Reflection – Chapter 04
By Aurora Eos Rose
Usagi Tsukino
Tokyo, Japan -1998
"I can't believe I'm going to a real party! I've never been to anything but boring sleepovers and an occasional get drunk at a friend's house while the parents are gone. I can't believe you're letting me go along, Naru!" The blonde girl bounced up and down on her toes while she watched her friend comb a helmet of brown fluff. "But I don't know how you talked me into this dress." The girl fiddled with the very short skirt of her red velvet dress.
"You looked like a pink marshmallow in the other one, and you know it. You have to look older. They don't usually let seventeen year olds in this kind of party. I mean, you're not even out of high school." Naru struggled once more to get some of her brown curls to cooperate, but they simply bounced back into their former position. She sighed loudly and batted at the perfect dome of fuzz that passed for her hair. "And remember the rules, Usagi. No drinking, no talking to strangers, and don't ever go anywhere alone with a guy." Usagi nodded her head vigorously. Naru mumbled under her breath about blondes but Usagi was oblivious.
"Thank you so much Naru." The brown haired girl found herself almost knocked over by the exuberant hug. "And I'm certain we'll show that jerk Umino a think or two tonight." Naru's eyes misted.
"Yes we will, Usagi. That, that…" Naru struggled to find the right words, but her tongue couldn't seem to utter the epitaphs she was thinking. She snorted. "He can't just dump me like that. I had that dinner all set up and he didn't show and…" Naru's face had flushed a bright crimson, and her hands were fisted at her sides. Usagi hugged her tightly, pale eyes glimmering with tears.
"I'm so sorry he dumped you Naru. I thought you two were soul mates, meant to be. He's such a pansy, sending you that stupid letter. I promise I'll do anything you tell me to, just don't cry. Besides, I just know you'll knock the socks off that stupid Umino, especially in that dress." Usagi was squeezing so tightly now that Naru could hardly breathe, but the sheer belief radiating from the girl was enough to give Naru the courage to make it through the night. Naru slowly disengaged herself. Usagi was the most loyal person she'd ever met, the only "popular" girl who hadn't turned into a backstabbing bitch when Umino became available. Naru held Usagi's shoulders for a moment and smiled.
"I'm all right. Tonight we'll show that bastard what he's missing. And remember, I need to you smile pretty at all the guys, they flock to you like flies on honey." Usagi made a face, but Naru ignored it. Naru fluffed her hair one last time and grabbed Usagi's hand. "Let's get going."
Naru's limo glided to a stop in from of small, exclusive club where the party was being held. She opened the door and glided past the snapping cameras and annoying crush of people with ease, her head high. Usagi trailed behind, uncharacteristically graceful and demure, an image of elegance. Naru looked at her friend for several long moments. Usagi almost seemed like another person sometimes. The girls stopped at the end of the red carpet. Naru gave their names to the man at the door, who eyed them up and down, but let them in without incident. The followed the music through a narrow foyer into a huge room. Usagi stopped for a moment at the door, staring at the crowd. Her eyes widened, her mouth dropped.
"I've been waiting my entire life for this." The words came out as a whispered prayer, and Naru smiled at the awestruck look on Usagi's face. Naru threaded her arm through Usagi's.
"Then I take it the party is worth wearing that dress?" Usagi nodded slowly and let Naru drag her into the group of people. The party was in full swing. They had arrived late; Naru's father had an eleventh hour attack of the nerves about letting the girls go, but the fake letter from Usagi's mother soothed his frazzled emotions. The limo had gotten stuck in traffic for ten minutes, but the driver had managed to find a different route. It was eleven thirty now, and the girls had come up with a plan. "Remember Naru, I'm at your house sleeping over. And never, ever let my mother see how well I can forge her handwriting." Naru laughed and flashed a smile at the handsome young men who suddenly gathered around them.
"It's all right, Usagi. Relax, flirt a little." Naru muttered the words through a clenched smile when Usagi tried to pull away.
"I'm not used to this attention. And that guy just put his hand on my ass." Naru giggled a bit.
"Men are men, Usagi. We'll be fine. It's just a party. And quit pulling at that skirt, it's supposed to be short." Usagi grimaced.
"A little too short if you ask me. I swear people can see my underwear."
"They can if you lean over."
"Oh god, why did you have to tell me that?" Usagi gulped loudly and jerked one last time on her skirt. Naru moved through the army of mostly rich and some famous with a quick smile and polite conversation. Usagi followed at a sedate pace, trying not to make a fool of herself or stare at all the people pressed around her. She had never seen so many expensive dresses and fancy jewelry. She put a self-conscious hand over her bare throat. Then there were the men pressing in from every side. Usagi discovered that if she didn't make eye contact, they didn't try to grope her. She had never imagined anything like this in her life. Then her attention turned back to Naru who was engrossed in conversation.
"This is my friend, Ms. Tsukino." The blonde haired young man she was talking to flashed a bright smile. His gaze quickly shifted over Usagi's body, lingering on the short skirt and the low top. He managed to catch her gaze, and Usagi's breath caught in her throat. His eyes were dangerous. She could feel something seem to seep from his soul, like a black cloud. She tried to turn her gaze away, but something seemed to hold her in place. The man's smile turned feral. Naru continued on, oblivious the tension between the two. "Usagi, meet Mr. Ace Saijou. He's a friend of my father and works at Terran Eclipse Corporation."
"A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Tsukino." Usagi took the offered hand with her fingertips and was surprised when the man lifted it to his lips and placed a warm kiss on her palm. His eyes grew heavy and his tone seductive. "A great pleasure. Where has a beauty like you been hiding?" He flicked his tongue over her wrist, ran his hand up her arm and brushed a strand of loose hair over her shoulder. "Your hair is the color of sunshine after the rain." Usagi resisted the urge to wrench her head away. Instead she merely frowned and took several steps back. The man's smile faded. Naru finally noticed the apprehension in Usagi's eyes and hurried to defuse it.
"Well, I promised I'd say hello to a few people for my father and we've only started making the rounds. I'll see you later tonight, Ace. It's nice to talk you again." Naru smoothly extracted them from the suddenly uncomfortable setting. Suddenly the man was behind Usagi, one arm wrapped around her waist, his mouth at her ear.
"We will meet again, pretty one. You can be sure of that." Usagi turned a bright red and wrenched away from his grasp. She turned around and he laughed. "You can't possibly be that innocent, not with a body like that." He reached towards her again, only this time Usagi was ready. She smacked his hand like a naughty child, slugged him in the stomach with the other arm, and turned on her heel. Usagi resisted the urge to look over her shoulder to make sure the man wasn't following. Finally she reached the edge of the room and leaned against the wall. An enraged Naru was not far behind. She finally managed to catch Usagi and unleashed a formidable temper tantrum.
