SPIN THE BOTTLE By Princess Destiny [princessdestiny@hotmail.com] Chapter One The sun was just beginning to set on the horizon as the three best friends sat outside the 'Crown Game Center', eating an early dinner. Usagi reached out to stir her straw about in the thick-shake glass, expression bored. The chocolate milkshake spat up bubbles, for the moment grabbing her attention. ["I am SOOOOO bored!"] She thought, rolling her blue eyes towards Makoto. The brunette was slumped in her chair over the table, eating a thick hamburger. "NOT as good as mine" Makoto sighed, taking another bite. She swallowed and licked her lips lightly, eyes thoughtful. "Well, maybe. Motoki makes a mean burger" "Anything he does is great" Usagi agreed dreamily, looking to their left. Through the arcade window, they could see Motoki at the counter, serving people. The place had been so packed that Usagi, Makoto and Ami decided to sit outside. "I knew you'd say that, Usagi" Makoto grinned at her blonde friend in amusement. She looked across the table at Ami, eyebrows rising. "Ami, come on!" Makoto protested, reaching out to pry the thick book from Ami's startled fingers. The book fell to the table w3ith a thump. "You CAN'T do homework on a Friday, girl!" "Uh huh!" Usagi said, eyes glinting with excitement. "It's a Friday- which means you get to hang out with all your very best friends. And have FUN!" "I AM having fun, really guys" Ami protested, blushing. As if to prove her point, she reached out and snagged a fry from Makoto's brimming plate and popped it into her mouth. "See?" She told them, smiling. Usagi and Makoto quickly exchanged a glance. "Sure Ami, like a fry is going to liven up the evening!" Usagi said, shaking her head. She frowned in thought, then looked out into the crowded streets. "And WHERE is Rei exactly?!" She demanded, sinking back into her chair. Usagi crossed her arms, looking annoyed. "She said that she'd BE here. Just calm down Usagi" Makoto suggested. She cast a rueful glance at Ami. "Right" Ami agreed, looking absently down at her book, which was just out of her reach and close to a watchful Makoto. Sometimes it amazed her how much she had changed since meeting the other Senshi. Once upon a time, NOTHING could have pried her from her studies! "Well, I think that she should be here by now!" Usagi announced, slurping down the rest of her shake noisily. Her eyes flickered to the right and past another table as hasty movement caught her attention. She raised her head to see a dark-haired girl bolting quickly down the sidewalk towards them. "Speaking of!" Usagi drawled. Rei skidded to a halt, dodged around a couple of table and arrived at their table-side, panting breathlessly. "Sorry I'm late"! Rei gasped, bending over. "Did you run all the way here, Rei?" Ami said, eyes wide. "Uh huh" Rei straightened, flinging her head back. She gasped a little more, then thankfully sank into a spare chair next to Ami. "All the way from Mamoru's apartment" Her eyes glittered. "He's totally loaded you know, you guys! It was amazing. He's got ALL of the newest high-tech stuff. A motorbike, a FERRARI-and wow, is his apartment big" The Priestess in training bragged, flicking a sideways glance at Usagi. Usagi sat thee, fuming. At any mention of Chiba Mamoru's name, fury filled her. "THAT creep?" Usagi exploded, thumping a fist onto the table. She half-rose, towering over the rest of them. "What were you doing there? And I suppose that HE'S the reason that you're late?" The blonde accused, pointing a finger in Rei's face. The dark-haired girl brushed Usagi's finger aside coolly, eyes half- closing. She glanced through her lashes in satisfaction. "I thought that would be your reaction, Usagi. Jealous?" Rei suggested quietly. "JEALOUS?!" Usagi shouted, face flushing with anger. "Of YOU? Of that JERK?! No way!" She sank back into her chair, pouting. "No way" She repeated. "Sounds like to me, Usagi" Rei said silkily, still smiling with satisfaction. "You're just jealous that I have a boyfriend and you are all on your own" "Whaaaaaaat?" Usagi looked horrified. "Who could be jealous of the girlfriend of that creep?" She wondered aloud. ["Not ME, that's for sure!"] "Usagi!" Rei growled, thumping a hand onto the table. "Guys, please!" Ami pleaded, a hand over her eyes wearily. "Didn't we come out tonight to have fun together? Rei is here now" "Right" Makoto said, getting to her feet. She grinned around at them all. "And it's Friday night late shopping!" She thrust a hand up into the air. "Who's with me!" "I am!" The three other girls chorused happily, getting to their feet. "I wanted to look at that totally cool new dress shop that opened on the second floor" Usagi exclaimed. "Oh yeah? Where?" Rei said with interest. The girls all walked away from their table and headed down the street, gathered closely together. There was nothing like a good shop to have fun! 2 hours later, they were all slumped