With A Cherry on Top
By Klutz and Sailor Elysia
1/?
Rat: G/PG


     "Usagi-chan, can I ask a favor of you?"  Motoki asked, eyes 
wide and innocent.  I smiled. 'With that face, I know Motoki-kun wants 
something. . . He's still kinda cute, but I'm over him now.'
     "I don't know Motoki-kun, that depends on what it is!" 
     He looked down at me again, this time with that quirky little 
smile that he always has.  No wonder Reika-chan cares for him so much.  
     "Well, you see, Usagi-chan, Reika has asked me to fly with 
her to Africa for two weeks.  I really want to go, but I haven't been 
able to find any one that knows Crown well enough to help run it for that 
time.  So I was wondering. . ."
     Wait.  Did I hear him right?  Motoki-kun, wants *me,* Usagi, 
to take over Crown while he's away?  This has got to be a dream come 
true!  "Of course I'll do it, Motoki-kun!  I've always wanted to help 
here!  Think of all the ice cream, and the video games. . ." My vision 
began to blur with stars, and I think that's when Motoki began waving 
his arm in front of my face.
     He chuckled.  "Hold on, Usagi-chan.  Are you sure you know 
what you're getting into?  Working here isn't all fun and games all the 
time.  You do have to work too.  Just so you know, there will be 
another person helping out during the day, I still have to find another 
willing soul.  Can you be here at two o'clock tomorrow?"
     "Oh?  Who do you have in mind?  Is he cute?" I asked 
immediately.  He grinned.  "I can't tell you who yet, but yeah. I suppose 
you could call him cute," he said, then laughed.  Why did I get the 
feeling Motoki had something planned?  Well, if it was setting me up 
with that cute guy who works here on Sundays, I'd be happy to oblige!  
And just think, Mamoru would have to ask *me* for stuff!  I laughed 
and slid off the stool I had been sitting on.
     "No problem Motoki-kun!  I'm your girl!  But right now I 
gotta get home before my mom fries me.  Ja!" I called, and ran out the 
door.  As usual, and I have no idea why this happens so much, but I 
was only a few zooming steps beyond the door when-WHAM!-- I 
slammed straight into someone.  I immediately stood up and started 
apologizing, never looking up to see who I had hit.
     "Kami-sama Odango!  Don't you ever look where you're 
going?"  I froze, stood up straight and gave Mamoru (I should have 
guessed it would be the creep.) my best frown.  "You know what 
Mamoru-san?  I'm gonna let that one slide until you're begging at my 
feet for something one day, when I can turn you down just because of 
that!" I snorted at him, and spun on my heel, walking home at a more 
dignified pace.     'Hmph.  Let's see him try and buy a cup of coffee from ME 
when I'm running the arcade!' she thought, and then went home.
     Mamoru shook his head, wondering what kind of sugar high 
Usagi was on today, and stepped into the arcade, sitting down on the 
exact stool where Usagi had been not two minutes ago.
     "Konnichi-wa Motoki-kun!  How's arcade life?" he asked, and 
Motoki leaned on the counter.  "Actually Mamoru-kun, I was 
wondering if I could ask you a favor. . ." Motoki asked.  Mamoru raised 
an eyebrow.  That was a surprise!
     "What is it Motoki?  Anything as long as it isn't a date with 
some crazy cousin of yours," He said with a grin.
     "You might want to think about this one a bit first, but I'd 
really appreciate it if you'd do this for me. . . See, I'm going to Africa 
with Reika for a few days, and I was wondering if you could help 
some of my recruits run the arcade while I'm gone.  It might be a week 
or two, I'm not sure yet," Motoki said.  Mamoru thought about it for a 
few minutes, then looked up.
     "Sure Motoki, you and Reika need time alone, I can 
understand that.  Besides, I've run it before for you, so it should be 
pretty much the same.  Start tomorrow at two right?" he asked.  Motoki 
nodded and gave him the spare keys.
     "Domo arigatou Mamoru-kun.  You have no idea how much 
this means to me." Motoki said, smiling widely.  'Not to mention a 
certain plan of you and Usagi getting together. . .'
