Sept 2002
 Disclaimer: I don't own the characters I'm just borrowing them.  The
 story, however, is mine.

Chapter 8 


	Usagi raced down the steps of the school, her hair flying out
 behind her, a smile on her face.  "Come on, Ami-chan!  Naru is waiting for
 us at the arcade!"

	Ami was trailing behind her, barely keeping up, her books piled
 high in her arms.  "Wait, Usagi-chan!  I can't..."

	Usagi paused on the bottom step, looking back with a sigh, 
"Ami-chan, why couldn't you wait until Friday to get your new books? It's
 only tomorrow."

	Ami stepped down the stairs carefully, the books swaying
 dangerously in her arms as people came swarming down the steps around her,
 almost knocking her down.  She concentrated on getting to the bottom and
 looked at Usagi, "Could you give me a hand, Usagi-chan?"

	Usagi shook her head and grabbed the top four books so that Ami
 could better balance the stack, "I still don't get it.  Friday would have
 been easier."

	Ami shook her head and smiled, "By taking them home today I can get
 to work and have the first six chapters of Math done tonight."

	"But, why?"

	She laughed, "Usagi-chan, I thought I explained this."

	"Well, you did, but these are next year's text books.  Don't tell
 me you've already finished this year's curriculum."

	"Well..."

	Usagi's jaw dropped, "I don't believe it."

	They were quiet for a few moments as they walked away from the
 school, towards the main street where the Crown Arcade was situated. 
 Usagi finally spoke again about half-way there, "So what do you do when
 you finish next year's work?"

	"I get my first year University text books."

	"You already know what you want to do?"

	Ami nodded, "I want to be where my mom is, that is, I want to be in
 a busy hospital with the ability to make house calls."

	"Do you want to be a doctor then?"

	"Hai.  Someone who works with kids.  There are so many that need
 help, or support, I want to be that someone."

	"Wow, that's quite the goal, Ami-chan."

	Ami's cheeks reddened and she ducked her head, "It's always been my
 dream, Usagi-chan.  Aie!"

	Usagi turned and gasped as she saw her friend had run into a
 slender, good looking, man.  "Ami-chan!"

	Ami was sprawled on her backside, her skirt riding up to just above
 her knees, her books and book bag strewn around her in a disorganized hair
 of fabric and paper.  On the ground across from her, flat on his backside,
 was a man who looked very angry.  Ami stuttered as she scrambled to
 collect her papers and books, "Gomennasai!  I didn't see you, I-"  

	He pulled himself to his feet and brushed at the dusty fabric,
 "It's alright, miss, I should have been watching where I was going."

	Ami looked closed to tears as the man, and Usagi, knelt and helped
 her collect her things.  Usagi straightened first, taking a good look at
 the man.  He was very good looking, with short blonde hair that fell
 around sharp features.  His eyes were blue, but held no warmth as they
 focused on his task.  He wore a black business suit but carried no
 briefcase.

	"Do I know you?"

	The man looked up from handing Ami, who still looked mortified, a
 stack of papers and met her gaze, "No.  I would remember you." He looked
 back to Ami and helped her to her feet before handing her back the stack
 of books she'd been carrying before, "Gomennasai, miss, I meant no harm."

	Ami kept her eyes on the pavement, her color rivalling that of a
 red rose.  "It was my fault.  I should have been paying more attention. 
 Thank you for your help."

	He bowed slightly to her and offered her a slight smile, "It is
 only right to help what is partially my fault.  Good day, ladies."

	Usagi watched him go before glancing back to Ami, who's lower lip
 trembled as she fought tears.  "Ami-chan, are you alright?"

	Ami shook her head, "I don't want to go to the arcade, Usagi-chan,
 I just want to go home."

	Usagi sighed, "Lead the way."  She knew better than to argue.  Ami
 seemed like such a strong person with her convictions and opinions, and
 yet an encounter that could have happened to anyone seemed to have shaken
 her confidence.  She tagged along in silence, somehow knowing that Ami
 didn't need or want her chatter.  Somehow, she had to get her friend to
 talk to her, but how?


	Ami unlocked the door to her house and stepped inside.  She'd
 carefully controlled her emotions on the way home, but she knew Usagi
 would just be bursting with questions.  Taking a deep breath she turned to
 her friend, "Just put the books on the coffee table, Usagi-chan."

