Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the lovable character that come from it.
*Mamoru's POV* (Around 2 hours later)
"Well Motoki, I tried. Told you she hates me." I said looking down into my coffee.
"You know that's bullshit man. She loves everyone. Besides why are you trying to get on her good side. I thought you enjoyed picking on her." Motoki threw his hands up. "Not bashing or anything. I'd love to see my two best friends get along. But if this is some trick to hurt her, I will kick your ass myself." He said smiling.
"Toki, I just know I went too far last week when I made her cry. I never meant to hurt her. I just want to make it up to her. Nothing else is going on. What could I possible want with bunhead?" I lied
"Well, she is pretty cute, and I see how you light up when she's around. You never flirt with the girls at school. They all bore you yet Usagi doesn't. Does she?" Motoki said with a knowing look in his eye.
"Drop it Toki. You're being ridiculous." I grabbed my head fighting against the pain. "Talks over. Time to go. Youma's are attacking."
Ever since I've realized I'm Tuxedo Mask I always feel the pull to transform and rush to aid Sailor Moon. I feel this immense pressure come over me when I feel the need to transform but It's getting less every time. Easier even. I can feel exactly where she is.
"Use the back room to change and no one will see you if you go out that way." Motoki grabbed my arm. "Be careful. I mean it." I nodded in promise.
Sailor Moon needs me after all. At least she seems to enjoy my company, then again, I've never called her names, teased her, or made her cry. If only Usagi could see me like Sailor Moon does.
I jumped over rooftops making my way to the local park. I could sense Sailor Moon feelings now. She was scared and hurt. I picked up my pace and jumped from the tree just in time to deflect the attack aimed at her.
Where the hell where the other girls? They always fought with her now. I picked her up and dodged another attack. No time for my usual speech, this thing was out to kill.
"Sailor Moon hurry and use your tiara. I'll distract it!" I shouted as I ran toward the Youma. Its canine fangs were dripping with a crimson liquid. This one looked more like an animalistic monster then any I've seen before. Pieces of its gray flesh were peeling off and it was emitting a foul smell. The smell was as foreboding as the black aura surrounding it. I pulled my sword and began attacking at its side.
My attacks were going right through it and seemed to have no effect. A blinding light suddenly ripped through it and all that was left was a black pile of ash and bits of sinew. I turned to see Sailor Moon grab her tiara as it swung back to her. She hunched over and held her stomach.
"Sailor Moon! Are you alright? Let me see." I gently laid her back on the ground and checked her wound. She had a large gash down her left side and it was bleeding profusely. I started to wrap her in my cape, but she put her hand up.
"I'll be fine. Believe me I've had worse. I just need to get in touch with the scouts. Jadeite was here. He blocked my communicator." As she stood up and winced in pain. "He's planning to pick us off one by one because we're causing him too much trouble. It's why I need to start training more. I need to be able to protect my friends." She said with heartfelt determination.
I watched as she pulled out something that resembled a watch and spoke into it.
"They will be here soon. Thank you for saving me Tuxedo Mask. How do you always when I'm in trouble?" She asked starry eyed.
"I fell a pull to you. It's almost like something has linked us. I figured all of you felt the same pull." I said thinking over her question. She so dainty but also could rip into monsters without breaking a sweat. Who was this girl?
Before I could ask anything further the other guardians burst through the trees. Each of them appeared worried and frantic. I debated on whether to make my usual disappearance but my worry over her wound kept me rooted.
"GUYS! You're okay. I've been so worried." Sailor Moon started.
"Sailor Moon has been injured. Her left side is bleeding quite a bit and she may need stitching. I can help if none of you are familiar with the procedure." I stated cutting her off. I've seen her hide her wounds before as to not worry the other guardians.
Sailor Mercury began inspecting the wound. "I think I've got it. I'll take care of her. It isn't deep, so a bandage should do for tonight. We have faster than normal healing, so everything should be fine" Mercury stated as she analyzed it.
"It appears the Dark Kingdom wants to separate and eliminate each of you. As a friendly word of advice, I say its best if you stick together. Good night Sailor guardians. Take care. I'll help as much as I am able." With my parting words I moved into the shadows and took off.
