~Friday the Thirteenth~
* denotes italics.
' denotes thought.
Chapter 4: "Ironic Introductions"
Lunch hour arrived unmercifully quick for Usagi. Though... she couldn't quite complain, seeing as she'd slept the first two hours until Haruna thought it prudent to whap her with a ruler for disruptive snoring. After that, the next sixty minutes flew by, which was a rarity in itself. Dread did funny things to the clock; Usagi swore an evil force was twisting the hands into submission just to spite her. Why was it that, on the day she actually *wanted* to be in school, time raced by in leaps and bounds? The blonde grumbled an expletive as the afternoon bell signalling break resounded, sweeping up her lunch bag and stalking out the door with a murderous visage. It goes without saying that half of Juuban Junior High's population steered clear of the raving Odango as she stormed outside and over to her, Ami, and Makoto's favorite haunt. With voracious intent, Usagi shovelled food into her mouth as the other two Senshi approached (and a little warily at that).
"Hi, Usagi-chan," Ami greeted warmly. "Is something the mat-" Makoto elbowed the pedantic painfully- "uh, I mean, not that you look upset or... or anything, it's just-"
"Ami-chan, if this is about yesterday, I'm really sorry. I'm not quite sure what got into me last night," Usagi smiled past her ornery mood, cutting off Ami's rant before the girl could choke on her own ramblings. "This isn't about you guys; don't worry, I'm not mad."
Makoto let out an enormous breath, plopping down next to Usagi. "Whew! *That's* a relief! Ami-chan and I spent the whole morning wondering if you were still having hard feelings about our attitudes at Rei-chan's... which we all feel *really* bad about, by the way..."
Ami nodded vigorously, adding, "It was very unkind of us. We should have supported you instead of ridiculed you."
Usagi sniffled tearfully. "Aww, you guys...!" She threw her arms around Ami and Makoto. "That's so sweet of you! I'm just worried about babysitting with Mamoru-baka, that's all... oh, I'm so lucky! I- MAKO-CHAN, THAT LOOKS SOOOO YUMMY! MAY I HAVE SOME, PLEASE, PLEASE, PRETTY PLEASE?"
The brunette sweatdropped. Oh, Usagi was definitely back to normal, gluttonous mood swings and everything. "Knock yourself out."
Half the allotted lunch break passed by in comfortable quiescence, with Naru and Umino joining their group to gossip midway into Usagi's second helping of Makoto's bento. Naru discussed the new boy in their class, sending Makoto swooning and Usagi hellbent on meeting this Adonis. Ami just blushed, watching on politely and explaining that looks weren't everything to her. Then Umino switched gears with some Haruna rumors, creeping out the girls with his excess of knowledge about why she'd been skulking the principal's office so frequently. Hoping to save themselves mental scarring, Makoto launched into darker topics, effectively freaking out Usagi with eerie stories of the serial killer dubbed Enigma. The teen told Usagi about how the mystery killer moonlighted Tokyo, searching out beautiful women to rape and slaughter. Umino mentioned that the first death had been a sixteen year old babysitter, which sent Usagi into hysterics and Makoto yelling at him for the umbrage. Naru gleaned the truth out of her friend, scolded Umino, then dragged him off to reprimand a bit more. After perhaps five more minutes of this session, the beautiful day lured the love birds over to a tree for some privacy, Naru mollified (the flower tucked into her hand probably having had something to do with her appeasement). Usagi grinned, serial killers and butchered babysitters forgotten as she spied her old companions exchanging shrimp. Secretly, the odangoed one delighted at this latest development. They really were a cute couple! She was surprised it had taken this long for the pair to realize their feelings for each other.
"So Usagi-chan... let's talk babysitting," Makoto spoke up firmly, a strange glint to her green eyes as she snapped Usagi from reverie. "How do you propose you act in Mamoru-san's presence to avoid premature death? The Senshi and I haven't nearly enough money for a coffin, you know."