	Usagi had stopped in the doorway in shock.  This was where Ami
 lived?  She pulled her jaw off the top of the textbook and looked at her
 friend, "I'm impressed, this place is incredible!"

	Ami blushed, but smiled, "It's just mom and I and though I don't
 think we need this much space to ourselves, I can't see mom living in
 anything less when she has to entertain guests.  The prestige of owning
 and entertaining in a large home goes a long way with her superiors."

	Usagi whistled, "I bet." Her gaze turned back to her friend, "Are
 you alright, Ami-chan?"

	Ami nodded, "I'm fine.  I was just shaken up, that's all.  Naru is
 probably wondering where you are."

	"Naru knows I won't be on time.  Besides, once I tell her what
 happened today, she'll be more worried than angry."

	"Are you sure?  I don't want to get you in trouble."

	"Hai, I'm sure." Usagi grinned, "Besides, I want the tour!"

	Ami looked around and sighed.  Her house was huge; the main room
 open, inviting the light into the lower level.  The main floor was
 hardwood, covered in several expensive area carpets.  The furniture, all
 black leather in the living room area, was arranged with two overstuffed
 chairs by the fireplace, two couches and a big screen TV opposite it.  A
 wooden coffee table, where they'd placed Ami's books, was angled
 artistically in the center, a stack of coasters in the middle.  

	Beyond the area was a dinning set.  Oak, polished to a dull shine,
 was in abundance.  High backed chairs with soft feather seats done in a
 dark maroon surrounded a huge table.  Two cabinets filled with china
 flanked a large window that allowed anyone dining to see into the front
 yard.  A half wall blacked the entrance from the kitchen and, as Usagi
 stepped towards it, Ami grabbed her arm, "Actually, I think it'll have to
 wait, Usagi-chan.  I'm feeling better than I did before, how about we go
 meet Naru and you can show me this arcade."

	Usagi smiled brilliantly, hugging the other girl, "Ami-chan, you
 won't regret this.  Alright, you can show me your home later.  Come on,
 Naru is going to be furious with us!"

	Quickly slipping back into their shoes, Ami followed Usagi's
 break-neck speed and raced after her towards the arcade.



	Nau drummed her fingers on the table as she watched the clock. 
 Usagi and Ami should have been here already, what could be keeping them?

	Motoki settled into the booth across from her, a smile on his face,
 "Usagi's late again?"

	Naru nodded, "Hai," she sighed, "I wish she could be on time, I
 mean, she keeps getting less and less reliable."

	Motoki reached across the table and squeezed the younger girl's
 fingers.  "Usagi's got a lot on her plate right now, Naru-chan.  She'll be
 here, it can't be easy to keep her schedule, you know, besides, I'm sure
 she has a really good reason."

	Naru smiled, "Thanks, Motoki-kun.  You always know what to say.  If
 she's not here in a few minutes I'll just head home."

	"What, and not have one of my chocolate shakes?"

	Naru laughed, holding her hands up in surrender at his horrified
 tone, "Alright, alright, I'll have a chocolate shake."

	Motoki's eyes sparkled with mischief as he rose to make the shake,
 "It's on the house, Naru-chan.  You're a good friend to Usagi, she
 appreciates you even if she's late sometimes."

	Naru was smiling as he left, her gaze going to the arcade doors as
 the blonde whirlwind entered, the blue-haired genius at her heels,
 "Usagi-chan! Ami-chan! Over here."

	The two dropped into the booth across from her a second later,
 breathing heavily.  Naru looked from one to the other and burst out
 laughing, "You didn't have to kill yourselves to get here you know."

	Usagi grimaced, "I didn't want to keep you waiting too long,
 Naru-chan.  The last time I did that you wouldn't talk to me at all."

	"Actually the last time you forgot about me for a weekend,
 Usagi-chan."

	Usagi blushed, "I said I was sorry."

	Naru grinned, "I know, just bugging you.  What took you so long?"

	Ami blushed, ducking her head as Usagi glanced at her, "Oh, well,
 Ami-chan got hit by a man and we had to clean up her books.  We thought it
 would be safer to take them to her place before we came to meet you after
 that."

	Naru's eyes widened. "Another encounter like that?  Usagi-chan,
 you're making them a habit!"

