Title: Christmas Magic Chapter 1 Author: Azn Angel Email: sakura_angel@excite.com Rated: PG Konnichiwa, minna! Hai, it's a new fic, Christmas Magic. It's out so all you people can get in the Christmas spirit! *laughs* I know I am, ne, Henra-chan? *giggles* I just LOVE Christmas! How about you guys, minna? Any Christmas lovers out there? Well, this one is like Locker Love, my other fic (please read it if you haven't yet!) because the senshi don't know who Tuxie is, yet Minako is here, though in this one, Usagi and her friends are fifteen, while Mamoru and Motoki are seventeen. And, duh, the setting is December. Of course, Mamoru and Usagi pretty much hate eachother right now, since it's the first season. Oh, yes, I know in Japan they don't have Christmas, but work with me here, people! (At least, I don't THINK they do...) I hope you guys will email me! On with Christmas Magic! ^_^ Disclaimer: I'd love to recieve complete control over Sailor Moon, but I don't. But, hey, Ms. Takeuchi, there's a hint for what I want for Christmas, ne? *sweatdrop* ~*~*~*~* I was walking home from school, swinging my breifcase 'round and 'round, whistling a cheery tune. School was out for winter break, and since I wasn't exactly *ahem* fond of school, I was in high spirits. I actually started skipping since it was only two weeks 'til Christmas! I am in love with Christmas! Everything about it is so great! Not only that, but there were a few flakes of powdery white snow, drifting to the ground. Maybe we'd have a white Christmas! (AN: *sings* IIII'm dreaming of a whiiiite Christmaaaaas... *sweatdrop* Heh heh, oops? Ah, I'll try to stop. *crosses fingers behind back*) 'Today was a good day.' I thought. 'No detention, and no more school 'til after Christmas! Best of all, I have money to go to the Crown Fruit Parlor!' As I neared my fateful fun place, I spotted Ami walking with her breifcase in her hand, some papers she was reading in her other hand, and her glasses on. 'That girl has GOT to stop!' "Ami-chan!" I called, waving my hands wide. She looked up, and smiled when she saw me. "Konnichiwa, Usagi-chan!" she greeted back, stopping in her place. When I reached her, she was putting her glasses and papers away. "Ami-chan! Shame on you! On the last day of school before Christmas, and you read homework papers!" I said, wagging a finger in her face. "Usagi-chan, I have to do something! I have no homework to do, no projects to work on, no tests to study for, and no classes to attend! WHAT am I going to do over the break?!" she said a little frantically. I sweatdropped, sighed, and held her by one shoulder. "Ami-chan, you are not, I repeat, NOT, to do anything educational at all over the break." I told her sternly. "You study WAY too hard. This break will be schoolwork free. Do I make myself clear?" She looked at me, shocked a little, then smiled softly. "I've never done that before. Thank you, Usagi-chan. Maybe I'll really enjoy this break." I grinned happily at her. "See, Ami-chan? Ya gotta have some fun every once and a while! Loosen up a bit, ya know? Think of all the things you, me, and the girls can do together! Christmas shopping, ice-skating, build a snowman, have a snowball fight or two..." "Drink my famous hot chocolate." said a voice from behind. I whirled around, to find Makoto, Rei, and Minako walking up with all three of them huffing and puffing. (AN: And blowing the Three Little Pigs' houses down! ^_^;) I licked my lips. "Mmm, we'll definitely do that, Mako-chan!" As Minako approached us, she said, "Oh, Kami, I could go for some of that hot chocolate right about now!" Shivering, Rei said, "Well, let's go to the Crown Fruit Parlor. Motoki-" "Motoki might be there!" Makoto interrupted, stars in her eyes. Minako shrugged. "C'mon, Mako, give up on him. He might have a girlfriend anyway." We stared at her, mouths to the ground. She sweatdropped. "Nani? Don't look at me like that! I can lose interest, can't I?" "Iie." Makoto muttered under her breath, shaking her head. "Well, as I was saying, " Rei said, "We can go