Title: The BIG Wish - - Chapter 2
By: Lilac Summers
E-mail: salaices@leland.stanford.edu
Rated: PG
Hello hello, everyone! Here it is, chapter 2. I hope you all enjoy.
THANKS to all those great people who have e-mailed me their
comments and good wishes. Particularly to some regulars who
always make my day: the newly baptized Lady Mirage, Sidnei,
Razzz, Jennifer Wand, Sailor Saturn, Sailor Pluto, Sonia-chan,
Cynthi-moon and all the others. THANKS, GUYS!
Again, sorry this one's short.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any other characters
mentioned in this story. They are property of Naoko Takeuchi and
I mean them no harm, unless I'm really, really angry. And if anyone
sues, I shall be very, very angry and henceforth litter my stories with
bodies. Be warned!
* * * * * * * * * * * @>---;---'--- * * * * * * * * * * * *
The BIG Wish
by
Lilac Summers
Chapter 2
I shall always treasure the memory of Mamo-chan's face when
he first saw me. I admit, it was a tremendous ego boost. I could
almost see the drool dripping out of the side of his mouth. And
though you may not believe that drool is exactly sexy, let me
remind you that this man didn't even *blink* when he saw me
naked, with WINGS, no less, on our last battle. Not a twitch, not a
sigh! That man takes "stoic" to new heights. And believe you
me, I was most decidedly looking for a reaction that time! C'mon,
how many guys can say their girlfriend--their naked, *winged*
girlfriend--threw herself into his arms? Well, that day was a
crushing blow to my ego. All the Stars were looking, and even
Haruka was looking! But my darling, too-gentlemanly-for-his-own-
good Mamo-chan never let his gaze wander below my neck.
Focused. Bang! Right there, between the eyes. Damned man
didn't even take a peek when I unfurled my wings simply for *his*
enjoyment.
But that is a story for another day and I'm getting off the point.
POINT: Mamo-chan turned several shades of red and got
decidedly, er, *uncomfortable* when he first saw me. And of
course, I was going to help matters along . . .
This is how it happened:
Not long after Ami-chan's grand idea for me to stay at Mamo-
chan's came along, Luna decided that there had to be a way of
keeping me out of Mamo-chan's lair....
"No, Usagi-chan! It's not seemly! I will not permit you to stay at
Mamoru-san's apartment, alone, *unchaperoned* (!), looking like
you do right now."
Luna can deflate a girl's dream faster than any rifle-totin' father.
"Luna! C'mon, nothing's gonna happen!" Yeah, right. Not if I
could help it . . ."We've been going out for over a year and
nothing's gotten out of hand, "to my eternal disappointment . . .
"What makes you think that something would happen now?"
Luna glared pointedly at my new figure. "What do you think?
And if nothing's happened, I'm sure that is due more on Mamoru's
part than your own."
Dammit, that cat knows me too well.
"What's more," the lousy feline continued, "you two have hardly
had that much time to, *cough*, _do_ much. Chibi-Usa was
always with you, and when she wasn't here there was always
another threat. It positively sends shivers down my spine even
thinking of what trouble you two could get into by yourselves in his
apartment."
Yeah, well, it sent shivers down my spine, too, but for completely
different reasons . . . .
However, when it seemed that all was lost and I was doomed to
miss out on my grand opportunity to seduce Mamo-chan, my
friends came to the rescue!
The first to catch on to my plan was Rei. I guess the decidedly
wicked gleam in my eyes was her first clue. That, and the pointed
kick I gave her under the table to intervene . . .
"Luna," Rei began, kicking me back, "I just noticed that Artemis
wasn't here. Don't you think he should know what's going on before
we make any decisions?"
We all looked around, for the first time realizing that the white
furball wasn't with us. Minako had a clue as to where he could
be.
"Oh, darn that cat! Of all the days to, and I quote 'sharpen my
hunting skills' . . . Oh, and he wouldn't tell me where the mighty
'hunter's grounds' were, so he wouldn't be disturbed . . ."
Luna blushed slightly and coughed delicately. "Hmm, I might
know where the neighborhood cats go hunting . . . by chance, of
course! I'll go look for him now!" She streaked by, leaving the
four girls looking at me curiously.
"Okay, Usagi. Now, just what exactly is going on in that twisted
brain of yours?" demanded Rei, rubbing her abused foot.
"Well . . . er . . . guys, you just *have* to help me convince Luna
that Mamo-chan's place is where I must stay!"
"His apartment *is* the safest place for you to stay right now, but
there could also be other solutions-" started Ami.
I jumped over the table and prostrated myself before her, ready
to beg to get her on my side. Luna always listens to Ami-chan.
"NO, Ami! Look, just stop thinking right now, okay? Of all of us
here, you are the one most likely to find another solution, and I
don't WANT another solution! You get what I'm saying here, Ami-
chan?"
Ami looked confused. "But why do you care if I find another -"
Minako cut her off, understanding dawning on her face. She
stood and pointed her finger at me. "AHA! I get it now! Why,
Usagi-chan, you wily little vixen! You're trying to get into Mamoru's
pants!"
