Wow. Sorry it's been so long everyone. Life is in the pits right now, so I'm doing a lot of writing. Hopefully another update won't be as slow in coming. Enjoy and let me know what you all think. Thank you for everyone who has read and reviewed, I truly appreciate it. Your reviews help me get my act together, so the more there are, the more I write! Can't wait to see what you guys think. Thanks, Lara.
Chapter Ten: Jealousy
After Usagi kissed Mamoru, she entered her house as soon as possible and practically slammed the door closed behind her. Leaning against the door she released a breath that she didn't realize she had been holding and brought a hand up to her flushed cheek.
'Why did I do that? How could I? Just because he looks and sounds like my dream prince doesn't meant hat I should fall in love with him. Whoa - Get a hold of yourself Usagi! You just met the guy!'
She was brought out of her thoughts as her parents swooped down on her. It took almost an hour for Usagi to explain all that had happened to her, to her parents. Once they understood and she had assured them that she was just fine just tired, they were all sympathy and coddling, shortly ushering her off to bed. Usagi trudged up the stairs and opened her door. Walking in she was very surprised to find a small gray kitten sitting on her bed staring straight at her.
"Hello, little one." She cooed as she slowly approached the cat. "How'd you get in here?" Glancing around the room, she noticed the open window. "Oh, I see, someone's been climbing trees and escaping into open windows. Well, let's have a look at you."
She reached down and picked the cat up from under the armpits. "You're a pretty one aren't you?" The cat leaned forward and licked her face while purring loudly. Usagi giggled and scratched the kitty's ears. "You can stay here for a while, if you'd like. Since you don't have a tag I guess you came off the street, but you can stay here from now on."
Usagi lowered the kitten onto the bed and smiled as it walked a quick circle on the quilt and then lay down and fell asleep. Making a mental note to buy kitty supplies and inform her parents, Usagi changed into her silk nightie and climbed into bed, next to her new guest. As soon as her head hit the pillow, Usagi was sound asleep.
Waking up late the next day; her parents having let her sleep in late because of the night before. She got out of bed and gently patted the kitten and glanced at her clock. It flashed 1:28 pm. "Ugh, no wonder I'm so hungry."
After showering and getting dressed she went downstairs and into the kitchen. "Okay, let's get us something to eat. What do you say to some milk?" Getting a, "Meow" in response, she laughed and headed towards the cupboard for a bowl. "Okay, milk it is then."
Usagi walked over to the newly bought refrigerator and opened the door. A loud shriek emitted from her mouth as she looked at the empty shelves inside. She ran over to the pantry and searched all the cabinets and drawers – empty, they were all entirely empty. On the verge of tears, Usagi closed the door and noticed a piece of paper taped to it. Ripping it off, she read: Honey, your father, Shingo and I didn't want to wake you, so we went out to go shopping and pick up the necessities. We probably won't be home till around six or so. There's no food in the house, but your uncle said that you could eat on the house at his arcade. Be careful and take your phone with you. Love, Mom.
"Great. Well, little one, it looks like you'll be coming with me." Usagi threw the note away and grabbed the keys to the house. She waited until the kitten was beside her outside the house before she closed and locked the front door.
Trying to remember how to get to the arcade was a lot easier than she thought it would be. On her way there she admired the beautiful city that surrounded her. Breathing in the wonderful air, she rounded the corner and the glass doors opened for her to enter. Usagi picked up the kitten and tucked her under her arm.
"Usa! How are you? You get home alright?" Motoki said from behind the counter as he noticed her enter. "And who's your little friend?" He added as he reached out to pet the kitten in her arms, receiving some nuzzling and purring for his efforts.
"Hey Motoki. Ugh, last night was – well, it was definitely eventful." Usagi replied as she took a seat on one of the red stools, keeping the cat within her embrace so she wouldn't run off.
"Why? What happened?" He asked with a frown marring his brow. 'If anything happened last night, I'll kill myself. I knew that I should have walked her home.'
"Well, after I left you last night, I was attacked by a – a youma? I think he called it?"
"Attacked! And who called what?" Motoki broke in confused and startled.
"Tuxedo Kamen, he and the Senshi saved me from this – this thing. It was awful and green – ugh. Anyways, so they saved me, Tuxedo Kamen yelled at me and called me stupid after pulling me down from the tree, I yelled at him and left. After a few minutes of walking alone, your friend, Mamoru-kun came and walked me home. Then, when I got home, I had to tell my parents everything and when I went to my room, this little kitty was there and I figured she could stay with me since she has no tag. Unfortunately, when I awoke this morning – um – afternoon, I found not a crumb of food in the house. I need food – desperately! And could I get some milk for the kitty?" Usagi ended and took a deep breath.
