SPIN THE BOTTLE By Princess Destiny [princessdestiny@hotmail.com] Chapter Two Half an hour later, Ami and Makoto met at the Temple, below the steep stairs. "Hey Ami, wow you look good" Makoto complimented, looking Ami dark blue dress over. She also had a blue bow in her hair, setting of the color of her eyes. "Thanks, Makoto" Ami blushed. "You look good too. Green always suits you" Makoto looked down at her tight green dress, which ended just above her knees. "Hey thanks, Ami! Lets see if Usagi and Rei are ready" The two girls walked up the steep stairs and into the Temple. As they got closer to Rei's room, they heard Usagi wailing loudly. The two exchanged a glance. "What can she possibly be wailing about now?" Makoto wondered. She flung open the sliding door, revealing the two within. Ami peered past Makoto, eyes wide. Rei was chasing Usagi about the room in her underwear, purple eyes eager. "Give it to me!" "No! It's mine! Luna gave it to ME to use!" Usagi protested. She flung herself at Makoto, eyes panicked. "Help Makoto! Rei's gone nuts! She wants to use the disguise pen!" "Come on Rei, you don't need it" Ami said, frowning. Rei fell to a stop, putting her hand haughtily on her hips. "I just don't get why this ditz only gets to use it! What about the rest of us? I could use a new dress" "You have plenty, pyro!" Usagi yelled, ducking behind the taller form of Makoto. Makoto walked away, revealing the blonde crouched behind her. "What about that red dress I saw you buying this afternoon?" "Yep!" Usagi realized that her cover was gone and ducked behind Ami. "Oh, Usagi. Really" Ami said, walking away from the blonde also. Usagi stood there, looking nervously at the angry priestess. "Yeah, Rei. That dress looked great" She prompted eagerly. Rei nodded. "I guess it DID. But all the same" She dove for Usagi, knocking the girl to the floor. She grabbed the pen from Usagi's fingers, holding it up. "Disguise power! Dress me up as a gorgeous model!" Rei shouted. Immediately, something happened. But not what anyone had expected. The pen gave a lurch, then turned an angry red. Electricity formed, moving along the pen to Rei's finger. She yelped, throwing it away from her. "Arrgggggh! It fried my fingers!" Rei screamed, sticking her fingers into her mouth and glaring at the offending pen. "What-happened?" Usagi muttered, staring. "Has the pen gone wacko?" "I don't think so" Ami said, looking carefully at the smoking pen. "It's just that it's made only for Usagi to use" "Ha!" Usagi shouted gleefully, diving for the pen. She picked it up, wincing. "Ouch! Still hot" She wailed. "Disguise power! Umm-dress me up really nice!" "Really NICE?" Rei remarked from around her fingers, eyes incredulous. "She could be anything in the world and as asked to look NICE?" The light cleared from around Usagi, revealing her dress in a short grey skirt, soft leather half-boots and a pink blouse. Crescent moon earrings dangled from her lobes. "Well" Ami blinked at their leader. "I think she LOOKS nice. It's Usagi" "Right" Makoto agreed. "Usagi doesn't need to dress up" "Thank you guys" Usagi said, sniffing happily. "Mmm" Rei muttered in agreement, still standing around in her underwear. "But what do I wear?" "I have an idea!" Usagi exclaimed. She took out the disguise pen and aimed it at the startled Rei. "Disguise power! Make Rei into a really sexy model!" The blonde shouted. Rei screeched as she was consumed with pink light. When it cleared, she glanced down at herself and gave another little scream-but of delight. "Oh Usagi! I love you!" She yelled happily, throwing herself at the blonde. Usagi caught her friend, blinking. "Umm, sure Rei. You look great" The blonde frowned and added reluctantly. "Mamoru will fall at your feet" "He'll DROOL at your feet, girl" Makoto whistled admirably, looking Rei over. Rei had never looked so beautiful. With a blood-red dress that fell to her feet, but had slits right up to the thigh. She wore her hair loose and shining gloriously and there was red lipstick on her lips. She wore heels similar to Sailor Mars. "Wow, Rei" Ami said admirably, looking down at her own dress. "Maybe- you could do me too Usagi?" "Ami!" Usagi said in surprise. "I thought that you weren't interested in any of the guys" "Well-" Ami began, blushing. "I don't know" "In that case, do me too!" Makoto announced. "Okay!" Usagi yelled, disentangling herself from Rei. "Disguise power! Make Makoto and Ami sexy models too!" Moments later, the girls all looked at each other, grinning like idiots. Ami and Makoto were in a blue and green number, as tight and slinky as Rei's. Makoto smoothed her hands down over her hips, grinning in satisfaction. "Motoki won't be able to resist me now!" She gloated. "What about you, Usagi? Don't you want a tight clingy dress?" Rei said, frowning. "No-not really. I'm fine" Usagi flushed, looking down at the floor. "I- don't have as much confidence as you guys do" "Okay, then!" Makoto cried, looking at the clock. "It's nine O'clock and we're late for the party crashing!" "Lets go" Rei