We were all quiet, in various states of red after hearing Minako
put it like that. "Minako-chan no Hentai! You don't have to put it
so bluntly! Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?!" screamed
Rei. "Remember, this is holy ground!"
Makoto managed to fan the color out of her face and looked at
me with understanding, and even a little bit of pity. "Poor Usagi-
chan! You mean that you still haven't managed to get Mamoru to
give in? Well, I understand you now. However, before you can
get into, as Minako lovingly put it, 'his pants,' you have to get into
his apartment!"
PRECISELY!
Luna chose this moment to walk in, dragging Artemis behind her.
"Found him! Okay, I explained everything along the way, and here
he is!" She placed Artemis in front of her, before me, and waited
for his reaction.
It was neither long in coming, nor original. Thunk.
"Well, that ought to keep him occupied for an hour or two. The
important thing is that he now knows what is going on. AND he
helped me think of a solution that I am quite surprised I didn't think
of before. Usagi, all you have to do is use the Luna Disguise Pen to
turn yourself back to normal for the duration. Then you can simply
stay at home!" announced Luna.
I could see all my plans crumbling into nothing. NO FAIR! The
one time my wish came true and I wouldn't be able to take
advantage of it. I looked at the girls beseechingly, begging them
to intervene in this cruel, unjust decision.
Minako took pity on me. "Luna, I don't think that would be wise."
Luna's smug look of triumph faded. "B-but why, Minako-chan?"
"Well, er . . . hmm." It looked like that was all from *that* corner
of the arena.
"The disguise magic won't work!" blurted out Ami.
We all looked at her, the girls and I wondering what Ami-chan
would make out of that one.
"What?! But of course it will!" said Luna, fighting till the end.
"Uh, yeah, it would work for a while . . . but the logistical data,"
and here she whipped out her computer and pressed some
irrelevant keys, "shows that the pen's power is very unpredictable
for long-term use. Uh, hmm, y-you see, the magic used by the
pen is not unlike that of the crystal, that drains the user by
degrees . . . sooner or later it would exhaust Usagi to keep up the
disguise. Moreover, uh, er . . . Oh, yeah! The data shows that the
length that a single transformation may last, if not aborted
voluntarily, is unknown, so Usagi could de-disguise after only a
matter of hours, and what would happen if she were in front of her
family? Phew!" Ami-chan took a long breath after her lengthy
fabrications and looked at us for approval.
Thumbs up all around! Let's hear it for Ami-chan! I swore to
make Ami-chan maid of honor at my wedding if this worked . . .
"Oh," Luna said, disappointed, not questioning Ami's superior
knowledge. "I guess you are right. We've never used the pen for
extended periods . . ." With little hope, Luna glanced around
for one last time. "Minna, are you sure none of you can take
Usagi in?"
They all shook their heads adamantly.
"All right. Then I guess our only hope *is* Mamoru-san. But
mind you, Usagi, you *will* behave!"
Yeah, sure Luna. I'd behave . . .
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mamoru opened the door that afternoon to an anxious group of
girls. Learning from past mistakes, we had decided to call ahead
and warn him that things would not be quite, well, *normal*. After
working out some of the minor details with the girls and Luna,
leaving Luna behind to care for the still unconscious Artemis,
using the Luna Pen briefly to go ask my parents for permission if I
could go on a *FREE* remedial summer-school camp out of town
(with the girls standing behind me and nodding their heads
sagely, bemoaning the fact that, alas, couldn't go with me to
*camp*), and borrowing some slightly larger tops from Makoto, I
was ready. Time to begin Operation Mamo-Chan.
"Hello, girls, what exactly is the problem? And where is Usagi?"
To further safeguard against any untimely "thunks," I had stayed
behind in the hall, pressed against the outside wall, when he
opened the door. No need to bring out the big guns just yet.
The girls stepped inside and I heard Minako laugh nervously.
"Heh, heh. Mamoru-san, it's Usagi-chan who has the little
problem . . ."
I distinctly heard Rei mutter at Makoto, "I think she means *two*
BIG problems."
And then Makoto answered back, "they're not gonna be
problems for long, if you know what I mean."
The audacity! My own friends talking behind my back . . .
literally!
Mamo-chan had, understandably, gotten a little freaked by now.
"Usako? What's happened to her?! Where is she!?" I heard him
stride rapidly towards the door, and then the shuffle of feet as the
girls ran to intercede.
"Wait, Mamoru-san!" said Ami, "I think I had better explain first
that Usagi-chan is fine! What's happened to her is temporary and
not dangerous--"
"To her, at least. Now, to you . . ." quipped Minako.
"Minako-chan, hush! Look, Mamoru, just remember that it's
temporary--"
"Though you'll wish it weren't . . ."
"MINAKO!! Anyway, it's *temporary* and you are our only
solution," finished Ami.
