Chapter 2-
Love and Hate: The Swinging Pendulum
Lady Aisheteru: I don't have much to say for the AN, just a few notes
of interest. First thing; Minako's character is based on my best
friend growing up. Now SHE was boy-crazy! Oh, the stories I could
tell...And the second thing; is this story progressing too fast? I was
originally going to have Usagi hate Mamoru for a few chapters and he
would wear her down. Third thing; I think I'll try to include a
romantic song that fits the theme of each chapter. In this case, it's
I Don't Want to Miss A Thing, by Aerosmith.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Suing me is a BAD idea. I am a
college student, therefore I am broke.
~*~*~*
I Don't Want to Miss A Thing
Aerosmith
I could stay awake just to hear you breathing,
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
While you are far away and dreaming,
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender,
I could stay lost in this moment forever,
Where a moment spent with you is a moment I treasure,
(Chorus)
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating,
And I wondering what you are dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you are seeing,
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together,
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever and forever,
forever
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
And I don't want to miss one smile,
I don't want to miss one kiss,
I just want to be with you right here with you,
Just like this, I just want to hold you close,
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment,
For all of the rest of time
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
~*~*~*
Mamoru woke up at 4:30 am, but he didn't feel tired at all. Instead,
he felt invigorated and full of energy. He usually got up two hours
later and brewed himself a strong cup of coffee, but he didn't need it
this morning.
He was suffering from severe Usagi withdrawal. He had fallen asleep
envisioning his odangoed angel asleep in his arms. Even though it had
only been hours since he had taken her out, his body ached from the
lack of her warmth, the touch of her hand, the fruity tang of her
lips.
Mamoru had never felt that way about anyone before. Even though many
interested women looked his way, none had actually managed to capture
his gaze. Not like her.
A brilliant idea came to Mamoru. He knew a way to see Usagi and
surprise her at the same time.
At 4:45, Mamoru's parked his sportscar in front of Usagi's dorm
building. He noted that the door was locked. 'A mere technicality,'
thought Mamoru, grinning. Then he got another brilliant idea.
Something he hadn't done in years; ascending heights. He located the
fire escape, which wrapped around the left side of the building. He
jumped to the bottom step and ran up the stairs. He gazed through
window after window until he saw Usagi's. His breath caught in his
throat, and it wasn't due to exertion, because he usually ran for an
hour every morning, a pretty strenuous workout, and was an active gym
member. 'She looks so cute when she's asleep,' he thought, seeing her
curled up like a potato bug, hugging a stuffed bunny.
Gingerly, as if not to disturb anyone, Mamoru tested the window. It
was unlocked. He opened it and gracefully tiptoed over to Usagi's bed,
careful not to wake her. Still, he was unable to resist placing a
light kiss on her forehead. She mumbled something, stirred, but did
not wake. Mamoru tucked a note and a single rose in her arms. He
smiled, spun on his heel, silently exited and closed the window.
He didn't know that he was being watched by Minako, who was a
notoriously light sleeper. 'How romantic,' she thought happily. Even
though she had no luck finding a boyfriend, she was pleased that she
could help Usagi find love. 'He's quite a catch, too. Another
successful match,' she thought. Minako had also found matches for each
of the former senshi, except for Michiru and Hakura, who had found
each other on their own. During her tenure as the Senshi of Love, she
had set up Makoto with her best friend, Ken, Ami with the brilliant
but shy Greg, and fiery Rei with the fun-loving, laid back Chad.
'It's nice to know I've still got the touch,' she thought as she
drifted back to sleep. It was Saturday morning, and there was no WAY
she was going to miss out on any more of her beauty sleep.
~*~*~*
Usagi awoke at 10:00 to the blaring sound of Minako's exercise tape.
She groaned and was about to pull her pillow over her head to muffle
the sound, when he noticed that she was holding something besides
Snuggles, her stuffed bunny she had owned since her childhood. She
then saw the envelope with her name lovingly written on it and inhaled
the scent of a deep red rose. Eagerly, she opened the note.
Usagi,
Sorry about the breaking and entering, but I couldn't wait to see you.