"What the hell did you think you were doing, Usagi? You do not insult any of the top brass of Terran and live to tell about it. Their money and ties run deep and far, they can ruin anyone with a word. So you be nice, even to the jerks."
"I don't like the way he was looking at me. And I don't like to be touched." Usagi twisted the end of her ponytail in her hands, her face serious. Naru sighed.
"I wouldn't let him do anything to you, Usagi. But you have to understand that some men are assholes. And parties are the place where assholes seem to thrive." Usagi pouted, crossed her arms, and frowned. "I'm not real impressed with this party so far. I feel like an outsider. I hate the groping hands and the name dropping. I wish I never would have come." She whined the words and yanked on her skirt again, but yelped as Naru swatted her hand.
"Knock it off, Usagi. You're a fucking adult, act like it. It's supposed to be a compliment when they treat you like that. It wouldn't hurt you to flirt a little. Quit looking at the ground, they won't bite. All you have to do is tell them to fuck off if you decide they're a dick." Usagi's mouth flew open at Naru's coarse words. Naru smirked. "I may look like a little girl, Usagi, but I've grown up around these vultures. You can have fun tonight, just don't go anywhere alone with any guys and keep your hands to yourself. Remember the rules? Now let's go dance." Naru grabbed Usagi's hand the two managed to make their way through the large room and out the doors towards the dance floor.
The two girls ducked past a group of loud men standing in front of an exit. Usagi stomped for the first few feet but the dance floor made Usagi catch her breath. It was dark, smoky, and the music was so loud she thought her head would explode. It was like something out of a dark dream. Flashing lights, pulsating music, bodies gyrating to the songs. It was a solid mass of vibrant humanity. The beat seemed to echo in her head. Her body responded to the sound, swaying in rhythm. Naru let go of Usagi's hand and started down a narrow set of stairs that led to the dance floor. Usagi eyed the full glasses of drinks scattered around the room. She reached for one, only to have her hand slapped again. Naru's voice yelled in her ear.
"Remember Usagi, do not drink anything. First of all you're underage and second I just know something bad would happen. You attract trouble." Usagi snorted but followed after Naru, her other hand fiddling with the end of one of her odango topped ponytails. Naru had begged and pleaded but the blonde wouldn't wear her hair in anything but the silly hairstyle.
The two girls moved through the throng onto the dance floor and began to move with the beat. Usagi closed her eyes, letting the music wash over her mind.
"See, Usagi. This is the fun part." Naru had to yell to be heard over the music. Usagi smiled brightly and yelled back.
"Now all we have to do is catch that man of yours." Naru's face started to crumble. "Don't you cry on me, brat. I'm here to keep you smiling, remember?" Naru's eyes brightened a bit at Usagi's saucy tone.
"Thanks, Usagi." The crowd thickened like pudding on the stove and the girls were pressed inward by the masses. They were oblivious to the stares that followed them. It wasn't that they weren't dressed correctly, or even that they weren't acting correctly; they were just too innocent looking to be in that place. Most of the people were older, more jaded. The two girls radiated innocence, especially little Usagi. But the innocence drew men around them like insects infesting a rotting corpse. Usagi looked up and realized she was completely surrounded by men. For a moment she halted, dazed by the tall bodies. It felt like the walls were closing in. A voice drifted over the music, lifted in a near shout to be heard.
"Naru, is that you?" Both girls spun around. The voice belonged to a slender young man with large green-hazel eyes and sunny blonde hair. Usagi's mouth dropped open. She had often wondered what Umino looked like behind his bad hair and glasses, but she had never realized he was so cute. Of course, the other girls did mention his assets after the breakup. Usagi simply hadn't paid attention. But she couldn't get a clear view around the flesh that seemed intent on separating Usagi and Naru.
"Umino." Naru's reply came out a bit breathless. Umino's eyes traveled over Naru's new dress. The gown was a deep blue sheath, and showed off Naru's short, slender body. His eyes darkened for a moment.
"I thought I told you I didn't want to see you again." His voice was full of anger. Naru's lip quivered a bit and she glanced over at Usagi. Usagi mouthed "be strong." Naru nodded. She turned back and her chin came up a notch.
"What makes you think I came here to see you?" Her voice stayed surprisingly calm, but the tone was very defensive. Usagi smiled and tried to press through the crowd again, only to be pushed farther from the action. She strained her ears, desperate to hear the conversation. Umino ran a hand through his hair, his face a picture of exasperation.
"Why else would you be here?" Naru bit her bottom lip.
"Hey, why don't you leave the lady alone?" The man Naru had been talking to earlier moved into the scene. He laid a hand possessively around Naru's shoulders. He was a full head taller than Umino and almost twice as wide. Umino bristled. Usagi felt a surge of terror and resisted the urge to duck down in the crowd. Something about the man rubbed her the wrong way.
"Ace, please, you're not helping." The man grinned and leaned over, his lips brushed against Naru's cheek.
"What do you mean, baby?" Umino's entire body stiffened at the caress. Naru jerked from Ace's grasp.
"Now just a minute, what do you think you're…?" Her words cut off in a shriek. Umino had taken the initiative, grabbed Naru by the arm, and started dragging her through the crowd.
"We need to talk, right now."
Usagi yelped a bit at her friend's departure. She was alone now. The room seemed to get a bit darker, and a bit smokier. Usagi felt a burst of terror. She started pressing through the crowd, heading for a corner. Hands seem to claw and grab at her, and there were voices all around. Finally she broke through the mass of bodies. It felt like all the blood in her head had pooled in her feet. She moved toward a back corner, away from the lights and people. She looked around frantically for Naru. She was starting to get scared. She had no idea how long she stood there, utterly terrified and alone.
Ace Saijou was in a good mood. First of all, Kaji had found someone even more powerful and nasty to take orders from. That alone could have put a smile on his face. They were all part of Terran Enterprises now. Then there was the sense of belonging, the good natured fighting among the five men who now ran the company. Mamoru was another story… But tonight was even better than usual. Tonight they were taking the first steps toward the great revival, beginning the master plan. Hisame and Kaji's brilliant strategy was falling into place perfectly, as usual. All the players were on the chessboard, in position. In fact, for once there were actually all six members of Terran's inner circle in the same building. It had made Kaji nervous at first, but a large security force roaming the party had kept him from vetoing the party.
