Konban'wa, minna! I'm back with chapter 1 of Rushing In. Arigatou to everyone who wrote me about the prologue. You were all so sweet! Now, I'm sure you all want to know what happens next, so I'm going to be quiet and let you read. ^_^
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon does not belong to me. Never has, never will. *sigh*
Rushing In - Chapter 1
by Star Bunny (bunny28@hehe.com)
rated:PG-13
-----------
Chapter 1
-----------
It was several minutes before Sailor Moon was able to register what he had just said to her.
"*Marry* you?"
"That's right." Once she fully understood what he was saying, it took her no time to come up with a reply.
"OF COURSE! When!?" Tuxedo Kamen laughed at this, and then was suddenly struck by how young she was. Would this really be a good idea for them?
"Well, maybe--"
"How about tonight?" she eagerly interjected.
"Uh..." He was dumbstruck, still on his knees. He had been thinking in terms of years, months at the earliest. Definitely *not* tonight. "Don't- don't you think that's a little soon? I mean, don't you want some time to think this over?"
"Oh." Sailor Moon hung her head. But then her eyes lit up and her face brightened. "Then what about after the next battle. That should be enough time."
Unfortunately for Tuxedo Kamen, his mind was not functioning rationally at this point. Remember, he is on his knees staring *up* at a sailor senshi. Point taken? So we really must not blame him for nodding dumbly and agreeing.
"That sounds wonderful. After the next battle is fine with me." Sailor Moon, overcome with happiness, pulled him up next to her and hugged him for all she was worth. But Tuxedo Kamen was beginning to regain his senses and to think rationally.
"Sailor Moon, I don't think we should tell anyone about this."
"Why not?"
"Do you honestly think that your senshi would let you get married to *me*? They still think that I'm the enemy. And what about your family?"
"Oh," she said in a small voice. "You're right. My father would kill you... or at least try to. I don't think that he'd get very far, because you're so strong and all, but he wouldn't like it very much... and Luna would be extremely mad. She would never let me see you again. And the girls would go ballistic! Yeah, you're right. I won't tell anyone."
He kissed her quickly. "You'd better get back over there before they realize where you've been." She smiled sweetly and ran back over to where the senshi had congregated.
"Come one, minna. Let's go home!"
* * * * * * * * *
Then next day, Usagi was in a far too good mood. She woke up *before* her alarm and jumped out of bed.
Today could be the day! she thought to herself excitedly. She giggled to herself. She had never, *ever* thought that she would be looking forward to a youma attack! And yet she couldn't help wishing that those darn Dark Kingdom generals would quit stalling and attack already! Humming slightly to herself, she leisurely got ready for her day.
She strolled out the door on her way to school, unaware that her entire family stood at the door, incredulous looks on their faces.
"Unbelievable," her father whispered.
"Her alarm still hasn't gone off..." Her brother shook his head. Her mother, a dreamy look in her eyes, giggled and thought to herself, I wonder who the lucky man is...
After school let out, Usagi once again was strolling to the arcade... and she hadn't even gotten a detention! She, however, didn't notice any of this. Her thoughts were on a dashingly handsome super-hero.
Upon entering the arcade, Usagi sat down to order a milkshake. She didn't even notice that she had sat down next to Mamoru.
"Well, konnichiwa Usagi. Glad to see you today." Now THAT got her attention. Mamoru-san had actually called her Usagi! That was weird... but she was determined that *nothing* would ruin her good mood today... not even that perpetual jerk.
"Konnichiwa, Mamoru-san. Daijoubu?"
Motoki came back with Usagi's milkshake and could not help commenting, "Wow. You two are actually being civil to each other. How did that happen?"
"I'm in much too good a mood today to let him ruin it," Usagi sang out cheerfully.
"Well that's a change," Motoki laughed. "So what's put you in such a great mood, Usagi-chan?"
Usagi blanched, aware for the first time that she really had no answer to tell anyone. She would have to come up with something really fast...
"Hai, Usagi, what is it?"
"I could ask you the same thing, Mamoru. How come you suddenly decided to use my real name?" Mamoru grinned and just shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess I'm in a pretty good mood as well. And if you're not going to tell me why you are, I'm not going to tell you either." Relieved, Usagi nodded.
