Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed Destiny ❯ Chapter 2

"Introduce you? You? Actually want to meet someone? Are you feeling ok?" Mamoru gave Neflite a suspicious look.

Neff waved off the look, "Yes, I'm feeling fine, just in love that's all. I suddenly understand that whole Shakespeare play, and how Romeo felt when he first laid eyes on Juliet. So? How about it? Are you going to introduce me or what??"

"Yeah, sure…I'm going to visit Usagi right after work. Makoto will probably be there. She was supposed to go with us two days ago, but she never showed up. Wait, you saw her on Saturday? Where?"

Neflite's eyes glazed over and his voice took on a dreamy tone as he spoke, "In the park, she went swimming and found me watching her." He trailed off remembering the sight of her. "And then she punched me."

"Ah, so that's why your nose is black and blue. At least it's not swollen, right?"

Neff grimaced, "Took 19 packs of ice to get it somewhat back to normal. She's got a mean right hook."

Mamoru grinned, "So I guess telling you she is a master of many martial arts will come as no surprise to you?"

Neff raised an eyebrow, "Really? How many and which ones?"

"Hmm, not sure how many, but I know she knows karate, jujitsu, kung-fu tiger style, tai-chi, drunken boxing, krav-maga, tai-kwon-do… and a bunch of others. I used to study karate with her. She's good at the martial arts and she's a fast learner. You know, I was actually hoping to introduce you two, thought you might hit it off."

"Well, you're a little late on this one pal. I've fallen for her all on my own. Literally and emotionally."

******************

Makoto sat at the kitchen counter, cutting up vegetables for the soup she was making. Usagi sat nearby, cheerfully going on about the TV show she had seen on her lunch break.

"And then, the guy found the person in the audience, he was saying that a loved one had a message for them. I mean, it was amazing! He was able to contact a dead person and tell the living what the dead were saying!"

"Yeah, that's quite an achievement. Can you hand me that cucumber, Usagi-chan?"

"Mako-chan, are you ok? You've been out of it since I left this morning…"

"Huh? Yeah, I'm fine. I just feel weird, that's all." Truthfully, Makoto couldn't get that guy out of her head. What was his name? Neflite? Yeah, that sounds about right, she thought. "Who all is coming over tonight? I need to make sure everyone gets enough to eat."

Counting off on her fingers, Usagi said, "Let's see, Rei, Jadeite, Ami, Zoicite, Minako, Kunzite, you, me, Mamo-chan and a friend of Mamo-chan's. So that's ten people."

"Wait, I thought this was going to be a past life group thing? Who is this person and why is he or she invited? What about Michiru, Haruka, Hotaru and Setsuna? Aren't they supposed to come too?"

"No, they are going somewhere and would probably not make it back in time. They said they would try, but to not expect them. As for the friend of Mamo-chan, HE works at the office, he's a nice enough guy, a bit of a hermit though, he's really closed off from everyone. I think you'll like him. He's super good at computers and he's really smart. He's really into that American comic company, Marvel I think is the name. Don't you like that sort of stuff?"

Makoto had been reaching for a container of pepper and stopped mid-way, "Wait a second! This is a blind date isn't it?!"

Usagi got nervous all of a sudden, "Well technically, it's not a date. It's a group thing and…"

"Damn it Usagi! I told you not to do this! I don't want to be set up with some weirdo creep. I don't need love to be happy. I don't need some man messing up my life! I'll start dating when I want to. And not before, you understand? I'll accept this guy as a guest, but not as a date!"

"Sure, Mako-chan. I'll go get the ice cream now." Usagi was nearly out the door when she heard Makoto call her back.

"Usagi-chan, I'm sorry for getting mad at you like that, it's just…I don't know…I'm tired of everybody trying to set me up with guys…or girls, in Michiru's case." Makoto gave Usagi a shy smile. "Forgive me?"

Usagi grinned broadly, "Of course!"

*****************

Neflite tucked his shirt in before pulling it back out. He paused for a moment and then tucked it back in. Mamoru then kicked Neff in the shin. He hopped around while Mamoru whistled a tune innocently.

"What the hell did you do that for?!"

"How else was I going to get you to stop that nervousness shit before one of the girls opened the door?"

"They are not about to op-"

Usagi opened the door and smiled at the two men. "Come on in. The others are already here. Even the outers are here!"

"Even the others? Isn't that what you just said?" asked Neflite. His heart skipped a beat when his angel appeared; she was holding a pot of hot liquid and wearing an apron over her clothing. Her eyes sparkled as she laughed at a joke told by a handsome man he had never seen before. He didn't like this man, the way he looked at Makoto, touched her cheek and smiled at her. Another girl, with sea green hair, was standing next to the man. It almost looked like those two were together…were they?? A devious plot for the precious Makoto, he decided, that is what it is. They're trying to seduce her to their bed! A silent fury took hold of him and it was he could do to not rip the spleen from the man. Makoto looked over his way and his eyes caught hers. Such a beauty, her soul shines through to me, a pure soul she is. His thoughts placed her in a field of wildflowers, actually stopping him in mid step to admire this mental picture of her. He then fell over a chair that was in his way. The next thing he knew was that everyone was staring at him. Kunzite and Zoicite were laughing their heads off at his expense. The others were just staring in disbelief, disgust or, like the two hyenas in the corner, amusement. Only one came to his aid, his angel. She looked at him with fear, fear that he had hurt himself maybe? Probably.

