Chapter 14: The Way They Take
Author: Cloud9WithSugar
Summary: They went through everything together, but he decides he wants no more. His new life deserves a better companion, so he leaves the only person that's ever cared about him. Years later, he sees her again and that heart starts beating. MamoruxUsagi - Still working on story - will end it (description updated on 1/5/14)
Author's Notes: A few things:
I'm back! Yay, with another chapter! However, I'm warning you guys now – this is basically a rough draft that I'm posting. I just know that if I keep delaying publishing this chapter to proof read and fix, it'll take me another month –
actually probably more. I'm hoping that once it's out there, I'll hate any errors I've made and possibly swap out the chapter with an edited one. (Key word – HOPE).
C.R. Carlyle - Got it! Make Mamoru suffer, that stupid baka! ^_^
mryann - I hope you like this chapter!
jessielee14 - I think I have at least 10 more chapters for this story! (Depending on how much I can write for each). And don't tempt me with a new story! I've had one in mind for YEARS but never published it because I really want to finish this one first. I can't wait to start it though!
Princesakarlita411 - Maybe, maybe not. Do you think they should?
bluestriker666 - HERE'S MORE! ^_^
Maggie - I'm sorry, this doesn't have much Usagi / Mamoru but it does have some!
Guest - Woah! Those are very strong feelings you have for Usagi! Would you mind explaining them a bit further? It's great to hear different opinions! ^_^
Guest - I hope you see that I've updated again!
Guest - I think that they were both wrong in that interaction. Unfortunately, when we feel hurt, we lash out and Usagi definitely lashed out. Hope you like this chapter!
Guest - No, but she pointed out that Usagi obviously has an insecurity. ^_^
Guest - I guess in this life, nobody is clean! ^_^
Guest - I don't think this was it when you said "Soon enough" for another chapter, but better late than never? Right? ...right? LOL
DixonLover87 - Thank you! I hope you like the new chapter.
Guest - Hope you like the new chapter!
The Rising Phoenix - I'm glad you liked the previous chapter! Mina and Usagi did have a rough chapter - we'll see how that turns out in the future! I'm glad you like the twins! That means a lot! ^_^
buttaflykissesxoxo - Aww, thank you! I hope this one helps you get through another day of work!
Veraozao - Thank you! Here's the next chapter!
dori-tori - Here's more, more, more! ^_^
Guest - Yay, thank you! This chapter is definitely not the final one, but we're inching towards the finish line!
nelsonallie93 - What would have to change for you to want them to end up back together? I am very curious - hope you like this chapter!
foxchick1 - Hope you like this chapter!
Currently Broken
Previously on Currently Broken…..
They hadn't had the chance to discuss it more as the kids had interrupted them. Usagi still hadn't told her friend that the late night visitor was Mamoru. She was afraid to speak of it and now with her fight with Minako, she felt even worse than before.
You really need to get it together Usagi She thought painfully. You're in this alone. You have friends but it's just you. So just get it together.
"Hey, what's up? I saw your missed call."
"Did you listen to my message?"
"No, I didn't. You know I hate voice mail messages. Why do you keep leaving me voice messages?" Usagi rolled her eyes.
"Stop being so annoying Seiya. Why can't you be an adult and just listen to your voice mail?"
"Wait, wait, wait. Let me get this straight – you, Usagi Tsukino, are telling me to be an adult? You? Are you serious?"
"Whatever, jerk. I called to ask for a favor but just forget about it then." Usagi pulled the phone away from her ear and hit 'End Call.'
Her phone screen lit up with a new call a few moments later. Usagi glared at Seiya's name on her phone. She put the phone on the nightstand by her bed and walked into her private bathroom.
She came out after a few minutes and checked her phone. She had a few missed calls from Seiya, as well as text messages. She sighed and opened them.
Seiya 11:34 PM "Did you seriously just hang up? Can you pick up my call?"
Seiya 11:35 PM "Did you really get mad? Call me back."
She bit her lip and typed a message back to him.
Usagi 11:47 PM "Whatever. It's fine. Don't worry about it."