Ace closed his eyes for a moment, trying to bring back the vision he'd had earlier that evening. He'd been having a lot of them lately, like old memories pressing to the surface. Usually he remembered things after talking to Raku. Then again, they all remembered things after talking to Raku, he just happened to be remembering more. The others saw visions, had feelings. But he saw scenes, faces, places.
And there was Mamoru. Ace felt a strange feeling in the pit of his stomach. Mamoru made him feel both invincible and terrified at the same time. It was like working for a fire breathing dragon, one false step could get you fried, but no one messed with you. It was both better and worse than Kaji. But tonight Ace had another vision, he had seen Mamoru's obsession.
Mamoru had remembered only two things after meeting Raku. Two very important things. One had been a brilliant memory of the past, of the kingdom that should never have died, of power and beauty, which he intended to create again. The other memory had been of a woman, a whispy figure calling for help; that memory had become an obsession. Ace had been talking with one of the players in the drama about to occur, when out of the blue he had seen a gorgeous blonde in a red dress. For a moment the world seemed to spin, and he knew that it was the girl.
The memory had rushed to the surface, the girl and the prince sitting on a bench by a fountain, hands entwined. Ace had watched from a distance, eyes alert. He had felt jealousy, and sorrow bubble to the surface of his mind, as though emotions had entwined themselves with the vision. And then the image was gone again. Mamoru would reward him for tonight, he was certain of that. But first he had to wear down the girl's resistance. She was obviously a bit nervous, young, and innocent. None of which would be an asset in a first meeting with a man like Chiba. Ace headed for the edges of the room and in no time had procured the small white pills that would make Mamoru's night very interesting, and fortify Ace's position as one of the chosen.
Because Ace knew that he hadn't been one of Mamoru's inner circle long ago, merely an underling, without the power to reach for what he wanted. This time he was determined that things would be different. This time he would be one of the guardians, this time the goddess would be his, and belong to no one else. He headed around the edges of the room, certain the girl would be off balance without her friend. He crept beside her, quietly, so he wouldn't startle her, and waited for the right moment.
Usagi was embarrassed. Her stomach had started to grumble, loudly, drawing a few amused glances from people around her.
"Hungry?" The voice was on her left, sarcastic and snide. Usagi found Ace standing right next to her. How he'd managed to sneak up beside her boggled Usagi's rather confused mind, but she pushed the fear away.
"What makes you think that?" Her stomach rumbled again, very loudly, and Ace stared at the offending organ. Usagi sighed. "Yes, I am hungry. What do you want?" Ace pushed himself away from the wall in one smooth motion. He held out his hand.
"I think I made a bad impression with you at first, princess. Allow me to apologize for my behavior. I was hoping that you might find me a bit dashing, instead of smacking my hand like a schoolboy." Usagi stared at him for a long time, watching the shifting lights fall over his features. But she could tell he really was sincere. She slowly gripped his hand.
"All right, I'm sorry too. I'm not used to parties like this." Ace laughed.
"I can tell. How about a peace offering. Come this way." Ace started off through the door, Usagi's hand held tightly in his own. At first she balked, but then a smell touched her nose. Food. Usagi followed the wonderful fragrance, through a side door. Here there were large couches, and in the back and enormous table covered in a banquet to satiate even the most gluttonous of appetites.
"How about this for that growling stomach of yours? All right then, I'll leave you for a while. Enjoy." Usagi eyed the food like a starving locust. But she did remember her manners.
"Are you sure you don't want some too?" Ace shook his head.
"I don't think my stomach has recovered yet." Usagi blushed. Ace smiled wryly. "It's all right; I'm not used to girls like you. Most of the women here are vultures. Why don't you grab a plate and I'll get you some punch." Usagi nodded, thanked him, squared her shoulders and marched to the buffet. For the first time that evening, she was enjoying herself. She loaded a plate, found a small unoccupied chair in the corner, and proceeded to stuff everything in sight in her mouth. Ace brought her a glass of fizzing punch shortly afterward and said goodbye. Usagi visited the table several more times. Luckily it was dark so no one saw her acting like a pig.
Usagi finished off two plates and four glasses before she realized that the punch had been spiked. She giggled under her breath; at least it wasn't too strong. And the food was wonderful. Still, sitting in a corner alone wasn't exactly her idea of a fabulous evening. She almost wished Ace would return, at least then she could have someone to talk to, and he had turned out not to be so bad after all. She wondered for a long moment where Naru had disappeared. But her brain refused to focus on its objective and soon she was leaning back in the chair and twirling a long ponytail over one red finger while nibbling on a little sausage.
Ace leaned against the wall and watched Mamoru pace. The dark haired man was obviously troubled over something. Ace felt for a moment like he was watching a lion in a cage. Mamoru ran a hand through his hair slowly, disarranging the thick, dark locks. He growled under his breath. The noise made Ace's heart pound. Mamoru was not in a good mood. This probably wasn't a good time, but Ace knew that the window of opportunity might pass quickly. He had one chance, one instant where he could ingratiate himself to Mamoru. Ace moved quietly into the private room. Mamoru didn't stop his motion. Ace stood motionless, waiting.
"Why are you disturbing me?" The words were harsh and cold, muttered in a voice that was usually reserved for blasphemies. Although his blood turned cold, Ace kept his face impassive and pretended not to notice.
"Great party, things seem to be going according to plan." There was a long moment of silence. Then Ace smiled slowly. Mamoru stopped pacing for a moment and stared at the smile. "I think, in fact, that things are progressing far better than you realize." Mamoru grumbled under his breath and resumed his pacing. Ace took a few steps forward.
"Mamoru, I wouldn't disturb you if it wasn't important. There's someone here that you really have to meet." Mamoru stopped suddenly, his eyes snapping to Ace's open features.
"You interrupted me because someone wanted to meet me?" His voice was low and incredulous. Ace swallowed loudly.
"It's more that you should meet her." Mamoru clenched and unclenched his fists several times, as though stifling the urge to strangle Ace. Ace rushed along, terrified now.
"The princess, she's here. At this party. I know it's her." Mamoru's mouth dropped open. Ace gulped, uncertain of Mamoru's reaction.
"You're certain." Ace nodded. Mamoru moved quickly and was out the door in an instant. Ace let out the breath he'd been holding and finally gave into the urge to smile.
"She's in the dining room." Ace chuckled after yelling the instructions at the back of Mamoru's head.
A pair of dazzling blue eyes filled her vision. She was so surprised that the food was swallowed whole. Usagi started choking.
