Please Don't Cry

By PazaakGirl

Chapter 7 – The new kid in Juuban.


Tsukino Usagi's bedroom, Saturday afternoon

"Luna, I should have gotten there earlier. I wasn't fast enough." It took Usagi ages to get to the fortune teller store that afternoon. Umino and a dozen other boys had lay collapsed on the floor, drained of energy.

"You were going as fast as you could," the black feline replied, purring in pleasure as Usagi subconsciously scratched her behind the ears. "Even as Sailor Moon, there are limits to your strength and speed, but with training you'll get stronger."

"Even so, the thought of what happened to Shingo before won't leave my head… I might be too late next time." Tears fell from her eyes and she held Luna closer to her.

"You're being too hard on yourself, Usagi. It's difficult to battle these youma on your own, which is why we have to find the other Senshi as quickly as possible."

"There are other Senshi?"

Luna opened her mouth to reply when a tapping was heard from the window. They looked up to see Mamoru standing on the tree branch just outside her room and Usagi nearly fell off her bed when she saw him. Swiftly she got up and opened the window.

"MAMORU! What are you doing? You could have fallen from there!"

He grinned at her shocked expression. "Well, it's quite a trek to have to go through both houses to get to your room; may as well take a short cut. May I come in?" Liar. I actually just landed on your rooftop as Tuxedo Mask, but I wouldn't dare tell you that.

"No," she replied, wondering just how long he had been standing precariously on the tree limb, or if he saw her talking to her cat. "In fact, I was going to do my homework."

"Odango, it's a Saturday. Now whose life revolves around their books, hmm?"

She turned back and rummaged through her bag to get her math textbook. "Well I may as well get it over and done with."

He smirked. "Are you avoiding me?"

Usagi turned back in confusion. "What?"

"You know… 'cause of last night."

The flashback of them on the floor with him on top entered her mind and she flushed, quickly turning away to hide the pink tint of her face. "No, I just have school work to do." Dammit, Mamoru, just leave already, Luna and I aren't finished yet.

He frowned and sighed. "Fine, but you know, you've pretty much been avoiding everyone lately, not just me, you know?"

"What?" She asked quizzically.

"It's true. Unazuki said you weren't your usual talkative self at school, and believe me, that's saying something." He sighed when she made no elaboration on the issue, before kneeling next to Usagi on the floor. "Please, Usagi-chan. Just one afternoon. Lay off the books. It's a Saturday. You can study tomorrow. Hit the arcade, go out, have some fun."

Usagi sat still, unsure of what to say. She could see Luna on her bed peering at her in curiosity.

"Yamazaki-san got a new Sailor V video game." He added with a triumphant grin.

She groaned. "Oh, fine."


Usagi burst into a fit of rage as the screen flashed red and the huge block letters told her she had lost… yet again. She sighed as she and Sailor V conceded defeat for the fifth time that afternoon, but, determined to clear the level and get the high score, she inserted another coin into the machine and started again.

Motoki chuckled at his best friend from the counter as he brought Mamoru and Meiko their coffees. "That girl never gives up."

Mamoru nodded in agreement as he watched her in her determination. Glad that she was happier than the previous night he smiled at her when she looked up. She grinned and waved, but the beeping sounds from the console caught her attention and she shrieked again as the words GAME OVER flashed across the screen and wailed. He laughed from over his coffee cup at her antics as he turned back to his girlfriend and Motoki, eyes glinting with amusement.

Meiko, having seen that look on his face of genuine happiness, was irritated at how a girl two years younger than her could bring a smile to his face so easily, something she worked hard for but never quite got there. "Isn't she a little old for arcade games?" she queried, making it sound less of an insult than she intended it to be and instead opted for curiosity and concern.

"Nah," Mamoru replied. "Best she has her fun while it lasts, before she turns into old teenagers like us who've got no time for a game."