Seiya 11:47 PM "It's obviously not fine. Can we talk about this?"
Usagi 11:48 PM "I'm obviously a child and make wrong decisions. Forget about it."
Seiya 11:48 PM "Did you seriously get mad at my joke? I thought we were joking around."
Seiya 11:48 PM "What happened? What did I step into here?"
Seiya 11:49 PM "Look I listened to your message, I can watch the twins no problem. Can you just call me back?"
Usagi shook her head.
Usagi 11:50 PM "Don't worry about it. I'm gonna call the baby sitting service. I said it's fine. Good night."
Seiya 11.51 PM "And I said that it's obviously not fine. I'd appreciate it if you didn't take your anger out on me."
Usagi bit her lip, her shoulders sagging in guilt. He was right, she was taking it out on him because she trusted him. Trusted him to come back and not abandon her. She started typing a message but quickly stopped herself. She closed out her messaging application and dialed his number instead. He picked up after a few rings.
"What's going on Usagi?" She could hear the concern in his voice and it only made her feel worse. Seiya had never done anything to hurt her, had never mistreated her, or lied to her. But here she was, taking her frustrations out on him.
"Usagi?" He prompted when she didn't reply. She walked over to the end of her bed and slowly sank into the mattress.
"It's just that a lot happened."
"Okay. So then tell me just one thing that happened."
Usagi closed her eyes. "Mamoru knows that he's the father."
She heard Seiya inhale sharply. "Wow."
"And he's already pushing me to tell the boys that he's the dad. And once that happens, the next step will be custody arrangements. I'm not ready for that."
"Usagi, this is happening. We can't change that. But there are steps we can take. We just have to prepare. But how did he find out?"
"It's complicated. I don't really know – but, I just...Seiya, someone sent Mamoru a letter with false DNA results."
"What are you talking about?"
"Well, I didn't want to lie to him anymore so I went to his office to tell him the truth. Before I could tell him the truth, he told me that he got the DNA results and that he was sorry for bothering me. Someone sent him DNA results that looked like they were from a lab. Or, I don't know, they were from a real lab I guess. The results indicated that he wasn't the father. But it wasn't me Seiya. I don't even how I would do something like that. I'm so confused. Seiya, who could do something like that?"
Usagi didn't wait for him to answer before she continued.
"And then he said something about his previous boss, that man Isao Kagawa, how he was in the way and protecting me. He won't tell me more, I mean I should probably ask him but I just get so mad every time we talk that we end up arguing."
Usagi waited for Seiya to say something. She checked the phone screen to make sure that they were still on a call when the silence stretched.
"Seiya? Um, you there?" She heard him clear his throat.
"I think I should come over."
"Okay, come a little earlier tomorr-"
"No, Usagi. Now. We need to speak."
Usagi tucked a loose strand of golden hair behind her ear.
"Is it that bad?"
She heard him sigh. "I'm on my way."
Diamond turned his head when he saw a few tenants that he knew exit the apartment complex. He had parked his car carefully, making sure to remain inconspicuous. He had purposefully taken a car that blended into the environment, as he wished to remain hidden. He specifically picked the late hour to avoid the evening rush. The couple that left the building entered a car and drove off moments later, leaving him alone on the wide street once more.
He glanced up at the building, straining to see into one of the apartments on the upper floors. The light was on, but the window was covered by blinds, blocking his view. Still, he kept watching all the windows connected to the apartment for any kind of movement. Shadows occasionally flickered past the window that he knew to be the living room, but he couldn't tell who they belonged to. He struggled in the car, his hands gripping the wheel in an attempt at self control. She was so close, he could feel her presence in the apartment building. It would only take minutes to reach her, to end his rage and pain. It took all of his self control to remain seated, to remain away from her. He knew that confronting her again wouldn't help him; it would only push her further away. Angry. He felt angry at her rejection. He would do anything for her. He would kill for her. Only Usagi mattered to him now. Only Usagi made sense to him.