"Here, drink this." The girl took the offered glass and downed it quickly, ignoring the horrid taste and the way it stung her throat.
"You scared the shit out of me." Usagi turned to face her savior. And promptly forgot how to breathe.
"This isn't what you think, Naru." Umino paced across the floor of the small room, his hair becoming more and more messy from his habit of rubbing his hand through it every few minutes.
"I don't know what you're talking about, Umino." Naru sat in the high back chair, her legs crossed, and the thigh high slit in the dress falling open, displaying a good length of leg. She held her chin high and worried a bit about Usagi left out in the other room alone.
"You don't understand why I broke up with you." Naru's eyes misted a bit, but she kept her emotions under control.
"I really have no idea what you're talking about, and even if I did know, I don't give a shit what you do." Umino stopped his pacing and leaned over Naru, tilting her head back with his hand.
"I broke up with you to protect you, silly girl." Then he pressed his lips to hers. Both lost track of time, absorbed in a world of touch and taste. Finally Umino pulled away. Naru took a deep breath, her voice shaking slightly.
"What do I need protection from?" Umino's eyes grew dark. He stared at the wall for a long time.
"I've made a deal. I think maybe it's a deal with the devil." His eyes closed for a moment. "I just got a job, Naru, a job in the upper echelon of the Terran Eclipse Corporation. They're going to pay for the remainder of my schooling, and I'll be their technology expert." Umino's face grew a bit pale for a moment. "I signed a …contract; I guess you'd call it. My absolute loyalty goes to Terran Eclipse now." Naru's eyes grew a bit wide.
"That doesn't seem like much to ask for all they're giving you." Naru's voice was soft.
"You haven't met them Naru, you don't know what they're like. If I had one word to describe them, it would be ruthless."
"Are you all right?" Mamoru Chiba mentally ordered his heart to stop pounding. He'd been watching the girl for only a few minutes now, his eyes never leaving her body. She'd downed an enormous amount of food. He'd recognized her immediately. The eyes were the same, pale blue, clear, and innocent as a baby's. And she'd been adorable, leaning back in the chair like a little girl. She'd downed the glass of brandy as though it was water, and Mamoru couldn't tell if her coughing fit was from choking on the food or the alcohol. She finally gained her breath, swore, and then stared at him.
Mamoru was used to appraising glances from women, but for some reason this little girl made his blood run hot with lust. Her eyes were windows to her soul, every emotion so close to the surface that they threatened to boil over. They were the palest blue he'd ever seen, almost silver, even more beautiful than he'd remembered. Her hair was a rich lemon blonde. That he didn't remember, but the color complemented her pale skin. He resisted the urge to run his hands through the thick mass. Her ridiculous hairstyle brought him up short. For a moment he could almost imagine that she had two fat meatballs on top of her head. He chuckled under his breath at the mental image.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so rude. Thank you." The girl's voice was soft and high pitched. She leaned forward politely, and the tiny red velvet dress displayed a very mature figure. She slowly stood up, and Mamoru's breath caught in his throat. If he had molded every fantasy he'd ever had into the perfect woman, it still wouldn't have equaled this girl's beauty. Her eyes stared into his. Neither one broke the gaze.
"Mamoru?" The voice jerked Mamoru from his hypnosis. It was Kaji, his face locked into its usual mask of indifference. "We have a problem." Mamoru glanced down at the girl in front of him.
"Then take care of it Kaji, I'm sure you're capable." Mamoru's voice was hard and clipped. The white haired man bowed and moved away quickly. The girl, however, seemed upset by his tone. Her eyes filled with tears and she tried to pull away.
"It's all right, little one. Just business. Come sit down." The tears stopped, and the girl followed him docilely to a couch that had miraculously cleared off in the back. Of course, the scowl and imperious wave of his hand had helped the current occupants on their way. The girl wobbled a bit on her heels and Mamoru wondered for a moment exactly how much she'd had to drink. He helped her sit down and joined her on the soft leather cushions. She slid in towards his body and giggled. He leaned his lips down toward her ear, brushing a soft caress against her skin. "What's your name?"
Usagi was feeling a bit lightheaded. She remembered the stern warning in Naru's admonition not to drink anything alcoholic ten seconds after accepting the awful liquid. But she'd already had the punch, which had made her head spin. And the drink had stopped her from choking. Now she felt like she was flying. She wasn't sure if the feeling came from the drink, or from the incredibly handsome man seated beside her. From the moment she looked into his eyes, she knew he was the only man for her.
"Usagi." She whispered the word shyly.
Mamoru felt a bit annoyed that the girl wouldn't give him her real name, but he'd go along with the game. "All right little bunny, what brings you here tonight?" Mamoru watched the girl's eyes glance up at him, and then turn back down to the table.
"I came with a friend." Mamoru felt jealousy gather in his gut. He had the urge to rip apart the person who had brought the beautiful girl as a date and left her alone in a corner. But he held his temper, leaning back and waving a waiter over. He ordered drinks for the two of them. It was quiet for a moment, until he mastered his emotions.
"What's his name?" Usagi giggled at the question.
"It's not a he, it's a she. She wanted to show up an old boyfriend." Mamoru let out a silent sigh of relief. He wouldn't have to kill anyone tonight after all. The waiter returned and set the two glasses on the table. Mamoru slid the fruity cocktail in front of Usagi.
"Try this, you'll like it." Usagi took a sip of the drink, and she did like it, a lot. She downed the whole thing in a long slurp. Mamoru found her enthusiasm refreshing.
"That was really good, what's it called?"
"A Fuzzy Navel." Usagi crinkled her brow.
"That's a stupid name for a drink. Sounds like a hygiene problem. What's your name?" She turned that gaze on him, and Mamoru felt the strange feeling return. He wanted to sweep the girl into his arms and take her home forever. And he always followed his instincts.
"My name's Mamoru." Usagi wrinkled her nose. Mamoru thought she looked just like the rabbit she was named for. "And is your name really Usagi?" The girl sighed loudly and flung an arm over the back of the couch. Then she leaned in close and fake whispered loudly, like a child.
"My grandmother gave me that awful name, because she said my parents were fucking like bunnies as newlyweds, so they had a little rabbit. Well, she didn't actually say it in those words…" Her voice trailed off. "You know what, Mamoru? You have really pretty eyes." She reached a hand up and trailed it down his face. Mamoru was frozen for several long moments. Usagi leaned back against the couch again, her eyes slightly glazed. "You know what, Mamoru? Most guys don't take a second look at me. You're awfully nice to listen to me chatter." He smiled.