	"She'd making what a habit?"

	The three girls looked up as Motoki placed Naru's shake in front of
 her.  Ami's eyes widened in surprise, her jaw dropping as she got her
 first good look at the blonde haired student who served the arcade.  Her
 cheeks reddened when he met her gaze, and she looked down at the table.  

	Usagi stood and launched herself at Motoki, wrapping him in a tight
 hug, "Motoki-oniisan!"

	"Oniisan?" he laughed, hugging her, "I suppose I can live with
 that.  Who's your friend?"

	She grinned, pulling away before motioning to Ami, "Ami-chan, this
 is Motoki.  Motoki-oniisan, this is Ami-chan."

	Motoki extended his hand to Ami, who carefully took it, her cheeks
 a becoming shade of pink, "A pleasure to meet you, Ami-chan."

	Ami blushed a little more as she took his hand and shook it,
 "Motoki-san," her voice was soft, timid as she shook his hand.

	Motoki glanced at Usagi in question as he released Ami's hand, as
 if to ask what was wrong.  Usagi shrugged, as puzzled as Motoki with Ami's
 strange reaction.  Ami turned to the window and looked outside as Motoki
 left to return to the counter.  Usagi slid in beside Ami, "Ami-chan, are
 you alright?"

	Ami nodded, refusing to look away from the window.  

	Naru sipped on her shake, glancing at Motoki, who was back at work
 cleaning the counter before looking back to a flushed Ami.  She grinned,
 "I think Ami-chan likes Motoki-kun."

	Usagi blinked, doing a double take when Ami's cheeks got even
 redder with Naru's words.  "Do you like Motoki, Ami-chan?"

	Ami's face flamed bright in the reflection as she ducked her head
 to hide her face.  Usagi looked across the arcade at Motoki before looking
 back at Ami.  Her smile was brilliant as she hugged her friend, "That's
 great, Ami-chan!"

	Ami shook her head, chancing a look at Usagi, "I'd like to leave
 now, Usagi-chan."

	Usagi's smile dimmed, "Nani? Why?"

	"Please Usagi-chan."

	Usagi rolled her eyes, hugging her friend before winking at Naru,
 "Ami-chan, if you don't face him now, you'll never come back. 
 Motoki-oniisan is really nice, you don't have to be afraid of him.  We all
 have crushes on him, you know, but he doesn't mind."

	Ami shook her head, "I couldn't, Usagi-chan."

	Naru pushed the shake at Ami, "Here, try this.  Motoki-kun makes
 the best shake there is. If you can't find anything else to talk about,
 ask him to make you a shake."

	"Oh no, I couldn't talk to him, I just couldn't."

	"Come on Ami, Motoki won't bite," teased Usagi, "he's just like
 talking to a brother."

	Ami glanced across the arcade to where Motoki was still working and
 shook her head, "If I had a brother, he wouldn't make me feel like this
 with a look."


	Usagi hugged her again, "Well, ignore Motoki-oniisan then, I'll
 show you the games you've never played before."

	Ami nodded as she was led from the booth towards the row of video
 games.  So preoccupied with ignoring Motoki, she almost ran into Mamoru as
 he stepped into the arcade.  "Gomen, Mamoru-san."

	Mamoru pulled his sunglasses off, stepping back to avoid the
 collision, "Is this a habit of you and your friends, Usagi-chan?"

	Usagi's face flushed at his caustic remark and she stuck her tongue
 out at him, "Just with you, Mamoru-san, and its not a habit, you're just
 in the wrong place at the wrong time."

	He shook his head and brushed past them, towards Motoki, as they
 continued towards the video games.  He slid onto a stool, "Hey,
 Motoki-kun."

	"Mamoru-san.  Have you met Usagi-chan's new friend?"

	Mamoru nodded as Motoki slid a cup of coffee in front of him, "I
 have to ask you something, and," he glanced at Naru across the arcade
 before looking over at Usagi and Ami, "I don't want you to tell the girls
 I said anything, alright?"

	Motoki nodded, "Hai, sure, what's up?"

	Mamoru turned back to him and looked down at the cup, "I think
 Usagi's new friend Ami may be getting her into drugs."

