So I bet you've all been wondering where I have been these past two weeks. Welllllll... I had an accident at work, pinch my nerves in my right arm, had it splinted, and forced not to use it. So pretty much I can't write, it's hard to drive and typing takes 3X as long. Here is my drabble for #93 Genie. Hope you like it.

WISH

Mamoru drooped into Crown Arcade, plopped down on his regular stool, and promptly smacked his head against the fake, but still sturdy, marble counter top. Motoki jumped at the noise and turning, peered closely at his best friend, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. Motoki sighed while preparing a cup of coffee with two shots of espresso in it. Mamoru sighed deeper, and nuzzled further into his arms.

He jerked when a cup of steaming joy was placed by his throbbing head and he reached for his elixir of life with a dragging hand. As the first sips of devils brew touched his tongue, the stress of the whole day faded away in that moment of bliss. He smiled happily to his bud and made his way over to his usual booth to study.

If any body had been timing it, it took Mamoru exactly 53 seconds to open a textbook and promptly fall asleep on the glossy biology pages. In that vulnerable state before his REM cycle kicked in, his subconscious started listening to the oldies playing from the Arcade speakers. A strange song he'd never heard before wafted through his ear and the strange dreams began.

See the girl with cymbals on her fingers
Entering through the door
Ruby glistening from her navel
Shimmering around the floor

Bells on feet go ting-a ling-a linging
Going through my head
Sweat is falling just-a like-a tear drops
Running from her head

Now she's dancing, going through the movements
Swaying to and fro
Body moving, bringing back a memory
Thoughts of long ago

Blood is rushing, temperature is rising
Sweating from my brow
Like a snake, her body fascinates me
I can't look away now

Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Give me time to breathe
Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Or I'll have to leave

Now she's moving all around the tables
Luring all in sight
But I know that she cannot see me
Hidden by the light

Closer, closer, she is getting nearer
Soon she'll be in reach
As I enter into a spotlight
She stands lost for speech

Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Give me time to breathe
Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Or I'll have to leave

Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Give me time to breathe
Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Or I'll have to leave

Now I hold her, people are staring
Don't know what to think
And we struggle knocking over tables
Spilling all the drinks

Can't they understand that I want her
Happens every week
Heavy hand upon my collar
Throws me in the street

Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Give me time to breathe
Stop, stop, stop all the dancing
Or I'll have to leave

Mamoru "woke" in a smoky joint somewhere by the pier, by the smell of the place. He lifted his groggy head from the sticky table top and wiped the last traces of goo from his forehead. He glanced around at his fellow patrons and noticed a small, unlit stage in the back of the house. Shrugging, he noticed his traditional green jacket had been replace by a gray pinstriped suit jacket and his khakis were now matching pin-stripped slacks. He shook his head and tried to stand, only to fall back into his chair with a loud thump. The bartender casually glanced his way and with a friendly nod headed over.

"So, you finally wake up, huh?" he asked kindly. Mamoru nodded slowly and pushed his matted hair out of his eyes.

"Uh, where am I?" He asked with a shy grin. The bartender laughed and pointed to a dingy sign hanging above the bar. "Sahara" he read in confused tones. " Like the big desert?"

"Yeah, I guess you could say that. We are pretty secluded, but well known. Like The Sahara. That's not where the name comes from you know." he winked and headed back to the bar. "I'll get you a glass of water to get the uh, sand out of your throat."

Mamoru laughed and tried to take better stock of his surroundings. The sunlight was barley filtering through the windows meaning it was almost night or almost morning and only time would tell which. The odd customer would wander in and take a seat as close to the stage as possible. He watched the steady decrease of light and increase of people and came to the conclusion that it was night and something big was going to happen on that stage.

Shaking his head again, he headed to the last table in the front row to see this all important show, since he was here and all. The sympathetic bartender returned with a glass of water and Mamoru took a few sips to steady his head. The lights flickered and went out, but to his amazement, nobody seemed to care. Within seconds, red lights had been light all over the room and a strange melody was coming from behind the red and gold curtain. He could hear men gasping all around him in anticipation and Mamoru's heart began to beat a little faster.