Even though it's only been a few hours since we saw each other, I
missed you. I hope this rose brightens your day, and I look forward to
seeing your radiant smile
Love,
Mamoru
Usagi sighed with pleasure. Truth be told, she didn't miss Mamoru
nearly as much, because in a way he had never left. They waltzed
together under the light of the moon in her sleep and he was never far
from her waking thoughts. She took the rose and put it in a vase with
the other 12, which were still in perfect condition, not a single
petal having fallen.
"Minako, look at this!" said Usagi excitedly.
Minako pretended to look surprised and asked, "Who are they from?"
"Mamoru."
"You mean Mamoru the baka?"
"He is not a baka!"
Minako smiled knowingly and said, "Gomen, Usa-chan. I didn't know he
meant that much to you." even though she did.
"That's okay," said Usagi indulgently. "What's for breakfast?"
Just then, the door buzzer went off, indicating that someone wanted to
visit their dorm room. Minako rushed off to the intercom to answer it.
"Hello?" asked Minako.
"Hi. This is Mamoru. Is Usagi up?"
Upon hearing his voice, Usagi ran to the intercom. "Hai!" she
exclaimed.
Mamoru laughed. "I'll take that as a yes. I was wondering...can we go
somewhere together?"
"Sure," said Usagi. "Give me 15 minutes to get ready."
"OK," said Mamoru.
Exactly 15 minutes later, Mamoru was waiting at the door. Usagi came
out, wearing a pink cardigan over a light blue shirt and her favorite
jeans. "Well, shall we?" she asked.
Mamoru nodded. Every time he saw her, she managed to look even more
beautiful than the last. Upon reaching the car, Mamoru tied a
blindfold around Usagi's eyes, and Usagi squealed with delight.
"So where are we going?" she said after Mamoru helped her get into the
passenger seat.
"You'll see."
"I can't wait!"
"Trust me, it'll be worth it," said Mamoru, grinning, and he mentally
added, 'Even though it already is to me.'
Usagi smiled and clapped her hands. Oh, the suspense was KILLING her!
"Would you like some music?"
"Hai!"
Mamoru obediently popped in a jazz and classical mix CD that he had
burned himself that morning for the occasion. Soulful and flirty tunes
rang in the air. Even though this wasn't the music Usagi was used to,
she had to admit that she liked it.
"What's this song called, Mamo-chan?" asked Usagi during a soulful
saxophone ballad.
Mamoru smiled. If she had given him a nickname, he would have to
respond in kind.
"It's called 'Forever Love,' by Kenny G, Usako."
'Usako,' she thought. 'My little rabbit.' (AN: That's the English
translation.)
"What's it about?" asked Usagi.
"It's about two sweethearts who share a lifetime of love. I think
that the music tells the story of the two lovers better than words
ever could."
"How's that?" asked Usagi.
"Listen, Usako." Mamoru turned up the car stereo and resumed driving
down the road, deep in thought.
Usagi listened to the song for awhile. "I...don't get it," Usagi
admitted sheepishly.
Mamoru smiled. "It's not what he plays. It's the intensity and
passion in each and every note, and the poetry in the spaces between
them."
Usagi nodded her head slowly, as if turning Mamoru's words over and
over in her head. As she listened to the song, she was beginning to
understand.
"It is the notes! He put such tenderness and feeling into them. Each
pause is like a quiet reflection," said Usagi.
"Yeah..." mused Mamoru, pulling into a parking spot.
"Are we here?"
"Not yet. Getting closer, though." Mamoru said, taking Usagi's hand
and helping her out of the car.
Usagi smiled, stepping gingerly, not sure of where she was headed.
As if sensing her apprehension, Mamoru let go of her hand and slipped
an arm around her waist. "Don't worry. I won't take you anywhere you
don't want to go."
Even though she had met Mamoru only yesterday, she instinctively knew
that she could trust him. Somehow, she felt deep in her soul that he
would protect her. She wasn't sure how she knew. It felt almost
like...a memory.
Mamoru had taken them to a secluded glade surrounded by lilac bushes,
where patches of wildflowers dotted the grass. A brick pathway led
out of the glade.