A sweet voice spoke to him, "Are you ok?"

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It had taken Makoto a few hours before getting over the shock of having to go through another blind date, but thankfully, her brain was set to auto-pilot and the rest of the food was made without delay. She hoped that this guy would at least be more interesting than the last guy she had been set up with. The guy had been a total asshole to everyone they came in contact with and had actually had the nerve to ask her if he could "spend the night". Well, it's too late to do anything about it, she thought, might as well make the most of it. Surprisingly, the outer Senshi showed up with Usagi and lots of ice cream.

"I'm sorry Mako-chan, I couldn't decide on any one flavor!" Usagi looked so mournful over her dilemma that Makoto just took the ice cream over to the huge freezer that was for just such a situation and put it all away nice and neat. One of the dishes being served at the party was an American recipe she had found in the cookbook her grandfather had given her. It was called stew. It was very tasty and very hot. By the time it was ready to be brought out, everyone else had arrived except for Mamoru and the mystery man. Makoto carefully took the pot to the table. Haruka jokingly told Mako what a beautiful wife she made. She even caressed Makoto's cheek as she said it. Michiru found it all very funny and scolded Haruka for teasing Makoto. Makoto just smiled at her friends, a genuine smile this time. It was then that Makoto scanned the room and found the man staring at her. The mystery man was here…wait a minute, she thought, that's… that's….NEFLITE! He spaced out for a second before walking into one of the chairs she had put there for extra sitting room. He fell head first into the carpet. Makoto's heart wrenched for him as she ran to help him. She could hear the two imbeciles that Ami and Minako loved laughing themselves to death. What morons, she thought, to laugh at another's pain. She helped Neflite to a sitting position and asked, "Are you ok?"

He looked at her, staring and nodded his head slowly. She helped him up and led him to the kitchen where she inspected him for any injuries. All she found was a bump on the back of his head, which was given an ice pack to reduce the swelling.

"You know, if being around me is such a hazard to your safety, maybe you should stay away for awhile," Makoto said with a smile. Neflite laughed, making his head hurt even more, "I think I can survive." A tension filled the air. Neflite wanted to lean in and kiss her sweet tender lips, Makoto was scared he might try. He leaned in to her, trapping her in the corner of the counter. "You are so intoxicating, did you know that?" he said.

Mako could feel her heart thumping out of control, her fear starting to take over. She couldn't help it; she punched him again, this time in the stomach. He immediately doubled over, letting out a cry of pain. Mamoru rushed in, followed by the others. Rei-chan looked in horror at the scene, "MAKOTO! What did you do?!"

Her fear was still in full blast, too many people, loud voices overpowering her. She pushed through everyone at ran out the front door down the steps and didn't stop till she had reached her sanctuary.

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"Nef, I am soooo sorry! I don't know what got into her. She's not usually like this." Mamoru was in the dining room, cleaning up while Usagi tended to Neflite. He noted that Usagi was not as gentle with him as Mako-ko was. In fact, Usagi was down right brutal in her nursing. He smiled to himself; he was already calling her that affectionate nickname, as if she was already his… He missed her, wishing she was there to make him feel better, rather than the babbling Usagi. For the hundredth time that day, he wondered to himself what he had ever seen in the bubble headed blond. Sure she was beautiful, but looks weren't everything. He did admire her positive attitude though, if anything else, she was like a cupid or something. She had brought Mako-ko to him, and for that he was very grateful. Usagi is saying something, maybe I should listen, he thought.

"She really is a sweet person Neflite, she only gets violent every other day now."

"Like that makes a lot of sense Usa-ko. What my little bunny here means, Nef, is that Makoto has had it very rough. She's been alone for so long, and what with happened with that last guy…"

"Last guy? What last guy?" Neflite's eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Don't get too excited over this Nef, the guy is dead. In fact, it was Makoto who killed him." Mamoru raised an eyebrow at Neflite's expression.

"She…killed…him? Why?"

Usagi cleared her throat. "Well, that's a little more complicated to explain, but basically he used her. She fell for him completely and he betrayed her in the worst possible way. He became her enemy and she lost it. She became a monster that day and slaughtered him so viciously that the police thought that a pack of wild dogs or wolves got to him. She was never caught and returned to her normal self afterwards, but…"

"But, what?" Nef prompted.

"She acquired a new depth to her personality," Mamoru said, "Any male who tried to get close to her would be pushed back as quickly as possible. None of them ever tried very hard. I do recall one saying `who wants such a frigid bitch anyways?' but he had been the most smitten with her. She's scared of being hurt again, that's all. When she hurts, she lashes out. I know that she's been depressed lately, but she's been keeping it inside. She's trying to not burden anyone that she loves. She sees it as her problem, not theirs."

Neflite looked down at his hands, resting on his lap, "I see…but, I also see a scared girl who needs to be loved, in the right way. And I think that I could give her that kind of love."

Usagi's eyes sparkled, "Do you really think you could win her heart? That would be so perfect!"

Nef looked up in confusion, "It would? How?"

Mamoru simply smiled at his friend, "You'll find out soon enough."