Chapter Fourteen
{Part 1}
Naresome- beginning of love
koikokoro- awakening of love
"Have you decided yet Usagi which school you will be going to?" Ami asked one day when she was looking through the brochures for potential schools.
"I say you should go to this one." A female hand reached out and pointed at one of the brochures. It had been the very artistic school that Usagi had visited that fateful day a month previously. Nothing much had happened since then, a few youma attacks, but nothing directly involved with the sisters. One of the senshi had asked what the deal was, and Usagi had replied that they were still hurt and in pain, once they healed, they would have to be top of their game as the sisters would no longer be taking any prisoners. The others had looked at her with a type of sadness Usagi hated to see.
At this time, Usagi looked up at who had spoken and she was entranced by a pair of blue eyes, they looked so similar to someone else's. Usagi didn't know, but at the same time she felt a shiver run through her while looking into those eyes. "Who are you?" Usagi asked calmly, none of the other girls seemed to be disturbed by this interference in their conversation, used to it by now, all directed towards Usagi. Or they were for the most part.
The woman smiled sweetly. "Why I'm Ite Calaver." She greeted. "I'm the Ite's cousin. I'm here to visit for a while."
"Oh, how long will that be for?" Makoto's sharp green eyes transferred to the woman, clearly disturbed by this new turn of events, for Makoto had broken down her barrier with Neph and were now dating, and knowing that he hadn't said anything about his cousin coming to visit.
"It's open ended." Calaver's eyes transferred back down to Usagi and she smiled again. "So, I was wondering if maybe you would like to show me around?"
"Your cousins can't do that?" Rei's purple eyes also sliced right through the woman, also not being informed by Jade that there would be someone else here from their family. "Do they even know you are here?"
The woman laughed. "Oh, of course not! I came to surprise them, and I came here, but I saw the five of you, knowing that they've spoken so much about you, that I figured it out. I was just wondering, since you all seem so busy with them, that I'd get her to show me around. Get a female perspective and all that. Besides, why should she be the only one out of the Ite clan when you're all paired off so nicely."
"Because she doesn't swing that way?" Minako asked lightly, with a blond brow raised in curiosity.
"Oh, no, neither do I." Calaver recovered quickly. "I meant only as a sisterly gesture, you all have such different relationships, don't you?" Her response was directed completely at Minako who still would refuse to talk to Kunz and every time she saw him, she huffed or stormed away. He seemed to know her though, and one time they had gotten into an argument when he forced her to talk to him.
However Minako and Motoki seemed to be getting closer. Usagi's thoughts touched briefly on that, Motoki had a girlfriend that he seemed to be with less and less than Usagi had even realized before hand, before at least, she'd heard of 'dates' they had gone on. Now, those words weren't even ghosted upon. Minako and Motoki flirted, as if there was a tie, drawing Motoki and almost every guy in a five foot radius towards her.
She got all the attention and lustful looks, and Usagi was glad for another girl with her coloring to turn the curious attention off of her so much to the vibrant girl near her. Though, Usagi still got them whenever she was alone, but it wasn't so bad.
Here especially, she was one of the majority, most having blond hair and blue eyes and if it was another color other than dark, they too were left alone. The dark haired and dark eyed people were the odd balls here.
That's probably partly why Mamoru stood out so much here. Except Mamoru wasn't here right now, and Usagi wished desperately he was, he seemed to have a sense on these things, knowing when some girl meant her no harm, and another who was just there and others who were to be closer to her. Usagi's judgment however wasn't bad at all either, except she'd been known to trust too easily, think good of too many, and right now, her senses felt a little faded, but she'd have to take this woman's word at face value, as Usagi had nothing to base anything negative off of it.
The other girls were glaring at her, no doubt waiting for the Ite brother's confirmation before allowing anything to pass. Rei especially was bristling beneath the surface and Usagi rested a hand on hers and gave her a look. Rei relaxed back into her seat, but she didn't stop her glaring. Rei thought something was wrong, Usagi discovered, not just by 'oh she's a girl' but there was something very wrong in Rei's mind. Usagi turned her head to look at the woman, her dark chestnut hair spilled over her shoulder, and her blue eyes tried to seem light and friendly, and were, when directed towards Usagi.
Usagi bit her lip, nothing was wrong, this girl wasn't glaring at her as if she did something wrong, no she was looking at her more as if Usagi held all the secrets to the universe in her very being. Usagi almost felt a loving gaze come from those eyes. "Please, come sit with us." Usagi made a move to make room, but as she was trying to slide her chair towards Makoto, Makoto seemed oblivious to her intentions. So Usagi tried to move towards Ami but Makoto held a hand on Usagi's chair, keeping it firmly in place.
Usagi's head turned towards the tall amazon and glared. Ami slid her chair towards Usagi, and Minako followed suit. While Rei slid hers towards Makoto. Leaving enough room for Calaver to sit between Minako and Rei.
Calaver, didn't seem to notice or be bothered by it at all. She instead leaned across the table, and everyone stiffened, but she gave them all a relaxed smile. They settled back down into their seats and Calaver's eyes glittered as she looked at Usagi.
