Until You Come Back to me Again
Chapter 1: Once Upon a Time
Rated PG-13
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is not mine. Sailor Moon and all the characters within the series belongs to Naoko Tacheuchi ... got to love that woman xD
Summery: (A/U) Usagi and Mamoru grew close, growing up together in the local orphanage, never wanting to each others side. But after Usagi gets into a life-altering accident and Mamoru is adopted, will the two reconnect after years of separation?
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The orange sun hung low in the sky as it shined its last rays of the day over the town of Juuban, the wind lightly blowing through the trees, leaves dancing to the silent melody. The sky was a mix of oranges, pinks, blues, and reds as the night began to creep over, yet the sounds of children's laughter could be heard over the night that was threatening the daylight.
"Stop, Mamo-chan, it tickles!" squeaked a young girl no more than eleven years old as the pollen of the white daisy brushed itself on the tip of her nose.
"Gee, Usako, everything tickles you," slumped the sapphire eyed thirteen-year-old, strumming his fingers on his knee as he played with the freshly picked flower. He looked back to the girl, her blonde hair falling freely from the two buns on the top of her head, stopping just below her shoulders. Her cornflower blue eyes sparkled as she looked back into his sapphire eyes, a spark flickering the connection between the two.
"Ne, Mamo-chan, when we are old enough and get out of here, will we be together forever?" she asked as she picked a blade of grass, admiring its shade of green. She felt a fist rest on her head, rubbing it playfully.
"If course we will," he laughed as he stared out to the setting sun. "Once you turn sixteen and I'll be eighteen, we'll be out of here, we'll be together." He felt a cool damp piece of material touch his wrist, only to look down to hee her tie on a multicolored hand-crafted bracelet.
"Promise?" she said once she tired the knot, smiling gently. She sighed as he hugged her, then snuggled next to her as they watched the sun set.
"I promise. Come on, let's go back in before Mitsuki-san scolds us for being outside after dark."
The two children stood up and walked back into the large building, its cold, lonely atmosphere slightly putting a damper on the two as they pushed open the large door of the Juuban Children's Orphanage.
---
"Usagi," Mamoru spoke, flustered as he crossed his arms, "You're supposed to block the ball, not let it roll past!"
"I know, but you kick it so hard!" she whined as the other children laughed.
"I can't help that I'm a natural at soccer," Mamoru playfully shouted as she stuck her tongue out at him, then turned around and jogged after the soccer ball as it rolled out of the front walls of the building. "Be right back!" she shouted.
"Hurry up, Usako!" Mamoru called out as he watched her run into the road after the ball.
Usagi picked up the ball, and then time stood still. Mamoru froze in horror as a ocean blue sports car raced down the street, not slowing down as Usagi walked turned around holding the ball. Usagi turned her head as she heard something coming, then screamed as she saw the car wasn't slowing down. She didn't even have a chance to run before she was struck down, the ball once in her hand bouncing down the road. She fell back on the pavement, smacking her head, when suddenly everything went black around her. She laid on the pavement motionless, blood slowly starting to stain the ground.
"Usako!" Mamoru cried as he ran out to her body, instantly kneeling by her side. He gently brushed his fingers against her cheek, hoping for a response.
"Usagi . . . Usagi . . . wake up! Come on!" he shouted. He looked up to see a man wobbling in his steps as he picked himself up after falling out of the car, eyeing the accident that just occurred.
"Shit," he slurred, his bloodshot eyes starring down at the two of them. Mamoru looked up, a fire in his eyes as he slammed the man against his car.