"What I wouldn't give to play for a few hours, myself," Motoki added, sighing in reminiscence.

"Why'd she have to hang around anyway?" Meiko uttered under her breath, unheard by either man. Her cell rang and she pulled it out of her purse, answering and conversing with the person on the other end. She closed the phone and stood up. "I have to go, Mamoru-san. My father's taking me out for dinner in an hour."

"No problem. I'll see you at ten, tomorrow."

She smiled knowingly and kissed his cheek before strutting out of the arcade, waving goodbye. Once the glass doors had closed behind her, Motoki set the glass he was cleaning down and leaned in.

"Alright, Mamoru: spill."

The raven-haired seventeen-year-old sighed. "I did promise, didn't I?" Mamoru took a deep breath before explaining his actions from a few hours beforehand in the shortest way possible.

"I'm Tuxedo Mask, saviour to Tokyo's sailor-suited heroine."

"NO WAY!" his best friend whispered harshly in disbelief. "You mean you know Sailor Moon?!"

"Yes and no," Mamoru replied. "I know her, have fought alongside her, rescued her, but I don't know who she really is." He sighed in exasperation. "I don't even know how this all came about. One day I was a high-schooler with a girlfriend and two best friends, getting decent grades, next I start getting these migraines, and before I know it, I'm decked out in a tuxedo and cape. Strange, no?"

"So let me get this straight… you transform out of the blue to save a girl whom you don't even know in real life? You're saving Tokyo's heroine, just because?"

"Exactly. Just… because." He banged his head on the counter. "It makes absolutely no sense at all. And last night I started getting these weird dreams of this girl who's pleading with me to set her free and find something for her. The 'Legendary Silver Crystal', she says… typical girl to ask for a gem."

"And these monsters?"

"Don't really know much about them, except this blonde guy is ordering them to steal energy off people."

Another wail was heard from Usagi as the game sang its requiem for the Sailor V digital character. Mamoru smiled softly at the Odangoed one before turning back to Motoki.

"You can't tell her."

"What?"

"I'm serious, Motoki. No one knows. At least until you found out, that was true. You're probably going to be in danger if whoever we're fighting finds out about me. I don't want to put her in danger, either."

Motoki raised his eyebrow at his adopted brother. "She's you're best friend, Mamoru!"

"And so are you; and trust me, I hadn't planned on telling you either, oh brother of mine." He turned back to watch the girl he'd grown up with and watched over for their whole lives. "You know how she gets when she worries about me. And I can't risk putting her in danger."

Silence met his plea and he turned back to see a reluctant sandy-haired teenager behind the counter.

"Please,Motoki."

"I…" he sighed. "Alright. Not a word."


PUNCH.

"Cad!"

"Crybaby!"

SMACK

"Hey!" SLAP. "You can't just hit a girl like that, Jerkwad!"

"I wouldn't have if you weren't so annoying, Odango!"

"Idiot! Get back here!"

"In your dreams, brat!"

"Freak! You're so stupid sometimes it's exasperating!"

"Big words, for a mitochondria!"

"Oh, no. I ain't taking that biology crap from you, you regressive monkey!"

THUD.

"That hurt, Odango!"

"Well, duh! It was SUPPOSED to! Stop talking to me! You're distracting!"

"No can do, my dear. Now get your ass back here so I can whallop you good."

"NEVER!"

SMASH SMACK SLAP PUNCH WHAP BANG.

"NO!"

Usagi screamed in anguish, glaring back and forth between the boy, her aching hands, and the red letters on the TV screen. A teenage boy pumped his first into the air as the 'K.O' sign flashed on the screen. The Odangoed one stared wistfully at her fallen Chun-Li as Ken flashed his smug grin and pointed his fingers in a 'victory' sign. "How could I lose…?"

"Poor Odango," Mamoru replied, patting her head condescendingly. "You put up a good fight, though. Almost had me there."

"Shyeah. You were toying with me, weren't you?"

