“No, you’re not doing that to me again, keep your filthy hands off of me. Untie me now, you sick bitch. I will make you pay for that. I’m not playing your game you twisted fetishist. I will tell you nothing!”
“Oh…, yes, you…, will! Sweetheart, let’s play awhile longer shall we or I’ll slit you from beneath that delicious throat of yours to your more…, shall we say, delicate playground? So, if you wish to live, you will comply. Now, hold still-“
“Keep that thing away from me! What the hell is that? What are you; you’re not human!”
“Dah…, how observant of you, do the red glowing eyes give me away, or this little lady, she is just dying to meet her latest host, and that’s you, darling heart. Now, yield soldier girl!”
*
I reside
Where the shadows play with my hair
The ravens huddle in my lap
Yet there are no discernible fingerprints to mark their passing
The bats fall silent in the archway
Refusing to fly
Nothing moves
The dark crescent desecrates the night
My fingertips touch the velvet sky
As death’s hands reach for the throat of the moment
The candlelight inverted
Opens upon a silken touch
Wet with pain
Nectar
A dark rose from the defiled grotto blooms
Petals fall to Earth
Catch fire
Ash abounding
Iraq
After copy proofing the latest entry, I was pleased with how I’d progressed as an apprentice journalist.
I loved flying over the desert in a plane, especially a helicopter, so cool. I loved the breathtaking views of the city and the harsh terrain beyond. My time at boot camp made my assignments fun and I lapped up the physical aspects of cross-country hikes into the unforgiving typography of the region.
Of course, there would always be an element of danger but Jake provided armed escort, always making sure we were okay and got back in one piece.
The most mysterious assignment had been a week back; we’d travelled into Bagdad to report on the strange disappearances of public officials and other important figures, some of these not native to the country. Yes, there were the bombings of religious and political sites, firefights in the more wild regions of the metropolis, and looting, but the odd thing was that the underground insurgency were accusing the Iraqi provisional government whom had succeeded Sedum Husain, of abducting and murdering their high profile people. I had also discovered that the criminal underworld was not without its share of leaders going missing.
Kira asked me to conduct interviews and she followed up with digital scans of the areas we visited and took pictures of those we had interviewed as we continued our investigation.
Kira had given me more of the workload and responsibilities during those excursions whilst I was ensconced in boot camp; I liked the change of scenery. Don’t get me wrong, I was loving boot camp aside from one captain that was a pain in the butt, yet, my adventures into the unknown were so much more exciting.
I had written about the encounter with the subversives in the desert, and praised Jake heaps, after all, he was great the way he handled things. I think any girl would gush over his bravery, and his good looks and kind heart. Kira hadn't edited that part, I was glad of that. I then worked on an in-depth article on my boot camp experiences. Using satire to describe some of the more unpleasant episodes I'd had, especially concerning the bane of my existence, which shall remain nameless, Kira loved the article and rushed it to print.
Snickers were abounding amongst my peers who were careful not to laugh in Captain Luciana’s presence, but they need not have bothered such was her indifference to most things now; she was vacant of late and a little pale perhaps she’d gotten Gulf War Syndrome or something.
---
I had enjoyed spending a night in the safer part of the city with Jake. He’d asked me to dress up and he took me to a cute little restaurant in the UN compound, the meal was delicious, and he was the perfect gentleman.
On the pavement outside the charming eatery, I found myself confused by his refusal to kiss me, that is, he had, but it was a chased kiss. He smiled and pressed his finger to my lips.
“No, not now little Bunny, Shhh!”
Tears began to run down my cheeks probably spoiling my make-up, what little I had applied.
Jake looked sad. Realization dawned on me, this had nothing to do with me as a worthy prospective girlfriend; rather it had something to do with what he’d not told me. I felt cheated, I was falling for him bit-time, the need to be held and kissed by him denied me. I bit my lip trying not to cry like a baby.
“W-what is wrong, Jake?” I managed.
“Usagi, I am so sorry. My intention was to thank you for being such a wonderful friend and to make up for the danger I’d put you through and so dinner seemed the best way to do that.”
“It was, but don’t you feel anything for me?” I said, almost regretting my confession the moment the words were out of my mouth.
“No, it’s not you, I really do like you, a lot, but there is something I need to tell-“
The façade of a nearby building burst like a nutshell and without thinking, my reaction was automatic.
“Get down!” I shouted, striking my senshi pose.
I was about to transform when the Ginzuishou had simply flared out from my body and shielded Jake and I along with several other diners close by.
Everyone saw it; I’d blown my cover.
“Usagi? What the hell?”