drop by the Crown Arcade. Motoki may not make as good hot cocoa as Mako, but it's still good." "And yummy, too!" I added, grinning. "And I'd like to play Sailor V." said a quiet voice. We all looked at Ami. She looked around. "Nani? Usagi-chan said to loosen up a little during this break, and I think I should, too." Silence. "Well, it's about time, girl!" Minako exclaimed, linking arms with her. "You need to quit those studies!" "Hey, hey, hey." Ami warned. "I'm just taking a small break over these two weeks. Don't get your hopes up." "Yeah, yeah, sure, sure." Minako siad, waving her hand airily. "Lookie!" she cried, pointing. "The Crown Fruit Parlor!" "She lost interest, eh?" Rei muttered as we watched the blonde girl race off and into the building. "Typical Minako-chan." Mako said as we entered the building. As I stepped into the room full of "BAM! Got ya, youma!" and "What'll it be today, sir?" and "MOTOKI?! MOTOKI?!" (You can guess who that was) I felt all nice and snuggly and warm. I looked around. There was something different, I just couldn't place my finger on it... My eyes set on a sight I had never seen before in the arcade. "Motoki-san?" I called to him, still staring. "Huh?" Furuhata Motoki said as he popped up from behind the counter. "Oh, konnichiwa, Usagi-chan!" "What's... THAT doing over there?" I asked, gesturing at the thing I was looking at. He walked over. "That? Oh, my otou-chan had it put in. (AN: In the manga version, Motoki's father owned the Crown Fruit Parlor.) Said it would attract more customers in winter." He smiled and put his hands in his apron pockets. "I guess it worked, ne?" "Definitely." I agreed, nodding my head. We were staring at a cozy fireplace in an arcade/diner. It was normal sized, flames lit in it, crackling and dancing and giving a glow to the whole place. It was surrounded with three comfy looking one-seater sofas and a small couch. It had two small table stands next to two of the sofas, and a coffee table placed in front of the couch. "I LOVE it!" I squealed. "It looks so comfortable, and it's like hot chocolate in front of the fireplace, and a homey warm feeling, with a firelit room. Now, you don't have to use as many lights anymore!" Motoki laughed. "Hai, a firelit room would be nice. I'll ask otou-chan if we can do that." "Kakkoii!" I remarked while taking off my slightly damp winter coat. "Uhh, Motoki-san, is there a coat hanger in here somewhere?" "Hai, right next to the door." I turned to put up my coat, when I felt Motoki's warm hand touch my arm. I swirled back around. "Eh? Nani?" "Usagi-chan, my aunt and uncle are having a Christmas masquerade next week. I was wondering, would you like to go with me?" My eyes widened. "You're asking ME?!" I squeaked. He laughed. "Well, I don't see any other Tsukino Usagi in here, do you? Demo, of course, if you don't want to go with me-" "Of course I would!" I said eagerly. He smiled. "Great! It's next week, Saturday night, from six PM to ten PM. I'll pick you up around five thirty, OK? My Aunt Reishiwa wants me to be there ealry since I'm their nephew." He rolled his eyes. "No problem!" I said excitedly. "I don't mind!" "OK, see ya around. I've got to get back to work. Ja ne!" he said, going back to the counter. I put up my coat, and raced to the first friend I found, which happened to be Minako. "GuesswhatguesswhatguesswhatGUESSWHAT?!" "WhatwhatwhatwhatWHAT?!" she asked, watching me kind of, um, bounce. "Motoki asked me to a masquerade!" I almost shreiked. "Kami! He didn't, did he?" I nodded. "He did?! Oh, Kami, you are so LUCKY!" "I KNOW!" I said. "His aunt and uncle are having a Christmas Masquerade, and he invited me to go with him!" Minako sighed. "Oh, I wish ~I~ was invited." she said wistfully. "You probably are." I said surely. "You're his friend too, so you most likely are." "I hope so." she said. Oh, great, now I made my friend sad. Oh! I know a way to cheer her up. "Minako-chan, come look at his!" I took her arm and led her to the fireplace. As she "ooh"ed and "aah"ed, I told her about how