Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon
"It seems that droid really did a number on Usagi-chan. She must be extremely exhausted for her to actually skip school," Minako said as she, Makoto and Ami walked out of the school building.
"Yeah. Usually Usagi-chan would just tough it out since she doesn't want to worry her family," Makoto added.
Giving a silent nod of agreement, Ami inwardly hoped that her visor had not overlooked anything and their friend was just taking a day off to recover from simple fatigue. As the three approached the school gates, they noticed their raven hair friend was waiting by the entrance.
"Rei-chan," Minako called out with slight surprise, "What are you doing here?"
"I thought we could all head to the temple together," Rei replied before noticing only three of her friends were present, "Where's Usagi?"
"Usagi-chan didn't make it to school today," Ami answered in a tone laced with worry.
Hearing the unease in the water senshi's voice, Rei gave her a sympathetic smile and said, "Don't worry Ami-chan, I'm sure Usagi's fine."
"Yeah I sure you're right, but I can't help but worry. She did look very weak last night when she left," Ami said softly.
"Why don't we go pay Usagi-chan a visit," Minako suggested with a smile, "I'm sure she'll be glad to see us and this way we can all see for ourselves that Usagi-chan's just fine."
"I'll bet you she's already back to her energetic old self," Rei said with an amused smile, "Chibi-usa and her are probably arguing over something trivial again and poor Luna's probably wishing for some peace and quiet."
The four girls all laughed as the memory of the day when they had found Luna burying herself in Usagi's cover trying to block out the two's usual arguments filled their minds. The cat had seemed so happy and grateful when the four had arrived to meet Usagi for their usual girls outing.
"Well then I think we should get going before poor Luna decides to scratch her ears out," Makoto joked as the other three nodded in agreement.
With lifted spirits, the four began heading toward the Tsukino residence each hoping to be greeted by their princess's warm smile.
Outside the Tsukino residence, Mamoru stood at the front porch contemplating what to do. He had already been there once in the morning having wanted to make sure Usagi had recovered, but never got the chance to see her in person. He had just gathered his nerve to ring the doorbell when he had heard the familiar voices of Minako closing in. Not knowing his current standing with any of the Inners, he had quickly pulled his hand away from the doorbell and hid himself around the corner of the house. No sooner had he done so, Minako and Ami had walked through the front and approached the door ringing the doorbell. To his disappointment, it had been a worried looking Ikuko who had answered the door. Having seen a similar disappointment appear in the two girls' eyes as Usagi's mother spoke, he had figured Usagi was staying home from school.
'Usako must be fairly wiped out to worry her friends and family by staying home. I wonder if she's feeling better?'
Staring at the door as if it would answer his question, Mamoru could feel his confidence wane with each passing second. His constant fear and indecision had made him take several 'walk' around the block before having finally gathered up the nerve to even walk up to the door. And it was only after he had seen Ikuko leave.
'At least this way I won't get into any awkward situation with Usako's family,' he had reasoned.
Now the only fear keeping him from ringing the doorbell was not knowing how Usagi would receive him. He wouldn't blame her if she decide to slam the door in his face upon seeing who it was. Desperately hoping for the best, Mamoru willed his finger to finally push the small button. Standing stiffly still, several seconds passed before he heard the sound of light footsteps approaching the door. As the front door began to open, he felt another wave of nervousness wash over him. Once the door was fully opened, his well-trained steady gaze was met with Usagi's own surprised one.
"Mamoru-san," Usagi greeted in a soft unsure tone, "What brings you here? Did you come to check on Chibi-usa?"
"I...uh wanted to see if you're feeling better," Mamoru replied with a nervous smile.
"Oh," Usagi felt her previous night's confusion return as she once again not know what to make of Mamoru's seemingly sudden renewed kindness, "Well I'm doing a whole lot better than last night. I'm sure I'll make a full recovery by tomorrow morning."
"That's good to hear," Mamoru said with such relief and sincerity that Usagi couldn't help feeling a familiar warmth envelop her heart.
Silence fell as neither one knew what to say. With a shy smile, Usagi softly asked if Mamoru would like to come in. Grateful for the broken silence, he returned her smile with one of his own and nodded a 'yes.' Stepping aside to let Mamoru enter, Usagi was about to offer her guest something to drink after closing the door when the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs caught the pairs' attention.
"Usagi who was it," Chibi-usa asked with both Luna and Luna-P right behind her.
