Without further adodo... FM6
Forgive Me 6/?
by Meredith Bronwen Mallory
mallorys-girl@cinci.rr.com
"DON'T KILL HER!!" Dia screamed in her sleep, her small arms thrust in front of her as if to ward off some kind of blast. Mamoru looked at the expression of utter terror on her face for a split second, before he gently took hold of her hands and tried to wake the screaming child. "No! Don't..." Dia's cries dissolved into tears as she opened her violet eyes. For the first time since the child had arrived, Mamoru saw her for what she truly was... just plain scared. Terrified out of her wits to be more precise.
"Dia-chan, are you alright?" he asked cautiously, watching as her expression went from one of horror, to one of infinite sadness. She laid back down and cried into her pillow, inconsolable. Unsure of what to do, Mamoru gently rubbed her back as Dia's body shook with the force of her weeping, waiting for the sobs to subside. They did not. It seemed the child had an endless number of tears. No amount of reassurance broke the shroud of grief wrapped around her. Finally, knowing if Dia cried much longer, she'd make herself sick, Mamoru gave in and phoned Usagi's house. He got lucky, for it was her sweet, and sleepy voice that greeted him on the other line.
"Moshi Moshi?" Usagi asked groggily.
"Usako, gomen for calling so late, but..." he began, but the Odango-ed one wouldn't let him finish.
"Oh, Mamo-chan, don't worry about it!" Usagi declared happily. Then her voice grew more serious as she asked, "Is something the matter?" Mamoru sighed.
"Yes, actually," he replied, taking the remote phone back into Dia's room, where the child was still sobbing. "It's Dia, she woke up from a nightmare and I can't get her to stop crying..."
"Let me talk to her," Usagi said with soft command in her voice. Sometimes it gave Mamoru the creeps, how much she could sound like a mother, like a Queen, when she was only sixteen. Obediently, Mamoru took a seat on the bed and held the phone to Dia's ear.
"Sweetie pie?" he heard Usagi's voice say. The change was miraculous and instantaneous; one minute Dia was a screaming bundle of grief, and the next she was silent, listening intently to Usagi's voice over the phone.
"Mama?" the little girl asked sleepily, sounding very lost and alone. The sound tore at Mamoru's heart.
"No, baby, it's Usagi." said the other girl, her voice soft and gentle.
"Gomen, Usagi-mama," Dia sniffled, rubbing her runny nose and trying to regain her bad composure.
"Did you have a bad dream, Dia?" Usagi asked.
"Hai, I did. I dreamt I died and went up to the blue," Dia's voice was low and serious, her eyes taking on a faraway look that frightened Mamoru to some extent. It was almost as though... it wasn't really Dia speaking. He tried to shake the thought off as paranoia, but it stayed with him insistently, as though there were something important he couldn't quite make out.
"It was only a dream," Usagi assured the girl gently, "Now get some rest, I'll see you in the morning."
"Thank you," Dia sniffled a little, snapping back to reality, "Gomen again."
"Don't worry about it pumpkin," Usagi said, "Sweet dreams." Then the other line clicked off, and Dia laid her head down on the pillow, her body relaxing in pure exhaustion.
It took Mamoru a moment to realize that she was still crying, but the tears were silent now as she stared off into space. Gently, he stroked her hair and tried to soothe. A bit of jealous flared in him, it had been so easy for Usako... why couldn't Dia accept him? The child shuddered under his hand and scrunched into a little ball. The man willed himself to be patient.
"Dia," he adopted a soothing tone of voice he often used with Chibi-Usa, "What's wrong?"
"I died and went up to the blue," the child moaned.
"It was only a dream, Dia," Mamoru said, perhaps a bit more patronizingly than he'd first intended. Now she lashed out at him, striking his hand as he reached out to put a hand on her shoulder.
"NO!" she raged, "NO IT WASN'T!! It wasn't a dream, I died and went up to the blue!" tears filled her violet eyes, "I *died*." Well, what was he supposed to say to that, pray tell? Somehow, maybe it was the way she looked at him, and maybe it was the way her whole body shook, how she clutched the sheet with such force that her knuckles turned white... he knew she was telling the truth.
"Tell me about it?" he offered, scooting closer. This time the little girl offered no resistance and allowed him to slip a comforting around around her. She snuggled in the warm sleeve of his sweater and shook her head.
"It's all my fault," she whispered at length. She was looking up at him, staring at him, as though studying him.
"What's all your fault?" he asked, astounded by the guilt he saw etched so irrevocably into her features.