She was on his mind constantly, never leaving him even for one moment. He lived his long days with her running through his dark thoughts and dreamt of her every cursed night. When his dreams ended and he woke up, her wide blue eyes would materialize in his mind and his thoughts would remain consumed by her face, her eyes, her smile, her scent, her touch, and her captivating presence.
She wasn't answering any of his calls or his texts. He wasn't surprised; he didn't really expect her to. Diamond knew how proud Usagi was, he was no stranger to her past. The abrupt and humiliating end to her marriage, coupled with the problems between her and her parents only fed her stubbornness and pride. He knew her well, she was meant for him. They fit perfectly together. Usagi was the sun and he was the dark moon. She thrived on happiness and love, and he gave her the stability she lacked and the protection that was missing from her life. No one had ever protected his love, but he would. She had to see that.
But he couldn't, wouldn't allow Mamoru's presence in her life. Not now, not ever.
The boys didn't need Mamoru. They had Diamond. Usagi and Diamond could convince them that he was the father. No one would know.
Diamond leaned into his seat and rested his eyes. As much as he wanted to approach her, to convince her, he needed to take care of Sapphire first.
His sat up, startled, at the knock on his window. He froze as he recognized the figure, struggling to keep his face from showing his anger. The man outside the car indicated for him to lower the window with a swift gesture of his hand. Diamond sat up straight and pressed the button for the window control.
"Kagawa." He acknowledged the well dressed figure standing by his car. From his peripheral, he saw about a dozen well dressed men forming a loose circle around Kagawa, trying their best to appear casual. As if it was normal for a man to be surrounded by others in tailored suits in the middle of a dark street.
"It's a beautiful night, Diamond. Wouldn't you agree?" Kagawa's voice sounded friendly, as if he were talking to an acquaintance.
Wary of the man in front of him, Diamond nodded slowly. Kagawa smiled widely at his response and leaned in closer to the window.
"Is this your car?" Diamond's eyes briefly widened in surprise at the unexpected question, before he quickly relaxed his muscles and slipped on a mask of indifference. Kagawa's smile never faltered when Diamond simply chose to nod curtly, again not speaking.
"Then you wouldn't mind giving an old man a ride, do you? Frankly, it's late and I don't know where I would find a Taxi." Kagawa stated. Diamond sat still, not daring to glance at the men surrounding Kagawa. They both knew that he was lying, but they both also knew that Diamond wouldn't dare question Kagawa. It was almost comical, Kagawa asking him for a ride when he had dozens of men and cars ready to drive him anywhere. But Diamond was in no laughing mood.
He couldn't think of a way out of this predicament. He bowed his head respectfully, indicating that he would give Kagawa what he wanted, at least tonight. Kagawa took a few steps backwards and glanced at the back passenger door pointedly. His intention was clear. He wasn't about to ride shotgun in Diamond's car, he would make the silver haired man his chauffeur for this 'favor.'
Diamond slowly opened his car and stepped out, never breaking eye contact with Kagawa. He opened the passenger door and held it as Kagawa entered the car swiftly. After closing the door, Diamond turned to see all of Kagawa's men now looking at him, with various intense expressions on their faces. The message was clear and Diamond heard it.
"Do you wanna tell me where you were last night?" Jedeite asked his father. He didn't expect to receive an informative answer from the old man sitting across from him, but he wanted to ask all the same.
"Out." Jedeite snorted.
"Yes, father. I gathered as much."
"So why ask?"
"I wanted to know what you were doing 'out'."
"Why does it matter?"
"Because you asked me to have dinner and a drink but didn't show up for either." Kagawa laughed.
"Yes, I guess I did."
Kagawa looked up when his office door slammed open. Jedeite sat up and leaned forward, ready to spring into action. He glanced at the doorway and frowned at the man standing there.
Seiya strode in, his face tired and angry.
"A DNA test? You orchestrated a fake DNA test? I told you that we shouldn't drag this out. I warned you not to go this far!" He snarled, slamming both of his hands on Kagawa's desk. Kagawa waived his worried assistant away when her face appeared in the doorway.
He gestured to Jedeite to close the door as Seiya started pacing in his office in short, agitated steps.