     "I'm sure I don't Motoki.  You know me, I'll stay single 
forever!" Mamoru replied with a laugh.
     Motoki frowned.  "Really?  I always thought you and Usagi 
would make a good couple, you balance each other out," he said 
seriously. Mamoru looked away. "Don't be crazy Motoki.  The 
honorable dumpling head and me?  You've got to be kidding." Inside 
Mamoru's brain though, he smiled.  Usagi *was* rather cute when she 
got mad. . .      "Sure Mamoru, whatever you say, but you want to know 
something?" he leaned over to his and whispered behind his hand.  "I 
saw you staring at her yesterday, and the day before, and I personally 
think you have a thing for her."  Then Motoki laughed and walked 
away to help someone else, calling over his shoulder, "Besides, maybe 
if you're nice to her while you have my job, she'll realize it too!"  
Mamoru fumed and left the arcade.
     "Me and Odango?  He's got to be kidding.  Never in a million years!  Ha!" 
     Still, destiny and fate conspire against those who tempt them.
     Mamoru went home shortly after that and flopped down on his 
bed, staring at the ceiling.  He wasn't really tired, but laying there in 
such a relaxed state was beginning to make his eyes droop.  What came 
next wasn't sleep, but it wasn't awake either.  It was more of a 'I know 
I'm dreaming, but I plan to enjoy it,' thing.  Only Mamoru wasn't totally 
in on it.      He was wearing the customary 'arcade' apron that jingled at 
times from the coins rattling around in the change pockets.  Standing at 
the counter, he looked up and spotted Usagi entering the arcade.  She 
smiled at him, and he smiled back as she took the stool in front of him.
     "What can I get you today Usagi-chan?" he asked her, though 
in the back of his mind, he had a feeling that he knew what she would 
say.  She grinned at that, it was so much better than it used to be.
     "I'll have a double fudge sundae please Mamoru-kun!"
     "One double fudge sundae coming right up Usagi-chan!" he 
said, smiling at how her face brightened.  He went about the motions of 
making the sundae, being sure to add more whipped cream than was 
really necessary, and placing a sweet red cherry delicately on top.
     "You know Mamoru-kun, I like you a lot better like this.  You 
used to be mean, but now we're the best of friends!" Usagi bubbled 
while he finished the sundae.  He smiled at her, turning and setting the 
sundae in front of her.
     "Me too Usagi-chan, me too.  I guess it was about time I 
started to act nicer to you, I really like you." Usagi blushed lightly at 
the comment, and took up her spoon, about to take a bite of the sundae.  
     She fiddled with the spoon in that cute manner of hers; just 
watching her made the walls he had built so carefully inside him 
crumble.  Usagi looked back up into Mamoru's face, a quirky grin 
playing around her lips.  "Really?  Well, Mamoru-kun, I just wanted 
to tell you that I like you too.  A lot."
     Mamoru's eyes snapped open, and he sat up straight on the 
edge of his bed.  Where in the world had that come from? 
      Finally registering that he was 'awake' again, he shook his 
head and hit himself in the forehead.  "Mamoru, get over this!  You do 
NOT have a thing for Usagi, you will NOT dream about her anymore, 
and you will NOT act like a sappy fool when she orders a sundae!"
     If only he knew what tomorrow held in store for him.
     Around quarter to two, Mamoru--always trying to be the 
prompt one--showed up at the arcade to start Motoki's shift.  He 
unlocked the back room, and checked over everything to make sure 
everything he needed was in its right place.  He took the apron from its 
hook beside the door, and held it up.  It had been a while since he had 
worn one of these; the last time being when Motoki's little sister 
Unazuki had been sick and they had needed someone to cover her shift in a pinch.
     At that moment, he heard the outer doors slide open.  Mamoru 
walked out from behind the counter, and found Usagi standing in front 
of the doors, looking around curiously.  Not exactly the person he 
wanted to see, but it was no surprise to him either.
     "Well, well, if it isn't the queen of double fudge sundaes 
herself.  What brings you here so early, Odango?  No detention?"
     Usagi whipped around and glared at Mamoru, sticking her 
tongue out in the process.  "For your information, baka, school's out.  
