen too much in his life. There are definitely some other dark secrets that are bounding him like void, aside from the tragic deaths of his parents.
She wanted to do something for him…something a little lonely boy would enjoy, "Hey! You want to play a game?" Usagi beamed at a sudden inspiration.
"Huh?" Mamoru was snapped out of his thoughts by the excited voice.
"Come on! The rules are…no rules! We pretend to be superheroes and you can change whatever you want to change about the world or your life. So basically, you are allowed to give yourself different powers." She flashed him a toothy grin.
"Me first! I want to be a princess, superhero princess…on the moon!"
"On the moon?"
"Yeah! Coz its pretty, and I want to be graceful and beautiful."
"That's not a superpower Odango." Mamoru rolled his eyes at her childishness; it was funny and cute though.
"It sure is to me! So usually I'm this ordinary girl, but then when the bad people comes and do bad deeds, I'll be able to transform…into…" she looked around the ship "A sailor!"
"A sailor…and moon princess?" Mamoru laughed.
"Yes, Sailor…Moon! And I kick bad asses! Your turn!" Usagi turned around and popped herself onto the railing.
Mamoru cackle at the absurdity. "No…"
"You have to, come on its good fun." Usagi pouted and used her puppy eye techniques.
"Alright…I'll be the dude that saves Sailor Moon then."
"Like her knight in shining armor…a prince! Of earth haha…so like how the earth shields the moon, the prince protects the princess. It suits you muffin, since your name means protection."
"Right…" Mamoru laughed. "And I guess I have to transform too."
"Yes you do…" They laughed away in their small and temporary world of happiness. Just like two child sitting legs dangling on the railing, talking about none senses…
*Twenty minutes later*
"Tuxedo Mask! Saaaaveee mee!" Mamoru and Usagi both laughed their heads off as they pictured the little blonde super heroine dodging attacks while the new coined term of her knight in shining armor equivalent AKA Mamoru's alter ego came to save the day.
The game finally ended when the monster was killed, Tux and Sailor Moon lived happily ever after. "See life is good when you think like a superhero." Usagi laughed care freely and Mamoru watched in awe as he felt his heart drumming away swiftly once again.
"You know Odango, when I said those things about you today…I was…"
"Acting…I know." Usagi finished the sentence for him. "You did a really good job Muffin!" Mamoru searched her eyes, and sighed.
"Right…yeah." He shrugged and turned away, dropping down from the railing. "So what do you plan to do about Saek? The second day's almost over Odango."
Usagi straightened in shock. "Oh my god, I totally forgot." She exclaimed. "Yeah Saek…CRAP."
Mamoru arched eyebrow, she was a ditz most of the time, forgetting about her purpose for the trip and the reason that he was here.
"You have any plans?" Usagi questioned with pleading eyes.
Mamoru sighed. "Sort of, but it a little tactful, so you have to work hard and cooperate."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You sure this is necessary?" Usagi asked in a tiny voice, they were back in their cabin.
"Yes! As I already explained, most guys are not going to wait for you in today's society unless they are heavily religious. Coz they don't get why their pals are getting in bed yet they are still holding hands." Mamoru sighed; it was hard to explain it to Usagi, who seemed as though she was bewildered by the statement.
"It's the real world Odango, with someone like Saek, it's not that he's bad person, he's just not an exception from the majority. If you are choosing him, then drop the idealistic movie lines please."
Usagi clamped her lips and lowered her head in what appeared to be defeat. "Fine, go ahead."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Is this all you have?" Mamoru pulled out all of Usagi's clothes from her travel case. The only piece of seductive-able cloth was that dress she had on last night; it was bit too obvious for his plan. He wanted something more subtle, something that showed off her most tempting aspect, the innocent tease, a desirable fallen angel. He caught the sight of a dress at this moment, a strapped cotton dress with a generous low cut that seemed slightly dated. Before he could observe it more carefully, it was snatched away.
"Sorry, that's from like junior high, really ancient, I don't know how it got into the case, I was cleaning out my old stuff before we came…"
"Can I see it?" Mamoru took the dress and let it fall in front of Usagi's figure, "Put it on Odango, this might be it."
Usagi walked into the bathroom with disbelief. When she returned, Mamoru cocked his head to the side. The waistline was high and fell under the breast, as he expected, the cut was low but not too exposing, just enough to appear slightly seductive and it ended several inches above the knee. It had the feeling he wanted, yet something was not right. His eyes traveled to the straps adorned by two excessive flowers, mercilessly, he held the straps and ripped, pulling them off in seconds.
(.com/cgi/img-thing?.out=jpg&size=l&tid=916703)
"What the hell are you DOING?"
"Making your dress look IN." He smiled; the result was astounding, her beautiful slender shoulder and neck accentuated by the bareness, her porcelain skin glimmering naturally against the off white cream. Her breasts looked even more pert and rounded without the unnecessary strings. He grabbed the short classy grey jacket he had placed aside "Put this on and wear those stilettos."
"Now lesson 1, always hold yourself proudly, chest out, confidence in a woman is sometimes more attractive than beauty itself." Usagi nodded and complied
After almost an hour of tuition and adjustment, Usagi had mastered the tactics of a basic seduction. Mamoru waited as Usagi heaved her chest and lower her lashes, looking away quickly and then eyeing him again shyly while biting her bottom lip.
It was getting hard for him to breath looking at her like this, and even harder when he thought about her doing it for Saek. It was hard to resist as he sat so close that he could see over her bare shoulders and catch glimpses creamy breasts, her sweet scent seemed more enticing than ever.
She was breathing heavily, her breasts rising and falling, it would fit the palm of his hands, he knew from past experience, and then his fingers would travel down the flat supple panel to her belly button where baby hair appears to point towards that mysterious warm centre he had touched once before. Her overly sensitive, wet lips, one touch and she'd yield and writhe. Her moans so soft and erotic…
"Mamoru?" The questioning whisper dragged him back to reality; she was pressed against the bed with him on top, her wrists locked to the sheets by his hands, his lips were inches from her neck and he didn't even know how he did this. Shit he swore mentally.
Mamoru held his breath and backed away teeth clenched," Tell him NO at this moment."
"What?" Usagi blinked, Mamoru had that look in his eyes again just then, as though he was possessed like that day at his apartment. He had suddenly attacked and pressed her against the bed, yet now he wanted her to say no, what was the whole point of this seduction then?
"Isn't this what Saek hated in the first place? Its just gonna enhance his sexual frustration!"
"Its different Usagi, it's a game now, you are showing him interest by initializing the seduction. He knows you are playing, but he has to figure out what it takes for him to win the game. Now it won't always be a game, if Saek loves you, he will realize that you are not distant or frigid, he would first be thrilled with the attention he's getting and then hopefully my role would help establishing your irresistibility and induce his fear to loose you to somebody else. Naturally, he would decide to bear with your decision of waiting or even propose to you. Either way, you get what you want…so now lets get on with the make up."
To be continued….
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Muahahahahah so how will Usagi perform at the club tonight, and what will Saek do, will Mamoru watch on the side and get completely jealous? Well…I think so…yes. Its almost time for the two to have a epiphany huh? The next Chapter should be posted within 3 hours. ^^ Ja!