Hi Everyone.
I've updated this chapter because I've noticed many flaws. Also, it will help flow more
to the next section, if you continue to read on.

16

"U-Usagi!"

"MAMORU?!"

The couple stared into each other's shocked eyes. A few seconds paused before Usagi remembered her lack of dress and immediately screamed at the intrusion.

"Hentaiiiiiiiii."

Mamoru broke free from his gaze at the blonde and immediately turned around; blushing bright shades of red at the predicament.

Usagi, in the meantime, had scrambled onto the large bed and covered herself quickly with the silk sheets. After making certain none of her skin was showing except her neck up, she questioned the baka.

"What the hell am I doing here Chiba? Actually, where am I is what you can start with."

Mamoru stayed glue to his spot, almost afraid to turn around for fear of a well timed slap to his face. "This is my apartment. You're in my bedroom."

Usagi's eyes widen at the answers. His bedroom?! Taking a quick glance around, she didn't note any photographs or papers with his name on it, but, decided to play along.

"Uh huh…and just WHAT am I doing in YOUR apartment? Or were you not expecting me to wake up so early that you couldn't finish stripping off my clothes!"

Mamoru flinched at the last statement. That wasn't who he was…but she was completely entitled to believe it, no matter how absurd it was. "I wasn't stripping you of your clothes. You were soaked and I couldn't let you stay in them or else you would get even more sick."

"I don't remember getting wet."

"You were caught in the storm and I found you unconscious. I didn't see anyone near so I figured you were by yourself and I brought you up here." Mamoru flinched again as he realized just how wrong his last statement sounded. She wasn't going to let that slide…

"How dare you! You see me caught in the rain, alone, and you immediately think of bringing me up to your apartment to undress and have your way with! I knew you were a pervert but I didn't think you would be a criminal. I'm phoning the police, then my father…no, I'll phone my father first! He'll kill you for trying this stunt on his one and only daughter! You're gonna be in lots of trouble when he's done with you. Now where's your phone!" Usagi spun around in the room searching for a telephone. A charger sat on the bedside table but no phone was in the carriage.

Turning again to command the criminal to give her a phone, Usagi felt a sudden weakness throughout her entire body and collapsed.

- - - - - -

Mamoru heard her searching for the phone and he grimaced as he saw the black cordless on the kitchen table. About to tell her, he heard the sound of her body falling and turned.

There she lay in the middle of his floor, unconscious. Mamoru stared at her, glad that she hadn't had the time to phone the police, or her father, then picked her up and put her back on the bed. He left shortly to grab some blankets and noticed the storm outside had not let up. The thunder had dissipated for the time being but rain continued fallings in large amounts. Mamoru shut the linen closet and went back to his bedroom. He laid them over the girl before feeling her forehead. She was sweating and her body was giving off the occasional tremor. Mamoru knew this was not good, as the coldness had settled deep into her bones. He had to think of something else.

- - - - -

Moments later, Mamoru had the bath filling with some lukewarm water. He didn't want to put the girl into shock, so he figured she could sit in the tub for awhile then he could slowly start adding more hot water. Stopping the water from flowing when it hit the halfway mark, Mamoru made sure there were towels nearby before going to get Usagi.

Carrying the girl into the bathroom was quite easy, however, he hadn't thought of how to keep her upright inside the giant tub. Even though it was only filled halfway, the sheer size would allow her unconscious body to slide in and go under.

Staring around for anything that could replace the only idea that was in his head, Mamoru sighed strongly before tugging his shirt and jeans off, picking up the small girl, then stepping into the water clad in only his grey, silk boxers.

He sat down at the back end of the tub and placed her between his legs so she wouldn't fall from either side. Leaning her back onto his chest and quickly grabbing a face-cloth, Mamoru drenched it in the water and began rubbing it over the skin that was not submerged.

Her neck was the first place he started, letting the water flow over her shoulders and down her chest. Mamoru stared at the mounds encased by the black bra and quickly decided it wasn't healthy to put himself in this situation, should she wake up. He continued letting the water run over the area of body he refused himself to touch and relished in the feel of her smooth skin.

Usagi was awake. She had been just a few moments after her body had touched the water. She continued to act asleep until she was able to escape without being confined to the bathroom with the man that had stripped her.

She could feel the lukewarm water running slowly down her back and front and inwardly sighed as it began ebbing away the chills that were plaguing her body. She was aware of her predicament with Mamoru but decided not to alert him of her being awake. Feeling the face cloth go from the water to her neck and shoulders, she noted that he hadn't tried to make any moves yet or to finish what he was probably starting in the bedroom. The only times he was touching her with his hands was to hold her up with his one hand and to move her long hair out of the way when he moved the cloth to the other side of her neck. She slightly relaxed and made the mistake of sighing out loud before quickly clamping her mouth and shutting her eyes.