"I think most guys must be blind. How about we go dance for a while?" He stood slowly, drawing Usagi to her feet and into his arms. She smiled blindingly.
"I thought you'd never ask."
The door opened with a crash. Umino jumped a foot and Naru tumbled out of her chair onto the ground. A man walked into the room, his green eyes twinkling. Then he opened his mouth, his smooth voice oppressive in the small room.
"Someone you forgot to tell us about, Umino." The second man closed the door much more quietly than he'd opened it, and stood in front of the door. The first man took a seat in another chair. "I'm waiting for an answer." Naru simply looked confused.
"Who in the world are…?"
"Just be quiet Naru, this doesn't concern you." Umino snapped the words, and Naru's eyes grew moist.
"So harsh, little Umino. You shouldn't be so mean to the little girl, you might hurt her feelings." The sarcastic laughed from the green eyed man made Naru stiffen like a scared kitten hissing at a large dog.
"Just leave her out of this, Hisame." Umino put himself in front of Naru, who had stood up, shaking slightly. "I told you, I broke up with her." Hisame grinned.
"Is that right? It didn't look like that a moment ago." Umino simply glared. Hisame put the folder clutched in his left hand on the table. He opened it up and pulled out a sheet of paper.
"Quite a girlfriend you have Umino. Parents own a chain of jewelry stores, top grades in school, and moves in upper levels of society. The perfect little rich princess. Oh, and look at this. Her grandfather owns a shipping empire; her uncle is involved in exports. Connections perfect for a rich little prince, not a geek with little money and lots of brain. Don't you think she's a little high-class for you?" Hisame snapped the folder shut with a snap. "Of course, she's also been named the heir to her father's gems, and her uncle's business. And did you know she also is the only grandchild of that rich old bastard? She sees him just a few times a year, but he's leaving her the shipyards. Life's not quite fair is it? You work to get the best and it's still not good enough." Umino's face turned bright red. Then man at the door laughed softly.
"You really don't think we recruited you just for your skills, do you? Although they are quite impressive. But you need more than a few programming skills to work for Terran Eclipse, however her contacts will do nicely."
"You bastards." Umino launched himself at Hisame, but was skillfully intercepted by Kaji. He knocked the boy backwards, giving a black eye and bloody nose in the process. Then Kaji took his former place by the door. Naru rushed to Umino's side, pulling a handkerchief from her purse.
"Umino, please don't, just hold still." She held the cloth up to his bleeding face.
"We knew she'd show up sooner or later. And you don't have a choice Umino. She joins us too, or you both disappear tonight." Naru gasped. Umino's face fell. He turned to face Naru.
"Naru, oh Naru. I'm sorry, I didn't mean for this to happen." Naru threw her arms around her best friend and lover.
"It's all right Umino, I'd do anything for you." Hisame pulled out a packet of papers.
"I'll need you to sign these before you leave this room. Umino, go buy her a nice ring." Hisame pulled a stack of bills from his pocket and tossed them at the angry young man. "She's a little young, but you can be engaged until she graduates from high school." Naru stood up and walked on shaking legs toward the table. She flipped through the papers, horrified for a moment at what they were. Naru took a deep breath and scribbled her name, signing her life away with a few strokes of a pen. Then she ran back to Umino and wrapped her arms around him. She cried as the two men left the room. Umino wrapped his arms around her, his hot eyes never leaving the two men. He ran a hand over Naru's soft hair.
"It's all right sweetheart, we'll always have each other. It'll be all right." He wasn't sure if he believed himself though. They now belonged, heart and soul, to a devil named Mamoru Chiba.
Usagi loved dancing, whirling around the room held safe in this man's arms. She felt like she'd always belonged here, with him. The drinks were having quite an effect on her. The lights in the room were spinning along with the music. It was like a dream, a dream from long ago. And it felt so good every time he touched her.
Mamoru pulled the tipsy girl closer to him, enjoying the feel of her pressed against his body. She put her head against his chest, sighing with happiness.
"Are you getting tired?" The girl looked up and giggled.
"Yeah, I'm pretty tired. You have nice hair, you know that?" She ran her hands through the dark locks. Mamoru smiled. Her constant change of subject was amusing.
"Why don't I take you home?" Usagi blinked rapidly.
"How do you know where I live? Won't you get lost?" Mamoru smiled again. She was the funniest little thing. He swept her up into his arms, doubtful if she could make the trek to the door. Kaji intercepted him there.
"Did you get it taken care of?" Kaji nodded, and then glanced at the blonde giggling in Mamoru's arms, his mask hardening a bit more.
"Have a nice night, my lord, we'll finish up here." Kaji bowed again and headed back into the party.
Mamoru took the cloak the man at the door offered and threw it over Usagi's head, making a little cocoon. Usagi started singing a silly song about living in a tent forever. Mamoru hurried through the cold night to the limousine waiting outside.
Naru and Umino looked for Usagi for an hour before they realized she couldn't possibly be at the party anymore.
"I'm sure she just got bored and went home, Naru." Umino held the girl in his arms; unable to avoid the suspicion that something was very wrong. "Why don't I drive you home? It's late; she's probably in bed somewhere. Usagi can't live without sleep." Naru nodded, but she too knew that something had happened to Usagi, and it was her fault.
"Is that a fridge?" Usagi opened the door, squealing in glee at the bottles of wine, and containers of ice cream. "Do you think there's any chocolate?" Mamoru smiled at the girl's questions. He'd become use to having all the perks money could buy. This girl's reactions were refreshing.
"I think there is, chocolate happens to be my favorite." Usagi opened one of the containers and spooned the cold stuff into her mouth as fast as she could.
"Ice cream is heaven. Without ice cream I think I'd die." She continued shoveling the food in at an alarming rate. Mamoru laughed.
"Keep that up and you'll have a headache. Why Usagi, I do believe you are a pig!" Usagi turned and stuck out a chocolate-coated tongue. Mamoru used every once of willpower he possessed not to crush her in his arms. He'd have her home soon, and then he could do whatever he wanted with that little tongue of hers.
"You look like a bunny with those odangoes on your head. Maybe I should call you odango atama." Usako's face turned bright red.
"Don't call me that! I don't even let my brother call me that." Then she launched herself at Mamoru, fists flailing. He laughed and grabbed her hands, pulling her into his lap.
"I won't call you that, sweetheart." She looked up at him.
"Are you sorry?"
"Very sorry." Usagi's face lit up again.