"Haha, Usa, you're just the same." Motoki laughed as he looked down at the blushing girl. "But wow, so you met the infamous Sailor Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen, huh? That's quite an event for your first day here. I'm just glad that they were there and that Mamoru-kun was there to continue walking you home. I was worried about you Usa, next time let me walk you home alright? I'll get you some milk for the cat and how about a hamburger and shake for you?"
Usagi's smile widened. "I would love that! Thank you, Motoki-niisan! I'll just be over in the booth with the kitty."
"Okay, here's the milk, and your order will be out in a little bit." Motoki said as he handed her a small bowl of milk. "And you might want to start thinking about a name for the little thing too."
After smiling and giving a nod of assent, Usagi grabbed the cat and bowl and set both on a booth in the corner. "Drink up little one; you must be as starved as I am." 'Wait! I never ate dinner yesterday! No wonder I'm starving! Ugh.' As Usagi put her head down on her folded arms, she heard the tinkle of the bells above the doors and instinctively looked to see who it was.
Her cheeks turned a deep crimson as she saw Mamoru walk over to the counter, and quickly cast her eyes down to her lap. She dared another glance and was startled to find both Motoki and Mamoru looking at her as they continued talking. Trying to ignore the attention that she was receiving, Usagi watched the cat lap up the warm milk. When her gaze flicked up once again she notice that suddenly Motoki looked almost angry and Mamoru whipped his head around to look at him. After a few minutes of some rather heated glances and whispering, Motoki handed Mamoru a plate and shake and went to help another customer. Mamoru took the plate and shake and headed towards Usagi.
"Hi, Usagi. You okay today?" Mamoru asked as he placed the food in front of her.
"I – uh – I'm f-fine. Just…you know…hungry." Usagi replied as she looked longingly at the food.
Mamoru laughed as he looked down at her and watched as her pink tongue swept over her full lips. Shaking his head he said, "Well, the food is yours, so dig in."
"Oh! Thank you!" Usagi said blushing again as she began to dig into the food. Mamoru stood awkwardly next to the table, desperately trying not to stare at the charming girl before him. "Sit." Usagi commanded in between bites. Laughing again, Mamoru slid into the booth.
The two made small talk for a while, talking of studies, old friends, and the city. Usagi was currently talking about her family when suddenly Mamoru burst out, "I disagree."
Usagi stopped telling her story and looked at Mamoru. "Excuse me? Disagree with what?"
"Sorry, but I have to disagree with whoever said you were prettier without your hair down. You're just as gorgeous, though you do look more your age now."
"Oh, uh, thank you?" It was more of a question and once again Mamoru laughed, he seemed to be doing an awful lot of that when he was around Usagi.
"You are very welcome, and I must say that you are even more beautiful when you blush." Mamoru's smile grew as the subject of his admiration blushed like a tomato and looked down. Usagi hesitantly looked up and into Mamoru's eyes, and found that she could not look away. Little did she know that Mamoru was experiencing the same feelings.
While the two in the booth were lost in one another, four girls walked into the arcade and were greeted with a, "Hi, girls!" from Motoki. They called out, "Hey" in unison and gave their usual orders.
While they were waiting for their shakes and food at the counter, Ami turned to observe the arcade. "Oh my god!" she hissed as she saw the two occupants of a certain booth.
"What!" the three others whispered as they frantically followed Ami's gaze. All the girls' jaws dropped at the sight of a beautiful blonde-haired girl with an odd hairstyle, but that wasn't what was so shocking. It was the fact that she was sitting with Mamoru and he was actually smiling – and laughing too.
"Wow, do you think that is Motoki's cousin?" Ami asked the girls who were still in awe.
"He's actually smiling. I've never seen him look like that before. You can see his teeth and everything! She must be something else if she has such an affect on him." Mina stated.
"She's really pretty too. No wonder she made Mamoru blush." Lita stated with a devilish smirk.
"Let's go introduce ourselves." Rei said heatedly as she stalked off in that direction.
Mamoru and Usagi were too wrapped up in one another to notice the four girls approaching their table, one looking as though she was out for blood.
"I got used to it, you know. I mean, it taught me that having a little brother isn't all that bad. And whenever we have to get more butter from the store, we always make Shingo get it! It turns out that younger brothers can be amazing forms of entertainment." Usagi was saying and Mamoru broke out laughing.
Rei was absolutely fuming by the time they reached the table. "Hi Mamoru! How are you today?" she asked through clenched teeth, trying to force a smile to her lips.