"I'm sorry, but I just assumed who each of you were, I might have it all wrong. You're Usagi, aren't you?"
Her questions all seemed directed only towards Usagi, even the ones about her friends, and Usagi answered them all. If anyone had asked Calaver a question, she would direct the answer to Usagi, but answering whoever spoke.
"Is it any bother if you show me around?" Calaver asked once again, when their meals were finishing up and Usagi was getting itchy to play some video games.
Usagi looked at her a moment before glancing briefly at her senshi, all their eyes told her one thing, and the answer was a big fat NO. Usagi smiled regretfully at Calaver, and softened the blow. "I've still got some schools I need to look at, I've been knocking them off every day, but it still never seems to end."
"Oh, I could go with you!" Calaver's eyes lit up, and just then a hand dropped down onto Usagi's shoulder, pushing her gently back down into her seat through surprise.
"That's something that I do."
Usagi careened her head up to look at Mamoru, but he didn't look down at her, his face was set and was looking at Calaver alone. The gaze wasn't angry though, and Usagi sighed, he didn't feel anything either, he was just curious who this new girl was.
Calaver smiled sweetly at Mamoru, and Usagi saw for the first time, her looking away from Usagi since she'd sat down. "That's ok then, I was just thinking that if my time here lasts longer, I would need to find a good high school to go to for year two."
Usagi opened her mouth to say she was more than welcomed, when Mamoru's hand tightened fractionally, warning her. Usagi again glanced up at Mamoru, and there was a slight frown around his lips. Usagi nodded and he glanced down at her and smiled. "How are you doing Usa-chan?"
"I'm doing very well." Usagi answered with a blossoming smile. Over the last few weeks she and Mamoru had started to do things other than just hang out at the crown, study or go look at schools together. He'd invited her to go see a play with him, and it had been very enjoyable. However it could not constitute as a date, as there were five other people with them. He'd said it was a 'work' thing, but Usagi had recognized them as politicians, and had even seen Rei in the audience.
"Will you come sit with me for awhile?" He asked, his dark blue eyes warming Usagi's very being. She stood up instantly.
She shook her head to clear it. "Of course." She agreed and together they walked over to a different booth.
Minako watched them go. Makoto and Ami, and Rei did as well, Calaver had excused herself to go talk to the bar, and get something to drink.
Makoto sighed. "It's so kawaii, this Naresome."
Minako's eyes flashed to her fellow senshi, and smirked, she wasn't the goddess of love for nothing, except none of them really knew the extent of her powers, or what she really was. None of them fully grasped what Rei was either, except maybe Usagi and Rei herself. But her eyes slid back to the couple, the smirk still firmly in place. "No Makoto-chan, definitely not. No, it's not Naresome at all, rather, it's koikokoro."
The other girls' eyes swung to Minako for an explanation, but this was something Minako knew and would not share. It had to come at its own pace, and if the others knew, it would blow up in Usagi's face and she would always be questioning herself. So Minako only shrugged.
She could sense a movement behind her and Rei stiffened, so Calaver was coming back over to their table, was she? Minako thought for sure the other girl would leave as soon as Usagi disappeared, but she was playing her part well if she really wasn't Ites' cousin. Not to spark any skepticism in Usagi's friends. Minako couldn't know for sure, nor could she even suspect truly, because they hadn't even tried to contact Usagi beyond the school tour and even that, they didn't come for Usagi, but for another reason all together, just happening to ensnare Usagi in it along the way.
They probably decided Usagi wasn't the rabbit they were looking for anyways. They had let her walk out with Mamoru without even making a move. But deep down in Minako's warrior self and as leader of the senshi, she knew that the enemy was just biding their time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike, when they were ready.
They were probably also trying to get details of Usagi's life in order to help them decide if she would be protected by the very senshi that they had demanded the Rabbit from. Wondering if they had figured it out as well. Though Minako knew that the senshi were safe where they were and would not be pinpointed as the people they fought as their disguises were complete, and personalities differed slightly and the group of them were such good friends, with other joining in and leaving and if the girls really were senshi, they would not allow anyone near the rabbit and would be hiding her in a secret base somewhere.
Definitely not allowing Usagi out into public like this. Minako hated allowing Usagi out of her sight, but nothing had happened, and she knew Usagi would call if something did. But even if she did want to hide Usagi deep underground, she couldn't. This way at least, the enemy didn't know that the senshi knew that Usagi was the 'rabbit' and didn't suspect any of her friends for being senshi. But they couldn't be too risky, as the senshi could be watching from around the corner.
Minako's eyes trailed Calaver's movements, but she really did seem as friendly as she had been when Usagi was around. Minako would only relax when the Ite brothers confirmed their relation with her.