“No time to explain. We gotta help these people!” I hadn’t become Sailor Moon despite the crescent blazing upon my brow.
Thankfully, the smoke was thick enough to make it indistinguishable from the blast flash yet the fact he could see light pouring from my forehead couldn’t be so easily explained away.
“Yeah, you’re something girl, but you’re right, c’mon, I’ll radio for help!”
---
I offered a shaky excuse for what he saw. I don’t think he bought it. We sat in the waiting room at the Bagdad Central Hospital awaiting news of those we'd saved from the blast and those we had not.
He kept looking at me as if I were some kind of alien. He must have thought I was a super-soldier, a test model or something. Yeah, he was close, but not quite.
We left the hospital after learning most of the injured were okay. Tragically, thirty people died. I hugged him as he kissed the top of my head.
“It’s somebody else, isn’t it? That’s okay; I guess she must be pretty special.”
“She is, and cheer-up some. You’re pretty special yourself. I know you can’t talk about it as it is classified, but you are a special lady outside those reasons Ms. Tsukino Usagi and we’re still on for the ball?”
“You bet,” I said, putting on a smile, sniffing.
“Tell you what, I’ll tell you about my girl next time we have a chance and explain, but for now, goodnight little Bunny.”
International Compound
A sharp pain to my pinky brought me back to the present, the sewing needle had caught me daydreaming and my friends were laughing at my expense. I pouted and giggled.
“I’m thinking about the gala Ball guys, ease up will-ya? The Ball, oh wow, I’ve never been to a formal event like this,” I gushed, feeling and acting, I knew, like a schoolgirl high on sugar, or ice cream? OH well, whatever.
The theme, Gothic and Classic mediaeval, a mix I could live with, the dress adorable and the swishing sound of my silvery-blue skirts a delight to my ears.
I loved the tight bodice, as it accentuated my figure, and the cleavage, boy, I didn’t realize I had so much of it, and blushed the moment I’d been strapped in. ha, yeah, like a fighter pilot entering the battle of charm, romantic dreams and sophistication notwithstanding.
“What did he say?” Kira asked, almost as excited as I was.
“Yes, he said yes, and that’s the best part. He’s dressing up as a noble lord of an enchanted eastern Hapsburg protectorate, isn’t that so cool?”
“You two will be outstanding on the dance floor, and what ya think of my outfit, Hmmm?”
“Sexy, especially that slit and I bet your Major will be drooling when he sees you in that hot pink gown, all crystal beads and lace underskirt, you’re a knock-out woman.”
“Okay, dinner, I’ve reserved our places at the table, and if you’re extra hungry as I know just how much you love to stuff that pretty little face of yours,” she teased, “There’s a buffet, so aside from that, keeping the calories off our waistlines is no problem, two dances per serve minimum, and girl, we stay looking good!”
“Got that right, ready to meet the guys?” I said, as we gathered our accessories and our nerves and paraded ourselves as we descended the stairs and entered the chamber that looked like a palace.
I started counting heads, picking up those faces I knew well, of course, the girls from my dorm were here in their glorious outfits with their guys, and some of the people on the base I didn’t see all that often looked almost unrecognizable.
I love period costume. Boy, did they know how to spruce themselves up in those grand old days. I also loved the orchestra and the lead piano gentle in its support of the other musicians a light jazzy feel that put me at ease making me smile as I exhaled feeling the tension leaving me.
I was enjoying myself despite the worry that she, the boot camp tyrant might put in an appearance, but there was no sign of her. I was glad she hadn’t come to spoil everything. Besides, that prune-faced witch wouldn’t dare show her ugly mug here, would she? OH yeah, sure, please, come on, nah, no way Jose.
I could imagine it; she’d be the Medusa of the ball, certainly not its belle. Yup, Captain Tanana Luciana, little bitch that she was to me and the girls would make people scream and rush for the exits in no time flat if she stuck her face through that door.
The guests continued to flow into the venue. I smiled at the sounds of Miku Hatsune, my favorite artist albeit she is a hologram; there was a good mix of other Jpop and Asian hits along with an assortment of international fair to dance to, the resident DJ catering for all tastes across the cultural divide.
Everyone looked so spiffy dressed in his or her finery, some in daring and eccentric attire, others; more conservative and super cool looking, especially the guys.
Yeah, it was going to be a fun night that’s for sure.
The most shocking and daring girl I’d spotted in the clothing department, or lack thereof, was a woman I thought I recognized, but didn’t know from where.
