A/N: I wanted to give you a heads up that the style of this chapter will differ vastly from the ones prior because we are now in the present.

I wanted to thank everyone who has been reviewing this story. I know I've written this before but, I can't tell you how much your comments me to me. It makes me feel so glad to hear your thoughts and reactions. I hope you enjoy this next chapter.

The day Usagi lost consciousness timeline

-starts school 8:30am

-finishes detention at 6pm

-leaves Naru at 6:45pm

-Sailormoon arrives on site 7pm

-Fight finishes at 11pm

*Personally when I read about the battles, they last hours, not minutes. They have strong enemies and it's not gonna take 10 minutes to battle it out. At minimum I'd say an 1 hour, at most I'd say four days (like with a couple generals and several youma). I always thought it took at least a day when they fought a general. There's NO WAY a battle lasts 15 minutes. *

-passes out around 12pm

-get to the hospital at 1pm

-police arrive at 2:30pm

-girls questioned 3:00pm

Key for Symbols:

"~ , , ,~'": Text under or above this symbol indicates a change in POV

= = ". * ." = = : Text under or above this symbol indicates that the story is current (in the present) if it is used within a paragraph already established as current it means a change in day (going forward in time)

",~~," : Text under or above this mark indicates past (start of flashback, end of flashback)

Italics - used for character thought or emphasis (as in slightly drawn out word).

Bold - indicates a heavy emphasis (like a stern and deep voice).

As One

Chapter 7

Caged Tension

",~~,"

= = ". * ." = =

"~ , , ,~'"

In the residential area of Juban, near the cross section of Taiyō street and Chikyū avenue, there was a row of the town's largest pagoda trees. With deep roots that grew into strong wide trunks and thick branches that sprouted up robust flourishing tops, their abundance of leaves were like voluminous hair, hiding everything under its strands.

Across the street, a maple tree sought to shield her owner's window. Her tiny twig fingers stretched helplessly. Long tips that grazed the balcony railing, but not long enough to block the view of her mistress to the outside world.

At two o'clock in the morning the remnants of the street lamps' glow crept through Tsukino Usagi's undrapped window. Her hair, in all its golden glory, drank in its phosphorescence and cultivated a soft halo.

"~ , , ,~'"

Chiba Mamoru. He was there, she swear he was. She'd seen him so clearly. So where'd he go? As soon as her eyes had focused, a swarm of nurses came in, obstructing her view. They were buzzing about with words like "miracle," "God," and "faith." Usagi had sat up, and like a pendulum, swung side to side, attempting to look between nurses. He wasn't there. But he had been...hadn't he?

Usagi stared up at the ceiling wondering if she'd, perhaps, hallucinated the whole thing. Her bottom lip whitened as she bit down; the skin pulled taut behind her teeth. But why would I imagine Mamoru? It's not like we're friends... Still... She pondered. He looked a mess: disheveled appearance, glistening eyes... like he was crying. Was he? Her gold bangs arose in response to her heavy exhalation. Mamoru crying... over me? She shook her head gently. No way. He hates me. The teen sighed. That coma must've really messed me up. She laughed internally. Mamoru crying- yeah right. Exhaling, she rolled onto her side.

Twenty-seven days, that was how many days she'd lost. Twenty-seven. Eight moon phases. An entire orbit of earth. She'd also lost six hours prior to losing consciousness. The last thing she could remember was Naru's fingers wrapping around Nephrite's crystal pendant. However the words they'd shared- were gone.

Shifting in bed, she lifted her head and tried to readjust her position. She huffed, not finding herself comfortable. Her hair resembled a golden waterfall as she lifted her head once again, but this time she punched the pillow, as if it would somehow make a difference. It didn't. So, she rolled onto her opposite side.

Blinking several times, her eyes focused on the two bundled figures on the ground. They reminded her of fat caterpillars, the blanket stitching like its abdomen. She could almost imagine them slinking around. Next to the door, a head stuck out of the blanket like a fuzzy flaxen thorax.

Usagi recalled her father's words after she'd been released home.

"He's been sleeping in your room since the accident," he'd said.

Now that she was back, she assumed Shingo would go back to his room. Instead, he moved from her bed to the floor. She didn't ask him about it. The two had never had deep conversations; words were never their strong suit. But when it came down to it she knew: Shingo knew her just as she knew him.