Minako knew that their arrival was destined to be soon and so she pushed from the table and walked over to the game council that was nearest to the window. She saw just down the street, something not very common in Japan but slowly getting there. Very much more common in England where she had been the last few years, but still, it was looked down upon. There was a girl with dark hair whose arms were wrapped around a very blond man whom Minako recognized instantly, only one person she knew had hair that light in color and her own eyes narrowed. He just could never keep it in his pants, could he? He'd made the same mistake twice now. There was no way Minako would ever forgive him. She had started to melt towards his insistent apologies and if he wasn't trying to get back in her good side, he argued with the way she was handling and allowing them to interact with the other senshi and most of all, their leader.
Minako had denied him access. It would have been easier for the one, but would have given the game away to all, and the enemy must not know. At all costs, the enemy must not figure it out.
Minako didn't know this enemy, she thought she would have to be dealing with the one from the past again, and was completely thrown off by the arrival of the sisters and the arrival of the males as good guys, in fact, just humans. Minako had to be on top of her game and couldn't rely solely on her knowledge of the fragmented past. Had to protect her senshi with all of her being and try to figure out the pieces that were missing from then and learn what she had missed from now.
Beryl must be dead.
That was something Minako relied on heavily. Beryl alive would have been a disaster and in no way would she have allowed the generals freedom. Queen Selenity had taken care of that threat, and for that Minako thanked her high leader for eternity. Now it was only a matter of finding and awakening the princess, but Minako would not push it, it had to come on her own terms, and Minako had a huge hunch that it all swung delicately on the way these two interacted with each other.
Minako's eyes moved away from the cheating Kunz and moved to the pair just now awakening the feelings that they've kept buried. Minako knew instantly when she met the two of them that they both knew they were in love with one another, but this time, they were starting to finally admit it and really show it to the other. Minako encouraged it with everything she got, taking the other senshi away slowly whenever he was around, it didn't matter what they had been doing before, Mamoru took priority in Usagi's life right now.
Kamen just got in the way of Usagi's feelings. That's why Minako pushed Kamen away, Kamen only messed with Usagi's heart and swayed her off her path to Mamoru's arms. Minako wasn't sure what Kamen was, but she felt that even if he loved the Moon senshi, he was still going to be bad news. Minako didn't trust Kamen, yes he saved Moon, but it didn't inspire trust in Minako's eyes. Moon wasn't supposed to be a senshi, and so that threw everything off. Kamen could very well be working for the enemy. Ami trusted him, and Minako thought maybe the others did too, if Moon hadn't ordered them not to make Kamen's presence a big deal. But now Venus was the leader, and she was going to be changing things, going to be changing things a lot, Usagi would just have to deal with it in the mean time.
The girls were still loyal to Usagi above all else though, and Minako had to think that one through, it would be tricky, but with Artemis' help, they could pull it off.
But Minako wouldn't push the issue unless it became a problem.
Eventually Kunz tore himself away from the woman he was with on the street. He smiled at Minako as if nothing had just transpired and ten his eyes scanned the room. He waved to Mamoru and Usagi and Minako knew he wanted to go to them, but he respected Minako's wishes. He and Mamoru got along the best but the others had gotten close to Mamoru as well, but they did not know, so it was a true, casual friendship.
Kunz's eyes were probably looking for his brothers but they lightened up when he saw the girls at the table and he moved quickly to them. Mamoru stiffened as Kunz passed and watched him go. Kunz went right up to the newcomer and swung her chair around and hugged hr. "Calaver! What a wonderful surprise! I didn't think you would come!"
Calaver's eyes took a different expression for only a moment before she was hugging Kunz back with an "Oh, cousin!"
She teased him about keeping such truth behind his emotions from her and how she had to see these girls for herself.
Minako still wasn't convinced. She'd known Kunz for a few years now, (and while he was often elusive before her memories resurfaced and they'd gone their separate ways because that's how Minako had wanted it), he had never mentioned a cousin named Calaver.
Kunz sought Minako out. "She's lived her and I don't see her very often. My brothers have had more time with her as she lived closer to where we are from. In England, it was about us."
Minako snorted, he didn't know she had just seen him kissing another girl, did he? Minako's eyes slid back to Usagi and Mamoru and her frantic eyes sought out the rest of the arcade. The doors slid open and Minako saw Mamoru leading her quickly out. That was one thing the Prince was always good for, getting Usagi out of dangerous areas.
Calaver pouted as she realized Usagi was gone too. "I was hoping she would have changed her mind- Kunzi- will you talk to Usagi-chan for me?"
"Of course." Kunz only shrugged off Minako's incredulous look, except her fears were allieviated when the other brothers came in and greeted Calaver in a similar fashion.
Usagi tugged on her hand and Mamoru stopped. They had been both bowing their heads towards each other, having a conversation when Mamoru had straightened in surprise and had looked at Kunz as if he was an enemy. It surprised Usagi because he and Kunz had gotten to be such good friends.
So Mmaoru suddenly dragging her out of the arcade needed an explanation. "What's going on Mamoru-chan?"