they got a fireplace in an arcade. "After Motoki-san told me about the fireplace, that's when he asked to the dance thing." I finished. "That's really nice, just get out of the way, you're blocking my light." A new voice jumped in. We turned around to find Chiba Mamoru with a book in his hands, reading glasses on his face, and a smirk. I slapped my forehead. "Oh, Kami..." I mumbled. "Nani, Odango Atama? Not happy to see me?" he asked sarcastically. "Of course not, you baka. And DON'T CALL ME THAT!" I yelled. "Nani? Odango?" "GRRRR! OK, my name is Usagi. Let's say it together, shall we? U-sa-gi." "O-dan-go." Mamoru stated, looking very proud. "GRRRRRRR!" I growled. Minako took me by the shoulders gently. "Usagi, girl, calm yourself. Take a deep breath." I breathed, and fell limp. "I'm OK." I muttered. "So," Mamoru said lazily. I fell into a VERY fluffy, kinda bouncy sofa next to his. "What's this about you and my best friend going together?" "None of your business!" I snapped as Minako plopped down beside me. "Oooh, confidential?" he teased. "Shut up!" He laughed. Minako nudged me as I seethed. "Hey, Usagi-chan, look, Ami-chan's over there playing Sailor V!" I faced the video game. "Kami, there's even a crowd! I've gotta see this!" I jumped up and ran over to my friend's playing. BING! DONG! ROAR! Noises from the game sounded in my ears as I tried to see over everyone who happened to be taller than me. (I hate being short.) "Hello? Um, excuse me? Pardon me? May I get through here?" Once I finally got through the montrous crowd (which included a couple of Ow!"s and "Watch it!"s and a "Hey!"s) I saw Ami's score. *SHOCK!* 317,456,002 points. The best record I've EVER seen. "Whoa," Makoto said, coming up from behind me. "317,456,002 points. The best record I've EVER seen!" "Yeah..." I agreed. Dang it, this girl was good! Rei leaned over my shoulder. "Dang it, this girl is good!" she exclaimed. "Is there a parrot in here?" I asked aloud. "Nani?" Rei asked. "Er... never mind." I said, an embarrassed blush staining my cheeks. Rei gave me a crazy look, then went back to gaping at Ami. "I shouldn't talk to myself." I muttered. "Then how come you are, Odango?" I whirled around to find myself face-to-face (or, nose-to-nose) with Mamoru. "Ya know, I'd appreciate it if I didn't find you everytime I turned around!" I retorted, backing up a few inches. (More like centimeters) "I'd appreciate it if you got your odangos out of my face!" he said with a raised eyebrow at my attempt to back away from him. "OOOOHHH!" I yelped, and tore away from that stuffy, suffocating crowd. I stomped away, leaving Mamoru and his laugh. As I was just exiting the Crown Fruit Parlor, I heard someone call for me. "Usagi! Usagi!" I turned around, expecting one of my friends asking why I was leaving, but instead, I found Mamoru. Mamoru?! "Mamoru?!" I cried. "What do YOU want?!" As he ran up to me, panting, he said sheepishly, "Um, uh, you forgot your coat." He handed me the rolled up ball of light pink material. "Oh. Arigatou, Mamoru-san." "Also, I wanted to apologize." My eyebrows raised. "No, for real!" he insisted. "I didn't know you would get so angry. Gomen nasai." I was silent for an instant, then said, "It's OK. No problem. Just DON'T call me Odango Atama!" He laughed. "Old habit!" "Too bad! You watch it, buddy, or I might just slug you in the jaw!" I yelled while holding a tight fist near his face. He snorted. "You? Hurt me? Uh-huh, riiiiight." "..." He smirked, and strolled away. "Ja, Odan- I mean, Usagi-chan." "See?!" I called after his shadow, which was going into the arcade. "You're already making effort!" He slightly waved his hand in reply. As I walked off, something occured to me as I slipped on my jacket. How did HE know I had forgotten my coat? ~*~*~*~* I was in my room, after a long walk from the arcade through the cold despair (AN: Which is about, oh, maybe three blocks? *smirk*) and my nose and cheeks were red from the intense cold. "Brrr!" I shivered to Luna, my cat, while changing into a fuzzy shirt with some