Even more disturbing was Shingo's attitude towards Ami. The boy who had blushed and bashfully followed Ami devotedly, now shunned her. And Ami, well, she could never seem to look Shingo in the eye. It was the same for all the scouts. She had tried questioning them but they feigned ignorance. Additionally they were, for some reason, avoiding talk about the battle that led to her coma.

"~ , , ,~'"

At three in the morning, the sound of soft footfalls in the hallway went unheard, as Usagi had finally fallen asleep. Her door creaked open to reveal her mother peeping through. The woman's chocolate eyes roamed the room. They found her son first, his dark blonde hair nearest to the door, then to the tuft of blue hair below the bed her eldest slept on.

Things were certainly different since her daughter came home. Her husband had slapped a set curfew, multiple rules, and priority phone calls on her. It was something Ikuko whole-heartedly agreed with. In fact, it could even be stated that she was much stricter on Usagi than her husband.

She worried about her daughter morning, noon, and night. It was like every fiber of her body was soaked and drenched with fear; fear that her daughter would be attacked, fear that her daughter would be taken. Not only was her fear concentrated on all the potential ways she 'could' lose her daughter, her mind had begun insisting that she was already losing her. She didn't understand it. Why did she feel like her daughter was already slipping away?

Along with her confusing emotions, her daughter started behaving strangely as well. Like the other morning...

",~~,"

She heard the door slam shut. Tsukino Ikuko's heart shot out of her chest; she ran out of the room, down the stairs, to the front door. When she opened it, she caught sight Makoto's ponytail as the girl raced down the street and disappeared around the corner. Her thoughts raced through in a panic. No! Did Usagi leave with her?

The beautiful dark haired woman was about to scream and sprint after them when she heard something in the kitchen. Quickly, she turned and rushed toward the noise.. She found her daughter staring out the kitchen's sliding doors; her delicate hands splayed on the glass. Ikuko let out a loud sigh of relief. Her child was okay.

"Sweetheart, you're up early." -She made her way to the cupboard- "Where'd Makoto-chan hurry off to so early? Did you want something to drink?" She took out two cups despite her daughter's non response. "Shingo wake up?"

Opening up the refrigerator she took out a pitcher. As she poured the water into the first cup she waited patiently for her daughter to reply. She was met with silence. The woman put down the container and cleared her throat. A feeling of unease settled around her.

"Usagi-chan?" she called. However, her child continued to stare out the window. She wondered what it was that had captured her attention.

"Sweetheart," he mother said a little louder. She noticed Usagi shift slightly and turn her head. She stared back at her mother strangely, her brows were furrowed. Ikuko noticed her daughter's gaze quickly sweep over her, then tilt her head, as if unsure.

"Wh-" whatever it was she was going to say was lost when the blonde blinked. Usagi looked around the kitchen.

"Are you alright dear?"

"Huh?"

"I was just asking you about Makoto and Shingo, but you didn't say anything."

"Oh...really? Sorry. I'm uh...I uh…" she laughed nervously and rubbed the back of her neck. "I guess I was dazing off, sorry."

The sound of Usagi's voice helped to ease the discomfort Ikuko had felt a few seconds ago.

"I was wondering why you were up so early and where Mako-chan went."

"Oh, right. Makoto," Usagi paused, forehead wrinkled, eyes locked on to a spot on the floor in concentration.

"Did Shingo wake up with you guys?"

"Mako-chan's alarm went off…I think..." Usagi's voice faded off. Her mother could tell her daughter had suddenly gone into an inner dialogue. Ikuko put her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Are you okay Usagi-chan? I'm-" she stopped abruptly decided to rearrange her words, "I don't need to be worried...do I?"

"Of course not Mama. It's just been hard to remember sometimes. But the doctor said stuff like this might happen. It's only been a week. I'm okay Mama," she consoled. She leaned forward and pecked her mom on the cheek.

"I'm gonna go back sleep."

Ikuko's eyes followed her daughter as she trudge up the stairs. Something was wrong, she could feel it. Something was wrong with her daughter.