"Deal."
"But... but what about me?" Motoki sputtered. "Don't I deserve to know?"
"Nope," they answered together. Then Mamoru suddenly laughed, picked up his things, and left. Usagi eagerly attacked her milkshake, and the discussion was over.
* * * * * * * * *
Later on that night, after Usagi had almost given up the hope of there being an attack, she received a call on her communicator.
"Mercury here. Attack at the library."
"Aww... Ami, why do we have to save the library?" Minako whined. "It's just a boring place full of books. Why can't we just let it burn? Right, Usagi-chan?"
But Usagi had remained strangely silent. She had a half-frightened look on her face, and her heart was beating triple time. Just then, she broke out into a huge smile.
"Let's go, guys! We have a youma to dust!"
This youma was not one of the typical ones. This one attacked with words. And as the senshi soon found out, words are a lot harder to attack than fire or energy beams or ice.
"ANGER!" the youma cried, and the girls were suddenly fighting with each other, all very mad at the others.
"Stupid Odango Atama! Why did you have to lead us here?"
"*I'm* stupid?! How come no one else can ever defeat a youma?"
"Well I don't see you winning this fight!"
"Yeah! How are you going to win this one, Moon-face?"
"What's your problem, Mercury? Can't take my leadership?"
"Ooh... Mercury's jealous!"
"Stupid, idiotic, imbecilic--"
The fight was cut short by Tuxedo Kamen's rose. The girls lost their anger and were all holding their heads, wondering what had just come over them.
"It's a good thing she didn't say 'death'," Tuxedo Kamen mused. Then, a little louder, "Now, Sailor Moon!"
"Right! Moon Tiara Magic!" Words aside, the youma was fairly easy to dispense of. She immediately turned into dust.
"Woo-hoo!" Jupiter cried, shoving her fist into the air. "Another one bites the dust."
Sailor Moon anxiously waited for all the other senshi to leave, but they all seemed to want to hang around.
"Hey, guys!" Venus called, "You want to go out for pizza?"
"Hai!" the other girls cried.
"No thanks, Venus. I have to get back home." The other senshi looked at her, awestruck.
"You're not hungry?"
"Iie. I have something else I need to do. I'll see you all tomorrow, ne?" They all gave her weird looks, as though she had grown horns or something, but they all left, arguing over what kind of pizza they would order.
"Pepperoni!"
"How about mushroom. It's much healthier."
"EEW! I can't STAND mushrooms."
"Well, what *would* you like...."
Their voices faded away, and Usagi breathed a sigh of relief that they had left it at that. She suddenly jumped as a hand grabbed her shoulder. Not really *grabbed*, actually. It was more like a caress. She turned around and came face to face with Tuxedo Kamen.
"Did you think about it?" he asked. Usagi nodded, then blushed.
"It was all I could think about." He smiled at that.
"Well then," he began, suddenly nervous, "Where should we go? Would you like something to eat first?" She giggled slightly and took his arm.
"Let's just go and do it. That is," she suddenly blushed, "If you still want to...." He reached out and put his arm around her waist.
"If I remember correctly, Sailor Moon, I was the one who asked you. I haven't changed my mind."
She smiled up at him, amazed at how she could love someone that much. She looked at his face, adorned with that silly mask..... the mask.... and she still didn't know who was underneath it. She was about to marry someone she didn't even know.
"Tuxedo Kamen!" she cried.
"Nani?"
"I -- I still don't know who you are in civilian form. And you don't know who I am. Isn't... isn't that a problem?"
Tuxedo Kamen raised his eyebrows. He should have thought of that before he got himself mixed into this. But this was one subject that could get way too complicated. There were just as many pros as cons in his mind.
"What do you think, Sailor Moon? Do you think that we should tell each other?"
"I don't know," she answered softly. "So many things could go wrong if we did tell each other... but I don't want to keep any secrets from you..."
"Well, maybe it would be a good idea if we both didn't say anything, at least for the time being. And maybe, when it's a little safer, we can tell each other." He sighed. "I don't want to keep anything from you, either, Sailor Moon. I don't know. You decide."
"I think... I think that we should do what you said. We shouldn't tell each other until all this business with the Dark Kingdom dies down for a bit. Everything's just too crazy right now, and if I told you I could be putting you in some serious danger. I don't want to do that."