Besides, Motoki-kun asked *me* to help him out with his shift while 
he's on vacation with Reika."  She eyed the apron he was holding in his 
hand, unsure why he had it.
     Mamoru's eyes widened suddenly, then reverted back to his 
normal cool and distant expression.  He smirked, "Isn't that interesting?  
Well, Odango, looks like we'll be working side by side for the next 
week."  He glanced at her in amusement, and waited for the never-
failing wail of hers.
     But it didn't come.  Usagi stared right back at him, reading 
into his expression.  She knew what he was expecting, and now she was 
even more determined to show him other wise.  It would require a little 
acting on her part, but she knew she could do it.  "Just stay out of my 
way, Chiba, and we'll both be happy."
     Mamoru let out a laugh.  "Odango, you don't know the first 
thing about running an arcade, all you can do is cause chaos within it."
     She leaned up against the counter, a small, smug smile playing 
on her lips.  "Well then, I suppose you're going to have to teach me," 
she replied in the most seductive voice she could muster, before leaving 
a stupefied Mamoru behind the counter.  It was time for a little payback.
     Usagi schooled her features into a calm look, stepped back 
into the room and plucked her apron off the hook.  She slipped the neck 
strap over her head, and looped the other strings twice around her waist 
before tying it securely at the front, unknowingly showing off her very 
good figure.       Mamoru watched from the counter for a moment, then shook 
his head and looked away in the other direction.  Was she purposely 
*trying* to kill him?  Did she have any idea how confusing and weird 
this was?  Or how hard it was for him not to laugh when she tripped 
slightly on her way to the counter, but keep his face like a stone?
     This was going to be a looooooonng day.  
     Mamoru hated that kind of day.     
     "So, what do we do first?"  Usagi chirped, trying her best to 
remain cheerful, but realizing that standing around with the cold-
hearted Mamoru all day was quickly wearing her out.
     Mamoru rolled his eyes. "Why don't you just let me handle it, 
Odango, since you obviously don't know a thing about working here.  
Go off and find your little friends."
     Instead of finding a whining odango-tailed girl standing in 
front of him, like he had expected, he found himself in a very awkward 
situation.  Though she was not nearly as tall as he, Usagi straightened 
herself to her full height, and looked him in the eyes as best she could.  
Pointing a finger in his face, she remarked, "Listen to me, Chiba 
Mamoru.  Motoki-kun trusted me with this job just as he trusted it to 
you, though heaven knows why he did so in the first place.  We're 
going to be working together for the next week, and you might as well 
try to enjoy it.  Like it or not, you're stuck with me." With those words, 
she gave him a small smile, and calmly walked over to see how things 
were going over by the arcade games.
     Mamoru felt bad now.  There seemed to be a ball of thirty-
pound led sitting in the pit of his stomach, and something told him it 
wouldn't go away until he apologized to the blonde odango atama.  He 
sighed and started over to her, where she was leaning over a boy about 
her own age.
     "Alright now jump, jump again, and hit the blue target!  Great!  
Now just throw the little plug thingy on top of that one to block the 
youma's attack, and toss the third one on his head!  Good! Now..."
     Mamoru cleared his throat, tapping her on one small, tan 
shoulder.  The ball of lead in his stomach had gotten ten pounds heavier 
when he noticed how close she was leaning to the boy, who was 
enjoying his lesson in Sailor V too much for Mamoru's comfort.
     She whirled around, smiling until she saw it was him.  She 
schooled her face into calm, uncaring.  "Hai, Chiba-san?" she asked.  
Mamoru grimaced inside, and flinched outwardly.  She had always 
called him Mamoru-san, even when she was her most upset with him.  
'Chiba-san' was a cold slap in the face.
     "I came over to apologize Usagi, I didn't mean to say that to 
you, I've just had a bad day..." he said, looking at the floor off to his 
left.  "Could you please forgive me?" he asked in a plaintive soft 
whisper.  Usagi's features melted a bit at this. 