"~ , , ,~'"

As a result, she found herself constantly checking on her daughter. She was extremely grateful to Usagi's friends. They'd insisted on having someone sleep over every day. Each of them wanted to know she was okay, just as she did. It made her feel a little better knowing that Usagi had so many looking out for her. Ikuko smiled at the sleeping teens and shut the door quietly.

= = ". * ." = =

The following day Naru visited. Her pretty ginger haired bobbed like a buoy on the ocean. She skipped in with a smile- until she caught sight of Rei. The corners of her mouth pulled taut quickly, her eyes darkened, her body stiffened.

"Naru-chan!" Usagi piped happily. The raven haired teen, who'd been sitting on the floor, picked herself up hurriedly.

"I'm gonna go and get something to drink."

"Get me a juice." But Rei had already left the room too quickly to hear her request. Her pigtails bounced as she shouted, "REI, JUICE! I WANNA JUICE!"

The blonde noticed how Naru's eyes had narrowed when Rei spoke. It reminded her of Luna when they'd first come across Tuxedo Kamen. Their eyes slanted and their posture rigid. Usa witnessed the ginger visibly relax after the priestess left the room. Naru plopped down on the ground. She folded her legs and smiled.

"How ya feelin'?"

"Hmmmm…." -Usagi brought her pointed finger to her chin and tapped dramatically- "what's the word….I'm feeling..." -she quickly whipped her head- "suspicious!" Her best friend looked taken aback.

"Suspicious?"

"Something happened between you and the girls." Usagi's sapphire eyes concentrated on Naru dubiously, waiting for her to deny the statement. "And not just you and the girls, but Shingo-chan too." The red head simply tilted her head, waiting for the blonde to finish her story. After a few seconds of silence, she realized that Usa had nothing else to say.

"So...I don get it. What're you suspicious of?"

"Huh?"

"Wha?" Naru rolled her head a little, signaling her impatience.

"I mean, you're saying, like- like what I mean is, so...wait...did something actually happen?"

"Yea," she's said, with a tone that implied "like duh."

Her oldest friend rolled her eyes. Usagi stared back impatiently. The freckled skin Naru opened her mouth in shock, then quickly closed it. She crossed her arms and looked away.

"I am not apologizing and neither is Shingo," she stated sternly. "I have nothing to apologize for. I meant every word."

"Wai-wai-wai-wai-wait," Usagi said repeatedly, her hands windshield wipers attempting to block the rest of the words the red head might have let out. The teen closed her eyes, and let the conversation sink in. Several things were made clear.

1. Something happened.

2. The thing that happened also included her brother

3. The thing that happened included something that would make her (Usagi) want her brother and best friend to apologize for.

Her eyes fluttered open and centered on the petite teen still on the floor. For the first time, Usa analyzed Naru: eyebrows furrowed in a slant, lips pressed in a tight frown; her nose flared, and her cheeks reddened; her arms were crossed and her shoulders were drawn down.

"Why're you mad at them? Did they do something to you?"

"Me? Why-" -Naru stood up abruptly- "They didn't tell you did they!?" As if on queue, Rei returned, a can of juice and a bowl of fruit in hand.

"You didn't tell her?!" Naru yelled.

The delicately cut array of colors swished about in the basin, threatening to jump out of dish in anguish if the miko couldn't regain her balance quickly. The impromptu accusation had caused the raven haired teen to stumble back in surprise. Thankfully, her training kicked in and she steadied. Yet contrary to the priestess' graceful rebound, her expression was inelegant, her beautiful violet eyes turgid.

Usagi watched the interaction in complete bewilderment. She expected her fiery priestess to roar, instead the miko's gaze dropped to the floor. Why was Rei backing down?

"What's going on?"

"Them!"-Naru pointed accusingly at Rei- "They are the reason you were in a coma."

"Naru that's stupid, I was attacked b-"

"Where were you going?" Naru demanded.

"I was walking and a monster came out of nowh-"

"I asked where you were going at midnight. Where were you walking? Why didn't you have anyone with you?"

Usagi already knew the answer. There was a youma, she was fighting it. It wasn't as if those monsters were going to be considerate of curfew. No attacks past 10pm please.

"Nar-"

"You got into a fight."

Her azure eyes widened in surprise. Had Naru known this whole time?

