OMG! Is this…could it be…YES! It's an UPDATE!! I don't believe it!! I'm sure you all don't believe it either….whew…it has been awhile after all:p
Well, here is a Christmas present for everyone…especially you Black Rose! I promised I would have something updated over Christmas break!
Without further ado…I give you Chapter 7 of my story "Birthday Surprises and Other Things"!!
Disclaimer: checking…checking…I know it's around here somewhere….NOOOO!! I still don't own Sailor Moon! weep
ON WITH THE STORY
"Come on…just a little more to the left…GOTCHA!!" The three pronged steel claw loosened it's death grip on the helpless plushie that was the chosen prey of the blonde Odango hunter. Usagi happily reached into the flap covered compartment where the pink bunny plushie was just released into. "This is the perfect present for ChibiUsa cause I know she doesn't have one like this in her collection."
Hugging the cute stuffed animal close to her, Usagi felt so good that she decided to treat herself to a sundae. Since she was already at the Crown Arcade, the young superhero simply skipped up the stairs to the Parlor and greeted Motoki at the counter.
"Hey Motoki!"
Smiling broadly at the bouncy blonde, Motoki was a little blown away at how pretty she was becoming as she aged. Now that he thought about it…all of the girls kept getting more and more beautiful as they grew older out of their teen years…
Recovering fast from that dangerous train of thought, Motoki greeted his most valuable customer and one of his best friends.
"Finally won something Usagi?"
Proudly, Usagi displayed her hard won prize by thrusting it in front of her so Motoki could easily see it. "And it only took me one hour instead of all day this time!"
Motoki just chuckled and returned the moon princess's brilliant smile. "Where are ChibiUsa and Hotaru?"
Resting her elbows on the front corner and tucking the hard won plushie in the crook of her left elbow, Usagi rested her head on her open palms and looked at Motoki. "Well, if you must know, they went shopping for a birthday present."
Motoki slapped his hand against his forehead and then put that same hand behind his head, tousling his ginger hair sheepishly. "Oh Man! I almost forgot yours and ChibiUsa's birthday is coming up! I'm sorry!"
Usagi sighed in mock-sadness and decided to rub in the guilt just a bit.
"How could you forget Motoki!? I cant believe I don't mean anything to you!" Here she broke out in small sniffles.
"I'm sorry Usagi! I didn't really forget! I have all you girls' birthdays written down on my calendar at home, I swear! You are all my best friends so of course you mean something to me!"
While frantically trying to make up for his forgetfulness, Usagi couldn't hold it in any longer and burst out laughing. Motoki, needless to say, was totally surprised and stopped mid-apology to watch his friend and laugh with her, because watching her laugh wholeheartedly was contagious.
"Hahahaha! I'm playing with you Motoki! So don't' feel too guilty ok? By the way, I'd like a triple hot fudge sundae with extra whipped cream and a ton of cherries on top."
Still chuckling, Motoki went to make the sundae that was a threat to any ordinary persons diet. But this 18 year old certainly wasn't ordinary. After making the mouthwatering dessert, Motoki set it down in front of Usagi and waved away any attempt on her part to pay for it.
"This one is on the house Usagi, as an apology for momentarily forgetting that in two days it's going to be your birthday."
"SQUEAL!!" Usagi reached over the counter and tackle-hugged the 22 year old boy. "THANK YOU Motoki!!"
After letting go, the blonde girl danced and twirled over to the usual spot in the windowed corner of the parlor and sat down before she realized that here friends and beloved guardians weren't with her.
Crystalline baby blue eyes swam with tears and a heart wrenching sob escaped before she could stifle it. And were one came, out many more followed, although silently. 'It Rei were here, she would call me names and make fun of me as I eat my sundae, then Minako would try to cheer me up with a saying totally messed up so Ami would then put down her book and correct Minako while Makoto and Haruka talk about martial arts next to Michiru who would be sketching out the scene to later paint, and Setsuna would be watching everyone with that mysterious smile and far away look in her eyes while Hotaru and ChibiUsa go off to play games and run back to show us all the cool prizes they won.'
Usagi could truly see the entire scenario playing out before her, and found her heart aching to the point where she hunched over and clutched her hands over her chest to try and stop the pain. Tears once again made their way to innocent eyes but before they could drop, a pile of dolls fell seemingly from out of nowhere in front of the grieving princess, startling her out of her soft crying.
Wide, confused eyes looked at the small mountain of miniature dolls and enlarged even further upon recognition of the people the figures were made to represent. Before Usagi were the mini Sailor Senshi made of cloth and soft stuffing.