around another table inside the shopping mall. Bags were piled around their feet, overflowing with clothes and things. Usagi rested a giant pink bunny on her lap, playing absently with its floppy ears. Rei watched with amusement. "I knew you couldn't resist that rabbit, Usagi" "It's so cuuuuute, Rei" Usagi crooned, adjusting the large white bow around the bunny's neck. "What are you going to call it?" Makoto wondered, staring at the giant bunny with a strange expression. "Tuxedo Kamen-Bunny?" Rei suggested with a smirk. "Very funny" Usagi gritted, glaring at her friend. "It's a SHE bunny!" "Sailor M-" Rei began again, eyes wickedly glinting. "No! Don't even SAY it, you pyro!" Usagi yelled, accidentally ditching the bunny off of her lap. It hit the floor, then rolled up against a pair of expensive black shoes. The girls-who had all followed it progress with curiosity-all looked up simultaneously. Usagi's eyes trailed up over the black shiny shoes, over black slacks, a black turtle-neck and a familiar green jacket. Her eyebrows drew together, a thunderous expression forming on her pretty face. "Mamoru!" She growled, finally looking into his face. "Odango Atama!" Mamoru said teasingly, eyes amused. "Oh, Mamoru" Rei said, sounding surprised and glad. "What are you doing here? I thought that you had a 'thing' to do tonight?" She glanced at him inquiringly. Usagi reached down for her giant bunny, which Mamoru obligingly kicked lightly in her direction with one shoe. "DON'T kick my bunny!" Usagi said, hastily grabbing the bunny. She held it to her chest defensively, as if it had been a real animal and Mamoru a hunter. "I should have KNOWN that it would be YOUR bunny, Odango" Mamoru taunted, rolling his eyes. "It's as silly-looking as you!" "WHAT? You take that back, Chiba!" Usagi yelled, getting to her feet hurriedly. Once more, the bunny went flying, landing on the floor between them. Mamoru rolled his eyes, then bent over gracefully and picked up the bunny. He raised it easily to his face, staring at the dark beady eyes. "Yep" he said, laughing. "It's eyes are as vacant as yours, Odango Atama!" "Creep! My name is USAGI!" The blonde shouted, snatching at the bunny. Mamoru held on for a moment, eyes mocking. ["How much does she want this bunny?"] He wondered laughingly as Usagi tried unsuccessfully to pry it from his stronger hands. "Let go-!" Usagi began furiously. When Mamoru complied unexpectedly, the blonde flew backwards, bunny in her arms. "Arrggggggh~!" Usagi shrieked, falling back over her chair. She ended up half on the floor, legs flung over her chair and skirt riding up on her legs unexpectedly. Mamoru blinked, then looked away. "Er-sorry about that" He muttered, trying to wipe the vision of an amazing pair of slender legs from his mind. ["She's fourteen. What am I thinking?"] Mamoru asked himself, frowning. He decided to ignore the blonde, turning instead to Rei. "The 'thing' I had tonight was a party, Rei" He turned around to the table behind him, reaching out for a couple of bags. Usagi struggled up from her undignified position with Makoto's help, fuming. Her face was red from anger and embarrassment and the bunny had caused more problems than happiness! "Jerk" She muttered, brushing off the back of her skirt and glaring at Mamoru's profile. Her eyes flittered over the bags in his hands, from which some delicious smells were emanating. "Oooh. What's in the bags?" She exclaimed, thrusting the bunny at Makoto and hurrying to Mamoru's side. She leaned over near his chest, peering into the first bag. "Chips!" She squealed. "There aren't for you, Odango" Mamoru's voice came from just over her head. He sounded amused and exasperated. "They're for the party tonight" "What party? YOU have friends?!" Usagi straightened hurriedly, stunned. ["The cold jerk has friends?"] Her eyes met Mamoru's which were just centimers above hers. She blinked and backed off slightly, aware of just how close they had been. Mamoru similarly blinked and gave her a strange look. Then he grinned. "Yes, I have friends, Odango Atama. From Collage. It's a Collage party to celebrate the end of the exams" He gave a sigh of great relief, glancing skyward. "And boy, am I glad they're over!" "A party Mamoru? How exciting" Rei exclaimed, eyes brightening. "Can I come?" she belatedly remembered her friends and changed her plee. "Can WE come?" "Sorry, Rei" Mamoru said, shaking his head. He hefted the bags in his hands, preparing to leave. "This party is for older students. Everyone there will be at least 18 years old" "Older men?" Makoto yelled, eyes wide with delight. She moved closer to Mamoru. "Oh please! This is my chance" "Are you kidding, Makoto?" He said, dark blue eyes surprised. "These guys are way to old for you guys. You're only fourteen" "YOU date Rei!" Makoto accused. Mamoru looked uncomfortable. "That's different. Rei and I-we have fun together" He tilted his face towards