One layer of curtains started to twitch and they pulled aside. The process started all over again and repeated until a single red gauze was blocking the strange. He eagerly leaned forward to get a better look at the misty shape cowering in the shadows. The soft music reached a high note and suddenly the pace increased, the drums beat harder, and a light tinkling began. The gauze curtain was abruptly pulled back and standing on stage was the most beautiful woman he had ever set his eyes on.

She was slowly twisting her right leg in time to the music and clinking tiny cymbals on her fingertips together. Her slight body was clothed in the palest of red cloth that was so form fitting that it left little to the imagination. Her eyes were kohl painted and encrusted with what seemed to be tiny rubies. The last and most frustrating article of clothing was a wispy but solid veil enshrouding her entire face save her sparkling blue eyes. Mamoru was entranced by her ethereal beauty and was on the edge of his seat, just like every other guy in the crowd.

The music launched into a sudden burst of speed and the fanatic girl on stage swayed faster and faster until it left his head spinning with desire. She looked so familiar yet so different from anything he'd ever experienced in his life. Her bright eyes scanned the crowd for a mere moment, but in that moment, their eyes met and she smiled a secret smile just for him. It seemed as if his heart stopped, as if his breath was taken away, as if he was in heaven. She laughed silently and started moving even faster. The music rose to a final beat and she stopped so suddenly that in took his mind a second to realize she was bowing and gone.

His heart cried in agony and his soul died in his chest. Never having known something so sure in his entire life, being deprived of it for mere moments was killing him. He staggered to his feet and out into the cool night air. Shaking his head he stumbled into the wall of the club and the flashing 'SAHARA' sign seemed to be mocking his agony. He wandered around the building and came upon a lonely stage door built into the brick wall.

Before he knew what he was doing he turned the rusty knob and walked casually into the back recesses of the building. The smell of jasmine perfume hit him dead on and he intuitively recalled it as hers. Just the lingering scent of his angel sent his heart onto a trampoline. He noticed another odd door set into a dark corner of the back room and he could tell it was her room. Making his way quickly across the brick floor and met the door knob with such force that the door hit the wall behind it upon his entering.

A small gasp came from the slight creature sitting on a tiny pink ottoman. Her magnificent costume was covered in a silky lounge robe and her golden hair was cascading down her back. She smiled in complete joy and to his surprise and delight, launched herself into his arms. With a big kiss on his lips she buried her head into his collar and sniffed at his cologne.

"Oh, Mamo-chan, I knew you'd come get me!" she squealed in happiness and wrapped her legs around his waist to help him support her. She smiled brightly and leaned a suddenly droopy head onto his shoulder. "I knew my wish would come true."

"And here I thought you were my wish come true Usako." he murmured.

"What did you just call me baka!" an indignant shriek punctured his perfect dream and brought his crashing back to reality. He jerked up and wrapped his still unresponsive arms around Usagi and hug her with all his might.

"I called you my wish come true Usako." and he nuzzled his nose in the sensitive hollow in her neck. She giggled dreamily and laughed.

"Mamoru, stop it, your tickling me." she whined, forgetting that her worst enemy was touching her in such an exciting way. He nuzzled her for a for more seconds then decided to kiss the daylights out of this mysterious genie-girl. He lowered his mouth to her glossy lips and right as he was about to taste her strawberry chap stick, a smothered giggled brought him to a halting stop. He opened his eyes to see his biology book glued to his mouth and Usagi's laughter escalated into huge peals. He separated his mouth from his book and sighed in disappointment. Two great dreams and only dreams.

"Are you quite finished Odango?" he asked with feigned languidness. She snorted another laugh and pointed at his puddle of drool.

"I wish you could have seen how stupid you just looked." she sputtered and fell to the floor in tears.

"I wish you would go away." he mumbled and she just laughed harder.

The strangest drabble I've ever writteb. Let me know what you think! XOXO