     "I suppose," she mumbled finally, her words music to 
Mamoru's ears.  The breath rushed out of him like a raging breeze, and 
for the first time during the whole day, he smiled at Usagi.  He actually, 
genuinely smiled, not one of his fake, plastered, teasing smiles that he 
usually reserved for her, but a smile that lit up his eyes, and shocked 
Usagi so much that she couldn't help grinning back at him.
     'Sugoi!...' Usagi breathed inside her head.  Mamoru had never 
smiled like *that* before.  Not a smile that just made her feel euphoric, 
giddy and want to smile back.  Maybe it was just because it was a first, 
but she could have sworn it was at least ten times better feeling than 
any smile Motoki had ever given her.  Had she truly made him that happy?  'Wow!'
     "Come on Usagi-chan, I'll show you the ropes!" Mamoru said, 
grabbing her hand, (ignoring the jolt that gave them both)  and pulled 
her over to the counter.  The next few hours--in between helping people 
with games and making change, serving etc--were basically Usagi's 
training.  Mamoru was a good teacher, he had more patience with her 
than usual, and she was doing way beyond average for herself, picking 
up skills quickly and moving onto the next set.
     By the time they had to close up shop, Usagi and Mamoru 
were on much friendlier terms than they had ever been. And that was 
an accomplishment in itself.
     Usagi untied her apron and lifted it over her head, hanging it 
back up on the hook.  Mamoru, just behind her did the same, and then 
took a step back, making sure everything was as it should be before 
they closed up.     "Well Usagi-chan, I'll see you tomorrow?  Same time, same 
place?" he asked, turning to look at her.  She smiled a bit, reluctantly.  
He had been nice for that last few hours, but he was still Mamoru, and 
Mamoru is Mamoru is Mamoru, no matter how you looked at it.
     "Yeah, I guess so.  And see, this was a lot easier than you 
made it out to be, Mamoru-san!  I can take care of myself just fine!  
Bye!" she blurred all the words together and took off like a shot, 
zooming home at faster-than-sound speeds.  
     Mamoru raised an eyebrow and leaned against the wall.  
Strange girl that one.  Cute, but strange.  He shook his head and locked 
up for the night.
     The next few days ran smoother than the first, since the two of 
them had a better knowledge of what they were doing.
     With one hand, Usagi set her customer's sundae down on the 
table (after looking at it with longing), then with the other hand, she 
swept a damp cloth over the next table.  A small smile appearing on her 
lips, Usagi realized this job wasn't as bad as she thought it could have 
been.  Of course, working with Mamoru was not the best thing in the 
world, but as she got to know him on a different scale, he wasn't quite 
the cold-hearted fish he appeared to be.
     Off to her left, some very familiar voices caught her attention.  
"Usagi-chan, over here!"  Looking up from her work, Usagi glanced 
over to see Ami, Mako, Minako and Rei sitting in their usual corner 
booth, gabbing away over all the latest.
     Usagi hugged her tray against her chest, just in case they 
wanted to order anything, (she'd expect a good tip) and stood next to the table.
     "Kon-wa minna-chan, what are you doing here?" she asked.  
Makoto grinned. "Checking out any new cute guys."
     "I'm just here to bug and annoy you," Rei laughed.
     "I'm here for emotional support!  Working with Mamoru-san 
and all," Minako said helpfully.
     "Can't talk, studying physics," Ami muttered in a mechanical 
voice.  Makoto swiped the book away from Ami and tossed it into a 
nearby trash can, making the other girls laugh while Ami stuttered her protest.
     "Hey, I need that!  I'm only fifty-two chapters, eleven grades 
and a million IQ points ahead!" she said desperately.
     "Ami," Usagi whined, "You can't study alllll the time!  I need 
you to order something before someone catches me talking on duty!"
     "Too late for that Odango,"  Mamoru remarked from behind her 
in an amused voice.
     "ACK!"  Dropping her tray, Usagi jumped into the air, falling 
backwards and knocking both her and Mamoru to the floor.  She fell 
directly on top of Mamoru, winning a large grunt of protest from him.  
Usagi rolled off of him and tried to push herself up quickly, but 
Mamoru's hand was in the way, and she had to grab it and move it 
before she caused him any more pain.  Without any warning, he 
grasped her hand as she reached to move it, causing her to look up in 
shock, expecting to find Mamoru angry with her again.  