"…Pretty much."

"Idiot." She stood and stretched out the cramps in her arms and legs for sitting Indian style in front of the Super Nintendo. The small grey controller fell from her lap and the Street Fighter logo flashed mockingly before her and she turned away from the game, wandering up to Mamoru's room before flopping onto the bed.

"You know, normal people usually ask before entering someone else's room," the upperclassman pointed out as he swaggered into the room, shutting the door behind him and sitting on the bed.

"Who said I was a normal person?" Usagi asked him, her voice muffled by his pillow.

"You got that right," he agreed, his lips curving into a grin. "You're as weird as they come."

"Ha, ha, Mamoru-kun." She sighed and turned onto her back, her eyes meeting the mocking azure gaze of one Chiba Mamoru. She fidgeted under his intense watch over her. Something about those eyes had been bothering her of late; they looked so much more calculating and knowing than before. Remembering their previous position in the clubhouse she turned away from him before he saw the blush that was creeping into her cheeks. "What time is it?" she questioned, her eyes fluttering closed as she felt the slight pounding within her chest. Be still, my beating heart. Why am I getting so riled up now, anyway?

Mamoru glanced at the clock briefly and turned away, before doing a double-take, eyes widening at the time. "Crap! It's already 9:30!"

"Huh?" She answered eloquently, sitting up before feeling her head collide into the side of her best friend's.

"OW!" they both cried, rubbing their heads in pain. Mamoru grumbled unintelligibly as he stumbled to his closet, tearing off his shirt as he fumbled through his clothes. "I'm gonna be late."

"You? The great Chiba Mamoru, late?" she queried with a smirk. Her facial expression changed into a frown shortly thereafter. "What're you going to be late for, anyway?"

"I have to meet Meiko in half an hour."

Realisation struck her as she glanced at the calendar on Mamoru's wall. May 23. "I forgot it was her birthday today."

"Yeah, and I'm going to get it if I don't leave in five minutes." He groaned as he tossed another T-shirt onto the bed, the material landing over Usagi's head, obstructing her vision. The younger teenager sighed as she stood and let the article of clothing slip off her, before walking towards him and pushing his bare chest away from his clothes, picking out a sky-blue button up shirt with short sleeves.

"You are hopeless in choosing clothes, Mamoru. With the amount of time you spend wondering what to wear I'm starting to question your masculinity." She pulled out a pair of jeans and threw both items into his hands.

"You're a lifesaver, Usagi-chan."

She snorted, suppressing a laugh. "For jeans and a T-shirt? They're just clothes, Mamoru, even if it is your girlfriend." She sighed, wondering what to do for the rest of the day. Mamoru would be with Meiko, Motoki was with Reika, Unazuki went shopping with her classmates and Shingo… she wasn't in the mood for siblings. "I guess I'll see if Naru's doing anything. Greet her for me, yeah?"

"Sure." He smiled briefly before it faltered and pulled her into a hug. "I'm sorry."

She looked up, a little flustered after having her face squashed against a – still naked – chest. "F-for what?"

"It's just that… we haven't spent that much time together lately, have we? I mean, we practically live in each other's houses and we still don't see each other as much as before."

She shrugged. "I've been busy, so have you. Besides, Meiko's much more important than I am." She turned to the door and opened it, smiling and bid him farewell before he would say anything to dispute the fact even if he wanted to.


She never did call Naru, however. Instead she opted for finishing the homework she was planning on doing the previous day before aimlessly meandering down the streets of Tokyo. It gave her a little time to think. Luna was investigating prospective Sailor Senshi. She remembered the conversation she had with her the night before about new allies.

Usagi sighed, stretching out on her bed. She shivered, both from the temperature and her plight as Sailor Moon, her pink flannel pajamas offering little to shield her from the cold that washed over her. "Who is the enemy, Luna? This 'Dark Kingdom'… you said they destroyed the Moon Kingdom, right?"