"We're almost here," said Mamoru, letting go of Usagi's waist. "Hold
on. I've got to get something."
Usagi giggled. That man was full of surprises.
Mamoru brought out a large object covered by a checkered blanket and
set it down on the grass. He came out immediately after carrying a
small cooler. He took the blanket off to reveal a large picnic basket
and spread the blanket out next to where he had set it. Then he
walked back over to Usagi and untied her blindfold.
"You can open your eyes now." he whispered.
"Mamo-chan, it's beautiful!" exclaimed Usagi.
"Almost as beautiful as you," said Mamoru.
"You....think I'm pretty?"
Mamoru blinked. She...didn't know that she was beautiful? He
couldn't believe it. At least he didn't, not until he saw her misty
eyes. He reached over and took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I
know you are. Outside and in" he said reassuringly.
"That's..the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," Usagi said
smiling.
"Well, shall we begin our lunch?"
Usagi smiled. She was never one to turn down free food. "Hai! Let's
eat!" she exclaimed.
Mamoru reached into the picnic basket and took out a tray of ham and
cheese sandwiches. "Well, it's not exactly gourmet, but..."
Usagi was oblivious to Mamoru as she dug into her sandwich.
"Mmmmmm...." she said contentedly.
Mamoru smiled. "I like a girl who enjoys her food," joked Mamoru.
Usagi paused in the middle of her third sandwich and sheepishly
grinned.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Sure," said Usagi.
Mamoru took out some sparkling grape juice and poured two glasses.
Both of them were old enough to drink wine(AN: In Japan they would be,
anyways), but Mamoru never acquired the taste for it.
"Cheers," Usagi said, smiling.
"Cheers."
They drank the juice and Usagi laid down. Mamoru laid down next to
her and wrapped his arm around her. They stayed like that for awhile,
Mamoru's free hand playing with her hair, Usagi snuggled up against
his chest. She had never felt that close to anyone, ever. She fell
asleep listening to the sound of Mamoru's heart beating.
Soon, Mamoru heard Usagi's gentle snoring. He smiled and kissed her
head, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair. He didn't care that
she fell asleep on him, literally. He didn't care if she ate all the
sandwiches except one(which she did). Heck, he just liked being with
her. Period. Soon, he fell asleep.
"Ai..aisheteru, Mamo-chan..." she murmured in her sleep.
When Usagi woke up, she was staring at a purple sky. She quickly sat
up. "Mamoru! Look at the sky!" she exclaimed.
Mamoru sat up next to Usagi and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said, staring off into the sunset.
Mamoru stood up and held out his hand. "Come with me. I have to show
you something," he said.
Usagi accepted his hand, and he led her down the brick pathway. Soon,
they arrived on top of a hill overlooking the ocean.
This time, Usagi was too moved to speak. She leaned against Mamoru
and watched the waves as the sun set over the horizon.
"Look, Mamo-chan. The stars are out tonight."
'And God reached down and put them in your eyes,' thought Mamoru.
"The moon is full tonight," he said.
"Let's go down to the beach!" said Usagi.
"OK," said Mamoru, grinning. He hoisted her up over his head and ran
down to the beach.
"Mamoru? Put me DOWN. This isn't funny! MAMORU!"
"Put you down? Are you sure you want me to do that?" said Mamoru,
still running.
"HAI! PUT ME DOWN, BAKAAAAA!"
"Your wish is my command," said Mamoru deviously. He threw Usagi into
the waves.
"SHIMATTA! OOOH! I'M GOING TO GET YOU!" she yelled.
"Only if you can catch me!" Mamoru said, laughing as he ran off.
"Hah! You're ON!"
Mamoru was fast, but so was Usagi. She came up behind him and pushed
him into the surf. "HAH! Gotcha!" she said. She took off into the
surf, Mamoru right behind her, both of them laughing.
Mamoru dunked Usagi under and she came up, gasping for breath. "Oooh!
Take THAT," she said, splashing up at his face.
"Gomen! Gomen! I surrender!" Mamoru exclaimed. 'Unconditionally.'