I dropped my disguise as soon as I as I was solely alone. I began my long walk home. My feet walked the path without much thought. Instead I was focusing on how to make myself the most useful to the Guardians. Did I really want that though? I was already wearing out and spread thin with Youma's and my life. All the Guardians seemed to posses natural fighting talent except Sailor Moon. It wasn't like she was horrible, she just didn't have that finesse that the others seemed to have. Maybe I should just monitor her closely.
*CRASH* I fell back, barely breaking my fall with my hands. A very loud screech sounded in the quite night. I looked up into the large cerulean eyes of none other than Usagi.
"Usagi? What are you doing out so late? Isn't it passed your bedtime?" I asked getting to my feet. I offered my scraped hand to help her up. My eye flicked to her skirt that had crumpled to where her trim thighs were showing. Her cheeks turned scarlet, as did my own, when she noticed me looking. She quickly righted her skirt.
"REALLY?! You walked into me this time jerk. And for your information I'm 17. I don't have a bedtime anymore." She said ignoring my hand and holding her sides as she stood up. I noticed her wince. Odd. Was she hurt? Either way I wasn't going to leave her alone in the middle of the night.
"Well, I'll walk you home. And before you tell me where to stick it, I'm not taking no for an answer. So, are you heading home or somewhere else?" I asked. The sudden unwanted thought that she was out meeting some boy popped into my head and an odd feeling swelled up. Jealously? Where the hell did that come from?
"Fine. I'm walking home but….my parents kinda don't know that I left. I needed to help a friend, so I'll have to go around back and sneak back in when we get there." She admitted sheepishly.
"It's dangerous to be out this late bunhead. You should have asked someone to walk with you. Or at the very least wait until morning." I lectured. "You can always call me if its serious. That way you don't get into any trouble."
For a moment she looked surprised then nodded her head.
"Thank you, Mamoru, that's very kind of you. I guess I just act without thinking sometimes." She said as we began walking to her home. I had a feeling she was holding something back but decided not to push. It isn't my place to pry.
"You're welcome Usagi."
"OH, wow the world must be ending soon. You finally said my name." She said laughing, "So why are you out so late?"
"Sometimes I go for walks when I have trouble sleeping. It helps clear my head." It was somewhat of a lie. Sometimes I do actually jog if it's been a long day.
"If I have the chance to sleep, I'm taking it." She chuckled. "I feel like I never get enough sleep. And, before you even start, I am not lazy."
"Wasn't going to say anything meatball head." I smiled down at her as we turn down a rather nice-looking street. She pointed out her house located in the middle. It looked like a comfortable family home. One of the things I missed out on. Probably filled with happy memories of playing, home cooked meals, holidays, and all the things I'll never experience.
Once we outside she slipped through the back gate and I mindlessly followed her.
"Do you need help sneaking in or should I take off before your father catches me out here." I asked, somewhat worried. I'd heard stories of how her father handled the guys that attempted to date Usagi. I really didn't want to see his gun tonight.
"I'll just climb my tree back up. I'm on the second floor." She said pointing to window. "Do you want to help me grab unto that branch though?"
"Sure" I replied. I grabbed her around her waist and started to lift her up. She started wiggling and I almost dropped her. "Be still!"
"Let me go. You're hurting me." She whined. "I almost forgot. I got hurt earlier when I climbed down." Blood was beginning to show through her shirt. On her left side. Could she be? No. There's no way little bunhead could be Sailor Moon. I almost laughed at myself but caught her look.
"I'll just go in through the back door and be very quiet. I'll be fine from here if you'd like to take off." She said motioning me back to the gate.
"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked trying to get a better look at her side. She turned slightly and smiled. The same smile she always gave everyone but me. She quickly threw her arms around me and hugged tightly.
"Yeah. I should be fine. Thank you again for walking me home. I'll see you tomorrow at the Crown." She hurried over to her door, unlocked it and silently slipped inside. I knew I should be leaving but the surprise of her hug kept me rooted. Maybe she didn't hate me as much as I thought.
I made my own way home with thoughts of Usagi running through my head. Sometimes I don't know whether I want to run away from her and all her happiness or completely lose myself in her beautiful eyes. She was everything I wasn't.