"Oh," Usagi, clearly startled at the new topic of conversation, mumbled through her bulging cheeks. "Er... I sorta was thinking... ignore him?"
"Usagi-chan," Ami chastised patiently, "you are babysitting a young child. You can't just 'ignore' the person who's helping you. Childcare doesn't work like that. There has to be proper communication, or you're posing a danger to Koto-chan."
"Danger?"
"You've seen your parents interact together, right? They also inform each other on you and your brother's whereabouts. If that exchange is lost, and they start assuming-"
"I know, I know. You assume, and you 'make an ass out of you and me'," Usagi quoted in a grumble. "I get it. Mamoru-san might think Koto-chan's with me, and vice versa... but really, she could be wandering the road or climbing the balcony or something."
Makoto started snickering to herself quietly. "You do realize what strangers on the street will think when they see you three, right?"
"That... we're... good babysitters?" Usagi responded uneasily, feeling nonplussed as Ami started smiling too.
"Koto-chan has brown hair, right?"
"Yeah..."
"And Mamoru-san has black?"
"I don't follow," Usagi pouted, crossing her arms stubbornly and refusing to answer. Makoto couldn't *possibly* be alluding-
"Oh come on, Usagi-chan! It's perfect!" the brunette guffawed. "Even you have to see it! Black hair plus blonde hair equals brown... and all three of you have blue eyes... all the right genes are staring me in the face!"
"Koto-chan is NOT mine and Mamoru-baka's child!" the fourteen year old Odango wailed, garnering a few strange looks from classmates at the pronouncement. She began spluttering, "Never- in my life- would I... I do *anything* with that JERK!"
"Calm down, Usagi-chan," Ami implored, waving her hand and shying away from the sudden interest of their peers. "Keep it quiet; I think half the school heard you..."
"They better have!" Usagi fumed, still imagining the horror of ever bearing Satan himself's spawn. With Mamoru's mutated genes, any kid of his would probably end up with pink hair and red eyes, or some other unnatural coloring... "I can't believe you'd even *suggest*-"
"I'm merely pointing out the obvious!" Makoto defended, throwing up her hands in surrender. "Cool your jets, or I'll be forced to sic Rei-chan on you!"
The threat proved successful. Usagi settled down with a disparaging grimace, wallowing in silence at the cruelty of her situation.
'Me and Mamoru-baka having a daughter, ha! Like *that* will happen in the next thousand years... If so, just plop a crown on my head and call me Queen of Tokyo!' she steamed.
The end-of-lunch bell reverberated sluggishly, stirring up the magically-endowed trio. Ami and Makoto exchanged sympathetic glances with Usagi, noticing how pale she'd become in impending anxiety.
Five more hours...
oOo
Usagi pouted, kicking gravel petulantly as she walked. A large white house loomed ahead, glowing in the golden sunset and ensconced by a dark forest that scared the heebie-jeebies out of Usagi. A long, paved driveway undulated toward her, mailbox proclaiming the surname of the opulent residence's owner: "Himo". Usagi took a deep breath and stopped in front of the aforementioned drive, gnawing anxiously on her lower lip. She glanced down at her watch, gritting her teeth as the big hand ticked forebodingly onto twelve. Six o'clock; right on time. A red Ferrari Usagi immediately recognized as Mamoru's was already parked in front of the garage. The fourteen year old groaned. It was now or never; if she didn't start moving in three seconds, her nerves would give out and she'd end up sprinting in the other direction.
'Why the heck did I agree to this again...?'
With the air of one marching to their own execution, Usagi ambled the distance over to the front door and knocked twice. Through the window, she caught sight of Fumara, Kotono on hip, approaching. And the deer-in-headlights look stuck on her complexion in the reflection. Lightning fast, the teen schooled it. Men like Mamoru-baka fed off fear, and she wanted to at least appear calm, even if her innards were churning like hell.