"I just wanted to get you out of there." Mamoru responded and Usagi gave him a look. He moved closer to her, taking her shoulders in his hands and leaning down. "I wanted to bring you here." He turned her around and she gasped. It was a winter wonderland. Everything had been transformed for the up-coming festival. There were blocks of ice shaved down to the most magical creations, dragons, dancers, lovers, amazing nature scenes. Usgai had to catch her breath and she turned to Mamoru. He was enjoying them as well and with the evening light, it cast colors onto the creations which then reflected the shards of light into a fracture of even more.
"Thank you." Usagi whispered, he had brought her at the most perfect time. Mamoru wrapped an arm around her waist and held her close.
He nuzzled into her hair by her ear for a moment before responding. "You, are welcome." The nerves in Usagi were going haywire and she couldn't concentrate, he was so close, she had always reacted this way with him. Something though about this inability to concentrate sparked a recognition in Usagi and a not so pleasant memory soaked back into Usagi. The day at the school, someone was trying to convince her that she belonged to the dark prince and this wasn't her world.
She should tell the other girls, they had been after her that day, she just hadn't remembered it. That thought scared her, but here, in Mamoru's arm, she felt safe. In fact, they'd only laugh at her, so she decided she'd wait before telling them until she needed to.
She relaxed, she was just being paranoid She returned Mamoru's gesture with one of her own and her arm went around his trim waist. He pulled her closer in a move clearly not misrepresented. She knew exactly what that meant. She looked up at him and his head ducked down towards hers. They locked gazes and slowly they went towards each other. There would be no going back after this.
There was a scream and both their heads turned towards it. An ice youma was crashing everything to the ground.
Birdie stood net to it as she always did, turning other ice sculptures to life, They all came to life and made more destruction. Mamoru's arm became a steel band around Usagi and tried to pull her out of the danger area. The other people were getting caught in ice blocks or being crushed and Usagi couldn't move, she wanted to fight, but Mamoru would know.
Would know and hate her, more than that, would be disappointed. Her decision was taken from her as a blast was aimed just at them. Usagi tensed, waiting for the impact and knowing it would probably kill her. It never came, Mamoru was blasted away from her and a table got knocked over, hiding him from her view. She ran towards him but an ice wall formed in front of her.
She turned and saw Birdie's delighted eyes on her. "I told you, you belonged only to the dark prince."
Usagi's eyes widened at that and she turned and ran. Maybe she could get away, maybe she could call for help. Maybe- oh Mamoru! She should be helping him, but she couldn't as Usagi, it wasn't possible, the only chance any of them had was if she ran-
"Rabbit." The word stopped her movements, it was echoed around in her head. She turned her head and faced Birdie. "Why do you run?" Birdie asked as Usagi tried to escape. At least far enough to change without interruption. As Usagi, she was weak, she could do nothing. Anything Birdie did to her could potentially kill her instantly.
She needed to help Mamoru, and so Usagi swiveled on her toe and ran in another direction. She just needed to call the senshi- that would be a good start. As she ran a few steps, Koan was instantly in front of her, and she tsked. "Not this way."
Usagi tried another direction, but Birdi was there as well, only a foot away and strolled that last distance to her. "My dear Rabbit, don't you see? You're one of us."
"No way!" Usagi argued. She just needed to... her eyes felt heavy and she had forgotten what Birdie could do to her with her senshi defenses. Usagi slowly sank towards her knees, but the impact never came, Koan's sharp clawed hand clasped onto her shoulder, keeping her on her feet. "I will never be one-"
"Can't you see our similarities, oh Rabbit? Your name is an animal, both of ours are too, rabbit, cat, bird. You belong with us. You are our last sister, why must you fight it? Just join us now."
Usagi's breathing wast coming faster, even as she wanted to fall towards sleep. She, not Moon was surrounded. What they were saying- it couldn't be true. But if she wasn't supposed to be Moon, then was she completely misplaced? Was she not to be Moon, but rather one of the enemy? Minako hadn't trusted her at first, until she had proved worthy. Usagi was getting dizzy on top of just being sleepy.
Moon's thoughts swirled around in a circle, who was she?
Kamen's rose embedded itself in Koan's shoulder moments before he was beating Birdie back with his cane. "Run Usagi!" He yelled and Usagi didn't waste the moment.
Though her running was slanted and she kept wanting to tip over, she still managed to run. Her movements were clumsy as the sleep was still in her system. She still managed to find an alley and call for help. Then she moved from her spot as Moon, pushing the sleep away as much as she could, she needed to help her savior. When she got there, Koan and Birdie were standing next to each other, ready to attack.
Moon shot her tiara at them, pushing aside their words as just that, words, even if she wasn't supposed to be Moon, she wouldn't change her mistake for the world. Nothing they could offer her would change that, not even her supposing to be with the dark prince. Why wouldn't she and him be together naturally? Not her being abducted and brought to him against her will? She doubted most things about herself, but one things she knew, was that she wasn't bad, she could change who she was supposed to be and she'd never join them.
The tiara took Koan by surprise and slammed into her stomach. Koan hissed at Moon, ready to strike back, even clutching her stomach in pain.