"What are you talking about?" Seiya stopped his pacing and faced Kagawa. He pointed at him.
"Why did you take it this far? What the hell did you think this would do? How is this being careful? You said you'd be careful!" Jedeite watched him cautiously.
"Seiya, sit. We don't know what you're talking about - tell us what happened." Seiya chuckled darkly.
"He knows. I guess this is another thing he didn't tell you." Kagawa shook his head at Jedeite, answering the silent question directed at him.
He raised his hand and addressed his nephew. "Seiya, I swear to you-" he paused when he heard Seiya snort, "-I swear on Usagi's life-"
"Her life is not yours to swear on!" A furious Seiya went around Kagawa's desk and was about to reach for him when a he was dragged away by Jedeite. "Don't you fucking say her name!" Seiya shouted furiously.
"Seiya, keep it down! What the hell is going on? Dad?" Jedeite pushed Seiya away from the desk and looked at the older man for help.
"I'm sorry Seiya, it came out wrong. What happened?" Kagawa tried again, his tone calm and devoid of emotion.
"The DNA test, Uncle! The fake one you had drawn up and sent to Mamoru!" Kagawa stood up slowly.
"Seiya, listen to me. Whatever you're talking about, it wasn't me."
"You're lying! Stop lying! Just tell me why you did it!" Jedeite stepped in front of Seiya and held up his hands.
"Look, I have no idea what's going on here but I'm not surprised that you're angry at him, I mean he is my dad, I know him – he pisses people off. It's a talent." He paused. "But if what you are accusing him of was true, he wouldn't deny it. He would just refuse to give you a straight answer. You know him, Seiya." He ended, giving his cousin a grave look.
Seiya turned and rubbed his face, willing himself to calm down.
"Then, who?" He looked at Kagawa, who was on his feet with his phone ready in his hand.
He nodded at Seiya and waved his phone. "Who, indeed?"
The diner was quiet and Malachite hated it. He had picked this particular diner because it was always busy, bustling with people and without a moment of peace. He looked around to see why it was practically empty today but he couldn't tell. There were no incidents in the neighborhood or the diner. No murders, thefts, or deaths. A few minutes after being seated, an older woman approached his table by the window. As far as he could tell, she was the only waitress working in the entire diner.
"Good morning, my name is Kazue and I'll be serving you this morning. Do you know what you'll be having?" She took a pad and a pen out of her apron and stared expectantly at him.
Malachite put the menu down. "I'll start with coffee. I'm waiting for a friend, we'll order together." She nodded and left.
He sighed and took out his phone to call Minako, his thoughts lingering on her. He didn't like how withdrawn she had been all night. Something was bothering her but she wouldn't tell him no matter how many times he had asked her.
The phone rang a few times before she picked up.
"Hello?" Minako answered, her voice quiet.
"Hey, are you feeling better?"
He heard Minako exhale loudly. "I'm fine, Malachite." The irritation was clear in her voice.
"You've been acting weird since you came back from Usagi's. What's going on? Did she say something to you?"
"No, Usagi didn't say anything to me. I don't feel well, that's all." Malachite was about to reply when the seat across from his was dragged back loudly and Zoisite sat down.
"Ok, fine. We'll talk when I get back. I have to hang up now." He placed his cell on the table and turned to Zoisite, who was already reading through the menu.
"You know, I don't know why I look through the menu, I always get the same thing." He spoke at the menu, not acknowledging Malachite. "The food here is amazing, though I have no idea why you wanted to meet here, especially today." He finally looked up Malachite and gave him a funny look.
Malachite stared at him. "Today? What's wrong with meeting here today?" Zoisite raised his eyebrows and nodded at the window.
"You don't see?" He questioned Malachite. Malachite looked out the window and observed the parking lot. He glimpsed a few cars, people walking, and other shops but nothing out of the ordinary.
Zoisite chuckled at his blank stare. "Man, you sure you were ever Josta? You don't recognize your brothers?" He asked. Malachite sat up straight.
"What are you talking about?"