said, leading the way from her room. She frowned as they got to the bottom of the temple stairs. "Luckily, I'm USED to walking in heels as Sailor Mars, or this would be hell! Mamoru's apartment is a few blocks away" "NOW you tell us" Makoto groaned, struggling on her heels. She glanced down at Usagi's sensible boots. "Is it too late to change?" She wondered. "YES! Let's go" Usagi said impatiently. She was beginning to get excited over the prospect of the party. ["Maybe I'll find my true love there?"] She wondered to herself, glancing up at the bright moon overhead. "You knock" Rei whispered, abruptly nervous. "No, you knock!" Makoto hissed, pushing Rei forward. The girls all stared at the door of Mamoru's apartment, hearing loud music and laughter from within. It suddenly seemed all so daunting. "Maybe this was a bad idea?" Ami said weakly, leaning against the wall. Usagi stared at them all, then stepped forward resolutely. She banged on the door authoritatively and waited. The door was opened and a freckled-face guy looked out inquiringly. "Yeah? Wow" He breathed, looking them all over from head to toe. "Say you're looking for me!" "Uh, no....we're looking for Chiba Mamoru's apartment?" Rei said. "Is this the right place" "BOY, is it!" The guys said, grinning. He held the door open further. "Come on into my life, beautiful ladies" "You're too kind" Rei said dryly, sweeping past him. "Thanks, I'm Makoto" the brunette introduced herself. "I'm Ricky" The guys said, linking arms easily with Makoto. "Come with me and I'll get you a drink" "Okay" Makoto breathed, totally taken in by his looks. Usagi and Ami stood outside, staring down the long hall. People dotted it here and there, talking and drinking. "Should we-go in?" Usagi wondered nervously. Ami nodded, talking a step forward. "I think we should. We're here for Rei, remember?"] "Right" Usagi swallowed, then stepped inside, dragging Ami the rest of the way with her. The blonde closed the door behind her and locked it, back resting against the wood. A girl looked up at them, eyes widening slightly. Usagi recognized Reika, Motoki's girlfriend. ["But-I thought that she went off to some distant country to dig stuff?"] Usagi wondered. "Usagi. What are you doing here?" Reika asked, coming over to them. "Umm-we came for Rei" Usagi lowered her voice. "You see-Rei wants to go out with Mamoru, but he sees her only as a friend. So we thought we'd give him this opportunity to get to know her" The blonde finished triumphantly. Reika smiled slightly, but there was doubt in her eyes. "I can't stay long girls, I just came back for a visit. Motoki is coming a little later. But-I really don't think this is the place for girls so young" She began. "Oh, really?" Ami said, clearly regretting her decision already. Usagi waved a hand around divisively. "Nah!" She said, grinning. "It'll be okay! We'll have a few munchies, wait for Rei and Mamoru to hit it off, then go home to sleep" "All right. I have to go soon though. Take care of yourselves" Reika said, them leading the way down the hall. It opened into a huge lounge room, filled to the brim with people. Usagi and Ami gaped around, taking in the crowd, the food filled with food and drinks against the far wall and the large stereo system. "Wow, he IS loaded" Usagi breathed, looking around in awe. She spotted Rei talking to Mamoru in a corner and they seemed to be arguing. "Oh no!" "What is it? Oh" Ami said, noting Rei's unhappy face. The priestess turned away from Mamoru and walked over to them , forcing a smile. "Mamoru said it's okay to stay, now that we're here" She announced. She leaned closer to the girls, eyes swimming with tears. "I don't think he's going to get to know me any more though, guys. He's just not-interested. I saw him talking to this girl when I came in" "What girl?" Usagi exploded, ready to march over to Mamoru and bash him over the head. "It-doesn't matter" Rei said, smiling bravely. "Really" She walked away towards the table, picking up a full glass of something. She chugged it down before Reika's eyes. "Oh dear" The woman said, sighing deeply. "I never knew it was so bad between those two. But she's right you know. Mamoru isn't interested in ANYONE. He never has been" Her eyes never left Rei, as the girl had another cup of drink. "Uh oh" She breathed under her breath. "I think those drinks were spiked" "Spiked?" Usagi looked at Reika in confusion. "I think that they were filled with alcohol" Reika amended. Ami and Usagi's eyes widened. "Really? Oh" Usagi said, looking over to Rei, who seemed to be swaying slightly. Reika smiled at the girls. "I'll take her over to the couch and have a talk to her. You girls try and enjoy yourself-and don't drink anything!" Ami and Usagi watched the woman walk over to Rei and take her by the arm, leading her away into the crowd. "Now what?" Usagi asked. "I don't know-oh wait!!'' Ami's eyes widened. "I know that guy. He talked to the class in my old School about advanced physics. Excuse me, Usagi? I have to talk to him!" Ami exclaimed, walking