Mamoru heard the sigh but dismissed it as her sleeping. If she were awake, she would have been out of the tub and running for the door after noticing him being in the water with her. He put the face cloth down on the edge of the tub and pulled the drain plug letting the water slowly run out. He continued letting Usagi rest on his chest as he enjoyed the feel of her wet hair on his skin. Her legs touched his and he felt the smooth feel of them and mentally groaned.

The teenage girl was asleep and not even turned facing him and she was already seducing his body. Mamoru bit his lip at the rush of excitement he began feeling in his body, before hearing a small peep from the girl and remembering what he was doing.

He slowly stood up and carried the wet girl out of the tub before setting her on the sink counter and grabbing the towels he had placed nearby. The deep green towels looked even darker compared to her bright hair and it greatly complimented her skin tone. He wrapped one around her shoulders before grabbing another and drying off her incredibly lean legs. Working quickly, so he could put the girl in the bed and he could go back to eating and contemplating his fate, Mamoru dried her off then picked her up again and walked to the bedroom.

- - - - - -

Re-wrapping her in the sheets, Mamoru sat on the edge of the bed and looked at the teenage girl. Her skin was flushed from the warm water and the scent of his soap floated from her body, allowing Mamoru to inhale it deeply. It was not everyday that his long time love was lying in his bed, in his sheets with the scent of his soap enveloped around her.

Unable to stop himself while lost in the moment, Mamoru began talking.

"Usagi, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to be such a day for you. I'm not the bad man that you think I am. I'm not a criminal or rapist or whatever you believe. I just saw you there in the alcove and I couldn't leave you alone. I did this with the best intentions at mind and wouldn't dream of hurting you like you think I would. I don't even enjoy getting into the fights we have at the arcade. I just tease you since it's the only way I can think of to hear you speak to me. I enjoy hearing your voice chirp at me and seeing your eyes blaze with passion at what you're saying. I love the fact that you're paying attention to me and only me but I can't say what's truly on my mind, or I would be the laughing stock of the whole arcade. So I tease you to cover up my true feelings. I can't open up in front the eyes of people I don't know or trust. I'm sorry if it hurt you, and, I know you dislike me and stuff, so I promise from now on that I will leave you in peace. The last thing I want to do is make someone feel they aren't loved, especially you. You bring life to a lot of people, and I don't want to take away from what you deserve. So, I just hope that, somehow, when you wake up, you won't phone the police, or your father, on me. I just wanted to see you safe. The world and I wouldn't be able to handle you being hurt. You mean something to me…"

Mamoru clasped his hands tight at the soul he had just bared to the sleeping girl. That was the kind of thing he had never showed to anyone. No one understood, or accepted his apologies; no one, but the sleeping Usagi, whose figure gave Mamoru the sense that what he was saying was heard.

The distant rumble of thunder shook Mamoru from his thoughts. He turned to feel the slight breeze coming from the kitchen hallway and remembered the open window above his sink. Knowing this would give him the slightest distraction from hovering over Usagi, Mamoru looked once more at her; checking to see she was tucked in, before turning to leave.

He stood slowly but paused as a slight touch on his back caught his attention. Turning to look down at the girl, he noticed her hand had crept out of the blankets and was now lying on the spot where Mamoru had just risen from. He looked at her face but she continued to keep her eyes closed. A small smile was on her lips and Mamoru closed his eyes in thankfulness at the sign that his plea had been heard.

He left for the kitchen.

- - - - - -

Usagi continued to hold her face until hearing the bedroom door close. At the sound of the door clicking into place, she peek open her eye and stared at the light underneath the door frame.

What had just happened?

Usagi watched the shadows of Mamoru fade away from the under the door frame and she slowly sat up. Staring at her hands she bit her lip at what she had done. Upon hearing him talk, she could do nothing but believe him. The sincerity in his voice rang in her heart and made her sad at hearing words come from his mouth that no other had ever heard. He was alone and his only way of showing it, was by either talking to her when she was 'asleep' or fighting with her when she wasn't.

Usagi moved her gaze to around the room she had spent so much time in but never really took in. The walls were painted a very deep grey which automatically gave off feelings of secrets and darkness. The plush crimson carpet felt smooth against her feet and she noticed the red silk sheets that were draped over her matched the floor. The night stand and dresser that sat alone in the room had the odd item on it but were mainly bare; as were the walls.

Continuously trying as she could, Usagi noted she couldn't find any photos of him or anyone else. In every other person's bedroom she had been in, there were photos in frames, on walls, and in scrapbooks, but the only thing here was dark walls and an alarm clock that illuminated the room.

Loneliness was the first and only word that she gathered from the dull room. Usagi tried to imagine this as her room, waiting for her day after day, but she couldn't. The blank walls made the room feel like a cage as the lack of pictures and items made the room feel without a personality. No wonder he was so negative. He woke up everyday with nothing but an alarm clock and a few mints on his nightstand to greet him.