comfortable jeans. "It's cold out there." "Then try to warm yourself up by the fire downstairs." she said. "I'm going to, right after I grab my Rayearth manga." (AN: Rayearth ROCKS, people!) I replied, rummaging through my things. "Aha!" I declared triumphantly, holding up a pocket-sized book. (Big pockets needed, though.) "Oh, and by the way, would you take me with you, Usagi-chan?" Luna said from her place on my bed. "Sure," I said, scooping Luna up in my arms and nuzzling her furry little head as she purred contently. (AN: I'm making Usagi and Luna get along in this fic.) Once we got downstairs and into Luna's favorite chair (which happens to be my favorite also), Luna sat in my lap, as always, while I pet her gently, as always, and I read my manga, as always, and Luna dozed off, as always. I loved this time of day. Quality time with my cat, and right before dinner. As I read about Hikaru, Umi, and Fuu, Luna snored lightly. I put down my book and started to think. (And, of course, pet Luna absently at the same time.) At first, I was really excited about my going to the masquerade with Motoki, but now, I'm just so-so. I don't really care anymore. Not to metion, Luna would be ANGRY if she ever found out I agreed to something like that. (Of course, no ones going to TELL her, ne? *wink*) But, now, I was beginning to have second thoughts. Maybe I didn't really like Motoki, but liked him as a friend instead. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense to me. Besides, I've still got Tuxedo Kamen. *sigh* Tuxedo Kamen. What a mysterious figure. What a smooth character. What a guy! I wish I knew him better though. Huh, I probably like Tuxedo Kamen more than Motoki anyway. Demo, why should I? Motoki is so nice and cute and I actually know him, but Tuxedo Kamen, well, he's a different story. He barely speaks to me, except when he tells me to finish off a youma. Sure, he's a hunk, and completely gorgeous, and the man of any girl's dreams... OK, losing track here. Well, to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, whenever I saw Tuxedo Kamen, I would always feel a strange bond, a connection, to him. I don't know why, but I always felt it. Like some void or something. But, the point is, um, uh, er, I, ahem, like Tuxedo Kamen better than Motoki? I sighed. OK, OK, I must be crazy, but I felt like I had to do it. I softly put Luna on my chair, (who was thankfully still asleep) and tiptoed over to the phone. I picked it up and dialed Motoki's number. RING! RING! RING! "Moshi moshi?" a female voice answered. "Um, is Motoki there?" I asked. "Oh, konnichiwa, Usagi-chan!" "Huh?" I asked, confused. "Do I know you?" "I'm Motoki's sister-" "Unazuki!" I finished for her. "Moshi moshi! I didn't recognize your voice. Gomen." "It's OK. A lot of poeple sound different on the phone." she said. "Oh, wait, you wanted to speak with Motoki?" "Hai." "OK, I'll go get him." I heard a muffled, "MOTOKI! PHONE!" "Thank you EVER so much, imouto, I was right in the next room." said a muffled Motoki. "Anytime!" a muffled Unazuki answered cheerfully. "Moshi moshi?" Motoki said. "Moshi moshi, Motoki-san, this is Usagi." "Usagi! Hey, what can I do for you?" he asked. "Well, I was calling to, um, tell you I can't go to the masquerade with you." I said nervously. Silence fell over the phones. I licked my dry lips. "Motoki?" "Hai?" 'Whew, he doesn't SOUND angry.' "Um, did you hear me?" "Hai, I did, and I actually agree. I did meet someone a few days ago at school, but I didn't have the nerve to ask her. So I asked you instead. I hope you don't mind." "Iie, iie, of course not!" I laughed. "Actually, to be honest, I think of you more as a good friend then in that way." "Hai, me too." Motoki sounded relieved. "Oh, good, good, that's good." I said. "So, I'll see you later, and-" "Hey, are you coming to the party anyway?" "Nani?" I asked, surprised. "Well, you're still invited, of course. And your friends too." he listed them. "Mizuno Ami, Hino Rei, Kino Makoto, and Aino Minako. They're your good friends, right?" "Hai," I said. "I'm sure they'd be happy to recieve an invitation." I said, thinking of Minako's words. 