"Look at what you've done, you bastard!" he shouted. The man looked back at the girl, unconscious on the ground, then back to the furious teen. He then wiggled his way out of Mamoru's grasp and darted down the road. About to chase after him, Mamoru turned around to see Mitsuki, the woman in charge of the orphanage, kneeling at Usagi's side. Mamoru stood there, feeling numb as he looked at Usagi, the blood staining her blonde hair, the glow of her cheerful self subsided as she lay limp, her smile hidden away. He could hear sirens in the background; he watched as they carefully lifted her on a stretcher and took her away, but it felt like he wasn't in tune with the reality of the situation. As the sound of the sirens diminished, he looked around the scene of the accident before shoving his hands in his pocket and walked back behind the concrete walls of the orphanage gate. He walked over to the side of the building and slouched down, starring at the dirt, Usagi's high-pitched scream echoing through his mind combining with the wailing of the sirens. The noises running through his mind finally caused him to snap; he screamed as he sank his head between his knees, feeling utterly and completely alone. He had been at this orphanage since he was five years old, when fate was cruel and took his parents life on his birthday. For five years at this orphanage he was bitter and isolated until his tenth birthday when his eyes diverted to a blonde haired girl with funny pig tails, her eyes beat red. She stood next to Mitsuki, then was alone as Mitsuki left the room with two other adults. He watched as she clutched on tightly to the stuffed cat and slouch in a corner, her cries muffled as she held the cat closer. He stood up and walked over to her, looking down at her. She looked up at him with her tear stained blue eyes, then looked back down at her cat.
"Your hair looks funny," Mamoru bluntly stated. "It looks like spaghetti and meatballs."
She looked back up at him, her eyes angry. "Shaddup. My Mommy did this hairstyle for me."
Mamoru sank down next to her, causing her to inch away. "Where is your Mommy?" he asked softly. This caused her to twitch, then choke a sob.
"He killed her," she whispered softly, her face paling. "Fuji-papa killed her."
Mamoru diverted his eyes from her to the ground as she began to cry again, holding on even tighter to the stuffed cat. He looked at the faded black cat, which had a crescent moon on its forehead.
"I like your cat, he said as he poked it. She looked back up at him, then quietly replied "Her name is Luna." Mamoru nodded his head in acknowledgment, then looked back at the ground.
"My name is Usagi," she said softly. He looked back at her and smiled.
"Mines' Mamoru."
---
It felt like hours had gone by when Mamoru retreated back to his bed in the boy's bedroom; he sat at the edge of his bed as he rested his hands on his lap. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard someone call his name.
"Mamoru?" a tall brunette woman spoke as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. She was Akiko-san, Mitsuki's younger sister who helped out at the orphanage frequently. "Mitsuki sent for me to bring you to the hospital. She knows how you and Usagi are best friends." Mamoru nodded as he stood up, then followed behind Akiko. They got into her car, the ride silent up to the hospital. Ten minutes later she pulled up at the doors to the front of the building, then broke the silence.
"I have to get back to the orphanage, so I'll let you off here. They're in building three, fourth floor, room 406." With that, Mamoru said a quiet goodbye, then exited the automobile. He looked at the large glass doors, took a deep breath, and walked in. The atmosphere was chaotic; there were doctors running around, sick children crying, senior citizens in wheelchairs. He looked around before finding a sign that read "Building Three," then headed in that direction. He quickly made it into the hallway of the building, then headed toward the elevator. He hit the button with the arrow directing upwards, then patiently waited until the large doors opened. He walked into the lift, pushed the button titled "four," then felt it slowly being pulled up as the lights signified which floor they were on. In no time the door reopened, in which Mamoru walked off and looked at the room numbers. Soon enough he reached Usagi's room, which he slowly and quietly walked in.
Her body laid completely still under a thin blanket. She was in a pale blue hospital gown, her arms laying at her side. She had an IV in her right hand, her nose a respirator tube. Her hair was falling freely as it was taken out of her buns while a large white band was wrapped around her forehead. He looked over at Mitsuki, who was stroking her bangs, then sat down.
"Mamoru," Mitsuki softly spoke, looking up from Usagi. "I have news on Usagi's condition." She paused as she noted his pale face and terrified eyes as he stared at her still body, then softly continued on. "They say she hit her head hard when the car hit her. They said that her memories will most likely be gone, that she will have to start back at square one." He didn't flinch as the news slapped him in the face, rather his eyes stayed focused on her body.