Maybe if he allowed her, Usagi could redecorate his room to repay him for his care. A few posters on his wall, perhaps of Sailor V since Usagi believed everyone loved her, and maybe some plush animals to decorate the bed a bit more. Glancing at the empty nightstand, Usagi bit her lip at what would happen if she placed her photo in one of the frames there. If he left it, he would wake to her smiling face every morning and know someone was thinking of him also. Maybe then he would smile more; showing his beautiful lips and sparking blue eyes. Maybe then, instead of arguing with her, Mamoru would hug her and whisper words of praise in her ears. Maybe then, Mamoru would touch her like he had in the tub, rubbing his hands across her body and she shuddered at the pleasure of what was happening.

Usagi blushed.

Bright pink patches graced her cheeks as her thoughts had turned toward a path she vowed never to speak aloud. If he heard her wants, he would laugh at her. She was too naïve in this area and certainly he had no intentions of creating that type of relationship with her. Although, he had said she meant something to him…

Feeling confused, and slightly flushed, Usagi stood up and tip-toed towards the door. She was intent apologizing to Mamoru and possibly telling him just what it meant to her what he had done and how she did care for him. Her plans however were interrupted when she saw the shadows of Mamoru moving from under the door. Panicking for reasons she didn't quite know, Usagi found herself running to the bed to fake sleep before he saw her.

- - - - - -

Mamoru propped open the door with one hand while holding a tray with the other. He had brought some soup and crackers for Usagi, hoping she would be awake enough to eat.

Having seen her form still lying on the bed, he walked in and placed the cart on the dresser across the room. He placed his large hand on her forehead, noting her fever was going down. Mamoru sighed with relief. Maybe he was cut out to be a doctor.

Another slight breeze made him look towards the giant window covered by swaying drapes. Mamoru quickly moved to the window and noticed it was slightly open. Closing the window, he heard a soft patter on the glass, indicating the rain had almost stopped; however, the clouds had turned a deep grey with hints of green; not good. He would have to go check the local weather station on TV.

Mamoru silently walked back to his bed in which the beautiful teen lay.

He argued with himself considerably about whether to wake Usagi or not, but needs came before wants, and no matter how much he wanted to watch her sleep, she needed to eat.

Gently touching her shoulder, he noted how comfy she looked in his bed. He nudged her softly, hoping she would wake up easily, but she didn't. Not wanting to hurt her, Mamoru found a pencil and paper in his briefcase and wrote a small note telling her what food he made and where it was. Placing the note on the nightstand where he was sure she would see it, Mamoru looked back at her yet again. He just couldn't keep his eyes off of her. Just sleeping, it seemed like she was calling for him to talk to her; to open up. Mamoru bit his lip from nervousness, but then quickly leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek. Even though she hadn't done anything or been awake, Mamoru gave her the kiss and hoped somehow she would feel it.

A slight moan from the girl startled the man but he smiled at her sleeping figure and hoped it was him she was thinking of. The thought hung in Mamoru's head but he did not change it. He had accepted his feelings. He was in love with the blonde goddess and no amount of denial could change that. All he could do was make her happy and hope she appreciated it.

Mamoru walked back to the door and turned to close it when a quiet mumble made him turn. The sound had come from Usagi; that he was sure; however, he hadn't heard what she said. Staying still, Mamoru waited for her to speak again, willing to hear her voice.

His patience paid off.

"Please stay." He faintly heard and noticed her brilliant blue eyes had opened slightly but were locked on him.

Mamoru's grip on the handle softened at the angelic request.

- - - - - -

Usagi had been nervous upon hearing him in the room and not talking, but, when she smelt the food she realized what was happening. She felt the gentle shaking on her shoulder and slightly blushed at the feeling of his hand on her bare skin. His breath smelt like mint and Usagi felt a larger blush creep up as she wondered how good it would be to taste it.

The soft thud of his footsteps snapped Usagi out of her fantasies. She quickly debated whether she should wake and keep him in the room, but the debate stopped short when the sensation of his lips on her cheek startled her. His lips were soft and his breath caressed his face as he leaned back. Before she could register it, Mamoru was shuffling away and his warmth left with him. Usagi squinted open her eyes.

He was walking away, and she noted his jeans were tight and clung to his butt, not that she minded, while his black buttoned shirt drifted carelessly down. His black hair was messy and he threw a hand in it before gripping the door handle and turn around to take one last look at her.

The look in his face showed so much care and affection that Usagi couldn't help but say something.

"Please stay…" she mumbled. Mamoru froze and looked towards her. He called her name softly and she realized she hadn't spoken loud enough; for once.

"Please stay."

Mamoru stared at her for a moment, thoughts racing across his face, before he closed the door and walked back to her.

A/N The next chapter will contain a lemon. This is where the main story ends, but for those that want the lemon in it, I do what I promise, but for the others that like the cute ending here (as I do) feel free to call it 'the end' lol. Sorry for the confusion. I'm just writing as I go along.