Author's Note: I'm so glad this chapter is finally finished! It was hell to write, literally. I just felt pulled here and there but I am pleased with the final result. I hope you like it as well! Thank you to all of my reviewers and please take a peek at When Reality Isn't Destiny if you haven't had a chance.

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of its themes, characters, concepts, or etc.

Bruises and Chocolate
Chapter 10

Usagi walked through her front gate to find Motoki sitting at her doorstep. "It's late you know." Motoki stated simply. The blonde girl only smiled weakily and sat next to him. She nervously pulled on the sleeves of her hoodie, breathing deeply. Motoki looked down at her hands, noticing she was nearly trembling. "Usa, what happened?" Motoki asked, turning to face her. She looked at him, her eyes full of questions and concerns. "Have you been crying?" Usagi only nodded in response, remaining silent. "What happened? Usagi, talk to me." Motoki demanded.

"I know, Motoki. I know why you punched Mamoru the other day. I know why you are upset with him." She said quietly, looking Motoki in the eyes.

"Oh Usagi." Motoki said wrapping his arms around her. Usagi placed her head on his shoulder as the tears began to fall. How could she have forgotten?

Fourteen year-old Usagi Tsukino skipped happily through the corridors of a large apartment building. She was exhausted after two weeks at Juuban High School she was positive she was going to drop out and open a store. School was just hard. She barely passed her entrance exams, all thanks to the help of her boyfriend.

Six months prior, Usagi found herself out at the movies with her best friends Motoki and Mamoru. Sure the boys were three years her senior but they had been friends since childhood. That night the three of them, well the two boys, convinced her to go see the latest action movie. Mamoru pleaded with her father, his previous foster dad, to allow the young girl to stay out with them. After much consideration and a few promises to mow the lawn, Kenji accepted Mamoru's offer.

Now Usagi was wedged in between the two boys, holding the popcorn as usual, while the movie's ending credits scrolled onto the screen. "That was bloody awful." Usagi groaned. "Next time, we're going to see the RomCom."

"One, language Usa, and two, over my dead body." The seventeen year-old, dark-haired boy to her left protested. The sandy-haired blonde to her right only laughed.

"I'll watch one with you, Usagi. Mamoru's just being an asshole." Motoki said. Usagi smiled, kissing Motoki on the cheek.

"Hey! Not fair! He always get the love." Mamoru protested as the three of them exited the theater.

"Well, he's nice to me." Usagi stated simply. She stood nearly a foot shorter than both of the boys at an even five feet. She wore her long blonde hair up in two buns or "odangoes" as Mamoru would call them. She wore a floral sundress with her hands in the pockets of the dress. Motoki grinned and Mamoru smacked him in the head.

"Oh look at the time." Motoki said suddenly. "I have to head home. You two have fun." Motoki nudged Mamoru's side before hurrying off. Usagi looked up at Mamoru, raising an eyebrow.

"What is up with him? Since when does he run off?" The girl asked. Mamoru shrugged his shoulders, guiding her in the direction towards her house.

"You know how Motoki is. He's all weird. It must be puberty." Mamoru said nervously, as he rubbed his hair. Usagi turned to look at him, noticing Mamoru looking down at her.

"You're as red as your shirt. What is going on, Mamoru?" Usagi demanded as she stood in front of him. "Plus you are getting all sweaty like when you're nervous. What are you and Motoki-kun up to?"

"Usa, I have to tell you something." Mamoru said, holding her hand. Usagi's eyes got wide and filled with concern.

"You're not dying are you? Oh no! That explains why you let me have your pudding the other day. Mamoru is dying!" Usagi exploded, her eyes filling with tears. Mamoru felt his head drop as he rolled his eyes.

"No Usagi." He sighed, watching as she let out a big sigh.

"Don't scare me like that." She frowned, hitting his chest. Mamoru rubbed his sore chest and frowned. "Ok, what are you trying to say? Spit it out or my dad will kill us for being late."

"Ok." Mamoru said, pulling Usagi close to him. He pressed his lips against hers, holding her waist. Usagi felt her heart melt but confusion as she drifted away from him. "I think I may love you."

Usagi used her key to open the door the the apartment in front of her. As she stepped inside, she noticed everything missing and in dissarray. "What the hell?" She mumbled as panic began to set in. She ran into the bedroom to find Motoki sitting on the bed with a note in his hand. "Motoki?" She asked, quietly. Motoki looked up at his friend, his eyes red and puffy. "Are you crying? What's wrong, Motoki? Where's Mamo-chan?" She asked as she sat next to him. Motoki only passed her the piece of paper in his hand as he rubbed his eyes.

"I hope I never see that bastard again." Motoki growled. Usagi gasped as she felt tears in her eyes. How could he?