"They left you Usagi. They got mad at you and left you by yourself. Alone. knowing there were monsters out there. Hell they've even been victims and still they- they made you so upset; to the point where you ended up alone in the middle of the night to be attacked."

The blonde suddenly turned to her other friend.

"Rei-chan, what's she talking about?"

"Usa…I, we" -her eyes darted quickly to the ginger and then back to her leader- "it's personal." Before Usagi could ask Naru to give them a minute, the red head shouted.

"No! Not this time. I'm sick and tired of you trying to push me out! I don't trust you, I will never trust you! I'm not going anywhere. If anyone is leaving, it's you!"

When did Naru get such a backbone? It was hard to fathom how her tiny friend could be so angry. The teen was similar in temperament to her own. That was why they were so close. They were both happy and excited people. They weren't hateful.

There was a sudden trill from the small devices adorning the girls' wrist. Usagi's glance over at the priestess, who excused herself solemnly. Once Rei had left the room, Usagi spoke.

"Naru, you shouldn't blame the girls for what happened. Monster attacks can't be controlled."

"I know that!" the red head snapped. Realizing Usagi's shocked expression, the girl quickly apologized. "I'm sorry, I'm just so," -she paused- "I'm gonna go, I'll be back later. I think I need to calm down. When Hino's around...I just, I don't like her." She leaned down and kissed Usagi's forehead giving her an apologetic goodbye and left.

Is it getting hot? There was that ache again. Since waking from the coma, she hadn't been attacked by any sharp pains in her body. But, as soon as Naru left, she began to feel them resurge. She uncrossed her legs and lay back on the bed attempting to cool her body temperature. The emotional scene had, likely, affected her physically and emotionally.

"~ , , ,~'"

Rei walked back into the room. The sound of her foot steps just reaching the laying girl's ears.

"There's a youma across town," the miko informed her leader. "Mercury and Jupiter just arrived."

"Go," Usagi responded, her eyes squeezed shut tightly.

"They'll be fine, I'm staying here with you." Rei quickly detected her friend's change in breathing. It's pressure coming out faster and heavier. "Usa...are you okay?" She rushed over to the bed. "Usagi-chan. Hey, are you okay? What's wrong?" She sat down next to her. "Usa?" A sense of dread began to seep into her body, pouring into her stomach and heating her feet. The blonde's eyes remained closed. Omigod, is she going back into a coma? her mind shouted in a panic. She was about to shake her leader when the girl's eyes fluttered open.

Her silver blue iris' peered up to the face hovering above her.

"What is wrong?" Usagi asked, her voice softer than usual.

"I thought I lost you again." Water gathered at her bottom lid, threatening to fall over. Her friend laughed in response, like the sound of a windchime, far different than her normal belly echoes.

"I think that is my line. It is you who is the adventurer, not I." The soft smile that graced the blonde's face slowly faded as her eyes took in the priestess' somber expression.

"Hestia, why is it that you cry?" Rei's brows furrowed quizzically.

"Who?"

"Whom was it? Please tell me it is not that prince again. You know, I hear the most unsavory things about him. I know you protest, but I do stand firm on this- I heard his very own guard call him immature and unruly. It may sound prejudiced, but I assure you it has nothing to do with being a Terran."

"Usagi-chan, what are you talking about?"

The girl on the bed blinked several times, her azure eyes clear.

"Sorry, I wasn't feeling well. I just needed to lie down."

Rei looked down worriedly at her best friend. Something was happening, and she wasn't sure what it was.

= = ". * ." = =

After a week her parents, begrudgingly, agreed to allow her to return to school. It was surprising she even had to argue with them about it in the first place. Her parents wanted to keep her in the house away from the monsters that continuously popped up. After some help from Shingo, who'd told his parents that Usagi would end up a loser on the street if she didn't graduate- which would then definitely result in danger, her parents relented. She appreciated his support, but slapped him upside his head.

",~~,"

"She's still an idiot! She's gonna end up as a bum on the street, she's got no skills."

"Hey!" Her hand pushed the back of his head. He turned around and looked back at her, his eyes wide in irritation.

"Wha? I agree with you. I'm sayin' you need to go to school."

"I mean I don't like, need it, need it. I'm not stupid." Usagi argued in her defense. "It's like, more about seeing my friends," -her eyes went to her parents sitting on the chair- "I can get on fine without school. Maybe just like, go to the arcade after school ends?" she suggested.

