RIVALS - Chapter 1
By: Raq
Rated: PG-13

Edited - by Kell and Carla (love you guys)

For some of you that have read this before... It has been revised and edited.  I 
had written this several years ago cringes.. and decide its about time to finish 
it....

Monday

~ Serena ~

Riding the elevator, Serena thought about her earlier phone conversation with 
her father.  

* Flashback *

"Hello, Serena Tsukino speaking." 

"Serena, it's your father. How are things going with Mr. Simon?" 

"Hello... Mr. Tsukino, can you hold on a minute? Please excuse me Mr. Simon, I 
have to take this call," she said, politely turning away.

"Sure no problem."  Making her way to the front of the lobby, Serena spoke in 
her very formal and low profile voice.
  
"Okay dad, what's up? Why are you bothering me at an important signing?"

"Honey, head back to the office, I need to speak to you right away."  

"But dad," was all Serena was able to mutter when she was absently greeted by 
the dial tone.  Serena made her way back to the table to excuse herself again. 
"Mr. Simon, I'm afraid I have to leave you in the care of my assistant.  
Something very important has come up, and I am needed at the office.  I hope you 
don't mind."  

"Oh not at all, Serena. Please give my regards to your father. I will also have 
all the signed papers delivered to you first thing in the morning."  

"Thank you Mr. Simon."  

"Angela, please take care of Mr. Simon."

* End of flashback *

'I wonder what he has to tell me.  He did say it was important, well it better 
be important enough reason to leave an investor in the restaurant.' She thought 
to herself as the elevator doors opened, she was casually greeted by the 
receptionist, "Good afternoon, Miss Tsukino."

"Good afternoon, Gina." Serena walked briskly to her father's office and was now 
also being greeted by his assistant.

"Good afternoon, Miss Tsukino. Your father's waiting for you," she said before 
standing and opening the office door.  

"Mr. Tsukino, your daughter is here."  

"Good, send her in," said an anxious voice.  As Serena entered, she noticed that 
this meeting wasn't going to be a father and daughter talk. Two familiar men 
were sitting on the couch.  As Serena came closer, she recognized them as his 
advisors and old time friends, Mark Sison and Jeff Thompson.  

"Good afternoon, Mr. Sison and Mr. Thompson.  How long has it been?" said Usagi 
while giving them hugs.  

"My, Serena, how you've grown?" Mr. Sison noted as he inspected her with an 
appraising eye. 

"It's been too long.  Look at her, she is stunning," agreed Mr. Thompson.  

"Just like her mother."  Knowing them for such a long time, they've been just 
like uncles to her Serena took her time and casually held a conversation with 
the two men, inquiring about their families.  

As the three held their conversation, Kenji beamed with pride and joy at his 
daughter.  He was so proud of her achievements, not to mention the beautiful 
woman she had grown up to be.  Ranking in the top five on the Dean's list and 
graduating from Columbia University in New York with Bachelors in Business, a 
Masters in Economics and currently undergoing courses to attain her doctorate 
degree in Finance, he knew she would be a big asset to Tsukino Financial, Inc.  

Aware of his daughter's transformation from a fledgling to a graceful swan, he 
couldn't deny the beauty she has become.  Serena has changed in every possible 
direction; many men gawk at her outstanding beauty.  She just seems to fit the 
title of a Goddess with her long beautiful sun streaked hair that flowed with 
her every move.  Her curves were more defined and every detail seem to taunt men 
all around her; her breast, full and very well noticeable with her tiny 23" 
waist; legs so long and creamy that men drool on her every stride.  Of course 
who can resist those enchanting and truthful blue eyes and her lusciously 
natural stained pink lips? And what is beauty without personality?  Her 
personality is absolutely innocent and yet she was always beaming with joy and 
was very contagious to others all around.  But even knowing the fact that many 
men would die to be with her, she still remained pure at heart.  She was kind, 
modest and gentle in every way.  She did not use her beauty to take advantage of 
her surroundings, unlike other women with power.  Kenji so wonders when the day 
will come where he has to give his little 'Usa' away to another man.

While Kenji was still in somewhat of a daze, Serena had turned to her father to 
greet him. 

"Hi, Dad," she said, giving him a kiss on the cheek.  

"Dad, what's so important that I had to leave Mr. Simon?" 

