Aladdin's Lamp continued
Here's the next installment of Aladdin's Lamp.
#91-Sacrifice
For Love of Duty
935 words (see? Going down!)
The current list of chapters is as follows:
Genie #93
Daily Planner #35
Weapon #31
Advice #61
Check them all out on the new site!
# 91 Sacrifice
Part 5 in the Aladdin’s Lamp series
For Love of Duty
935 words
Mamoru looked out at the crawling traffic in front of him and cursed. He was running later than he’d like-not late, as he’d left his apartment 45 minutes before he needed to, just to be on the safe side, but still, he was cutting it closer than he’d expected. Of course, he hadn’t expected the accident which had snarled traffic up for miles, either. With feelings approaching despair, he looked at the merciless digital numbers on his dashboard, inexorably coming closer to 6:30. Realizing his knuckles were beginning to hurt, Mamoru glanced at his hands and saw they were clenched around the steering wheel hard enough to leave indentations in the leather. This was not good-he was so tense that he’d end up giving himself a giant headache and a rotten mood by the time he reached the restaurant. Willing himself to relax, he closed his eyes (no danger there, considering he hadn’t moved in the last three minutes) and brought up an image sure to relax him and grant him peace of mind: Usagi.
He didn’t remember exactly when he fell in love with her; it was more a slow realization than a sudden flash of insight. One day he’d noticed how her laugh sounded like the tinkling of silver bells, a week later he discover how soft her hair was, and how it glowed in the sunlight, three months later he’d finally admitted out loud that he was in love with her. Even now, frustrated and stuck in traffic, he could feel the beginnings of a dopey grin spreading over his face. Just the thought of her was enough to make him loosen up.
He still had no idea what Motoki did or said to make her reconsider their date. When he’d called her house that same evening, he could tell that she was still suspicious of him and his motives. She hadn’t really tried to hide it, “Look, Mamoru, I’m still not entirely sure what you’re up to. I’m willing to try this, but if this turns into some big joke, I will never forgive you.” She hadn’t sounded as angry as she’d been in the arcade, just resigned and a little sad. His heart had broken anew when he realized just how little she trusted him.
“Look, Usagi, I know you don’t trust me, but I promise you that I’ll never let you--” his earnest plea had been interrupted by a great deal of masculine yelling. It seemed that Usagi’s father had gotten wind that his daughter was speaking to a boy, and was not pleased about it. He heard a murmured “Gotta go,” and then dial tone, which effectively ended any possibility of convincing her of his sincerity over the phone. Which meant that it was triply important that he persuade her tonight. He had a feeling it was the last chance he’d get to make her believe that he loved her and they belonged together.
His senses were sharp enough to pick up the noises of the cars finally beginning to accelerate ahead of him; unfortunately, they were sharp enough to pick up something else as well. Off to the south, he sensed a flash of Dark Kingdom energy. However, Mamoru did not feel the usual frission of energy coursing through his veins that meant Sailor Moon was in trouble. And that put a whole new variable into the equation. Ordinarily, he’d find the closest location to stash his car, transform into Tuxedo Mask, and bound away towards the danger. But Mamoru was under no illusions; if he ran off to fight the Dark Kingdom now, there was no way he’d be able to make his date with Usagi. And, if he didn’t show, there’d be no way to explain it to her. Not without putting her life in grave danger. And therein lay the quandary: should he abandon the Senshi and his quest for his memory, at least for tonight, or should he abandon Usagi, with no way of contacting her to let her know that he couldn’t show?
Forget it, there are four Senshi now, they can handle themselves and whatever monster of the day has shown up tonight. I never asked to become a caped superhero, I deserve one shot at happiness. If things aren’t going to work with Usagi, I want it to be because I messed something up, not because some loser from the Dark Kingdom. Mamoru resolutely drove past the street that would take him out of traffic and right towards the scene. His resolve lasted right until the street was too far to make an emergency turn. Four Senshi or not, I still can’t guarantee that they won’t get hurt. Sailor Moon nearly got creamed just a few nights ago, even with that new Senshi. And just because she’s not in danger now, doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And…without the nijizuishou, will I ever get my memory back? Can I let my princess down?
“Dammit!” he snarled, yanking on the steering wheel and barreling down the next intersection, away from the restaurant where Usagi was waiting patiently for him. He new he was burning his last bridge with her, and probably Matoki, too, but he couldn’t desert the Senshi, couldn’t give up his search for his past…couldn’t disappoint his mysterious princess. His hopes and dreams for the future were ruthlessly sacrificed to his past. But his happiness had never been much of a driving force in the universe.
“Good-bye love.” A flash of light, and suddenly Tuxedo Mask was driving a Corvette hellbent through Tokyo’s back streets. “Good-bye Usako.”