"Hey kiddo," Mamoru said with a smile to which the young girl happily responded by crying out his name.
Luna in contrast was not nearly as thrilled at seeing the former Earth prince. While a part of her sympathized with the reason behind his decision to break up with her charge, the agonizing pain she had watched Usagi go through made it hard for the guardian cat to simply forgive and forget. Taking a side-way glance at the girl in question, Luna was relieved to see a genuine smile on Usagi's face. Albeit it was not as big as it had been before the break up, it was still a smile from the heart.
'Maybe it's not too late for him to heal Usagi's heart wounds after all,' Luna thought feeling a sense of renewed hope as she followed the three into the living room.
"Now you two sit here and talk while me and Luna go make us all some hot chocolate," Chibi-usa quickly announced as soon as she pushed Usagi and Mamoru onto the couch side by side.
Then picking up the surprised Luna, the young girl left in a rush of pink blur before either teens could protest.
"Geez that girl can be so impulsive," Usagi said with a hand on her face letting out a sigh, "Honestly, I wonder who she gets it from. I just hope she doesn't end up scalding herself with hot water...maybe I should go help her."
Usagi stood up with the intent on heading to the kitchen only to find herself being held back by Mamoru who had grabbed onto her wrist.
"Wait," he exclaimed to Usagi's surprise and confusion, "I'm sure Chibi-usa will be fine...and I wanted to talk to you...alone."
Looking at Mamoru with a hesitating gaze, Usagi unconsciously bit her lower lip with indecision, but upon seeing the sad and pleading look in his eyes, she found herself unable to deny his request. Mamoru watched with relief when Usagi retook her sit next to him on the couch indicating her compliance.
"What do you want to talk about," Usagi asked failing to hide the nervousness in her voice.
"I want to apologize for my cold behavior toward you these past few weeks," Mamoru began fully aware of Usagi's sudden stiffer posture, "I know it doesn't mean much and it won't take away the pain I've already caused you, but I want you to know that I really am sorry for the way I acted."
"Why are you saying this now," Usagi whispered while staring at her clasped hands with her eyes hidden behind her bangs.
"Because Usako," Mamoru said further surprising the already shocked girl by using her pet name, "I can't keep up the act anymore especially after almost losing you last night."
"ACT," Usagi suddenly yelled with such fury in her eyes that Mamoru instinctively inched back in surprise, "You're telling me that you purposely broke my heart and made every waking moment of my life hell with an ACT! Is this some kind of sick joke? Were you just playing with my feelings this whole time?"
"No Usako you don't understand," Mamoru immediately exclaimed making a grab for her hand only for her to pull away in anger.
"You're right Chiba Mamoru. I DON'T understand and that's why I've been so damn miserable since you suddenly broke up with me. This whole time I was left wondering what I did wrong. What I had done to make you hate me so much and now you're telling me it had all been an act," Usagi vented, finally revealing the feelings she had been bottling up.
"Please Usako. Let me explain. I swear I love you with all my heart and I never stopped, not even for a moment," Mamoru pleaded with eyes that begged for a chance to explain himself.
"Then why," Usagi whispered brokenly with shoulders slumped in defeat as she looked at him with tear filled eyes, "Why did you break up with me Mamo-chan?"
Gazing into those eyes that begged him to give her a reasonable answer, Mamoru instinctively pulled his princess into his embrace. To his joy and relief, Usagi did not pull back like she had previously. Although she did not return his embrace, Mamoru was grateful enough for the simple reason that she allowed him to hold her in his arms.
"I'm sorry I caused you so much pain Usako and I know I can't simply excuse my actions with the reason for what I've done, but all I ask is that you let me tell you what caused me to do such a stupid thing. Then if you still find yourself unable to give me another chance, I promise I won't bother you anymore," Mamoru said having whispered the last part.