"Ahhhh, Takashi Malachite, you didn't think that I'd let you work for bossy boss man before I found out every detail about you, did you? And that-" he pointed at a large red SUV parked at the entrance of the diner parking lot,"-conveniently parked car belongs to Josta and serves as a warning to everyone to stay away." Malachite kept his eyes on Zoisite, refusing to glance back out the window.
Zoisite waved his hand in front of Malachite. "Hello? Are you there?" They were interrupted by the same waitress who approached the table and acknowledged the two men with a quick nod of her head.
"Welcome, what can I get you today?" She took out the same pad and pen as she addressed Zoisite. Zoisite frowned and lightly touched the woman's arm, making her jump.
"Kazue, you don't remember your favorite customer?" He joked lightly, but the frown never left his face. Kazue looked at him carefully, her face lighting up in recognition.
"Oh, I'm sorry, honey. It's just been quite a morning." She threw a nervous glance out the window before looking back at him. Zoisite nodded and leaned in closer.
"Why are you here today, Kazue? Why didn't you close?" He questioned her quietly, careful not to be heard by anyone other than Malachite. Kazue turned around quickly to make sure no one was coming their way before she leaned closer to Zoisite.
"We weren't allowed to close. I didn't want the girls to stay so I sent them home. But we still needed someone to serve." Zoisite nodded.
"Don't worry, Kazue. Nothing's gonna happen to you, I'm here today, got it?" She gave him a small smile in appreciation.
"The usual for you, honey? Chocolate chip pancakes with strawberries and blueberries?"
"Yes, and my friend is having..."
"...the same." Malachite confirmed. Kazue smiled at them and made her way to the kitchen.
Malachite cleared his throat. "Listen, if there's gonna be trouble here, I can't stay." Zoisite rolled his eyes.
"Don't worry, Mal-Mal, I'll protect you." He glanced up in surprise when he felt Malachite's hand close around his wrist on the table.
"I'm not worried about protection. I can't get involved – I don't wanna be dragged into this." He hissed at Zoisite, fury burning in his eyes. Zoisite shook his hand off.
"I stand by my earlier question. You sure you were ever a Josta? Because a Josta...", he leaned across the table and stared coolly at Malachite, "...would have recognized the car that serves as a warning. A Josta would've known the target, just by taking a look at the car. A Josta would also fucking know that absolutely nothing will happen before 3 PM." Zoiste leaned back, watching the man in front of him.
After a few moments Malachite spoke, his eyes trained at the table.
"It used to be two motorcycles, facing away from each other."
Zoisite considered Malachite for a moment, then exhaled loudly to ease the tension in his shoulders.
"So? Why did you wanna meet?" He asked.
"The contractor..."
"...is bad news, yeah we know." Zoisite stated.
"You know? So why haven't you stopped working with them?" Malachite asked.
"Because I don't know who we're dealing with yet."
"What's there to know? They're bad news so stop working with them."
"We have to know how bad this will be for us, you know? Like, how large is the pile of shit we stepped on? How far will we have to go to remove this stain? How dirty will-"
Malachite held up his hand. "-I got it."
"Ahhh, the food's here." Zoisite pushed the menus on the table aside to make room for Kazue to place the plates.
Malachite watched in fascination as Zoisite dug into his food, shoving bite after bite quickly into his mouth.
"You ever breathe while eating?" He asked the man in front of him, a bit unsettled by his attention to the food. Zoisite shrugged and wiped his mouth with a napkin.
"I like food."
"Clearly." He chuckled softly. "You actually remind me of a friend of my wife's. You eat almost as fast as she does." Zoisite cracked a smile.
"You remind me a lot of Mamoru. You'd get along well."
"I doubt it."
"Why?" Zoisite asked.
"He doesn't seem to like me."
Zoisite laughed. "Don't worry, it's not personal. He doesn't like anyone."
Malachite smiled and started cutting up his pancakes. The two men ate in silence, listening to the occasional sounds coming from the few people scattered in the diner. Malachite was able to get a refill of his coffee before he realized that Zoisite was watching him.