"Well, let's get our towels and get dried off. It's getting late,"
said Mamoru.
"Towels? You brought towels?"
"I aim to please," Mamoru said, bowing.
Usagi giggled and followed Mamoru back to the glade where their stuff
was. "Here," Mamoru said, holding out a sweatshirt and jeans that
were his when he was younger. "You'll need some dry clothes. After
you get changed, I mean," Mamoru said, blushing.
"But you'll see me!" said Usagi. "It's not fair! You get paid to get
naked!"
"I won't see you. Not if you go behind those bushes. I won't look."
said Mamoru, grinning.
"Promise?"
"Promise. Here, you can tie the blindfold around my eyes and take it
off when you come back."
"OK," said Usagi. She ducked behind the bushes and shucked off her
wet clothes. She put on Mamoru's jeans, which somehow fit her
perfectly, and picked up the sweatshirt. Something told her to hold
it up to the moonlight. 'Go on. Do it,' a dark voice in her head
prompted.
Usagi gasped as she read AZABU HIGH embroidered on the sweatshirt.
She knew now why Mamoru seemed so familiar to her. She had known him
when she was a teenager. Her fists clenched as she remembered how he
had mercilessly teased her; her hairstyle, her clumsiness, her low
grades...
Tears welled up in her eyes as she stormed over to Mamoru. She yanked
the blindfold off of him, causing Mamoru to rub his painfully
throbbing head.
"Ow, what did you do that for?"
"YOU!" was all Usagi could sputter out, her body trembling with rage.
"IT WAS YOU!"
"Who?" asked Mamoru, obviously clueless.
"IT WAS YOU! I remember now. You were that jackass from Azabu! The
one who yanked my hair and called me Meatball Head! The one who never
had a kind word to say! The one who mocked my grades and made feel so
stupid and worthless that you made me cry!"
"Oh...my...God..." muttered Mamoru. This was NOT happening. He had
fallen in love with Meatball Head? The underachieving clutz who
couldn't be on time for anything if her life depended on it? The one
that haunted his dreams by night?
Now he was remembering. He used to love to tease a certain odango
atama. He loved watching her face crinkle up when she got angry. He
loved seeing the fire in her eyes and hearing the thunder in her
voice. But he never had seen what happened when he left, after the
crossfire of words and insults. He had never known that he had made
her cry. Like she was doing now.
"And to think that I trusted you!" Usagi said, tears flowing freely.
Mamoru got up and started to wipe away her tears, but she slapped his
hand away. "Don't you ever touch me again!"
"I'm sorry," said Mamoru.
"That's not good enough. Take me home." she said, marching over to
the passenger side. Mamoru began to open the door, but she pushed him
away. "I can open it myself," she said angrily.
'Oh boy. She's steamed now.' he thought.
It was a long, silent drive back to the dorm.
"I'm sorry," Mamoru said again as he pulled up in front of Usagi's
dorm building.
"I'll give your clothes back in class next week." Usagi said, ignoring
him. She grabbed her wet clothes and stormed off to her dorm, where
Minako was waiting.
Upon seeing a bedraggled Usagi wearing Mamoru's clothes and carrying a
sopping wet bundle, and the stormy expression on her face, Minako
prepared a cup of hot cocoa.
"What went wrong, Usa-chan?" asked Minako, her voice laden with
concern.
"I don't want to talk about it," said Usagi grumpily. She headed into
her bedroom, put on her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and set into a
sulk that lasted the whole night.
~*~*~
Meanwhile, Mamoru drove home to his lonely apartment, tears blurring
his vision. He felt as if a piece of himself was missing and he
couldn't get it back.
He was sorry for how he had treated Usagi in the past. Oh, was he
ever sorry. And he would find a way to prove it to her, even if it
took the rest of his life.
Love and Hate: The Swinging Pendulum
Lady Aisheteru: I don't have much to say for the AN, just a few notes
of interest. First thing; Minako's character is based on my best
friend growing up. Now SHE was boy-crazy! Oh, the stories I could
tell...And the second thing; is this story progressing too fast? I was
originally going to have Usagi hate Mamoru for a few chapters and he
would wear her down. Third thing; I think I'll try to include a
romantic song that fits the theme of each chapter. In this case, it's
I Don't Want to Miss A Thing, by Aerosmith.