"So we won't say anything?" He was a little disappointed in this, but he felt deep down that this was the right thing to do. This wouldn't be the appropriate time to tell her who he was. It was as though something - or maybe *someone* -- were stopping them from revealing themselves to each other.
"No." Sailor Moon was surprised at how confident her voice sounded.
"So, love, shall we go?" Uncertainty had completely left Tuxedo Kamen's mind in favor of nicer thoughts. Like making Sailor Moon his wife.
* * * * * * * * *
He was surprised at how readily they were married. No one asked any questions, and no one even mentioned how young Sailor Moon was. That thought disturbed him a little; she couldn't have been more than fifteen years old... but there was nothing wrong with him marrying her. He was absolutely sure of that. However, he would have thought that someone would have wondered if she had gotten permission from her parents....
But soon they were married, in a very quiet and private ceremony. Now to take her home. He couldn't just take her to his apartment. But he had thought of this earlier, and he took her to an old shrine in the outskirts of Tokyo that no one used anymore. He had been there before to spend the night, and he remembered it to be a beautiful place. His memory didn't fail him.
"This is beautiful, Tuxedo Kamen!" she breathed.
"It reminds me of you, aisai." She giggled at that and leaned into his embrace. Then he kissed her. She smiled into his lips and kissed him back, but when his kisses became more insistent and his hand began roaming, she pulled away. Kisses she had been prepared for, this she had not.
"What is it?" he asked, very confused.
"What are you doing?" she asked in a small voice. Tuxedo Mask blinked a few times before he realized what she meant.
"You... don't know what I'm doing? How old are you, Sailor Moon?"
"Fourteen." Fourteen, and she's still so innocent... he thought, a bit amused by the whole situation.
"Out of curiosity, do you ever pay attention in school?" With a sheepish grin on her face, she shook her head.
"Never. Why?"
Tuxedo Mask just shook his head and laughed. "I think you missed one very important lecture. We need to talk."
Whatever came next was a very private moment for them, and I will not encroach upon their privacy. Suffice it to say that Sailor Moon got her talk, and she vowed never to fall asleep in class again.
* * * * * * * * *
Sometime in the early hours of the morning, Tuxedo Mask brought a very sleepy Sailor Moon back to the battle scene. They had decided to meet and part from there because it was very close to both of their homes. Or so they said. In reality, a much more convenient spot would have been the video arcade, but neither one wanted to mention a place that they frequented so often.
Sailor Moon smiled and said goodbye, tracing his face one last time (at least for that night) with her fingers.
"Good night, kanojo."
"'Night, Tuxedo Kamen-sama."
"You know, you really don't have to keep calling me that. We're married now."
"I know," she whispered, "But 'Tuxedo Kamen-sama' sounds so... dashing and strong and Prince Charming-ish."
"Well, in that case..." and he swept her up for another kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow, same place." he murmured and in an instant he was gone.
After she was sure he was gone, she detransformed and began to walk home. On the way she stopped to look at the sky. The moon and stars were out, twinkling and shining like they never had before. At least that's how it looked to her. Usagi had never seen the world look so beautiful before. She was most definitely in love. And she was married.
For a second she froze.
What would her family say if they ever found out? What about the senshi!? But Usagi was hit with the sudden notion that SHE DIDN'T CARE! Who cared what other people thought when the most perfect man in the universe loved her and called her his aisai, his beloved wife.
She reached her house a bundle of nerves, not sure what she would say if anyone ever found out where she'd been the past... Usagi looked at her watch. Had it really been 5 hours? It hadn't seemed long enough...
But she climbed up into her room, an expert at that after a year of being Sailor Moon. What she wasn't used to was having to hide from Luna. And she wasn't very good at that.
"Usagi!! Where have you been?"
"Luna, can't that wait? I'm so sleepy," she mumbled as she climbed into bed.
"You can't hide from me forever, Usagi. You just wait. I *will* find out where you were..."
* * * * * * * * *
*giggles* Poor Luna-chan!
Feedback, minna! Remember, email is a girl's best friend!