"You've got to be kidding me!" he spun back to his parents. "You're gonna let her hang out here and teach herself? She can'even finish a math worksheet. ONE! How's she gonna get a decent paying job if she can'even count!"

Usagi made to whack the back of his head again, but he dodged.

"You can't get out in this world without an education," he continued. "I mean- can you even tell me what the Pythagorean theorem is?"

"I'm not in algebra!" she shouted, crossing her arms indignantly.

"Exactly!" he threw up his hands in the air. "It's geometry." -he looked to their parents- "See what I mean?"

",~~,"

And that's how she came to be back in class. Haruna-sensei was happy to see her return. She'd nearly screamed when the blonde came in. The tall woman put her hand over her mouth to staunch the sob that wanted to escape in pure agonizing happiness. She'd known Usagi for so long, she'd been afraid that her student would never return. Her eyes gathered water and she cried, unable to stop the tears (which partly had to do with the pregnancy hormones). Haruna walked over to the blonde and wrapped her arms around the teen

"I'm so glad, so glad, you're here."

"Me too," Usagi whispered back.

"Well, I feel uncomfortable so I'm gonna go," Shingo stated bluntly gesturing toward the door with his thumb. "I'll come pick you up after class," he said exiting the room.

Usagi sighed heavily after he left. Her little brother was going overboard, he walked her all the way to class and stated he would pick her up there too...as if she were in kindergarten. He's as bad as mama and papa, she grumbled plopping down onto her seat.

The walk home after school was a discomforting one. The blonde walked among her little brother, her red haired best friend, and her blue haired best friend. A quartet of primary colored hair. It was extremely awkward. Shingo held his bag strap tightly with both hands. He didn't bother to greet Ami when she met up with them at the front of the school. But then again, neither had Naru.

= = ". * ." = =

"I really need you all to make up," Usagi sighed exasperated.

She looked at the five people in front of her: Rei, Ami, Makoto, and Naru. She had directed the other girls to meet after school. They needed to talk, all of them. The blonde had tried to drag her brother with them but the boy adamantly refused. "I'm your brother, I don't need to like them. Just like you don't need to like mine." She couldn't argue with the logic. She really didn't like Shingo's friend Mika. That girl was bad news.

The group sat silently. A dense fog of unease surrounded them. Usagi waited impatiently, her foot bouncing in irritation.

"Will someone say something?!" The blonde cried frustratingly.

"I don't need to say anything," Naru stated in agitation. "I told you Usa, they are the reason. Them," she pointed accusingly.

"Naru, I don't know how many times I need to say this, but it's not th-"

"It's true," Ami interrupted. Her voice was soft, almost inaudible. Almost. She spoke again, slightly louder. "It is our fault."

"Don't blame yourselves for what a -"

"It's not what she means Usagi-chan," Makoto replied, referring to Ami's confession.

"Then...what do you mean?"

It was quiet. Ami had her eyes on her fingers, Makoto stared at Usagi's bathroom door, and Rei was pulling at a string from her uniform. Although redhead wanted to speak, she knew, at that moment, she wasn't part of the conversation.

"We attacked you," the priestess finally spoke. Her voice cracked. Her tongue was dry; the saliva in her mouth had become thick and foamy.

"You what!?" The pretty blonde jumped up from her bed. She stared back in disbelief. Did she just hear them right? Did they just-

"Not-not physically," the short haired girl responded. "But...we did say things."

"Awful things," the brunette added guiltily.

"We were angry that you took so long and when you finally got there...we started saying mean things...and you...we didn't bother to listen to you...we told you to- get lost," Rei whispered regretfully.

"We- we didn't bother to listen-"

"And then you-" A guttural, primal noise emitted from Rei's throat. The sound so emotionally charged, it triggered the red head to move quickly toward the priestess. Naru wrapped her arms around Rei, softly cooing as the raven haired girl broke down. The other two had reacted similarly, the memory had snatched them, ripping them to pieces. How could they have treated their best friend so cruelly? Usagi stood and gathered Makoto and Ami in her arms.

"We don't deserve you," she heard one of her friends say.

"I'm so sorry," another cried.

"Please forgive me."