The other senshi dropped down next to Moon and Koan's attack still shot out. However Birdie's attack was her chain, wrapping around Kamen and sending him flying not much unlike Mamoru. Moon watched in fear, but he rightened and landed in a crouch, racing back to hteir side. Koan's attack meanwhile missed Moon and went straight at Venus. Birdie after whipping her chain with Kamen, she straightened it like a sword and shot out twoards Venus.
None of the senshi were expecting it, and only Moon and Venus were able to act fast enough.
Moon pulled out her Moon Scepter and instinctively blocked Koan's attack, reflecting it back towards the cat-woman. Koan disappeared before it could reach her. Moon's tiara returned to her.
Venus used her won chain against Birdie's and the two of them entangled to become a tug of war, each trying to out pull the other. Mars, seeing no immediate danger, sent a ball of fire towards the iced chain. It melted but Venus dropped hers as well as the metal heated up and almost burned her hands.
Mars conjured her flame arrow and was readying it against Birdie, when she too disappeared. The fire returned to Mars and Moon turned to thank Kamen, but he was gone.
She watched as Mamoru 'drowsily' came up from behind his table that was knocked over before he jerked and started running around, turning things over, looking. Moon heard him call for Usagi an she started. She wanted to, as Moon, reassure him that Usagi got away, she'd seen the girl running as she came, but instead, the bigger part took over. She wanted to reassure him as Usagi. So Moon slipped back into the alley as the other senshi tried to calm him and Usagi slid behind an overturned bench a ways away. She stumbled to her feet and came running towards Mamoru.
"Mamoru-chan, it's all right, I'm right here!" Usagi came up right next to him and stopped. The other girls disappeared by slipping away.
Mamoru held her face between his hands and searched her. "Are you all right?" He asked urgently.
"Yes, yes, of course, but are you?"
He ignroed her question and crushed her against him, but his tone was reproving. "Why did you stay? Why didn't you run far away from here? Those women, they were after you, weren't they?"
"No." Usagi dentied. "There's no way to know for sure."
"But I heard them!" Mamoru insisted.
"You heard wrong." Usagi shook her head. "They're not after me, but someone they think I am." Usagi put her hands on his. "Are you all right? That looked like a nasty blast."
"I'm going to protect you from now on." He told her. "Don't worry about me. It didn't hurt. If this ever happens again, you run, run far and fast, don't look back or worry about my safety. I'll come around, but you-"
"Oh quit it!" Usagi yelled. "We'll run together!"
"No, I'll know you're safe if you run yourself. Kamen can protect you better then."
"He won't be around every time!"
Usagi was fearful for Mamoru, he would surely get hurt protecting her, Usagi. So she would listen to him, so she could escape, call for help and transform to save him.
So, Usagi nodded and Mamoru crushed her to him again. "I'll never let anythng happen to you." Usagi returned the promise but without words. Mamoru's lips found Usagi's forehead, then fluttered over her face, but never her lips.
The girls came running over to them before anyone else really started to stir. "Usagi! Are you all right? Look at this mess!"
Usagi wasn't sure which girl spoke what, but she did know for sure that Minako tugged on her hand and said clearly: "We should probably leave, we don't want to get caught up in this mess. Besides, we need to talk."
Usagi wrapped her hand around Mamoru's and lead him away from this once beautiful display. It had been a very sweet idea and it was at the time. Their moments though, kept being interrupted.
When Usagi shivered, Mamoru stopped them short. "We have to return to the arcade girls, and then I promised Usagi dinner. You will have to catch up on these events later." The girls reluctantly agreed after Minako nodded.
When they all left, Usagi turned to Mamoru. "What was that all about?" She asked.
"It's getting cold and we've forgotten our jackets at the arcade. Come on, it's one of the coldest days of the year. I'm surprised your just noticing."
She wasn't. She had been cold the entire time, she wasn't built for the cold, but this year was worse than any she'd seen. She wore a heavy coat in the fall. She'd taken her coat off while inside because the Crown was always warm, except in the summers, where it was blissfully cool, not cold. Mamoru had pulled her out so unexpectedly, that she was only in her fluffy sweater and long sleeved shirt under it. But when she'd been in his arms, she was warmer and so she soaked it up as he wrapped his arm around her again.
When they got back to the Crown, the Ite brothers were still there with Calaver. They waved at Usagi and Mamoru and the two waved back. "The girls left suddenly, did you see them?"
Usagi shook her head and Mamoru answered. "No, we'd left awhile ago, just now realizing that we'd forgotten our coats."
Jade smiled at Usagi, glad that she and Mamoru were getting closer and Usagi returned his smile. He knew her struggle, he'd had something similar with Rei. The other two didn't care either way. Zoi and Neph, they liked both Usagi and Mamoru but it was a friendship. Usagi didn't doubt all of them would soon be so close that they were all more like family. Kunz had a mixture of looks on his face, relief, proud and a little cautious as if wondering it might be a bad idea down the road. Calaver had smiled at Usagi when she had come back in but she was glaring daggers at Mamoru with his arm around Usagi. Mamoru's arm became more possessive at her gaze and he turned his head to whisper in Usagi's ear about getting their coats and getting out of there.