Rei, smiling. "But we're just friends. Rei knows that, right?" He asked her. Only Usagi and the other girls saw how pale Rei's face went, expression deflating. "Umm-" She hesitated, then smiled shakily. "Right. Sure-I do, Mamoru. Just friends" Rei murmured. "Go-have fun. Okay? And I'll call you on Monday" "Sure. I'll look forward to it" Mamoru smiled wider, turning to look at Usagi. "Don't accost anyone with that bunny on the way home, Odango" He advised. "You couldn't afford to pay damage bills" "Who asked you? Go away!" Usagi told him haughtily, slipping back into her chair. She completely ignored him, eyes on a pale Rei. The girl sank into the chair across from Usagi, eyes bleak. ["Oh, poor Rei. She must have had no idea"] Usagi thought, heart clenching. She cast a furious glare at Mamoru. ["How dare he do this to her!"] He met her gaze squarely, seeming startled at her heated glare. "Well, I'll see you all around!" He looked down at the watch on his wrist, blue eyes widening. "Oh jeez, I'm late for my own party! I hope Motoki is there already" "Motoki?" Makoto said, unheard. Her green eyes brightened mischievously. "See you!" Mamoru called out, striding away. The girls were all silent until he had disappeared into the crowd, then they all exchanged a glance. "Oh, Rei!" Usagi exclaimed, sliding her hand across the table. She gripped Rei's cold hands tightly, trying to convey comfort to the silent girl. "I'm really sorry, Rei" Ami said sincerely. "Yeah, me too. I really thought you guys had something going on there" Makoto put in. She looked at Rei thoughtfully. "But maybe-we can do something to bring you CLOSER?" She suggested lightly. The girls looked at her, eyes curious. "How?" Rei said slowly. "Well-" Makoto began. "YOU know where Mamoru lives-right? What if we were to just 'drop in' to the party tonight?" "Drop in?" Usagi said, amazed. "You want to go to that jerk's party, Makoto?" "Motoki is there" Makoto reminded Usagi. "Oh and LOTS of food and older guys! It should be a blast!" Rei looked doubtful. "I don't know, Makoto. He said that we were only friends" Her head lowered. "Too old for us, he said. 18 year olds. HE'S 18!" "Oh, give it a chance, Rei" Ami said, surprising them all. "It could be, that he just doesn't know all of you. Show him your party side" "It could work" Usagi said slowly, nibbling on her lip. She shot everyone a nervous look. ["This is for Rei though"] She thought slowly. "I think that we should DO it!" She announced, grinning mischievously. Rei smiled slowly. "Really, Usagi?" She said with surprise and delight. "I didn't think that you'd go for it. Because you hate Mamoru and all" "Nah!" Usagi waved a hand dismissively. "I can just stay away from the jerk all night, while YOU get closer!" "It's a plan then!" Makoto said triumphantly. She looked down at her green overalls and pink shirt. "We aren't really dressed for a party though and we LOOK fourteen. What we need is to go home and dress up, then put on a little makeup" She said, thinking ahead. "I can't go home!" Usagi suddenly wailed. "I'm supposed to be staying over at Ami's. And I only have my bunny pj's at her house!" "Stop the wailing, Usagi!" Ami commanded, closing her eyes and wincing. "Look, we won't tell Luna if you use the disguise pen just this once" "All right! The disguise pen. I'd forgotten all about that" Makoto said, grinning widely. She leaned closer to the blonde. "You can make yourself older and totally hot! But don't steal all the guys! Leave a few for me...And Motoki!" "Motoki?" Usagi stared hard at the brunette. "Sure" Makoto reasoned. "Rei can have Mamoru. I can have Motoki-and if Tuxedo Kamen happens to turn up, he's yours" "Tuxedo Kamen!" Usagi said, dreamily. "Do you think he'll be-MAKOTO!" Usagi finished on an angry tone. "As IF he'd turn up at that jerk's apartment!" Makoto giggled. "Sorry, sorry. I couldn't help it. But there will be plenty of guys there, Usagi!" "It should be fun" Ami said. She touched a finger to her chin, eyes distant. "And I can take a book if I'm bored..." "WHAT?!" Usagi, Makoto and Rei shouted at her. "Don't be silly, Ami!" Usagi said, horrified. "You CAN'T take a book to a PARTY! Tell her Makoto!" "She's right" Makoto said firmly. "NO books" "Have a little fun" Rei got to her feet. "You and Makoto go to your houses and change, then come over to my place. I'll take Usagi with me" She suggested. The others got to their feet quickly, grinning with excitement. "Party crashing!" Makoto gloated, rubbing her hands together. She grabbed her bags, then Ami's hand. "Come on, Ami!" "Let's go, Usagi" Rei ordered, picking up her bags in one hand the giant bunny in the other. Usagi picked up her bags and trailed after the dark-haired girl, wondering if she was going to enjoy the party after all. They WERE going for Rei-but that jerk would be there! "But so is Motoki" She said aloud. Usagi grinned. "All's fair in love and war! Makoto can share him!"