When he felt Usagi gave a slight nod against his chest, he continued, "It started a few days after Chibi-usa appeared when we were still together. Every single night I would have the same dream. It always started with a wedding...our wedding. I can't tell you how happy I always felt during those moments in those nightly dreams. It was the only part of it that was ever pleasant...but then the dream would quickly turn into a nightmare. As you were just within my reach, the ground beneath you would suddenly shatter. No matter how hard I try, I could never reach you and the only thing I could hear would be your screams. Then a voice would always warn me to stay away from you or else death would be the only fate awaiting you. At first I tried to ignore these nightmares. I kept telling myself that it was only a projection of my inner fears of losing you. That it would be my fault for being unable to save you and for awhile I was able to ignore them...but then a few days before our break up, the voice no longer only came in my dreams. Even when I was awake that voice would suddenly out of nowhere began to ring loudly in my head telling me to stay away from you if I didn't want you to die. When it kept coming back, I just couldn't ignore it anymore. I couldn't stand to know that I may very well be the reason you would die, so being the coward that I was, I followed the voice's instructions and broke up with you...I am so sorry for causing you so much pain Usako. I know I will never be able to take away those awful memories, but I will gladly spend the rest of my life trying to make up for it if only you will give me another chance."
Gently pushing herself out of Mamoru's embrace and turning away from him, Usagi silently contemplated everything she had just heard. Her heart warred with her logic as she found herself at a lost of what to do. Letting out a soft sigh, she turned to face the nervous looking Mamoru.
"I don't know," she answered honestly causing Mamoru to slump in obvious disappointment, "While I don't doubt that what you told me was the truth, I am still...afraid you will do the same thing if something like this were to happen again."
"I swear Usako, no matter what happen I will NEVER break up with you again," Mamoru vowed taking her hands into his own, "I wouldn't be able to stand the pain of separation a second time. I love you too much to ever let you go again."
"Do you mean that," Usagi asked taking a step closer to Mamoru with a soulful look, "Can you really promise to always confide in me rather than making decisions solely on what you think is best for me?"
"I promise Usako. I swear to you I will. I don't ever want to risk losing you again," Mamoru replied as he once more pulled his princess into his embrace.
When he felt her return it this time, Mamoru swore he felt like the luckiest man alive.
"Thank you Usako," Mamoru said as he placed his forehead against Usagi's.
"I've missed you Mamo-chan," Usagi replied with a content sigh.
"I've missed you too Usako," Mamoru said softly before closing the small gap between their mouths and gave his princess a tender kiss.
A sudden crash caused the two lovers to pull apart and found five girls and two cats sprawled in a pile near the living room entrance.
"I told you to quit shoving Mako-chan," Minako hissed in complaint.
"Hey you're the one who wouldn't move over when I asked nicely," Makoto shot back.
"You two quit arguing and get off of me this instant," an annoyed Rei exclaimed.
"Oh I knew we should have waited outside," an embarrassed Ami whispered.
"You guys, you're all too heavy," Chibi-usa whined being the unfortunate one who was lying at the bottom of the pile.
Their arguing quickly ceased with the sound of their forgotten princess clearing her throat. Immediately scrambling to their feet, they all slowly began to back away from their annoyed looking friend who was slowly approaching them with a menacing gleam in her eyes.
"And just what do you guys think you were doing," Usagi asked in a deadly calm voice with crossed arms and one eye twitching.
"It was Rei's fault! She rushed in first," Minako quickly answered pointing an accusing finger at the fire senshi.
"What? I only rushed in to find out why Usagi was yelling," Rei defended with a pointed glare at Minako, "You're the one who wanted to stay and spy on them!"
"Hey, I never asked you guys to stay and spy with me," Minako argued back at her fuming friend.
"Enough," Usagi exclaimed before the fire senshi could push pass Makoto to wrap her hands around her friend's throat.
Muttering something about 'nosy friends,' Usagi took a calming breath before asking, "How'd you guys get in here anyway?"
Seeing they were momentarily off the hook, they happily explained that they had came to see how she was doing and had found Chibi-usa with Luna sitting on the porch with the front door open. Not missing a beat, the four girls proceeded to question their princess in teasing tones as they began to grill her for details on what had occurred. Not wanting to become a target of any of the four curious Inners questions or possible threats, Mamoru had quickly volunteered to help Chibi-usa to actually make hot chocolate for everyone this time. As the sound of their princess's laughter filled the room, everybody felt completely content knowing Usagi was reverting back to her old cheery self. Even the threat of the Black Moon Clan couldn't dampen their moods as it was the farthest thing from any of their minds. They settled for enjoying the happy moment with each other, glad to be among friends.
A/N: Isn't it wonderful to see our favorite couple have finally made up course that doesn't mean there won't be more hurdles for the two lovers. Soon it will be off to the future for them. And I feel the story isn't even close to its end yet. Let me know what you think. 'Til next time.