     What she found instead was something very different.  He had 
the usual mocking smile on his lips, but his eyes were another story.  
Eyes so blue, dancing with a liveliness she had never seen before in 
him.  Usagi was mesmerized by the emotions she read within the ocean blue eyes.
     Only a few moments had passed, but by that time, Mamoru 
had gotten back to his feet, and offered his hand to help Usagi up.  With 
a slightly trembling hand, she took his, and he pulled her off the floor 
with the slightest of ease.     'What on EARTH was that?!'
     Mamoru put his calmest face on, still not sure why he had sat 
there, er, lay there, staring at her for so many moments.  But. . . he 
couldn't help it!  There was something in her eyes, and the way she felt 
there in his arms, he couldn't let go if he wanted to!  It had taken all
his self-control to get up during her second attempt at freedom from there.
     "Uh, just be careful and try to get these girls to order 
something okay Usagi-chan?  I've got to go man the counter," he said 
hastily, and made a quick escape.
     The girls laughed while Usagi blushed, and dazedly brushed her 
skirt off, picking up her tray.
     "You know Usagi-chan, you're the only one I know who can 
get Mamoru so flustered!  Even when you two are exchanging insults, 
he's as calm as the sky, but he was flaming confused there!" Rei laughed.
     "I think he likes her!" Makoto whispered to Minako and Ami 
in a stage whisper that did nothing for the color of Usagi's face.
     "Well, according to my calculations, Usagi and Mamoru 
would be a very kawaii couple!  Great chemistry!" Ami said softly.  
They gaped at her for a moment, Usagi recovering first.
     "We would not, we're... I dunno, co-workers.  Now would you 
guys order something?" she demanded, "Or are you just going to sit 
here all day?"
     "I'm just going to sit here," Rei started, "but they might want to order."
     Usagi blew her bangs away from her face in an act of 
frustration, whipped out her pad and took the girls' orders.
     Stalking back to the kitchen, Usagi hung their order on the 
rotating hanger and went back to the counter to make up their drinks.
     'One diet coke, one sprite, and one lemonade for Minako...'
     Trying as hard as she could, Usagi couldn't keep her from 
gazing in Mamoru's direction ever so often.  Something had happened 
back there, she was sure of it.  What it was exactly was something else.
     Placing the last of the drinks on her tray, she grasped it with 
one hand, and made her way back over to her friends' booth.  On the 
way, however, she passed Mamoru at the other end of the counter, 
cleaning up a small spill.  As she brushed past another table she felt 
someone was staring at her.  Ever so slowly, Usagi turned back in 
Mamoru's direction, not completely surprised to find him gazing back at her.  
     Finally there, she placed the drinks down in front of their 
respective owners.  'No reason why Mamoru should be looking at me, 
he was probably just looking *past* me.  Hai, hai, that must be it... 
What else could it be?'
     "Are you sure you don't want anything Rei-chan?  I know we 
have your favorite green tea here..." Usagi offered.  Rei grinned.
     "Well... I am getting kind of thirsty, why not?" she gave in 
reluctantly.  Usagi grinned and added it to the bill.
     "No problem!  Be right back minna-chan!"
     A few moments later, she returned with a piping hot cup of tea.  
     "Oh, by the way Usagi-chan," Minako started, "Are you free 
tonight?  We were planning on having a sleepover at Mako's place." 
she offered.  Usagi brightened immediately.
     "Hai, I'm free!  What time should I come over Mako-chan, and 
is there anything you guys want me to bring?" she asked.
     "About seven sounds good, and no, we'll take care of 
everything.  Why don't you go help *Mamoru-san* over there with the 
counter?" she replied, teasing at the end.  Usagi blushed faintly, gave 
her a withering look and flounced back over to the arcade section to 
make change.     Mamoru watched her from the corner of his eye as she made 
her rounds, set out food, and basically did her duty for the next while.  
Something just sort of drew his eye there.  She seemed different today, 
but he couldn't figure out how...
     "Hey Usagi, did you get a haircut?" Mamoru asked, noticing 
for the first time that the pigtails looked a little shorter, and the 
ends a little more even today.  She smiled at him.
