The man appeared to be no more than twenty-one-or-two-years-old, and looked every inch a handsome rogue. Dark blue hair was combed in a neat-sleek fashion that spelt sophistication, with piercing purple eyes. His stylish suit of white and black defined the set of a true model body. His right ear was pierced with a matching blue diamond that simply sparkled in the light. His eyebrows were black and glossy, chiseled cheekbones with a flawlessly sculpted nose. Alluringly seductive lips were curled into an enigmatic smile. Rogue he might be, but he also had a grace and elegance that could make any gentleman green with envy.
The handsome young man approached Usagi, the enigmatic smile still on his lips. "Hello, Usagi. Long time no see. It's me."
Usagi stared at him, question marks shooting out from her bluer-than-blue eyes. This man definitely was not human. She was sure of that. But he was not a complete stranger either. The way he had greeted her was like greeting a very old friend whom he had not seen for ages. But Usagi had no recollection of this charming stranger. So who was he then? How did he know her name? Why was he acting as though he had known her for her whole life? And…why was he looking at her like that?
Mamoru's question broke into her thoughts. "Usako, you know him?" He did not like the way this alien stranger was looking at his woman. Not one bit. As far as he was concerned, his precious beloved Usako was not a mouthwatering pudding to be devoured. And even if she was, the only man entitled to devour her was him, not some strange man with the ability to appear out of nowhere, and with the most unnerving smile in the universe. His possessive instincts highly aroused, Mamoru drew Usagi closer to him, and gave the stranger a dark challenging gaze.
"I don't remember…" Usagi replied honestly. She knew neither how nor why, but she knew that somewhere, somehow, she had met this stranger before, and had offered him friendship. But she could not remember.
The stranger spoke again. "I kept you waiting. Now, let's go. I apologize for taking so long…but the two gifts I promised you are now ready."
Usagi blinked; blissfully unaware that Mamoru had tightened his grip on her. Her brother and friends were now eyeing the stranger with a mixture of wonder and incredulity. "I beg your pardon?"
The stranger laughed a smooth velvety laugh. "Come on." He said, holding out a lily-white hand to Usagi. "It's not like you forgot the promise, right?"
"Promise?"
"Yeah, the one between you and me," the stranger took Usagi's hand in his and stared into her eyes tenderly. "The two gifts I promised…"
It was then that recognition struck Usagi like a bolt of lightning. But the intensity of the stranger's gaze was such that she had to turn away. She would have pulled her hand away as well, but the stranger had a firm grip. Before she could say anything, however, Mamoru stepped in. He had had enough of this.
"It is utterly improper of a respectable gentleman to be touching a soon-to-be-married woman and attempting to seduce her through eye contact." Mamoru said. His voice was so cold that they sent chills down Usagi's spine. He roughly detached his Usako's hand from the stranger's and drew her even closer. His grip on her now was so tight that she actually felt a little pain.
A frown darkened the stranger's roguishly handsome face. He glared at Mamoru just as Mamoru glared darkly at him. "And you would be?"
"I am Usako's lover and future husband." Mamoru replied flatly, coldly, his own sensuous lips curling into a cruelly triumphant smile, though his sapphire eyes were still flashing with rage.
"Really?" The stranger raised an elegant eyebrow. "Usagi? Is this for real?"
Usagi nodded. "Yes. Charmant. He is my fiancé."
Usagi thought Charmant's eyes darkened, but before she could be sure, they were their normal colour again, and the expression on his breathtaking face could only be described as tender and loving. "Fiancé or no fiancé, Usagi, I'll make sure I fulfill the promise we made." In a swirl of strange winds and apple blossoms, Charmant vanished, leaving behind a bunch of utterly confused and bewildered individuals.
"There is no doubt about it." Usagi said quietly. "He is Charmant. Time and puberty had looked upon him with favour. My only memory of him was a sickly-looking boy, as pale as death itself. Now he is so…so…so…different…"