"Well, Serena, it so happens that Tsukino Financial in Tokyo will be losing its 
CEO and I need someone to replace him," said the brown haired man.  

"Losing??? What do you mean losing? Where is old Mr. Kina-sama going?" asked 
Serena worriedly.  

"Well, my daughter, that's just it.  Mr. Kina is old and ready to retire next 
month," Kenji breathed with a little sadden voice. Kenji really liked Mr. Kina; 
he was an old loyal and obedient friend.  

"Father, who will replace him in that short of a notice? Surely it will take 
some time to do interviews and background checks before we can hire anyone.  
That might take a few months.  We sure can't let Tsukino Financial in Tokyo be 
without management," Serena worriedly stated as she began to pace.
  
"I know my daughter, that is why we brought you here," said Kenji, instructing 
her to sit down.  She sat down and curiously kept a close eye on the three men 
who apparently agreed with a plan she was unaware of.  "Serena, we have talked 
and decided we want 'you' to manage Tsukino Financial, Inc. in Tokyo and oversee 
the other branches in Asia."
 
"What!!!" expressed Serena with surprised features.  

"Me, manage Tsukino Financial, Inc. in Tokyo?"

"Yes!" said the three. 

"With your experience and education, you have the ability to make Tsukino 
Financial in Tokyo rise to the top," said Mr. Thompson. 

Serena was still awestruck. "I.. I.. don't know what to say."  

"Serena," her father took her hand gently.  "I know how much you've been wanting 
to go back to Tokyo and visit your friends.  I also know that you have been too 
busy with school, and now the business, to do so.  So why don't you take this 
opportunity to go back to be with your friends and manage Tsukino Financial on 
your own?  Please say you'll go," asked Kenji.  

"Are you sure I'm the right person for this job?" asked Serena shyly.

"Honey, I have to admit that in the beginning I was very hesitant to consider 
you a candidate.  Not because that I thought you were unworthy or incapable, but 
because I didn't want you to have all the pressure and stress that this business 
can bring; let alone you being so far from us.  I also didn't want them to think 
that I was favoring my daughter, but Mr. Thompson and Mr. Sison had brought up a 
very interesting point about you."

"And that point being?" questioned Serena to her father's change of heart.

"You see, we have looked at many applicants for the job for months; and nobody, 
to our standards, compare to your profile and experience," said Mr. Thompson. 
"We have kept an eye on you for several months... WE are deeply impressed by the 
way you handle yourself in board meetings, taking the initiative or quick action 
to troubled times... or the way you handle employees... you have been bred as 
leader, and it shows."

"Not only were your leadership skills a high priority, but my dear, you have 
gotten many very important accounts on your own, managed your own team and 
succeeded in raising TF, Inc.'s profits by 80%. How can we not be sure, you 
ask...? You tell me why you think you're not fit for the job?" Mr. Sison 
cornered her and she knew it. After a brief silence Serena looked at her father 
and her two uncles, then smiled largely.  

"IF you don't stop it, my head will explode." Serena giggled slightly as she 
looked at each individual. "Then maybe it is time for me to manage my own 
business in Tokyo."  

"Atta girl," said her father lifting her up from the chair for a hug.

"Thanks, dad."

"Don't thank me, they're the ones that insisted on promoting you." Serena had 
turned to her so-called uncles and gave them her thankful gestures of hugs.  

"Thank you, I won't let any of you down," she said with thankful eyes.  

"We know," said Kenji.  

"So when do I leave?"  

"Friday is the latest," said her father.  

"Friday!!!! Dad, it's already Monday; I can't pack in 3 days."  

"I know that, but I want you there during Mr. Kina's last days. Unfortunately we 
have meetings to attend to that can not be held even on Mr. Kina's account. So 
we need you to represent us at his retirement party.  Besides, it would give you 
time to be with your friends." Serena had smiled approving to her father's 
words.  Indeed she had some catching up to do with her friends.

"Father, I still need to make arrangements on where to stay."

"That's all been taken cared of," Serena curiously glanced towards each and 
every man in the room.

"What do you mean?" asked Serena. "How has it been taken cared of?"

"Serena, remember a year ago when your mother and I went to Japan to visit?" 
asked Kenji.

"Yes, you were gone for a month or so."

"Do you also remember when I had given you a story on investing on some 
prosperous property?"