"I... I don't remember," Dia admitted softly, her eye lids drooping. She laid her head down on his knee, and Mamoru could feel her breathing become steady, her body relaxing for the first time in several hours. "You're so much like my Papa," the child said. Mamoru looked down at her, but all he could see was her head, covered by the mane of stringy white. Her next confession came softly, so that he had to strain to hear it, and it knocked the wind out of him.
"I don't know why I hate you."
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There had never been a little girl so happy to see Usagi, Mamoru thought dryly as he watched Dia run up to his girlfriend and throw her arms around the older girl's neck. Usagi's arms were wide open and waiting, and she hugged the little girl back. Chibi-Usa, who sat comfortably situated in Mamoru's arms, watched the scene with something approaching jealousy, Mamoru could see it in her ruby red eyes.
"Hello, Dia-chan," Usagi said as she lifted the girl up and rested her against her hip, "How are you today?"
"Great!" the girl replied from where her head rested comfortably against Usagi's chest.
"Bye Mom! Bye Shingo!" Usagi called into the house as she closed the front door and made her way towards Mamoru's black hot rod. Ever the gentleman, he held the car door open for her, and allowed her to get Dia and Chibi-Usa situated before climbing in himself. They spent the drive in companionable silence, Chibi-Usa or Usagi occasionally breaking it with their light chatter. Mamoru glanced back at Dia through the rear-view mirror, his mind flying back to the night before. The little girl had fallen asleep promptly after her shocking revelation, and all Mamoru could do was cover her up and wish her sweet dreams. 'I don't know why I hate you', what was THAT supposed to mean? No matter how many times Mamoru turned it over in his mind, he always came up with the same thing... nothing. Zip, zilch, natal. Dia was a complex puzzle, and Mamoru was no closer to solving it than he'd been the moment he first met her.
At the stop light, Mamoru rested his elbow on the steering wheel and rubbed his temples.
"Mamo-chan? Are you alright?" Usagi asked as she laid a hand on his shoulder, eyes filled with loving concern.
"Hai, Usagi, I'm fine, just tired," he replied, flashing one of his killer grins and watching as his girlfriend melted. It wasn't REALLY a lie, Mamoru tried to rationalize. He *was* tired, but he was not fine. He'd thought the night's terrors to be over once Dia settled into sleep, but he had been *very* wrong. He'd returned to the living room, cleaning up before finally seeking out his own rest. What he found was something that rivaled his dreams of Usako's death.
He found himself in a small clearing, surrounded by mist and trees. In the center of the clearing was a statue of someone he knew. It took him a few minutes to realize exactly who it was, and then, his blood boiled. Demando, the White Prince, ruler of the Black Moon and keeper of the Dark Crystal... tormentor of his beloved Usako. It didn't slip his mind for one moment that the Prince had kidnapped Usagi and... thoughts stopped there as cold rage filled Mamoru, Demando had tired to force Usagi to kiss him (and probably more had Tuxedo Kamen not arrived) against her will. It was something that, in Mamoru's mind, was unforgivable. There he stood, facing a life-size statue of his hated (granted dead) rival, which seemed to be made out of stone. All was silent in the clearing, until the sound of childish laughter filtered through the air. Four children scampered out of the forest and into the clearing, and Mamoru recognized nearly all of them. One, was Dia, her white hair flowing about her in a wild cloud. The second was Chibi-Usa, Luna-P in tow. Hotaru, former Sailor Saturn followed the pink haired girl, and just behind her came a young boy, perhaps a year or so younger than Dia. They were laughing and talking happily, frolicking in the mist that worked so well for hide and seek. None of them noticed the statue, or, if they did, none of them cared.
A sudden feeling of danger filled the young prince, and Mamoru started to go forward and warn them... something, something about the statue. But a strong hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"No, you mustn't. You are only an observer, Mamoru-san," a voice said. The young man was fairly certain he recognized the male voice, but he couldn't place it. So instead he turned his attention back to the children. Dia had wandered away from the others, and now the mists hid her from the rest of her party. Chibi-Usa must have noticed this, for she began calling out to her sister. The others soon followed the suit. For her part, the white-haired princess was making her way slowly, and obliviously towards the statue. Finally she saw it, and stood stiff as a rod, staring up at it was some amount of awe. She took a tentative step fowards. 'NO!' Mamoru cried out in his mind, 'Don't!' But Dia didn't hear him, she continued walking towards the statue. Mamoru watched in horror as Demando himself appeared from the shadowy depths of the mist, approaching his daughter. Dia's attention switched from the statue to the real thing, and Demando reached out offering her his hand. Dia looked up at him cautiously, and finally put her small, delicate hand in the Prince's large one. Just then, Chibi-Usa came running through the mist, and saw them. She let out a scream, and suddenly, the ground began to shake. Hotaru grabbed Chibi-Usa and they fled, followed by the boy, but Dia and Demando stood still, looking at each other strangely. Behind them, the statue's eyes glowed red, and from the quaking ground a thorn bush rose, black and terrible towering above Dia and the Prince. Demando dissolved from view, and Dia screamed as the thorn bush engulfed her, entangling her in it's web. Trapped like a fly in the spider's nest, Dia raised her head and looked straight at Mamoru, her violet eyes filled with hopelessness.