	Motoki's eye widened, his gaze flying to where the shy, blue haired
 girl was following Usagi's instructions on a video game, "Ami?  Are you
 sure Mamoru-san?"

	Mamoru recounted the conversation he'd overheard the day before,
 leaving nothing, except his own feelings when he'd heard them talking
 about heroin.  Finally, he looked back up at Motoki, his face grim, "Usagi
 has become a friend, of sorts, and I would hate to see something happen to
 her."

	Motoki's gaze was thoughtful as he watched Ami take a turn at the
 game, her high score visible from across the room, "Are you sure they
 weren't talking about something else, Mamoru-san?"

	"I don't know, Motoki-kun.  I really don't know.  Could you get
 close to Usagi's friend and maybe take her into your confidences?  It
 shouldn't be too hard since all of the high school girls have crushes on
 you, why should she be any different?"

	Motoki's smile was wry, "Sure, rub it in, Mamoru-san, see if I
 care.  What do you expect me to do, anyway?"

	"Just talk to her, maybe take her for a walk, get her to open up to
 you."

	"She's very shy, it'll be harder to so than you think, I mean, she
 would hardly even look at me when we were introduced."

	Mamrou raised an eyebrow as he took a sip of his coffee, "She
 wouldn't look at you?"

	Motoki shook his head, "She barely met my eyes.  I don't think I
 can do this for you, Mamoru-san, Ami-chan seems like a sweet young woman
 and I hardly think she'd be into drugs."

	"I know what I heard, Motoki-kun, can't you just try?"

	"Why?"

	Mamoru's eyes were hard, "Because if she's dragging Usagi into
 something that has to do with drugs, I have every intention of making her
 pay for it."

	Motoki studied Mamoru for a long moment as his friend drank his
 coffee.  "Why the sudden concern for Usagi-chan?"

	"Sudden?  I've been tutoring her for almost a month."

	"Has it been that long?"

	Mamoru nodded, "Hai.  I'm very fond of her, Motoki-kun, she's a
 very engaging and intelligent young woman for all her lack of marks to
 indicate it.  The last thing I want to see is for her to get roped into
 some kind of drug ring.  I'd never forgive myself if that happened to her
 and I could stop it."

	Motoki sighed, "Alright, alright, I'll do it.  I still think you've
 got it wrong.  What do I get in return for this favor?"

	Mamoru raised an eyebrow, "What is it you want?"

	Motoki's smile was sly, "You've got to take Usagi-chan out on a
 date."

	"A date?"

	He nodded, "A date.  As in flowers, chocolates, dinner, dancing and
 a movie.  When was the last time you went on a date, Mamoru-san?"

	"I don't date."

	"I know, you haven't for years, why not?"

	"You know why."

	Motoki crossed his arms over his chest, "Those are my terms,
 Mamoru-san, either you take Usagi-chan out and treat her like a proper
 young lady, or I don't help you.  I think you're wasting your time anyway,
 Ami-chan seems much too sweet to be involved in anything diabolic, this
 way I'm not the only one who has to do something he might not enjoy."

	"Might not enjoy?  I don't date, and I have a good reason for it. 
 You're heartless, Motoki-kun."

	"No more than you in thinking Ami-chan might be involved in some
 drug racket, Mamoru-san.  Have we got a deal?"

	Mamoru's gaze settled on Usagi as he thought it through.  He liked
 her as a friend, sure, but she had a sharp tongue that just didn't appeal
 to him.  At least, not when she was sharpening it on his hide.  He wanted
 her safe, wasn't declining to take her out just once in return for Motoki
 delving into her friend's life a good trade off.  He sighed.  "Deal."

	They shook hands and Mamoru polished off his coffee, "Put it on my
 tab, I'll see you later."

	Motoki said nothing as Mamoru left.  He didn't, for a moment,
 believe that Ami could be involved in any kind of drug ring, but he's
 humor Mamoru and watch the sparks fly when he took Usagi out.  A grin
 found its way onto his face as he watched Usagi.  This was going to be
 fun.


 Author's Note:  Stay tuned for chapter 9.  Lemme know what you think, if
 you want to see something, lemme know that too.  e-mail me at
 Jademax@hotmail.com with your comments, questions, concerns, flames...
 anyhing at all :D  Heck, critique me if you like, I'd love that :)

Thanks for reading!

Jade_Max