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Suing me is a BAD idea. I am a
college student, therefore I am broke.
~*~*~*
I Don't Want to Miss A Thing
Aerosmith
I could stay awake just to hear you breathing,
Watch you smile while you are sleeping,
While you are far away and dreaming,
I could spend my life in this sweet surrender,
I could stay lost in this moment forever,
Where a moment spent with you is a moment I treasure,
(Chorus)
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
Lying close to you feeling your heart beating,
And I wondering what you are dreaming,
Wondering if it's me you are seeing,
Then I kiss your eyes and thank God we're together,
I just want to stay with you in this moment forever and forever,
forever
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
And I don't want to miss one smile,
I don't want to miss one kiss,
I just want to be with you right here with you,
Just like this, I just want to hold you close,
I feel your heart so close to mine
And just stay here in this moment,
For all of the rest of time
I don't want to close my eyes, I don't want to fall asleep,
Cause I miss you baby, And I don't want to miss a thing,
Cause even when I dream of you, the sweetest dream will never do,
I still miss you baby and I don't want to miss a thing
~*~*~*
Mamoru woke up at 4:30 am, but he didn't feel tired at all. Instead,
he felt invigorated and full of energy. He usually got up two hours
later and brewed himself a strong cup of coffee, but he didn't need it
this morning.
He was suffering from severe Usagi withdrawal. He had fallen asleep
envisioning his odangoed angel asleep in his arms. Even though it had
only been hours since he had taken her out, his body ached from the
lack of her warmth, the touch of her hand, the fruity tang of her
lips.
Mamoru had never felt that way about anyone before. Even though many
interested women looked his way, none had actually managed to capture
his gaze. Not like her.
A brilliant idea came to Mamoru. He knew a way to see Usagi and
surprise her at the same time.
At 4:45, Mamoru's parked his sportscar in front of Usagi's dorm
building. He noted that the door was locked. 'A mere technicality,'
thought Mamoru, grinning. Then he got another brilliant idea.
Something he hadn't done in years; ascending heights. He located the
fire escape, which wrapped around the left side of the building. He
jumped to the bottom step and ran up the stairs. He gazed through
window after window until he saw Usagi's. His breath caught in his
throat, and it wasn't due to exertion, because he usually ran for an
hour every morning, a pretty strenuous workout, and was an active gym
member. 'She looks so cute when she's asleep,' he thought, seeing her
curled up like a potato bug, hugging a stuffed bunny.
Gingerly, as if not to disturb anyone, Mamoru tested the window. It
was unlocked. He opened it and gracefully tiptoed over to Usagi's bed,
careful not to wake her. Still, he was unable to resist placing a
light kiss on her forehead. She mumbled something, stirred, but did
not wake. Mamoru tucked a note and a single rose in her arms. He
smiled, spun on his heel, silently exited and closed the window.
He didn't know that he was being watched by Minako, who was a
notoriously light sleeper. 'How romantic,' she thought happily. Even
though she had no luck finding a boyfriend, she was pleased that she
could help Usagi find love. 'He's quite a catch, too. Another
successful match,' she thought. Minako had also found matches for each
of the former senshi, except for Michiru and Hakura, who had found
each other on their own. During her tenure as the Senshi of Love, she
had set up Makoto with her best friend, Ken, Ami with the brilliant
but shy Greg, and fiery Rei with the fun-loving, laid back Chad.
'It's nice to know I've still got the touch,' she thought as she
drifted back to sleep. It was Saturday morning, and there was no WAY
she was going to miss out on any more of her beauty sleep.
~*~*~*
Usagi awoke at 10:00 to the blaring sound of Minako's exercise tape.
She groaned and was about to pull her pillow over her head to muffle
the sound, when he noticed that she was holding something besides
Snuggles, her stuffed bunny she had owned since her childhood. She
then saw the envelope with her name lovingly written on it and inhaled
the scent of a deep red rose. Eagerly, she opened the note.