"Yes, and from what I remember, you took a large amount," laughed Serena, who 
had forgotten about the loan.

"Serena, your father knew this was coming, so he prepared for your relocation to 
Tokyo."

"What? Father, when were you planning to tell me about this real estate 
investment of yours."

"Right at this very same moment" said her smiling father. "It's a beautiful 
home, your mom picked it."

"Serena, you'll love it.  It's all been furnished and decorated specifically to 
your liking." said Mr. Thompson

"You've seen it too, and what do you mean designed to my liking?" questioned 
Serena.

"Your mother had asked Jaq to help decorate; and of course, when it came to you, 
Jaq has always been more than willing to help" added Kenji happily talking about 
his almost adopted son/daughter... er... He shook his head in confusion.

"You three just thought of everything didn't you?" Serena eyed each man, waiting 
for another surprise.

~ At Home ~

A few hours have passed, and, in comfortable clothing, Serena was determined to 
pack as much stuff as possible.  Entering her walk-in closet, she slightly 
sighed.  The vast amounts of hangers with clothing filed along the walls, a 
whole-sectioned wall was dedicated to her shoes and drawers also filled with 
clothes.  "3 days, yeah right..." Serena grumbled when she was interrupted by a 
soft female voice.

"I heard the great news!" a woman with very fair complexion, gorgeous blue eyes 
and soft curls stood by the door.  

"Oh mom, isn't it exciting" she hugged her mom.
  
"Yes it is dear, but I'm really going to miss my baby girl," whispered Irene.  

"And I'll miss you too, but I think I'm a little to tall to be called a baby," 
said Serena sarcastically, she still had time and already she was misty eyed at 
the thought of leaving home.  Serena had only felt safe in her home no matter 
what type of nightmares had occurred in them.

"Serena, have I ever told you how proud your father and I are of you?"

"No mom, but you never have too... sometimes actions speak louder than words."

"We'll always be proud of you, no matter what," said Irene.

"Thanks Mom!"  Her mother left the room as she resumed packing away her clothes 
and personal items.  Taking those that she felt she needed anything else she 
could send for later.

It was 12 midnight when she felt exhaustion throb within her body.  'I never 
knew packing could be so strenuous,' she though as she flopped on her bed.  Not 
even bothering to change, she fell asleep on top of her clothes that draped all 
over her bed.

* In Tokyo *
 
Across the ocean thousands of miles away, a handsome man woke. It was Tuesday 
and, when he last looked at his clock, it was six o'clock in the morning.  
Moving harshly and not caring if he woke the sleeping naked red head, he left 
his bed.  Pulling out some garments from his drawer he headed for the bathroom.  
The shower was relaxing and was quite satisfied when he went back to his room, 
but all had stopped as he set sights on the form on his bed. Sighing in disgust 
he muttered, 'Why do I deal with such women.'

Chiba Mamoru is a man with great intelligence, in his mid 20's and a body fit to 
perfection.  He is indeed a ladies man, tall and handsome would be an 
understatement. 6'2" with piercing dark blue eyes and soft sable tendrils adorns 
his handsome features.  Many men envy his masculinity and his seductive voice 
make women swoon and drool over the most powerful bachelor in Tokyo.  

Women investors would go limp if they were caught in his gaze and even 
hypnotized enough to offer their beds.  Thus Mamoru knew what kind of affect he 
has with women and only picked a few to get caught in his web, Beryl was one of 
them.  'A man with power does not need love to soften his heart.' As he was 
taught. 'Besides, why stay with one, when he can have many,' the philosophy of 
the typical playboy, known to all of Tokyo.  

A woman to want him; it was in his blood to be wanted and needed by his woman 
counterparts.  It was something he welcomed. The rough and begging eyes of his 
quarry thrilled him completely. His intentions with women that he bedded were 
almost always clear.  When he needed you, he called; when he wanted you, he 
would have you; and when he thought of you being worthy, he made you his lover.

His taste in women were of no surprise; they were high ranking women, women that 
held some type of power or had family ties to one. Some like Beryl and others, 
though experienced in bed, they never saw what came and hit them when he used 
his sexual lenitive, hitting them hard with explicit pleasures. 

Innocent girls he strayed, this was one ethic he kept by the book.  He needn't 
ogling first timers to cause his life to go into a spiraling frenzy.  For his 
business, for his sanity, he didn't waste his time.