     "Hai Mamoru-san, arigatou, you've been the only one to 
notice, even if it was just a trim..." He smiled.  
     "I knew there was something different about you today, took 
me a few minutes to catch on though." he grinned.  She smiled weakly 
back, and went on serving.
     'That was it?  That was why he was watching me?  I should 
feel relieved that I didn't have food in my teeth or something, but 
somehow I just feel... disappointed.'  
     "Usagi, did you really get a haircut?" Rei asked from her 
booth, the other girls looking on.  Usagi turned to her.
     "Not really, just a trim, see?  It used to go just past my 
knees, and now it's just above."
     Rei looked shocked.  "How could Mamoru notice before us?  
We're your best friends!  Hmm... Unless, of course, there's something 
you two aren't telling us?" she asked with an archly raised eyebrow.
     Flustered, Usagi nearly dropped her tray on the ground.  A 
small sweatdrop appeared on the back of her head, and she laughed 
nervously.  "Iie!  Rei-chan, where'd you get an idea like that?  
We're just working together this week, nothing more.  It's not like 
I asked to be doing this with him, I'm just helping out Motoki while 
he's gone.  But, you know, working with Mamoru-kun hasn't been too 
bad, so far anyway."  
     Four pairs of eyes widened as they realized what Usagi had 
called Mamoru.  For as long as they had known, it had always been 
'Mamoru-san,' or the ever popular 'baka.'  There was more to the 
story than what Usagi was telling, and that made them even more curious. 
     Makoto leaned over to Rei and whispered in her ear.  "Don't 
press it any further.  We'll get every juicy detail out of her 
tonight."  Rei grinned in agreement, and as soon as Usagi was out 
of earshot, the four of them began discussing their plans for that evening.
     "Er, Usagi," Mamoru started as soon as she came back within 
his range, but far enough from the girls, "Is it just me, or are your 
friends acting weirder than usual today?" he asked nervously.  He had 
heard bits of his name more than too often from that table today, and 
Usagi was switching back and forth from looking embarassed to angry 
at their comments.  She sighed.
     "It's a girl thing Mamoru-kun, complicated.  Besides, they'll 
get over it in awhile when they catch some new interest." she snorted.  
"Honestly, they have the weirdest imaginations!" she started to walk 
away, muttering.  "Mamoru-kun and I a couple, honestly, that's insane!" 
and snorted again before gathering three steaming plates from the 
kitchen to take over to her friends.  
     "Usagi and me a couple?" Mamoru asked out loud.  The world 
faded a bit, to a scene in the park, of he and Usagi on the lake 
in a boat, walking through the gardens, feeding the ducks, sharing 
a kiss....  SNAP!  That brought Mamoru out of it, and he laughed 
at himself.  She was right! The idea was absolutely ridiculous, 
insane, incredulous!  The very idea!  Still... it seemed interesting....Klutz:
To be cont'd!  Stay tuned for another waffy thril ride inside the 
workings of a typical teenage sleepover!  BTW, e-mails are Klutz: 
lunap@lunap.com and Elysia: julcie@juno.com Luvs ya!~KlutzElysia:
*grins sheepishly*  gotta love putting the two of them through the 
fire.  ^_^  A big thankie to Klutz for putting up with my crazy 
antics!  We'll be back shortly with another chapter (that is, if 
school doesn't swallow me up first!)  *waves*  Ja!
Keeper of:all the WAFF in the universe! 
Cloning your very own Mamo-chan *IS* possible.http://www.homestead.com/lunap 
http://www.homestead.com/usapv 
Moonie Code (1.10.12) SM: 5m+ :Fs>Mo+Tx+ :V Bl :A Qs Um+ :P Cl 
++(+) :D >Se--- :X tr R2+ :S 8 :O d+ s+ ?o a-- h>--- :Pa s6+
:f+ :e B G Br g :hBrD- : CWh :x-- P: R+
which...has NOT been updated in awhile, but I'm sure is at least semi-corect...
Luvs ya!
~Klutz

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In the name of the moon, I will email you! (http://www.TuxedoMask.com)