"Then I forgive you. Now let's kiss and make up." She put a hand on either side of his face and pressed her cold lips to his. She tasted like chocolate. Mamoru held the back of her head in place with one large hand and pressed his lips harder against hers. Usagi moaned. He wrapped his other arm around her waist, pulling her tighter against him. Mamoru pulled away for a moment.
"Open your mouth sweetheart." Usagi obeyed, and Mamoru's tongue swept inside. Her head spun, and her heart began beating loudly. Mamoru pulled back, just holding her against him.
"Limos are a bad idea; we'll be home in a minute." Usagi looked at him strangely.
"Then we'll have to say good bye, won't we?" Mamoru's smile returned.
"We're going to my house, Usagi."
"Why?" Mamoru just laughed. He'd never enjoyed women's coy little games, but this one seemed so sincere and innocent. She'd obviously played this part often.
Mamoru carried Usagi inside the Terran Eclipse building. He headed straight for the elevator, while Usagi sang her tent song again. For a moment, he was a bit concerned with the alcohol she'd been drinking all evening. Once inside he set her down, draping the cloak over one arm.
"You look very handsome in a cape." Usagi was slumped against the elevator wall, and her words were slightly slurred. Mamoru frowned and turned his key in the elevator control. The car started moving swiftly. In a few moments the glass tube rose out of the lobby and the lights of the city sparkled through the walls. Usagi pressed her face against the cool glass.
"This is beautiful. It looks like a million fireflies sparkling." Mamoru felt his smile return.
"You look very beautiful in that dress." She stood and twirled, almost falling on her face. Mamoru held out a hand to steady her.
"Do you like it? I didn't pick it out. I like pink better than red." She leaned up against him, laying her head against his chest. "But she said the dresses I liked were too frilly."
The elevator silently slid to a halt.
"Come on, we're here." He slid an arm around her shoulders, and led her into the apartment. The lights were out, and the drapes were open. The city stretched out in a haze of lights, with the moon hovering overhead.
"It's like you live in heaven." Usagi walked forward, surprisingly steady on her feet, and pressed her nose against the glass. "Look at all the lights, and the moon. I always wanted to know what the earth looks like from the moon."
Mamoru listened to her rambling with half an ear, more intent on removing his tuxedo and enjoying the view of her silhouette in the moonlight. He quickly stripped off the jacket, tie, and vest. Then he pulled off the suspenders and unbuttoned the shirt. Usagi was still staring out the window at the moon. He walked into the kitchen, and poured two glasses of champagne.
"It's beautiful tonight. Often the view is shrouded by fog, and soon taller buildings will probably block off everything." Usagi finally turned from the window. Mamoru stood behind her, a glass in each hand, his white shirt unbuttoned.
"That's a rather sad way to think of life." Her voice was soft, and sad, as though she expected more from him. Mamoru simply handed her the glass. Usagi took a sip.
"The bubbles tickle." She wrinkled her nose. Then she tilted the glass and quickly drank it all. Mamoru followed her example, and then dropped both the glasses on the floor. They shattered with a loud crash. Usagi jumped backwards, a touch of fear in her eyes. Mamoru swept the girl into his arms, the glass crunching underneath his feet. The trip to the bedroom was just a few steps. Usagi couldn't see much because Mamoru kept the lights off. He put her on the floor and leaned over to take his shoes off. Usagi stared at the top of his head, admiring the way his hair shone even in the small amount of moonlight that entered the windows.
"Mamoru, what are you doing?" Mamoru sighed loudly.
"The act is getting a little old, Usagi. It was real cute for the first hour or two, but it's time for the games to end." He stood up, pulling Usagi back to her feet. "No more games, no more." He leaned down, pressing his mouth against hers in a searing kiss.
Usagi was lost. Between the alcohol, the drugs Ace had slipped her, and the power of the kiss, she couldn't tell up from down. She knotted both hands into the sides of his shirt, trying to keep herself from crumpling to the ground. His tongue swept into her mouth, while his hands ran down her back and around to her hips. He lifted her up and set her back on the bed. He tore his lips away, ran his hands down each of her legs slowly, pulled off her heels one by one, and chucked them over his shoulder. Usagi closed her eyes and laid back on the bed, too tired to argue, too drunk to fight, giving over to the sensations his hands were sending through her body.
Mamoru watched the girl's face in the moonlight. Her hair spread out over the black satin comforter, golden against the darkness. He climbed onto the bed, lying beside her. He ran a hand along her cheek, and across her lips. He leaned over and kissed her gently. His hands swept over the red velvet of the dress, and around the back to the zipper. He eased it down slowly, and pulled the garment off.
Usagi was so tired. She vaguely felt Mamoru's hands on her body, and his lips on hers. His touch sent shivers down her back. He leaned over her, pressing her back into the covers. It felt so familiar, like this had happened sometime before. She moved her hands up to his neck, holding tightly.
Mamoru peeled off the nylons, and ran his hands over Usagi's satin undergarments. The only sounds were his ragged breathing and her quiet moans. The heater kicked on, quietly spilling warmth into the room. Mamoru moved off Usagi for a moment, removing his shirt, pants, and underwear. Then he moved on top of her again, kissing her wildly, pressing his hips against hers. Usagi struggled for a moment, the sensations overwhelming her. This was too fast, and she didn't think she could keep from drowning.
"It's all right, sweetheart, don't fight me." She relaxed against him, as his hands moved between them. Usagi felt a spark inside her, growing stronger with every stroke of his fingers.
"Mamoru, please." Usagi's breathing became faster. She writhed underneath him, thrusting hips forward to meet his fingers. Mamoru bent over and kissed her again, sweeping his tongue through her mouth. Then she stiffened underneath him, and let out a tiny scream. He showered kisses down her chin, to her full breasts. He slowly took off her satin bra, teasing one nipple while suckling on the other. Usagi had lost all sense of time. She could only feel what Mamoru's hands were doing to her body. His hands and mouth moved from her breasts to her thighs, and then between them. His tongue flicked against her. Usagi arched off the bed and screamed again, his name, loudly. He moved back over her, kissing her lips again.
"Do you want me to stop, sweetheart?" He looked down into the girl's eyes.
"No, Yes. I don't know. Please, Mamoru, please." Usagi rubbed her hips against him. Mamoru smiled.
"Your wish is my command." He placed himself at her entrance, and slowly pushed inside. Then he stopped for a moment, feeling a barrier he wasn't expecting.
"Usagi, is there something you want to tell me?" Usagi opened her eyes again. They were brimming with confusion.