As for the woman who currently occupies his bed...

Nakaza Beryl, the head of Azusa Financial - a sister stock of his Chiba 
Bank of Commerce Corporation, is a woman with power.  She uses her power of 
money and her seductive figure to get what she wants and when she wants, that 
had also included men to her liking.  She is shrewd and does not have a caring 
bone in her body.  No one but she mattered, and never did she have any qualms on 
trampling over one to achieve her ultimate goal.

Mamoru and Beryl are somewhat of the same kind, they both starved for power and 
both had the intelligence to play their own games.  Beryl had been interested in 
the CEO and owner of Chiba Corp for some time. 

Warding off any woman who dared to seek his affections, Beryl often interfered 
with other competitions for his lonesome heart. She would use her power of 
intimidation and manipulation to scare away women who even dare to look at the 
infamous Chiba-san. 

No one was to get in the way of her dreams, the dream of being Mamoru's one and 
only, his wife... his partner.  It was her ultimate goal, the money, the riches 
and the most handsome of them all - Mrs. Chiba Mamoru

Mamoru knew her too well, he would never think of her as marrying material.  She 
was shallow and too much like him, the picture of even Beryl wearing white and 
standing near the alter gave him a sour, distasteful aftertaste in his mouth.  
Just the two of them, being so alike, harsh and cold, refuted any ideas of 
marriage. 

With all the women he's feasted himself on, Mamoru had to admit, Beryl was not a 
novice in bed. She knew the right areas to hit to make a grown man beg, though 
he did no such thing; he's heard from her own lips of other partners begging for 
her attention.  When it came to him, tables were turned and it was she who 
begged.  Certainly she was good at it, it is why he kept her... his whore, sort 
of speak, satisfying his sexual needs.

While adjusting his tie in front of the mirror his eyes caught the waking Beryl, 
again he sighed in tiredness of her whole situation.

"Good morning my love," she said with a smile.  Mamoru rolled his eyes at her 
greeting. It was too sickeningly sweet for his liking.

"Is it?" A curve on his lips arose when he looked to see her shocked features 
from his harsh reply.  Beryl didn't like the response she received when she was 
actually being sincere.  She was starting to get upset.  'How could he talk to 
me this way,' she thought to herself. Revealing her nakedness as she arose from 
her lying state, she thought of fixing the matter her usual way.  Swaying 
flirtatiously towards him, thinking it would be best to sooth his tempering 
attitude.

"Honey, why don't we just stay home today," she cooed, sliding her arms around 
his waist, molding her body against his.

"Beryl, you need to get your things and be gone.  I've got things to do and 
people to meet."  He snarled, brushing her arms away then stalking away.  At 
this point Beryl was fuming mad, he was so rude to her and she didn't know why.

"What is your problem Mamoru-kun?"  She asked irritably, following him as he 
walked around the room.

"My problem is that you're still here!"  Retrieving his briefcase, he left the 
room and left Beryl in a state of resentment.  

Putting on his black blazer that perfectly matched his well-tailor suit, he 
proceeded towards the double French doors of his luxurious high-rise condo.  
Quickly as he sensed Beryl's emerald eyes cutting his back, he turned to greet 
her one last time...

"Oh by the way, I'm getting the locks changed so you better get all your things 
out by two o'clock," he said coldly before slamming the door.  Beryl's boiling 
kettle was bursting with steam. 'Is he leaving me?' she asked herself. 

"You'll come back Chiba, I know you will and when you do I'll make you beg," she 
yelled to the top of her lungs.  Then as she turned to make her way back into 
the bedroom, the doors opened and Mamoru entered to set blazing eyes on her.

"I never ... beg... not for anyone, especially YOU" The comment was to hit her 
and it did.  Satisfied he smiled coyly and walked off humming to a playful tune.

~ Chiba Office ~

"Mr. Chiba?" said a voice over the phone.

"Yes, Ms. Narumi."

"Your 9:30 am appointments are here."

"Send them in," he said anxiously, anxious to find out what they have uncovered.  
He sat in his black leather chair and waited for there entrance.  The door 
finally opened and there preceded his assistants Akiwa Kyle, Shin Zoicite, 
Kurokawa Nathan and Hino Rei.  They all sat in unison at their usual seats.

"Good morning Mr. Chiba," said Kyle, a white haired man that he's known so long.