Fumara opened the door and greeted the young babysitter warmly. "Usagi-san, hello! Right on time... see, I told you you weren't incompetent."
"I try," Usagi responded weakly, donning a wan smile as she crossed the threshold and left her stomach somewhere on the front steps. Vaguely, the girl wondered if Fumara heard the hammering of her heart as clearly as Usagi herself did. Kotono grinned toothily.
"Mama, it Usa-chan! Usa-chan here!"
"I see, sweetheart. Usagi-san and Mamoru-san are going to watch you tonight." Fumara shifted her two and a half year old daughter. "Usagi-san, there's someone I want you to meet. He's in the living room."
'Oh, great. Wonder if the idiot will manage to keep his mouth shut about this...' Usagi thought glumly, following the auburn-headed woman. She took a moment to admire the immensity of her surroundings; Fumara and Santo were quite well off, if their possessions were any indication. Usagi recalled the last time she'd been in this house. She could have sworn it was smaller, but time dulled one's memories. Shaking her head of philosophical ponderings, the trio turned a corner and Usagi came face to face with Mamoru. The college student, currently perched in wait on the couch, let his mouth drop.
"*This* is *her*?"
"Indeed it is," Fumara beamed, oblivious to the strange stare Mamoru was giving his blushing partner. "Usagi-san tells me you've never been introduced."
"We- uh-" Mamoru paused at the wide-eyed, pleading expression Usagi graced him with from behind Fumara, wildly shaking her head back and forth. "No, we haven't."
"Well, she's a wonderful girl. Very sweet; I'm sure you'll be fast friends."
"Sure," Mamoru grumbled, deciding to ignore the irony of that comment. He stood, awkwardly moving over to his nemesis with an extended hand. "Pleased to meet you. I'm Chiba Mamoru."
Usagi gulped, unsure if she should accept Satan's appendage and incur innumerable diseases (rabies came quickly to mind), or simply slap him for daring to touch her. Best go with option number one. Just as discomfited, Usagi grabbed up the creep's hand and shook it as speedily as was humanly possible.
"Tsukino Usagi. Nice to meet you too."
'If "nice" means "I wish I could wipe that stupid, knowing smirk off your face, you pig-headed jerk".'
And then, thankfully, the contact was broken. Phew. Once Fumara left, Usagi promised her hand it would get a full antibacterial treatment. She turned to Fumara, aware of how close Mamoru was to her body and consciously taking a step sideways. At least the butterflies were dying in her stomach, now that the faux introduction ordeal was over and her cover remained intact.
"Please, sit down," Fumara encouraged, inclining her head to the couch as she herself claimed the love-seat. With no choice but to comply, Usagi grumpily settled down next to Mamoru. 'So much for personal space!' Knees brushing, Usagi fought to keep a straight face and normal coloring. She cursed the return of insistent fluttering in her midsection, but wondered, 'Why now? I'm not nervous anymore... I bet it's just the unfulfilled desire to haul off and slug him... That's it; I'm mad... yeah...'
"Fumara-san, can we walk through the rules? Do's and don'ts, if you will?" Mamoru intoned, broaching conversation.
Fumara nodded. "Alright; I suppose that's a good place to start, though I'm not very picky. I guess I would prefer if you kept television to a minimum, if at all. Santo-kun and I are trying to encourage Kotono to use her imagination as entertainment. You can find some of her toys and games in the blue toy-box by the stairwell. Secondly, Kotono needs constant supervision while she is awake; she tends to end up in places she ought not be when neglected. The cookie jar, for one."
"I used to be the same way," Usagi added, cerulean eyes bright in reminiscence. Mamoru gave her a funny look, then inquired,
"And bedtime?"
"Nine, at the latest." Fumara chuckled. "On the weekends, it's Kotono's little treat to stay up late. We usually go out for ice cream too, but that excursion is up to you."
One glimpse at Usagi, and Mamoru knew there would be no arguing. The Friday night ice cream tradition would continue, be it hell or high water.