"I've never had anything to drink before?" Her voice was full of sincerity. Mamoru simply groaned.
"I'm sorry baby." Then he pushed himself into her slowly, ignoring her tears and her pleas for him to stop hurting her.
"That hurts Mamoru, stop it."
"It was supposed to hurt sweetheart, you were a virgin."
"That's stupid." Mamoru stifled a laugh. He wiped her tears away and captured her lips in his again. Usagi felt the desire rising in her again. Then Mamoru began to move. She caught the rhythm quickly and met his motions. Then she felt something hovering on the edges of her mind, as though there was a presence there. The world collapsed. Usagi felt like she was exploding, and then the two lay in each other's arms.
"Good night, Usagi." He planted a kiss on her forehead, but she was already fast asleep. He lay beside her for a few moments, the enormity of what he had felt sweeping over him. For once in his life, he'd been given something pure, innocent. He glanced down at the girl beside him, almost laughing when she opened her mouth and started to snore. He felt something fluttering in his heart, something stronger than lust. And he lay in the dark, swiftly rewriting his life to include the angel sleeping beside him.
Mamoru woke to bright sunlight streaming in the windows of his penthouse. He rolled over; for a minute terrified that the night before had been just a dream, but the girl was still in his bed, nothing but her golden hair visible above the covers. He got out of bed slowly, grimacing a bit at the pain in his head. He really shouldn't have had that last glass of champagne. The shower beckoned him.
He sang in the shower, a loud rendition of the newest hit from the Starlights. He hoped in the back of his mind that the noise might wake his sleeping guest, but she didn't even stir. After the shower, he managed to eat a bowl of noodles and down some milk. He looked in on the girl one last time before leaving for work. She was still snuggled under the covers, only her head poking out. Mamoru planted a soft kiss on her forehead, and scribbled a note that he left on the nightstand.
"Sleep well, little bunny."
Usagi opened her eyes slowly. Her head was pounding, her stomach hurt like hell, and she couldn't remember getting into bed. The ceiling in her bedroom looked very far away. She frowned. Not only was the ceiling far away, but it was ridged in a strange pattern. And it was black. She sat up slowly, one hand on her pounding head. Then she screamed. The sound hovered in the oppressive black and red opulence of the room for several long moments after her voice quieted.
She managed to get herself out of the strange bed very quickly, and almost had another heart attack. She was naked, and there was blood on her thighs. For a moment she was in shock, unaware of what might have happened. She closed her eyes tightly and tried to remember the night before, but it was a giant blank, as though an eraser had wiped everything from her mind after eating at the party.
"And I don't remember anything." Usagi sank to the floor and cried. She remembered Naru disappearing, and the blonde man…she frowned until his name came to mind. Ace, his name was Ace something. And she'd sat down to eat. And had too much fizzy punch. And she remembered choking, and a nasty drink, and a pair of eyes the color of a blue crayon. Her head started pounding fiercely. After a while her tears slowly dried up to sniffles and hiccups. She stood up slowly, wiping her nose on her arm, and wincing at the soreness between her legs and the ache in her head.
There was a note, on the pillow. A strong hand had scribbled the words 'I'll be home after six. Get some sleep'. She stared at the message for a long time as though she could somehow remember who the note was from merely by deciphering the characters. Then she crumpled the message into a ball. She had to get home. Her clothes were scattered around the room. She picked up each piece slowly and struggled to dress. "I promise I'll always listen to Naru from now on." Usagi said the words like a prayer, her fuzzy mind still trying to sort out details. She could remember bright blue eyes, and black hair, but no face went with the features. Usagi started to panic. "I'll call Naru, she'll know what to do." Usagi went to the phone sitting beside the bed. Then she stopped. "It's Monday, she'll be at school." Usagi choked back the tears again. Finally she had managed to dress herself.
The penthouse was huge, and done all in black and red. The opulence was oppressive, and it seemed almost, evil. Usagi shivered a bit. She found the main entrance quickly, and noticed a black cape lying by the door. For some reason a pair of brilliant blue eyes flashed through her mind again. She picked the cape up and wrapped it around her. Then she entered the elevator, pushing the button labeled parking garage. Nothing happened. Then Usagi noticed the lock, and for some reason remembered a large hand turning a key. She swore and left the elevator. It took her almost thirty minutes to find the staircase. It was hidden back out of the way, but luckily there was no fire alarm attached.
The whole way down she prayed no one would find her. It was a slow, arduous trip. She lost track of the floors after fifty. She was walking in her bare feet; her heels were a poor choice for exercise. She finally reached the bottom, huffing and puffing, and pushed aside to the door to reveal a well lit, but mainly empty parking garage. And to Usagi's eternal thanks, a taxi sat just a little bit in front of her, with a young black haired woman exiting. Usagi waited until the woman was out of sight, and then ran for the cab. She slid into the seat and directed the man to her house, grateful for the cab money still tucked in her purse.
The cab pulled up outside the Tsukino residence, and Usagi was glad the trip hadn't been any longer. She had just enough money to pay the meter. It was Monday, so her mom would be grocery shopping and then she'd go to work at the library, her dad would be at work, and her brother at school. So she ran to the front door and let herself inside quickly. They wouldn't have missed her in the morning. She was supposed to get up and get to school on her own, her mom had probably checked her room at eight and finding it empty, assumed she'd actually gotten up and to school on time.
She raided the fridge first, eating everything in sight, and then spend two hours in the shower scrubbing every inch of skin she could reach. Finally, she took the undergarments she'd been wearing and burned them. The dress had to be returned to the rental shop, so Usagi carefully looked it over for stains or tears, and hid it in the back of her closet. Finally she curled up in her bed and cried herself to sleep.
Naru was worried. Usagi hadn't been at school all day. Classes went by very slowly without Usagi's constant antics. Finally the day was over and Naru made it home in record speed. Her first stop was the telephone. The phone rang several times. Finally a quiet voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Usagi! You're home. What happened last night? Where were you? Why didn't you come to school today?" The other end of the line burst into tears. Naru's premonition became worse. Something very bad had happened to Usagi. "I'll be over in two minutes." Naru slammed the phone down and ran out the door.
The trip to Usagi's house took Naru a bit longer than two minutes. She knocked on the front door. Shingo, Usagi's annoying brother answered.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm here to see Usagi." Shingo shrugged and opened the door, returning to his video game. Naru raced up the stairs, hoping to avoid Mrs. Tsukino. She almost succeeded.