"Cut the formalities Kyle. You know you don't call me Mr. Chiba," he eyed his 
best friend narrowly.

"Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Kyle remarked.

"Or with the wrong person," muttered another.

"Oh yeah? Who? Jen..nahh...oh wait, its Beryl.  So how was it?" the three men 
leaned in for the juicy information their boss would share.

"Kissing and tell, please let me know when reliving your high school days are 
over," the only female in the room commented.  Graciously she stood to walk 
towards the door.

"Enough... Rei-chan, come back here. I want to know what's going on with Tsukino 
Financial, I want to know what the big commotion is all about."  Mamoru furrowed 
his brow.  Tsukino Financial has been his rival competition for years in the 
banking business and was secretly hiding something.  He was anxious to know if 
this secret could send his Chiba Corp. down to its lonely existence.

"Sir, Tsukino Financial's head CEO in Tokyo, Mr. Kina-sama, is retiring next 
month," said Zen, a fair built man with short blond hair.

"He is!" Mamoru piped up as he turned to his only female colleague he respected, 
Hino Rei was her name.  Impatiently stared at her waiting for her reply. "Miss 
Hino, can you affirm that?" he asked

"Yes, he is, Sir.  He will make the proper announcement next week and introduce 
the new CEO," dejectedly she answered.  

Rei had the feeling of betrayal in her blood; her best friends Aino Minako, 
Mizuno Ami, Osaka Naru and her long time love Toshihiro Jay are assistants to 
Mr. Kina, and she was ashamed to use her friendship to pry information.

"When will this announcement be made?" ask Mamoru as he leaned back and fiddled 
with his pen.

"Next Saturday, Sir.  All of Tsukino investors and other bankers including 
yourself, from what I heard, have been invited."

"Rei-chan, do you have any idea to who this person replacing Mr. Kina-sama may 
be?" asked Kunzite

"No, I don't.  Even the executive assistants do not know.  All they know is that 
she is a foreigner and has a very, very impressive background and is highly 
experienced."

"She has? And how impressive is she?" asked Mamoru as he turned his chair to 
face the windows, thinking as he stared out the windows.

"Well from what little I read, she's dealt with million dollar signings and 
never lost one yet. Deals she's strongly acquired on her own.  She's signed 
companies such as The Channing group and even The Infamous F.R. Trump 
Industries, investing in wondrous amounts of money to their company," Rei added. 

"With that great of a record, no wonder Mr. Kina is holding this a secret," said 
Kunzite

"She's also raised Tsukino Financial's profit to 80%," Rei added, Mamoru's chair 
whipped in quick movements as he turned his chair back around to face his 
assistants.

"Did you say 80 percent????" He leaned against the desk.  "Who can be that good 
with business to have such high profit margins. Even I..." he paused a bit as a 
plan emerged. "If anything we need this person working for us, not the 
competitors."

"Obviously Mr. Kina-sama himself knows how valuable this person is to any 
business.  No wonder he's not sharing this precious information," Zoicite 
sighed.

"I want all of you to find out who this person is.  Maybe with a better offer, 
she will sign with us instead of Tsukino Financial," Mamoru concentrated on his 
mission to intercept this woman that supposedly can close deals with a mere snap 
of her fingers.

"Yes Sir!" The four stood up and gave the company president his moment of peace.

There was a moment of silence in the room as he thought to himself,  'If we can 
get this mystery business woman to join our team, who knows what type of profits 
our company can make... possibly burying any other competition,' he smiled at 
the thought.  A loud beep interrupted his thoughts, bringing him back to 
reality.  

"Mr. Chiba," said his secretary "Don't forget that you are to have lunch with 
your Oba-san and Oji-san today at noon."

"Hai... How can I forget?" he said smilingly. "Did you get the flowers I had 
asked?"

"Yes Sir, they will be delivered here in 20 minutes."

"Thank you. That will be all." As Mamoru attended to the matters on his desk, 
time quickly rolled by.  He didn't even notice how late it was until his stomach 
gave him a reminder of lunch and, looking at his watch, he saw that it was now 
11:15 am.  He stood; leaving everything on his paper filled desk, and picked up 
his blazer.  Closing the door to his office, he thanked his secretary for 
ordering the flowers and quickly walked towards the elevator.

**** End of Chapter 1, stay tune for Chapter 2.