Bunny ^_^
"One kind kiss before we part,
Drop a tear and bid adieu;
Though we sever, my fond heart
Till we meet shall pant for you. "
Robert Dodsley (1703-1764): The Parting Kiss
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon does not belong to me. Never has, never will. *sigh*
Rushing In - Chapter 1
by Star Bunny (bunny28@hehe.com)
rated:PG-13
-----------
Chapter 1
-----------
It was several minutes before Sailor Moon was able to register what he had just said to her.
"*Marry* you?"
"That's right." Once she fully understood what he was saying, it took her no time to come up with a reply.
"OF COURSE! When!?" Tuxedo Kamen laughed at this, and then was suddenly struck by how young she was. Would this really be a good idea for them?
"Well, maybe--"
"How about tonight?" she eagerly interjected.
"Uh..." He was dumbstruck, still on his knees. He had been thinking in terms of years, months at the earliest. Definitely *not* tonight. "Don't- don't you think that's a little soon? I mean, don't you want some time to think this over?"
"Oh." Sailor Moon hung her head. But then her eyes lit up and her face brightened. "Then what about after the next battle. That should be enough time."
Unfortunately for Tuxedo Kamen, his mind was not functioning rationally at this point. Remember, he is on his knees staring *up* at a sailor senshi. Point taken? So we really must not blame him for nodding dumbly and agreeing.
"That sounds wonderful. After the next battle is fine with me." Sailor Moon, overcome with happiness, pulled him up next to her and hugged him for all she was worth. But Tuxedo Kamen was beginning to regain his senses and to think rationally.
"Sailor Moon, I don't think we should tell anyone about this."
"Why not?"
"Do you honestly think that your senshi would let you get married to *me*? They still think that I'm the enemy. And what about your family?"
"Oh," she said in a small voice. "You're right. My father would kill you... or at least try to. I don't think that he'd get very far, because you're so strong and all, but he wouldn't like it very much... and Luna would be extremely mad. She would never let me see you again. And the girls would go ballistic! Yeah, you're right. I won't tell anyone."
He kissed her quickly. "You'd better get back over there before they realize where you've been." She smiled sweetly and ran back over to where the senshi had congregated.
"Come one, minna. Let's go home!"
* * * * * * * * *
Then next day, Usagi was in a far too good mood. She woke up *before* her alarm and jumped out of bed.
Today could be the day! she thought to herself excitedly. She giggled to herself. She had never, *ever* thought that she would be looking forward to a youma attack! And yet she couldn't help wishing that those darn Dark Kingdom generals would quit stalling and attack already! Humming slightly to herself, she leisurely got ready for her day.
She strolled out the door on her way to school, unaware that her entire family stood at the door, incredulous looks on their faces.
"Unbelievable," her father whispered.
"Her alarm still hasn't gone off..." Her brother shook his head. Her mother, a dreamy look in her eyes, giggled and thought to herself, I wonder who the lucky man is...
After school let out, Usagi once again was strolling to the arcade... and she hadn't even gotten a detention! She, however, didn't notice any of this. Her thoughts were on a dashingly handsome super-hero.
Upon entering the arcade, Usagi sat down to order a milkshake. She didn't even notice that she had sat down next to Mamoru.
"Well, konnichiwa Usagi. Glad to see you today." Now THAT got her attention. Mamoru-san had actually called her Usagi! That was weird... but she was determined that *nothing* would ruin her good mood today... not even that perpetual jerk.
"Konnichiwa, Mamoru-san. Daijoubu?"
Motoki came back with Usagi's milkshake and could not help commenting, "Wow. You two are actually being civil to each other. How did that happen?"
"I'm in much too good a mood today to let him ruin it," Usagi sang out cheerfully.
"Well that's a change," Motoki laughed. "So what's put you in such a great mood, Usagi-chan?"
Usagi blanched, aware for the first time that she really had no answer to tell anyone. She would have to come up with something really fast...
"Hai, Usagi, what is it?"
"I could ask you the same thing, Mamoru. How come you suddenly decided to use my real name?" Mamoru grinned and just shrugged his shoulders.
"I guess I'm in a pretty good mood as well. And if you're not going to tell me why you are, I'm not going to tell you either." Relieved, Usagi nodded.
"Deal."
"But... but what about me?" Motoki sputtered. "Don't I deserve to know?"