"What?" He asked.
"Do you know who the contractor is?"
"One of the Murtang brothers – Diamond." Malachite watched as Zoisite's face began to darken in anger.
"I take it that you know him?" He asked, softly.
Zoisite shook his head. "No, not Diamond. Sapphire."
"Ah. You work for him?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Does to me."
"Why?" Zoisite asked. "What could you possibly do with the information?"
"Determine if I can trust you or not."
"Do you make all your decisions based on gang related facts?" Zoisite asked.
"You're dodging the question."
"Yes, I worked for Sapphire. I haven't for a while."
Malachite was concentrating on what he'd heard, his brows knit together.
"But you're still involved?"
"How do you figure?
"You know about the Josta warning, you know about the contractor, you know about my history." Malachite explained.
"None of those things mean that I'm involved. It just proves that I'm good at my job – which is to accumulate a vast database of information for my boss."
"Seems a bit excessive, especially for a man like Chiba Mamoru."
"Why do you say that?"
"He doesn't seem worth it."
"You don't know him, Malachite. I can't say that you'll ever get to know Mamoru, but if you do, you'll understand my position a little better."
Malachite was about to reply when Zoisite raised his hand.
"I think that's enough for today. Why don't you go if you're done with your food?"
Malachite blinked. "You're staying?" Zoisite nodded.
"I'm here today, just to keep an eye on things." Malachite stood up and reached into his pocket for money.
"Oh, no, please-" Zoisite started, mirth creeping back into his tone, "-this one's on Mamoru."
Usagi stared at the mirror, willing herself to calm down. You can do this. You can call him. You can be calm, mature, intelligent, beautiful- She smacked her forehead. Idiot. What the hell does being beautiful have to do with his? She shook out her arms and legs and closed her eyes.
"Easy. So easy. Just dial and speak – calmly." She coached herself.
Opening her eyes, she reached for her cell phone on her dresser and looked for Mamoru's number. She rolled her eyes when she couldn't find him under 'M', having forgotten that she had previously saved him under the name 'Idiot.'
"Way to be mature and adult, Usagi." She muttered quietly. She hastily renamed him Mamoru and pressed dial.
The phone rang until it reached his voice mail but she hung up without leaving a message. Ignoring the feeling of disappointment, she opened the messaging app to send him a message. Before she could hit send, her screen lit up, indicating that he was calling her back. Usagi inhaled and exhaled loudly and accepted the call.
"Hello?"
"I missed your call. What's going on?" Mamoru's deep voice greeted her. Usagi looked at the mirror again, willing herself to behave in a calm manner.
"Yeah, I was calling to ask if you wanted to have dinner with us today."
"This is a surprise. I started to think that I'd have to force my way into every interaction with the twins." Usagi's eyes narrowed at his reply.
"Well, Mamoru-", BAKA she finished in her mind, "...would you like to join us?" She forced through her lips, while clenching and unclenching her unoccupied fist.
She heard Mamoru chuckle.
"Sure, since you want me there so badly. What time should I come over?"
"We're having dinner at Uncle Tony's Pizza, I had promised the boys. Let's meet there around 6."
"I'll drive us there then." Usagi shook her head.
"No, let's just meet there. Don't complicate it." She heard Mamoru sigh.
"Give me one good reason why I can't just pick you up." He challenged her.
She bit her lip.
"Because, because..."
"...Because, because?" He repeated. She cursed him internally.
"Because, you don't have car seats, ha!" She yelled in triumph.
"That's it?"
"What do you mean 'that's it?' Car seats are very important, Mamoru."
"Yes, and very easy to obtain. I'll have them ready and installed by the time I leave to pick you up."
"But..wait, Mamoru..."
"I'll see you at 5:30, Usagi. Hope you're better at time management these days." Usagi's mouth fell open, her eyes wide with shock.
She looked at her phone in disbelief.
"What the hell just happened?"
OMG I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I'M ACTUALLY DONE WITH ANOTHER CHAPTER.
Josta – the name of the gang Malachite was in.
-Cloud9WithSugar