She listened to them weep softly assuring she still loved them.

= = ". * ." = =

The smell of fried potatoes and seasoned meat wafted through the air. It made the group on the far side of the establishment regret their decision to go on a diet. The dark blonde, who took their order, noticed the look of disappointment when they said they'd just have a salad. All the same, the gaggle of teens vowed to lose weight, and hopefully catch the eye of the male who sat routinely at the corner of the diner. Although, their decision to diet was completely unnecessary. The ladies hovered around their table and giggled as they watched the handsome man squint at a piece of paper. How dreamy, they squeaked, he's so hot. I'm in love, they sighed.

Mamoru had been staring down at the same paper for thirty minutes. His eyes stared at the first sentence trying to process the print. He couldn't concentrate and the harder he tried to focus, the more befuddled his brain became. Thirty minutes staring at the paper and he couldn't tell anyone what it was about. He let out a heavy breath and pinched the bridge of his nose.

Three weeks; twenty-four days to be exact. Twenty-four days since he'd last been with her. Well...twenty-four days since Mamoru Chiba had seen her. Tuxedo Kamen had a habit of checking in on the sleeping girl at night, he'd stand on the branches of the pagoda tree. Not in a perverted way, but to ensure she was home safely, alive, and away from danger.

Mamoru Chiba however, had not been given the same luxury. Rei had told him that Odango was finally going back to school, so he attempted to intercept her on her way there. But it was a failure, Shingo was with her each time, holding her attention. Sometimes Naru or Ami was with them as well. She wasn't ever alone. But he understood, they too had the need to ensure she was safe and guarded.

There was suddenly a great ruckus in the arcade. Mamoru's eyes shot open, his body quickly responding to the cries of the patrons by preparing to transform. But he promptly discovered there was no need, the alarming noise had been his best friend. The man had shouted and jumped over the counter, knocking over the condiments and other wares to the ground, some breaking in its introduction to the ground.

The ebony haired man stood, as if in a trance, and walked toward the front. She was there, there in Motoki's arms being swung through the air in the manager's great excitement. Her golden hair twirled around like streamers. She squeaked at the sudden impact and laughed loudly, her voice echoing throughout the arcade and diner. Her knees were bent and she had her arms wrapped around Motoki tightly, her eyes squeezed shut.

A great ache set in his chest as he watched them; a sorrow that he could not do the same, that she would not do the same, not with him. Recognizing that that laugh and that smile was reserved for the man currently wrapped her arms. After what seemed like hours, the arcade manager put her down, his mouth racing the moment her feet touched the floor.

"I'm so sorry! I wanted to visit you but your dad said he'd shoot me. I came by and he ran me off real quick. Your mom's really nice though. I can't believe he let you come out. The girls said that you had these crazy strict rules, not that I can blame them though. I'm so glad you're here! I was so worried about you. I really wanted to see you but then again I also wanted to stay alive. I'm so glad they let you out, How'd you convince them? Wh-"

"Woah, woah, woah," Usagi giggled, "slow down. I just woke up from a coma less than a month ago, I can't keep up with what you're saying, my brain's damaged."

"What! Kami Usagi-chan! You sustained brain damage? None of the girl-"

"They probably didn't know you were already brain damaged," a deep voice interrupted. The set of azure eyes slid over her male friend's shoulder to the other man standing a few feet away. His dark ebony hair slightly brushing against his long eyelashes and a sparkle to deep blue eyes. The man smirked, "Hello Odango."

Usagi stood frozen. Mamoru leaned against the counter and continued speaking.

"I think you slept in a little too long this time. Maybe you should set an alarm, although I'dve been surprised if it worked."

The group had a quick intake of air. Then there were high pitched shouting and berating from the three girls who stood behind the blonde.

"Chiba!" Motoki spun around quickly, "How dare yo-"

Usagi lightly touched Motoki's shoulder, prompting Motoki to seize his scolding. She took several steps forward and looked at the dark haired man. She looked up at him curiously, her eyes sweeping over his features.

"Odango Atama," he greeted. He waited for her to shout at him, to scream and stomp her feet. When she didn't do any of them, he felt a worry settle into his bones. What if she forgot him? What if she-

"Mamoru-baka," she greeted in return. In a great and utter bewilderment, Mamoru watched as Usagi broke into a large smile. He wasn't sure what was happening.