"Square one?" he quietly asked, "No memories whatsoever?"
"A ninety-five percent chance," she softly replied. Suddenly the melody of a ringing phone interrupted the uneasy silence, causing Mitsuki to quietly leave the room. Mamoru slowly switched chairs, then ran his fingers down her cheek. He stayed silent as he looked at her fragile body, one false move and she might break. The door opened moments later, Mitsuki leaning against the door panel.
"Mamoru, it's time to go back," Mitsuki spoke, her voice echoing into the silent room. Mamoru brushed Usagi's bangs away as he took one last look, then stood up and walked over to Mitsuki.
---
Back at the orphanage, Mamoru was led into a large room by Mitsuki. He stood as he admired the room, never seeing it once before. Mitsuki walked behind the desk and sat down, and then gestured Mamoru to sit in the chair across from her.
"Of all days..." Mitsuki said under her breath, then sat up as she held a folder in her hands.
"Mamoru," she began, "Do you remember Mr. and Mrs. Chiba?" she asked, opening the folder and fingering through the photos.
"Yes," he spoke. A few weeks ago, he went out for the afternoon with the mid-aged couple. They took him to a professional soccer game after hearing his passion for the sport, then took him out for a pizza. He had a lot of fun that day, but no one usually took a second chance at him.
"As you know," Mitsuki began, "The Chiba's were unable to bare children and have been looking to adopt for years, mainly interested in a young teen. They are very well off money-wise, so they can put you in the best schools in a great neighborhoo–"
"What?" Mamoru interrupted, dumbfounded.
"Mamoru... they want to adopt you. They want to take you home tonight as a matter of fact."
"What about Usagi?" he asked, his face paling. "I won't go anywhere without her!" he shouted.
"Mamoru!" Mitsuki scolded. "Another family is looking to take her in once she recovers, she may be leaving as well."
"No!" he shouted angrily, heading towards the doors. "You can't separate us, I won't let you, especially now!" He opened the door, then quickly slammed it as he darted to the front of the building, exiting through the large doors. He ran out of the orphanage gates into the dreary evening, rain clouds forming. As he ran into the district, the rain came down, thoroughly drenching him. A good forty -five minutes later, he arrived back at the hospital, then ran into the doors. He ran until he reached Usagi's room, her condition still the same. He walked over to her and looked down, tears forming in his youthful eyes. Usagi... his best friend, the girl he wants to spend forever with... how could he part from her?
"Once she recovers, she may be leaving as well."
Mitsuki's words echoed in the back of his mind as he realized that she, too, could have a family. She deserved a comfy bed, to go to a good school, parents who would love her... even if he stayed here, would she? And if she did, would it be fair, growing up in an orphanage until she was sixteen?
"Mamoru?" a soft voice rang through the room. Mamoru turned around, seeing a short black haired woman standing in the doorway. She wore a brown raincoat, holding a pink umbrella in her hand. She took a few steps towards him, placing her hand on his shoulder.
"She's my best friend," he softly spoke. "She was struck by a car, and when she wakes up she may not remember me," he choked out. With saying that, his eyes widened as he felt the woman's arms embrace him softly, stroking his damp hair.
"It's okay to be sad," she whispered, able to see the pain in his eyes. With the mix of her warmth and caring voice, he softly began to cry. He knew he had to go, that it was fate to walk away with this family. He looked up to see a man with greying black hair and glasses holding two blue umbrellas. He backed out of her arms, then looked back at Usagi. He hovered over her as he bent over and kissed her forehead, then whispered in her ear:
"Wait for me, Usagi. I will find you, I promise."
With that, Mamoru turned around and faced the Chiba's. He walked over to them as Mrs. Chiba placed her arm around his shoulder as Mr. Chiba handed him a brand new umbrella, then the three of them walked out of the hospital into the rainstorm, heading back to the orphanage one last time.
