Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Cursed Destiny ❯ Chapter 5

Neflite had awoken at the same time as Makoto, listening to her move around. Her movements had in fact woken him up. He listened to her get up and walk out the front door. He waited a few moments before getting up and following her. For a few seconds, he simply gazed at her as she watched the sunrise. Her hair was illuminated by the orange rays and the blanket was pulled snugly against her body, keeping her warm in the chill of the early hours. He must have made a sound, because she turned around suddenly. Her mouth was slightly open in surprise. Oh, how he wanted to find out if those luscious lips were as soft as they looked… He looked into her eyes and mumbled, "Um, hi." He felt very nervous and anxious. He wanted to tell her that she could trust him, that he wouldn't hurt her like that asshole.

"Makoto…" "Neflite…" they said at the same time. They both started laughing. Makoto smiled at him and motioned for him to follow her. He wasn't sure where she was taking him, but being alone with her would be nice, maybe even show her what a great guy he was, not scary at all. She led him to the poolside where they sat at one of the many tables. The Oak Apartments was really very fancy, the pool was filled with crystal clear water and the pool boy was at the other end of the Olympic size swimming pool in the little office, getting ready to start his day. Makoto spoke before he had a chance to gather up his courage.

"I just wanted to apologize about yesterday. I didn't mean to react like that. It's just…" he looked at her reflection in the water, "Well...you scared me." He felt her looking at him before turning to watch the water also.

"It's ok. I understand. People do things when they are scared or hurt that they later regret. I got myself fired once for punching my boss," he said. He remembered the incident vividly. His jerk of a boss had demanded that the paperwork for the new client be done immediately, which was impossible for three people to do in one day, let alone one lone person in one hour. He had argued with Mr. Peterson, (Americans, who could understand them?) and had lost his temper. He had been fired on the spot and had been made to gather his few possessions from the small desk he had and leave the premises. The client had been outside, apparently waiting for him. It had been Mamoru.

Is it my imagination, or is she watching my reflection as I watch hers? This thought gave him some comfort. Maybe she would take the chance and let him in.

"You felt regret that you were no longer employed?" she asked.

He grinned, "Actually no. I didn't regret that. If I hadn't gotten myself fired, I would have never met Mamoru or come to work for him. I love my new job. I have friends and a life that I enjoy." And I wouldn't have met you either, he thought, and that is something that I wouldn't have missed for all the ice cream in the world.

"That's good." Makoto said. "Um, so why was everyone camping out in my front room?"

He blushed a bit remembering how he had slept so near to her, "Oh that. Well, some of them were afraid that those sand things might come back. They thought that it would be a good idea if you all stayed together."

"Oh, well that's alright then. But, why did you stay? You weren't in danger, were you?"

"Um. Well, about that…" He really didn't want to tell her that he hadn't wanted to leave her side. It hadn't mattered that he wouldn't have been able to do anything.

"Neflite! Mako-chan!" It was Haruka. Oh thank God, Neflite thought. He had been saved just in the nick of time. Haruka, the woman who he had thought was a man, how was he supposed to know? She looked like a bishonen for goodness sakes.

"What are you two doing out here?! What if those things came back and attack you? You'd be defenseless."

"But I feel much stronger now," Makoto said. She pouted in such the cutest way, Neflite thought.

"That doesn't matter; you haven't gotten all of your strength back. Now get inside," Haruka growled. Makoto followed Haruka and Neflite followed Makoto, watching her cute little derriere sway from side to side underneath that blanket. "Lucky blanket," he mumbled.

Makoto tuned around, "Did you just say something?"

Neflite went red in the face, "U-u-uh, n-no. I didn't say a thing. Why do you ask?"

"I thought I heard something. Must have been my imagination I guess," she smiled at him. Such a beautiful smile, I want her to smile more for me, he thought. She definitely doesn't smile enough. They came to the door and went inside.

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Four days after the morning talk with Neflite, Makoto sat at the cash register of her bakery and sighed. The day had seemed long enough and then Rei had come into the bakery to remind her that tonight was the grand dinner for Usagi and Mamoru's company. The whole of the company, about 900 employees, were attending and the senshi had all been invited. Usagi had begged and pleaded for five days for Makoto to go. She was supposed to bring a date, but hadn't actually gotten around to asking anyone. Going stag was ok though. Maybe Neflite… She jerked her head up, what the hell am I thinking? Sure he's cute, but he's…he's…he's just Neflite. Though he does have a cute butt… A knock at the door brought her to her senses. It was Usagi.

"Mako-chan, are you ready for some major shopping? I can't wait! I have to find a dress that will knock Mamo-chan into next week!" Usagi giggled at the thought. Makoto smiled, she had also promised to go dress shopping.

"I'm ready. Let's go," Makoto said as she and Usagi headed to the mall, leaving the assistants to take care of the shop.

"I'm thinking a pale pink for me…how about you Mako-chan?" Makoto had just witness the demolition of three burgers, five hotdogs and two milkshakes. Usagi's appetite always astounded her.

"I'm not sure. I was just going to look around and just see what would fit."