Usagi,
Sorry about the breaking and entering, but I couldn't wait to see you.
Even though it's only been a few hours since we saw each other, I
missed you. I hope this rose brightens your day, and I look forward to
seeing your radiant smile
Love,
Mamoru
Usagi sighed with pleasure. Truth be told, she didn't miss Mamoru
nearly as much, because in a way he had never left. They waltzed
together under the light of the moon in her sleep and he was never far
from her waking thoughts. She took the rose and put it in a vase with
the other 12, which were still in perfect condition, not a single
petal having fallen.
"Minako, look at this!" said Usagi excitedly.
Minako pretended to look surprised and asked, "Who are they from?"
"Mamoru."
"You mean Mamoru the baka?"
"He is not a baka!"
Minako smiled knowingly and said, "Gomen, Usa-chan. I didn't know he
meant that much to you." even though she did.
"That's okay," said Usagi indulgently. "What's for breakfast?"
Just then, the door buzzer went off, indicating that someone wanted to
visit their dorm room. Minako rushed off to the intercom to answer it.
"Hello?" asked Minako.
"Hi. This is Mamoru. Is Usagi up?"
Upon hearing his voice, Usagi ran to the intercom. "Hai!" she
exclaimed.
Mamoru laughed. "I'll take that as a yes. I was wondering...can we go
somewhere together?"
"Sure," said Usagi. "Give me 15 minutes to get ready."
"OK," said Mamoru.
Exactly 15 minutes later, Mamoru was waiting at the door. Usagi came
out, wearing a pink cardigan over a light blue shirt and her favorite
jeans. "Well, shall we?" she asked.
Mamoru nodded. Every time he saw her, she managed to look even more
beautiful than the last. Upon reaching the car, Mamoru tied a
blindfold around Usagi's eyes, and Usagi squealed with delight.
"So where are we going?" she said after Mamoru helped her get into the
passenger seat.
"You'll see."
"I can't wait!"
"Trust me, it'll be worth it," said Mamoru, grinning, and he mentally
added, 'Even though it already is to me.'
Usagi smiled and clapped her hands. Oh, the suspense was KILLING her!
"Would you like some music?"
"Hai!"
Mamoru obediently popped in a jazz and classical mix CD that he had
burned himself that morning for the occasion. Soulful and flirty tunes
rang in the air. Even though this wasn't the music Usagi was used to,
she had to admit that she liked it.
"What's this song called, Mamo-chan?" asked Usagi during a soulful
saxophone ballad.
Mamoru smiled. If she had given him a nickname, he would have to
respond in kind.
"It's called 'Forever Love,' by Kenny G, Usako."
'Usako,' she thought. 'My little rabbit.' (AN: That's the English
translation.)
"What's it about?" asked Usagi.
"It's about two sweethearts who share a lifetime of love. I think
that the music tells the story of the two lovers better than words
ever could."
"How's that?" asked Usagi.
"Listen, Usako." Mamoru turned up the car stereo and resumed driving
down the road, deep in thought.
Usagi listened to the song for awhile. "I...don't get it," Usagi
admitted sheepishly.
Mamoru smiled. "It's not what he plays. It's the intensity and
passion in each and every note, and the poetry in the spaces between
them."
Usagi nodded her head slowly, as if turning Mamoru's words over and
over in her head. As she listened to the song, she was beginning to
understand.
"It is the notes! He put such tenderness and feeling into them. Each
pause is like a quiet reflection," said Usagi.
"Yeah..." mused Mamoru, pulling into a parking spot.
"Are we here?"
"Not yet. Getting closer, though." Mamoru said, taking Usagi's hand
and helping her out of the car.
Usagi smiled, stepping gingerly, not sure of where she was headed.
As if sensing her apprehension, Mamoru let go of her hand and slipped
an arm around her waist. "Don't worry. I won't take you anywhere you
don't want to go."
Even though she had met Mamoru only yesterday, she instinctively knew
that she could trust him. Somehow, she felt deep in her soul that he
would protect her. She wasn't sure how she knew. It felt almost
like...a memory.