"Nope," they answered together. Then Mamoru suddenly laughed, picked up his things, and left. Usagi eagerly attacked her milkshake, and the discussion was over.
* * * * * * * * *
Later on that night, after Usagi had almost given up the hope of there being an attack, she received a call on her communicator.
"Mercury here. Attack at the library."
"Aww... Ami, why do we have to save the library?" Minako whined. "It's just a boring place full of books. Why can't we just let it burn? Right, Usagi-chan?"
But Usagi had remained strangely silent. She had a half-frightened look on her face, and her heart was beating triple time. Just then, she broke out into a huge smile.
"Let's go, guys! We have a youma to dust!"
This youma was not one of the typical ones. This one attacked with words. And as the senshi soon found out, words are a lot harder to attack than fire or energy beams or ice.
"ANGER!" the youma cried, and the girls were suddenly fighting with each other, all very mad at the others.
"Stupid Odango Atama! Why did you have to lead us here?"
"*I'm* stupid?! How come no one else can ever defeat a youma?"
"Well I don't see you winning this fight!"
"Yeah! How are you going to win this one, Moon-face?"
"What's your problem, Mercury? Can't take my leadership?"
"Ooh... Mercury's jealous!"
"Stupid, idiotic, imbecilic--"
The fight was cut short by Tuxedo Kamen's rose. The girls lost their anger and were all holding their heads, wondering what had just come over them.
"It's a good thing she didn't say 'death'," Tuxedo Kamen mused. Then, a little louder, "Now, Sailor Moon!"
"Right! Moon Tiara Magic!" Words aside, the youma was fairly easy to dispense of. She immediately turned into dust.
"Woo-hoo!" Jupiter cried, shoving her fist into the air. "Another one bites the dust."
Sailor Moon anxiously waited for all the other senshi to leave, but they all seemed to want to hang around.
"Hey, guys!" Venus called, "You want to go out for pizza?"
"Hai!" the other girls cried.
"No thanks, Venus. I have to get back home." The other senshi looked at her, awestruck.
"You're not hungry?"
"Iie. I have something else I need to do. I'll see you all tomorrow, ne?" They all gave her weird looks, as though she had grown horns or something, but they all left, arguing over what kind of pizza they would order.
"Pepperoni!"
"How about mushroom. It's much healthier."
"EEW! I can't STAND mushrooms."
"Well, what *would* you like...."
Their voices faded away, and Usagi breathed a sigh of relief that they had left it at that. She suddenly jumped as a hand grabbed her shoulder. Not really *grabbed*, actually. It was more like a caress. She turned around and came face to face with Tuxedo Kamen.
"Did you think about it?" he asked. Usagi nodded, then blushed.
"It was all I could think about." He smiled at that.
"Well then," he began, suddenly nervous, "Where should we go? Would you like something to eat first?" She giggled slightly and took his arm.
"Let's just go and do it. That is," she suddenly blushed, "If you still want to...." He reached out and put his arm around her waist.
"If I remember correctly, Sailor Moon, I was the one who asked you. I haven't changed my mind."
She smiled up at him, amazed at how she could love someone that much. She looked at his face, adorned with that silly mask..... the mask.... and she still didn't know who was underneath it. She was about to marry someone she didn't even know.
"Tuxedo Kamen!" she cried.
"Nani?"
"I -- I still don't know who you are in civilian form. And you don't know who I am. Isn't... isn't that a problem?"
Tuxedo Kamen raised his eyebrows. He should have thought of that before he got himself mixed into this. But this was one subject that could get way too complicated. There were just as many pros as cons in his mind.
"What do you think, Sailor Moon? Do you think that we should tell each other?"
"I don't know," she answered softly. "So many things could go wrong if we did tell each other... but I don't want to keep any secrets from you..."
"Well, maybe it would be a good idea if we both didn't say anything, at least for the time being. And maybe, when it's a little safer, we can tell each other." He sighed. "I don't want to keep anything from you, either, Sailor Moon. I don't know. You decide."
"I think... I think that we should do what you said. We shouldn't tell each other until all this business with the Dark Kingdom dies down for a bit. Everything's just too crazy right now, and if I told you I could be putting you in some serious danger. I don't want to do that."