Chapter Fourteen
{Part 2}
Calaver had proven herself mostly trustworthy, she hadn't done anything that would spark any concern in any of the senshi, and she wasn't a senshi. But Minako was still weary and Rei was as well. If Mamoru was ever around, he would sit down between Calaver and Usagi, as Calaver always managed to sit next to Usagi. The brothers who had been almost inseparable in the first place, now had their newest member. The senshi still went on dates with them, and all were boyfriend-girlfriend, save Minako and Kunz. Even Neph and Makoto were close. However, the two blonds were avoiding each other and Usagi was often left alone at the arcade from her usual crowd.
Though, Usagi had to admit, it was a benefit to her, because she got to spend more time with the friends she hadn't had as much time with recently. Naru, Yumi and Umino. However, often during these visits, Calaver, who had also been ditched joined them. Motoki as well, he joined them and prodded along stories of what happened during the day and entertained them all with stories. It was like it once had been, before the entire mess with senshi had started, but this time, there was one more member to their group. As soon as Luna and Ami had come along, their whole dynamics had changed, mainly because Ami and Luna were both so focused on senshi business.
These days were a time to relax and breath and remember that there still was a life out there that had nothing to do with fighting.
There were other days, where the whole gang was together, including the other four, five if Mamoru was around. These days were fun and reminded Usagi that she would never be happy without her girls either, they had become such a great part of her life, a great part of who she was, and she'd be lost without her closest friends.
It was one of these days, a few weeks after Calaver had joined their group that Neph lifted his head from his close conversation with Makoto to look at her and frown. "Where are you from again?"
Apparently Makoto and Neph had been discussing cities they once lived in and Calaver smiled back at him. "Silly Neph, you know, I lived in the city right next door." She mentioned a city and Neph nodded his head and went back into the conversation with Makoto.
The other three Ite brothers had looked at Calaver with a similar frown while they had waited for her response, but then they too went back to what they were discussing. The girls though, they had eyed Calaver with a new suspicion, but after a while, they ignored the question and went back to what they were doing.
Mamoru had been there as well, but he didn't look bothered by the exchange, he was just rubbing Usagi's neck in distraction as he read his text book. Apparently he had a test in a couple of days and he was studying now. Usagi didn't think much of it either, and had only glanced at Calaver in curiosity before she returned to her conversation with Naru and Yumi. Umino had a project he needed to stay back for.
Calaver though was watching what Mamoru's hand was doing with distaste. She then shook herself out of it and joined Usagi's conversation.
A few days later, Calaver and Usagi were the only ones in the Crown, save Motoki, who was busy at the bar serving people. Jade had taken Rei out on a date, and conveniently all the other brothers had asked the other girls. Minako had refused Kunz and was doing her best to avoid him by going on a shopping excursion, but Kunz had asked Usagi where Minako had gone. Usagi couldn't help but get involved, she had helped in some fashion all the other girls' relationships, that she just needed to nudge Minako a little. Though, Motoki and Minako's relationship confused her, and where was Reika? The woman had been even more out of the picture recently.
---
But Usagi had been playing some video games when Calaver came in, looking around for somebody, but her eyes landed on Usagi and brightened. She practically skipped over to Usagi, Motoki watched all of this from his position behind the counter. Even without several of the girls and Mamoru's warning to watch out for Usagi, (especially with Calaver, and to call one of them if Usagi would ever leave alone with her), Motoki would still be looking out for his 'little sister' all on his own. He did anyways, each of the newcomers into Usagi's life, had been met with strict scrutiny.
The fact that each new friend to Usagi's life meant less time he'd see of her, just added to the weight that every new friend needed to be worthy of Usagi's time. Though, despite all the newcomers to Usagi's life, she still managed to make an effort to spend time with him and ask how his day is going, no matter what she was doing when she walked into the arcade, or who she was with.
He didn't miss how Mamoru couldn't keep his hands to himself anymore. Nothing had transpired between them yet, they hadn't had the discussion or even admitted their interest to anyone, but Mamoru always found a way to touch Usagi. It had been a slow development, but his worry over Usagi's safety had forced his hand and made him re-evaluate his own thoughts and feelings towards the girl. More than that though, Motoki thought, Mamoru had realized his feelings towards Usagi the day that Usagi had iced him. The following day had taken Motoki completely by surprise.
He wasn't alone in it, but Usagi had been splayed over Mamoru and the two hadn't argued, instead, Mamoru almost kissed Usagi, but at the last moment just kissed her cheek. Motoki had a serious discussion with Mamoru about teasing the poor girl, but Mamoru had only winked at Motoki in response. Mamoru, had winked.
Nothing more had happened, just a friendly banter had taken place of the heated arguments from earlier. Motoki was sometimes shocked by the words coming out of their mouth with the innuendos firmly intact as well.