Mamoru had taken them to a secluded glade surrounded by lilac bushes,
where patches of wildflowers dotted the grass. A brick pathway led
out of the glade.
"We're almost here," said Mamoru, letting go of Usagi's waist. "Hold
on. I've got to get something."
Usagi giggled. That man was full of surprises.
Mamoru brought out a large object covered by a checkered blanket and
set it down on the grass. He came out immediately after carrying a
small cooler. He took the blanket off to reveal a large picnic basket
and spread the blanket out next to where he had set it. Then he
walked back over to Usagi and untied her blindfold.
"You can open your eyes now." he whispered.
"Mamo-chan, it's beautiful!" exclaimed Usagi.
"Almost as beautiful as you," said Mamoru.
"You....think I'm pretty?"
Mamoru blinked. She...didn't know that she was beautiful? He
couldn't believe it. At least he didn't, not until he saw her misty
eyes. He reached over and took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I
know you are. Outside and in" he said reassuringly.
"That's..the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me," Usagi said
smiling.
"Well, shall we begin our lunch?"
Usagi smiled. She was never one to turn down free food. "Hai! Let's
eat!" she exclaimed.
Mamoru reached into the picnic basket and took out a tray of ham and
cheese sandwiches. "Well, it's not exactly gourmet, but..."
Usagi was oblivious to Mamoru as she dug into her sandwich.
"Mmmmmm...." she said contentedly.
Mamoru smiled. "I like a girl who enjoys her food," joked Mamoru.
Usagi paused in the middle of her third sandwich and sheepishly
grinned.
"Would you like something to drink?"
"Sure," said Usagi.
Mamoru took out some sparkling grape juice and poured two glasses.
Both of them were old enough to drink wine(AN: In Japan they would be,
anyways), but Mamoru never acquired the taste for it.
"Cheers," Usagi said, smiling.
"Cheers."
They drank the juice and Usagi laid down. Mamoru laid down next to
her and wrapped his arm around her. They stayed like that for awhile,
Mamoru's free hand playing with her hair, Usagi snuggled up against
his chest. She had never felt that close to anyone, ever. She fell
asleep listening to the sound of Mamoru's heart beating.
Soon, Mamoru heard Usagi's gentle snoring. He smiled and kissed her
head, inhaling the sweet fragrance of her hair. He didn't care that
she fell asleep on him, literally. He didn't care if she ate all the
sandwiches except one(which she did). Heck, he just liked being with
her. Period. Soon, he fell asleep.
"Ai..aisheteru, Mamo-chan..." she murmured in her sleep.
When Usagi woke up, she was staring at a purple sky. She quickly sat
up. "Mamoru! Look at the sky!" she exclaimed.
Mamoru sat up next to Usagi and she rested her head on his shoulder.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" she said, staring off into the sunset.
Mamoru stood up and held out his hand. "Come with me. I have to show
you something," he said.
Usagi accepted his hand, and he led her down the brick pathway. Soon,
they arrived on top of a hill overlooking the ocean.
This time, Usagi was too moved to speak. She leaned against Mamoru
and watched the waves as the sun set over the horizon.
"Look, Mamo-chan. The stars are out tonight."
'And God reached down and put them in your eyes,' thought Mamoru.
"The moon is full tonight," he said.
"Let's go down to the beach!" said Usagi.
"OK," said Mamoru, grinning. He hoisted her up over his head and ran
down to the beach.
"Mamoru? Put me DOWN. This isn't funny! MAMORU!"
"Put you down? Are you sure you want me to do that?" said Mamoru,
still running.
"HAI! PUT ME DOWN, BAKAAAAA!"
"Your wish is my command," said Mamoru deviously. He threw Usagi into
the waves.
"SHIMATTA! OOOH! I'M GOING TO GET YOU!" she yelled.
"Only if you can catch me!" Mamoru said, laughing as he ran off.
"Hah! You're ON!"
Mamoru was fast, but so was Usagi. She came up behind him and pushed
him into the surf. "HAH! Gotcha!" she said. She took off into the
surf, Mamoru right behind her, both of them laughing.