"Hello Naru. Usagi's locked in her room; I think she said she was doing homework. Ask her if she wants anything to eat." Naru nodded, grateful that Usagi's mom hadn't heard about her daughter missing school yet.
"Usagi?" Naru knocked lightly on the door. The only sound from inside was the occasional sniffle. "Usagi please let me in."
The door cracked open a bit, and Naru quickly entered, shutting the door and locking it behind her. Usagi was sitting on her bed, dressed in a pair of ratty bunny pajamas, and hugging a big stuffed animal her dad had bought for her long ago. Her eyes looked hollow, and her face was red from tears.
"Oh kami, what happened Usa?" Naru climbed on the bed beside her best friend.
"I don't even remember Naru. I don't remember anything. I don't want to remember anything." Her voice started to shake a bit.
"It's OK Usa, start from the last thing you do remember." Usagi nodded her head slowly.
"We were at that party, and Umino took you off to talk about something, and I waited. I got hungry, so I got something to eat. And then I waited for really long time. And then I bumped into someone and choked on a sausage, and then…" Usagi stopped, her brow furrowed in concentration. That part of the night was a big blank spot. "I remember eyes, a pair of sapphire blue eyes." Naru didn't speak, unable to break the silence that had fallen. Usagi finally took a deep breath and continued. "I woke up in this big apartment, in this bed with black sheets." Naru's face turned a bit white, Usagi's turned red. "I, I wasn't wearing any clothes, so I found my clothes and snuck outside and took a cab home…and then I slept." Usagi's tale broke into quiet sobs. Naru wrapped her arms around Usagi. Suddenly Naru's own problems seemed very small.
"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault. How can you ever forgive me?" Usagi just clung to Naru and cried.
At six o'clock exactly the elevators opened to Mamoru's penthouse. He was dressed in a tuxedo, with a dozen roses in one hand, a bottle of wine in the other, and a small box from Osa P Jewelers in his pocket. The place was dark.
"Usagi?" The silence was a bit oppressive. Mamoru noticed the glass was still covering the floor by the window. He walked through the apartment slowly, calling for her.
"Usagi? Where are you?" Doubts flooded his mind. Maybe he should have left a longer note, or woke her up that morning. He had been so sure she had enjoyed the night before. And most women wanted more than a one-night fling. He ended in the bedroom. The covers were half dropped on the floor. The bed was empty, and her clothes were gone. He dropped both the flowers and wine on the floor, frantically searching for anything she might have left behind. There was nothing. His bellow of denial could be heard in the streets below.
Usagi shifted slowly from foot to foot. She hated going to the doctors but her mother had insisted. She hadn't been able to keep food down for three weeks now. The doctor's office was sparsely furnished, and all the chairs were taken. So Usagi stood, waiting for her turn.
"Usagi Tsukino?" The nurse poked her head around the door. Usagi took a few steps forward. "Please follow me Miss Tsukino." The woman walked through the narrow corridors and led Usagi to a small room. "Please take your clothing off and put this on." The woman handed her a little paper dress. Usagi blushed a bit, but nodded her assent. The nurse returned a few moments later to take blood, vital signs, and give Usagi a cup to fill with urine. Usagi really hated doctor's visits. After all the poking and prodding, and answering questions about her eating habits, the doctor gave her a pat on the head and a promise that the test results would be back in a day. Another day of waiting.
Ikuko Tsukino held her daughters hand tightly while they waited for the doctor to speak.
"Mrs. Tsukino, it appears your daughter isn't ill at all." Ikuko let out the breath she'd been holding. "However, it does appear that your daughter is three weeks pregnant." The room was silent for several long moments. Then Usagi screamed.
Ikuko sat in silence, her mind unable to digest what she'd just heard. "Usagi's only seventeen, barely seventeen." The doctor smiled sadly. "She doesn't even have a boyfriend. She's never been on a date. She's never…"
Usagi's screams had turned to tears, the kind that shake the body and cause those listening to cringe. "This can't be happening to me. I don't even remember what happened. I don't know what he looks like; I don't even remember his name." She pulled her slender legs up by her chin, rested her head on them, and wrapped her arms around her legs. The sobs quieted to silent tears.
The doctor handed a pamphlet to Ikuko. "There are several options you can look at." Ikuko flipped through the booklet, her gaze becoming sadder with each page. Usagi slowly regained control, and looked over her mothers shoulder. Her eyes grew dark with anger. She ripped the booklet from her mother's hands and shredded it completely.
"This is my baby, and I'm not going to kill it." The doctor took a step back, a bit intimidated by the girl's commanding voice and blazing eyes. Ikuko stood and wrapped an arm around Usagi's shoulders.
"Let's go home sweetheart. We need to talk to your father. You need to tell us what happened. Thank you, Doctor."
The two women left the office, leaning on each other for support, as though a great weight was resting on their shoulders.
Mamoru paced across the boardroom. The six men and two women sitting at the table cringed every time he passed by them. Anger radiated off him, almost visible. In fact, it was visible to some seated there. A black mist seeping off his body, flooding the room and escaping into the world beyond. His eyes were almost black.
Kaji could feel the rumbling inside him. He had kept his anger bottled inside for six months now. Six months of dealing with a leader who was acting more like a spoiled brat. Six months of searching for someone who obviously didn't want to be found. Six months of hell. He noticed the defeated look on Hisame's face, and the questions echoing from Ikusa and Arashi. He closed his eyes for a moment, and then let the anger spill out.
He let his restraints go, the anger washing through his body. But even now he wouldn't chastise Mamoru in public. Mamoru's mouth opened in shock as Kaji stood and grabbed him by the arm, hauling him out the door and down the hallway to an empty office.
Kaji slammed the door shut, throwing Mamoru against the far wall in the same movement. He continued into the room, plowing a fist into Mamoru's gut.
"You selfish little brat. Do you realize what we've sacrificed to find you? We've been working night and day, trying to get back your kingdom. We train every night under that witch, we spent a year searching for you, and we have given up our families, our homes, and everything we've ever loved for you." Kaji continued pounding on Mamoru during the tirade, giving the young man a bloody lip, a black eye, and a massive headache in the process. Then Kaji grabbed Mamoru's hair, pulling his face up. The two men looked each other in the eyes. Mamoru shivered at the amount of emotion hidden there.
"I left the only woman who has ever been able to touch my soul for you, Prince. You have my complete loyalty, but you have yet to earn my respect." Then Kaji slammed Mamoru's face into the floor. "Grow up. The Prince of Earth can't afford to be a sniveling brat." Then Kaji left the room, leaving an almost unconscious Mamoru alone on the floor.