Slowly, gently, she picked up the Sailor Mercury doll and smiled at how Ami would blush and hide behind a book as Makoto would make comments on how cute the doll was while the others giggled, agreed, and played with the other dolls. Again, Usagi's happy smile faded as she put down the Sailor doll and looked at the others.
'I miss them so much!'
"Don't look so sad Odango."
With a gasp of disbelief, Usagi whipped her head up from looking at the dolls to her right only to catch a glimpse of a red jacket and a black ponytail already out the sliding doors leading to the street. Knowing she wouldn't be able to catch up, Usagi twisted around to look out the windows behind her to see if she could catch sight of the familiar stranger. But she didn't see anyone. In her mind, Usagi started to believe that it was only her imagination but the pile of Sailor Senshi dolls said otherwise.
Baby blue eyes widening as the realization of what just happened finally hit her, Usagi jumped up but almost immediately sat back down just staring at the mountain of dolls with shining eyes.
'They are here aren't they…but then, why did Seiya leave?'
Small tears fell down to the table and Usagi didn't bother to wipe them away. She only smiled and hugged as many of the dolls as she could to her and smiled some more. 'I'm not alone!' Looking at the dolls still left on the table, Usagi noticed a small slip of paper underneath the smirking Sailor Uranus doll.
"Huh? What's this?"
Picking it up and opening the folded note, Usagi found a message.
"A surprise awaits you upon the day of your birth, Moon Princess. Don't cry pearl tears of sad loneliness. Only those of happiness are allowed to fall from such lovely crystalline blue eyes. Soon that beautifully innocent and loving smile will grace the presence of those around you…soon. Until then, Cheer Up Odango!"
At the end of the message, a shooting star left a trial of ink across the bottom of the paper. Usagi smiled as she looked up from the letter towards the stuffed dolls and back again, and then she carefully folded the paper and put it in the front pocket of her jean shorts.
Feeling much happier and more lighthearted, Usagi dug into her sundae…did the Mars doll just scowl at her!?
Just incase, Usagi stuck her tongue out at it pretending it was really Rei when she suddenly felt something tingling at the back of her mind.
Focusing for a moment, Usagi realized she was feeling the power of Senshi. Heart beating a little faster, the young woman concentrated harder, determined to find out which Senshi was giving off such a large amount of energy. Secretly, Usagi hoped it was her far away friends home for good but as she searched, she found only ChibiUsa and Hotaru in the energy signatures.
Worried for a moment that they had transformed to fight a youma, Usagi reached for her communicator; then put it down as the energies mingled with each other. Pink lips curled up in a brilliant smile and a bubble of laughter arose softly as Usagi guessed as to what her future daughter and young Senshi were doing.
'Hmm…maybe they are done shopping. In that case, I should get home as well so I can wrap up ChibiUsa's present.'
About to get up and go, the older teenager knocked her hand into the dolls bringing them and their giver to the forefront of her mind. 'Mustn't forget these! I wonder if that guy was really Seiya or if I'm imagining that and these are from another friend like Motoki or maybe from Mamoru? Well, I'll know soon enough. Now to get a sack for these…'
Glancing around, Usagi looked for something to put the Senshi dolls into. 'Won't fit them all in my bag…maybe Motoki has something.'
Spotting her favorite Arcade/Parlor owner, the blue eyed bunny hopped over to him as he looked up from wiping the front counter.
"Hey Motoki! Do you have a sack I could use to carry some things home?"
Turning to the Moon Princess with a smile, Motoki reached underneath the counter and pulled out a shopping bag. As he handed it to Usagi he asked what she needed it for since she only got one thing from the Crane Game. In response, Usagi grabbed his arm and dragged him to her table and showed him her 'presents.' Motoki whistled in appreciation at the amount and diversity of Senshi on the table.
"Wow Usagi! You have one of each of them; including Sailor Moon! No wonder you needed a bag."
Giggling a bit as she finished packing up her dolls, Usagi nodded. "Yeah! Thanks a lot for the sack and sundae Motoki! I have to go home now so I'll catch you later!"
Waving to the departing blonde, Motoki said goodbye. "Have a good day Usagi!"
Looking over her shoulder, Usagi smiled back at him, almost stopping his heart. "Thanks again Motoki! You have a good day as well! Bye!"
With a swoosh of the doors, Usagi left the Crown Parlor and walked down the sidewalks of Juuban towards her home in much better spirits and looking forward to her birthday in two days. 'I wonder if ChibiUsa and Hotaru are home yet.'