"I just don't understand. I feel like that entire part of my life was forgotten. Not only that but why is he back here in the first place?" Usagi asked. She stood in her parents' kitchen with Motoki as they both sipped tea. Her eyes still showed signs of her earlier crying spell. Now she was engaged in deep thought regarding Mamoru's motives.

"I have an idea. I read something online, which is why I'm here." Motoki said, placing his mug on the counter. Usagi looked at him, waiting for an explanation. "There was a girl murdered at one of his events about three years ago." Usagi audibly gasped, taken aback by the news. She thought about Mamoru's words earlier, I haven't had pleasant experiences, somewhat similar to yours. "Well, obviously no one was out to kill an innocent girl, Usagi. Someone was out for him. As far as the American authorities are concerned, no one was ever caught for the murder. Mamoru apparently burned a lot of bridges by leaving America. Some people would pay a lot of money for his head."

"There's just too much going on right now. I can't deal with Mamoru's problems. I have my own. I can't even get my brother to communicate with me. This kid always drags us right in the middle of his problems." Usagi sighed, looking over at Motoki. Motoki only smirked.

"That's Mamoru for you." He smiled. Usagi gave him a weak smile in return. "Let's figure this out. The sooner we get him in a safe position is the sooner we can get him to bring Shingo back home. Mamoru and Shingo were always really close." Usagi nodded silently, remembering the times the two of them would pick on her. "Your parents would want you to help him, Usagi. Your dad would have in a heartbeat and probably smacked him upside the head afterwards." Usagi heard the hope in Motoki's voice. She heard the longing of his friendship with Mamoru.

"Fine." She agreed. "I will need the girls' help though."

"That won't go over too well with the girls."

"Oh please, what's the worst that could happen?"

Georgina sat quietly in her seat with her MacBook displayed in front of her. She couldn't think. Her mind was everywhere. Her pale hands were damp with sweat. She frowned at the realization before wiping her palms down with napkins. She looked down at her perfectly manicured fingers and grimaced. Her best friend's blood had been all over those hands. She remember screaming as the blood continued to pour out in what seemed to be gallons. The newly blonde girl squeezed her eyes shut to erase the memories. She was going to avenge Saki's death. Mamoru would pay for what he had done.

Usagi and Mamoru watched as four pairs of eyes stared blankly at them. The two called an "official" meeting to discuss the current situation and also have an excuse to order pizza. It was a long time since they were able to get together and hang out. The girls sat quietly on the floor, processing what their friends unveiled. Minako was the first of the four to quickly raise her hand, stretching regally as she did so.

"Yes, Mina-chan?" Usagi asked as she sipped green tea from her mug. The blonde sitting on the floor smiled before standing to her socked feet. She wore a pair of dark wash skinny jeans and an off-the-shoulder striped orange and cream sweater. She pulled her sleeves up to her elbows and cleared her throat.

"Get on with it." Rei complained as she twirled cheese around her finger.

"I just have one question. What in the everlasting fuck?" She said throwing her hands in the air. Usagi only sighed while Motoki held back laughter.

"I know it's a lot girls. Seriously, it's a lot to take in, but this is my life. I apparently get myself into situations." Usagi explained. She took in the atmosphere of the room. She felt chills run down her spine. When was the last time she had all of her friends in her house? She could imagine Shingo working his way through pick-up lines with all of the girls. Her father giving everyone unwanted dating advice. Her mother would be filling the room with food and baked goods until everyone was in a food coma. It would be such a great time.

"Usagi." Motoki whispered, bringing Usagi back to her cold reality. Reality was nothing like she expected her life to be.

"Gomennasi." Usagi whispered back.

"I don't see why not." A quiet voice spoke up. Everyone turned to Ami who was sitting elegantly with her legs cross. Her short blue bob was pulled up into a ponytail atop of her head. Her glasses sat on her face but no one could deny the serious glare in the genius's eyes. "Up until this week, I have been dedicated to only my coursework, professors, and my GPA. I was barely there for you, Usagi-chan, during everything. I am extremely apologetic regarding my behavior and my priorities. I have the upmost faith in the two of you. I know you have exceeded my expectations of what I believed friendship truly was. If Chiba-san was a good friend of yours, he deserves to be given a fair chance. Not everyone is born with the same psychological capabilities." Usagi felt her heart warm and before she could register her thoughts, she found herself in Ami's warm embrace, allowing the tears to fall. The other girls were quick to join as Usagi's sobs became audible. She cried for her parents, she cried for her friends, she cried for herself, but more than anything, she cried for Mamoru.

I know this chapter was a little short but it's developing. I had to end it there for the next chapter will be full of...stuff :P