"That's right, Usagi-chan." The black feline stretched out on the table, small 'cricks' sounding as she flexed her back. "They're nothing but pure evil. They shouldn't even exist in this world. They're cruel, heartless monsters. But you've noticed that, haven't you?"

"But that guy… the blond… he's human."

"I wonder who he is," Luna admitted to her charge. "I feel as though I have seen him before, although where, I cannot remember, nor when. But you must understand this, Usagi: he and anyone else who is serving under Queen Beryl will stop at nothing to turn this world into one of chaos and destruction. They turned the Moon into nothing but an empty place… all that is left of the Kingdom is rubble. We must stop them from destroying this world, too! We need to start looking for your fellow soldiers so that we stand more of a chance!"

Usagi sat up and eyed her guardian in curiosity. "You mentioned something like that before…"

"You are not the only Senshi, Usagi. There are more; all chosen to protect the universe and the Moon Kingdom from all that threatens to destroy it."

"You mean like Tuxedo Mask? Or Sailor V? That would be SO cool if they were part of our team!"

"…I think I may have already found the next scout," Luna stated.

Though she never answered Usagi's question about Tuxedo Mask and Sailor V, Usagi was, in a sense, glad that she'd have an ally in this fight against the Dark Kingdom. She felt so alone and isolated from everyone else; knowing what threatened Tokyo, and knowing they had no idea about her alter ego… knowing they could be in danger… knowing that she couldn't talk to them about it.

It hurt. She had no way to deal with the pain she felt at seeing her best friends carry on their lives as normal; never having to think once that a youma might appear; never losing sleep because the battles lasted into the night; never having to sneak out of the house at night or cut engagements short. She had gotten the questions: why she's not been sleeping well, why she got detention, why her school work was dropping, why she had to leave all of a sudden at times. It was getting so hard to lie to everyone… to her parents… to Mamoru… to Motoki…

She thought back to the times when she and Motoki had been inseparable: partners in crime, comrades in arms. When Mamoru joined their posse and the three of them caused more mayhem between the two families to last two lifetimes. How she would cry to Mamoru when she was upset. How she would get cookies from Motoki, which he snuck from the arcade. The days when she and Unazuki would do only what girls did: play dress-up. Where had those times gone? And with her best friends in high school with girlfriends and her new-found mission, it had seemed like a lifetime since she spent time with the two boys: just the three of them. At school she would either be in the library making up on the schoolwork she hadn't done because of an attack or just sitting quietly at lunch out of fatigue – or in the classroom with detention.

It was the fact that she had to be brave for everyone else's sake that affected her most of all. Usagi felt so much about her burdens, and the fact that she couldn't talk to any of her friends about her caused her to be distant; to cry herself to sleep at night with the overwhelming situation she was in and to distance herself from everyone. She heard the whispers at school: Tsukino Usagi, best friend to two of the hottest and most intelligent guys at the elite Moto Azabu High School, arriving late to school and falling asleep in class. Chirpy Usagi: quiet and not stuffing her face at lunchtime. Usagi hadn't done her homework; Usagi got a detention; Usagi… wasn't Usagi.

Where in the last month had her sense of normalcy gone? She never realized how much people had paid attention to the way she acted, the grades she got. And she missed it. She missed the boring monotony of school. She missed the long afternoons in the arcade with her friends, uninterrupted by a youma attack. She missed sleep at night. She even missed homework for Selene's sake! For once, during these weeks, I just want something NORMAL to happen! Something to happen to me that isn't Sailor Moon or youma related! Just ONCE! To go through something without a youma leaping out of the bushes and ambushing someone!

She was so caught up in her funk that she didn't notice the person rounding the corner until it was too late. She collided head first into someone's chest, the impact of which sending her to the concrete sidewalk.

"Owwww…" she groaned, wincing at the pain in her backside. I'm not gonna be able to sit down for a week…

"Are you alright?"