"What's for dinner?" aforementioned blonde spoke up, eliciting a throaty snicker from Mamoru. Could the girl ever stop thinking about food? Usagi scowled, elucidating, "I mean for Koto-chan."
"Leftover curry, but she's already eaten. If you decide to forgo dessert, and Kotono complains of hunger, you'll find extra in the fridge. In fact, you two can help yourself to whatever you find in there; Lord knows I've enough fixings for an army."
Usagi got starry eyes and Mamoru made a mental note to create limits, lest Fumara return to empty cupboards. "I guess that leaves... emergency phone numbers?"
"Also on the fridge. Other than that, have fun, and call me if anything happens. My cell is always on," the red-head stated. She smiled warmly at Usagi. "I have faith in your abilities. You will both do fine. Now, one last thing before I go." She stood, ushering Kotono out of her lap and over to the couch. Sitting gently down on the coffee table in front of curious Usagi and Mamoru, Fumara gazed seriously at her daughter. Kotono blinked, cocking her pigtailed head in silent query.
"Kotono, Mama is going to work now. These are your babysitters until I come home. You already know Usagi-san," Fumara said, gesturing to the fourteen year old. "But this is Mamoru-san, one of Mama's friends from the hospital. He helps the sick children."
"How do you do, Koto-chan?" Mamoru, all charm, inquired of the girl brightly as he bent forward to meet her eyes. Kotono couldn't help but be taken in by his demeanor, and Usagi found herself touched by the genuine kindness in her enemy's tone. 'If only he showed that side more often, then maybe I wouldn't see him as such a jerk...'
"Hullo, Mamo-chan," Kotono responded breathlessly, blue orbs sparkling as she shyly bowed politely like Mama taught her.
'Mamo-chan?' Usagi thought, surprised. 'That's rather... cute...' Then the devil in her smirked. 'I think I've found a new nickname...'
"I have to leave now, Kotono," Fumara informed the two and a half year old, placing a hand on Kotono's shoulder.
"When you come home?" the child asked innocently, the merest tremor hiding in her tone.
"While you're asleep. But I want you to treat Usagi-san and Mamoru-san like you would treat me, okay? Listen to what they tell you, and be a good girl. I love you."
"Will," Kotono affirmed, nodding. "Love too."
They shared an embrace, then Kotono followed Fumara, Usagi, and Mamoru to the door. She clung to one of Usagi's legs, sucking a thumb and watching as farewells were exchanged.
"Call me if you need anything," Fumara reminded. "And nine o'clock, please. Kotono tends to be cranky when she gets little sleep. You may have a minor tantrum before bed, but usually some patience and a storybook calm her down. Again, if anything becomes too out of hand, *contact me*."
"We won't hesitate to, Fumara-san," Mamoru assured her. He playfully nudged her out the door. "We'll be fine. You're going to be late if you don't hurry, though. Rush-hour traffic alone will delay you fifteen minutes, and those hospital personnel can be a bit strict when it comes to tardiness- believe me, I know."
Usagi started at the rich baritone of his laugh that the pair shared, realizing that this was the first time she'd ever heard it.
'Mirth suits him... so does that smile...
WAIT, WHAT THE HELL AM I THINKING!? It's the jerk, Usagi, THE JERK! Cruel, has rabies, and satanic tendencies...? Ringing a bell, here??'
Try as she might, Usagi couldn't help but feel some foreign emotion welling in her heart at the sight of Mamoru, sweetly bidding goodbye to Fumara as he patted Kotono comfortingly on the head. Something... maternal. Instinctual. *Warm*.
Then the front door closed and so did Mamoru's happy countenance. For a few seconds, he simply stared stonily at Usagi, and the girl belatedly pondered what had to be going through his mind at being thrust with her for the night.
... The *night*.
Hello, butterflies.
TBC
Please review!
~AngelMoon Girl