I can only imagine what my poor Mamo-chan must have been
thinking through that muddled explanation. No doubt he thought
I'd suffered some hideous disfiguration, or lost all my hair, or
something of that sort. So, I could feel him brace himself as Rei
called me inside.
"Okay, Usagi. Come on in!"
I stepped away from the wall and stepped into the doorway.
Pause. Now, in the few minutes I had had at my house, I had
practiced this particular pose. Entrance is essential, boys and
girls! Standing in silhouette against a doorway is a good
beginning, and draws people's gazes straight to you. It's a
wonderful strategy for gaining a youma's attention.
This time I paused just inside, twisting one long silver ponytail in
my hands for a touch of innocence. I'd changed my long skirt for
a shorter one that usually hung a few inches above the knees but
now seemed so much shorter! One of Makoto's sweaters
completed the ensemble, and though I did not nearly do it justice
as Makoto did, it still fit reasonably well. Hip cocked, left leg
slightly behind the other . . . and head slightly bowed so I looked
at him through my lashes. Of course, there are consequences to
this out-on-the-prowl-yet-innocent pose. My back was killing me
due to my unaligned hips, I was teetering on my dubious balance, and
I was beginning to develop a crick in my neck.
But it was worth it! Mamo-chan had effectively stopped
breathing and was a millisecond away from becoming catatonic.
His eyes were glued to me in shock and something else . . .
I heard Rei snicker somewhere to my side and shot her a
sidelong, deadly glance, then immediately forced my eyes to go
soft and watery so I could look back at Mamo-chan, my chin
trembling.
"Mamo-chan!" I cried, "look what's happened to me!"
Oh, he was looking, all right!
"I-I just woke up . .a-and I realized I had white hair . . . and
then I find out I'm *old*" stress that little important fact, "and
I was so scared!" Crocodile tears and cute little sniffles to reel
him in . . . I could see the girls had taken a seat and raided the
refrigerator, ready to witness Usagi's grand acting debut.
Mamo-chan was able to bring some coherence into his gaze
long enough to walk towards me and sweep me into a comforting
embrace, trying his darndest to "reassure" me.
"It's okay, Usako. It's [gulp!] just temporary and your hair isn't
white, it's silver."
To both our surprises, we realized that, on tip-toes, my chin
reached the curve of his neck exactly. My added height facilitated
our embrace and I looked over his shoulder happily as he
murmured somesuch nonsense into my ear.
In my sights were my friends, who were clapping silently. I
grinned and gave them a thumbs up while they mimed hooting
and whistling, cheering for my success.
However, the instant Mamo-chan turned us so they were within
his sight, all traces of food and drink were gone and the merriment
had disappeared. Minako held on to a pillow, giving Mamoru a
watery smile. Makoto shook her head sadly and Rei and Ami
fought to be brave. OH! Such adversity! How will our poor Usagi-
chan survive being stuck as ... as *that*. You must be brave,
Mamoru-san. For her sake!
They stood as one and walked towards the door, whispering their
"condolences" to Mamo-chan.
"It'll be okay. Remember, it's not permanent," whispered Ami.
"Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts . . . I MEAN, er, I don't think it's
gonna last!" finished Minako.
"Uh huh. Don't leave her alone. She's bound to be depressed,"
advised Makoto.
"Yeah, you have to keep reassuring her. Take good care of her, "
added Rei.
They'd almost made it out the door when Mamo-chan realized
what their comments meant.
"WHAT?! Y-you mean . . . you're leaving!?" He looked down at
me (who was quite comfortable in his arms, thank you very much)
in horror. "She is staying *here*?!"
"Uh, of course, Mamoru-san. Where else could she stay?"
"Anywhere!" at my baleful look, he backtracked. "I mean,
wouldn't she be more comfortable with one of you?" Slowly, ever
so slowly, he was trying to disentangle himself from my grasp
without making me aware of the fact. Of course, I *was* aware of
the fact, and only held on tighter. He blushed. "Urgh . . . er,
Usako, I don't think it'd be such a good idea you staying here, with
me . . . alone . . ."
Oh, bother! The man could try the patience of a saint.
"Mamo-chan, " I said in my littlest voice, "don't you want me
here? Don't you love me anymore?"
Butter in my hands. I could *hear* him melt. "Of course I do,
love." And then, under his breath, "too much. That's the problem."
Then in a regular voice, "but I can't help thinking that this is gonna
get us into trouble."
"Girls, I'm sure you can work something out with--" He glanced
all around the apartment. "Girls . . .? Where'd they go?"
Looking over my shoulder, I realized my friends had made a
hasty exit. You gotta love 'em.
I stepped out of Mamo-chan's embrace and scuffed my slipper-
shod toes sadly. "I promise I won't be any trouble, Mamo-chan.
You won't even know I'm here." Then I sat down . . . and crossed
my legs a la Sharon Stone.
"Somehow," sighed Mamoru, "I doubt that."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
to be continued
That's all for this week! See ya the next, hopefully.
Ooh, and lest I forget, the "naked with wings" part, for
all of you who may not know, referred to the end of the
animated series. Adios!
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