across the room to a tall blonde-haired guy. "Great. Leave poor Usagi guy-less" Usagi said dourly. "So what's changed exactly, Odango?" An annoying voice drawled into her ear. Usagi started violently, spinning around. Her nose smashed into a muscled chest. Mamoru's arms came up to rescue her, before she could fall backwards onto the floor. "What are you doing here anyway?" He asked her, staring down into her eyes with annoyance. She glared back, forgetting to move from his arms. "I came for Rei! She's really upset-Umm...Never mind" Usagi trailed off, looking uncomfortable. She suddenly realized where she was and wrenched herself backward. Mamoru blinked at her, then let her go, having forgotten himself. "What was that about, Rei?" He wondered aloud. "Never mind, jerk! And keep AWAY from me" Usagi said haughtily, sweeping away. "I have guys to meet" "I don't think any of them would be interested in baby-sitting you, Odango Atama" Mamoru said clearly. Then he laughed and walked off into the crowd behind her. Usagi fumed for a long moment. Then she realized that she was really thirsty. She eyed the long table of cups nervously. "They-look okay" She said, reaching out for a cup. Usagi took a hesitant sip and her eyes brightened. "And it tastes fine too" She hastily gulped it down. Then grabbed for another and then another. As she placed the cup down, she swayed unsteadily. Everything seemed sort of hazy and she was supremely happy. "Oooh! Food!" She squealed, grabbing for the plate of chips. "I like a girl who enjoys her food" Someone said from beside her. Usagi turned her head to see a tall guy there, with dark blonde hair and grey eyes. Immediately she saw hearts. ["He's way dreamy!"] She thought, mouth gaping slightly in surpise. "Hello, I'm Brad" the guys said, smiling charmingly. "Usagi" Usagi muttered, thrusting the chips into her mouth. She stared at him while she munched, vision slightly blurred. "I feel-really happy, but dizzy" She told Brad. "That would be the drinks" Brad said, eyeing all the empty cups near her. "Maybe we should go out onto the balcony for some fresh air?" He suggested. "Sounds *hick* romantic" Usagi said, smiling dreamily at him. "I'm sure it does" Brad murmured, taking her arm and steering her from the room. From behind them, Mamoru watched with narrowed eyes. He was leaning against the far wall of the room, with arms crossed-and had witnessed the entire conversation. ["Brad is too dangerous for a young girl like Usagi"] Mamoru thought grimly. Then-after a slight hesitation-he began to follow them, moving smoothly through his guests and towards the balcony. "You know, this music is REAL upbeat" Usagi said, wincing slightly. "I would have figured the jerk-er Mamoru for the classical music type" She trailed off. "Mamoru?" Brad said incredulously. He leant on the balcony railing next to her. "You must be kidding" "Actually" A voice drawled from in front of them. Usagi and Brad's faces jerked up to see Mamoru standing there, slightly in the shadows. His face was hidden but for his mouth, which was twisted sardonically. "I quite LIKE classical music-when I study" "Really?" Brad said slowly, looking from Mamoru's tall form to Usagi. It was obvious, even to HIM, that something was going on there and that Mamoru seemed to be...protecting the little blonde? "We didn't ASK you" Usagi gritted through her teeth. Then she smiled, trying to look as if she were an invited friend of Mamoru's. "Wait here Usagi" Mamoru said to her. Then he looked at Brad. "A word, Brad?" He said coolly. Usagi watched as the two men walked off, incensed. Trust that jerk to take away the only older guy that had ever been interested in her! ["Well, other than Tuxedo Kamen"] She amended silently. She slowly moved closer to where the two guys had gone and strained her ears. "-Away from her, Brad. She's not as old as she looks" Mamoru was saying. "But she's such a pretty little thing. I really like her" Brad emphasized, then laughed deeply. "I'm warning you" Mamoru said quietly. Brad stiffened. "But what happened to that beautiful girl in the red dress from earlier? She's yours-right?" Brad paused in an incredulous silence. "Don't tell me that the blonde is yours TOO?!" "She is-under my protection" Mamoru hesitated over the first few words, as if struggling with himself. "And so are the other two girls that came with them. Stay away from them" "Or?" "You'll find out, just how much of a friend you AREN'T, Brad" Mamoru said curtly. "Fine, fine" Brad backed away, hands held out. He smiled at Mamoru cynically. "Maybe I'll see her on the street sometime...when you aren't around" "I'm always around Usagi. You can ask her" Mamoru said, staring into Brad's eyes with his own. They were glittering with suppressed rage and warning. Brad quickly got the hint and left, melting into the rest of the party. Usagi stumbled back to the balcony railing, never so stunned in her life. ["Mamoru not only got rid of that guy, he threatened him!"] She gasped internally, eyes wide in disbelief. What was going ON here?