'Especially Minako and Makoto.' I mused silently. "So, no hard feelings?" "Of course not!" he laughed. "Listen, I've got to go. I'll see you later, OK, Usagi-chan?" "OK, Motoki. Ja ne!" "Ja ne!" I hung up. 'Well, now that that's over with...' I strolled into the kitchen, to find a note taped on the dining table. Dear Usagi, Shingo is at his friend's house for a sleepover, and your father and I are at a party. We won't be back until very late, so feel free to go get together with your friends and have a sleepover to celebrate school off. Call us by our cell phone. Love, Ikuko-mama Well. I've been ditched today. I wondered if anyone was busy today. I made a quick call to Mako, and we made plans to have a sleepover at her house. I called okaa-chan and told her my plans. I packed up some stuff, (manga, CD's, magazines, etc.), bundled up, and woke Luna. "Luna? Luna?" I said gently. "Wake up, we're going to Mako's house. We've been ditched, so we can go have some fun at Mako's place. Let's go." I suddenly had an idea. "Artemis will be there." "MROW!" Luna woke with a shreik. "Well, hustle along, we haven't got all day!" she cried. I grinned to myslef. It always works. My grin disappeared. I had thought of what Minako and Makoto would do when they found out I turned down Motoki. I winced. They were going to KILL me! ~*~*~*~* "I AM GOING TO ~KILL~ YOU!!!!" was Minako and Makoto's response to my news. They lunged towards me. "AAIIEE!" I cried, holding up my pack for protection. Luna quickly hopped out of my arms. They tackled me to the floor. "How could you DO that?!" Lita yelled in my ear. "AAAHH!" was my reply. Minako sniffled. "Motoki is such a sweet, innocent guy! How in the world could you get the nerve to dump a perfect guy like MOTOKI?!" They attacked again. "GYAH!" I yelled. I heard an ,"AKU RYO TAI SAN!" (AN: Achika? ^_^) and felt them being pulled off of me. I uncovered my eyes. Rei and Ami were holding Makoto and Minako by the shoulders, who had a parchment on their forehead. Rei was muttering, "I can't believe I had to waste a parchment on these guys!" Ami carefully put Minako in a chair, and helped me over to the sofa. I was breathless. "Arigatou." I said, gasping for air. After a few minutes, Minako and Makoto recovered, and tried to tackle me again. Rei started out, "AKU..." They went back to their chairs. "NOW," Ami said. "Maybe Usagi-chan has an explanation for her breaking her date with Motoki." "EXPLAIN." Makoto said through gritted teeth. "Well, um... ya see, heh heh..." I tried unsuccessfully to explain, which resulted an icy glare from the two Tacklers. I sighed. "OK, OK. I... I... I-realized-that-I-liked-Tuxedo-Kamen-better-than-Motoki-so-I-didn't-want-to- go-to-the-masquerade-with-him." I rushed. Rei sighed. "Surprisingly, I understood that." "YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHO TUXEDO KAMEN IS, YA ODANGO ATAMA!" Minako exploded. "So?" I squeaked in a tiny, meek voice. Everyone sweatdropped at my pathetic comeback. "Oh, Usagi..." they all said while shaking their heads slowly. ~*~*~*~* We had started the sleepover off with a game of Truth or Dare. So far, Ami had admitted what she REALLY thought about Mr. Tyuoigopa, our school principal (boring), Makoto had to call a random number and pull the oldest trick in the book, "Is your refrigirator running?...... Then you better go and catch it!" (hilarious, in a weird way), and Rei had to TRY to sing bad (my ears still hurt.). Now it was my turn. "So, Usagi-chan," Minako said while popping a peice of popcorn (AN: Ya get that? Popping a peice of popcorn? ...Never mind. -_-;) in her mouth. "Truth or dare?" "Dare." I replied with confidence. "OK!" Minako said while exchanging a look with Makoto. 'Uh oh,' I thought. 'Revenge.' "I dare you to call up Mamoru... and ask him to the masquerade." ~*~*~*~* I like cliffhangers, don't you? Hee hee... Email me! Tell me what you think! sakura_angel@excite.com Azn Angel 100% Azn, 90% Angel