"So we won't say anything?" He was a little disappointed in this, but he felt deep down that this was the right thing to do. This wouldn't be the appropriate time to tell her who he was. It was as though something - or maybe *someone* -- were stopping them from revealing themselves to each other.
"No." Sailor Moon was surprised at how confident her voice sounded.
"So, love, shall we go?" Uncertainty had completely left Tuxedo Kamen's mind in favor of nicer thoughts. Like making Sailor Moon his wife.
* * * * * * * * *
He was surprised at how readily they were married. No one asked any questions, and no one even mentioned how young Sailor Moon was. That thought disturbed him a little; she couldn't have been more than fifteen years old... but there was nothing wrong with him marrying her. He was absolutely sure of that. However, he would have thought that someone would have wondered if she had gotten permission from her parents....
But soon they were married, in a very quiet and private ceremony. Now to take her home. He couldn't just take her to his apartment. But he had thought of this earlier, and he took her to an old shrine in the outskirts of Tokyo that no one used anymore. He had been there before to spend the night, and he remembered it to be a beautiful place. His memory didn't fail him.
"This is beautiful, Tuxedo Kamen!" she breathed.
"It reminds me of you, aisai." She giggled at that and leaned into his embrace. Then he kissed her. She smiled into his lips and kissed him back, but when his kisses became more insistent and his hand began roaming, she pulled away. Kisses she had been prepared for, this she had not.
"What is it?" he asked, very confused.
"What are you doing?" she asked in a small voice. Tuxedo Mask blinked a few times before he realized what she meant.
"You... don't know what I'm doing? How old are you, Sailor Moon?"
"Fourteen." Fourteen, and she's still so innocent... he thought, a bit amused by the whole situation.
"Out of curiosity, do you ever pay attention in school?" With a sheepish grin on her face, she shook her head.
"Never. Why?"
Tuxedo Mask just shook his head and laughed. "I think you missed one very important lecture. We need to talk."
Whatever came next was a very private moment for them, and I will not encroach upon their privacy. Suffice it to say that Sailor Moon got her talk, and she vowed never to fall asleep in class again.
* * * * * * * * *
Sometime in the early hours of the morning, Tuxedo Mask brought a very sleepy Sailor Moon back to the battle scene. They had decided to meet and part from there because it was very close to both of their homes. Or so they said. In reality, a much more convenient spot would have been the video arcade, but neither one wanted to mention a place that they frequented so often.
Sailor Moon smiled and said goodbye, tracing his face one last time (at least for that night) with her fingers.
"Good night, kanojo."
"'Night, Tuxedo Kamen-sama."
"You know, you really don't have to keep calling me that. We're married now."
"I know," she whispered, "But 'Tuxedo Kamen-sama' sounds so... dashing and strong and Prince Charming-ish."
"Well, in that case..." and he swept her up for another kiss. "I'll see you tomorrow, same place." he murmured and in an instant he was gone.
After she was sure he was gone, she detransformed and began to walk home. On the way she stopped to look at the sky. The moon and stars were out, twinkling and shining like they never had before. At least that's how it looked to her. Usagi had never seen the world look so beautiful before. She was most definitely in love. And she was married.
For a second she froze.
What would her family say if they ever found out? What about the senshi!? But Usagi was hit with the sudden notion that SHE DIDN'T CARE! Who cared what other people thought when the most perfect man in the universe loved her and called her his aisai, his beloved wife.
She reached her house a bundle of nerves, not sure what she would say if anyone ever found out where she'd been the past... Usagi looked at her watch. Had it really been 5 hours? It hadn't seemed long enough...
But she climbed up into her room, an expert at that after a year of being Sailor Moon. What she wasn't used to was having to hide from Luna. And she wasn't very good at that.
"Usagi!! Where have you been?"
"Luna, can't that wait? I'm so sleepy," she mumbled as she climbed into bed.
"You can't hide from me forever, Usagi. You just wait. I *will* find out where you were..."
* * * * * * * * *
*giggles* Poor Luna-chan!
Feedback, minna! Remember, email is a girl's best friend!
Bunny ^_^
"One kind kiss before we part,
Drop a tear and bid adieu;
Though we sever, my fond heart
Till we meet shall pant for you. "
Robert Dodsley (1703-1764): The Parting Kiss