"~ , , ,~'"

When Usagi and the girls entered the arcade, she was elated to see Motoki ignore everything else and run towards her. Her heart soared when he took her into his arms and whirled her around. She'd dreamt of it for so long, and now, now she was actually experiencing it.

In the midst of all the excitement she hadn't noticed her nemesis make his way toward them. But she knew his voice, she knew it like the back of her hand. As she was making a joke about her coma he sliced in with one of his rude and mean comments.

"They probably didn't know you were already brain damaged," he'd said.

Since she'd woken up, everyone had been handling her with such care. Things were so different, everyone so wary of their words. Rei hadn't even called her Meatball Head, not once. The phrase that constantly accompanied everyone near her was, "I'm sorry." Why was everyone so sorry? She understood they were worried, but she was growing rather resentful of it all.

But Chiba Mamoru, that man she so hated, stood there with the same arrogant smirk, not bothering to be nice to her. Where was his kid's gloves?! He's the one who should be nice to her! Nevertheless, he was not, he was the same arrogant asshole he was before the accident...and it felt good, refreshing, like home. She smiled, oh how she missed this. This sense of normalcy.

"What-what's wrong with you?" he stuttered. "Don't tell me you've gotten even dumber than before."

"Oh Baka, baka, baka," she smiled. And then, she stomped on his foot. She reveled in the way he suddenly started jumping grabbing his injured foot.

"I'm not brain damaged! It was a joke!" She stuck her tongue out and swiftly walked back to her friends.

"Meatball Head!" Rei cried, rushing over to the hopping man. "Mamoru-kun are you alright?!" As soon she made it to his side, she stiffened. Her hand flew to her mouth in mortification. "Oh, Usagi-chan, I…" There was a stifle of chuckles among the small group that soon matured into a riotous laugh. The blonde teen laughed so hard her stomach ached, Rei joined. The anxiety that had been following them since Usagi's release dissolved as they realized that things could return to normal- that it needed to.

And in that moment, Usagi met Mamoru's eyes in a different way. For the first time she saw him; the way he smiled revealing pearly white teeth and perfect lips; the way his magnetic eyes glistened and as they looked back at her. The teen wondered when Mamoru had become so handsome.

They were engaged in the staring game; the one they fell into, before her coma, at least once a week. It was a challenge, who would be the first to blink- the first to look away. But today, her competitive drive had somehow evaporated. He was staring at her. And the way he did it...it made her cheeks heat up. Her eyes fell to the floor and she awkwardly turned to back to her friends. Why was her heart beating so fast? For some unknown reason, she couldn't stop herself from turning her head to look back at him.

The laughter filled the arcade and his heart felt so much lighter. He'd been nervous. But it vanished the moment she gazed at him. She was laughing, and smiling with him. She was looking at him, and the small grin he'd developed from their merriment turned into a large smile.

He noticed her cheeks redden before bashfully looking away. His heart leapt forward at the realization that he was the one, he was making her blush. She turned away, and still he smiled. Smiled because she had smiled at him. Mamoru continued to watch her. And then he saw, saw as the group had started gossiping, she turned her head to glance back at him.

A deep need to kiss her erupted in his body, once she realized that she'd been caught, her eyes widened and she flushed. The blond pretended she was itching her nose on her shoulder and then swiftly looked away.

She not only looked at him, smiled at him, she wanted to see him, she blushed because of him. And it made him feel...euphoric, rapturous, frenzied, deliriously giddy and confident.

Post Author's Note:

I'm not happy with the writing of this chapter. I struggled to edit and revise it. I've been working on it for over a month and I just couldn't get to a point where I felt, as Mamoru did, confident about it. However, I don't think there's much I can do at this point. I've grown frustrated with it, and I don't want those feelings to embed themselves in the writing. I don't know why I had such a hard time with this chapter. I hope the next chapter doesn't leave me feeling lacking.

If you have any constructive criticism...perhaps you noticed what is missing (that I can't seem to find) from this work compared to the others, please feel free to leave it in your comment. I do not take offense to constructive criticism. I will, likely, return to this chapter and make corrections or add to it.

However, I truly hope you enjoyed it. Please read and review!