Motoki was no fool, he'd known that Mamoru and Usagi were meant for each other, he'd seen it the first day they had come to blows. He'd never known Mamoru to raise his voice and argue with anyone, let alone get mad. Usagi while loud, never yelled at anyone either, much less insulted them. Together, they had betrayed both their personalities and Motoki knew there was only one reason for that to happen, and to force the other's eyes open enough to ensure that the other's eyes were caught solely on them and they'd recognize that it was the other they were meant for.
With Usagi's friends seeming to stream in after their beginning, Motoki had a few hit on him, something that Usagi had never done. Well, she'd done, when she was twelve, but he'd known, she'd told him, that she was just practicing her flirting. There had been a boy in school she'd thought was cute. They'd gone for a couple of 'non-dates' that her mother was fully aware of and encouraged and even helped deceive her father, but that hadn't really gone anywhere. Motoki knew Usagi kept her dating life in absolute privacy, none of the boys she'd dated were ever brought out into public where anyone could see them and it get back to her father.
But with Mamoru, it had been different, they weren't even 'non-dating' and this touching thing, in public, and at the place Usagi most frequented, was an interesting development.
Motoki was used to girls, Usagi's friends too, falling for him. Makoto had, but Motoki was firmly in love with Reika. Even the innocent flirting he had with Minako amounted to nothing when it came to the redhead. It was innocent flirting too, Minako was just trying to irritate Kunz, because they'd had a falling out long ago, and now Minako was getting her revenge. Reika wasn't around because she'd gone on a study abroad to Africa and would be gone for most of the year. She'd be back for the big break, Usagi had asked after Reika and Motoki had responded that she was doing well. He didn't know much himself, the communication with Africa was very limited.
It was for these reasons, that Motoki was surprised that the newest member to the group, was not interested in either Motoki or Mamoru. For Rei had liked Mamoru too for awhile. Minako hadn't liked him either, but her attentions had been turned to Motoki for a moment before learning he had a girlfriend, and she seemed to know that Motoki deeply loved the missing girl with just one word from him.
The blond girl was almost a lover psychic, because she'd shared that Mamoru and Usagi were meant for each other the first time he'd met her too. This new girl, she seemed interested only in Usagi. Motoki wondered if the girl had some further interest in Usagi beyond just friendship, she was pushy in the sense that she always wanted to get Usagi alone. Motoki did not like Calaver. She was always asking questions about Usagi, like where did she live, where did she go to school, who were all of her friends, what were her interests. It was a digging into Usagi's life that Motoki had never seen before. Mamoru was one thing, but he didn't even do it, preferring to get his information from the source.
Calaver had walked over to Usagi now, and was talking to the blond girl. Calaver's dark hair was naturally curly, it seemed like, as it was freshly out of the shower and bounced with every step she took. Motoki had always seen it straight or maybe partially wavy.
She'd shaken her head and let the dark hair create a curtain between her and Usagi and Motoki's gaze. They were talking and Usagi eventually slid away from her seat. She looked around a moment, almost fearing someone else would jump out at her, and she was biting her lip, trying to make a decision. Eventually she nodded to whatever Calaver was asking after.
The two of them were heading towards the door-
Motoki set the glasses he was holding down on the counter in front of him, and slipped under the bar to slide right in front of the two, they weren't allowed to leave! Motoki could only assure Usagi's safety and would then ensure his own life by making sure the others wouldn't kill him for letting her leave. But now that he was here, he had to make up some sort of excuse.
"Er- Usa-chan, you were supposed to help me out today on figuring out which games we were supposed to reset the high scores. We wouldn't want to delete any of yours, would we?"
"Oh no, Toki-onii-chan!" Usagi's eyes lit up with worry. "I'd worked so hard to get those scores, sometimes I don't even know how I got there!"
Calaver scoffed. "We'll be back in time, you'll get your time with her then."
Usagi's eyes darted towards the other girl, and Motoki was hit by instant dislike. He hadn't made a decision before, but now he knew for sure, this girl was bad news and Usagi should not spend any time with her. "I was hoping you'd stay." Motoki stated lamely, his words wouldn't have any influence over what Usagi decided to do and Usagi looked at him then, he made it so his eyes were pleading, he was worried about her spending time alone with the girl in the streets.
Usagi bit her lip again, going around in her head between the two answers that were staring her in the face, neither were perfect, tell the new friend, she didn't want to spend time with her just to help Motoki out, or to laugh at Motoki's worry and the other friends' request she stay away from Calaver.
Usagi sighed and her shoulders sank, her decision was the least likely to hurt one person's feelings, knowing Motoki would forgive her in a little while, the new girl was an unknown result, and this could be very important to their friendship. Motoki's dislike towards the girl grew, causing Usagi's normally cheery outlook to turn hazy in fear of hurting someone's feelings and not giving Usagi any outs, but being insistent in her way.
"If you're just going to talk, you can stay here, I'll make sure nobody bothers you."
"I wanted to show Usagi something." Calaver insisted. "She and I needed to talk."
Kunz walked through the sliding doors behind them and he dropped a hand on his cousin's shoulder. "Something wrong?"
"You weren't supposed to be here." Calaver's eyes shot up to the very blond man.
He only shrugged. "I got bored at the shopping center. Minako said go away, again."