The two youngest Senshi were not home when Usagi got back but they did leave a message saying that they were out on a date and going to be late coming home. Usagi just smiled happily at that then went upstairs to her room to put her new 'friends' away.
'Hmm...I think Mercury should go over here…Mars definitely here…Venus should sit over there…Jupiter standing guard right here…Uranus close to Neptune here…Pluto watching over everyone from there…the Starlights around their Princess here…Saturn and ChibiMoon cuddling together here…and 'I' am going to sit here!'
Once Usagi had arranged her dolls just where she wanted them she took a step back and surveyed the layout she chose. The wise manipulator of Ice sat upon her desk full of scattered papers for school and open textbooks, where Usagi thought holding the blue haired genius might help her brain work better.
'Worth a shot, right Ami!'
Mercury's opposite sat closest to her, on one of the shelves of the bookcase full of manga and fiction novels. Mars' fire red sailor suit and long black hair waved in the slight breeze coming in through the open window as the passionate Fire guardian smirked at the blonde Odango. Usagi smirked back.
'Now Rei won't be able to complain about me stealing her manga, because she's here too.'
Turning next to her vanity, baby blue eyes caught sight of the bubbly Goddess of Love flashing her patent 'V' sign to the world. Imitating the doll of her almost twin, Usagi knew she picked just the right place for Venus.
'Minako always did like to help me make up for the day.'
Near the Sailor Venus doll happened to be a jar full of cookies that Usagi always kept in case of emergencies…which happened every time she had school work. Needless to say, Usagi wanted a protector for her stash of delicious sugar food, so naturally she placed the tough, yet curiously feminine protector who wielded Lightening and Thunder up against the clay jar.
'Makoto is the best cook so I think it would be perfect to have her guard by cookies.'
Since her vanity was close to her bed, that's were Usagi's eyes were drawn to next. On the wooden mantle that ran along the wall starting at the head of her bed all the way to the window sill sat the mysterious Keeper of Time with her Garnet Rod resting in one hand.
'Setsuna's always looking out for us…so putting her over the head of my bed will make sure her job is easier.'
Not too far down the mantle, very close to the window, cuddled the Silent Messiah of Death and Rebirth with her love, the young and mischievous Princess of the Moon.
'Hotaru and ChibiUsa look so cute! I can't wait to see their blushes when they see how I placed them together.'
Sighing contently, Usagi turned to the other inseparable pair in their extended family. Sitting back to back on the short table in the middle of her room were the last two of her Senshi. The always on guard and suave Warrior of the Winds and her partner, the ever graceful and elegant Deep Seas Princess keeping an eye on the entire room.
'Haruka and Michiru, both so beautiful together and very loyal to those they love.'
Finally, on her dresser grouped together, were the traveling Stars with their Princess.
'Now the Starlights are always with Kakyuu. Yaten and Seiya guarding on the sides and front with Taiki watching their backs.'
Usagi moved back to her bed and sat down on the edge looking around the room at the new additions to her living space, while holding onto the last doll; Sailor Moon.
'Everyone here in my room once more…how I wish they really were here.'
Clutching the likeness of her more powerful self, Usagi never felt more tempted to call home her extensive family, but she felt that since they would later be giving up their normal lives for her, she could not be so selfish. However, the blonde moon princess reasoned it would be alright for her to call and ask how they are all doing…right?
Laying the tiny replica of herself on the bedspread, Usagi went downstairs to the telephone and started calling her Senshi…but no one answered. Not one of them were home it seemed.
After trying all of them almost ten times each and not getting an answer, Usagi ended with Rei and hung up the phone. Hands still pressed down on the phone and head tilted towards her chest slightly, Usagi's vision swam in tears.
'I will not cry. I promised them…I promised myself.'
Finally after a great struggle to push back these lonely and sad feelings she's harbored since her Senshi left, Usagi lost the battle and a torrent of salty rain slipped down her reddening cheeks to drop to the floor one after another.
'I, I…don't know what to do! I miss you all so much!'
"Please…please come home soon."
Well, that's Ch. 7 folks:)
I hope you all liked it and forgive me for being EXTREMLY slow……..because it's been about a year already….sheepish grin Sorry!
My good intentions for the new year include writing and posting more….we'll see how long that lasts! LOL!
Anyway, Have a Very Merry Christmas – and other Happy Holidays and a Great New Years!!
Till Next Time,
ToaR
PS---Review!!!! (I love all of you who have already! And have plenty more love for those who will!)