Tearfully, she pleaded with the young man, "Help me."
He'd woken up covered in cold sweat, his breathing ragged, paternal fear in his heart. The dream had been so vivid and real that Mamoru had rushed down the hall and into Dia's room, only too find her sleeping safely under the blankets. And yet Mamoru had a feeling she was teetering on the edge of something...
"Mamo-chan?" Usagi's worried voice shattered Mamoru's reverie, and the young man looked at his girlfriend with love in his eyes. She'd saved him again, even if she didn't know it.
"Hai, Usako?" he asked.
"We're here silly!" Usagi said, gesturing to the mall in front of them. Indeed they were. Mamoru parked the car, mentally shaking his head as he prepared himself for at least four hours of 'shop til you drop'. He didn't know why he'd agreed to come with Usagi and her friends, but he had. Glancing at the Odango-ed goddess who sat beside him, he knew exactly why. He'd wanted to spend more time with her, relish the peace while they had it.
"Usagi-baka!" Chibi-Usa shouted, reaching forward in an attempt to bop the older girl on the head. Okay, relative peace, anyway. Mamoru was about to scold Chibi-Usa, when Dia beat him to it.
"Usagi Iuko!" she looked at her younger sister, thoroughly scandalized, "How DARE you speak to our mother like that!" Chibi-Usa blushed and looked down, seemingly ashamed, as Mamoru and Usagi looked on, shocked. "Apologize at ONCE!"
"Gomen, Usagi-chan, gomen," Chibi-Usa said, for once not even bothering to argue.
"Um... th--thank you, Chibi-Usa," Usagi said, struggling for her composure. Mamoru watched and Chibi-Usa nodded, looking a little upset, until Dia placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled kindly.
"Gomen, Chibi-Usa, I was too cross," Dia said softly. Her sister nodded, and seemingly all was forgiven. Still, silence ensued as the foursome climbed out of the car and made their way through the warm spring morning and into the mall. Dia latched onto Usagi's hand, happily trotting along beside her, while Chibi-Usa walked stiffly beside Mamoru. Feeling bad, Mamoru picked her up and set her up on his shoulder, delighting in her giggle.
The senshi were waiting for them when they arrived at the food court, standing around and managing to look impatient and bored all at the same time.
"Hey, where were you guys?" Rei asked, stomping her foot impatiently.
"Gomen," Usagi said sheepishly, "traffic was a nightmare." Rei opened her mouth to make some comment, but Minako interrupted.
"Usagi-chan, there's a sale at the shoe store, we HAVE to go!" she said excitedly.
"Oh, yes!" Usagi said clapping her hands together excitedly. Mamoru put a hand to his forehead as Makoto and Rei jumped into the conversation, then even Ami. It was going to be a very LONG day.
The next four hours consisted of Mamoru following six enthusiastic hurricanes as they went through every remotely feminine store, demolishing everything in their path (or at least, it seemed that way to him). Chibi-Usa was just as excited as the five senshi, bugging Mamoru ever five minutes for a toy, or a treat. As for Dia, she seemed perfectly content to trot alongside Usagi and hold the older girl's hand, her big violet eyes watching everyone and everything with a strange intensity. While the girls paused to devour some pastries at a near-by shop, Chibi-Usa began to bug Mamoru for ice cream.
"Please, Mamo-chan..." she batted her ruby red eyes pleadingly, "Pretty please," she tugged on his pant leg. With a much exaggerated sigh, he gave in.
"Alright, Chibi-Usa," he said with a smile. "Usako," he turned to the young odango sitting next to him, "I'm going to go get some ice-cream with Chibi-Usa, you want any?" Usagi looked up for her place of the bench, Dia in her lap. She was engrossed in her cinnamon roll, alternating between feeding the sticky treat to herself and the little girl.