#91-Sacrifice
For Love of Duty
935 words (see? Going down!)
The current list of chapters is as follows:
Genie #93
Daily Planner #35
Weapon #31
Advice #61
Check them all out on the new site!
# 91 Sacrifice
Part 5 in the Aladdin’s Lamp series
For Love of Duty
935 words
Mamoru looked out at the crawling traffic in front of him and cursed. He was running later than he’d like-not late, as he’d left his apartment 45 minutes before he needed to, just to be on the safe side, but still, he was cutting it closer than he’d expected. Of course, he hadn’t expected the accident which had snarled traffic up for miles, either. With feelings approaching despair, he looked at the merciless digital numbers on his dashboard, inexorably coming closer to 6:30. Realizing his knuckles were beginning to hurt, Mamoru glanced at his hands and saw they were clenched around the steering wheel hard enough to leave indentations in the leather. This was not good-he was so tense that he’d end up giving himself a giant headache and a rotten mood by the time he reached the restaurant. Willing himself to relax, he closed his eyes (no danger there, considering he hadn’t moved in the last three minutes) and brought up an image sure to relax him and grant him peace of mind: Usagi.
He didn’t remember exactly when he fell in love with her; it was more a slow realization than a sudden flash of insight. One day he’d noticed how her laugh sounded like the tinkling of silver bells, a week later he discover how soft her hair was, and how it glowed in the sunlight, three months later he’d finally admitted out loud that he was in love with her. Even now, frustrated and stuck in traffic, he could feel the beginnings of a dopey grin spreading over his face. Just the thought of her was enough to make him loosen up.
He still had no idea what Motoki did or said to make her reconsider their date. When he’d called her house that same evening, he could tell that she was still suspicious of him and his motives. She hadn’t really tried to hide it, “Look, Mamoru, I’m still not entirely sure what you’re up to. I’m willing to try this, but if this turns into some big joke, I will never forgive you.” She hadn’t sounded as angry as she’d been in the arcade, just resigned and a little sad. His heart had broken anew when he realized just how little she trusted him.
“Look, Usagi, I know you don’t trust me, but I promise you that I’ll never let you--” his earnest plea had been interrupted by a great deal of masculine yelling. It seemed that Usagi’s father had gotten wind that his daughter was speaking to a boy, and was not pleased about it. He heard a murmured “Gotta go,” and then dial tone, which effectively ended any possibility of convincing her of his sincerity over the phone. Which meant that it was triply important that he persuade her tonight. He had a feeling it was the last chance he’d get to make her believe that he loved her and they belonged together.
His senses were sharp enough to pick up the noises of the cars finally beginning to accelerate ahead of him; unfortunately, they were sharp enough to pick up something else as well. Off to the south, he sensed a flash of Dark Kingdom energy. However, Mamoru did not feel the usual frission of energy coursing through his veins that meant Sailor Moon was in trouble. And that put a whole new variable into the equation. Ordinarily, he’d find the closest location to stash his car, transform into Tuxedo Mask, and bound away towards the danger. But Mamoru was under no illusions; if he ran off to fight the Dark Kingdom now, there was no way he’d be able to make his date with Usagi. And, if he didn’t show, there’d be no way to explain it to her. Not without putting her life in grave danger. And therein lay the quandary: should he abandon the Senshi and his quest for his memory, at least for tonight, or should he abandon Usagi, with no way of contacting her to let her know that he couldn’t show?
Forget it, there are four Senshi now, they can handle themselves and whatever monster of the day has shown up tonight. I never asked to become a caped superhero, I deserve one shot at happiness. If things aren’t going to work with Usagi, I want it to be because I messed something up, not because some loser from the Dark Kingdom. Mamoru resolutely drove past the street that would take him out of traffic and right towards the scene. His resolve lasted right until the street was too far to make an emergency turn. Four Senshi or not, I still can’t guarantee that they won’t get hurt. Sailor Moon nearly got creamed just a few nights ago, even with that new Senshi. And just because she’s not in danger now, doesn’t mean it won’t happen. And…without the nijizuishou, will I ever get my memory back? Can I let my princess down?
“Dammit!” he snarled, yanking on the steering wheel and barreling down the next intersection, away from the restaurant where Usagi was waiting patiently for him. He new he was burning his last bridge with her, and probably Matoki, too, but he couldn’t desert the Senshi, couldn’t give up his search for his past…couldn’t disappoint his mysterious princess. His hopes and dreams for the future were ruthlessly sacrificed to his past. But his happiness had never been much of a driving force in the universe.
“Good-bye love.” A flash of light, and suddenly Tuxedo Mask was driving a Corvette hellbent through Tokyo’s back streets. “Good-bye Usako.”