"Oh, ok. Oh look! That is the perfect dress for me!" Usagi ran to the nearby store. The dress was hanging in the window. It had puffy short sleeves, an imperial waistline and was such a pale pink, it looked almost white. While Usagi tried the dress on, Makoto looked through the bargain rack. A flash of green caught her eye and she pulled out a dress, a forest green dress that looked nice enough for tonight. After telling Usagi, Makoto slipped into a nearby dressing stall and undressed so that she could try on the dress. Five minutes later, she was still standing in the dress, just staring at the mirror. It was perfect. It was an off the shoulder, Chinese style dress with a slit on each side that went to mid thigh and fell to mid-calf. The material hugged her every curve, showing off her long, shapely legs. She even knew which shoes she already had that would go with the dress, a pair of low boots made of faux green leather. (She couldn't stand to wear real leather.) Usagi had already bought her dress by the time Makoto came out of the dressing stall. She was in a daze as she paid the salesclerk and took Usagi back to the Oak Apartments. She showered, washed her hair, dressed in a bra and panties and carefully applied some make-up to her face. Her hair was swept up into her usual ponytail, but she added a clip that her mother had once owned, an emerald piece. Then she carefully slipped into the dress. She felt different with the dress on, more confident, more daring. Almost like a spy out of an action movie. Then she went over to Usagi's apartment. Mamoru answered the door already dressed in his tuxedo, doing a double take when he saw her.

"Makoto?? Is that really you?"

""Shut up you moron," she smiled at him to let him know she wasn't being mean, "I feel weird enough as it is."

He grinned. Neflite is going to flip when he sees her, he thought. Out loud he said, "Usagi's in the bedroom, you can go on back there. I was banned to the front room until she's finished."

Makoto laughed and headed to the back of the apartment where the bedroom was. Usagi was twisting her hair up into two buns. She stopped when she saw Makoto.

"Mako-chan…you look amazing…outstanding even."

Makoto smiled at her friend, "Thanks, would you like some help with those odangos?"

"Oh yes, please, I'm having the worst trouble," Makoto took the brush and began making the left bun, "I guess I'm kind of nervous. All those people are going to be watching Mamoru and they are bound to notice me. What if I trip, what if I say something stupid or insulting?"

Makoto finished the first bun and started on the second. "Don't worry so much. You'll make it more likely to happen if you worry. Are any of the other Senshi coming over? I need to know if I should take my car or not. If I don't, I'll hitch a ride with one of them."

"Not that I know of…but you never know, one of them might come over with their beloved to show off tonight's fashions."

"There you go, two perfect buns." Makoto placed the brush on Usagi's bed stand. A group picture stood there, everyone paired up except for her, everyone happy except for her. Funny, she didn't feel unhappy anymore. She felt content with her life. Usagi had put on her dress and asked Makoto to help her button up the back. The buttons, tiny little teardrops, lined nearly the entirety of Usagi's back. Usagi turned around and it was Makoto's turn to gasp. "Princess…"

"Do I really look like my former self?"

"I feel like bowing, so yeah…"

"Good, I really like that about this dress. It makes me feel like I am not just another girl from down the street. Let's go wow Mamo-chan and make him die from the eye candy!" Usagi giggled as she and Makoto walked down the hallway. Mamoru was watching TV, not concentrating on much else. Makoto cleared her throat, getting his attention. He looked over his shoulder and did another double take, this one directed to Usagi. His mouth hung open in shock for a full thirty seconds before Makoto walked over and closed it for him. He couldn't keep his eyes (or his hands) away from Usagi. By the time 7 pm rolled around, Mamoru had calmed down enough to not be speechless. No one else had come by, so Makoto drove herself to the banquet hall where the dinner was being held. Mamoru's car only held two people; otherwise she would have gone with them.

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Neflite had had his tuxedo ready two hours before the banquet started. He had wanted to ask Makoto to be his date, even Mamoru and the other guys were encouraging him, but he hadn't gotten up the courage to actually ask her. More than a dozen times he had gone by her house or her bakery, ready to ask her and then chickening out. He had watched her make cakes and breads but wasn't able to even go inside the bakery. He had watched her front door, hoping she would come outside before knocking on Mamoru's door in defeat. Kunzite had lent him the tuxedo, giving him a deep red bowtie and cummerbund to match the red lining of the jacket. The pants of the tuxedo were a slightly lighter color than the jet black of the jacket, looking almost mismatched, but actually quite fashionable, according to Kunzite that is. Neflite liked the mismatched look, it suited him. He watched the news channel for a while, a lot of girls were disappearing around the city. Girls were take right off the street, only to be found dead later. He narrowed his eyes when he saw a picture of one of the girls. She looked a lot like Makoto. He would stay close to her this evening. Not that he hadn't already planned to so, but now he had a good reason in case she asked.

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"Why aren't there any prisoners here kneeling before me?"

"Your majesty, the minions had some…difficulty…and were defeated."

The red eyes narrowed, glaring at the man before the throne. "I see…well, then, we have to try again. Those Senshi must be captured and the gem retrieved. I can sense the power even now. The gem is growing stronger, but it is also going back to the Senshi and that must NOT HAPPEN!!!" The roar was deafening. The young man flinched, he did not like being yelled at, especially when it wasn't his fault. "I think you should go next, take as many of the sandmen as you need, and some of the others if you so desire. I have much faith in you. Now go and plan your attack."

The young man bowed and turned to leave the throne room. "One more thing," the dark queen said, "Should you fail, you will not be welcomed among the living." He nodded and left.