"Oh, no, I'm almost full," she declared happily, a frown crossing her features when Rei made some comment about her eating habits. "This is really good, Mamoru," she informed him, holding out a little section she'd broken off, "Here, have some." Ceasing the opportunity, Mamoru opened his mouth and let Usagi drop the little scrap him, managing to kiss her fingers before they escaped. Usagi giggled and blushed becomingly, while Makoto, Ami and Minako sighed. Off to the side, Chibi-Usa and Rei made gagging noises. Mamoru shook his head, they were quite a group. His smile faded, however, when he looked down at Dia, who was munching angrily on her section of the cinnamon roll and glaring at him hatefully. Hoping perhaps that Dia felt slighted for her sister, Mamoru bent down to eye level and asked;
"Would you like some ice-cream too, Dia?" The young girl looked at him suspiciously through her white bangs.
"Not particularly, Mamoru-san," Dia replied, looking at him as though he had just offered her poison, and not frozen sugar. Mamoru was taken aback by the coldness in her voice, and looked up to see if perhaps Usagi had noticed this time. But no, she and Rei were engaged in a raging tongue war, and Usagi hadn't heard a thing. The young man swallowed hard, then took Chibi-Usa's hand and headed off towards the ice-cream stand. He could feel Dia's eyes on him the whole time.
"Oh, Dia you have to see the fountain!" Chibi-Usa declared sometime later, talking to her sister from her perch on Mamoru's shoulders. Dia looked up from her place beside Usagi, her violet eyes narrowing.
"What so special about a fountain?" she asked.
"It's a WISHING fountain," the pink haired child spoke in a stage whisper, "Plus, it's really pretty!" Apparently her sister enthusiasm was convincing, for Dia reached up and tugged on Usagi's sleeve.
"Usagi-mama," she said once she had the older girl's attention, "Will you take me and Chibi-Usa to the fountain?" Usagi seemed to think on this for a moment, when Minako broke in.
"Usagi, weren't we going to go look at some Manga? It's in the opposite direction of the fountain."
"Hai," Usagi said with a frown, "I know! I'm sorry, Dia-chan, but Mamoru and the girls will take you to the fountain, how's that sound?" Dia nodded respectfully, but as soon as Usagi turned away, her face gave away exactly how she felt about some members of the little party. Letting go of Usagi's hand, Dia watched the older girl walk off with Minako, before reluctantly following Mamoru and the other senshi.
"You really should see the fountain," Ami said quietly, "I hear they put an ice sculpture up in the middle." Makoto scoffed: "All this fuss about a dumb fountain!"
"Well, it is pretty," Rei said, "And there have been people who say they can see things in it.. visions." Makoto's brown eyes narrowed speculatively, but she let it go.
"Didn't Lony Leni design the sculpture?" the blue haired inquired. Rei's violet eyes flashed happily.
"Yeah, I remember her! She did design it... all her work is so romantic!" the priestess said.
"Yeah..." all heads turned to see Makoto staring dreamily off into space. The other two senshi exchanged knowing glances.
"There it is!" Chibi-Usa cried from her high perch. Sure enough, in the middle of the open area, stood a huge fountain. It was layered several times, with little waterfalls that ran down from the very top point, on which stood a romantic ice sculpture of a couple suspiciously resembling the Earth Prince and Moon Princess. Mamoru smiled, Loni always kept to her themes.
"She's pretty," Dia spoke for the first time since parting ways with Usagi. Her violet eyes were riveted on the moon princess, her hair down and flowing about until it met the water, seemingly becoming one with it.
"Yeah, she is," Mamoru agreed quietly. The little girl made a disgusted noise and hurried to the edge of the fountain. Mamoru felt Chibi-Usa tug none too gently at his hair, and took the hint, setting the child down so she could join her sister.
"Wow, it is pretty," Makoto breathed appreciatively. The other two girls merely let out sighs of delight.
"Can we have some pennies to through in, Mamo-chan?" Chibi-Usa pleaded.
"Sure," he replied, reaching into his pocket for the coins. He handed ten to Chibi-Usa, then moved to give the same amount to Dia. He stopped when he heard Ami and Rei gasp. Dia was leaning over the edge of the fountain, staring deep into it's mysterious fathoms, her violet eyes wide as she reached out with a tenative hand to touch the reflection, a sound of pure awe escaping her throat. But it was not her actions that stunned the senshi so, or caused the horrified expressions on their faces. Leaning over Dia's head Mamoru saw a something he would never forget. It was not Dia's reflection that stared out from where it should have been, but rather that of someone else.
Demando.
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