At the sound of a masculine voice she looked up to see a boy with unruly chestnut hair and brown eyes. He wore a light yellow shirt and white cargo pants; a small hoop earring in his left ear. He was tall, like Motoki and Mamoru, but much more boyish looking.

Oh, dear God, Usagi thought, please let me die of embarrassment right now. A klutz attack in front of a cute guy!

"Y-yeah…" she stammered, taking the hand which he had held out for her to assist her back upright. She dusted off her skirt and he picked up her purse from the sidewalk.

"Sorry about that," the boy said, holding the back of his head with one hand in mild embarrassment, the other handing Usagi her purse. "I'm sorta new around here. Ishioka Kei's the name. My father and I just moved here from Osaka," he explained, flashing a million dollar smile, and Usagi could feel the blood rush slightly to her cheeks. "And may I ask the name of such a beautiful young woman as yourself?"

"Tsukino Usagi."

"Well, it's nice to meet you, Tsukino-san." Usagi could hear a ringing from his pants and he pulled out a cell phone. Kei checked the screen and sighed. "I'm afraid I have to go now, but I do hope I'll see you in future," he told her with a wink. "See you around, Tsukino-san."

"Bye, Ishioka-san."

"Please, call me Kei." And with that he left. Usagi rounded the corner she came from before squealing in happiness.

Finally! Something good is happening in my life! Things are finally looking my way!

If only she knew…


Monday, May 31st. 4 o'clock at the Crown Arcade

"You got a 30?!"

Two high school boys stared in complete and utter shock as their best friend tried to hide her face from view, focusing on her chocolate milkshake so she could avoid the disappointment she knew would be creeping into their faces. "It was a hard test! And I hate English…" she reasoned, knowing it wasn't true. She was good at English; at least everyone thought so. And she didn't mind it so much… but she just had no time to study for it. The night before the exam – the Sunday a week ago, there had been a youma attack on a talent show at the town hall. She had gone into the exam half asleep and with only an inkling of knowledge regarding the topic that she was supposed to write about. Haruna had given the exam back asking if she had felt okay the day of the exam, but what was she supposed to say?

"Sorry, Sakurada-sensei, but I didn't get a wink of sleep last night because I pranced around in a revealing costume fighting monsters and protecting our dear city from the evil throes of the Dark Kingdom, a group of non-humans who wish for universal domination…"

It sounded stupid, even if it was true.

Tuxedo Mask hadn't even showed up that night. That hurt her the most; she thought if anything happened during a battle she could always count on him to bail her out. It was obvious he wasn't so reliable after all when Luna had to push her away from a shower of ice, the feline taking the freeze attack for her. In a bout of anger at watching her turn into a catsicle she threw her tiara at the youma, turning her into a pile of dust. It was the first time she had felt completely alone during her battles as Sailor Moon. Usagi was afraid to imagine what would happen if the youma got her too.

"OI!" Odango!"

She jolted out of her seat, the milkshake glass slipping from her hand and toppling on the counter. She looked wistfully at her fallen drink, the milk and ice cream pouring onto the marble surface.

Mamoru swallowed in guilt upon looking at the crestfallen expression of Usagi. "I-I'm sorry, Usagi-chan… I shouldn't have yelled… Motoki, get her another –" a small hand was pressed against his mouth. Usagi sighed, her fingers against his lips as she continued to stare at the glass. Meiko looked over from the other side of Mamoru and glared first at the fingers pressed against her boyfriend's mouth, then at the offending blonde. The said blonde stood up from her seat and dropped her hand.

"It's okay… I didn't really feel like having one anyway…" she replied airily before turning to the Sailor V game. The two brothers looked at each other worriedly. Usagi, refusing a free chocolate milkshake?

"And I know what you're thinking," Usagi called from the game console. "Yes, I'm refusing a free shake, and no, I'm not dieting."