Mamoru dunked Usagi under and she came up, gasping for breath. "Oooh!
Take THAT," she said, splashing up at his face.
"Gomen! Gomen! I surrender!" Mamoru exclaimed. 'Unconditionally.'
"Well, let's get our towels and get dried off. It's getting late,"
said Mamoru.
"Towels? You brought towels?"
"I aim to please," Mamoru said, bowing.
Usagi giggled and followed Mamoru back to the glade where their stuff
was. "Here," Mamoru said, holding out a sweatshirt and jeans that
were his when he was younger. "You'll need some dry clothes. After
you get changed, I mean," Mamoru said, blushing.
"But you'll see me!" said Usagi. "It's not fair! You get paid to get
naked!"
"I won't see you. Not if you go behind those bushes. I won't look."
said Mamoru, grinning.
"Promise?"
"Promise. Here, you can tie the blindfold around my eyes and take it
off when you come back."
"OK," said Usagi. She ducked behind the bushes and shucked off her
wet clothes. She put on Mamoru's jeans, which somehow fit her
perfectly, and picked up the sweatshirt. Something told her to hold
it up to the moonlight. 'Go on. Do it,' a dark voice in her head
prompted.
Usagi gasped as she read AZABU HIGH embroidered on the sweatshirt.
She knew now why Mamoru seemed so familiar to her. She had known him
when she was a teenager. Her fists clenched as she remembered how he
had mercilessly teased her; her hairstyle, her clumsiness, her low
grades...
Tears welled up in her eyes as she stormed over to Mamoru. She yanked
the blindfold off of him, causing Mamoru to rub his painfully
throbbing head.
"Ow, what did you do that for?"
"YOU!" was all Usagi could sputter out, her body trembling with rage.
"IT WAS YOU!"
"Who?" asked Mamoru, obviously clueless.
"IT WAS YOU! I remember now. You were that jackass from Azabu! The
one who yanked my hair and called me Meatball Head! The one who never
had a kind word to say! The one who mocked my grades and made feel so
stupid and worthless that you made me cry!"
"Oh...my...God..." muttered Mamoru. This was NOT happening. He had
fallen in love with Meatball Head? The underachieving clutz who
couldn't be on time for anything if her life depended on it? The one
that haunted his dreams by night?
Now he was remembering. He used to love to tease a certain odango
atama. He loved watching her face crinkle up when she got angry. He
loved seeing the fire in her eyes and hearing the thunder in her
voice. But he never had seen what happened when he left, after the
crossfire of words and insults. He had never known that he had made
her cry. Like she was doing now.
"And to think that I trusted you!" Usagi said, tears flowing freely.
Mamoru got up and started to wipe away her tears, but she slapped his
hand away. "Don't you ever touch me again!"
"I'm sorry," said Mamoru.
"That's not good enough. Take me home." she said, marching over to
the passenger side. Mamoru began to open the door, but she pushed him
away. "I can open it myself," she said angrily.
'Oh boy. She's steamed now.' he thought.
It was a long, silent drive back to the dorm.
"I'm sorry," Mamoru said again as he pulled up in front of Usagi's
dorm building.
"I'll give your clothes back in class next week." Usagi said, ignoring
him. She grabbed her wet clothes and stormed off to her dorm, where
Minako was waiting.
Upon seeing a bedraggled Usagi wearing Mamoru's clothes and carrying a
sopping wet bundle, and the stormy expression on her face, Minako
prepared a cup of hot cocoa.
"What went wrong, Usa-chan?" asked Minako, her voice laden with
concern.
"I don't want to talk about it," said Usagi grumpily. She headed into
her bedroom, put on her pajamas, brushed her teeth, and set into a
sulk that lasted the whole night.
~*~*~
Meanwhile, Mamoru drove home to his lonely apartment, tears blurring
his vision. He felt as if a piece of himself was missing and he
couldn't get it back.
He was sorry for how he had treated Usagi in the past. Oh, was he
ever sorry. And he would find a way to prove it to her, even if it
took the rest of his life.