"Do you want to talk about it?" Usagi looked up at Kunz with adoration in her eyes, and Motoki frowned at that, Usagi had somehow over the last few weeks, grown to respect Kunz in a way he hadn't seen transform. Kunz was a good guy though, but Usagi was also looking at him calculating at times, as if he had done some stupid things in the past. It was a conflicting feeling in Usagi, something that Motoki wasn't sure he understood, and could only wait for Usagi to confide in him.
She seemed to be confiding in him less and less over the last several months, ever since she had gotten that black cat. This entire year seemed cloaked in secrecy.
"How about I go with you two to whatever you wanted to show Usagi, um... Ca-?"
"Calaver." Calaver said tightly and her lips compressed into a tight frown. "We could just stay here, do you mind being second fiddle? I needed to discuss something important with Usagi as well. I can show her what I wanted to at another time."
Kunz nodded and together the two men waited for the two girls to take their seats. When they reluctantly moved to a table, the blue plastic covering made a squeak as they slid down. They adjusted and looked to the two men watching them, before Motoki and Kunz started and returned to the counter. Motoki had work to do, and now Kunz was here, he could keep an eye on Usagi as well.
Kunz had liked his cousin, but Motoki had seen Minako mention something to him, and Kunz reluctantly agreed to watch out for his 'love's' best friend. How Usagi managed to get best friends out of people instantly, Motoki would never know, it took him ages to break through Mamoru's shell.
Motoki returned his attention back to what he was doing before he'd almost had a heart-attack.
---
Usagi wanted to go with Calaver, but she also, really didn't. She was almost afraid of the dark haired girl. Something about her, didn't settle right with Usagi, something put Usagi at the edge of her seat.
But Usagi gave her a chance, and nothing had happened yet, so Usagi pushed her fears aside, she wasn't going to change how she felt about people now, she gave everyone a chance, and trusted almost everyone too. So here she sat with Calaver, wanting to know what was on the girl's mind. "What was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Calaver smiled at Usagi and Usagi felt misplaced all of a sudden, not tired, not drowsy or dizzy even, just that her body wasn't attached to her mind anymore. That she could feel her body sitting in the squeaky booth but that she was also suddenly back in time, back with other people. She could see someone, she was tall, and so blond that her hair was almost white, it very well could have been white, but never gray. She was saying something to Usagi, but Usagi couldn't hear her or place her. Usagi reached forward and Calaver wrapped her hand around Usagi's.
Usagi gasped as suddenly the image disappeared, and her hand was warm, the woozy feeling remained and she was suddenly remembering things she didn't think she did. Her running down the street towards a smaller Rei. Rei hissing at her that she couldn't come along, she wasn't meant to be there. Calaver being there to help her up when she tripped and scrapped her knee.
Usagi shook her head and tried to clear it. It was hazy, as if someone else was working through Calaver to plant those images. But... that was crazy thinking, and she with-drew her hand, who could be working through a human, to get to her?
Usagi pushed the thoughts aside and looked at Calaver and set herself, she'd get answers this time, not just a casual chat. "What was it you wanted to talk about?"
"I've seen the way you and Mamoru are together."
"Oh?" Usagi raised an eyebrow, this isn't what she was expecting.
"I don't like it. The two of you aren't right for each other." Calaver just jumped right into it, without sugar-coating it. "He's just using you."
Usagi shot to her feet. "I'm sorry, but you have no idea what you're talking about. There isn't anything going on between me and him, and even if there was, there's so much behind it, that you wouldn't be able to understand in the short amount of time you've been here."
"I can see that he doesn't look at you the way a man should whose interested, and I don't want you to get hurt by letting yourself lead thoughts like that towards him. He has no real interest in anything other than your body."
Usagi laughed. "That's the last thing he'd be interested in. You're just jealous, aren't you?"
Calaver surprised Usagi by laughing almost hysterically, and shaking her head. "Please, Mamoru-san is the last guy that I'd be interested in. He's definitely not my type." The girl's blue eyes showed the honesty in that statement and Usagi's eyes lowered in a pained moment, wondering if Mamoru's slight caresses really were for no other reasons than just friendship.
"Excuse me." Usagi dashed to the door and down the street. Calaver made to follow her, glad to get the girl outside these walls, but the stupid blond haired, blue eyed boy with the stupid white apron stood in her way again and she turned with a huff, pushing him aside, but already, Usagi was gone. She'd lost her chance with Usagi.
Usagi raced down the street, she didn't know where she was going, but when she found herself outside Mamoru's door, she knew exactly what she had to do. She pounded on the wood between her and her prey, knowing he was there, studying.
It opened quickly and Mamoru pulled her in, with a quick look around the hall for anything that could possibly be wrong, but finding nothing, shut the door on the empty hall. "What's wrong, Usa-chan?" He asked, looked down at her, her own mostly blue but green hints looked up at him with wonder. "What is it?"
"Do you like me?" She finally asked.
"Yeah."
That was all that was said between them before Usagi let herself back out with the biggest smile aligned on her features.