Mamoru started and looked up to see all of the girls standing next to the table and he groaned inwardly. "Hello girls. I'm good. I'd like you to meet someone." He gestured towards Usagi. "This is Tsukino Usagi, Motoki's cousin and the girl that I was talking to you about yesterday."
Usagi's face burned at the thought of Mamoru actually talking about her to his friends. 'I hope it was something good, not that I'm childish or something. Oh of course not, he's too nice to do that.' She thought and smiled inwardly about it.
"Hi. It's a pleasure to meet you all." Usagi said as she stood up to shake all the girls' hands.
"Hi! I'm Lita, that's Mina, Ami, and the spitfire is Rei. You're really lucky to have Motoki as your cousin, he's such a hunk." Lita said with a dreamy look in her eye.
Usagi giggled nervously, "Um, I guess – he uh – he is my cousin though, but more of an older brother to me. I guess he's kind of cute, but I prefer tall, dark, and handsome myself." As soon as Usagi said that she blushed – again! And she refused to look at Mamoru, who was grinning from ear-to-ear looking over at her flushed figure.
The blatant show of affection between the two made Rei snap and she growled out, "So do I, so back off, missy."
Usagi was shocked at the statement and looked at Rei, not noticing that everyone was as surprised as she. "I'm sorry; I didn't know that Mamoru had a girlfriend. I do apologize, I never meant to interfere." Usagi was so upset that she didn't even register that she had basically just told everyone that she like Mamoru. The thought that he was taken and the pain that came with that was just too much and she realized that she had to leave before she snapped and let the tears flow as they so desperately wanted.
Mamoru began to realize just what was going on in Usagi's head and was about to stand and straighten everything out, but Usagi got up hurriedly.
"I'd better be going. It was a pleasure meeting you all and – um – thank you for the company while I ate, Chiba-san." She said as she looked at the girls, straight out refusing to look at Mamoru. Quickly walking towards the door she threw a, "Good day," over her shoulder to the table and a, "Thanks, Motoki-niisan! I'll see you later!" Walking out of the arcade, kitten in tow, she left surprise and anger in her wake.
Mamoru was still at the table, staring at the seat that Usagi had just vacated. He felt overwhelming anger and hurt. "She didn't even call me Mamoru." He whispered aloud before pushing the hurt away for later inspection and turning to a very smug Rei. "Just what was all that about, Rei? We aren't dating and I can eat and flirt with whomever the hell I choose. Got it!"
Rei stood there, as jealousy and anger raged for dominance within her. "But I saw you first! You only just met her last night! And did you feel the power emitting from her? I mean, she could be a Nega scum for all we know!"
"Just stop, Rei, you're being ridiculous." Lita put in as she walked towards the counter to get her food, the rest of the girls soon followed her.
Rei stood in front of Mamoru, shame now taking over her. "I'm sorry, Mamoru. I really am, I'm just jealous, that's all. I mean, I've been trying to get your attention for months now, and as soon as this girl comes, you're all over her. I just – I'm sorry." Rei said with her head bent. When she finished she turned and walked out the doors, forgetting her friends and food.
Mamoru remained standing in front of the booth, not sure of what to do. 'I cannot believe Rei did that. I mean, I know that she likes me and all, but to actually yell at Usagi.' With a groan, Mamoru sank back into the booth. 'But now at least I know that Usagi likes me. And what was Rei talking about? The power… that's what I felt as well. Maybe – no – she couldn't be from the Negaverse. She's too sweet and caring, although as soon as she came, the youma are stronger and larger in numbers. But she can't be a part of them. No – I saw her fighting one!'
"AH-HA!" Mamoru yelled out with his fist thrust into the air. The arcade went silent, everyone staring at the strange young man that just yelled at nobody. Mamoru lowered his arm and made a hasty retreat to the busy streets of Tokyo. He headed for his apartment complex, all the while contemplating what he should do about Usagi.
Rei had been walking back to the shrine when the full weight of her shame and guilt fell upon her shoulders. 'Ugh – I feel sorry for that Usagi girl, but I don't know what to do. And I feel awful that I've made Mamoru-san mad at me. Okay Hino Rei, you are going to apologize – or at least try. Usagi just moved here and Mamoru was her first friend, if anything else, and now she's probably all alone. I'll go ask Motoki for her address and invite her to hang out with me and the girls. We'll have to be careful not to let anything about the Negaverse slip, but it could work out. Yes, what a great idea Rei!' Rei nodded as she did an about face and headed back to the arcade.
"Oh! AND this will give Ami-chan to do some tests on her and check out that power that I sensed! Yes!" With that, Rei ran off to her destination.
End Chapter 10
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