She wore a tawny mini-dress that showed off more skin than I’d even dare in public, I thought her breasts would fall out of their cradles if she leaned over too much and giggled at the thought, now that would have the generals having a cardiac arrest for sure. Though naughty, I did like the way the red ruffled lining offset the tight fitting bodice, her chestnut hair fell to her butt, the girl’s face made up to look like a doll.
“You believe that chick?” Stacy, one of the girls in my dorm commented. She was wearing a pastel-lime dress, with puffed short sleeves and ankle-length skirts decorated with white silk ruffles matching her strappy heels. She was pretty, her platinum-blonde hair fashioned in a braid falling to the small of her back.
I could see by the expression on Stacy's face she was almost shocked by the underdressed vixen lapping up the attention of her audience as she held court.
“Yeah, there’s another one winning a few admiring looks. She is the one in that Gothic Lolita number, dressed in black standing over there, not much to be left to the imagination, at least she’s wearing silk stockings," Stacy’s boyfriend Pete put in, pointing.
“Hi Pete, and Ladies you both look lovely tonight. Oh and yeah, the pigtails are cute though on that Gothic siren,” Sam Rogers, a colonel I’d had a lot of contact with as he was in charge of the press contingent stationed in the region commented.
“We’ll mingle Usagi, enjoy yourselves and here comes Kira and her guy, she looks stunning in that strapless gown, love the hair too, the gemstone tiara is really pretty. Catch you later,” Stacy said, as she tugged on her partner’s arm distracting him from ogling the other scantily clad raven-haired partygoer and they made for the dance floor.
---
I was a little tired after ten straight dances with Jake and two other hot guys. I excused myself and headed for the drinks stand.
The girl in the tawny dress puckered to her admirers, her hair flouncing over her curves, Purple lips widening in a licentious grin, the golden make-up aglow, as she danced on the spot, her body moving in a seductive manner, raising the eyebrows and respiration of her worshippers another notch or two. It was any wonder she didn’t topple over and land on her little butt given the height of her stiletto heels. The girl's bare legs covered in loud swirly colors painted on her amber skin spiraling down her well-proportioned limbs. She certainly was a showstopper if the longing looks from the men were anything to go by; even the top brass were undressing her with their eyes.
I wondered who this little primadonna was but was brought back to the present by a guy in dress uniform, circa French Revolution who asked if I wanted a glass of punch. I grinned eagerly, grabbed the proffered glass, and blinked as he shot me a gorgeous smile.
“Thank you sir,” I giggled, and sipped the drink, then shook myself.
‘Oh dear, that was laced with hard liquor.’
Some thoughtful person or persons had lifted the ban on alcohol for the occasion. I had to be careful as I wasn’t all that experienced with such beverages, nor did I know my limits.
Kira sauntered up and patted my shoulder.
“Usagi if you have too much, I’ll make sure you get back in one piece.”
“Thank you, Kira, I am glad to have you watching my six, as they say on the base,” I giggled.
Then I heard the sound of clicking heels approaching and my spidy senses were on full alert, something bad was about to happen, I could feel it. I spun around.
“So, it’s the little Japanese girl all dolled up, Hmmmm?” the girl in the tawny dressed said, her tone hostile and dripping with sarcasm.
“Excuse me? Do I know you?”
“Come-come now, Tsukino, don’t you recognize your nemesis when you, see her?”
I froze on the spot, my blood running cold, my shock profound, and then I knew, Tanana Luciana.
“Y-you look so-“
“Beautiful, sexy, hot and out there, is that, what you were going to say scared little rabbit? Yes, don’t deny it, I know who you are.”
“I am not in costume Captain and you, however, I didn’t think you had it in you.”
“Yes, of course, and I suppose that is as close as a compliment as I am going to get from the likes of Japan’s super heroine, Sailor Moon,” she whispered, her words cutting through my ears with deadly sharpness. I shook my head, her eyes flashed for a split second but long enough to know she was Dark Kingdom.
I broke free of her grasp and stepped back. Kira, stunned by what she’d had seen could not speak. Instead, she took me by the hand and we ran to Jake shaking like leaves on a tree during a typhoon.
“I saw it too, what the hell is going on Usagi, the episode at the restaurant and now her? I got to get you out of here; in fact, we should get everyone out of here. I saw the red eyes flash but I think only those closest to you can.”
We were about to exit the ballroom when Luciana held up a fluted glass to perform a mock toast in my honor.
“Jake, we got to go!”
“May I have your attention everyone; I wish to propose a toast, ladies and gentleman to the belle of the ball, Ms. Sailor Moon!”
Captain Luciana’s eyes flashed red and there was no missing it, everyone screamed and bolted for the Dorr as the new Dark Kingdom minion laughed maniacally.
TBC