Mamoru sighed in frustration as he watched the fourteen-year-old return to her game. What the hell is going on, Usagi? I know something's wrong; you can't hide it very well. Why won't you tell us?

"Mamoru…"

He looked pensively at the stool which was now empty beside him. First my life goes wacko with this while 'Tuxedo Mask' business… then I start getting weird dreams… and now Usagi's acting weird! Next I'm going to find out that she really is Sailor Moon! He thought about the possibility. Nah. Impossible.

"Mamoru…"

I wonder if Sailor Moon's okay… that last battle was nasty. 'Chaneelas'. I'm glad Usagi didn't get one. Then again, she's already got Luna. Where'd she get her from, anyway?

"Mamoru…"

I don't really know much of what's been going on in her life lately… do I? Some best friend I am… Dammit! I wish she'd just let me help!

"MAMORU!"

"WHAT?!"

SQUELCH.

Mamoru looked down to see his once pristine, flawless, light-blue blazer…

Soaked to the elbow…

In thick…

Cold…

Chocolate…

Milk.

"Crap!" He swore harshly, grabbing several napkins from the dispenser and wiped as much of the liquid as he could off his sleeve.

Motoki sighed while Meiko tittered. "I tried to warn you, Mamoru-kun… but you just weren't listening, you space case." He grinned and shook his head, looking at the soiled blazer. "It's not like you to mess things up, dear brother of mine."

"Ha ha," the raven-haired boy replied dryly, picking up the glass from the counter. "Just dispense with the lame jokes and get me a towel, would you?"

Motoki turned to the cupboard behind him and the arcade doors opened However when Motoki turned to greet the customer he stopped and dropped the towel, his jaw following suit.

"What is it?" Mamoru questioned, frowning at the look of pure shock on his brother's face, before turning around to see what had him in such a stupor.


"Ahhh! I lost again!" Usagi sighed as Sailor V fell to the floor. She pulled out another quarter when someone tapped her on the shoulder and she gasped, jumping visibly from her seat.

"Sorry, didn't mean to scare ya like that, babe."

She turned to see a pair of chestnut eyes and a rakish towering over her before promptly blushing and smiling shyly. "Kei-san!" She extended her hand in a greeting. "I haven't seen you since we bumped into each other… literally. How've you been?"

"Settling in," he replied, taking her hand. "But it's nice to see you after our last meeting." However, instead of shaking her hand he brought her hand to his lips and placed a butterfly kiss on her knuckles. Usagi turned red and opened and closed her mouth dumbly, incapable of speech as her heart pounded against her ribcage, desperate to get out. "That's Juuban Junior High's uniform, isn't it?"

"Yeah… eighth-grader… I don't recognise that uniform you're wearing," she admitted, taking in the midnight blue double-breasted blazer and pants.

"Oh, this? This is my old school's uniform. I just enrolled in Juuban High today…" he sighed as he sat down at the King of Fighters console next to Usagi. "It's a bit of a waste – I'm in my last year."

"You're in your senior year?"

"Yeah…"

"Wow… so you're like… old."

He laughed. "I hope not too old in your opinion…" he told her, closing to whisper into her ear. "Because it would ruin my chances with someone like you."

CRASH.

"Mamoru-san!"

Usagi's ears perked up at the sound of that name from Meiko and she looked up from the console to see Mamoru swearing, looking down at his hand, and she gasped at the streaks of red flowing out of his hand and onto the tiles floor along with shards of glass and chocolate milk. She got up and rushed over to him, getting the wet towel Motoki offered and pressing it to the cuts in his hand, feeling him shudder as he hissed in pain. "Silly Mamoru-kun… you're so careless sometimes…"

Too busy tending to his wounds she was completely oblivious to two pairs of glaring eyes – a pair of jealous emerald eyes directed at her and a piercing azure look of pure anger shot over to the boy at the arcade game she had vacated seconds before.